There's not a better piece of writing on this beef than your essay. I had a stray discussion about this being a psyop and thought I was a) overly paranoid so felt self-conscious about speaking it aloud and b) giving too much credit to what could be egomania run amok. But these social platforms function as mass mesmerism neuro-chemical bombs and the undue amount of attention to one thing in an age when attention is confoundingly scarce? It feels hopeless and orchestrated. Thank you for putting words to the Last Human Voices of Compassion and Grit.
I enjoyed the artful language of this critique even-though I disagree with where it came out on the value of the beef. Your take is valid and beautifully crafted but it overlooks the value of verbal sparring in rap music. People can tune into artful expression and experience the joy in difference and it doesn’t mean we aren’t also clued into urgent global crises. I’m more interested in tuning into Al Jezeera to connect me to the pulse of what’s going on in the world than listening to Macklemore’s uncomplicated jingle. The whole point of this rap beef is about the importance of speaking from one’s own experiences and not hopping on the latest trend because it’s fashionable. Why isn’t communicating authentically about one’s own feelings, frustrations, angers and hates just as important as commenting on the distress you don’t know about personally but see in the news? Talking about anger and hate through poetic and rhythmic means is liberating. Listening through the various songs in this beef is one way to soak up the energy of defiance and resistance.
one thing about the Macklemore’s voice vs Black rapper’s silence and perhaps the psyops is that it creates the impression of the dichotomy between white “radical activism” and Black superficial silence in mass entertainment and culture.
jingle is right. that song mainstream? speaks to low expectations. writing political hip hop is skillful. i’ve done it quietly, in Detroit. it’s a muscle, like all the other types of writing - which has not been profitable to develop in decades- though people can and do make underground careers in it— and I’m not saying the song shouldn’t be celebrated but agreeing that it’s sad, in 2024 if that piece is to be celebrated as an accomplishment. love the word “jingle”
There's not a better piece of writing on this beef than your essay. I had a stray discussion about this being a psyop and thought I was a) overly paranoid so felt self-conscious about speaking it aloud and b) giving too much credit to what could be egomania run amok. But these social platforms function as mass mesmerism neuro-chemical bombs and the undue amount of attention to one thing in an age when attention is confoundingly scarce? It feels hopeless and orchestrated. Thank you for putting words to the Last Human Voices of Compassion and Grit.
Thank you so much
This is brilliant.
thank you.
A wonderful examination of the current moment, glad to have found it!
I enjoyed the artful language of this critique even-though I disagree with where it came out on the value of the beef. Your take is valid and beautifully crafted but it overlooks the value of verbal sparring in rap music. People can tune into artful expression and experience the joy in difference and it doesn’t mean we aren’t also clued into urgent global crises. I’m more interested in tuning into Al Jezeera to connect me to the pulse of what’s going on in the world than listening to Macklemore’s uncomplicated jingle. The whole point of this rap beef is about the importance of speaking from one’s own experiences and not hopping on the latest trend because it’s fashionable. Why isn’t communicating authentically about one’s own feelings, frustrations, angers and hates just as important as commenting on the distress you don’t know about personally but see in the news? Talking about anger and hate through poetic and rhythmic means is liberating. Listening through the various songs in this beef is one way to soak up the energy of defiance and resistance.
one thing about the Macklemore’s voice vs Black rapper’s silence and perhaps the psyops is that it creates the impression of the dichotomy between white “radical activism” and Black superficial silence in mass entertainment and culture.
jingle is right. that song mainstream? speaks to low expectations. writing political hip hop is skillful. i’ve done it quietly, in Detroit. it’s a muscle, like all the other types of writing - which has not been profitable to develop in decades- though people can and do make underground careers in it— and I’m not saying the song shouldn’t be celebrated but agreeing that it’s sad, in 2024 if that piece is to be celebrated as an accomplishment. love the word “jingle”
Absolutely essential.
So excellent, as always.
Damn near erotic to read this 😩 absolutely adored the nuances and intricacies of this piece and analyses.