Hip-Hop for Conservatives

By Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ari Melber (and a couple commenters) point out that the interesting thing about Common being attacked, is that one of his best known songs is about as pro-Life as it gets. "Retrospect for Life" always struck me as being of that variety of pop art as "Knocked Up." People end up in situations where abortion is often the outcome, but the art gives us a bundle of joy because it's a result we find a lot more pleasing. Or, to be less cynical, its art which reflects the world as we wish it was, as opposed to how it is.

Of course social conservatism isn't particularly original for hip-hop. "Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth" has the obvious nod toward Pro-Lifers. Goodie Mob "Beautiful Skin" is a rather obnoxious lecture on black female modesty (Though that's a sick track.) And Lifesava's "What If It's True" is chastisement for nonbelievers. But I like "Selector" better, so I think I'll embed that.

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