The Hip-Hop Economy and Vaccine Mandates
written by Dr. Jason Nichols
We all know hip hop has made a few people wealthy and provided others with stable employment doing what they love. There are the moguls like Diddy (or is it Love?), Russell Simmons, Kanye West and Dr. Dre, who used music as an entry point and expanded into other enterprises. However, we often don’t talk about the everyday hip hopper for whom the art has helped enter the upper rungs of the working class. I have watched DJs thrive doing club gigs for 20 years straight. I’ve seen dedicated graffiti artists become art teachers. Some of the emcees I saw as peers still make a modest living off of music and doing performances. Then COVID-19 caused a global pandemic that put the entire global economy in a state of limbo. Our economy here in the US is strengthening despite the Delta Variant wreaking havoc in many states.
Still, those of us who are part of the hip hop economy have legitimate reason for concern. Many students have re-entered the classroom with masks. However, some who would otherwise attend after school programs rooted in the original hip hop elements and taught by practitioners may be nervous to do so or kept at home by their parents. Venues in Texas cannot require proof of vaccination which could lead to low attendance. Violators could have their liquor licenses suspended or revoked. Conversely, people who are anti-mask may not attend shows where masks are required. As the weather gets colder, outdoor venues may not be options.
Hip hop is at least 48 years old. Grandmaster Flash is 63. Afrika Bambaataa is 64. DJ Kool Herc is 66. Many lesser known DJs, Emcees, Bboys/Bgirls and Graffiti artists are hovering around an age group that makes them especially vulnerable to COVID. Many will have to make a choice between the way they’ve earned a living for their entire adult lives or putting their health in jeopardy. There is also an inordinate amount of vaccine hesitancy in Black and brown communities. In addition, Immunocompromised artists may not feel comfortable touring in states like Texas and Florida, which have at least 8 major cities between them, each with robust hip hop scenes. Cancellations also hurt hip hop friendly venue owners.
Country music for example may not have the same issues. Its primary fanbase is in the south, where COVID restrictions are minimal. Many of their fans and artists politically lean right and outright reject vaccines and masks. While this approach can have disastrous results in terms of health outcomes, the artists and the Country music economy will not suffer. Hip hop on the other hand, is far more ethnically, politically, and regionally diverse. For every pro-vaccine artist like Paul Wall, Lupe Fiasco, and Juvenile, who encouraged us to “vax that thang up”, there’s a Busta Rhymes, NLE Choppa, and Nicki Minaj, who are skeptical at best.
In conclusion, I’m concerned for my friends who have been grinding for years making a living doing what they love. I guess we will soon find out what happens when the music stops.