Tiara Fulton Professor Grant English 1102 January 29 2014 It Aint Nothin Like Hip-Hop Music Music is a major

theme within pop culture, not only in America but around the world. In particular, Hip-hop music is a large subculture of music in todays time in which many people enjoy. Rapper Busta Rhymes once stated, Hip-hop reflects the truth, and the problem is that hiphop exposes a lot of the negative truth that society tries to conceal. It's a platform where we could offer information, but it's also an escape (Smith). Hip-hop music has a lot of misconceptions. For example, this genre is said to pollute the minds of young people with the thoughts of violence, sex, drugs and alcohol. Hip-hop artist create false perceptions that success can be claimed only with possessing money, women, cars, and clothes. Even though some rappers do focus their music on those aspects, there is much more to the genre of hip-hop. The problem that I have with this element of pop culture is that it is viewed in a bad light. Hip-hop is not all about money, women, and fancy cars. Many respectable and notable hip-hop artist give back to society, they are able to convey positive messages to their listeners. Hip-hop is more than what meets the eye. Many hip-hop artist give back to society and to their communities that they originally prospered in. Pharrell Williams, mostly known by his stage name Pharrell, is a popular musical artist within this element of pop culture. Born on April 5, 1973 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Pharrell is an international singer-songwriter, rapper, producer, fashion designer, and philanthropist. In 2008 Pharrell establish the non-profit organization, From One Hand to Another

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(FOHTA). In the FOHTA mission statement it states that their goal is to, change the world one kid at a time by giving them the tools and resources to meet their unique potential. Pharrell believes that every child can be successful if they have the right tools and resources. He has built Pharrell Williams Resource Centers (PWRCs) in at risk communities around the country. These resource centers have implemented learning programs to better underserved youth ages ranging from ages seven to twenty. These buildings provide educational services in areas such as science, technology, engineering, math, and motivation. President Barack Obama once stated, The thing about hip-hop today is its smart, its insightful. The way they can communicate a complex message in a very short space is remarkable (Obama). Hip-hop songs are not just about sex, money, and drugs like most people perceive them to be. Artist of this genre are often able to convey positive messages in special ways through their songs. In 1989, gangster rapper Slick Rick released a song from his debut album titled Hey Young World. This song has a main theme of simply doing well in life and gives inspiration to the youth as Slick Rick provides wisdom through his lyrics. In the song he raps Here's a rule for the non-cool... your life, don't drool. Don't be a fool like those that don't go to school. Get ahead... and accomplish things you'll see the wonder and the joy life brings (Walters). In those lines Slick Rick is encouraging the youth to stay in school, to accomplish their goals, and they will see their life change for the better. No matter their upbringings or surroundings. Another song that is an example of bringing a positive message is U.N.I.T.Y by Queen Latifah. Queen Latifah is a singer, rapper, actress, model, and talk show host amongst other things. In this song she rapped about the disrespect of women in society, she addressed the issues of street harassment, domestic violence, and slurs against women.

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Hip-hop music is more than what the average person may think. There is so much that goes into making a song. These artist dont just sit around, smoke blunts, and play dominos all day. They are constantly trying to better themselves and perfect their craft. They try to improve their skills in more than one way to inspire their other fellow artists, listeners, and fans. Hip-hop music is more than just music. It is a form of lyrical art, what most call poetry. When rappers are writing their raps, they place their words and ideas almost exactly as poets write poems. In my mind, rappers are poets in their own unique ways. In most songs the artist aim to make their words rhyme with each other, exactly how most poets do as well. Also, their songs are broken down into verses which to a poet would create different stanzas. I feel as though it is extremely sad that there are so many misconceptions about the Hiphop culture and its music. Hip-hop is a beautiful thing to experience at least once. It is relatively new genre with origins starting in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York. I wish that people would take the time to listen to at least one song of this genre. It is not all negative and degrading to women like some may believe. These artist do give back to the community and they are able to convey positive messages. The hip-hop culture is more complex than what it seems.

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Works Cited "Obama, Barack." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2014. 4 February 2014. "Rhymes, Busta." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2014. 4 February 2014. "Tools For The Future." From One Hand To Another RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. Rick, Slick. Hey Young World. 1988. Def Jam Recordings, 1989, CD.

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