OPINION: Rap and my grandfather: Why the hip hop genre is sometimes misunderstood by older generations

BY ISAIAH LAMPTON

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

Whether it be explicit or clean, rap is frowned upon as a whole by our older population. I’ve always wondered why the genre and seniors of our society never click, so I sought out to find an answer.

I chose to interview my own grandfather. He has never liked rap, and I have always been curious as to why. 

I asked him why, he told me “I’ve never liked rap. I grew up in the church, and a lot of things said in rap have no place in what I believe in.” Religion can play a large factor as to why you are or are not associated with something. For my grandfather specifically, religion is a vital part of his life, and rap music interrupts that. 

I also asked him if he’s ever liked rap. To which he said, “Rap’s been around since I was your age, my peers seemed to enjoy it. But, I never really got into it.”

Rap music is more than just profanity and violence. Behind each song is a hidden meaning. And that meaning can truly be whatever you make it to be. Rappers haven’t made careers off spewing nonsense. The words they speak with have hidden intentions and shows that they put their hearts into the music they write. For example, Kanye West is my favorite rapper. His album ‘Graduation’ is one of my favorites of all time. 

Kanye explains this album as “… being famous enough to do what I want, and not care how other people react.” Kanye could finally start his music career, and we all know how that turned out.

Clearly, rap music isn’t for everyone. And, I hope others give it the respect it deserves. Giving it a try and hearing the message it hides within.