The Signifying Monkey

"Way,way down in the jungle deep The badass lion stepped on the signifying monkey's feet. The monkey said, "Motherfucka, can't you see? You're standing on my god damn feet!"

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s original, groundbreaking study explores the relationship between the African and African-American vernacular traditions and black literature, elaborating a new critical approach located within this tradition that allows the black voice to speak for itself.

There is always a figurate of oppressor. The lion oppresses the monkey, but the monkey always wins even if he doesn’t have political power. The monkey isn't really resisting the system that is oppressing him, but by glorifying it with humor. He does that by talking about it and saying he beat the lion, even if he ends up in jail, he prevails it.

Rappers such as snoop dog and jay Z who rap about pimping are an example of this opposition to society, by creating a sort of mockery of the system. The idea is to create a sort of pseudo power that is relevant and employed by people to give and show their power and strength regardless of their circumstances. This trickery shows that their attitude is all they have. They use their attitudes to empower themselves.

Being heard when speaking a message and having a crowd to hear is also important because the performer in the spotlight is competing for recognition and for being the best. Performing in front of huge crowds and coming out victorious proves it.