Coke-Rap: Far From The Truth

In the past few years we have witnessed a rise in rap lyrics concerned about the hustle of cocaine and crack-cocaine. Rappers like Juelz Santana, Fat-Joe, Lil Wayne, The Clipse and countless more have portrayed themselves as either users or sellers of some form of cocaine. Rick Ross has taken his name from notorious drug dealer “Freeway” Ricky Ross who created the cheaper form of cocaine, “crack”, which he distributed in hoods throughout Los Angeles. Cocaine has become glamorized and dressed up to be synonymous with success by the people influencing a whole generation of music fans.

Behind the façade that rappers present in their music exists a world of socio-genocide that affects the very people rappers claim to represent. Crack cocaine, in the 1980s, created an epidemic in lower socio-economic neighborhoods throughout America becuase of it's lower cost compared to regular cocaine. These neighborhoods mostly consisted of Latinos and African-Americans, hence creating a cycle of ethnic cleansing at the hands (the dealer) of the communities' very own people. In 1988 approximately 300,000 infants were born addicted to crack cocaine.

Today cocaine is again on the rise, according to national statistics regarding drug related arrests and deaths. With this information it seems recklessly irresponsible for rappers to adorn such a dangerous drug. I know rap music is, or at least should be, a reflection of the community it comes from; but does this make it morally just to sponsor coke as the “key” to fame and riches? Rappers claim that the art they create is a form of entertainment and shouldn’t be taken literal, but the fact remains that kids listen to their music and idolize them. Who do they think the people buying their albums and listening to their mixtapes with titles such as “I Can’t Feel My Face” or “Blow” are?

Food for thought, now you do the dishes
-Pops