2/27/07
James Denson
Granite City, IL
This documentary was done wonderfully. I found myself in complete agreement with most of its content. Some of the issues raised were a great start with the issues that surround the negative images and messages concerning not only hip-hop culture but the connotations that parallel with white culturally based themes. What I thought was perhaps the best part of the documentary was how many of the same problems expand beyond hip-hop and black culture. One thing that seemed to be omitted but is a clear distinction between the hip-hop culture and the rest of the other American cultures is the amount of focus in the hip-hop music and videos. I mean when I flip through the channels on my television there are about ten music video stations together. Most of them are centered on hip-hop culture and each station (though they play different videos at any given moment) contain the same messages; women are sex toys, look at me I have wealth and I am better than the poor people in the ghetto, and yes I am willing to kill anyone I please. These are not as concentrated in the other realms of American culture.
An argument made from the black perspective is that these issues are not being addressed because there are a higher priority of issues such as racism and black male prison statistics. This seemed to have connotations that these are not big enough problems to be raised by the black community. I feel this argument is weak since it was followed by the focus of responsibility to fall on black men (meaning there are few willing to be men) to stand up against the white business man who makes the decisions to produce the types of messages and videos that are overwhelmingly popular.
2/27/07
Aladdin Ullah
New York
I think it is ironic that the same night we see Jenifer Hudson and Forrest Whittaker win Oscars we can witness the eroding art form that was once called hip-hop. Despite the negative images in film, black writers, actors and directors have worked to fight the stereotypes. Why is it that despite the racism which exists in Hollywood there is a movement to challenge stereotypes in film, yet in hip hip no one even challenges it? How come no artist or executive has the courage to challenge these negative stereotypes? why is it tolerated? I think this film does an excellent job in holding not just the artist accountable but the executives as well. I especially loved it when he confronted the BET executive. When posed the question about negative images he just walked away. I hope young people will especially see the hypocrisy which exists with the artists they love. Most if not all the artists are so willing to sell their souls for a quick buck. They are not able to display any courage to say no to these morally corrupt record executives that sign these artist. All these artist are motivated by the all mighty dollar. AS Malcolm X would say these are "house negroes". Men who are willing to serve their master at the expense of exploiting their people like the old days of the slavery. This film does a great job of showing us how this industry have "pimped" these young men into selling their people out. I was raised in East Harlem and my parents were from Bangladesh. In the late 70's and 80's I found hip hop spoke to me as a graffiti artist and a huge fan of rap and break dancing. The entire movement was about defiance, truth, and self pride. It represented a spirit that inspired us at that time to believe anything was possible. The music was so inspirational! The music from grandmaster flash and the furious five to Public enemy challenged the outcasts of society -the poor, the disenfranchised, the disillusioned to uplift them self. HIp hop was an extension to what Malcolm x insisted to a ll of us to "wake up the living dead". This music woke us up all to the truth about race, poverty, and injustice in America. It is sad that this aspect of hip hop I loved so much is gone. I have worked in the school system as an educator and I have seen boys act out in very crude ways and show such a hostility towards girls that is a direct influence of hip hop. Hip hop may not be the sole reason for the low self esteem, homophobia. and negative images of women but it is a huge contributor!
2/27/07
Danielle Maither
Montreal, Canada
Just wanted to say thanks to Byron for making this film. You've touched on a very important subject, something that is affecting how teens are growing up in this world. As the mom of a 19-year old, I worry about all the violence in hip-hop music, and the negative images in the videos and the lyrics. I don't understand why girls aren't getting really upset over this. It's degrading and unacceptable. I don't understand why guys aren't getting really upset either: we're talking about their girlfriends, their sisters, their friends. where's the respect?! Guys & girls gotta liberate themselves from these nasty stereotypes and start creating a better world! Kids, be wise... this is not cool! Peace, love and respect are cool.
2/27/07
Danielle Maither
Montreal, Canada
Just wanted to say thanks to Byron for making this film. You've touched on a very important subject, something that is affecting how teens are growing up in this world. As the mom of a 19-year old, I worry about all the violence in hip-hop music, and the negative images in the videos and the lyrics. I don't understand why girls aren't getting really upset over this. It's degrading and unacceptable. I don't understand why guys aren't getting really upset either: we're talking about their girlfriends, their sisters, their friends. where's the respect?! Guys & girls gotta liberate themselves from these nasty stereotypes and start creating a better world! Kids, be wise... this is not cool! Peace, love and respect are cool.
2/27/07
Hugh-EMC
San Francisco,CA
First off I loved the documentary. It touched on many crucial and taboo subjects. I must admit as a heterosexual male from San Francisco I was like "aww man, why the gay dude have 2 be rappin on a stage in Frisco!" I have heard of dude's crew and i don't think he or the majority of his crew are from Frisco. As an old school Hip-Hop vet from San Francisco I remember when we as black men,artist or what ever had to go the extra mile 2 show people who where not from the Bay Area that every ones not gay in Frisco. Thanks to myself,San Quinn,4-Tay,RBL, Fillmoe Slim and others who have given a segment of San Francisco's Black community a voice many now know the real. We still have that stigma to some extent but most cats now know we bust head's out hear!!and that alludes to the next subject i would like to discuss- A point I think most people miss about the whole reason why so called "Gansta Rap" has taken over the industry is that "Gansta Rap" simply feels good. Yes the media has saturated the airwaves and video
with it. Yes the cooperate sector has used it to make billions!! But the fact is that "Afro Centric" or "Conscious Rap" is just that-"CONSCIOUS"!! As uplifting as much of it maybe the other aspect of it is that it reminds us of our plight in this modern day Babylon. It puts us in a some what somber reflective mood which psychologically can lead to feelings of sadness. Also conscious rap appeals largely to the intellect. Unfortunately the average brother or sister in the hood have been deprived of intellectual stimuli so long that they grow to no longer desire it. Not only that but many so called"Conscious" MC's use the biggest most obscure words they can find. This makes for entertaining clever word play but the average joe don't know what they talking about. Shalom-
2/27/07
Bowling Green, OH
This documentary was outstanding and Mr. Hurt should be commendedAs a black male college student, I cannot personally tell you how much an impact that commercial hip hop has on young people, white and black. I laugh when people say hip hop has no effect on people. I would never accuse commercial hip hop for violence and drugs in ghettos. However, the music has become so prevalent in the black community that it is a major surprise when a young black man or woman from the hood to not be a fan of hip hop. I believe it helps supplement an mentality that is destructive to the black community. The young black males in the hood see Lil Wayne, Cam'Ron, and others as real because they are young, black, males who came from poor neighborhoods and will emulate their mentalities. As far as those people who contend that no one attacks white representation of violence like the Sopranos with the same energy has hip hop, they need to realize that blackness in the media is rarely portrayed with different degrees of dimension.No one would dare say that Marilyn Manson represents what white people must be like but that is not always the case for blacks in the media.
2/27/07
M.D.
Chicago, IL
Hip-Hop has been taken over by corporations! These media conglomerate corporations own the same record companies, radio and T.V stations, thanks to the FCC, they put out this one dimensional type of music and they are only concerned with the bottom line. If we do not like the music, we need to put our money where our mouths is, and boycott these corporations, or shut up and suffer in silence. About the film, Kudos to Hurt, Independent Lens and PBS.
2/27/07
Steve
Pittsburgh, PA
Congratulations Mr. Hunt on your awakening, exploration & documentary. I hope you continue on the path with another movie digging even deeper. I was struck by the denials, rationalizations & excuses offered by all. The artists have sold their soul to the devil. BET was sold to a white corporations long ago & never served the long range interests of the black community. There is too much destruction to ignor the impact of Hip-Hop on so many. Elevated murder rates, fueled by all those macho images are on display every night on the news, is just one example. Too bad the positive messages of black music of the 60s & 70s which encouraged taking responsibility for your actions, getting an education, respecting yourself & others and working hard are no longer valued.
2/27/07
D. Frank
Pretty good. I would stop short of calling this a great piece, though. Certainly it highlighted some extremely critical issues, and presented clips from interviews that offered some truely great insight, but I doubt this film will make any lasting impact. Although, as evidenced by the numerous comments on here, it already did make an impact. But I think many people are just starving for any critique of hip hop culture, and am skeptical that this piece will reach the necessary audience. It's a good start, but the film and Mr. Hurt lack the right voice, imho.
A few observations:
Homeboy in the white T spittin the fairy tale gangster nonsense ("you can always find me flippin' bricks in the kitchen" --LMFAO) got served by dude from the FL, and deservedly so. It may be a good thing for him, too. Dude just might re-evaluate his approach and get off that "negative" fantasy tip after getting his card pulled like that. Preaching ain't gonna reach everybody.
"lyin'/the only thing you ever popped was aspirins"
was not only dope, but was itself a critique of the very kind of lyrics that the film was in part attempting to address. Yet somehow it got lumped in with the other garbage, seemingly as further evidence of amateurish, violent effort. Was this an oversight? There is plenty of critique of these issues from *within* hip hop. Kevin Powell = yawn. The reason acts like Dead Prez ain't large goes beyond industry trends and contemporary taste in content, don't front.
2/27/07
JM.D.
Chicago, IL
I agree with Neal, Unfortunately record companies and video and radio stations are now owned by the same parent company, who has taken over Hip Hop, thanks to the FCC. Things can change if people boycott these companies who are only concerned with the bottom line. About the documentary, It was excellent, Kudos to Hurt, Independent Lens and PBS.
2/27/07
Julia Famularo
Cold Spring, NY
I have paid only peripheral attention to hip hop music over the past 10 years or so and did not really understand, until I saw the film, just how negative hip hop had become. I doubt I will ever take this genre of music seriously ever again until some brave soul decides that the human race is meant for something better. Busta Rhyme's refusal to discuss homophobia on camera was shameful, and the evident attitude of record company executives to promote only the most negative, violent acts is even worse. Apparently these business people and artists don't realize that the almighty dollar is diminishing them as human beings. When the FCC deregulated the radio waves we lost many opportunities to hear more diverse types of music in all genres, and music has suffered badly for it. Music appears to have died a slow and very boring death. Many are guilty for crimes against good taste. The rest of us are guilty for allowing it to continue and flourish as a huge money-making empire.
2/27/07
I believe that hip-hop is so popular because of the actual music and rhythm behind it. I am convinced that if any of the demeaning and imbecile lyrics of popular hip hop songs were replaced with more genuine thoughts it would sell just as well (if the music industry would give it a chance). I know this because when 13 year old girls are into 50 cent it's because they like to dance to it. It's the only dance music out there readily available to them. I don't think it's because they enjoy the stupid portrayals of women or black people, but because of the inherent catchiness of the music itself. The lyrics and videos are something they have to overlook or live with. If young boys enjoy that aspect, it's because they LEARN TO from the music. Ignorant music execs with calculators in hand observe that it sells and attribute it to the whole image working for them--when really so many people are drawn in by the music and have to accept the attached lyrics, whether they question them or not. What about Hey-ya-- why the hell was it the only song on dance stations for a while that wasn't just about women servicing men. When songs that stray from this are given a chance, they do well!!
I applaud this talented and insightful director for an extremely successful, intelligent documentary that for once may actually change something. I hope that it will be screened where young people need exposure to it. I suggest outdoor screenings all summer in city parks, such as Humboldt Park in my Chicago neighborhood. I wait impatiently for future projects by the talented Byron Hurt. HE is a powerful man.
2/27/07
Samu Shannon
Chicago, Illinois
Great heart and vision. I thought this would come from someone in my generation; however, may be more receptive coming from you. smile. great heart and vision. Hope this is a continued effort on your part and a beginning of a meaningful dialog for others. This truly is a "in the moment" opportunity for an issue of this importance and perspective to be addressed. Things were mentioned that so many of us are aware of but for some reason are either afraid of saying so or just not able to see beyond the obvious. As Chuch De mentioned in his piece. " A man can make the decision to take the money and sell his conscience or stand and represent."
The Honorable Elia Muhammed once said " if you want your people back, you must first get your women back." They are your key. If you can get them to "just say no." They can exploit there own power if that's what they want. Think about that. I believe that if you and others can form a coalition on this perspective/subject, It can "change a nation." Stay the course if you can and good luck!.
2/27/07
Teddy gorey
Los Angeles, Cal
BRAVO! Kudos to the filmmakers- FASCINATING, a CURRENT, CLEAR and COMPREHENSIVE TAKE ON A RELEVANT SUBJECT. We would have far fewer social problems if EVERYONE IN AMERICA would SEE THIS program. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
2/27/07
Kansas City, Missouri
This film was the best that i have seen in a very long time. it was so very truthful. the white society of america does not want to view the black man as a productive part of society. the black man has always been viewed as a threat to this place and i believe that may be due to the fact that slavery was not a choice for blacks.....rebellion is always a factor when force is uses to control and enslave one. i believe that the white man must make blacks think the only way for us to survive is to act like crabs....always trying to reach the top no matter what happens to those below us. as a black female, i do not hate the words that are in today's rap songs..i don't hate the ideas.....i just hate that fact that most younger black me feel that they have to treat women in that manner to be true men....a true man respects and loves his woman and will not be afraid to express that to his homies. a true black man loves himself and will treat his woman the way he wants any man to treat his own mother....;think about this young men....you are kings not the shit that the white man wants you to believe....you are more than guns, drugs, saggy pants, drugs and pimping.....set your sights higher and you will get higher......i love my brothers...all of you... and i know that you love me too. peace.
2/27/07
Daniel
Washington D.C.
I would first like to say thank you for creating such a depiction of this ongoing problem. The film captures all the things I wish I could talk about openly with some of my friends, but I refrain because I feel like some of them do not want to hear it. It is indeed an inside joke, where people know what they're doing is not right, but they don't want to talk about it or admit it because of the way it would portray their persona.
This kind of "in your face" documentation should be more widespread across other channels to capture more minority viewers and "expose" to the rest of the community that what we are doing is really a joke and we should grow out of it.
I am not only a minority, but I am also an immigrant. My eyes opened to and saw these flaws right when I came to this country. I've seen death due to starvation, war, and poor health conditions. Here I see death due to plain greed and materialism. There are kids that are 9-12 years old running around with AK's because they were kidnapped and for
ced to fight... here some kids run around with guns to make money and earn "respect". You ask the civil war thorn youth with AKs about what they want to do when all of it is over, and they tell you they aspire to go to school, here you got public libraries and museums open FREE for people to better themselves and being caught in such institutions is looked at almost as a crime by other kids around you!
2/27/07
Caleb Burgess
Tulsa Oklahoma
I just got done watching the documentary. I have been listening to hip hop/rap since I was 10 years old. I am white and for me the message of coming up out of your struggles to succeed beyond your expectations was a inspiring. I was very overweight as a child and I was constantly teased. I had to learn my masculinity at a older age and as an artist and musician I am still misunderstood. I am often asked if I am gay and this is confusing to me as I am not only an avid martial artist but obsessed with working out and doing activities that are considered "manly". I think it boils down to my understanding of the relationship of men and women and not being afraid to show my compatibility with other races/sexes. I listen to hip hop constantly and find that modern radio play is discomforting at the least. I really like listening to artist such as Mos Def and Pharcyde or Tribe Called Quest just because they seem to identify with the common struggle of being male. It is hard to be " hard" and still be professional and compassionate while being manly. Regardless of color....it is a MAJOR ISSUE!
2/27/07
Laurine Reinwalt
Chadron, Nebraska
I realize that there are a set of questions that are put for us to answer but I'd like to share my views on the documentary that I watched last night. What I saw was a misinterpretation of what Hip-Hop really is. More than music, flowing rhymes, and tight beats it is a culture....a lifestyle and that is much different then the "rap" artists that were the center of attention in this piece. I may be a 22 year old white girl from Nebraska but I know that there is more behind the music then what we saw in the documentary. I also feel as though our generation is getting it all wrong. As for the way we perceive the "video hoes" I think that we, as women, do that to ourselves. If we didn't want to be portrayed that way then we wouldn't do that to ourselves. How can we blame the artists making these videos for putting us in thongs and greasin' up our chest when we're the ones flocking to the casting calls and sets to get a chance to be felt up by 50 Cent. When the one freestyler spit the flow that was "nice but not what people wanna hear" why do you think that is? We are what makes the music, if we really wanted to get back to hip-hop's roots (like going back to the lyrical stylings of KRS-One, Public Enemy, Mos Def...) then we have to be the ones to spark a change-stop buying the gang violence, hoe slapping rap that you listen to and fight for the industry to change! Let's get hip-hop back and quit confusing it for rap--they are two different styles completely!
2/27/07
L. Kelley
Lansing, MI
This is an excellent film. Everything that was mention I view every day at the middle school where I teach. Students of all races and cultural aspire to be the type of man or woman that was shown in the film. This type of aspiration is causing many of our children to fall behind in their education. Last year I was teaching kindergarten second semester of the school year. I had a five year old who could not say her alphabet but knew all the words to 'junk in my trunk.' Middle school students feel they don't need an education because they are going to be a rapper or sell drugs, and they are very up front and in your face about it. Chuck D said it best the images we look at and allow our children to look at must change. Thanks for the film. I will find a way to use it in my class. With a discussion to follow. Stay tune for the results.
2/27/07
Jesse Ng (DJN)
Fremont, California
I'm only 15 and i love hip hop. i started off listening in 6th grade to my local station 106.1 kmel and wild 94.9 i loved it at first and was drawn in the moment i heard it but after a couple months, i was like, why is it that these people can only talk about several things: sex drugs and violence. i turned to underground hip hop finding the lyrics much more insightful and started producing, djing and mcing myself and ive found a god given talent. this film is extremely sad and but could not be close to the truth, for mainstream hip hop at least. im grateful for people like talib and mos def that know what it really is like to have musical talent and not that street cred bs of 50 cent. im disappointed that hip hop is so often related to that bad image and i hope people will be more insightful to look deeper what it really is to love hip hop and that those rockers wont be so naive as to say that hip hop is not music. personally i listen to everything, but hip hop is my passion. if you cannot call hip hop music, then what is death metal? true many rappers cant play an instrument (but i know many that can i myself play many) but thats not what its about. its about that lyrical poetry the wit the flow the rhyme and the technicalities in scratching. any1 seen dj qbert? that guy has fast hands. bboying is much an art of dance as any type and could very well be the most physically challenging. just my two cents and i hope people will really see the light
2/27/07
Scott Rude
Phoenix Arizona
I feel so very sorry for the youth of today in regards to the issue of hyper sexuality. Internet porn is free and available to anyone at anytime. I'm 34, and when I was half that age the only sexual imagery was the Playboy channel or someone's older relatives magazines. Pornography is never positive, but today it is more hateful than ever and more available. Rap music needs feminist minds and ideas from male and female artists, instead of rap artists promoting pornography in songs,videos and actual hardcore pornographic material. There is hope though. As time moves on,one sees the fools of the past becoming the educators of the present, as they realize the mistakes they've made. Let us be active in raising our children with strong, positive and socially progressive minds,and hope that they are not outnumbered. May the positive artists help to promote the needed change in our society and touch the minds of the youth today.
Rebellion is easier for the young. Rebelling against the massive machine of violence, misogyny and homophobia in hip hop/rap from the inside is where real strength comes into play. May the rebels be strong.
Chuck D is part of the much more positive side of rap, but he let the worst of the artists off the hook much too easily by stating that so much of this is "not their fault." They are adults and can read now. I understand how kids become bad adults, but it IS their fault when they celebrate and teach others to bring humanity down with them. The buck needs to stop somewhere. Slaves learned to read...This was an excellent film. A great first step. Thank you Mr. Hurt. Peace be with you.
2/27/07
Max Kimball
Philadelpha, PA
Thank you for this excellent film. The most important and interesting issues to me were: That there was a great diversity in Hip Hop during the late 80s and early 90s, but that it disappeared when large corporations took control - which was the same time when violent content came to predominate. Hip Hop videos are an extreme example of the objectification of women that pervades media and male culture.
Finally, I think that young White males listen to Hip Hop (and imitate its culture) to live vicariously a life which seems to have simple rules: men dominate based on strength and wealth, and in easy women are easily-obtained. This is a life suburban boys can't imagine, and which, superficially, seems great. Thank you again.
2/27/07
LovesLaughing84
Lake Charles, Louisiana
I watched the documentary last night and I feel that someone finally shed a true, unfiltered light on the disgusting mess called Hip-Hop. I hate to see that this garbage is being played for children who have no clue what the music is about. Children just see women half-naked, men degrading them and all the money being thrown in the camera and all they want to be in life is that. And BET doesn't help. BET as a network has done what every non-minority network before them has done, played us as a people to be mindless, dribbling, black fools shaking our behinds,selling ourselves out for the "All Mighty Dollar." I refuse to watch BET because I feel as though I'm emptying out precious space in my brain every time 106&Park or any other show comes on. I hate to see that I have to raise children in this world that makes women appear as sex toys for men to play with and throw away when a prettier one comes along. Where a message can't be brought across because it's not hardcore. No one in the Hip-Hop community is willing to spread a positive message because they don't want lose any money and it's sad because the only time that we are ever going to dig ourselves out of this rut is when it's too late. Hip-Hop died so long ago and I feel that it's never going to be true come back. Talent and heart is what the music industry doesn't have any more and stereotypes and sexism is what's going to pushed. Everyone passed the buck on who's fault it is, and will never make a change. We as an audience need to make a change, stand up and stop buying this trash.
2/27/07
Delbert Robinson
Houston, Tx
Please don't stop with hip hop. Ask yourself. Why is there such an outrage about troop loss in Iraq (which is around 3200 lives lost in 5 years) when the same or greater outrage is not displayed because of the U.S. homicide rate, which is primarily inner city violence. The homicide rate for the past 5 years is 16,000 per year or 80,000 lives lost the war in Iraq started. Where are our politicians regarding this issue. I here everyday "BRING OUR TROOPS HOME" I agree, but I also believe minority violence is perceived as a normal way of life for Black America. Please look into this.
2/27/07
M. F. Yockmann
Portland, Oregon
As a teacher of Documentary Film and a filmmaker myself, I feel that HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhymes is a provocative and compelling work. It was refreshing to see an aspect of popular culture being analyzed and questioned from the point of view of someone who is, himself a fan (and consumer) of that culture. At the risk of sounding too academic, my criticism of most documentaries usually focuses on the lack of authoritative perspective and that those productions lack a sense of personal point-of-view. This film did not have that "clinical" objectivity which makes so many non-fiction narratives feel somewhat sterile. There was a kinetic verve and a genuine zest for query and introspection. The interviews with the young aspiring rappers was very illuminating and quite absorbing. This s*@$%t was real!
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