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» Name: Anthony Springer, Jr
» Age: 25
» Location: Sigma Land/The City of Sin
» Member Since: 04/09/07
» Bio: Hip Hop fan, writer, promoter of higher ed... you want to know more: blusolo1914@yahoo.com
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Mr. Springer's Neighborhood

You're a Playa Only Because You Be Playin Yaself

August 10, 2007 | Tags: Hip Hop, Flavor of Love

I've heard a number of different arguments that seem to take the heat off of why black folks aren't responsible for the nonsense currently assaulting my eyes and ears on a daily basis.

Some people will lead you to believe that the TI's are running this rap shit and force emcees and reality show hoes to act a damn fool for the camera (and to some extent, this is correct).

Other people will lead you to believe that white people are keeping this stuff on the air (and to some extent they're correct too).

But any person of African descent is fooling themselves if they can say with a straight face that anybody OTHER than us is keeping the cycle going.

We are the only (or one of VERY few) cultures that degrades our own and will turn around and fight folks to the death for the right to do it (hey, I don't care for Al Sharpton, but he has some valid points). Long gone are the days of white actors dressing up, pretending to be us. We'd have a foot to stand on if black face was the new black, but the black faces on TV acting a donkey... are actually black faces!

At the end of the day, we green light this stuff and anybody telling you otherwise is lying to themselves. Black Americans have always been trend setters. Don't believe me? Answer the following questions:

1. How successful would your favorite (commercial) rapper be without a co sign from "the streets?" [1]
2. How long would 106th and Park have lasted if the audience was all white? [2]
3. Would Flavor of Love made it past a pilot episode if the majority of the women were white?
3a. Would Flavor of Love even been conceived with said concept?

The answer to all these questions is as follows.

1. Not very
2. Not long
3. No
4. Hell no! Flav wouldn't even be allowed in the building

According to an article that appeared on Blackenterprise.com, Last year’s season finale of Flavor of Love was the highest rated show in VH1's history. VH1’s Charm School was the no. 1 show in black households for the first week of July, according to Nielsen reports.

Let me run that back: VH1’s Charm School was the no. 1 show in black households for the first week of July, according to Nielsen reports.

We are starring in and supporting our own toxic behavior. The hour glass on blaming white people is running low. If we stopped watching and co signing foolishness, the rest of the world will fall in line.

That's how it's been, that's how it always will be.

[1] the rappers that do make it are the exceptions, not the rule
[2] I'm not sure if this is still valid, but 106 and Park, at one point in time had higher ratings than TRL

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not necessarily those of HipHopDX.com or Cheri Media Group.

Let's Leave Hip Hop... to Hip Hop

August 08, 2007 | Tags: Hip Hop, 50 cent, al sharpton

So Rev. Al is at it again.

While I applaud anybody that's able to speak up and articulate the shock, dismay and outrage (hey, SOMEBODY is following him) of a group of people, I cannot sit idly by and watch said person inadequately address the problem.

THAT is my problem with Al Sharpton.

Anybody with any ounce of common sense realizes that Al's anti-bad language crusade is, when stripped down to a bare minimum, absolutely correct. The problem is that Al (as usual) is a day late and a dollar short (and that dollar would be better spent elsewhere).

Those of you who've followed DX over the years know full well that Hip Hop (in a general sense of the word) is capable of policing and defending itself. If you look at past editorials on this site, you'll see that we've challenged the industry on both artistic and moral levels. If you look at most of the blogs, you'll find Meka Soul, Brillyance, Andres, and J. Burnett (if I missed any other of my blogging fam, I apologize) talking about the shitty state of music AND the content of said music.

A look across the web will reveal the same thing on numerous other sites. Last I checked, The Source isn't afraid to check the industry and (to a much lesser extent) XXL as well.

Sorry Al, we got this covered.

With so much going on in our communities and the Black community in particular, it's with absolute shock and amazement that I continue to be bombarded by a black "leader" with a bad perm insistent on cleaning up the music some pre-teens listen to. If I took an informal poll, I'm willing to bet a paycheck that the majority of kids under 18 don't know who Al Sharpton is, and if they did, don't give a damn one way or the other.

Sorry Al, a day late and a dollar short.

I would also bet a paycheck that said individuals read The Source, XXL, or log on to Hip Hop DX

Yeah, we got this one.

But in the 07 (and beyond), Hip Hop is gunning for bigger things. We're more organized and as we get older, we get more focused. We're taking on the war in Iraq, health care, education and a host of other "grown up things" because, well... Hip Hop is growing up.

We're doing all the things that "leaders" like Al Sharpton should be doing. If Martin or Malcolm were alive, I doubt they'd be spending the bulk of their time trying to clean up the latest 50 Cent album (though I have no doubt that they wouldn't be pleased with what plays on the radio).

Al and Jesse need to clean it up, and clean it up quick[1]... or be replaced by the next generation of real leaders.

Let this serve as a warning.

[1]and I'm not talking about rap lyrics