2/27/07
John
Florence, Oregon
The most pervasive current representations of masculinity in media showcase the US military and the men surrounding the commander in chief. To me this is unfortunate and ultimately negative for a free society.But this program on alternative, hip hop culture, while provocative and sometimes insightful, cops out by allowing everyone to deny responsibility. By taking a 'on the one hand...and on the other hand' the film maker manages to portray himself as intelligent and sensitive, but in the end drives away in his luxury SUV listening to hip hop. If 'white men in suits' are to blame for the negativity and degeneracy then nobody participating in violence, homophobia and misogyny really has to take responsibility. Not a very compelling in my mind.
2/27/07
Killeen, Texas
While Byron Hurt has done a remarkable job analyzing Hip Hop, both the lyrical content and videos are clearly indicative of a much more serious systemic problem, the widespread erosion of our value structure. Its important to understand that much of the entertainment industry conducts business in a manner similar to the illicit drug trade. In either case, there is little or no concern for the welfare of the consumer. Despite the destructive nature of a product, if its profitable to commercially package and distribute such goods, it will be done. Like illicit drugs, there is also clearly a tremendous demand for these products. As long as consumers are willing to spend billions of dollars on hardcore, violent, and misogynistic music and videos, they will continue to be produced, distributed and sold. This is basic economics or what some refer to as "the law of supply and demand". The problem and solution therefore involve the values of the consumer. If and when consumers began to demand constructive material with literary value, it too will be created and made available. Unfortunately, this is not a priority for consumers, so why should if be for the industry? There are many amongst us who create such material, but the support for these endeavors, compared to the demand for "gangsta rap", is minuscule. Therefore, we can ill-afford to blame the industry for maximizing their profits, We can only blame ourselves.
2/27/07
Christopher
Dublin, Ca
I felt that your documentary was phenomenal and caused us to face a harsh reality regarding our own participation in the degradation of hip-hop. What is more amazing to me is the lack of accountability on the part of the rapper him/herself. I remember having a similar encounter with Russell Simmons at the Hip Hop Summit in Houston. I was absolutely appalled at the hypocrisy of the Summit being coined as a forum to empower and enlighten young people yet the music being played prior to the actual event starting encouraged young women "to bend over and touch their toes" etc. etc. When I asked the question about accountability, all the rappers on the panel including Russell shifted the blame, citing lack of parenting, family values as the reason why our young people are suffering. Yeah, that might play a role but I would also suggest that the images that they see played out on TV and on the radio play a huge role as well. Michael Powell pointed out an era when there was balance...we had De La getting airtime as well as NWA. That is certainly not the case now. When was the last time you heard Talib, Common, or Mos in heavy rotation? There is some much garbage being played on the radio, I listen to CD's more than anything. What they see is what they have become and we should be outraged at what we see. The days of the Cosby Show, Different World, hell even Teen Summit and Our Voices are gone and have been replaced with absolute mess. BET is a disgrace. How can we not see that systemic racism is killing us? How is it that no one questions why these shows are gone and why there is no balance? The media moguls are buying up all the local stations and the mediums that informed our people...BET, Essence, etc. and did people think that the content would stay the same...that they would continue to be used to uplift our people? Certainly now the goal is to keep us looking like buffoons. If I hear another aspiring rapper talk about what the labels don't want to hear as if that is some justification for them selling their souls to the devil for a record deal, I am going to puke. Who is the real sell out? The truth is we have become our own worst enemy...a people who have sold their souls for the almighty dollar...just to make a come up. May God have mercy on us...
2/27/07
Christopher
Dublin, Ca
I am a 35 yr old,heterosexual, black male. I came up listening to Hip Hop of the 80's-90's,Reggae Dancehall, House,MTV, the whole gamit.Entering adulthood I felt the void slowly emerging in Black music. The different styles and perspectives disappeared. It was as if our voice disappeared. Artist of today even admit openly that in Hip Hop "Nobody' saying' Nothin'". Still an avid music listener & collector today, I've started to Dj under-heard music at small venues in Orlando, FL. and Oakland,CA. just for a hobby of sorts. Today I still find redemption in groups like Soullive, Vicktor Duplaix,Femi Kuti,Damien Marley,Steve Spacek,Ronny Jordan,Saul Williams, etc. But none of these artists aren't "Black" enough for most. Even Damien (Bob Marley's son) is criticized in reggae circles for being too rich to make songs of consciousness and struggle. This criticism is not just reserved for celebrities such as Tiger Woods and Oprah Winfrey. But any black person who swims beyond the limited definition of "Blackness". You can't aspire to do anything anymore without outlining a "hustle" for doing it. Without obvious incentive, nothing is justified.If I want to go to an art gallery, a museum, certain concerts, or even a park. I have to defend my reasoning for wanting to go, if I don't- Then I'm a sellout, a faggot. It's crazy.
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