You're conflating the two issues. First and foremost in Hip Hop we're not praising Pusha-T dealing drugs. We're praising the Hustle and the strength he was able to muster in order to survive in the world of crime.
The real way to ensure that there are less Pusha-T's and more scholars, doctors, tech gurus coming out of the hood is to address the lack of opportunity these communities have made available to them. That means better schools, better housing and just doing right by them.
Believe me. No one wants to sell drugs. Thats why so many hustlers try their hand in rapping. The game is twisted, dark and evil. Perfect story to turn into a commodity.
I think you're being more than a little disingenuous here.
If this was the case, the whole "hard vs soft" bullshit mentality wouldn't be a thing in hip hop but it is.
Don't know who you grew up with but none of us kids felt this way. These guys made selling drugs sound cool especially since it was what enabled them to get the fancy cars, clothes and women that are so frequently rapped about.
That was the appeal for us kids.
I also don't like knocking Drake for being mixed race. Honestly, growing up mixed (black and white) in this country has got to be the most confusing shit ever. Not knowing who to be, how to act. Constant questions of self-indentity.
I wouldn't want to navigate that shit that's for sure.
