Alyssa Elliott
Professor Skelly
ENGL 21001 Section L
3 October 2023

The Rapper Mortality Pipeline

Who’s your favorite rapper? Some people might favor old-school artists like LL Cool J, Nas, Tupac, or 50 Cent. Others might lean toward more lyrical artists such as Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, or Nipsey Hussle. In today’s generation, you’ll often hear names like Drake, Juice WRLD, Future, or Kanye. Despite each of coming from different eras, having different styles, and life stories, they have all left a significant mark on the hip-hop genre and have had a meaningful impact on the music industry in their own unique way. But even with this in mind it is important to recognize that there are downsides to being a rapper as well. One of the major things that has been a consistent issue in the rap industry is the death of some of our favorite artist. These untimely deaths have not only left a void in the music world but have also raised questions about the industry’s impact on the lives and well-being of those who contribute so much to it. There are multiple reasons behind these losses which can vary from violence to health issues, and to the challenges that come with fame and success. It also serves as a reminder that no one is invincible and that we need to provide support and positive change to rap, it’s culture, and the people in it.

Violence has taken its toll on the rap community, which can sometimes start from rivalries and conflicts that are featured in lyrics that can sometimes spill over into real-life tragedies. The deaths of rappers like Tupac and Biggie in the East Coast-West Coast feud serve as reminders of these effects. Everyone talks about how legendary they were and all of their contributions to the rap community. But there is not as much focus on the details surrounding their deaths or the events that led up to them. In “Over half of dead hip-hop artists were murdered, study finds” a study was conducted by Dianna Theadora Kenny, a professor of psychology and music at the University of Sydney. Where she examined the deaths of more than 13,000 pop musicians to identify patterns related to their causes of death across different music genres, including rap. The study found that murder accounted for 6.0% of deaths across the sample but was the cause of 51% of deaths in rap musicians and 51.5% of deaths for hip hop musicians. This high percentage of deaths due to murder in rap and hip-hop musicians could be attributed to the strong association these genres have with murder and gang culture. These statistics don’t prove that rap music causes murder or that being a rapper makes you more likely to be killed. Instead, it shows that rappers face higher risks due to their lifestyle and the environment they are in.

When my favorite rapper XXXTENTACION died in 2018 it happened unexpectedly on a very random day. I used to follow him on all platforms, listen to all of his music drops, and kept up with everything pertaining to his personal life that he would share. I didn’t know him personally, but I felt like I could relate to him through his music and his personality. When he died there was a lot of uproar and discourse about his death online. He also didn’t die in the same manner as the average artist where it would be from old age or sickness. Instead, he was brutally shot and killed over materialistic things, some of which he rapped about. Ever since then rappers have been consistently dying every year since.

In “Gun violence has killed at least 1 rapper every year since 2018” it highlights the tragic trend of gun violence leading to the deaths of several hip-hop artists in recent years, naming 7 rappers that were fatally shot from 2018 to 2022. When the rapper Take off died it shocked the world because we knew him as the quietest member of Migos who didn’t bother anybody or cause any drama. With many people tweeting their condolences and outrage aboutthe situation and the state of rap in general. Huston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted “Too many young men of color are killing each other,” and further expressing the senselessness of such actions, as lives are lost in a matter of seconds, leaving grieving families and friends behind and just wanting the violence as a whole to stop. Rapper Jah Rule also stated that “this s**t has to STOP,” pleading for this cycle of violence within the hip-hop community to come to an end.

Gun violence has tragically claimed the lives of several hip-hop artists, leading to widespread outrage and calls to end this cycle of violence. Additionally, substance abuse poses a significant concern within the rap community. Many artists struggle with addiction, and the industry often faces criticism for not providing adequate support or intervention. The pressures of fame, paired with the accessibility of drugs, contribute to this problem. While people generally want to help those struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, the industry often prioritizes profit over artists’ well-being. Many high-ranking executives and professionals have been criticized for signing artists who promote harmful behaviors, despite knowing the risks.This raises concerns about the industry’s responsibility to provide appropriate care and support for its talent. This was seen on The Breakfast Club when American music industry executive and entrepreneur Lyor Cohen was interviewed. In it he claims that rappers doing drugs is the most dangerous thing that society is facing. However, when asked “then why sign an artist who would promote that?” he replies “talent or issues and he chooses talent…. Its optimistic but I got people to feed and a business to run”. Which further emphasized the balancing act between ethical concerns and the financial realities of the industry.

It’s important to open our eyes and see what’s going on behind the scenes of both themusic we enjoy and the industry that influences it. By doing so we can work collectively to create a safer environment where artists can thrive. This not only preserves the heart of hip-hop but also ensures a future where their talent can flourish without tragedy. It’s a call for unity, understanding, and active support to protect the lives and music of the artists we admire.