Readers, I offer you a thesis I have been mulling over for some time, an admittedly contradictory piece of thought subjecting me to ridicule and derision from my friends and family.
I have come to realize that rap and country are not the opposites one might expect but two sides of the same coin. Both genres are equally riddled with stereotypes. True, there are arguably stylistic differences, but the foundations are similar.
I know this is a shocking statement to make -- one that will crack the foundations of musical taste rattle the firmaments of the Top 40 temple and set Hank Williams and Easy-E a-rollin' in their graves.
I am here to prove that Tupac is a cousin of Tim McGraw, that Goodie Mob is a brother of Brooks and Dunn, that the Roots are blood kin to Garth Brooks.
I must note too that this is coming from a girl who thought for years that "Various Artists" was the name of a really successful band. But honestly, has common sense ever had any place in truly revolutionary thought? I think not.
Now I'm talking about "rap" and "country" from a purist's perspective; much of what passes for these types today is really a perversion of the genuine form. These include Jay-Z and Shania Twain, both embarrassments to their genres and testaments to the poor taste of the American public, no offense to their fans (but really, what are you thinking?). Remember "Big Pimpin'"? Recall "Damn, I Feel Like a Woman"? You see my point.
Both rap and country in their pure (read: early) forms share a number of characteristics. For example, the two styles are associated with a particular type of listener, musical artist and region. Both share similar roots and themes. The fact that many of these are stereotypes makes for another connection.
We college students like to think of ourselves as enlightened and open-minded people, but we are guilty of stereotyping just like anyone else. Instinctively, do you wonder what a guy in a cowboy hat thinks of the newest Ghostface Killah CD? I think not. It is assumed that such a person is a country music fan.
Conversely, would you consider discussing the merits of the George Strait double CD set with an African-American? These stereotypes are often ingrained, and they extend across regions as well. It is true that young, white, suburban men buy 60% of the rap music sold, but for the sake of my argument we will overlook that and go back to the early days.
