BET’s ‘Hip-Hop vs. America’ Airs This Week
After coming under intense scrutiny for being nothing more than a showcase for music videos that some people consider demeaning, BET is in the midst of trying to alter its image.
The network is still taking heat for the likes of “We Can Do Better” (formerly known as “Hot Ghetto Mess”), “Baldwin Hills,” which shows that black teen life can be as simultaneously idyllic and stupefying as the white teen life depicted on MTV’s “The Hills,” “Laguna Beach” and “Maui Fever,” and “S.O.B.: Socially Offensive Behavior,” which has a terrible title but turns out to be a pointed, “Punk’d”-style reality-TV take on race and racial assumptions.
In that vein comes “Hip-Hop Vs. America,” a three-part panel discussion about hip-hop’s cultural reverberations through such issues as its treatment of women, crime and violence. Hosted by journalists Jeff Johnson and Toure, “Hip-Hop Vs. America” offers a wide spectrum of voices, including those of rappers, media commentators, reverends (Al Sharpton, A.R. Bernard), activists and at least one well-known academic (Michael Eric Dyson).
As hip-hop deals with a decline in sales and a crisis of conscience, discussions like this about where the music and culture are going serve a purpose. But what is problematic is how BET is showing “Hip-Hop Vs. America”: The first two chapters air at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday respectively on BET, but the finale will be shown on its broadband channel, BET on Blast, following part two on Wednesday at 9 p.m.
Source:
Philadelphia Daily News
Karla (14 years old) wrote:
Why is it that everyone concerned about the way that hip hop effects the upcoming generation but does not ask us themselves? Yes, music is one of many ways to express the way someone feels. When an artist makes a political song, I feel like they are not being as up front and blunt as I want them to be. The politics in this country are more crooked and dirty than the hookers and pimps. I would not buy that particular record because I do not want anybody trying to force their opinion down my throat. I feel more of a personal connection to songs that relate to how I see things, whether it is about love, dancing, being angry, or just being bored. If America is a free country than why are artist judged by what they feel and how it is reflected in their music? It is hard enough for an artist to release a single by the way they feel instead of how the companies want their record to purvey. If a man likes the way a woman I shaped and she personally is not offended then who are we to say that that relationship is improper. I feel like there has always sex reflected in music (turn out the lights, secret lovers, let’s get it on). The artist now in days, just are not as “hush hush” about things. I could write a book about this very subject but I won’t. I just hope that the people who are concerned about hip hop should talk to everyone, not just the rappers, writers, and professors about it because who could better talk about hip hop vs. America than the ones that still love it.
Posted on 27-Sep-07 at 3:11 pm | Permalink
T.L. wrote:
hip hop is not as bad as everybody wants you to beleave, its easy to say that hip hop is bad and its even easier to blame hip hop for all the messed up stuff that goes on in the hood, but why is everybody so mad at hip hop?
its all one simple answer, because no one wants to take responsibility for their own actions anymore……what do i mean by that you say?
its all about the blame game, parants dont want to live with the fact that they have not raised their kids to their standards and that everybody is all into the hip hop craze, but while its so easy to blame others its not easy for parents to blame themselves for the way their kids turned out, im not trying to be harsh on any parents but i do have a problem with people who put blame on others when its their own fault.
its easy to blame anything thats popular like hip hop, videogames and anything else that the young generation is into, i mean….come on……we need to stand up and take responsibility for our own action and stop blaming others, and once that happens we can finally start to try and reclaim our family structure and get back in tune with our own race.
its hard to see that people is so into hip hop but yet they know nothing about it and young people look at tv and see stuff like 1 guy sleeping with many woman and they think its cool or a girl going after a guy for material things and looks rather their personality but this is where the parents should step in and set things right with their kids and tell them right from wrong not to blame the artist for “putting it out there”
i like hip hop like the next person but hip hop is what we make it, not what we “think” it is.
Posted on 27-Sep-07 at 6:26 pm | Permalink
Krystal wrote:
I think that America should leave hip hop alone if they don’t want their children to watch bet they should get a damn block on that channel I love you Nelly and TI for standing up for what you believe in
Posted on 27-Sep-07 at 7:47 pm | Permalink
SteveTheBroadcastor wrote:
Its sad to see that a group of people can get together and discuss an issue as vital as the degradation of a whole generation but never reach the root of the problem. The whole issue of Hip Hop and it’s culture is that its representatives mold a defining reality and push it to a direction-less demographic. In other words, young people , at the most sensitive season of their lives in developing social character, are being influenced by a group of extortionists for the sake of money. Not only that but the subject matter being issued and glorified by these artists are attractive to the evil nature of a human being. Sex, money, drugs, and power are all pleasurable things but at the end leads to disease, debt, addictions, and death when used in the wrong content. In conclusion, if the really wanted to be real, they should have dealt with the issue of the inner desire of a man to lust after these things and what or Who can free us from these degrading passions! Why discredit Jesus’ church when He’s set billions of people free from the bondage of sin while other people choose to entice you with it to their own benefit.
Posted on 30-Sep-07 at 8:07 pm | Permalink
Whitney wrote:
Mann to be honest I wish I could speak on this and really articulate how I feel but right now my head is trying to create and filter what I just heard and what I have read and experienced. Soo much to think about. I dont want to come off as sounding like a hypocrite b/c hey I watch those videos, I listen to the music, and when at the club I danced or tried to dance like the girls on those videos. Soo I am going think this over and come back.
lol a bunch of nothing. I know. just wait.
Posted on 30-Sep-07 at 8:41 pm | Permalink
Tanika wrote:
It’s not fair how they’re are blaming Hip-hop as a whole. It’s not Hip-hop that’s offending them it’s rap, and that shouldn’t be that offensive it’s everyday life in some places. Instead of trying to sensor what is supposed to be “Freedom of Speech”, why not stop and try to find out what is influencing it. Maybe if the everyday living situations for some of the rappers of tomorrow were different then maybe rap could be considered more pleasant (who set the standard of pleasant I don’t know). As opposed to trying to put a sound cap on our expression of life, why not try to help? We found a way to release frustration and get paid LEGALLY, and ya’ll want to stop it? Which is only going to lead to more crimes due to the fact that a lot of young guys who thought rap my have been an source of income still have to feed themselves and their families. Also why is Hip-hop and rap under such scrutiny when rock songs are just as bad. There is a group called Nickelback that have a song called rockstar that basically glorifies being disrespectful and taking drugs why is that not also under fire. Don’t get me wrong I listen to rap, and some rock, and I actually like most of the songs that were on Bet’s House Panel’s chopping block and the rock song I just named, but I don’t think it’s fair that they try and crucify 1 form and not the other for the same or similar wrongs. It almost sounds like a recently televised misfourtune of 6 boys in the south.
Posted on 30-Sep-07 at 9:39 pm | Permalink
Dani09 wrote:
First of all, Karla, you on point!! Second of all, Nelly, T.I., and Mike Jones need all props… because they really did go against the grain in doing what they did!!! But okay now on to make my point… I’m going to basically agree and elaborate on what Nelly and T.I. said… I feel like this Hip Hop can’t degrade a woman to any level she won’t stoop to… you are what you see yourself as and what you allow people to refer to you as!!! If somebody keep callin you Jamie and ya name isn’t Jamie they’ll stop callin you that, right?? So if females don’t want to be called Bitches and hoes STOP RESPONDING TO IT!!! DUH!!!
On another note there is a time for everything… since everybody was on this subject i’m speak on it too… Tip Drill was on Uncut at 3 in the morning… for everybody worried about the image this gives their child… if your child is up watchin uncut videos on BET.. you shouldn’t blame Hip Hip for makin it ~ you should blame yourself for not being a better parent… why your child is up at 3 in the mornin watchin uncut i don’t know but that was meant for adults it’s not like it was shown at 3:30 in the afternoon when ya kid is gettin home from school!!! Think about it…!!! and I guess this’ll be the last thing I speak on… T.I. thank you for sayin “you betta be glad i’m only up here sayin” because you rapping about making it not necessarily out but you moved up in the game shows to some drug dealer aspiring to be a rapper.. that its possible to beat the hustle!!! The streets are real and Y’ALL need to stop actin like it’s not!!!
Posted on 01-Oct-07 at 9:51 pm | Permalink
Diamond & Ray Ray wrote:
First off everyone that is getting on hip hop needs to stop.Yea hip hop aint what it use to be but hey that was old generation this is new..We can create our own style but everyone is to busy critisizing to old.and to compare music to other things and to the artist that make it is not fair.Well all i kno is hip hop goin make it with the artist that are out now and my BABY Mookie jones and me and my sister!!!!So watch out hataz!!!!!Holla at ya diamondz iight
Posted on 04-Oct-07 at 1:30 pm | Permalink
Tiffany wrote:
I DVR’d Hip Hop vs America and I just watched #2 today. I think this should be a series. There is way too much to talk about and way too many people to talk to for this to be a one time discussion. With that said, there is something that was not discussed in great detail on Hip Hop vs. America: Individual Accountability…. Everything we do as individuals affects someone else. I, as a mother, have to be accountable for what I show my children. My children, as adults, eventually have to be accountable for what they put into their children. A scientist who knowingly produces or helps to produce a product that is slowly poisoning people is accountable. Hip Hop artists, or any individual in the media, have to be accountable for what they produce. A teacher knows that what she teaches will reach hundreds of children for the rest of their lives. Entertainers have to know that what they put out will affect millions of people for the rest of their lives. You know that what you put out will be received by many and it will affect them in one way or the other… That is a big responsibility and we give that to people who are really not mature enough to understand the effects. Please…. Everyone wants to point fingers… Look in the mirror…. If people were more accountable this world would be a better place. It isn’t the Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, or Rock that is poison to our children. It is what is coming out of it. You can not blame an object that has no soul or personality for creating any kind of problem. It is the individual who uses it that should be held accountable. Yes sex, drugs, pimpin, and violence sale in all entertainment. We, as consumers are accountable for that too. This problem isn’t going away easily… People keep wanting the government to intervene.. That never works… It will just create more problems. … Just think, if all of the slaves would have settled for what they were given, If Martin Luther King and all of the other civil rights leaders didn’t go against the grain, where would we be. You as an artist have been given a huge honor to be able to reach masses of people, women, and children. Do you really want everyone to see you as woman haters, murders, pimps, and ignorant N!@@#!… Most of you are better than that and I know that you have more to say… I don’t think there is anything wrong with telling your stories. How you got out of the game and were able to see that there are better things and more to life than that, but unfortunately that is not what you portray… You glorify sex, money, and power as a driving force of life. The black community has to also become accountable as individuals… Each person involved in the Hip Hop industry has to become accountable as individuals for their roll in this.. Someone has to start somewhere… There has to become a point where money and power do not over shadow morality, and integrity. I challenge Nelly, TI, and the rest of the rap artist to take a stand and not to conform. Take a stand for what is right!!!
Posted on 14-Oct-07 at 1:53 pm | Permalink
Markeya wrote:
I watched this series and I also watched Oprah. I was really disappointed in how the hip hop artists did not have a chance to present their side of this issue. When I watched Oprah I was upset at the fact that a man (I forgot his name) addressed hip hop artist as being “clowns” and other jibber jaber. First of all I believe that Oprah and everyone who was against hip hop or whatever was looking at different issues. On Oprah’s show I didn’t think that Mr. Russell Simmons was not excusing the Hip Hop artist for calling women bitches and hoes he was looking at the fact that these women were called nappy-headed hoes. But I noticed on these two shows everytime a male hip hop artist wanted to speak they went to commercial. NOT FAIR IN MY OPINION. But I was taught from home you are what u answer to. I am not saying that it is right but I have enough common sense if I don’t like a song TURN THE CHANNEL!!!!! But one minute they want our AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN TO HAVE A VOICE BUT HOW CAN THEY WHEN THEY ARE BEING TOLD TO CHANGE THEIR MUSIC. CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THIS WHERE WAS TRINA, KHIA, JAKI O AND OTHER RAUNCHY FEMALES AT WHEN ALL OF THIS WAS HAPPENING. THEY SHOULD TALK TO THOSE FEMALE HIP HOP ARTISTS WHO ADDRESSES THEMSELVES AS BEING A FINE HO, BADDEST BITCH, ETC WHERE WERE THEY AT???? I DIDN’T SEE ANY THEM UP ON THAT STAGE!!!!!! To be honest we need to focus on the most important issues in the United States like ending poverty among African Americans, getting equal education for our African American children, etc. I GIVE PROPS TO THESE HIP HOP ARTIST, AT A POINT IN HISTORY OUR AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN DID NOT HAVE A VOICE AND COULD NOT HAVE A VOICE. I am glad they are DOING WHAT THEY DO!!!!!!
ANOTHER THING STOP STEREOTYPING OUR RAPPERS AS BEING DUMB AND CLOWNS CCAUSE THEY ARE NOT!!!!!! THEY DO HAVE AN EDUCATION ALSO SO STOP ACTING SO STUCK UP ( TO ALL THOSE UPPITY ONES WHO SAY HIP HOP IS A BAD INFLUENCE)
Love
Markeya Shenell Fultz
Posted on 04-Nov-07 at 3:32 pm | Permalink
ryan wrote:
Hip Hop doesn’t affect the culture…the culture affects hip hop. The guys that come outta the hood sing about what life is like there…THEY are the fruit of hood life, not the other way around. But, hip-hop does help perpetuate a cycle that’s gone on for years: namely here, the sexual exploitation and degredation of women.
Our answer is not in eliminating or censoring hip-hop, but in eliminating the mindset that gives birth to what hip hop glorifies. And that’s as daunting a task as eliminating materialism from suburban america.
Good luck with that.
Ryan
Posted on 05-Nov-07 at 1:26 pm | Permalink
Kala Nation wrote:
My good sister most rappers are clowns and idiots and here for our amusement just like jim crow was now we have jim jones.Lil Wayne, common you cant tell me you dont expect to see an elephant,and a trappezze artist show up and do a stunt any time now.
Posted on 06-Nov-07 at 3:35 am | Permalink
tiqua wrote:
Well I think hip hop is going down hill in some ways. HIop hop is not what it used to be meaning music now is basically about having sex and selling drugs all for making a quick buck.lMusic went from real gutta talk like tupac and biggie to just what you can dance to like soulja boy. before tupac and biggie died they had set the standards and had eveyone trying to compete but since they passed music is mainly good beats. Now i give my ups to T.I, Nas, common, Jay z they all speak true shyt and its not bull shit when you listening to it.
Posted on 17-Nov-08 at 2:51 pm | Permalink