The Boondocks

The Boondocks cartoon show flirts between the lines of comedy and degradation of the black community. The Boondocks has drawn a large audience, in only its second season, making it one of the most popular cartoons on adult swim. Targeting a diverse audience, it has drawn both negative and positive attention, including the Reverend Al Sharpton. Aaron McGruder, the creator, started the comic strip series initially trying to create a humor he felt was lacking in modern society. His “black political satire” created just that. His series has been taken by the black audience as just mere humor. They fail to realize that they are not supposed to accept this behavior of ignorance. The satire is designed to change this behavior of ignorance. The Boondocks makes fun of the black culture and what I see around me are black people laughing at it in emptiness, unaware of the satire that mimics and mocks their culture. The initial aim of this popular comic series did not receive the response intended by those groups McGruder means to aim for.

With topics such as the R. Kelly incident or the MLK episode, these controversial issues tend to raise eyebrows. Different groups have taken this show to offense, calling it “racist” and over exaggerated. Satirically, McGruder purposely embellishes on the antics black people as a whole engage in, so he can show them how much of a fool they make out of themselves. In the MLK episode Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wakes up from a comma stunned and some what upset at the fact that all he had worked for had been for naught. Dr. King comes to realize that all he preached and promoted during the civil rights era has been disregarded in this new age. The streets that are named after him seemed to be the unsafe areas in neighborhoods and bettering the black culture seemed to be last on everyone’s list. At the end of the episode there is a new rendition of the “I have a Dream” speech, were Dr. King complains that he received all those “ass whopping” for nothing. Instead of being “freed from the thirst of oppression” he discovers that all his findings turned out to be “a bunch of triffinling…good for nothing niggas”. He tries to express to everyone that you should not want to be a ‘nigga’ because ‘nigga’ is a “living contradiction, filled with unfulfilled ambitions, niggas love to hear themselves talk but hate to complain, niggas love to be another mans judge in jury, niggas love to procrastinate until its time to worry, niggas love to be late, niggas hate to hurry…”. It ends with Dr. King walking out and fleeing to Canada, and all the ‘niggas’ surprisingly revolt and a wave of change sweeps the black race. Then on November 8, 2020 Oprah Winfrey is elected president.

This episode was the most educationally filled. The segregation amongst blacks is prevelant; it is as though they cannot see what is being hidden. The problems we had four decades ago might not be as visible as the past but they are still here. The issue of calling other blacks ‘niggas’ or the betterment of black culture was something McGruder focused on in this episode, calling it ignorance. He tries to show the black culture a reflection on what they have become. They have become fools who choose not to improve. Not the entire black race has become this but the majority that the media and others out side of the culture focus on is the groups that show this ‘ignorance’. The show is genius and I can only hope it stays that way as the popularity for the show grows, a reality check is needed for this generation of uninspired youth. What better way to get through to them than through truth in cartoons.

Mondays 10:30pm Cartoon Network Adult Swim

Trouble

Trouble

Music is a form of expression, a way of relating your emotions to a lyrical beat that moves you both mentally and physically. I would like to say music makes you think and wonder about the endless possibilities in every aspect of life. In the rap industry you have artists who talk of varies topics such as: money, cars, hoes, religion, morals, and society’s confinement on minorities. It is good to have a vast range of topics so that every audience member’s needs are meet. What troubles me is that what seems to be given the most attention in this industry is ‘bubblegum’ rappers. These rap artist glorify the use of drugs, put down women, and are fueled by greed. I understand that rapping is a job like any other, but if you see your ‘people’ struggling in poverty do not tell them to embrace this way of life. Instead, try to help them get out of this way of living. The industry promotes dumb down lyrics, sometimes uneducated, and down right dumb music.

What is so wrong about rappers that hit you with conscientious messages that make you contemplate your morals and those around you? What is gained from rapping about money or killing? There is no sense of enhancing for self with in the lyrics. People say they listen to what they relate to, and if it happens to be ‘gangster’ rap, then so be it. Why cant ‘backpack’ rappers be given the same limelight? Anyone who listens to rap is entitled to their own opinion, so why is it ‘uncool’ to listen to Talib, Little Brother, or Common. It is not that people do not relate to the music, just that these artists are not seen as the image the youth wants to become. Rarely do you see these artists on the Top 100 or on countdowns for music videos, because their type of rap is not promoted. Industries push the idea of ‘bubblegum’ rap so that the messages ‘backpack’ rappers speak on is hidden. It will remain their way because the media controls how the society functions.

I accept that people genuinely like ‘bubblegum’ rap, but the fact that we are different in certain areas, is what makes us individuals. I can only hope that one day people come to realize that ‘bubblegum’ rap is getting old. You can only talk about money, cars, and hoes to a certain extent until the social acceptance runs out. Then people will realize how much rap has been degraded, and hopefully work towards re-establishing the artistic appeal of America’s favorite genre of music.

80's Baby

A new age of fashion has arrived, fashion has repeated itself again. It seems as though the 80’s are coming back. The hip-hop fashion industry has revised the style of the 80’s, by forgetting the shoulder pads and the backward clothing. Nowadays you can see teens rocking the Gumby haircut or just a plan flat top. The neon colors and mismatched clothes is appealing to me, the tights with the off the shoulder sweaters puts a smirk on my face. If you look around you can see that the trend is spreading like wild fire and has been doing so for a while. With Vans and converse being worn left and right, it is starting to look like a uniform. Even though this sense of style is being recycled there is still a unique flare to it. I find it admirable that some boys are bold enough to get flat tops and wear thick gold chains with their Adidas track suits.

How it all started is questionable to me but I am not complaining. That’s less money being spent by me because all I have to do is rummage through my moms pile of clothes in the attic. Maybe it is because I am an 80’s baby that I fit right in with this years fashion because matching has never been a concern of mine. People may not agree with the 80’s fashion making a comeback, but that is their prerogative.

What I enjoy most about this sense of style is that you are able to innovate within this style and create your own sense of uniqueness. Mix and match with different eras to make it funky. Colorful and stylish, this fashion trend will accept almost anything.

Why 'Gangsta'?

American Gangster was all the rave for the past couple of weeks. The anticipations and expectations were high for the true story of the life of Frank Lucas. The message I feel that some people got from this movie was a reassurance that drug dealing was ‘okay’; how selling drugs makes you a rich man. Unfortunately with all the rave that the movie did bring it also brought upon a way of acceptance to the gangster lifestyle for the unguided youth of today. When you see a man like Frank Lucas making 1 million a day selling heroin it becomes tempting. Easy money is what everyone is looking for. In this paper I intend to argue that after watching this movie a lot of people involved with this drug infested life style did not see the light or have an epiphany about their wrong doings, instead they saw hope in achieving what Frank Lucas once had. This man went to jail and had his sentence shortened by snitching on other drug lords and crooked cops but the one thing that was clear to everyone is that he became a billionaire from drug dealing alone.

When people who grew up in areas where drugs pollute the streets, they do not see too many ways out they see hustling as their first option; either you are selling it or you are doing it. The movie glorified being a gangster and I am sure the thought of dealing ran through everyone’s mind after viewing the film. In American Gangster you are shown every angle of dealing. Despite the crooked cops and strung out ‘drugies’, what the viewers retained was money makes the world go round. There may not have been a particular message when making this movie but people created their own after watching it. The thought of working hard for a legitimate job and getting paid 50k a year seemed stupid when you see Frank Lucas hustling making millions in a day. The problem is that all people see is fast money that stacks big, but what people fail to realize is that the community around you and the youth is the one that suffers the most. The fact is that drugs kill dreams, so when your number one aim is to sell as much drugs to make the most profit, of course that is going to have a negative effect on the community. From the aspect of a movie critic this film was well acted by Denzel and Russell Crowe and the directing gave me a somewhat perception of the reality Frank Lucas endured. Maybe exaggeration on the things he lost such as family members in the cross fire or the constant fear of when his empire would soon come to an end. I just do not understand why people who deal have this perceived notion of, ‘ I’m gonna make my money any way I can’ no matter who’s neck they have to step on, but at the cost of what? Corrupting the bodies of young kids and doing the opposite of aiding our community. In turn where is the enjoyment of a sinful life that not only brings down the provider but also the users, living in fear and not trusting those around you should have been what viewers ought to have focused on.

Debatable

“Everybody sounds the same commercialized the game reminiscing when it wasn’t all business”- Nas

The Hip Hop industry did not start out simply in entertainment, it used to be a political outlet. Music groups such as Public Enemy and Run D.M.C. pioneered the rap industry with unconventional beats and lyrics. Not only were they blazing new trails in the areas of lyrics and background instrumentals, they were also setting trends outside of those parameters. In contrast, the style of dress that we see today, depicted by “hip-hop” artists require six figure salaries and “black cards”.
Black Entertainment Television, otherwise known as BET, recently debuted a program titled “Hip-hop vs. America.” The show consisted of a panel of speakers, professors, rappers, authors, and journalists that discussed several controversial topics within present day hip-hop. The topics of discussion included the exploitation of women, greed, commercialism, and the image of black people that is given in watching or listening to the music of the hip-hop culture. As a music lover and a member of the hip-hop culture, I watched the program thinking that Nelly and TI are the last two rappers that could defend the true essence of hip-hop. Normally, in programs of this nature it is the lyrical and conscientious rappers who have to defend and uphold the name of hip-hop. In this particular program, people are hearing the side of the commercial rappers: the side that continued to taint and exploit music.
Rap music currently finds itself on a commercialized path that is fueled by greed and leaving much to be desired in the area of lyrical talent and originality. Creditability has left the music, hip-hop is now driven by money. As the great Jay-Z once said, “I dumb down for my audience, double my dollars they criticize me for it yet they all yell ‘holla’.”
While it is understood that this is a profession, that does not lift the responsibility of the artists to take responsibilities for their actions. These rappers are under the impression that in order to sell they have to talk about ‘bling,’ rims and other material objects, and it is these ideas that are slowly corrupting the minds of the younger generation. The rappers who represented hip-hop on the program stated that they rap about where they come from and what they went through. Those that can relate to them and their upbringing are the ones that will buy the CD. They admit to making number one records that contain lyrics about drugs, guns, and the degradation of women, but they state that it is only for radio purposes. If you were to listen to their CD in its entirely, they claim to talk about “real” issues. They feel as that if you have to mix an AK47 and ‘nines’ in order for that particular group of people in the hood to listen “then so be it”, says TI. There is an obvious desire for entertainers to want to sell the most records, but today the records with the most sales are not the ones with the most positive messages.
Nelly argues, “Since when did music become the lifeline for black people as a whole. Why does it have to be that when our music is right we are right? NO, it’s when our education is right we are right!”
He makes a valid point that I wish was true, but the power these artists have has now become uncontrollable even in their hands: A music video is now more powerful than the educational system. TI says it is in the home where we need to teach our kids right from wrong in the music, and set standards in the lyrics they should be hearing. The problem of today is not that music is causing violence in the communities it is that there is less involvement and guidance in defining to the young audience that just like movies, music is entertainment. It is obvious that there are younger and younger parents every year, but with those younger parents comes more challenging situations for not only the parent but for the child as well. Now more than ever it is more common for the parent and child to agree on the same radio station or CD. It is the responsibility of the parent to define the positives and negatives of such entertainment making it clear what is right and what is wrong.
Sadly, hip-hop is reaching its downfall. It has begun to accommodate the market rather than focusing on the messages in lyrics. It use to be that the flow was made first and then the beat but now it is the other way around, the label calculates that a “hot” beat no matter the lyrics will sell. Unfortunately, they are in the business of making hot beats; not music. With the entertainers being more concerned with records sales by any means necessary they forget they are being watched by very easily influenced youths.
These hip-hop rappers should want to change out of respect for themselves and those around them. They should want to promote a superior image of black people, regardless of what anyone thinks. People will continue to ‘hate’ despite the beneficial tributes rappers make to their community. The media cherry picks the demeaning images that are continually created. The media is a conniving market place that alters society’s views and persuades them to think a certain way. Right now hip-hop is depicted in the media as the very thing that is corrupting our country. The corruption of our country does not come from a genre of music; many things contribute to the depletion of the societal image, the media being one of them.
Rappers in the industry should not have to glorify drugs and violence in order to sell records; they are wrong because it is not the only type of hip-hop music that sells records. Hip-hop used to be fun and uplifting, but now instead of lyrically freeing the minds of the stresses the black culture faces, it is used as a crutch to gain profits. Music labels have molded these entertainers because they support this mentality geared towards a tarnished image, not caring whether or not this impairs the black community for better or for worse: they just see it as an economic opportunity and nothing else. Fueled by monetary gain rather than artistic integrity, hip-hop’s initial aim has changed and its progression will worsen if it is not revolutionized.
“Even after all my logic and my theories I add a ‘mothafucka’ so you ignorant niggas hear me”- Lauryn Hill

Brukie Gashaw

Mos Def on Bill Maher

"Fiddy" vs. Mr. West

“Hip-hop is the only sport of music. Rock artists aren’t thinking about each other to that extent. And these are like the championship moments.”- Kanye West

Selling 957,000 albums in the opening week alone has made Graduation, Kanye West’s junior album, the highest-selling album in 2007. While 50 Cent only sold 691,000 albums in his first week, I guess it is clear to say that Kanye is clearly the “champion.”

Having two idolized hip-hop artists battle head-to-head for the best opening week is the most effective marketing scheme yet. This generation has become so accustomed to burning and downloading music that albums have not been receiving their full recognition. Personally, I had no intentions of buying Kanye’s album, but when I found out that he would be competing with 50 Cent for the best-sold album on its opening week, I was compelled to buy it. Lyrically, I think Kanye is a better rapper and a producer. This marketing idea was most likely conjured up by the record companies soley for sales, and it worked. It even brought individuals such as myself (a broke college student), into stores to support the better artist.

50 Cent was quoted saying that, “If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I’ll no longer write music.” If only that were true, but 50 Cent is known for starting beef with other rappers for publicity. Some rappers sell because of lyrics and talent, others use publicity to boost their image because they lack in the lyrical department. 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Trying album will remain a cd that I continue to listen to, but since making that album his style has not changed. He is all about making “club bangers” in order to get money. He saw how much money he received from Get Rich or Die Trying, and stopped trying. He stuck with what he knew, which is why every album after that album sounds the same.

Kanye West was quoted saying, “My biggest inspiration and biggest competition is Justin Timberlake…50 Cent isn’t even on my level. So why should I worry about him?”

I feel that you cannot compare Kanye and 50 Cent, because Kanye makes ‘good’ music, but I cannot say the same for 50 Cent. Mr. West continues to appeal to his audience by exceeding their expectations on every album he drops. Graduation is his best album to date, he features artists such as Mos Def and Chris Martin (Coldplay) showing the variety he has to offer on this album. If you are able to listen to an album from beginning to end without skipping a track, then as an artist you have achieved your goal in being a great MC. The only argument 50 Cent fans make against Kanye is that he is “so cocky.” However he has every right to be! Everyone is already thinking it, so why can’t he say it? To me the scrutiny he receives makes his music that much interesting because in reality he is amazing and that is why I will continue to support him and his music.

In conclusion, I think this was well put together marketing plan, a set up. I feel as though 50 cent and Kanye West, have nothing against each other in reality. These rappers both make it appear as though only one artist could be left standing. The tactics were well thought out and I admire them both for being shrewd businessmen.

It's what's around us

“What influenced my raps? Stick ups and killings
Kidnappings, project buildings, drug dealings
Criticize that, why is that?
Cuz Nas rap is compared to legitimized crap
Cuz we love to talk on ass we gettin'
Most intellectuals will only half listen”

These are the words of a man who is being criticized for his lyrics

And the critics don’t wanna hear it

They cherry pick his lyrics

And claim he’s sadistic

This past Thursday Virginia Tech had a Free Concert to honor those who died from the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. One of the entertainers who had been chosen to be in the line up was Nas, a conscientious MC who raps on reality and can relate to the unpleasant incident this school went through. Recently he has been getting a lot of criticism for rapping about guns and killing and still being aloud to perform at a school where 32 students where shot dead. A huge critic who voiced his opinion was Bill O’Reilly calling Nas a “gangster rapper” who’s’ lyrics are “as violent as they come,” then points the finger at the President of Virginia Tech and calling him a “villain” for letting him perform. On the O’Reilly show Bill only picked songs that of course were the worst of the worst and out dated by about 10 years. He failed to mention his up lifting songs such as “I can,” “Heaven” or other inspirational songs that are far from the image he painted. If he is going to tell a story he needs to speak the whole story. Nas should not be criticized for being raised in a community that endured such violent acts, shuch as the one VT went through. He can relay the message better than anyone else, he comes from that side of the tracks.

It is stories such as these that make me shake my head on how judgmental and critical this society is. It hurts to see conscientious rappers such as Nas generalized with the rest of the rappers who are out there rapping about killing, but the difference with Nas is he wants to help pull away from that image and the other rappers accept it. There is a “social stigma attached to the hip-hop culture” and it seems as though any one who raps is considered to be apart of it. Society blames the culture of hip-hop for a lot of things that blacks do wrong, but they fail to realize that it was society who put them there; it was society that accepted guns, and let drugs roam free in areas they call the projects where predominately black minorities live.

Rappers/MCs rap about the reality they come from they do not dramatize, they paint “the real” for virgin eyes that are not exposed to this part of the world; they represent the struggle. As a fan of music I respect all elements of the lyrics and try to understand them instead of criticize them. Like they say the truth hurts, and some times “it aint for everybody.”

“Hip-hop has become the most visible voice for black culture, and it’s definitely changing the broader social culture,” says a sociology professor from UT. I find this quote to be true, society is scared that “hip-hop” has affected its societal image. They are scared, because they cannot control it. So in order to have people see what they want they “just blame hip-hop and act like that’s the big problem” (Chamillionaire).