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Life & Arts

Oh, the heat those rappers endure

Rap on Hip-Hop

Eli Jabbe and Dane Eglin

Dante Eglin: Last week, West Coast's Snoop Dogg was able to keep a clear mind, as he pleaded no contest to felony drug and gun charges in California. In return for his plea deal, the Long Beach rapper must serve five years probation and complete 800 hours of community service. The most interesting twist, however, is that Snoop gets to keep his medicinal marijuana permit (yes, it's valid) that helps the rapper "alleviate pain from migraine headaches." 

Eli Jabbe: It's interesting because he does good stuff like coaching his little league football team and donating funds to charity. 

Eglin: Today's generation of rappers seem so concerned with maintaining an image that it's sometimes difficult to weave through their facades and actual personalities. 

Jabbe: Most artists today would benefit themselves by avoiding the fronts and putting themselves in cautious situations because there's no ultimate benefit from such behavior. 

Eglin: As much heat as they've taken in recent years, a majority of Texas artists appear to wear their true personas on their sleeves. Scarface, Slim Thugga, Bun and Pimp have been known to move some serious weight in their day. Hate the guy or absolutely love him, Paul Wall has always stayed true to his main motto: "Get money, stay true," avoiding the allure of the brickyard and .40 calibers. 

Jabbe: I salute Paul Wall for being himself and staying true. I don't mind the "stay true" part, but the whole "get money" aspect is just another reminder of modern rap's obsession with materialism. Even though it's somewhat superficial to use the motto "Get Money, Stay True," for your album title and focus of the content, it's still good that he's legit. 

Eglin: You can't always judge an album by its cover, or more fittingly title. Food & Liquor definitely would throw you a curve, if that were the case. But perhaps Juvenile was onto something when he penned 400 Degreez, because the album's still a burner. 

Jabbe: True, but I doubt Paul Wall's going to ditch rapping about George Foreman grills and mailbox-referring similes in favor of something similar to the interesting topics discussed on Lupe's debut in Food & Liquor. 

Eglin: In the meantime, I'll gladly settle for Styrofoam white cups and ultimate macking. 

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