Here's an interesting piece I found on HipHopDX. I think it can be used to refer to BART. I know we've seen articles this before but hey, here's another one.
http://www.hiphopdx.com/blogs/ShaStimuli/2008/09/09/is-hip-hop-influential-or-entertaining-.html
Is Hip Hop Influential or Entertaining?
September 09, 2008 | Tags: none
I wrote one of these bloggy things last week talking about my experience at the Million DJ March in DC. My entry seemed a little too one-sided with bitterness for me to put it out so I will just say that I was there, I performed and the footage is available somewhere online. Thanks to PMP worldwide for helping me out and showing me love on the site and thanks to my team as well. DJ Victorious and I are almost finished the “Election Edition” of March on Washington and if we can get it done by the end of this week then it will be available October 21st. I honestly don't know if I can do it but I'm having a miserably fun time trying.
Anyway tonight I am opening up for Kardinal Offishall at SOBs in NYC. It should be a good one, come support if you can. 2 days ago I was privileged enough to be a featured guest on Lisa Evers radio show on Hot 97 FM, Street Soldiers. The topic was concerning the youth of today and who's responsible for their lack of education. The candidates were hip-hop, parents, the streets, movies, etc. I didn't do too bad considering I was next to a Pulitzer Prize winning author and school teacher and another teacher from Jersey. Hip-hop was of course the #1 target and I didn't come there to defend it. I came to explore what we can do to fix the problem rather than battle with opinionated people that would rather point to a genre of music and blame it as the cancer of our society. Music is more of a symptom than it is a disease.
The environments that the artists grow up in cause them to pen their experiences and the listeners who haven't lived it have a choice to be influenced or simply entertained. The truth is there are so many negative images out there from reality TV to violent video games to movies and of course there are rap songs that degrade women and praise negativity. There are also parents that don't know what their children are doing; teachers that only desire a paycheck, neighbors that turn their head to wrongdoings and siblings and peers that guide decisions of our youth everyday. We can all look inside ourselves and see what our influences were and still are today. Rap music put me in a mood when I was younger depending on what I listened to. And yes we did have a phase of Malcolm X paraphernalia and African medallions that was inspired by hip-hop and Spike Lee's movement but it is so far removed today that these kids wouldn't accept anything close to that now. Who's to blame for radio not pushing the artists with a message in the same light they push the ignorance. I've said it before but this time I'm done focusing on what hip-hop is doing and what radio or the labels are not doing. If the kids of today are not learning and the parents of today do not care or are clueless in how to raise their children then it is foolish to blame an actor or an entertainer or a culture. Someone has to take responsibility for their actions.
For every negative verse I spew out there I can guarantee I put out 5 records with depth or meaning that can inspire or change a life. As an artist without a deal you're encouraged to make a hit. As an artist with a deal you're pressured to make a hit. As a human with a purpose and a voice you are fortunate to be able to reach people and that is something I do not take for granted.
While I was on the air someone called up and said that his boy got 20 years in prison because of a robbery inspired by D-Block's music. Luckily Styles P was listening and called up to defend himself. He stated that he knows his music is violent but he also pointed out that when he did the record "I'm Black" which was a crazy joint that he couldn't get any spins. For some reason his record "I Get High" was probably his biggest single. It makes me think there's a conspiracy to destroy this genre altogether. That's a whole ‘nother story but Styles became very passionate speaking about the world many artists grow up in and the influences surrounding today's youth that have nothing to do with a D-Block record. He pointed out the fact that artists like Talib Kweli, Common and Dead Prez don't get the same amount of airplay as some of the music that is considered harmful. And he's right. I posed the question to Lisa about the last record Hot 97 spun that was saying something. She mentioned Kanye and it seems he may be alone in that realm. Artists have made attempts but the rotation that sinks into our brains and becomes second nature is what these kids are reciting. I think T-pain and Lil Wayne are phenomenal artists but I also think there are more voices out there that need to be heard. I guess we could go on all day on this topic.
I could blab a bunch of points but the real issue is coming up with something helpful. As my popularity grows look for me to do what I can. I'm no angel or preachy rap guy, I'm not even a parent but I know how much rap music shaped me as a kid so I would like to help make a change...or die trying.
Verses the World may be out before the new March on Washington or it may not. I love controlling my own destiny. 6 more CDs to go and in my mind I may not be able to top the cohesiveness and emotion of the Stevie CD but I'm gonna continue on because I do have more to say. Stay tuned.
http://www.hiphopdx.com/blogs/ShaStimuli/2008/09/09/is-hip-hop-influential-or-entertaining-.html
Is Hip Hop Influential or Entertaining?
September 09, 2008 | Tags: none
I wrote one of these bloggy things last week talking about my experience at the Million DJ March in DC. My entry seemed a little too one-sided with bitterness for me to put it out so I will just say that I was there, I performed and the footage is available somewhere online. Thanks to PMP worldwide for helping me out and showing me love on the site and thanks to my team as well. DJ Victorious and I are almost finished the “Election Edition” of March on Washington and if we can get it done by the end of this week then it will be available October 21st. I honestly don't know if I can do it but I'm having a miserably fun time trying.
Anyway tonight I am opening up for Kardinal Offishall at SOBs in NYC. It should be a good one, come support if you can. 2 days ago I was privileged enough to be a featured guest on Lisa Evers radio show on Hot 97 FM, Street Soldiers. The topic was concerning the youth of today and who's responsible for their lack of education. The candidates were hip-hop, parents, the streets, movies, etc. I didn't do too bad considering I was next to a Pulitzer Prize winning author and school teacher and another teacher from Jersey. Hip-hop was of course the #1 target and I didn't come there to defend it. I came to explore what we can do to fix the problem rather than battle with opinionated people that would rather point to a genre of music and blame it as the cancer of our society. Music is more of a symptom than it is a disease.
The environments that the artists grow up in cause them to pen their experiences and the listeners who haven't lived it have a choice to be influenced or simply entertained. The truth is there are so many negative images out there from reality TV to violent video games to movies and of course there are rap songs that degrade women and praise negativity. There are also parents that don't know what their children are doing; teachers that only desire a paycheck, neighbors that turn their head to wrongdoings and siblings and peers that guide decisions of our youth everyday. We can all look inside ourselves and see what our influences were and still are today. Rap music put me in a mood when I was younger depending on what I listened to. And yes we did have a phase of Malcolm X paraphernalia and African medallions that was inspired by hip-hop and Spike Lee's movement but it is so far removed today that these kids wouldn't accept anything close to that now. Who's to blame for radio not pushing the artists with a message in the same light they push the ignorance. I've said it before but this time I'm done focusing on what hip-hop is doing and what radio or the labels are not doing. If the kids of today are not learning and the parents of today do not care or are clueless in how to raise their children then it is foolish to blame an actor or an entertainer or a culture. Someone has to take responsibility for their actions.
For every negative verse I spew out there I can guarantee I put out 5 records with depth or meaning that can inspire or change a life. As an artist without a deal you're encouraged to make a hit. As an artist with a deal you're pressured to make a hit. As a human with a purpose and a voice you are fortunate to be able to reach people and that is something I do not take for granted.
While I was on the air someone called up and said that his boy got 20 years in prison because of a robbery inspired by D-Block's music. Luckily Styles P was listening and called up to defend himself. He stated that he knows his music is violent but he also pointed out that when he did the record "I'm Black" which was a crazy joint that he couldn't get any spins. For some reason his record "I Get High" was probably his biggest single. It makes me think there's a conspiracy to destroy this genre altogether. That's a whole ‘nother story but Styles became very passionate speaking about the world many artists grow up in and the influences surrounding today's youth that have nothing to do with a D-Block record. He pointed out the fact that artists like Talib Kweli, Common and Dead Prez don't get the same amount of airplay as some of the music that is considered harmful. And he's right. I posed the question to Lisa about the last record Hot 97 spun that was saying something. She mentioned Kanye and it seems he may be alone in that realm. Artists have made attempts but the rotation that sinks into our brains and becomes second nature is what these kids are reciting. I think T-pain and Lil Wayne are phenomenal artists but I also think there are more voices out there that need to be heard. I guess we could go on all day on this topic.
I could blab a bunch of points but the real issue is coming up with something helpful. As my popularity grows look for me to do what I can. I'm no angel or preachy rap guy, I'm not even a parent but I know how much rap music shaped me as a kid so I would like to help make a change...or die trying.
Verses the World may be out before the new March on Washington or it may not. I love controlling my own destiny. 6 more CDs to go and in my mind I may not be able to top the cohesiveness and emotion of the Stevie CD but I'm gonna continue on because I do have more to say. Stay tuned.
