Being a white kid from rural Iowa, nobody understands the pains of being "un-cool" in the ever changing world of hip-hop culture like I do. All my life I have found myself identifying with this genre of music and all of its stylistic nuances. Not ragging on country music or anything (you know I'm out here dabbing to Zac Brown Band), but growing up in rural Iowa, escaping country music is about as hard as finding a pair of Yeezy's under a grand.
I am writing for the kids who grew up in small towns who just can't seem to coincide with their surroundings. The kids who had role models like Kanye and Jay Z. The kids who prefer a J Cole album and a night in the city, over a Kenny Chesney playlist and a night in the combine. Once again, not bashing on that lifestyle, but it just never appealed to me.
If you are thinking, "Is this the cliche white kid that can't dance and always tries too hard to follow trends?" the answer is a very prominent, yes. I have a few moves that I can pull off but I'm still working on the Soulja Boy so give me a damn break. If anyone is reading this and is in my same situation, I feel for you. Lucky for me I have a little bit of rhythm and coordination but I basically start from a negative cool rating because of my skin color and upbringing.
In most cases, kids learn about hip hop culture from the media. It isn't a very appreciated or encouraged hobby or lifestyle as a young white child in the Midwest. You have to be in sports, drama, or very sheltered musical organizations. Kids who have a passion in hip-hop aren't like kids who have a passion for baseball or football. They don't get a participation ribbon every time they step on the field or the court, or an "atta boy" every time they do something remotely impressive. This is the root of a lot of discouragement and hate resulting in kids shying from the world of hip-hop. If a kid wants to be an NFL player he's encouraged and parents will funnel unreal amounts of money into training and equipment, but if a kid says he wants to be a rapper or producer, more often than not, they are told to be more "realistic."
The people who know me well, know that I'm a self-proclaimed lyrical genius. Freestyles at parties, car rides, and just about any chance to rap about some dumb stuff. That's what hip hop should be, a platform to create, enjoy, and most importantly, express thoughts and feelings with the people you love. Too many people see it as an outlet to get rich and famous. Corruption of money and fame can ruin the creative process. Too often we think that if we aren't creating content for the masses at a profitable gain, we can't enter this field of culture, beauty, and expression.
