Eminem

[onesavvydiva]

I am not a HUGE rap fan, but I do tend to go for catchy beats, and like someone else said, if you can get past the language of some songs, the message runs much deeper.

As for Eminem, I kinda like the kid...I especially like what he said about Will Smith in the 'please stand up' song. I won't repeat it here, but some of you know what I am talking about...I understand that Will Smith is "supposedly" this big-time role model, but you can't see him say ONE speech without him saying, "I don't curse in my songs, and I'm still rich" I can't stand him...he doesn't curse, but his raps are just trash anyway...he brags entirely to much and he's corny. Anyway, I don't know how I went off and ranted about Will Smith, but ya'll get my point.

Rappers like DMX and even the late-great Biggie, I can appreciate because of their lyrical skills. Some of the things that they say just blows your mind...I think of music as poetry, and the best rapper, to me, is the one who can master the art of storytelling. Sometimes a lot of these guys can only convey their experiences in a certain way, b/c that's what they know, but that doesn't mean that their work has no merit at all...it's just packaged a different way...

Thats my 2 cents....(more like 20 dollars, so I will shut up now...)

[onesavvydiva]

P.S.

Although I DO like some rap music that might not be squeaky-clean...I do agree with the point that children should not be exposed to such things. The world is harsh enough without having to expose a child to such things so early. But as for adults, that's where the maturity level comes in, to look past some things and appreciate it solely for entertainment puposes...
(dang, I sound like one of those psychic advisors!)

[CuRiOuSiTy]

I like eminem. I haven't heard his whole CD, but the songs that get play on the radio, I love. He's not quite gangsta. I think he used to be underground (not sure). He is a different type of rapper. And like he said, "...most of these critics can't even stomach me, let alone stand me..."

On another subject.....
Why does everyone say "nasty" when they talk about female rappers. I admit I like Lil' Kim and Trina amongst others. And their lyrics may be very (sexually) explicit, but are they really that different (more offensive) from what male rappers are saying. You never hear anyone saying that about male rappers whose lyrics are just as explicit. However, like someone said before "It's all about the BENJIs."
You will hardly ever catch the "nasty" versions of any of these songs played on the radio. They clean them up pretty nicely. Most people don't know anything but the radio versions of these songs anyway.

[chAKAlate]

Okay you guys I have a lot to say on this topic about $19.08.

Okay my opinion on Eminem is on two different levels. His skill as an artist and his comments and status as a WHITE rapper.

Okay as an artist, he is talented. I like him I have his whole new CD and it is my first selection in my cd disc changer.

HE is talented as the nupe said his lyrics are off the wall and make some great points.
He is a great artist, he took the Vanilla Ice thing to a whole 'nother level.

Okay what I don't like. I had a pretty open mind about him at first. THen he said something stupid in an interview. That has made me vow never to buy his CD's and I haven't a friend loaned me his new one. Okay I don't remember the interview verbatim, but I will try to give you a gist of it.

He said he was tired of being labeled a WHITE rap artist. THat WHites have it hard too yada yada yada. HE grew up in a bad neighborhood etc with all Blacks...and??? First of all I look at rap music as an expression of the oppressing situation many black men or poor Blacks are in. I think it speaks to the lifestyle of what many of our fellow brothers and sisters live like in the ghetto. (Remeber I am from COmpton...I have mentioned that quite a few times on the message board. I hope I don't sound like a broken record. I am proud of my city. We havc this notorious reputation but I want people to know that though some of the rep is deserved. There are quality upstanding citizens in the city)

So if you think rap is an expression of "the lifestyle of many poor Blacks in tough situations" or you could say even a symptom of that. Then I think his comments were totally out of line. Rap was created by BLACKS as is all popular music in America. So when you enter our turf BOW DOWN.

He also has a lyric in his song that makes me mad that says he doesn't make "WHITE or Black music" I am sorry rap is BLACK music, be it positive or negative. After he made those comments I said I would never help his rap sales.

Now I would like to pose a new question on this topic that follows along the same line. Are people as pissed as me that people ar bowing down to him like he is the greatest rap star ever? MTV, gave him a whole day of EMTV. WHy are his albums selling off the shelves 3 million in 3 months??? It is not because he is the tighest rapper out there.....even though he is tight.

His albums ar selling off the shelves because he has the right image....he is WHITE.
And so now all those Whites who are into rap music, have a poster boy. And boy do Whites love, Whites who sound Black...be it N'Sync...Brittany Spears, no matter if they are poor imitations. Can anyone say Elvis?

What are people's opinion on that issue?

And let's not forget, he would not have burst onto the scene so tight and seen as even half legit. If he had not rode in on the coat tails of Dr. Dre, who helped invent gangsta rap and the King of tight beats....and of course we know where he's from.

p.s. I am not surprised that his wife tried to commit suicide. Have you heard his lyrics about her?

p.p.s. Onesavvydiva you are definitely savy because I am totally feeling you on that Will Smith comment. HE gets on my nerves too. And I feel kind of bad because his wife is a soror.

Onesavvydiva said:

As for Eminem, I kinda like the kid...I especially like what he said about Will Smith in the 'please stand up' song. I won't repeat it here, but some of you know what I am talking about...I understand that Will Smith is "supposedly" this big-time role model, but you can't see him say ONE speech without him saying, "I don't curse in my songs, and I'm still rich" I can't stand him...he doesn't curse, but his raps are just trash anyway...he brags entirely to much and he's corny. Anyway, I don't know how I went off and ranted about Will Smith, but ya'll get my point.

p.p.s. AKAtude, can you put this issue onto the regular Greeklife chat board. I would love to hear some of those "people's" comments on this White rapper issue.

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Aim for the moon,.... if you miss you'll be among the stars.

[This message has been edited by chAKAlate (edited July 11, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by chAKAlate (edited July 11, 2000).]

[tickledpink]

Hey, Hey, I loved Will Smith! I will admit, some of his stuff was corny, but as kid/ teenager when he came out with "Parents Just Don't Understand" I was on that page. I know I didn't really listen to his lyrics for Men In Black or Gettin' Jiggy With It, but I liked the beats and I was comfortable that my kids could rock to it as well. And as for his movies -- yep, I'm a fan. He's one of those that grew up nicely! Soror Jada hit the jackpot.

As for Eminem, I haveheard of Slim Shady... was he the guy that came out with a rap that went ... "My name is, my name is, my name is..." ? Why am I having Vanilla Ice flashbacks?

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>>>"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised... Proverbs 31:29-30

[Diarra]

Well... I don' t care about eminem's music, and I don't care for Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dog' stuff either. I understand that as a artists the way they portray themselves, with the naked women on the poles... is not necessarily the way they live and are, but I am tired of this lame excuse, and I am never ever... ever... going to buy any CD that disrespects women, even if I like the beat, or the flow or whatever... ... I have had it. I am a black woman, I am not a hoe, or a triflin' bitch or... whatever so basically if they want my money, they will have to go check themselves first. As for Will Smith I am sorry but he is corny, and not that good of a rapper anyway. Sure his music has a catchy beat, he got his samples from disco's classics so you know he cannot go wrong. He is right though when he says that there is no need to curse to make it in the industry but that does not mean he is good.
As for me MOS DEF, TALIB KWELI, COMMON (have you seen his video with erikah badu?) are good rappers. Have a blessed day

[AKA2D '91]

Yeah Soror. They do love their own. They SUPPORT their own, regardless if they sound white, black, pink or green! Then "we" support them as well. That's why their music is selling off the shelves. Britney, even though her singing is not too hot, 'NSYNC, BBB, Christina (who can SANG) ETC. have the moves, which are basically choreographed by a brother or sister. Then their "music" is produced/written basically by black producers. The record companies have made a fortune off of this. They placed the "right" faces in front of "us". Therefore they will continue to sell...

I have another issue. Why are the Latina/os getting all these prime time award shows on like ABC and CBS, black folks barely have the Soul Train Awards? They are getting a Latina Grammy award show. You all know how hard it is for OUR people to get recognized by these people. Why can't there be a R&B Grammy Award show on CBS? Just because Ricky Martin comes out "Living the Crazy Life" these people can get their own, but we can't...after everything this community has contributed to music since its inception!

[AKAtude]

Soror TickledPink, you are not alone because I like Will Smith as well.

AKA2D,
I'm glad you brought up the topic of award shows. Why are "our" award shows never shown on one of the big three networks? And when they are shown on one of the other networks, they are shown months after the event has taken place. I've already read in a magazine or newspaper article who has won the awards! Also, the time slots they are scheduled to air are always late at night.

[LadyAKA]

Back to Mr. Slim Shady for one moment -
For those that stated they liked his music have you gotten to the track on his CD where he repeats 'die B**** die' numerous times (he is referencing his wife)? That is on the second album, the first one he and he family are at the beach and he kills his wife and buries her in the sand or throws her body in the ocean I forget which. I guess that is why she wants to off herself so he wont get the pleasure. As for those who like his music, all I can say is to each his/her own!
And BTW, I like White Smith, I mean Will Smith, yeah some call him a sell out but I still like his music (beats and some lyrics included).

LadyAKA

[HER_STORY]

ok, not to be causing drama but when we say that we want reprsentation for minorities do we mean just black people or all non white people? i am happy happy when any minority benfits. i am happy that they(latinos) are getting their own show. my cousin and i talked aboout this recently. her opinion was that we should only concerned with what benefits blacks and i totally disagree. while i agree that we should continue to uplift black people, i think that it is time for the other groups to benefit also. what do you all think?

[AKA2D '91]

Soror DG:
What you are saying is true in regards to "us". Yes, I am familiar with various genres of music and in the latin/spanish communities, I am familiar with the TV shows, etc. But still, the "Grammy" award show they have is an equivalent to our grammy. Just like in England, they have an award that is equivalent to our grammy and in Canada, they have the Juno award, which is equivalent as well, but this new award show is brought about by way of the same people/org (Name has left my memory, I think NAARIRS) that brings us the Grammy's every February. Still, African Americans started it ALL! That's why it took "them" soooo long to give Little Richard is just Due. Because, he spoke the truth. And the white folks don't like to hear that the blacks started the music industry with their talents, singing, writing, and dancing.

Herstory:
It's the year 2000, and many blacks have not been uplifted! Blacks have been here for yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaarrrrrrssssss, just as many blacks have entertained for yyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeaaaaaarrrrrrrrssssssss and many of us are still oppressed and have not been paid homage. That's a shame, so why "leave" blacks and decide that the latino community is the group of choice for the moment?

Yeah, it's about dollars, but our money spends just like everyone elses does.

[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited July 11, 2000).]

[Discogoddess]

Soror AKA 2D '91:

That's the problem: our money may spend like everyone else's does, but until we make calculated decisions as to who gets our money, we will forever be crying the blues about what gets done to us. When are we going to recognize and utilize ('cuse the Jesse Jackson alliteration) the power we have, upwards of $500 billion in this country alone?

As for an "us" and "them" mentality regarding blacks and Latinos, I think there's more to it than that. As I'm sure you know, many Latin cultures, especially Carribean ones, share African roots with us, and their members are the sons and daughters of slaves, just as we are. Whether or not that heritage is recognized by Latinos or African Americans doesn't change the facts.

[This message has been edited by Discogoddess (edited July 11, 2000).]

[AKA2D '91]

Yeah Soror, I am well aware of ALL of that, but still...

[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited July 11, 2000).]

[mizzkes]

Ok, my few cents on Eminem/Slim Shady....Speaking of his wife, I read somewhere that she is/was a porn star. Maybe that is why she wants to kill herself...Anyway, I have not heard his cd. The only songs of his that I can judge him by are those played on the radio. I find thsoe lyrics quite humorous. I agree that he likes to shock people. I find it refreshing that he says what he really feels about things rather that watering life down. He did have a bad childhood and making fun of it through music is theraputic for him. We are just spectators in the Eminem therapy session. (Sorry if I sound like a psychologist, that being my major, made it a habit)

[prettygyrl]

Eminem(or how ever you spell it) is wack! I am no longer a rap fan. I mean goodness all that mess is starting to sound the same. All you hear is B****, f***, A**, etc etc just to different beats!As far as rapping goes some of them do have potential but its just the lyrics are too much. Gangsta rap is so redundant. Its not that these young men and women are rapping about their experiences, alot of them are glorifying it as if it was a cool way to come up. I mean jesus.
What is the point of it all. Now they are killing each other left and right that just adds fuel to the fire. Will Smith is a good rapper. i know some say he is corny, but what makes him corny? Is it because he does not refer to jada as his B****?! Thats a true rapper. When you can sell records and make money without all the cursing, the refernces to drugs and dealing, the references to sex and disrespecting women, and the references to killing someone, then you are a true rapper. I mean take some of these wack rappers like Cash Money or SLIM SHADY and tell them to cut a album without all that bs, and actually rap about something, see how good that mess sounds. They probably would not know how. I mean some of them are ok but some of them are truly terrible. I mean look at DMX he wins an award for that Rated xxxx explcit album then he has the nerve to thank GOD as if GOD backed him on that. Gangster Rap is among the many poisons that are out there readily accessible to our youth.