Sun, Nov 22, 2009
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Name:
Willie1986
Comment: N*gga PLEASE!!@you and Chuck D.
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Name:
Tenacious
Comment: Glad to see you back Mo...you were MIA for a minute and I wondered if you had left us (you would be missed). I don't always post comments however I do look forward to reading your columns weekly.
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Name:
MrsPhoenix
Comment: Willie, can you articulate your counter opinion of both Chuck D and Morris besides "%*$!( Please"??
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Name:
McNasty
Comment: Morris O'Kelly you are absolutely unequivocally correct. You don't have to be a student of hip hop to see how it has deteriorated, both the artists and the music itself. I can see the originators of hip hop being totally out done by that award given to 'pimp' when much more talented artists with much more motivation towards entertaining and enlightment came before and a few since! I wonder too what Chuck D has said about Flava Flav!
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Name:
Quietstorm
Comment: 99.9% of hip-hop sucks! I would love to see the old school artists work jointly with the new school producers and create an album that puts the fun back in the music and shows these kids what hip-hop is really about. When I was growing up I remember my mother and I used to listen to rap music and sing the songs TOGETHER. I don't allow my son to watch the videos or purchase the music. I bought some of the old school rap and we listen to them and sing them TOGETHER. And guess what - he LOVES it!
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Name:
blackman
Comment: I cannot disagree with you here Mo. Rap needs an extreme makeover. I certainly do not hate it, but I am appauled by its current content. That whole stop snitching (fake azz street code) and Pimp crap is beyond ignorant. It is degrading and embarrasing to black folks.
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: Hey friends,
I was MIA because there was a lot going on with the day job (read: Covenant with Black America) and I was in the course of moving. But all is well and I'm back in the swing of things.
And Willie...congrats on Young Jeezy getting arrested on gun charges.
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Name:
EJBL
Comment: The problem I have with these rappers today is that they sing about violence and live a totally different lifestyle. When their done making videos and rapping about sex, killing, etc. they go home to gated communities, and their children are attending private schools. So my question is why would you want to sell this to other young people. We really need to do better as a people. What's the old saying if stand for nothing you will fall for anything.
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Name:
xmrbx
Comment: I am on Chuck D's side and you too Mo...I feel the new look music is made up by White music ex's who are only concern with profits and not the Black people they serve.I would like to know when has it become acceptable for Black women to be called the B word ..when was it ok to kill our young brothers and do nothing about it ....I have for a long time have not liked rap music because it is degrading to Black women ...Mother's ...sister's and daughters and it promotes all that is wrong.
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Name:
Onyx
Comment: MOK, glad you're back. I missed your column. Great article. I'm glad to know that others support and agree with you. Sometimes I have a hard time understanding why, we as Black people support music, movies, and books that are harmful to our essence and image. It's sad. But, when I come here to this forum and read comments from people like MrsPhoenix, GoldenLady, McNasty, etc. I realize that we are so diverse as a people and that not all Black people are blinded by how "entertainment" is marketed to us. I pray that people with mentalities like Willie1986 are the minority and that there are actually more people with mentalities like Morris O'Kelly. And most importantly, I'm glad there is freedom in our society that allows Willie1986 and Morris O'Kelly to share different views without fear of physical harm. I try not to Watch BET and I don't buy music with negative messages, that's my small part, I don't contribute. Hopefully, more people that feel the same way will stop supporting negative music, books, and movies, etc. and they will stop making it -- the market for it will fade away.
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Name:
ericsgirl
Comment: This was a great article Mr. O'Kelly.
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Name:
McNasty
Comment: Onyx there are a lot of folk that come to this board, some even from this hip hop genre that don't like what we see and hear. The minority are those that don't listen to reason and have nothing against rappers lyrics and actions. The fact is we have already talked about it, it's time to be about it. I made an effort to watch BET and even to understand where they were coming from. I was ultimately told that their programming was not geared toward me but the next generation. My point being that that next generation ought to be pizzed off to the highest pistivity cause the programming geared toward them is trash and certainly not thought provoking so they aren't special to BET either. We cannot continue to support rappers that are intent on being just hot trash!
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Name:
DCGG
Comment: @ Willie1986 - I'll assume the 1986 is the year your dumb arse was born...Excellent article MoKelly...
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: Let's back up for a moment...Willie, please explain to the crowd how the present state of Hip-Hop is acceptable in your eyes. You disagree with me...now speak on it coherently.
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Name:
Exmun
Comment: Mo', I cosign on your (and Chuck D's) articles and position on this issue. @ xmrbx... time has come for us not to be pointing to some white music for the extreme nonsense that exists in so-called hip-hop. It's time for the people who write this trash to man up and take responsibility. I'm D@mn sick and tired of folks trying to blame this on the white man. We're doing it to ourselves and the Shat and all of this passing off on THE MAN has got to stop.
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Name:
SpelmanRho
Comment: Does anyone else in their late 20's earlier 30's or who just remember hip-hop's beginnings feel like it's been taken away from us. I really feel sad sometimes when I listen to my old PE, Kid n'Play, heck even Digital Underground because I feel like someone stole something from me ? Anyone else understanding what I'm saying ?
P.S. MoK- I checked out your boy at Ray of Hope in ATL. I'm so excited about the book and about T's well thought strategy. Now, can you PLEASE hurry more copies to B&N. I'm mad there's 2 week wait.
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Name:
Priceless
Comment: Welcome back Mo'Kelly .... I see Willie really missed you *snicker* I always thought Chuck D. was a conscious dude so I was very surprised when he allowed Flav to pimp him in that horrid reality show with bridgette *Geta* Nielson
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Name:
Priceless
Comment: Spelman, we lost rap a long time ago ... when the first white record execs said *with light bulb going off in head" I can make myself filthy rich stealing what the blacks started ... the problem is there are so many of us who what that rich lifestyle that we will sell our souls
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: I'm curious to know...had any of y'all seen Chuck's remarks prior to me commenting on them?
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Name:
SweetieDarlin
Comment: Mo' Kelly missed you. Thanks for the info. about Chuck D's article. It is amazing how there are those who still want to defend hip-hop regardless of how pointless the lyrics are. This crap they paly on the radio should make the current generation of hip hop folks starting boycotting, and think about this, if this is the best the CD has to offer (which is generally played on the radio or in some cases the cleanest songs) what mess is on the rest of the CD? I used to be able to even get with the underground rap (even with the cussing ) if the stories told made sense, but now there is no story except who you shot,what you will do if someone messes with you, what poor women had the misfortune of having sex with the rapper or the strip club songs and each seems to be under the criteria that every thing must be very vulgar, very ignorant or both. In most cases with the exception of Common, Kanye and the like the only thing good about hip-hop is it keeps these potential purse snatchers, B & E and drug dealings off the street and doing something semi-legitimate---of course polluting the air waves should be a crime too. Unfortunately young heads don't hear it, they thing it is a generational problem.
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Name:
DCGG
Comment: MoKelly I did see Chuck's remarkes on DaveyD's.com (I think that's correct)...Chuck has always been one of the conscious brothers; however; I find his writing to be long and drawn out and unfortunately the folks that need to hear what he's saying miss out - - sort made me think of PE back in the day when they did "Fight the Power" - everybody knew and understood the lyrics and felt what PE was saying.
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Name:
Onyx
Comment: No, MOK, I was not aware of the site or the article. That's why I enjoy your column, you share things that I may not come across.
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Name:
MER82
Comment: Spelman Rho-it was ripped from our ears-but really it gradually degraded over time. This current state of affairs didn't happen overnight. The current infulence of Hip Hop which seemed so promising back in the late 80's/90's has undergone the same transformation as the rest of Society--greed for that dolla bill. For true Hip Hop Heads, I recommend the movie "Dave Chapelle's Block Party" with accompanying CD. It had a sista reminiscing on real Hip Hop-shyt folk even started dancing in the movie theatre!!!! LOL.
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Name:
GoldenLady
Comment: This article was the first I'd heard of Chuck D's letter. As a youngun, I realize that BET is spewed at my generation. I'm like Onyx...I don't support it...none of it. I can't remember the last time I saw a video; I've never seen an episode of 106th and Park. I don't even pay for access to the BET channel in my house and I don't listen to rap music either, other than that which I gurew up on and was conscious...the likes of Goodie Mob and Outkast. If Willie's birth date is 1986, I'm not much older, but not even all young people are beyond seeing the BS. It disgusts me to know that women will get naked in a video for a song that is openly degrading them. Men are glorifying illegal activity and getting shot. It's trash. I feel for the young girls that don't see anything else. It's sickening that the adults with the power don't put forth a more positive image for the kids we are watching, and worse a network that is supposed to be exclusively for Black people.
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Name:
Priceless
Comment: Mo'Kelly, Chuck's article had already been discussed on the free4allboard
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: Thanks...didn't know if 'this crowd' had an already an informed viewpoint on his letter...and it's about 50/50 so far.
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Name:
DonJuan
Comment: Amen! Well spoken indeed. Bring back the WIl Smiths and MC Hammers. Those guys had a clue. It was about bringing ALL people together and having FUN.
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Name:
Willie1986
Comment: MoK you owe Corey Miller(C-Murder) an apology.
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Name:
MrsPhoenix
Comment: Willie, you owe Chuck D an apology, dumbazz
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Name:
McNasty
Comment: Uhh Uhh y'all Willie owes his parents an apology!
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: No, I don't owe C-MURDER an apology. All he's been granted is a new trial. That is far different from having his case being thrown out. Don't get it twisted. The judge could've thrown the case out altogether and didn't...that should tell you something too...
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: And Willie, you've yet to answer the question I posed to you. Don't think you can change the subject. If your 'best' answer is C-Murder, then obviously you're reaching. You have nothing to say about any of these other murders and how they're repeatedly linked to Hip-Hop and deny the obvious connection yet your 'BEST' comeback is the RETRIAL of an artist for murder?! That's hilarious.
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: I'll 'apologize' for C-Murder when you 'apologize' for...
Busta
Young Jeezy
PERCY Miller
Young Buck (BOTH Times)
That wack Vegas rapper
DMX (ALL 8 times)
Gucci Mane
Lloyd Banks
And the other 35 I don't have time to list. Where's my apology for them?
I didn't think so.
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Name:
recognizelife
Comment: Mo, in the middle of assuming the exec. prod. role on a project or two, i have checked in 4 u in recent weeks, but i never assumed u had went away....while some may call it denial because, "life is change" and always has the potential to do so....i choose to call it wishful thinking...glad to see u back man! Any way....down to business. Chuck D has been fed up for a long time. And so have most decent, respectable Afro American that wants to raise his family with some sense of self worth and respect for Afro American Women...
You shouldn'thave to speak vicariously, or in any other form in order for persons to accept what is undeniably "the truth"...U have made ur stand clear on this matter many times before now and it should not only be noted but upheld!
Looking forward to checking out what u have been working on...and so, let me give u the name of a project to look out for in 2007...The Eric Glenn Project...u heard it here first....
great job...RECOGNIZE!
I know u would not like to have speak in 3rd person, as with Chuck D, but if that is what it takes then so be it!
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Name:
iamda1
Comment: Can people PLEASE stop blaming MUSIC for the behavior of people. The has been and will always be acts of violence in this world... and it started waaaay before hiphop became mainstream. Lastly, any hiphop historian knows that the type of rap on display now has ALWAYS been around, even in raps glory days. They just didn't take a chance on airing it. Bushwick Bill, Brotha Lynch Hung, Too Short, Luke etc... were all doing the type of music (worse in my opinion) that these artists are doing now, they just didn't have the national spotlight. Blaming music for black men killing other black men is a cop out. What music is influencing these fathers to kill their wives and children? What music inspired people to form gangs in the first place? What music inspired the introduction of crack cocaine into the streets.
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Name:
MotownBrown
Comment: I'm 28 so I grew up on hip hop. Some of what we are hearing now is not new...the difference is that we are seeing it in the mainstream and thus it is being shoved down our throats. At the same time that you had the fun stuff, i.e. Big Daddy Kane, K SOLO, Digital Underground, Biz Markie, Pharcyde, etc., you also had NWA who was screaming f* the police and n-word this and that...you had Too Short talking about pimping ho's, etc. way back in the 80's. The "negative" side of hip hop, or rap if you choose to make the distinction, has always been there but it was not as widely accepted or promoted as it is now. Somewhere along the line having fun and dancing were no longer cool...you had to be killing somebody or putting b*tches to work in order. Needless to say, I know longer fool with hip hop...I'm straight old school now. (Side note, I also feel this way about R&B...)
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Name:
MotownBrown
Comment: iamd1 --> you and i must have been typing at the same time!!!!
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Name:
iamda1
Comment: Thank you motown brown that's all I'm trying to say. I honestly think that the music back then was worse then it is now, because the bad stuff now is filtered, fluffed and prepared for the masses. Back then rappers talked about raping women, murdering them and eating their remains... not just pimping them. It talked about torturing and killing black men... not just shooting them. But nobody cared because it was not getting national attention. If anyone brings up anything negative being shown/said in hiphop today, I promise you that I can give a worse example during hiphop's golden era.
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: There was a balance back then, and there was 'positive' Hip-Hop that was an alternative...a choice. Not so today. All you have is negative. And I would disagree with anyone who says we're 'blaming' the music. We're blaming the behavior IN WHICH IS PROMOTED by the music. The music is an undeniable influence on young people, period. It's about accountability and responsibility. Stop saying that MUSIC does not affect, inform or encourage certain types of behavior. That's simply untrue.
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Name:
iamda1
Comment: If there was balance back then... there is still balance now. Back then the positive, family friendly music was played on radio, TV etc... while the more hardcore music was stuck in the underground. Now, the hardcore ignorant music is played to the mainstream and there is still TONS of positive music that is stuck in the underground. There is still balance... you just have to look further then the 3 music channels to find it.
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Name:
MotownBrown
Comment: This is almost like the chicken and the egg situation. I think the fact that we (general public) have raised our tolerance level (or rather we have allowed the media to raise our tolerance level) of this stuff is what causes the imbalance and perceived lack of choice. Some of the stuff that is played on the radio now would not have been played back in the day. You had to stay up super late to see the types of videos we can see all day long now. Who did it? Did we do it by not being outraged once the media pushed the envelope? I never heard Luke on the radio back in the day, but I can hear Lil' John and Co. telling me "...to the window to the wall." NWA didn't get radio play...I could go on and on. I think the mainstream acceptance (which translates into dollars) is what has caused the imbalance MOK is talking about. And we further encouraged these foul-mouthed rappers by shelling out the almighty dollar to support their mess. Plain and simple supply and demand ya'll.
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Name:
Willie1986
Comment: Sorry MoK but I aint with it. Maybe next week.
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: Uh...that much we already knew Willie...but I asked you to elaborate in specificity. Obviously you're 'ok' with what goes on in the genre...everything from Lil Kim to DMX. What I'm asking of you is WHY is that acceptable behavior. Either it is or it isn't. If it is acceptable to you...explain why?
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Name:
Willie1986
Comment: No I'm not, I'm as troubled as you by some of things I see going on with some of these rappers. I can't explain their criminal behavior and why they do the things they do but I do know there being unfairly attacked in alot of ways. And your comment about there not being any positive Hip-Hop out there is totally fictitious, there's plenty of it out there and if you need me to point out to you I gladly will.
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Name:
recognizelife
Comment: Sure there r some positive stems to hip hop there is to almost anything, but the majority of rap is about hitting, killing, fighting and getting away with it....music influences people to do everything from love making, as with Luther Vandross and the "no snitch" chorus that goes on as a subliminal message in hard core rap...which by the way has spunn a totally disfunctional and arbitrary threat to helping murders come to justice...get ur head out of the sand Willie, u know what is causing this anti social behavior...these kids start to believe what they write and say....that's why C-murder tho he is getting out, is goin to be tried again in less than sixty days....for the same thing...Don't get it twisted!!!!!!!!!
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Name:
recognizelife
Comment: just to add, Willie, Cmurder is not being tried again for the same case, it's a totally different case with the same charge.....Wake Up and Smell the coffee...Influence is influence...it may not be the total catalyst, but it is a strong mitigating factor and for u to deny this u have to be living on another planet....
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: OK, willie...I appreciate your willingness to continue to dialogue. And I will say that there are probably instances in which Hip-Hop has been unfairly 'attacked' in a police sense and a public sense. But at the same time, there is such a thing as accountability and responsibility...where if you suspect that police are 'targeting' you...why engage in any lawless behavior to begin with? If you 'know' that you're not going to get a fair shake in the judicial system, why would you EVER deal with guns, drugs or anything remotely criminal in nature. That's the first thing. The second thing is that although there is positive Hip-Hop (and I'll be doing a piece on it) it's not in anyway uplifted or marketed where it will reach people. Parallel...Black scientists, doctors and successful businessmen exist, but they're not commonly highlighted, and thus not seen as 'influential' on children's psyches as the basketball player or rapper who are ALWAYS pushed in front of them. It's about identification in terms of behavior and identification in terms of self-image.
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