Porn Again Rapper
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Wednesday, January 25 2006, 12:54PM
Subtlety has never been Kanye West's strongest suit. The guy who told us last September that "George Bush doesn't care about black people" isn't about to start speaking in code to communicate his messages. So it was no big surprise to see the 28-year-old rapper turned social commentator posing as Jesus on the cover of the new Rolling Stone. (Didn't Diddy already do this in a Nas video back in the day?)
What did surprise me, however, was West's admission that he is addicted to pornography. That links him to gospel artist Kirk Franklin, who recently announced on Oprah that he too is addicted to porn. So what's the big deal with recording artists and porn? Actually, it's not just the rock stars. I don't know too many guys who don't have some kind of porn stashed away somewhere, in the closet, under the mattress, in the VCR, or on the computer. That raises the question: Is porn such a bad thing?
I'm not convinced that it is. Sure, it can be taken too far, like anything else, but porn itself need not be a dirty word. And our efforts to stifle human sexuality and curiosity won't make those desires go away.
In an interview last year, Kanye West admitted that his mom discovered a $500 bill he ran up at a porn store. Then in the Rolling Stone interview, the man who recorded "Jesus Walks," disclosed that his porn addiction actually began at age 5, when he stumbled across his father’s Playboy magazine. "Right then," he says, "it was like, 'Houston, we have a problem.'"
Maybe he's right. "Addiction: is not the same as use. If you're so obsessed with porn that you can't function in the rest of your life, your work or your relationships, then it's a clear problem. But if it's just something to do to get your rocks off and then go about your business, well, that's your business.
Comments conceal
yusef
January 25 2006, 1:05PM
I think anything thats draining a person of their life force is a problem...but the fact that humans like to see other humans have sex is not in itself "bad"...but $500 worth of porn is a but much unless that is the total amount over a period of time....not one swoop. I have some that pretty much stays in my DVD player i watch it when i get the "urge" and then I'm over it until that "urge" comes back....no biggie
Reo Langster
January 25 2006, 1:57PM
I don't see what's the big deal with porn.Porn is not just two people having sex it's about learning without porn how are we supposed to learn anything about sex. In today's socitey, Talking to our parents about sex isin't very popular. And trust me i rather watch porn every night than go out and put myself at risk.
lp
January 25 2006, 2:00PM
Get the facts right bro. You referenced that Kirk Franklin is still into porn. In his interview with Oprah he acknowledged his addiction to porn for years and him finally coming out of it.
Anything relating to Christians you sure like to slam up against the wall.
ashon
January 25 2006, 2:18PM
LP, you must not have watched the entire interview cuz Franklin asserted that he still struggles with pron addiction...
lashley
January 25 2006, 2:25PM
i think anything that people feel addicted to is a problem...be it porn, gambling, food, or drugs. it isn't porn itself (although you could argue power dynamics and exploitation or the unrealistic portrayal of people) but the idea that it has a controling influence over time, finances...life. that is the problem - no matter what form addiction takes.
Bernie
January 25 2006, 3:00PM
By some estimates, it's a $12 billion industry. Clearly SOMEBODY is buying the stuff. We need to get off the notion that sexuality is limited to the missionary position and procreation. Consumer interest in porn is more mainstream than people want to admit.
Lance
January 25 2006, 3:09PM
Is there any way to discuss porn outside of morality?
VERB
January 25 2006, 3:38PM
Actually $500 in one spree is not that unbelievable. If Kanye's into fetish stuff, then it's quite possible to spend that kind of money on quality DVD's and toys. Addicted to porn? Probably not a big deal as long as he's able to still have sexual relationships with people. And I'm with Reo...it's much safer than just screwing willy-nilly, putting oneself at risk. Word.
Kenneth Winfrey
January 25 2006, 3:42PM
"If you're so obsessed with porn," or anything else, I'll add, "that you can't function in the rest of your life, your work or your relationships, then it's a clear problem." Having stated as much, Kanye is obviously at least capable of holding down a career--to say the least!
In my opinion, porn is merely a manifestation of human fantasy, which we would have with or without the magazines, Internet, or DVD/VCR players. I like porn. I also like baseball. Yet, I find that my mind will wander as a mere spectator of either...I'll have to read the article to see if Kanye exhibits an inability to have intimate relationships because of porn.
clay
January 25 2006, 5:55PM
i wonder if he slips in one of John Legend's blatino porns every once in awhile, "just to see what they do ... "
markus (aka darkmanjah)
January 26 2006, 6:05AM
i strongly agree with both Yusef and (especially)Lance. Let me add that, western culture has a tendency,indeed, a need,to sexualize almost EVERYTHING (for example, some handguns have been described as sexy). My point is that we live (and suffer, to some extent) in a highly sexualized western cultural reality. So,is it no wonder most of us get-off on porn, figuratively and literally? Like with anything, moderation is key.
Carrie Bradshaw
January 26 2006, 10:09AM
Did he mention what type of porn he is addicted to
kyle foley
January 26 2006, 10:57AM
pornography is adultery in the fourth degree, visiting exotic dance clubs the third, flirting, giggling and becoming friendly with an actual member of the opposite sex second. the more we indulge in these bridges to adultery, particularly second degree adultery, the greater our chances become to outright exile from our home, cruel castigation by our wife and wholesale confrontation with the ogres of isolation. these minor forms of adultery should be shunned and feared as if they were not alluring enticements of pure jasper, creamy, soothing and relaxing, but outright vampires of larceny hungry to banish us to the ghetto-tundra.
Derrick from Philly
January 26 2006, 11:40AM
Kyle: I'm scared of you, chile.
Troy
January 26 2006, 1:01PM
I wonder, is the ghetto-tundra a code word for the word work?
Derrick from Philly
January 26 2006, 1:29PM
Kyle,
After what you posted here concerning your thoughts on pornography, do you really think I'm going to open a email message you send to me personally? From the tone of your posting, I don't know what kind of hoodoo or root-workin' you might've attached to your message--we still believe in that sh_t here in Philadelphia.
As I wrote earlier, I'm SCARED of you, chile...I mean, MAN(now, you satisfied?) Don't be puttin' no fix on me, chile...I mean, man, 'cause I believe you got some powerful juju.
naturalblkluv
January 26 2006, 2:14PM
wasnt he speaking about how religious he was a few months ago ? now he stating he's addicted to porn, that suggest his in a higher level than sneaking a pic or watching a flick. when you are addicted to porn that mean that hes watching and jacking 24/7. i dont think i want to shak his hand.... i truely think that it is a cover to mask all the gay rumors that are surrounding him.
kyle Foley
January 26 2006, 2:57PM
you are wise to deny opening my emails, for it is true that juju flows and invests in my domains, it is true that omnivorous bulge is found in my plasma, fight-harpies at my beck and call, the ever-crying banshee ceasing to howl, silvo-foxes, their fangs wet with mess, constantly prowling and roaming in my steppes. i am the human falcon of unparalleled sweep, the rage-maverick ever seeking spiritual bullion, the topaz unicorn resisting conformity with society’s dull rain-fog, seeing shine-castles where others see rust-shanties, witnessing crysto-dames where others see smut-nymphs and all my senses shrouded in lavender and burgundy flux.
Forever Barri
January 26 2006, 4:12PM
this kinda remionds me of a song I yse to sing in grade school. "Walk All Over God's Heaven". One particular verse states, "everybody talking 'bout Heaven ain't going there, no no no nooooo". LOL.
Derrick from Philly
January 26 2006, 4:44PM
"I am the human falcon of unparalleled sweep"
You know, Kyle, you soundin' kinda' sexy now. Readin' your stuff is better than watchin' porn.
But these other folks posting in want to discuss the issue at hand.
I'lla' open your personal email now and we can uh, talk...I mean, write-- you big hunk of human falcon, you.
derek
January 27 2006, 12:20AM
America does oversexualize things...except for sex. If sex was treated as the normal and wonderful act that it is, it would lose its mystique and selling power...that's bad for capitalism meaning, America can't have it.
Askme
January 27 2006, 5:47AM
Kanye West addicted to porn? Why? Nice website Boykin! Drop us another article over at Ask Blax (http://www.askblax.com) when you get a chance.
juanita
January 28 2006, 12:19AM
i used to think i had a problem because i enjoyed porn. i used to read it, i had a few videos and i'm not ashamed to say i had a paid subscription to a popular porn site. why is it wrong for us to enjoy a little stimulation to get our juices going? i agree with the guy from rolling stone, if ur still able to function everyday and take care of business, ur in control of this vice. this country has suffered enough with sexual oppression. we are being dl undercover.
Laura
January 29 2006, 7:45PM
"his kinda remionds me of a song I yse to sing in grade school. "Walk All Over God's Heaven". One particular verse states, "everybody talking 'bout Heaven ain't going there, no no no nooooo". LOL."
Clara Ward's version is the best!
that song is hilarious.
truth
January 30 2006, 1:22AM
"I don't know too many guys who don't have some kind of porn stashed away somewhere, in the closet, under the mattress, in the VCR, or on the computer. That raises the question: Is porn such a bad thing?" Just b/c everyone has it to some form, does that make it right?