From Biggie to King: Stream of Consciousness on Rock and Revisionist History

People are BIG mad that rapper the late Notorious B.I.G. who is a rapper was elected to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on the very first year he became eligible to be voted in while the likes of “real rock stars” incl Pat Benatar, Judas Priest, and Soundgarden keep missing the benchmark to get enough votes to get in.

I wonder if the same energy was spent opposing rappers like The Beastie Boys, NWA, RUN DMC or Public Enemy when THEY were inducted in years ago.

I suppose unlike Biggie who rapped mostly about his lifestyle, upbringing, designer clothes and sexual conquests, those other rappers largely were anti-establishment, polarizing, angry and defiant — very Rock n Roll’ish.

They were Rock stars even as rappers.

Speaking of Public Enemy, in 1991, they released a song called “By the Time I get to Arizona” about the state of Arizona refusing to join the 49 OTHER states approving the first federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The video for the song is very militant and features an intro by a man who was supposed to be the Late Senator John McCain who was the ring leader in opposition to allowing the first black man to receive a national holiday honor.