Violence in Rap

[TonyG]

Friday night on "Politically Incorrect" the panel was Sisqo, Nelly, Pink and Dick Clark. The topic of discussion was "wording in rap songs", particularly violence and such.

Nelly stated, confirmed by Sisqo, that most rappers want other rappers to know where they have come from and that now they have "made it". It is a signal to indicate they served their time in hell and are tough as a result. Nelly believes that rap artists must "express" to the world their background in order to be taken seriously. They both said that for most rappers this attitude is an act only. Sisqo, by the way does not consider himself a rapper but understands their mentality.

It was a very good show. Nelly and Cisqo did an excellent job of discussing the ideology of rap music without ever mentioning freedom of speech. Pink was kind of useless and Dick Clark's major point was to mention that Elvis came from a very poor life of sqalor and did not use violence in his songs.

Anyway, I think that I now have a better understanding of the background of rap music.

Any comments?

 

[Merelan]

I can only comment from my white bread world, and someone who has worked in the music business for 10 years. They are perpetuating the stereotype, along with all the boy groups and girlie girls out there too.
Someone stated on another thread, and sorry I cannot place it right now, that Eminem waves a loaded gun, but soon, someone else's won't be.
Bang... and we will hear a headline like...
"Senseless Violence takes Life of esteemed rapper."
Hmmmm...
Will I be sad, yes, for a moment. But not that he died, but that he lived a life that directly led there. Ask the other rappers who have gone before him.

As a side note are you aware that 80% of the music stolen from music stores is rap? Just thought I would share.