When I take a crap, I read – a lot. I’ve read whole novels in one sitting. I like to tell people that I do it to maximize my time. In truth, I think that if I took as long on the john as most people say they do, I probably wouldn’t have enough time to really get through more than a few sentences.

But if most people crapped like they say they do, why do I keep finding Entertainment Weekly and MotoSports in the crapper at work? Because most people read on the crapper. This brings me to my point. (more…)

Our Wack Media publication of the week is The Chicago Tribune. Last week, the Tribune published an article titled “Hip-hop, teen sexuality under the microscope,” about a three-year experiment conducted by Columbia University’s department of sociomedical sciences. The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not hip-hop’s “explicit lyrics” encourage early sexual behavior in teenagers. (more…)

To be honest with y’all, I’m tired of hearing about punk-ass Kramer, or whatever his name his. Every journalist in the world has shared their opinion on his controversial remarks.

Every time I turn on the TV, I see people talking about it. Shit, that racist motherfucker even got to meet Al Sharpton. I’d like to meet Al Sharpton, man … but since I’m not a racist, he ain’t interested in hollering at me? (more…)

I’ve never paid much attention to Rhymefest. To me, he was always just Kanye’s boy, and due to the mainstream acceptance that would obviously afford him, I never picked up his album or gave his music a chance. I’m a mainstream hater, I guess. However, a couple recent actions by Rhymefest have made me think twice.

Last week I attended A Tribe Called Quest concert in Denver, CO. Although I went just to witness the Tribe reunion, I was impressed by the opening act of Rhymefest. He put on an entertaining performance, laced with important social commentary, and made a great impression. Today, he managed to make another. (more…)

I read a very interesting article published on the great Davey D’s website today entitled “The Tragic Death of MC Conscious.” It was written by Minister Paul Scott, who has written many interesting articles on the evolution of hip-hop … mainly about how it has lost it’s way or how it should be only a black art form.

And despite the fact that I disagree with Min. Scott’s basic points of view, I can’t help but be impressed with his intelligence and passion. (more…)

I’ll tell you … it’s always the most ridiculous sociological studies that get the most press. A recent study conducted at the University of Leicester in Britain has concluded that hip-hop fans have more sex, commit more crimes, and are less religious than everyone else. The study has been reprinted in publications everywhere, including here, here, here and, of course, here.

Apparently, some 38 percent of hip-hop fans have had sex with multiple partners in the last five years, compared to only 1.5 percent of country music fans. In the meantime, 50 percent of hip-hop fans have broken the law, and a very low percentage have major religious affiliations. (more…)

I talked in a recent blog about the ongoing trend of media and police to blame hip-hop music for violent acts committed at bars, clubs or other places in the community. In that blog, one of my main points was that the rap music played on the radio or at clubs is not representative of real hip-hop culture (see Violence Created by Hip-Hop Shows? from July 6, 2006).

Recently, groups of hip-hop activists all over the country have stressed the same type of viewpoint by speaking out against local urban radio stations for their inadequate coverage and misrepresentation of urban communities. (more…)

I read a very interesting and thought provoking article today called “Hip-Hop and Violence.”

The article was written by Sonia Poulton, a former hip-hop journalist who is now asking herself if her coverage and promotion of gangster rap instead of positive hip-hop helped to contribute to violence among the hip-hop generation: (more…)

The past couple months, there has been a lot of press given to the theory that hip-hop shows create violence. In March, insurance companies in Sioux Falls, SD refused insure venues for any hip-hop shows, regardless of who the act was (Insurance fears squeeze hip-hop shows).

In April, clubs in Las Vegas, NV started cutting hip-hop acts out of their schedules, possibly due to pressure by local police (Clubs cutting hip-hop acts). Later in the month, police in Fort Lauderdale, FL put out an ad depicting a woman getting robbed and claiming it would happen because they had to provide extra security for a local hip-hop festival (Police union ad angers organizers of hip-hop concert).

And in May, a club in Lansing, MI canceled their hip-hop ladies night due to a string of shootings associated with the venue (Temple Club cancels hip-hop ladies night). (more…)