So frequently in the news, we hear about young rap artists dying before they ever reach their full potential. You may think it is just coincidental but there is more to it than that. Just in the two last years, seven rap artists passed away due to violence, not to mention the numerous deaths due to drug abuse. Why has the rap culture become so immersed in drugs and violence when it ultimately leads to the downfall of so many of their own?

Drugs

Earlier generations of rappers used drugs as a tool to accrue wealth. They often spoke about selling them as a way out of poverty, where there was less emphasis on the actual use of narcotics themselves. However, starting in the  2010s, rap music was representing drug possession and use in an entirely different way. Today’s young and aspiring rappers grew up listening to and surrounded by glorified drug use.  They were indoctrinated into a culture where excessive drug use was the expectation. Unfortunately, this type of behavior often leads to overdose and death.

Violence

Hip-hop and rap music has always been a strong presence on “the streets”, often associated with gritty violence and drugs. Gang culture is one aspect that goes back to the beginning of rap culture, when Nixon’s War on Drugs terrorized the lives of African American people, rather than fixing the country’s drug problem. This led to songs like “F*** the Police” and “Straight Outta Compton”. Gang violence hasn’t gone away either. Artists like Blueface often reference their connection to a popular gang, the Crips. On the other hand, many artists represent the opposite affiliation, the Bloods, like YG and Cardi B. Although, artists may not be living that lifestyle anymore, before the fame, in some areas where artists come from, gangs offer a form of protection that was necessary. Once those ties have been established, it is tough to break them.

Nature of the Business

In earlier generations, musicians spent years gigging before ever being spotted. With the help of platforms such as Soundcloud, rappers have been able to circumvent the record industry’s gatekeepers to accrue wealth and success. This often leads to their careers skyrocketing while they are still teenagers, leaving them struggling to adapt to sudden fame. Unfortunately, rappers are forced to stay on top, or they will be left behind. The ruthless industry is dedicated to finding the next big star, and record labels know that if one artist struggles, the next Soundcloud rapper will be right around the corner. This leaves that struggling artist with very little time to recognize and address potential addiction issues if needed.

Even as the rap industry is filled with numerous dangers and potentially deadly consequences, there seems to be some hope on the horizon for these young superstars. Fortunately, in the words of Braden L Morgan, a well-known producer in the rap industry, “the younger kids don’t do stuff as much, because they see all the s*** that happened in the last few years.” This could mean that in the years to come, fewer lives will be lost and artists will be able to focus on the music itself, without all of the pitfalls that often come with it.

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