Leave it to a member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan to chalk up some ear bending wisdom and #facts! In talking talent, social issues, struggle, and the state of the game, Raekwon Makes a Great Point About Iggy Azalea, French Montana and Hip Hop!
In contrast to the results of Eve and Jill Scott’s “blaccent” comments on Iggy, Raekwon Makes a Great Point About Iggy Azalea, French Montana and Hip Hop in a recent interview recapping the change in generations, attitudes, and faces of the culture with Peter Bailey of NiteCap. The Chef explains the similarities and differences in how the Wu used their skills and styles to not only crush mics and stages, but to voice real street experiences, represent the unseen, and highlight the ill socio-economics of the hood.
Though you can at times feel the full court press by the interviewer, passionately waxing about the culture going from it’s roots to being a global entertainment business used by all, Rae grounded the hype. Noting how even people in ‘3rd world countries’ relate and have come to respect the struggles illustrated by Hip Hop music, art and the come-up. Ultimately stating “we’re a uniting people.”
But when it comes down to the cultural appropriation question, Raekwon Makes a Great Point About Iggy Azalea, French Montana and Hip Hop:
“She’s doing what she wants to do,” he said. “She was able to take it from somewhere so far away, where she was at, to here and nobody’s gonna ever wanna give it up because of course she’s a white girl, pretty and she’s got talent. Then you’re gonna have people ridicule that because she’s from Australia. I think she’s talented in her form and we just have to accept that and don’t look at it as ‘oh you’re not from that life because a lot of people aren’t from that life.” Raekwon also pointed how to the disparity of attention to other artists who embrace “that life” such as French Montana, who is from Morocco and not the hard streets of New York.
Mmm…that’s real talk! Raekwon Makes a Great Point About Iggy Azalea, French Montana and Hip Hop. “Music is for whoever knows how to make it. We have to say ‘if you’re talented, you’re talented” he concludes. Peter Bailey’s intro wraps up around 1:30 if you’re pressed for time and need to get straight into it! The interview is about a half hour long (Iggy/French part starts around 17:50) and covers everything from authenticity in rap, Selma, exploitation, unity, branding and business.
Rae tells all aspiring artists out there that Hip Hop paved the way for today to be today. “Sponge it up, and be able to define a true talent in yourself to make it happen for you.” (#motivation) Check the vid…definitely worth the entire watch!!!
