Hip Hop v. America

Michele
September 25 2007, 10:03AM

Right on, Keith. I definitely will be tuning in while simutaneously watching K-Ville.

medkunle
September 25 2007, 10:31AM

I wish Keith Boykin were a better writer because I think he has some very important things to say, and I support much of his philosophy.

cheesegrits
September 25 2007, 11:02AM

So I was leaving the gym yesterday morning and this Hispanic dude started singing "Hip Hop Died This Morning" as we walked by each other. Is this a real song or was he trying to start something?

Alice Jo
September 25 2007, 11:12AM

This is BET's way of having "real" news? Why not a everyday news show like the Latinos and Asian channels? The only thing it will do is show just how the "rap" community makes all black people look bad. Sorry, society will continue to look down on us as long as "rappers" or "hip-hop," emulate violence, misogyny, saggy pants,spewing racial slurs since that's the only way theu know how to express thoughts, those silly gold teeth and such. This is why the Jena case is the way it is,and its all over the country, they fear this, and, it may not be right, its the facts. And, as long as young black men continue to follow this "lifestyle" of negativity, they are doomed to the bottom of society and filling of jails.

J
September 25 2007, 11:13AM

Hip hop died the second the fake thugs from the burbs of Cali came on the scene trying to paint themselves as activists and the deep south muppets relieved themselves on hip hop's rotting carcass.

Cheesegrits, there are about a billion songs out announcing/discussing the death of hip hop. I wonder if any of it is sincere or just part of the prefab crap that is "conscious" rap.

Cadence
September 25 2007, 11:30AM

Alice Jo, people who use hip hop or music as an excuse to look down on others are liars. If it wasn't music they would find some other way to justify their bigotry.

I'm not defending hip hop, in fact, I think the people who make it and produce it need to show a lot more creativity, and more respect for themselves. But, it is wrong to use it as an excuse for the way people act and treat one another.

Troy
September 25 2007, 12:50PM

hip hop was 80s, it's day is way overdone; folks need another cool con way to sell it so the audience might be moved to, maybe, be bothered. The BET bag never worked and it's day is done too. Egocentrics like Lee and Hudlin will have to come again with a better (bigger) happy meal.

MidwestGuy
September 25 2007, 12:54PM

Alice I must laugh at your post.

I'm old enough to know that America looked down on us before hip-hop even became a genre of music.

If you believe that Jena had anything to do with hip-hop then I have a confession to make: I'm not gay.

Those silly gold teeth reach back far before hip-hop became a genre of music.

It's obvious that you want to do exactly what cadence suggested, use hip-hop as an excuse to look down on others.

Keith I will watch this with much caution because I can't imagine Stanley Crouch having a dignified conversation.

Hopefully, his insults will not go unchallenged on this one.

Derrick from Phiily
September 25 2007, 1:17PM

Stanley Crouch? Isn't he the great Jazz historian and music critic? Maybe he shouldn't have been on that show. He's use to discussing some of the greatest music ever performed or recorded. After years of appreciating Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet, and John Coltrane-- it's difficult to take seriously this contemporary bulls...oh, nevermind. Let's talk about BET.

Shabaka
September 25 2007, 2:04PM

Right on Keith! I wish you were given more time and space on BET shows. They need to hear out loud what some of us are thinking. This statement couldn't have been said any better:"...Some people pick on hip hop because they don't like it...but we do it because we want Hip Hop to do better!So so true!

J
September 25 2007, 2:07PM

Is Stanley that sloppy, crusty-lipped dude that always has white sh*t in the corners of his mouth? If so, he annoys the hell out of people, and I understand why, but he does make valid points.

Derrick how dare you refer to hip hop as contemporary bs. There's nothing more genius than talking over a hit song and slapping your name on it all while patting yourself on the back and puffing out your chest.

This is all about to blow up anyway. White folk have thoroughly bastardized and packaged it. Pretty soon people with actual talent and style will shine again.

Derrick from Philly
September 25 2007, 2:43PM

Beauty is only crusty skin deep, J. I just enjoy Mr. Crouch's commentaries, his great knowledge of Jazz (America's greatest artistic gift to the world), and his stories about great Jazz musicians. He can't help it if he aint pretty to look at-- everybody can't look like MidwestGuy.

bubba
September 25 2007, 2:43PM

The "PopWatch" section of Entertainment Weekly's website included a post today about the lack of activism and social consciousness in hip-hop following the Jena 6 ordeal. Not that you couldn't have observed the same lack after Katrina, 9/11...

MidwestGuy
September 25 2007, 3:50PM

Now you need to quit! LMAO

I didn't know much about Crouch other than what J said.

I guess I should look him up.

But I'll give a fair assesment of his discourse after I see him tonight

Karmatic
September 25 2007, 4:13PM

Alice Jo~~I agree with you 100%....

Keep speaking the truth!

Mike_88
September 25 2007, 4:28PM

I'll watch but why does it feel we're beating on a dead horse????

Antwan
September 25 2007, 5:52PM

Hip hop is not music, as none of the alleged singers have any real talent. They will act a fool for a buck or two, call black women every nasty name under the sun, and then blame the neighborhood for the vile, mindless lyrics. Sorry, don't blame the neighborhood for no manners or good home training and no idea of what a real man is, There are thousands of poor neighborhoods around this country, with decent, hardworking people who don't spew the nonsense of self hate.

Not at all for censorship as I wouldn't waste a penny found on the ground for it, but, I tire of hearing the vulgar n-word, women demeaned and called names while waiting in traffic, and its always white kids blaring that trash in my area.

And, then the rappers and others wonder why the rest of the public fear and have no respect for them, maybe they should listen to that trash. But, I guess to the young folks who love it, they will defend it any which way they can.

Black people have contributed great music until this rap trash came out.

Luther
September 25 2007, 9:00PM

I wish that "hip hop" would just go away. All the hardworking young black men and women are ignored by the media, and all we get are the churls without a clue that the press wants to spit out as reflective. Reminds me of that old "In Living Color" skit where they would find the most uninformed, ignorant black person in the crowd to interview for the news. And, with a public that is as easily duped as this one, they think all young black men are thugs, which is a bald face lie. Most are trying to do the right thing,school, work, etc., but, overcoming some of the worst stereotypes in 100 years isn't easy.

cmoney
September 25 2007, 9:51PM

If we all ignore it, it will go away. I'm doing my part by not watching BET and not buying this offensive crap. Why some people let rappers teach their kids how to be men and women is beyond me. I don't get it and I don't want to.

brandon Pierre
September 25 2007, 10:05PM

WAsup this is my Blackvirgo From http://www.fatblackgayblog.blogspot.com/,

i just saw the show, and this is what i have to say about it, ok it was dumb as hell!!!!!!!!!!!!, i'm so over hearing people taking about this, i mean really at one point when when Rev. AL was talking and T.I was taking at the same time, it just felt like a group of blacks talking about the dumbest things in the world, i'm from miami, and just this weekend a young black man who is in college was beat by a group of whites, American is so FAR Behind!!!!!! and this is why. It is very clear that mr T.I and Nelly could care less about us young people( me being only 23)did u see how they talk to the older women with kids, they are who they are. There in there own world, and it to bad that our world feels the bad parts. In nellys "world" girl are hos, that just it. but when it gets out to the rest of the world it put our man and women in a bad light.

Tim'm
September 25 2007, 10:27PM

most of ya'll just listening to the wrong shit. Hip Hop Ain't Dead, s/he just needs to get free! DAMN. The disconnect and dismissive essentializing here not only lacks the kind of critical engagement I'd expect here, but underscores why youth will continue to subscribe to the very rebellious tomfoolery bourgie, "corrective" niggaz like (many of) you abjectify. Makes me wanna keep making Hip Hop recordz: gritty, gully, nigga music.

ban that.

Jurmond
September 25 2007, 11:38PM

I think that Hip Hop is a great from of entertainment. This is America we choose what watch, and hear on telvision and and on the radio. I happen to enjoy hip hop and I like the lyrics that are explicit. The issue is choose to purchase these CD'S if you don't like don't buy or listen to it. Also the parents of this kids have the influence over the children on what they can hear and watch when it coame to entertainment. Hip Hop is not the blame for America's problems.

Sandy
September 26 2007, 12:04AM

As long as Hip Hop artists make the kind of money they are making(check the Forbes top 10 list of Hip Hop artists) the music will always be around. What we say out in the community really does not matter to them personally or their record companies.
Let me say, I haven't really enjoyed Hip Hop since Eric B and Rakim and Public Enemy, etc. So, I am old. There are some positive, thoughtful artists out there. They just are not as successful; whose fault is that?

Maxx
September 26 2007, 2:59AM

Sandy,

Exactly! Until the money stops rolling in the music will always be around. It's about business and in today's pop culture positivity doesn't sell to the masses. It wont matter if 100,000 black folks boycotted the music because white kids are the biggest consumers of rap albums.

I always wonder why those who loudly complain about the state of hip hop don't support positive artists? I listen to some underground hip hop and a few of the commercial artists like Common, Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, etc. and they never receive the attention deserved. Chamillionaire just released an album free of vulgar language/n-word and most likely won't sell over 150K first week out. I'm not a fan but decided to purchase his album. At least he's making a step in the right direction.

Ron Lee
September 26 2007, 4:23AM

First of all it's "RAP" not hip/hop. Russell Simmons is always using the term hip/hop to make it sound palitable to Black & White America. Rap music has been the worst thing hit our country since crack, a matter of fact, they both emerged at the same time and America hasn't been the same since. Some of the most flagrant cases of "PAYOLA" has occurred with this music genre. You tell me why P.Diddy can't put on a national tour solo and sell out all over the country? His sells were not real. Not just him there are many other Rapper out there thats suppose to be so big yet these people can not tour solo and they are multi. award winning artist. I have no respect for many of these young artist who will get on T.V. and disrepect Black America,won't humble themselves to black artist who paved the way for them. Most of their demographic can't afford a C.D. least known a concert ticket. IN SHORT I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR RAPPERS,AS THEY HAVE NO RESPECT FOR US. PEACE,LOVE YOU BROTHERS.

brucito
September 26 2007, 4:54AM

Do any of you ever wonder why Africans and Haitians (the latter whose members nearly drown sneaking into the U.S.) discourage their children from socializing with black americans?? Their childern not only speak english well (with the average african being fluent in French and at least one other language other than enlgish)but are not sitting on the subway trains blasting this garbage into their brain. You people are pathetic defending these Hio-hop. Some of the black moguls are worth enough to equip an entire city with computer labs for the public schools and still not notice the money gone but don't do shit for the very people who keep money in their pockets. Talk about pimping fools who can not see the light.

MidwestGuy
September 26 2007, 10:05AM

Brucito, I think you need to see the light of truth.

Africans and Hatians choosing not to associate w/blacks has nothing to do with hip-hop. What world are you living in?

If African "choose" not to associate w/Black Americans for the ridiculous reasons you mentioned then why do we choose not to associate w/them?

Africans speak different languages because they come from multi-lingual environment. There are Nigerians who can speak 5 different languages. They have their own cultural influences as do we. Our American culture has not supported a multi-lingual country.

You need to do some research (as Nelly pointed out last night) on what these artists are doing community-wise rather than just make gross assumptions about what they are not.

Billy
September 26 2007, 11:30AM

"Is America ready to see itself, for what it really is?" No.

Mark
September 26 2007, 11:35AM

I hear you brucito, and they are right for doing so, the way to a good life in this country is the same as it is in any other one, hard work and education, which is why those silly hood rats are making bank and not giving anything back to the same communites they come from with this nasty habits and foul mouths those who emulate it.

Every group of people that have come to this country in the paast 25 years can get a job, buy a house and live the American dream except for American born blacks, why is that? Still at the bottom of every ranking out there, and, yet, we have to defend rap as being part of black culture? Please. Maybe that loud mouth Bill Cosby is right.

velvetj
September 26 2007, 11:57AM

MidwestGuy stated :" You need to do some research (as Nelly pointed out last night) on what these artists are doing community-wise rather than just make gross assumptions about what they are not".

But MidwestGuy, the problem is he may do things to help the community but in the next breath, he is disrespecting Black people, particularly Black women. On a World stage. So in many people's eyes, they look at his charity work as a big SO WHAT! Ice Cube can make 100 movies about "Are We There Yet", as long as he continues to rap about the things he raps about, people won't see him as anything else. They want to tell the world how much they love their wives and girlfriends but turnaround and disrespect black women in the next breath.

It is time for Hip Hop to clean up it's act.

angela
September 26 2007, 1:07PM

The real question is what's happened to America? The rap game, like everything else, has gone commercial. Rappers perpetuate cultural stereotypes and display misogynistic behavior and want to be taken seriously as artists. You can't have an intelligent conversation with your pants hanging off your ass and be taken seriously.

We have to stop promoting these people as cultural icons and representatives of our community. In this celebrity obsessed era we've lost track of what's important. When something happens in white America, CNN doesn't call Kid Rock and ask him for his opinion. So why do we allow them to call on Diddy or Nelly to be ambassadors for ours?

Furthermore, to all the rappers out there, throwing money around isn't a sign of wealth. The real money makers are the people behind the scenes and you are just their puppets.

J
September 26 2007, 1:30PM

You can't cancel out the wrong you continue to do with a few empty gestures especially when you're only inspired to do that small bit by something that's personal or by the tax man. During the few minutes of the show I was able to tolerate I saw TI embarrass himself, Al being Al, Nelly making one good point, and that poor woman on the edge of a stroke. I don't think our people went through hell so we could defend ignorance. Nelly's right though, parents are responsible for their children and adults for themselves, but just as many are being accused of blaming these "artists," he is shifting blame. I don't care what's happening in his home. While he's instilling values in his own(or so he says), he's poisoning everyone else's whether he wants to admit it or not.

MLee
September 26 2007, 7:09PM

Speaking of RAP music reminds me of an incident several years ago which still has me puzzled. While walking down the street, a Black kid around 9 years old in front of me was singing a RAP song. This song was long and very complex for a RAP song. This boy had this song down pat. He didn’t skip a beat. For him to memorize this song proved he was not dumb (low I. Q.). Yet, his reading skills were way below his grade level. Why are so many Black kids failing and dropping out of school when they have the brain power to succeed in whatever they set their minds to do?

brucito
September 26 2007, 7:12PM

Midwest guy I have lived in Calif, Missouri, Ohio, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, and now New York City and I still see american blacks at the low end of the education totem pole. Think about it. The year 2007. Blacks who immigrated to this country outnumber american born blacks in both the commmunity colleges and universities throughout the country. And what do they (american born blacks) get on T.V. and talk about?? This hip-hop trash. Yes I use the word trash because when a defense by that many artist has to be given to justify their "art" but the very people they market to are still going no where on the economic or educatonal level what else are they being fed? How much more research needs to be done before white people finally say enough is enough. We are importing a new class of lower paid workers who don't pimp roll in to fill out an application.(The well educated from India(Or have they already done that and american blacks are too dumb to realize it).

cmoney
September 26 2007, 8:26PM

Brucito: Save your anti-African-American racism for another forum. You have NO Stats to back up the garbage you are spouting. You sound worse than the crap many of the rappers you decry. I have several friends who were born in Africa and the Caribbean. If any of these immigrants don't want to socialize with African-Americans, that's their own stupid loss. If they think White conservatives love them so much, let them see how far they will get in the immigration battle with those rednecks. Let me know when Haitians, Africans and Indians start their own banks and colleges and universities in this country, since you think African-Americans aren't doing anything.

MidwestGuy
September 26 2007, 8:29PM

Brucito, are you thinking about what you are writing?

Maybe I don't get it.

If there is anybody, ANYBODY on this board who can explain to me how what Brucito correctly states about the individual advancement of our non-american black brothers/sisters have to do with hip-hop, I would really appreciate.

I do not see a correlation with their individual advancement vs. american-born blacks overall lack of advancement and how hip-hop is responsible for that.

You will never hear me say hip-hop doesn't have some cleaning it needs to do. But, I also can not truthfully say that hip-hop is responsible for more black men in jail, not in college, or shirking responsibilities as fathers.

I am a single-father, w/two advanced degrees, never been in jail and am a hip-hop fanatic.

This Hip-hop trash is not responsible for me doing any of the above.

brucito
September 26 2007, 9:19PM

They are well aware that white americans hold a great deal disdain for them. They, especially the Hatians who nearly drown getting here, know that they are not greeted with open arms when they arrive, regardless of how. They know that once they arrive it is best to educate themselves and their children so that in this land of opportunity they will have a much better chance because of their knowledge and skills. Why waste time complaining about what they don't have here when the blacks back home in their countries didn't give a damn either. I was a job recruiter for two years. (Corporate Security) The majority (but not all of them) of the black males I interviewed for positions had to be told to curb the slang, sit up strait in the chair and take the two minutes of music off of their cellphones in the event an employer were to call them back. I am speaking from experience. That is why I say Hip-hop has done far more damage than good for the average inner-city black male. Pants hanging off their behinds: goodb

alex
September 26 2007, 9:51PM

Keith if you don't mind, maybe you could post something telling what all was discussed in terms of homophobia and homosexuality at this thing, since obviously BET decided to edit that entire section out.

J
September 27 2007, 9:06AM

Mr. Dyson is a joke.
Melyssa Ford is still very capable of filling out a dress.
TI is a drug addict, seriously.

Nelly doesn't want to be an enemy to the community. He seems like he wants to do the right thing, but he's caught up. If it were 88 or 92, Nelly would be a bubblegum, neon outfit-wearing MC rapping about candy, sneakers, parents, and what not instead of ass, pimp juice, and weed. He's still a minstrel though.

This was just an hour long commercial for all their albums and books.

I'm done with this show.

Keith Boykin
September 27 2007, 9:25AM

Alex,

I am out of town and have not had a chance to watch any part of the show the past two days. Are you telling me they cut out the ENTIRE conversation about homophobia?

Keith

gs
September 27 2007, 9:41AM

I just spoke with a friend that watched the show in its entirety and she says NOTHING was on the show about homophobia. Now that shit sucks...but I'm not surprised!

MidwestGuy
September 27 2007, 10:33AM

Brucito, I think you are making a point of which I am not. I was responding to your assertion that hip-hop is the reason that haitians and africans choose to distance themselves from black americans. I was also responding that hip-hop, as a genre of music, is not responsible for the laziness, lack of self-respect, and inability to be progressive.

As for those you interviewed, their behavior and lack of communication/social skills has little to do w hip-hop as it does the individual and industry you are recruiting in.

I was a tech recruiter for 3 years and did not encounter black men similar to what you had. Most were MSCE, Network Engineers etc who knew exactly how to be "appropriate."

But, we all draw different things from our experiences.

Keith, I tivo'd both segments and whatever you were expecting to happen--didn't.

There was no Karrine, no Keith, and definately no discussion of homophobia.

I take it back, I guess you did expect it.

It wasn't the best but it was a good start.

ALLEGRO
September 27 2007, 2:08PM

I was VERY DISAPPOINTED that the segment devoted to HOMOPHOBIA and HIP HOP was put with the THIRD EPISODE that will not air on TV but is only available to view ONLINE. How SECOND CLASS is that?

Shabaka
September 27 2007, 4:02PM

Dang! I missed it! I'll have to check it out online. That was a low blow though, to cut the entire homophobia segment and save it for online viewing. BRUCITO and MIDWESTGUY, I hope you guys know that Africans distancing themselves from African Americans is nothing but a myth. No matter what you're led to believe. I'd have to disagree with Brucito especially because hip hop is a very popular artform among African venues here in North America and Europe. You just have to watch African music channels like Channel O and MCM Afrique to see that a lot of African artists adopt rap music and just incorporate their own beats and sounds. If you mean Hip Hop as a culture then that's a different story.

brucito
September 27 2007, 9:00PM

Midwest guy we could go on with this until the end of the year but this is not my blog nor yours. What I do love about it is it raises topics and allows you and I to see how the younger gays in the community think and I do find it disturbing . Take care and I look forward to our next debate. Hopefully about immigration and employment. (smile)

Ben
September 28 2007, 9:32AM

Keith the homophobia section was ENTIRELY cut out. there were several people who were introduced in part 1 but whose segments were never actually shown. i was looking forward to seeing you as well as karrine steffans on part 2 since neither was on the first night. maybe they should have done 2 hours each night or more than just 2 nights. it went by really fast because so much was focused on nelly and tip drill.

OldskoolHead
September 28 2007, 9:56AM

Since when did ppl expect outside entities (rappers, pro athletes etc) to raise their kids. Lets not pretend that early hip hop was all clean, political and “deep” then either because as someone old enough to remember back in the day it all wasn’t. The only problem I have with Rap “Today” is that the “diversity” is gone at least in the “mainstream”. This is the real problem. There’s nothing wrong with someone being gangsta, even offensive if that was their "experience" & to keep it “real” my NWA & DJ Quik was in rotation just as much as Public Enemy or KRS-1 however when I was young and impressionable I had options back then, all types of rap artists were visible. Today the only conscious rapper that’s “commercially” successfully that someone 10-17 has actually heard of is Common. This is the real problem as a Woman that loves Hip Hop I hope it's not dead and want it to get its character back

reality_check
September 28 2007, 12:54PM

THis show on BET was a DISGRACE plain and simple! Everyone danced around the real issues and nothing was accomplished. First off, I would have to agree with Brucito on some of his points. SOME young black men just do not know how to separate fantasy from reality. Those young men you encountered during the interviews are representative of a whole generation of people who believe that you can succeeed in this world (read: white world) emulating the ignorance they see on the video channels (read: black rappers). Now, Midwest guy, I dont think anyone is saying that hip hop is RESPONSIBLE for the laziness, lack of self respect or stagnation , rather than it REINFORCES and ENCOURAGES this mentality. I'm sorry but no one on that panel was worth listening to because none of them wanted to address the real issues and call the rappers out on their GARBAGE.
TI is a LOST FOOL listening to him talk was painful. NELLY is a corporate puppet. ITs sad when Melyssa Ford made the most sense.

Ron Lee
September 29 2007, 2:43AM

First I want to say that Black America has much to be proud of,that people of non-european descent can come to this country get an education and return to their country and make it better is awesome. In 1924 the U.S.Congress passed a law allowing only Northern Europeans immigration stastus. President Kennedy changed that law along with several other meassures which made coming to America more attainable for non-white people,the civil rights movement and it's leaders had significant influence on this change. I have encourage on this blog and others that we Black Americans should form visible relations with Black Ethnic Groups: Haitians,Jamicians,Nigerians,Egyptians ETC... It was Black Americans that made it possible for the Asians & Arab populations to walk through many of the front doors that they get to walk through today no matter how successful they become they could not succeed at the level they do in America today had it not been for the Civil Rights Movement.

Ron Lee
September 29 2007, 4:37AM

REALITY CHECK, BROTHERS, Haiti,Nigeria,Jamicia,The Arabs,Latin America & Asia all have governments which are stagnant and ruthessly harsh on their native populations before we start bragging on how great these people are we need to really stop and have a "Reality Check". Many of the foremention ethnic groups should someday "THINK BLACK AMERICA" FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR NON-WHITE PEOPLE TO COME TO AMERICA AND OUT SHINE IT'S NATIVE BORN POPULATION, PERIOD. Many of these very successful individuals haven't earned the rights they have, and thats scary and thats also why many asian & arabs americans will capitulate in a boardroom setting without looking out for their rights or ours. PEACE OUT,LATER FELLORS.

brucito
September 29 2007, 5:51AM

Ron Lee you brought up something that I vowed I would never say on this site nor anywhere else but now I must. Compared to the nbr of black owned banks and black owned businesses that thrived in the black community before the civil rights bill as to how things are now would we have been better off without the civil rights ACT (and that is just what it is;it is not a law) ever existing. The very few blacks on tv (especially the singers and musicians),did not have the demeaning roles nor (what suppose to be musical)lyrics that we hear nowadays. The year is 2007. The white gay folks have a tv network called LOGO. The year 2007. The only black RUN (no longer black owned) tv network won't even put black gay and lesbians on long enough to make a comment about how we're being demeaned by our own kind (black american rappers)and encouraged to be killed by several Jamaican rappers. It looks like there were reasons a plenty to keep us off of that segment. No progress was going to be reported. And they knew it.

CHRIS
September 29 2007, 1:56PM

BRUCITO,YOUR COMMENTS ARE RIDICULOUS.WHEN CUBANS ARE GRANTED CITIZENSHIP AND HAITIANS ARE LEFT TO DROWN IN THE ATLANTIC ON THERE BOATS MADE OF TRASH WHO IS THERE TO PROTEST AGAINST IT?BLACK AMERICANS!WHO WHERE THE PEOPLE WHO PROTESTED AGAINST APARTIED IN SOUTH AFRICA?BLACK AMERICANS!ALL BLACKS AROUND THE WORLD LOOK AT WHAT AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE DONE IN POLITICS,EDUCATION,ENTERTAINMENT ETC.AND ADMIRE US.YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT AFRICANS THINKING THERE BETTER THAN AFRO AMERICANS.LETS TALK ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF AFRICANS KILLED BECAUSE OF TRIBAL CONFLICTS AND REGIMES.NEED I MENTION RWANDA,DARFUR THE CONGO.MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF GENOCIDE IN AFRICA.ANOTHER FORM OF BLACK ON BLACK CRIME.LETS TALK ABOUT THAT MR.BRUCITO!

Ron Lee
September 30 2007, 12:47AM

THINKS CHRIS,SOMETIME WE JUST FORGET JUST HOW GREAT, THE HELL WE ARE. AFTER THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT THE ASIANS & OTHERS COULD LIVE AND GO TO SCHOOL ANYWHERE THEY PLEASE. WE DID THAT AND CAN'T NO ONE TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US. Yes we brought aparthied to it's knees. We demanded troops be sent to Haiti to help there. We demanded something be done to assist the Liberians. Africans and others watch C-SPAN as Black American Congressmen and woman fight for the rights of people from all over the World. I have never seen any ethnic congressman stand in the House or Senate and say "think you,Black America" cause if not for you my non-white male behind would not be here. We have much to be proud of, I remember hearing stories from black people about their trips abroard how many people were excited to meet them just cause they were black americans, I can tell you of my own story in the middleeast where three kids ran up to me and said you Black Americans we love you. PEACE.

kris in alpharetta
October 4 2007, 11:31AM

Today's hip hop, while I enjoy a lot of it, is mired in materialism, divisive stereotypes, and violent imagery that not unly undermines the goal of enhanced unity within Black America, but shows the world just how ignorant some of us can be. I've never been able to discern what this so-called 'message' was that the music supposedly used to have because I always thought the music was originally just about having fun. Its interesting to note that close to 30 years ago, the 'White Lines' song was considered close to the extreme; now take a listen to things and you'd be shocked. Some lyrics are so barnyard that I can't imagine anyone being able to deliver such lines without shocking themselves! And that 50 Cent is nauseating, I wish he would just retire and go away.

mb
October 10 2007, 4:07PM

here's another comment about the show

http://www.vibe.com/blog/babar/2007/10/hiphopvsamerica.html

Paul
October 13 2007, 1:05PM

Once again not taking responsibility for actions, blaming the president, justifying bad behavior,lazy reporting, what's to expect from a bush hater. Irrational statements that make absolutely no sense. Do your homework buddy. Promoting unchecked capitalism? Taking away womens rights? Arm the nation with handguns?Prove it!!!!!

Tom_NYC
October 15 2007, 1:33PM

I watched this program over the weekend and as a white european male, 28, who grew up in drug laiden queens, I have to say this "panel" was nothing more than self hating black racists. I love how they all try to blame the whites for the bad influences of hiphop. Total nonsense. Albums sell b/c your cronies in the hood want to listen to stories of selling drugs to escape. They sell b/c white suburbia enjoys the stories of danger & violence, as this is their way to release. I love how they all say they do not care what white people think. Well, you really should b/c it's what white people think about blacks that drives everyone's behavior. Whites see your videos and see women made as objects, flashy cars and bling, dope running, gambling, & drinking. What else are we to draw from these images? Black America could be great. But you refuse to do the hard work necessary. Educate your youth, teach family values, good work ethic. And forget about slavery. That ended along time ago. Stop using it as an excuse.

Justin
October 16 2007, 1:02PM

Hip Hop is violent
Hip Hop is sexist
Hip Hop is homophobic
Hip hop is source of our problems
Hip Hop is destroying america.
Whaaa,boo hoo hoo. I'm just so sick and tired of this criticism over Hip Hop. If people are sick of it then don't buy it or listen too it. I got a better idea for a conversation. How about doing one with the civil rights establishment with the Hip Hop generation. Now that would be a debate that would be long needed.

Coop
October 28 2007, 1:33AM

Part of the problem is that the older generation is telling half the story. Rev Sharpton brings up conversations he had with James Brown about Hip-Hop but never mentions that the Godfather had songs where he talks about not liking snitching and beating his girlfriend. And let's not forget that Dick Gregory had a book call NIGGER but Nas had better not think about it. Kim Osorio sat on the panel and talked at Nelly, you don't fix a issue in that matter. The "Black Leaders" should feel ashamed the pressure got turned up because of Don Imus pointed the finger at the "culture” and in turn everyone pointed at Hip Hop. Mr. Imus is almost a hundred years old and would suggest that he was influenced by Hip Hop or anything else to say what he said, come on people. The "Black Leaders" should have kept the pressure on him, but instead they put there tail between their legs and went to eat their own. And he is preparing to get paid from CBS and get another contract from someone else. Yes Tip Drill was very raunchy but

Luckii
December 10 2007, 1:20PM

i think that hip hop is a big thing in this country.. it is what brings a lot of poeple to gether and it is what makes this country wat it is.. People just dont want to take it in and love it