It really is refreshing (dare I say, almost unnerving?) to hear a Hip Hop artist speak like a normal if not an intelligent person. I know that there are a number of rap artists/musicians that debunk the notion of the monosyllabic ghettocentric stereotype, it's just disheartening that is not the current face of the commercial rap industry. Perchance to dream! Enjoy the video.
One more tidbit....and not related to the above entry. Take a listen to an interview that's won a Gracie Award for Outstanding Feature, entitled "Sounding Black." The interview denotes a conversation between author, scholar and Manhattan Institute fellow, Dr. John McWhorter (if our luck is still up, we may get for a second Afronerd Radio interview) and actress/Tony Award winner, Sarah Jones. Truly insighful, funny stuff.
And lastly check out another severe verbal breakdown by the one and only Stanley Crouch (another interview we are attempting to make happen). Here's an excerpt:
Courtesy of the NY Daily News-
The New York Post is not the jar of sputum that it is because of the color of the people whom it has hired. It is a slop jar because of what is hawked up and spit into it.
This exact sentiment was revealed during the controversy that led to the firing of Don Imus from CBS radio for calling young black women of the Rutgers basketball team "nappy-headed ho's."
Sharpton and a number of people, including this writer, were guests on Oprah Winfrey's town hall meeting where we confronted hip-hop moguls, executives and shills Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles and Benjamin Chavis. They tried to deflect all of the criticism brought to the hip-hop business for the very same level of demeaning insults and dehumanizations that Imus actually presented in a much milder version as he placed his head beneath the blade of public opinion.
But as proven by hip hop, the very existence of an industry that does not suffer from a lack of diversity cannot guarantee a higher level of taste than we got at the New York Post. So, what is the real issue?
The real issue is the indifference to irresponsible behavior and statements. Such indifference is fostered by profit - no more, no less. On a recent DVD featuring the supposed comedian Katt Williams, he justifies his and Flavor Flav's minstrel updates by saying, in essence, "If they want that from me, they are going to have to pay!" According to Williams, the salary can always ease his mind. At least somebody is serving up hot fact, not more fake artistic or social arguments.
A bunch of black millionaires hard at work in a toxic entertainment industry known to exploit and demean anyone and anything they can, demands a new consciousness from the public that cannot easily be dismissed.
Would you like to check out the remainder of the Crouch piece? Oh I'm sure you do, just click on the link below:
Cartoon controversy is fueled by those who won’t grow up
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