Television viewers could be forgiven for rubbing their eyes in dismay when they happened upon a conversation between Minister Louis Farrakhan and rap star Jeffrey “Ja Rule” Atkins on November 3. Right there, on BET’s most popular youth show “106 And Park” (and later broadcast on MTV), a septuagenarian leader of an ascetic religious group was breaking proverbial bread with… return to article
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Reader Comments (27)Page 1 of 1 pagesMaybe he could step into the Britney/Christina clash as well? That beef is about to git violente!
Posted by Chin on Dec 15, 2003 at 1:55 PM “hip-hop summit”?! I’m crying with laughs! This is the credence you give to “the Ja Rule/50 Cent clash”? What statesmen of importance!
This is a base from which you focus? This is where you address issues in the community!? Are things that utterly pathetic and ridiculous?
Mics are “beefing” (give me a freaking break) for $’s. Farrakhan should sit these two losers down and say “I hate Jews (you want posted quotes Salim?) but I’m so freaking pathetic that this is what I do now. So shut the freak up and tell your crowd to A- graduate high school, B- stop having kids at pre-18 and single.”
Hip hop clashes- hey everybody! Look at us! Please! We front it up! Please pay attention!!!!!!! IT’S SOOO IMPORTANT HOW WE DIS!
losers.
Posted by bubba freak on Dec 15, 2003 at 10:46 PM Bubba Freak- Your name suits you. Neil is right, calm down.
It is a silly spat. But it is kind of important in that it expresses systemic problems that need resolution. Reparations, welfare, access to quality education, etc. We need remediation and these little musicians and their so called battles distract us from what we should be focusing on.
The Nation of Islam can bring these issues forcefully to the public square. But not when its leadership is focused on little tiffs like this
Posted by JL on Dec 16, 2003 at 12:22 PM It does catch the eye that Farrakhan is described by Muwakkil as simply “a septuagenarian leader of an ascetic religious group.” Is it not significant that while Farrakhan puts his best foot forward to calm hip-hop related tension, he is also a vocal proponent of anti-Semitism? Also, though I’m not trying to give validity to the idea of “reverse racism,” Farrakhan’s anti-white statements certainly do not help to ease this country’s racial tenisons.
I agree with JL that in general the subject of hip-hop beefs distracts from more important issues for American Black communities, though to the extent that hip-hop battles lead to street violence in those communities, the issue is worth addressing. I just think that when it comes to squashing beef, Louis Farrakhan is not at the head of the class.
Oh, and on an aethetic side note, it’s too bad that corporate hip-pop under the guise of “gansta rap,” such as Ja Rule and 50 Cent is presented as the centerpiece of hip-hop, while no mention is given to progressive alternatives in hip-hop. Though Muwakkil puts the term in quotes, there is plenty of conscious, independent hip-hop out there. Rather than trying to resolve disputes between these corporate pawns, maybe we can turn people on to better hip hop.
Posted by Pits on Dec 16, 2003 at 4:54 PM “Bubba"- you should say “ego-maniacs” - it’s clinical in their self-delusion. But you’re wrong in your analysis. You’re right in their attention focused behavior- but you’re wrong in the substantive nature of the expression.
I can’t claim to interpret “rap” yarns without examination, but it’s pretty obvious that it’s outwardly focused. That is, it is not a consequence, driven excercise in expression. Rather, a self-imported feeling of self-doubt. Perhaps this could change, but not without realization from those that be that help is needed.
Posted by Real on Dec 17, 2003 at 12:39 AM Peace and much love,
Born and raised in Chicago, then Advocating Hiphop’s preservation in NY, Phila, and now LA; a true perception independent of mainstream corporate media is not only excellent commentary, but pertinent in facing issues for Hiphop, youth culture and the international community. As a Hiphop activist, and emmisary of the Teacha KRS, and The Temple of Hiphop since the “stop the violence” movement in the 1980’s, these matters are vital for Hiphop’s preservation. However, it should be duly noted that Hiphop is not rap music, rap is something we do, Hiphop is something we live!”
Posted by MalikONE on Dec 17, 2003 at 2:00 PM It was the right time that the Mr. Farrakhan intervene to awake everybody and precisely Black communities about the dangers we are facing. I am the grand-grand son of a West Africa leader who had combated in the side of the Almamy Samory Toure during the penetrenation of French colonization in West Africa. But unifortunately my grand dad and Samory failed because French colons have implanted misunderstanding between us. This is what happening today. We have to change the way we think. We have to be more unified. That what I try to explain to my Black-US born brothers and sisters. There is a mutual misunderstanding between the Blacks. And that’s what the demon wants. It is time to come close each other. We have a lot of things in common. We have to learn from each other.
Posted by Nimba Monemu-Zerekoray-lo on Dec 17, 2003 at 4:13 PM Peace
As the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has reminded us time and time again, we are judged not by how we treat the “big wigs,” “big ballas,” and “shot callers,” ala the Rothschilds, Warburgs, Oppenheimers, et cetera. We are judged by how we treat the least of these, as Jesus has said.
Although the spat between JaRule and 50 Cent may seem small and miniscule to some, it is, indeed VERY significant. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has his ear to the ground (grass roots), which is a saving grace for humanity. He is the KEY mediator not only for this, here, but for humanity!
Peace
Posted by Shahid M. Allah on Dec 17, 2003 at 5:04 PM Farrakhan is the KEY mediator for humanity?
He’s a washed up race baiting loser. Now he’s hanging out with that child molestor Jackson. Quite a club.
As to the importance of rap wars- Can you honestly get any more pathetic? Africa is literally dying of AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, corruption, civil strife, etc. The Arab nations are living in the 17th century (or worse, given the way they treat women). And Farrakhan and this author give credence to this? My advice to everybody- GROW UP!
Posted by Al on Dec 18, 2003 at 12:34 PM I take back what I just wrote. Wish I could redo it. I shouldn’t insult like that. Just initial reaction.
Anyway, I hope things can get worked out and I know that young people- especially- idolize rappers. I idolized sports figures.
Guess I’m becoming an old crank.
Posted by Al on Dec 18, 2003 at 12:41 PM The trivialization of hip-hop by so called intellectuals and others once again drives home the fact that wisdom cannot be found in a textbook.
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan illuminated this point in comparing the impact of one rap song against 1,000 of his speeches.
These ‘little musicians’ as JL called them are molding an entire generation.
The inability to see hip-hop artists in their true light, i.e. impact on community, young people, and our future is far more damaging than the lyrics themselves.
Posted by Shaun on Dec 18, 2003 at 5:07 PM Great article.
Anyone who is trying to raise a teenager in this day and age knows the importance of hip-hop culture to young people.
I was there at the genesis of hip-hop, in the 80’s when alot of people weren’t even sure it would last longer than five years. The promise and potential was amazing, and it had a palpable feel to it.
Now, fast-forward to 20 years later. . . with a few notable exceptions such as Quannum, Jurrasic 5, Ozomatli, etc. the worst elements of hip-hop are still here in strength.
According to 95% of what gets play on MTV, women and girls are still nothing but “ho’s and bitches” that are good for nothing but blowjobs and shaking their asses in tight shorts. . . Predatory loser molesters such as R. Kelly can actually win Grammys while under indictment for multiple counts of statutory rape and child pornography. That one is mindblowing. And, Tupac Shakur is considered to be the most elder hip-hop statesman who’s actually saying something and he’s not even alive!
Back in the day we had 2 Live Crew and Getto Boys [which I admit listening to as a young man - of course, for the beats] but the potential of the movement was so much more than alot of today’s artists even care about reaching.
What we’re teaching our young people to be - especially the girls - is absolutely disgusting. If anyone at all is tackling this issue in a public forum then more power to them.
The issue of what values hip-hop culture teaches is more important than alot of people realize - especially to our kids.
Posted by Ed Mellon on Dec 18, 2003 at 5:27 PM anyone who is getting their education from eminem, 50 cent and snoop is missing out on proper teachers and parents.
Posted by brad on Dec 18, 2003 at 6:13 PM Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God. That is what Our dear brother and Minister Farrakhan is about. You can say any thing bad about him, that is not what he cares about. He is on the earth to save our people and all fallen humanity. I know God is with him all the way until his work is done saving our people from the state of mind before God will pass dgedgement on earth. take it or leave it, that day is coming. A men who loves black black black and certainly loves humanity. May Allah bless,guide and protect him until the end of time. Any man who will tell you to get rid of any weapon cos that will be the justification for our distruction is a men who loves us.
Posted by Rahim on Dec 22, 2003 at 12:57 AM You all are taking good care of this argument. My thoughts on Farrakhan include him being (at least at one time) a serious amateur violinist who loved the music of Beethoven and others. I wish he would discuss the importance of that study to our young people. Black, white, red, purple… skin color doesn’t matter when you play music.
Posted by Dev on Dec 22, 2003 at 2:55 AM The NOI leader’s efforts are particularly important in light of the FBI and local police intelligence campaigns in hip-hop. Folks who fixate on 20-year-old comments that Farrakhan may have made about white people conveniently ignore the very real consequences of structural racism, which leads to underfunded schools, environmentally unsafe neighborhoods, police brutality, discrimination in housing, employment, etc. for black people.
Guys like Bubba reflect the pervasive ignorance among too many Americans. Bubba, did you know that a black person who kills a white person in Georgia is 48 times more likely to get the death sentence than a white person who kills a black person? Did you know that a black cop is more likely to get shot by another cop than a white suspect by a black cop? I can list 20 stastical truths that make Farrakhan’s message attractive to black youth.
Anyway, his comments and leadership are important. The NOI is certainly doing more for poor black people than bush and co.
Posted by Marafa on Dec 22, 2003 at 9:14 AM Dev, I understand music is good but it is the human’s who make music, and if that humanbeing is passing away then we need to save humans first before music. Farrakhan knows what he is doing so please back or support him. He is working with all people of color but his work is first and formost is for black people. We are considered the lost and dead people in the scriptures and that God always raises one from among the unwanted to bring them back to where they left off. Our Dear brother and Minister Farrakhan is the one in our mist on time.
Posted by Rahim on Dec 22, 2003 at 6:09 PM Now that the venom has been spewed against Farakhan, a little bit of reasoning. The media is contolled by oligopolies that promote a certain image of black youths that can be traced all the way back to minstrelsy, Stepin Fetchit, to Tarzan to Super Fly, now Gangsta Rap. We have seen this before. Rappers and the Black community need an education about the history and nature of cultural imperialism.
Rap is a legitimate as any other musical form. It is a question of content. No other ethnic group would accept any form of its cultural forms being used to denigrate its women and to promote internecine violence.
Stay on the case Salim
Posted by David on Dec 24, 2003 at 9:54 PM The youth around the world are emulating black youth and the culture that springs from Hip-Hop music.
There are those who can’t and won’t lend importance to this issue, but compared to the culture of war and domination that has been the by product of the arogance coming from this country’s current administration - I believe this is a breath of fresh air. Whats so trivial about culture wars here at home ?
Let’s face it folks, our children are being led by the pipers of music and the industry is taking no prisoners.
If Farrakhan can ease tensions and give sanity back to rap music, I say let the man do it.
I think there are many who are jealous because Farrakhan has the respect of what seems uncontrolable.
Don’t knock Farrakhan, he might be the saving grace that save your childs life - both black & white.
Remember, white children don’t play rock-n-roll in their cars anymore - they play rap.
Posted by Gregory Bradley on Dec 30, 2003 at 8:47 PM Farrakhan would be more respected if he gave up the anit-semetic rhetoric, understood that “devils” come in all colours and had his followers “goose-step” a little less. His interested in hip-hop is strikly the “bling-bling”. I see very little words flowing out when the are not bucks flowing in. It seems that he is anxious to run Michael Jackon’s affairs now, whose tunes are not quite “dawg on the street” angst.
There is nothing wrong with free expression in whatever form of music one happenes to like. There is some excellent poetry in some of the lyrics...hey- even if it is pretty much a rip-off of Rimbaud-Kerouac-Ginsberg and Burroughs in modern dress and flow combined with plenty of ho’s, bitches and bullets for good measure.
I don’t care...and agree with the right to do it. But making these “big playas” anything but entertainers is like getting heart surgery from Don Knotts. THEY ARE ENTERTAINERS. DUH!...and as far as that goes not one has wriiten, produced or sold as many copies as “Singin’ in the Rain.”
Posted by Scotty on Dec 31, 2003 at 2:59 AM Yeeks...addendum
My blood pressure always leads to typos. Forgive?...lol
Posted by Scotty on Dec 31, 2003 at 3:01 AM “I can list 20 stastical truths that make Farrakhan’s message attractive to black youth. “
Yes, and I am sure they would be just as relevant and contain just as much “truth” as the ones you have cited in this posting.
‘48 times more likely to be setenced to death for killing a white than for killing a black.’
Don’t you realize this has as much (or more) to do with choice of victims to do with death sentences?
There are more white men on death row for killing white men than there are black men for killing white men.
There are slightly more white men than black men on death row in georgia.
Despite the fact that blacks make up approximately 50% of the Georgia death row population, nearly 60% of all executions in Georgia since 1976 have been of white men?
Posted by Nus on Jan 14, 2004 at 2:35 PM I’m suprised Farradhan done this alone. What about other rap artist?? Other mentors. Every generation clings to music and things like this happen. But i know sociaiy and government have alot to do with prolonging this. Its not just about Jah and 50. I think they being use just like our people been used back in the day!!! Our younge people want something and many of them find it in Rap music.
Posted by christine on Jan 16, 2004 at 2:30 PM Gregory Bradley, well said.
Here’s the thing: As I sit here, trying to raise a 15-year old girl, it is amazing to me that more importance isn’t being lent to the issue of hip-hop’s effect on youth.
Most - if not all - Top 40 and MTV rap music focuses narrowly on these issues: sex, money and getting f*cked up at tha club.
Values? None. Self-respect? None. With a few notable exceptions, virtually all popular music is telling our little girls that it’s ok to be nothing more than a ho that shakes it as low as she can at a club, get smoked and drunk, then has sex with the rapper at the “afterparty.” That’s it. Over and over again, to humilate yourself and subjugate yourself to some thug who can’t even spell “subjugate.” They tell the girls that this is the way to be and to act, and what’s worse: the girls are believing them.
This is a crime. What is even sadder is that Viacom [the parent company of MTV] has been given free license both by the government and the black community to spew this garbage to our young people 24/7. Where is the outrage? Why does the black community continue to be silent on this issue?
I’m honestly curious, because I just can’t understand it. Girls think it’s ok to have sex earlier than ever, and if you listen to even the radio edits of 50 cent, Missy Elliott and the others it’s not hard to see why. If Farrakhan can get these people to see the real damage they are doing then so much the better.
Record execs don’t care about your kids, and neither do 20-something rappers who write lyrics about raping girls, or the R. Kellys of the world. Black, white, red, yellow, brown or green - no matter what color, all of our kids deserve a better message than what’s being given to them.
Let’s work together to end this assault on our young people.
Posted by Ed Mellon on Jan 16, 2004 at 5:57 PM I could only take Farrakhan seriously if he gave up racism in a public statement and in his consequent behavior. Sorry, Rahim, but Islam simply can’t accommodate racism (even anti-Jewish or anti-white racism), as a cursory reading of the Holy Quran will show. Even the phrase “people of color” is racist because it divorces those of us who were born pale of skin; we’re all a “color” of one shade or another. Despite the brutality with which some Caucasian people sought (and continue to seek) domination of the world, it shouldn’t be forgotten that plenty of palefaces have been victimized by those who want to concentrate the wealth of the planet into fewer and fewer hands; no doubt racism is part of this pattern, but it isn’t the whole show. The reason so many white kids, such as my son, identify with hip hop culture is because they can see with their own eyes the suffering fostered by inhumane pursuit of wealth and prestige and violence promoted by ideological trickery, such that they identify with the victims of such, so many of whose skin has been, in fact, some shade of brown. If teenagers can see past the stupidity of racial discrimination, so should national leaders like Farrakhan, particularly if they claim to be Muslim. America’s obsession with cheap color-word descriptions of human beings, like Farrakhan’s own, continues to shame the entire country.
Posted by Kuya on Apr 15, 2004 at 10:58 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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