Earlier today I was featured on MSNBC discussing the 50 Cent shooting(s) and violence in hip-hop.
My final thoughts were cut off, so I'll share them here.
The producer from BET who was featured with me on the show argued that the media is good at self-policing and will stop promoting violent rappers if the public decides that is not what they want to watch and listen to.
I disagree.
Violence will always appeal to the public. But so will pornography. And so will gossip, even if it's not true. That's why the heat is rightfully on the media to be responsible in what they broadcast to the masses. If it's porn, then only show it at night. If it's gossip, then don't label it as fact. And if it's violent, then be prepared for the consequences.
Hot 97 should not be surprised that this is their second shooting in just a few years. And Dre can't be mad that someone tried to attack him during the Vibe awards. How does that saying go? - you live by the sword and die by the sword and you can't sow violence and reap peace. Yup, it's true.
So Jimmy Iovine and Barry Mayo should take the words of Biggie seriously:
"Somebody's got to die. If I go, you got to go"
Last time it was on a Vagas strip. Now dudes are shooting outside the corporate office. It's only a matter of time before some exec gets shot or stabbed up, instead of a rapper and his friends. Hopefully.
At least we know that there are people that have some sense. Thank you so much! Our country is really full of hipocrites, they vote for George Bush because he "stands for their values" and then they buy into all the media junk like violence and sex because THEY LIKE IT!!! What about their values??? I'm glad I didn't buy anything put out by 50 cent. I am a black female who has a baby daughter and I can clearly see that the media continues the do a poorer job of policing the violence and everything else bad on TV. I an 23 yrs old and I have watched American media get more and more out of hand as the years have gone by. ESPECIALLY B.E.T.!!! There wasn't no Uncut on when I was little!!! I live with my signifigant other who feels the same way. We are both full time college students and are planning now how to explain all the crap that out daughter will eventually encounter that our media deems acceptable.
Thanks
Tiffany
PS: F*%k 50 Cent!!! Be a real man and put the guns away. It would be sad if you son picked one up someday! Punk B*%#ch!!!
I have never been a fan of 50 cent and it wouldn't bother me if sanctions where put against him then it would deserve him right. The media attention that he has got since his debut has been a major force in his record sales. If that vehicle was taken away from him then for sure he would figure out how to act right and have an image that wasn't so negative.