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The Hip-Hop Nerd Speaks!

Virginia Tech:The Massacre & Hip-Hop

Last week, the entire nation mourned the loss of innocent lives in Virginia Tech. After all, a crazed man went on a rampage at his university, killing many and later killing himself. Many were shocked and bewildered as to how this could happen.

Part of the Hip-Hop community went into the booth and created art to remember lives lost. “The pain is here to stay,” Jin wrote in his song, “Rain, Ran, Go Away,” which was made soon after news of the tragedy hit. Lil’ Flip also made “Time After Time,” which was a nice tribute to those who lost loved ones during this tragic event. 

But some Hip-Hop community members ignored something else. See, with news like this, people often look away, believing it’s easier to shy away from reality. Some have asked why we must dwell on such negative things. Well, it’s time to stop ignoring the issue.

I am not blaming Hip-Hop for what happened at Virginia Tech. I am not even saying it influenced the killer in any way. No. That would be a foolish statement to make, although some folks have already made such insane remarks. Instead, I am simply saying that the time has come for us to realize how our culture has a real problem on its hands. 

It’s chilling that many Hip-Hop fans and artists mourned the loss of lives at VT, but went on to sing along to their favorite gangsta rap track. Maybe it’s time to take a step back and analyze the reflection. As we mourn over a massacre, do we also go out and bump 50 Cent’s “The Massacre?”

Relax. I ain’t Cam’Ron. I ain’t attacking Cutris. I am, however, saying that we need to pay more attention to lyrics and their effects. For example, some claim the VT Killer’s written work held enough suspicion to alarm others. It very well could have been an early sign of the damage he would eventually cause. But upon further analysis, shouldn’t we look at our favorite rappers in the a similar light?

Take an excerpt from one of Hip-Hop’s all time biggest sellers, and the debut of what would become 50 Mania. Tell me there isn’t a haunting resemblance to the Virginia Tech shooting spree. After claiming he walks around with a protective vest and a gun, much like the V-Tech Killer, 50 proclaims he will “hunt or duck a nigga down like it’s a sport…Cross my path I'll crush ya, thinking I won't touch ya? I'll have your ass using a wheelchair, cane, or crutches.”

Notice the chilling similarity? 50 is not the only one that does this, so he should not be the only one dissed for it. Look through HipHopDX’s Lyrics section. There are 8 artists with names that start with Killa or Killer. That’s not counting nicknames such as Killa Cam. That’s also not counting synonyms such as Murda Mase or the newly christened Murda Game. Our infatuation with killing is a severe issue that is often overlooked, and sometimes even glamorized.

I ain’t saying 50 or gangsta rap shouldn’t be in your CD changer. However, it should be noted that these lyrics and others, which glorify senseless acts of violence should be analyzed more carefully the next time you hear them in the whip. As Hip-Hop listeners and contributors, we cannot forget that we are also human beings capable to losing loved ones or our own lives to such tragedies. We cannot be insensitive to that, by bumping the glorification of said acts of violence like it's all good.

In hindsight, is it right to allow our leaders (within the Hip-Hop community) to speak of such violence and sell a gargantuan amount of albums? The answer is in opening our eyes. Sadly, sometimes, it takes a massacre of this magnitude to open minds and eyes to the real answer.

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