The Hip Hop Image

One of my Facebook friends posted this article last week, and I thought it would be perfect to share on the blog. Kendrick Lamar is one of the newest rappers to be gaining attention on the hip hip scene, and he's often discussed as "changing the rap game." He was crowned by MTV as the No. 1 "Hottest MC in the Game" in early 2013, and was bestowed the cover of GQ's magazine's Men of the Year issue, with the headline "Rapper of the Year."

Lamar is from Compton, and represents a very different image than that of NWA and other Southern California rappers, such as Snoop Dog (I refuse to say Lion) and Dr. Dre. His music is a mix between socially conscious and laid back. Yet, despite his  alternate image and talent, he's still being stereotyped as a "gangster rapper," as seen in this article.

While interviewing Kendrick for the cover of GQ, writer Steve Marsh was surprised that Lamar, as well as Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, the CEO of Lamar's record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), were so "diciplined", and that they "...seem so calm." Marsh also compared Tiffith to Suge Knight, and TDE to a "baby Death Row." Marsh also was apparently surprised that "TDE’s artists...weren’t smoking weed, guzzling 40′s and chasing women," and made a jab at Lamar's neighborhood. As a response, Lamar and his fellow artist at TDE refused to attend the launch party for the issue, much to the surprise of the people at GQ.

I really appreciated this article because it shows how many people still interpret hip hop, rap music, and rappers. They are all lumped together in this very stereotypical racist image, and get responded to in such a fashion when their image doesn't fall into that ideal. I agree with the anger that the TDE artist expressed as well as their boycotting of the event, and appreciate that they are bringing awareness to this mindset.

http://www.reason4rhymes.com/2013/11/hip-hop-news/kendrick-lamar-show-gq-party-response-magazines-cover-story/