Analyzing What We Say
and Why We Say It
The power of language is simply
unlimited. Any given sentence can change
in meaning purely by changing the inflection and tone with which it is
spoken. Rap artists have sparked all
sorts of controversy because of their lyrics and the implications behind them,
as music is a very influential medium for the messages they are conveying. Often times, artists say very controversial
things in order to grab our attention but there is a deeper meaning
or even subliminal message.
Eminem’s “Criminal” has been hailed with having some
of the most controversial rap lyrics of all time and is considered to be
extremely homophobic. It features the
line "My words
are like a dagger with a jagged edge/That'll stab you in the head whether
you're a fag or les...Hate fags?/The answer's yes" much to the dismay of
the GLAAD community. His response? He
was just trying to get a rise out of his audience and he doesn’t give much more
than a passing thought to the word ‘faggot.’
This is evidence that any publicity is good publicity. Sometimes artists say provocative things just
to grab their audience’s attention and with no intention of actually offending
them.
Childish Gambino’s “Bonfire” used to resonate
with me as a song that made light of a national tragedy, the alleged murder of
Caylee Anthony by her mother Casey. The
line “made the beat then murdered it- Casey Anthony” is a tongue-in-cheek
response to an absolute monstrosity.
Upon further investigation, I don’t think that Donald Glover (Childish
Gambino) is actually approaching the topic satirically. He’s using this line to draw attention to
what he believes was an unfair acquittal.
Lines about events that are taboo call the most attention and are most
affective at reaching an audience and rousing emotion.
There are plenty of examples of songs that we
have discussed in class that for whatever reason have stirred up chatter. It is proven that artists use lyrics as a
gimmick to get the audience’s attention when really they believe in something
else entirely.
I like how your post focuses on one aspect of why rappers say things which is for a response. I think this concept can be seen everywhere, not just in music. I know in the past my brother has said things to me that might not be true just to get a reaction and especially with emotional topics it's a really effective tool.
ReplyDeleteI thought that your essay was very interesting. Your a great writer!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think it is interesting how rappers make references to emotional topics that are the subject of intense feelings. I know sometimes I am listening to a song and not really listening to the lyrics but when I hear a line about a popular topic, it immediately sparks my interest and makes me refocus.
ReplyDeleteCool post very interesting! I personally love when rappers come up with cleaver and witty lines in their songs because it actually shows they put thought into what they were saying. I especially find it interesting when rappers references something to do with current events because it shows they are paying attention to what's going on in the world around them.
ReplyDeleteI cannot help but view the reliance upon shock value in one's lyricism as a lack of ability. Not to say that Eminem or Childish Gambino aren't talented rappers; I just think that it is a better exhibition of skill if what you rap holds weight beyond merely being an absurd statement.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement that any publicity is good publicity because i believe that a lot of the times artists are just looking to get their audiences attention, like with Eminems song. I also find it really interesting how artists can find ways to work major controversial topics into their lyrics.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and your examples are excellent contrasts of each other. I personally prefer when artists are invested in their lyrics more than what will be attention catching to their audience.
ReplyDeleteI really like that song "bonfire" by Childish Gambino and I just started getting into his music and like it a lot. I enjoyed reading this post because of it. I believe you approached this topic very well and have great examples.
ReplyDeleteI like the use of your examples here. It's true that the use of words can make or break a song. I think of Lil Wayne and Kanye West for using similes that make controversial points about themselves.
ReplyDeletei agree with what you were saying when you said some songs make light of a national tragedy like Caylee Anthony. in the song P by odd future, he also makes fun of Casey Anthony, he says "You know Casey Anthony, was handling. Dropping her kids off so she could come out and dance with me" in his own way he is making fun of her but also he is respecting Caylee by still reminiscing on how awful of a mother she was.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about the importance of words and specifically vocal inflection. I also think it is important to keep an open mind about what rappers say, and not get offended by the use of witty edgy lines. I like that you used Bonfire by Childish as it is one of my favorite songs. Good job!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to hip hop, a lot of times its not really what exactly they are saying but how they are saying. Earl Sweatshirt is one the best lyricist going and what makes him so good is he is able to fit so many rhymes without ruining his flow. As a disciple of Tyler, Earl says a lot of crazy things in what is almost like a stream of consciousness but its the way he's doing it that makes it so special.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your essay. Both examples that you used were great in supporting your views as to what we say and why we say it.
ReplyDeleteWhat stuck out to me was how these artist use lyrics to express their opinion about current events. The childish gambino song is a great example of an artist using language to drive home a point.
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ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Artists choices in what they say and how they deliver it is obviously important. In a sense rap is like poetry in the way artist use metaphors and similes instead of laying things out in a direct and boring manner. The example with Eminem was a good one, like we've discussed in class he obviously chooses his fighting words carefully because he'll say "faggot" at the drop of a hat but the n-word is off limits for himself. Casey Anthony is literally a hot mess and to take your own child's life and not even be slightly sorry lends itself as material for a cruel joke.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.I liked your Childish Gambino example. He's one of my favorite rappers. I wish you would've used more examples but you got your point cross clearly without them. One thing people should keep in mind though is the fact that some rappers don't exactly believe some of the things they rap out. That applies to mostly mainstream rappers because they only rap about what they think "sounds" cool to other people.
ReplyDeleteYour post was interesting and I liked your examples. I liked how the artist you used were not afraid to speak their mind creatively. Words can go a long way.
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