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Current Hip-Hop News Related to COVID-19
written by RAPtivism Intern Ashley Jones
COVID-19 corona virus has rapidly spread across the globe and is provoking social hiatus preventing people from physical contact with others.
Hip-Hop artists such as Jojo, Tamia, Trippie Redd, and others have found ways to shed light in this dark time. Some artists have collectively decided to participate in social media challenges such as the #TylerPerrryChallenge where the singer posts a video of them singing “He Has the Whole World in His Hands.” Others have even gone as far as to making actual songs about the virus.
Gmac Cash, a rapper from Detroit, may have been one of the first to capitalize and go viral from the pandemic after releasing his song “Coronavirus.’ In the song, Cash raps about practicing social distancing and healthy ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He expresses the fact that he bought supplies such as masks and gloves to prevent himself from catching the virus.
Jojo even had her two cents to share when she posted on Instagram a remake of her song “Leave (Get Out). The song was titled “Chill (Stay In)” to encourage her fans to practice social distancing.
In the video she is in what seems to be her home and sings “…now that she’s {CoronaVirus} here, boy all I want is for you to use common sense. Do it for humanity!” The song encourages fans to be safe during the pandemic.
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RAPtivists Speak: "Fun and Pressure"DJ Ready D urges young artists to keep professionalism hand in hand with pleasure. You need to have fun but also show that you’re serious!
In his interview, [read more]Discussion Questions:
1. Ready D emphasizes the professional preparation you need as an artist, whether it’s a good lawyer, a serious demeanor, or a clear goal. What is the boundary between creating art just for fun and making it your profession?
2. Ready D describes the act of creating art as “a lot of fun and pressure.” What do you think is the most fun thing about making art? What is the most stressful?
3. Ready D discusses several motivations for joining the music industry that wouldn’t work out. How do you express yourself creatively? If you do, what are your motivations and end goals?
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— RAPtivists Speak — Get Challenged by Your Favorite Artists 📣We at RAPtivism have an exciting new project to deliver to your doorstep! For the next few weeks, RAPTIVISTS SPEAK will offer a series of mini-interviews with world-renowned artists and activists such as John Legend, Black Milk, and Outlandish. These artists offer inspiration and advice on music, social justice, and following your dreams. [read more…]