2/27/07
Afro-Sheen
Camden, NJ
WOW!!! I was surprise to see so many comments on this film. I didn't think a lot of people would be able to get to watch because it came on so late-or maybe that was just in my area. Anyway I was one of the fortunate people watching I and I stress fortunate because I was a please to watch. This film answered so many questions and gave young and old people a history and culture lesson. This film should be expanded to a full film and put in the theaters.
2/27/07
R.E. Jones
Jacksonville, FL
Mr. Neal is member of a fraternity that is NOTORIOUS for hyper masculine posturing and violence. The assaults against women are unfortunately not new to these college age events. I would have liked for Mr. Neal to have stressed this.
When every single song was about Afro-centricty.... men were groping fondling and harassing black women at Jones Beach , Belmar, Greek Picnic and Penn Relays including members of Neal's frat. Had Neal been more critical of himself and his peers, the film would have been more interesting.
2/27/07
R.E. Jones
Jacksonville, FL
Responding to point 1:
No. It hasn't. I remember when KRS-ONE and Queen Latifa filled the airwaves with Positive sounds. This documentary gives me a better picture of why things have changed.
Responding to point 2:
I listen to Christian Hip Hop,(yes, it DOES EXIST and YES, it is good! Some people to check out are, The Ambassador, T-Bone, and KJ-52) But, since these guys are all on the positive tip, they won't get played on mainstream radio.
responding to point 3:
Since 1992, I haven't seen any positive mainstream hip hop, (check the answer to point 2) And if people just stopped buying it, it wouldn't sell! Although, if more people outside of the "target audience" would buy DeLaSoul or Tribe Called Quest, or Toby Mac, more decision makers would change their minds... it's about following the money. Although there's also the whole subcultural racism that needs to be addressed, but won't...)
2/27/07
John Shen
San Francisco Bay Area,
My perceptions of hip-hop have not been changed due to this film, though I think the documentary has allowed me a window into the hip-hop influenced culture of these young Black men. The hip hop that we see mostly today are almost cliche. You can guess, without knowing anything about the artist or the song, what will be in the next set of lyrics or videos. Its violence, homophobia and objectifying images of women are flaunted and are selling points. Those are my perceptions of hip-hop today and that has not changed for a few years now. Somehow, in my teens, hip-hop seemed less about all those things and far more soulful and empowering. Even 2pac with all his anger and violence, had a large number of songs that showed empathy and understanding. There are still such artists out there today in the hip-hop world but you can't hear them on Clear Channel. Certainly companies in the entertainment industry want to showcase the products that sell, but as media companies, they have a trenendous ability to control what sells. Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? Well, usually a bit of both. It is a cycle. Though companies do not choose to, they can change what we want to see or hear. I certainly don't just want to see "hardcore thugs and booties" and I know there is a capacity in all of us to want to see something else.
I don't know what the solutions are and if I had a complaint about this film it would be that the film does not suggest any either as far as I can tell. There is certainly a demand for the diversity of music but major media outlets are owned by very few, very large companies that tend to be narrow minded and lacking in vision. I think the answer will have to be found in an alternative medium. As for the images and the culture that hip-hop helps to create among young black youth the problem is socio-economic as well. But the spirit of music in the African American community, from gospel to jazz, has often in our history both strengthened and inspired.Such music is not simply entertainment. The sad reality of hip-hop is that it has chosen to be.
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