What goes around truly comes back around. The rap game has definitely taught us a thing or two about that. On November 1st, 2022, news broke on social media that rapper Takeoff – from platinum selling rap group Migos – was pronounced deceased over a senseless act of violence. Another black male artist is gone forever. Why does it feel like rappers are always dying? Why is there so much violence in hip-hop? After thinking of the number of rappers who have died since the year 2020, it looks as if these rappers are killing themselves. These rappers are ultimately the reason for their own deaths.
Gun violence is what is taking away some of the most famed rappers of all time. The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle, King Von and Pnb Rock to name a few. Data records collected from CNN emphasize the fact that Takeoff’s death is the latest in a trend that stretches back to 2018. Each year since then, gun violence – whether through robbery or disagreement – has killed at least one rapper who was either already famous or on the cusp of crossover fame.
However, the argument of gun violence is played out. The reason so many rappers are dying is because of corporate culpability. It's known that there will always be disparities amongst communities and typically rappers often originate from these impoverished violent areas. Black people experience 10 times the amount of gun homicides compared to white Americans, especially in impoverished areas, “The violence has always been in our communities and these issues far before there was ever a rapper,” says Dart Adams, a hip-hop historian, journalist and author/editor of The Best Damn Hip Hop Writing. “Rap music becomes responsible for things we have no control over.”
These rappers then rap about this violence because it has been so traumatizing for them. Hip-Hops form of poetry is often overlooked. However, one cannot keep feeding a community violence and expect it not to bite back. Rapping about violence is only making these communities worse. The “tough guy” persona that these record labels push on artists only makes them susceptible to even more violence. The stigma is that rapping about love or committing to one woman is simply defined as “weak” and this is adding to the problem. Sure, you can say these rappers are just giving the hip-hop consumer world what they want, but to what extent? Their lives? But like I said, what goes around comes around. Today’s society is so enchanted by violence, sex and fast money in hip-hop even though it’s deadly.
I’m not only pointing the finger at hip-hop, there are so many conjoined reasons for the deaths of these rappers. There's always going to be disparities in societies, there's always going to be a hip-hop genre, there's always going to be guns - well at the looks of it., but how many rappers deaths is it going to take for them to begin switching the stigma? When are these rappers going to stop promoting this to their fans?
This leads me to my last argument discussing Cultural betrayal trauma theory attributed from Dr. Jennifer Gomez. The theory states “When you're the victim of violence from an ingroup member, it's much more difficult to cope from that trauma compared to if the same exact instance occurs from an outgroup member,”. Due to societal inequality, within-group trauma in minority populations is a cultural betrayal that contributes to outcomes. This domino effect of violence is knocking down the most prominent rappers. We can not keep feeding these impoverished and violent communities what keeps them trapped in impoverished and violent communities. These rappers need to stop killing themselves.
This was a great discussion in class and I liked hearing this concept. I personally haven't thought of this nor was extremely aware of it too much. I'm glad it's something I have more knowledge of now. It's crazy to think of the dangers that arise when in this industry, ones that are embedded within the culture of hip hop. It's unfair to see the cycle that manages to continue within it and simply justify it for it "just being that way." A lot comes from a sense of trying to maintain an image and reputation in order to succeed. This was a great post to read.
It was great hearing you discuss this topic in class. The rap industry has turned into a movement that simply gives those coming from poverty financial stability but never takes them away from the danger. This is a significant topic that needs to be brought to front in society otherwise we will continue to see great producers, musicians, and rappers kill each other off throughout the year. One of my favorite rap groups is the Wu-Tang Clan and their story on how they came together, despite being rivals from different gangs, is truly inspiring and a prime example of how the rap and music industry should be used for the better rather than damage.
I agree with your general argument. In today's music market, violence sells. Another thing to add on is the scumbags on the side that instigate the beefs and present them under the public eye. People such as DJ Akademiks and Adam 22 who interview rappers victim to the system and the dooming persona imposed on them. In these interviews they instigate beefs like an MMA press conference and remain neutral but allow rappers to talk shit on their large platforms which has lead to many violent instances. When asked about his negative effect on the rap community, Akademiks gave a very narcissistic response along the lines of "that has nothing to do with me, this is how I make a…
Interesting read overall! I do believe violence in the music industry is almost “normalized” in the United States. I also believe record labels do play a role and responsibility in how rappers are supposed to create their music. The U.S gun system is definitely not helping with this gun violence issue whatsoever. I wonder how this issue would resolve if the U.S system looked different than right now. We can’t let rappers keep dying and getting hurt physically or emotionally by this sort of violence that is continuously occurring in this industry.
Art and music subliminally implement in our everyday thoughts and actions. Every piece of music we enjoy and art we view inspires us in countless ways and reflects onto our everyday lives without us even realizing. The use of violent imagery, language, and representation within the rap community is very evident and influential. It is heartbreaking that some rappers are passing away in alliance with their own words and songs; gun violence. The very horrible violent acts that they write about ends up writing out their fate…while their songs speak upon their childhoods and experiences while growing up, the trauma that bleeds through their lyrics ends up provoking violence and flashbacks amongst their community of listeners.