BET aired their “Hip Hop V.S America” series this week on Tuesday. The panel consisting of Hip Hop artists, Professors, Public Speakers, and models brought up many issues concerning Hip Hop and the state of the black community.
Guest speakers included T.I, Nelly, Master P, Mike Jones, and Melyssa Ford among many others. The hot topic on the panel seemed to be surrounding Nelly’s “Tip Drill” video and how it effected Black women to the point he was banned from a bone marrow drive at Spelman College. Watch the clip from Part I of the series where things get a little heated, as it it did during the rest of the show.
If you missed the whole thing, you can watch it over at BET. What were your thoughts on the discussion, did it bring out anything or was it just a waste? Do you think these artists don’t realize how much their music affects the black community, or are the two not related at all?
@127
THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS IN THE CONSTITUTION, WHICH WAS WRITTEN BY SLAVE OWNERS, AND IT ALSO CONSIDERED BLACKS 3/4 OF A PERSON. IF ANYBODY OR THING IS HYPOCRITICAL IT IS THE CONSTITUTION.
Why did the old jerks who started all this crap and nonsense act like they were scared to open their mouths???? I know I would be if I went all out to destroy other peoples’ million dollar careers!!! And A-hole Oprah who started all the crap and is behind it wasn’t even on the podium. She’s running scared too.
YEAH, OPRAH STARTED ALL THIS CRAP. SHE EVEN ASKED THAT OTHER TALK SHOW HOST NOT HAVE RAPPERS ON THEIR PROGRAMS AND THAT THEIR CONTRACTS BE CANCELLED. NOW HER SCARY AZZ IS HIDING BEHIND AL, AND THOSE OTHER OLD FOOLS. SHE’S BEHIND ALL THIS ANTI-SAGGING STUPIDITY TO GET BLACK BOYS LOCKED UP FOR FASHION TOO. NOW HER SCARY AZZ IS TRYING TO DISASSOCIATE HERSELF. SHE STARTED ALL OF IT WHEN SHE GOT JEALOUS OF 3 6 MAFIA FOR WINNING THE ACADEMY AWARD AND SHE DIDN’T FOR THE COLOR PURPLE. THE PRAISE HOGG WAS HOPPING MAD ABOUT THAT.
i couldnt turn the channel, each individual made several valid points. and i love how professional t.i.
Well, I think its easy to blame the rappers for the down fall of the black community but lets face it, there are so many other factors out there and we can not hold one party responsible. Music videos are meant to entertain not to teach, that’s what are parents, pastors, and teachers used to do. We have the freedom of speech and we can not limit that to people other than rappers. We have a choice whether or not to buy the music, to tune into BET and as parents we have a choice of what we will and will not allow our kids to watch. Its amazes me how we can find so much fault in the rappers and publicize all the negative, but how often to we hear about the positive things they do. How often did we hear about Nelly’s foundation? Like it was said, they could be living the life to make the money or telling you about there experiences. Which would you rather have. Music has been the only outlet for alot of troubled youth. If you ban what they can and cannot say it will only cause more trouble. Parents are not spending enough time with the kids to find out about what they are watching, who they are hanging with and what they know or don’t know. That’s not the rappers fault. Some of our pastors are not willing to speak on issues hurting our black communities out of fear and that’s not the rappers fault. Some of our teachers view their job as another day at work and not instrumental part of a childs future, others are afraid of correcting kids because parents are more likely to be upset and want to fight than supportive and appreciative. That’s not the rappers fault. These women make a choice to be in these videos, they are not forced. Some of them make it a career to be in every rappers video, its a choice. Put more books in your childs room, more child hood games instead of all the fighting and shooting playstations games, play more games with your kids and dont subscribe to cable. Stop shifting blame on others. Rappers can not control what we as parents allow in our homes, cars and kids possessions and should not have too. Kids are not allowed to be kids anymore, not allowed to go outside and play, ride bikes, jump rope all they want to do is sit in front of a tv, computer and playstation. You control that. We have to be positive role models for our kids and bring them into the company of other positive people we want our kids to see.Its not a rapper/entertainers responsibility. Yeah you wonder if they think twice about the things they say but its there choice. We can’t take it away. It amazes me how offended we can get over a video but we won’t join our neighborhood watch programs, PTA’s, city councils. What’s degrading is not teaching these kids in schools, just passing them on to get them out of your schools, what’s degrading is not reporting the local drug dealer in front of your house selling to kids and their parents, what’s degrading is allowing our daughters to think that because their mothers, grandmothers were on welfare its okay and acceptable to be content being on welfare, what’s degrading is knowing your child is mixed up with the wrong crowd and being to scared to but a belt on him or her or call the police when you know he’s committed a crime, what’s degrading is bringing all these men in and out of our children’s lives, what’s degrading is being so focused on the negative and not being open minded to others peoples ideas, thoughts and cultures, what’s degrading is continuing to find others to blame for our own down fall as a black community such as the “white man”, the system, the rappers and not taking responsibility for our own actions, not fighting the battle of black on black crime in our own communities, not trying to elimate the dependency of welfare in our communities, instead of talking about our brothers and sisters, why not pull them to the side and help them, give them a chance to work for your company..proud black business owner. Stop looking to for a place, person or thing to place blame and step up to be a part of the solution starting in your own home. Now if you aren’t registered to vote (excluding the convicted felons that can’t)then your word means nothing so stop complaining and stop commenting, if you haven’t joined your kids PTA then your word means nothing, if you haven’t reported or stood up against crimes in your own neighborhood, your word means nothing. Start close to home, then go world wide but eliminating the power of choice and right to free speach and expression is not the way to solve the crisis in the black community.
I think the most valid point regarding the view of black women was when the young lady on panel (don’t remember her name) made the point that America only see’s black women in one light, and that ass shaking, raunchy, “superhead” types b/c there are no other images of black women on TV. The only other time we see that, is on the CW lineup. Thats it. So America starts to believe what it see’s.
To LACLADY
OK I see you had to share your story yea what ever. Anyways my eyes are open. That’s your mom good for her. I have witness some single parents who are more at home than work. I’m not talking about watching their kids far as taking care of them. As you you know a mother busting her ass at two jobs is in my book is taking care of her kids putting food on the table and so on. I’m talking about not home enough far as seeing what their kids watching 24 hours. Then you got to look at some situations where kids parents are on drugs an taking care of themselves. It’s just so many situations out there that don’t even come from bad parenting. From kids living with their grandparents and you know they old ass can’t keep up with these fast ass kids. It does makes it harder with out a father figure. A young boy will rather look up to a rapper than maybe his uncle or somebody because rappers seem to get more of their attention. Lets be real here. Some boys be like o that nigga aint my daddy to someone in they fam oppose to them following what a rapper does. And sweetie I have been in situations as where I had to take care of myself and younger siblings, which I choose not to discuss… Beleve me their are alot of different situations out there u need to look at before coming at me…… Ya digg!!!!
Ashley,
I disagree. A single mom can teach a boy how to be a man. One thing for sure a real woman knows what type of values, morals and characteristics of a real man she wants by her side and all she has to do is instill those things into her son, be supportive, get involved with his school, sports and keep an open line of communication. We have to stop saying a child needs both parents. Yeah it would be great to have two parents in the home, but what we need to do is stop making excuses, stand on our own two feet, take ownership, work hard, be positive, be supportive and last but not least pray. If we keep making excuses nothing will change. As a single parent I know times get hard, situations seem unbareable at times but what keeps me going is the love for my child and wanting her to more out of life and also the love and respect I have for myself won’t allow me to do anything but work hard and be a loving parent. I lead by example. I want my child to see me a strong black, professional and independent black woman, who works hard to provide for her and her child while still finding time to reach out and help others in need. Hip Hop can’t teach her that and shouldn’t have to. Some things are a parents responsibility.
Look…
I only watched five minutes of this show and turned the channel. I’m so sick of this HIP-HOP vs. AMERICA bullshit, I don’t know what to do. So I simply solve that problem: I only support positive hip-hop which is mostly underground/independent. Best thing, the indie rap is better than the mainstream and I never grow tired of it. Fuck Nelly, Fuck T.I., Fuck MC Blah, Blah, Blah and Lil’ Wakkakakakaka…whatever. As a Black woman their music offends me, so I don’t waste my money on them nor do I support them. Sitting up and bitching about it won’t go anywhere. All America is doing is giving these young coonish rappers more ammunition top create more ignorant and degrading music. I don’t care if they are in it for the money, they need to become MEN and grow up, invest their money and represent the good Black men much longing for. The mainstream rap industry is sleazy and money-hungry, therefore, I’ll support those underpaid, yet extremely talented indie rappers. =)
Toodles.
@ #10
You had me until you said “Nelly”. Tell me how does he being a “party rapper” make him positive? Just because you like parties? As far as I’m concerned, HE is negative simply because he accepts the degradation of women. Period.
Sorry but I cannot put him and concious rap on the same fucking boat.
Pingback: afrobella » Afrobella of the Month* — Farai Chideya
i’m a black girl living in France (sorry for my english) and we listen a lot of hip hop there,whe are approximately 4 millions blacks in france mosty from Africa and french-carribean
black people in france have much respect for african-american culture ,we are admirative when we see powerful black leader…because you may not know but it’s not easy for blacks in europe, there is a lot of racism and discriminations
we have none strong black leaders,so imo hip hop culture has a responsability because much black girl in france/europe/africa want to look like the girls in these video,and black boys want to have 50 cent lifestyle
there were debates about hip hop’s portrayal of women here too, because what you tend to forget is that american hip hop influence many other country, not only your, so the negative image dont hurt just african-american women, but also damage black women image all over the world
I saw place where there is no black people,and the sad thing is that the only black girls they know are the girls who shake their ass in music video, people can be ignorant and think all black girl are like that
African-americans are known all over the world from these videos,rappers dont want to take their responsabilities but they have a huge mediatic exposure ,they could encourage healthy lifestyle even outside the U.S,but they are more interested at making money
I’m sick of the ignorance on this board. Just because a person has a right to mouth off doesn’t mean they should. Ignorance always seems to speak first and loudest and some of you need to learn how to write proper english. You can barely communicate and string together a proper sentence to communicate and yet you think it’s ok for people like Nelly to continue to place blame everywhere else but on himself. We all have choices in the way we want to see our community represented. Here is a fact. Nelly and a lot of rappers are entertainers. These people are also role models when and if it suits them. It’s not okay to stand up one minute and say you have the right to freedom of speech and the next say you’re only putting on an act to sell albums. Take some responsibility. I’m an african-american woman who has had the advantage of living outside of the US for many years now and I can tell you, the rest of the world does NOT see us as educated, talented, or even on par with other cultures especially white people. They assume we are the same bullshit stereotypes we ALLOW to be put out there about us. And the worst part is, they’re mimmicking it!!!! I see Lebanese boys who dress, talk, and act like inner city black boys from the ghetto. I see Maori girls getting weaves and fake nails to look like what they see in videos. And when they approach a real african american, they approach me with the same mentality as someone in a music video. Nevermind that I’m educated and am probably there to help improve the way their governments are treating them.
Wake up. It’s not cute or cool to look like a fucking idiot. If you want to voice an opinion fine but don’t talk or spell in broken english or abbreviated symbols. Grow the fuck up and realise what kind of image you are putting out there. You are NOT keeping anything REAL except the stereotype that black americans are ignorant, uneducated, violent, socially inept, and unable to raise a decent family unit.
We’ve been through too much shit as a people to let this crap continue and I am so sick of it. I’m sick of us and the shit we do to one another. I can’t call a lot of you brother or sister anymore because you are the same person who’d all me a bitch or a sell out for writing this. I want better for us. I want YOU to want better for yourselves. Change this industry today and we’re on our way to having a better tomorrow. And music isn’t the only industry that needs this help.
The topic is very controversial. People put it so high on a pedestal it sits up there with “important issues”. I agreed with a lot of points T.I. & Nelly made because they were valid. The one thing i really commended Nelly for was the comment about the structure of a home produces the type of people that are in society, not the music. N yes Nelly had begun to get really defensive when it came to his controversial video “TIP DRILL” but if puzzles me how Porn is one of the things “America” produces but porn itself isn’t on trial like his video is. SHYT YOU CAN FIND PORN ON A MA FUCKIN’ HBO CHANNEL!!!! PARENTS BLOCK YOUR TV’S.
I also loved T.I.’s comments….the part where he explained hip hop is like a mirrored image to life in ma hood and shyt. It was so tru you couldn’t despute it. I also like how he said his usage of “B’s, F’s, & H’s” was like an attention-getter for the less intelligent among us. BECAUSE IT IS TRU….T.I. CARRIES A MESSAGE IN EVERY ALBUM, TRUST ME I HAVE THEM ALL!!!
ONLY THING I CAN ARGUE WITH IS THE FACT THAT HIP HOP HAS SO MUCH POWER IT CAN DO ANYTHING. THEY CAN MAKE JUMPIN’ OFF BRIDGES SOUND APPEALING. SO PARENTS HAVE TO MONITOR WHAT THEIR KIDS ARE SEEING, OR HEARING UNTIL THEIR MINDS CAN DEVELOP MORE INHIBITIONS.
I felt like I had to get out here and hear the reaction to this special, and this site offers the place where the real communcation happens. No communication happened on the show…not between the panelists, anyway. Dr. Dyson didn’t really listen to TI, Nelly didn’t really answer Farai Chideya’s questions, etc. It was a string of words spewed at a series of closed minds. It was a bunch of talkin w/no one listening. No one, except all of you. No one, except all of us.
What I hear is the head and tail of the same coin. What I hear is Nelly argue for the freedom of choice in our society while simultaneously negating his own responsibility for his choice of representation in either his music or videos. What I hear is TI offering his evidence that he has written positivity in “other songs” on his album, but the only tracks that get picked up are the ones that promote this gangsta lifestyle. What I hear is the regurgitation of Hova’s Moment of Clarity–”I can’t help the poor if I’m one of them/so I got rich and gave back, to me that’s the win win”– while neglecting the concept that the legacy of that mindset will live on in that image long after what was given back has been spent.
What I still haven’t heard is one mainstream rapper deciding to make a choice. I’m looking for one lyricist to make the choice to put a socially conscious rhyme on the hottest beat on their record, not on that filler track for the album. I’m looking for one to choose to spit something of substance behind the sickest hook on their record, not that hookless run-on sentence that’s buried beneath the hottest single. The beat and the hook sell the record: that’s how it boils down. Until that yet unnnamed rapper decides to make that choice and put their mouth where their money is, the de facto result is all that’s left. And that leaves the rest of us without any choice whatsoever, aside from shunning the shlock that passes off as hip-hop.
Pingback: afrobella » The Cosby Conundrum
I think the topic was very inportent and hip-hop should not be blamed for anything people of america do.They do things out of their own will.Every body likes to point fingers but they dont never take responsibility for their own actions.
If Not Redirect Automatically click here to Redirect Manually!!!
stage door furniture pawling ny
furniture rental rochester ny
akins furniture
kinder harris furniture
cat from furniture removing smell urine
patio furniture discount online
custo wood furniture
furniture store orlando fl
broyhillfurniturecom
tri city furniture
scandanavian furniture wholesale sofa
office furniture bargain
old furniture disposal
lauier furniture
hand made barbire furniture
furniture stores tulsa
red barn furniture houston
k&r furniture
rentway furniture
krauss furniture
consumer complaints against bassett furniture
galleria furniture in oklahoma city
bucks furniture clinton
heavy duty furniture
furniture dealer online
fingers furniture houston tx
north carolina discount furniture outlets
furniture metal refinishing
furniture modern office wood
morrison’s furniture
custom sofa furniture
z interiors furniture
furniture interiors magazine
rustic – furniture – artist
outdoor furniture suppliers
swan hattersley furniture
furniture rental boulder colorado
nadeau furniture boston
wolfs furniture york pa
fun furniture plus
suters furniture richmond
http://www.direct furniture.com
innovative furniture in chicago
wolfes furniture frederick
contemporary japanese style furniture
used office furniture in dallas tx
furniture store atlantic new jersey
antique shabby chic furniture
depot furniture office office supply technology
bellagio furniture gallery
yea hip hop vs america has to be one of many legendary shows of 2008, because every time i look at that show it makes more and more sense towards the influences that it has on people but if only they made a show for the United Kingdom because i believe that they should open the eyes of the younger generation over the United Kingdom.
im kind of half and half on this subject even though it is demeaning you really do not have to watch it we do have choices
I think its about time people have addressed such issues in the hip hop and black culture. We as women, it is up to us to take a stand in what we believe in and we as in black people is to stand up for our people and to make sure we stick together. I wanted to argue about hip hop and how they think of women for the longest….We have to make a chance….music have to change. This all started as a little seed then it grew into a huge plant and its getting wayyy out of hand. Every music video you see a woman has to be half naked and disrespected…I’m not saying that it was the rapper’s choice to put her in the video because it was up to her to be in it but the lyrics of the rapper was up to him. Rappers and even singers control what they write in their music and they are in control of their actions. Women are in control of what they do and how they present themselves. Women don’t have to do low things to get disrespected, we can just be on the street or in a store. And the things that go on t.v millions of young people are watching it and they take in what they see on t.v. So many boys trying to be thugs and so many girls are trying to be like the girls they see on t.v. Boys only like the girls if they look a certain way and girls are willing to give up their body and their respect for themselves for boys. Teen pregnacy is out of control in this lifetime and it doesn’t make no kind of sense. But young people take it what they see and they do it just to fit in. God didn’t put us women on earth to be disrespected by men. Adam wasn’t disrespectful to Eve. God put women and men on this earth for a reasonal purpose and the purpose was not for us females to shake our ass in videos or be sex icons for men or to be sliding down poles. He didn’t put men on earth to throw money at women or to date her because of her outer appearance. Me, as a female has been disrespected a couple of times. I had a boy tell me I had big breasts…I went home and cried because that was just the rudest thing someone could say to a female. I’m sure everyone wants a man who respects them for their mind, for their personality and for the affection they give him. And I think rappers think we blame all this on them but if you turn on the radio and hear a song its either about money, a girl havin a sexy body and the artist is lusting over her or about cars or girls with big asses….thats all u hear. Only about sex..even some singers have songs like that on the radio so its not just rappers. If it ain’t about sex half the time its doesn’t sell. Why do sex sell? Why do people want to hear every song about sex? Like Plies, all he talk about is sex and i still hear every girl saying they like Plies. Its like if I don’t look a certain way or dress a certain way he ain’t going to like me or if I don’t have sex with him he just going to run to another girl…and why would that other girl give it up? We as women are so much better than we are on t.v. or in real life. And I think the girls in the video and on them real it t.v shows have a choice to stand up and be a woman and say i don’t want to do this…girls on flavor flav and videos ain’t making us women look any better. Its makin us worse. Women even white women has always been lower than men. They say its a man world but women still have their say so in it. And women these days most of them like to be disrespected. They like money to be thrown at them and they like to have sex and they like to shake their butts for men….but why be so low with yourself? I listen to the music these days but that don’t mean I like what I hear cause I really don’t. So its not just men its some women too. Because how you carry yourself and how you present yourself thats how you going to get treated. If you show up at a party half naked of course you going to get disrespected. If you go fully dresesed then you will get respect. Thats with guys who wants a lady who presents herself well but other boys will be all over that other chick because she looks easy. I seen many girls just go to a talent show with these tight tight booty shorts on and tight shirts and they look trashy just some of the girls in the videos and on tv. The way black people think of themselves and the way men treat women and the way women treat themselves is going down hill. Black people way before this time worked to hard especially women to be treated and thought of like this. Men say women can’t do this and women can’t do that…women can do anything they want but most women choose to do the wrong thing. Even teenagers choose the wrong path. They choose to have sex to sell themselves out, to drop out of school and to have babies and to do drugs….boys choose to want those type of girls and to disrespect them. It doesn’t take a man to tell a women she has big boobs and fat ass. It takes a man to tell a woman shes beautiful on the inside and out and that shes a strong woman. Being half naked and shaking your ass in a video that is not being a strong woman. Working to provide for your family, havin respect for yourself and presenting yourself well thats being apart of a strong woman!!!!!!! We people who believe in changing the world and standing up for what we believe needs to be the bigger person and take a stand forreal. This is our chance! And this is real talk….
As black woman I feel that some dont use their voice. Why sit down. Get up and defend yourself. I dont see anything wrong with the video or the song. It wasnt I that was on there and I know that it isn’t me who he’s rapping about. Everybody wants to get all out of shape about tip drill. Ok, how old is that song and video? If that’s the way those women chose to present thereselves, that’s on them. Everyone has to assume responsibility. Everyone has the right to voice their opinion. What I dont understand is why do females get mad because they are only known as TV H@*$!!! It’s crazy. Didn’t nobody tell them to go on tv and show what their momma gave them they did it on their own. Don’t disrespect yourself like that and you want get the negative feed back. Just because you come up a certain way doesn’t mean you let that own you. Somewhere you have to say I dont want this and change it. I was brought up ruff but it made a woman out of me and nothing else. There always seem to be a cop out for reason’s why you do the things you do. It’s in your heart if it wasn’t you wouldn’t do the things you do. It’s like we are saying it’s ok to be W’s and betrayed as dogs because that’s what you chose to be. Why get mad at Nelly when he is calling how you see it. What about the woman that is looking for that ticket out, and she sees this celebrity or some baller and use him as her sercutiy. A man can only do and treat you the way you wanna be treated. What else is he suppose to do when your main concern is you so his is himself. What about the woman that sleep with so many man they dont know who the father of their child is and dog a man. Quit putting yourself out there and letting others put you down. Look at Melissa Ford. I mean what did she do that was so great besides being on video with her behind sticking out and disrespecting herself and dont like how she is talked about but what did she do to get where is at. Everybody has the chance to go to school. For those who thinks differently Im sorry, but somewhere take responsibility for your actions. Karen Steffans takes the cake she goes and sleeps with all these different man write a book and oh no it was just that I was looking for love and I believe what they were telling me. Whatever half of the men had/has wives it’s like she did just so she could write a book and get paid. Then she dedicates her book to her son wow and she is on the PTA!!!!! So at what cost are you willing to get paid. You have to love yourself enough to say no there are no shortcuts to life. You have to live it to it’s fullest. You might fall, but pick yourself back up and say Im got to keep it moving hard work pays off. Basically what Im saying you make your bed you lay in it and it’s simple as that. Some females have that mantality to be the way they are and you cant change that.