TRUTH Minista Bombs on The Boss Rick Ross

Chicago, Colorado and Compton

Chicago, Colorado and Compton: Do Movies or Rap Music Make Murderers? TRUTH Minista Paul Scott But still my story ain't over cause I got one more to tell/And the people of Colorado, they know it well" Jus Lyke Compton-DJ Quik During a recent debate on a Chicago radio station, community activist ,Kwabena Rasuli got into a heated argument with Hip Hop artist, Krazy Keith , blaming his new song , “Murda 4 Fun” for the rising murder rate in his the city this Summer. Just like a game of chess, for every point Kwabena raised about rap music and violence, Keith hit him with a counter point defending his music as only entertainment. After an hour of arguing , Kwabena made his power move and pulled out a long list of murder statistics . But Keith countered with “at least we don’t dress up like comic book villains and murder people in movie theaters!” Checkmate. According to Hip Hop apologists, rap music gets , unfairly , blamed for every social ill in America , whether it be drug abuse, teenage pregnancy or violence. And you can bet 20 years from now they are going to use the recent , tragic murder of moviegoers at the Dark Knight Rises showing in Aurora, Colorado by some kook dressed up like "The Joker" as part of their defense of the violent lyrics that plague much of commercial Hip Hop For years, we have heard the excuse from rappers “ya’ll don’t say nuthin’ when “The Terminator “and ‘Rambo’ kill a hundred people in their movies...” Yeah, but I don’t recall Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone shootin; at each other across a strip club parking lot, either. But I get the point. Truth is, in some ways they are are right. But in other ways, they are dead wrong., Since The Sugar Hill Gang dropped "Rappers Delight" 30 years ago, America has had a love/hate relationship with rap music. They love the songs, they just hate the singers. Even when a Hip Hop artist amasses a fortune and moves from Harlem to the Hamptons, some still feel “you can take the boy out the ghetto but you can’t take the ghetto out the boy.” Even before the first gangsta rap cd was made, the threat of potential violence hampered many of the first Hip Hop tours. In many cities, the media acted like one of the Fat Boys was gonna jump off stage and beat some kid, unmercifully, for his hot dog. Sometimes the violence did happen. Most of the time it didn’t. Some may, also, remember a time when the threat of violence prevented the first rap movies from being seen at any theaters outside of “urban” areas. As if Shelia E’s wack performance of "Hollyrock" in Krush Groove was gonna make outraged Hip Hop fans start a riot at the concession stand. Despite the hype of the era, I was able to watch “The Dis-orderlies” and enjoy my popcorn just fine. It wasn’t until the 90’s when hood flicks became cross- over blockbusters and movies like Boys in the Hood started peekin’ middle America’s fascination with gang violence in Compton that the films started playing in Peoria. Despite the contradictions between the public perception of violence in movies and murda music that some Hip Hop fans attempt to expose, there is a difference. First, there aren’t thousands of people across the country walkin' the streets dressed like Dr. Doom but you can go to any 'hood in the USA and see kids lookin' like clones of their favorite rappers with artist "Cash Out " braggin’ about “ridin’ around with that nina (nine millimeter) “ blastin’ thru their Beats by Dre headphones. Secondly, we still live in a world where the young Black male is the usual suspect. Just ask the brotha sitting on death row because of a case of “they-all-look- a-like mistaken identity." Or the high school honor roll student who gets trailed by a gang of rent-a -cops as soon as he enters the food court at the mall. In many cases the Hip Hop image has made it easier for young Black men to be guilty until proven innocent. Also, many people in this country follow the classic line from The Godfather “ they’re animals anyway so let them lose their souls.” So, while shootings at Columbine or Virginia Tech are forever mourned as tragedies, seven year old girls getting shot on the streets of Chi-Town are written off as “that’s just the way those people get down." There is a big difference between random acts of violence and children gettin’ caught up in drive by’s being viewed as a normal everyday thing. Back in '92 DJ Quik asked on “Just Lyke Compton," "how could a bunch of suckas in a town like this have such a big influence on brothas so far away?" In retrospect the song seems like a spooky premonition of how gangsta rap was going to impact the world. But since 99% of the violence in rap music is Black on Black, few folks outside the 'hood seem to care. Out of site; out of mind. If there is any common denominator between rap music and the murders in Aurora it would be that the movie's maker, Warner Brothers, also makes Hip Hop music. While the company cannot control the actions of every sicko with a gun who decides to shoot up a theatre showing one of their films, they can control the music they choose to release. If Warner Brothers can cancel Dark Knight movie premiers in countries around the world because of the Colorado tragedy, then they can put a moratorium on the music that promotes the Black on Black violence happening in Chicago and every 'hood in America. A few years back, Wyclef Jean said on "The Industry," “Black on Black crime needs to stop/ya’ll can’t blame it on Hip Hop” Sometimes we can't 'Clef. Sometimes we can.... TRUTH Minista Paul Scott ‘s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached info@nowarningshotsfired.com or (919) 308-4233 His website is NoWarningShotsFired.com Follow on Twitter @truthminista

God Forgives, I Don't

God Forgives,I Don’t:
Should Rappers Repent?

TRUTH Minista Paul Scott


“A million names on walls engraved in plaques/Those who went back received penalties for their acts”
Triumph -Wu Tang Clan



For years, Hip Hop’s hottest rapper, the Boss had made millions of dollars hustlin’ his misogynistic, minstrel murder music off as Hip Hop. When people would accuse him of promoting the genocide of the Black community ,he would, arrogantly, laugh them off and say they were just hatin’. Then one day, suddenly, things changed. At every radio station he was confronted by local artists for not reppin’ real Hip Hop. Angry crowds started gathering at his concerts throwing eggs at his tour bus. Even at strip clubs, the strippers threw his money back in his face and yelled “keep your blood money !” Dumbfounded , his record label launched a massive PR campaign to win back his fans, but the message from the community was clear..

"God Forgives, We don’t...."


Although, Rick Ross’s new cd, “God Forgives, I Don’t,” isn't’ scheduled to drop until the end of the month, the streets are already buzzin’ with anticipation . The title reflects the “revenge is a dish best served cold” swagga that you have to develop to deal with anyone who dares diss you.

Maybe, that’s not such a bad attitude to have, especially against those who, continuously, disrespect your culture and jeopardize the lives of your children.

It has been said that Black people are the most forgiving people on the planet. You can steal our land, put us in chains, call our women “nappy headed hos” and Grandma will still find it in her heart to invite you to Sunday dinner after church.

I’m not sure if that makes us saints or suckas.

Hip Hop has also been very forgiving. Rap artists can give people hood passes for calling us the N word. They can act like clowns on Nickelodeon kids shows, make pop records with Justin Bieber and Katy Perry and still keep their street cred. Rappers can even be exposed as being former correctional officers and still sell millions of cds lyin’ about how they used to be big time drug dealers.

There is a thin line between a diehard fan and a dumb fool.

More importantly, today's Hip Hop artists can destroy our culture and glorify a lifestyle to our children that has already landed thousands of them dead or in prison and they still are able to walk around every city in America without having to face the consequences of their actions.

So the question becomes, should Hip Hop artists be forced to apologize and make amends for the damage that they have caused in the Black community?

We have to admit the reason why Hip Hop is in the state that it's in is based on one thing and one thing only; lack of accountability. Rappers are allowed to do whatever, whenever, to whom ever, without any fear of repercussion.

Any attempts to correct their ignorant behavior is usually met with the “who are you to tell me what to do" attitude followed by the over used Tupac line “only God can judge me.”

Case in point was the recent confrontation between Philadelphia pastor Jomo Johnson and rapper Meek Mill on a Philly radio station. Johnson felt that Mill’s song “Amen” dissed his religion; Mill thought otherwise. Rev. Johnson had just as much right to feel offended by “Amen” as a Muslim minister being insulted by the burning of the Qu’ran or a Rabbi being outraged by someone placing a ham sandwich on the Torah.

Still, some people will argue that rappers are just entertainers expressing their First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech and shouldn't have to apologize to anybody for anything.

Bull!

Entertainers apologize all the time. Just not to Black folks.

There is a long list of celebrities who have had to apologize to the Jewish community, gay activists and animal rights people etc. When other groups feel even slightly disrespected the result is swift and direct; bow down immediately. And even after years of grovelin’ and beggin’ for forgiveness, the final result is usually “apology not accepted!”

Just as people have called for “reparations” for the holocaust and slavery , we must call for “rap-arations” from the music industry for the damage commercial Hip Hop has done to the Black community. They must be held accountable for the chaos they have created.

I’m not talking about just money, either. Nor am I talking about a rapper who has made a career out of songs about drug dealing going to speak at a drug rehab center. This, also, does not include a rapper who brags about smackin’ up hos donating band-aids to a women's domestic abuse shelter. I’m talking about an immediate end to the madness that they promote at the expense of our future generations.

This must happen sooner than later.

Frankly, I am tired of writing about the sorry state of Hip Hop. I’m tired of artists rappin' about it. I’m tired of hearing people complaining about it. Like Redman said back in the day it's, “Time 4 Sum Aksion”

There are rules to this Hip Hop game. But the question has always been ,who has the guts to enforce the rules?

The hard, cold code of the streets must also apply to Hip Hop. No rapper who disrespects the community should ever feel comfortable coming into any city on the planet without being stepped to.

The most frustrating part of the Hip Hop dilemma is that this problem can be easily fixed. For example, if all the student body presidents of HBCU's (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) would get together and say “we will not invite any rapper who spreads ignorance to perform on our campus” the problem would be solved overnight.

Unfortunately, after all the whinin’ about rap music is said and done, many of its harshest critics will sell the struggle out for an autographed t-shirt and a backstage pass.

Let’s make it perfectly clear. This is a war for the minds of our people.

And Hip Hop ain’t gonna change unless you get off your butt and make it change.

So, it’s up to you.

Like Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz once asked on "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz and Benz:"

“Is you down, to go pound for pound, toe to toe, blow for blow, round for round?"

If not, stay off the battlefield !


TRUTH Minista Paul Scott's weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop,” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com or (919) 308-4233. His website is NoWarningShowFired.com Follow on Twitter @truthminista

Insane in the Brain

Insane in the Brain:
Did Hip Hop Drive Us Crazy ?

TRUTH Minista Paul Scott

“I keep lookin’ over my shoulders and peepin’ ‘round corners/ my mind’s playin’ tricks on me”
                                                                  Mind Playin’ Tricks on Me- Geto Boys





For a time, up and coming attorney, Beauford Jenkins ,of the prestigious law firm, Black, Rock and Ron ,seemed perfectly normal. Even when he legally changed his name to B-Dawg and got a lollipop tatted on his face, his coworkers thought it was just the stress from his new position as a junior partner. However, when during the weekly staff meeting, he jumped up on the conference room table and broke into an impromptu rendition of Nicki Minaj's “Beez in the Trap” while tryin’ to twerk, they knew it was time for him to seek professional help from Dr. Feel . After a few sessions , Beauford’s behavior was diagnosed as the effect of a lifetime of over exposure to Hip Hop....

One of the most difficult issues to discuss ,especially in the Black community, is mental illness. No one wants to believe that Uncle Leroy, who comes to the family reunion picnic every year in a bathrobe and biker shorts is really crazy . (No, that’s just his swag.) But in a period in Hip Hop when it is becoming harder and harder to distinguish fantasy from reality, this issue must be addressed, ASAP.

Historically, there have been those who have, purposely, misdiagnosed normal Black behavior as abnormal. According to Dr. Harriett Washington, in her book, Medical Apartheid ,during the mid-19th century, Dr. Samuel Cartwright concocted some diseases to diagnose those who resisted slavery . He came up with diseases like drapetomania , which made slaves want to run away and dysaethesia aethiopica which, supposedly, made the slaves tear stuff up on the plantation.

Also, Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary and others have used the term, Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder, to describe the mental distress that results from centuries of slavery and oppression.


However,as for what is happening in Hip Hop right now...well, normal people just don't do that kind of stuff.



To be fair, over the years, Hip Hop has dealt with its insanity in different ways, some funny, some not so funny.

UTFO had a humorous rap hit in the 80’s called ,“Split Personality.” which was a spoof on dissociative identity disorder. However, in the real rap world, that could explain why rappers like 50 Cent can make cds that make them seem like homicidal maniacs but when they are interviewed by Oprah or Pierce Brosnan, appear to be astute, well-mannered businessmen.

Some of the most graphic tales of mental disorder have come courtesy of Scarface and the Geto Boys ,as the “Mind of a Lunatic” was a recurring theme in many of their songs. Scarface once described himself as “a homicidal maniac with suicidal tendencies.”

Perhaps , the most telling mental breakdown moment that best exemplifies Hip Hop’s current state is the classic scene from the movie ,Juice, when “Bishop “(Tupac Shakur) admits to "Q” (Omar Epps) “You're right, I am crazy and I don't give a ..." As insanity has become standard Hip Hop protocol.


So, the major question is , what makes some Hip Hop artists actually lose their minds in real life?

The most convenient answer may be alcohol and drug abuse abuse. After all, rap music does promote the use of marijuana, sizzurp and Ex as forms of self medication to ease the pain. Although the pharmacist at the drug store requires a prescription from a doctor, the neighborhood “street pharmacist” has no such requirement. Remember, back in 1991, Geto Boy, Bushwick Bill lost his eye, allegedly, after drowning his sorrows in a bottle of Everclear. Also, years before the current hysteria of people turning into cannibals after getting high on bath salt, back in 2002 , rapper Big Lurch is said to have eaten a woman’s body parts because of PCP.

However, there can be other factors as well.

Perhaps the least talked about reason for odd behavior among rappers is explored on Cee Lo Green's (Gnarls Barkley) song “Crazy" where he seems to be feeling the pressure of one of the most talented intellectual minds that Hip Hop has ever produced when he was with the Goodie Mob being transformed into a cross- dressing, pop cultural oddity.

What must not be forgotten is that in some ways,the themes that are prevalent in much of rap music are also present in ‘hoods across America,

Although, the theme of gun shots flyin' , people dyin' and babies cryin' is talked about, extensively, in rap music, what is rarely discussed is how living in that type of environment effects one, mentally. Could it be that the millionaire rapper from the ‘hood who now lives in a mansion on the hill still has unresolved childhood issues that are reflected in his music ?

When multi-national corporations get a hold of this type of behavior and glamorize it, they make even the most irrational type of behavior a requirement for being "down with the culture." And if they can make a quick buck sellin' insanity, so be it.

So the youth become victims of what Coach Alfred Powell, author of the book , Hip Hop Hypocrisy, calls “psycho media perpetrator disorder," mirroring the behaviors exhibited by their favorite rappers.


While there are economic incentives to promote rap insanity, there are other entities that may have a vested interest in keeping us out of our minds as well.


Psychologist Bobby E. Wright argued in his book “The Psychopathic Racial Personality “ that the pathologies plaguing the 'hood and, therefore, Hip Hop are no accidents but are a result of what he termed “ Mentacide.” He said that Mentacide was a way for the power structure to combat Black nationalism.

If Einstein was correct and insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, perhaps the most insane are not the rappers but the conscious ones of us who consider ourselves in our right minds, as we have used the same formulas to “cure the insanity in Hip Hop" for two decades. Maybe it's time to find a new cure. As they say, "desperate times call for drastic measures."

As a Public Service Announcement, if you are a 30- something year old man and find yourself unable to stop repeating Lil Wayne's "A Millie" or a 40 year old woman who decides to dye your hair pink and get booty injections, seek help, immediately!


Like Ice Cube once said:
“You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.”




TRUTH Minista Paul Scott's weekly column is "This Ain't Hip Hop," a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. For information on his upcoming lecture series contact info@nowarningshotsfired.com or his website NoWarningShotsFired.com. Follow him on Twitter @truthminista

Chris Rock Was Right. July 4th is a White Thug Holiday

Independence Day or Thug Holiday

Independence Day or Thug Holiday:

Should Black People Celebrate July 4th ?

TRUTH Minista Paul Scott


“Our country ‘tis of thee/land of liberty/But that’ll never be/not in America”


Amerika- Trick Daddy




It was the annual Independence Day party and Club US was packed wall to wall with Black folks dressed in red, white and blue looking like thugged out Uncle Sams. Everybody was enjoying the holiday to the fullest. But suddenly DJ Freddie D stopped the music and yelled “Ya’ll do know that we weren’t free in 1776, right?” That’s when the crowd turned ugly and started throwin’ chairs and champagne bottles at the dj booth. Order wasn’t restored until the cops showed up and arrested Freddie D for starting a riot...


Every year, African Americans spend millions of dollars on hot dogs, booze and fireworks to celebrate this country’s Independence Day. Problem is, while the ”bombs were burstin’ in air” my ancestors were still pickin’ tobacco in the hot Carolina sun.


Despite how many times you tell some people, they just can’t seem to get it through their thick skulls that Black folks were not free in 1776!


Although the great abolitionist Frederick Douglas posed the question back in 1876,” What to the slave is the Fourth of July,” more than a hundred years later, we still have not gotten a good answer.


At most, some outraged, overly patriot dude dismisses the question by saying “Well, Buddy, we are all Americans now.” Or the classic line, “This here’s America and if you don’t love it you can take the first boat back to Africa. ”


Good answers. But that wasn’t the question.


No matter how drunk you get at Uncle Rudy’s July 4th pig pickin’ and how many firecrackers you set off, that still won’t change the fact that chattel slavery in this country did not end until almost 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.


Matter of fact, it must be noted that Black folks gained nothing from America's victory over the British. Lerone Bennet wrote in his book, Before the Mayflower, that Lord Dunmore, former governor of colonial Virginia, issued a proclamation on November 5, 1775 promising freedom to all male slaves willing to fight for England. This was more than 80 years before Lincoln "freed" the slaves in states that were rebelling against the Union.


Also, Britain abolished slavery in 1833 and it was not until three decades later that slavery was abolished in America.


Dr. WEB Dubois once wrote about the “the double consciousness” of being both African and American. This contradiction was not lost on the Hip Hop generation.


Since its early days, Hip Hop has tackled the issue of Black patriotism. During the height of Reaganomics, in the mid 80’s, pioneer rapper, Kurtis Blow proudly rapped that America was his favorite country. Decades later, during the Era of Terror, Petey Pablo told the USA not only to “raise up” but to “take the flag/put it in the air/and spin it like a helicopter.”


However, most rappers have been more critical.


Back in 1988, Public Enemy said on “Louder than a Bomb”” picture us coolin’ out on the 4th of July/ And if you heard we were celebrating/that’s a world wide lie!”


On his 2001 song, “My Country,” Nas claimed that America wanted to get rid of him because he knew too much.


The criticisms did not only come from New York rappers but the West Coast had beef with Uncle Sam, as well. Right after leaving NWA, Ice Cube released the anti-patriotic 1990 cd, Amerikkka’s Most Wanted and also West Coast artist Paris released scathing cds like The Devil Made Me Do It.


Although, not known for political awareness, southern rappers have also challenged America’s past and present atrocities. On 2002’s, “Thug Holiday,” Trick Daddy challenged the mis-educational system by questioning why when authors write history books about America’s wars, the only people that die are the Americans? As if no one else on the planet counts.


Also, while some may argue that America electing her first black commander- in- chief as a reason to fight for your right to party on the 4th, Plies said on “Why U Hate Me,” “they say our president’s Black/But we can’t tell, though.”


Let’s be clear. This is not a matter of hatin’ on people eatin’ hot dogs but challenging historical falsehoods. Nor does it have anything to do with “Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness but everything to do with lies and the pursuit of truth.


The big question is, if we accept the historical inaccuracies as fact, can we really criticize the youth for following rappers who glamorize the false notion that if you sell drugs and go to jail, eventually you will emerge from prison as a millionaire entertainer?


If America can celebrate a fake holiday based on a Freedom denied to those who built this country, then the gangsta’s have the right to create their own Thug Holiday, celebrating the many contributions that gangsta rap has made to American society.


While patriotic Americans preach the virtues of Freedom, this does not apply to Freedom of thought. They prefer you to repeat dogma instead of giving a critical analysis of historical facts. And this goes way beyond the 4th of July.


Why should Native Americans feel compelled to celebrate Columbus Day and Thanksgiving or should the Japanese Americans really be expected to rejoice on V-J Day?


At its best, Hip Hop has been iconoclastic by nature, boldly smashing the false idols of the past and bringing forth new ideas. But the question in 2012 is, in an era when rap artists are being rewarded for being carbon copies of each other and not challenging the status quo,does Hip Hop still have the heart to challenge historical hype?


Are there still Hip Hop artists who are willing to buck popular opinion and challenge the fallacy of Independence Day even if it means standing alone in the face of bitter opposition?


Like Immortal Technique said on “Point of No Return:”


“Universal Truth is not measured in mass appeal.”




TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop,” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached at (919) 308-4233 or info@nowarningshotsfired.com His website is NoWarningShotsFired.com Follow on Twitter @truthminista