Recently, an online debate has emerged around white listeners and artists “ruining” rap music by using the genre as a breeding ground for memes and gimmicks rather than taking it seriously as an art form. The discussion also touches on a more taboo subject: the perception that some white audiences do not respect rap in the same way they respect other genres.
A common pattern in hip-hop is the constant blame placed on white artists and listeners for “watering down” the genre and appropriating Black culture. However, people sometimes fail to understand that rap as a whole is an art form and a way for people all around the world, especially those from marginalized or impoverished communities
Black artists deserve full credit for creating the genre and making it a huge part of pop culture, and their concern about preserving their culture is completely valid because, to an extent, it’s true. Rap has become a breeding ground for memes and isn’t always taken as seriously as other genres. Tons of people have tried to exploit the genre, benefit from it, and use it as an easy way to gain a following through gimmicks and jokes rather than becoming truly authentic artists.
There are plenty of artists who aren’t white that have equally contributed to “ruining rap,” such as 6ix9ine with his gimmicks and loud persona, Soulja Boy with his internet presence and bringing meme culture into rap, 2slimey with his chaotic, unconventional sound and constant gimmicks, and even Nine Vicious, who built much of his audience through outlandish statements and controversy.
There have definitely been white artists in the past who used the genre to benefit themselves and build an audience, like Post Malone, who eventually moved away from rap to pursue country music. But the idea that white people are ruining rap simply isn’t justified. There have also been plenty of white artists who have made meaningful contributions to the genre but often get overlooked because of this narrative, including Eminem, Matt Ox, Yung Lean, and Mac Miller.
This debate is definitely important because it raises questions about race, culture, and double standards in rap music. But at the end of the day, leaving race out of the conversation is probably the best outcome for everyone. Rap is one of the most diverse genres in the world, and it should be seen as a medium where people from all backgrounds come together to express themselves through an art form that belongs to everyone while still respecting the culture that created it.
By Ed Roobi