What came first, the chicken or the egg? I often ask myself similar questions but with words or rap music. Do I love words because of rap music or rap music because of the words? I’m 44 and no closer to knowing the answer now than when I was 13. All I know is I love them both, and I think they go hand-in-hand.
Rap music from the 1990s stands out as a particularly profound influence. It wasn’t just the beats or rhythms that captivated my imagination, but the words. Rap music in the ’90s, the golden era of lyrical ingenuity, fostered in me a deep and enduring love for language, words and storytelling.
Good things to hold in high regard for a journalist. Brandon Roberts The 1990s were a time of burgeoning creativity in the rap genre. Artists like Nas, Tupac and The Notorious B.
I.G. and groups like the Wu-Tang Clan and The Fugees were not just rappers; they were poets with lyrics layered with meaning, brimming with clever wordplay, metaphor and social commentary.
To listen to a rap song from this era was to embark on a journey through the artist’s mind, exploring the highs and lows of life through a sharp lens. While many people listen to the beat first, I always listen to the words. Not on purpose, I just did.
These rappers were saying words I had never heard before, and some I was probably too young to hear. Although they were rapping about a life I didn’t recognize and places that seemed light-years away, those words resonated on a deeply personal level. They had the ability to articulate the human experience.
What set 1990s rap apart was its emphasis on authenticity and narrative, which also happen to be very important facets of a reputable news organization. Rappers in the 1990s emphasized storytelling, which made the music more relatable and underscored the importance of language and words as tools for connection and understanding. It taught me that words have the power to heal, inspire and provoke change.
It showed me that words are not just a means of communication but a powerful vehicle for expressing one’s identity and experiences. The intricate rhymes and rhythms of rap music sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to explore the richness of language in all its forms. As I reflect on my enduring love for words, I am grateful for the influence of 1990s rap music.
It instilled in me a reverence for the art of storytelling and a deep appreciation for the beauty and power of language. Through words, I learned to see the world in all its complexity and to find my voice as a journalist and writer. So, here’s to the 1990s rap artists who helped turn me into a lifelong lover of words and taught me about the enduring power of language.
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