Hip-Hop Junkie
CNN anchor Laura Coates respects hip-hop and gives rappers a mainstream platform.
Interview: Aleia Woods
Editor’s Word: This story initially appeared within the Summer season 2024 subject of XXL Journal, on stands now.
Laura Coates’ function as CNN’s chief authorized analyst and anchor of Laura Coates Stay shares the commonality of genuine storytelling in hip-hop. The previous civil rights lawyer and home violence prosecutor had no want to enter the journalistic realm, however after strolling away from her authorities job on the Division of Justice in Washington, D.C., Laura, 43, ended up at CNN and now makes use of her platform as a vessel for fact. The Minnesota native recurrently interviews political figures, consultants, thought-provokers and entertainers. XXL spoke with Laura concerning the affect of rap music on her profession, her ideas on Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s rap beef and extra.
XXL: How has hip-hop impacted your journalism profession?
Laura Coates: I grew up with hip-hop. Apparently sufficient, I don’t assume you may be authentically a journalist except you’re making certain that the entire information is being instructed. Journalism is about storytelling. So, in case you are not being inclusive concerning the tales that matter to folks, if you happen to spend all of your time making an attempt to do what you assume the information is, as opposed to what’s newsworthy to everybody, you’re going to fail on the message [and] the chance to actually democratize the data.
I strive my hardest to guarantee that the tales which are instructed should not information adjoining. The very best folks to inform these tales are those that are poets and journalists in their very own rights and that’s quite a lot of our artists in the present day.
What do you’re feeling are a number of the greatest gems you’ve gotten from interviews that you simply’ve had with rappers?
Jeezy involves thoughts in his e book and the authenticity of assembly folks the place they’re. Fats Joe involves thoughts as inspirational in that he sees a necessity after which navigates a course to attempt to meet that want, and healthcare, and drug pricing and transparency. I believed he was highly effective to talk with. I believed GloRilla was a extremely attention-grabbing interview as a result of she was very candy and he or she made me snort with what she was saying. What I actually appreciated was her enthusiasm for having been invited to the White Home and by no means letting folks overlook that what she was doing means one thing to not simply the tradition, however her circle of relatives.
What are your ideas on the present state of rap proper now?
There’s nothing flawed with folks difficult one’s creativity. The place it will get harmful is when folks miss the purpose, and miss the message and confuse the battle for an invite to do hurt. What we’re seeing is that this actual battle between business and genuine success, business expertise and individuals who don’t want any trophies to show one thing. It’s a testomony to what’s taking place in our larger world, the place everyone seems to be looking for validation on a regular basis, and everybody’s making an attempt to, on the one hand, envy the grass that’s inexperienced on the opposite aspect. After which fake they don’t even see it. It is a time when individuals are coming to phrases with the truth that what conjures up you and what you’re drawn to [are] altering. The Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef actually reveals you what occurs whenever you problem creativity and also you problem business success, and also you problem those that may take or go away it.
Did you decide a aspect?
I didn’t decide a aspect solely as a result of my son, who’s 11 and a fan of each, instructed me I used to be not allowed to choose a aspect. I’ve a aspect. However let me inform you, if both one have been to come back in my workplace proper now, I’d be like, “It’s all love.” I could be the J. Cole and be like, “You understand what? I recognize you each.” J. Cole could be the brand new Switzerland, and that could be me.
Which artists are you listening to proper now?
It’s at all times Jay-Z, and it’s not simply nostalgia for me. Jay was such part of [my] highschool, school [and] legislation faculty listening expertise. It was all [of] his albums. I like J. Cole quite a bit as nicely. “No Function Modelz” is one in all my most-played songs. Kendrick Lamar and “The Coronary heart Half 5” as a result of I’m so captivated by that video. I really like the creativity of it.
Learn Laura Coates’ interview within the Freshman subject, on newsstands now. Along with interviews with the 2024 Freshman Class and producer Southside, there are additionally conversations with Sexyy Pink, Mustard, Ski Masks The Droop God, Rubi Rose, Ken Carson, Lola Brooke, Ghostface Killah and extra, plus, a glance again at what the 2023 XXL Freshman Class has been doing. Additionally, there are tales on the continuing scamming and fraud plaguing hip-hop, and the way podcasters and streamers are enjoying a serious function in rap beef. The difficulty is on sale right here, together with some unique Freshman merch.