Hip-Hop Music’s OG Martyr…
Scott LaRock has been on my mind a lot recently because of the anniversary of his passing (which I hate to be reminded of for anyone) and because I have been trying to corral D-Nice to appear on the Combat Jack Show.
As everyone brings to light how bad the 1980s were for people living in the center city we almost glamorize the drug business which was shredding any remnants of the Black comm-unity. The small achievements of the civil rights movements and the Black realization(power) were being voided and nullified because Black folks still needed the government to keep the new deals in place.
As a social worker Scott LaRock was at ground zero for the new depression and trust me that the 1980s were a depression for the inner city. Television was the invention that made people think poverty had a laugh track Good Times and Welcome Back Kotter made us desensitized to being disenfranchised and undeserved. Scott LaRock saw first hand the recidivism which routinely brought people back to the shelters.
Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac have a better narrative for a Vh-1 movie or better still a feature film because their murders perpetuate the trope that there is a fratricidal war amongst African Americans. Scott LaRock’s death is the bellwether that the American dream is really a nightmare for Blacks. An educated man and an active entrepreneur and community activist cannot escape the violence that a drug-fueled society creates.
Scott LaRock is Hip-Hop’s first martyr. His death made me see the path of self-destruction that I was on and I made an about face at that point. I let Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy be my guides to understanding the world outside of my New York City confines. As big as this city is it was incredibly insular to hiding the politricks that put crack in the community in the first place.
The 1980s was an incredible time for my enlightenment but it was also a turbulent time for many African Americans as the government systematically widened the chasm between the class with information and the masses being given disinformation. It was also a trying time for the people who would be the collateral damage of this undisclosed class warfare. If you want to remember the impact of Biggie and ‘Pac then you must also consider the man who had to be removed for Hip-Hop to easily go pop.
Rest In Power Scott LaRock
August 31st, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Really great post man, thanks for this.
Hes not written about near enough, beyond the fact he met Kris while he was working in a homeless shelter most things I’ve seen written on him arent too in-depth.
August 31st, 2011 at 10:50 pm
Marvin Gaye & Scott LaRock were the two great losses of my ’80s youth.
Anyone talk to Just Ice lately?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBjrMNER9gQ
August 31st, 2011 at 11:43 pm
Scott La Rock was killed over senseless violence due to someone we all know named __________ was violating, messing around with another mans girl allegedly. Google NCB’s article. I always heard about Scott La Rock being killed and I was infuriated when I learned it was over his own boys recklessness. May he rest in peace and power.
September 1st, 2011 at 12:06 am
alwayz,
You are wrong! Scott was NOT killed because D-Nice was talking to someone’s girlfriend. That doesn’t even make sense does it? Scott was killed because there is a war going on outside and no one is safe.
Don’t remove the responsibility from the parties who pit the poor against one another
September 1st, 2011 at 8:42 am
great post. had to repost my dude.
September 1st, 2011 at 11:26 am
Great post DP. I always feel sad when reading about Scott La Rock. He was really trying to make a difference in his community. People really have to start respecting life. Don’t matter if ya poor or rich, respect your self & respect others. Peace
September 1st, 2011 at 11:28 am
Let me add too that while a lot of take Kris for granted, it’s impossible to overstate the achievement of his self-invention and perseverance, the inspiration of which in some part still comes from Scott.
Aside from being thee single greatest live MC ever, I maintain there are jewels on even his weakest (because of production or thematic repetition) albums.
I’m on Flatbush & Church walking it out
Erasmus High School, no pork in the mouth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFKVPpexN3w
September 1st, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Great drop DP. I remember when I heard Scott La Rock was killed, definitely one of those early “Where were you when X happened” moments in my then young life. Thanks also to alwayz for referencing NCB’s article, I never read that and it gave even more insight to a sometimes overlooked person in this rap world. Sad thing about Scott La Rock’s murder is it took away a piece of the escapism of this music of ours and kept the spectre of reality hauntingly close from therein…
September 1st, 2011 at 5:15 pm
You’re right, had he never got killed, he was going to blow up. He probably would’ve been on Lyor Cohen status if he were with us today. Good post.
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Scott La Rock got killed over D-Nice beef…
^ Thirstin Howl III
September 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Excellent entry.
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