One of my teen aged son's favorite artists released a song confronting the idea of owning your actions, taking control of your future, accepting responsibility for the state of your life, changing destructive behavior and daring to become something better . He shared the video with me; it impacted him - I was intrigued, shocked, stunned, saddened, maybe even uncomfortable - and in some way, encouraged. This video is not for the faint of heart; it graphically points out self-destructive attitudes and actions prevalent in our culture in the harshest of terms. Still, despite my conflicting feelings, I applaud this young man's willingness to confront issues he knows his fans wrestle with on a daily basis. I'm fairly certain his message will not be appreciated by all, and would venture that his stand will earn him no small amount of censure. But with what kids experience in schools and in interactions with peers, a dose of reality - even if delivered in such bold fashion and especially because it is delivered so - may be the antidote to misguided perceptions.
Additionally, it reminded me that words have real and undeniable power. Will I use words to encourage? To inspire deep thought? To evaluate and discuss ideas? To promote responsibility?
Watch if you dare. I've stated my feelings...how does this evocative video affect you? Do you think this young rap artist will reach teens through his daring message? Does his acknowledgement of his own perceived blame influence your reaction? Will his lyrics impact his audience and encourage self-responsibility or will his message be dismissed as inflammatory rhetoric? Do artists, whether writers, rappers, or sporting icons bear a duty to promote self-responsibility through their work, words and actions?
*Warning* This video contains graphic language and may not be suitable for all audiences.
This added to my reflection on the subject as a whole. As authors, we influence. I especially appreciate the great burden Young Adult authors face when crafting stories. While I do not write YA fiction, many fellow ROW80's do. Have you confronted any of these issues in your novels?
For readers dealing with the issues found in Hopsin's video, how best can authors craft characters they can relate to? That will inspire them? Are any ROW80 authors writing in this genre (sub-genre) of YA fiction? If so, would you be willing to share your experiences and struggles in forging a connection with your audience?
Phew! This has been a weighty subject to explore. Comments are welcome; please be respectful.
On Goals And Such...
* Pop That Cork! A Practical Arrangement is finished. I penned the words, 'The End', last night. Woo-Hoo!
* Oh, wait. That means I have no excuse now. The typing begins in earnest. Sigh. I will allow myself two weeks to complete this odious task.
* Exercise was a flop this week. I managed one workout. But I did go to Atlantic City to the beach with my boys, my brother-in-law, and his boys. (The two things have nothing in common, but talking about the beach makes me feel better.)
* My cover designer, Elaina Lee at For The Muse Design, has penciled me in. This is one of the most exciting parts of my job as a writer. I should have a cover to reveal by August 20th.
* Social goals were not met this week. With company visiting, my trip to Atlantic City, and the dog crisis, I checked out for a few days.
* I did cook a delicious dish, although not a new recipe. Spicy Corn Chowder is a favorite in this house, and we had a few days of very cool weather. I didn't mind cooking on those days! The heat is back with a vengeance. It was takeout tonight. Lol.
~ Nadja
Thank you for sharing this post and video. This coincides with some issues I've thinking/praying on. While I try to eliminate foul language from my life, I recognize the appropriate use of it and the power of the message shared here. I hope it does reach many - I'm reflecting on who I might share it with. Thank you for the courage needed to distribute this!
ReplyDeleteThe language of the video struck a nerve in me, also. But I live within a few blocks of a high school, a middle school, and on the same street as an elementary school. Foul language is no stranger when school (even the elementary!) lets out and kids travel the sidewalks. I suspect that meeting kids 'where they're at' forges a certain connection.
DeleteI did hesitate to share the video because of the intensity of it, but decided that if it gets in the hands of one person who may need to hear the message, it would be worth it.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to share your thoughts, Jenna!
I've never heard of this artist before, but I think I have a new one to add to my favorites. What a powerful song, and I love how the video drives the impact of it. I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of a life that just seems to be one misfortune built up on the other, but the fact that so many people lean back on their situations rather than fighting through it, taking personal responsibility, and owning up to their choices is one of the most heartbreaking things for me. It's funny, because now that I type that, I realize that this is a theme that probably does ring true in a lot of my writing. My heroes don't just accept the horrible situations they find themselves in, but they fight against it and it triumph. And those who wallow in it continue to falter and suffer.
ReplyDelete(I'm actually in the process of writing a post about one such character of the latter sort; the tragedy of her inability to pull through resonates in a song like this, and makes me want to write about her even more...her, and the others around her who actually do pull themselves up out of the abyss).
It's a great topic, to shine a light on these issues that so many young people don't know how to cope with. I'm always intrigued by the "tough issues" table in the teen section at my local B&N, and it always makes me glad to see it. Not because there are teens out there dealing with drugs and sex and self-abuse and violence, and so on, but because people are writing about it. People are making music about it. People are doing things to connect with those kids and help them realize that it doesn't have to be that way, that they can find the strength to rise above it. It's a beautiful thing.
Well stated! I hold an admiration for the artists willing to engage teens and talk about these issues. It takes courage to speak out, to confront the 'taboo'.
DeleteThank you for sharing so much!
I can't watch the video right now, since my boss would probably walk in and see it, but issues for young people can be a challenge. I'm kind of glad I'm an adult right now.
ReplyDeleteI still don't get why you write in long hand, then type it up. *shakes head* So much work! But some writers work better that way. Some people might ask me why I type everything out instead of using Dragon voice recognition. LOL
Spicy Corn Chowder. Sounds interesting....
Uhhmmm...no. Not a video to be blaring from your desktop at work! Ha. Better save it for when you're at home.
DeleteI wish I could write on the computer. It would erase the extra step....Oy! But I struggled with The Third Fate (it was the only piece I typed directly). Writing with pencil and notebook works much better for me. Sigh. I've considered Dragon, myself, but have heard some hilarious stories about 'trouble-via-translations'...
Corn Chowder (with only a little corn...lol) is super easy - and a one pot meal - which are my favorite kinds. Not a lot of dishes...lol.
I have little ears around so can't listen to the video, though I asked oldest if he knew the artist/song which he did. I'm with Lauralyn and rather glad to be an adult, not a teen. Kids have challenges today we, as adults, are hard pressed to understand, so hats off to an artist who can reach them.
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the goals Nadja. BTW, I awarded you a couple awards yesterday. See my blog for the deets. Have a fab day Nadja :)
Ha! Yes...I sneaked a listen when certain my two yougest were not in listening vicinity. I researched the artist a bit before posting anything about him, and learned he has gone from about five thousand fans last year to over two-hundred thousand fans this year. He's very East Coast still. My oldest son just saw him perform near Allentown in the last month or two - and plans to see him in Baltimore in September. Luckily he has a job to pay for these concerts...lol.
DeleteI really enjoyed that song, t was intelligent even if the language made me turn it off when my mum walked in....I know, I'm 29! The message I took from it was think about what you want from life, act accordingly and take responsibility for yourself and your life. Made me think which I LOVE!
ReplyDeleteWell done on your goals, popping champagne this end for you and I hope the typing goes well :)
*Clinks Glass* Thanks, Em!
DeleteI held my breath when I clicked the publish button for this post. My hope is to spark real dialogue with writers, especially any who are writing in this sub-genre. I've been impressed with what's been offered thus far. Thanks for weighing in!
It took me a while to understand it but it's a pretty powerful video. It means more coming from a young man than an old fogey like me.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same, Maria. Maybe it's easier coming from a person people believe can relate to them...from their generation. (Fellow old fogey here... doesn't carry the same weight...maybe?) Ha.
DeleteI listen to rap occasionally when it delivers a message. This was a powerful one that was delivered beautifully. Plan to post/share this video. So many kids struggle today and I wonder what can be done to help them. I was bullied in school, but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as what they report today. I've known kids that got pregnant in high school, and most took responsibility for their actions.
ReplyDeleteI don't write YA either and I'm beginning to think those who do write it have even more of a challenge than the rest of us. Trying to convey that message of responsibility and that hard work is worth the effort. And most importantly that nothing on Earth is worth ending theirs, or another's, life over. Thanks for posting the video Nadja.
And good job on the goals considering the week you had. I can't type my reaction to what your vet said. (it would look a lot like Sarge talking to Beetle Bailey). I went through that with my puppy a decade ago and was able to nurse him through it with a little help of meds from the vet.
Melanie
Thank you, Melanie. I'm happy to have finished A Practical Arrangement!
DeleteYour comments, especially about teen suicide are sobering. It's tough for kids to see that high school is only one small portion of life - and that often, life begins once high school and college are completed. They get mired down in the day to day and lose sight of what comes after. Glad to hear you'll share the video. Maybe it will impact someone for good.
Have a wonderful week, Melanie.
I wish I didn't understand much of what this young man rapped about in this video. I wish I hadn't seen a lot of it growing up where I grew up. Even a geek like me saw more than I cared to.
ReplyDeleteI suppose that's why some YA novels are hard to write or deal with because the subject matter can be sensitive. Very sensitive. Not just to the readers who may read it but in relation to things the author may have experienced.
But do we ignore those negative things and wish the world into a state of LSD induced bliss? Unfortunately not. Tough issues will be written about. Controversial things. It's a part of writing and if I write about something sensitive, I hope I am wise enough to do so in a way that addresses the issue but also bring light to dealing with things as well.
Angela,
DeleteThat remains one of my concerns about this video. Of course, being my age (not that I'm OLD or anything...lol), the presentation made me feel a bit uncomfortable. It has this odd dichotomy of anger and exhortation ...But I suppose with all the raunchy song lyrics out there, the over-the-top special effects in videos, movies, and video games - kids need something that will grab their attention in a forceful manner.
Angela, you write beautifully. Because of getting to know you through our blossoming friendship, I believe you will impact whatever audience you choose to engage. You have amazing heart - and it shows.
I admit, as a former listener-to of rap (original rap) presentation was akin to the early nineties, but the message is timeless. I think the real power of the message is the concept that one of the young generation conveying a mature aspect of the real world to younger skulls of mush. The impact is initially encountered with disgust, but after pondering the words and meaning, a moment of truth occurs in which the listener usually accepts the message but may not admit it, forming a solid nuclear character. Now the use of such foul language is 'superfluous' to the message in that it's the attention grabber for the younger crowd that gravitates toward it. It sounds like this artist is fed up with the whole self-inflicted victimization that's led to the culture of brain fart now.
ReplyDeleteThe hard and 'controversial' issues are just as critical as the 'sunshine and lollipops' ones. Everybody needs the stones to stand up and deal with them maturely. Great topic.
Julius
Great observations, Jules! You're right, I think, about the language being the 'attention grabber'. Interesting that messages need such 'attention-grabbers', isn't it?
DeleteGood luck with your typing!
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched the video yet... I'm all for books helping readers - both young and old - to work through problems: "I had forgotten what fiction was to me as a boy, forgotten what it was like in the library: fiction was an escape from the intolerable, a doorway into impossibly hospitable worlds where things had rules and could be understood; stories had been a way of learning about life without experiencing it, or perhaps of experiencing it as an eighteenth-century poisoner dealt with poisons, taking them in tiny doses, such that the poisoner could cope with ingesting things that would kill someone who was not inured to them. Sometimes fiction is a way of coping with the poison of the world in a way that lets us survive it."
Deniz, that is a wonderful quote. It is the power of a story - the escape to new worlds, the glimpse into realms long forgotten, the lessons learned through well loved characters, the trials and victories of those imaginary lives that lure me back again and again to open a cover, to read.
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