"Hip-hop is Sick Because America is Sick"

[NashVegas]

Those words were spoken by Levell Crump, better known as David Banner in rap circles. Crump was testifying before the House consumer protection subcommittee.

From R & R:

"When it comes down to it, it's just a song," Crump said. "Arnold Schwarzenegger is governor of California, but in his movies he killed half of Cambodia and he went to Mars and blew up Mars ... but that's OK because he's a white man and he's an actor."

Crump and Percy Miller, aka Master P, told lawmakers during a hearing on the impact of media on American culture that songs with lyrics about death, sex and substance abuse are nothing new and that rap's reliance on such words as "nigger," "whore" and "bitch" describe the neighborhoods and feelings of individuals caught up in some of society's ills.

...

Miller comes from a different perspective, having sworn off the use of offensive words and other depictions because he says they do little to further society. He told the panel that he had an epiphany when he turned down his own music when his kids were in the car so they couldn't hear the words.

"This whole thing is about growing up," he told lawmakers.

They might talk about art and how they reflect the pent-up rage in the black community, but "most guys are in it for the money," Miller said.

more ...http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/

[slackmaster]

1. Governator did NOT fucking blow up Mars in Total Recall

He powered on alien machinery to terraform it.

:argh:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. That's an important difference.

And illustrates is pure Austrian supremacy.

[mrfrapp]

9. You've misunderstood

The alien machinery introduced oxygen into the Martian atmosphere, rather like inflating a balloon. In that way, Schwarzenegger literally blew up Mars, like a balloon.

:silly:

[bryant69]

2. Hip hop like all pop music, contains a lot of shit. That's the way the world goes

But it's certainly no worse than any other type of pop music - and there are some great djs and mcs out there.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Tian Zhuangzhuang]

4. Hip Hop has a lot to apologize for

I am specifically speaking of that paraplegic dance hit "lean back"

and the worst rhyming ever song "I'm in love with a stripper"


I don't care if they "clean up" their act but for gods sake put out better music.

This profanity filled karaoke is crap.

[sakabatou]

5. Not all hip-hop is bad/evil

I like listening to the beats they use aka. non-lyrical hip-hop.

[frylock]

6. joey beats..

http://www.discogs.com/release/441608

You may also want to check out Canadian hip-hop producer, mcenroe.

http://www.discogs.com/release/426806

[PDenton]

7. Arnie (Quaid) was fighting tyrrany on Mars

and using his power of choice very existentially to define himself regardless of his past (a common theme in Philip K Dick stories). And blowing the crap out of tons of badguys and mooks. Being an Arnie action movie fan, that's an important distinction.

I think the real issue here isn't the artists themselves, it is the fact that big industry is making money pimping poison to people that could really benefit from an alternative view of their situation. Sure, there is violence and drugs in the "hood" but that doesn't make it right, or the only way you can view the world. Plenty of other music genres don't dwell just in nihilism and defeat. I'm not saying all hiphop is like that but there is a great deal of exploitation in the genre of music.

[hiphopnation]

8. this stinks

hiphop artists (indeed no artist) owes any explanation of its methods, motives, influences or inspirations to FUCKING CONGRESS, imho. Congress owes the people a stiff spine and stiffer upper lip to stand up to lying murderous election stealing cretins who rape and pillage the world over for a natural resource that's drying up anyway all the while ignoring the second-class citizenry that suffers right here in its borders, that are left to drown after devastating hurricanes and who are forced to suffer a completely separate set of laws.

Fuck this crap, rappers SHOULD be out there making noise, blingin' out and going out of their way to offend the establishment. They owe Congress NO explanation about anything.

but "most guys are in it for the money," Miller said.

Gee, wonder where rappers get THIS concept from??

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

:puke: :thumbsdown:

[slampoet]

10. Hip Hop is sick because it is old and feeble.

As probably the only person on this board who has ever made his living in the service of Hip Hop I can back up that like other art forms 90% of those out there are in for the short game and want to be stars rather than artists. I find that the skills of even 20-30 year veterans of rap and hip hop are often fair at best and with very few exceptions.

The main problem and difference is that to an even greater degree than previous music forms the obsession with getting paid is killing whatever chance Hip Hop had in gaining respectability. Almost all rap for widespread public consumption is Capitalistic. Rather than embrace the Africa-centric themes of 80's hip hop, the genre has instead decided to go for the money train. The resulting focus on the right clothes car products accessories owes more to poor people wanting to emulate fashion week more than emulate Gil Scott Heron (Xtra points if you understand WHY he is the person to emulate, because 95% of rappers i encounter don't know who he is).

Those that don't rap about themselves, expensive toys, parties, violence, or sex are relegated to the alternative section that is a ghetto within a ghetto. The same executives that brag about pulling themselves up from the streets often either don't have that story and just made it up, or they fear going back to the streets so much that they don't produce anyone who doesn't rap about themselves, expensive toys, parties, violence, or sex. The subject matter is so closed that even rapping about weed was seen as a radical thing 12 years ago.

The best thought on the matter is a quote from the group De La Soul.

In 1988 they said, "It's not that we're so different, It's just that everyone else is trying to be the same."

(19 years later and De La Soul is still considered alternative, non-commercial, and experimental and it is because every time someone listens to what they are talking about the listener is shocked that they are talking about things that matter to ordinary people, not Moet and Escalades.)

[CRF450]

11. I agree

I used to listen to it while in highschool, then I couldn't stand it anymore. All they talk about is money, bling, 26" rims on any car that can fit on them, clothes, popping caps in other people etc etc... It got old to me real quick and I dont know why others my age at 20 still listen to the shit. Guess I'v already outgrown the "stupid teenager" days. Their are a few rap songs I like, but the rest is garbage. I'm into new rock/metal songs now, and I dont see chance of me changing from that.

Get this, my Aunt is so religious she wont leave me alone about "how bad" the rock music I listen to is. It wouldn't surpize you that she listens to christian music, and yeah, that stuff drives me nuts.

[MedleyMisty]

12. You rock

Just so you know. :)

[Iris]

14. you are so dead on.

I forgot all about De La Soul. Just bringing up their name gives even more credence to the post up above that today's hip-hop is just swear-word karaoke.


Thanks for reminding me once again that there's alternative hip hop out there and it doesn't suck.

[NashVegas]

16. From "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" to "Television: The Drug of a Nation"

I posted the article because of the interesting contrast between the comments of the two who were testifying.

Congress wants to "punish the monkey and let the organ grinder go."

[toddaa]

13. HOLY SHIT

The War in Iraq over?

We have universal health care now?

Global warming and Peak Oil have been solved?

The sub prime mortgage melt down has been corrected?

The national debt has been eliminated?

The trade balance is now running a surplus?

The poor are now earning a living wage and poverty is on its way to being eliminated?



Man, I need to pay attention to the news more often.

[madeline_con]

15. No, but Martian Hip Hop looks to be the next big thing. n/t

[NashVegas]

17. Crazy, Isn't It?

..