Throughout time, there has always been the aspect of two opposing forces going back and forth with each other through the sense of “good and evil.” There’s God vs. Lucifer, David vs. Goliath or even 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule. But in our current generation today, the struggle we face in the hiphop community is through Conscious music vs. Trap music. For those who don’t know the difference between the two, let me explain. Conscious rap music talks about social/political struggles and issues that are going on in our country. Trap music is mainly rap music that mostly talks about drugs, guns and violence, but is mostly beat driven to get the audience pumped up. Some people say that they like listening to conscious rap from artists like Common, Mos Def or J Cole. Others might say they prefer trap music from artists like Future, Migos or even Young Jeezy. But my question is, why can’t we have both?
The reason why I even brought this up is because the other week, I saw an open, sit down discussion between rappers Lil Yatchy and Joe Budden. Now, if anyone knows hiphop, then they know Lil Yatchy is known for making mumble/trap rap music while Joe Budden is not necessarily conscious rap, but he is lyrical where he talks about real issues. Joe Budden was saying how Lil Yatchy was ruining hip hop because he uses mumble/trap music to not talk about anything significant like hip hop was intended for. Lil Yatchy was defending it, saying he’s just making the music for fun and it gets the younger crowds going. The whole time watching the interview I was laughing because to myself I was like “WHO THE HELL CARES?”
Look, I know some people might be thinking, well why can’t kids of the younger generation just listen to conscious rap instead of trap music since it talks about negative stuff? This is my personal opinion. I think younger kids like trap music because not only does it get them turnt up, but in a weird way it gives them a sense of hope. When these inner city kids hear rappers talking about how they went through bad situations to get out the hood and live a lavish lifestyle, it gives them the hope to say, '‘if he can do it, then I can do it too.”
I know you might think that sounds dumb, but work with me on this. For example, more black kids probably watched the show “Good Times” over something like “The Brady Bunch.” Not because they were a white family, but it's just they seemed too perfect and a lot of inner city kids can’t relate to that.
Overall, I look at music as a time and place sort of thing. I love listening to conscious artists like J Cole and Lupe Fiasco when I’m chilling in the house because I can sit down and analyze the meaning of the song in a calm environment. If I’m at the club, most likely I’m there to get hyped and have a good time. So, of course I want to hear some Future or Migos. It doesn’t mean I have bad taste in rap, I just enjoy what I enjoy. So for those snobby ass hip hop fans who think you can’t like both: do me a favor and get over it. Peace.
