Modern Rap Culture Would Not Exist Without Jay-Z | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Modern Rap Culture Would Not Exist Without Jay-Z

Why Jay-Z's success story and lyrics should make him a father figure to the genre.

27
Modern Rap Culture Would Not Exist Without Jay-Z
Wikimedia Commons

Shawn Corey Carter, better known as the rapper and businessman Jay-Z, might just be the most influential rap artist in the modern day. After his release of his highly rated album 4:44, fans of the genre of music are turning to him as a guide for the modern day of rap to return to the anticipated music of the golden days of rap. Jay-Z's album is one of the few albums in today's day to be backed by an actual meaningful message unlike most rappers in today's age, excluding a handful of rappers of the likes of J Cole, Chance The Rapper, and more.

A 47-year-old Jay-Z has shown his maturity throughout the years, but this album has truly proved to the world that Jay-Z's words are messages to not only the rap community but also the African American community. Jay-Z spreads a message of success, and how hard work and dedication will empower people to their aspirations.

His goal throughout the album is to say that the wrong message is being spread throughout music. In his song "The Story of O.J.", Jay-Z says, "you wanna know what's more important throwing away money in a strip club?/Credit." Jay-Z here is criticizing the biggest mistake that most rappers are doing; he's beginning to understand the importance of financial freedom and how many of the artists in the industry disregard it completely from their agendas. Throughout his whole album, Jay-Z proves his maturity and how his 30 years as a world star rapper has given him a understanding of the value of money and he's trying to teach society young.

His song "Legacy" continues off of that same logic: "Take those moneys and spread 'cross families/.../for whatever she wants to do/She might start a institute/She might put poor kids in school." He mentions how beneficial money can actually be to a society, rather than following the common hypocritical nature of spending money on big brand names and cars, advising that money should be going towards family and towards people who need it. Money can put kids in school and money can lead them and the world to a better social position if given the opportunity. Jay Z's lyrics are directly focusing on the issues of today; people would rather see themselves succeed while everyone else trails them, but Jay-Z would rather see his family in a better position which in the long run will help society as a whole.

Jay Z undoubtedly is one of the most successful artists in the music industry; his maturity throughout the years have helped him focus on his career both as a artist and as a businessman. He's appreciated what money can offer but now he realizes the good that money can do to urban broken down communities. What's most important however is now he has discovered the financial freedom that comes when money is well-invested. Most of the big artists in the hip hop genre have came from broken down communities, and when they get a glimpse of what it means to have money, they don't know how to act. In most cases, it leads their careers to a downward spiral. But someone as revolutionary to the industry as Jay-Z has become a father figure to not only most young and naive rappers but towards society as a whole.

Jay-Z represents success, and anyone who wants to make it big in life should truly look at him not just as a ordinary rapper but as a mentor for success.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
eye roll

Working with the public can be a job, in and of itself. Some people are just plain rude for no reason. But regardless of how your day is going, always having to be in the best of moods, or at least act like it... right?

1. When a customer wants to return a product, hands you the receipt, where is printed "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" in all caps.

2. Just because you might be having a bad day, and you're in a crappy mood, doesn't make it okay for you to yell at me or be rude to me. I'm a person with feelings, just like you.

3. People refusing to be put on hold when a customer is standing right in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could just hang up on you!

Keep Reading...Show less
blair waldorf
Hercampus.com

RBF, or resting b*tch face, is a serious condition that many people suffer from worldwide. Suffers are often bombarded with daily questions such as "Are you OK?" and "Why are you so mad?" If you have RBF, you've probably had numerous people tell you to "just smile!"

While this question trend can get annoying, there are a couple of pros to having RBF.

Keep Reading...Show less
legally blonde
Yify

Another day, another Elle Woods comment. Can’t us blondes get through the day without someone harping at us over the typical stereotypes about who we are? I never understood why a person was judged based upon the hair color they were born with, or the hair color they choose to have (unless you dye your hair blue like Kylie Jenner, I’m still trying to understand why that’s a trend). Nevertheless, as it should be assumed, not everyone is the same. Not all blondes like bright colors and Lilly Pulitzer, and not all blondes claim to identify with Marilyn Monroe. I think the best suggestion to give to people before they make such radical claims is to stop judging a book by its cover. Or in this case, stop judging a blonde by her hair color.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

A Year At JMU As Told By 'Bob's Burgers'

The world's greatest university meets the world's greatest show.

1476
Bob's Burgers
collegian.com

A year at JMU promises many great adventures. The journey of becoming a duke and learning what being a duke is all about is really exciting and a lot of fun. Of course, we all know that James Madison University is the greatest university in Virginia (perhaps even the entire country). There are many events and moments at JMU that are cherished and remembered by all dukes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Things That Happen On Your Birthday

Do you have a small get-together or throw a big bash?

5267
birthday party

My birthday has never been my favorite holiday. I've found that I'm more excited to celebrate my friends' and family members' birthdays more than my own. I don't like being the center of attention, so I usually celebrate over dinner with a small group of family and friends. This way, I can enjoy myself naturally without feeling like I have to entertain everyone and make sure they are satisfied. In the past when I've had large parties, I was so nervous that people weren't perfectly content that I didn't enjoy myself at my own celebration.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments