“CHALLENGED”
As the viral market permeates my music throughout the different avenues of the World Wide Web, along with print and radio, I have been preparing myself for the impact of the inevitable, “constructive criticism.” But as I read and hear the opinions of the people with as much objectivity as possible, I wonder if listeners really appreciate the depth of not just me, but any artist. I thought it necessary to develop this thought.
I received an email from a person who saw me in the newspaper and decided to check out the website and hear the music. To her dismay, there was profanity and other implications that would suggest ultimately the demise of a people (I’m exaggerating with the whole ‘Demise of the people’ thing but you get my point). Initially I was offended by the email, but decided to allow the information to digest and really challenge myself as an artist.
Art
I make no excuses or have any qualms regarding The War in Music or its content- period. The great thing about art is that it has no boundaries or limits; it is what ever the artist deems it to be. The other good thing is that the consumer has not only the right to experience said art, but the same discretion to forego that experience.
Entertainment
The other element that can not be overlooked is the simple fact that music is ultimately entertainment. Hip-hop more specifically, is a highly sensationalized perspective of some reality or projected fantasy. Accompanied with profanity, misogynistic content, sex, drugs and violence, this genre of music to many is an abomination of sorts; for my generation, this is all we have known hip-hop/rap music to be (with the obvious exceptions). Just as a film depicts an instance in history in a manner that is digestible and entertaining, is the same approach artists have to use to verbalize life’s experiences in the form of music; not to ever be taken out of context.
Content
When it comes to offering an opinion on any art form, whether it is music, film, art, I always consider the entire work, the artist, production, quality, everything. A serious artist is not one dimensional and should never be taken as such. The War in Music is just that, the conflict of what is good and what is not good in the realm of rap music and internally with me as an individual. I would consider the album to be a pleasant journey of emotions, amusement, politics, society, race, gender, relationships, strife, motivation, inspiration and a wealth of other elements that make up The War in Music.
After much consideration, I decided that my goal is not to please everyone, only myself. I will affect the world in my own way, not the path that others feel that I should take. Although the email I received lacked credibility because obviously the writer did not take the time to truly listen to the album in its entirety, it still forced me to consider my position. The War in Music does not suggest violence and hatred amongst our own people or any group of people for that matter. The album is a cross section of my thoughts, my realities, my truths, good or bad; not a parenting tool. Rap music can not forever be the scapegoat for the flaws of our community.
~NOV
(Thanks C. Ellis for taking the time to email me, maybe conversation over a cup of coffee is due?)
