Storytelling through Black lenses

D’Andre Patin

Dr. Harris

ENGL 2016

11/27/2023

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJcU0sQjiVlvj_Fakr5mv1U6T2yRulPEW&si=fS0BJAIXtlmv0M06

Storytelling through Black lenses

 

For this project I'm focusing on the evolution of the storytelling of black issues through rap songs over the decades. Artists give a first point of view and how they are directly affected. You will see how some of the issues are still going about today. Some issues are the same but depicted differently depending on the artist. The lyrics in the songs can go over your head if you aren’t paying attention. That's what makes storytelling so good. You have to listen to it multiple times to catch the double meanings and metaphors. I will list artists and songs that will both enlighten and educate you on issues that occur within black communities

1980-1989

●      NWA, "F--- Tha Police" (1988)

●     Public Enemy, "Fight the Power" (1989) ..

F— Tha Police talked about the injustice of the correctional system. Police officers were targeting minorities. Around this time police officers would lock people up over minor inconveniences and were extremely aggressive.

Public Enemy, “Fight the power” highlighted how African Americans fought back against systematic oppression, inequality, and racial discrimination. This gave African Americans the power to demand justice by any means necessary.

1990-1999

●     2 Pac, Changes(1998)

In this song he mentioned police brutality, injustice, the war on drugs and many more. "Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive. Never surrender." This quote directly describes social death. 2 pac is saying that a loss of identity is worse than death. 2 Pac was an afrofuturist artist. Many artists today mimic and copy his style.

●     Queen Latifa U.N.I.T.Y (1993)

Queen Latifa talked about the negative depictions and how badly black women are treated. She says black men and black women are stronger together than apart. In U.N.I.T.Y she says, “Instinct leads me to another flow. Every time I hear a brother call a girl a bitch or a ho Tryna make a sister feel low You know all of that gots to go”

This means that in order for black men and women to come together men need to stop calling them derogatory names. This only pushes us further apart.

 

●     Burn Hollywood Burn"—Public Enemy (1990)

In Burn Hollywood Burn by Public Enemy it discussed how Black people are portrayed in cinema. They are portrayed as "butlers and maids, slaves and hos" according to the song. This shows how society can control what you see in the media. Kids grow up watching these movies and think that it's common.

2000 and on

●     "Never Let Me Down" (2004)

This song was about being true to who you are. Never conform to society just to fit in.

●     “Crooked Smile,” Born Sinner (2011)

He is encouraging black women to be confident in themselves. Cole talked ‘Cause what's real is somethin' that the eyes can't see

That the hands can’t touch, that them broads can’t be

And that’s you, never let 'em see your frown.

The standard of beauty in the media tells women that you have to wear makeup, weave, fake eyelashes just to be attractive. Women should embrace their natural look and all of their flaws, as this is the true meaning of beauty. Beauty comes from within.

●     Kendrick Lamar “Alright” (2015)

Kendrick talks about how all the struggles we face are bound to happen. He has a religious insight that says as long as you have faith in God nothing will harm you. He wants the black community to keep advancing forward rather than being oppressed by the struggles

●     Lil baby “The bigger picture” (2020)

Lil baby talks about how there is a problem with the whole world. It's on both black and white communities to come together and create change. “I find it crazy the police'll shoot you and know that you dead But still tell you to freeze Fucked up, I seen what I seen I guess that mean hold him down if he say he can't breathe” is a lyric i took out from the song. This speaks on police brutality and injustice. He suggests that police are trained to kill black men.

 

10 best protest songs of the ’90s - spinditty. (n.d.). https://spinditty.com/playlists/The-Protest-Movement-The-10-Best-Protest-Songs-of-the-90s

 

ABC News Network. (n.d.). ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/hip-hop-standing-black-lives-decades-15-songs/story?id=71195591