Are profane, sexist, and violent rap lyrics harming America? That question was asked at a House hearing convened yesterday to examine the role of the music industry in public affairs:
Lawmakers, music industry executives and rappers disagreed Tuesday over who was to blame for sexist and degrading language in hip-hop music but united in opposing government censorship as a solution.
"If by some stroke of the pen hip-hop was silenced, the issues would still be present in our communities," rapper and record producer David Banner, whose real name is Levell Crump, said in prepared statements to a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing. "Drugs, violence and the criminal element were around long before hip-hop existed."Story Continues Below Ad ↓
At the hearing, music videos showing scantily clad women were played; music executives in dark suits testified on the uses of the "B," H" and "N" words, and black civil rights leaders talked of corporate exploitation.
"We have allowed greedy corporate executives -- especially those in the entertainment industry -- to lead many of our young people to believe that it is OK to entertain themselves by destroying the culture of our people," E. Faye Williams, chair of the National Congress of Black Women, said in prepared remarks.
"From Imus to Industry: The business of stereotypes and degrading images" was the title of the hearing, referring to former radio host Don Imus, who lost his job after making derogatory comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. The Imus incident has sparked debate within the music industry about black artists using offensive, misogynist and violent language. [...]
"This hearing is not anti-hip hop. I am a fan of hip hop," said subcommittee chairman Bobby Rush, D-Ill., who gained national prominence in the 1960s as the founder of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panthers. But he said there was a need "to address the issue of violence, hate and degradation that has reduced too many of our youngsters to automatons."
Record company executives defended the parental guidance labels and edited versions they said keep the more controversial material away from children and stressed that uniform standards or censorship won't work.
In the '50s people were deeply offended by Elvis Presley, and a decade later many were scandalized by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, said Edgar Bronfman Jr., chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group.
I don't feel too comfortable about the government getting involved with legislation here but will add that I've noticed that most of the people who recoil in horror at these types of hearings have no qualms about the government stifling free speech through so-called "campaign reform" regulations.
—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.
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Drugs, violence and the
September 26, 2007 - 11:03 ET by balboaDrugs, violence and the criminal element were around long before hip-hop existed.
Yeah, but they weren't nearly as cool before rap came along. Now being a "gangsta" is the thing to do if you want to be "down." It's one of the most annoying trends in America.
Yup
September 26, 2007 - 11:26 ET by well99Thank you MTV.Among others.It is a shame when being a thug is portrayed as a good thing.
MTV doesn't really play
September 26, 2007 - 11:55 ET by balboaMTV doesn't really play videos anymore, do they?
bal -
September 26, 2007 - 11:58 ET by drillanwrI believe you're very correct on that. If any, they are of the "Rap" or Madonna-latest-piece-of-crap variety.
They really should change the Logo from MTV to BSTV ...
What is most troubling is there is at least a generation and a half that is getting what it believes is "news" from that cable channel.
Bal
September 26, 2007 - 12:22 ET by well99You might be right.I quit watching when they cut back on the actual music on the show.A shame since I enjoy music.I know they use to push rap.
Currently listening to To Sir With Love on other tab.
To Sir with Love by the
September 26, 2007 - 12:26 ET by balboaTo Sir with Love by the 10,000 Maniacs or the original?
I like some rap. None of that gangsta garbage, though.
It was funny at the VMAs that Justin Timberlake said MTV should go back to playing videos. You know what's keeping that station's ratings up right now? "The Hills."
By Lulu
September 26, 2007 - 12:44 ET by well99I like some hip hop and some rap.It is just some is over the top.Tupac's Changes was awesome.Like I say I quit watching.I remember in early eighties someone bringing a vhs video of MTV back from the states to the unit.Thought it was awesome.I just think over the years this push this gangsta lifestyle has hurt young people.There is nothing cool about gangs.When I lived on east coast I dealt with that garbage.Only thing kept me out is I knew I had to go home at night.Bottom line is selling drugs or extorting mom and dad stores is not cool.It is bs.I had cousins that were in gangs and wound up doing hard time.If spending 25 years in the pen is cool well I am glad I missed out.
And now the "artists" not
September 26, 2007 - 11:34 ET by motherbeltAnd now the "artists" not only talk the talk, they have to "walk the walk" too.
Hip-hop and rap were bad enough when they were just musical styles. Now they are "lifestyles."
Oh! Please! Please!
September 26, 2007 - 11:33 ET by drillanwrOh! Please! Please! PLEASE!!? Somebody, have soundbites of participating House Dems reading aloud some of the "best" Rap lyrics in question?!?!?!!!???
Do you remember when
September 26, 2007 - 11:36 ET by motherbeltDo you remember when Charlton Heston, a stockholder, actually went into a stockholders' meeting at one of the recording companies that produces this garbage, and read the lyrics out loud? I believe they then dropped that particular "artist."
Rap doesn't have anything to do with it?!?
September 26, 2007 - 11:37 ET by Maverick313I will admit to listening to some rap and r&b but there are some songs that I can't listen to. Some of them are so derogatory towards women that it is offensive.
"We have allowed greedy corporate executives -- especially those in the entertainment industry -- to lead many of our young people to believe that it is OK to entertain themselves by destroying the culture of our people," E. Faye Williams, chair of the National Congress of Black Women, said in prepared remarks.
What I wonder is if she realizes that many of these executives are black people themselves perpetuating the destruction of the black culture in America. These people are trying to blame "The Man" for the things that are happening to black culture. Look to yourselves for the reasons! Quit playing the blame game or using the race card... "they are trying to keep the black man down!"... uh, you are doing a capital job of that all by yourself... you don't need any help.
I was listening to a station in Houston this morning that plays rap and hip-hop and they were doing a survey where callers call in and comment on the proceedings currently going on... what I heard appalled me and made me change the station. You have folks calling in and saying that not only should rap be called into question but also heavy metal, alternative, and other types of music. I listen to a wide range of music and have never heard the type of lyrics that are in hip-hop in some other types. Hip-hop is the genre that promotes "pimpin", "nappy-headed hoes", "chicken heads", telling a woman how to "go down", etc. Another comment came from a black man saying that Bill O'Reilly is a racist... I watch O'Reilly and haven't heard anything that can be termed as racist. I see more racism in the black and hispanic community, that is openly said and portrayed, than anywhere else. If a white man were to say some of the things about another race in a song or on TV, in a movie you would see that white man carried out of town on a pole. With a noose at the end.
People... take responisibility for YOUR own actions and comments. Grow up and take care of your problems and quit blaming others for your short comings.
If you don't stand behind our troops; please feel free to stand in front of them!
Was Tipper seen anywere in
September 26, 2007 - 11:39 ET by Roger the ShrubberWas Tipper seen anywere in the vicinity?
I don't do rap,, but
September 26, 2007 - 11:42 ET by bigpapathis is an incredible waste of time for legislators..
just like the stupid hearings about steroids.
WASTE and ABUSE of power.
Agreed,
September 26, 2007 - 12:14 ET by MightyMouthAs well as condeming ads in newspapers and interfering with a familys choice to allow a loved one to pass on. This is not why we have a congress.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
What is really being proposed?
September 26, 2007 - 12:26 ET by mattmIs the government proposing censorship outright, or some kind of regulation?
I'm against outright censorship, but some of this crap ought to be rated R...
To drastically reduce
September 26, 2007 - 12:35 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveTo drastically reduce violence and crime we don't need more laws/regulations...we need to enforce the laws/regulations already on the books. Mandatory jail times, strict probations with community service, no plea bargaining, and using the death penalty for the most violent criminals will go a long way to reducing crime more than anything else.
"There are millions of people in Iraq who have sacrificed in the hope that the United States will finish its work here. We should never forget that." -- Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, Commander U.S. III Corps
look how much good
September 26, 2007 - 12:40 ET by sarcasmo150 percent more pot-arrests since 1990, with most of the increase occurring during the Clinton administration, did...Oops! Not so much, eh?? Better spend even more, that's the ONLY possible answer!!!:)
JMR
A Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.
Did I say
September 26, 2007 - 16:48 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveDid I say anything--ANYTHING at all about drugs in my post?
No? Then please shut your presumptuous pie hole.
"There are millions of people in Iraq who have sacrificed in the hope that the United States will finish its work here. We should never forget that." -- Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, Commander U.S. III Corps
RAP is not the problem.
September 26, 2007 - 13:23 ET by Six String SpiffRap is certainly not the problem. THe underlying issue is BAD PARENTING. Period. I don't understand how the 'black community' (thought we were all equal?) doesn't stand up to this notion that 'Whitey is holdin you back'. How did we go from actual civil rights causes to out and out racial pimpimg? Leave the music alone. I have seen enough sensoring going on in this country. Thank you FCC. I firmly belive it is up to the public as a whole to cleanse our culture of this HORRIBLE, attitude. This country is designed to yield success if one tries hard enough. Groups like the Black Panthers, BET, NAACP, etc are nothing but perversions of their former relevant forms.
I have friends of all colors and age groups. What they listen to doesn't mean anything to me. What matters is attitude, and self responsibilty. These components are crucial if are to continue to achieve excellence in the world. Bill Cosby said it best, and if his status is indicative of things to come, it will only get worse.
The American Revolution Continued
Is rap music harmful?
September 26, 2007 - 13:53 ET by greenfairieUnlike with any other genre of music,impressionable kids get sold on a fantasy of "thug life" and try to imitate that fantasy in real life. Not everyone takes it to the extreme of say, joining a gang or shooting people, but many get into graffiti and vandalism, drugs, disrespectful behavior, fights, etc..
But I cringe whenever the government feels like it needs to do something. Shareholders, consumers, and parents are too chicken you-know-what to stand up to the companies shoveling this stuff out and parents are too lazy or self-absorbed to make sure their kids aren't listening to it or buying into the lifestyle.
"Drugs, violence and the
September 26, 2007 - 14:26 ET by Rackie"Drugs, violence and the criminal element were around long before hip-hop existed."
And they will be around long after hip-hop is gone.
Can you say "devo-lu-tion" boys and girls?
Only one reason vulgar
September 26, 2007 - 15:01 ET by MidAmericaOnly one reason vulgar rap is allowed. It's 'performed' by a protected class.
Well us white folks got some real gangsters and the government has been harrassing and jailing them for years. I say the 'man' needs to back off and learn it's just part of our 'white culture' and we have the constitutional right to express ourselves.
Eh, not sure about that.
September 26, 2007 - 17:13 ET by balboaEh, not sure about that. There's plenty of awful speed metal stuff out there that no one says boo about.
yeah, "they" do say something about it
September 26, 2007 - 17:59 ET by UndercoverConservativehave a bunch of white kids standing around a streetcorner, playing thrash metal, maybe even *gasp* skateboarding. Watch the police break that scene up, and maybe charge one or two with vandalism. No "racial profiling" there, nosiree.
Or if there's a big enough group, so the "gangstas" feel threatened, the metal heads get treated like Klan members (every movie I've ever seen with American "skinheads" *always* has 'em listing to some sort of metal music) and get hauled off, in the interest of "preserving the peace".
So yeah, it's not okay to live the "metal lifestyle". It *is* punishable by law, and is enforced, not only by police, but by punks from any "protected" class. Ask any small town white "punk". Or most non-african or non-hispanic descended teenager. Heaven forbid if a group of white kids, metal listeners or not, congregate in the same place for years...just for that reason someone's gonna have to "take a stand" and takeover their place-then try to kill someone and have Sharpton and Krew twist the whole thing around.
For those concerned about drugs
September 26, 2007 - 17:19 ET by bigpapaand music,,
you should really watch the History channel series on the history of various drugs and alcohol.
Truly amazing how long most have been around and how they "eventually" became illegal..
Don't think rap, metal, punk or rag time had anything to do with drug abuse..
i guess this proves that congress has its priorities in line ...
September 26, 2007 - 21:57 ET by pmohbucki work for rural developement (part of USDA) ... we finance homes and fund home improvements for low and very low income rural families. as our fiscal years winds to a close on sept. 30, i read monday that the President chastised congress for not putting a single appropriation bill across his desk. so, here i am, telling an elderly couple that it will likely be january or february before our agency will have funding to provide an efficient heating element in their home ... meanwhile, the idiots on the hill are delving into rap lyrics. i swear, sometimes i feel like we are actually living in a saturday night live skit.