So, yeah people. I'm sad. Actually, I'm heartbroken. Yet, the sun has managed to come up each day since, so I guess I need to dust myself off as well. And besides, Tom Selleck is back on prime time television, so that's got to mean that things are going to be okay. Right? Well, at least that's the story I'm sticking to for now.
From time to time, I get into discussions about black entertainment: where it's going, where it's been, what must change, what must evolve and so forth. Of course, you can't have a discussion about black entertainment without discussing hip-hop. Sometimes I wonder though, how I even feel about the label "black entertainment." I mean, white folks own BET, lol. [Can we digest this for a moment: white people are essentially telling black people what "entertains" them. WOW. The even bigger wow: black people are LETTING THEM!] This, however, is not the only issue. Not every black person likes hip-hop; not even "good" hip-hop. Or R&B for that matter. I went to a high school where I'd say 40% of the black student body listened to metal, alternative, etc. And I'll say that a chunk of that 40% didn't have much interest in hip-hop or R&B (remember when those used to be completely separate entities?). So if Guns N' Roses also entertained me, why wasn't "November Rain" entertaining my black ass on the station that is supposed to be mine? But, I digress. . .When I talk about hip-hop to those younger than I, inevitably, I assume the "young-whippersnappers-don't-know-a-dayum-thang-'bout-good-music" tone. It can't be helped. Of course, I sound like my parents, and I'm sure there are some songs that will come from newer artists that I may enjoy, but on the whole, it's crap. But if you know anyone from 29-40, you've probably heard this argument ad nauseum. Whether you're digging the old school, or getting crunk, this woman should be your she-ro.
4 comments:
Peace,
Apart from the Means-to-an-End mentality that most of these current rappers obviously possess, the biggest problem with modern hip-hop to me is the fact that it is being produced and consumed by people for whom it was never meant to be produced and/or consumed. When this happens, the content and quality of your art is bound to be negatively affected. As I've argued repeatedly, when 70% of the people who are buying your shit are white, you're not making "black music."
Note to KRS-One: I guess Roxanne Shante is good for more than "steady fuckin'" after all.
The hell with it. You know what? I'm posting something about Roxanne Shante as well. That's right. You're officially being jacked for your topic.
I've got to agree. I also thought the same thing about KRS-One, lol.
As far as post-jacking, that's cool, but you would do well to remember that I never agreed to laying down my sword so, you know...just food for thought.
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