Fighting Tyler Durden-Ghostwriting in Hip-hop

The mark of a truly intelligent mind is the ability to understand two opposing viewpoints at the same time. As Bill Maher says, “O. J. killed his wife AND the cops are crooked. ” However, for one reason or another the world doesn’t like this. You have to have only one viewpoint. They'll call you finicky, whishy-washy, or fickle otherwise. Don’t worry. I understand you. After all, I am a Gemini. With that said, this segment will analyze the pro and the con viewpoints of the world’s many polarizing topics with the hopes that we can make a decision. If not, you can take solace in the fact that ambivalence is better than apathy.

Today's Topic: Ghostwriting-Hip-hop Scourge or Savior?

Pro: Ghostwriting ain’t so bad. First of all, Ghostwriting allows writers to get their words out to the masses that would otherwise go unheard. There are many people out there that have something to say, whose words will help that confused teen or that world-weary adult. Unfortunately, everyone’s words don’t get the opportunity to shine. I love hip-hop but I admit that the mainstream tends to skew towards the superficial. Not only do you have to be hot but you have to have that “look”. Well, everyone ain’t pretty and everyone can’t make it big in this game regardless of what they have to say. This is where ghostwriting provides a necessary service.

It allows, for lack of better terms, un-cute or uncharismatic people to help the masses with their words. Secondly, ghostwriting, in a sense, makes hip-hop better. Think of it as literary steroids. Let’s use one of the best employers of ghostwriters in the biz as an example: Sean “P-Diddy” Combs, Mr. “If I don’t write it, I recite it well”. So, its 1996 and arguably the best rapper in the game, Biggie Smalls, has just been struck down in a hail of bullets. The hip-hop world was devastated. We were angry, sad, confused, and most of all, lost. What we needed was a tribute song to help mend our wounds, to help us move on. Think about if Puff tried to write that song by himself. It would have been undoubtedly wack (no offense puff, but come one now). Enter Jadakiss to save the day and help create the best tribute song ever(sorry “candle in the wind“…you just ain‘t hot enough). How can something that makes the universal solvent of music better be so bad? Ghostwriting is a hip-hop savior, providing work for those who can’t make it as a rapper but can as a writer and making the hip-hop world a hotter place. Gotta love that!

Con: Ghostwriting is the worst thing that happened to the rap game since…well, ever! My mom would say she hated rap because it doesn’t take any talent to talk. While she has no idea how hard it is to write a song, she kind of has a point. The main talent for a rapper is what he or she says. If you don’t write your verse, just what exactly is your purpose? You are nothing but a delivery guy/gal. Plus, how can a musical medium that so ardently desires the “real” tolerate such fakeness? It’s a travesty, I tell you, travesty. Additionally, the pro argument would have you believe that ghostwriting provides work for needy writers. No, it’s the exact opposite. Generally, the writer of a verse sells that verse to the “artist” for a respectable sum. Said “artist” turns around and makes millions or more. What part of the game is that? I bet Jadakiss was well compensated for “missing you”, but think about the money Puff made off that song?

Ghostwriting is exploitative in nature and denies good, salient writers the chance to earn their worth. Moreover, ghostwriting helps further the industry’s superficial nature. So what this writer looks like Quasimodo on a bad hair day? His music is good. Ghostwriting gives the hip-hop industry a reason to keep talented writers out of the spotlight. How can we ever make a change if the industry can create “rappers” by using good looks and someone else’s words. Its not fair. No one is more affected by this more than female rappers. Take Jean Grae. This lady is a beast on the mic, but ghostwriters make sex kittens like Foxy brown, li’l Mama, or li’l Kim into phony lyricists while the real lyricist goes unnoticed. Ghostwriting is a pox on the entire hip-hop industry and should be abolished. Write your congressperson. Petition at the courthouse. We need ghostwriting in hip-hop to stop.

Decision: Pretty good arguments on both sides, gentlemen. Ghostwriting does pretty much contradict the realness of hip-hop and makes stars out of people who, for all intents and purposes, are untalented. However, Ghostwriting does give people a chance to get their words to millions of people who may either want to eschew the limelight or aren’t quite built for it. Plus, it does make hip-hop game in the long run. I’m going to have to go with the PRO side on this one. My love of good music will trump authenticity and exploitation every time. How about you?

Bruce Eagle the Full Metal. Peace!!!