Typically, Hip-Hop has been a main front in counter culture. Growing up in a strict Dominican household, it was extremely hard with getting away with listening to artists like 50 Cent, Fabolous, Jadakiss and my personal favorite, Lil Wayne.
From the early 2000s through 2010, Lil Wayne was considered to be the face of Hip-Hop, and discovered a once in a generation artist, being Drake. Since Drake’s arrival, a passing of the torch has quietly gone forth with, of course, Drake being the main artist for Hip-Hop.
The saying is true: If you have a Drake verse, then you’ve made it.
Just take a look at some of the careers Drake help launch:
Migos, The Weeknd, Blocboy JB, ILoveMakonnen, PartyNextDoor … to name a few.
But what about everyone else? The ones people do not consider to be tier-one material.
Artists like Trippie Redd, Famous Dex, XXXTentacion, and most infamously Tekashi69 are all a part of this new identity that has engulfed Hip-Hop into deeper and darker depths.
Now, I won’t be the first and hopefully not the last to tell you that Hip-Hop is not the most audience friendly music and it takes a thorough listening to know what you may or may not like. It’s a genre that is known to degrade women and at times flaunt a lifestyle that is neither safe nor healthy. At the end of the day, music is music, and every genre is known to dabble in these kind of industrial taboos.
From Rock and Roll to Country music, there is evidence of the degrading of women and the acceptance of a dangerous lifestyle. So why is Hip-Hop still under fire?
The Industry just doesn’t seem to care when it comes to these individuals who promote these lifestyles.
Here’s a few names that raise red flags when seen to still be relevant:
Tekashi69
Famous Dex
YoungBoy NBA
Kodak Black
XXXTentacion
TayK
Five out of the six listed were involved in some form of domestic violence and or sexual abuse case.
All six served jail time.
All six are under the age of 24.
All six are signed to exclusive music deals as well as distribution deals.
The most infamous of the bunch Tekashi69 is unfortunately (in my opinion) the most popular of the bunch with hits like “KOODA” and “GUMMO” which both hit the Billboard Hot 100.
This young man, has been accused of sexually assaulting a 13 year old, joining different gangs ranging from Bloods and Crips and promoting an absurd lifestyle.
Yet the music industry has rewarded this man, with a brighter future than most kids who go to college can ever imagine. Millions of views on YouTube, millions of downloads for his music will only add on fuel to the fire.
Greed is a dangerous thing, they evaluate the talent that most them the most money and will look for the next money maker, which as of late has been the same over and over.
Till we the people stop glorifying these kind of artists, they will be here continuing to reap the rewards for as long as we support them.
APN 