There are many issues that plague the Hip-Hop community that I think MCs needs to address more in their music. One of these issues is actually an epidemic and that’s the lack of fathers in African-American and Latino communities.
This epidemic is one that I have personal experience with. Like so many young men, I grew up without my father. I can understand the pain that is felt and the struggle that comes from being raised by a single mother and not having your father present throughout your growing up to show you how to be a man. I firmly believe that growing up without fathers is the foundation in which many other problems are built upon in the lives of young African-American and Latino boys and men.
What does this have to do with Hip-Hop?
Hip-Hop was birthed in Black and Latino ‘hoods. The culture and its form of music, rap, has always been the voice of what some call “at risk” youth. Hip-Hop has traditionally exposed and confronted issues of these youth. We have all heard the tales of crime, violence, sex, love (though not enough), etc. from the words of MCs in rap music. But deep rooted issues like fatherhood have not gotten the proper attention that it deserves.
Amen to that.
Instead of focusing so much on how much money they have or how many women they’ve slept with-last night, MCs could show more balance and artistic integrity and confront an issue like fatherless homes that all would agree has had a devastating effect on so many, including rappers themselves. Being the avid Hip-Hop fan that I am, and a true song lyric enthusiast, I can recite, word for word, lyrics from rap songs that have articulated profoundly the epidemic of fatherless homes in black and brown communities:
“I'm just like you
But dog I can't see it at all, shit
We never kicked it at all.
We never pitched or kicked at a ball.
Dog, you never taught me shit.
How to fight, ride a bike, fix a flat.
None of that sorts of shit.” -Beanie Sigel, “Where Have You Been”
“I would say "My daddy loves me and he'll never go away."
Bullshit, do you even remember December's my birthday?
Do you even remember the tender boy
you turned into a cold young man
with one goal and one plan.
Get mommy out of some jam, she was always in one.
Always short with the income.
Always late with the rent.,
You said that you was comin through
I would stay in the hallway (Waitin)
always playin the bench (Waitin)
and that day came and went” -Jay-Z, “Where Have You Been”
You can feel the pain of growing up without fathers expressed in these two lyrics by two great MCs who are now grown-up and very successful. The pain doesn’t stop over time and success can’t necessarily erase it. It’s always there and has a long lasting effect. Many live with it until the day they die. And unfortunately many young men continue the tragic cycle by abandoning their own sons and daughters.
“To see a mother and a baby suffer,
I've had enough of brothers who don't love the
fact that a baby brings joy into your life.
You could still be called daddy if the mother's not your wife.
Don't be scared, be prepared 'cause love is gonna getcha.
It will always be your child even if she ain't witcha.
So don't front on your child when it's your own.
'Cause if you front now, then you'll regret it when it's grown.
Be a father to your child.” -Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs, “Be a Father to Your Child”
“Be a Father to Your Child” was released in the early 90’s and is one of the most profound songs ever recorded in Hip-Hop. The song is still relevant today and should be an inspiration to rappers apart of the new school of Hip-Hop. MCs are blessed with the opportunity to express themselves through music. More MCs should have enough courage to raise awareness to issues like fatherhood that may not be as titillating to radio, cable music channels or young impressionable ears as the gangsta, gangsta, bitch/hoe stuff but could actually have a life changing impact on the community.
Duane L Lawton is a freelance writer and publisher of "The Rhyme Report", a series of reports that explores the song lyrics of Hip-Hop's greatest MCs. Visit
http://DuaneLawton.com