I have heard Killer Mike's song "Reagan" a number of times. But recently I came across the video: it's a definite work of art. The cartoon lends an immediacy to Mike's rhymes about hypocrisy and the government's history of institutionalized racism. In both the music and the visuals, this is art that stakes its place in the world and does not shy away from controversy. But this song is not solely about criticizing the government. It's real potency comes from Mike's willingness to examine his and other rap artist's complicity in the problems plaguing his community:
"So it seems our people starve from lack of understanding/ Cause all we seem to give them is some balling and some dancing/ And some talking about our car and imaginary mansions/ We should be indicted for bullshit we inciting/ Hella children deaf and pretending it's exciting/We are advertisements for agony and pain/ We exploit the youth, we tell them to join a gang"
Of course, hearing people be critical of hip-hop's emphasis on money, violence, and objectification of women is not new. But it bears hearing again, especially by somebody talking from the inside.
Absolutely worth checking out.
It might even lead people to research what he's talking about.
No comments:
Post a Comment