[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
K. Sparks Presents Baggage Handlers Feat Sabina Ddumba Produced By Payozo & Gonza
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
K. Sparks Presents The Cotton Club Feat JAYVINE Produced By Kurser
Hip Hop’s Self Destruction…
If I picked up a guitar today, grabbed some cowboy boots and decided I wanted to be a famous Country Singer I could record a demo, and maybe even make a funny video filled with satire to go viral on YouTube. But ultimately one thing is for certain, and that is if I try to have a serious career in that regard the Country Music Industry would shut me down. I would never have the chance to have a legitimate Country music career especially if I am mocking their culture because they would not allow it. See it’s pretty basic, a tight knit community will never let anyone tarnish their image, and they will always remain the gate keepers that dictate who shall pass and who shall be forever declined. Some may call it unfair, but either way it is an effective method that keeps their Industry on top, their artist continue to thrive, and it boils down to integrity.
The problem with the Hip Hop culture is that we have forgotten about integrity, and we continue to let any and everybody enter our Industry. In case you didn’t fully grasp my statement I repeat, the problem with Hip Hop culture is that we let any and everybody enter our Industry. Proof of this is the simple fact that an artist such as V Nasty (which has zero talent, aside from her ability to generate controversy about her being a Caucasian female using the word nigger) can even be mentioned as a legitimate Recording Artist that has a chance at being deemed a 2012 Freshman. Not to mention that the Hip Hop gate keepers have somehow allowed someone like this to be acknowledged as an artist that deserves this attention. At this point we have to assess what the hell is going on in Hip Hop culture. There is a major difference between something going viral on the internet, as opposed to a person actually being courted as if they are a legitimate factor.
Let me explain further, see when something goes viral on the internet no one can control that, and it happens so quickly it’s something that just is what it is. However after something goes viral, we can control as a culture who we provide with the additional platform to reach the masses. When I say “we” I am referring to Artist, Producers, Magazines, Radio, and etc. Once “we” begin to actually add fuel to the fire we are now to blame. The Hip Hop culture has the power to ignore fools like V Nasty, but instead our Publications disrespect our culture by giving props to gimmicks. Ultimately it’s a reflection of what Hip Hop has come to, so forget about artistic integrity. The main objective has become for an artist to do anything needed to create a buzz, by any means necessary. If you are a black artist, chances are your gimmick would be to make records about crack, guns, and throw a sexy R&B singer on your hook to ensure you get radio spins. If you are a white artist say the word nigger and Hip Hop publications will honor you with attention (catch my drift). Hip Hop is breeding a culture filled with people that smoke more, and think less. A culture filled with people that watch YouTube, but refuse to watch the problematic issues that plague their communities.
There use to be a time when Hip Hop was more exclusive, meaning an emcee couldn’t even touch the microphone at a house party unless they were tight. Nowadays any and everyone can be a Hip Hop superstar. The bottom line is that we need to start regaining control of our culture. Furthermore if the powers that be (such as labels, publications, radio, and etc) are out of touch then we need to make them wake up. We need to start speaking less on Twitter, and speak more with our wallets. Simply tweeting about issues is not effective, and in the words of Lupe; listening to Pac, ain’t gone make it stop. When people refuse to buy a Magazine, or CD because you realize it is disrespecting your culture it will make these companies more aware of their actions and encourage them to check themselves. -K. Sparks
