Chuck D, always one to speak out on matters concerning Hip Hop, has recently released a letter to Davey D and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur of AllHipHop.com. In the letter, the Public Enemy leader described the state of the culture and more.
“As far as RAP and HIP-HOP, it’s like USA Olympic basketball, the world has parity now and have surpassed the USA in ALL of the basic fundamentals of HIP-HOP – TURNTABLISM, BREAKING, GRAFFITI, and now EMCEEING with succinct mission, meaning and skill. Skill-wise rappers spitting three languages, have created super rappers to move the crowd with intensity and passion. The ‘arrogant’ American comes in blackface, but if there was a HIP-HOP or Rap Olympics, I really don’t think the United States would get Gold, Silver or Brass or even ass for that sake.”
Not only criticizing the art form, he also critiqued Hip Hop news outlets, noting that it needs to improve in the way it documents the culture.
“HIP-HOP NEWS spreads like any other mainstream NEWS in America. The garbage that’s unfit to print has now floated on websites and blogs like sh*t. For example a rapper working in the community gets obscured while if that same rapper robbed a gas station he’d get top coverage and be label a ‘rapper’ while getting his upcoming or current music somewhat put on blast, regardless of its quality which of course is subjective like any other art. RAP sites and blogs are mimicking the New York POST.”
In adding to this, he expressed the need to contribute to the community, citing the significant impact this music has today.
“Since the music has so much power, and image has become everything to the point that it can dictate the direction of a person in their life, it is my mission now to really become a ‘freedom fighter’ and stop this radiation. With Jay-Z and others who, for years would faint their worth, the statement of ‘with great power comes great responsibility,’ is more true. Words are powerful and they can both start wars and bring peace. This cannot be taken lightly. Its important for the words to be body with the community. If not one dime of $250 million doesn’t benefit the people who contribute to it then why does that warrant coverage above the will and effort of many in the music who have done great things. Never have so many been pimped by so few. “
Without stopping there, Chuck also aimed his pen at Viacom and others, saying things need to change for the better, in his eyes, and that he intends to do something about it.
“To dictate to a community and not even live or be with the people is offensive. VIACOMs reach into Africa to turn HIP-HOP in to Amerfrica, which is as exploitative as those slave-makers who carried us across on boats. The decisions made in a boardroom in New York City while these cats scurry to their high rises, and suburban mansions from cultural profiteering must stop. And I’m going to do something about it. Never have so many been pimped by so few.”
Furthermore, he explained his reasoning for writing this letter, discussing the culture and how he chooses to live in order to steer away from materialism.
“I drive a ’94 Montero, a ’97 Acura, and have no expensive jewelry. There is nothing on this planet materially that is better than myself. This is what I instill in many doing Hip-Hop that nothing is greater than what is given. These games of people doing anything to get things has seeped into my way so therefore witness some radical virtual things coming from me in protecting the art-form of Hip-Hop. Never have so many been pimped by so few. So, I’m going after the few. I’m tired of it.”
Can’t argue with him.
true indeed
co-sign
waaa waaa. i like Chuck and PE but there’s also a place in hip hop for guys like Kanye, Weezy and Jay-Z. if the only topics rappers talked about were political or “socially-conscious” issues, it’d be boring. hip hop is great because its so diverse in themes and lyrics
But the problem is that the ratio of socially conscious/ club banger music is significantly skewed toward the later. I agree that there is a place for the jay z’s and yeezy’s, but there should be just as much attention paid to those like immortal technique, murs, and others.
The truth is it is all political. If it is encouraging you to buy a new car, support a liquor company, sell drugs, buy drugs, buy clothes, pimp a hoe, dress like a fag is all political agendas that people set. You know what a sponsor is? These rappers are following someone’s political agenda regardless if they know it or not. It’s called make a nigga stupid agenda. What have you learned from weezy, jay z, kanye, gucci? To spend money on things that don’t matter, get high, get people high, and floss on a nigga. Do you know what the drop out rate is now? Giving back to humanity should be our goals. Fans are dumber than you think, look at the jails, gangs, and new rise of gays.
There is a place for those rappers, and they are all dope MCs. But, those rappers have been bought off with money and material. Believe me, Kanye, Jay, Wayne, all those dudes grew up loving Hip-Hop. They know the influence Hip-Hop had on their life and how important it was in their communtity. But now that they’re getting paid and they’re not in that community, their attitude is “fuck it, I don’t owe anything to these niggas”. If you took Kanye, Jay, and Wayne, and just those three rappers decided they were going to start a campaign to take back Hip-Hop, if you will, then it could be done easily. But them niggas don’t wanna sacrifice one penny of their salary to do that. Even though they are all ill MCs…they’re still sell outs, because they aren’t doing anything to revive a culture that is obviously withering away.
I think its funny how you claim that hip-hop is diverse in themes and lyrics. This is true if you are talking about underground hip-hop but definitely not mainstream. The only themes and topics in mainstream hip-hop today are: money, girls, and material items. Not only are all the rappers talking about the same things but their doing it the same way. Drake, lil wayne, nicki minaj, fabolous, ludacris, and the majority of everyone else are all punchline rappers. Back in the 90’s you can turn your radio on and hear: hardcore rap (mobb deep, wu-tang clan), gangsta rap (N.W.A.), commercial hip-hop (will smith, ll cool j), and conscious rap (Common, mos def) all on the same station. That is diversity, not turning on your radio and hearing the same 10 rappers on every station.
As usual I see Chucks comments went over and will go over many “fans” heads. Which is actually part of the point!
20011 Time to reopen the terrordome, Chuck! Love it!
“…Never have so many been pimped by so few.”
Somebody had to say it!
Fight the Power Chuck!
Real talk from start to finish.
I think Hip Hop has a promising future. Hip Hop is always changing, maybe not in your substance, but it will evolve as time passes. We have great artist as of right now, such as Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, and Jay Electronica who symbolize the main virtues of Hip Hop. But, at time its hard to differentiate if they are political rappers or just rapper. Sometimes people don’t want to hear all the ills that plague are society, we just want music to uplift our spirits. Emo rap is starting to die out, and now our listener want freedom and party music, and there is nothing wrong with that. Change is good- Tupac
Change is good, but the problem with hip-hop today is that its not changing naturally its being forced to change. The people who run the labels and know nothing about hip-hop or the culture are in control of hip-hop today. Back in the 90’s the people had the control. But because hip-hop became so popular and turned into this huge money machine the industries took it over. The radio and television is going to play the music they want wether you like it or not and leave you with the option to adapt to it or listen to underground hip-hop. Its cool to have party music but its not cool when you turn your radio on and all you hear is party music. There needs to be a balance. The people have the power whether they know it or not but fans today are so simple minded and easily manipulated that they all just fall into the trap the music industry sets up.
tell em chuck dont believe that hype homie
Chuck is one of the last truth speakers in Hip-Hop. The problem is, young rap fans don’t respect the older rap legends. You don’t see that happening in any other genre except Hip-Hop. You don’t see young rock fans shitting on Led Zeppelin, or young punk Rockers shittin on The Ramones or Morrissey. An important part of brainwashing people is making them forget their history. The history of Hip-Hop has pretty much been forgotten.
Wise words!
everybody does have an agenda behind them. take bet hip awards in 2010 antoine dodson, they gave this fag an award, for what? you have some mc been raping since the 90’s and never performed on mtv or bet, but he get’s an award and performs. hip hop chang to the point that their in no value in it anymore. your so right no other music genre shit’s on their elder musicians, you wont here stevie wonder talking shit about sade.
Fuck B.E.T.
I’m feeling Chuck’s words…
… but he’s still a bitch for suing B.I.G’s estate over “Ten Crack Commandments”.
Ha, yeah, that was a pussy move.
Dj Premier said Chuck D is a fake ass bitch who doesn’t stand by his word as a man. I can’t respect him, plus he was never any good at emceeing anyway.
in this decade we will see if there´s space for veteran rappers that are trying to speak up against something
Truth is positive or social critic kind of rap dont sell today …u really have to dumb it down
its time to point fingers !
It gives me NO pleasure to say this but Chuck is right. His letter basically confronts everything that is contributing to the decay of hip-hop in america. Its undeniable. Those with power have not used it to improve hip-hop as a whole but only themselves. Im all for profit over people but please not the music (hip-hop). Whatever, it wont make a difference anyway because it truly is the consumer who continues to buy this shit anyway. Fuck all you fans who are part of the problem instead of the solution.
Hip-Hop is going in the wrong direction. Too many rappers, only seem to be interested in making money. It is not about the love of the art form or giving back to the community. Jay-Z said it best, “Rap is the new hustle.” Hip-Hop is not diverse, at least not mainstream. My Local Hip-Hop urban station plays the same 5 songs all day. And VIACOM owning so many of the major companies in the world, is very scary.
Go Chuck Go!! i’m Pheeling him 2day like it 1989! we all have 2 “Fight the Power”!!! GO Philly Eagles
Chuck is 100% right. Anyone saying hip hop is in a healthy state is smoking crack. We still have talented MCs but they don’t get near the exposure they should. And it’s the fault of us older fans. 60 year olds still buy Grateful Dead, Beatles, Rolling Stones remasters. But how many 35-40 year olds bought the last PE album? Grown heads are too busy trying to keep up on what’s new, so the young fans don’t think it’s important to get up on what’s quality or mature. We have to take responsibility for our own culture and steer, and stop blaming other people for coming in and running our house.
The great KRS coined a phrase, “Edutainment” – entertain the audience whilst also educatin’ them. The problem with modern hip-hop is it’s neither regalin’ nor edifyin’. Brand Nubian, Ice Cube, X-Clan etc. all exemplify edutainment, even if they got a little didactic some times. All the artists I listen to now-a-days are from the underground, so there is still some decent hip-hop about, but guys like Necro, Oh No, John Robinson and eLZhi shouldn’t only appeal to the few lucky clandestine audiences who’ve got their ears open, they should be embraced by the populace, their music’s too good not to share. Hopefully Jay Electronica can bridge the gap between credible, underground hip-hop and the mainstream.
People, please don’t fall in love with comments like these… Maybe its true but the industry runs rap music… Drake, Chris Brown, Usher, every snappin, poppin, dougie, taffy, white tee, stunna, etc. Are what is making the industry money in 2011.. It sucks yeah but you can’t stop it… How many records did the backstreet boys and nsync sell??? Tons! The hip hop industry has found a way to win over that same crowd that was buying those pop artists album… They have created pop/rap.. My best suggestion for all of you is to go out and get Dr. Dre “The Chronic” and Snoop Doggy Dogg “Doggystyle”… Because new mainstream hiphop is only getting worse..
The problem is that Chuck’s message of truth is foreign to the culture of today’s so-called Hip Hop fan’s base. The core demographics of the base has changed over the last couple of decades. So it is now a simply case of supply and demand. The people who buy the music accept and expect the narrative described by Chuck and those of us who are students and historians of the art are nothing more than the choir that Chuck is speaking too. We already know the truth in which he speaks.
I have come to conclusion that what we once had and respected in this artform is simply gone forever.
great to hear a true leader express his opinion about the culture, he is the reason why this shit stopped being a fad, was a real voice that cared to many of us who did’nt have fathers or anyone to look up to. His message was powerful and one worth listening and respected whether you agreed with the messages or not. Now you have inteligent blogers media outlets all dictating how this movement hip hop should be and the direction it should go in. Chuck D helped bring this music straight to your face with his powerful words.
\So children if you want the truth from some body as far up in the hip hop ranks as you can get, get all the education you need by listening to chuck D peace to the brother!!!!
its funny to see all yall nerd niggas and niggas who prolly 40 and older break down “rap” and “hip hop” like its a fuckin chemistry class or sum shit. diffrent niggas rap about diffrent shit and thats it flat out. if u a drug dealer, nerd, ole school, or whatever u r they got good rap shit out for u. dont let some old washed up fucker who mad cus his lame shit aint sellin no more discourage u from listenin to shit that black ppl created
You’re a dumbfounded, fool ass, bitch-made punk you know that? I’m sick of closed/simple minded, smelly ass, “aint-shit-ass” niggas like you!
It’s not wonder hip hop is dead. Thanks.
THERES THE BRIDGE MR. DICKNTHABOOTY……..JUMP!!!!!!!!!
spoken like a true slave in slave speak. Get back to the fields with that ignorant type thinking.
by the way am i the only nigga who think chuck d could 40 glocc’s dad. lol. jus look at em bruh
Public Enemy had some of the greatest albums ever!
Back in the 90’s you can turn your radio on and hear: hardcore rap (mobb deep, wu-tang clan), gangsta rap (N.W.A.), commercial hip-hop (will smith, ll cool j), and conscious rap (Common, mos def) all on the same station. That is diversity, not turning on your radio and hearing the same 10 rappers on every station – cosign Ahip – hopfan
there’s no versatility it seems rap has stopped being a voice for the voiceless, you either follow the mainstreem or hip hop which is 98 percent underground!!!
I see alot of “Yes Men” as usual in the comments, and to prove a point, two dudes in the comments said Chuck is a bitch for suing BIG’s estate??? yall dont know the full story behind that but yall quick to diss him. It happens in Hip Hop everyday. Somebody says Jay-Z robbed His lyrics and the yes men say no he didnt Jigga got mad skills why would he do that….because cats dont know what goes on behind the scenes.
Preach.
To all you Major Hip Hop fans make sure you check out Rising Icon Of year 2011 Song
The Gift- Sex Music
arguably the hottest song on youtube now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bizW8Pakug
i really really disagree about the rap olympics thing. can anyone even name any decent rappers from any other country?
are u fucking kidding me?
there are heaps of good rappers in other countries u must be so blind listenin to your jiggity jiggity american fantasy meth smokin crack baby borin shit havn’t bought a hip hop cd from the states that hasn’t made me cringe since ninety three
bliss n eso,giggs, tinnie tempah fuk even i could rap better than most american rappers jiggy jiggy lick shot’s at the piggies,i’m not biggie but i get doe like diddy,bang bang shootem up throw a crip sign here blood flag there i sell the most bricks in the hood throw ya hands in the air lol lol lmfao
check out some of the UK mc’s. some good shit there. giggs is hit or miss, but tinie tempah, tinchy stryder, devlin, professor green, skepta. the shit goes on. dizzee rascall if you listen to some of his older shit. then again that is grime rap… it will take some getting used to.
@Mike Zilla.. take out tinchy and tinie out that list cos they gone straight pop now.. tinie can be a nice mc tho, tinchy ive never rated. replace the two with Klashnekoff and Ghetts! Kano is one of the best in the game when he brings it too but his last album wernt all that but still..
@Mike Zilla
This is exactly what the article is talking about. That list you put up…. All but Skepta have sold out, they no longer make ‘Grime’ they make pop music. They do it for money not to be a pioneer of thier art.
Co-sign thewhat… Klashnekoff and Ghetts & Kano still repping real grime / hip hop music.
this fool has a lot of balls to preach when his group where one of the fore father to all the crap that goes on now. the nerve of this dude smfh
Hmmm…..you’re gonna have to elaborate on that “fore father to all the crap that goes on now” statement….What’chu talkin’ bout Willis?!
So let me get this straight…. Hip hop is talking about all the negative that goes on in our communities?? whats wrong with party music, good up lifting music? No body wants to hear all that negative shit anymore.. yall just gone have to face it.. J COLE FUTURE OF HIP HOP
This post proves that you’re either retarded or a close-minded-republican-fascist-asswipe or both. Who the hell are you to make a preemptive judgement that generalizes the tastes of the music listening population (“No body wants to hear all that negative shit anymore”). People STILL want to hear diversity in hip hop, but the problem is they can’t. Media broadcasting exists totally outside of the realm of capitalism. Instead of a block of consumers unanimously deciding what songs they want to listen to, they only hear what the labels pay the stations to play. Party music is the only brand that gets ANY exposure, so that’s what people buy…end!
BITCH, EVEN J. COLE TALKS ABOUT SOMETHIN’, BUT PERSONALLY, I AM SICK OF U PUSSY NIGGAZ IN THE FOREFRONT TRYIN’ TO KEEP REAL MUSIC SUPPRESSED!!! WE DO WANNA HEAR ABOUT THE NEGATIVE RIGHT ALONG WITH THE POSITIVE ASSHOLE… THATS CALLED BALANCE!! WHUT U WANNA DO? DANCE TIL YOU CANT DANCE NO MORE??, PARTY TIL U CANT PARTY NO MORE??!! LISTEN TO GAY ASS TECHNO OR SOME SHIT,BUT LET THE REAL HIP HOP LIVE, CUZ LIFE IS MUCH DEEPER AND TOO SERIOUS TO SAY THIS FLASHDANCE-CRACK-RAP-FAIRYDUST-SHIT REPRESENTS ME OR MINE!!!! I BET U GOT SOME NUTHUGGERS ON RIGHT FUCKIN’ NOW!!!!
I sort of agree. See there is little to no diversity with mainstream rap. Seriously all they play are sex songs, cheating songs, party, drug, money, jewlery. Now that comment seems cliche but its true. It’s fucking true.
You’re argument would be valid if the Roots were being played on the same stations as Drake.
Plus with the exception of party songs what’s so uplifitng about someone like Rick Ross who brags about selling dope on every fucking song he makes? Or bragging about how much shit a rapper has in a day and age where people barley have jobs?
@aye -You’re an uneducated dumbass.
have you ever listened to Public Enemy you moron. By your statement I would have to say no. And if you have PLEASE give me an example of PE crap???
Whatever man, I take the bus around, live in an apartment with 12 people, and eat rice noodles 3 meals a day, so what is your self-righteous ass bragging about?
Nah but for real, not to say Chuck isn’t speaking the truth at all but of course everyone jumps on his arrogant, anti-capitalist nuts. But everyone here is posting on a hip-hop site and you know you read the headlines about rappers robbing/getting robbed, whatever, because PEOPLE LIKE SENSATIONALISM and that’s not on hip-hop, corporations, hiphopDX, or anyone else except the human race. It’s probably sites out there that only post positive shit but nobody’s reading it. How many Viacom products does Chuck and everyone else here use on a daily basis?
And corporations aren’t responsible for an image-driven hip-hop industry, that’s just one piece of the puzzle because RAPPERS like to build up images for themselves and CONSUMERS like to buy into them. Hell, rappers are trying to build images for themselves before they ever get signed so who is that on?
And why is Jay-Z or whoever responsible for being a role model or donating money? I mean, if he wants to do those things I support him but he didn’t come up from the street selling drugs or whatever, start rapping, help launch the ROC, etc. because he wanted to help his community, it was because he wanted to make it as an entertainer and that’s what he’s doing. And we, the fans, are the ones who gave him his $250 million, not to help the community but because we wanted to hear the music. If you want to help the community donate to a charity, if you want a hip-hop album go spend your money on that, but don’t bitch because YOU chose to buy some rapper’s album and then THEY didn’t donate it to charity.
Again, not saying Chuck doesn’t have any good points but he’s coming with that self-righteous bullshit. Who’s the many, who’s the few, and how are they being pimped? Corporate America is responsible for some shit just like we all are, but blaming everything on CEOs is a copout.
Thank God almighty for chuck D a real offical leader of the culture, like it or not.
Other peoples opinions don’t hold no weight in comparison to this guy. These kids could learn a lot more from a real leaders instead of the kanye’s and the jay’s like the value of knowledge and education. Which is more valuable and precious than jewells or anything on this earth. Store up jewells in your heaven the mind, where thieves canot break in and steal
Fight the power! till eternity
HIP HOP IS DEAD!
Talk To The People Chuck!!
Chuck keeps it real as fukk. Hes going to be at my school on Jan. 12 im gonna hear the man first hand
Hiphop will survive and become the greatest it’s only a matter of time
What happened to rappers actually needing talent to stay around? Now its just who got the dopest beat or catchy hook! or having lyrical skill and not talking bout the same fucking thing on every record…theres also no more being able to relate to the music with ppl bragging bout there million dollar chains houses cars and shit !
Let’s be clear and keep it 100…
Chuck said… “the music has so much power, and image has become everything to the point that it can dictate the direction of a person in their life…” and, “…Words are powerful and they can both start wars and bring peace. This cannot be taken lightly…”
This has become a common argument of people who are unhappy with the state of hip-hop.
AND IT IS A FLAWED ARGUMENT!!!
Yes, it is true that music can influence people. For example, a nice slow jam can set the mood for a romantic night, or a heavy metal song can help you lift weights.
But it is ALL about what you WANT to be influenced by!!! The music is JUST music!!! It is PEOPLE who have to make their own choices!!
You can’t blame a violent rap song because some dumb nigga shot up his block!!!
That’s like if you driving your car, then the all of a sudden you start speeding and swerving all crazy cuz Ludacris came on the radio rapping “MOVE BITCH, GET OUT THE WAY!!”
If ya dumb ass crash and kill somebody, the cops aint gone wanna hear no bullshit about “Ludacris made me do it”!!! They gone lock YOUR stupid ass up, NOT LUDA!! And you can best believe the judge, the jury, and the family of the victim aint gone wanna hear no bullshit about how a fuckin rap song “hypnotized” you to drive crazy!!
Anybody with half a fuckin brain should know that YOU are responsible for YOUR actions and NOBODY ELSE!!!
ANY fool who lives their lives according to a fucking song probably had LITTLE or NO GUIDANCE growing up, and had LITTLE or NO COMMON SENSE instilled in them, so therefore it is the VOID in their lives that will cause them to follow ANY NEGATIVE INFLUENCE, EVEN IF RAP MUSIC NEVER EXISTED!!!
You could wipe negative rap music from the face of the Earth, but as long as there are people without positive guidance and intelligence, that VOID in theire lives will be filled with ANY other negative influence in the world!!
It’s the same shit when muthafuckas wanna blame rappers for all these hoes and strippers out here!! Aint nobody enslaving these women and making them take their clothes off or act like sluts!! (There is a such thing as sex slaves and gorilla pimps, but that’s somethin different). For the most part, these women CHOOSE to do what they do, usually because they lack guidance!!
So the blame is on the parents, and more importantly, ON THE INDIVIDUAL THEMSELVES, because even if there were no strip clubs or videos for these women to be in, that void in their life what lead them down some other dark path.
And it is much easier to raise your kids with postivity to guide them down the right path, rather than letting them grow up blind, then blaming all the bad shit in the world that they get into, when you didn’t even teach them how to avoid it.
And even if you had shitty parents, at some point most people know right from wrong by the age of 10-12 yrs old, and YOU have to be responsible for YOUR actions, because YOU are the only one who will face the consequences of YOUR actions!!
Right, blame the parents.. My God the level of stupidity continues. If anyone wants to know the problem with Hip Hop you can read it right here on these posts. I’ve never seen such weak minded superficial people who cannot recognize the points that Chuck are talking about. Wow… I’m done.
this nigga’s shit way too long too read
For the dummy who called me “weak minded and superficial” and talkin about my “level of stupidity”, let me say it again for your dumbass…
I said “…the blame is on the parents, and more importantly, ON THE INDIVIDUAL THEMSELVES”.
Did you get that you fuckin moron?!?!
And I COMPLETELY understood EVERY point that Chuck was trying to make, but I ONLY responded to ONE, and that is the tired excuse of blaming music for peoples actions.
Again, whether you like it or not, peoples behavior is DIRECTLY related to how they are raised, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, like I said before, people are responsible for their OWN ACTIONS, NOT SOME FUKKIN RAPPER!!
Obviously, YOU are the stupid fuckin moron who can’t see the logic in what I said.
I agree with Chuck that hip-hop has alot of shitty artists and the industry practices are shady..
But I DIDN’T ADDRESS THAT!!!
AGAIN, GO BACK AND READ THE ISSUE THAT I DID ADDRESS BEFORE YOUR STUPID ASS STARTS THROWIN INSULTS AT PEOPLE, ASSHOLE!!
OK, to the fans of all the hip hop of the past, you do realize there were a lot of wack rappers as well. Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer. Even Eazy-E was kinda wack at times. But I respect them because they got appeal to sell enough records. Public Enemy I never liked them. To me, they feel like some of the underground rappers who bitch about everything. Professor Griff was nothing but a racist prick and his “teachings” are the most hypocrite things I ever read. Seriously? White women are the enemy? Flava Flav has a show on VH1. Nuff said. And these guys said moterfuck Elvis. Fuck Public Enemy. That’s why I stick to real underground talent like Atmosphere, Murs or Little Brother not that political rap bullshit.
Obviously you know nothing of Hip Hop culture or the impact that Public Enemy has had on the artform. Your ignorance amazes me. In fact, the sheer unmitigated stupidity of the statement you made here speaks to Chuck’s points. I think in order to not sound like a total idiot next time I suggest you do a little research on Hip Hop history so you can have an idea of what you are speaking on next time.
Hey dumbass, you do know that the Sugarhill Gang were one of the first rappers ever? They were nowhere lyrically. There were doing nusery rhymes on Rapper’s Delight. Dude, I know a lot about Hip Hop and once you get the clear picture, you’ll realize you fell for a trap. Public Enemy said Motherfuck Elvis, one of the most influential musicians of all time. But these guy disrespected a legend. That’s like if some political rapper dissed Led Zeppelin just because they have some grudge against them. Fuck that. These guys are 5 Percenters anyway. Bunch of fake racist punks.
My first reaction was to castigate you, but on reflection, I respect your opinion posted here, even if I don’t personally agree with it.
Instead, I implore you to ‘spend a day with Public Enemy’ by listening closely to each of their albums in chronological order, particularly ‘… Nation of Millions…’ and ‘Fear Of A Black Planet.’
Try and put yourself back in the hip hop landscape of circa 1988-1990.
Peace.
Chuck D is telling the ugly truth. Like an old PE song, “Don’t Believe The Hype.” He made valid points. Only youngminded or ignorant person would hate on this.
Chuck D is the man. Seriously the state of hip-hop is so disturbing that I can’t take it anymore. WE NEED PUBLIC ENEMY NOW MORE THAN EVER! WE WANT REAL HIP-HOP! FORGET ANYTHING ELSE…PEACE TO CHUCK!
Why does the same idiot keep writing dumbass messages? The new generations are whack as shit, completely unintelligent, have no idea what a multi is, a punchline is, a topical story format, 3 full 16 bar verses, graffiti, turn tables, emceeing, break dancing. Hip hop is alive in the underground, meaning that shit is dead. All these new fucks ruined it, and yes it’s because of corporate, only corporate A&R’s go after people who sound like someone else, they only look for those who are FOLLOWING the trend. They bring em in, throw some money in their face, exploit them and then leave out to dry. Most this shit now days does nothing but promote drug use and violence, promote sodomy and disrespect towards women (just cuz Gucci says there are hoes doesn’t mean there are always hoes, so ya’ll ladies need to quit believing everything they say.) Hip hop is back where in started in the sense that the lyricism and beats are so fucking simple and pre-school, that it’s time for what happened in the 90’s to happen again. It’s time for hip hop to grow up again, Chuck D is just a racist bum, he has no respect for anyone but those who walk around with a Malcom X t-shirt on, he would let a little white baby walk right off of a cliff. Only way hip hop will be saved is if someone who actually knows what hip hop is gets into thew business, everyone up top has no idea what this shit is about, they’re all just a bunch of pencil pushing jews who stereotype black people with drugs and violence, so the stick to the formula and move on to the next project as quick as possible.
Co-Sign that man
Chuck D a rasist bum? i think the brother is more about black unity, not a rasist. The only reason white people seem to get ahead more than blacks is through unity, that’s what makes the difference between blacks and whites on a social and economic level
Man, you need to get your facts straight. Chuck is not a racist at all. I’ve met him a few times and he’s always shown me nothing but love. I’m white myself and have grown up on his music as well as 2Pac, Ice Cube, ATCQ, Beastie Boys, etc. He’s always been about unification against the corrupt elite who have successfully brainwashed the masses to believe that the pursuit of happiness means get yours and you are only how much money you have. Chuck D is definitely no bum and is a true Hip Hop head promoting the betterment of the culture.
CHUCK D is the man and the man is right.
old school hip hop isnt coming back. thats the ugly truth.the world is different now so obviously the music is gonna change. you dont like gucci? fine dont listen to him. nobody is puttin a gun to your head tellin you to. im sick of people puttin down the new school. the world changes, music changes. no disrespect to the old school. stop bitchin that hip hop is dead. its still alive listen to j. cole or big sean. even your old school rappers are puttin out hot shit now a days with the blueprint three wu massacre OB4QL 2. itll never be the same as the 90s because times change and how music is expressed changes and im sorry to all the haters that cant except that. ill still always be bumpin chuck D but im sure as hell gonna be bumpin j. cole too. yall haters are whats killin hip hop. get with the times.
blueprint 3 sucks! fuck jay z
I agree with u chuck. well put. but what did u mean when u stated, “for years would faint their worth”? basically that they were foolish with their money? or foolish with their self worth? somebody clear this up.
I agree with Chuck D. He’s speaking the truth as ever.
I may not totally agree with the Rap Olympics thing as I still think technically the USA will always pioneer the trends. But I think it is the trends that are being adhered to too much rather than nurturing creativity.
When I was 12 the first album I brought with my pocket money, after my brother lent me ‘Nation Of Millions’, was ‘Fear Of A Black Planet’. I felt and always felt the message was to be yourself and to unite with everyone.
Hip Hop in the 90’s was diverse, there were a lot of different styles that were ‘mainstream’ Hip Hop. ATCQ, Cube, NWA. Not only great music but very influential. I wouldn’t say I am weak minded but Hip Hop did influence me in the way that it ‘helped’ shape my opinions…. Not made my decisions. This is why I agree that Hip Hop stars of now do have a resposibility to not only entertain but to also educate.
Now we have ‘mainstream’ Pop Hip Hop.
There is now a trend that Hip Hop can be formulaic but if you dig a little deeper you can still capture that feeling of a golden era. But I don’t feel the ‘new wave’ encourage new Headz to dig deeper to see how diverse Hip Hip really is.
The main difference I feel is back in the day rappers rapped to rap. Nowadays rappers rap to get paid. This along with the record companies seeing easy money has diluted Hip Hop.
Never have so many been pimped by so few…… Very true, but it is up to us to make sure we are not one of the many being pimped.
We must support all Hip Hop because it is the diversity that keeps this thing alive that we love.
LONG LIVE HIP HOP!!!
I agree with some things he talks about here but man this guy is still a five percenter ass rascist.. fuck all that
He’s actually not racist, he ends many if not all his interviews with one love to all of humanity
Chuck x we should call him and he is right in every word!!!!
Everybody who is 25+ understands that rap & hip-hop nowadays is straight garbage with no meaning to the lyrics.
Eminem latest record (syllables) is excatlly about that, it’s time to rap about something meaningfull (fight the power) it’s not only avout bitches and hoe’s
The fuck you talking about I’m 21 and was raised on good music
This has nothing to do with age… I’m 17 and I listened to Public Enemy my whole life thanks to my brother…
Blame hip hop dx also for promoting wack rappers too. Chuck D spoke the truth on this one.
i’m sorry, but what is he bringing up that people didn’t know? this is more empty rhetoric that won’t lead to better music. Instead of complaining that things are wrong, which certainly isn’t a new phenomena, he should just make good music. and instead of all of us complaining about a lack of push for good artists, we should actually buy good music instead of downloading good artists out of the business!
Ver few of you people have even read and maticulated what Chuck D is saying in this letter. The main point is not about how hiphop is now garbage compared to the last decades, but instead the way that rappers start to act when they get millions instead of giving back they keep to themselves… Chuck is preaching selflessness over selfishness. Which is why he keeps say that “Never has so many been pimped by so few”. and i think he is right… But idk what he can do to stop it.
And of course he speaks on how the industry is controlling alot of artists now, which is part of the root to all the problems. I implore people to stop complaining about the music and look at the bigger picture go after the record companies not the artists, because like Chuck said artists are now like slaves.
Chuck D is right in regards to his statement about the Rap Olympics. If the artists in the USA were to compete in a hip hop battle that includes emceeing, DJ’ing, and breaking. We’d probably lose because some talented artists forget these main elements.
The UK would get the Gold
It’s been said.
Chuck is just a louder “voice” from which to hear it from. Deuce tried to explain it. It about selflessness over selfishness. Plenty of people have said it. Jay, Nas, Common, Talib, etc. No one has listened. Chuck a veterans Vet just said his two cents to the same topic. Hip Hop as a whole is at an impasse. Do we keep going in the direction that big business wants us to go, or does it go in the direction of what the artists themselves want? Dumb it down, do you want pre-fab, manufactured rappers or creative emcees? The Product isn’t the same thing and the problem is that “WE” as listeners are the ones that choose, by and far. The problems that hip hop has had over the last decade? The grandstanding bling and lost focus on lyricism? Our fault, people buy that shit because its out there and thats what they want to hear. You personally may not listen to Gucci Mane or that dumb shit, but the kids do because big business puts his CD out before you’ll see that Talib Kweli CD behind it. There is a lot of talent out there that doesn’t get a chance to shine or the production value because the labels place importance on themselves first, the dollar second, the listeners a distant third, and the artists a far last.
Something has gotta give.
Let’s unify people.
There is always going to be the argument of Art vs Entertainment. It is up to each individual to decide what HIP HOP is to them, but we must realize that there needs to be a balance between the two and cater to the old school and the new school. We are at a crossroads right now because it’s been too much entertainment not art and that what Chuck D is saying. This balance will let everybody shine, cause like one poster said in the 90’s everybody was getting money cause of the balance that was on the airwaves. There were no one in the 80’s and 90’s saying that KRS-ONE, N.W.A., PE, Geto Boys, 2 Live Crew, Bone Thugs, A Tribe Called Quest, WU-Tang, LL, RUN-DMC, MC Hammer was killing HIP HOP. The balance helped us to enjoy all aspects of HIP HOP, now that it’s so one sided its making everyone analyze music and break it down and people are starting to see that everyone is the same and only out for the glamour and glitz.
Lessons for old school and new school
For the New School – The old school would listen to more of the new school if they had MCs were saying something that relates to them. You cannot expect 30 – 40 year old people to listen to all entertainment, they have careers and children to raise. Most of them did all the partying when they were new school age, so now they want positivity, politics, and inspiration. It’s not hating, it called wanting more out of life. Ex. When you get older you don’t do McDonalds as much as you did when you were young. It used to be a though that you should want to make music (or do anything) that your parents would be proud of. Remember there is no new school without the old school. We know the new school wants the freedom to do whatever, but with freedom comes responsibility.
For the Old School – Let the young people have they time, don’t hate. The 80’s and 90’s are over, stay in your lane. The young people have a new vibe, get with it or leave them alone. You don’t have to prove your hip. Be wise and school the new school like Chuck is trying to. The new school doesn’t want to be preached to. The old school needs to find out what drives the youngsters and get the new school to educate themselves. Each one teach one.
The main thing is us as listeners need to stop arguing over the BS and start realizing that we have a lot more power than we know. Not trying to be racist, but mainly white people buy today’s HIP HOP and now they are trying to tell us what HIP HOP is. We need to take our culture back by demanding more balance. It’s the culture that drives the music. We started HIP HOP and we can either take to where we want it to go or don’t care about it until it’s gone (Which looks like the way it’s going), the choice is yours.
Fuck all this corporate conspiracy shit, they can’t sell a damn thing that people aren’t buying. I don’t buy Gucci albums but if a million other people do, how am I gonna blame that on some random A&R? That’s bullshit. And if Jay-Z wants to give back to the community then great but that’s not his responsibility, as a rapper and entertainer his job is to make music people want to hear and he’s got that down so why do people try and throw all this other shit in there that doesn’t belong? Like I said before, if you want a Jay album buy it, if you want to donate money to Bed Stuy then do that, but don’t get mad when Jay doesn’t do some shit you chose not to do. If Chuck is going to keep repeating “Never have so many been pimped by so few” over and over I need to know exactly who it is getting pimped.
how they make money aint my business.. im so tired of it, i feel like im in hell burning, hearin the same shit year after year.. hip hop iz like walmart, with shit on the shelves.. you can buy what you want.. all of this iz the cost of FREEDOM. Suppose the government says no more rebellious hip hop.. our problem aint the rappers but what’s goin on in society, their just givin the people what they want.. get the bitch or Queen or MONEY!! off of kickin your good qualities, your game-plan, instiutions you built.. water your plants.. a record company aint nothin but a bank.. they aint suppose to care.. if the did, their business would dissolve.. HIP HOP was partially created in Europe(kraftwerk), james brown, and kung fu fuckin movies!(japan and china), everyone made it, and all of the world been doin hip hop. hit hip hop 1981 on youtube search. watch beatstreet, i see latins black and white, watch breaking 1 & 2! hip hop dont belong to black people or the united states. them people out there been GREAT at it. WHAT WE NEED 2 DO, IZ WORK ON ACCEPTING WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AND GET THE WORLD 2 UNITE! THROUUGH HIP HOP, REGARDLESS WHAT STYLE U FOLLOW.. AND RESPECT EACHOTHER, WE NEED TO BRING EUROPE 2 THE USA AND VICE VERSA.. JAPAN, BRAZIL.. SOUTH AFRICA.. IRELAND.. SO THAT THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD CAN BE COOOL WIT EACH OTHER.. UNITE AS ONE.. GET THIS $$ AND STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY!!! ONE!!
its his responsibility as a human being,as a black man,no matter what.After you feed your self you feed your family,then you feed your people.
And one more thing, did anyone go to Allhiphop and read the whole letter because Chuck was bigging himself so much it was ridiculous, trying to be hip-hop’s savior and everyone eats that shit up. “Never have so many been pimped by so few” indeed.
I don’t have something against Chuck or PE in general, I just hate seeing everyone unquestioningly accept some shit just because Chuck said it.
Well i agree with you but PE have proven there worth so let the man speak if thats what it takes for a legend to call hip hop’s state what it really is then thats what it takes
he’s just saying we don’t own our own music anymore. just saying it in so many words. and we don’t.
WELL ALL HIP HOP FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD IS SHIT SOOO………. CHUCK D UR JUST GONNA HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT FOR NOW……..
Mr D is right The news Only Wants to Put up All The Negative and none of the good..but at the same time the media know’s what the people want..and A lot of people just want to gas up on the Negative.. its just life + people