What a week it's been in London (and other cities). Many people have speculated on how such trouble breaks out and what is the route of it. I have my theories about it, but I happen to think a massive part of the problem is the fact many of the people involved are emotionally unable to relate to other people. They don't realise that when they trash shops and burn down houses, it hurts other people. As a musician who tries to keep up to date with what is happening in the wider music scene, I have to wonder just how rap music has affected the emotional intelligence of many of the young people. The themes of rap are centered on misogyny, sexism, homophobia and materialism. I quite like rap, but am truly amazed how little of it has any sort of a message at all beyond "Smack up me bitch, look at me trainers,like, look at me piece, yeah, I'm tha gangsta in th' hood"
Music can be all sorts of things. It reflects society. There is an argument that violent rap lyrics are an outlet for aggression. If nothing else, it does get young people to start thinking creatively. My hope is that as people develop their styles and technique, they also broaden their minds. What is unarguable is that some of the very best rappers such as Tupac met violent deaths, immersed in gang culture and many young people actually want to emulate that. I'm a fan of such punk songs as "Anarchy in the UK" by the Sex Pistols, "Hate and War" by the Clash and "Babylons burning" by the Ruts. These songs can be seen as quite nihilistic. Sid Vicious of the Pistols and Malcolm Owen of the Ruts both died in the most awful of circumstances. Topper Headon, drummer of the Clash was jailed for drug dealing. MI5 tracked many leading punks. Musical subversion really is nothing new. I see much of the nihilism of punk in rap, without the positive aspects of self reliance, self confidence, equality and independence. Punk spawned "rock against racism", the independent music scene, an independent publishing scene, a new breed of film director/producer and a group of highly politicised and intelligent leaders. Perhaps the greatest moment of all of these was Bob Geldolf and live aid, which saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
What we really need to see is young leaders emerging from the communities which have been most troubled. We need mentors to go in and identify them and help them. We need a few bad boys to to start sending out a few positive messages and doing something for their communities.
And just to remind you, edgy bands can produce beautiful music - here's Tender by Blur. I hope you have a peaceful and tender Saturday night
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