Back in the 1970s and 1980s, hip hop was a sounding board for the unheard. The genre of music echoed the sentiments of those who were under the oppression of a system that imposed unemployment, a lack of resources, and poverty on people of color. Simultaneously, hip hop acted as a beacon of hope, evolving into a form of celebration, motivation, and friendly competition.
But, somewhere after Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, and LL Cool J, a different kind of hip hop emerged. One that was not only agitated, but downright pissed off. The champions of this era littered hip hop with guns, gang violence, drugs, and a senseless rationale that, eventually, played like a dumbed down Simon Sez operative with the sole goal to influence people of color to do dumb sh–.
Now, as hip hop embraces being in its 40s, the seeds of the fathers of hip hop are being reaped and it’s manifesting in the senseless demise of some of our favorite rappers. In 2021 alone, hip hop lost DMX, Shock G, Drakeo the Ruler, Kausion group member Gonzoe, Slim 400, Lil Loaded, and many more, to gun violence or drugs.
In a tragic incident, Memphis, Tennessee rapper Young Dolph, 36, was shot to death as he was patronizing Makeda’s Cookies on Nov. 17, 2021. While many expressed disbelief and shock regarding his death, Dolph’s history of contention with envious competitors crafted for him what would become an unfortunate narrative that has plagued the world of hip hop since the days of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.
In a tribute to the fallen star, Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane released top trending music video “Long Live Dolph” in which he calls for the end to “senseless violence” over a upbeat, throwed track as he shows clips of Dolph’s memorial service between excerpts of him walking around the exterior of a church.
“So much hate and envy out here / I don’t got two f—s to give. So, this is how it is / Gotta die to get your props? Never get your flowers while you’re here / And, d— that says alot. All this senseless violence that I’m seeing / I swear it needs to stop. Humans killing other human beings / Almost ’round the clock.”
-Gucci mane, “Long live Dolph” (2021)
Going back to the drawing board, Gucci reminds his listeners of the core principals of hip hop as it stands in this era when he says, “Don’t take your life for granted, could be gone in seconds.”
He cautions for people to not do stunt moves for clout, don’t leave without “IT,” and to understand that envy from the ones who want to be you can quickly translate to those same people taking your life (seemingly referencing longtime nemesis turned cordial peer Jeezy).
Gucci goes on to say that Dolph is in his top five when it comes to hip hop legends. Although Gucci’s cadence is not as striking as his past musical contributions, the message is as cold as the ice dripping from his ears, neck and wrists. Stop the violence — or at least be smart enough to redirect that misplaced aggression towards the real enemy.
Watch the Music Tribute Below:
