Why teens aspire to become artists

By: Chris Lopez

When we think of art, we often think of it taking the form of a picture, painting, literature, or music. For many students here at YB, art takes the form of music, more specifically rap.

The African American Almanac, a book written by Lean'tin L. Bracks, sees the Hip-Hop community as one of the biggest genres of pop-culture today

Rap has always attracted the youth, Coke La Rock, who is credited for being the first rapper ever began his career in the music industry at 18.

And today where we have artists diverse in age, from Jay-z(50 yrs old), Kanye West(42 yrs old), J. Cole (35 yrs old), to DaBaby(28 yrs old). And all these rappers started gaining attraction in the music industry in their early or mid 20’s.

Teens look at how young rappers are gaining attraction and money, and see much older rappers becoming titans of the music industry and it appeals to them.

This has influenced teenage rappers/song writers to begin creating. I personally have written a few songs, and have produced a few beats. But there are teens who are attempting to create a career out of music, I’ve only ever created music just to create.

For instance a rapper named Mark “TokyoStrips” recently began developing a carreer from his music. He’s currently on SoundCloud, a platform often underrated, but is easy to use, and it makes it easier to publish ones songs.

Rapping has been an “outlet… I can express myself through music… I feel comfortable putting emotion into it (his music),” he stated.

His inspiration often comes from other rappers such as,Trippie Redd, Lil Wayne, and Tupac because of his admiration for their musical flow.

He also finds inspiration from his mom, “she really inspires me… She believes in me” he said

But Mark had to say that his greatest source of inspiration is money.

“The money, not even the fame, just the money. Getting signed to a record... it motivates me to do better,” he stated. And after listening to a few songs and hearing lyrics like “bringing all these checks yeah they call it paper stacking… walk in the mall you know we poppin tags… My ap be flooded B look like a sink… diamonds on my wrist they too cold now.”

Manny “XoGrief”, another musician from YB, enjoys how he’s able to express his emotions while creating music. “I dont really share my emotions with nobody… that's the way I show my feelings,” he stated.

As he was mentioning some sources of inspiration, he mationed having mostly listened to an artist named “Speaker Knockerz” as he was growing up, he named him specifically when thinking of inspiration.

Manny “XoGrief” had no aspirations to pursue anything with music when he originally started to create music, “it was all fun nothing serious,” he said. Until he made a song with another successful artist.

Most rappers “primarily rap about sex and drugs,” according to the Washington Post, who have followded rap group Shoreline Mafia.

CNN even wrote a story about how a student had created a rap music video threatening to shoot up his school, and he got in trouble for it.

But as young artists often get the idea of becoming a musician based on the success and style of others. As listed Mark “tokyo strips” is attracted to the idea of accumulating a lot of money within a small time frame, which isn’t the only reason as to why a teen would want to become a rapper.

But artists like Manny began with the intention to have fun with music, and developed his musical aspirations only after he collaborated with other up and coming artists.

When a teen looks at an idol, they look at most aspects about their lives, their financial status, their interest, any information that’s available.

But when a person idolizes that particular lifestyle, or is attracted to the work that can lead you to that lifestyle, they see it as a feat that’s achievable(Which it is, although difficult).

They imagine having that lifestyle and when the opportunity to chase that life presents itself, they often take that opportunity.