By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Rapper Lupe Fiasco is very outspoken and has no problems making his views known when it comes to politics and the state of Hip Hop. However, he caused quite a bit of controversy for making his disappointment with President Obama known and in a recent performance, his views of Obama even got him kicked off the stage. Despite that, Lupe still speaks his mind and right now it’s clear his mind is really on the teen violence epidemic that’s taking place in the streets of Chicago. Lupe is set to make a stand on April 1st with the Project Orange Tree initiative, but the rapper also uses his Twitter account to invoke discussion on how everyone can bring an end to the violence that continues to claim the lives of so many young people. Interestingly enough, it appears that some recent comments made by fellow rapper 50 Cent obviously rubbed Lupe the wrong way.
The other day, 50 made an appearance on the CBS Sunday Morning show and when asked about if rap music could be the cause of gun violence, 50 says:
“I’m flattered actually when they say that [rap music glorifies violence] to me because it would mean that I’m so, I have such a strong hold on the youth or people in general that it completely changes their thought process – the music is that powerful.
“Yeah, it’s a lot more. It’s writing. If you were doing that and didn’t actually experience it, I would say you’re glorifying it. If you’re drawing from something from your actual experience, isn’t art imitating life?”
Although Lupe never named 50 in his tweets, it’s pretty clear he wasn’t happy with 50’s comments. Lupe took to his Twitter account and tweets (read from the bottom up):
Do you agree with 50 Cent or Lupe Fiasco? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
Hmm…I see both sides honestly. I think people started rapping about violence because that’s what they saw in their own neighborhoods. Then eventually, the suburban rappers wanted to fit in, so they started rapping about things they didn’t really know about. Now people feel like they have to rap about money and violence to sell records. I’m sure the music isn’t helping the issue in Chicago, but 50 isn’t completely wrong either. The question really is why is ANYONE glorifying that kind of lifestyle?
Good point.
Exactly. But people have to understand it’s not only violent rap music that is glorifed! Hard Rock and alternative music is just as bad. And then you have things outside of music like wrestling and UFC fighting and video games like street fighter and car theft that is also violent and glorified. Now-a-days you just have to educate the children (teens included) about the violent things they are hearing and seeing.
I don’t know why the violence is so bad in Chicago, but I doubt Lupe’s Twitter rants will help anything.
I agree with Lupe. Music has so much power on a young person. But 50 has always been pretty selfish, so Lupe shouldn’t expect him to get that.
He shouldn’t be surprised that 50 can care less…he’s 50 lol.
Lupe is right tho…music is a huge part of the problem.
But what will all these rants do Lupe?
Although he’s right, Lupe is such a queen. These rants make him so annoying.
I hope 50 doesn’t clap back lol
I don’t always agree with Lupe but I do respect that he’s not afraid to speak his mind, even when it’s not popular opinion.
#TeamLupe on this one. There’s definitely a connection between violent lyrics and teenage violence. #IJS
I totally agree with Lupe. It may be art imitating life, but when does that stop? Music is part of the problem because the youth especially are listening and they don’t know what is fact or fiction. I understand that we all go through things in life that may not be peaches and creams, but when you know better you do better. These artist have a platform that can reach millions and millions of people, but sometimes they use it to promote garbage that is damaging to someone young and impressionable. We have so much violence in the world today, so much so that innocent babies are getting killed that there is no need to glorify it because some people are living it and there is nothing good about it. We are part of the problem, but we should be the solution.When this violence hits close to home thats when some people will yell change, but until then they live in their ignorance.