The things we say and put out in the public media have a direct impact on our society.  No matter how large or small a statement you make you have the power to change society for good or evil.

Back in the late 80’s NWA emerged, exposing many to their first honest looks into the life of young black people in the inner cities of the west coast.  It was edgy, raw, real and very successful.  Over the last 20 years however gangster rap has become a victim of its own success; turning raps about reality into predictable songs based on shallow, mysogynistic stereotypes that degrade women and makes black men look like savage fools.

Too many artists today have sold their soul to make a few bucks; calling beautiful black women "bitches" on wax just to make money.  In addition, the constant reference to ourselves as gangsters, drug dealers and p**sy mongers has been a formula to sell records to the masses but at what cost?

Lupe Fiasco’s is one of the best rappers of our generation and his new joint “Bitch Bad” explores our negative self-portrayal in rap and how it impacts our youth and our culture.  The video is getting a lot of airplay and causing a dialog that is long overdue.  Sometimes a lot more can be said in 3 minutes than can be said in 100 articles.

This is the positive power of media.  Thanks Lupe, we appreciate it.

See Also:

Black Women are Beautiful Natural or Otherwise

The Media Brainwashing of Young Black America

The Top 10 Things Missing From Hip Hop Today

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