As I get, I give. Giving as you get is critical. It has everything to do with being happy for yourself, and making others happy is the cause of making yourself happy, and it’s the cycle of giving and getting.
Russell SimmonsRead
The difference between blues, jazz, rock n' roll and rap is that rap stayed poor. Even the white rappers are poor. It's scarier to look at poor people; it makes everyone uncomfortable. Their pain is something that people would like to see swept under the rug.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the socioeconomic disparity often reflected in musical genres, particularly focusing on rap.
Russell Simmons points out that while genres like blues, jazz, and rock n' roll have seen varied success and cultural acceptance, rap music remains closely tied to its root in poverty. This connection evokes discomfort in society as it confronts the reality of systemic issues faced by individuals in underprivileged communities, which are often ignored or hidden from view.
Themes
RapPovertyMusicDiscomfortSocioeconomic
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a discussion about the evolution of music genres in a sociology class.
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It's all about the work. Nothing is going to fall into your lap. If you want to be a lawyer, see yourself as a lawyer, go to the library and start learning the law. If you want to be a rapper, start rapping and get out there. Live your life as if you already are where you want to be.
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I'm just suggesting that when you're faced with fear and anxiety, don't medicate. Meditate instead.
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Always focus on your effort, instead of the results of that effort.
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America, you know, they always separate people because of race. They've been able to convince, 'The niggers are coming.' You know, the diversity that America has is so special. It's starting to really become a cool thing for young people. Not only because there are more mixes of people, but because people are more open-minded about each other. So I think in the future, America has a great, great opportunity, and mostly because of hip-hop.
Russell SimmonsRead
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