Let's Redefine Who's The Best Rapper
With
all due respect to the children, and mother, of the late Christopher Wallace,
why are we embracing or celebrating the fact that many agree with the idea that
Biggie was one of the best, or most influential rappers ever. If this is true, then the message of
MLK, Malcolm X, and the Original Black Panther Party has been lost. This is no attack against the late
Wallace, as a person, but most of his music spoke of selling drugs, violence,
and promoted the drinking of alcohol and having sex. Yes, "Juicy”
was a positive feel good single, but the rest of the album was crack to the
minds of the youth, or anyone else who embraced it. And I mean crack in the
“bad” way, (I also enjoyed it, just like many others). If only he could have been coasted to
use his talents, to promote the ideals of social entrepreneurship. Imagine Biggie painting a perfect
picture of how to go about community building, and political posturing. But then I remember how young these
artists are, when they are enticed by the record industry. As a young man who had never really
read the messages spoken by past leaders and organizations, I have to remind
myself that I was also ignorant and blind as a youth. Often drinking alcohol, smoking weed, and putting my
energies in rapping about sex, drugs and superficial concepts, which are cement
blocks in our society. Christopher
just happened to be better then most, introducing new rhythms, and wordsmith
styles, while rapping about those flawed ideals. Imagine how more effective of an orator (for good) he would
have been, if he was conscious enough to have taught the codes of the original
panthers, in his music, or if he was in agreement with the values of King, or
if he had the knowledge of Malcolm, or Garvey. Imagine if Biggie had a jam talking about
self-reliance and collective building as a community, as spoken about by Marcus Garvey. So with all the current rappers, it’s
up to us to decide, whom are the most influential (in a positive way) to us, moving forward. I also have an
article called “The Rap Music Manifesto” I hope you read this, and the dialog
continues to spread. There is a
war going on between good and evil. We have to choose which side we are on.
Tags: saye taryor rap music critical thinking
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Brother Saye (Saye Menlekeh Taryor) is an author, critical thinking education & social entrepreneur activist, founder of 1up Entertainment/Consulting and the leading voice for “The 1up Movement.” The Atlanta/Liberian native graduated from Piney Woods Country Life School (a historically black boarding school, located in central Mississippi) in 1992. Soon after, he enrolled in the University of Southern Mississippi, where he pursued a journalism degree. After realizing his true calling was to illuminate young men and women about the importance of social entrepreneurship and critical thinking education, he attended Georgia State University to learn more about critical thinking education and public speaking.
Brother Saye has been active with “Generation Y” leadership workshops, which he first hosted with Linda A. Brooks in 2009. As an activist, he currently promotes his 1up programs and workshops, and is the "Atlanta Travel" writer for the Examiner.com. Brothers Saye’s most recent book entitled, “Overstanding With a 1up Vision, The Critical Thinking Approach to Liberation” has received praise throughout the conscious community.
Other published works include, Child development and the importance of critical thinking education, Critical thinking approach to voting, Part II, “The 2009 1up Entertainment Music Guide and Directory, Vol. 1,” “Country Life School,” "What Do You Think?" and, “A Fathers Burden.”
Brother Saye's New Book "Analyzing The American Divide" Will Be Available This Fall


