One of my Internet PersonalitiesTM has been thinking a lot about old school rap today, which, in turn, has got me thinking about it as well.
I used to love rap. I loved how, “back in the day,” it was often equal parts rump-shaking fun and social commentary that could get your head out of your ass while getting your ass out of your seat.
Something went horribly wrong somewhere along the way and mainstream rap turned into a derogatory, misogynistic cesspool in which every song seemed based on a boilerplate template of: 1) mention your name as often as possible, preferably while grabbing your junk; 2) mention popular products that cost an exorbitant amount of money, preferably while grabbing your junk; 3) drop a violent threat or five against a competitor rapper, preferably while making a gun motion with your hand…right before grabbing your junk; 4) cram in as many curse words and racial epithets as possible, preferably while grabbing your junk; 5) insult women as many times as possible, preferably while grabbing your junk.
I know there are still decent rappers out there, who honor the traditions laid down by the likes of Grandmaster Flash, the Sugarhill Gang, Eric B. and Rakim, MC Lyte…one of my favorite rappers who came to the scene toward the end of my enchantment with the genre was Queen Latifah. Black Reign remains one of my favorite go-to albums when I’m in that old school frame of mind (Who got my back? The Queen, of course).
The fact that Queen Latifah wasn’t afraid to step up with her song “U.N.I.T.Y.” and take the men to task for their ignorant lyrics (along with other things) definitely earned her a great deal of respect from me. And so I drop this on you:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8cHxydDb7o&w=640&h=480]
All hail the Queen.
