by Kenneth Braswell; CEO, Fathers Incorporated
You ever notice how many times the likeness of fathers appear in the 30+ year old rap game? Hip Hop has seen the likes of everybody from Father MC, Big Poppa, Big Daddy Kane and even 8 Mile’s Poppa Doc. No one can dismiss the impact of fatherlessness as it finds it’s way into the expression of young male rappers.
Each reference of their fathers causes a pause in their work; almost like a short station identification break. It quickly speaks to the undeniable challenge of navigating the adult course of their lives by taking a quick stop to address the dysfunction created by a man they can’t fully digest. Yet somehow the imagery of his presence or lack thereof, continues to find its way into the conscience thought of these talented artists.
In 1991 John Singleton began to write the story of fatherlessness on the wall of “Boyz N the Hood.” The cinematic presentation shared a snapshot of life in the community of Compton, California. Over the year’s we have learned that the depiction was much more than that. In fact a prophesy of fatherless communities in urban cites across the nation. What started out just to be a Rapper’s Delight (Sugarhill Gang) has progressively turned into a Thugs Mansion (Tupac) and Gangster’s Paradise (Coolio).
Today more than 73% of today’s African American babies are born into single parent, out of wedlock households. This statistical tapestry paints the same reality as Boyz N the Hood, Menace to Society, New Jersey Drive, Notorious, 8 Mile; etc.; one that painfully exposes the impact on communities when positive male role models are out of place. It reminds me of the National Geographic Society story of South African bull elephants at Pilanesburg National Park.
(http://articles.latimes.com/1998/sep/18/news/mn-24037).
The story speaks to the situation of teenaged bull elephants gone wild after being separated from the larger males. They learned that without mentoring of the bigger males elephants; the younger bull elephants became a menace to the community by becoming a danger to themselves. As a result the young elephants began killing rhinos and threatening the local community.
In communities across American where dropout rates are high; teenaged pregnancy is rampant, unemployment is devastating and fatherlessness is overwhelming; our communities react and the creative arts culture continues to find a way to respond. For evidence of its expression you need only to look at early forms of hip hop culture, to include fashion, graffiti and dancing.
In addition to the pain of fatherlessness finding its way into rap lyrics; the joy of fatherhood is also beginning to emerge. Who could forget, “Just The Two of Us,” by Will Smith or the riveting fatherhood scene in The Fresh Prince of Bel-air. Out of Smith’s own struggle to identify a path created by his dad, he still found a way to transform the lack of having a father in his life into a expression of ensuring his relevance in the life of his own children. Many other rap artist have found ways to express their transformation including Jay-Z (Glory), Nas (Daughters) and Tray Chaney (Fatherhood).
However, lets not limit ourselves to hearing the message just in the music and cinema of Hip Hop. The media is dotted with images of the Hip Hop generation. We’ve seen the custody stories of NBA Star Dwayne Wade, Usher, Halle Barry, Flavor Flav and countless others. Recently we’ve seen the buzz around the USA Olympian Gabby Douglas and the involvement of her dad, as well as the reuniting of former NBA player Dennis Rodman and his dad after 43 years.
For years we’ve been told that music tells the story of a generation. So, what is Hip Hop saying about this generation of family; particularly fathers?
The answer is not hard to find. Its shows up in our nightly news, daily newspapers and in countless obituaries every day. It’s seen in our statistics, heard in our music, written in our poetry and preformed on the public stage of life. The impact of fatherlessness is not a secret, nor is it hiding. Its in plain view for all to see. The bigger question; are we will do anything about it or continue to view it as part of the art form?
Top Ten Hardest Hitting Fatherhood Hip-Hop Lyrics
1.
I was a baby, maybe I was just a couple of months
My fa##ot father must have had his panties up in a bunch
Cause he split, I wonder if he even kissed me goodbye
No I don’t, on second thought I just f**kin wished he would die
Eminem – ”Cleanin Out My Closet”
2.
You ain’t no pops to me; you just some nigga sippin on tea
Moms don’t want your money, so run and flee
Back all hunch over cause you gotta admit
I don’t need you in my life, cause you ain’t s**t
Notorious BIG – Movie “Notorious”
3.
No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn’t there
He passed away and I didn’t cry, cause my anger
wouldn’t let me feel for a stranger
They say I’m wrong and I’m heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone
Tupac – Dear Mama
4.
My pops said, “You think that you could leave me?”
He blasted my moms in the back
She fell down screamin I can’t forget that
LL Cool J – “Father”
5.
Group homes & institutions, prepare my ass for jail
They put me in a situation forcin’ me to be a man
When I was just learnin’ to stand without a helpin’ hand
Damn, was it my fault, somethin’ I did
To make a father leave his first kid at 7 doin’ my first bid?
DMX – “Slippin”
6.
I would say “my daddy loves me and he’ll never go away”
bullshit, do you even remember December’s my birthday?
do you even remember the tender boy
you turned into a cold young man
Jay-Z – “Where Have You Been”
7.
Biological father, left me in the cold, when a few months old
Aa father’s child was greater than gold but I guess not
You brought me into the world but your not my dad
Mess around with those drugs makes my moms mad
So we left you with no remorsal pity
Shaquille O’ Neal – “Biological Didn’t Bother”
8.
And my father living in Memphis now he can’t come this way
Over some minor charges and child support that just wasn’t paid
Damn, boo-hoo, sad story, black American dad story
Drake – “Look What You’ve Done”
9.
up all I wanted was a father figure
Me & mom alone every dinner.
One day I hope you hear this I pray you doin better.
This what it sound like if I sent my dad letters.
Tyga – “Dad’s Letter”
10.
Seem like I got everything Only thing I’m really missin is my father mane
Never told me son have a good day in school Never came to my games
he too busy sippin bulls Got 3 kids can’t take care na one of em
dead beat said he would I can’t be one of em
Bow Wow – “Father’s Day”
