Tim McGraw, Puff Daddy: A Missing Link

Readers, I offer you a thesis I have been mulling over for some time, an admittedly contradictory piece of thought subjecting me to ridicule and derision from my friends and family.

I have come to realize that rap and country are not the opposites one might expect but two sides of the same coin. Both genres are equally riddled with stereotypes. True, there are arguably stylistic differences, but the foundations are similar.

I know this is a shocking statement to make -- one that will crack the foundations of musical taste rattle the firmaments of the Top 40 temple and set Hank Williams and Easy-E a-rollin' in their graves.

I am here to prove that Tupac is a cousin of Tim McGraw, that Goodie Mob is a brother of Brooks and Dunn, that the Roots are blood kin to Garth Brooks.

I must note too that this is coming from a girl who thought for years that "Various Artists" was the name of a really successful band. But honestly, has common sense ever had any place in truly revolutionary thought? I think not.

Now I'm talking about "rap" and "country" from a purist's perspective; much of what passes for these types today is really a perversion of the genuine form. These include Jay-Z and Shania Twain, both embarrassments to their genres and testaments to the poor taste of the American public, no offense to their fans (but really, what are you thinking?). Remember "Big Pimpin'"? Recall "Damn, I Feel Like a Woman"? You see my point.

Both rap and country in their pure (read: early) forms share a number of characteristics. For example, the two styles are associated with a particular type of listener, musical artist and region. Both share similar roots and themes. The fact that many of these are stereotypes makes for another connection.

We college students like to think of ourselves as enlightened and open-minded people, but we are guilty of stereotyping just like anyone else. Instinctively, do you wonder what a guy in a cowboy hat thinks of the newest Ghostface Killah CD? I think not. It is assumed that such a person is a country music fan.

Conversely, would you consider discussing the merits of the George Strait double CD set with an African-American? These stereotypes are often ingrained, and they extend across regions as well. It is true that young, white, suburban men buy 60% of the rap music sold, but for the sake of my argument we will overlook that and go back to the early days.

Rap and country artists both promote a similar image of sorts: Both types of artists seem to have rough histories, periods of suffering and their share of woe. Song themes reflect this too. How many songs, in both genres, are about hardship? Rap stars have a hard-edged image, country stars a hard-drinking one. Both genres share a socioeconomic stereotype too.

And now, for the anthropological kicker, rap and country both share religious roots. Simplistically, rap is derived from spirituals while country hails from hymns. Two sides of the same coin!

Recently both rap and country have been straying from their more recognizable style cues in an attempt at crossover pop fame. (Sellouts, maybe?) And they have adopted qualities from other genres. I'm all for pushing the limits and thinking outside of the box, but when I hear about new groups like "Southern Rap Posse," a hybrid of rap and country, I wonder what the future holds.

Does this mean that eventually we will be left with a grotesque, Frankenstein-like musical mutant, a being wearing cowboy boots and a Thug Life tattoo across a bared, Britney Spears-esque midriff? I shudder to think of it.

Even so, I say we use this knowledge to bridge our gaps. We have the potential to bring long-divided peoples together, to unite within the loving arms of Top 40 radio. "Thank God I'm a Country Boy!" we will cry with exuberance. "Damn, It Feels Good to Be a Gangster!" "I contain multitudes!" And if people disagree? Hey, it's all rock and roll to me.

Erin Fornoff is a sophomore from Asheville. Her major is undecided, but she is sure you can reach her at fornoff@email.unc.edu.