COMMENTS ON THE HIP HOP MUSICIANS

As a Frugal Black man, I guess I have to insert my two cents into this issue. I am old enough to remember seeing "Crush Groove" at the theaters for the first time and hearing, then blasting "It's Like a Jungle" by Grandmaster Flash in my college dorm room. In college we didn't just blab about Black History, we studied it intensely. I remember reading Carter G. Woodson's book, "The Miseducation of the Negro" and thinking how relevant is was then and still is today.

So, now we come to today's Hip Hop/Rap and I am tired of hearing Russell Simmons defend the degrading aspects of it as though it was art. Yes these young men are being exploited but it is because they have let themselves be used. Every time I hear these guys, I think of the Stepin Fetchits of our history. I can defend these men because of the period they lived in and the limited opportunities available to them. But, I am like Mr. Stanley Crouch, not these "clowns".

The real fact of the matter is that the record business is in trouble. Sales of CD's are down and they are leaving a bad taste in peoples mouth due to the fact that they are suing their fan base because of illegal downloads. How stupid can they get? Hip Hop will take the greatest hit because they have a smaller overall market. Most of these guys have to do concerts to make money. They are into the record companies so deep everything they have is on lease. The market is being held up mainly by white kids who at the moment love the 50 Cents, Snoop Dogg and Gangsta Rap. As a frugal man I like to spend my dollars on something of lasting quality and so because the bad rap culture has alienated the black community by wasting dollars, we will not be there to cushion their fall. See I will still buy some Kurtis Blow's old hits and Smokey Robinson's releases.

The thing about this whole situation is that the guys like Russell have made their money. The guys rapping this trash will be broke and back in the hood in five years. Where are their benefit packages, retirement, golden parachutes. I guarantee you there are none. Most of them don't have the advisors to watch out for them and leverage their talent. At least the pro athletes get
better representation. I will at least give Master P some credit. He has done a great job with his son and has grown and developed personally with his success. Like my Mom used to say " When you know better you try to do better"


Peace Out for Now

Frugal Frank from the Blackside