Released: 2017
“White Rappers (A Good Guest)” by Your Old Droog is a contemplative piece that challenges and redefines the parameters of what it means to belong in the hip-hop space. Highlighting themes of cultural appropriation, Droog flexes his lyrical prowess to challenge the notion that the color of your skin defines your place in hip-hop. At its core, the track is a powerful argument for talent and authenticity over race in shaping an artist’s hip-hop identity.
In the intro, the sample highlights a contentious issue, that of white rappers as guests in the house of hip-hop. Droog disrupts this in the hook, making it clear that what matters isn’t about the color of your skin, but about “the beats and if the emcee goes in”. He underscores that the defining elements of a good rapper aren’t race-based, but talent and skill-based.
The first verse is an airtight expression of Droog’s own confidence in his skills and accomplishments in the game: “To what I did on wax before ever signing contracts”. He also shows some vintage hip-hop braggadocio and presents a critical view of artists who focus more on popularity and commercial success rather than their craft. Droog contrasts himself with such artists, emphasising his commitment to quality over quantity.
The second verse is a classic Droog storytelling, his lines are littered with layers of satirical and cultural references, such as McDonald’s, movie titles, and more. He takes a dig at rappers who vie for unnecessary spotlight and engage in low-grade controversies. He then hits back with lines like “A lot of rappers want to vent, but when they do it, it’s uneventful,” demonstrating his disappointment with rappers who seek attention but fail to deliver quality in their tracks.
“White Rappers (A Good Guest)” sees Your Old Droog breaking down barriers in the hip-hop world, expanding the conversation beyond color and race, and rooting it in talent and authenticity. It’s an assertive proclamation that talent and devotion to one’s craft are the real passports to the house of Hip-hop, not the color of one’s skin.
Check out our top list of white rappers to see who’s broken through beyond just the infamous Eminem.
