Like most college students, I love listening to music. One of my
favorite musical genres to crank on my car stereo is rap.

Like it or not, our current generation grew up listening to the
urban rhymes and funky beats of hip-hop.

I sure love the music, but there is one thing that rappers
really need to start doing: Stick to music and music only.

The hip-hop community is overwhelming us with actors, clothing
lines, liquor products, and energy drinks.

Yes, even energy drinks such as Nelly’s “Pimp Juice” or Lil’
Jon’s “Crunk.”

“Pimp Juice” huh? What a great name for an energy drink. I sure
hope it energizes me to hit my girlfriend! What is Nelly
thinking?

And Lil’ Jon’s Crunk, can anyone say whaaaaaaaat? I do not trust
a product from a person that only has a three-word vocabulary.

I would rather trust a mixture of crystal meth and cocaine, than
drink any product produced by a man of the name of Lil’ Jon. He
sounds like a character in “Robin Hood.”

Then there’s the snazzy hip-hop fashion trend. Please, do us all
a favor and decide: Either wear pants or shorts, but the
bombardment of shants must end.

It’s really not that difficult of a concept, but the in-between
look is killing me.

I simply cannot understand some other favorite trends, such as
the former look of St. Louis’ own Nelly.

What was he thinking when he wore a Band-Aid on his cheek? He
looked like a 5-year-old boy that had a bicycle accident. Please do
not try to act like a thug, and yet wear a Band-Aid.

I’m sure Mr. Nelly takes his Flintstones Kids vitamins every day
too. But, to his credit, he was wearing the Band-Aid to support his
incarcerated brother.

I have a better solution that won’t involve a Band-Aid. Send him
a Hallmark card, I’m sure they have a lovely “don’t drop the soap”
section in Walgreen’s.

It’s not just the actual trends, but also the fact that every
single rapper needs their own personal clothing line for some
reason.

I think the only people buying these clothes are the individual
rapper and his extended family.

Here’s a tip to all those multi-million dollar rappers; invest
your money in something they call stock.

Trust me you’ll make more money off of the stock market than
Lil’ Romeo snacks. Yes, these actually do exist, and they don’t
taste half bad.

Finally, please stop attempting to act! Unless the line involves
barking or someone yelling “holla,” I really do not want to see DMX
or Ja Rule starring in a movie.

I think they are extremely talented musicians, but certainly not
Oscarworthy actors.

I give rappers credit for expanding their work beyond music. The
problem is, well, rarely does it actually become successful.

I do not want to denigrate the hip community. I love the music,
and it has inspired me to not stay inside on the weekends and
study.

But, I hope hip-hop can get back to the roots of music. Because
I really don’t want to eat my favorite rapper in a bowl of
cereal.

I simply want to blare music and irritate everyone that doesn’t
appreciate the art of rap, like my father.