Why is Hip Hop Culture Fascinated with “Candy Man?”

Urban myth “Candy Man,” has been around for nearly 40 years with various references in books, movies, shows, and hip-hop/rap songs. Candy Man has been popular specifically with black culture in the entertainment industry. Artists such as Tupac, Travis Scott, and Kendrick Lamar have made references to the legend. No surprise then that he makes headlines throughout the years as an icon in the industry.

The question is, why has he?

Candy Man In Recent News

The interest in Candy Man has been revamped again with the recent sequel of the 1992 version being released this past weekend. It has grossed $22 million dollars over the past weekend. That’s a big accomplishment for the urban legend’s franchise. Especially seeing that it has a black female director. It also features film and TV producer Jordan Peele as the co-producer. His recent movie works in the past four years such as “Get Out” and “Us,” has showed why he was a good fit to help produce and narrate the new Candy Man movie.

Origination of The Urban Legend

Candy Man is based of a short story written in 1985 called “The Forbidden” which is one six stories of a book series. This story traditionally is about the son of a slave, an artist, that was murdered in the late 1800s for his relationship with the slave master’s daughter. The man is now an evil spirit that exist  from the memory and conjuring of his presence from people. He haunts people in inner city Chicago around a locally famous project building. A hook and a brown coat is the icon’s legendary attire when appearing and carrying out his murders.

Impact of Candy Man on Black Culture

Candy Man is used as a reference for violence, poverty, oppression, and fighting the ideals of societal slavery today. It is hard to believe that this can be popularized and talked about with in the culture. Nonetheless, black culture is all about taking the negative and making it positive and socially trendy.

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By: Zacchaeus Heyward | IG: @Prophetzacc22 | Snapchat: @Prophetzacc22