When Bell Hooks writes about the politics of gangsta culture she makes some really excellent points about wider societal misogyny and racial politics. However, I think some of the critique is a little outdated (it references the Clinton administration and uses the word 'gangsta') and so it cannot acknowledge how the genre of 'gangsta' rap has evolved into  a complex, contextualized meta-narrative, with lyrics that could easily be read as outrageously offensive when they are taken out of, not only their rhythmic structure, but also their multi-layered context. (I feel so silly writing the word 'gangsta', it seems so anachronistic).

The Odd Future crew are the latest in a long history of groups, deemed outrageously offensive and terribly sexist and awful.  The latest criticism of hiphop lyrics reminds me of Tipper Gore and the PMRC in the 1980s. This article on the high traffic Australian mommy-bloggers website mamamia.com is a case in point. *clutches pearls*

When you read the lyrics of Odd Future rapper 'Tyler, the Creator', taken out of their beat and context, yes, I concur, their depiction of violence towards women is terrible.

 And when you know nothing about the group, when you haven't listened to the albums, and when you aren't even a hip hop fan, it's quite simple to frame such groups as misogynist and glorifying violence. It's easy to take a superficially narrow view of a complex meta-narrative that you don't understand, and have no hope to ever completely understand, because you're entirely removed from the language, culture, style and history of a complex, multi-layered self-referential modern linguistic and musical artform. It's so removed from your life that you look a bit silly even talking about it. Yes, YOU, mama mia!!!

I enjoy listening to Tyler, the Creator and Odd Future. Tyler has a distinctly meta kind of style, it's layered and complex and is poking fun at the history of violent lyrics in hiphop, whilst embracing the grossness and indulging in it, pushing the lyrical envelope really far, whilst critiquing the glorification of violence all at the same time. Complex stuff, and hard to read if you dont 'speak the language'. The Odd Future crew are really young, and have grown up in an era where ultraviolence is lauded as entertainment. The lyrics and beats reflect and critique this social and media phenomenon of post post modernity. Some lyrics ARE blantantly childish and disgusting, but there are deliberate, highly contextual layers. Kind of like Eminem, but with way more self-awareness, darkness and complexity, "Tyler" is a character, an exploration of the inner demons and thoughts that dwell inside a disturbed young individual who is in conflict with his urges and fantasies. Its not everyone's cup of tea, for sure, but I think Tyler and the Odd Future crew are doing something really interesting. And also, the beats (made by Syd tha Kyd, a female lesbian member of the crew) are sick.

Oh, and Fuck Censorship.

Rap is a broadly fictional narrative that can be used as metaphor, parable, illustrative demonstrations of what might happen in any given situation. To take lyrics on face value is to misunderstand completely. It's an incredible form of communication, sometimes misused (I'm looking at you Lil' John). At it's best, you can use it to remote view other people's (and fictional) lives.