Is there a difference between rappers and hip hop artists? I say yes. It doesn’t take long for me to analyze and answer this question. All I need to do is scan the pages of a music magazine or flip through the variety of MTV music video channels. Artists such as Soulja Boy or Shawty Lo aren’t even in the same vicinity as icons such as Jay-Z or Biggie.

It amazes me that people lump hip hop artists into the same category as rap artists.

Hip hop has revolutionized how America perceives African-Americans or followers of the genre in general. Although many people disagree with the lyrical content and negative connotations that hip hop music carries, there are also many who are uplifted by it. Of course some songs are a blatant strike against what is considered appropriate, but they create a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves. By contrast, rappers can only speak of three subjects: money, cars and girls.

The stereotypical idealism of this genre is that it encourages violence, sexuality, and other obscenities. The truth is that it teaches through experiences and uplifts those who share the same experiences. Hip hop artists rap about substance and deliver a message. By contrast, what exactly is the message that Soulja Boy is trying to send? Rappers like him have less lyrical essence than an answering machine; they are repetitive in their idiotic stance.

Not only do these young pretenders embarrass African American men and women, they spit on everything that the leaders of Hip-hop have strived for.

The difference between Tupac Shakur rapping about his sexual escapades and recent artists such as Lil Boosie is that he was able to speak on these things as well as address serious subjects such as teenage pregnancy, abortion and gun violence. In many ways he was considered a poet with his powerful lyrics, diction, and delivery. It is safe to say that the only reason these rappers have gained success is due to the beats behind their singles. The fast paced taps and bumps salvage the record; take that away and listeners might as well be listening to the wind blow.

Allowing myself to listen to ear garbage is just as detrimental as allowing myself to eat real garbage. Instead, I realize my entertainment time is worth more than that; I slip on my head phones, click a Jay-Z song, and indulge in something sweeter.