The firing of Don Imus has caused many to take a look at language in not only media, but music. As previously mentioned, Al Sharpton is one looking to clean up what we hear, and yesterday he led a march against racist and sexist lyrics, targeting the major labels. Around 400 others joined him in a march around midtown, outside companies like Universal Music Group. The topic reportedly carried over to a private gathering at the Apollo later on, for what would have been James Brown's 74th birthday.
The march, a group which included several of James Brown's children, shouted things like "Decency Now" and "Enough is Enough." Sharpton said, "We're saying there must be one standard. You can't have different standards for different people. Once we finish with the record companies, we must deal with the HBOs and others." He went on to say, “Just like you can’t make records against gays, you can’t make records against Italians or Jews, why do we allow those records?” TMZ (who have video of the march) points out that "the soapboxer has a history of firing off blatantly offensive slurs himself -- for which he's reportedly never apologized."
"The Ceo of Hip Hop" Russell Simmons (and his Hip-Hop Summit Action Network) have been speaking out about making a change as well, and specifically removing these three words from the recording industry - which has gotten responses from just about everyone. But how are the major labels responding? Warner Music Group made the following statement: "We take issues regarding the role of women and minorities in society very seriously. ... We edit explicit lyrics, including those that are the focus of the current public debate, from content."
True... But, I do think it has gotten out of control... Before they wanted to shut us up because we were telling the truth about the streets, the poor, and the 80's crack game... But, now they want us to keep talking because we are telling lies... Speaking out our necks and cooning around... It's out of control... I'm just glad they are going after the record companies and not the artist. The artist should hold some responsibility, but the industry is what fosters this dumbing down of a whole culture of people...
My issue is that people are quick to jump on some type of movement for attention. I mean the negative lyrics have been complained about for years and this same group of people never gave a damn until now. Now all of a sudden, these stars & political figures are making a conscious effort to stop certain racist and sexist words TOGETHER as a group. It's all for a little attention and good press for them. The same people have accepted and attended the BET Awards for years. Hell I'd vote to change the format of BET before I ban the n-word. I think there are bigger issues to worry about than to be worrying about censoring music. Al Sharpton had no gripes about being on the Chris Rock show and he (Chris Rock) says 'nigga' just as much as any rapper I know.
While I don't agree that alot of explicit lyrics should be on daytime radio, I do think there is a place for it in the music industry. Sure we had our NWA, 2 Live Crew, Ice-T, and more but we didn't hear "Hey We Want Some P@ssy' in the lunch mix either!
True indeed brotha.... But ain't it better late then never? Man, I'm a father and get sick of trying to explain to my kids about what these kids is singing about... They don't even watch BET no more... It's stupid... Sure, I agree there is a place for simple shit... Like when I'm at a club I don't want to hear somebody preaching at me... I want to hear some simple shit... But, like you say, there is no place for "Ass down face up" in the "5 o'clock drive" mix... LOL... It's all about balance and common-sense... Like I would love for brotha's like you to get play on BET... They need to change the format... But, if cats push on the industry, maybe that is next... Who knows...? At least they are doing something now, weather it is for political gain or whatever... At least the dialogue has started...
I feel you on that man. I got 2 daughters and I don't even play the radio around them unless it's some older music. As said before, I don't believe in censoring the words but definitely give it more of a balance (as you said) and put it on at a certain time (after hours). We could go into a 3 hour discussion on BET man hahaha. Good points though
Yeah man... I feel you... My son is a B-Boy... LOL... BET is bugged... When I got time, I'm going to through up a topic on that next... Thanx for the reply
Of course there has to be a balance, but not to sound so pessimistic
do you really think that people are just going to stop saying bad words and become PC politically correct?
We live in a culture where everything has to be to the extreme because thats just how it is esp. in America. We feed off the violence and I mean in the news its always the BAD things, you rarely see any good thing.
I know I sound like a pessimist but really corporations make money off this HIPHOP/RAP culture.
They control the airwaves, artists are just pawns.
I mean its good to have positive music out on radio but it wont happen.
Music is an expression of everything you feel and HipHop is an expression of how we feel whether it be from the struggles in our lives.
There's so much to say and the matter has so many factors that are intertwine and related to each other.
Let's see how this censorship will last.
Man, Hip Hop isn't talking about "the struggle" no more... That is the problem... Hip Hop isn't talking about lives... Who's life? Not mines or yours b-boy... It's all lies for the most part... It's propaganda... They are coons and jiggabooing around now... They took control of the music we created… It’s wack right now… Yes people will always say bad words... But, there is a time and place for it... You are right, the artist are just pawns... So you go after the company that controls it.... Get sponsorship to pull out and the money flow ends... Maybe we get more balanced programming....
There are some people in Hip-hop who writes about their "struggle." Maybe it doesnt apply to you but it applies to somebody else. Just cause it doesnt talk about your life doesnt mean Hip-hop has to apply to you and what you go thru. Music is universal not just one person. Thats why there are other artists out there that you can relate to and there are others who you cant relate to.
It's good to have checks and balances in this "game" and true corporate wigs are in control because thats what makes money. Money rules the world, its what keeps the ball rolling.
Perhaps if they balance out the radio and what they play it would be nice, but no matter what, if they don't balance it out, people will still find ways to get that positive music and the internet is helping that.
I'm talking about commercially... There is really nothing out telling the truth... I'm not talking about myself... Of course not all music applies to me... Of course there are underground heads doing what they do... But that is just that... "Underground"... I'm talking "Hot 97"... I'm talking "BET"... I'm sorry... I can't see cats relating to "niggas getting rich off crack".... It's a lie... You can't get rich off the crack game any more... In the 80's you could... I grew up in the 80's... I saw it... But not no more homey... Too over saturated... You can't get the kinda of wealth they talking about off crack... They are lying... So who does it apply to? It's propaganda to get that young black kid into the system homey... The prison system is the modern day slave trade... What better way then Hip Hop to spread the image... It's the images that are killing us... These dudes don't write about the struggle and when they do, it doesn’t get air play... I even used to like listening to music I couldn't relate to because it showed me a different view... But now it's garbage... It's simpleminded candy shit... With horrible language and over the top violence... Kinda of like TV shows... It's fake...
The firing of Don Imus has caused many to take a look at language in not only media, but music. As previously mentioned, Al Sharpton is one looking to clean up what we hear, and yesterday he led a march against racist and sexist lyrics, targeting the major labels. Around 400 others joined him in a march around midtown, outside companies like Universal Music Group. The topic reportedly carried over to a private gathering at the Apollo later on, for what would have been James Brown's 74th birthday.
