True Confessions
Theme Music:"I Call Your Name" by Switch
Peace,
Last night, I watched an "All eyes on me" special on Kayne West. Now many people have many different things to say on Kayne and his rise within the past few years.These days, he's being presented For myself, I think that he embodies the subtle tension between different mentalities within Hip Hop and weaves them together in a engaging way. He's one of the few artists that can do a video for "Workout Plan" (Which I thought was pretty corny) and then turn around and do the video for "Two Words" (Which I thought was the best video in the last 3-4 years). In a art form where everyone's lying and posturing, his honesty was refreshing. Here are some of my reflections after watching:
- When Sway asked him if he felt disloyal to Dame Dash based on the breakup, he was stumped and was silent for almost 30 seconds. West actually stated that he was and regretted that he couldn't do what was best for him and Dash. For those who don't know, it was Dash that gave him a chance as a rapper. For him to be honest about that was powerful and telling because for some reason, the whole Roc breakup has been played as business as usual vs. the breakup of some of the most powerful black men in the business. There's a very political component to this that's being kept under wraps
- On the program, West also spoke about the role his mother played in his life and being accused of homosexuality as a young man. He went on to appeal to Hip Hop to curtail homophobic behavior. One of the main reasons that many young men are homophobic is their uncomfortability with what it means to be a black man in America. Another reason is the lack of positive male role models around that can provide a balanced picture of manhood beyond tv and hood crime. While I'm not into the destruction of gender roles (far from it actually), youth have to see manhood outside the parameters of what you can do to someone
- Also discussed was West's perceived cockiness and brash personality. On a larger level, I see it as a discussion as on Black Manhood in America. Point blank, Black men are not allowed to be outspoken about where they stand about how they see the world. Granted, some brothers that do speak out say dumb things, however there's still a double standard a far as how Black Men conduct themselves. As men, we should make no apologies for protecting our interests and the interests of those who we represent. Many big stars in Hip Hop have no problem speaking out against each other, b.u.t. are noticeably silent when it comes to speaking out against cultural & structural inequities. Because of the fact that these brothers serve as role models for many of our youth, we have to intervene in our communities and change that dynamic
Peace,
Last night, I watched an "All eyes on me" special on Kayne West. Now many people have many different things to say on Kayne and his rise within the past few years.These days, he's being presented For myself, I think that he embodies the subtle tension between different mentalities within Hip Hop and weaves them together in a engaging way. He's one of the few artists that can do a video for "Workout Plan" (Which I thought was pretty corny) and then turn around and do the video for "Two Words" (Which I thought was the best video in the last 3-4 years). In a art form where everyone's lying and posturing, his honesty was refreshing. Here are some of my reflections after watching:
- When Sway asked him if he felt disloyal to Dame Dash based on the breakup, he was stumped and was silent for almost 30 seconds. West actually stated that he was and regretted that he couldn't do what was best for him and Dash. For those who don't know, it was Dash that gave him a chance as a rapper. For him to be honest about that was powerful and telling because for some reason, the whole Roc breakup has been played as business as usual vs. the breakup of some of the most powerful black men in the business. There's a very political component to this that's being kept under wraps
- On the program, West also spoke about the role his mother played in his life and being accused of homosexuality as a young man. He went on to appeal to Hip Hop to curtail homophobic behavior. One of the main reasons that many young men are homophobic is their uncomfortability with what it means to be a black man in America. Another reason is the lack of positive male role models around that can provide a balanced picture of manhood beyond tv and hood crime. While I'm not into the destruction of gender roles (far from it actually), youth have to see manhood outside the parameters of what you can do to someone
- Also discussed was West's perceived cockiness and brash personality. On a larger level, I see it as a discussion as on Black Manhood in America. Point blank, Black men are not allowed to be outspoken about where they stand about how they see the world. Granted, some brothers that do speak out say dumb things, however there's still a double standard a far as how Black Men conduct themselves. As men, we should make no apologies for protecting our interests and the interests of those who we represent. Many big stars in Hip Hop have no problem speaking out against each other, b.u.t. are noticeably silent when it comes to speaking out against cultural & structural inequities. Because of the fact that these brothers serve as role models for many of our youth, we have to intervene in our communities and change that dynamic
posted by I Majestic at 1:09 PM
1 Comments:
Peace,
Definitely a different 'type' of Blackman in media; admitting mistakes, 'confidence', taking a stance on 'homophobia'(ironically on the new cd he has a song where he utilizes 'dyke'. It will be curious to see the effects of that statement that he made.
Peace
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