Money, Mental Health & Hip-Hop
Chapter 1:
Poverty and financial hardship
“Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang
I got more clothes than Muhammad Ali and I dress so viciously
Hear me talking ’bout checkbooks, credit cards, more money a than a sucker could ever spend.
“The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Broken glass everywhere
People pissing on the stairs, you know they just don’t care
I can’t take the smell, can’t take the noise
Got no money to move out, I guess, I got no choice
…double-digit inflation
Can’t take the train to the job, there’s a strike at the station…
The bill collectors, they ring my phone,
And scare my wife, when I’m not home.
Don’t push me ’cause I’m close to the edge
I’m trying not to lose my head
’Cause it’s all about money, ain’t a damn thing funny.
“New York New York” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
A man’s on a ledge, says he’s gonna jump
’Cause he lost his job, then he got robbed
His mortgage is due and his marriage is through
He got nothing to eat, no shoes on his feet
He always hears voices when he’s all alone
His wife took the kids, the car and the crib [their home].