Kool G Rap Answers The Question : Would ‘Road to the Riches’ Still Resonate Today?

[LevelUp]

 

[get these nets]

There are threads up about (the late) Calvin Butts/C. Delores Tucker campaign to hold media companies accountable for the content they were packaging and selling.

I pointed out then, that hard/street content from earlier era came out but companies didn't frame the music videos to promote that lifestyle.

For example....in the video for this song, older Kool G Rap is advising his nephew/grandson to NOT become a gangster. And the rise and fall of "the gangster" is shown in the video, as the gangster speaks in court.
The last line in the actual song points to G moving out of that life, but visuals of the video were more powerful.


"High Rollers" Ice T video and "Money and the Power" Scarface video had visuals that showed the consequences of the street lifestyle depicted in the songs.

Years later, context was removed and songs and videos promoting criminal life were the norm.

 

[Awesome Wells]

One of my favorite songs of all-time. STILL!

Perfect Marley Marl production, with flawless G Rap lyrics and delivery.

 

[Tommy Gibbs]

There are threads up about (the late) Calvin Butts/C. Delores Tucker campaign to hold media companies accountable for the content they were packaging and selling.

I pointed out then, that hard/street content from earlier era came out but companies didn't frame the music videos to promote that lifestyle.

For example....in the video for this song, older Kool G Rap is advising his nephew/grandson to NOT become a gangster. And the rise and fall of "the gangster" is shown in the video, as the gangster speaks in court.
The last line in the actual song points to G moving out of that life, but visuals of the video were more powerful.


"High Rollers" Ice T video and "Money and the Power" Scarface video had visuals that showed the consequences of the street lifestyle depicted in the songs.

Years later, context was removed and songs and videos promoting criminal life were the norm.

People weren't actually listening to the music back then. I point this out all the time. People hear the cursing and see the title of NWA's song "Dopeman", but NWA weren't glorifying the dope man, they were DISSING the dope man telling the audience how bad he was along with his actions. At the end of the song, they threaten the dope man in the event of his sister dying from his drugs. Just like Ice T's "new jack hustler". He's telling the story of what the hustler does and in the 2nd verse he's warning a kid to stay off the streets. When I first heard "loves gonna get ya" as a 13 year old, that song scared the fuk out of me. I was determined never to get into street life or drug dealing.