Both Lupe Fiasco and Talib Kweli are known for their thought-provoking lyrical content. The two are now engaging in a very public conversation about the power of hip-hop music and lyrics on African-American communities.
The conversation was triggered by Talib's responding to a teacher who asked how she could teach her students to respect women in the wake of the controversy surrounding Rick Ross and his thoughts on date rape. As Talib challenged consumers to support positive hip-hop instead of lambasting negativity, he explained that artists who rap about violence and misogyny are deriving this from the community they live in.
At this point, Lupe spoke up, claiming that society should hold rappers and their content responsible for the state of the community. Lupe pointed out that, at this point, hip-hop has lost a balance. Not only that, Lupe argued that hip-hop is the only genre of music in the mainstream that has these violent and destructive connotations.
Highlights from the conversation appear below. The two are still conversing publicly on Twitter.
@in_terrys_head play them hiphop that celebrates women. There is plenty of it, an it ain't just for when you want to prove a point.
@in_terrys_head to place blame squarely on rap lyrics ignores the facts that we are all to blame for such failures. You, me, all of us.
@toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill focusing on lyrics a root cause is dismissive of real problems that create space for said lyrics
. @talibkweli @toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill I think the focus on lyrics in addition to all other factors is highly justified.
. @talibkweli @toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill We take into account all the issues and negative lyrics are def part of it.
. @talibkweli @toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill name one other form of mainstream MUSIC that CONSTANTLY pushes violence and death?
@lupefiasco @toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill negative lyrics are a symtom, not a cause of pathologies in our community.
@lupefiasco @toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill therefore we should embrace our artists, not shun them. That to me is strategic.
@lupefiasco @toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill other communities dont suffer from the same pathologies so u dont hear it in lyrics
. @talibkweli @toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill I would say they have graduated from symptoms into a pathology in and of themselves
@lupefiasco I agree negative lyrics can be harmful to those who lack knowledge. But I would not go as far as saying they are root causes
. @talibkweli I'd argue that negative lyrics r most definitely becoming root causes. Maybe not the case in the NWAdays but now Id say yes
RT @lupefiasco @toniblackman @lifeinmykey @mrmichaelgill Respect, protect and correct. I am down with that!
@lupefiasco youve spoken of growing up on gangsta rap like Spice 1, but you seem to have come from a good home as well, & u super lyrical
@lupefiasco to me that suggests that the answer isnt censoring gangsta or violent rap, but creating better homes, thats where it starts.
. @talibkweli yeah I grew up on gangsta rap Spice 1 was my inspiration. But I also grew up on Beethoven BEFORE Spice 1.
.@talibkweli My father taught me how to shoot & clean every gun you can think of & WHEN to shoot and WHY. And it wasn't cuz of hurt feelings
He also taught me how to HEAL and take responsibility for the things you put into this world @talibkweli
Better homes can only be realized in a BETTER set of cultural circumstances and music is a large part of black culture @talibkweli
@lupefiasco too often our critiques comes w pre-concieved bias, which is counter productive. No artist is powerful enough to destroy hiphop.
If the "preconceived bias" is "I just left my brothers funeral" & "my cuzn just got 30 yrs" then I think its credible bias 2 hv @talibkweli
@lupefiasco your father sounds like a great man
@lupefiasco todays lyrics reflect todays communities. We dont like the negativity cuz it holds up a mirror we aint ready to look at.
@lupefiasco its hypocritical to accept violent lyrics from rappers we consider "skilled" & come down on those who we dont like musically.
Whether its wack when you say your gonna kill me or written by yours truly ;) lol it's all the same to me @talibkweli
KKK don't run around Englewood or BK no more...We do. It's like we have become the heirs to their legacy. @talibkweli
RT @lupefiasco KKK dont run around BK no more- we are the heirs to their legacy (this started way before teenage Chief Keef tho)
@lupefiasco thats why you & me are here. To provide that balance. I just feel providing the balance is a stronger tool than condemnation.
@lupefiasco I agree that negative lyrics are not a pure reflection. Its distorted. But its a reflection WE are responsible for nonetheless
I think condemnation is very necessary ...Spare the rod, spoil the child or no pain no gain. #icametobringthepain @talibkweli
@lupefiasco I dont think we should condemn expression. Critique? Express disappointment? Not support? But condemn? Nah.
Soft responses to our own destruction are the trademark of our black experience and we shall suffer because of it. @talibkweli
@lupefiasco using words like evil not only assume knowledge of the artist intention but also shuts down any chance of open dialogue.
I don't think young ppl rapping abt violence & misogyny are "evil." I think they are products of their environment & I wont give up on them.
We meekly hold ambiguous forces solely responsible & disregard when concrete agents constantly parade in front of us as evidence @talibkweli
To cater to some vague form of soft "politeness" in hopes of getting a concrete reversal in these times seems of putting @talibkweli
@lupefiasco the truth is enough for critique. I can critique an artist without speculating on their intentions. But not if I start w evil.
Keeping it real means one & ALL has to be present in reality not caught up in the throes of impotent mythologies @lifeinmykey @talibkweli
How many "rappers" have you heard declare "I'm NOT a rapper I'm a hustler"? Or "This AIN'T rap this is real life"? @talibkweli
An explicit renunciation from their own mouths of what they are doing is Art. @talibkweli
How many "songs" have been used as evidence in court against the person who made it? @talibkweli
It's good enough for the state to recognize the intent of the song as destructive but not the communities it's directed to? @talibkweli
@lupefiasco rappers who declare they are not rappers but obviously rap are products of a culture that worships consumerism.
@lupefiasco I cant apply what the "state" considers justice to our communities. & even if I could lyrics are circumstantial evidence at best
