I grew up on MTV, BET, and television showing a baller lifestyle throughout my entire life. As I think about how my money philosophies were created it would be foolish not to acknowledge the role of music videos in creating what I wanted to aspire to in my own life. I’m kind of annoyed with current hip hop/rap performers because I feel like their videos are keeping people broke.
Living The Dream
I won’t lie-I would not be upset to have a private jet, manicures and pedicures on a weekly basis, and a refrigerator that dispenses Perrier. But, that’s not going to happen right now, and I have to be ok with that.
Music videos were supposed to be an escape, a fun way to imagine life. But, I think over time we started to absorb the messages shown in each video that we watched.
Because the entertainers we watched were like us, aspiring to something greater than ourself. And over the years it became normal to watch rappers driving Maybachs, making money rain, and wearing Nikes. So wouldn’t we want the same thing?
I was inspired to write this post after reading an interesting post on The Color of Money about the world’s most expensive cars and the number of these cars that rappers own. I should say that I actually enjoy well done hip hop and will continue to listen to it…. But, I feel like entertainers and athletes (I have a post about them coming soon) walk a tightrope of responsibility to think about the following:
- Growing their OWN money
- Diversifying their own portfolios
- Asking themselves if they have a responsibility to their audience who are making them rich to go into neighborhoods and talk about growing wealth?
I watched a video by Chris Brown and Tyga called “Ayo” that so appalled me not just because of the constant use of the “n” word, the objectification of women, and the fact that Chris Brown was making another video it appalled me for a different reason.
What upset me was the following:
A Complete Lack Of Respect For Money
The beginning of the video shows the two in basically a duel to see who had the most money. You will see images of a tractor dumping cash into the pool, and in the next shot you’ll see a golden toilet.
WTH??!!
The thing that these two don’t realize is that they can lose everything even though they are making money right now. They aren’t Snoop Dogg, Puff/Puffy/Puff Daddy/ or LL Cool J. They (as far as I know) haven’t consistently branched out into other business dealings-unless you count Chris Brown’s acting career which is tenuous at best.
I respect money, but I wonder if some of what I aspire to has been shaped by videos like these? As I think about the people who watch these videos I wonder how does it make them feel about where they are in their lives now?
Is Hip Hop Keeping People Broke?
But, it’s not just Hip Hop it’s the role of all types of entertainment shaping our expectations, and our hopes and dreams. Do we even have a chance with this constant barrage of aspirational imagery? We watch hours of television every week instead of doing something active with friends because it’s cheap and easy and most of us are tired from a long commute.
We watch Kim and Kanye and the rest of the Kardashians and we celebrate their consumption aspire to be them. Yes, you do…just a little bit.
I would love to listen to, and watch Hip Hop/Rap that talks about getting rich, growing money, and dreaming big, but with respect for the money flowing in and out of their life. I would love to see an ironic video about people jumping into the pool to collect all the money that was dumped into it and pushing people out of the way to pick up change from the ground. I would love to see people making it rain after making a huge business deal in the video. Do you see the difference…similar premise to the previous video but in control of their money. Not a chump.
I won’t include a link to the video because it’s a little too much for my blog audience. But, if you watch the first 30 seconds of the video you’ll get a taste of what I am talking about.
Let’s Be Clear
I understand having fun shooting your own music video. Who knows, I would probably fly to exotic locations if I shot a video. But, I would like to think that I would also use my public platform to teach start a discussion about: wealth, getting rid of debt, or education.
Do IPODs Play A Role?
Hear me out. Do Ipods play a roll in us feeling like we’re walking around in a music video? Hmm…
Have You Thought About The Role Of Music Videos Shaping Some of Your Money Expectations?
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Really thoughtful post! I also grew up in the MTV generation (maybe now everyone growing up is the “MTV generation”?), but I remember when videos were about the music and a message (other than spend money, objectify women, and swear like a pirate). Don’t get me wrong, I like hip hop and I, “get it” that the music industry is a business just let any other (they’re going to sell the public what they want). But is “that” what “we” really want? Obviously, most adults know that the lifestyles portrayed in those videos are unrealistic at best and wasteful and degrading at worse. When do the videos about helping other people, spending responsibly and saving for retirement get hip ;-)?
When I was younger the swearing bothered me then too! But, I was really disgusted to see a gold toilet and just the absolute lack of respect for wealth. I don’t mind a certain level of fun in a video but I think that musicians sometimes lose sight of the bigger picture.
I prefer Britney Spears mantra on this one…..You want to drive a Maserati, you gotta work *****
BOOM!
I totally think hip hop videos can give off the wrong impression. If they could just focus on the hard work part a little more — because you have to hustle for all that stuff!
I agree-I really enjoy hip hop and I don’ fave a problem with having some fun…but these videos are ridiculous now!
This is a great post Michelle! It is so true that is can be way easier to go around imagining yourself in a music video than it is to face the fact that DAMMIT life is hard! Its important to let loose and relax each day, and DAYDREAMING is totally underrated, but it seems like being down to earth and honest with yourself pays off in the long run, or at least gives you the best chance.
Thanks Rikki! I love to imagine my life in a lot of different ways, but I also have to enjoy the reality that I’m currently in.