The Art of Storytelling personified in the vernacular of the nitty and gritty to the conscious “brotha’s” and “sista’s” who takes us on the ride of lives within 16 bars. For years hip hop, rap, and r&b have taught us how to lead our lives. From the Geto boys addressing mental health with “My Mind Playing Tricks on Me” to Nas sharing his “One Love” and “N.Y State of Mind” and Biggie giving us the “Ten Crack Commandments,” UGK holding a “Pocket Full of Stones,” and Curtis Mayfield being our “Pusherman.”
It’s beautiful how these stories take us into the lives we experience and get a taste of a sweet and savory mineral. Over the evolution of hip-hop and the birth of subgenres such as trap music, punk rap, and more, a big theme that has been consistent in hip hop and rap is back then you didn’t want me, now I’m hot, they all on me. Mike Jones coined the message in his hit song “Back Then.” In Young Dolph’s “To Be Honest,” we get the next big theme of gratitude with lyrics stating, “Yeah, I’m blessed. Came a long way from we was livin’ in the ‘jects.” The themes combined on Skooly’s Backstreet Boy telling us he was “raised on the west of the city, city. Where they ain’t showin’ no pity, pity. All of my clothes shitty, shitty. Now I get money like get it, get it.”
These masters of storytelling make me think of a concept that I find interesting. They show us and tell us how to do things, live our lives, leading us down a journey of decision making. The very essence of leadership exists right in the powerful tool of music. In hip-hop and rap, we get the vision of the future. We get motivation and inspiration.
Directly and indirectly, through lyrics, we get the vision of the future. Reiterating previously mentioned themes, the first one of not initially being wanted or being the invisible man until reaching stardom and a level of success. In all lyrics of this theme, rappers, lyricists are painting the vision sought after. Described to us are the current actions taking place for a more significant cause, the vision. Completed at the end of the 16 or fewer bars, we’ve painted the image that leads to a freedom that becomes indescribable yet decorated with newfound tangible symbols.
Through storytelling, motivation and inspiration are input functions consisting of similes, metaphors, and symbolism. Producing an equation of a majestic exponential function takes the reader through a descriptive story of growth or decay.
Hip-hop, rap, r&b can be further explored in specific elements to build a connection between leadership and hip-hop, rap, and r&b. Examine how one’s lyrics are setting a direction, building inspiration, and creating something new—also, teaching individuals specific direction of mapping out how to “win,” through a verbal version of what is known as a GIS map. However, I want to highlight the art of music. These genres create a vision for us, then inspire and motivate us in various ways. These are the essential elements that play the same role in leadership, highlighting the influence music has on us.
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