Is hip hop black music?
Most people when asked that question today would immediately say no, pointing to artists like Mac Miller and Macklemore as examples of racial diversity in the hip hop genre. However, this was not the case in hip hop until the turn of the 21st century when a particularly talented artist, Marshall Mathers, exploded into the mainstream. Eminem’s success would be the beginning of a drastic change in hip hop culture, and a reflection of the genre’s progressively mainstream appeal.
From its inception up until the 2000, it was true that there was very little racial diversity among hip hop artists. Artists like Vanilla Ice and Limp Bizkit were hip artists yet always seemed separate from the hip hop scene as a whole. Perhaps the only exception were The Beastie Boys, who were a powerful force in rap during the 1980’s. However, most would find it hard to disagree with Eminem’s role in breaking down racial barriers in the genre with his arrival in 1999.
Mentored by the hugely influential Dr Dre, and bringing his own unique style and incredible, Eminem seemed destined for mainstream success. However, the reality was fairly different. The hip hop genre at the time was often plagued with racist elements. People working with Dr Dre are said to have criticized him for attempting to sign a white rapper. Dr Dre is recorded saying, “I don’t give a fuck if you’re purple; if you can kick it, I’m working with you.” It was an uncommon attitude at the time, but it would lead to immense changes in the genre’s future.
Not only did the risk of signing Eminem pay off, it was a huge success for the genre as a whole. Eminem’s first mainstream release, The Slim Shady LP, was certified triple platinum by the end of the year. The success only grew larger, with Eminem’s sophomore album The Marshall Mathers LP going platinum in just a week. This, along with a slew of features and performances alongside artists like Dr Dre and Elton John, had made Eminem the biggest name in hip hop in just a few shorts years. Not only had he broken through racial barriers that had existed in the genre for decades, he went on to be the biggest name in rap. Now, Eminem is the single best selling hip hop artist of all time, having sold 45 million albums.
So what did this do for the hip hop genre as a whole? It was vital in paving the way for the racial diversification of the genre, allowing artists like Asher Roth and Mac Miller to eventually find their own success. It may have taken decades for it to happen, but there is no doubt that Eminem’s ability to push past the racial barriers that had dominated hip hop permanently changed the genre for the better. Music is something that should never be limited by race, and hip hop is no exception.