Jay Z should use his platform to better hip hop
Not to sound like an old fogey but hits of his such as "99 Problems" may be catchy, but I can't get with all the b-words and other misogynistic lyrics in Jay Z's music.
Jay Z should use his platform to better hip hop
Jenice Armstrong, Daily News Columnist
At Monday’s press conference announcing Jay Z’s upcoming Budweiser music festival, a fan shouted out, “You’re the best Hov!”
“I agree,” he said.
I don’t. Not to sound like an old fogey but hits of his such as “99 Problems” may be catchy, but I can’t get with all the b-words and other misogynistic lyrics in Jay Z’s music. It felt bizarre to me to see the performer of such awful songs as “Big Pimpin’” and “Girls, Girls, Girls” standing with Mayor Nutter acting like some kind of hero. As I watched, I couldn’t help wondering whether Nutter and the city officials who arranged the photo op had ever stopped and really listened to Jay Z’s lyrics? A big festival coming to Philadelphia may well be an economic generator, but it still amazes me how people can just let all the other stuff go.
Personally, I haven’t been able to get past it. Yes, I’m curious as to what the other musical acts are going to be included when the event takes place on Labor Day weekend, but I felt like choking on my Diet Coke when I read how Jay Z said that before he takes on a project, he asks himself “’Will it push the culture forward?’” Forward? I was like, “He didn’t really say that did he?”
I’ll admit that I held out a little hope earlier this year when after the birth of daughter Blue Ivy when rumors famously circulated that Jay Z had renounced using the b-word in a poem reportedly written by him. It read, in part, "Before I got in the game, made a change, and got rich/I didn’t think hard about using the word b---h…." Much was made of the hip hop music mogul’s so-called change of heart before he ended all the tongue wagging by telling the New York Daily News, “That poem and story are fake.”
It’s not too late, though. If Jay Z’s really serious about pushing the culture forward instead of backward, he could take advantage of the groundswell of admiration and support he’s enjoying to advocate for some sort of standards or change in hip hop lyrics.
Jay Z who actually gets called “Hova” as in “Jayhova,” the god of rap, could be the one to pull that off.
Being the event is in Philly, concert goers have plenty of time to move "forward" toward a local gun shop to get a top notch firearm. It i snice to be prepared when a "forward" looking flash mob comes your way....— kelprod2- Finally, I agree with Jenice on something.— Another_1
Comment removed.- As someone somewhat new to this city, I can't help but to comment on this story. When I was told I was being transferred here I was excited but after talking to a few people that were born and raised here, I fought the transfer for 10 months. Everything that people have told me about Philly seemed to hold some truths. Now getting back to Jay-Z, he is an entertainer that doesn't even live here. I think Philly has the potential to be a great city but the people need to take responsibility for their own actions and stop blaming it on someone that is paid to entertain. Do these people have influence on the younger generation? Yes, but that's where parenting comes in. As an outsider looking in it seems that the people of this city have just given up. I am not a resident nor do I plan on being one but it pains me to see someone that doesn't stand up and take back their city instead of letting the few troublemakers have it. Be glad someone is coming to this city to something like this which is going to pump some revenue in the city maybe even create some jobs for those that are actually trying to do the right thing. I can see the point you are making with the disparaging remarks he uses but you also need to look at the big picture.— Av8tr
- Finally,someone with intregity & standards. Thank you for your comments about Jay-Z. I'm sick of everybody raving about Jay-Z and the equally horrible Kanye West. The whole society is backward,that's why someone like him is so popular. Jay-Z is as much of a thug as the so-called gangsta rappers of the 90s,but for some reason he gets a free pass,even the President listens to him....ridiculous!
http://last.fm/user/catlover37— catlover37
Read more from Jenice Armstrong at Earth to Philly, the Daily News blog on anything and everything "Green."
Reach Jenice at armstrj@phillynews.com.
