What did I get out of the interiews?
Honestly, I don't consider myself a seasoned veteran of hip-hop culture. I don't even think I can call myself a true emcee yet. For the past few years, I was simply a fan of the art. Although I would write my own bars from time to time, I would not put as much thought and soul into it as I do now. I'm very grateful that A-Class, J9, and Sonny Bamboo were willing to take the time to discuss their identities as underground rappers with me, and I can say that my ideas about rap and being a rapper have greatly matured because I got to hear their ideas.
During my conversation with J9, he described what it meant to "keep it real." As I thought about it from that day and on, this idea of "keeping it real" came up in my daily life constantly. Whether I was talking to a friend or back in my room working on bars, I kept reminding myself that I had to keep it real. However, this was not only so that I was honest about myself with others. It was also so that I was honest with myself. I now make sure that the lyrics I write are not merely superficial displays of bravado. Rather, I make sure that what I write is from the soul.
However, I believe that "keeping it real" means more than simply writing bars that solely reflect what I'm truly feeling. As somebody with no intention to make rap my career, I have the luxury of being able to define it that way. Sonny Bamboo and A-Class, on the other hand, live off their art--this isn't just something they do for fun. It's what puts bread on their tables, roofs over their heads, and clothes on their backs. Sometimes, rappers must make compromises so that they can pay their bills. Upon asked how they'd react if approached with money to make a song that they felt iffy about, they responded with similar answers. They both said that they would never take anything they saw as horrible, but they would try to negotiate. As A-Class told me, "It’s real life, man. If I can get some money that’s gonna help me and my people eat, I’ll take it." Also, Sonny Bamboo told me that he wants to live off rap, and "even if [he] might see something as kinda corny, [he] would rather be doing what [he loves] than going and flipping burgers." Although in such a case they would not be completely independent with their music, I believe they would be keeping it real by putting real life first and pursuing what they love.
During my conversation with J9, he described what it meant to "keep it real." As I thought about it from that day and on, this idea of "keeping it real" came up in my daily life constantly. Whether I was talking to a friend or back in my room working on bars, I kept reminding myself that I had to keep it real. However, this was not only so that I was honest about myself with others. It was also so that I was honest with myself. I now make sure that the lyrics I write are not merely superficial displays of bravado. Rather, I make sure that what I write is from the soul.
However, I believe that "keeping it real" means more than simply writing bars that solely reflect what I'm truly feeling. As somebody with no intention to make rap my career, I have the luxury of being able to define it that way. Sonny Bamboo and A-Class, on the other hand, live off their art--this isn't just something they do for fun. It's what puts bread on their tables, roofs over their heads, and clothes on their backs. Sometimes, rappers must make compromises so that they can pay their bills. Upon asked how they'd react if approached with money to make a song that they felt iffy about, they responded with similar answers. They both said that they would never take anything they saw as horrible, but they would try to negotiate. As A-Class told me, "It’s real life, man. If I can get some money that’s gonna help me and my people eat, I’ll take it." Also, Sonny Bamboo told me that he wants to live off rap, and "even if [he] might see something as kinda corny, [he] would rather be doing what [he loves] than going and flipping burgers." Although in such a case they would not be completely independent with their music, I believe they would be keeping it real by putting real life first and pursuing what they love.