N*ggas at the Grammys

N*ggas at the Grammys

TRUTH Minista Paul Scott

“They say money make a n*gga act n*gger-ish”
Problem- A$AP Rocky



Conservative talk show host , Sean O’Reilly hated Hip Hop with a passion. Yet, there he was ,sitting in front of his flat screen watching the Grammys, anxiously , waiting for the rap song of the year to be announced . When the winner was finally revealed ,he jumped off his recliner like this favorite team had just won the Superbowl. No , he hadn’t become a converted Kanye West fan, he was just happy that he could announce to his millions of listeners the next morning that the best rap song was “N*ggas in Paris...”

On February 10th, the world will witness the 55th annual Grammy award show and rap royalty will be in the hizzouse . This ain’t nuthin’ unusual. However, what is news is that for the first time, a song featuring the controversial “N word” is in the running for an award, courtesy of Kanye West and Jay Z’s hit “N*ggas in Paris.” And since the song is nominated in two categories, the odds are in their favor.

The only other thing to come close to this monumental event is, perhaps ,Nas and ex -wife Kelis sportin’ the N*gger T-Shirts on the Red Carpet at the 2008 show.

So the question is, if Kanye and Jay are successful, how are they gonna announce the winner and who is gonna do it ? Since the Grammy folks like to do the unexpected when it comes to announcing winners, I can’t wait to see Ted Nugent jump on stage and say “and the winner of the Rap Performance of the Year is “N*ggers in New Hampshire" ...I mean "Coloreds Outta Compton"..Aw, shucks …”

Also, the fact that the awards are smack dab in the middle Black History Month makes matters worst.

If we look at the history of rap music and the Grammy’s, it is safe to say that the music was not always welcomed at the shows. Kinda like a thugged out version of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. “Although the genre was finally recognized as something more than ghetto noise by the late 80’s, controversy was created when the show would not televise the new category ,prompting a boycott by Jazzy Jeff and Will "Fresh Prince" Smith and others in 1989.

So while some will be proud of the fact that 24 years later, Hip hop can proudly boast that it has produced the first N*gga song that could possibly win a Grammy, other Black folks, like myself, look upon the possibility with utter disgust. Especially considering that more socially relevant groups such as Brand Nubian and X-Clan never won the award , even though they are considered legends in the Hip Hop arena.

Perhaps most disturbing is that by rewarding such ignorance , it helps to legitimize the usage of the work in the eyes of White Americans.

Droppin’ the N bomb in the presence of White folks was once seen as a cultural no no. I can remember the controversy that arose when “George Jefferson’s “ white neighbor “Tom Willis” called him a n*gger on national TV on the 70’s sitcom “The Jeffersons”

But thanks to Hip Hop groups, like NWA (Niggaz with Attitude) the word has ,continuously ,become less offensive, even though it is ,technically ,still taboo for white people to actually say the word.

Although, many point to Hip Hop for propagating the warped idea that the overuse of the word would take the power out of it, it was actually white comedian Lenny Bruce who suggested that back in the 60’s. It must also be remembered that John Lennon tried to universalize the term back in 1972 with the song , “Woman is the Nigger of the World.”

It is oft repeated myth that the N Word is hip because it is a term of endearment that all Black people use to express brotherly love and racial solidarity.

Uh, no we “all “don’t.

There are probably more African Americans who,vehemently , oppose the word than those who embrace it.

For instance Philadelphia social worker, Abena Afreeka , who recently started a “N*gga Recovery Program” to help those addicted to using the word, opposes it because it acts as a psychological trigger to subconscious memories of slavery which results in negative behavior. Thus creating the perfect Manchurian candidate.

Despite the false idea that we now live in a color blind society, racism still exists. And when Black rappers use the word they are like Beyonce at the last Inauguration, lip syncing what many white folks in this country wish they could say out loud.

Which probably explains the massive crossover appeal of rappers who frequently use the word like Kanye West and Jay Z’s fellow Grammy contenders former gifted college athlete turned ratchet rapper ,2 Chainz ,and former correctional officer turned “gangsta ,“ Rick Ross.

In a climate where people like Quentin Tarantino feel comfortable releasing N Word laden movies and reality shows that feature African Americans as over sexed buffoons, it is time that we flip the script.

Hip Hop artists must stand up and denounce the use of the word in the same manner that they denounce safer and non- race specific issues like animal cruelty and bullying.

We must realize that the use of the word is just a throw back to slavery and until we stop identifying ourselves as n*ggas, we will continue to be 21st century mental slaves. It is not only the word that must die but the pathological behavior that has been associated with the word courtesy of Holly ‘hood and the music industry.

Like that classic scene from the old school Spike Lee flick “School Daze” when Dap (Laurence Fishburne) tells some brothas “you’re not nigga’s,” this must be our message in 2013.

But truth is there is a trace of the racial inferiority complex ,a carry over from the enslavement of our ancestors, in all of us. And in order for our fullest self to live, that part of us must die.

So before we can change the world we must change ourselves


As Chuck D once asked on the Autobiography of Mr. Chuck, “Can you kill the n*gger in you?”



TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s website is No Warning Shots Fired.com.. Follow on Twitter @truthminista To contact the Black By Nature/Conscious By Choice Campaign contact info@nowarningshotsfired.com or call (919) 972-8305

Free Kanye: Are Rappers Political Prisoners?

Free Kanye:
Are Rappers Political Prisoners?


TRUTH Minista Paul Scott


"I’m locked inside a cell in me, I know that there’s a jail in you"

Words I Never Said - Lupe Fiasco






People from across the country traveled for hours to attend the December rally in Chicago to demand the freedom of their beloved comrade in struggle. For hours, speaker after speaker pounded on the podium demanding that their brother be released so that he could, once again, be free to speak truth to power as the crowd chanted wildly. They weren't chanting "Free Mumia" or "Free Mutulu." Nah, they were chanting "Free Kanye!"


Despite the title of Kanye West's 2004 cd "College Dropout" and the follow up "Late Registration," both were hailed, by many , as the return of politically conscious lyrics to the mainstream. With songs like "All Falls Down" and "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," if Kanye wasn't the second coming of Chuck D, in a rap world dominated by the Ying Yang Twins, he was close enough. Expectations were lifted even higher when he made the infamous post Hurricane Katrina observation that "George Bush don't like black people." But then something strange happened on the Road to Revolution, Kanye's lyrics were suddenly depoliticized and dumb downed. Nowadays, Kanye is more known for corny catch phrases and snatchin' mics from lil country girls at award shows than political wit.


Of course, Kanye isn't the only one. After all, Common's latest song isn't exactly droppin' science, either. But Kanye is killing the game,right now, as he is leading the pack in Grammy nominations, making him the biggest waste of talent at the moment.



While some may argue that West and the others just had creative changes of direction, others say that they are victims of the same political repression that has plagued radical thinkers for centuries. History books are full of examples of people who were imprisoned, exiled or assassinated for their ideas.


Historically, oppressive, ideological societies have hated free thinkers. Even Galileo was locked down in 17th century Italy for teaching Heliocentrism (the sun is the center of the Universe). So, free thinkers have always been a threat to the status quo because of their potential to free the minds others.


In America, the persecution was no different.


According to Dr. Charsee McIntyre, in "Criminalizing the Race," the colonization movement to deport free blacks to Africa was started because free blacks "served as models of Freedom to enslaved blacks and inspired resurrections. "


It must be noted that the threat of radical idealists within the music industry has also been a thorn in the side of the establishment.


In his book "The Covert War Against Rock" Alex Constantine alleges that the deaths of singers such as Peter Tosh, John Lennon and Bob Marley were really well orchestrated, politically motivated assassinations to silence them.


Perhaps the greatest threat to the social order has been Hip Hop. John Potash, in his book, "The FBI War on Tupac Shakur and Black Leaders" gives a rundown of artists who experienced government repression not because of club jams but because of their political activities. The book raises the issue that Tupac Shakur's gangsta turn after being sentenced to life on Death Row Records after his release from prison may not have been a coincidence. Perhaps it was just a plot to render one of the most potentially, powerful voices to ever pick up a mic, politically impotent and socially irrelevant.


We must understand that even while in the slammer, freedom fighters such as Dr. Martin Luther King (Letter From the Birmingham Jail) and George Jackson (Soledad Brothers) still managed to get their words to the masses. Also, Mumia Abu-Jamal has still been able to smuggle information to the people by reporting "Live From Death Row." The difference is, unlike many Hip Hop artists, they would not allow their minds to become incarcerated.


Although, some may consider comparing Hip Hop artists like Kanye West to political prisoners like Mumia and Mutulu Shakur ,blasphemous, when we consider that political incarceration is about locking down the mind more so than the body the connection is clear. While many acts of political repression have been carried out with guns and chains, in Hip Hop, it has been done by a signature on a contract. There is little difference between someone sentenced to a 10 year prison bid and someone being confined to a 10 year recording deal that restricts their freedom of speech in terms of their relevance to oppressed communities.


This idea is not without precedence. Lupe Fiasco has been outspoken about the industry's attempt to "dumb em down." Also, it was once rumored that former G Unit soldier, Young Buck had to remove a song about police brutality from his cd because of pressure from a mysterious "lyric committee."


Unfortunately, it is not just the artists that are in mental prisons but fans as well. As every time a rapper enters into a mental prison, he carries a legion of followers with him.


So, the question is how do we free Hip Hop artists and consequently, free the minds of their fans.


According to Peter Doggett, in his work, "There's a Riot Going On," back in the 60's, activists formed the Dylan Liberation Front (later the Rock Liberation Front) to "liberate" artists, like Bob Dylan, who they felt had turned their backs on the struggle and "sold out to the man."


Maybe, in 2011, we need a Kanye Hip Hop Liberation Front to do the same.


After all, if Jadakiss and his crew could stage a successful "Free the Lox" campaign back in the day to get released from Bad Boy , why can't we politicize it and start a "Free Kanye Campaign" to free him from Roc-a-fella.


Something has to be done to free incarcerated minds and it has to be done now.


As Bob Marley once sang "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.



TRUTH Minista Paul Scott can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com

NWSF Exclusive: The Real X-Man

NWSF Exclusive: The Real X-Man


Everybody's lookin' for a hero. While some are waiting for Wolverine, Cyclops or one of the other X-Men to save the day, No Warning Shots Fired.com recently caught up with another X-Man who is on a mission to save the planet through Hip Hop; Pittsburgh artist Jasiri X.

Jasiri X started rappin' in the early 90's when rap was still in its conscious phase. His first rap was based on Eldridge Cleaver's book "Soul on Ice." However, he says after that as Hip Hop became less conscious, so did his music.

X says that he made a turn around in '96 because of personal situations and his studying of books such as "the Isis Papers" (Dr. Frances Cress-Welsing), "Stolen Legacy" (Dr. George GM James) and "Message to the Black Man" (The Honorable Elijah Muhammad). It was also during that time that he began to listen to the teachings of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and shortly afterwards he joined the Nation of Islam.

Jasiri's first big break came when he read about the Jena 6 situation in the Final Call newspaper. This inspired him to record the anthem, "Free the Jena 6" for his Myspace page. The song was discovered by radio personality Michael Baisden and the rest is history.

Jasiri X is busy these days producing a weekly radio/video spot called, "This Week with Jasiri X." The spots feature X rappin' about news events from the previous week.

When asked about the current state of Hip Hop in 2009, X says that "these are the best of times and the worst of times."

The positive thing is that the internet has leveled the playing field so voices like his can be heard. The negative side is today's music lacks substance and is more about getting attention, producing what Jasiri calls "reality TV music." However, he is confident that good music will stand out even in these times.

What does the future hold for Jasiri X?

He says that peeps should be on the look out for his upcoming cd, "The Autobiography of Jasiri X," which will be released Summer of '09.

So, true Hip Hop heads can rest assure that wherever there is evil, injustice or wack Hip Hop, Jasiri X will be there!

To reach Jasiri X visit his website at http://www.jasirix.com/ or email jasirix@gmail.com



Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com

Nas and the Nigger Outfit

Grandma always told me that there was a time and a place for ev'ry thang...
But was the 50th Anniversary Grammy Awards Show smack dab in the middle of Black History Month the best time and place for Nas to wear a t-shirt with NIGGER written on it ?

Now, I am a big fan of "shock value with a purpose." But there ain't a darn thing that you can say in a 10 second red carpet interview that would make wearing something like that worth the effort...

Maybe, there is a method to Nas's madness..But I missed it this time.

Wouldn't a t-shirt with "Black Power" or "Free Jamil Al Amin" (H. Rap Brown) have been just as much of a show stopper, only the message would have been crystal clear ? Would the Grammy's even have shown an overtly political t-shirt without blacking it out ?

More disappointing than the t-shirt was Nas' CNN interview when he tried to de-racialize the word...

An even bigger question would be, shouldn't CNN and the other networks that aired the segment be taken to task? If CBS can be fined for showing Janet Jackson's breast at the Super Bowl, shouldn't CNN be fined for showing that t-shirt? What' s worst a nipple or nigger ?


So Nas, no matter what it means to you, for the descendents of the slave owners the N-word means the same thing it has always meant...the descendents of slaves....

Unfortunately, Nas is supposed to be one of the more "conscious" rappers..

Like Pops used to say, sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing...

Min. Paul Scott's blog is http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com/ He can be reached at (919) 451-8283