2/22/07
Nicole Freyer
Pgh., PA
I watched your film last night on PBS and I have to say that it really got me thinking. I am a 29 year old wife and mother to 3 kids. I have been born and raised in the city of Pittsburgh and I own a home there today. Even though it is not the toughest neighborhood in the city, it is urban, nonetheless, and therefore has many of the same issues that poorer urban communities face. So, I am saying that I can relate to many of the themes brought up in hip-hop and rap songs because of where I live and what I have witnessed.
The reason that this film really got to me though, is because I am a special education teacher in my neighborhood school. I spend most of my days teaching young black girls and boys. They come to me with so many strikes against them already. Most of them come from poor families who are not well educated and who do not expect much greatness out of them. They are obsessed with the hip-hop culture. They strive to become like the people they see in the videos. They wear the clothes and know all of the lyrics. I don't blame them for admiring that life style. It's very enticing, even to me. What blew my mind though, was that those young people that you talked to, who were trying to get record deals, said that they had positive messages to rap about, but that they could not get a deal with that type of message. I did not realize that. To be completely honest, I looked at hip-hop as a way that African Americans were keeping themselves down. They are perpetuating a culture of violence and materialism. I now see that many of these rappers are only trying to make a living and do what they are passionate about. My hope is that the ones that already have the success begin to look closer at the image they are portraying and how they can help instead of harm the people that listen to their message. They have a world wide audience now, the kids are hanging on their every word. If only it was worth listening to.
2/22/07
Casandra Guster
Radcliff, KY
I found this Independence Lens topic over due. Hip-hop has become such a negative factor in the black community. I think the Georgia seventeen year old serving ten years in prison for having sex with fifteen year old is a prime example of how these hip-hop videos are promoting negative behavior that will land you in prison. In fact, everything promoted in the videos will land you in prison or the grave. It is truly self-destruction.
2/22/07
Hiawatha Walker
Chicago
AMAZING! You did this documentary so right! I absolutely loved it when you asked the CEO or whoever from BET if he approved of what was being shown in these videos and he just walked away. But I think what really shocked me the most was when you were outside the Conference and all of the brothers were spitting rhymes, and you were asking them how they felt about these lyrics the were speaking of death, drugs, sex, etc. And they were all like, "That's what they want to hear. The Labels and the audience". To me that was deep on so many levels. It's a voluntary minstrel show all over again. For what? Just to get on, signed, and paid. So interesting to hear them say they would like to speak of positivity but they can't. I can't help but wonder if some of these cats were acting for the camera. I say this because knowing the nature of the documentary, they don't want to look like the bad guys. I mean, I know those cats. Yeah, they might be from NYC or wherever, but those bros. I live right here in Nashville too.
When I was into Hip-Hop heavy, I've tried many time to put on some Talib Kweli, Mos Def, KRS-1, TCQ, etc. And bros. were like "Nah man...I wanna hear that Thug sh*t!" It just seems to me that we (Black Folks) can have a tendency of speaking out of both sides of our mouths, depending on the circumstances and the benefits. For me, I hated what I was hearing from rap so much that I no longer listen to it. I REFUSE to contribute to this POISON that is keeping our black men in the GOLD/PLATINUM/DIAMOND CHAINS of bondage and our women in the BROTHELS of rap videos! I do check Talib and listen to my "Golden Era" artists sometimes. But all in all, we have to ween our children off of it. Teach these kids how to navigate the political sytem. Give them the desire to infiltrate Corporate America and influence positive change in the Black community.
This rap stuff is teaching our kids to drop out of school, abuse and mistreat our beautiful black women. Indulgence in drugs. It's teaching arrogance, selfishness, and a lack of disrespect for self and others. And (as your documentary showed) the ones pushing it care less. They are in it for themselves. It's a drug dealer/pimp mentality.Thank you again for exposing the truth! Please let me know if you'll be coming to th South...Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, etc. I would love to hear more of your views. Peace and Blessings!
2/22/07
D'Andre
Chicago
I loved your film!! It is something that needed attention. I think it missed some very important parts. What role do women play in perprtuate masculinity in Hip Hop? Ex. Why do they line uo to be in a "Tip Drill" type of video? Why do they go to Daytona or Freaknic when they know what will or could happen? Why do some female artist claim that they on want men that worship money? Why do artist like Beyonce (Soldier), MC Lyte (Rough Neck), Fantashia (Hood Boy), etc.. make songs that make men that want women like that, want to act like a thug when they are not. They learn this is the way they have to be to get the woman of their dreams. I look forward to your next film. You are an asset to our race.
2/22/07
Kaci Price
St. Augustine, Fl
It is so crazy how black men think that they got to be cool in front of they homeboys, when the same people who you think got yo back, will be the same ones that hold a gun sideways in yo face. I may be young, but society's definition of a man and a punk are the complete opposite. Its a shame.
2/22/07
Houston, Texas
Thank You for this documentary. This is a perfect example of how our values can be shaped by others when we have none of our own. Basically when offered money we will sell our soul to racists just to get paid. When you follow the money in this film it is not a mistake that it goes to Anglo companies. This tactic is used over and over, they know that people will act out how they are perceived and portrayed. Just think how awesome our young people would be if they were portrayed as educated, successful, godly people with biblical values. Rather than violent, poor, uneducated, needy people.
2/22/07
Chi-city, IL
I personally feel that hip-hop is art form, music is arta way for people to express themselves. I agree there is a lot of violence in hip-hop but at the same time disagree with society putting the blame on hip-hop for what goes on in the world. We also have to take a look at rock music, video games, & movies all major influences on the lifes of children. Who would society blame for lack of fathers, kids killing kids, no respect for our fellow man if hip-hop didn't exist? Would society take it as far as saying hip-hop is the reason why we have continued racism that still exist & people act as if doesn't? As far as making room for more diverse music types someone would have to put up the money for a video program that airs clean non booty shaking videosthe question is who will put that action into place? Tonight at 8 p.m. CNN will also air a special about Hip-Hop. Everyone always wants to criticize hip-hop compared to other types of music is it because hip-hop come from the black culture????
2/22/07
Chi-city, IL
I think it is LAUGHABLE that these "men" have convinced themselves that their behavior somehow brings them...RESPECT. they aren't doing anything that is RESPECTABLE!! what they REALLY mean...if they would be quite honest with themselves...is that they want to be FEARED...not RESPECTED.
Do the women in these videos "respect" men who treat them so poorly? do they think so little of themselves? is that all they feel they are worth? how about a well educated, hard-working man, who loves and provides for his family? to me, THAT is MORE masculine, and respectable than anyone i saw in that film! people..... GET REAL AND GROW UP!!
2/22/07
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
The presentation of the Hip-Hop culture was very informative. As a 60-year old African-American who can't tell a 50 cent from a Common, I was confronted with the issue of how Hollywood defines me and my people. Since I am not a fan of Hip-Hop, I cannot address the merits of the genre. I was one of the old heads that keep yelling out my window, "Young man turn that music down!" And quite frankly I thought the music was a fad that would fade away. But I am concerned about how the the videos are shaping perceptions and thereby public policy concerning African-Americans.
Where is the balance in the marketplace? Am I to believe that positive images of Black people will not sell? Or is there somethng more sinister behind presenting images of thugs and bitches? And what about the public's responsibility? Many years ago I corresponded with C. Delores Tucker, an early opponent of gangster rap. I said, "A sweeping reform of the music would restrict freedom of expression. We need to give young people an outlet to express their rage and cynicism."
2/22/07
OMAHA, NE
I WAS REALLY PLEASED AND IN TOTAL AGREEMENT IN THE EXPOSURE OF THE CORPORATE ENTITY IN PROBLEM. TRUE THERE IS A SEGMENT OF POPULAS WHO DEMAND THAT TYPE OF MUSIC. BUT THERE ARE OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS WHO ARE BEING DISMISSED. THIS IN MY OPINION IS ANOTHER FORM OF INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM IN ITS PURIST FORM. TO TAKE OUR MOST PRECIOUS ASSET OUR MUSIC AND EXPLOIT IT; US, FOR THE WORLD TO PARTICIPATE IS THE DIOBOLICAL TRUTH.TO HAVE BROTHERS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE IS MORE THAN HEROIC. WE MUST FIGURE A WAY TO INFILTRATE MAINSTREAM WITH MORE POSITIVES AND GO BACK TO EXPOSING MORE OF OUR QUALITY ARTIST INTEGRATING THEM AS A WHOLE OF BLACK CULTURISM. THE MONEY IS THE HOOK NO DOUBT. THAT HAS BEEN OUR WEAKNESS FROM THE START. THE ANGLO'S HAVE MASTERED STEALING EVERYTHING FROM US TO ATTAIN THEIR WEALTH. IT IS SO IRONIC TO WATCH THEM STEALING OUR VERY ESSENCE. KEEP US STRUGGLING
POOR DISENFRANCHISED AND HOPELESS, AND YOU HAVE A PERFECT RECIPE DESPERATION, THEN DANGLE MONEY IN THE FACE OF THAT A
ND THIS IS WHAT YOU GET. I WAS DISTURBED MAINLY WHEN THE ATTEMPT TO APPROACH BLACK MONGOLS AND EXECUTIVES IN THE INDUSTRY WHO ARE TURNING A BLIND EYE. THERE ARE ENOUGH OF THEM IN POWER AND MONEY TO DETACH FROM WHITE CORPS IF THEY SO CHOSE. HIPHOP MAY HAVE ITS FAULTS, BUT IT COULD BE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE IF THOSE WHO'VE MANAGED TO REACH CORPORATE LEVELS COULD INFILTRATE AND STEAL AND EXPOSE THE VERY GAME THEY ARE USING TO DESECRATE US. MAKE NO MISTAKE THIS "IN THE NAME OF HIP HOP" HAS A BROADER AND ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF WHICH I SHUTTER TO THINK ABOUT. WE HAVE REACHED A PINICAL IN OUR CULTURE AND WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF WITNESSING OUR OWN SELF DESTRUCTION, IF WE DO NOT MANIPULATE OUR PROGNOSIS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. PEACE AND LOVE TO MY BROTHER OF CONSCIENCELESS.
2/22/07
Mary Elsener
Volcano, Hawaii
Hip Hop is us. It articulates the contradictions of modern US culture and showcases our economic class ism. Byron Hurt's film eloquently, if all too briefly, brings into focus the powerful political issues which are an integral part of the art form. Young men of color are still viewed as a prominent threat to our white dominated society, as they were in the 60's. This society seeks to neutralize their influence as a political force by relegating it to music or sports, by playing them off against each other, against young women of color, and against young white people. Why? Because these young men project the energy, drive and talent that only survivors of tremendous adversity possess. Regardless of attempts to shackle them, like the ancestors they descended from, they rise to fight the powers that be, but not untouched by internalized oppression. Hurt's film shows all the social and political threads. I only wish it were a longer film, because it is so Hurt is so perceptive and the film so engaging.
2/22/07
KC MO
Beyond Beats and Rhymes hasn't changed my perceptions about hip-hop and gender. It is bluntly clear. I was dancing at club with a woman and I stop hearing some of the lyrics but she was into it. I have a friend that is white and poor is involved with the images. My black friend comes from a wealthy family and plays out the image of hip hop. I ask "why?!? do you do this?" You are not trapped and after several times of asking some friends have gone to refine themselves. We as a community need expectations with programs maybe like scouts and/or others. Now one of my friends works professionally with DC urban youth, there is not any money for non-urban. (It isn't all about race!)
2/22/07
Doug Hill
Costa Mesa, CA
It's a fine film. It enabled me to get a glimpse of the human hearts and minds beneath the thug personas.What can be done to make room for more diverse types of music? I think the diversity is already there, but the demand for it is relatively small. So how does a culture change and grow? My oversimplified answer is -- it operates mostly unconsciously through all of us. The conscious aspect is our awareness and caring. Your film is part of that process. I feel it working in my heart and mind right now. Thank you.I wish you much success. Blessings!
2/22/07
Capo
Columbus, Ohio
I thought the film was real. thought both and all sides of every topic was explored. the good thing bout this was that it was fair about everything. I want to tell everyone though that that white kid in the suv was not from Columbus, Now i do not know that kid personally or have never seen him but no one in CO wheres beach necklaces. We get that all the time around here these kids are from the suburb and claim CO. Case and point Lil Bow Wow is not from CO he is from Pickerington which is a suburb. Anyway real film and real talk.
2/22/07
Ernesto
Anchorage, Alaska
Great job of breaking down not only the obvious negative message that some Hip Hop seems to be embracing as the epitome of masculinity but also what the consequences of this "stereotype" has for this generation of men and women. Many Hip Hop artist point to mainstream society as justification for feeding back "What Sells"..!Mainstream corporations have never cared about the ghettos or minorities unless it was in their economic self interest to do so.So why perpetuate the stereotypes of "Birth Of A Nation".As you mentioned it all comes down to $$$. Lay it out for all to see,power, control, exploitation is the name of the game...."If your not part of the solution than your part of the problem"...Sad to see the potential lost for making a positive change.Good Job, Byron
2/22/07
Julian Hubbard
Half Moon Bay, CA
Wonderful, powerful film that contains a stunning irony. Rap rhyming in the streets has the element of confrontation in it, where men are shaming men by escalating bravado of denunciation and threat until one rapper "silences" another. By asking honest questions about the responsibility for regenerating stereotypes of violence and misogyny, we see the director render the masters of the genre back to silence, numb in their conceptual cages, but with a REAL difference. He and his film are challenging the artists to go further, to think better, to question and to become truly unbound. No art form is creatively transformed by those who seek to censor, but is changed by those who reveal hidebound, repetitious conventions, and servile dependency on formulas that merely sell. The work here will serve the true creative spirits and enrich the music. Great work!
2/22/07
The reason that Black America is in the downward socio economical spiral as a whole is because we as a people lack the focus to require that Hollywood, record companies and news broadcasts present positive images of black masculinity, musical artistry and intellectual thought.
Rosa Parks did not move from her seat and in Birmingham we refused to ride the bus until they treated us as human beings. Green (money)not white or black is the only true color of power. Not only must we flex our collective economic muscle but the artists that really matter must refuse to take part in the further stereotyping of black minorities. Those artists are the journalists.
There are white, black, Hispanic, Asian, in fact Americans of all creeds and colors doing amazing things in clubs, bars and street corners. Maybe you should do a story about that. Maybe you would find out that America isn't as sexist, racist and homophobic as you think. But then again, would anybody watch? The black faced commentary on Hip Hop was no less shameful than the shameful behavior we are all too aware of. Dog bites man is not news.
Go find something to hold up as an example, that is the man biting the dog, the unusual news story that will captivate and inspire awe. PBS is the only place that might air a show like that, I hope the producers of this show (who did a great job of production) will go find something positive and present it to us with as much passion as they did this tired ol'
2/22/07
Mickey Mix Fisher
PDX, Oregon
I fell in love with hip hop in 1984 when I heard the first RUN DMC album. It has been 23 years that I have listen to hip hop. I have seen all the fads and thankfully there are real MC's out there. It seems that underground is where they reside because the majors do not care about teaching people, only makin' money! This music taught me lessons and I still long for a good beat. I look at main steam hip hop today and there are no more lessons. I am a white boy from Alaska and the art of Hip Hop spoke to me and help me explain my world. Now there the only explanation of the world I hear is mo' money mo' sex mo' fame! How 'bout art again! There are a number of true crews that know what hip hop was, is and where it needs to go. Peace to KRS ONE, Blackalious, LPG, Future Shock and Sup the chemist! Hip Hop was intended to teach and uplift through rhyme and creativity. The knowledge, the art and the wit it takes to be true MC is missing in so much Hip Hop today! "Keep it Real" means nothing any more!
2/22/07
Sir Tron2000
Georgia
Man i enjoy the truth coming out about the way hip hop is going. i don't think when hip hop first drop, that it was aim for where it headed. I'm a rapper/ producer from south Georgia. what people fail to think about is thats its really just music, an art form. and we all know that there many type of art forms.i mean good and bad we need them all, but like my granddad said "to much of anything is not good". we need all of those things but put a limit on it. to the rapper what are you doing it for? is it for the fame, money, power, girls, what. have you really forgot about the art form of it? to the person who turn on their radio. really all you have to do is turn it off, stop buying the albums. why do i say that? because what the rapper and ceo of these major labels fail to realize is,we have the power. the rapper is really a slave to us, we pay him if we like it,we dont turn him off.you could end his whole career by that one move.To the big man pulling the strings. that not what us as people of color stand for. really is dose not sell. you make it sell by pupping it to these radio station,and tv, and we hearing the same song over and over and over till, thats all we hear and know. but it really dose not sell. because their are a few who are real hip hop fans, who knows good and real music such as myself. how can you show the bad side of someone and not the good side. i mean theres heaven and hell, bad and good, left and right up and down. you can have one with out the other. don't you think that you would sell more if you showed the whole thing and not some of it. there some really good rapper out there you just have to give them a shot.peace one love
2/22/07
Michael Hopper
Los Angeles, CA
I am so glad that my wife and I tuned in tonight to watch your documentary. We didn't know about it so we tuned in after missing the first 20 minutes. Struck by images that our children and youth have been feeding their minds for the past several years we are appalled by how bad things have become. However, I realize through your film that if good people don't do anything things will continue to get worse due to our idle mode as a community. My wife and I grew up with early hip hop in the 80's and have fond memories of artists like Public Enemy, KRS One, and others. I work in several public high schools in LA and want to use your film to help wake up minds of our youth. After viewing your film tonite, it cemented that each of us have to do our part to turn the tide of a savage system that is raping the very souls of our children. GOD BLESS you sir, and count my wife and I in to promoting your film as a means of reaching our youth.
2/22/07
Nat
Brooklyn, NY
Byron, what a great film.It brought up some thoughts. A long one really. Sign of a good film, yes?: The premise of the film is that the negatives glorified in Hip Hop perpetuates a negative loop because a) some African Americans who consume this try to replicate it in some form in real life. And b) because it perpetuates negative stereotypes of African Americans.
To point a: the next questions seem to be: "How many people see the big-money hip hop as true to life - and how many see it as manufactured fantasy? Why do some people, no matter the race, see this as entertainment and others as something more than entertainment? Are songs and music videos seen as manuals for how to live lives? Where are the moral compasses being drawn? Where does the family come down in offering a contrasting morality?"
Your film paints a great picture that the thug life is smoke and mirrors. Most of this art doesn't show real life. Just like the Terminator doesn't show real life. It
shows American male fantasy for all races. Your camera shows Jadakiss somewhat mention it's make believe - that he embelishes. He's about to say more... but he can't. He has to protect his investment. "Give the people what they want."
2/22/07
Chris
Los Angeles, CA
Thanks for making this important documentary. i had forgotten how important it is to support cats who are making thoughtful hip hop. this doc. was the kick in the pants that i needed. step up and make a choice! fight the power!
2/22/07
Da Doo
Mo City, Texas
I texted as any of my friends thought it would benefit black, Hispanic,and white because is it the type of information that leads to sincere discussion and progress in this society. the only thing black about todays mainstream black culture is skin color. the same level of thinking that cost minorities (black specifically)so much pain in the past. i doubt that if all of the leading artists were whit, there would be no "B" in "BET". i think it is a self defeating form of hard core racism. my question is How have became different than those who perpetrated evil in the past? We are becoming the wost type of slaves... minions to our self defeating mentalities in the walls and shackles of our own minds. after all, its easy to break chains when u can see them. But i guess its the white man's job to make the chains easy to see, right... we are to busy being black to be positively effective individuals who respect AND NURTURE their own potential AN THOSE OF OTHERS. But as for me... i was given a name before my skin had color. AND NO ONE weather IN THIS LIFE OR THE NEXT will take away my right to think for myself.
2/22/07
J Currie
Phoenix, Az
I have just a few questions, First of all does anyone believe in God and the Lord Jesus Christ, when the bible talks about people having power in their mouth with the words that they speak, and that we all shall reap what we sow. Hip Hop and a lot of other music promote, unmarried sex, drugs, murder and other crimes and people wonder why the young & the weak seem to have lost their mind... People say go to school feed your mind with books, well books are the written word, so why do people not realize that the spoken word of many Hip Hop artist are feeding peoples mind garbage. So if a person can read enough doctor material to become a doctor and people can understand that and accept that, but can not accept the fact that if you listen to enough murder/thug music you also can become a murdering/thug. Food for thought! The way I see it from a biblical standpoint is that there is nothing new going on with the so called hip-hop generation, is just old bad habits coming back to the surface. Read in the King James
version of the bible about the land of Eygpt and how the people acted and how they destroyed themselves, wanting to have fun and not obey what God told them to do and how to have a good life. The hip hop generation is a reincarnation of the the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. Notice they just got out of slavery and started acting ignorant, and now look in America blacks not too long ago came out of slavery and now they act ignorant with the freedom we have and want to party with hip-hop and disgrace, not just themselves, but those before us that suffered and petitioned God to set us free. Please do not get me wrong I love my Black people, however we must change this path for our future generations it have a fighting change at Life ( and i mean really living, not just surviving like many people are)....Peace
2/22/07
Clay Leonard
Edmonton
I watched the documentary and was somewhat moved but what i believe that is being addressed is a fundamental aspect of humanity weather it be music dance sports cooking hairdressing education driving ... anything! so wake up that's life! action and reaction and that's it, black or white. I'm native Canadian we're messed up too.
2/22/07
Vanessa Anderson
Chi-city, IL
THANK YOU !!
2/22/07
Trish
Albany, NY
I appreciate PBS for shedding light on this awful situation.Its just too bad we dont see more of this on the same channels where butts are shaking and grillz shining and chains are low.Our community and most of our attitudes are out of control.Many of our brothers(ex.jadakiss)need to wake up and realize that although we think popping butts and big chains hanging is all our children want to see/hear, it is not what they need. What we need is to show our children its cool to respect your wife and family, its ridiculous to threaten a life of a man with the same struggles as you. C'mon please black men wake up!! We need you for protection, guidance and to teach these confused, fatherless young brothers. We dont need to continue to lose you to gunplay or hiv or prison (all consquences to the words you spit in your Lyrics). Wake up brothers!! the black family/community needs you. Last word, As a black mother I respect and appreciate Chuck D as well as all other "MEN" in their efforts to educate as well as entertain.
2/22/07
Lisa Moore
Louisville, Kentucky
I am a music lover and I appreciate all types of music but some hip hop music seems to break all the rules that defines "black power". The disrespect of women and the glorification of money,drugs,and sex has pass the extreme and has entered the world of pure insanity and it needs to rebuffed by those of us who have the courage to speak up for our present and future generations of women and men who are looking for understanding on what it means to be "black and proud in America"
2/22/07
Hailey Mae
Madison, WI
I thought this piece of work was dead on and very thoughtful. I think there needs to be more give and pull within Hip Hop. I have listened to Hip Hop for over twenty years, and I have as of late tapered off from listening to it solely because there isn't much originality lately, it's starting to get stale. I also, as a woman with a conscious, can't continue to condone the large majority of negativity towards women. The homo erotica aspects are interesting because no one wants to talk about it, although it's been around forever.
2/22/07
B. Jack
Great Falls, Virginia
Your Documentary was very well done,and insightful.Rap has "lost it's luster" in essance it's "dead".Everybody say's the same thing;(Money,Cars,Woman)and with all that's going on today i;e a War..it's said their is no mention in any song you hear.Rap spoke about relevant issues of the day...now with such a lack of talent, Rappers beat the same tired drum,reinforcing the same negative sterotypes. P.S. BET is a joke of a cable channel.
2/22/07
Annie Mae
My opinion on all of this is that most of these hip hop artists are crippled by the public eyes of what they like not who they really are.Do to the fact of the lyrics they talk about or make videos of is like fantasy within it's self not just on there behalf but on the public how is actually buying.So you can say they're manhood can be measured by there money not there shoe size.The respect for a woman no matter what shape,form or fashion has just faded to them we are viewed as just that spare rib they can live without.Now i give respect were i see due.But never the less some were not raised like that see for the love of money it's the root of all evil.I believe if they watched the news a little closer they'll see what real hip hop is if they want to relate for real.But you can't when you sleep in silk sheets and forgot about those twins ploy and ester.See I'm a mother of four and it's hard to raise a man so why would you cripple there chances.Give back to your community think of all the children who won't grow up to be hip hop artists.MESSAGE: practice what you preach to your children at your expense not someone else's and see what your out come will be.Welcome to the real world for from down below.The same faces you see going up will be the same faces you see coming down bet that.RESPECT!!!!
2/22/07
Iris
Milwaukee, WI
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? would you sell it for a paltry price?? I am absolutely disgusted at the state of ignorance we have fell and laid down in. It is seemingly likened to a swine wallowing in the mud mixed with his own feces. I admire the brother for covering a show about the state of mind of the entertainment industry. It almost forces me to totally ban television and music in my home. We all have a duty to protect what our eyes see, our ears hear and what our mind takes in. It is very hard if not impossible to fight against SUBLIMINAL messages that our televisions and radios put out. I was molested as a child and thinking back, I blame most of it on the images and male dominance that has been portrayed. I have met people from the most remote places in the world and have befriended many of them. A few of them have expressed to me that they remember that their country was morally sound or ethically stable. When satalite television was introduced to their country and they were able to access television from America and Europe, in a very short period of time their country was in chaos and discord. I have read FBI files and military coos and have supporting evidence that whole governments (namely Russia and the Soviet Union) have been overturned just by introducing IDEAS to the people through the media of television and radio. So what i am saying is WE ARE UNDER ATTACK and when the song was sung 'we shall over come', someone else said "hell naw ! you shall be OVERTURNED"
2/22/07
LaVerney
Savannah, GA
I am a 56 yr old mother and educator who cares very much about the state of mind most of our young people are feeling comfortable with today. A lot of things impact the mind and spirit...in our culture music has always been important and played certain roles like inspiring us to cope, hope, pull ourselves upward and rise out of despair to that something somewhere in a better space and place. Your in depth journey into the layers of reality, regarding the hip-hop music of today, mandates that we recognize the messages of NO HOPE beyond these times of... it is what it is...'till it ain't.
With the constant mentality of sex exploitation, hard core "fake" gangsta, and it's ALL about me, myself and I...served up and delivered by mostly truly talented and highly intelligent artists...why folks, we truly have the perfect storm for the undermining of many who could be developing on an entirely higher plane. THANK YOU MR. HURT for all of the time and energy in getting this great documentary completed AND distributed...WE OWE OUR YOUNG MORE BALANCE so that true truth to power may be shared and plant seeds of hope that inspire rather than glorify degradation of ourselves. CONTINUE THIS JOURNEY OF INVESTIGATION!!!
2/22/07
Clyde Devoe Bailey
NYC, NY
First, I would like to say how I throughly enjoyed the documentary and my only regret was that it was way to short. I guess my observation since I've regulated myself from making judgments is that ignorance is bliss. What I found particular disturbing is here are a group uneducated rappers who have such a platform to make a difference and speak about change have absolutely no ideal or they would not even like to admit about the long term effects of what they say and do. Then to justify there position with the response of "that's just they way it is." Well, No it isn't. You can tell by they way intelligent rappers answered many of your questions they had an answers, intelligent thought out answers.On the other hand more than half of the others rappers you interviewed couldn't even answer your questions. Secondly, One of the many options I feel that needs to be addressed is diversity. People need to demand change on the radio and television. If you continue to let people dictate to you how to feel, think and behave then there going continue to think its ok to tell you. If everybody in the world thought alike it would show no one was thinking. Keep the faith a change is gonna come.
2/22/07
David Rivera
Bronx, N.Y.
First and foremost, I would like to commend you on the outstanding piece of film documentary you put together. Born and raised in the Bronx, nothing could be further from the truth on how you not only got it right historically, but your interviews, and the questions, were dead on. Especially how you call them out on there answers. Gotta love Jadakiss, he's extremely knowledgeable about the rap game and is the least bit offended or insecure during his interview. Not true with Busta, who's totally insecure with himself.
Again, from an historical standpoint, about to turn 44yrs of age, it did bring back memories growing up in the south bronx. I was there when it began back then there were 3 elements that were non existent that are so prevelant in todays rap: sex, drugs & violence. Break dancing, pop locking, and DJ battles where the norm, as oppose to rap battles with degrading and violent lyrics.For women living in that ghetto environment, it's low self esteem, self worth. They play right into male insecurities.
Positive roll models? Denzel, Will Smith, Sidney Poitier, Danny Glover Spike Lee, just to name a few off the top of my head. Ever watched those videos with the volume off, makes no sense, just a bunch of kids, talking, using there arms! pointless. That's called " regressing " instead of " progressing " Imagine an unemployed black man watching that all day. That's what the corporate big wigs are feeding our kids of today. It's not just a culture, it a way of life. Children are being born into that culture. Cursing is the norm and you can't carry on a conversation without saying " nigga" this or " nigga " that. It's really pathetic Another way America dumbs down our society. Those that are smart and realize it, move on in life, those that don't, will forever live in that environment.
2/22/07
April L. Sosa
Philadelphia, Pa
Brilliant. This issue crosses the color line. Its not just Hip Hop. You can't consume any media these days without seeing violence or sex being over glamorized. We need to hold ourselves responsible for what we consume. Ignorance such as this shouldn't be accepted in ANY culture. Turn it off. Don't buy it. And lead you're kids and community in the right direction. Respect women. Do your part.
2/22/07
NLS
Detroit, MI
First of all, congratulations on a wonderful film. I thoroughly enjoyed it in spite of the depressing bottomline: present day hip hop is severely damaging Black America at the hands of inordinately rich white men for the entertainment of scores of white consumers who blithely enjoy their brief immersion in primarily fictitious Black culture. I do agree that the proliferation of this audio garbage is another form of gentrification serving to undermine the black community. As your film correctly reflects, it compels Black men to focus mainly on proving how hard they are or their hometown is, and it convinces them and, unfortunately, Black women that they (Black women) are no more than mindless sex objects unworthy respect.
I applaud your documentary for effectively illustrating that the scantily clad, sex-charged images of black women portrayed in these videos and songs are terribly and tangibly destructive to our culture. The Bet concert was a sad display of that. The women dressed like strippers as ifit was appropriate attire for the public--a definite by-product of these songs and videos, and the men smacked them and grabbed at them without pause--because that has become normal and accepted hip-hop culture and beyond. The worst part of all of this, and the sad truth that all of the industry players overlook, is that this film and the music depicts adults. No one seems to care or consider the effect this is having on our youth, boys and girls. Every lyric and video sets a dangerous precedent. This is what we are teaching our kids. It is, indeed another form of gentrification in which we as a community are playing a huge role. And, like Chuck D said, it is up to our men to stand up and be men for all of us. But equally important, it is up to our women address the sexism, racism and misogyny and finally stop the deterioration that we have now become complicit in. We have to because it is our community. For others it is business or mere entertainment.
2/22/07
Milwaukee, WI
I just wanted to say that this only reinforced my already strict rules for raising my two sons. My boys are five and six years old. Young, black men growing up in a low-income project. There is no limit to what I would do to prevent them from becoming little inmates. Although their surroundings are not ideal for raising children, they have not suffered because of their surroundings. I don't listen to rap as much as I used to anymore, ever since the induction of the word bitch on the air-waves my children and I hardly listen to the radio either. I am buying a copy of this documentary to show them when they reach the age of most boys that start into the life of crime via music. I also liked what Chuck-D had to say about the whole situation and would like to see more of his views if possible. I am so thankful that someone decided to take it upon themselves to look into the whole hip-hop mentality. I am thankful for my sons. I am thankful for PBS. T.Newson.
2/22/07
Stacee
Phoenix, AZ
Your Documentary was very well done,and insightful.Rap has "lost it's luster" in essence it's "dead".Everybody say's the same thing;(Money,Cars,Woman)and with all that's going on today i;e a War..it's said their is no mention in any song you hear.Rap spoke about relevant issues of the day...now with such a lack of talent, Rappers beat the same tired drum,reinforcing the same negative stereotypes. P.S. BET is a joke of a cable channel.
2/22/07
Isaac
Houston, Texas
I wouldn't say the show changed my views or perceptions. The show really epitomized what a lot of us already know and think. It's the fish swimming after bait. It's the rabbit chasing a carrot. With the bottom line being Money. BDP's album Sex and Violence, PE's Nations of Millions, NWA's Straight Outta Compton along with a slew of others were thrust into rotation on radio, television and even clubs. The varied landscape allowed us to travel different paths and form our own ideas in regards to what we wanted to see and hear. Nowadays, the diversity found on those aforementioned mediums are non-existent. The listener acting as an archaeologist has to dig a bit deeper, dust off the fossil records and find those artifacts. The dichotomy of opposites(misogyny vs respect due a queen, hip hop homophobia vs understanding ) will always be present. It is up to us to render one of those useless. The choice is yours(c)Black Sheep.
2/22/07
Jay Darling
I thought I was the only one that noticed the homo eroticism of present-day hip-hop. I personally believe that the hyper-masculinity is just an overcompensation for homosexual feelings amongst the men in "thug" culture. Of course, I have no peer reviewed research to back this up but I am willing to bet that homosexuality in "thug" culture is higher than that of the general population.
2/22/07
Edward Highsmith
Truly i thought i was a dying breed. i don't want this to sound too much like the old guy who all of a sudden gives his life back to God and is at the front of the church waving his hands and stomping. however, tonight, about 20 minutes ago i finished watching your television show. after reading for about 3 hours my thinking music cd ended and the tv clicked on automatically. i almost never watch tv anymore. my timing was all too perfect. everything that was mentioned suddenly made me feel exhumed and galvanized. suddenly it was as if i were back in college with the student union and other colleagues who had the same vision that i had and still have. that vision being that we are in trouble as black people and we are our own diesel fuel, and we are our own super engine that keeps that big bus of failure circling around the same short block for decades. i speak for the short time i have been on the planet. i love the beats in hip-hop honestly. i work out and i train martial arts. this music is like solid adrenaline. i wish to echo a thousand times the love and concern the speakers on the show expressed tonight. i have been eloquent with students i work with about the dangers of falling in line with things and no questions asked. i plan to order this show and invite students to listen and get blessed like i did just 30 mins ago. my compliments to all of the people involved who criticized and delineated black masculinity and black hyper masculinity, the fattening of the stereotype of the black illiterate criminal. young people need to know that there are behavior options out there. the show makes me want to get my mom to see it so that i can say, "see, there are other people out there who think like i do." i have resigned to the title of misfit and social recluse because there seems to be no significant way to fight the cancer of the black verb. i drop a tear when i hear about another movie that inspires black people to kill other black people, or another cd out there that clearly is made to further sicken black existentialism. perhaps it is because i have aged a tad since hip hop's birth, but what is happening to my community today forces me to stay indoors until it is time to go to work. sometimes speaking very clearly to people and offering common sense to people can get you very seriously hurt, just because you do care that the hydra is not only beheaded, but that the wounds are burned quickly so that another laughing head does not sprout to spit in our faces. please help to save our sons and daughters.
Thank you with much black love and gratitude.
2/22/07
Rich Hensel
I saw your film on WTTW 11 Chicago. Congrats for the most open honest assessment of the "Hip Hop Culture" I have ever seen in main stream media. As a gay white male I am put off by lyrics aimed at pinning me, or my kind as the lowest form of life in the hierarchy of that culture. Your frank discussions and respectful treatment of the homo eroticism in Hip Hop blew me away. I am so pleased to hear the artists and others interviewed comment on their feelings and experiences. Gays have been in on it from the beginning, because of the super macho images and our experiences with men on the Down-Low.
Breaking through the stereotypes helps everyone who is "less than" others in a white straight society that is considered the "main stream" Living in a city that is 95% Black, I understand much of the social issues faced by young black men in my city and others. I can understand how people turned pain and anger into art. The frankness and willingness of many interviewed to talk about their views leads me to think that the future of Hip Hop and Black America is much brighter if the men I heard are indeed leading the transformation. I look forward to the new wave of Hip Hop, and culture inspired by the realizations of the men, and women interviewed.
2/22/07
Michael Pollard
Punk saved rock, bebop saved jazz, what will save its hip hop? I know its out there already I just havent found it yet Great work.
2/22/07
Nzadi Keita
This film is impressive, most impressive for the variety of voices and issues Byron Hurt was able to include. More importantly, however, he linked these issues to underscore the erosion of social and cultural responsibility. The debate is no surprise to me, however. I see many, many positive large and small representations of masculinity, by black men in particular, in my neighborhood: serving as crossing guards, making and performing in independent films, flagging down a bus for an approaching senior citizen, seeking help to improve their abilities as students.
Many large societal issues are at stake. I know Mr. Hurt couldn't get all of them into the film, but the profound need for young black men to find more productive paths is a fundamental one. Moving away from the notion of big paydays and what I call "bling artistry" would be a start. Moving toward independent initiatives, toward the idea that artists do what they do because they believe in it and keep a day
job, would be another.
2/22/07
Ismael Adriano
I'm a latino who was raised up north (jersey city)on hip hop since the days of LL, PE, Big Daddy and EPMD. I was the type of kid who defended hip hop and was proud to be down since the early days. If you see me now, you would never have known it. Why? Because I can no longer defend hip hop, so i alltogether boycotted it years ago. I have a 9 year old boy now and do all i can to shelter him from these lyrics, videos, the slang, and all this thug life shhhh.
Half these black and Latino kids don't even know what hip hop used to be, what the scene was like. This documentary hit home for me man. When I clicked onto it, I was just going to keep clicking right by it, because I don't care for it anymore, and I'm pretty bitter when I think about hip hop. I'm almost embarrassed. For some strange reason, I kept it on, then I couldn't stop watching it. I just wanted to commend you because you really unearthed where this all stems from. You asked pivotal questions that put people on the spot and they didn't know how to react, black or white. You steadily handfed them enough rope to hang themselves with. Half of these rappers played themselves. I particularly liked the section on "bitchassniggiz" and the whole reinforcing stereotypes over and over. But my jaw dropped from that white kid in the suburban. He was another victim of the slipknot. If I could make just one suggestion, it would've been nice to see Ludacris get his ass shown too along with Nelly and others. But overall, Powerful, very Powerful. One Big up to Chuck D man. Knowledge son.
2/22/07
Brandi Brooks
This documentary was powerful! Extremely powerful. I walked away from the television saying wow! These are things that definitely need to be discussed in the Hip Hop Community but the most important thing that needs to be said is that this is NOT Hip Hop. This is Rap music and American Pop culture. Hip Hop culture does not stand for or tolerate any of these things and we definitely need to educate and separate ourselves from this misrepresentation!!!
2/22/07
I heard you on NPR and decided to check your documentary out. It was refreshing to see a documentary on Hip Hop. I loved your selection of commentators which was a balanced mix of hip hoppers and scholars. I am a bit concerned on the overwhelmingly negative take on the music. Though much of hip hop is wrought with conspicuous consumers, misogynists, and drug dealers, it is important to also present the "other" side of hip hop where these trademarks so to speak are less prevalent. I would have liked to have seen a brief examination of the not-so- hyper masculine songs that many rappers make like the odes the music the dedications to mothers, family members, and people who were lost.
I also would have liked if there were a few more introspective hip hoppers who viewed the culture as the plight of a more systematic set up and even a closer look at lyrics that were opposite. I know that it is easier to look back and be nostalgic about past groups like PE and such but the reality is that there are indeed less stereotypical emcees around today (Mod Def and Talib are examples of this even though the latter is not particularly great). Overall your documentary was very good, and I look forward to seeing more about you. You have a keen eye and interesting outlook on things.
2/22/07
Willy G
BIG B>thank you.thank you thank you.i cant say it enough.i am hip hop.i grew up with it.i love it /but am in conflict with it.i am now 37 years old.and i still love hip hop.i am also nypd.with a 17 year old son.need less to say i have some very overwhelming conflicts of interest here.i find myself singing along to lyrics that completely bash the police(which believe it or not have an overwhelming number of so called "minorities"doing an incredible job making our streets safer)but whats that worth.Drugs,crime,jail and guns are glorified in this game now and all the kids in the hood can become superstar rappers.people don't realize what a small fraction of rappers really do make it.can you imagine if they glorified peace,unity,education,love for your brothers and SISTERS,and most importantly education.ya know big b I'm curious.are there any stats on the educational level of some of these big rapstars.not saying that they are not intelligent people. A lot of them certainly have street smarts.but violence is ignorance.we are all mere mortals.biggie and Tupac as rich and as bad as they were are dead.and some one lost a father,brother, uncle, son, grandson. and for what? Ruben blades sings if you were born to be a hammer,the nails will rain on you from the sky.no more excuses.in this country we have opportunity.work hard,take care of your kids,then you tough.
2/22/07
Kissena
I plan on getting the dvd to show to my daughters and anyone who will watch it. This was eye opening stuff! The documentary put to words what I've been feeling all my life. Why, as much as I love hip hop, I just can't bring myself to support and buy an album by 50 Cent, Biggie, Snoop Dog, etc. no matter how great the beat or lyrical content. But I do ask 'Where were our female rappers?' Why not get their perspectives on the issue of hip hop today and why we are poorly represented and underrepresented in the rap game today. I wish the documentary dealt with the female perspective a little more, since we are also highly affected by hip hop's downfall into misogynistic hell and corporate leadership. I believe Chuck D was right- until our black and Latino men step up and step out of that one dimensional caricature that has been set up for them, hip hop will indeed be as good as dead. Keep rapping Dead Prez, The Roots, Mos Def, Talib, De La, and all others like you!
2/22/07
Pensacola,Fl
Well i just was able to watch the PBS show i was very very disappointed about the issues that we as black people make important i feel there are more important issues going on in the black community we as black people need to better the things that start from being in the neighborhoods that we are in or the raising of are young black children there is a such thing as freedom of speech no one should ridicule rap artist for there hustle no black man or women leader said any thing about The Rev. Jesse Jackson and his lies he told to all of the young men and women coming up in the 80's no one wants to tackle the real issues that plague are black youths in this day in age music has been violent, sexual, explicit for ages so to try to make a big deal out of it now will do nothing because as long as we have that right to say what we want thats how its going to be we as black people need to find a way to pull together and make a difference and quit downing the next man or women thats what we should be doing with are ti me verse trying to silence other blacks for anyone do it for are children. THANK YOU SINCERELY JOE JOE
2/22/07
Chicago, IL
Your film limits Hip hop to only the american experience, but the truth is that hip hop has impacted the globe. Hip hop artists are now found in all races and cultures. For those who say "Thugs and Botties sell, that's why Hip Hop cannot evolve into something deeper and more meaningful," THEY ARE WRONG. There is a hip hop group from Denmark called, "Outlandish." These guys are huge in Europe, and yes, there Music is making money. The difference is the way hip hop has been expressed. There songs have meaning, there videos are full of symbolism and do not degrade women. Yet they are still making money and growing in fame globally. I use "Outlandish" as an example of Hip Hop evolving into something truly powerful, beyond race, that has the power to impact hearts in a positive, and truly creative way. Mr. Hurt, your film is a much needed discussion. I hope you do part two. Please, talk to "Outlandish" and other youth like them.
2/22/07
David Morgan
Flowery Branch, Ga
I was pleased to see someone talking truth about the big picture. The looks on the faces of those who know the guilt they have, and do not what to face it. WOW!! I am an an artist and music is one of them. I am part of a generation that I believe does not want to see the separations of race. People always want to fit in. It has been feed to the masses so long of what defines being black. Something needs to change. I think the years of repression of the "black man" as a whole has been disgusting. My problem is that the "white man" is such a small part of the world, but for some reason, are in power? My question is why. What has allowed that to happen? The whole history of man is the same. There are those in power, and those who are being controlled. As long as, not only Hip Hop, but any product sales, that is what those in power will feed the herd. I enjoyed the film, and I hope to see more like it.
2/22/07
EXCELLENT SHOW! As an old school sister with an 18 year old son (college bound). The show was on point . We can see the so-called rappers that were not involved. 50cent. The African American youth does not have guidance. Their moms are wearing booty shorts. Back in the day rappers were creative. These boys are projecting a negative image and have no sense of duty. Dirty south ....total disgrace (when I can understand them). Gangster rap...(for the lost. Do better AA men. Please
2/22/07
Sekai Mbawa
Covington, Ga
I do understand the economics of hip-hop when it comes to the goals of capitalism, but what price are black people paying for the demoralizing life style and values that Hip-Hop represents in black culture today? The common thread that artists explained for justifying the pushing of their lyrical content is to pay bills, feed kids, etc. I am tired of hearing this sorry excuse to justify the exploitation of black men and women. The music industry in my opinion is just another corporate plantation which uses their "slaves" to shuck and jive in ignorance so that the "master" can make the real money, while giving the "slaves" maybe a third of what they make and some shiny items as an incentive to keep the "slaves" producing the product.
If the artists feel that it is neccessary to churn out this unimaginative, mass produced rubbish then maybe the artists and other people in the industry could form a coalition to fund schools in black neighborhoods in certain socio-economic are as that would benefit from books,
music lessons, art and could also fund tutoring programs breakfasts, lunches and dinners so these children will not have to sell drugs for just basic survival,like some of the artists claim happened to them, and I can't feel sorry for those artists who had a rough childhood because my father was born in a hut in Africa and had no electricity or running water whose parents did not speak English- but he didn't shoot anybody on his way to becoming a surgeon.
2/22/07
Leon Smith
Covington, Ga
I was so happy to finally see someone address this problem. It seem that with each hit song that comes out. It take our young people to a new level of lowness. We have become a culture of heartless people. with no respect for women or ourselves. I have always loved hiphop from the start. It sad to say my love affair hiphop is slowly growing apart. I feels she is dying and I can't save her.
2/22/07
Ken
Ohio
LOOK IN THE MIRROR! I watched, I learned and I contemplated. I am 47, middle class, a musician and my perspective on the documentary can only re-enforce the objective of the host and several of the professionals consulted during the taping. "Black" America need not search any further than the mirror for the answer of blame. What makes a man goes deeper than thuggery, bling or being a "pimp". All of those character flaws, yes flaws, are symptomatic of the greater ills within the community as a whole. The young males (notice man is not used) are taught victimization, dependency, and low self-worth through the very media which enables them to perpetuate these shams which they portray as their real lives. The words Hip Hop and Rap are ghetto terms of laziness. Rap is slang for talking, communicating. Whose mother allowed their child to first use that word without correction? That is parental laziness. Look in the mirror! Even as I watched the film, I was struck by the continual use of poor grammer by the guests, and I am not referring to the artists. Look in the mirror. The interviews on the street with aspiring artists tells us that their music is not True. Most of those kids have never held an Uzi, so the lyrics are lies. Pretend HARD! Yet no one challenged them on this point. Look in the mirror! And as is always the cop-out for Black America, the references made to "whites" were almost all in context to blame. Look in the Mirror! Nations rise and fall based on the fortitude and character of their people. Do you allow drugs in your home? Look in the mirror! Do you enable irresponsibility within your home? Look in the mirror. Do you teach your children greatness is not bling, cash or fame? Look in the mirror! I could go on for pages, but will not. My point to all you "bruthaz" and "sistas" out there, Look in the mirror and start today being a brother and sister and turn your back on any form of music, speech, or thought which embodies the degradation and destruction of Our world.
2/22/07
Aluster
Philadelphia, Pa
I watched HIP HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhymes this evening while my thirteen year old son slept safely in his bed. He is foremost in my thoughts at this moment. I thank Byron Hurt for giving us, fathers, yet another tool to share, and initiate dialogue with my son.
2/22/07
Dorian Lawrence
Chicago, IL
First let me say to you Byron I am proud to see an African American man take such a stand on these issues! Our community needs to see the truth about what has taken place in Hip Hop and how it is being used as a tool to "dumb down" the true sense and meaning of who we are as a culture. God Bless!
2/22/07
Dawn Henderson
I have just finished watching your documentary and while it was extremely well-done and informative I am disheartened as an African American female to think that many African Americans have bought into this farce of portraying men as unthinking, unfeeling, gun toting gangstas and women as possessions used strictly for sexual gratification. I was left feeling empty by the end of the show as I thought about the upsetting statistics regarding violence against African American men and women. Thinking about how to fix hip-hop in its current state seems overwhelming since it is such a huge money-maker and it appears that many artists are not willing to be real ìmenî as Chuck D described in the documentary by taking a stand against the heads of the recording industry by refusing to portray the black experience as only violence and the degradation of women. The only bright side to this issue is having people like yourself to talk openly about it. Thank you.
2/22/07
OBATOSIN OLAITAN
WHILE WATCHING THE FILM I WAS GLAD TO SEE HIP-HOP LOOKED AT IN REAL LIFE TERMS. IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE TOPIC BEING TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF ITS NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY. AS LONG AS WE ARE AN ACCOMPLICE IN OUR OWN DEHUMANIZATION, + COMMERCIALIZATION WE CAN EXPECT NO BETTER FROM ANY OTHER COMMUNITY. AS CHUCK D SAID,IT IS UP TO THE MEN IN THE COMMUNITY TO PUT A LIMIT ON WHAT WE WILL DO FOR MONEY. AS A CONSCIOUS MAN IN OUR COMMUNITY WE DON'T DISRESPECT OR DEGRADE OUR WOMEN BECAUSE WHEN WE DO, WE DISRESPECT OUR MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE MUST NOT DO. BECAUSE AS WE KNOW WE ARE ALL BORN OF WOMAN.WHEN WE DISRESPECT AND DEGRADE THEM, WE ARE IN FACT DOING THE SAME THING TO OURSELVES.THAT MEANS IT IS UP TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR COMMUNITY TO RETHINK OUR COSMOS SO WE CAN REMAKE OUR WORLD. WE CAN CONTINUE TO BLAME OTHERS FOR OUR SITUATION OR CONDITION. ULTIMATELY IT IS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR COMMUNITY TO DEFINE AND REFINE OURSELVES. AS STATED HIP-HOP IS A PART OFTHE AMERICAN FABRIC. THAT FABRIC IS RATHER FABRICATED, DISTORTED AND MOTH EATEN. WE MUST LOOK BEYOND HIP-HOP AND DISCUSS AND DEAL WITH THE PLETHORA OF PROBLEMS WE FACE IN OUR COMMUNITY. HIP HOP IS A SYMPTOM OF OUR PSYCHOSIS OR PATHOLOGY, IT IS NOT THE CAUSE. THE FILM RAISED MANY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. NOW THE DISCUSSIONS NEED TO GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND FIND SOME THE ANSWERS. LETS DO IT !!!!!!
2/22/07
Aondongu
Marietta, GA
I thought the film was a good one. I hate where Hip Hop is going right now. There is TOO much digging that needs to be done just to find the good emcees. All we have now are some 30 something year old teenagers who think they represent me, get the heck outta here. Anyway, I wanted to congratulate you on a job well done. The film was great, and you weren't afraid to ask influential people pressing questions. For instance, that Russell 'all is acceptable when there's money involved Simmons.
2/22/07
Phillip Watters
Baltimore, Md.
Outstanding documentary. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
2/22/07
Jim
Tallahassee, FL
I would like to applaud this documentary as it shows the true side of rap and hip hop.I am white and I enjoy listening to this music. I remember the first time I heard NWA when I was 10. It touched my anger as my parents had just been divorced. I hated everything and was pissed off all the time. The curse words and the beats made me believe it was ok to be mad and I acted like that. I didn't pretend to be black or act black. I just hated everything and it fueled me. As I got older I transitioned into smoking weed and being taking it easy. the music fueled that as well. I eventually moved out of caring about the lyrics and chose to just stop listening. I hear some of those songs and i go back to that time and try and act like im tough, but when the song ends, i look out the window and see an old man about 70 and think to myself man, I am a jackass. I'm not partial to believing that I wanted to be black but i can see people who do act that way. Today's music is more about the money and the girls. No kid really wants to hear their own reality, its depressing. To identify with something that is dangerous or perceived that way, is to make a name for yourself. Today's youth is lost just like the youth of the other generations. It looks for something to relate to and to believe in and in the opposite view of reality, you have hip hop. The 80's had yuppies, 70's had hippies, 60's greasers every generation has a group of deviants.Its sad but the people that are parenting these kids are to blame. They should be telling their kids that it's false or telling their kids that it's immoral to degrade women, to covet things. I am not very religious but a moral is something that should be felt. If the parents of these kids who choose to cherish this music, don't feel that it's immoral or wrong, then you can't blame the bartender's for supplying the booze. It's sad but this is America and if you choose to listen to this music, it's your choice, hopefully, you'll grow out of it, I did. If you don't well hey the world needs plenty of bartenders.
2/22/07
The Queen of Fudge
Washington, DC
I just finished watching the documentary. I am still in a state of pride, elation, and shame. I am very proud and elated that this young brother explored regions of Hip Hop that we as a culture choose to ignore. I would love to see this documentary again and again to fully elaborate. I do believe that Hip Hop will only change when Black Men make the change. I definitely feel that we as a people are somehow trapped in a mentality that says MONEY makes us who we are, not our soul. Unfortunately White America could care less. It's all about the Mighty Dollar and some in the Hip Hop Culture are so jaded by that dollar sign that they don't know that they don't know. Hip Hop used to be something that we could be proud of and something that showed our strengh. Now it just shows our ignorance and to some extent our fears and insecurities.
2/22/07
Toney Smith
Washington, DC
I want to thank you for telling it the way it is, Hip-Hop is dead to all us thats over the age of 30. What we grew up on can no longer be respected in today global world. You showed how real men need to stand up and educated the younger generation. Hope to see the next documentary. Word to the world, if Whites stop buying this so call RAP MUSIC not HIP-HOP. MC's would have no choice but to change their style. BET (UN-CUT) IS TO BLAME, THEN MTV-2. HIP-HOP WONT BE ON VH1 WHERE ARE THEY NOW. WE ARE HERE AS THE MEN THAT HAVE GROWN UP. THATS ONE TO GROW UP ON! 30YR AND OVER. TRUE HIP-HOP IS FLOWING IN MY HEART. THANK Byron Hurt (BRING IT BACK HOME)
2/22/07
Melinda Davis
Chicago, Illinois
This was an exceptional program - not that there was anything comfortable or easy about it. I found it deeply troubling because it rang so true. As a white middle class person, it helped me be less afraid of the violence of hip hop, and more aware of how an authentic expression born from a real social condition has been harnessed by the entertainment industry for the very reason that it captivates people. I think the film reveals that the rigid violent posture in current rap music is being fomented by the executives who can make money selling a pre-conceived notion to mainstream America who may be more comfortable with the status quo than real growth in the classes who have been put in a position of long-term struggle.
2/22/07
Naja
Houston, TX
Despite the overwhelming truths presented in the film, I feel very refreshed by the knowledge that there are MEN who are challenging the onslaught of poison that we have allowed ourselves to continually consume. I am a woman. Therefore, I must challenge my sisters of color to do our part and begin to withhold our participation in the charade. Our men have many issues to work out. In my lifetime, I may not live to see the whole of humanity embrace a healthier idea of masculinity. However, in my lifetime, I can vow to do my part by embodying the notion that "modest is hottest" thereby instilling a healthier female ideal in my daughters and every young girl I encounter. We have much work to do on all fronts and I applaud the efforts of the filmmaker and anyone who is brave enough to love, yet critically examine hip hop and its negative trends perpetuated by the willingness of our people to be manipulated into self-destruction. We are still trying to overcome. We are not even near the mountaintop. Yet, I still have faith. PEACE and POWER to the positivity in my people.
2/22/07
Kelli Janise
Beaumont,Texas
BEING 17 YEARS OLD AND ONLY BEING EXPOSED TO THE GANGSTER RAP IMAGE, I REALLY HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE. HOWEVER,THE IDEAS PRESENTED IN THIS FILM EXPLORE PEOPLES' SELF.I AGREE WITH IDEA THAT IF A GIRL'S ASS ISN'T HANGING OUT,THEN A VIDEO MIGHT NOT GET PLAYED. NOTHING REALLY CAN BE DONE, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SO FIXED INTO THEIR OWN WAY OF THINKING. MY PERCEPTION ABOUT HIP HOP AND GENDER HAS ALWAYS SOMEHOW BEEN CONSISTANT WITH THE IDEAS PRESENT IN THE FILM. THE NEGATIVE REPRESENTATIONS ARE REOCCURRING THROUGHOUT NUMEROUS VIDEOS AND TELEVISION SHOWS. HIP HOP HAS BECOME NOTHING MORE THAN A WAY TO DEMEAN WOMEN AND GLORIFY FALSE STATES OF SECURITY.
2/22/07
Connie Montoya
Thank you so much for your documentary. As a Violence Preventionist and Rape Crisis Advocate, I can't tell you how many college men and "professional" men I run into that believe being a man means being "hard". Men who believe that being called a girl is the worst insult. Or how many men view rape perpetrators as innocent because "she wanted it". I see in this in hip hop but I also see it in our everyday media, from movies to magazines, from billboards to music, from advertisement to radio. As a Latina woman, I know the box that society wants to label you as, and I have been told in various ways to stay in my place. I have seen many young girls and women be content with being a sex object and justifying it as their personal choice. As a mother of a teenage son, my goal is to raise a responsible adult who learns that his identity isn't in anyone's hand but his own. I hope to see more of this awareness for men and women.
2/22/07
KUSHTRIM RUGOVA
BX. New York
I'm a student from MT.St.Michaels Academy. MY teacher is a friend of yours, Chad Robinson. I watched your documentary on hip-hop and i really liked it i showed the truth of how hip-hop is dieing every other day and that it isn't anything like it was. So this is what i think about your documentary and i respect you. Thank you and i hope u don't stop on till we can all change hip-hop back to the way it was at one point.
2/22/07
Erick Montgomery
Charlotte, North Carolina
It is time for Black people to stand up. For too long we have sat back and let the Hip Hop culture which primarily focus on more money, more hoes (sex), drugs and cars influence our youth. I want you to take a look at www.exministries.com. This brother focuses on hip hop culture and the prison mentality of our youth with the baggy pants, flip flops and socks, and the long hair. As a people, if our youth continue to be persuaded by the hip hop culture, we may end up in slavery again (each generation is getting weaker). We have to understand as people we need to stick together and get as much education as we can, so we can be the ones owning these major corporations. We have to realize EDUCATION is something no one can take from us. It time to take a stand!! Seeing your documentary has really made me excited because there's other brothers out their that feel the same way I do. It really hurt me to hear some of the up and common rappers say the industry won't accept them if the rap righteously. The quote by Jadakiss, ÑI am just trying to feed my daughter. I understand but Jadakiss has a style if he rap about something positive itÇll sell. Look at the song ÑWHYâ that he made with Anthony Hamilton. We need to boycott these so called gangster rappers and start listening to artist like ÑCommonâ. We need to take it to the radio stations and the newspapers. We can put an end to this!!! They want us to continue to brain wash each other with its ok to take drugs and killing each other. Its time for an awakening, were headed for SELF DESTRUCTION. With AIDS running rapid in our community, black males in prison, homosexuality, and black men with white women. Where will that leave the black race? EXTINCT?
2/22/07
I watched your documentary and agree totally with the misrepresentation of masculinity and the degrading of women. I am a white woman dating a man of color for over two years. I agree with the difficulty defining his masculinity especially dating me. I think woman as a whole have been the objects of discrimination and abuse since the beginning of time. Those girls in those videos need to look at the bigger picture of who they are showing themselves to be. I notice my son's attitude about woman as sex objects, black or white. The images are of course, creating a low vibrational sexual stimulus that brings all of us down, men and women. Higher vibration is love and respect, lower is fucking and non-feeling animalistic primitive male domination. I believe that is dark energy. You can rap about many positive things, like a way out of the dark., like stepping up to the plate and creating your life. Yes that stuff sells cuz it keeps all of us down. everyone likes to watch and hear sexual music because its vibration and beats brings up sexual energy... but the lyrics lack any social consciousness. To hear my niece of 5 yrs old singing... its getting hot in here , i wane take off all my clothes.... or don't you wish your girlfriend was HOT like me.... makes me sick. It makes it very hard for my daughter of 16 to get any respect or treated like a person... because she is beautiful and has a lot of light. We need more documentaryís like this in the high schools.. lets teach the kids how to think beyond their sexuality.
2/22/07
Piero Falci
Coral Springs, FL
I loved the documentary and I thank you for doing it. I was expecting this discussion to come up and I will try to make more people watch it and reflect upon these issues. I have the utmost respect for all black, brown, and white women and men who went through enormous sacrifices to bring equality, especially during the Civil Rights movement. I keep thinking that those who produce and consume hip-hop forget the past, do not understand how much they harm all black community, how much pain and suffering they bring to humanity, and how little respect they show for the sacrifices made by their ancestors. It is very sad.
2/22/07
Rosie p
Nanuet, NY
I just finished watching the documentary and it left me with so much to say, that I am speechless. The main hip-hop icons such as: 50 cent, Nelly, and more that I don't know...since I don't listen to hip-hop (wonder why?)want to sell records at the expense of their culture and community. How are people supposed to respect them and see them as more than just a "nigga", when that is exactly how they are portraying themselves. How are people supposed to respect women when they are the first ones to degrade them? Why is the percentage of black women being raped higher than that of a white woman? Because I don't see white women in those videos "backing that thing up" or shaking "what their mamma gave them". It's that simple. Women have to respect themselves in order for other people to respcet them. When they stop walking out of their houses in underwear, maybe then, men will not grab them as much. As for the men, they try to portray a facade of being the big macho man who kills
and "bangs" women. How sad that in this day and age, they really believe that a thug is a real man. Will Smith is a very well know hip-hop artist. He is not hard core, but he sells records. Millions of them. He keeps his music clean, he has a beautiful wife, beautiful children that I'm sure look up to him and people buy his records. Why is that?
There is something really wrong with the hip-hop culture. If enough artists get together and take a stand, millions will follow. They just have to decide what's more important. Making the almighty dollar, or setting the record straight about their culture...unless they don't mind being know only for their "bling and hos".
2/22/07
Steve
BNewport News, VA
As a long time "Hip Hop Head" from the days of Grandmaster Kas, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Boogie Down Productions and X-Clan I have long fought to preserve the image of Hip Hop from the 1980's. As a concerned parent that listens to today's Hip Hop, I felt it was necessary for my 12 year old daughter to watch this movie and see from whence Hip Hop has come and what it has evolved into. While Jadakiss is an artist that I listen to, I was deeply sadden by his and the artist aspiring to breakthrough Hip Hop's doors with then nonchalant or the "it is what it is" attitudes about what is going on in the industry. I recollect the days of KRS-1's song "You Must Learn" or PE's "Public Enemy #1" or Grandmaster Flash's "Don't Push Me Cause I'm Close To The Edge." These were conscious based songs that sold millions and to this day still get airplay on hip hop stations as classics. Jadakiss posed the question "Who sits at the top of the record companies?" Yes we understand that it's the white man who own these record labels and companies. But does that mean that we as African-Americans cannot aspire to own our own companies? It sounds to me that we've assumed the role that was layed out for us hundreds of years ago, slavery. I challenge every young artist out here to stop the slavery attitude and start the uplifting attitude.
2/22/07
Sebastian Scott
Belcamp Maryland
I was enlightened by your program. I thank you for the opportunity to comment on your program. I am a 42 year old black man who has three young boys and a lovely wife. I have a strong religious lifestyle and I have seen the hip-hop culture creep its way into the church. We embrace our young people in church and give them room to express themselves in praise toward God, but I feel after seeing your program the hip-hop culture is not what we want our young people to accept as ok nor offer it as a sacrifice of praise to the only living God.
Although hip-hop may be expressing real-life situations in song, I feel this society and the American culture has glorified sex and violence to often and to no end. We take no responsibility for giving ourselves over to depravity. Bravo for this bit of useful media and hats off to you my astute brother and friend. Stay encouraged.
2/22/07
Mon
Kingsport
My thought about the show is that our presence in society today is portrayed as a negative stereotype,which came from the system of slavery. Today the system is the same as it was 100 and more years. We as black people are still not giving the respect that we should,especially through the media.
2/22/07
F. chong rutherford
Brooklyn, NY
I was on jury duty a few weeks ago. Lunch was called. I went to a counter, grabbed a bite, and sat near some kids. I say kids, but I know if they heard themselves described like that they would've gotten upset. They were kids trying to front to fit themselves into an imaginary image of manhood. It was the image of manhood that your movie touched upon. I heard these kids call each other n-gg- and it broke my heart. I saw the other adults doing their best not to hear the kids. I thought about talented brilliant Jaimie Foxx explaining to the mass media earlier in the year why he is a n-gg- and that if you're the wrong color you can't use the word. All of it spun up into a negative ball of everything that isn't a man.
I saw a man on the subway on my way home. He was with his wife. His baby girl was crying in her mother's arms. He took the baby girl, whispered something in his wife's ear. She fell asleep, and the baby stopped crying. That's a man. I don't agree with the position that hard core thug music is the only thing that can or does sell. That agreement is expressed with my pocketbook. The major labels cannot be expected to do the right thing anymore than Jaimie Foxx or Dave Chapelle can be deterred from dropping n-gg- in their speech. The only thing that can be done is to bring alternatives to the marketplace. Luckily, we're living in an age of micromedia. It could be 1987 all over again, with the next Tribe Called Quest about to emerge from some obscure corner of the Internet. I have hope.
I just hope that someone reaches those kids and all the others like them I saw at the diner a few weeks ago. Those kids need to know that they aren't n-gg-s, and that their highest aspiration shouldn't be to be a n-gg- but to be a man.
2/22/07
M Peters
Mr. Neal is right on with this documentary and spotlighting hip hops concentration on the negative aspects of Black life in America. I wish he had also highlighted the fact that it all stems from the "Willie Lynch" theories that have lived and prospered in the Black community since his prescriptions for "keeping" Black Americans where White America wanted them was used. It probably, and one day will be recognized as the "wonders of the world".. His theory has worked so very well, that it even made to to national television on a daily basis. The Thug mentality, distrust of each other, color lines, etc. Look not only at the way Black Women are portrayed, but the long hair, light skin, etc. So so sad and quite possible most irrevocable conditions, that can not be overcome. We talk about it, change, but will it ever happen? Not until WE ALL understand the Willie Lynch prototype and we change it within ourselves.. What do you think? Ms. P.
2/22/07
Ymani
Trenton, NJ
This was a great documentary. The best I have ever seen on the topic. Right on point. I will only add that the masculinity displayed in hip-hop music (which I am a lifelong fan of) is a direct reflection of a definition of manhood that was given to us...forced upon us by an alien, completely conflicting, non-african people and culture. What needs to happen for any of this to change is men of African descent need desperately to re-define themselves by looking at themselves through the lenses of traditional African culture. We are not European...behaving like the non-African causes us to fight against our selves...our very spirit...we will never really win. I so miss the hip-hop of the late eighties, early nineties, I say it all the time. I remember listening to MC Lyte saying "I don not touch until the third or fourth date and maybe a kiss on the fifth or sixth..." and internalizing that and using that model as a means to carry myself with my male counterparts at 15 years old. Now, we have our young ladies trying to make sprite cans disappear in their mouths. We have set ourselves back so far with this new rap music. Imagine how life for us would have been like right now had Public Enemy, KRS-One, and other type conscious MC's gone mainstream and created more of the same. Imagine a Black America that never knew gangster rap. PS. I wish you would have interviewed or highlighted some of the new female rappers who present themselves in a misogynistic way. Peace...good work!
2/22/07
Martin Johnson
New York NY
I applaud the film just one comment Is Hip Hop's Audience Really 80% White? NO!!!!! this is a false hood promoted by RECORD LABELS In recent days a debate has ensued on my website http://www.daveyd.com/, around one of Hip Hop's biggest myths. It started in 1991 when Newsweek Magazine did a cover story on Gangsta Rap and in their article they put out an un-researched statistic that said 80% of Hip Hop's audience is white and that its reflected in record sales. That stat has been bantered about ever since as an indisputable stone cold fact.Adding to this myth was a conversation that took place at the Gavin Convention in San Francisco around the same time when Ice T during a panel discussion stated that anything above his average 750 thousand record sales was attributed to white kids.
But is this really true? Granted if one goes to a Mos Def show or even a Wu-Tang concert you will see a majority white audience in many cities, but does that translate to that 80% whiteudience? How does an all white Wu-Tang show in Northern Cali compare to a sold out predominantly Black T.I. or Yung Joc show in Atlanta or in Oakland? How does that compare to a sold out predominantly Latino Psycho Realm or Sick Symphony show in East LA?
Back in 91 when this 80% first surfaced, there was no study or methodology that that kept track of race when it came to album sales. About the closest one could come was by estimating based upon record stores in a particular area, but that would yield far from accurate results. To start in many areas, folks from different ethnic backgrounds would frequent stores that were in sections of a city dominated by one race. For example, if you came to Berkeley in Northern Cali, you found three main record stores up near the UC campus in an area that was statistically majority white. Folks from all over including predominantly Black South Berkeley and majority Black Oakland shopped at those stores. How were statistics based on purchases by race kept?
The truthof the matter is that this 80% white Hip Hop fan myth has long been a nice marketing tool used by media corporations to justify ad revenues for Top 40 radio stations.
2/22/07
Asa Fludd
Pineville, South Carolina
I was intrigued by this video and I would like to give out my kudos...
2/22/07
Christopher Jagge
College Station, Texas
Thank you so much for broadcasting this documentary. It is exactly what all of us, black, white, and otherwise need to see and discuss.
2/22/07
Julian Pietersen
Cape Town, South Africa
As someone who grew up listening to "Real Hip Hop" I feel that some Americans don't really know what IT is. Some think that Rap music is Hip Hop and that is SAD!!!! REMEMBER.. The difference between Hip Hop and Rap is Rap is just a Word. Please take back your place in educating the world on True Hip Hop. JUJU (A Humble African who misses Hip Hop.
2/22/07
TAVIS JACARI
JERSEYLAND ,NEW JERSEY
JUST TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE HIP HIP TIME LINE I'M A FIRST GENERATION HIP HOP HEAD AND EVERYBODY THINKS SUGAR HILL GANG WAS THE FIRST COMMERCIAL RAP RECORD THEY WERE'NT IT WAS (THE FAT BACK BAND" (1978) THE TITLE IS "KING TIM III" CHECK THE ARCHIVES
2/22/07
TAVIS JACARI
JERSEYLAND ,NEW JERSEY
IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE HALF TO 3/4 OF THE CATS THAT ARE COMMERCIAL RAPPERS DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT IF IT WASN'T FOR THE GAYS AND JEWS THEY WOULDN'T BE MAKING THE MONEY THEY RECEIVE .FASHION ,MUSIC AND FILM JEWS AND GAYS OWN AND FINANCIAL BACK THESE INDUSTRIES BUT, THESE RAPPERS SPIT ABOUT ALL THIS GAY SHIT HOW THEY HATE IT BUT, GAYS IS MAKING THEIR PAPER.THEY ALL NEED TO DO THERE HISTORY ON MUSIC AND RECOGNIZE THEIR EMPLOYER MIGHT BE GAY. ONCE RAP / HIP HOP WENT COMMERCIAL IT BECAME GENOCIDE AND THE MODERN DAY CRACK THAT IS PUMPED INTO OUR VEINS JUST LIKE A JUNKY STRUNG OUT ON SMACK...NOT ALL RAP IS DESTRUCTIVE BUT ,MUST LYRICS YOU HEAR SUBCONSCIOUSLY CREATES A LOT OF WHATS HAPPENING IN OUR STREETS.
2/22/07
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 I;mm only 19, i understand where people are coming from when they say that true hip hop doesn't 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.
2/21/07
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 Fabela 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 fabelas in Brazil, called Fabela Raising, a true leader and artist has used the power of music to encourage fabela 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 fabelas because of this movement.
2/21/07
Anna C.
Chicago,IL
I completely agree with all the points that were set forth during the documentary. My initial perception when Hip-Hop came along was the negativity of the poetry in the majority of it (I can't call it music). I know that there are a lot of issues to be angry with, as I am also a member of a minority, but all negatives with no positives is like a ride in a vacuum back in time. I really feel pity for the what is represented by mostly male rappers, because they too are like the appointed black overseers in slavery that assisted in the cruel treatment of their own kind. And this was for a pittance, purely for their own reward from the slave master. It can only be funny to non-minority members that, as with minstrels, that we cannot possibly do anything else. It's hard to believe that they can genuinely think that they are inspiring, even to their own offspring, to unite for a better future, as evidenced by the violence and misogyny in their "lyrics".
2/21/07
Karla
I think this film was very powerful. It showed that the hyper-masculinity that is displayed in hip-hop music can be reversed. Many of the young people interviewed throughout the film show that the youth who listens to hip hop is intelligent and understands that much of what is shown throughout the media is sensationalized and for pure entertainment. This was some really powerful stuff...
2/21/07
JMB
Chicago Illinois
I understood for years that the corporate world is actually in charge of the negative cancerous homophobic,female hating hip-hop lyrics allowed and rewarded (even if it means some of them might live in their neighborhoods)to encourage it's unsuspecting minion I say if hip-hop's lyrics began to encourage and caused a people to take interest in their wellness, rap songs of respect toward mothers, daughters, and sons, hip-hop would DIE a swift immediate painful death. The scary thing about that is the greedy corporate world makes billions of dollars off the back of these Africans. I don't think they will go down without a fight.
It actually hurt when I heard one of the rappers say he was just trying to feed his daughter. Nothing personal about the young man but his educational background appears to be limited. He could better help his daughter by making full use of his ability to pay for higher education for himself. I would hope it will be a mind opening tool to afford him true freedom, and success. To the white woman, I feel you but we don't share the same experience. Not even close! I could go on, and on but for now thanks for the show.
2/21/07
Beverly Coleman, MPH, L.Ac
Sedona, AZ
Dear Brothers All,
I am a 70 year old knowledgeable and wise woman who has also lived in African and participated in most of the contemporary Black struggles. We went through hell and sacrificed much for the benefit of the generations that were to follow. I was so proud when "rap" was introduced by the Watts Poets and other riots of African and U.S. Black culture and its role in the mental liberation of all of the peoples of this generation. And I am still proud and welcoming of "rap." In fact, I love the innovative rhythms and cadences. I am sure that it will one day, along with blues and jazz be considered classics to future generations. However, like the early blues musicians, most of the contemporary (misinformed, desperate-for-recognition and greedy-for-wealth) "rap" artists have submitted to being pimped and are selling messages and images that are far from what the courageous, independent Watts Prophets envisioned. I would like to thank Byron deeply for sharing his and others' insights and introducing critical dialogue that is sure to begin opening the eyes and minds of young misdirected artists and help them see their personal responsibility in demonstrating our true greatness as a people.
Black women are mostly longing for the manifestation of the Christ spirit in their sons-to-be-men. This means righteous, disciplined, compassionate, kind, scholarly, respectful loving (that is, the qualities of VIRTUE like the Samurai). And, of course, most men admire and want equally VIRTUOUS (character-speaking) women -- especially to raise their children. We cannot BE these people by following the decadent mainstream U.S. culture. Since, in fact, Blacks are the true spiritual and social trend leaders of the U.S. (via music,socio-political change, great prophets, athletic excellence, recognition of the equal competency of women, etc.) I would appreciate your further encouraging our "rap" artists to research and present our race in its great and total aspects (not just muscles and butts and "d****")s
so that our young people can sing our phrases, build upon our limitless capabilities and be made ready to take up the baton toward our destiny to help lead this world to a more humane and spiritual plateau. Thank you again and may God direct and bless us all.
2/21/07
Bill
Huntington Beach, CA
I started to watch this film and changed the channel not long after the introduction. I told myself it deserved a chance to be heard past the introduction and turned it back to watch to the end. I like what this movie has to say.
Hip Hop is the latest money maker for the music industry. The industry has been this way for as long as I've been listening to and buying music. If something new comes out and sells, all the other labels want to duplicate it and to get played, you have to fit the money making mold of that time.
I teach high school at a school that is 97%= hispanic/Mexican. I see my students doing the same thing the artist and fans in this movie were doing and that's to redirect the blame for their actions. If they put it on the cd's then there must not be anything wrong with it...it's not really a crime if you don't get caught. The funny thing is, I see a lot of teachers (160 at my school) with much the same attitude.This is a great film and I the film maker did a great job with the subject and in keeping his cool in making the film. By the way, I teach film making at my school and the videos my students put together reflect what they see as normal from the music they listen to.
2/21/07
Eric Hesselberth
San Luis Obispo, Ca
Thanks, I really enjoyed the thought provoking and informative film. I want to see more of this kind of investigative work into the diverse culture we enjoy. There is too much acceptance of violence imposed on us from the top levels of this society, and I think we all need to make our voices heard in this respect some how through music and the arts to bring true healing to the world.
2/21/07
Molly Parks
Los Angeles, CA
I had to stay up this evening to see this film after hearing the interview on "talk of the nation" on npr. The film is terrific. This is an example of the kind of conversations we should be having between and among the sexes, between and among the races. Men and women, Take back you power. Men and women, Take back your creativity. Make your own music. The corporations are just playing you now. The executive of BET was unable to answer Byron Hurt's questions. Remember the line, it's all white buyers after 700000 copies sold.
2/21/07
Brian Holbrook
Pasco, WA
I thoroughly enjoyed this in-depth and thoughtful look at Hip-Hop culture and how it relates to the larger issues of American culture, but I did feel that it fell a bit short in scope. I recall reading Alan Lomax's The Land Where The Blues Began in the early 90's and feeling strongly then that the lyrical content of early blues --and in fact West African and Caribbean folk music-- could have been lifted directly out of their time, set to a hip hop beat and performed with no one the wiser. The recurrent themes, metaphors, and topics have not changed in a century and a half. When I hear Robert Johnson sing 32 20 Blues or when I hear Bessie Smith sing Ain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do I hear the same themes of misogyny, hyper-masculinity, hyper-sexual focus, hyper-aggression, and violence. Is not Li'l Kim simply the logical extension of Ethel Waters singing "Organ Grinder Blues? When Robert Johnson sings of a woman "squeezing [his] lemon till the juice runs down [his] legs is he really that far apart from Nelly? When Muddy Waters asserts his masculinity in "Hoochie Coochie Man is he not presaging the message present in much of Hip Hop? I thank you for this intelligent and brave look at the culture.
2/21/07
TK
Houston, TX
Your documentary was explosive. It raised question about what we as people are willing to systematically accept. Where is the diversity and individuality in the lyrics amongst these rappers who claim to be artist? Today's genre of rap music devalues women and the videos promote stereotypical images of blacks to other ethnicities near and far. The hip-hop culture embraces creativity, promotes awareness, and challenges the norms of society. I love the hip-hop culture, but I'm disturbed by the new generation of wanna be artist who are complying with industry to taint what the pioneers of hip-hop started. Thanks for taking a stand.
2/21/07
Joe Hood
Los Angeles, CA
I found the film to be very interesting and would recommend it to anyone. Unfortunately my initial reaction to the film is that it further glorifies the hip-hop/rap lifestyle that obviously destroys inner city youth with ridiculous ideas of how to achieve success and how it is measured (in girls and money). Hip-hop personifies what is the simplest and lowest form of human behavior; that might is right. If you want to succeed, you need to be the biggest and baddest MF'er on the block. The scariest thing is knowing that a whole generation of kids are buying into this ideal and foregoing the much harder and more socially productive path of education and critical thinking. It is hard to imagine that society's negative problems wont escalate when one listens to what is being preached in these songs. The most memorable shot in the film for me, was the black executive from BET walking away from a question which asked him to defend the indefensible. How ironic that he just ignored the question, just as our society ignores the damage this music is doing to the next generation.
I have traveled to many countries and can't help but compare them to the USA. In most countries it is hard to imagine seeing or hearing the violent and sexually demeaning videos that we can hear 24/7 on MTV or BET. These countries actually have the courage to not allow this "freedom" (to make money) at the cost of poisoning minds and wasting young lives. America is an interesting experiment in freedoms, but the early results, while not conclusive are pretty frightening. But that's ok, because someone is making a lot of money, right? We sacrifice the many for the benefit of the few and call it freedom. It's the American way.
2/21/07
John Guzman
Lynwood, California
I was 7 when I first heard GMF's "the message" and SHG's Whitelines and it felt as a latino that someone understood what we as a community (of poor and colored people [all races])experienced during the Reagen years and I find it ironic that Krs1 And GMF first performance venues was that of The Audubon ballroom the very stage that Malcolm X was murdered 42 years ago today that was the birthplace of Rap. today I really can't bring myself to listen to it ( unless it's Immortal Technique, X-clan,blackstarr, mos def, krs1 or J5) because of this I don't relate to the younger Generations I'm 32 now and I feel that we are loosing our initial investment to ourselves.
I was hypnotized,pointed in a certain direction and told to MARCH! Well, I guess a man is entitled to make a fool of himself if he is ready to pay the cost. It cost me twelve years -Malcolm X
2/21/07
Sol Henik
Walnut Creek, CA
I really enjoyed viewing your documentary tonight on PBS.
I am a white high school teacher for at-risk teenagers in Pleasant Hill, CA. Most of my students are white who listen to hip-hop and wear the baggy clothes, grillz, and the bling. In some of my lesson plans I have had the students listen to the hip hop that I grew up with such as "I'm your pusher," by Ice-T or songs by KRS-One. What advice would you give to a teacher who wants to teach positive, non violence lessons, whose student population eats and drinks hip hop continuously from the headphones of an iPod? Thanks!
2/21/07
Jason
Watching the men of Spring Bling was sad and embarrassing. Watching the women accept it was heart-breaking. My love affair with hip-hop died in the late '90s once the music lost it's diversity of voices and became singularly focused on a lifestyle I could not understand or relate to. Fortunately for me, other genres of music eventually filled the void and communicated the emotions and experiences that were closer to my own. Rap music is definitely a reflection of the culture. And increasingly the culture is becoming a reflection of the music. At some point someone must accept the responsibility and commit to change. When will mothers refuse to let their sons think, speak, and behave in such a callous and destructive manor.
While Jadakiss and other rap artists hide behind the prevalence of violence in movies and popular culture, he fails to acknowledge that the average movie patron does not emulate the destructive behaviors witnessed in fictitious violence. The problem is that many rappers and their fans blur the lines between fiction and reality. The real loser is the community. BTW, Great Doc.
2/21/07
Randy Cole
Livonia, MI
Rap is such a frickin' joke and an insult to ACTUAL MUSICIANS by the record companies. Not ONE SINGLE rapper has a SPECK of musical talent. It takes NO talent to recite bad street poetry to the annoying beat of a computer. Rap just shows how musically ignorant the general public is. These are the same people that believe Simon Cowell is qualified to judge a singing competition.
2/21/07
Luis
Honolulu, HI
Very well presented, interesting and informative; I grew up in the 80's listening to hiphop but the new stuff doesn't appeal to me at all. It's about catchy hooks and choruses that suck you in and the song topic doesn't even seem to matter.. It's all production and most of it is garbage. I hope you produce more documentaries on similar topics; Keep up the good work and good luck.
2/21/07
RF
Covina CA
Seriously I don't even think that radio mainstream crap should be even called hip hop or rap anymore.why? because it doesn't represent the true essentials of the four main elements of hip hop anymore,which are graffiti, bboying (break boy), djing,and raping. A true hiphop head is someone who is one with these elements of hiphop. a true hiphop rapper will have all these elements involved in his music or music video;for instance, a rapper would have bboys breaking in the background, with his dj scratching dope cuts on the ones and twos, with the rapper spiting dope raps about coming up on walls or how his day went or about that one girl,or how he has the gift of gab that just leaves your head all bugged out. a true hiphop head would never have a "hoe" singing his chours or brag about having money, for a true hiphop head is a humble man,who most likely raps just to barely pay his rent. on the other hand, non of these mainstream "rappers" do not and will never represent hiphop, for they are someone i call a "jiggy rapper" who is nothing but a abc bubble gum rapper who raps just to get rich and famous, not for the love it. so i don't even pay attention to that non sense anymore. for my full attention is on true dope hiphop, which is formally known as underground hiphop.a bunch of heads who stick true to the elements,with positive vibe raps that gets you feeling,and thinking.
p.s.Byron big up on your film too! it was really interesting and good Peace* in the Middle East lol
2/21/07
Jeffrey
Edmond, OK
All Got to say people hurt themselves. Rap music has hurt the black people and the way people perceive them. think of it like this. because of the music people have been killed, beaten up,and women degraded .The few people who have tried to change things they were put down and bashed. ask Bill Cosby. He tried and the black community turned on him. Like I tell people when nigger becomes a bad word that comes out of everybody's mouth and not just whites. And,there is showed more positives out of the black community than bad, then the stereo types will more and likely fall.
2/21/07
Larry
Edmond, OK
I peeped the show "HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats & Rhymes" that was useful information. I actually forwarded the email to a few of my boys. I believe that I'm an educated man but I must say, as a black man, I've been conflicted too. This mostly came about due to my upbringing and speech. Some may judge me but, more of us need this info. -A hip hop fan
2/21/07
Marcia Hawkins
Oakland, CA
I was profoundly sad and angry after viewing the program because I like some hip-hop(old school, conscious rappers), and recognize the artistry/creativity, and downright genius/innovativeness in laying down the beats. Having lived in the confused States of America for over six decades, some of my people have seemingly relinquished their HUMANITY in some mistaken notions of what it is to be a REAL MAN or WOMAN. I commend Byron Hurt for speaking on this especially to the Hip-Hop community, some of whom seemed highly uncomfortable and unable/unwilling to answer questions about homophobia/homo erotic content in the genre. That it is there seems to be actualized in always moving with a 'crew, posse, or my boys'. They ought to think on that very seriously and what that screams about their 'manhood'. The woman-hating and all other 'haterations' speak to a dissolution of self, and the corporate suits who CONTROL every aspect of the business(although the relatively few Black folk hat make millions THINK they are in control)would not allow Nelly's "Tip Drill" video or any video of that ilk to fly with White women in them. I would ask all of the rappers with mothers/daughters/nieces, would they want them in those videos? J. Kincaid sums it up for me in these words"...and from afar you watch as we do to ourselves the very things you used to do to us..."
2/21/07
Russ
NY
After viewing Byron Hurt's documentary last night, I was inspired to think about the ways in which masculinity is defined and the ways in which male values are shaped in our culture. Aside from the,(valid),issues discussed in the film: socio/economic conditions, status, oppression, urbanization, commercialization and social violence, I think that competition is a huge factor that cannot be overlooked. Like any male creature, the flashier the feathers , the larger the roar, the bigger in stature,the stronger, more agile or the more power you possess it becomes more likely for one to woo the female, become the dominant member of a herd, tribe,troop, pod etc. or be favored in some way. I think that with the rise of hip hop's popularity...once rivalry was established and money became the allure, additional segregation occurred...East coast vs. West coast, borough vs. borough, label vs. label, artist vs. artist etc. The flashier, more violent and provoking the lyric the more it asserted ones dominance and
manhood.
Like any competition it is the winner who gets the the prize... Those who get submitted are losers, until they can re-assert themselves and gain "respect". It is an ancient and primal part of male nature. This is not to say that we cannot act otherwise, or that competition is not healthy, but social conditions foster the extreme competitive instinct, (many times for the wrong reasons).
Self confidence and self respect have alot to do with calming the ego enough to know that you can be dominant without making it obvious.To be able to surpass the limitations of competition and gain true freedom.
It is like martial arts philosophy...once you know how to fight well and are confident enough to know that you can handle almost any physical confrontation...there is no need to fight...you are confident so you can walk away.
Like KRS says: "I am concerned about idiots posing as kings
What are we here to rule? I thought we were supposed to sing"
2/21/07
Lee
Memphis, TN
I watched Beyond Beats & Rhymes late last night on my local PBS station. Had I not heard a short interview with Byron Hurt on NPR's Talk of the Nation earlier yesterday, I would not have even known about this important video documentary. It is certainly worthy of increased airplay, possibly required watching for high school and college audiences. Although it would never happen, BET should air it at least once a week in prime time! The mirror Mr. Hurt puts up to a generation that views life, and their role in it, through the distorted lens of gratuitous sex, violence, and wealth-at-all-costs is the by far the best statement I have yet seen regarding these societal issues. And it is not, as the film pointed out, simply a "black thing". Mega entertainment corporations run by white men and suburban wannabe white kids also contribute to this severely damaging continuation of the degradation of black achievement and possibilities. Yet the clueless entertainers innocently proclaim that they simply provide what the people want - entertainment. They are victims as well. As long as music, movies, and video games aim for the lowest common denominators of taste, we shall see more of this stuff, unfortunately. Where are the Last Poets when we need them?!
2/21/07
Liz
New York, NY
I wanted to say that I really enjoyed your documentary, but of course found it very distressing. One thing that I really wanted to comment on though was the portion about women being objectified and the footage you showed of them being pawed at while walking around in bikinis and such. I wanted to point out that it doesn't take a bikini to provoke a man to make inappropriate comments to passing women. I live in NY and regularly get harassed by men as I walk to work whether i'm dressed nicely (and i don't mean provocatively) or in sweats, sneakers and a t-shirt. I understand that the footage was showing an exceptionally extreme situation of how men respond to women based on what they're taught, but it also suggested to some extent that the women were provoking the response by dressing as the women in music videos do. I guess what I would have liked to see in that segment was an example of how misogynist behavior exists in everyday situations as well, and quite frankly how upsetting it can be for women to have to keep their heads down and try to ignore it, as reacting can put you in a potentially dangerous situation. (I've had men follow me calling me 'bitch' in the past just for showing on my face that their comments were unwelcome.) Keep up the good work, I look forward to another opportunity to watch this piece.
2/21/07
Christopher Weaver
Atlanta, Georgia
I was very impressed at the documentary that was presented. It is awesome how GOD used you to expose things about the Hip Hop culture that are so true, it cannot be denied. I have been studying the hip hop culture as of late so that I can better convey the message of Christ to the youth. Our youth has been blinded by so many of the images that this culture presents, it is hard for them when they go into their early 20's to adjust to reality. Hip Hop is more than just a culture, but a doctrine that is predicated on subtly destroying the younger generation spiritually, mentally & physically. It goes against every moral foundation that was established by the generation before us. It truly has caused countless deaths, teen pregnancy, and degradation in our society. I believe that it is time for the true rappers (ones who truly know Jesus), to take back, and reestablish the foundation of the hip hop culture, and bring back godliness to it. I look forward to seeing more from you in this area. I pray that GOD gives you the boldness and the wisdom to continue to manifest the truth of about Hip Hop. Be Blessed.
2/21/07
Matthew
Decatur, GA
First off I love the film! I saw it on PBS last night and was proud that something like this was put out. I did want to see more of the conscious rap that's out there. There was Mos Def, Twalib, and Jada; but what about the southern side of things, the Dungeon Family has a number of artist above the mainstream.
Anyway the film said a lot of things that the masses should hear. I date a graduate from Spelman and she gave me new eyes on this same subject, so we would debate a lot. Without getting into a long discussion males should realize they can let go of old ideals and still be a man. Women should realize the rule the world and without them a man struggles. Blacks should realize their worth and know they can be successful by learning more. The world....should just realize that hip hop is poetry, a voice, and a reflection that needs to change together.
2/21/07
Carla
BRAVO!!!!!I thought I was alone in my thoughts about the downward spiral of rap. I remember back in the day, when there was an empowering message through the spoken word. Now it has become a "spitting" contest. I feel sorry for the young people today. They don't realize how they are being used and the fact that instead of being men, they are merely puppets. Not only are they puppets for the record execs. but they are puppets for the brands that they wear. How many of those rap artist (and I use the term loosely), have stock in Timberland or Nike? Yet, they have made millions for their "masters".
On the issue of the B's and H's - how in the world do those young ladies think that they are not the objects of those vile terms? Seriously, the girls at the Spring Bling had the nerve to think that they wouldn't be touched, grabbed and raped. They had no clothes on! Again, perpetuating the sexual images of slavery when we were paraded around at auction. I could go on and on - please show this film in schools.
2/21/07
Mona
Houston, TX
This young man did a wonderful documentary. I am an older woman with teenage sons, and I feel it is of the utmost importance for any who cares about our youth especially our young men to see this documentary. Our future is indeed our men, if they are lost or destroyed what does that say for the women and children. Thank you young man -- Keep Doing What You Do!
2/21/07
Damon Fordham
Charleston, SC
Overall, this is a good film. Bro. Hurt has done a good job of handling the relevant issues involved, and said a lot of what needed to be said. It would seem that after nearly 20 years of gangster rap, that the youth would have created a new music by now to replace it, as our generation created rap music itself in the late 70s as a reaction to the saccharine Black music of the time. Surely there is a new creative youth scene out there somewhere that has not yet gained mainstream exposure that could replace gangster rap. One minor correction on your time line though, the first commercial rap record was not the Sugar hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" (as commonly believed). Those of us who were teenagers at the time and historians today will tell you that the Fatback Band's "King Tim III" actually came out a few months earlier around August 1979. Keep up the good work.
2/21/07
EM Needleman
Philly, Pa
I too was raised on and love hip-hop. but as an educator in the city of Philadelphia i have found myself torn between just listening to the music i love, and hearing what is being said. thank you for exposing how TODAY'S rap perpetuates all the stereotypes that hip-hop was created to denounce. thank you for showing that even though artists claim that the 'white corporate devil' is to blame that artists do not do anything in their music or images to question or create alternatives within their culture. i especially applaud how you asked black entrepreneurs probing questions, and how they took NO responsibility and offered NO solutions. we do live in a violent money hungry society, America as a whole was founded on violence but for the means of attaining freedom.hip-hop/rap as music was created from struggle to expose the world to truths they may not have known. but hip-hop has grown into a culture of violence, sex, power and money. todays music provides no guidance of attaining any type of freedom. instead the hip-hop culture breeds the same type of oppression that black Americans claim to be fighting against. i believe that black youth finds it easier to be overly violent and sexualized rather than understand and fight for whats right.i do believe that there are positive MC's making music today, but it's not that their messages are being sniffled by the 'corporation' its that African American youth doesn't want to hear it.
2/21/07
John S.
Canton, Michigan
I'd like to thank the film maker and all involved in producing and airing this program. It helped open my suburban eyes why my two sons are angry in verbalizing their feelings and one's extremely negative attitude towards females and anyone he doesn't like. What I find most disheartening that as an urban 4th grade teacher is too many of my class of 33 (males & females) role play, act out, and accept these actions and behavior as acceptable and a normal way of dealing with anger& frustration of every day life when dealing with their classmates. I don't understand when/why an entertainment song /video has to be taken as real life. Unless the cycle of violence and anger can be broken, I, as a teacher don't see much hope for the majority of the 9 & 10 year olds that accept these songs and videos as fact, that the males will do time and many will die too early because it's the accepted why to be a man!
2/21/07
Katherine Durden
East Point, GA
Kudos for shining light on the misogyny and violence of modern hip-hop music. However, I question the references of older rappers such as Chuck D to a time when rap was more socially responsible. Some of the "political" hip-hop was itself known for its use of anti-semitic and paranoid themes (particularly the work of Public Enemy).
2/21/07
PFS
Chicago IL
Nice doc. Sums up many of the opinions I've had for a while now. I only wish that films like these wouldn't limit thier scope to simply shining light on the negativity in hip hop. Yes, today's mainstream music leaves a lot to be desired but for every ignorant stereotype of a rapper on Top 40 and BET, there are plenty of talented an well-meaning emcees making music on the fringes.
I feel sorry for people like the above poster who says he abandoned hip hop after the golden years of the early nineties -- he's missing out on a lot of good music. I know many people like that. Friends I grew up with in the hip hop trenches will now look at me with shock if I tell them De La Soul has a new record out. "I didn't know they were still recording!" It's not just ClearChannel's fault that many hip hop heads have given up on the music they used to love. We took good hip hop for granted 15 years ago because the music was much more diverse on the airwaves and easier to access. Not you have to dig a little deeper.
The question was asked, "What can be done to make room for more diverse types of music?" The answer is simple: Don't give up on hip hop. Don't allow huge media outlets to be your only reference point for music. Get on the internet and find the kind of hip hop you want to listen to. Visit websites and artist's Myspace pages. Go to record stores and listen to artists you've never heard of before. If you find out an artist you used to like back in the day is doing a show in your town, buy a ticket and support. Buy (and don't illegally download) albums from independent labels. All these things send the message that the audience for alternative styles of hip hop is still out there and encourages artists to keep creating. A ground like Little Brother may never get the kind of rotation as Young Jeezy but as long as they're able to make a living doing music, hip hop will be all the richer for it.
Also, it's important to realize that hip hop has been around for a while now and we're seeing the first serious examples of generational divide. Those of us in our 30s really shouldn't expect to relate to the kind of stuff being marketed to kids today. The good news is there's more than enough mature hip hop for us to listen to, it's just not on 106 & Park. That's probably the way it's going to be from now on. As far as combating the negative and embarssing images of black culture we ourselves perpetuate in popular entertainment, I don't have a lot of good answers other than continuing to support the opposite.
2/21/07
Isaac Magoo
Houston, TX
Nowawadays i dont even watch MTV BET or VH1, because more videos, kept repeating the same scenario. ALso, there comes to question, whether these rappers are real or fake. In other Words, are these guys from the hood or just ordinary brothers like me. When A white girl said "Black culture" Combined "With 187's and slinging dope", i thought that is not true. Black Culture is not about dope dealin and pimpin. Most came from the Black Middle Class, and was never raised on the ills of poverty. Including that is NOT even part of Black Culture. WHat is the definition of Black Culture? But Hip hop is something bigger than just booties and all that nonsense. Hip Hop is not dead, but you are not looking in the right places for good music. People are just channeling what the media tell you whats hot. We have to break outside the box, and look for the good music. To get diversity back in rotation is hard i tell you. Even if you play something that doesnt fit the conventional standards, people aren't going to buy it. Make a network that will be diverse, (Mainstream and independent music)fair to the people.
2/21/07
Mary
Dearborn Heights, MI
Dear Mr. Byron Hurt: Thank You for your speaking out on violence in our American culture.I pray you continue this work for it is so important. This is not just a problem for black youths all youths. Our kids our constantly slammed with images of violence in the news,sports, movies, video games,and the lyrics of rap music sickens me.Rappers are called artists and given awards for sending the message to be a man is to have women and money,sell drugs,kill people whatever it takes to obtain the RICH LIVE. It all so wrong.
2/21/07
John M. English
Long Island, NY
To Mr. Hurt's credit, his recently raised consciousness was shared through his film making. I found irony in the introduction by Terrence Howard, a fine actor in his own right, who received critical acclaim for his role as a sympathy seeking pimp in "Hustle and Flow" ('you know its hard out here for a pimp'). I would be very curious to see results of research and documentary done on other critical aspects of this same story; e.g. interview and explore women of color of all ages to glimpse the origins and impact that their generalized misandry directed towards their sons, boyfriends, husbands, and male counterparts of color in terms of their constant articulation from an early age of what they believe a black man a'int (is not).
2/21/07
Felecia Donelson
Memphis, TN
I just watched your documentary last night and I had to tell you what an excellent piece of work it was. You really hit on some key points, particularly how rap videos portray women in such a degrading manner. Like you, I don't think all rap/hip-hop is bad, but most of it glorifies the "gansta" lifestyle. Rap in its early days used to be about just having fun-dancing, taking friendly little digs at your friends, etc. Now it's morphed into something else entirely. Again, thank you for doing this film and bringing out some very important truths.
2/21/07
Hugh
Washington DC
The analysis by Chuck D in the documentary was right on the mark.Images in hardcore hip-hop videos are nothing more than a reincarnation of the "mammy" & "black buck" images from the days of the coon shows (now masked as slick video eye candy).
This is not black culture. This is a lie. Discover real African American history and reject the brainwashing.
"Hip-Hop" Professor Michael Eric Dyson needs to get real and start criticizing how this music is negatively manipulating a lost generation.
2/21/07
Adam
Very good doc! I wish it focused a bit on counter movements or underground but I suppose that's a different documentary. This was very well made and didn't just wag the finger at hip hop artists. Rather, it attacked the sexism, racism and violence that takes place in our society and how it is shown in hip hop music. I'd see it again...I'm about to buy the dvd.
2/21/07
Black
I Enjoyed watching the program it was great..But it's time for a solution.. Until we can put some sort of effort in to finding a big solution for this problem with the music industry,then the next 10-20yrs will be no different..
2/21/07
Charmaine
Baltimore, MD
I applaud Byron Hurt for taking on these topics of Hip Hop and all the issues that no one wants to talk about. I was so moved by the film that I told all my friends that think that they are Hip Hop Heads to check it out. I love artist of the old school and those with a conscious message. Artists like Common, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Mos Def, and Dead Prez have a message in many of the songs that many don't want to hear. My boyfriend and I went to see the Roots perform and were amazed at the majority white crowd that came to see them. It amazes me that many black people don't support artist like this with a conscious message. These artists now days have no right being called Hip Hop; they are Hip POP (popular). They need to listen to Public Enemy (Chick D) and KRS One. The other issues when it comes down to the homophobia issue, it didn't surprise me that Busta Rhymes left out. Many individuals of island descent never want to talk about an issue that is out there and needs to be discussed. I was brought up in this island culture that never wants to talk about this and that is why I am getting educated to be the voice that discusses these issues that are out there. It is happening and not talking about it doesn't make it go away. No man wants to have their masculinity questioned and no woman wants to be called out their name. But if you dress and act the part what does one expect? I am a female and like to dress up and look good, but what happened to doing it with some class? I in no way am condoning the violation of a person's human rights but events like Spring Bling and past events like Freaknik were not for the sweet and innocent. Thank you for bring so many issues to the forefront. This film is an eye opener that all need to see. I hope that your film can be seen mainstream and not just on public television. But if I can help in any way, I want to. Just spreading the word by mouth is my first step.
2/21/07
Curtis
Taylors, SC
The program was well done and made excellent points about our culture in general and its amplification through hip-hop. Things have changed greatly since the days of Grandmaster Flash. Your conclusion was right: only when people refuse to participate in the bad and start working for good will things change. One theory I've had for the record companies' push to hip-hop is the fast turnover rate. New school becomes old school so fast. And who goes back and buys old school stuff? Whites who replaced their LPs and cassettes with CDs stopped buying music. The record companies were losing money since there wasn't a lot of good new music being pushed. So they went after the pirates and pushed rap/hip-hop.
"Its all about money in this land of milk and honey."
PS. I noticed Paula Zahn is going to have her own special on hip-hop tonight (2/21). Either imitation is a good form of flattery or she can't be original.
2/21/07
Rodney
Houston, Texas
That was one of the best documentaries about hip-hop I have ever seen. Its the first one to actually critique it and question the values that are negative towards black women and men in Hip-Hop. I am glad to here someone actually confront these issues and make some of those guys THINK about what they were actually doing. I found it quite telling that Russell Simmons shrugged off the treatment of black women in hip-hop culture and Busta Rhymes leaving when the filmmaker wanted to talk about homophobic lyrics in Hip-hop. It seems like all they care about is making money and playing into those images. Some of them just don't know, and others know it but they don't actually think about it. I believe the only way hip-hop can change is when the artists, music video directors, start changing from the inside out and take a stand against how a lot of the ideas in hip-hop denigrate them instead of affirming them as human beings. They have to be responsible for what they put out into the
world. Sadly, the people who determine what sells are white men in business suits who only care about making a profit. I think there has to be a revolution in thinking. All of those guys have to stand up like black people did in the 1960s. If all of a sudden you had all of these men say we are not playing into these stereotypes and want to create something better, the music industry will feel threatened and start loosing money. People have to stop supporting those artists who put out of this garbage. Thats why I only listen to certain types of hip-hip like the ROOTs or COMMON.
2/21/07
Robert
Loved the film! I was a huge hip-hop fan until the early 90s when this trend took over. Once again Chuck D breaks it down, wow. I think the music executives push what sells, and they're averse to risk and true controversy. The only way to change is to change it from the grass roots scenes. That's true for all forms of music - the majors never break new trends until they are proven, so the music and fan community needs to come together on this.It's interesting to contrast this cultural message with Rio's samba schools. There the community comes to together to make music that raises money to help kids in the community. The discussion of gangsta vs gangsta instead of against the true problems/powers drives this contrast home.
2/21/07
Henry Roper
San Antonio Texas
First of all, thanks for the validation. Your documentary is just the tool I needed to help me convey my thoughts on today's hip hop with my teenage son. Again, thanks for showing me that I'm not the only brother on the planet who feels that hip hop has lost its way and may be one of the most destructive forces to hit the black community since crack!
P.S. Much love to Dela Soul and the "golden age" of hip hop!
2/21/07
Timothy Webb
Bedford, TX
I just wanted to tell you that I saw the program and I am happy that you had MCs on there that actually stated that they would like to do different song than those that are on the radio. I agree with the director of this film. Blacks as a whole need to change the way we think and how we perceive each other. The only ones that are getting rich off us are the white owners of these labels.
2/21/07
Lucille Charles
The documentary was well presented and long overdo. It did not change my opinion of hip-hop; I don't like anything about it; the dress,the hairdos,the lyrics, the music, the videos, etc. I watched because I wanted to try to understand why some people like all of this.I resent the fact that some people actually believe that this dis functioning fringe represents blacks in the USA! Black masculinity and femininity-MEN and WOMEN-are seldom presented accurately in this country.
2/21/07
Colin Donoghue
Albuquerque, NM
I saw this program last night and thought it was excellent, especially when talking about how the few rich white gatekeepers of mainstream hip-hop only allow allow the violent sexist stuff through and keep all the political/conscious hip-hop away from the People, this in indeed purposeful. A great example of this, which your program disappointingly failed to mention, was the Three Six Mafia winning an Oscar! That to me was obviously in the interest of keeping hip-hop "in the box" and portraying all hip-hop artists, and young black men in America as money hungry ignorant people who have no cares for real issues. When Mr. Lif's "Emergency Rations" gets played on the radio, along with other REAL artists like Ded Prez/M1 & Immortal Technique, you'll know the days of Clear Channel/ rich Republican white men rule are over! May that day soon come! Peace/Impeach Bush Now
2/21/07
Martin W
This was a fascinating film and I applaud you for having the gumption to ask the hard hitting questions. A few comments:
[1] I disagree with Chuck D's assessment about the people involved in hip hop doing the things they do because they're part of a system - everyone has a choice in the music they make. Granted, labels are pushing what sells, but that doesn't mean artists can't speak up or discuss hard hitting issues intelligently. Unfortunately, the last big hip hop voice that did this was shot down in Las Vegas in 1996 (Tupac Shakur)
[2] It was amazing to watch several of your interviewee's running away from the hard questions - Russell Simmons response surprised me, the BET director's did not. What I was most shocked by was Bustah Rhymes leaving the room when you brought up the subject of homo-eroticism in hip hop, especially given he was surrounded by conscious MCs such as Kweli and Mos Def - I'm curious, did they speak upon the subject even though you didn't show it , or did they also back away?
[3] Are you afraid of repercussions from any of the artists? In particular, I can see LL Cool J and 50 Cent being outraged by the homo-eroticism piece.
Kudos for a well done documentary, I hope its a step in the right direction. Finally, the young cats who were spitting freestyles for you: I was shocked at their lyrics, and it reminded me of why I can't stomach a lot of todays hip hop.
2/21/07
Etcetera
Chi-city, IL
When I watched the introduction to this film when it aired on PBS, I was very intrigued. I agree with the film maker in his point that hip-hop represents "violence and masculinity within hip-hop culture and also within the larger, more general American culture". I saw his thesis but the film made little impact on me. I think that some of the measures the film maker took to support his point were completely tactless! When interviewing mainstream rappers, like Busta Rhymes, Mos Def, etc., they weren't thought provoking at all to the interviewee. It seemed that all questions were more accusatory than thought provoking. They were blatant attacks on the music they made, thus making them jump on the defensive. This film did nothing to provoke any thought from the artists, or the viewers but instead point blame.
2/21/07
Shalom Alechum,
I think its about time to put Hip Hop on blast for all the negativity and focus on bringing positivity.
Much Luvv Records
Promotions & Marketing Manager
www.realityrap.com
2/21/07
Springfield, VA
Thanks for an excellent documentary! This really did shed some light on alot of the mess going on with hip-hop, and why the tide changed from the kind that I grew up on back in the late 80's/early 90's. I think Bryon did a great job of hitting the streets and asking people some hard-hitting, in-your-face questions. BET makes my stomach turn. I think it would be good to have a hip-hop summit where we bring together the older (more positive) hip-hop artists and today's artists to have a serious discussion about the effects of current hip-hop industry and it's prevailing destructive nature. What can be done about it. I realize alot of these artists are simply doing "what sells" but you have to take a stand on some things and take a deeper look at what you are perpetuating. "The love of money is the root of all evil."
2/21/07
Katherine Drewniak
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I feel very lucky to have by pure chance found Mr. Byron Hurt's documentary on Detroit PBS last night. Wow! How can I begin to say how much hope this film has given me? First of all, let me say that I am a Caucasian woman, 50 years old, with a 27 year old daughter who loves Hip-Hop and has tried time and time again to get me on board, because I do love music so much and my tastes have a broad range. Until I saw this film I could not have articulated all that I could not tolerate about the lyrics of so much that I heard, whereas I did like the music and the beats. I realize now that many of the artists my daughter wanted me to listen to (e.g.Canaan, Common) were actually part of that "other" Hip-Hop - where the status quo is challenged, where affection for mothers & sisters (and fathers and brothers!)is proudly declared!
The machismo culture of violence and misogyny is not unique to Hip-Hop, as Mr. Hurt's film clearly states, and much of what is disturbing about the lyrics and images found in the commercialized Hip-Hop can be linked to the problems in the surrounding contexts of our multicultural civilization. When artists lead the way to critical thinking perhaps there will indeed be a day when all of us will live in peace and harmony, singing and dancing and ready and willing to see the precious spark of soul in each and every one of us! Thank-you "Independent Lens"! Thank-you Detroit PBS! Thank-you Byron Hurt!
2/21/07
1 NubianPrince
Dallas, TX
I found this documentary very informative and truthful. The hip-hop culture is a vibrant genre of music that has stood the test of time when the mainstream said it would die an early death. There was this looming question throughout the show which said,"What happen to the good rap, and Why aren't the new guys releasing deceit music." Who forgot to interview The Cross Movement and other positive hip-hop groups?? They deserved exposure and a voice on this documentary. Do disrespect to Chuck D, I loved PE back in the day. True, it is necessary to have an open discussion concerning the current state of hip-hop, however, I felt the documentary was lacking in it's ability to showcase the talent not in the mainstream...it left the viewer who desires something better in despair and did not offer an alternative.
2/21/07
Naheed Choudhry
Brooklyn, New York
I am constantly angered and disgusted when hip hop artists put money over respect and care less and less about the damage it is doing to the community. I hope that one day the almighty dollar will be overlooked and less black men are dying from the same violence that is glamorized throughout so called hip hop. It was refreshing to see and hear my thoughts in a film about what has happened to what was once a way out of the shackles of conformity.
2/21/07
Nicole
Decatur, GA
I just watched the documentary on PBS last night. I personally think these rappers should stay in school and learn to do something else to earn money. If it is true that the white man is making all the big decisions, then I think we need to change something. I gave up rap years ago when it got ridiculous. I do also want to say that I have a new perspective on rap music and how it's not just the rappers that have this view of women. Like one guy said on the street, executives don't want to hear positive rap. They want to hear degrading rap. I personally think that this is a small way to slowly get rid of black men altogether. You almost can't go anywhere and see a normal looking, normally dressed young black man anymore. Remember when it was "cool" (sorry I'm 35) to dress neatly and be clean and comb your hair and have clean teeth? Remember when girls didn't dress like sleazy women? Someone better tell these kids that what they see on tv is just tv. Don't let someone tell you that wearing your pants down your butt, and showing your underwear, and walking with your legs spread open because your pants are going to fall down is fashion. You look stupid, and the white man sits back and just laughs. WAKE UP!!!!! Where can I buy this documentary? Someone please tell me.
Editors Note:
Educational DVD copies of HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhymes are available from: Media Education Foundation http://www.mediaed.org/videos/
2/21/07
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY
Wow, Mark. You really hit the nail on the head when you drew the line between "Birth of a Nation" and what today's Hip Hop machine is generating. Thank you for your insight and work to make a change. I miss the early days when there was love of the brotherhood not guns and thugs. What a sad statement that unfortunately paints many people's view of the African-American male. Stop the hate. Stop the violence. Stop the praise. Make a change.
2/21/07
Alan Owens
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Byron Hurt's piece on HIP HOP gave one a clearer understanding of this art. As minority hunger, the HIP HOP origin, manhood ideas, and preoccupation with violence and gun play did alarm this writer. Further, the treatment of women gave a similar alarm. To see women as only sex objects is interesting. In summary, HIP HOP interprets it self as different types of hunger in the minority group from sex to justice.
2/21/07
Marvin Neely
Chicago, Illinois
I watched the documentary "Hip=Hop: Beyond the Beats and Rhythms" alone and was able to express my true feelings toward the present condition of our young brothers and sisters. I cried. The frustration I have as a fifty-ish assistant principal working in the inner city public schools overwhelmed me because despite my best efforts to portray a positive male role model, the students are bombarded with destructive alternatives to what I represent and what my generation represents. I can talk all I want about education and graduation and emancipation, but it just does not have the same beat, the same glamor or appeal as sex and violence and destruction. That is because it takes dedication and hard work to build something and just trifling thoughtlessness to tear something or someone down.
2/21/07
J Baker
Houston, TX
My perception of Hip-Hop has not changed, just been reinforced by this program. There are negative representations of masculinity every day. To be honest, I can't think of much that I've seen in the media (present presentation excluded) that I could say is a positive representation of men. I see that more in the day to day life of people I know.
As far as record companies go and what is promoted and showcased...I don't think much is going to happen to change that. I do think there are 2 solutions that could aid this though. 1) the artists themselves have to have a higher integrity to what they do. If you want to do positive music then do that. Even if it means not getting the airplay or the limelight that you want. ANY ROAD OF INTEGRITY IS NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY ONE. 2)The people need to demand better. If we weren't buying and supporting the negativity the record companies would not be promoting and waisting their money on it. If there wasn't money in the negative then it wouldn't be a part of it. But this concept I doubt will never be adapted by the masses.
I think that this documentary was very well put together. While the topics and issued discussed could be discussed for days with out end, I feel that most issues were discussed as best they could be in an hour program.
There is a progressive thought process portrayed here that I hope causes a contagious epidemic! In my opinion most people when asked or criticized get defensive and closed minded. If the industry participants could see that it isn't Hip-hop that is being criticized it is the sickness that lives with in it, I think a lot more change can be made.
One angle to the discussion that could be made is that Hip-hop, like all music, is an art form that is an expression of life and self. Like Mos Def says in a recent song, if people want to know where Hip-hop is going, just ask your self, where am I going? If the people are doing alright then Hip-hop will be doing alright. Until the ills of society are improved then what improvement can be made in the art that reflects it?
2/21/07
Carlos
Indianapolis, Indiana
Great documentary! Very insightful!
2/21/07
Phillip Dunston
West Lafayette, Indiana
Mr. Hurt,
I saw your documentary twice last night and want to thank you for telling both your personal story and the story of how hip-hop expression is influenced by an array of forces and elements that have dire implications for both the consumers and aspirants. I was particularly taken by the irony of the young woman denying that she be associated with the "dancers" in the videos while the fellow knelt behind her making his "amateur" video of her scantily covered backside. What is most troubling, is how the almighty dollar has pulled the commercial expression of this genre into the gutter and carries generations of youth and thus society down with it. I personally gave up on BET long ago because of their role in all of this. Your larger point of how what we are seeing is consistent with American ideologies and media images of masculinity and gender relations is right on target and reveals that this issue ultimately crosses ethnic lines although African Americans are bearing the brunt of the assault. In the words of Stevie Wonder (I date myself here) "Heaven help us all!" I hope that your documentary contributes to the redemption of what is best about this art form before it's too late.
For your information, a town hall meeting is being sponsored by the Purdue University Black Cultural Center for March 5 under the title "Does Hip-Hop Hate Women?" I hope those in attendance will have seen your documentary. Keep the faith!
2/21/07
Kumi
It was wonderful to have Byron present his film during Humboldt State University's Campus Dialogue on Race last November. Since then, "Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" has been one of the most popular documentaries on campus! I wanted to tell you that this film has been used in number of academic courses this semester. Thanks and keep up the great work!
2/21/07
Malaki the Most Hi
Detroit!!
The movie was great!!! Definitely hard as Hell to sell good music these days, but incorporating these images just to shoot 'em down helps!!! We gotta reestablish the Hip Hop culture with in the masses. It's being killed! But it aint dead!!!!
Peace and blessings Malaki the Most Hi
http://www.malakithemosthi.com Big Proof rest in peace!!!!!!!!!
2/21/07
Peggy
Lancaster,SC
I just wanted to say great job!!! Finally someone wants to talk about the elephant in the room.
2/21/07
Sandmadd
The way this documentary relates hip-hop to popular film and politics shows just how very American hip-hop's violence, consumerism, and hyper-sexuality is. It is a brilliant teaching tool that should be shown in every high school and youth facility to hopefully foster dialogs and self-reflection. I also wonder how hip hop will evolve. We still enjoy the love & hope message music from thirty, forty, fifty years ago. What from today's hip hop roster will last that long?
2/12/07
Nicky aka Brown Eyes
Ellenwood, GA
I think that it's time for all artist to claim their rightful stand in the fight that take Hip Hop to another level in a more positive and progressive direction. Those who want to make a difference in what is being fed to the masses of our youth who are our future, should participate in their area of skill, be it rapping, directing, singing, hosting, or counseling, need to band together to create the change. Byron Hurt has done a wonderful job and I look forward to the explosion of follow ups that will grow this most needed work in our communities. You Are Thee Man...
2/8/07
Akil
Houston, Texas
I would encourage anyone that appreciates artistry with this tone and imagination to support the many artists that have continue putting out good art. Re-search and re-discover the hip-hop art that helped you fall in love.
2/8/07
Michelle Firestone
I just wanted to tell you that I loved your documentary. I thought it was very interesting, informative, and was definitely an eye-opening experience. I just wanted to say that alot of my friends seem to think it is unusual that I, a white girl, could be so into rap and hip-hop. However, I think music is a universal, and you have the right to listen to whatever type of music you wish. Even though many don't think that white people can identify with the plights that some black people experience, many of which are identified in hiphop and rap videos, this is not necessarily the case. While I have never lived in what some people refer to as "the ghetto" and therefore have never had to worry about getting stabbed or shot and whatnot, this is not to say that I can't identify with these artists. I don't live in the same environment these artists live in, or claim to live in, however, I do identify with the more general issues that are addressed. Black women are not the only women who get objectified in today's society; though it may seem that the problem is greater for them than white women, this is not necessarily the case. WHite women are objectified just as often as black women. We don't see this in the hip-hop culture simply because white women rarely, if ever, appear in rap and hip hop videos. However, the mass media creates this view of women as sexual object, and has for many years. I just wanted to point out that anyone can identify with these videos, regardless of race or sex. My personal connection is somewhat negative as I see my gender being disrespected. I can not believe that society still presents such a degrading view of women, and can't help but think that, sadly, this view will never go away. I do have some questions if you (the director) is able to answer them, as I went to your presentation at UCONN yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to ask. I noticed that someone in the video ( I forget who) said that many of the artists in these videos only participate in them for the money, and therefore, they promote the degrading/sterotypical views regardless of the fact that they don't believe in them. I just wanted to know if you agree with this statement, or if you think the man is in denial. I personally think this is ridiculous.
Thanks for letting me voice my opinions. Please answer my questions if you can.
2/5/07
Terry Howcott
Detroit, MI
Sistah' sent me your site. But, if what I see here exhibits all the players in this endeavor, then my question is, with the great idea in play how could you all in concert launch a project with 18 men including yourself and 3 women? It just doesn't make any sense.
Where are the rest of the Sistahs!? That is justs so disheartening, and - for me - casts a shadow of doubt. This also makes evident how critical it is to have women in the room in which decisions are being made even when the male facilitator professes a dedication to addressing sexist behaviors. A participating conscious woman-agent would scream, No! We're not ready to move forward until we have some more sistah's on this project. Perhaps there was one or some, but alas.
2/5/07
HipHop is overrated and it is bad for the community.
1/12/07
J. David Lamb
Thanks for the informative and thought provoking documentary about the hip-hop community. I participated in a viewing at the San Francisco public library last night. After the "golden age" of hip-hop, I simply stopped listening to, watching or buying it because of the lyrics, the images and my impression that the general public was coming to see the hip-hop image as the only authentic image of Black people in the U.S. One portion of the documentary left me a bit confused. In the documentary, you were discussing how hip-hop lyrics and attitudes within the hip-hop community tend to be homophobic and stereotypical towards gays. Then you decide to interview some gay people and ask about their thoughts; you pick three drag queens or cross dressers. So, why did you choose cross dressers to represent the gay opinion regarding hip-hop in your documentary? I know the fellow from Vibe is gay, too, but he did not identify as such during the documentary. From the reaction of the audience with whom I shared this experience, they seemed to be listening and the moment the cross dressers appeared it sparked immediate laughter and snickering. It seemed like the opportunity to educate was lost in that one moment.
At any rate, I am so glad you produced this work. It opened my mind to hip-hop again. I will just start looking in places like independent music stores or online for hip-hop music with a more encouraging message. Keep up the good work!
Thank you very much, J. David Lamb.
From filmmaker Byron Hurt:
I appreciate the fact that you came to check out the film in San Francisco. And I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me.
Very good question.
I decided to interview the three cross dresser's at BET's Spring Bling because, here they were, at this very well attended "Hip-Hop" event in the south, which was, in my opinion, clearly carved-out heterosexual male space (despite the presence of hundreds of scantily clad women). I found it very interesting that, amid all of this hyper-aggressive male energy, these cross dressers were there in part to attract the physical and sexual attention of men.
So I interviewed them.
I did not interview them to mock them, nor did I interview them to represent the gay opinion - if there is such a thing. I did interview them to get their perspective on Hip-Hop music, of which they are loyal fans. I wanted the audience to see and hear their opinions about the homophobic lyrics they hear and are subjected to when they listen to rap music. Comic relief was the last thing I wanted them to represent to the audience. Rather, I wanted to reveal to the audience that, despite Hip-Hop's intense homophobia, there are gay-identified males who are indeed a part of the culture, and are ambivalent about the homophobia they are exposed to in the music. I also decided to show the audience real-life homophobic responses to men in drag, who are, by and large, considered to be "less than men" in the larger culture, especially by heterosexual men.
Audience members who laugh during that scene tend to overshadow the audience members who are silently taking it all in and who are learning something during the scene. You are right, some do miss the point of the segment. But as the filmmaker, there is very little I can do about that. One way of looking at it is to say that the audience's laughter misses an important opportunity to educate. Another way of looking at it is to ask the question, "what does the audience's reaction reveal about the audience, or, some members of the audience?"
I have had the opportunity to show this film to large, diverse audiences all over the country, and I must say that the audiences' response during this segment varies. Some audience members feel uncomfortable to see and hear cross dressers or openly gay men talk about homophobia and homoeroticism, so, they giggle or laugh to mask their insecurity. For some members of the audience, the scene brings out their own homophobia, so they make rude homophobic comments out loud. Others, who are more open and progressive about gender politics, nod affirmatively during the segment, and are happy that the issues are being addressed at all. And then, you have some who say the the segment doesn't go far enough, or does not adequately address the issue of homophobia or homoeroticism. And in the best settings, you get a bit of all of these responses, which to me, makes the best audience, and leads to the most interesting, thought-provoking conversations after the film.
So, I have concluded, that how people respond to my film and to the homophobia/homoeroticism segment in particular mostly depends on where people sit socially, politically, and intellectually.
And I just accept that.
Nowadays, whenever I am in the audience during a screening, I sit back, relax, take mental notes about how the audience responds, and I let the audience reveal itself for who it is.
Peace,
B. Hurt
1/12/07
J. David Lamb
Thank you for your response.
I indeed understand better now. In fact, when you asked, ³what does the audience's reaction reveal about the audience, or, some members of the audience?" I had to ask myself that same question. Why did it bother me that the interviewees were cross dressers? I had to admit to myself that even as a gay man, I still harbor negative feelings towards guys that cross dress, as a way of life, because I tend to link feminine traits in a man as a negative. Closer to home, I believe that the negative feelings directed at highly feminized men might be directed to me which indicates whatever problems I might have with being a gay man.
Well, I see the screening will be in Oakland next week where I plan to attend and bring a few friends with me.
Thanks you again for responding.
11/1/06
Laticia
Washington, DC
I saw this film at the DC Filmfest. B (the director) did a great job with this documentary. Everyone who loves, hates, or just doesn't understand hip-hop, will enjoy this one. He takes a critical look at the music he loves and exposes the good, the bad, and the conflicted.
4/24/06
Valerie
Washington, DC
Thank you soooo much for funding this project. It was a fantastic film and it means a great deal to me to see a man discussing masculinity and it's relationship to gendered violence in this way, particularly its role within a huge cultural venue like hip-hop. Byron already has and will continue to make huge waves in the fight against violence--keep on supporting this man!
2/18/06
Candice
I was able to see the documentary at an institute that dealt with violence against women on HBCU campuses. This film actually brought up things that I had a problem and no one wanted to discuss it. I appreciate the brother for addressing these issues not only in Hip Hop but in our community. Once we sort and wash our "dirty laundry," we will be able to control the smell.
Thank you for doing this project.
2/20/05
Gilbert Backers
Charlottesville, Virginia
Hello, I saw a screening version of Beyond Beats and Rhymes at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. I really liked the video. It opened my eyes to a lot of things I had never seen nor understood the gravity of within Hip Hop culture. I didn't know much about Hip Hop until this screening and Byron's presentation here at the University. I was especially disturbed by the mysogony in Hip Hop and its effects on many impressionable young people to encourage them to treat women as sex objects instead of as human beings. Thank you for funding Byron Hurt's project.
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