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Name: barnone
Comment: it is unfortunate that we as a people can be so reactionary, but oh well, it is what it is. at least the hip hop community is beginning to talking about this long overdue issue. interesting the music exec simmons is meeting with is jewish. eager to see what the outcome will be. not too optimistic though.
Name: Teigh
Comment: I don't find it interesting that Lyor is involved. Lyor had been Russell's partner from day one -- Russell & Lyor are probably the first two rap music executives and certainly the most influential. Some very interesting things took place yesterday. Power 105 in NY held a morning town hall meeting (minus advertising) to announce a new initiative at the station; no more offensive music. Gotta soothe those advertisers anxiety so better to be proactive; Oprah devoted yesterday and will devote today to this issue. There is a double standard and it does need to be addressed. The rap community does not make it's money off Black youth anymore, it's the white youth that are supporting the culture and if they (the white youth) pull out -- where does that leave the industry and the culture? Much has been said about rap and hip hop over the last few days. Sadly the hip hop community never policed themselves because the truth of this matter is that had Imus not made his comment, none of these events would be taking place. Advertisers are watching...Imus is not the only one with something to lose. Just as easily as advertisers pulled out of Imus, the same could happen to the many shows on BET, VH1 and the like -- incidently all owned in some form or fashion by CBS -- the same station that employed Imus. So the real question today is "how far are we willing to go?" and who from the rap community will be shut down (it's looking like Snoop Dogg and it will be very interesting to see how this plays out).
Name: barnone
Comment: TEIGH> u misread...i wrote interesting he is jewish not interesting he is involved.
Name: Teigh
Comment: Lyor had been Russell's partner from day one -- from the day's when they were both college students. Def Jam started in a dorm room (just like Source magazine) Russell & Lyor are the first two rap executives.
Name: TGen
Comment: Great comment Teigh. But on the article, I don't understand why this meeting has to be or should be "secret" or "private." The effects of trash rap are VERY public and involves not only the "artists" and execs, but also, and maybe even more so, the CONSUMERS. I think this meeting should be televised for the world to see, should include an audience, and maybe even call-ins or something. And if you missed it yesterday, Oprah had a GREAT show on this very subject and will continue the discussion today with Common (mmmhmm, lol) and Mr. Simmons. Btw, can I just say this is one of the only topics that I'm passionate enough to actually comment on. Celebrity gossip? Nope. Who's such and such's daddy? Nope. But our culture? I just LOVE that we're actually having SERIOUS dialogue about this and can't WAIT for "real" music and talent to again take the forefront. *Fingers crossed*
Name: fuzzygoss
Comment: Martin Lawrence should arrange a Private Meeting with AA Comedians too. >>>Russell is trying but I hope he's got good-intention and not trying to keep a paycheck coming in at the expense of hip-hop.
Name: Teigh
Comment: TGen> I understand what you're saying but considering all that the hip-hop culture has allowed over the last 20 years -- their first meeting should indeed be private but I honestly believe that a lot of them can't or don't comprehend the magnitude of what they have allowed. I too find it interesting that Common is going to appear with Russell today on Oprah because Common isn't the problem -- but like Stanley Crouch said yesterday "nelly did not want to favce the women of Spellman" so why would Snoop Dog or who i call the "strip club" rappers want to appear on Oprah and justify their art? They can't. The hip hop culture has an opportunity to re-define themselves. let's hope their private meeting is a first step in that direction.
Name: barnone
Comment: TGEN> could u please tell me more about what was discussed on oprah? i'm not in amerikkka so i don't get current showings of her show.
Name: oldschoolbrother
Comment: Interesting discussion, but here is one for you. Where will it end? I have read that live entertainment is next. Chris Rock and other comedians are the ones chosen for the wrath.
Name: barnone
Comment: TEIGH> i don't mean to be pessimistic. but i just really don't see simmons having it in him, considering his mentality. he is/has never been a "conscious" brother, all about the benjamins. and no, he and most in his circle don't realize or even care about the GLOBAL magnifications the direction hip hop has taken in the past 10 years. how it has further tarnished the image of us as a people from a GLOBAL perspective.
Name: TGen
Comment: Barnone, the parts I got to see were extensive. Oprah really brought it. (Strictly from my memory cuz I cannot pull up her site from work,lol), she had Jason Whitlock and Stanley Crouch (both big-time opponents of hip-hop), Diane Weathers (former Essence editor), Bruce ? (a media exec), the psychologist who frequents her show, Al Sharpton, some students from Spelman, and a couple other guests whose names I can't remember. Just looking at that list should tell you how lively the discussion was, lol. They pretty much echoed a lot of what you've read the past few days on eurweb. It'll be interesting to hear the hip-hop side today, to hear how Russell and Common who were both in the audience will respond to Stanley Crouch calling rappers "minstrels," lol. Now THAT should be good.
Name: Teigh
Comment: Barnone> I think you should consider applying your own comment to yourself. To say that Russell doesn't have it in him is like saying you can't change your views on something. Should you be held to a criticism for something you said or thought when you really didn't think it through? or because you really didn't factor the ramifications of what you were saying or doing? I honestly don't know what Russell will say or do, but having grown up in Queens and NYC -- I have seen Russell go through many changes and incarnations. I remember when Russell was a drug crazed party promoter and Run was called the "son of Kurtis Blow" -- Russell is a major philantropist and Run is now a Reverend. If you don't change you won't grow. Let's give Russell (and Lyor) a chance before we dismiss their efforts based upon their religious background or previous actions.
Name: Teigh
Comment: Bruce Gordon (the former head of the NAACP and a Board member of CBS), Ashe Bandele (another former Essence editor), Dr. Robin Smith and India Aire were also on the panel. In addition to Russell Simmons and Common, Benjamin Chavis and Nelson George were also in the audience.
Name: barnone
Comment: TEIGH> my comment re: simmons is based on not just long time past actions, but recent actions. you know a tree by the fruit that it bears. now if he comes out and does a 180 i will be the first to concede, and happily so. and as for his philantrhopy, that does not erase how he has been a co-conspirator in the degradation of a.a.'s and our culture.
Name: Sexee
Comment: Since a white man lively hood has been affected, the powers that be will come together to see how they can ease the nakedness and thug lifestyle out of music; so they can usher in the education, taking care home music, etc. You hit a man in his pocket and he will listen. If you need to start off with some one start off with my gurl she's a spoken word artist and very talented. Her potential album is very melanchoy but it deals with unhealthy relationships(in the fashion of a Mary J Blige back in the day).
Name: Teigh
Comment: I'm not suggesting that his philantrophy erases anything, what I am suggesting is that if you are going to look at "Russell's fruit" then look at "ALL" OF THE FRUIT -- not just the "fruit" you don't like. Truth be told, Russell isn't really in the music game anymore -- he sold his interest in Def Jam, it's wholely owned by Universal. Are you saying you stand for the same ideals today, lock stock & barrel, that you had at 18? You're exactly the same person you were then -- you never changed?
Name: McNasty
Comment: Good posts Teigh! Tavis Smily just did his commentary on the TJMS and for me regardless of the fact that don imus was the catalyst for all this attention the rap community is finally getting I believe that a change is gonna come - maybe it's what I have to believe cause I don't see the difference in imus doing it than there is a difference in the guys on this board or the minstrels in rap spewing the same words at females. It has to stop - I don't think I'm looking for a global stop I would like to see it taken out of mainstream completely - I would like to know that no one else is going to profit off the derogatory names. I would also like to see these conversations draw in the folk that cause it's proliferation - the white consumer - who buys 70% of this madness and corporate amerikkka who make it possible.
Name: barnone
Comment: simmons may not technically "be" in the game anymore, but he is still an icon and has influence. and it's how he has used that influence, or shall i write has not that i have issue with. of course people can and do change but you're acting as if he got out the game 20 years ago and has since then been a philanthropist of worthy causes. that just ain't so, and i'm not going to not take that into consideration when putting a whole lot of stock in where his loyalties lie, cuz i know he is about that paper. now as i wrote, if he surprises me, then kol kavod and i will be the first to stand in line and say i was wrong, gladfully and with much humility.
Name: cdub
Comment: This meeting is set up so all of the money makers can be on the same page. They have to defend their livelyhood. The argument of artistic expression is fading fast. The lifestyle is not the reflection that is in the "hood". Bottom line Hip Hop power brokers are losing the court of public opinion and their basic arguments. They have to respond in force and with one voice to save themselves.
Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: cdub >> co-sign your point . . . the private meeting will hash out the cost benefit analysis of continuting on the same path or switching gears in the face of the advertiser pullout on Imus which is what definitely fired him . . . the money suits don't give a hot d@amn about negative cultural impact as they only care about profit . . . they could have cleaned up this situation sooner but it was a cash money cow with the rappers' gansta antics being ice on their cash . . . I would call them hypocrits but it's more like rapacious capitalists.
Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Doesnt matter the reasoning behind the meeting. Either we want them to do something about it or not.
Name: ChocolateBrownGal
Comment: Co-sign HT & Musb...and if I may be so bold as to add to Musb's comment....Either we as the consumer are going to something about it or not. Our dollars speak, too!
Name: Angel
Comment: I have to give Simmons credit. He was on Oprah yesterday in a room full of folks not trying to hear anything about the terms h*s, b*tches and n*ggas being "artistic expression". He will take the stage today on Oprah to "defend" hiphop. I'm anxious to see what position he takes.
Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Angel...I tivo'd Oprah since the VA shooting was on during her air time here y'day. Her 2nd airing was @ 3am but the whole show wasn't recorded. It stopped right after Whitlock called Al and 'nem out about not being visible b4 now and the young lady argued that Essence and lots of other organizations were involved so the accusation that no one has been doing nething was simply not true. Did nething happen after that? I'm recording today's show as well.
Name: oldsoul
Comment: Change is in the air...it's a segment, a portion, fraction of r/evolution - it doesn't all just go down at once, there are different phases to it. I was fortunate to catch about 30 minutes of the Oprah show yesterday until a Special Report on the unfortunate shootings at Va. Tech took over. The part of the show I saw was "real" talk on all sides - different takes and opinions but truth nonetheless. Looks like Snoop will be the fall guy for Hip-Hop - sorry Snoop but you had to know that you were "allowing" yourSelf to be put out there a while ago. Johnetta (sp) Cole, former Spelman College president, really hit home when she said that it's time to air the dirty laundry, "...it stinks..."-- the analogy she made was on-point. I'm glad India.Arie was on the show, before the newsbreak, so she could speak on the Self-hate that gets projected onto sisters who look like her, think in ways like her, etc. Hopefully on today's show, which I have made plans to check-out already, Oprah and guests go deeper to the source of the problem Itself and the problem that exists in Hip-Hop (Payola, Executives that insist on a formula,e.g., Audio-Visual Programmatic Genocide). The problem itself is both the manifestation of the remnants of chattel slavery (which, after some transformation, is now mental slavery) and the effects of White Supremacy which effects whites as well in varying degrees. The sister psychologist, can't recall her name, spoke on the damage that has been done to the collective "soul" of this country and I'll take it a step further to include the world (credit imperialism [and other lesser-to-equal things] for that matter). tbc...
Name: oldsoul
Comment: Yo, it's deep that's why we, especially Us (we) as a people, have to BEGIN (as a collective) to go deeper than the surface bullsh*t that we have been programmed with...from holidays, to miseducation, religion, tradtion all the way to the totally misconceived/misperceived concept of life and death Itself. Personally, I would like to see us be more responsive than reactionary - somoeone already touched on that. Let's Be rational and think about this thing; although it's always good to ride the wave(s) of momentum, haste makes waste, e.g., the "ban" on Ni66er - is the ban still in effect? Who enforces it? LOL. I'm not sure why the meeting has to be at Lyor Cohen's place? BUT, most likely (hopefully) they know something I don't so I must digress. Oh yeah, he (Cohen) was not the first executive with Rush (Russell Simmons), it was Rick Rubin.
Name: ricki
Comment: Oprah was preempted in my area as well after India.Arie started speaking. i taped it agin at 1:35 am and my husband said it aired w/o interruption. I haven't watched the last half hour yet, because it was an intriguing conversation. I'm interested to know what the posters that went off on O about her not having rappers on her show after Luda's and 5-Cent's comments have to say now. It's all about timing. The truth of the matter is that for the last 2 weeks, we've been hearing YT's interviews and commentaries on the whole Don Imus thing, and the stupid assumptions made about the black community and how hypocritical we are as a SOCIETY. O's 2-day townhall meeting is the first BLACK forum that has been held on national TV, and now WE get to speak. Not just the Jason Whitlocks, Larry Elders, and Al Sharptons, but others also. YT can now hear an INTELLIGENT conversation from us and hear what we REALLY think. This type of conversation won't take place on BET or even TV1.
Name: thatbklyngirl
Comment: Thank you TGen thats exactly what I was thinking, closed door for what. Russel is such a freaking phony, I swear i really can't stand him sometimes.
Name: Angel
Comment: Musb - Yep. Where I live, Oprah comes on at 4 on one station and then again at 9 on a different station. I was able to see the entire show at 9. If I recall correctly, after Rev Al defended himself and his record, Oprah brought on India Arie and she discussed how the industry pressures artists to conform their look and to collaborate with other mainstream artists to sell. The panel then attacked how mainstream has sanctioned the worst in hiphop by allowing folks like Snoop Dogg to be regularly seen on mainstream programs as guests(i.e. Jay Leno) to promote their projects and that these outlets of promotion need to be held accountable. They then talked about how some artists (snoop, lil jon) now have their own porno companies and the spiraling downward is hitting a new low.
Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Oh hell I missed that part. When my dvr began recording the "Oprah Show" it was another show, not Oprah that was being recorded so i don't know what happened. Mainstream has sanctioned the worst in us period. That's why Imus, Rush, Ann, Wendy and 'nem are able to be relevant. Ricki..I still criticize Oprah because the same conversation she's having now could've been had back then. But, either way, this "should" be a good thing. Yt's have been distorting what the black community has been concerned about..but (as we suggest w/Imus) they received that license from "us." I wonder who else she's having other than Common (who def uses n1gga) and Simmons or is that it? I was hoping someone would address Whitlock comparing the coach to a goldigger but that was wishful thinking..lol
Name: Angel
Comment: There were also discussions about the fact that 4 out of 5 rap cds are sold in the suburbs, so the biggest purchasers of rap are not black. To that end, it is more of blacks buffooning to a yt audience like in the minstrel shows many years ago. Jason Whitlock talked about how society will never respect you more than you respect yourself, so we have to, as black people, demand respect within our community before anyone outside our community take it seriously. Russell Simmons wrapped up the show by warning folks that we have to be careful when we start attacking artistic expression because most of what is expressed is a reflection of society (i.e. misoginy, sexism, racism and violence are a part of society) and the root of these issues need to be discussed and not just the expression of such things in music.
Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Oh ok..I missed some of that..but I did hear whitlock say that there has never been a time in history where a group of people who didn't respect themselves were respected by others. I half-agreed w/that one.
Name: Angel
Comment: Musb - Oprah actually said that she's been thinking about it and should have had this show a long time ago and regrets that she didn't. She felt she would be fighting this struggle alone (meaning her audience wouldn't get it) and didn't realize until the outcry occurred about the Imus incident, that the time had come.
Name: gingerg
Comment: I cosign Oldsoul and will stand with anyone who is willing to take strategic action to address this problem.
Name: ricki
Comment: Thanks Angel, I was about to say that O talked about fearing her audience wouldn't have gotten it had she done the show at an earlier time. This WAS the right time because the spotlight is all over it. Common, Russell, Kevin Liles, Ben Chavis, and Londell McMillan, an entertainment lawyer who represents Lil Kim, will be on the panel today. I heard that Chuck D was invited to come but he already had a prior engagement.
Name: jess
Comment: One of the main points were stated in Oprah's show yesterday is that efforts have been made to deal with this problem for years, but the mainstream media did not give it the attention that they have to the Imus situation. Rev. Sharpton stated this several times and pointed out specific incidents, but for some reason Whitlock's ears were blocked and he kept trying to accuse Sharpton of trying to grab the spotlight. I take HUGE offensive to the comments he made in his article about Coach Stringer and the Rutgers team. But I digress... Some young women from Spellman College participated and stated that they received very little coverage when they protested Nelly performing on their campus. The efforts of many people are not being given attention, but they are out there fighting nonetheless and we should keep that in mind.
Name: jess
Comment: That should be huge "offense."
Name: lpitd
Comment: In the prophetic words of Nas, "Hip-hop is dead."
Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: With regard to artistic expression in music - before hip hop and rap, why was the situation relatively more benign? I remember when "Sexual Healing" was considered a scandal which was partly the cause of estrangement between the artist and his dad. Artistic expression in music and the other arts is whatever expression the community will permit. A Supreme Court justice said one knows pornograhy when one sees it (paraphrased). This Easter season, there was a nude chocolate statue of Christ on the Cross that upset people and the art was withdrawn. Whenever pictorial or statuary art upsets people, it does not stay on display and/or actively available for public consumption. Musical art expression is the same: if it upsets people, it gets withdrawn due to public outcry. The artist does not have her/his rights trampled because it's not the government making the judgement, it's the people (say money, somebody).
Name: musbdherbs
Comment: This kinda justifies my critique of how she's handled the whole hip-hop debate. She didn't jump on the issue because of her audience. Great! Well it's neither here nor there. No time like the present. Jess..it's worse because we have black journalists who are continuing this "lie" about what blacks haven't done. I REALLY have issue w/that..lol This is a conversation that I hope will move forward. I think we need "balance" more than complete "eradication."
Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: I forgot to mention the Dixie Chicks, a white country music group. When they were performing in the U.K., they made statements about how they were embarassed by the U.S. president. At that time, President Bush wielded total power with regard to messages about his administration and through the "appropriate" channels, a major radio station owner black-balled music by the Dixie Chicks. Getting "Dixie Chicked" became an expression meaning censorship by this administration. Long before now, if whites wanted rap and/or hip hop curtailed, they would have done it. A salute to those of you who say the music was not curtailed because it portrayed the most negative possible black images without being labeled racist propaganda . . . concerning Oprah and whether she's pandering to the current circumstances, she might not have proactively had shows dedicated to the negativitiy of rap/hip hop but she did refuse to dignify requests by rap/hip hop artists to have their say on her show and that speaks volumes for me.
Name: ricki
Comment: Well, I don't want to regress back to the same debate that was had months ago BUT... Why do we black folk think O has to have every single topic about us black folk on HER show? What does it REALLY say to you that she didn't have a show about this earlier or that she reused to have rappers on her show to discuss this issue?? Do you really think she is the ONLY black person that feels that way? I wouldn't have have them on my show either!(If I had a show). Furthermore, she's damned up, down, and sideways, because she's doing a topic on the show too late, or she didn't have Snoops or the Nellys on to "defend" their lyrics. If O wasn't on the air, who would you hold responsible? Who would be a "Sellout" then? I APPLAUDED when Al made a comment about O not having to cater to everyone in "da hood" to be the intelligent and successful BLACK woman she is. I don't always with O, and I'm interested in every show, but I just wonder what it has to be like for her to know that, with all the contributions she's made to Black society and the history she's made, that her people STILL show her no love.
Name: Exmun
Comment: I think Malcolm X said something about chickens coming home to roost. Congratulations rap music. You've created a few terrorist stepchildren that you can hardly control if you wanted to.
Name: Dovelyone
Comment: Three words: OPEN THE DOOR. However, the reality is in what cdub and HarrisThomas said. They're working out the money... That's why I advocate an economic boycott of ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE REMOTELY ASSOCIATED with negative rap/hip hop. That's something that WE ALL can do.
Name: ricki
Comment: I don't always AGREE with O, and I'm NOT interested in every show.
Name: DOne
Comment: At the end of the day, no one is going to close their artistic expression or freedome of speech. They will still be free to rap and sing about whatever they want. They will still be able to perform how they want. The only difference would be who has access to their material and where its gets heard. There have also been a market for adult oriented content and that won't change. Hell, I have a whole cd of stuff that was banned from radio play back the the 50's and 60's. However, I should not have to constandly worry about what is being played on the car radio at 6 with kids in the car. it may also force artist to be a little more clever with their lyrics. We all know songs from when we were young that we didn't necessarily get the real meaning until we got older. The real question is do we have the attention span to follow this though and who's going to set the rules for what's considered appropriate and inappropriate. These things need to be thought out carefully or we could end up going from one extreme to the next.
Name: oldsoul
Comment: It's some damn good posts on this board today, yesterday too. gingerg>I see we feel each other but I, right now, haven't been able to create a way or at least an idea that would strategically address this problem via EUR folk, folk in my vacinity to be quite frank. After the Hurricane Katrina tragedy there were a lot of people on these boards asking the question: "what can we could do?" MzTee made the call and some others including myself, MOTHERSHIP and McNasty came together and did what we could being that everyone was scattered from coast to coast. Eventually the group, Concerned Black Citizens, fizzled out because many of the folks weren't really down (NOT Tee, MOTHER & McNasty) with putting in the effort & sacrafice it takes to build a thing from no thing-- they wanted a 'microwave movement'...lol. If you think of some thing, please holla at me (science.diction@yahoo.com).
Name: kb1908
Comment: I really hope, that something will come of this. Hip Hop negative images not only hurt us at home but abroad. Hip Hop is a global phenonemon and for most of the world it is the dominant image of African American culture, so sad!
Name: musbdherbs
Comment: Ricki..I'm not sure about "we" black folk. But, "I" was one who criticized her then..but will give her props now. It's a matter of personal preference which should not negate any topics importance. All blacks don't like the same thing...it's impossible. In terms of a public forum..she is no different than any other black person w/a platform so the standards will be the same. We think Al should be doing [this] instead of [this]. Same difference here. NRA uses their platform to speak to gun control. Gays use their platform. Focus on the Family use their platform to promote "traditional" family values. So, if u think blacks feel as if they want Oprah to speak solely to black issues (which I don't think most blacks agree) then your criticism should at least be leveled. I think that most blacks love and respect her.
Name: oldsoul
Comment: I know that Hip-Hop, as a culture, has been irresponsible in a lot of ways over the past 15 or so years in terms of the lyrics we've allowed to come across in the music...there's no way I'm gonna sit on my a** and say it's all been good and ok. And let me say this right here: Let's not confuse the core of Hip-Hop with what you hear on the RADIO. The radio will give you the same 15-20 songs (x-rated nursery rhymes) 50 million times when there is so much "art" that never gets played [look into the payola dilemma]. In Atlanta, at least when I lived there, it was a show on Sunday morning called Crunk for Christ on 107.9 (formerly 97.5). I am not religious but I used to listen because the artists were straight fire and NONE of the lyrics were negative, they were creative/ innovative and oftentimes addressed pressing issues in the world not necessarily the church. 99% of America's world never heard this because it was only on 3-4 hours a week out of a possible 168 in 1 select market...I think it was 'Herbs that said something about "balance". The thing that I don't wanna see happen - which is possible if we don't carefully see things for what they are - is our free expression be banned or limited...'cause without expression we devolve to nothing, soul-less robots just marking time. I wonder if we re-member that those Old Negro Spirituals were looked down upon by our people because the massa didn't approve and he didn't approve out fear and ignorance--fear that we were plotting on his a** through music (which in some cases we were) and ignorant of what we were saying. Rap music is the last voice of Black people in America, I'm co-signing with KRS-One on that. We must be careful not to throw out the baby with the bath water...we can always run another tub of water.
Name: nycGYRL888
Comment: oldsoul>>you are on point. Snoop is definitely going to be the fall guy fo this because he has on so many levels disrespected the black woman time and time again. The moment he ushered women down a red carpet event on dog chains did it for me with him! The Oprah show was on point and I am Tivo'g todays show as well. But, the bottom line is, things have to change! Be it Imus or Snoop, the blatant disrespect can no longer be tolerated. The women cashing paychecks to be exploited in derogatory ways need to check them selves as well. This generation is so lost and losing themselves and their souls, self-respect and dignity on a daily basis. I understand folks have to make a living and all, but, at what price...thats the real question.
Name: ladybyrd
Comment: I thought that it was Russell & Rick Rueben? I saw Oprah yesterday and I feel that it's about time. Just like the Civil Rights Movement, When Rosa was arrested it was the right time. Remember Color people were mistreated for years...decades... I think it's the right time. It's time to confront Hip Hop, Music Company owners and ourselves, because we are as much to blame as the next person. It's TIME! Come on Soul people.
Name: ladybyrd
Comment: oldschoolbrother > One can tell a joke without saying the "N" word or Bytch or Ho. You can't tell me that these words make it funnier, because to me it doesn't. I thought when Chris did MTV Award Show & The Oscars, I was laughing my butt of and he didn't use profanity.
Name: clotel
Comment: I hope some of these rappers have money left over after their blinged out shopping excursions (i.e. gold teeth, 100 pairs of tennis shoes, clothes, liquor, drugs, cars, gawdy jewelry all of this but never any medical/dental converage, 401/457 plan in place) as I believe music is about to change in a BIG way because of the Imus situation. How ironic that a white guy had to be the poster child of 'urban dysfunction'in order for talks to begin.........However, I believe Russell is the right man for the job as he always displays intelligence and professionalism.
Name: ricki
Comment: Musbdherbs, I hear you. I'm basing my opinion primarily on what is posted about her on this board. I personally know very few people who have a negative of O; I have a cantankerous uncle who barely watched O 10 years ago but always had something negative to say. Now that's he's retired and watches her everyday, he worships her bath water. I agree that everyone has a preference and is entitled to their opinion. what galls me is when people base those opinions on assumptions and ignorance, not fact.
Name: DOne
Comment: I think oldsoul really hit the nail on the head about throwing the baby out with the bath water. First of all, I'm not for simply banding certain words because everything have to be placed in context. If a song by Snoop in which he refers to women as bytches or hos was not allowed to be played on public radio, would that also include Music by Leela James in which she talking about how she's tired of every other song on the radio calling women bytches and hoes. One may have a negative message, the other positive, but both use the same terms. Also, as blacks, we need to be in control of what is played in our communities and not be content to simply sit back and allow whites to make the rules because they will often not see some of the fine distinctions what we ourselves would. For example, back in the late 80s many blks were all too happy for tougher drug sentences when crack hit our neighborhoods, but it was whites who passed the laws and proceded to lock blk men up while allowing wht men to walk free for the same offenses. We just have to take a rational approach and not just pass rules during the heat of an issue.
Name: oldsoul
Comment: DOne> It's funny that you mentioned that Leela James CD because I had just pulled that out last week when all the Imus stuff went down. I agree with you, and you especially brought up a good point about how we allowed the urgency and destruction that Crack brought to our community to ultimately lead even more to our demise because the laws were not changed by us as a collective but for us as a strategy. In the heat of the moment we must stay cool not get hot. The Oprah segment is on so I'ma step away for now. Peace...
Name: JPEdmund
Comment: Too little too late. Hip Hop has been used against us for the last 20 years to brainwash and keep us in check. Russel and Lyor were down with the plan and advocated Hip Hops destruction long ago. Now that the damage has been done and we have two generations lost, we want to play catch up. Soon we will see the music regulated and censored, as we have relinquished those rights. Now they will say that these things need to be regulated. Things like the VChip and DRM are killing the freedom of expression. When the %*$! hits the fan, we whill not have the power to express and educate ourselves through our music. One of the only things that we have held as our own for the last 500 years. We are still enslaved, we just are too stupid to realize this. People, get back to spirituality, get back to caring, get back to caring. It is not too late, but the threshold is soon coming.
Name: HarrisThomas
Comment: We can express and educate ourselves through our music without calling out nasty names and filthy themes - when we study call&response gospel or slavery escape music, we don't see nasty, belittling lyrics. Blues can be graphic but nothing is as graphic or pornographic as rap/hip-hop. I just saw the Oprah town hall show and I don't know how the momentum will be maintained/sustained if people start taking on the eradiation of poverty and whatnot as suggested by some panelists. We are a mediated nation and we need to attack this problem by dealing with the heads of the media conglomerates and with ad agencies.
Name: SoBayish
Comment: I am watching Oprah and the panel (Russell, Common and some other folks) are discussing what they will tell their daughters when asked, "Daddy, what is a ho?" I do not believe nor do I buy into their so-called hypothetical responses to their daughters. Why? Because at nine years old, I was at a concert at the Forum in Inglewood and I met Dr. Dre. I smiled and said hello, excited to meet him and he put his hand in my face and shouted, "Ho!" Then he walked away. I was NINE years old. If he can disrespect a nine year old and see me as a common groupie, then I cannot wait until his daughter comes home crying to tell him her story. They can all go to H!@#. I am 29 yrs old and that experience still hurts me.
Name: FiveMore
Comment: @SoBayish>HORRIBLE STORY!I had to come out of hiding to say,Dre is a IDIOT and that is a gotdam# shame!I don't know what Russell"late azz"Simmons standing up for now,homeboy aint say a mumblin' word while DefJam's artist(and other artist) were calling women b!tches and who!res seven days a week.What is really up with HSAn?They should have SPOKE about respecting women, when 2pac and Biggie were murdered back in the late 90's, waltzing in here lata than a MUG!A white man had to call somebody daughters "nappy headed hos," now we need a resolution!Give me a break!SMH!
Name: whatthefu918
Comment: SoBayish: WOW......dre really did that to you when you were 9???!!!! that is amazing. were you with your mom or dad or some other adult relative? no, probably not, cuz if you had been, i'm sure that story would've had a different ending......
Name: whatthefu918
Comment: 5more: russell ain't standing up now. they're behind that closed door trying to figure out how to save their cash cow, just like somebody said up top.
Name: FiveMore
Comment: How are you gonna solve a problem, while the enemy sitting up in your face?Lyor is only worried about his dollars and cents!Khufu sorry for biting your words, But....these are some "ignant a%^ negroes!StillSMH!Wow!That's crazy!
Name: Angel
Comment: SoBayish - I'm sorry about that horrible experience. However, I hate to point out the obvious, but what the h*ll is a 9 year old doing at a Dr. Dre concert?! Your parents gots some splaining to do. LOL
Name: JGGIRL
Comment: One solution to this problem - STOP BUYING THE MUSIC!! If the public wouldn't buy it, the record companies wouldn't pay the radio stations (payola) to play it. It's all about MONEY!
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