What can Hip-Hop do for Derrion Albert?

October 3, 12:58 PMNY Hip-Hop Music ExaminerSamantha Greaves

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16-year old Derrion Albert. (Photo: Google)

The tragic beating death of Derrion Albert has sent shockwaves across America including communities that do not reside in Chicago, Illinois. If you are not familiar with the name Derrion Albert, he is the young teenager beaten to death during a fight last week in Chicago.

His untimely demise was recorded on a cell phone and uploaded to the internet for viewers to watch in horror and disbelief as the 16-year old was bludgeoned to death with a wooden plank and repeatedly punched and kicked by young men his same age.

The country’s eyes welled up with tears when his mother, Anjanette Albert, was interviewed and asked about the last time she saw or spoke to her son. She said that she and Derrion were starting to research a collection of colleges of his choice in hopes of applying to them in anticipation of attending. Derrion’s mother spoke to reporters in tears saying that her son begged and pleaded with her to stay in Chicago with his godmother because he really loved the school he attended. Much to her chagrin her decision would change she and her son’s life in a major way.

With all of the news of Derrion’s death, Hip-Hop artists have begun to reach out in support of the fallen teen. Rapper Nas was the first to address the situation not only directing a Global Grind post to Albert, but also sending a message to young black men living less than perfect lives who take their angers out on one another. In his post one message rang out louder than most; they are fighting the wrong war.

Bow Wow followed in tow with a video blog addressing Derrion’s death, expressing to the youth as well as his peers the importance of loving one another and stopping the violence that serves to destruct the community in more ways than one.

With the emergence of these artists, many fans are asking all Hip-Hop artists to step forward and to voice their discontent with the violence that occurs within the inner cities of America. Many feel that Hip-Hop artists have voices that are far more powerful than they give credit to. The notion is a true one, as made clear by Jay-Z’s ability to get young adults to ditch their sports jersey’s and fitted’s for button-down shirts and all-white Nike Air Force Ones. Or more profoundly, his voice that has everyone reiterating in unison that “auto-tune is dead.”

Surely, Hip-Hop artists would not identify themselves as being role models. With the majority of Hip-Hop artists creating songs that would be most fitting for the ears of adults, the choices that they make as artists is hardly aimed at bettering a community but are more focused on making a hit record. Placing that kind of responsibility in hands that did not ask for it ,is not fair to the artists or people that expect them to do what the general public has decided is right.

It has been a recurring theme for the inner city youth and adults to blame most of their setbacks and problems on others, particularly members of other races. Though this may hold some truth, a lot of the blame is directed outside of a group that also plays a big part in these same setbacks. Hip-Hop artists too have played the same blame game, but have turned their sad stories into happily ever afters through hard work and accomplishments.

What can Hip-Hop do for Derrion Albert? They can be more vocal about the struggles young black men face growing up around other young black men, a topic rarely ever spoken of. The struggle within the inner city may not be one worthy of comparison to those young men living in third world countries, however, that does not take away from the jungle that is life in the states. Hip-Hop artists can make it a priority to set aside the same energy it takes to beef to come together and produce a message so powerful that people would have no choice but to hear.

Hip-Hop artists hold a lot of power (star power even) that can do more good than bad. Yes, people are supposed to have minds of their own, but with the attention that these artists have a lesson can be taught and a positive outcome could come to light from a life--among many others that aren't reported--taken so soon. In conjunction with the youth’s parental unit it would be great if Hip-Hop would help in reinforcing the power of brotherhood within inner city communities. Even Marvin Gaye asked "Whats Going On" before giving us "Sexual Healing."