Dame Dash the Sage
Dame Dash seems to be full of sage advice these days, as he demonstrated in a recent interview with Shannon Sharpe.
Yesterday FM Hip Hop covered Dame’s interview. In the interview, Dame had a lot to say. In a moment of the segment, Dame proffered a solution to the escalating level of violence deeply affecting the hip-hop community.
State of the Hip Hop Community
It is no secret the community has been under attack from the inside. The rise in violence and loss of life is unfathomable and has left many scrambling for a recourse that will reset the trajectory. Dash is one of the latest to weigh in on the issue.
According to Dame, he is perfectly aware of what is happening in the community. However, not only is Dame knowledgeable, but he understands the catalyst behind the violence. Unbelievably he knows how to set things on a corrective path.
Dame Dash on social media
Everyone lives their lives out full-on on social media these days. So there is no denying if something pops off, the first place it is posted is on social media. While social media is simply a tool, it is a tool that can be used to build or destroy. Respectfully, Dame firmly believes social media is a heavy factor in the escalation.
“It’s an algorithm that needs to be stopped,”
What Dame Means by algorithms
Dame believes the social media platforms are profiting from algorithms that boost the amount of violent content visible. Accordingly, the algorithm continues to recommend specific content based on the amount of interest. Content is interest-driven. Fundamentally the platform caters to the desires of its audience, in Dame’s words.
“This rise in deadly rap beef lies with the algorithms behind social media and streaming platforms that peddle conflict, especially from the Black community.
Lack of Social Responsibility
However, the executives who helm the platforms, up until now, have taken no social responsibility in policing their content. Then again, corporations are not necessarily in the business of catering to the greater good in people. Inarguably, companies exist to make profits. And although there are people behind the control, money is always the principal driver.
As Dame mentions,
“If you like to look at trolling and beef and it pops up on your phone. The algorithms are what’s controlling us right now … It’s a program, it’s knowing how to trigger people and it’s profitable [from] our dysfunction.”
A valid point.
Dame Dash on Part 2 of the Issue
Dash does not place the responsibility firmly on the shoulders of the progenitors of social media. Instead, he argues it’s a two-part equation, and one part feeds into the other. Subsequently, the resulting factor is what the public is seeing.
Dame argues people are a massive part of the problem. Somehow, the overwhelming desire for the public to see negativity and violence on display drives the issue. So, Dash believes reducing the urge to watch violent content is vital to curbing violence.
“Instead of people paying attention to a negative algorithm, they should pay attention to a positive one. It’s just the program that we keep falling into … What needs to be profitable is our love and our unity, and that’s what has to be showcased.”
This is a sound rationale.
The Rationale Behind Part 2 of Dame’s Revelation
If people change what they like to look at, then those who own the social media platform will have no choice but to promote that activity. Furthermore, positivity will then become profitable. Using the theory that violence begets violence, with less violence promoted, there will be fewer violent acts committed.
Not Alone
Dash is not the only one who believes a reasonable solution includes a change in how social media deals with violent content. As FM Hip Hop reported, the New York Mayor is also interested in getting social media buy-in to eliminate the promotion of violent content (Drill Rap). But, for now, we are in a wait-and-see mode.
This appears to be the origins of a movement, hopefully with positive outcomes. As more speak out, a shift may begin to occur. No matter what, FM Hip Hop will bring the latest.
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Written by Renae Richardson
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Did you hear what Dame Dash had to say about Kanye West’s massive success? If not then check out FM Hip Hop’s retrospective article.
