Voice of the young people?

Reasonable Doubts
written by Kyle Turner

I know that my posts of late have drifted from the original vein of analyzing an artist’s songs and lyrics to try to find the deeper meaning within the words to a more analytical stance in interpreting hip-hop’s greater affect on the culture of which we claim to be apart. So, in light of the recent verdict in the case of the People v. Sean Bell, I choose to take this time to encroach upon the relative, selective neutrality that so many our very visible hip-hop artists choose to employ in situations like this.

I had the very distinct pleasure of having a discussion about this very topic with two of my closest and most intelligent associates over the past week. I’m not sure how many of you had the moderate “pleasure” of hearing Jay-Z’s diss track towards Washington Wizards guard Deshawn Stevenson; it was this frivolous use of lyrical talent that sparked the initial discussion. “Why,” my friend asked, “does Jay feel it necessary to make a song addressing such a meaningless topic?” I am paraphrasing, to be sure, but it was an interesting question. Why address the feud between two dueling millionaires and not a more pertinent issue?

No, Jay-Z, or any rapper for that matter, is obligated to address every current event that happens to grace the front page of the Post or the Times. As my other friend stated, “this particular issue didn’t inspire him.” Fair enough, people feel passionate about certain things and dispassionate about others. But from a man who claims to be “young vito/voice of the young people/mouthpiece for hustlers/ventriloquist for doublers…” he seems quite silent about this.

Is it my place to decide what any artist should and should not be writing – or not writing in Jay’s case – about? Absolutely not. These are grown men we are talking about and they are responsible for everything they do and don’t do. Still, I personally find it peculiar that a man who would take the time to include a song about hurricane Katrina (“Minority Report”) on Kingdom Come and criticize Al Sharpton (on “Say Hello” from American Gangster) wouldn’t find a moment to at least say a word or two about this. My friend told me that he isn’t a political figure and therefore, shouldn’t be expected to wax extensively on a topic like this. However, I would argue the contrary. Shouldn’t a non-politico be free from the reins of constituent alienation? Artists like him are in unique positions in that they command the ear of the general public and more so a group that often isn’t privy to the goings on of a system that tends not to favor them while also possessing nearly immeasurable wealth; certainly enough to shield them somewhat from any legal backlash.

Though my post may focus on Jay, I implore you, the reader to look deeper than the who’s and the what’s. Whether we want to admit this or not, many of the artists we listen to on the daily are seen by the greater public as representatives. It’s an unfair and even a foolhardy association due to the assumption that hip-hop culture and black culture are synonymous. Put simply they are not, however, we must acknowledge the influence that artists like Jay-Z, Diddy, Kanye West and Lil Wayne have. Though I won’t be presumptuous enough to assume they won’t eventually share their thoughts on the acquittal of Detectives Oliver, Isnora and Cooper, I will be bold enough to hope that they will. Jay is right, Sharpton doesn’t speak for all of us; I just hope that our artists are strong enough to do the speaking for themselves. I don’t want to keep asking if anybody makes real shit anymore.