While concerns about war, serial killers and missing children linger in people’s thoughts, other controversies are spreading throughout the hip-hop world. It is a world full of battles, fights and lyrics that exploit each artist and invade his or her very own privacy.
Fans rush to stores to purchase albums from different artists only to receive entertainment from lyrics that may belittle or discourage other talented MCs. Although these rivals may entertain fans and make sales boom to the top, artists should realize these insignificant fights can lead to serious results. In hip-hop’s history, death has been one of these crucial outcomes.
Television and magazine reporters interview these artists to explain the controversies about fashion, their backgrounds and race. Recently, The Source interviewed Benzino, who is an artist respected by many. In this article, a reporter posed questions about Eminem and why Benzino has complaints about him. Benzino’s responses were questionable and very vague, which could not have been helpful to an interested reader.
The Source asked him where he thinks hip hop is headed in our generation. Benzino began to answer the question generally, but toward the end of his response he again mentioned Eminem, stating “mainstream is dictating our creativity.” What does this mean? Benzino explains in order for radio stations to play a song, it has to be a certain type or style. A fan or reader may question this comment, considering many songs played on the radio do not always fit particular styles or types. Benzino commented songs about police brutality and “other sorts of injustices” do not air on the radio. An example that opposes this view is Tupac Shakur’s songs. He is neither mainstream nor do his lyrics fit into the mainstream category, but his songs still can be heard today.
At another point in the interview, The Source questions Benzino’s other opinions about Eminem. One of his answers was “Eminem has sucked all the sales away from every artist … ” According to The Source, Benzino said Eminem is one of those artists who you “just have to go after.”
Why is it Eminem targeted out of several other MCs? A question of ethnicity can raise doubts. It merely seems as if Benzino is jealous of Eminem and he feels as if he needs to “hate” on him — similar to a friend who is jealous of another person in high school who is receiving more attention.
Although these two artists are in a quarrel of their own, more MCs also are involved in similar situations. Ja Rule, one of the most famous hip-hop artists, also recently talked about his rival with 50 Cent, an MC who recently joined Eminem and Dr. Dre, in The Source. Rumors about Ja Rule claim that 50 Cent needs protection from him, resulting in a harsh reply from 50 Cent.
The song “Wanksta” expresses 50 Cent’s views on artists who act as if they were raised from the “streets” but in reality did not grow up with the struggles they claim. Another song on the soundtrack of 8 Mile by 50 Cent, a movie about Eminem’s struggle with life and rapping, supports this example. In the song, 50 Cent expressed lyrics that go beyond capabilities of many other artists and into a stream of thoughts, which negatively, but successfully, erase all other MCs from the hip-hop industry.
As these artists explore different roads in this music industry, battles between these MCs become worse. Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G experienced the most famous hip-hop controversy because of their deaths. Now, fans and artists should wonder how far artists will let these trifling issues consume them. Will another person be add edto a long list of those who live a short life?