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Courier Post Article
Sunday, June 3, 2007
By JUST'IS
For the Courier-Post
I recently had an interesting discussion with two of my friends, Felita Knight and Saliqa Khan. We talked about whether or not the n-word, the b-word and the word "hos" should be eliminated from rap music.
Even though we all thought those words should be eliminated, we had different views on what it would take in order for rap artists to stop using these words in their songs.
I'm also guilty of using those words in my songs, but now I think it's time to stop.
In order for rappers to stop using those words, the movement has to start at the top. Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Records, has also been in the media lately talking about how those words should be eliminated from rap music. No disrespect to Simmons, but he doesn't have enough power to do this by himself. Now, on the other hand, if he had a Jay-Z (Sean Carter) or P. Diddy (Sean Combs) by his side, those words would cease to exist in rap music within a year.
Many of you are reading this and thinking, "What's so special about those two men?" Well, not only are these two rap artists, but they are two of the most successful hip-hop moguls in the music business. Other rap artists can identify with them and they both have an enormous amount of street credibility. They are at a point in their careers where, if they said, "Go buy the new "CAMDEN IS ALIVE' T-shirts," people would do it without hesitation. That includes both fans and fellow rap artists.
In the 1980s and '90s, "the streets" had a major impact on the influence of rap music. But nowadays, rappers and rap music dictate what happens on "the streets." And this is why it has to start from the top. Talk about a change in the tides. I'm sure there are a number of solutions to fix the "extreme curse word" problem that we have in rap music, but this has to be one of the best.
If you have any questions or would like to comment about my opinion, send me a message at www.myspace.com/justis13
“Now, on the other hand, if he had a Jay-Z (Sean Carter) or P. Diddy (Sean Combs) by his side, those words would cease to exist in rap music within a year.”
Now, let me start this off by saying…. I’m not a Saint; I’m guilty of saying the words too and my personal belief is that there is a time and place for any word…
BUT….
I disagree that those two men would have as large of an effect as you stated. Both of these men are “has-beens” if you ask me. Next, just look at what has happened to Master P (the only true Hip Hop mogul) and you will get a clear idea what I’m getting at. Master P has been ostracized by the Hip Hop community for taking a more mature stance on the negative images portrayed in Hip Hop music. He has gone from negative to positive and his image has paid the price in the so-called “streets.” Jay and Diddy would get the same treatment.
These words have been being used in our community long before Hip Hop music and they will continue to be used… No three men are going to change that… Especially, not two artists who are slaves to their media image and labels that they represent. Yes, you are right to assert that it starts at the top… But, these three men aren’t the top… The Edgar Bronfman’s, Lyor Cohen’s , Andrew Lack and Rolf Schmidt-Holtz’s, Clive Davis’s, Charlie Walk’s… etc… etc!!!! Those are the dudes at the top!!! Those are the ones with the real power to change the landscape of the music… Those are the ones that people should be going after!!!
At the end of the day, if artist want to use those words, then they should be able too… We have the right to free speech and that right should never be taken away… What we need is more balance in our images and language that we are presented. Instead of being bombarded with buffoonery on a daily basis, let’s throw in some positive messages as well… Let’s have some education on the use and meaning of those words… Educate how hurtful those words are… Knowledge and pressure (on the right folks) might have a more of effect and get the use of these words used a little less… But, like I have said… These words were being used long before Hip Hop… It starts in the home… Changing our moral fabric, where these words aren’t accepted, not only in music, but society…
Its bigger then Jay and Diddy…
ITS BIGGER THEN HIP HOP!!!!
Church
Kas
Send all hate mail to: kill.that.negro.now@gmail.com
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. REMOVE THE WALL YOU HAVE BUILT UP THOUGHOUT THE YEARS, AND YOU WILL BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR OPINION AND GOD BLESS YOU.
I have no wall... I'm outside the little Hip Hop box mindstate... I have said this before and I will say it again... We need to stop looking out our windows and take a look in our mirror.....
#1 Your in denial.
#2 Define "Hip Hop Mindstate"
#3 When you say WE, are you refering to the group of people your affiliated with? Or are you ASSumming that everyone is looking out of the window?
The group of people im affiliated with dont have the time to look out of the window or into a mirror. WE are too busy building the house.
Kas I have time for one more response so make this one good.
#1 Denial of what? Scratch that... It doesn't matter... LOL
#2 If you really think Jay Z and Diddy can stop the use of those words in Hip Hop, then you Sir are an example of the "Hip Hop box mindstate" I'm talking about...
#3 When I say We, I'm referring to the majority of black youth or black folks (my people, thus WE) today... This subject is so much bigger then Hip Hop... But for some odd reason, the fix always starts with Hip Hop or some artist in Hip Hop... When the problem is so much more... Even if you were right and the fix were to start with Hip Hop... The top of Hip Hop doesn't start with Diddy and Jay... The power is elsewhere... That is all I'm sayin...
