WARREN JOHNSON – “VIEWS FROM ABOVE” VOL #7 Drake vs XXX

 Drake vs XXX:

Two decades ago, a Canadian entertainer, white as Snow and going by that moniker, burst onto the music scene with a song called ‘Informer’ that was decidedly Reggae. Later on, he collaborated with Buju, Nadine Sutherland, Terror Fabulous and Louie Culture on ‘I Will Do Anything.’ He imitated virtually everything Jamaican along with the persona to go along with it. Not a peep was heard from anyone criticizing him for ‘stealing’ anything… There have also been countless others of his ilk pirating, stealing and borrowing heavily from Reggae and Dancehall over the years. The most famous and financially most successful being UB40 of the UK followed closely by either Gentleman of Germany of Matisyahu of the US.

Fast forward to 2017, where Hip Hop’s saviour, Aubrey ‘DRAKE’ Graham, is taking the world by storm, converting the image and sound to new levels of acceptability to the chagrin of some hip-hop purists, who believe that the music should be decidedly thug. Drake has made a positive impact on the music with a new, smooth sound, a unique flow and a face and demeanour that is non-threatening, welcoming and inoffensive.

In his conquest of hip-hop, he has reached across to borrow from Dancehall, and in so doing, has earned undeserved and nonsensical ire of some; notable, some virtually unknown Florida Rapper, XXX, no doubt seeking some attention for his career.

Apparently, XXX and others are unaware that Hip Hop is the wayward son of Dancehall, who in its hype does not readily acknowledge its father, but who must from time to time confront the issues of its irrefutable paternity. However, what must be realized in all of this, is that, more than anyone else in recent memory, Drake is and should be welcomed to borrow from his relatives. Looking at him, it is clear to see that he is one of us regardless of what else may form part of his racial makeup; and that gives him licence to beg, and borrow – he cannot steal from his own- anything that he finds of value from us. He is not the ‘Ole Pirate’ Bob Marley sang about.

Therefore, all we need to do is fix the relationship between us after careful examination. We have to build and show care and consideration to the point where we quickly bury the causes of animosity, and along with them, the generation that Willie Lynch left behind to continually see to our inability to unite and conquer the world.

# Drake vs XXX