On Tuesday, we watched the rap video “Set if Off” by an
all-female cypher. First off, this song was sick and kept me entertained throughout
the whole song. But, more importantly it delivered a powerful message not only
through the lyrics, but through the structure of the cypher as well. This song
delivered messages of fighting the power and oppression, especially in the
forms of racism, sexual orientation, and the spirit of not only women, but as
black women. What I found particularly astounding, was each woman’s different
message that they sent. Even though they each took aim at something in
particular, they each fought a part of the same beast. After hearing this song,
I had to give it another listen and also look up the lyrics. These are some of
my favorite lyrics in the piece, coming from the 3rd woman in order,
“I heard through the grapevine that the world mine. Like them Cherokee Indians:
land mine. Yo I’m just tryna blow, land mine. Tell Christopher Columbus this
land mine!” This reference to the manifest destiny of white man, and white
man’s excuse to rule the land was spot on, and spinning it in her own way makes
it that much more of a potent statement.
But, I’m also curious on what your
thoughts are on this piece. What were your favorite parts? Have you listened to
it more than once?
This song is legit.
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