Iggy Azalea has been criticized for her co-opting of “Dirty South” American hip-hop slang and affectations, when the Australian-born rapper obviously has a different cultural background. Veteran rapper Rah Digga made headlines last month when she called into question Iggy’s authenticity. Iggy decided to explain via Twitter why she doesn’t rap more about her experiences in Australia and represent more of where she comes from.
“As a kid [I] loved rap but a lot of lyrics were SO heavily themed around where you came from, it made me feel i didnt have a place,” she tweeted. “I shared my journey in WORK but make it a point not to mention much about any place wether it be where i was birthed or where i now reside.
“Because i approach writing as if I’m making music for my 14 year old self to hear and i don’t want her to feel left out. To fill a song full of references about australia or any other place in particular would defeat the entire point. Because the point is to defy the notion youre defined by the dirt underneath your feet.”
Azalea says that she wants people to feel that the music is theirs; adding that her own career is evidence of how important it can be to allow people to relate to music.
“The point is for many music is more influential, relatable and inspirational than the place we live,” she explained. “I’m the product of how powerful music is and how far it can reach. I’m one of those kids and i love it. And i love love love to see and hear about other kids from all around the world discovering that maybe rap music is for them too. :-)”
