Marc Lamont Hill hates the almost studiously bland rapper Drake, but it has nothing to do with race or class. Really.
In addition to his lyrical deficiencies, there is something naggingly inauthentic about Drake. And nope, it's not because he's a half-white Canadian named Aubrey whose original claim to fame was playing Jimmy Brooks on the teen drama Degrassi High. While such information does nothing to enhance his street bona fides, it certainly doesn't merit missing him outright. After all, some of hip-hop's greatest talents (whether they admit it or not) have come from a variety of privileged race, class, and geographic backgrounds.
Yeah, Drake being a bougie Canadian half-breed with a funny name has nothing to do with why Hill doesn't like him, he just thought he'd mention it. I'm looking forward to Hill's next piece exposing the fact that Del The Funky Homosapien hasn't actually traveled in outer space and Lupe Fiasco doesn't really own any giant robots. Rap about what you know, son.
Just as a general point, I think the emphasis on authenticity in Hip-hop is a double edged sword. It's meant as a cultural barrier to outside appropriation but in practice I think it filters out more talent than fakers.
-- A. Serwer
