Part 2....

I.A.N. Pt 2
written by 4bars

And now the conclusion of I.A.N.s…Let’s play a game of word association: ICE CUBE!...what are you thinking about? Smokey? “Don’t nobody go in the bathroom for about 35-45 mins?” I wonder how many hip hop heads even remember that Ice Cube is a pioneer of what we like to call “Gangsta Rap”. His new CD entitled “Raw Footage” is due out in mid-June and his lead single “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” featuring hip-hop giants Nas and Scarface (FACEMOOOBBB!!!) is a commentary on the constant blaming of hip-hop for inappropriate choices and actions. While I’m very critical about what is portrayed and presented in hip-hop, I also realize and will be the first to say that parents are the first line of defense for their kids and should do more to educate and prepare their children for the images and caricatures they encounter on a daily basis. With that being said, as most of you know, many of our young inner city minority youth, nor their parents, have the social capital necessary to adequately prepare them for what they face and are left to fend for themselves, but I digress.

Cube has another song that will be on the album called “It Takes a Nation”, again a commentary on hip-hop, but this time as an industry. Now I know you’re wondering, “Why the f is this cat talking bout Ice Cube, I thought this was about ignorant ass niggas?” and the two are related for this simple reason: Cube has my back. He blatantly says “Fuck Viacom, Clear Channel and Radio One…” voicing sentiments that I’d like to express to several other parties within Hip Hop. As much as old rappers many times seem to force the issue even though they’re clearly past their time of relevance, this generation of hip hoppers need a mature voice in their ear, just like our kids need mature parenting. Much of the problem of the current generation is that they were never taught any better. I.A.N.s are simply offspring of a generation that never cared enough to make sure that the up and comings were doing the right things for fear that they’re own livelihood and success would be jeopardized. Now I’m not trying to point fingers but one can’t help but place some blame on a nation of older hip hop heads and communities in general who choose to simply criticize instead of actually attempting to help show these youngsters the way. Now on the other side of that coin, the young heads need to have the maturity to heed the wise words of their elders and recognize that they have a responsibility to the up and coming youth just as the older generations do to them. And just one more finger can be pointed, as Cube did it at the end of the track (“…and streets of crack”), at “the man” but that’s a force that can’t be controlled, we gotta do what we can for our own, cause nobody else will. Sorry for getting preachy but it’s gonna take work and compromise, let me know what ya’ll think, enjoy the weekend, Bars.
Ice Cube - It Takes A Nation