Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys turned a few heads recently, when it was reported that the singer told Blender Magazine that gangsta rap was created by the government in an interview.
Word spread fast of the R&B singer’s alleged conspiracy theories, drawing sharp criticism – particularly from the online Hip Hop community. As a result, Keys released a statement:
“I feel it is necessary to clarify the comments that were made during my recent Blender magazine interview since they have been misrepresented. Anyone who knows me and my character, knows that I am not a conspiracy theorist or, by implication, a racist. My comments about ‘gangsta rap’ were in no way trying to suggest that the government is responsible for creating this genre of rap music. The point that I was trying to make was that the term was over-sloganized by some of the media causing reactions that were
not always positive. Many of the ‘gangsta rap’ lyrics articulate the problems of the artists’ experiences and I think all of us, including our leaders, could be doing more to address these problems including drugs, gang violence, crime, and other related social issues.“
The statement also addressed the issue of Keys wearing a gold chain with an AK-47 rifle at the end of it. Reports implied that this was a testament to the Black Panthers:
“Additionally, regarding the ‘AK-47’ reference, ‘AK-47’ is a nickname given to me by some of my friends in jest, as an acronym for Alicia Keys and a metaphor for wowing people with my music and performances, ‘killing ’em dead’ on stage. The reference was in no way meant to have a literal, political or negative connotation.
The recent implications about me are too radical and too dramatic a departure from whom I have continually demonstrated myself to be. I work so hard and give so much of myself to bring about positive change to this world, and I only wish those efforts received as much press and attention as the misinterpretations of the Blender article.“
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH ALICIA I AM A BLACK WHO AVOIDS LISTENING TO THAT GARBAGE I LOVE OLD SCHOOL RAP LIKE KURTIS BLOW WILL SMITH GRANDMASTER FLASH WHO WERE POSITIVE AND FUN. I AM MAINLY A FUNK R&B MAN . TODAYS RAP IS JUST FUCKING IGNORANT . THEY ALWAYS GOT TO CLAIM ABOUT THEIR LIFESTYLE STEVIE WONDER IN GHETTO IN SAGINAW MICHIGAN I WAS THERE BUT HE DOESNT ENCOURAGE VIOLENCE THIS TYPE OF MUSIC DESTROYS THE YOUTH BUT EVERY TIME THESE WANNABES COMMITS A CRIME IT AFFECTS HONEST DECENT WORKING BLACK PEOPLE LIKE A BAD SPOILING A BUNCH. IF U WANT TO FIGHT RACISM PLAIN AND SIMPLE HAVE SELF RESPECT WITHOUT IGNORANCE IF U HAVE TALENT PLAY YOUR OWN INSTRUMENTS LEAVE OLD SCHOOL FUNK ROCK AND JAZZ ALONE.