Will Smith will take his squeaky clean act to center stage with his co-host and wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Tuesday night to host the BET Awards. But according to the Associated Press, Big Willie plans to make a statement about the importance and impact of hip-hop culture on the rest of the world.
“The kids that are making these trends, making these songs, don’t understand the level of effect that black Americans have around the world,” he said in an interview.” … Black Americans are so elevated, it’s almost worship.“
Will says he wants hip-hop hip-hop artists to recognize their importance and shift away from thuggish themes.
“It’s real important to have balance of the imagery. Yes, there are people who fire guns in the street, but there’s also doctors who go to work in those areas to feed their children.“
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“The gangster lifestyle is celebrated in black communities for its strength,” Smith said. “That’s the image of survivors. The dude that sells the drugs or has the guns or is most willing to kill somebody is the dude that has the greatest potential for survival, or at least that’s the perception. So that’s what people strive for.”
“What I’m trying to present and what a lot of other artists are presenting is a different approach to survival and a more sound approach to survival. It’s a more long-term approach based on intellect and skills that can’t be taken away from you: The smartest dude survives the best.“
But will Will follow through with his plan in front of the many that adore hip-hop’s current state while hosting the awards show held by the very station that embraces it? We all hope so.
