With so much going on in the world, currently, in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many others, it’s safe to say that the soundtrack should be taken more seriously and should be put more to the forefront of entertainment more. Of course, entertaining isn’t something that should be of a priority firsthand but it is something that can be also used as a tool to create something that definitely reflects the times. After all, true artists makes art that does reflect the times and it’s part of the formula that makes one a great of all time. For over 40 years in hip hop, the world has seen many artists come in and speak on the realities of America and it’s true history through songs. Besides the partying, excessive drugs and alcohol, raunchy sex stories, the misogyny, materialistic attitudes, machismo bravado, and feminine power through sexuality, hip hop has always provided us the soundtrack that involved the harsh realities of Black neighborhoods all over the country. When you mention the music that speaks about police brutality, unarmed killings and deaths, corrupt systems, firearms, protesting, looting, riots, depending on the generation you’re a part of, such acts like Public Enemy, KRS-One, The X-Clan, 2Pac, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and even N.W.A. would come to mind. Back in 1988, it was N.W.A. who came out the gate, straight from the hard streets of Compton, California speaking on the everyday murders by police and even regular people who do it to each other over petty disputes, drugs, and money. They brought the world’s attention towards the harsh realities of their hometown and how to survive living there everyday. With songs like “Fuck The Police” and “Straight Outta Compton”, it was very clear that this group would go down in history as one of the greatest to ever do it. Of course as time went on, the group split up to do solo things and other ventures but it was one member in particular who decided that his voice was more than just worthy of a hot beat and hot songs. He took things to a whole other level with his first two albums called “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” and “The Predator.” O’Shea Jackson aka “Ice Cube”, born on June 15th, 1969, is definitely an artist that reflects the times in his music and not being afraid to tell the truth. With a combination of everyday life in Compton, both the good and bad, he also had party records and other kinds too to remind the people that life isn’t 100% bad. Life is a balance after all. Everyday can’t be dark and gloomy and dangerous, just like his movies. Reality has it’s ups and downs. What you do with it and how you get through it is what matters. Through darkness comes the light and Ice Cube is the perfect definition of that.
Written by Jalen Hemphill