First, let me start by apologizing for the harsh tone of the last post. I don’t think any of you are dumb, stupid or illiterate. I do think a few people had lots to say without reading, which is particularly frustrating for someone in my line of work. But Kobie hit me with something I hit him with months ago–never write something you wouldn’t say to someone’s face.
And I probably wouldn’t say that stuff to the faces of those I directed those lines toward. Not because I’d be scared to, but because I don’t know you. People that know me, I would have dropped those lines on in a heartbeat. Strangers? They don’t know that’s how I roll.
But if you thought I was praising No Limit, I can’t help but wonder what post you read.
Moving on, I see that Oprah went on Ed Lover’s radio show to talk about the perception that she hates hip hop.
I don’t see why it would be such a big deal if she hated hip hop. I have no qualm with a woman saying that she’s tired of hearing the language and imagery in rap music. If a homosexual man said the same thing, I wouldn’t bat an eye. No rational person would argue that hip hop is not littered with abusive language and imagery toward women (and gays, for that matter). So as a woman who has focused much of her work on improving women’s self-esteem, she’s got a very valid point.
The counterargument is that rap is no more misogynistic than society, and there’s some credence in that. But really, that doesn’t matter. If Oprah doesn’t wanna hear the word “bitch” over and over again, I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t listen to white folks call me a “nigger” and then say, “America’s racist! Why you singling me out?”
There are questions to be raised about why rappers get singled out. But that doesn’t mean that rappers aren’t wrong when they go the misogynist route.
On the other hand, I agree that she was foul for editing out Luda’s comments when he went on the show with the cast of “Crash.” It was also wrong to put “Crash” forth as some piece of intriguing social commentary, but that’s another post. I also can understand why Luda found it inappropriate for Oprah to use that opportunity to talk about his music. But if I had a talk show and Axl Rose was on it, you better believe I’d ask him about “One in a Million.”
But where Luda’s wrong is in asking how Oprah could have Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle on and not treat them the same way since they use the same language. They do, but I don’t think anyone would argue they do so with the same connotations. The language isn’t the full problem. The meaning behind it is what’s far more problematic. Just the same, I think Eddie Murphy’s old routines are far worse than anything Ludacris does.
Long of the short–Oprah’s right. Cats may not wanna admit it, but that’s undeniable. At some point in the near future, we’ve got to fix those things and increase the level of humanity in rap music. But to do that, those of us that hold the music near and dear to our hearts–and publish magazines about that music–need to take some accountability for what we’ve got going.
I’ll admit I ain’t no better than most people. I listen to the stuff, quote it, and appreciate the artistry in it. And like rappers, I argue that the art is a mirror of society. But those folks holding that mirror are more than welcome to fix their acts themselves. No need to wait for the masses to follow us.