2/27/07
Alanna D
Houston, TX
I was channel surfing last night and caught the documentary. I was amazed at the depth and realness presented by the film. I have to agree with Mark Anthony Neal and his theory that record companies only showcase music that sells. People don't want to hear positive lyrics about gaining power and making change; people are more entertained by violence and sex lyrics.The film really opened my eyes and made me take note of the depiction of masculinity through hip-hop music. I never realized how many young men are getting their ideas and mannerisms through the lyrics of rap songs. I think that something should definitely be done to change this, but as far as a solution I have no idea. Maybe time will just change this revolution.
2/27/07
Jay
Houston, TX
I thought this was a great documentary. Hip hop, like every other aspect of life has its faults but we cant blame it for all of America's problems. Movies have just as big of an impact on kids as music. If people don't agree with the music simply don't listen to it. And even though im only 19, i understand where people are coming from when they say that true hip hop doesnt exist anymore but that is far from the truth. Hip hop has just evolved dramatically from its roots and a lot of people cant except that.
2/27/07
Anthony
Los Angeles, California
It comes form the old saying, " If you serve garbage then people will eat it" We, the hip-hop nation need a more healthier hip-hop in our diet. Most of the music on radio & music videos are garbage. They lack lyrical creativity, political and social content and originality. There is too much of the glorification of guns, gangs & violence. I blame record companies from finding and packaging junk for us to listen and buy. Most of the rappers lack lyrical talent... and don't understand the power of music. Many rappers have made 5-10 albums and they don't show any growth. They are rich from their music sales and still rap like they live in the streets or projects. So they give the impression that black & Latino men must be thugs in order to achieve the "American dream". I think this film explores & exposes these issues in hip-hop music.
2/27/07
I. Best
Harlem, New York
Your documentary was thought-provoking although I did wonder where was the female-hip/hop-artist voice in all this...from the pioneers (Lyte/Roxanne/Salt n' Pepa, etc.) to the mid-contemporary artists (Rage, Yo-Yo, Trina, Bahamadia, L'il Kim, etc.)...why surely they must have some perspective that may have better defined the cause behind the denigration of a highly, original, musical movement such as rap & hip/hop just as well as the male rappers/artists you interviewed. peace & love & continued success on your efforts to wake folks up.
2/27/07
Secaucus, NJ
What a thoughtful examination of this contemporary issue! I hope this documentary opens the door to more discussion as well as shedding light on this issue for those who have chosen to turn a blind eye up until now. Women absolutely cannot afford to ignore this any longer. Thank you. Bravo!
2/27/07
Jay Darling
Memphis, TN
Nicole from Decatur makes an excellent point. It appears that this music was designed for the sole purpose to disenfranchise the black male more so than he already is.
I find it odd that the NAACP did a full assault on the selling of "Amos 'n Andy" videos but has remained quiet on the much more stereotypical "thug" rap industry. It makes you wonder just who is pulling the strings. This is an excellent documentary hopefully it will continue to get the play it deserves.
2/23/07
I like the documentary, it is very realistic and points out a truth about the HIP HOP culture. I recommend to see the documentary about Favela Rising. It shows how rap music can also be a positive influence in youth. Hip hop is not one of my prefer music type because the message it sends is very negative and trivial. As it was mention on the program, HIP HOP has gone into a box. It is now crossing ethnic backgrounds and new artists are developing more of it.
I believe that music is powerful tool that can either deceive violence or induce violence. In a documentary of the favelas in Brazil, called Favela Raising, a true leader and artist has used the power of music to encourage favela residents to choose a better life than drugs and gangs, which has deteriorated for decades the suburbs of Sao Pablo. The messages in this rap-like music are completely positive oriented,and it was said on the documentary that the death tool per year was reduced in the favelas because of this movement.
On the opposite hand, hip hop music may be brain washing teenagers and many other people to consider violence, money and drugs as the way to handle personal business. Sadly, like violent video games, hip hop music gives a fake sense of reality and the true values of life, like tolerance, understanding and many others.
2/23/07
Isaac Magoo
Houston, TX
First of all, the documentary was well done. Hip Hop has been widespread internationally, but i think the problem is Mainstream hip hop. My perceptions of it hasn't changed. I have been trying to tell most people for years. Most Black people who are against the artists that degrade women and relieve stereotypes, are pointing at the wrong people. We should be questioning the Corporate America about how it affects us as African Americans in society. But we forget that there are artists who do not live by the 'criteria' of what hip hop is. For example, when Little Brother, a rap group from NC, showed the Music Video "Lovin it" BET denounced, claiming it "Too Black, Too Intellectual". I think also if you want to find some good hip hop *bringin in a lil Diversity* i recommend:Little Brother, MF Doom, The Pharcyde,PRince Paul,Nicolay Edan, King Geedorah,Viktor Vaughn ,Jay Dee aka J dilla, Slum Village,PreFuse 73 Madvillain, Oh No,Madlib, Quasimoto,Justus League,Quantic, Quantic SOul Orchestra, Count ,BAss D ,Cut Chemist-Lesson 4,Steinski & Double Dee- JAzz
2/23/07
K. McGee
Bronx, NY
I want to congratulate and thank Mr. Hurt for his contribution to American culture. More specifically the African American culture. There clearly was not enough time to thoroughly explore all the issues but plenty of time to discuss enough of the topics to entice further discussion and debate. I only wish that you could further develop this into a mini series where each topic gets the time it deserves. I am saddened by what I have seen. I see it every day here in the Bronx. Elementary school kids walk past my home hurling the F-bomb and the N-word like they are normal daily conversational words. I hear them calling each other the B-word and denigrating each other. The affects of the current hip hop/rap culture may have irreparably damaged our children. I am sure you could produce another 2 hour special on that subject alone.
There were two things that I noticed from your documentary. One was the perpetuation of ignorance and the other was the lack of self responsibility. I kept shaking my head every time. I saw footage of the Spring Bling. All I could think about is how ignorant the people came across. It's sad actually. I remember attending the Greek Picnic in Philly back in the 80's and that type of behavior would never have gone not addressed. I guess I should count myself fortunate to have come up in a time when hip hop was positive for the most part and there was more respect between black men and towards black women.
Good work Mr. Hurt I hope you continue to make us confront these social issues that plague our community. I hope this documentary serves as the light that scatters the roaches of the rap industry. Oh and next time I would love to see some of the women rap artists like Latifah, Salt& Pepper and Missy Elliott.
2/23/07
Phillip Anderson
Houston, TX
Hip-hop has simply been personified as a new beast (at least in the mainstream). It's up to the listener as to what they want to be a fan of. Just as several subsets of "rock" exists, there are sub-genres of hip-hop that are obvious as well. There are even times when the two cross, and no I am not referring to "Walk This Way." All I'll say to put it lightly, it that I do not agree with the direction that Rap/ Hip-hop is going in.
2/23/07
Andrea Tarry
I only caught the last 15 minutes of this viewing on pbs tonight and I felt grateful! Grateful that this documentary was made, hopeful that it will be viewed on a national and international level, and saddened by its truth. I am a white woman and artist in my late 20's and this documentary has pointed out, to me very obvious, ideas and truths about media in our culture...Those who think that media has no influence on everyone in our society is choosing to be blind. I believe that the First Amendment is something that we should cherish and protect, but as artists, entertainers, role models, etc... we need to be aware of how our work is effecting those who listen to and view it.
It seems like the biggest step backwards in our fight against racism. It is no surprise that white male suites are the ones making the decisions when it comes to how the black male will be viewed in our country. It is no conspiracy, they aren't hiding what they are doing. The studies are out there, the education is at our finger tips. The ideas are commonsensical. We are choosing to ignore the problem and we are choosing to say that "at the end of the day it is business and entertainment" and that is how the system works. So bravo to this film for taking a step, a large step in helping to educate those who will choose to view this. Bravo for making these points!
2/23/07
Chicago, IL
This documentary was a phenomenal piece of work that addressed many issues that I have as an african american male but did never expressed due to the simple yet seemingly complexity of the issues as hand. I would like to thank the producers, pbs, and independent lens for putting much needed documentary together. It will do wonders to help those who already see but cannot explain begin to understand what and why it is they feel the way they do. It will help those who have no clue begin to stop and think about this self destructing behavior and how it is perpetuated by those who are simply interested in something other than the the manly deeds and the success of all mankind.
2/23/07
P. Curtwright
Chicago, IL
Wonderful. I'm so glad the film was frank in its questions about this new kind of black-on-black crime. Welcome to my world. By 7:45 am my school's hallway is filled with enough "bitches" and "hos" to rattle your calm and focused world. And somehow we still teach. But it feels so uphill. Bravo for addressing ALL of it.
2/23/07
D. Prosch
Chicago, IL
As a 7th grade teacher in Chicago Public Schools, I watched the documentary with an educator's eye. This is something I want to use in my classroom since my students, especially young men, are already formed by these images. The 7th grade dance is right out of a music video, with young ladies grinding in as little clothes as possible; boys talk and act like mirrors to their rap heroes. I would love to have an open discussion about the men they hope to become after viewing this movie. I'll tell you how it goes.
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