The “lyrical poet” Flo Rida once said, “Shorty was hot like a toaster, sorry but I had to fold her, like a pornography poster, she showed her…” With deep lyrics like these, it’s no wonder this song has become famous, along with countless other songs portraying similar images of lovemaking and what it’s like to be a “G.”
However, if we were to examine the life of an average college male or female, I can almost guarantee these lyrics wouldn’t apply to them. The college students I know don’t have wads of cash to throw down every weekend at the kind of clubs portrayed in rap videos.
Mainstream rap is a phenomena of today’s popular culture. The music has taken over dances, parties and myriad radio channels. Lyrics that objectify women overwhelm the radios and iPods of this generation. I often hear phrases like “bitches and hoes” and other pieces of lyric tossed around in everyday conversations, often in those between friends and couples. Many girls don’t seem to mind the lyrics, despite the fact the words often completely degrade and objectify women.
While some don’t buy into the rage that is 50 Cent and Flo Rida, others live by their lyrics. As rap clearly isn’t applicable to the life of an average person, it’s interesting that so many people think these songs speak to them. For my generation, rap is the dance craze and a way for people to prove how much they know about pop culture.
I understand rap is therapeutic for some people and serves as a tool to express their emotions, but mainstream rap doesn’t mean much in my life. What really puzzles me is that other music genres that portray more realistic situations are becoming less and less popular. One has to actually search for music that presents new ideas and thought processes.
Jon Lajoie, a comedian who raps about things such as the infamous Two Girls, One Cup video, attempts to create raps for the “common man.” His songs “Everyday Normal Guy” and “Sunday Afternoon” make fun of mainstream rap, and succeed in being entertaining and quite catchy. While listening to his work, I catch myself singing along and wondering why mainstream rap hasn’t taken this turn yet. People often argue that mainstream rap is about the beat and rhythm, but fail to consider the impact of the lyrics. If they did take meaning into consideration, I’m sure Lajoie’s music would’ve already hit 104.7 KDUK. If people continue to listen to and use this music carelessly, I’m frightened that future generations will entirely wipe out real meaning in music.
[email protected]