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070 Shake’s Impact on Hip Hop

Catherine Cardenas

Music has had its fair share of songs about money, girls, drugs, and cars. But for Danielle Balbuena, music is more than that. Most commonly known as 070 Shake, Balbuena discovered her interest for music four years ago while writing poetry in class to distract herself from school. For many rappers, songs about materialistic belongings comes after times of struggle and hardship, which is something Shake can attest to herself. Growing up in North Bergen, New Jersey, Shake was exposed to a life full of constant battles that forced herself to remain tough and guarded. Her childhood filled with memories of beating up her brother eventually lead her to permanently express the persona she was initially just pretending to have. The struggles she dealt with transcended into her school life where she continuously found herself getting in more trouble, which contributed to her masked insecurities and guarded emotions. Those same emotions would later be found in her notebook full of poetry that she would add to every time she needed an escape from reality.

Rapper 070 Shake performing.

Despite the commonality of tough pasts and hard childhoods, Shake offers a different mentality from other artists that she expresses through her music. A combination of maturity and her faith in God has helped Shake learn self control and helped her deal with challenges through a new perspective. Writing has always helped her express the feelings she kept bottled up inside of her, feelings she now uses as a way to touch others. So what differs from her music to other rappers in the music industry? Through every song, Shake is able to challenge societal norms of thinking inside the box in order to succeed in life. When asked about the message she’s trying to spread through her music, her answer always goes back to the power of thinking and how she wants people to think more than just what people have taught them to think about. The trouble she was associated with during her high school days partly came about because of her dislike in authority and the way students are taught. The amount of trouble she got into lead many to doubt the type of person she was, including teachers, which she expresses in her song Make it There when she says, “Cyphers in the school skipping class and we always acting reckless. Had a teacher always said I wasn’t shit now she wanna send a message. Talking ‘bout remember all the old days, talking ‘bout remember all the lessons. To be honest, I don’t remember. I left my past in December.”

With that dislike came the mentality Shake always carries with her when it comes to individuality and expressing who you are no matter what people think about you. A lesson she was able to learn herself when discovering her identity through writing, Shake acknowledges the fact that she’s always operated outside of a traditional gender binary, but prefers to not be labeled as she says, “I don’t really identify myself as queer or gay or anything. I just like girls.” The person she found herself to be after witnessing all the doubt and criticism of people she knew lead her to create her first single called Proud, a tribute to not only herself, but the loyal group of friends she made in high school. Together, Shake and her friends are made up of the 070 crew, named for North Bergen’s 07047 zip code, who all instill the same views on life as Shake in their music due to similar hardships the crew has also faced while growing up in New Jersey.

070 Shake with the rest of the 070 crew.

Today, Shake is most commonly known for her feature on Kanye West’s song Ghost Town from his most latest album, Ye, which later lead her to contribute to Pusha T’s Daytona and Nas’ Nasir. Despite the attention she received and after signing to GOOD music, she questions whether she’s “made it” and remains humble as she reflects on the greater impact her art can have on the world. Rather than focusing on fame, Shake is constantly thinking about ways her music can have an affect on people, which she expresses when she says, “You have to think past making it and ask, what comes after being famous? Am I going to die someone that was just famous, or as someone that actually changed something and made a mark?” She credits artists like Michael Jackson and Tupac, as well as activists Malcolm X and Martin Luther King for giving her the inspiration to be the type of person she is and wants to be. As an activist herself, Shake promotes change through her music by questioning whether the music she makes is able to make her feel what she’s writing as a listener. Going back to her tough persona, which she now sees as a valuable asset rather than resenting her teenage self, Shake came to the realization as an artist that if she can touch herself through her music, she is able to touch others.

Whereas other artists in her genre of music often rap about materialistic things defining life’s purpose, Shake sees the potential in love and feeling as being the only way to make things that are going to last, and to make things that last, she says, is the only way to live forever. Although she does sing about substance abuse and suicidal thoughts on her opening track I Laugh When I’m With Friends But Sad When I’m Alone from her debut EP, Glitter, she does it in a way that strays away from the cliche rap songs about the topic and instead uses the topic to describe what it’s like to be a teenage addict and how its impacted her. The topic is used rather intensely to describe her struggles in her own style of music rather than light-heartedly as other rappers so often do. When asked about whether the music industry is set up to help artists struggling with mental health, Shake sheds light on the importance of having people around who support and understand you because lack of support leads you to be in “an ocean with sharks.” Work then becomes all about money after a certain line is crossed, she explains, and when that’s what it’s all about, “it’s like you’re dealing with robots.”

070 Shake posing during her music video for I Laugh When I’m With Friends But Sad When I’m Alone.

The accomplishments Shake has achieved in her three years of working in the music industry is proof of the success that comes with owning who you are and promoting individuality. Her counterculture-like attitude rooted from her teenage years due to the struggles she’s faced growing up in North Bergen is embedded in all her songs and has taught fans the importance of turning something dark into positive life lessons, rather than financially-driven pieces of work that further reinforce rapper stereotypes. As a woman who likes girls and as a rapper, Shake uses intersectional aspects of her life to instill emotion and love in people who listen to her work and strives for that through every project she’s apart of.

Sources:

Lainsbury, Katrina. “The Escape Artist.” Ssense, 15 Mar. 2017, www.ssense.com/en-us/editorial/music/the-escape-artist.

Howes, Aaron. “070 Shake Is The Upcoming Rapper You Need to Know.” Highsnobiety, Highsnobiety, 29 Sept. 2017, www.highsnobiety.com/2017/09/29/070-shake-interview-new-balance/.

Kim, Michelle. “Get to Know 070 Shake, G.O.O.D. Music's Shape-Shifting Secret Weapon.” Pitchfork, Pitchfork, 23 July 2018, pitchfork.com/features/rising/get-to-know-070-shake-good-musics-shape-shifting-secret-weapon/.

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Meek Mill Social Activist

Jace Yaverbaum

Hip/hop music today is one of the largest listened to genres all over the world especially by teenagers and young adults. It is influencing our culture, how we dress, how we speak, and many other things. We are seeing the mold for a regular hip/hop artist break and now there are so many out of the ordinary artists. We used to see specific people being rappers, they were people who came from difficult circumstances, tougher areas, usually didn’t have any money, and often times were people from the streets who needed a way out of their situation. Now anyone can rap due to the internet and the ease of getting music out there. The hip/hop culture today is very different from how it was 10 years ago as mumble rap has risen to the top of the charts as one of the most listened subcategories of hip/hop. Mumble rap is not a genre itself however it gets its name from the lack of effort put into new songs as we have hits like “Gucci Gang” nowadays which is basically a song by an artist named Lil Pump mumbling “gucci gang, gucci gang” the whole song, hence its name mumble rape. The term mumble rap was specifically created by OG’s from the older generation rap generation who used to focus on their raps and what they were saying rather than today the focus is on what sounds good not what is actually being said. We are seeing the same things being talked about in every song sex, drugs, and violence. There are very few artists who are rapping about current social issues, or trying to use their music to make a difference in what is actually going on in the world. A prime example of a mainstream rapper who also takes an alternative approach at times is Meek Mill.

Rapper Lil Pump smoking a blunt and drinking promethazine w/ codeine cough syrup in his music video for his hit song “Gucci Gang”

Meek Mill whos real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams has been in and out of prison his whole entire life, even with all the fame and success he has endured he still struggles with the legal system. However some of Meek’s most recent arrests have been for petty reasons, for example, Meek was on parole for a gun a charge in 2008, he “broke” his parole when police arrested him for doing wheelies without a helmet in NYC. He was sent to prison to finish his 2-4 year sentence sparking major controversy and showing how so many blacks are oppressed by “the system” even celebrities like Meek. Issues like these which have been present for years, are now being talked about heavily because of it not only happening to artists like Meek but because he now raps about it bringing the issue into full light. He has turned into to Social Activist specifically for black youth, as African Americans are being incarcerated at more than 5 times the rate of whites. Many of these issues he raps about are seen as controversial as many Americans don’t believe there is actually a system that holds specifically low income blacks back by incarcerating them however there is and is very prevalent today. Meek however has really became the face of the social justice issue, as back in June of 2018 he performed his song “Stay Woke” after being released from prison. The performance was not an ordinary one and sparked a lot of controversy when Meek Mill portrayed a day in the life in his neighborhood, in Philadelphia while performing the song. The stage was set up as a street corner with neighbours and children outside. As the performance began to build many people dressed as police officers ran out and began arresting people. The performance continues with a young boy being shot and his mother trying to run on stage to get to him. This demonstration by Meek was basically broadcasting a day on his street, he is not glorifying anything but basically trying to show everyone the problems in the inner city and the insensitivity of police towards low-income African Americans. Many rappers nowadays glorify guns, violence, drugs, and sex, however, Meek is taking a totally different approach.

Meek Mill performs "Stay Woke” at BET with an alternative approach using actors to depict his lyrics. 

Meek has become so driven to shed light on these dark issues not only because he experienced it growing up his whole life but because he still with all the fame and success today experiencing these issues. He who was on probation for almost 10 years was recently arrested in August of 2017 for popping a wheelie with no helmet on a dirt bike. The “system” Meek talks about is these young black men from poor backgrounds go on probation at young ages for non-violent crimes, and usually commit these crimes in order to survive. Jobs are not easily available in inner-city areas and there is usually not much work at all. These kids get locked up at a young age and are in out of jail there whole entire lives for petty crimes because once you have a record as a young black male in the United States it makes it hard and people do not get that. Meek is a prime example with the dirt bike case, because if he was 40-year-old white male named Dale Smith, they would tell him to put a helmet on and be more careful next time. Instead with Meek, they arrested him knowing he was on probation and would have to serve jail time. You would think the police would be more lenient especially since he is a public figure with so many kids looking up to him and sending him to jail for such a petty reason can send the wrong message to the youth.  He constantly has been having to face the worst repercussions for his actions like many other black males in the United States, Meek’s lawyer criticized the judge in the first place for initially extending his five year probation to a ten year probation which would have made the bike issue irrelevant had he not been on probation in the first place.

Supporters of Meek MIll stand outside courthouse protesting his arrest

With all the success Meek Mill has endured he is now, trying to use his image of one of the greatest rappers of all time, and make an even larger impact on the world by shedding light on the problems in low-income communities. Problems he has been facing his whole life but now with all the success and money he can really talk about it and be heard. Hip/Hop legend Jay-z has collaborated with Meek to open up the REFORM Alliance whose goal is to “drastically reduce the number of people who are under control of the criminal justice system while keeping communities safe by changing laws and public opinion.”  Van Jones an activist and former advisor for Barack Obama, has been appointed the CEO of REFORM, while Philadelphia 76ers co-owner chairman Michael Rubin, will be the organization’s chairman. Some other board members include New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Brooklyn Nets co-owner Clara Wu Tsai. All very powerful people pushing to change the our nation forever, Meek will go down as one of the most influential/impactful artists ever when everything is all said and done. And not because of his music, but because what he has done beyond the microphone.

Founders of the REFORM Alliance started by Meek Mill to help fight the oppression of the United States criminal justice system.  

Chan, Melissa. “How Meek Mill Became the Face of Criminal Justice Reform.” Time, Time, 27 Apr. 2018, time.com/5256757/meek-mill-symbol-prison/.

Gonzalez, Sandra. “Meek Mills Debuts Powerful New Song about Police Violence.” CNN, Cable News Network, 25 June 2018,

Zaru, Deena. “Meek Mill's Prison Sentence Draws Outrage.” CNN, Cable News Network, 10 Nov. 2017,

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Joyner Lucas’s Take on Hip Hop By: Aaron

The Hip Hop music industry was originally composed of four different aspects that included: “deejaying, or “turntabling”; rapping, also known as “MCing” or “rhyming”; graffiti painting, also known as “graf” or “writing”; and “B-boying,” which encompasses hip-hop dance, style, and attitude, along with the sort of virile body language” (Light & Tate, 2019). Hip Hop is a music genre that was initially created during the 1900’s, but it ultimately gained popularity during the 1950’s and 60’s. Hip Hop was created within inner cities, specifically the Bronx, New York. (Collins, n.d.) The majority of the hip hop music that exists today has drifted away from previous generations that consisted of intellectual melodic rhymes. The new generation values music that consists of mumble rap and the use of ridiculous adlibs (Linley, 2018). Artists like the Migos and Future, are a few of the main offenders, compared to artists like J.cole and Kendrick Lamar, who value the characteristics of older rap. Much of the music being created in today's generation often times sounds the same and consists of the same content being rapped about: gang violence, guns, drugs, money and women. Some artists, on the other hand, actually use hip hop as a platform to address socio economic issues that exist in society rather, than advocating for drug use and gang violence. Rap Artist, Joyner Lucas, continues to produce alternate media that challenges typical hip hop norms and traditions by addressing social, economic, and political issues.

- Rapper Future blowing smoke. 

- Gang culture being depicted in rap videos. (Rapper LA capone, dead) 

Joyner Lucas, also known as Gary Maurice Lucas Jr., began rapping at the early age of 10 years old.

He was born into an African American family and attended the South High Community School in Worcester Massachusetts. Joyner Lucas valued the ideologies of popular and legendary MC’s such as Eminem, Method Man, and Nas, which help sheds insight into his creative and controversial style of rap (Heightline, 2019).

Joyner Lucas strays away from mainstream forms of hip hop and uses his platform to independently challenge socioeconomic and political issues in a creative and unique way, that is not seen in current trending music. Joyner Lucas’ music is described as “lyrically complex and multi layered” that “addresses the culture of conflict and division that has ravaged America.” (Taylor, 2019). Joyner Lucas first became popular after releasing a song based off of the true story regarding a teenager named Ross Gnocchi (Leggett, 2018). In this music video and song, we see how artist Joyner Lucas takes a more antagonistic role by addressing senseless gang violence rather than its advocation.

Rapper YNW melly, currently facing capital punishment for double homicide. Famous for hit singles ‘ Virtual Balenciaga’ as well as ‘Murder On My Mind’ 

Constantly in popular/trending rap music is the advocation for killing one another. Time and time again we hear mainstream rappers discussing the war zone like communities that they live in. Joyner Lucas takes an alternative perspective to address the cold heartedness of gang violence. Lucas continues to use his creative artistic talents to challenge controversial topics. Rather than conforming to the mass appeal of rap music that typically consists of mumble rap, Lucas continues to actively address issues within our society. In one of his songs released prior to Ross Gnocchi which addressed gang violence, “I’m sorry,” sheds insight into the issue of suicide by portraying a man suffering from depression who eventually takes his life. In this controversial music video, Joyner Lucas addresses a variety mental health issues that exist in our society. The song begins with the protagonists discussing his insecurities, unhappiness, and past experiences that have affected his psychological thinking process. Lucas creatively addresses the ideas of insecurity that exists within all of us, only to further portray the devastating aftermath that occurs when one takes their life. Lucas challenges the typical ideologies of basic rap music by turning real life issues that exist in our society and addresses them in a way not seen by other hip hop artists. More recently, a homosexual 15 year old boy killed himself after being bullied by a series of different people.

Photo of Nigel Shelby, 15, Who killed himself after being bullied for his homosexuality.

This indicates the real issues that exist in society and a real life example of someone who took their own life due to the overarching theme of this song (Harris, 2019). Joyner Lucas attempts to address bullying and a series of different mental health issues that continue to affect our society not addressed by other rap artists. What's more than safe to say is that Joyner Lucas is creating non traditional rap music that challenges and antagonizes traditional rap music. Another example of how Joyner Lucas creates alternate media in the hip hop industry is through his lyrical capability. Lucas curses when necessary, but his lyrics posses rhythm and meaning. For example, mainstream hip hop music typically consists of depicting violence with the use of intense slang and demeaning language. In an album titled  ‘Lil Durk Presents: Only The Family Involved, Vol.2,’ by popular hip hop artist Lil Durk, the lyrics to one of his songs on the album titled ‘Time Out (Feet. Doodie Lo)’ are as followed:

“ Think his ass hot, put that fan on him (Gah)

Get his ass killed, put some bands on him (B***h)

Free the real n****s out that can, homie (Let's get it)

I know some real n****s, I can't speak on 'em (Yeah)

I know where you hang, where you hide out (Where you hide out)

We are not the same, n***a, you won't ride out (B***h)

Pull up with that flame, bang, then that fire out

Them shells hit yo f****n' torso, then it's time out”

Here, we see the demeaning language that typically consists within the trending hip hop industry.  The lyrics that consists within Joyner Lucas’s song “I’m Sorry” are extremely different compared to mainstream hip hop.

“I made up my mind, I'm going out like Robin Williams

I guess I'm not the Ordinary People of John Legend

And I've been suicidal since the day I was nine, shit

Okay, the day I was nine

I've been tired of being bullied, cuz, stay out the fire

Grandma told me I should take it one day at a time

And damn it, look at me now, fuck

Fuck, pens runnin' out

Shit, fu- *sigh*

*scrapping paper*

Look, just know it's a new day

But if you reading this

Then it's probably too late! *gunshot*

During the course of this song, one is able to fully connect with the protagonist due to Joyner Lucas’ lyrical capability. His ability to make us relate and feel empathy to the protagonist who is on the verge of committing suicide is what makes Joyner Lucas’s music so special. Many of us have found ourselves in a dark place at some point of our lives, whether or not it involved  contemplating suicide, Joyner Lucas captures the feelings and emotions all of us have felt at one point of our lives and created a song referencing these daily battles.

Another song by Joyner Lucas that portrays controversial and alternative media production within the rap industry is the song titled “I’m Not Racist.” This song, sheds insight into the growing issue of race and class that continues to cripple American society. The song also takes the perspective of both a white male as well as an African American male. The song is titled “I’m Not Racist,” but consists of real life stereotypes, prejudice, as well as examples. Both perspectives help shed insight into the stereotypes that one race feels towards the other and why. CNN described the song as “The conversation about racism no one wants to have” (2018). The song was built solely off the foundations of the segregation of how white and black individuals view this country. How they feel towards each other is just one of the many ideas pondered throughout this video. Both perspectives offer insight into the preconceptions they have of one another based off of their experiences. This alternative style of production captured real life feelings that are often times suppressed by both parties. Something that isn’t typical within mainstream rap is being able to tackle a variety of different social issues in a way that is meaningful and positive. Part of the controversy surrounding this song is the fact that MC Joyner Lucas never took a bias when producing this music video. You have two stereotypical representations of race that serve as a medium in terms of helping one another understand each others story. The content being discussed is shocking as throughout the music video both parties take on the ideas of racial references and societal oppression from one another's perspectives. The overall arching theme of this song and music video is to help both races understand the reasoning for why both parties feel the way they do. Within the opening scene of the music video and beginning seconds of the song, the representation of the white race starts by saying

“I don't have pity for you black niggas, that's the way I feel

Screamin' "Black Lives Matter"

All the black guys rather be deadbeats than pay your bills

and I work my ass off and I pay my taxes for what?

So you can keep livin' off free government assistance?

You motherfuckas needa get your damn priorities straight

Wait, it's like you're proud to be fake

But you lazy as fuck and you'd rather sell drugs

Than get a job and be straight, and then you turn around and complain

About the poverty rate? Fuck outta my face!

Black lives matter was a movement created by African American activists to battle the growing tensions between the police community and African Americans. One of the reasons as to why this statement is so controversial is due to the fact that soon after the black lives matter movement was created, other groups created a similar slogan, “ All lives matter,” to further counteract this social movement. These two social protests clash with the ideologies of both races which is further explored throughout the music video. Here, we see as the white male states that he’s “tired of working his ass off and paying taxes for what? So African Americans can keep living off free government assistance?” As mentioned before, part of the controversy regarding this song is to help both parties understand one another's perspectives. The African American representative begins to respond by explaining his point of view. Further fueling the controversy regarding this song as both sides begin to shed insight into how they feel towards the other race and why.

I don't really like you white motherfuckers, that's just where I'm at

Screaming "All Lives Matter"

Is a protest to my protest, what kind of shit is that?

It's hard to elevate when this country's ran by whites

Judging me by my skin color and my blackness

Tryna find a job but ain't nobody call me back yet

Now I gotta sell drugs to put food in my cabinet

You crackers ain't slick, this is all a part of your tactics

Don't talk about no motherfucking taxes, when I ain't making no dough

Here, one can see exactly how controversial the content being produced by Joyner Lucas is and the foundations as to why this is an alternative media production. Joyner Lucas took two ideologies from two different races and was capable of portraying it in a way that helps shed insight into some of the preconceptions that exists today.  Although the song references key issues, the overall purpose was to help understand the racial tensions that exists and why.  One thing mentioned by both parties was the social movements such as “Black lives matter” & “All lives matter.” Within the opening scene of this song and music video, one will quickly understand why caucasian individuals discredit the social movement of black lives matter. As the song progresses, the audience soon learns of the counter argument offered by the black representative. Joyner Lucas’s production in hip hop is alternative as it aims to tackle societal issues through a creative artistic lens.

Overall, Joyner Lucas is one of the few hip hop artist in this generation to bring back the old school style of rap. Not only is his style of rap unique but it tackles a series of different social and political issues that antagonizes the way we look at traditional rap music in this generation. Asides from the fact that Joyner Lucas is capable of painting a perfect story with his lyrical capability, he differs from traditional rap music by using his platform as a social activist. Surely, Joyner Lucas is rapping, but his style differentiates from trending artists such as Lil uzi vert, Migos, Future, and Young thug, whose music typically consists of drug use, splurging of money, women, murder, and much more.

The media attention that Joyner Lucas receives also differentiates from those within his industry. Most recently he advocated that social activist such as Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur should be praised highly rather than president Donald Trump and former sensation R Kelly; who still is yet to be apprehended by the judicial system. Joyner Lucas’s music is an alternative media production because it differs from the characteristics of typical rap and actually helps spread awareness about a series of issues. In one of his most recent songs titled ‘Devils Work’ one sees exactly how meaningful the content being produced is. The real up to date issues being reported in our current events are being discussed in ways that haven't been seen before. One could compare Joyner Lucas to sensational MC Eminem but even that would be selling this alternate hip hop artist short.

References

Collins. (n.d.). Hip Hop. Harper Collins Publisher. Retrieved from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/hip-hop

Harris, J. (2018). Ninth-Grader Commits Suicide After He Was Bullied for Being Gay. Retrieved from https://blackamericaweb.com/2019/04/24/ninth-grader-commits-suicide-after-he-was-bullied-for-being-gay/

Heightline. (2019). Joyner Lucas Wiki, Net Worth, Ethnicity and Other Interesting Facts. Retrieved from https://heightline.com/joyner-lucas-net-worth-ethnicity-facts/

Leggett, C. (2018). The Incredible Story of Teenager Who Was Befriended to be Murdered. Retrieved from https://www.providr.com/ross-capicchioni-shotgun/

Light, A. & Tate, G. (2019). Hip Hop: Music and Cultural Movement. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/art/hip-hop

Linly, Z. (2018). Is Today’s Hip Hop Trash or Are We Just Getting Old?. The Root. Retrieved from https://www.theroot.com/is-today-s-hip-hop-trash-or-are-we-just-getting-old-sp-1822560290

Taylor, L. (2019). Joyner Lucas is Rap's Greatest Hope. Retrieved from https://www.tremr.com/Lewis-Edwards/joyner-lucas-is-raps-greatest-hope

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Born With a Chance: Chance the Rapper by: John Teufel

Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, or better known as Chance the Rapper is a rapper out of Chicago, Illinois. Chance the Rapper had a decently comfortable upbringing due to his father being a politician. He started rapping in the sixth grade under the name “Chano”, which he still shouts out as one of his ad libs in his songs today. He eventually formed a group with one of his childhood friends and called it Instrumentality. After this childhood group disbanded in high school he started working on his own solo mixtapes and that is when he came out with “10 Day”. This was a mixtape he released on a free streaming website called DatPiff. This mixtape alone put Chance on the map as one of Chicago’s hottest up and coming rappers at that point in time.

Chance the Rapper’s first mixtape cover 10 Day (Pictured Above)

The next mixtape Chance the Rapper released was the one I feel put him on the map, making him the independent, activist artist he is today. On April 30, 2013 Chance the Rapper released another free streaming mixtape to the public called “Acid Rap”. Another free mixtape that anyone could stream with services like “Soundcloud”, “Youtube”, etc. sent shock to record labels that had been trying to sign him since his first album “10 day”. This was it though, this put Chance in the rap game as one the few independent artists who consistently turned down record companies. By being an independent rapper Chance can pick and choose what songs he wants to release as well as what kind of music he wants to release. Lately Chance the Rapper has stopped releasing his typical upbeat rap style and changed up his genre towards more old school gospel. He has even messed around with old school R&B and jazz throughout his career. Chance the Rapper is an independent artist who makes his off strictly off touring and selling his merchandise. His active community work and donations are also another thing Chance the rapper is known for by his fans. Chance the Rapper is centrally involved in the #SaveChicago campaign which is a anti-violence initiative in a city known for crime and high murder rate. This is is just one of the many reasons why Chance the Rapper is known for his Chicago activism.

What makes Chance the Rapper such a different artists compared to the rest of the industry around him is his ability to be different. Like stated before Chance the Rapper is an independent artist, which means he has no people that “technically”own him. Record labels are corporations who take in new artists and musicians and promote them to basically become a product of the media. What I mean by that is that they try to get this new artist they have signed to sell as much music as possible to make the corporation money. This is where Chance the Rapper differs himself from the rappers who do sign with record labels. Chance has shown new and young artists that it is possible to make a career by releasing free music. In fact, Chance the Rapper was the first artist ever to win a Grammy from a streaming-only album. The album was called “Coloring Book” and this changed the game for all up and coming rappers.

Chance the Rapper becomes the first artist to win a Grammy from a streaming-only album (Pictured Above)

Chance the Rapper highly credits the streaming site called SoundCloud. This streaming site was on its way out in 2017. Chance is said to be the one of the main reasons as to why this streaming website is still letting new and young  get their music out there for free. It is safe to assume since Chance is known for being friends with the CEO of Soundcloud and his tweets like “SoundCloud is here to stay” that he indeed made some generous donations. These type of acts do not go unnoticed and are also the types of acts we as fans do not see from the majority of people in the music industry.

Chance is starting to become widely known around America for his activism in the African American community as well. Dahleen Glanton from the Chicago Tribune states “Chance also is an activist for justice, a voice of reason and a vivid reminder that young black men are worth fighting for.” One of the many things Chance has done for his highly populated African American hometowns, Chicago, was writing a one million dollar check to Chicago public schools. This helped him be put on “Times Magazine” top 100 most influential people of 2017. Another aspect of activism he has displayed for his African American community is the donation of his own Grammy, which he won by releasing only free music to the public, to the Dusable Museum of African American History. In a city for being known for violence and high rates of poverty it is astonishing to see someone to make it out of there successfully. Then come back to where his roots are and do everything in his power to make Chicago a cheerful place.

Chance the Rapper credits most of his popularity to his cult like fan base. This developed from his first mixtape “10 Day.” Which was actually named that because he got suspended during his high school days for ten days. The album alone received 400,000 downloads. What makes Chance the Rapper stand out from the rest of the mainstream rappers is his way of being independent in the rap industry and his activism within his hometown community. In certain ways he is also countercultural towards the rap community as well. We see many of the mainstream rappers today doing something called flexing their wealth. Which is basically showing off their jewelry or cars on social media. With Chance we don’t see much of that, instead he gives his wealth back to the people less fortunate. In my opinion this is a better way to makes use of his success and wealth. At some point isn’t too much money enough money? Or even isn’t better so your kids and their kids don’t have to work for it?

References 

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/chance-the-rapper-grammys-record-deal-a7578031.html

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-chance-the-rapper-dahleen-glanton-met-20170628-column.html

https://www.biography.com/musician/chance-the-rapper

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/02/why-chance-the-rapper-music-is-free-and-how-he-makes-money

https://www.factinate.com/people/32-facts-chance-rapper/

[alt-rap-blog]

Too Weird for the Masses: Tyler the Creator by: Stephanie DiBenedetto

Tyler the Creator, a local Californian who possesses a unique sound mixed with a strong character. Raised in Los Angeles, Tyler Okonma at the age of 7 started creating his own album covers with imaginary tracklists, way before he even started experimenting with music. After his mother purchased a keyboard for him when he turned 14, his artistic creativity took off. By the age of 16 years old Tyler the Creator compiled an alternative hip hop group made up of rappers, producers, DJs, comedians and writers named Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA). Yes, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. Tyler himself took off on a solo career after signing with XL with a one record deal, that soon he put himself on the map as an alternative rapper. Today I will be discussing not only Tyler the Creator’s musical career, but the subculture and impact he invented utilizing his non-traditional style and sound.

Now a little more about Odd Future. Odd Future is a group consisting of 11 created two full-length mixtapes and one studio album while simultaneously appearing on each other's independent tracks. This group included artists like Earl Sweatshirt, Syd the Kid and Frank Ocean, just to name a few. Their lyrics and sound can be described as rebellious, vulgar, sarcastic, surreal and honest. Utilizing Tumblr as a platform, OFWGKTA updated fans with new media constantly creating a cult following like no other. Unfortunately, Odd Future is a complicated relationship, despite their amicable relations with one another, they have individual music careers. They collectively created their own style and personas.

Pictured: OFWGKTA

Now back to Tyler the Creator. In the early years of Odd Future, Tyler started his independent musical career with the release of his album Bastard. At first, this album was only listened to by a few people and friends. This album did not really have an impact on the music industry. When Tyler signed with XL records, soon came his first album Goblin in 2011 for sure made an impact. Goblin as an album is authentic in every aspect. This outrageous album consists of lyrics about popping Xanax, hating his absent father and stabbing Bruno Mars. This album is framed to be a session with his therapist. Goblin’s intensity and vulgarity make a statement to listeners that it is not for the light-hearted. When thinking about what would the critics think about this, Tyler happily responds, “They don’t get it, cos it’s not made for them”.  

Flower Boy dropped in 2017 was Tyler’s most recent studio album. In contrast to Goblin, Flower Boy is known as one of Tyler’s most transformative albums. This album as a whole created a divide on what Tyler the Creator used to sound like and what his new sound is.  In this album, Tyler talks about the real weight that has stemmed from his life struggles. Unlike his previous albums, Tyler is more upfront with explaining his problems through lyrics on more serious notes rather than making blatant rants about them. Flower Boy also expresses Tyler’s fluid sexuality and his constant discomfort about being black. More intense topics than wanting to stab Bruno Mars. Tyler the Creator as an artist still continues to embrace his alternative themes and un-bothered attitude towards what critics and outsiders think about his craft. As a result of this alternative attitude, Tyler the Creator invented a fan base that acts more like a cult following.

Pictured: All four of Tyler the Creator’s studio albums: Goblin, Wolf, Cherry Bomb & Flower Boy

When thinking about the fanbase of Tyler the Creator a couple things come to mind: bold and bright clothing, vans, save the bees, Golf Wang. The frustration, anger and rebellious nature of Tyler the Creator appealed to a subculture of pre-teens and teens who for the most part never have heard something like him in their lives. This fan base is a dedicated group that lives and breathes for the vulgarity and admires f*ck what people think mentality of Tyler’s music. Not only did Tyler’s personality rub off on the strange fan base but also his own style. When looking at Tyler the Creator one can notice his mismatched, vibrant, “skater-esq” style. This pop-art/punk style inspired these fans striving to be dedicated to his craft to dress exactly like him. Of course, inspiring a fashion line specific to his style. This hardcore dedication for Tyler the Creator established a teenage fad in these fanatic’s lives. That select few with the flowery socks and a bright pink donut patched to their shirts walking down the hallway in your middle school? Yeah, those were fans of Tyler the Creator and Odd Future.

Weirdly enough, within the fan base, there is a divide in preferences pertaining to his music. There are some people who were there from the start. These are the followers of Odd Future’s Tumblr and supported Tyler’s new solo career with the releases of Goblin and Wolf. This group in the fan base wants the outrageousness, anger, and absurdity within this music. Unfortunately, this same group discredits Tyler the Creator’s recent albums like Cherry Bomb and Flower Boy for being too transformative. Then there are the fans who would live and die for Tyler the Creator and will support anything that is dropped. This divide is due to Tyler the Creator’s progressiveness as not only a rapper, but a fashion designer, festival creator, and a gender and sexuality advocate. People think that he is losing touch with the intense anger he once had ingrained into his music that they admired so much. Tyler responds to this type of backlash by saying, “[I don’t] know what it is, but after a while you realize you don't want to be around people who isn't positive, who isn't focused who don't want more. Why would you want to be around someone that is a downer?”.

Pictured: The pop-art/punk style

Tyler the Creator as an artist, icon, and an influencer is truly authentic because embraces his originality with his carefree attitude towards the world. The best thing about his carefree attitude he possesses is that when he does care about something, he is very passionate about it. Whether it be his music, his fashion, or his willingness to try a new art like creating films, Tyler the Creator is passionate about staying true to his original self within his subversion of the traditional rap/hip-hop industry. His career has shown us how he is comfortable with changing his music styles despite how it would affect his already developed fan base. He prioritizes his own values and beliefs over conforming to the subculture that he originally constructed.

“I’m a Big Mac I’m a quarter pound you chicken nugget”

references

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472649/odd-future-the-billboard-cover-story

http://www.indiehiphop.net/how-they-came-up-the-tyler-the-creator-story/

https://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/tyler_the_creator/biography.html

https://www.redbull.com/us-en/top-20-best-tyler-the-creator-lyrics

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/goblin-103396/

https://www.complex.com/music/2017/07/tyler-the-creator-flower-boy-review

https://www.clashmusic.com/news/tyler-the-creator-responds-to-fan-criticism