Hood Politics: Racial Transformation In Hip-Hop

Many could argue that one’s identity is the most important concepts of a human being. Being unsure of one’s identity could lead people into being uncertain of theirs values and cultural stands in society. Sadly, many blacks in America are culturally unaware, which forces them to accept the pressed images of themselves presented by mass media. Lamar uses his song TBTB, to mock the ideologies of African-American have toward themselves and give a self-realization of the black identity and culture. When referring to the term “ideology” and “black identity” it’s indicating the mindset of black individuals and the double-consciousness that has been formed from being an “African and American” (Genius 2015 ). This will be discussed in more depth further
The article “Hood Politics”: Racial Transformation in Hip-Hop by Richard Spradlin it argues that hip hop music is a vehicle for gaining an understanding black individuals identities. However, it also claims that rap can deconstruct and rebuild the black identity, in regards to one's self-perception or judgment of society “in a racialized way” (Spradlin 2016, 43). This author uses Lamar as an example of an artist that has inspired the reconstruction of “the narrative of self” of black identities. This study gives some evidence for the reasoning behind the double-consciousness of African American (Spradlin 2016, 41). One claim is the historical struggles of the black identity that was built from the act of slavery and the racialization of “political system of racial domination” (Spradlin 2016, 43). It's also believed that black identities are socially oppressed by “reinforced racial images” and the only way to address is by Lamar method of reconstructing, contradiction and self-reflection, such as, positivity, black empowerment and redemption, which is expressed in his song TBTB (Spradlin 2016,
As stated earlier, rap is a form of self-expression that is can be manifested by a feeling of hopelessness and anger toward unjust law enforcements. In this particular article The Threatening Nature of 'Rap' Music, it addresses the racial stereotypes that are attached to rap music and Black individuals images in society. It highlights the relationship between the law enforcement and rap music lyrics. This study focused on how police, judges, and jurors interpreted rap lyrics by racial stereotyping (Adam Dunbar 2016 , 281). It describes stereotypes as “judgmental heuristics” which is defined as “….help decision makers process information….decision makers rely on available information, even if incorrect, about groups or types of events to inform a specific judgment.” (Adam Dunbar 2016 , 281). The findings state that rap lyrics could impact jurors judgement when use it evidences to prove guilt (Adam Dunbar 2016 , 280). This study relates to the racialization and political oppression portrayed in America. Showing the system of power at work transforming blacks identities and rap culture with stereotypes and institutional discrimination against to build the criminal image of African Americans and rap