Don't Get Mad Get Medieval On Em
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CRISIS IN BLACK MEDIA FORUM
By Riccola “The Phat Cat”
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The Real Hip Hop Network presented a forum entitled “Crisis In Black Media”. This event held on Friday, March 18, 2005; at the historic Union Temple Baptist Church was very informative and important to all who are connected to the Hip Hop Community. Of course the only radio station present was yours truly — URSCENE-FM, dedicated to the independent artist 24/7. Atonn Muhammad, President & CEO of The Real Hip Hop Network, better known as RHN; felt if was necessary to have voices from pioneers in the Hip Hop culture to shed some light on the direction that they feel that Hip Hop is heading. He also felt that the community had a say in how Black people are being portrayed in the music industry. There were many who were unfamiliar with the foundation of Hip Hop, they just know about what they see today. This forum was educational for the young and old alike. The panel included some of the founders of Hip Hop, some pioneers representing the first stages of this great art that would soon become a culture. Present were Doug E. Fresh, The Human Beat Box; Kool Moe Dee, Pioneer in Hip Hop; Carlos Morales, Graffiti Artist; John Johnson, Music Attorney; EZAD, Pioneer of Hip Hop Culture; and the one and only Godfather of Hip Hop Afrika Bambaataa; as well as some others. It seems that communities everywhere are getting fed up with some of the disturbing images and language used on TV and in Radio. It has come to the point where Hip Hop has taken a totally different turn from its original foundation of being a voice for a community that wanted change; and looked towards a better future for the black community as a whole. Violence, sex and disrespect have taken over something that started so eloquently crafted to enlighten and uplift. Who do we blame for this? Who has decided that this is good for publicity? Well people are looking for answers. It is not just the older generation, there are some younger people, professional people and everyday people that are concerned with how the black images are being portrayed in the media. Well if you missed this forum, you missed out on a course in Hip Hop from those that help to lay the foundation. It seems that everyone on the panel agreed that ownership in the media has a lot to do with what we see on television, which may led to negative images of black people. It seems that corporate America has gotten a tight hold on the Hip Hop community; from television and radio to the Hip Hop Task Force. A lot of things seemed to have taken place in the media because of a lack of knowledge on the part of the Hip Hop artist. Afrika Bambaataa - “It’s all about mind control. We as Black folks need to find out who we are, do a self check because we are having an identity crisis. We need to realize how we are being controlled and who is controlling. We have gotten away from our spirituality that once strengthen our community. The bottom line is that people need to learn the foundation of Hip Hop, what it is, where it came from, why it was created and what it was meant to do. Knowledge is the key that holds it all together.” |
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Here are a few things that this panel of knowledge had to say: Kool Moe Dee - “I focused on using vocabulary to entertain and education. I wanted people to listen to what I was saying and then wonder what was meant by the phrases or words that I was using to express my thoughts. We try to define each other by momentary status; and capitalism becomes our weakness and the money makers do the talking. Mental, physical and emotional things are what elevates the mind and makes us focus on the positive. There also seems to be a generation gap; the youth don’t know enough and the older generation needs to take a moment to better understand some of the situations of today’s society. Economic status, media, and money has taken over the minds and actions of how we are defined. Creative energy is being subdued by our economical status, our environment and our personal situations. The sex and violence are being capitalized upon and is doing nothing for the black community. There have always been counterparts to the negativity in the Hip Hop community; but the media has failed to focus on the people who have breathed life into the Hip Hop culture”. Doug E. Fresh - “I learned directly from the originators. I watched, listened and learned from the pioneers. I see the changes that are in place now and my concern is that most people don’t know how Hip Hop was created; the why, what, when and how. Because of the lack of knowledge, Hip Hop is moving away from what it was meant to be. There has always been a problem in Black Media because the positive is never focused on. The morals and ethics have changed when it comes down to dollars. In the past it was all about skills, who had the best skills when it came to Rap; and not so much the money. The money has over powered the skills. When you let the check become you, and you start to disrespect; then you need a self check. We are getting away from who are the real heros; and we are looking at people with big money as heros instead. The ones who are controlling the media, are controlling the people. One solution is to communicate, work together and build from there. It does not have to be in a day, week or month; but have positive ideas and images in the loop. What responsibilities are we willing to take to make changes. Your voices have to be heard to make changes.” |
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