Busting Open Categories

In "Out of Category", POS claims that he cannot be adequately defined by traditional categories and ideas that we apply to people.  This is a similar to the way in which Kingston wants to defy our traditional categories about race

Defying Double Consciousness in Hip Hop

In this track, "Forest Whitiker", Brother Ali rejects popular standards of beauty.  In doing so, he defies the double consciousness imposed by such unattainable standards.  As he claims in this uplifting yet lighthearted track, "You might think I'm depressed as can be, but when I look in the mirror I see sexy ass me!".

Dessa, an MC from the Doomtree collective, inverts common metaphors in order to indicate that she has broken out of the negative role afforded to her through a gendered double consciousness. She invites the reader to "...forget the the bull in the china shop, there's a china doll in the bullpen", indicating that she is perceived as too delicate to succeed in the male-dominated field of rap music.  Yet she is able to thrive, as she points out that  "...now I've got glass floors", which is an inversion of the metaphor of the invisible glass ceiling that is supposed to keep women from succeeding in the workplace.  Here is her track "Bullpen".

Personal Narratives and Representation in Hip Hop

Here are two tracks from MN rappers that are in the genre of personal narrative.  Both deal with the issue of representation in interesting ways.

In POS's track "De la Souls", he calls himself "the new generation of slaves".  What would it mean to be the new generation of slaves?  To what extent are certain communities denied rights or privileges in a way analogous to slavery in the early history of our country?

In "Win Some Lose Some", Brother Ali discusses his own experiences growing up as a a picked-on and looked-down upon young man.  In "Picket Fence", he describes his life growing up.

Both tracks deal with the issue of representation in interesting ways.  How does POS represent himself?  As part of what group?  What about Brother Ali?  Given his stage name and the content of his music, how would you label the group to which Brother Ali belongs?  What constitutes membership in this group?

Thriving, Striving, Masculinity and Power

Here is the track "Prizefight" from Doomtree member Mike Mictlan.  I post it here because it picks up on themes common to Frederick Douglass's personal narrative and the song itself is partially a personal narrative.

POS on America, Anarchy and Privilege

Here is an interview with MN rapper POS where he discusses our obligations (or lack thereof) to obey laws of the country.  Consider how this perspective may fit into some of the themes we have been talking about recently

P.O.S. and Individualism: A Contrast Case

Here are a number of songs from Minneapolis rapper P.O.S.  These songs express commitment to values which are similar to Faust's values such as individualism, passion and striving.  He also expresses commitment to some values that are not consonant with Faust's values.  I'm posting this here because I think he provides a nice contrast case to Faust.  Also, it's really freakin' good.

Which values are shared by Faust and P.O.S.?  Which are not shared? What are apparent social differences between P.O.S. and Faust?  Do they share values in spite of these differences, not share values because of these differences or, perhaps, some combination of these two alternatives? How might social differences or differences in values matter when we consider whether either figure could be considered a hero?


"Goodbye"     "De la Souls"  "Purexed"     "Gimme Gimme Gunshots" (explicit content)

Art Imitates Life

Here is a link to "Color My World Mine" from Eyedea and Abilities.  This is the track we listened to in class that plays with the idea of the blurring lines between art as fiction and as reality.

Another song from a Twin Cities hip hop artist is the song "Room with a View", which is told from the perspective of a narrator looking out the window of his home.  This track is from Brother Ali, who is the most famous albino rapper in the world.

These two songs both have something different to contribute to the discussion about the influence of art on life and vice versa.