Hip-Hop through the Lens of Mumbo Jumbo
"Hip hop has done more damage to young African Americans than racism in recent years." *
These are the words of Fox News (or should I say - New York Sun?) reporter Geraldo Rivera. Rivera claims that hip-hop lyrics contain negative content that sets a bad example for Black kids. He argues that Black culture is a problem, one that hurts America as a whole. Sound familiar?
A metaphorical pandemic of Jes Grew, which represents Black culture, similarly plagues the world of Mumbo Jumbo. The Atonist Path, a secret society that upholds white culture, opposes the spread of Jes Grew. Colonialist Western civilization - the same people who have violently forced its history and traditions upon others for thousands of years - sees Jes Grew as a threat. The Atonists call African art to be “‘primitive,’’ at best ‘charming’ and ‘mostly propagandistic’” (57). Similarly, many Atonists today have questioned the legitimacy of rap as music and rappers as artists.
Also, the narrative around the Talking Android resonates with discussions around rap. The second phase of the Atonist plan to eradicate Jes Grew is to find a Talking Android, a Black man who will work within the culture of his race to criticize and invalidate it. The Talking Android is described as a “Human Vaccine who will make Jes Grew seem harmful to the J.G.C.s” (137) - a line that sounds like it came out of Rivera’s mouth. When the Atonists fail to find a true Talking Android, Hubert “Safecracker” Gould takes on the role despite being white. During the final reveal scene, he dresses up in blackface and recites a poem called “Harlem Tom-Toms.” Ironically this problematic parody of Harlem Renaissance literature warns of a “sort of white Liner invading thy sea” that “pollut[es] thy waves” and “dirties thy crests” (158), which alludes to the potential danger of white people taking part in Black poetry.
What does the Talking Android mean for white rappers? In general, I think that Mumbo Jumbo takes an overly harsh stance on white participation in Black culture. We all can enjoy and contribute to hip-hop while also being conscious and respectful of its roots. Reed’s critical satire, though, touches on some problems that can arise with being a white rapper. The Atonist system benefits white rappers, who get recognized for their work more often and are treated as more “legitimate” than Black artists (e.g. the 2014 Grammy Awards for Rap Album of the Year).
*I was inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s song DNA to include this quote, which was sampled near the 3:00 mark (please enjoy below).
Wasn't Macklemore receiving death threats for getting that snub? I feel like that in itself kind of supports this take that this idea is overly critical of white participation in black culture. I know he is just egging us on so it doesn't really mean anything that all the white characters are inherently evil in this book but I don't think that should be applied outside of the book.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Mumbo Jumbo was overly harsh on white involvement in black culture, but I think this was probably intentional. The entire book is very over-the-top, so Reed probably intentionally made this aspect more exaggerated than his real beliefs to get his point across more clearly. Besides that, I agree with a lot of what you said! Good post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really well-constructed interpretation of how the modern world reflects Reed's conception of Atonism, especially in terms of the danger that is posed by the undermining of Black culture from within. I liked your use of hip-hop as an example, and I also think it's a phenomenon that stretches beyond the realm of music. A particular example that comes to mind for me is the co-opting of slang that originates in Black communities, particularly on the Internet, by a wider breadth of people who often don't acknowledge or respect its roots, in a sense cheapening its impact.
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing this lyric while listening to Kendrick's song and always thinking about its meaning. I appreciate the amount of quotes you pull from the text regarding Jes Grew adjectives. The intersection between race and the art form in our present-day society is super interesting, especially with, as you mentioned, how rap and hip-hop is more so associated with the African-American demographic. However, there are still some artist of European descent who have had success. I remember hearing the popular African-American artist 50 Cent speak on his respect for Eminem, and there's a specific quote I find pretty relevant to this topic: "Hip Hop is black music, without question. And unfortunately for some people, it's tough to accept that you got a white artist that does it better than black artists." Great post. Loved the topic.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about how much Reed's writings do seem to discourage white participation in black culture. As for what it means for white rappers, I think Macklemore's infamous text to Kendrick after the Grammy's can teach people a lot. He understood at some level that he was benefiting from the system because he was white, but it kind of came out as him just trying to stay cool with Kendrick because of how flustered he was. His sentiment wasn't very well thought out, but he did do his best in the moment to give credit to black artists, especially by posting his text to Kendrick (lol). It shows how little experience he had with this issue.
ReplyDeleteLyrics from Eminem "Rap God:"
DeleteMe? I'm a product of Rakim
Lakim Shabazz, 2Pac, N.W.A, Cube, hey Doc, Ren
Yella, Eazy, thank you, they got Slim
Inspired enough to one day grow up, blow up and be in a position
To meet Run-D.M.C., induct them
Into the motherf*ckin' Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
A great example of how white rappers can give back, not in a clumsy text but through their art form.