In contemporary American culture, many men are taught that detachment is a coping mechanism and a tool for survival. This has created a generation of men afraid to express vulnerability (aside from romantic love and affection toward mother-figures), some at the cost of their livelihood or their actual lives. However, part of the totality of a man is his ability to explore and express his own humanity. Below are a few hip hop songs by men taking a step toward self-exploration and self-expression. We are not endorsing these artists, only supporting their desire in these lyrics to provide an alternative perspective to the more socially acceptable “cool pose” forced onto many men in our country.