Faith in Action

6 Responses to “ Has Commercial Rap Destroyed Black America? ”

1. # 1 aulelia Says:
   July 25th, 2007 at 7:13 am

   misogynistic rap isn’t just destroying the US. the entire black diaspora is suffering too. i wish some of these rappers would get the picture!

2. # 2 Vernon Johns Says:
   July 25th, 2007 at 11:15 am

   WHAT!

   No one thing destroys any thing.
   The fact that we have this blog, and this panel, and these people who are addressing this issue says it is not being destroyed.
   We keep giving power to people who really don’t have power.
   (Note: The strongest form of advertising is word of mouth.)
   Personally I think the jazz (improvisation and creativity) of Black folk is also perpetuated by the commercialization of Black art forms. When “they” grab it and use it we move on to a new thing.
   No more high fives, no more right ons, no more Kenny G… hope you get my drift.

   I just can’t wrap my mind around rap music doing something 400 years of bondage, hatred, racism could not do.

   OKAAAAY!

3. # 3 Heber Brown, III Says:
   July 26th, 2007 at 1:05 pm

   I think the creator of the event wanted to deliver an impact with the title of this panel discussion and shock people into paying attention.

   Has commercial rap destroyed Black America? No, but is it adversely impacting the condition of Afrikan people worldwide? most definitely and that is exactly what it is designed to do - profit off of the denigration of those who have been kissed by the sun.

4. # 4 Vernon Johns Says:
   July 29th, 2007 at 5:34 pm

   If what you think is what he is doing thenIi suppose it passes the mettle for being acceptable.

   I still don’t get it. Unfortunately I will be in NY on Aug 4th and I don’t want you to reveal all of your panel discussion here. But I recall you giving “shoutouts” to some rappers (I could be wrong). I hope there is some discussion on other things that have been said to be destroying Black America (this could be defined to not include some sun-kissed people living in America). Is rap music ok to adversely impact as long as it is not commercial? Do the poignant lyrics of such rap luminaries such as Dead Prez, Talib Khalil, and The Roots need to be examined as well. I remember when some Negroes said the Black Power Movement was destroying “Black America.” I hope you all take a long hard look at us, for we old folks have been doing the things in the closet for a long time that our children and our grand children are acting out in public. Could the little black chickens be coming home to roost.

   This topic has brought up many questions for me, especially since I have survived the Civil Rights Movement. I keep seeing many potential conflicts as this panel discussion approaches. I wish you well.

5. # 5 Big G Says:
   July 31st, 2007 at 4:09 pm

   Unfortunatelty I will not be able to attend this event, but as a Hip-Hop curator and protector of the lifestyle I am often leary of panel discussions like this because usually the people that participate know nothing about Hip-Hop. I don’t think that is the case for Brother Heber because he mentioned Immortal Technique as one of his favorite artist and he is far from the commercial minstrels that we see on TV or hear on the radio daily.

   Of course any sane person would know that the commercialization of rap has not destroyed the black community. Racism, Homicide, Drugs, Poverty and Disease have destroyed our once vibrant communities and families. If anything the commercialization of rap has destroyed is the true spirit of Hip-Hop, which was a freedom of expression. Rap is now controlled by corporate giants such as Viacom, Universal, Sony, Warner and others. These corporations dictate what is heard on the airwaves and what is seen on the idiot box.

   Also can something that we (meaning African Americans) no longer support and/or listen to destroy us? Whites are the leading consumers and supporters of rap music. They buy the cd’s and concert tickets. Go to any concert and I bet you that you can count the amount of black people there on both hands. Just like most of the art forms that come from our nation - jazz, rock and roll, r & B - we give it away to others to master and control it.

6. # 6 Heber Brown, III Says:
   July 31st, 2007 at 5:12 pm

   Well said Big G. While I would be hesitant to say that our community has been destroyed by anything; I agree with you that drugs, poverty, etc. have impacted our community in depressing ways to say the least.

   I also understand you being leary of events like this. I’ve been in far too many circles where Hip Hop and the genre of rap music become the scapegoats for everything wrong with the Afrikan family. This is done because too many people don’t do the research to find out who really controls the rap industry. And then there are those who know who the real puppet masters are, but are afraid to say anything for fear of losing their jobs, getting black balled, etc.

   I will do all that I can on Saturday to encourage the crowd to think critically about this issue and if they are that mad about how things are, I’ll challenge them to do something about it. (of course I have some suggested courses of action)

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