Quote:
Originally Posted by Swagga Lee
I agree with you that every human being is privileged in one situation or another, although I would separate a natural privilege such as the strength to extricate one's self from under a car--from privilege derived from artificial and social constructs such as race. What do you mean by "black-centric?" I think I have an idea but don't want to assume anything. However "black-centric" the art form may be, I'm not so sure the notion that the industry could exhibit white privilege is so ridiculous. Consider this: the vast majority of consumers of Rap music are white. Go to any major Rap concert and look at the crowd. The majority of people who have been buying Rap albums, taking the art form to the level of popularity and viability...are white. This is before even considering who owns most of the major A&R's. If that is the case, is it so far-fetched that there could be consumer demand which favors what the majority of Rap fans identify with? How do you explain Iggy Azalia winning "Best Rap Artist" a couple years ago?
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Can I ask the opposing question.. With most the fans and people paying for hiphop albums being white and co's as well, why would the majority of well known rappers be black if the ones with the money were choosing rappers based solely off their shared race? And, if the fans dictate who becomes successful should they also dictate who receives awards? I hear tons of stuff about Kendrick, Jay Cole, Nas, and mostly black artist being the proflic and greatest rappers. With the exception of Em. I think if Iggy's music wasn't catchy, produced well, and if she didn't have a big ass she wouldn't of got an award. But it's pop and the pop audience is usually superficial.