Con-Artists in the Rap Game

Context vs. Content

Since the dawn of time exaggeration has been a staple in the most common of rapper’s arsenals. From the classic Rick Ross lines talking about being a drug kingpin to the latest rap sensation to make us wonder how long he will last, 21 Savage, talking about women that other people have been with. Let’s be honest, as much as Rap Genius explains the meaning behind lyrics, unless the artist is actually doing the explaining, hip hop is this bizarre universe of truth, sort of truth, and lies.

Now I know what you’re thinking, if the artist is producing great content then what does it matter? Well, maybe it doesn’t. But I can’t help but set this all up for something later on in this article so bear with me.

Traditionally rap’s roots are cemented (no pun intended) within the inner city streets and neighbourhoods of the 80’s and 90’s. A lot of people argue that the 90’s are actually the second generation of hip hop with the 80’s laying the framework for what Biggie, Tupac, Nas, and Jay Z did in the 90’s. For the sake of this writing, I’m combining the 80’s and 90’s together.

Boyz N The Hood was the filmic version of what hip hop’s message was in 1991

This first/second generation combination of rappers came out of their corners swinging. With rap music initially defining its culture in the 80’s and 90’s, rappers were on their heels lyrically. When you look at NWA as the early teachings of what it was to be a gangsta and rap about it and then the likes of Biggie Smalls and Tupac telling their real struggle stories within the streets, the story telling within the early generation of hip hop was predominantly around real life truths that the artists went through that lead them to the success they seeked. Case in point.

Rare look at Jay Z acting

One of the many reasons why Jay Z is so successful is because he took the only story he knew and figured out a way to tell it so captivatingly. Hence his earlier In My Lifetime albums. If you have no clue what I’m talking about then I suggest you go start with In My Lifetime Vol 1. And if you do know what I’m talking about then I don’t need to say much more.

Kanye with the fit

As the world changed and evolved in the 2000's, so too did rap and hip hop culture. Fashion was becoming more important than guns. Street struggles were slowing turning into “everyman” struggles.

And the conversation was no longer I struggled where I came from and now I am here (you’re obviously thinking about this) but rather, I came from somewhere, did things I hope you’re interested in or relate to and now I am here.

Go “hard” or go home, to the mansion

Whether any of this content was true or not it didn’t matter because this thing called the internet was going to help the artist reach millions which in turn helped pay them millions. Crazy right? Yep — and the wheels keep on turning.

So the 80’s pave the way for the 90’s. The 90’s create some of the greatest hip hop artists and content with legitimate context to the times. Then what happens? Well content and context still remain part of the game but arguably not as strong. At least in the mainstream hip hop world. We could go on for years about what kind of content is being produced in the underground with amazing artists.