As many of you
have likely seen, Drake released a music video for his song “Worst Behavior”
last year. In this video, he is in Memphis and is rapping in front of a Jack
Pirtle’s Fried Chicken restaurant as well as on Beale Street. He also includes
local Memphis rappers Juicy J and Project Pat. The music video and its
portrayal of Memphis made me think about the conversations that we have had in
class about the role of music in Memphis and how it has affected the city’s
history. The question that comes to my mind is how the spread of rap music has
shaped the portrayal of the city of Memphis. With the fame of groups such as
Three 6 Mafia and films such as Hustle and Flow, Memphis has gained attention
as a center for rap music.
In
the past, musical artists from Memphis were able to gain fame in the soul and
blues genres. In the past few decades, Memphis has become a hotspot for rap
music and artists. As rap music is a predominantly African-American dominated
genre, it makes sense that a city like Memphis with a significant
African-American population has become a prime location for the rap industry. I
believe that the association that has arisen between the city and music is primarily
a positive one. The city is gaining recognition and this can attract people to
come to it. Like in the past, music is playing a large role in the way Memphis
is seen to the rest of the nation. What are your thoughts on this? Do you
believe that the rap industry is portraying Memphis in a positive light or do
you think otherwise?
Thanks for writing about this Surya! I wrote my final essay on this topic. I generally tend to agree with you that the increased momentum within the rap genre in Memphis is positive in that it will increase outsiders' interest in the city, and will help the city to become relevant again in the music world. With that being said, it's a complicated subject. Another interesting point I'd like to further discuss is the listeners of rap music. Rap appeals to so many different types of people (from white girls at Rhodes...like myself, to African Americans who actually live the struggles a lot of rappers bring to light). What does this mean about rap? Does it help bridge the gap between races, ages, and backgrounds, or was it even intended for that in the first place? A really fascinating topic, and overall, I am really excited to continue following how the rap industry progresses in this city.
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