Atlanta Music Scene

By BAD DOG

February 29, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this

WHO CARES THE GAME HAS PLAYED OUT YOU GOT 30 YEAR OLDS STILL ACTING HIP HOP

By Thunder Noodle

February 29, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Garbage. Once again, the AJC has become nothing more than a “hot ghetto mess”-oriented tabloid, writing garbage about garbage.

By ithinkiamagangsta

February 29, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

First it was disco in the 70’s. Punk rock in the 80’s. Grunge in the 90’s. Hopefully hip hop will disappear soon as well.

By Smokey

February 29, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Who cares about the Romper-Room-Rap that is out today…All the crap that comes out today is complete garbage, From Dem French Fries Boys (D.F.B.) To that overhyped, overplayed, Soulja boyz garbage rap has gone down to the crapper since 50 cent joined the scene with his pop tart albums in 01

Nas said it best hip hop is dead…Nuff said…

By Ray

February 29, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

Rappers and their publishers wouldn’t be handing out this “music” unless someone was buying it. The AJC’s spotlighting this stuff just makes it more desirable to the young buyer. I really think that we are raising a generation of deaf black males who seem to think that rolling down the windows on their sleds and sharing their “music” with all around them is cool. It’s disgusting and I think that it’s an “in your face” gesture which makes it even more disgusting. The image of a defiant, surly, loud, profane,gun-toting criminal is just the kind of individual that American youth needs to look up to. AJC is just as guilty of promoting this garbage as the record producers who make billions from it.

By DRUDOWN

February 29, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

OK PEOPLE… HIP HOP HAS GIVEN US AN ENTIRE CULTURE, A NEW LANGUAGE, A FRESH OUTLOOK ON LIFE IN THE ‘HOOD AND THE REALITY OF STREET LIFE WHICH A LOT OF US WERE UNFORTUNATELY RAISED IN. THIS ISNT ALL WHITE PICKET FENCES AND 2.3 CHILDREN, 2 INCOMES, AND A 401 PLAN. THESE ARE THE TALES FROM THE VERY HEART OF THE GRITTY, SOMETIMES OVERLOOKED PART OF AMERICA THAT MANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE IS NOT ACTUALLY TAKING PLACE. SOME OF WHAT I READ HERE CAN BE COMPARED TO RACISM, OR MAYBE JUST PLAIN IGNORANCE, BUT IT IS SAD TO NOT BE ABLE TO AT LEAST RESPECT IT AS MUSIC, THE WAY A LOT OF AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE ADAPTED ROCK AND ROLL, AND NOW EVEN COUNTRY MUSIC. OPEN YOUR MINDS PEOPLE, YOU DONT HAVE TO LIKE IT, BUT BEING SO NEGATIVE IS JUST ANOTHER STEP BACK TO THE DARK AGES..(NO PUN INTENDED..) AFTER ALL, THE NEXT PRESIDENT WILL BE BLACK, AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW GUARD.

CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

By Diogenes

February 29, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Yeah, “Drudown,” rap has given us a new “culture,” all right — one of mindless violence, mysogeny, profanity, underachievement, criminality, etc. And of THIS you are proud? Rap ultimately has done nothing but confirm — in loud, in your face fashion — every unfortunate, negative stereotype of African-Americans. Is that really what you intended? Call me a “hater” all you want — if being a “hater” means having standards, and pointing out your lack of same, then I’m perfectly comfortable being called a “hater.”

By Ray

February 29, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

DRUDOWN,

“Comments compared to racism”, there it is again. Just because someone doesn’t buy some of this BS doesn’t make them a racist. What’s wrong with 2.3 children, a little responsibility that includes a father in a child’s life, paying taxes, being employed, getting an education, making honest and responsible decisions about the children that you sire…… all of these things that the Rap culture doesn’t seem to identify with. By the way, the next president can be any ethnic group that the electorate decides is best to run this country, black or not. I’m probably going to vote for him but not because he is black. I would hope that your intelligence would offer the same insight.

By DRUDOWN

February 29, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Diogenes

THANKS FOR PROVING MY OPINIONS WERE DEAD ON. YOU ARE BOTH A RACIST AND YOU ARE IGNORANT. SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!!! YOU ARE GOING TO BE HATING LIFE WHEN ALL OF YOUR ARIAN VIEWS COME CRASHING DOWN BECAUSE YOUR PRECIOUS LITTLE WHITE DAUGHTER IS SO HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY THIS CULTURE THAT SHE SHOCKS DADDY’S WORLD BY MARRYING A FINE YOUNG BLACK MAN. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

MEANWHILE, I WILL JUST TAKE MY PHD, AND MY MANY ACADEMIC MERITS AND BOOT UP THE OL IPOD WITH GANGSTA RAP, AND LET YOU ALL SORT IT OUT.

By Smokey

February 29, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Oh yea, while we’re at it lets bash BET for promoting all of this romper room garbage that contributes to the dumbing down of America…

Its amazing that being a black man that goes to white fraternity parties and 3/4’s of the white kids in the house listen to more rap than I do. Its usually the rich white (no offense intended) surburbia kids that keep supporting this crap by having their parents buy it…

By Jason

February 29, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

T.I. a businessman? He’s an entertainer/product. Any venture he undertakes outside of music depends completely on his status as a rapper, not on his business savvy. I think it’s great he’s milking his momentary fame for all it’s worth, but I doubt he’s out leveraging deals and studying balance sheets. T.I. and his ilk should “keep it real” and stop pretending to be CEOs.

By Smokey

February 29, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Oh yea, while we’re at it lets bash BET for promoting all of this romper room garbage that contributes to the dumbing down of America…

Its amazing that being a black man that goes to white fraternity parties and 3/4’s of the white kids in the house listen to more rap than I do. Its usually the rich white (no offense intended) surburbia kids that keep supporting this crap by having their parents buy it…

By NICK

February 29, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Well, T.I., will have plenty of time to write anything he wants when his “punk ass” is sitting in his cell.

Not even Steve Sadow can save him!

By Patrick

February 29, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Rap is a genre that is often brought down by those who don’t choose to listen past those songs which get played on the radio. It started as a genre for the streets and in large still is but there are many other rappers out there with lyrics reflecting their lives in other situations. Take a group like Kidz in the Hall who graduated from University of Pittsburg and are intelligent lyricists. For a large part rap is the closest genre to poetry in the forms in which it takes. It actually follows the flow of the music and takes into account the number of syllables, etc.. better than any other form of music out there and if you would like to argue against that I challenge you to take a look at lyrics from a decent rapper and compare that to any other set of lyrics from any other genre. I understand that rap is not ever going to be everyone’s taste, but I don’t expect it to be. What I do know is that it isn’t going anywhere considering hip-hop/rap is a worldwide musical style which is more than can be said for some other genres like country. Also for those that think punk and grunge died, you are seriously mistaken. They may be more of a niche market now but they have in no way died.

By Ray

February 29, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

DRUDOWN,

Your thin skin is showing. Just because someone doesn’t agree with you DOESN’T MAKE THEM A RACIST. My white daughter can marry anyone she wants but I think that she will chose a responsible, honest person with integrity, a sense of family and promise for a future that includes being a part of mainstream America, no matter what his race. You ought to try it. Maybe you can start paying some of your own bills for a change.

By Diogenes

February 29, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Well, Drudown, so it’s “racist” to oppose the glorification of violence, to value academic success, to handle my finances conservatively instead of blowing my money on “bling,” to believe in a married and stable two-parent family structure in which to raise children, and to value inoffensive and law abiding behavior? Well okay, then, I’ll happily accept that title, too. Call me that all you want, if that’s what it means.

Loser.

By Smokey

February 29, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

Just to stress it out more…Doug E. Fersh said it best in dat song I-Ight and I quote…

“You can call me old school, but I’m no fool Cause back then, at least we had a hip-hop rule And the rule was you got to be original But in ninety-three it seems originality is on the verge of becoming extinct to me And some of you rappers just stink to me And none of y’all really seem to think to me about respect, or no type of dignity And gettin pimped like a ho by the industry”

That say’s it all about the crappy rap that makes money today…

By Rusty

February 29, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Hey Drudown, Phd? right. “AND THEN A BLACK MAN GONNA BE PREDIDENT AND YO DAUGHTER GONNA MARRY A FINE BLACK MAN AND I GOT A PHD AND I’M ROLLIN 22’S! Get of the library computer and go read a book. “not a magazine but a book.”

By dont bite me bro

February 29, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Mary J fights dogs.

By Dictator

February 29, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

wow… i didn’t know violence, drugs, monogomy (sp), murder started with hip hop. i thought this was a country founded on rebelion and violence.
bunch of f*** hypocrits and idiots

By get a grip

February 29, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Diogenes & others, Try not to generalize about that which you know nothing about. How do you know what a performer’s life is like once he/she steps off the stage. Perhaps he has great investments, has a stable family life, is well-educated and supports community causes. Perhaps he only wears the bling etc. to get your children to attend his concerts and buy his music. Perhaps it’s his gimmick. Sort of like all the white actors you probably adore who play the gangsters onscreen.

By DRUDOWN

February 29, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

RUSTY

When they start giving out degrees for pig farmers, holla at me.

Oh, and they’re 24”..get it right there Opie! HA HA HA HA!

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

Rusty & Diogenes:

Do me a favor, try NOT to let your ignorance infest the entire group here. Your close-mindedness, and LACK of intelligence makes it perfectly clear to all who read these, that you are a racist. Take my advice, Rap is now, and always will be around, and a million dollar business. I, for the life of me, cannot figure out why people like YOU BOTH have to make it a thing of color! There is no black or white anymore, we are all ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION get it! No matter what color rappers may be, do Not take away from the fact that they are simply gifted people period. Though they sing mostly of the horrible things they had to live through in life, Color is of NO importance in the rap game. There are plenty of WHITE rappers that are also gifted. Get off the soap box, and go to work. At least there (maybe) what you say and think may matter!

Get with the program!

By A.K.

February 29, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

Regardless of what you all may think, Hip Hop has driven the music seen since it arrives 30 something odd years ago. You have more Hip Hop songs being played at ALL sporting events than any other genre. It is a multi billion dollar industry that take many young black men and a few young white men and makes them millionaires by record sales, acting and entrepreneurship. I’m not going to disrespect a 17 year old kid who wrote and produced “Crank Dat Soulja Boy”, you guys are mad because he’s making more money than a lot of you forty year olds. Thank GOD he’s not out there robbing and killing. Look plain and simple, if you hate heat don’t go looking for the nearest fire.

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Well said A.K. and Drudown!

By Thunder Noodle

February 29, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Rusty and Diogenes:

All the dim-witted attacks on your impeccable logic simply remind me of the old saying, “Never try to teach a pig to dance. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.” Go find a more worthy audience.

By Rusty

February 29, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Drudown, 24’s huh? Oh my bad. Guess I’ve been served. Please don’t shoot me for dissin’ you Doc.

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Noodle (impeccable name by the way), when you go to teach your pigs to dance, take your impeccable audience with you!

You all deserve each other…lol….impeccable logic. The logic you all have is, at best, pathetic. I am sure that somewhere on the Earth there may be a place for people just like yourselves…let us know when you find it!

Have an impeccable day (you and your worthy audience)!

By Rusty

February 29, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

This is thundernoodle, please read DJ RUN PHD’S ALL CAPS 9:05 & 9:28 post then talk to me bout ignorance. “well said,three snaps up,too blessed to be stressed, Doc Phd rollin rented 24’s blah blah blah. Too hilarious!

By From The Inside

February 29, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

DRUDOWN.

Let me start off by saying that I am a Black MAN. I am a up and coming songwriter and also work in corporate america. You are WRONG!! Unfortunately rap/hip-hop in its current state has given us all of this negativity and misguides and misdefines who we should be as a community. It promotes all the wrong things, and unfortunately those Hip Hop artists who are more positively inspired and present messages that reflect that are pushed to the side in favor of more “coonish” rap and hip hop acts.

I write and sing Soul music. I appreciate hip hop and rap but have no real respect for it in its current promoted form. Any Black person who would sit and hold up this garbage as a benefit to our community is doing nothing but a disservice to our community. It perpetuates a bunch of irresponsible “millionaires” and ghetto minded individuals who have no desire than to do nothing but flaunt their wares (much of which they do not own wholly), exploit our women and brainwash an entire generation into a mindset of backward progress. Period.

It is what it is, why deny it or get offended?

By DRUDOWN

February 29, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

FROM THE INSIDE

YOU MY MAN, ARE AN UNCLE TOM!!!

KEEP ON TELLING YOURSELF YOU ARE BLACK…. NICE TRY!!

RUSTY GO F YOURSELF!

By DEMSMUSTGO

February 29, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

So you clowns think Revolutionary War (thats what it was called)and violence in hip hop are the same!Killing and dieing for freedom and killing for money or because you are to lazy to get a real job are not the same!Hip Hop and rap sales have been dropping faster than your xx large pants!People respect the music not the artist!

By Support Rap on Rap Crime

February 29, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Diogenes and Rusty are absolutely correct on this one. To those of you who “consume” rap: You embrace music that touts a criminal lifestyle. Don’t act like a criminal and then expect people not to treat you like one.

Respectable people aren’t buying the victim card anymore.

By Rusty

February 29, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Drudown, go smoke another rock Doc. (get it? I made a lil ryhme)

By From The Inside

February 29, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Woo DRUDOWN.

I see you have pulled one from the “victim” mentality Black person’s handbook. Man I’m probably more “radical” than you could ever dream of being, Mr “PhD” (Phony Dufus). I just don’t believe in lying to myself or others about our people’s problems.

I bow to no one, regardless of race and know very well what I am up against in this country as a Black man. The very fact that you respond the way that you do when challenged shows just how deep you really are (or not). Get your arguments and logic straight “bruh” then come and talk to me. And stop being a cop out, you’re bringing us down..MAYNE!

By DRUDOWN

February 29, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

RUSTY

SORRY, MY KID ALREADY SOLD ALL OF THEM TO YOUR KID, WHO BY THE WAY WAS WEARING BAGGY JEANS AND SPORTIN CORN ROWS, BUT THANKS!

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

From the inside:

I am very surprised at your response here. Rap is no different than any other music with what it promotes. I happen to LOVE the blues, and are you going to tell me some of the good old blues songs do not promote negative things? Come on. You of all people are segregating music? Unbelievable!

What SHOULD be the focus here is that the “rap” singers, while I know most of them have had a negative and degrading past) have gone beyond that now and EARNED their place in music by overcoming their past (albeit bad) they still got past it. And I *have to sit here and defend there efforts and where it has gotten them to *you?!!? Wow, it is a sad day when you of all people, will come here and exploit musicians, ans their music. If you were a TRUE blues lover, then you’d know that R&B IS derived from the blues, and rap derived from R&B. In this country, everything is FAR from being easy, and everyone has to work hard to make it in whatever it is they do. Rappers are no different, and they are not all negative either! Look at Kanye, he sings about positive things. Rap music is (as does all music) is adapting to the consumer market. Although there are still some that is degrading, most of it has come around to our demand for some kind of decency. For you to say they exploit our women?? As a woman I say it is no more exploitation than we get everyday in the business world, or in the world of sports for that matter. It is NOT a disservice when you come from nothing, to flaunt what you have if you have made it into SOMETHING Sir. And NO real blues performer would EVER call any type of music garbage! For at the end of the day, it all comes from the same place, and depicts the very life, and time of the artist to whom it refers, and usually performs it. So all of you people here that think you are better than everyone else, know this…..in one hundred years there will still be great Blues singers, there will still be great Jazz singers/musicians, and there will still be a plethora of music genre. BUT, at the top of the charts still..there will be rap music. Live and learn people. Stop segregating, you’d think we’d ALL have gotten past that by now…..geez.

By DEMSMUSTGO

February 29, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

Thisis,nice winded speech,you could write for Obama!Since when can you listen to blues and hear them sing about violence!Most of blues is instrumental!Thats another thing,you take blues,must be able to play a instrument.I know you need rytheme for rap or hip hop but takes no real skill!

By Rusty

February 29, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

Dr Drudown, sorry to hear your kids a drug dealer. Mabe if you took some of all of your “ACADEMIC MERITS” you could teach him to do something besides drug dealing there Doc. C’mon Doc, represent!

By Bruthaman

February 29, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

You guys are hilarious; I must say that both sides have valid points however the message gets loss in your insults towards each other. To add my two cents: Rock and Roll was viewed the same way by mainstream America when it first arrived because of it’s hard edge and the drugs associated with it and yet look at how filthy rich it has made so many people. Rap will be eventually replaced by some other form of music that mainstream America doesn’t like as well. Thus the cycle starts all over again.

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Demsmustgo:

I will have you know that Blues music is NOT ALL instrumental! You couldn’t be more far off if you were on the moon with that idiotic statement you made just then! And I would also LOVE to see you write and perform a rap song if it takes no skill! And you can laugh if you want, but Obama may be your next President Sir, and what would you think of that??? For the record, not all rap is violent so don’t go generalizing again! Do me a favor, go and study the true art of music, Blues, and Jazz. Come back here and leave your stupidity, in the form of words, when you know what you are talking about.

Bruthaman, I concur with you on your statement, but isn’t it funny to see how the anger filled haters come out of the woodwork when someone starts to jiggle the walls. My point is no matter what KIND of music it is, it takes time and work and SKILL to make it good enough that people will buy it. The funny thing here Drudown, and Bruthaman, is that all the people here, probably have kids that own more rap cd’s than books.

I mean, SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE is buying it, if the artist is now a millionaire, huh???

By Garbage in - Garbage out

February 29, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

The first paragraph of this blog says it all “…convicted felon (currently on house arrest and facing gun charges)…”.

By Rusty

February 29, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Bruthaman,good post. However,it’sad to see that we can now equate the early days of Rock-n-Roll ie Elvis the pelvis and Little Richard with the undeniable filth and violence that is actually labeled and marketed as music today.I hope your right about your cycle, and I hope the next music fad doesn’t get anyone killed like this one has.

By T.O

February 29, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Here’s the problem I have with the rap scene. For every Diddy and Luda there are a million thugs and gangsta’s. I have a lot of respect for the artists who have made it big and decided to act mature with their money and give back to the community. The truth is that there is not very many of them. Here’s my issue. The kids growing up in the streets/hood whatever you want to call who have not a chance to make it from the get go giving the hand they were dealt see the rap/r&b industry as a ticket out. They see the money, they realize that anyone can do it b/c it takes very little skill to rap and they become aspiring hip hop artist and begin to live the thug life. They look at it like I could either go get a job or sit at my house and try and become a rapper. So after years of realizing that everyone is doing it and they have no chance to make it they go back to their criminal ways. I don’t blame the kids for this. Its the Momma who just sat at home collecting gov’t checks that had kid after kid after kid but can’t afford to feed one of them. None of these kids have fathers. Its a very sad situation especially as this process continues to recycle itself.

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

That is NO different than NFL players breaking the law, NBA players breaking the law, MLB players doing same, MOVIE STARS, Politicians too! You cannot fault an entire genre because “some” performers are bad, and break the law. In that case, every single sport (with the exception of Golf) would be considered trash! And we ALL KNOW better than that!

By Rusty

February 29, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

This is,I think you’re missing the point. It’s one thing to slip in judgement,it’s entirely different when you blatently glamorize lawlessness to market your product. Isn’t that right Tupac? Biggie, you listnin? Oh I’m sorry I forgot..”It’s hard out there for a pimp”.

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately T.O. you are right on the money there. They really cannot do much more for themselves than try to get out. But, I disagree with the statement that it takes very little skill to rap. Have you listened to some of it? I mean it takes quite a lot of skill to put words together in that fashion, and as quickly as they do it (although some lyrics are controversial). Some of the artists are borderline gifted with their words. I am not saying they are all upstanding citizens, but you cannot blame them for wanting something better than that from which they came. And you cannot knock them ALL for the actions of the ones that DO NOT give back to their community, and offer positive words to say/do for the ones growing up in that same situation. And, I also agree, that it is sad, but do have some respect for the ones able to overcome that kind of life and move on….

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Rusty:

I NEVER said they ALL were good people, what I said was (and let me make this clear so you can understand) you simply cannot generalize and hate the entire genre for the actions of some, capiche? There are just as many people just as bad in ALL aspects of life, you gonna hate em all???

By Peter

February 29, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

T.O is right. Drive down Boulevard and I guarantee you that you’ll run into about 50 aspiring hip hop artist. I mean what else do they do. Other than sit outside all day, roll dice and walk up and down the street. The sad thing about it is that every girl is pregnant. Welcome to the ghetto.

By Thinkb4uspeak

February 29, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

It’s strange how an article regarding something so simple can bring up so much controversy. First all music changes nothing retains it’s original formula once corporate america steps in. Country western, Jazz, hip-hop, swing, and big band to name a few. What you see going on with hip hop is what the so called “industry” decides to push to the mass public, and we all assume that is all the artist’s have to talk about, media in general lacks integrity, music, tv, movies and video games. One if the most popular video game series is based on robbing, murder, and general mayhem. Is that due to hiphops influence or “corporate america” pushing it the people. There is plenty of so called crap out there in the entertainment industry but if you don’t buy it they will have to stop selling it.

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Low and behold! Thinkb4uspeak enters the room! That is EXACTLY what I am saying! Somebody has to buy the music for the artist to become rich. But it does take skills to be able to make the music good enough for the people to buy right? Enter Corporate America, and the almighty dollar! There will always be music and on that footnote, there will always be money associated with it. So the don’t hate the player, hate the game attitudes I am detecting here won’t make a bit of difference unless the world stops buying the music. I do not foresee that happening anytime in the near future! Thanks to all for a GREAT discussion that gets the juices flowing for us all. My “corporate day in corporate America” is now over. Time to start the weekend with some GOOD OLE MUSIC!!! Have a great weekend everyone!

By Rusty

February 29, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

This is,spare me the ole “they’re not all like that” crap. Take a real look at hip-hop culture then re-think your “they’re not all like that” position if you are able to pull yourself out of that state of denial.(clear enough to understand?) Capiche?

By Najeh Davenpoop

February 29, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

I love it when people say things like “it takes very little skill to rap”. Throw on a beat and freestyle 16 bars right now, record it, and put it online for the rest of us to hear. If it really takes no skill, you should be able to drop a freestyle as good as any real rapper can do it. Morons.

By DEMSMUSTGO

February 29, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Thisis and TO ,i love your excucess.”Here’s my issue. The kids growing up in the streets/hood whatever you want to call who have not a chance to make it from the get go giving the hand they were dealt see the rap/r&b industry as a ticket out”What country do you live in!This is america,if study and work hard you can do what you want!Dont give me that i was born poor and its so hard blah blah.How about they worry about there education and not the quick way to make money!

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Rusty:

I am gonna leave you alone on that one with your pitiful anger. You can go ahead and not like rap, no one cares. And because you don’t like it, won’t make a bit of difference. They are NOT ALL like that, and this is FACT. I need not re-think a thing, because you see, all I do, every day IS think. And unlike a few, other than yourself here, that come to the table with their half thought out opinions, based on non-existing facts, SOME if us here base our opinion on what IS fact, and not solely hatred. I hope you someday find your way to knowledge soon Rusty, as you know what they say? Knowledge is power, and I am taking mine to the bank, and then to happy hour with my husband, DRUDOWN, and continue our happy lives with our HONOR ROLL law-biding teenager, and our most perfect, and law-biding 3 month old son as we ride off into the sun-set together…….Good day Sir.

By Rachel

February 29, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Totally agreee with your 11:20 post AK.

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Right on Najeh!!!!

And Dems, talk to me about that when your slack behind has had it rough and had to stick it out in poverty Sir. Come back and sling you pathetic wasted air then. You are truly the definition of the word IGNORANT!

By Thinkb4uspeak

February 29, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

On another note Rusty, it is true they are not all like that, are all italians Mafia related, pasta eating gangsters, NO. Are all rappers gangsters toting guns, selling drugs,NO. Look at the man that the article is based on T.I., married with children, wife follows him on tour, children attend private school, Master P went to university of Houston on a scholarship, Graduated owned a record shop in California before he started rapping. And the man who said drive down Boulvard and what do you see. apparently you haven’t drove down Blvd in awhile it is all newly remodeled homes and new business from the I-20 entrance all the way to L5P, what people have to grasp is it is all a image that is being pumped to you. Half of these people do not live the life the are rapping about but because it is profitable and corportations have that let’s keep it running until it dies mentality, that is what you will get.

By Yulanda

February 29, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Nothing that T I does suprizes me. I miss TI like he’s one of my family members.Plus,TI is a Libra as I am..Libras always keeps it moving.Good Things always and will work out for him.

By Thisishilarious

February 29, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

BRAVO BRAVO Thinkb4uspeak!!! You are right on the money there. I cannot WAIT to see his response later. Have a GREAT weekend!!

By John

February 29, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Yeah Boulevard and freedom parkway going towards Ponce is a very nice part of town. You’re totally right.

By From The Inside

February 29, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

It’s sad when people like Thisishilarious take such offense to the truth when it is spoken.

Like I said I am a songwriter, singer; camefully immersed in hip hop culture and the like but am simply calling it as it is. I’m willing to stack my knowledge of music history, theory and musical skill against anyone on this board. I know it really hurts us when another one of us “airs our dirty laundry”, but it is what it is. And the sooner we as Black people learn how to be honest with ourselves the sooner we will truly progress as a people in a positive direction. Everyone can clearly see how much of our community is screwed up by the impact of rap music and the thug and ghetto mentality ir promotes…

By Blkshepherd

February 29, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Some of you are clueless..There is no way on Gods green earth I am going to look up to T.I. and he used to sell Crack to teens on the street. I dont give a ratz butt what he supposed to have done for the community. Which community? I been living in decatur for 8yrs and T.I. has done NOTHING. so get over yourselves. I am not going to praise this man. One time I really liked Mike Vick until I realized hes not all that nice. giving away herpes(knowing hes infected)killing dogs because they dont perform? Imagine society Killing humans when we dont perform, have a job, be a model citizen, dont have a degree? uneducated and worthless to society. Imagine if we killed all humans with the above flaws? Stop glorifing these HUMANS. I am sick sick sick of hearing about T.I. Michael Vick, BRITIANY CRAZY SPEARS, and TMZ needs to get a life! These people are no different then you and me. Stop making them appear larger then life because they can say a few rap lines, sing a few bars,,dance across the stage half naked! and yall call this crap today TALENT! Then its obvious then yall dont KNow What Talent REallly is. I will tell you where the talent was 1956 to 1979. anything after is all Studio created with weak vocals and computor tricks. If you dont believe it..see them sing LIVE!

By Yulanda

February 29, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

TI is the First Rap-Artist to advise others to issue Finances for Hurricane Katrina..To make this short.Only GOD can judge TI..Not a human being.It’s not TI’s place to send kids home that thinks they are grown. Everyone should think of multiple ways to increase their revenue.Cause U R hating on a millionaire..Duval County Checking Out

By Yulanda

February 29, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

TI is the First Rap-Artist to advise others to issue Finances for Hurricane Katrina..To make this short.Only GOD can judge TI..Not a human being.It’s not TI’s place to send kids home that thinks they are grown. Everyone should think of multiple ways to increase their revenue.Cause U R hating on a millionaire..Duval County Checking Out

By Yulanda

February 29, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

TI is the First Rap-Artist to advise others to issue Finances for Hurricane Katrina..To make this short.Only GOD can judge TI..Not a human being.It’s not TI’s place to send kids home that thinks they are grown. Everyone should think of multiple ways to increase their revenue.Cause U R hating on a millionaire..Duval County Checking Out

By Out with Bubble Gum Rap!

February 29, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

This bubble-gum mindless idiotic rap must go. I saw this coming with the invent of NWA in 1989 and I haven’t bought any of this garbage since 1996. I only listen to the Old School and Conscious HipHop of today. This bullshhh! that’s played on the radio is nothing more than Steffin Fetchin Black Faced Coonery and I refuse to even acknowlege it. I, as a black man, am sick of this nonsense. People with any sense, stop buying this crap for your kids ask for the less commercialized hiphop when attempting to purchase it in stores. BYPASS ALL RAP THAT’S VISIBLE BECAUSE IT’S GARBAGE! HOTEP!

By michael paul

March 1, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this

Sonya..we’re in DC! Great being able to read you commentary. Hit us here! Peace!

By thisishilarious

March 1, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

From the inside, I am not going to bicker back and forth with you. Take pride in who you are, and lose the jealousy. I am sure that you are bitter as the young artists of rap today have a name and the $$ to back themselves. People with no talent and no skill don’t become rich of their cd’s. Are you a rich successful artist?? Now we know the root of the hatred. You shouldn’t hate them because they are successful. No matter your thoughts or mine, they sill still keep on moving up the charts, and nothing we do or say changes a thing. I say…”Keep up the good work young hip hoppers!”

By Mark

March 1, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Hip Hop, and Rap is proof of the dumbing down of America. Neither is music. It is ear flotsam for the illiterate.

By Ron

March 2, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Wow,

Was this article about how much I can hate? This is, believe it or not a music a culture that YOU have created, that has evolved, and you don’t have the mind set to understand, so you hate. You don’t even see that you’re the problem. YOU ARE A HATER. It’s so funny to read such vile, from people who are so disconnected and so out numbered. I’m 52 years old and have seen so much hate from yall. You ever heard of an understanding mellow. It would be a lot less stresssful to open up your narrow minds and put a little love in your hearts, and the world would be a better place. Otherwise the light that you think you see at the end of the tunnel is actually a bullet train. You will not change this, it will evolve as you or your hatred disolves.

By Truth

March 2, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

The biggest problem with it all is balance. I will proceed to turn this into a race issue as all others are. What most who dont understand hip hop as a whole (mostly white folks) is that the prominent acts seen on tv and heard on the radio only scratch the surface. There are plenty of hip hop acts that dont promote violence or misogyny. If any you ever get the chance, check out the hip hop duo, ‘Little Brother’. They are totally against a lot of the negative stereotypes that those who oppose hip hop are. The problem is groups like them cant get a share of the mainstream limelight because they dont promote negativity.

By donald

March 2, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

It’s really funny to read all the so-called experts on the pros and con of Rap and Hip-Hop music as it is today. We are fast approaching 30 years since the first modern rap song was done by The Sugar Hill Gang. The first true rap songs I heard were by Pigmeat Markham and Napoleon IV. Rap has taken on many forms and and morphed into many genres since. The Rap and Hip-Hop of today is nothing more than a fodder for coporate america to keep youth stupid. There is no realness or soul in the music anymore. Much like rock became in the 80s, rap and hip-hop is old, stale and needs to be put out to pasture.

By b.

March 3, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

I’m not certain why discussions about hip-hop ignite such polarized passions. The truth is, like any other genre of music, the relevance of hip-hop to a person depends upon their point of reference, which is largely generational, cultural and socio-economic. What is wholly irrelevant to some will be the lifeblood of others.

My own opinion of the current state of hip-hop is that is says less and less that is substantive about moving people ahead. Same as R+B. Same as pop. Just like with every other genre, there are a few true artists and a bit of great music amidst a huge pile of steaming ish that purports to be of that particular genre.

What I tend to find inane and vacuous, my adolescent sons find engaging. Which is probably generationally appropriate. As they grow into young men, my efforts at educating them about the breadth of substantive music in all genres will, hopefully, make them well-rounded, critical thinkers who won’t just blindly consume whatever the marketplace throws at their ears and, by extension, their souls.

By SKINFAN

March 3, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Rap, Hip Hop, whatever you want to call it, has become really bad nursery rhymes. Everyone has a CD. Everyone has a clothing line. Or they have a clothing line and a CD coming out and acting in a movie. Amazingly, this is all done with very limited talent. Can anyone “play” an instrument? can anyone write a lyric and “create” a sound/vibe that appeals to the masses? Can anyone write a song/lyric/rhyme that can be player, in its entirety, on mainstream radio or will the public be subjected to the continual bleep outs or scratch out edits that the stations must do. Do these “artists” tour?? Or does your tour resemble a combat attack on the host city. Complete with the entourage of homies who just stand behind the “artist” and look sinister. ALL HYPE. NO TALENT. Most of this crap is and will be forgettable. Even worse are the mainstream radio stations that promote and spin this junk. I think if Program/Music Directors had any inner fortitude they would decline these worthless imitations of music when they come for adds. Not cave in and play only local sounds (which is at least 60% of their playlists) but become more global in their approach. There is tons of good music out there. Quit being lazy and put it on the air. The Soulja Boys of the world have a place at the table. All are entitled to their 5 minutes of fame. However, to place them on pedestals as music icons, etc., etc. is ridiculous. Rap/Hip Hop has run its course and the people are tired of the wannabes who think that if they record it people will buy it. Naw, this ain’t your mamma nem saying your tail can sing. It’s the people saying what the heck is it you’re trying to say?? And if you knew the words that Soulja Boy was saying, you’d stop hopping around like a fool screamin’ “Now watch me zoooo.” Childish jibberish.

By Mark

March 3, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

It’s your parents fault, not whitey’s. They shouldn’t have had any kids if the streets was all they could offer you.

By avon b

March 3, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Hey hip hoppers, if you guys want to impress us, open up community centers in these places where you glorify your “trappin”, stop buying 20 cars with “4’s” on them and give the youth the real. You guys are bright business men but instead of shoving your riches to the masses, start going out to the schools and educate. In every song you guys serve up indictment after indictment, you must have never heard the slogan that “gangstas move in silence”. It is all about upliftment people, become more responsible and pull your pants up.

By Mark

March 3, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Thisishilarious

“No matter what color rappers may be, do Not take away from the fact that they are simply gifted people period.”

Gifted?? With what? LMAO!!!!

By Mark

March 3, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

I could fart in a mud puddle and sound better than any thicklip trying to tell his sorry azz street life tale in a rap fashion. Rap is for the illiterate. Try picking up an instrument and play some real music, not garbage that any one can do.

By NIKKI

March 11, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

Gosh People it’s just music. I happen to be a 30+ black woman who loves all genre of music, loves me some Nickleback, Maroon 5, Fergie, Justin, Alanis Morrisette. But I also love me some HIP HOP. I must admit that it has gotten a little out of hand, but for the most part most of it is very creative.I also have 18&17 year old sons who listen to Hip Hop, but they know it is just music. So don’t blame violence, drug use, and things of the like on the music. I mean really y favorite song by Nickleback is “I Wanna Be A Rockstar” have you listened to the lyrics of that song? I think it is the responsibility of us parents to educate or children on what they listen too, there are a few things to be learned from HIP HIP, i grew up in the projects right here in Atlanta, and I can still relate to a lot of that music… although I must admit my favorite radio station is Q100. I think Rusty, Drudown, and Inside all have “SOME” valid points.

Can’t we all just get along?