Drugs, Sex, Murder in Hip Hop

DOVE1920 · #1 06-17-2002, 01:46 PM

Taken from an article on the web:

But the big question is: In a hip-hop world where crime, misogyny, and violence are often part of a recipe for success, why has R. Kelly become such a pariah?

His critics are hardly choir boys. Sisqo offers his dis ('''World's Greatest'? Whatever/Ain't nothin' but a child molester'' on the underground track ''This Is a Heart'') from the high moral of ground of his ''Thong Song.'' And Nas and Dre, who have criticized Kelly at concerts and interviews, built their careers on tales of sex, murder, and drugs.

R. Kelly is hardly the first rapper to run afoul of the law. P. Diddy, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg have all gone to trial on charges involving shootings and stabbings, and all have returned to the hip-hop community, which accepted them back with open arms. If anything, their careers were enhanced by a dose of cred-inducing mayhem.

The answer to why R. Kelly is getting such a decidedly cold shoudler from an industry that tends to embrace its bad boys lies in the nature of his alleged crime and the currents of American culture. First, while hip-hop lyrics often relate a grisly gangsta vision of life, it's rightly assumed that the personas don't necessarily correlate to the musicians' real lives.

And in a world where few sins are lyrically taboo, rappers rarely mention having sex with underage girls. There's no credibility to be gained there. Even since Kelly married a 15-year-old Aaliyah in 1994 (the marriage was annulled when her parents found out), his taste for too-young women has been well known in the industry. I've heard from some insiders that he's not well liked for that reason, but artists continued to work with him because he's such a gifted writer, producer, and singer -- and because his proclivities were generally unknown to the public and didn't dent album sales.

Which brings us to the biggest point: The industry is turning its back on Kelly because America is turning its back on Kelly -- as we generally do with accused pedophiles. When the scandalous tape hit the streets back in February, Def Jam pulled the plug on promotion for ''Best of Both Worlds,'' Kelly's collaboration with Jay-Z, faster that you can say ''guilty.'' The potential for poor album sales, which is what ''Worlds'' ended up with, is preferable to the potential for super-ugly press.

In the light of recent scandals with the Catholic Church and America's ongoing obsession with protecting its children (which, of course, isn't a bad thing), nothing upsets us more than a grown man taking advantage of a young person. Even if some people in the hip-hop world didn't agree with that notion -- and I think most do -- the prospect of being associated with Kelly's sins is too risky. And for that reason, I predict he'll be on his own for a long time.

PrettyKitty · #2 06-17-2002, 02:06 PM

As a practicing Catholic, I will not comment on their comments in relates to the Church. However, I feel that you are right, the industry has turned it's back on R. Kelly and he is no worse than these other jokers out here who just haven't been caught yet. He, however, put himself out there by making that video, if that is indeed him...but unfortunately in the court of public opnion he is already convicted(esp. given his history with Aaliyah and the 2 cases he settled out of court)....so the only thing he can do at this point is hope he gets someone of Johnny Cochran's stature and skills to represent him....

lovelyivy84 · #3 06-17-2002, 02:09 PM

Johnny Cochran, publicity hound extraordinaire would not go near R. Kelly with a 10 foot pole....

PrettyKitty · #4 06-17-2002, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lovelyivy84
Johnny Cochran, publicity hound extraordinaire would not go near R. Kelly with a 10 foot pole....

you really think so? even if the money is right??? shoot, if he defended OJ...

Virtual Violet · #5 06-17-2002, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lovelyivy84
Johnny Cochran, publicity hound extraordinaire would not go near R. Kelly with a 10 foot pole....

This is probably because he feels the case is a LOSER!!

DOVE1920 · #6 06-17-2002, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PrettyKitty
As a practicing Catholic, I will not comment on your comments in relates to the Church. However, I feel that you are right, the industry has turned it's back on R. Kelly and he is no worse than these other jokers out here who just haven't been caught yet. He, however, put himself out there by making that video, if that is indeed him...but unfortunately in the court of public opnion he is already convicted(esp. given his history with Aaliyah and the 2 cases he settled out of court)....so the only thing he can do at this point is hope he gets someone of Johnny Cochran's stature and skills to represent him....

FYI:
These are not my beliefs, I copied it from an article

PrettyKitty · #7 06-17-2002, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DOVE1920

FYI:
These are not my beliefs, I copied it from an article

that was a typo on my part...your=their...thanks for pointing it out

lovelyivy84 · #8 06-17-2002, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PrettyKitty

you really think so? even if the money is right??? shoot, if he defended OJ...

The case is not unwinnable, but his client here would be sympathetic to NO ONE. Cochran takes cases with clients that people feel SORRY for, or feel are being PERSECUTED.

The vast majority of America black and white, think R. Kelly is guilty as hell, therefore no Johnny C (EVEN though he was ALL up in the Best of Both Worlds press conference. Why was he there? Who knows! Oh wait no, I know! Publicity!)

thesweetestone · #9 06-17-2002, 05:18 PM

That does seem to be true. Even O.J. had some sympathizers.

DOVE1920 · #10 06-19-2002, 11:44 PM

Has anyone heard the new song R. Kelly released? "Heaven I need a hug". I think he needs more than that....

Virtual Violet · #11 06-20-2002, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DOVE1920
Has anyone heard the new song R. Kelly released? "Heaven I need a hug". I think he needs more than that....

I think only WGCI (Chicago) has the song....I haven't had the stomach to listen to it...but the radio station is playing it every hour on the hour (literally). I guess this is some sort of stance in support of R. Kelly. I hope they know what they're doing!

It wouldn't look good for the station if R. is found guilty!

PrettyKitty · #12 06-24-2002, 05:44 PM

I heard an R Kelly song on the radio this w/e...and I was like whoa! they were bold...I haven't really been hearing them since he got indicted...

DOVE1920 · #13 06-24-2002, 10:08 PM

Well since I'm in Chicago all they play is R. Kelly. They won't play some of his raunchy stuff but they play everything else. I hate this new song. It makes him seem like the victim and he won't admit to what he has done wrong.