Bill Cosby vs. Hip Hop?!?!

Comedian Bill Cosby joined Oprah in the latest rounds of hip-hop adversaries. Over the last month, Winfrey herself has been the target of complaints from rappers including, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Killer Mike (out of nowhere) and Ice Cube. The comedian has spent years bashing hip-hop culture and ignorance in an effort to unite the youth, especially black youth, of today. In 2004, Cosby's wrath was aimed at the African-American community for the rates of juvenile delinquency and the coarse language of the youth today. Cosby toured to pass along his ideas to parents and children alike. Cosby said, "Dont let yourself be victims, and especially don't let the poorest in the community let themselves be victims."

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill of the hip-hop website www.playahata.com, considers himself one of today's new "hip-hop intellectuals". After posting a piece calling Dr. Cosby's efforts on his "Call Out" tour out of place, he maintained that he respected Cosby for what he was doing. Cosby being a famous alum of the school himself, made a call to the Dean of the school to critique the young writer's opinionated stance on the website.

Over the next few days, Hill did a few radio shows to discuss his op-ed and in each interview made sure to voice his respect for Dr. Cosby as well as his critique. But, last Tuesday, on a show with an African-American conservative host Hill was on the defensive. After the interview was done, surprisingly Cosby himself was doing an interview on the station, to air out his grievances with concern to Dr. Hill.

Cosby said that Hill's effortsin regard to his 'hip-hop website' certainly can't be trying to help black people with a 'hip-hop website'. Cosby and the host continually called the writer a 'hip-hop hustler', who as he describes, write about and critique hip-hop at the same time. Cosby also named writer, Michael Eric Dyson as a hustler.

Hill attempted to get on the phone lines with Cosby and eventually his friend allowed him to three-way in when it was his turn. The conversation went a little something like this:

Hill: Hello. Dr. Cosby this isn't [my friend]. This is actually Marc Lamont Hill. You were talking about me so I figured I'd call back so that we could talk.

Cosby [clearly shocked and uncomfortable]: Yes?
Hill: I don't understand why you have to call me a liar and a hustler. Why can't my response be just as sincere and principled as yours?

Cosby never answered the question to Hill's liking, instead, he inquired as to Hill's occupation and affiliations and his "hip-hop website. After the conversation had ended Cosby said to Hill, "Mr. Hill. You're a smart man. Youre a good writer. You've called hear twice. You've had enough to say"

The tables seemed to have been turned on Hill who called merely to defend himself, the host of the radio show stepped in and said " One at a time. After the break, we'll let Professor Hill respond and then Dr. Cosby can respond."

Cosby retorted, "Mr. Hill has said enough. He's got a column. He's called here twice. Let's take some calls." The shows producer told Hill, "be patient. We'll take 2 or 3 calls and get back to you." After a few more calls for Cosby, the host and Cosby went to break and hung-up on Hill who was waiting patiently. Hill called back only to be allowed minimal time to make any points in his defense.

Either way, whether the words are from a famous comedian/actor, 'hip-hop website', your blog, someone else's blog, they carry the same value and meaning behind them. Cosby, I'm sure hasn't exhausted his continued attack on the hip-hop realm.