2008 Woodie Awards
Rapper a poor choice for UPB's spring concert
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Rocket Letters
To the Editor:
I would like to first express my disappointment and displeasure for the choice of musical artist for this year's "End of Year" show - and what a show it was, from what I hear. I've heard multiple stories of travesties and crime that occurred on our campus Monday night, including a near shooting incident. All I can say is, "I told you so."
When UPB books a rapper whose lyrics include having "loaded .44s on the low" and saying "Look, I will kill bro" in his song "What You Know?" you can't tell me there wasn't any anticipation of violence, and according to President Smith after the Virginia Tech shooting, our campus is safe. I would like to think so, but when UPB hosts a "musical artist" that does everything short of saying "black on black crime is okay," that safety is compromised for every student on this campus.
Do you think I'm wrong? I ask you to actually read his lyrics, not just listen to them with an idle mind. While on the subject of promoting breaking the law aside from shootings, and carrying a concealed weapon, why don't we talk about drug possession? In his song "King Back," he proclaims himself as a "crack leader."
This brings me to another point. Recently, radio and TV host Don Imus was let go by MSNBC for his remark, calling the Rutgers women's basketball team a bunch of "nappy-headed hos," was made to publicly apologize for his remarks to the Rutgers women's basketball team, and spoke with Al Sharpton about how his remarks are "racist" and "sexist."
I beg to differ. How are his remarks considered "racist" and "sexist" when our recent visitor, T.I., refers to women as "bitches," "hos" and "broads?" And I return to his song "What You Know?" where he says he's riding with "Latin broads and a China doll." Who's sexist?
I found a UPB poster saying that this concert was funded through our "General Service Activity Fee" that we are charged every semester. Just so the student population is aware, that is $132.25, and if you attended the concert, throw in another $20. I'm just saying.
Lauren Wilhelm
Freshman
Political Science Major
I would like to first express my disappointment and displeasure for the choice of musical artist for this year's "End of Year" show - and what a show it was, from what I hear. I've heard multiple stories of travesties and crime that occurred on our campus Monday night, including a near shooting incident. All I can say is, "I told you so."
When UPB books a rapper whose lyrics include having "loaded .44s on the low" and saying "Look, I will kill bro" in his song "What You Know?" you can't tell me there wasn't any anticipation of violence, and according to President Smith after the Virginia Tech shooting, our campus is safe. I would like to think so, but when UPB hosts a "musical artist" that does everything short of saying "black on black crime is okay," that safety is compromised for every student on this campus.
Do you think I'm wrong? I ask you to actually read his lyrics, not just listen to them with an idle mind. While on the subject of promoting breaking the law aside from shootings, and carrying a concealed weapon, why don't we talk about drug possession? In his song "King Back," he proclaims himself as a "crack leader."
This brings me to another point. Recently, radio and TV host Don Imus was let go by MSNBC for his remark, calling the Rutgers women's basketball team a bunch of "nappy-headed hos," was made to publicly apologize for his remarks to the Rutgers women's basketball team, and spoke with Al Sharpton about how his remarks are "racist" and "sexist."
I beg to differ. How are his remarks considered "racist" and "sexist" when our recent visitor, T.I., refers to women as "bitches," "hos" and "broads?" And I return to his song "What You Know?" where he says he's riding with "Latin broads and a China doll." Who's sexist?
I found a UPB poster saying that this concert was funded through our "General Service Activity Fee" that we are charged every semester. Just so the student population is aware, that is $132.25, and if you attended the concert, throw in another $20. I'm just saying.
Lauren Wilhelm
Freshman
Political Science Major
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jason Biggs
posted 5/10/07 @ 1:36 AM EST
Imus can not be put in the same category as T.i. Yes, T.I. says sexist and just plain stupid remarks in his lyrics however, he did not refer to specific individuals. (Continued…)
Robert E. Lee
posted 7/05/07 @ 12:02 PM EST
Sexist, stupid lyrics...
Big suprise that a rap start comes to SRU and it turns into street fights, closed businesses. Next year try booking an act with some talent. (Continued…)
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