Truth Found in Rap: Part 1

I’ve never listened to rap music more than the occasional 30 second feature in an America’s Top 40 hit.

Then I came to HU and was introduced to rap through several friends here. It honestly still feels weird to listen to it as much as I do nowadays because I know I don’t look or act like a rap listener stereotype. But I’ve found truth and depth in this type of music that I was lacking in the other songs on my previous playlists.

For instance, B.o.B just dropped a new mixtape called “Elements” that includes 37 tracks. I’ve always enjoyed the B.o.B music that was intermixed in the pop genre. However, after listening to “Elements”, I’ve realized what he’s truly capable of and passionate about. One of my favorites is called “Excuse Me” and it deals with B.o.B’s train of thought as he analyzes our society from the “I don’t wanna gain the whole world and lose my soul” viewpoint.

Here’s an excerpt…

“Critical thinking

A sea of souls selling out

But this ship is sinking

Flooded with watered down lyrics

With subliminal meanings

To wake up another day

Lord, give me a reason

Are these prayers really working

Or just triggering feelings

I vocalize my pain and they say, "Isn't it genius?"

I'd be considered a legend if I consistently bring it

Now is there life after death or just recall and repeat it

Or does it go pitch dark and just dissolve into pieces?

If that's the case I wonder if I departed this evening

From the top of the 47th and just fall to the cement

For the entire police quadrant and fire department to see it

Would my disembodied soul then reach its path of completion

Or just create another scene

In which to deal with these demons

Not to sound morbid, my views are just distorted and grungy

I should cry myself to sleep

On this mattress made out of money

But I'm not here to be liked, I'm not here to be nice

I'm not here for your war, I'm not here for your fight

I'm not here to be hyped, I'm not here for a price

When I bring you the truth it's not delivered polite”

B.o.B’s discouraged by the fallacies of so many around him and the façade our society associates with success. It’s a façade that B.o.B transparently admits to having worn at times in his career. This song expresses his desire to speak truth within his new music, even if it’s not considered “popular”. That theme has encouraged my new-found love of the authentic opinions found in rap to continuously grow.