Deconstructing Violence in Grime //
I think a prevalent part of a lot of music born in the grungy capitals and cities of concrete mazes, is the crime and violence associated with music birthed from those environments. Hip-hop, grime and drill – all very different sonically – share the veins that connect the genre to its inner city locations.
Guns, crime, drugs and violence are all common themes in the music – all themes that are commonplace in the impoverished areas of interurban residences. The nature of violence in the music almost seems inevitable and can be seen a reflection of the exaggerated hyper-masculine bravado that sews the fabric of those complex genres together – its what makes the genre what it is, but does it have to be a vital part it? Is violence a reflection of the genre as a whole?
It also makes me think about the use of artistic expression as a form of evidence in the court of law – we’ve seen multiple artists who have had their own works used against (e.g Bobby Schmurda) – creating a very one dimensional view of expression and artistic integrity. A very ‘if they said this – it means this’ view of sound and music, especially when you count for the unsurmountable use of similes and metaphors used in these genres, the idea of prescribing a real life action to artistic expression seems very absurd.
Another topic of contention is the influence violence lyrics have on the people listening to it – and to a certain degree I believe artists have a conduct of responsibility with the platform and voice they have. However, I also believe like any form of art taking lyrics, music and the creation at face value can be seen as extremely derivative.
Coming from a background of making mainly hip-hop based music, i see that the potential in these types of genres as being able to push past a singular narrative – be more than what people expect – as can be seen with multiple artists within in the genre who do more that express acts of violence in their music, it doesn’t always have to be about violence. On a personal level hip-hop has helped me express certain frustrations I may have in day to day circumstances allowing me to release the tension experienced in a positive manner. Many artists use the energy to call out the authority blaming the artists for violent lyrics when they are part of a system that kills innocent civilians daily.
A quote from Brother Ali’s song Father Figures highlights the issue of hypocrisy using the genre as a canvas for his expression:
“Power obsessed authoritarians detest what I’m channelin’
He said his mission keep the innocent from dyin’
Had to laugh a little bit to keep from cryin’
Messiahs if we don’t know about the Co. and tell pro and devilish drones
They rain hell into homes
Never an empire rose without blood on its hands and face
They hate the poets for exposin’ the channel the rage, sacred space“