There aren’t many careers where an individual can dedicate their lives and not end up with any long-term benefits — whether it be healthcare, a pension, or the like. Hip Hop happens to be one of those industries. Artists who dedicate their lives to the culture may find themselves in precarious situations down the line.
This is where the concept of a union of sorts has — on more than one occasion — come into the conversation. Not so much a governing body that would ensure order is kept from a business sense, but rather a way to ensure that, when necessary, a unified force could rally behind individuals who have spent their lives furthering a culture that many us have come to accept as life.
Think health insurance meets worker’s comp.
In August’s second season premiere of Drink Champs, hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, LL Cool J stopped by to drop some Hip Hop gems. During the show’s outro, N.O.R.E. brought up the subject of creating a rapper union, which would help to protect the mental and physical well-being of our culture’s greatest contributors.
When talking about DMX, N.O.R.E. said, “Isn’t it Hip Hop’s responsibility to say, ‘This man gave us 10 million records … Why don’t we just come and take him and put him into rehab or whatever he needs to do to be safe’?”
“Shouldn’t we take 1% of something so if [an event] like Chris Lighty’s passing happens, [his daughter] Tiffany doesn’t have to worry?” N.O.R.E. asked rhetorically. “We can take care of that … Hip Hop owes that to Hip Hop.”
If you’ve listened to the Mogul podcast, which chronicled the life and death of iconic music mogul Chris Lighty, you’ll recall that at the time of his death, Lighty had immense financial trouble. As the show noted, he had a massive tax bill that is still outstanding.
That’s a significant financial burden to leave to your loved ones. Lighty, though, was an example of an executive on top of the game. What about those who never reach that plateau?
While many artists have weathered the changing tides of the industry and managed to create a strong sense of financial security, many of the golden era veterans either fell on hard times or simply weren’t as well off as they appeared. A common misconception is that a million sales equated to a million dollars in the artist’s pockets.
The late Sean Price is a great example. While hardworking and widely revered, his funds were largely based on his daily grind. After his death, Duck Down Records created a crowd-funding campaign to mobilize fans to help his family. A similar campaign was set up for underground legend Pumpkinhead upon his death, which was largely an attempt to help cover funeral expenses.
Imagine if there was a fund, as N.O.R.E. described, that would simply step in unprompted and take care of the families of these artists? Perhaps 1% of all album sales could help fund it.
Around seven years ago, the godfather of Hip Hop, DJ Kool Herc, was desperate for a vital operation that cost $40,000 — mere months after fighting to preserve 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, the birthplace of Hip Hop, from foreclosure. The fact that Herc had to make an urgent plea for help was a terrible thing.
The toughest hill to climb here is turning the idea into a reality that actually works. As LL Cool J expressed to N.O.R.E., such a governing system would require an enormous amount of both structure and transparency.
“I wouldn’t want my stack to go toward some new Low Pro tires,” he joked.
The structure is likely the biggest obstacle to such a safety net. Who’s eligible to become part of such a union? What will and won’t be covered? LL Cool J noted that artists might only have a few hits, to which N.O.R.E quickly clapped back, “I’m talking about veterans.”
LL was quick to note that Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock only had a few hits, which forced N.O.R.E to slightly concede. LL also noted that ground-level artists might be grateful for a system that could provide basic health benefits for them and their families.
“You’re not going to be successful if you don’t give,” LL explained.
This general philosophy definitely could apply to the longevity of our culture, even if only applied to our veterans. DMX, who was the catalyst for the conversation, is a great example. He is a voice that many find synonymous with their formative years. It’s not crazy to think that for all he’s given the culture, the same culture can return the love when he’s at his lowest point.
Dmx a true legend regardless of his history, the sad part is if he would pass the hip-hop community would say how they wish they could have helped him, but D is a real dog to the end..
Not on this website lol. The trolling on this site is ridiculous. But I feel you x is a legend and he’s arguably top 10. I think his best days are behind him but I’d be excited to hear some new music from him especially with swizz
Or you know just forsake 1 Benz/chain/big booty ho you know put 1 show a year away for that shit like a responsible adult who doesn’t get paid 1000-250,000 to breath on a mic for an hour or 2
You can’t help a crackhead. They have to do it. Throwing money at the problem is a waste.
How many times do you think Swiss beats true to help Dmx?
X, to me, is one of the biggest drop offs in hip hop history. If you think back to where dude was in 99….2000…nobody would’ve seen this coming. It’s a shame, dating back to the mid 2000’s I kept hoping he’d get his shit together, fuck the music, just get right with his health and stay outta the court room but he just refuses to.
You know… There’s an actors union, a writers union, there’s unions for NBA, NFL and the NFL. I don’t know if there’s one for music. There should be some form of pension plan for old rappers that kicks in at a certain age. The harsh reality is that hip-hop is still so young as a genre that most of the pioneers and legends aren’t really old enough to require a pension. Most pensions kick in in your 60’s.
Sorry, meant MLB as well.
As stated, it’s bigger than Hip Hop. Education is what’s key here. DMX makes more money for one show than I’d probably see in a year, but yet and still I have to be mindful of what I can and cannot do fiscally, family-wise, and in terms of health care. Reality is a real bitch, and while I’m not against anything that helps, at what point do we analyze the real root cause of these issues and stop encouraging self destructive behavior? I feel for our hip hop vets, the culture thrived off of their accomplishments. But education has to come first.
X need to stop suckin on that glass dick.. but i don’t see that ever gonna happen.. he will prolly be kicked out the rehab for smokin rock, kinda like the fat kid who got kicked out the hospital weight loss program for ordering pizza lol priceless
Great idea,one of the BEST new ideas i’ve heard about preserving or caring for the FOUNDATION of this culture. Only one big problem,the self hate programmed INTO black people since the slave days & counting. It’s hard for us to give WHOLEHEARTEDLY to a God that we kinda believe exist,let alone to HUMANS that look like us. It just won’t work because we don’t value each other,especially someone old & not poppin’ anymore,sad that we our own worst enemy & refuse to move out this sick mind white folks put us in so long ago.
Universal healthcare could have taken care of this but nah the government don’t want that. They don’t necessarily need a union but more like an association or a foundation. Then you pay a fee to register and people are open to contribute yearly (whatever amount) so when a member is sick, the association chips in on medical expenses, if one dies funeral cost and something small is left for the family.
A Hip-Hop Union is actually a great idea. It should also educate artists on investing and money management instead of spending (which is why they end up broke in the first place) Also provide rehab referral, health care, investments, artist management n advice, helping down n out veterans, affordable studio time, etc etc
Also give legal advice on signing contracts/deals/endorsements
the opinion of a fickle fans is dingle berry. Trap Jesus < Fraud White Jesus