"Why shouldn't rap be esoteric, able to take in current events, history and criticism? I guess it's this old idea of containment - that rappers, because they're black, can't and shouldn't aspire to look outside the ghetto for influence"
- Saul Williams
About this Quote
This quote by Saul Williams speaks with the idea of containment, which is the idea that people of color, particularly black individuals, should be restricted in their goals and influences. Williams is challenging this concept by suggesting that rap needs to have the ability to take in existing events, history, and criticism, which would require looking outside of the ghetto for influence. He is recommending that rappers need to not be restricted by this concept of containment, and must be enabled to check out and be affected by a range of sources. This quote speaks with the concept of liberty of expression and the value of permitting individuals of color to explore and be influenced by a variety of sources. Williams is challenging the idea of containment and recommending that rappers need to be permitted to explore and be affected by a range of sources, which would allow them to produce more significant and impactful music.
This quote is written / told by Saul Williams somewhere between February 29, 1972 and today. He/she was a famous Musician from USA.
The author also have 28 other quotes.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do"
