How Appropriate Is Appropriate?

Cultural Appropriation. Personally. I Don’t get it. 

I understand how people may feel caution, from foreign participants, in their native traditions.  Similar to being robbed but instead of your Playstation 4 that you saved all year to buy, it’s your ancestral uniqueness and pride that took generations to build. In regards  to Hip Hop, I don’t see how the “term” can affect the “art”.

Sorry… You Can’t Sit With Us

If we begin to label indigenous attributes such as Hip Hop under the term  “Culturally Appropriate” we would  first have to discuss everything  that relates to Hip Hop and create a category  that can be referenced for labeling.

(Hmm, that part sounds like promoting a stereotype) 

Hip Hop is a victimizer of Cultural Appropriation its self. Its easy to find a variety of symphonic instruments  smothered  with cultural samples and vocals. Smush it altogether and BOOMIES!  a unique beat  for the soul with a foreign hymn.  History has shown audiences favor the artist with the outlandish beat.

3 Cultural Appropriated Artist That We’re Ok With:

TIMBERLAND 

The VA player is no stranger to charting the billboards nor is he a stranger to Indian culture. The early 2000’s saw hits from Timbo  like “Get Your Freak On”,  “Put You on Game” and “Indian Flute”.

Each song packed with electric dance energy and heart pounding bass coupled with the rhythm of cultural Indian songs laced as samples

PITBULL

Originally from Dade County in Miami, Florida, this southern artist not only mastered his flow for hip hop tracks but also incorporated his cuban heritage with some reggaeton sizzle to generate some of the best party anthems in the last decade with hits like (2009) I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) and Krazy, another infectious Lil Jon collaboration.

ADELE

The New Queen of Soul

(Presumably, don’t bring out the pitchforks and torches on me just yet).

Originating from Tottenham, London, United Kingdoms. The 28 year old songstress gained much of her influence from the voices of  the late  Aaliyah, Mary J Blige and Etta James. Lord and behold she brings us back to back to BACK! smash albums that involve tales of love, love lost and love regained.

And Here Comes the Back Hands….

How can an individual challenge  another’s enjoyment, of cutural participation, simply by the pigment of  their skin or nationality of birth? (Hm, that part sounds like racism).

Quick Thought: I can’t wait for VH1’s rendition of ESPN’s 30 for 30:  Broke (Rappers)… Narrated by Hurricane Chris

In essence, If we, the people, are unsatisfied with the artist that represent the sound, then we, the people, must decide to back  THE REAL artist that have more than a gimmick of luxury to provide; Regardless of race, color, creed, religion.

But they better have a Bang’n Ass Beat