Numerous times has it been said or implied at the very least that rappers should be held to a moral standard that transcends that of their consumers. Mainstream figures, not just rappers are under constant scrutiny and surveillance and people say that’s the trade off. You gain fame, lose privacy. That’s what they signed up for. Athletes and artists share many of the same broadcast genetics though one large difference keeps the two separate. Rappers depend on the public to continue their existence. Athletes can always play ball, they’ll just take a pay cut if the crowds dissipate. Though now rappers seem to be more powerful as ever which leads me to my question. Should rappers be mindful and take responsibility for what they say?

As consumers, we purchase music with violent criminal content of illicit nature all the time. Not many of us complain. Though it’s becoming more frequent that the consumer public is calling for more substance. Recently, Waka Flaka made a damn fool of himself on BETs 106 & Pork while making a comment, for lack of a better word on voting and pretty much sent every common sense wielding person within earshot to in an uproar. Recently, Lebron James caused a stir by saying a lot of backlash he caught for leaving Cleveland was racial and that played a part of him choosing Miami. Many asked, why speak out now, if at all? Was it an attempt to gain more attention? Was it to come across as not just a dumb jock and some one concerned with the “issues” that everyday African Americans face? Since hip hop started out in the struggle, why does it seem that less and less music is about the struggle that is ever so apparent today? Is there a specific reason we can have “ignorant rap” dominate the charts while “intelligent rap” is relegated to blogsite downloads?

It’s not just me, many people second the notion that they will only listen to “intelligent rap”, not necessarily conscious hip hop but music that you can tell required a steady hand and mind to create. The Clipse for instance can hardly be called positive rap, but they give insight to their lifestyle and paint a clear picture of the consequences and benefits of it. The lyricism displayed illustrates the dexterity involved to make the music and we respect that. Kanye West has walked the fine line since the beginning of his career but it’s his reality, nothing really wrong with that. Though today, MC’s in the spotlight are with out a doubt shaping the youth. With that being said, is that power paired with even greater responsibility just packaged with ultra fine print printed in invisible ink?

On more than a few occasions, rappers on trial were subject to being prosecuted by their own lyrics. Shyne and T.I are just two of the lot. The prosecution employed the usage of quotes form Shyne‘s music to exhibit a pattern criminal behaviour and intent to allow the court to arrive at a guilty verdict. Many people in and outside of the hip hop community considered this a violation of the 1st Amendment of the constitution which guarantees freedom of speech. With T.I.‘s return to the slammer, you kinda gotta ask, where does one draw the line? Tip said in an interview that he wasn’t aware of a role model who doesn’t smoke weed. Funny, I can name quite a few. But is it a rappers job to be a role model? Does ones proximity to the general public warrant a status reserved for real civil servants? I view MCing much in the same light I due journalism. It’s a journalists job to report the truth, clear and cut, no bullshit. Rarely ever is that practiced. MCs are ghetto reporters, voices for the voiceless. Every great MC told a side for a group with out the means to do so. Now with the over saturation of both, the ethics get swept under the rug while the rest of us are left the menial scraps of a trade and art form that we know as the spoken and in some cases written word.

At the end of the day though, there is that pesky 1st amendment right that pretty much allows some one to say anything with in confines of the law. That’s the beauty and curse of free speech. Logically assess what is being presented here. Should rappers of all people be heralded as beacons of light and morality? If any rapper has more influence on a kid than his parent does, well then that my friend is a different kettle of fish all together. The same parents who go on tirades about the content of hip hop are the same ones who leave their children in front of the television sets and allow the internet to replace them as example setting figures and role models. Why is it that we as MCs should have to censor ourselves because of their inability to parent and govern their own households? That is why albums come with a Parental Advisory warning on the cover after all, isn’t it?

For every Chuck D we have a Soulja Boy. For every Nas we have a Gucci Mane.  There is balance in hip hop, like all walks of life that must be sustained. But with the current state of flux about the culture that is promoting a perpetuated stereotype in cycles, should we call of a tipping of the scales in the opposite direction? Does the music have to have a positive message attached to it if any at all? Should every rapper take responsibility for each other? Should the weight be shouldered by all for the comments of few? You decide.