March 29, 2024
Jim Jones Violence and Hip-Hop


Jim Jones is rarely silent on issues he feels need to be spoken on. One issue that has become a continuous speaking piece for Jim Jones is the escalating violence in the hip-hop community. Capo has gone on record numerous times, raising the clarion call for needed reform. The recent wave of artists’ deaths to violence, particularly gun violence, has the rap personality reiterating what is already a given.

Jones Makes a Point

Jones recently participated in “Doin Lines,” a new XXL series. This series’s premise involves guests finishing 20 phrases as they are presented. When presented with the statement, “A change Hip-hop needs to make,” Jones responded. “[Is] stopping the violence.”

Like a Broken Record

This is not the first time Capo has spoken out. In 2020 Jones took a bold stance when he likened rappers to soldiers, contending that the two-faced and equal level of death due to unequivocal warfare. At the time, he received some flack for the comparison. An angered soldier disputed the point made by Capo. However, the artist stood by his comparison, citing the increasing danger rap artists face. Jones went as far as to point out his experience. Check out the exchange here.

The Hits Keep Coming

Slain Hip-Hop Artists. Image source: Defender.

Capo’s statement that being a rapper is one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet may ruffle a few feathers.

However, there is massive evidence that supports his truth. Jim Jones’s concern comes from the hundreds of hip-hop artists’ deaths from gun violence. Defender includes an exhaustive list of these bright lights from ages 17-45 that have been snuffed out too early, highlighting earlier Jones’s statements.

Takeoff’s Death Another Sobering Reminder

Takeoff

Takeoff. Image source: NBC News.

The recent death of Takeoff (Kirsnick Khari Ball) re-solidified Jones’s point. At 28, the talented artist lost his life outside a bowling alley. According to People, Harris County Medical Examiner’s office says, “Takeoff’s death is attributed to penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into the arm.” Takeoff’s career as a hip-hop artist certainly didn’t cause his death. There is, however, a massive correlation between unchecked violence against hip-hop artists and the pervasive violence in music. Tragically, as Jones contends,

“As an aspiring artist, you have a 50 percent chance of making it as a rapper, and making it alive as a rapper is what it means.”

And that’s quite the gamble.

Trying to Scratch the Record

Jones is one of many doing what they can to bring light to the situation.

It is truly a sad day when choosing a life as an artist draws a comparison to being a soldier on a battlefield. There is no rational basis for such. However, it is a reminder of what happens when rot, which in this case is a pervasive sub-culture of violence, goes unchecked.

Nevertheless, with great hope, Jones will not make this point in 2024 or even a month from now. But unfortunately, until there is real change, this will remain a depressing but reoccurring issue.

Written by: Renae Richardson

Edited by: Nikita Serdiuk

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