The Game, a prominent figure in hip-hop, recently shared his thoughts on people who “rap along” to hip-hop without fully grasping the realities of the lyrics. He reposted a note shared by YG on his Instagram Stories, in which YG called out those who love to party and sing along to hip-hop but get scared when they find out the lyrics are based on real experiences. The Game agreed with YG’s sentiments and criticized people who are quick to appropriate hip-hop culture without understanding its struggles.
The conversation about cultural appropriation in hip-hop has been ongoing, and The Game and YG’s comments come not long after Jack Harlow sparked a similar conversation with his track “Common Ground,” in which he critiqued whiteness in hip-hop. The song addresses how white hip-hop fans have become cultural tourists and appropriators, showcasing their privilege without acknowledging it.
The Game also showed support for Harlow’s message by reposting his Instagram post about the video for the song “They Don’t Love It,” which appears alongside “Common Ground” on Harlow’s new studio album, Jackman.
It’s clear that The Game and other prominent figures in hip-hop are becoming more vocal about the issue of cultural appropriation and the need for people to understand the realities behind the lyrics. This conversation is crucial for creating a more inclusive and respectful hip-hop culture that honors the struggles and experiences of those who have created it.
