The “N” word in hip-hop. Where do you stand?

One of the most ongoing controversial debates about hip-hop is the use of the N word.  Hip-hop critics have been complaining for years, but most hip-hop artist refuse to change the way they do music. In black culture, the N word is used so frequent that it has become generally become part of everyone’s vocabulary. Black leaders have been trying to start a movement to stop the use of this word without having to forego the First Amendment, yet there has been little to no success in doing so.

I asked several people who relate to the black as well as the hip-hop culture how they feel about the word. Trey Williams, age 22, said: “That word doesn’t mean what it once did, and has evolved over time. Harrison Jones, age 34 said: “I say it and don’t even think twice about it, I think rappers are just doing the same.”

It is true that when artists say the N word in their music, it is not meant to hurt or offend anybody. It has become a part of the culture and is not used in a derogatory way it once was.  However, it still remains a very controversial topic.




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Hip-hop artists like Chamillionaire and Jim Jones have both made attempts to drop the N word completely.

Chamillionaire dropped “Ultimate Victory,” an album that was cuss and N word free in 2007.  The Album peaked at number 3 for the U.S Billboard top rap albums. Chamillionaire told the Associated Press: “I never cursed all that much anyway, but he N-word was a different story: “I’ve always used the N-word.”




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Jim Jones said after Obama was elected for President, he decided to replace the N word with the word Obama. The examples he gave offtheave.com were: “What up, my Obama?” “Yo, did you see them Obamas last night?” “Now that’s a real Obama.”

Most artists acknowledge the influence the N word may have, but refuse to stop putting it in their music.

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According to the Associated Press, platinum artist 50 cent defended hip-hop by explaining “rappers are telling stories based on their own gritty streets.”

“They forget that the art form is a mirror and what we’re writing is a reflection of where we grew up. They can be interpreted as glorifying it on some levels but they’re trying to capture a particular feel. I’ve made it this far without having to compromise myself, Ain’t no changing what I’m doing now,” he told The AP.

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Twista also told the AP: “It would have to pay something real strong to make me change the way I do my music. I’m gonna keep saying it because I know I’m just making good music.”

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In an interview between Oprah Winfrey and Jay-z, they discussed this issue.

“Oprah:  When I hear the N-word, I still think about every black man who was lynched--and the N-word was the last thing he heard. Is it really necessary that you put the N-word in your music?



Nothing is necessary," he explained to Winfrey. "It's just become part of the way we communicate. My generation hasn't had the same experience with that word that generations of people before us had. We weren't so close to the pain. So in our way, we disarmed the word. We took the fire pin out of the grenade."

Jay-z then went on to add: "It's difficult to teach racism in the home when your kid loves Jay-Z," he said. "It's hard to say, 'That guy is beneath you' when your kid idolizes that guy."