I think it’s far to say the majority of rappers these days fabricate or stretch the truth beyond reasonable doubt. Rapper’s tales of living on the edge, dangerous lives with cash to last for generations and women lining up at their doorstep are in most cases likely to be somewhat exaggerated. But is this really a bad thing? Why in the hip hop community are we so loathe to accept the rapper that takes on a persona? Do we expect actors in films to have experienced what they depict in their onscreen characters? Marlon Brando played the role of Don Corleone in one of the greatest films of all time, but he was never the Don of any Mafia organisation and nor did we call the film awful for this.
And yet in hip hop, there is a reluctance to accept the idea of fantasy in music, the idea of some telling tales as a sort of alter ego, with a need to believe that all rappers are ‘100 per cent real’ to be truly credible. But let’s be honest, the idea of fantasy and an escape for the listener, an audio film if you will, is simply more fun. This rule seems to mostly apply to those where the past life they claim to have led is deemed to be false and as such is rubbished, but nobody complains as much over the fact that many rapper’s claims of materialism and unbelievable wealth, while somewhat true, are almost always greatly exaggerated.
The most obvious example of this is Rick Ross. Yes, we all know he was a corrections officer, and we all know he probably wasn’t a drug kingpin or that he is as ridiculously wealthy as he claims.
But why can’t we just see it for what it is, that the man makes some damn good music at times with some of the finest beat selection around and with a lyrical arsenal that seems to expand with each album. I wouldn’t care if William Leonard Roberts II drove a 1982 Honda Accord, Rick Ross rides in a Maybach and I’m happy to believe that and pay attention to the persona that has been created. I see it as a chance to immerse myself in the rhymes he spins not to question his credibility. I don’t see why a rapper can’t take on a persona and use it for to entertain everyone else because, ultimately, that’s the business they are in, to entertain.
The hip hop community is sometimes too quick to hate on people for reasons like this and I think hip hop would be far healthier without it, and embracing artists if they bring lyrical skill and good music to the table The same goes when people hate on rapper’s that aren’t necessarily hardened ghetto boys, like Drake. Why?
It’s more fun to look out for the great songs and elevate their popularity. If hip hop wants more real people from the underground, then buy their albums and make them superstars, there’s a big enough hip hop following to do this.
Personally, I’m gonna put on Mafia Music II and enjoy it for what it is.
