November 01-2007:
What Lies Beyond The HUSTLE Or HUSTLER Existence?
I have often pondered upon the motives or reasons why so many Rappers sing about the Hustle or Hustling in the Hood or Ghetto. And not seeming to give any solution as to it's end or objective. Even after so many of them have become financially successful. This attitude of always commenting upon the hardships of every day living in the Inner City Ghettoes or Hood, is not confined to any one Ethnic group. But transcends all poor or lower income classes, that are in the earning category or less that (Sixteen Thousand US Dollars per year).
Very few Rappers have indicated in their music at some point of economic success, that they are content with this socio-economic advancement. And will be using some of their newly earned wealth/ resources to help some of their economically dis-advantaged brothers and sisters to get an education, stay in school, eat regularly, be able to own or access better housing. Or learn how to do or conduct personal business or enterprises.
Looking back to the early days of Tupac Shakur's music about his Ghetto life, upbringing, parental supervision, and fatherless home. Reminds me that he did not live long enough to move on with his Biographical agenda. Because he was killed in the process of telling his personal stories. Then we have J-Z another former Ghetto kid, and now a successful CEO of Def Jam Inc,. He too has a similar background, and is in a position to lead the way, in turning around the mentality of perpetual struggle, to some real or realistic objective.
After all, no struggle is perpetual. And all struggles are perceived as temporary by those who are in the struggle. And it is nonsensical to embark upon any struggle, that has no perceived objective or end in sight.
Derryck S. Griffith.
Educator-Advocate & Blogger.
No comments:
Post a Comment