The Lasting Influence of Rap Icons
The first time I ever heard a rap song was…
The Choice is Yours
by Black Sheep
It was a Saturday afternoon, and my cousin was visiting. She turned the cable channel to BET and I was ‘shooketh’! I had never watched this channel before and I was f****** fascinated.
Backstory: Circa 1990ish… I was a pre-teen and I was sheltered, okay?
Sheltered.
To be clear, I did not have older siblings to expose me to pop-culture, and I lived in the suburbs of Central Ohio. I spent a lot of time with my traditional West African parents that loved Sierra Leonean music, Reggae, and Anita Baker, and her R&B friends. Dassit! Dasall!
Watching rap videos sucked me into Hip Hop culture. I couldn’t get enough. Luckily, I had a young Uncle that agreed to buy me cassette tapes of my favorite rap artists as long as I maintained good grades.
Too easy. I wasn’t interested in getting in trouble with my parents. I just wanted to become fluent in Hip Hop, especially since my middle school social circles required it.
To be clear. I was a ‘straight A’ student who loved rap music.
Now that I’m grown, I must say that rap music played a pivotal role in my formative years. Ten Rap Icons that had the most impact are as follows:
Ether
Roc Boys
Roc Boys’ Lesson:
Success is the sweetest when you can celebrate with your Day Ones.
Ether Lesson:
When you speak your truth, speak as if it’s your only chance to be heard.
Hey Ya! Lesson
The Multifaceted Artist will always flourish.
Brenda’s Got A Baby Lesson:
A strong support system of family and friends can make or break you. I’m grateful to have been sheltered.
Juicy Lesson:
Successful rappers are regular people too. Like myself, many of them used to read Word Up! Magazine. If they can deliver iconic s***, I can deliver iconic s***.
Crewneck by ServedFresh
No Time Lesson:
Don’t waste your time with fake ones.
It was the whole album for me…
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
E-V-E
E-V-E!
The presence of Eve as the FIRST LADY of the Ruff Ryders’ Movement was a revolutionary symbol of Women’s Empowerment. Her story, the quality of this body of work… she is the perfect example of why Representation Matters.
Umi Says Lesson:
Shine your light for the world to see.
PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE MY EYES CAN SEE LESSON:
Authentic energy is your superpower.
Busta Rhymes is a legend. I’m blessed to say that I had the most brief, yet beautiful encounter with him.
Icons of the Rap culture helped me to become the Creative that I am.
Icons of the Rap culture helped me to become the Leader that I am.
I Am Gayima.
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE?