Cultural Event Report

Zach Dean

February 8, 2016

Humn 1201

Cultural Event

Dr. Sins

Lil Dicky Concert

        The Lil Dicky concert at the Loft in Atlanta, Georgia was an event that is surely changing history. Lil Dicky is a Caucasian rapper that is changing hip-hop for the new generation. My friends Joey, Kevin, and I all attended this concert on the night of October 31st (which happened to also be a part of his first tour). However, this was not the usual hip-hop concert. Lil Dicky uses a unique mix of comedy, lyrical ingenuity, and self-depreciation in his tracks instead of the usual rap theme songs about sex, drugs, and money. This event represents the hip-hop culture, but more specifically the new generation of hip-hop to come. Lil Dicky is making rap with less vulgarity, but with the same popular beats to appeal more to the new generation.

        While at the concert, Lil Dicky’s entire performance was amazing. His entrance was unforgettable because it was not like a normal concert. Instead of having loud music and fireworks, Lil Dicky used a PowerPoint slide presentation with commentary and appeared at the end. The creativity of this immediately had my friends and I intrigued. He uses each slide to explain the background of his songs and tells the audience his inspiration for why the song was written. After each song he performed, he would walk across the stage and go through his entire concert like he was giving a business presentation. It was very comical. He also told everyone about his life and what it took for him to be where he was today. It was not anything like I had witnessed at any other concert.

        Though the entire performance was amazing, the best part had to be the music. Lil Dicky’s style of hip-hop is so unique to itself. The beats he uses are very similar to those of other rappers, but his lyrics make it seem like a whole new genre of music. His music is the beginning to the new generation of hip-hop. To some people this may seem offensive, but he assures that he is not trying to offend anybody. He is just doing what he loves and what his fans love. I believe he is doing a great job with doing so, because he has very many fans with little criticism.

        Hip-hop culture and music was created in the Bronx, an impoverished city in New York. It became a way for people to express themselves. The music was a way to look deeper into someone’s soul based on more than just their appearance. Though the music was innovative, the clothes they wore had just as much of an effect. Hip-hop became so popular that many people wanted to dress like their favorite artists. This included jump suits, hats, unlaced shoes, and the most innovative, gold chains. Gold chains came about in the mid-1980’s and symbolized a rappers success in their career. Hip-hop is important to act as a voice for many people that cannot seem to find a way to be heard. This concert symbolized hip-hop music and its culture while bringing about the new generation.