Week Six Asynchronous Discussion (150-350 words):
In Chapter 11 of The Hip Hop Wars (we’ll dig more into this reading in Week Seven), Tricia Rose discusses “six important underlying beliefs” that critics of hip hop have in common. She writes, “Neither side admits to sharing these beliefs or to maintaining silence about their contents–and, indeed, such denial helps perpetuate the very problems that have taken root in commercial hip hop” (Rose 217). As we cover various underground hip hop artists in Week Six, these six underlying beliefs can shed some light on the way these artists subverted mainstream criticisms and expectations.
Additionally, these underlying beliefs can provide a framework for discussing the successes of artists like Tupac and Biggie and the way they complicated and challenged notions of mainstream appeal. For this week’s discussion, we’ll focus on the first of these 6 underlying beliefs, “Creative Disregard” (p. 218-221). Rose explains, “Both sides in this public battle disrespect the power of challenging and expanding the creative ceiling of hip hop and apply low defining standards to the art form.
Some severe critics think it is barely music or even compelling rhyme or storytelling, describing it instead as simple-minded rhymed rantings” (Rose 218). Later on, the author points to commercialism as a perpetrator in the perceived decline of hip hop creativity. She says, “There is far too much comfort with the underdevelopment of aesthetic appreciation for hip hop; too many rappers with enormous talent and plenty of money (so paying the bills is no longer an excuse) capitulate to this market substandard and thus contribute to the reduction of the market value of more complex rhymes, creative risks, and unexpected collaborations..
Creativity is governed by sales and profits” (Rose 220).
http://dreamhamptonarticles.blogspot.com/2010/04/tupac-hellraiser_15.html
Listen to one of the songs from week six.
Discuss the following:
Do you feel that for this artist(s), creativity is governed by sales and profits? How do this person’s music, business models (i.e. Wu-Tang Clan), and community engagement manifest creativity?
Cite 2 examples within the song. An example could include a portion of lyrics or a sample. Use time indicators to let the reader know where the example appears in the song. For example, “At (0:32) of Wu-Tang’s ‘Can It Be All So Simple,’ RZA introduces a sample of…”
