Since its inception, hip hop has been criticized for its lyrical content. Whether a rapper is delivering rhymes about street life, social consciousness, gang banging, or sex and relationships, hip hop culture has been a target for those that say the genre is swimming in misogyny and vulgarity. Nevertheless, hip hop has become a leading force in music and influences nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry. In a recent episode of ExpediTIously, T.I. and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris chatted about lyrics and whether or not they believed that music has impacted how people view relationships and marriage.
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Tiny suggested that the lyrical content doesn’t lean toward positive outlooks on relationships. “I think yeah it can be a distraction because, you know, there’s a lot of hoes and b*tches.” T.I. jokingly asked, “What do hoes and b*tches have to do with anything?” Tiny responded, “I’m saying, in the songs, like…there’s no real love in the songs.”
T.I. doesn’t believe that a global audience desire that content. “Y’all don’t wanna hear that sh*t.” Tiny lets him know that she, indeed, does want to hear it. “Y’all don’t want to hear that sh*t. Listen, man, I be seeing more motherf*ckers, more girls sing the most derogatory records.” Tiny added, “That’s what I’m saying. Everybody’s getting away from the love, the music is f*cking everybody up.”
The rapper said that no one is trying to create music that there isn’t a global market for. “The way that [women] gravitate to—and I would also add that you say you want a certain type of man, but you continuously allow yourself to be attracted to the antithesis.” What are your thoughts on this one?
