Sat, Nov 21, 2009
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Name:
CRENEEJ
Comment: bravo MO, bravo... you are so right about this. i don't understand why people think it's so great to be a thug. it's all good til they really end up in jail... i have family there, and no one really wants to be there. it's not a badge of honor.... SMH. oh, and MO, i read your column about CSI:Miami, and ended up watching it friday night and i was CTFU....
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Name:
jazzfan
Comment: Mo,
You know that most of what most rappers are selling is fantasy and they are the WORST kind of sellouots. They are dealing poison to their own kind just like drug dealers. I am not anti hip-hop, I have been there since the beginning. But when your "product" influences African-American children to devalue themselves, their relationships with each other, their education and their future, then that product needs to be removed from our communities. I know a lot of people will cite the tired line about "they're just talking about what they see", well I KNOW that they see mothers and fathers going to work every day to support their familes, kids struggling against all odds (including rapper-influenced peers who will tell them that it is "acting White" to try to better themselves), yet they are only going to rap about the negative aspects of what they see because they know that is what the record companies will release and promote and at the end of the day, they are only trying to get paid, and who cares if the way they are getting paid is polluting the minds of impressionable kids who think it's cool to dress inappropriately, speak improper English and live by the code of the streetz rather than the rules of civilized society that many of our forefathers gave their lives for so that we could be included. I'm sure that many of them are rolling in their regarding hip-hop, especially the fact that it celebrates NOT getting an education and working a legitimate job. I wonder if Rick False was a guard at the same prison where FAkon was a Konvict?
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Name:
TGen
Comment: Yes Ross is a herb (do people still use that term? I'm so out of the loop, lol), but to me his [pathetic] situation is not the most significant part of this story, instead it's the underlying theme of modern rap culture. When I read his statements, I was reminded that that's the lingo in hip-hop. "N*gga this, n*gga that, look at my benz, look at my 'dirty tee' (wth? lol), I got a $100,000 in my pocket (Negro, have you ever heard of a BANK? Geez)." I'm not an "old head" per se, but I do know my Black music, and I know that once upon a time, "real" singers sung about love and inner struggle and spirituality and if they did sing about struggle, it was done in a way that showed an awareness and heightened perspective (Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" comes to mind). WHERE IS THAT? Where is that sense of spirit? I know it's still around, but why do we opt for stupid ish instead? Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-hip-hop, I'd be a hypocrite to claim otherwise, but I don't appreciate much of its warped culture. So yes, Ross is responsiblity for his own fakery, but he is a product of a larger, more disturbing culture. And btw, a lot of people with "regular" 9-5' share this warped mentality stemming from modern-day rap. He is just one of many...and that's the sad part.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: In discussing what "used" to be vs. now, I believe many of us sound like old, tired, relics of the past. Personally, I get tired of talking about how music "used" to be. Like we are the authors of all things great and small. It was good but not great. No wonder kids often tune out their elders. The difference now is that there are more people to peddle the same crap that Rick James produced when there were only a few. Mary Jane? BTW, Rick Ross needs to be hung from a butchers hook and gutted the fk out just for being a fat dumb azz imbecile.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: GREAT was the harlem renaissance era of black music.
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Name:
TGen
Comment: lol Musbdherbs, I'd argue that there was GREAT music in the era I referenced. Tis all opinion, but I've yet for anyone consider me an out-of-touch "elder" (in my 20's lol). Most younger people I share the "good" music with actually appreciate it. You underestimate people's thirst for more.
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Name:
Exmun
Comment: William Roberts II is an idiot. I've got better things to do than waste my energy on him. What a douche. Great article Mo. Another one lost.
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: In total agreement with Mo's article. I'm truly disgusted by this buffoon. The record companies as well as us are to blame for supporting this guy. If no one was buying his music, there would be no need for him to act like the fool he is now. I'm already convinced that he's lying about his 'exploits' and his career should go down the toilet because of it.
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: Musb> If the music of the past is an 'old relic' as you say, why do singers and rappers sample it then? The music content from the past was better simply because you could talk about sex, drugs, love and struggles without being clowned as being a punk or being corny. And they didn't have to be graphic or explicted. Our music was and can be so much more than just the usual fare that's out here today. Granted, there are some artists that are doing the thing but their records are not being pushed nor being supported as they should be. Record companies today that image, not music, sells. That's why there are people from all age groups that are going back to the 'past' to listen to music. Nevermind the 'elders' who enjoy that 'old timey' music but people in their teens, 20s, and 30s thrive on it too. Our music was so beautiful once upon a time and that's why people go back to those earlier periods.
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Name:
Southernbelle
Comment: Hey Mo, I agree with everything you posted except about the part comparing William to Milli Vanilli. At least they owned up to their shyt when they were found out to be frauds. This lying azz, Scarface wannbe fool is still in denial.
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Name:
Southernbelle
Comment: Also, I hope he holds onto that 100 grand. That's like 4 years of pay on his REAL job at the Correctional facility. It'd be in his best interest to find out if they're still hiring b/c my Spidey senses tells me he'll be looking for a new gig real soon LOL.
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Name:
Mas90
Comment: WOW! compared his fiasco to Johnny Gill but I'm going to read inbetween the lines on the Manhood thing cause I've paid attention to who shows up in videos and etc. My opinion... birds of a feather flock together.
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Name:
Disillusioned_Jones
Comment: Real good article with very striking points. But I said it on another page and I'll say it again just like Mo wrote: Real Bosses don't advertise! Stupid, wreckless, wanna-be imitators broadcast their dirt. Obviously this guy isn't/wasn't ever a Boss because the allegiance in that game can be tested with plea bargains and scorned testimony. Most "mature" grown folk know this. Unfortunately the message his music caters to are the youth who often don't rationalize this dude's illogic...
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Name:
WillyBobo
Comment: props on the article, Mo. This fool stole Freeway Ricky Ross' life. if this idiot keeps pressing the issue about how much of a boss he was and how real he is, them alphabet boys are gonna get him and not the DEA either. The IRS reads articles too,lol.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: TGEN/NYC, young people can appreciate music from any genre if they are exposed to it in a way that peaks their interests. It doesn't mean that the music is so much better as it is different. If you read my post correctly I said that many of us sound like old relics...not that music of the past is. But to that point, most music is either an art/inartful regurgitation of the past. I would argue that it is not music content that was so much better but that our social fabric was..which music (in a way) has helped to deconstruct. Music is still beautiful...you may have to just turn off the radio to find it. Consistently comparing an artist to a past artist does get old. If all artists did what past ones did, then we'll be saying that they're copycats w/no originality..lol
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: My bad, musb. I read your post too quickly. Still, I feel that music from the past is better, IMO. Does it mean I totally negate music from today? No, I don't as I indicated. I like Chris Brown's single 'With You' but I can't listen to all of his stuff because its not from my generation. And I agree that music reflects the social and/or political climate of that era and that some of it reguritates the past. However, I do know it is unrealistic and unfair to compare classic artists to what's out there today. But it is what it is. The record companies themselves promote these artists comparing them to artists of yesterday instead of promoting them based on their own merit. Chris Brown and Usher are compared to MJ; Mary J. Blige and Fantasia is compared to Aretha; Beyonce to Diana Ross and it goes on. Obviously, the record companies want to make that connection to the past and even the artist themselves are not exactly denouncing the association. I would not necessarily say that these artists would be lacking originality if they did it the way the classic school did it. Afterall, the classic school copied alot of their musical influences until they found their own style. Matter of fact, I want them to outdo their classic counterparts but that does not seem to be happening and that's disappointing. As for listening to radio, I can't tell you the last time I turned on. I basically listen or watch music on youtube or go to various soul music sites to get information about old and new artists.
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Name:
Stephanie
Comment: Who is Rick Ross?
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Name:
queeniebunz
Comment: >Stephanie - That's what I'm asking. Who is this guy? I only heard of him when I read about a rapper being "outed" as a corrections officer. I have no idea what his music sounds like or even a song I've heard of. >Musb - I also believe the majority of the music out now can't hold a candle to what was produced during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. And regarding "hip hop"/rap, I think the music went downhill fast as soon as "gangsta rap" hit the scene. You can't hardly find a song out that isn't sampled from songs from the past. And it's REALLY sad when you have rappers redoing rap songs! Snoop redid "The Vapors". The Game did that song for that non-singin chick where he sampled just about every song out in the 90s. Yeah it was an "homage" but still. Come on. Weezy sampled Eric B & Rakim in a song out now. Unbelievable when rappers start bitin other rap songs! And don't get me wrong - I like Weezy. You know that but I think he's talented enough to write his own stuff w/o using somebody else's. The music industry and the movie industry have gotten so bad that they don't do much of anything original. Even Alicia Keys borrows her music style from the past. She didn't create the 70s sound in her music. It's sampled, too. I will say that there are innovative artists out there but they are few and far between. And they also don't get that much air play, either. You have to hunt for them underground. And most movies out that are really quality are indie films. This current generation is digging in their parents records/movies for "new ideas" and it's pathetic.
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Name:
musbdherbs
Comment: NYC..s'all gud. I agree that it is unfair but we also must admit that we continue to perpetuate it by comparing "current" artists to "classic" ones. Queenie...as we age..so does the music we like. Much of the popular stuff that's out is not made for "our" generation so our views on what makes it good or bad are (as you said) based on the music of old. Music overall is not an art form that allows something "new" to be created unless you are actually creating a toally new genre. So I can see why rappers are sampling rappers. What else what they have to draw on but other artists b4 them..lol. There will be only so few rappers able to change the game of rap or any other genre as we know it. Don't think for a minute that Kathleen and Jessye didn't borrow (style or otherwise) not just from Leontyne and Callas but probably also from Montserrat Caballé..lol
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Name:
CrazzeeGyrl
Comment: Interesting article. I've never heard of this guy but he sounds like a nut case.
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Name:
HarrisThomas
Comment: if Ross thinks he's the she-it, then he is: push down on the handle and watch bruh circle the bowl . . . . . MO, dap and high five
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Name:
lilmocc
Comment: LMAO @ "Bob was exposed as a sick combination of CB4, Milli Vanilli and Malibu’s Most Wanted…all rolled into one disgusting fat body." That is hella funny to me!
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Name:
Southernbelle
Comment: I can understand sampleing music but this joker is stealing identities. Ain't nothing original about him but that wack azz beard.
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: Southernbelle...even the beard isn't original...it's Suge Knight-esque all the way around.
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Name:
Southernbelle
Comment: Damn MoKelly, you're right. This clown couldn't even grow an authentic beard.
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Name:
lilmocc
Comment: I thought his whole concept was supposed to mimic Ricky Ross's real life. I never thought he was serious for REAL, but I guess he was. Well, Jeezy used to always rap about being the snowman and they called that azz out and he backed down saying the nickname didn't have a drug connotation to it, but from what I understand, his name keeps popping up in the BMF investigation out of Atlanta. Like several have said, if you are the BOSS, then you don't need to tell anybody shat, b/c they already know it. period. end of story.
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Name:
oldschoolbrother
Comment: Mo Kelly, I enjoy your articles but why give someone as ignorant as this a forum? Signing off.
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Name:
unclekipper
Comment: thank you, mo!
ignorance portraying ignorance, preying on ignorance; how dangerous is that?
bill, you may be the biggest mess that i've seen this far!
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: mus> Unfortunately, that's the way it is. Every generation of singers is always compared to their prior contemporaries. You may not like it but that's something that will never change. Btw, I grew up in the 80s and with the exception of rap, the latter part of the era, the music wasn't so hot. Black music was starting to fall off then.
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Name:
Disillusioned_Jones
Comment: WHAT???? Did you just say that black music wasn't hot in the 80's???? I disagree passionately!!! I grew up in the 80's as well and the majority of the 10K songs on my ipod are from the 80's! Prince, Michael Jackson, Luther, DeBarge, Janet, Freddy Jackson, Midnight Star, Confunkshun, Cameo, Ohio Players, Isleys, Full Force, Stevie Wonder, Loose Ends, Club Nouveau, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston, New Edition, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Barry White, The Deal, Babyface, The Time, Switch, Frankie Beverly and Maze, George Clinton, Dazz Band, Alexander O'Neal, Cherelle, Chaka Khan, Rick James and a whole slew of others I don't have space to write...the 80's was a VERY fertile period for black music. In my opinion compared to the 90's and this new millenium R&B, 80's R&B is waaaay better. No contest whatsoever. And don't even get me started on hip-hop...
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Name:
oshun
Comment: >>"...one semi-known rapper of marginal financial means is by no means the “biggest boss” ...."
well said!
i speculate his response was drafted by his label's p.r. people.
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Name:
oshun
Comment: >>Name: TGen
Comment: Yes Ross is a herb (do people still use that term? I'm so out of the loop, lol),
i'd call him a buster, but i think even that's played! LOL
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: So you're saying that "buster" isn't in style and is dated?
Oh my...maybe I should stop using it too. :)
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Name:
oshun
Comment: >>"Name: MorrisOKelly
Comment: So you're saying that "buster" isn't in style and is dated?"
oh yes, that is sooooo Y2K! LOL
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: Disillusioned Jones> Please re-read my post. I said in the latter part of the 80s, black music began to decline. There were a few exceptions like Shirley Murdock, Alyson Williams and Mikki Howard, but by 1989-90, the music began to go downhill.
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: Disillusioned Jones> BTW, I remember listening to most of those artists you mentioned. I liked some of them back them and others I'm coming around to like Alexander O'Neal. Trust me. I enjoyed the 80s but I also like music from the 60s and the 70s too.
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Name:
dport
Comment: Late post...but Mo'...when are you gonna change the title of your column to read 'I Might Need Security'?
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Name:
MorrisOKelly
Comment: Dport...I often think about that actually. Enough so where I don't post pictures of my family on my blog or myspace/facebook.
Not running scared, but I know I touch nerves more than just a little bit. I am always measured (believe it or not) when I approach certain commentaries.
But seriously, there are some things I believe in passionately, and one of them is fighting ignorance. I firmly believe if you let ignorance stand unchallenged, people begin to accept it as normal and acceptable. I can't do that.
I find that when you don't just let ignorance have a free pass, you can make it a little bit more difficult for the next person.
Shaming a person (or a company) into acting right is never a bad thing. Most people assume I get paid to do this column. I don't. I willingly do it for free...for a number of reasons. One is that nobody will ever be able to say I'm beholden to anyone. Another, I want to stay "uncomfortable" enough to stay true to my original vision. Money sometimes makes you comfortable and you mail it in just because a check is coming.
But yes, I'm aware of what I write and the possible repercussions.
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