Why do rappers glorify Diamonds? They don't care about the suffering required to produce them?

Question

Nothing says "love" or "money" like a lump of carbon mined by wage-slaves in Africa.
I guess if your songs are about selling crack to kids, you don't have to care about human suffering?

Yeah dude FUR is Murder. So is meat.

"most rap songs are all about the fight against human suffering"
Yes being a pimp sure does stop human suffering. Killing other people over money sure does alleviate the suffering of those moms.
I realize there is good socially concious rap. I like Kanye. Seriously, though Young Jeezy?

I DO NOT have a problem with rich black people. I just have a problem with how some individuals get rich.

1. I DO rail against the evils of colonialism to everyone I know.
2. My beef with rappers is that it is monumentaly hypocritical for supposed narrators of the black experience who constantly denounce the "white devil" (and rightly so!) to then turn around and support (with their$$$) the very same thing they rail against. Rich ******* taking advantage of POOR people. AKA selling crack to other poor people. Rather than say "brotha, go to college", it is "*****, slap that *****, rock this ice and smoke this rock." As "black role models", shouldn't they try to educate rather than exploit?

As for the other diamond issues;
Valentines day is just marketing. If I have to buy you something to pfove I love you, you don't understand love.
I exppect the COMPANIES that sell diamonds to not care about their slaves. They are assholes anyway.
And Yes I do know there is suffering in anything you buy. But I want to buy the stuff that causes workers to suffer most.
I want the guy who makes my shoes to have a decent wage and some healthcare. some time for his family, wich you do not get w/12 hour work-days. I want the shoes to not have leather in them, so i don't contribute to the death of a cow so my feet look good.

That Should read "I want to buy the stuff that causes workers to suffer LEAST"
There was a "not" before the "suffer". I removed it and forgot to change the "most"

Answer 1

Kanye wrote a song about Diamonds. But when he found out the truth about where they come from he made a remix version to tell the world that Diamonds are blood diamonds. Here are some of the lyrics:



Good Morning, this ain't Vietnam still
People lose hands, legs, arms for real
Little was known of Sierra Leone
And how it connect to the diamonds we own
When I speak of Diamonds in this song
I ain't talkin bout the ones that be glown
I'm talkin bout Rocafella, my home, my chain
These ain't conflict diamonds,is they Jacob? don't lie to me mayne
See, a part of me sayin' keep shinin',
How? when I know of the blood diamonds
Though it's thousands of miles away
Sierra Leone connect to what we go through today
Over here, its a drug trade, we die from drugs
Over there, they die from what we buy from drugs
The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charmses
I thought my Jesus Piece was so harmless
'til I seen a picture of a shorty armless
And here's the conflict
It's in a black person's soul to rock that gold
Spend ya whole life tryna get that ice
On a polo rugby it look so nice
How could somethin' so wrong make me feel so right, right?
'fore I beat myself up like Ike
You could still throw ya Rocafella diamond tonight, 'cause

The song is Diamonds From Sierra Leone - the Remix

The original doesn't have the same lyrics because he made it before he found out the truth.

Don't assume that all people know the damage they are doing to world through the items that they glorify or just even buy. Instead you should focus on educating the public about the evils of this world instead of accusing them of not caring about conditions they are NOT aware of. Kanye was not aware, but when he did find out he corrected himself.

As for the rest of them, ignorance is bliss. Your not shouting about the suffering of every person in need, about the effects of colonialism in today's world.

But it could just be that you don't know. And if you don't know how can you take action? How can rappers, or the rest of the entire world take action?

Answer 2

Now, wait a minute...I'm confused, you like Kanye, but don't like rap that glorifies diamonds. So, do you like Kanye's song, 'Diamonds are Forever'? Dude, it's not killing, it's not drugs, it's not sex...I say let it be, man. It's just diamonds. Plenty of white people sing about diamonds...and you see commercials every day on TV, especially around valentines day. What's your beef with rappers? Diamonds are glorified by everyone...look at all those sorry suckers that buy diamonds for engagement rings for their little girlfriends. I personally don't care for them. I'd rather have a more colorful piece of rock on my left finger when I'm betrothed!! But I wonder just how much 'suffering' is involved with anything from anywhere...it's not just diamonds, dude!!

Answer 3

Since most of the rappers (like most of Americans) feel that having material possessions equates success and worth, acquring money, cars, jewelry, etc. seems to make up for being disenfranchised. The legacy of slavery and oppression in America has long standing results. It cuts off the consciousness of ALL concerned. Many people don't even know the map and history of their town, let alone the map and history of the world and the evil business of diamonds. 150 years ago, diamonds weren't that valuable. Not until the successful promotion of them by compnaies like De Beers and the Kimberly mining conpanies, the most sought jewels were Rubies, Emeralds and Jade-not to mention Gold.

Answer 4

There are not any songs about selling crack to kids, and diamonds are not mined through child labor in Africa. Dont be so frickin dramatic. You might see that there is a postive side to rap and hip hop if you would actually listen to the good stuff and not just look at the covers of the most popular albums at the store.

Answer 5

That's why I'm glad Kanye West made that song "Diamonds Are Forever" talking about the people in Sierra Leon opened alot of peoples eyes

Answer 6

Some rappers actually care about diamond mining in Africa and do not wear "conflict" diamonds. I know you have heard the song by Kanye West. Other rappers that glorify diamonds may not know the pain and suffering endured so they can continue to "bling". It doesn't mean they don't care, they may be un-informed!

Answer 7

It's just "bling" man. Chill. LOL.

Is the issue here with the cultivation or rappers? It sounds to me as though you have some issues with rich black people. There are too many things in this world to get ones panties in a bunch about.

P.S. I don't own rap music, containing serious lyrics referencing the selling of crack to kids.

Answer 8

Because diamonds signify wealth and are rare. And, well, who cares about where and how something came to be when they can drop a crapload of money down to buy it? However, it's mostly just ignorance, I would think.

However, Kanye West does have a song that does mention "blood diamonds."

Answer 9

No, they don't. They go around pretending, and "slap" hos and live on the street, or so they claim in their songs with such a deep meaning. So why would they care about the suffering required for diamonds? Tell you the truth, I didn't even know.

Answer 10

rappers arent the only ones that glorify diamonds.......... i've never thought about the suffering other people do.....well they dont have to suffer too much! they just need to wear pants with a whole lotta pockets and stuff 'em with diamonds til they cant stuff no more! then take the diamonds sumwhere and get the money they deserve!!!!!!