Alicia Keys apparently thinks the guv’ment conspired to write, produce, and disseminate gangsta’ rap.
We’ve been talking about Keys’s early jones for the Notorious B.I.G. “My favorite Biggie song is ‘Me & My Bitch,’” she says, licking a stray globule of jam off her finger. “That title doesn’t make you think he’s speaking about the love of his life, but he is. She throws his shit out the window, she flushes his drugs down the toilet—she’s crazy! But if you grew up like that, then you understood, that was love in that world.”We ask what other gangsta rappers she liked. And that’s when Keys drives a steamroller through the wall.
“‘Gangsta rap’ was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other,” she says, putting down the sandwich. “‘Gangsta rap’ didn’t exist.”
Come again? A ploy by whom?
She looks at us like it’s the dumbest question in the world. “The government.” BLENDER
Well the great philosopher “Half-a- Dolla’” offered the following response. Hat Tip Mo’ Kelly Report
“I don’t like Alicia Keys no more.“If you don’t like the content that I write because of my experiences; I am being who I am when I am writing it.“If she don’t like that, I don’t like that classical music s**t she be doing. At some point she’s playing some s**t that don’t relate to me. We listen to it and try to figure out why people actually enjoy it.” SUN
I think they both are wrong. The guv’ment had nothing to do with the promulgation of gansta’ rap other than deregulating telecom and other media in order to allow a handful of people to control radio, television, magazines and newspapers/ This means a small group of people get to decide what we hear, and more importantly, what we do not hear.
The reason all we hear is about B*tches, Bullets, and Bling is because that fits the stereotypes large corporate interests have of us. I was on a panel recently with a record executive and they said “we’re giving the people what they want.” Really? Is that all we want or are you telling us what to want. I don’t know if it is intentional or a conspiracy , but I do think that the people who fund the foolishness are most comfortable when Black people are acting a fool– when we’re shooting each other, or being depicted as sexually promiscuous, criminal , violent. I mean they might as well take “Birth of a Nation” and set it to a beat.
If you really want to be RADICAL in 2008, start talking about excess and opulence and the modern say slavery of being so far up in debt to maintain the bling bling lifestyle that you’re one cell phone bill with some overage charges away from financial crisis.
If you really want to be radical, stop talking about shooting up people as if that is some heroic act. YOU aren’t doing anything, the gun is doing all the work. Talk about the fact that half of the people who die in this country are Black while we make up less than a quarter of the population.
If you really want to be radical, talk about some woman other than yo’ Mama, yo Baby Mama, and strippers.
We always want to blame the guv’ment for EVERYTHING while letting large corporations skate away.
The Guv’ment Overstepping Its Bounds
Now if you want to criticize the guv’ment for tis role in promulgating gangsta’ rap, look to Georgia. Recently in Georgia, the United States Attorney declared that we are so bereft of role models in the Black community that he went light on gangsta rapper T.I. who was charged with some serious gun-related crimes. Why? Well because T.I. and his lawyers concocted what they sold as a “crime prevention” plan whereby T.I. would speak to young “at risk” kids about
Now in this case, I believe that the guv’ment is imposing gangsta culture on our community, in particular showing reckless disregard for young “at risk” kids. Who i the federal government to declare who black folks role models ought to be . Second how paternalistic to say that T.I. is good enough for us. I seriously doubt TI will be speaking in some rural white exburb, the parents would raise a fit. However some in our community are lining up to introduce Mr. Harris into the lives if Black children.
The Rev. Daniel L. Edwards III, president of NAACP’s Henry County branch, said he will invite Harris.
“We want to come up with a way to use his celebrity status and use him as a spokesman to reach the masses,” Edwards said. “They need to hear: Gangs are not cool, jails are not cool, guns and violence are not cool.”
According to court records, actress Journee Smollett, who starred in “The Great Debators,” wants Harris to speak to her “Catch Me Before I Fall Initiative,” which taps celebrities to speak about the dangers of gangs and drugs. Harris has also agreed to do public service announcements and teach classes for “It’s Cool To Be Smart,” a component of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, court records said. AJC
Boys and Girls Club, is it really “Cool” to be “Smart”? If so, why are you inviting someone who was so dumb?
Well apparently the Boys and Girls Clubs and the recording industry are “conspiring” to keep T.I. out of jail because local districts in Atlanta are backing away from offers to have T.I. speak to their students. My question is, what fool scheduled him to speak in the first place:
The rapper’s upcoming visit at Pebblebrook in Cobb County was canceled due to recent gang activity involving students, as well as the recent death of a pupil. The Fulton County school district has banned T.I. from ever making appearances due to his gun conviction. EURweb
Cobb County went through the trouble of making a clarification because they don’t want to leave the impression that a convicted felon is banned from their district:
A school district spokesman clarified that T.I. hasn’t been banned in the county overall, just that with recent gang problems and the death of one student, it’s not a good time. SOHH
When is a good time Cobb County?
But back to the Boys and Girls Clubs, I Googled Its Cool 2 B Smart hoping that this was some type of error in judgement on the part of the Boys and Girls Club, NOPE apparently this is systemic within the Boys and Girls Club…they are partnering/partnered with BET and it all is a creation of Atlantic Records. This is such a scam and the guv’ment fell for it. How is it community service when your record label has already had the program in place for years?:
In 2005-2006 the Atlantic Records “Single Parent Initiative” has collaborated with BET 106 & Park to pay tribute to teens girls of the Boys & Girls Clubs from the Gulf Coast regions. Beginning in October-2005, the Single Parent Initiative will select Artist from the music industry to sponsor teen girls to come on BET 106 & Park whom are currently residing at the Boys & Girls Clubs from in Los Angeles, Houston, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Dallas, Atlanta and Baton Rouge. To support the efforts of BET 106 & Park, the “Single Parent Initiative” has partnered with other Artist which has included in September, T.I., PSC; October, Paul Wall; November, Song Writer Sean Garrett, whose credits list includes Usher “Yeah”, Destiny Child “Loose my Breath” & “Soldier” and Ciara “My Goodies” just to name a few; in December, Olivia with G-Unit; to kick off in 2006 January, Eve; February, Young Bloodz. The Audience Coordinator of BET 106 & Park/ BET Specials; Alicia M. Allen, has organized these sponsored events since October. Its Cool 2 Be smart
According to the website, the sponsors of Its Cool 2 B Smart are Bad Boy Records, Def Jam Records, Jive Records, J Records Columbia, Universal…The US Attorney has been hustled. I am looking for the initiative on the Boys and Girls Club website and I can’t find any links so I am wondering if this is still operable or whether it was resurrected for TI’s benefit. The web site hasn’t been updated since 2006. Is Its Cool 2 B Smart the community service agency of choice for the Entertainment Industrial complex? Y’all let me know
You can contact the Boys and Girls Clubs of America with this contact form. Am I the only one that finds it ironic that the industry that has launched a concerted effort to promote values which destroy the Black family and place children in increasing peril in their neighborhoods, to the point that a Boys and Girls Club may be their only refuge, is partnering with the organization? Again, should TI, Paul Wall, and Olivia be the standard bearers and impart lessons about values and character to young Black children? I say “NO!”. When the guv’ment is the one directing the foolishness, we all ought to scream from the tops of our lungs “NO! “
11 comments ↓
*sighs*
A. Key’s alleges that she was misconstrued. She doesn’t strike me as a dummy so I’m hoping it’s true, but there are 3 sides to a story.
I don’t think it’s a good idea for studio gangstas to lecture at youth organizations. It’s not a consistent message. You can’t spew the usual “Killa nigga/fuck a bitch” drivel and then say to kids “Stay in school, don’t do drugs” and blase blah. If there was a moral to these gangsta and “I’ve got a harem” duck tales, I wouldn’t have much of an issue.
I’d rather these rappers and major labels donate to charities and organizations and STFU.
Here in the Bay Area, there is an organization called CARE (now I don’t remember what the letters stand for but I’ll come back with it), but it’s basically comprised of local Bay Area artist (Keak da Sneak, E-40, Dem Hoodstarz, E-A-Skee–basically those popular in the HYPHY movement) that go around to the schools in the area, and in socal to do “stay in school” messages. They even have a “cool to be in school” record out (kinda good!). Sadly, it contradicts a part of the movement that “riding in the short yellow bus” is cool.
In one sense, it is good that these artists give back to their communities. But on the other hand, it’s not substantive. They aren’t filtering their preceived millions back into their hometowns, they have a handful of illegitmate children, and in many cases, continue to be involved in “street life” and end of arrested.
But I’m under the mindset to believe that “gangsta rap” was not a ploy from the government. I believe that communities/enviroments that are not set up to survive are “ploys” of the government. And in many cases, rappers are rapping about what they actually live and see. Others are making a profit.
I don’t think anyone should criticize TI’s efforts unless they’re physically out there working with these very same kids. At least he’s trying, albeit because he’s been ordered by the courts to do so.
Yeah, that was sarcasm, but again, if there were enough of us who’ve “made it” going into these schools and community centers to work with these kids, there would be no need for TI to pull such publicity stunts.
Are you part of the solution or just running off at the mouth about the problem?
I immediately sent an email to the Boys and Girls Club:
“I have recently become aware of the BGCA’s “It’s Cool 2 B Smart” program and while I commend the organization for wanting to touch the lives of the children within the local communities, I do not approve of partnering with celebrities, BET and record companies. It isn’t that artists like Paul Wall or T.I. are unintelligent, therefore unable to promote education, but that by using their faces, the BGCA is actually perpetuating the reasons why urban youth do not take education seriously: they want to be superstars! The message sent by BET and the images promoted by these celebrities is that it isn’t necessary to value education if there is a chance you can “make it” and become a millionaire. If this program is to be successful and bear fruit, the inspiration is more likely to come from people who’ve experienced educational success–college students looking to give back, chefs, professors, museum directors, zoo employees, etcetera. What these children need are options. It isn’t enough to say it’s “cool 2 be smart” when they aren’t given the tools to see the infinite possibilities to be gained through education. Pushing college as a goal doesn’t really do anything if these children do not know what they want to do, or do not know that what they love, they can utilize for their educational and financial success. This program can be used to help children explore the world around them, but if celebrities continue to be used, it only creates tunnel vision that convinces these children that the only way to achieve success in this world is through the world of sports and entertainment–and that isn’t true!”
CAUSE AND CURE….
This is serious! T.I. will speak to young at risk children. WOW! This may not be a bad thing. It doesn’t matter how he got there. Clearly, it’s a life altering experience for him. It’s an Art to speaking to children and can be life challenging, because of the innocence. THERE’S NO DANGER. e.g…JiaTv-ex-porn star is an advocate for missing/murdered black children and women. Where’s the morals in that? jiatv lashed out about Bob Jones, creator of B.E.T. because of what? “shaking ass and bouncing tiddies allday” What kind of message are you sending? Is it not okay to shake and sell your ass because Black is Beautiful, too. Or Sell your Ass, literally! B.E.T. advocates lots of black uplifting programs including gospel. Some people think that The Adult Industry has been directly connected, linked or even THE CAUSE of people missing today. Perverts watch pornography and then there’s a need for relief. And who do you think these perverts turn to??!!In fact, When the perverts are captured the headlines always reads….”Along with pornography videos they found…” (In the porn videos you are..(bitch,whore,tramp,slut,booty shaking) Everything you despise about the creator/s of B.E.T. It’s a job, right! Merely acting!…But..How do I convince my husband to donate to keep this site opened when the advocate is YOU! My opinion is just that but the fact remains that some people can change their lives for the better. And if T.I. would talk to the children at the Boys and Girls Club and could impact one child’s life, positively. Absolutely, by all means he has the power to make a difference. LET THE BROTHER SPEAK…”HE CAN BE THE CAUSE AND THE CURE” just like you!-Shaiyon
My Bad!! Bob Johnson is the creator of B.E.T. This also relates to Bob Johnson’s Tap Dance posted on YouTube Website on jiatv.
I am trying to figure out how you can be a cure when youa re still engaged in the cause.
I don’t have a problem with redemption. I think people can change and be reform, but that tends to require that people change their lives and stop participating in certain behavior in the first place.
What about his life altered? I don’t see his life having altered. In fact as soon as the deal was announced, I saw him all over the red carpets in fact his lawyers have said that the deal allows him to continue on with his life with as little interruption as possibl.
COnsidering he has already been to prison in the past, and that did not seem to alter his life I don’t see that you can make the claim that his life has been altered.
if his life was altered, it was not altered because of a choice he made. It was altered because of the choice the government made. Under that analysis, everybody that gets arrested for anything has had a life altering experience.
IF TI waants to give back, go let him perform for some adults… send him to IRAQ on a USO tour. THAT might alter his life. Speaking to kids is what is convenient for him and his lawyers.
If he want’s to speak with school kids at some point in the future after establishing that his life has indeed changed that is one thing, but I have not seen any evidence of that.
Why not swing open the jail house doors and let every inmate come speak to the kiddies then.
I meant to say it would be a life altering experience for T.I…It really makes a difference. The POWER to change a child’s sense of direction. THERE’S NO DANGER!!!
anonymiss, i totally agree with you.
angela, well said and thank you for saying it.
g-e-m2001, i thought the program that brings inmates to the kids was called “scared straight” — and from what i remember, it worked.
kids aren’t stupid. if the person that they think of as successful dropped out of high school, why should they be bothered to finish?
where are their college educated examples?
Alicia Keys has a point. When people say government, they mean institutions. The media is an institution. I have two cousins who work in the record industry. They tell me how corrupt it is but they do their job for profit which is sad. Here is the point, they promote what they want to promote. I have heard some amazing hip-hop artists but they either get small budgets, no airplay or no record deal. They are suppressed in favor of what sells. They could care less who is effects. All the men where my cousin works are white. They tell the rappers what they can and cannot produce and they tell them to dumb it down. They threaten to cut your budget or cut you from the label if you do not conform. This explains the cookie-cutter crap that we hear today. There is no diversity in music. My cousin has told me about the amount of artists who have walked out. They can always find a dumb gangsta wannabe to promote. I stress the wannabe because my girl is from Queens and let’s just say that 50 is all hype, he’s a joke. It was the record label that branded Akon into the “thug” he was not in order to make him marketable. Whites make up the majority of those who buy the music. Black youth are susceptible to these images because it is supposed to be representing them when it does not.
Hello, we are in a corporate capitalistic society with a white dominant community willing and ready to exploit everything wrong and negative in black society. They grab any comedian, any Uncle Tom and any retarded musical artist whether singer or rapper to use as the face of the black America. However when blacks try and create something wonderful, they try and tear it down and usually succeed.
Also I did not add this in but my cousin who, I’ll just tell you guys, works for Def Jam said that the record execs even like starting beef between rappers so sales and popularity can go up.
My issue is not with the companies though I know that they have a large hand it it. My issue is with those who choose to exploit themselves, degrade their people and mislead the youth all for the dollar. There is a lack of social responsiblity. T.I. is a fool. I said it. He was on “Hip Hop vs. America” on the worst channel in the universe talking crap. However when he gets arrested, he know has to go and speak to kids. Those kids should be speaking to him. Seriously, these people make me sick.