Your say: Cleaning up hip-hop
What do you think about hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons' push to clean up the airwaves?
Whose responsibility is it? Do you think it will make a difference?
Whose responsibility is it? Do you think it will make a difference?
posted by bwhitney at
12:20 PM
38 Comments:
I completely agree that with Simmons. I feel that anybody that doesnt agree with him needs to take a better look at the lyrics their children are listening too. Most "RAP" music does put down women & these artist need to start showing RESPECT.
I agree with Simmons, the language should be edited on the radio. But the sad reality is that if "rappers" stop ALL use of derogatory comments in their music, there will be another Imus. Racism is prevelant period, with or without rap.
I agree with Mr. Simmons and it has to start somewhere. If we don't take a stand we are saying it's ok to call me names. I know God said turn the other cheek but why keep truning when it's something we can take control of and make others Respect us.
RESPECT is the key.
Being a women I gets my respect for all people, I also give respect...why you ride with me we don't listen to some language/music.
VW-A
This is so great, and maybe Russell Simmons will make an impact. Everything he says is true--there is artistic freedom, but it can and should be bleeped like it was back in the day. I don't need to hear any of it, and neither do my kids. I can't control what goes on in others' homes, but what comes into mine needs to be up to my expectations of decency.
Absolutely....this should not have to be suggested, it is common sense. A double standard with regard to acceptable language has developed in this country and it causes further racial tension. Another example is the teacher who used the phrase "hood rat" and did not know that it had a hidden meaning. If words such as hoe are filtered out of the airwaves, it will be clear that these words have double meaning and therefore should be used with caution or not at all.
I actually disagree with both the Imus decisions and Mr. Simmons. Free speech, people!! As long as someone's words don't insight fear and panic, we should all be allowed to say what we want to say without being persecuted for it.
Was CBS right to fire Imus? He was on their airwaves, and if they didn't like what he was saying, it was well within their right to fire him. Should he have been forced to apologize and ridiculed in the media? Absolutely not. If I think someone is ugly, I should be able to call them ugly. If I feel so strongly that I use a negative word, then I have every right to use whatever word I want to express my opinion, without media and public backlash. If people don't like what I say, they don't have to listen...plain and simple.
I'm a little person, and I've heard enough Midget jokes to last me a lifetime. I hear them from colleagues, friends, comedians, and other public personalities. It's degrading and unfortunate, but it's not my right to try and control what all of these people can say. The generalities are not directed at me...I know that...and even if they were, I know that I can't change their thoughts even by trying to silence their mouths.
So, long story short....leave free speech alone. Outlawing certain words is never going to change the way anyone thinks. It's not going to stop racism, or disrespect, or any other bias. It's only going to open the door for other rights to be taken away.
This is common sense. I have 2 young children. Girls at that. We enjoy all sorts of music. Top 40, Rock, Country, Hip-Hop and some Rap. Why is it that most other genre's have a cleaner way of delivering music. I encourage anyone with "influence" to join Russel Simmons. I agree with (FREE SPEECH) Trust me, I have a big mouth and won't tolerate anyone trying to shush me. But public airways are public, don't disparge others on our airwaves. Impressionable youngsters usually go with society. You are the figurehead...the voice of society. Set an example. Or move to Internet Radio or Cable Subscriber TV. This goes for the foul language and degrading lyrics! If I want to hear the dirty versions I buy them from the store or online. Half the time when I purchase music I am shocked myself at the true versions of songs. As a 30 year old strong independent woman... I enjoy the radio edits better anyways!
Banning words is taking away free speech. There are many things that are said that I dislike, but the first amendment gives people freedom of speech whether I like it or not. I think we are going to become a socialist society if this keeps up.
I may be completely off base, but isn't public profanity already a violation of the law? We want to sensor it on T.V and radio yet we accept it as the normal everyday activity. lets start enforcing the laws we have rather than create new ones. don't sensor what is unacceptbale, stop accepting it and maybe we can instill change in all our young people.If we expect our next generations to be better people then we need to...LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
Sorry but I was raised with the "Sticks and Stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me" saying. Get a life! If simple words can cause you so much anguish you need to see a shrink.
It will never work! As long as the people buying the albums are using the language then the rappers pretty much have to use it. If they stop the rap industry will leave mainstream music and underground music will rise up. If Simmons or anyone else thinks that they can get every man woman and child to stop using profane language then by all means go for it but as long as women are buying CD's with "bitch" and "ho" in it then nothing is going to change.
I feel the lyrics that are in "hip hop, rap" music are very offensive. There seems to be a double standard here. One person is allowed to use racially hatefull words and demeen women, while another is fired for it. If we as a society do not want these words used then ALL in the society should be mindfull not to use them. If not, then the society should not complain if they are used. I agree these are hatefull and demeening words. Why should we let anyone use them, let alone pay for them to be "rapped" to us.
The problem isn't just the language and attitute used in Hip-Hop, most people that don't like what is playing can normally shut off the radio or change the channel. The concept of Hip-Hop is to drive down the street with windows wide open for anyone of any age to hear the vulger words and the put downs
I agree many of the words used in "hip-hop, rap" music is very offensive. We seem to have a double standard in our society. One person is fired for hatefull, demeening words. While another segment of the society pays money to be "rapped" to with these hatefull, demeening words. If we as a society wish these words to not be used then we should as a whole stop using them. If not the society should not complain about the use of them
I agree. However, I feel it is not just the responsibility of the artists. The music industry needs to police itself. The industry moguls need to take the moral high-road and just say "NO" to offensive and derogatory lyrics. And DON'T tell me that their kids listen to this and have no effect on their behavior or attitude towards others. Of course, how can they have respect for others if they have no respect for themselves.
i just dont understand why if a white person says the "n" word, i am not saying its right, then they lose their job, or get fined or what have you, but its ok for a black person to stand up in one song and say the "n" word over and over and over again. I just dont get it. If you dont like for a white person to say it, then no one should say it. it takes away our freedom of speech, or only applies it to people of color.
What's good for the Goose is good for the Gander---they want equal rights, then let's make it truely equal...no more Jet, BET, Ebony or NAACP...unless whites are able to do the same and not have it called racism...
I also find some of today's music offensive. I am a mother of two mixed race children and while we do listen to this music, I have taught my children that many of these words are offensive and should not be used in any context. I have even band my son from singing/listening to certain songs in my home. I want the clean version only.
Censorship is not going to help. Education is needed. There is a believe in the african american community that some of these words are OK depending on how you use them, that is not true. The N word means the same weither you put and er or A at the end of it. The meaning is ignorant and us calling each other that proofs the definition.
Please educate our children to know better, not censor them. Stop buying the offensive music and they will stop making it.
Get a life. If they stop using all the no no words how are the thugs going to talk to each other. They don`t talk English so what would be left for them.
This is just lip service,they got Imus fired,that's all that is going to happen.Rap music is big business,Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are professional fleece-um artists. Nothing will be done except bragging "we got whitey fired"
I have an opinion on banning the n-word, b-word, h-word, f-word, and a-word. I'm not going to say my opinion though, because I'm afraid of the thought police (e.g., Rev. Al Sharpton, Tipper Gore) declaring me public enemy #1.
If you don't like it, change the channel. You have the power to hear or see what you want to. Why do you need other people to make that decision for you? And as for "impressionable kids," it's called good parenting people. My parents never stopped me from watching or listening anything, I mean, my mom bought me my first Guns N Roses cassette when I was ten (and believe me they don't talk nice) but because of proper parenting I knew that it was a song and not something I should live by. I know when it's time to be respectful and courteous to others because of them. I'm only 27 years old and I fear the future because nobody is keeping children in check anymore. Stop complaining about what everyone else is doing and take a look at your own lives folks. You might be surprised at what you see.
I agree - clean it up!
So, Simmons says that the rappers have the right to say those words. Fine, so did Imus and he got fired for it.
If Simmons and the rest of the Rap Music moguls want to practice what they're preaching, then maybe they should release those rappers that use those words.
Face the consequences, just like Imus did.
The degrading and horrific content and suggestive verbage is a sure sign of immaturity and irresponsibilty. If they have to resort to "shock value", when that doesn't work anymore, what will they do next? My mom always said, "If they're going to act like children, then treat them like children." The only way to empower our children is to take their misuse of power away.
i disagree with simmons- censorship is wrong. if you do not want to hear the bad words you can turn it off or not buy it. do not tell me what i should or should not listen to.
What ever happened to people looking at what their kids are listening to in the music? I say get rid of everything except Barney on the TV. That's what the world is coming to. I don't agree with IMUS, but I didn't listen to him...it's an amazing concept....if you don't like it? Turn it off. Last time I checked I have the ability to change channels on my TV and Radio. As for Simmons? What a joke. The man makes how much money over the years saying those words, yet now it's bad? It's NEVER been accepted in my mind, but it's ALWAYS been my choice to listen to it.
I just think using words like that shows a lack of imagination. It's also a bunch of copy-cats trying to act smart, when they really are not. They are just trying to show off. I am more impressed by people who show respect for all people. If it's a matter of free speech, why did Imus have to apologize?
The stuff is crap anyhow. they should ban it completely. it gives kids bad ideas and no morals
Fahrenheit 451. If you have not read this book, I suggest you do so. This is what our country is heading towards. Just because you don't approve of something doesn't mean that you get to tell everybody else they can't listen to it or watch it. If you wish to protect your children from this, then censor it. Most cable companies and satellite companies offer you the option to have passwords that block off certain channels or ratings so that your kids can't watch them. Once again, just because you don't like it doesn't mean you have the right to tell everybody else in the country that they cant say, hear, do, or see something. The first amendment is the freedom of speech.
These so called spoken poems should not even be considered for publication.
There's nothing creative in the hip hop stuff. Whining male cheerleders accompanied by kazoos spitting out obscenity after vulgarity does not entail culture, fine arts, or creativity. It merely reveals the uneducated and pitifully empty hip hop performers who can't put two words together to same something positive or ascending.
Bleeping out offensive words in music isn't making it anymore respectful. The words are still being said, just not on the radio.
I agree with the banning of these words. I don't want my children turning on a radio station and thinking that those things are accetable things to say. I understand that they will hear these things from their peers, but we need to control what we can. Artists can say whatever they want, but we don't need to hear everything.
I am sorry, but censorship is un-American. Our forefathers and foremothers fought and died to guarantee we are a free people. I might not like what is being said, but I can change the dial or the disc. I am a parent, and I approve what I let my son listen too. It is MY responsibility, not the music or media industries'. It is time to lay the burden of teaching the children value and mores back where it belongs... the parents NOT the schools, the police, the social workers, and every else they can find to do their job for them.
It's a shame that in this day and age when whites and blacks are getting along, the bigoted blacks are still using the same old retoric.
Where is the apology from Sharpton and Jackson to the Duke students who got falsley accused of raping that young girl?
He help created the rap music genre, now he wants to bring it down after making billions of dollar, well to little to late buddy get off your high horse.
Immoral music eqauls immoral people. What you put in your heart will come out of you.
aslong as rap has been in existance not one person has done anything about it. one white guy says a few words and then comes the uproar. where is the equality.who is being racist here.
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