Why They’ll Never Be Another PE: What Really Happened to Real Hip Hop?
By TRUTH Minista Paul Scott, culture, education, opinion“Any artist can battle for glory/but to kick a dope rhyme to wake up your people’s another story.” "Rappers RN Dainja" -KRS One
Once upon a time, he was known as “Militant Mike,” leader of the Mau Mau ,the most feared rap crew of the 80’s Now, he’s simply known as Mr. Jackson, the grumpy old dude who bags groceries at T-Mart. Catch him on a good day and he might take a break from sweepin’ the floor and drop some science about the good ol days of Hip Hop and how his music was gonna change the world,. But if you ever ask him the obvious question, what happened to those good ol days? All you'll get is a cold stare followed by awkward silence....
The history books are full of stories about the Civil Rights /Black Power Era ,and how thousands of young people took to the streets to fight for their rights. However, as for the conscious Hip Hop Era, the story ain’t never been told.
Why?
Like the song says “what’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget.”
For many of us the “conscious” Hip Hop era (1988-92) , was our Civil Rights movement. But although it is often thrown in with the so called “Golden Age of Hip Hop”, as they say, “all that glitters ain’t gold.”
Let’s be clear. When I use the term "real Hip Hop", I'm not talking about a rapper saying some witty, juvenile punch lines to make you giggle. I’m talking about (to borrow from Eric B and Rakim) songs that will actually “move the crowd” to do something.
Like all forms of history, Hip Hop is subject to revisionism. People would like to believe that for a period in American history, there was a time when everybody was fightin’ the power and wearing Red, Black and Green African medallions. This isn’t true of the Black Power Movement Era and it’s definitely not a true reflection of the Conscious Hip Hop Era.
Although it is true that many people in the 'hood were suffering from the effects of 80's Reaganomics, just like today, everybody wasn't sufferin' nor did everyone identify with "the struggle." Some people were living good in the ‘80’s and swore that “we had already overcome.”
Although some of us gravitated towards Spike Lee films and X Clan cassettes , there were others who were just as comfortable watching Molly Reinwald movies while listening to the non- political, Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.
The conscious Hip Hop era came about at the exact time when Black outrage was not only a necessary evil but also profitable. And groups like Public Enemy were able to slip through the small crack in the impenetrable fortress of Capitalism.
Capitalism is not without its flaws and militant rap groups like Public Enemy were able to capitalize off of the major chink in its armor; greed. It has been said that Capitalism will sell you the rope to hang yourself.
The history books are full of stories about the Civil Rights /Black Power Era ,and how thousands of young people took to the streets to fight for their rights. However, as for the conscious Hip Hop Era, the story ain’t never been told.
Why?
Like the song says “what’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget.”
For many of us the “conscious” Hip Hop era (1988-92) , was our Civil Rights movement. But although it is often thrown in with the so called “Golden Age of Hip Hop”, as they say, “all that glitters ain’t gold.”
Let’s be clear. When I use the term "real Hip Hop", I'm not talking about a rapper saying some witty, juvenile punch lines to make you giggle. I’m talking about (to borrow from Eric B and Rakim) songs that will actually “move the crowd” to do something.
Like all forms of history, Hip Hop is subject to revisionism. People would like to believe that for a period in American history, there was a time when everybody was fightin’ the power and wearing Red, Black and Green African medallions. This isn’t true of the Black Power Movement Era and it’s definitely not a true reflection of the Conscious Hip Hop Era.
Although it is true that many people in the 'hood were suffering from the effects of 80's Reaganomics, just like today, everybody wasn't sufferin' nor did everyone identify with "the struggle." Some people were living good in the ‘80’s and swore that “we had already overcome.”
Although some of us gravitated towards Spike Lee films and X Clan cassettes , there were others who were just as comfortable watching Molly Reinwald movies while listening to the non- political, Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.
The conscious Hip Hop era came about at the exact time when Black outrage was not only a necessary evil but also profitable. And groups like Public Enemy were able to slip through the small crack in the impenetrable fortress of Capitalism.
Capitalism is not without its flaws and militant rap groups like Public Enemy were able to capitalize off of the major chink in its armor; greed. It has been said that Capitalism will sell you the rope to hang yourself.
But the major strength Capitalism is its ability to adapt and to absorb opposition. So a radical movement for change was transformed into a cheap fad.
Freedom does not come without a price. It never has and never will.
Freedom does not come without a price. It never has and never will.
But for a brief moment, rap was the soundtrack of a revolution that the networks would not televise.
But for the artists who dared to speak truth to power, there was a price to be paid.
For those who argue that rap is “only music” tell that to the soldiers who survived the rap wars.
For those who argue that rap is “only music” tell that to the soldiers who survived the rap wars.
Just read the books of rap artists from that period like Professor Griff' s Analytixz or Ice T’s autobiographical, Ice as they reveal some very interesting war stories that many people would like to forget.
Although Ice T has been quoted as saying that he is waiting for the next PE , I’m not sure that Ice T would even want to be “the next Ice T” if you study all of the drama that surrounded his song “Cop Killer” which was eventually removed from store shelves. Like he wrote in his book ,"you don’t know what heat is until you’ve had the President of the United States say your name in anger.”
See, everybody isn’t built for that kind of stuff. There is a reason that one of the most powerful voices ever in Hip Hop, Sister Souljah, went from rappin’ about “360 Degrees of Power” to writing romance novels. Like she said in her book,No Disrespect, “the question is easy to ask. The answer is hard to find. But the search is essential.”
Ask anybody who has done more than send out an angry tweet in all caps, and he will tell you “these cats ain’t playin’” and the oppressors ain't gonna let the oppressed go without a fight.
In Russell Myries book, Don’t Rhyme for the Sake of Riddlin’, he wrote that once during the conscious Hip Hop era “someone was trying to get a number of rappers in one location so they could detonate explosives and do away with trouble-some Hip Hoppers."
Most people like the “idea” of revolution but facing the consequences of revolutionary actions are beyond their scope of comprehension.
Truth is, although many people make murda music few are willing to make martyr music.
Today , besides the Jasiri Xs and Immortal Techniques many of this new generation of rappers want consciousness without the confrontation.
Although Ice T has been quoted as saying that he is waiting for the next PE , I’m not sure that Ice T would even want to be “the next Ice T” if you study all of the drama that surrounded his song “Cop Killer” which was eventually removed from store shelves. Like he wrote in his book ,"you don’t know what heat is until you’ve had the President of the United States say your name in anger.”
See, everybody isn’t built for that kind of stuff. There is a reason that one of the most powerful voices ever in Hip Hop, Sister Souljah, went from rappin’ about “360 Degrees of Power” to writing romance novels. Like she said in her book,No Disrespect, “the question is easy to ask. The answer is hard to find. But the search is essential.”
Ask anybody who has done more than send out an angry tweet in all caps, and he will tell you “these cats ain’t playin’” and the oppressors ain't gonna let the oppressed go without a fight.
In Russell Myries book, Don’t Rhyme for the Sake of Riddlin’, he wrote that once during the conscious Hip Hop era “someone was trying to get a number of rappers in one location so they could detonate explosives and do away with trouble-some Hip Hoppers."
Most people like the “idea” of revolution but facing the consequences of revolutionary actions are beyond their scope of comprehension.
Truth is, although many people make murda music few are willing to make martyr music.
Today , besides the Jasiri Xs and Immortal Techniques many of this new generation of rappers want consciousness without the confrontation.
Times have gotten so tough that even activists have been forced to pick up the mic to bring back real Hip Hop. ( Chicago activist, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr, recently did a revolutionary remix of Chief Keef's "I Don't Like.")
Just like it was during the Civil Rights era, it's much easier to turn on (get high) and tune out. Why risk your life trying to change the world when "a 40 and a blunt” will make the world go away for a few hours?
It’s one thing to get into a beef with another rapper, but it is another thing to go against Bill O’Reilly and get tagged “an unpatriotic pin head” That kinda stuff doesn't add up to increased cd sales anymore.
Just like it was during the Civil Rights era, it's much easier to turn on (get high) and tune out. Why risk your life trying to change the world when "a 40 and a blunt” will make the world go away for a few hours?
It’s one thing to get into a beef with another rapper, but it is another thing to go against Bill O’Reilly and get tagged “an unpatriotic pin head” That kinda stuff doesn't add up to increased cd sales anymore.
Despite all the revolutionary rhetoric, the real reason that there will never be another Public Enemy is because nobody wants to go through the hell that they went through.
Like ASAP Rocky would say “everybody plays the tough guy till some stuff pops off.”
Like ASAP Rocky would say “everybody plays the tough guy till some stuff pops off.”
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached at (919) 308-4233 or info@nowarningshotsfired.com His website is NoWarningShotsFired.com Twitter @truthminista
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OTM: Same old war songs as US moves to arm Syrian "rebels" - 5:00 PM EST
June 18, 2013 from 5pm to 6pm – Occupy The Microphone, WOLI, Black Talk Radio Network
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The C.O.W.S. w/ Dr. Timothy R. Furnish & Islam
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MM Radio: World Star Hip-Hop creator asked to stop exploiting minors and the mentally challenged - 9:00 PM EST
June 18, 2013 from 9pm to 10pm – Black Talk Radio Network
World Star Hip-Hop has built a media platform that has become a clearinghouse for the worst of “Urban America” according to a recent Change.org petition created by Supreme Understanding of Supreme De…
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Father's Day : The Most Confusing Day in the Hood
June 18, 2013 at 10pm to June 19, 2013 at 12am – WYMS Radio
the revolution of the mind continues... This year the male and female bashing began early with regards to Father's Day. Men were mad at women for claiming dual roles and women were mad at men for n…
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Tanya Free & Friends Talk Show - 2:00PM EST
June 19, 2013 from 2pm to 3:30pm – WLCM 1450AM
This week’s topics will also include: TBD TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll TBD Tanya Free and Friends Extra! “The Sip” with Coffee Black for the latest in Sports, Celebrity and Entertainme…
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Black Talk Radio News
Watermelon Basketballs, Gold Chains & Old Spice Swagger
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Charles Lowman of NuVibe Radio joins us tonight to discuss the Syrius Institute of Learning - Dominican Republic which is seeking "to provide supplemental education to under-privileged children and to promote sustainability through adult education programs.". If you would like to contribute to this fund raising campaign you can find it on indiegogo where you will receive a thank you gift tailored to your contribution.
What does Watermelon Basketballs and Gold Chains have to do with deodorant? The Black Talk Media Project is asking that question. We expected suspected racist white people to defend the Old Spice commercial which aired during the NBA Finals last night but while not surprising, African-AMERICANS are failing to recognize the racial undertones of the not only the commercial but its placement.
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Political Prisoner Radio
Prison Radio Director Noelle Hanrahan
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Political Prisoner Radio had an opportunity to catch up with the director of Prison Radio, Noelle Hanrahan. She is known most for her radio work with political prisoner and former Death Row member Mumia Abu Jamal in helping him to record and distribute his political commentaries from behind bars. She also participated in the production of the independent film "Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu-Jamal" which is now available on DVD after a successful run in select theaters. We will also get into the repression of Black revolutionary politics in mainstream media.
After the interview we will share some of the latest events and alerts related to political prisoners.
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BAF Radio: Food Insecurity, Homelessness Among Blacks and moving from Obedience to Rebellion to Insurrection
Download MP3 Black Autonomy Federation Radio will examine some serious issues facing the Black community today in the current economic and political climate in the United States. TOPICS I.) Food Security and being removed from food-stamps. Sequester Obama government cutbacks II). 50% of the Homeless in America are Black! III). Moving from obedience to Rebellion and InsurrectionNew Abolitionists Radio
w/ J. Jondhi Harrell & Glenn Davis from "Decarcerate PA"
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Tonight we will be joined by Mr. J. Jondhi Harrell and Mr. Glenn Davis from "Decarcerate PA" which back in May held a march in Pennsylvania to demand a people's budget that invests in communities and not prisons. Judging from the participation in the march, it was successful in raising public awareness about 21st Century Slavery and Human Trafficking.
"Decarcerate PA is a grassroots campaign working to end mass incarceration in Pennsylvania. We demand that PA stop building prisons, reduce the prison population, and reinvest money in our communities."
After we speak with Mr. Harrell and Mr. Davis we will share some of the latest news related to 21st Century Slave and Human Trafficking and open the phone lines for a general discussion on the issue.
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Punks, Pervs and Pedophiles in Hip-Hop
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"Hip Hop has become a playground for punks, pervs, and pedophiles." says DC native rapper/activist Yasin 360wiseguy about the current state of rap music. The artists has issued a strong pre-Father's day warning to the male rappers, "Change Your Posture!". According to Yasin, Hip Hop has done something that 400 years of slavery could not. It destroyed Black manhood.
"There are no real men in commercial Hip Hop today, says Yasin. "At least back in slavery our manhood was taken from us, now we give it away." Yasin states that the males in Hip Hop have been castrated which is why it is not uncommon for many of them to wear feminine articles of clothing such as skirts and skinny jeans.
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"Most of the songs are like a pornographic versions of Sesame Street, " Yasin says and "These dudes should be charged with the statutory rape of rap."
Recently the website World Star Hip Hop published a video of very young looking teenaged boys rapping about sucking d**k. The boys look to be 13 to 15 year olds and it is doubtful their parents are aware of the video which has been shared on social media over 5,000 times through Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.
As a solution, Yasin has started the "Change Your Posture" campaign demanding that rappers stop bowing down to the entertainment industry and stand up like real men this Father's Day. On his website http://changeyourposture.org/ he has a list of rappers who need to change their posture and the reasons why they need to do so. Tonight he will discuss the Change Your Posture campaign.
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Same old war songs as US moves to arm Syrian "rebels"
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It looks like the US could get pulled into another non-declared war launched by the executive branch that could cost the American tax payers billions in a no win situation for the American people. Members of the Obama administration have been pushing language with the help of pro-war members of the Senate that sounds strikingly similar to that used to justify invading Iraq, which we now know were lies about weapons of mass destruction and mushroom clouds. CIA analyst Ray McGovern compared it to President Bush's Axis of Evil Speech to congress.
Former French foreign minister Roland Dumas in a recent interview with French Parliamentary TV network, LCP that Britain had been planning a war against Syria some two years before the unrest broke out in the Arab country.
“I’m going to tell you something. I was in England two years before the violence in Syria on other business. I met with top British officials, who confessed to me that they were preparing something in Syria, this was in Britain not in America. Britain was organizing an invasion of rebels into Syria. They even asked me, although I was no longer minister for foreign affairs, if I would like to participate.” - Roland Dumas
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