[Opinion] A Heartfelt Farewell To 2012: The Year Where 'Nignorance' Reigned Supreme
What actually sets me off is how nignorance was compounded this year. 2 Chainz becoming the hottest rapper in the game even though he’s the same damn rapper he was back when he was known as Tity Boi nearly made my head explode. I couldn’t blame 2 Chainz, he was riding the wave. But somehow, he became this super dope rapper that everyone clamored for. What happened? Nothing but nignorance being acceptable in 2012. Meanwhile, he dropped an album that sounded just as bad as like the Playaz Circle album he released alongside “Dolla Boy” in 2007. But now he’s a star? I know, timing is everything but the lack of progression in both the artist and the audience is troubling.
And then there’s Chief Keef. As if I hadn’t said everything there was to be said about him here, the fact that Interscope still pushed this troubled child to the masses hurts my soul. That boy needs help, not a damn record deal and a bunch of money so he can continue to divulge into his vices while being introduced to new ones. He’s Finally Rich and this is the path to take to get there? Thanks for the inspiration. If you can honestly sit here and tell me that Chief Keef will be around two years from now, I can honestly smash you in the face with a cream pie from wherever I’m sitting right now.
How disheartening is it to young rappers, who are working on getting their bars up, to see a kid with a primitive style rake in the dough. If I’m a 17-year-old who is working feverishly on weaving profound narratives, I’m tossing my notebook outside and chanting the dumbest thing that comes into my head. Might as well get into some trouble with the police and laugh at the death of teenagers while I’m at it. Or maybe I should beat up women and call you a hater for hating me for it. You know, because it’s just entertainment. What’s next, a convicted murderer collaborating with hip-hop’s finest? Dammit, I really just put that into the atmosphere.
Nignorance!
Before I continue, 2012 certainly wasn’t all bad. The fact that a rapper’s rapper by the name of Kendrick Lamar dropped a lyrically profound album that went Gold off the strength of it being a damn good hip-hop album with no gimmicks, no radio friendly lead single and not even a real parade of high end rappers championing his cause (no Kanye, Jay-Z, Diddy, etc.) is hope for the future. Nas dropped an amazing album that proved that a grown man can rap like, you know, he’s a gotdamn grown man and people will buy it. So it wasn’t a bad year for music by any stretch of the imagination.
But for the culture? Ouch.
Amen, bruv! In 2013, the monotony continues (see: “All My Babies Mamas” w/ Shawty Lo on Oxygen) and the culture is seemingly along for the ride. Keep speaking truth to power, but I think it’s best we holler at GeoHotz to see if he can upload a virus and stop all this bullish from hitting the web (and Apple TV).
Thank god for u bro I thought I was the only one who feels and saw the state of our culture failing
“What’s next, a convicted murderer collaborating with hip-hop’s finest? Dammit, I really just put that into the atmosphere.”
So Snoop got off so i guess he doesn’t count? what year is this anyway.
Thank you for writing this sir.
Hopefully the blatant “Nignorance” we were exposed to in 2012 will not be replaced, but at least accompanied by enough substance via entertainment to create a balance in 2012.
wow, fanstismic article. BUT, somethings to ponder
i’m seeing a trend in “cultured/educated” black ppls always criticizing the worse media depictions of black folk, and rightly so. however, i’ve come to realize that ratchetness is not exclusive to black folk; it’s just that when we see it, we somehow see ourselves it, as if some kind of perverse reflection in le mirror. and we see ourselves in it because society says that who we are, even though the sheer stupidity knows no boundaries (e.g. reality TV, obsession with rich people w/problems). even the term “nignorance” somehow implies ignorance is the exclusive domain of black folk, when in fact, it’s not. awwww fuck, i’m too tired to finish sorry. rambles of a crazed man. you’ve made me a loyal fan, i’ll be checking out the website on the daily. peas.