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Hip Hop Rhetoric in Light of Ancient Rhetorical Historiography

Hip Hop Rhetoric in Light of Ancient Rhetorical Historiography.

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Hip Hop Rhetoric in Light of Ancient Rhetorical Historiography

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  1. Hip Hop Rhetoric in Light of Ancient Rhetorical Historiography The rhetoric of Hip Hop is not simply a niche discourse which should be viewed as a “fun” or “popular” rhetoric, for “fun” and “popular” are many times code-words for “simplistic” or “non-theoretical.” My claim is that Hip Hop rhetoric is as complex and important as any of the rhetorics being discussed and studied in our field. We should make room for Hip Hop rhetoric in our syllabi and in our discussions of the history of rhetoric.

  2. The Artistry of Hip Hop in Relation to Platonic and Aristotelian Thinking on Rhetoric • “The contemporary practice of oratory, with its shameless emotionalism and attempts at psychological manipulation of the audience, [is] not worthy to be classed as so rational thing as an art” (Lawson-Tancred on Plato) • In the final “battle scene” of Eminem’s film 8 Mile, the rapper uses emotion, psychological manipulation of the opponent and audience, attack of opponent’s ethos, and counter-argumentation in his artful attack. [connects with audience and places 2nd rapper in opposition to audience; diminishes ethos of 2nd rapper by pointing out his privileged upbringing; addresses other rapper’s probable arguments before he can express them i.e. being white; friend who shot himself; “Uncle Tom” friend; girlfriend’s cheating]

  3. Glibness versus(?) Truth/truth • In terms of glibness, Hip Hop rhetoric and Chinese/Confucian rhetoric are at opposite ends of the spectrum • Confucian ideology mistrusted verbal eloquence and called for one’s rhetoric to be non-confrontational • This is in contrast to the “showmanship” and aggressiveness of Hip Hop rhetoric • My words are like a dagger/with a jagged edge/That’ll stab you in the head (Eminem) • Its just a victory lap baby/ I'm just joggin' /And I ain't even out of breathe/ the motherfuckin' best yet (Lil Waye) • I’m the best you ever tested/better than all the rest (DMX) • Rappers understand the power of words…and usually claim they’re the best at using them

  4. Is there a Platonic “TRUTH” being conveyed in Hip Hop rhetoric?...a Sophistic, kairotic “truth”? • The average black maleLive a third of his life in a jail cellCause the world is controlled by the white maleAnd the people don’t never get justiceAnd the women don’t never get respectedAnd the problems don’t never get solvedAnd the jobs don’t never pay enoughSo the rent always be late; can you relate? We livin’ in a police state(Dead Prez)

  5. Hip Hop Rhetoric Perpetuates the History of Oppression of Women’s Voices and Realities • The “voice” of Hip Hop, as with most Ancient Rhetorics, is dominated by the male voice and experience • Women’s lives and experiences are either ignored, or outright trivialized, oppressed, simplified, essentialized, and attacked • Hip Hop has its own Enheduannas and Sapphos (Missy Eliot, Lauryn Hill, Lil’ Kim, MC Lyte, etc.), but only a small percentage of female voices

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