Words by Nadia Shakur
When it comes to the hierarchical system of communication within hip hop culture, one rapper feels it needs reassessment. Baltimore artist King Los says “hip hop has no communication” in a recent interview with HipHopDx, voicing his frustrations for the lack of accessibility to the upper level in hip hop.
“We’ve become so elusive because the allure of being unavailable is sexy in our culture,” the lyricist expressed at a recording session. You can’t talk to Jay Z, you can’t call Jay right now. You can’t. I don’t give a F@#k if you know him, you can’t talk to Jay. And it’s so funny, man — I got to talk to this guy, to talk to this guy, to talk to this guy, to talk to this guy, to not even ever talk to you, man.”
King Los goes on to speak of how hard it is to even get into certain industry buildings like BET, the high levels of clearance needed just for entry to have a meeting. He jokingly asked “Who’s signing n*ggas Barack Obama? Who is signing n*ggas, bro?”
All jokes aside though the rapper brings up a good point. There’s a lack of respect for the overall position of hip hop culture with the internal structure so divided and exclusive. Maybe a discussion should occur at some point that will garner more attention to this problem? Perhaps Diddy’s Revolt Music Conference has ignited that conversation?
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Excellent point! Our celebrity culture has definitely made inaccessibility cool. Why wouldn’t Jay Z at least be available to up and coming artists?!! Grow the f&*% up and stop the cliques.