Someone Answers Gladys Knight’s Bash to Hip Hop… Dare We Agree

Posted on October 2nd, 2009 - By Bossip Staff

Famed producer 9th Wonder, who aids in the positive real roots of hip hop music, recently wrote an open letter to address Gladys Knight’s statements on the negative effects of hip hop.

Last week, soul and R&B legend Gladys Knight publicly criticized rap music, addressing the genre with a rather broad stroke. Professor Patrick Douthit, aka 9th Wonder, who has made music with Jay-Z, Beyonce, Jean Grae, Torae and others, has responded in this editorial:

Dear Editor,

I recently read the legendary Gladys Knight’s comments about Hip-Hop and the culture thereof as it pertains to hindering the growth of black music. In a lot of ways, present day black music in a general sense is in a very bad state. From Hip-Hop to the level of R&B and Soul or the lack of in mainstream media, we are seemingly suffering across the board. However, my concerns are focused on the comments about Hip-Hop.

Once AGAIN, the attempt to separate the generations amongst us as black Americans is having much success. In dealing with the older generation of our people, our elders refuse to see or seek the GOOD facets of Hip-Hop, or even the cultural aspects of Hip-Hop when it comes to improvisation, creativity, research, and skill. The fact that TRUE Hip-Hoppers respect, glorify, and honor the great ones who came before us in our records, and the use of what we call “samples” speaks volumes. A lot of musicians I’ve spoken with such as Michael Henderson, Gamble and Huff, Robert Allred from the Dynamic Five, and Leon Sylvers understand the BRIDGE we are building between generations. The reason I now listen to Bobby Bland, Mandrill, Billy Paul, The Dells, The Drells, Choice Four, The Undisputed Truth and countless other 60′s and 70′s greats, and why my 60 yr old brothers and sisters listen to it have two totally different paths.

Looking at my life as a 34 year-old and being from the South, my parents believed that anything outside of James Cleveland was secular. So an abundance of 70′s soul, even Gladys Knight and the Pips, was not played in my house. Hip-Hop was the way that I found all of these artists, traveling the world and collecting records. I learned my history of black music through a vessel that a lot of my elders see as vulgar and offensive in a GENERAL sense. Hip-Hop was not always that way. In 1976, Afrika Bambaataa started the Universal Zulu Nation in the Bronx, New York, to give a creative outlet to rival gangs. However, today our law enforcement believes that hip-hop incites gang violence.

It was because of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Brand Nubian, and A Tribe Called Quest that I heard names such as Carter G. Woodson, Medgar Evers, Steve Biko, Kwame Toure’, Marcus Garvey, Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm, or ANYBODY outside of Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman in public schools. These artists spoke about our elders in song, whether using the funk and soul records, or telling stories and mentioning names. From 1988 to 1993, black teens’ enrollment in college, especially HBCUs, rose to 45% because of the nature of the arts; from the African Medallions, to the Malcolm X t-shirts, the African-American College Alliance shirts Martin Lawrence wore on Def Comedy Jam, to School Daze, to the most powerful hour in black TV, The Cosby Show and A Different World. “Droppin’ Knowledge” if you will was made to be a “cool” or “in-crowd” thing. Unfortunately, the powers that be were against Hip-Hop being used as a NEW vessel to open the eyes of black kids and remind them to honor the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement of the 60′s. It is very odd that around the same time, a more negative form of hip-hop was being PUSHED to the forefront, so our elders could turn their heads away from what we were REALLY trying to say, and divide us as ALWAYS.

Our elders turned away from our younger generation, which resulted in a lack of understanding of the TRUE essence of the Hip Hop art form. Subsequently, this led to resentment amongst the younger generation. The younger generation speaks- if there is no patience to understand our voice, then why should we try to learn where we came from? This only widens the divide.

HOWEVER, the true essence of what hip-hop was built on was and STILL is the tie that binds. We must learn and understand that the true version of ANY art form is not and will NEVER BE displayed in the mass media. As a result, it will stay “underground,” or stolen from us. Do we actually believe that those same powers that control radio stations want our children educated through an emcee or an R&B singer who could inspire social change amongst the youth?

Do we actually think that those powers want the two, now three generations to be united and have a full understanding of each other’s side of the story? I agree that YES the present state of hip-hop on THESE SAME AIRWAYS are less desirable; the same way the blacks who survived the Ragtime, Great Depression and Big Band Jazz looked down upon the black exploitation films of the 70′s, your Fred Williamson movies, Ohio Players Album Covers, or the language on Millie Jackson records.

Let’s pray that my generation loses the feeling of resentment, and at the same time, my elders take the time and patience to seek the GOOD messages and highlight the BEAUTIFUL things about Hip-Hop that mass media WILL NOT show you. Otherwise, we as a race will always be divided, and once again, they will have succeeded in their mission.

Here is a verse from the Hip-Hop song entitled “You Must Learn” as performed by Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One), from the album “The BluePrint” released in 1989. This verse was one of the key reasons why I went to college:

“I believe that if you’re teaching history
Filled with straight-up facts, no mystery
Teach the student what needs to be taught
‘Cause black and white kids both take shots
When one doesn’t know about the other one’s culture
Ignorance swoops down like a vulture
‘Cause you don’t know that you ain’t just a janitor
No one told you about Benjamin Banneker
A brilliant black man that invented the almanac
Can’t you see where KRS is coming at
With Eli Whitney, Haile Selassie
Grandville Woods made the walkie-talkie
Lewis Latterman improved on Edison
Charles Drew did a lot for medicine
Garrett Morgan made the traffic lights
Harriet Tubman freed the slaves at night
Madame CJ Walker made a straightenin’ comb
But you won’t know this if you weren’t shown
The point I’m gettin’ at, it might be harsh
‘Cause we’re just walkin’ around brainwashed
So what I’m sayin’ is not to diss a man
We need the 89 school system
One that caters to a black return
Because you must learn.”

Today, ANY type of revolution, even in SONG…will never by televised…..

Peace, Love, Soul, and Hip-Hop,
Professor Patrick Douthit, aka 9th Wonder
Grammy Award Winning Producer/DJ/Lecturer
National Ambassador for Hip-Hop Relations and Popular Culture-NAACP

Source

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COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:

132

lattho 10/2/09, 10:37:AM

who cares!
Royal Chocolate 10/2/09, 10:37:AM

Wow!!
I love the Golden Girls...Blanche is my bitch. 10/2/09, 10:42:AM

Sure, the roots are good, but the world has changed and todays mainstream rap is crap.
DayShifter 10/2/09, 10:48:AM

That’s what I’m talking about!! And he quoted one of the greatest artists in hip hop history to show his point….
Now I want all of you to repeat this paragraph 5, 15, 50, 100 Heck, however hell many time till you get into your thick skulls……

“HOWEVER, the true essence of what hip-hop was built on was and STILL is the tie that binds. We must learn and understand that the true version of ANY art form is not and will NEVER BE displayed in the mass media. As a result, it will stay “underground,” or stolen from us. Do we actually believe that those same powers that control radio stations want our children educated through an emcee or an R&B singer who could inspire social change amongst the youth?”

YOU MUST LEARN!! WAKE UP!!
Miss Kesha86 10/2/09, 10:50:AM

Whatever, ya’ll are still some bytches for calling Gladys Knight a ho. It’s a shame that you never apologized but coming from ya’ll, I’m not surprised. No class at all.
GQ 10/2/09, 10:50:AM

The problem is that the TRUE hiphop heads and artists are few and far between. Niggas bump Soulja Boy, Lil Wayne, The New Boys and all this other bullshit and call it real music. This is now the most popular music because no one listens to lyrics anymore. It’s too hard! Just have a dope beat and elementary rhymes and you got decent sales. I think the rappers 9th Wonder is talking about are almost extinct. Once Jay is really gone, rap is truly dead
2damnfunny 10/2/09, 10:53:AM

Hands down, great response.

Many forget those artist that shed made music with a message.

Great essay.
mindslave 10/2/09, 10:54:AM

Hey Bossip, you dont actually expect your audience to read information not entertainment gossip, do you?
Mr. Westcoast 10/2/09, 10:56:AM

Wow… and now were singing “I wish I Could Fuck Every Girl In The World” Were in trouble!
lisa 10/2/09, 11:07:AM

Umm..yeah you can try all you want to justify today’s hip hop as it relates to the mainstream and all you will find is useless crap aimed at dumbing down the mines of today’s youth (and adults nowadays) to disrespecting fools. What kind of positivs messages is hip hop music inspiring when all I hear “I wish I could f*** every girl in the world”. Very inspiring…
Miss Kesha86 10/2/09, 11:09:AM

GQ

The problem is that the TRUE hiphop heads and artists are few and far between. Niggas bump Soulja Boy, Lil Wayne, The New Boys and all this other bullshit and call it real music. This is now the most popular music because no one listens to lyrics anymore. It’s too hard! Just have a dope beat and elementary rhymes and you got decent sales. I think the rappers 9th Wonder is talking about are almost extinct. Once Jay is really gone, rap is truly dead
____________________________________

Agreed
lisa 10/2/09, 11:09:AM

and also I don’t think Gladys was referring to real hip hop (true hip hop), but the bumbling nonsense that we hear on the radio and see on t.v. I think that is pretty obvious.
Nick the Jackal 10/2/09, 11:16:AM

Bossip still called Gladys a Hoe, You Sorry Bastards! No excuse for disrespecting such a legend. Shes said that about hip hop because the negative hip hop is advertised more than the positive hip hop. People are all about this mainstream crap i.e. Lil Wayne,Drake, and other wankstas. Most good hip hop artist are underground.
The Bear 10/2/09, 11:18:AM

@ 9th Wonder

You are correct that at one time there was alot of positivity in Hip Hop music. But what you’re saying in your letter does nothing to change the fact that Gladys Knight spoke the absolute truth.

Its already been proven that rap has the potential to be a positive force in our communities but this potential for the most part has never materialized. I would even say that cumulatively the music form has done our communities a huge diservice. When you think about the number of youth that have been influenced to do violence, use drugs, be permiscuous, become materialistic, through the images and ideas that are lifted up by rappers as the ideal you would understand what I’m saying.

I know you’ve made alot of money from the culture and so you would be reluctant to admit to its negative impact but BE real for a minute. When was the last time you heard about Carter G. Woodson, Medgar Evers, Steve Biko, Kwame Toure’, Marcus Garvey, Fannie Lou Hamer, or Shirley Chisholm in a rap song?

Yeah sure KRS did alot of positive songs but how many songs did he do about gunplay and other violence? Don’t you realize that those songs affect his fans even more than the positive ones? I should know… I used to be one of those fans.
Cynthia 10/2/09, 11:18:AM

Can’t the women have her OWN opinon. Geez
Khristal 10/2/09, 11:19:AM

WOWSER!
Nick the Jackal 10/2/09, 11:21:AM

Thank you Miss Kesha86.

Please start classifying all this fake hip hop for what it is. Garbage !! People it starts with us. we can talk about hip hop all day but we need to educate the youth on what is right. We need to take them back to hip hop roots Rakim,EPMD,KRS one, and educate them that hip hop these days is all about negativity, drugs,degrading women, and dumbing people down. It doesn’t have the uplifting movement as it did in the early beginnings.

I blame NWA! F@*k thet police ?i mean cmon people got family who are cops. Just a note.
The Bear 10/2/09, 11:27:AM

@ Cynthia / Khristal

You’re cool with me but I’ve been meaning to ask for a minute. What’s up with the alter ego posting.

And which one is really you?
steph 10/2/09, 11:31:AM

I honestly only think its going to get worse…Alot of us in the 25+ age group are the main ones in the clubs, calling in to radio stations requesting this bullsh**. So I doubt that the mother who was just in the club droppin it like its hot is going to go home and teach her little girl to open her mind to listening to any “conscious” rap…then the saga continues…

It starts with US…
Mark Chambers 10/2/09, 11:32:AM

LOL…Bossip STILL SUCKS for disrespecting Gladys…Albeit, she is currently on a SOLD OUT tour in EUROPE and couldn’t give less than a FUCK about whoever this muthafucka is…so this “essay”/”response” serves NO PURPOSE(!…9th Wonder, my Black ass…
Aunt Viv 10/2/09, 11:35:AM

“Bossip still called Gladys a Hoe, You Sorry Bastards! No excuse for disrespecting such a legend. Shes said that about hip hop because the negative hip hop is advertised more than the positive hip hop. People are all about this mainstream crap i.e. Lil Wayne,Drake, and other wankstas. Most good hip hop artist are underground.”
_________________________________________________
Co-sign.
DR.FUNK 10/2/09, 11:37:AM

9th Wonder can type out an entire novel for all I care.Hip-Hop/Rap is still SHIT MUSIC.It has always been so.Paradoxically speaking-I can’t hate the man for making his money off of it.Still…I eagerly await a newer genre of music to dominate.It can only get better from here.
Coop 10/2/09, 11:40:AM

@Bossip

Give me credit for letting you know about 9th’s wonderful response.
Coop 10/2/09, 11:41:AM

@The Bear

Don’t be mad because he shut her down.
Yawn 10/2/09, 11:42:AM

His response is tired and has been used hundreds of times. “True Hip Hopper” what exactly is that and who makes the determination as to who is a true hip hopper? If only 2% of the hip hop artists make positive music while 98% make garbage then who is true? With the exception of the brief black power period he spoke about, Hip Hop from its inception has never been about bettering oneself so who is exactly a true hip hopper?

Oh and I love the argument “hip hop has been stolen from us” lmao! So on one hand give hip hop the good credit but anything bad about hip hop isnt “our” fault. Ni**a please! Take some responsibility and quit dodging otherwise don’t respond at all.

Ever since the black power movement, hip hop has for the most part been on that fake gangster -two faced garbage (see 2pac,NWA, Mobb Deep), that materialistic misogynistic nonsense (see B.I.G.), or just utter trash (see Soulja Boy etc). Its been going back and forth between these three camps for going on 20 years and this dude is talking about Brand Nubian and Tribe like they are still making albums. This dude points out 5 acts out of thousands of rap artists and says “hey it has positive effects”. This dude should work at the FDA with that ridiculous logic.

SMH.
DR.FUNK 10/2/09, 11:46:AM

BOSSIP…you keep posting of the “positive real roots of hip-hop music”.You have no clue.Repeating this mantra will not make it true.
The Bear 10/2/09, 11:46:AM

@ Coop

Exactly what did he shut down??? Are you paying attention to what’s really going on out here in the world or are you “Coop[ed]” up somewhere in wonderland?
DR.FUNK 10/2/09, 11:50:AM

@YAWN:

Bless you.The writers at BOSSIP are tragically young of mind.Take their defense of this SHIT MUSIC form in the context of this being a gossip blog…strictly for entertainment/amusement purposes.
Depth and historical context is DOA here.
mydixiewrecked 10/2/09, 11:52:AM

A step in the right direction would be to have Radio One and BET to change their formats completely.

Today’s urban music is controlled solely by rap and its mentality. Rap and Hip-Hop are not synonymous, which is where the problem lies. Rap is a hustle, a means to making money regardless of the message. Rap is Gucci Mane, NWA, Wayne, No Limit, Jim Jones, Puff and anyone else looking to turn a quick buck but doing so in the name of “hip-hop”. Rap is not the music I go to for a message or when I want to be uplifted, because rap is simply a beat and mindless banter… club music. I go to Hip-Hop heads like Mos Def, PRT, Hieroglyphics, Native Tongues, DITC, 9th Wonder, Jeru, Rawkus, PE, The Wu, and so on for hip-hop nourishment.

I commend 9th Wonder for his words, his meaningful contributions and his denouncement of the shit that is played through the airwaves today. People have to stop being lazy and start choosing music that has substance and evokes a feeling for them individually. Just because someone at Radio One or any other radio station likes (paid) a certain song and or artist does not necessarily make it suitable for me. Don’t allow true hip-hop to fall out of our hands and end up as an eclectic art form that is only embraced by those outside of our culture. Wake the phugg up!!!!

(Revised)
Hip-Hop is not pop, if you call it that then stop
Ms. Brilly 10/2/09, 11:54:AM

Now, I respect what 9th wonder(very eloquently) expressed, but his view and Gladys’ are not mutually exclusive. To summarize her argument, she’s saying “hip hop is vulgar, disrespectful, and not uplifting”. And he’s basically saying “you’re right, but that’s not the true essence of hip hop, the true essence is captured in the music that’s “underground”. He had to go back and pull examples of positive/educational/uplifiting hip hop and hip hop culture references from music and tv shows in the 20th century! That’s very telling as to the state of hip hop (or at least what is prevelant) today. Both 9th and Gladys made valid and (for the most part) true statements regarding hip hop.
Kierah 10/2/09, 11:56:AM

It’s Lewis Latimer and Granville Woods. Either KRS, Prof or Bossip should at least spellcheck the names of the folks they wish to honor.

He didn’t disprove Gladys’ point at all. The positive rappers that he mentioned aren’t considered current rappers. They haven’t topped the charts in years. So yes, Hip Hop has taken a turn for the worse and Gladys seemed to be commenting on the current, most popular product.
Jaybird (my 2 cents) 10/2/09, 12:06:PM

As someone that actually knows Pat, he’s all about moving hip-hop past the ringtone bs and back to the direction of being a real lyricist. He relates to hip-hop as a grown 34yr old man ( late 80′s early 90′s hip hop), and not a early 20 something that just wants to dance. When you have followed hip-hop beyond 106 and park, you have a different perspective of how you can be postively influenced by the music. Unfortunately this new version of hip-hop doesn’t seem to offer any of the enlightment that we experienced. Underground should not be the only source of “conscious rap” As far as “shutting Gladys Knight down” I don’t think that was the point of his response at all. You can’t shut down someone else’s opinion, and it wasn’t in the least bit disrespectful.
Shay 10/2/09, 12:06:PM

Fu*k the person who made the first comment and this article right here is what’s real. People need to understand that the bull that is out right now mainstream is NOT hip hop it is rap music. Hip Hop educates and speaks the truth and there are only a few hip hop artists that are mainstream. I hate the way black music had turned out…. I listen to the 90′s music more than the current music and the radio.
chaka1 10/2/09, 12:07:PM

He basically supported Gladys’ position.

Before Hip-hop became mainstream in the late 80′s and early 90′s, it was packed full of messages: educational and controversial. Around the deaths of Tupac and Biggie, hip-hop became hyper-aggressive and (I dare say) immoral. You couldn’t even let children listen to it because it was so vulgar. This is not the type of artistry you would want to pass down to younger generations. The face of hip hop went from educated or street-wise rappers to thugs, drug dealers, southern slugs, sluts, and killers. Ghetto culture all of a sudden became the black face of America.

African-Americans will spend the next 10 years recovering from this blemish on our image.
chaka1 10/2/09, 12:11:PM

and besides, Gladys has been in the music game since the 60′s. She has seen many trends rise up, burn bright, and die out. She was there when hip-hop emerged. I think she knows what she’s talking about.
Really? 10/2/09, 12:14:PM

Do people still even listen to FM radio??? Talk about lazy! Take a minute to flip through stations on satelite radio, do a little digging online or even check out an independent FM radio station. If you took the time you will hear the most amazing underground/alternative/etc hip hop that will NEVER be played on any Clear Channel station (aka: 99% of all radio stations).

I want to know who out there is naive enough to actually expect anything other trash from 99% of FM stations.

PS: 9th Wonder is amazing! Was listenin to my Boondocks mixtape this morning…
lady 10/2/09, 12:20:PM

I agree with him the roots of hip hop were wonderful, creative and liberating.

But now mainstream rap music is garbage and unfortunately most of these young kids don’t know about Mos-Def or KRS-One…all they know is Souljo Boy and Lil-Wayne…which is nothing but the glorification of sex drugs and violence.

See there’s a difference between exploring constroversial subjects and examining them honestly or pure glorification.

These rappers nowadays are worse than the gangsta rappers from the 90s…NWA wasn’t trying to glorify street life…but these rappers now make killing, raping, getting high, and stealing seem cool without discussing the dire consequences of such behavior.

It’s become pathelogical…it’s become cancerous and if we wont to save our youth we have to cut it out.

That’s the problem.
mel 10/2/09, 12:32:PM

GLADYS WAS STILL RIGHT,THE MUSIC THESE DAYS IS STILL GARBAGE, FOR THEM TO SUGGEST SOMEONE AS OLD AS JAY TO BE THE VOICE OF HIP HOP TODAY IS DISGRACEFUL. JAY IS NOT THAT FOR OFF GLADYS AGE, YET HE STILL CALL WOMEN HOES AN BITCHES JUST LIKE BOSSIP
JUSTICE IS BLIND 10/2/09, 12:46:PM

BACK IN THE DAY (ARTIST WITH CLASS)
TINA
GLADYS
ANITA
ARETHA

THEIR TALENT SPOKE VOLUMES.

21 CENTURY
BEYONCE THE ONSTAGE (THE HALF NAKED STRIPPER WHORE)

JAYZ 40 AND STILL CALING OT BITCHES AND STUFF. BUT HE IS A ROLE MODEL? DAMN NEAR EVERY TIME i SEE BEYONCE SHE IS HALF DRESSED AND GIVING CROTCH SHOTS BUT SHE IS AROLE MODEL? WE’LL SEEE WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE DOING LAETR ON IN LIFE ON THATPOLE.

THE ONLY THING BEYONCE IS MISSING- A POLE!!!!
Esco 10/2/09, 12:47:PM

I wonder if some of you all are true hip-hop fans. I really do. Gladys made a GENERALIZED statement about hip-hop that needed to be addressed. Her statement was very sterotypical and is no different than someone singling out an entire race for the actions of the highlighted few who negatively represent an artform that they themselves don’t understand the history of. 9th Wonder agreed that yes, some hip-hop is vulgar and the reason why someone like Gladys Knight along with other folks who aren’t hip-hop only see these vulgar and degrading artists is because “the powers that be” don’t “PUSH” uplifting and truthful music they know will uplift our people. This same argument can be made for the portrayal of blacks on your television screen via ridiculous “reality tv” shows. Where is our “Cosby Show” of today? Why aren’t there more Tyler Perrys? It’s not because intelligent brothers and sisters don’t exist, it’s because ignorance is entertaining and it sells, a lot! He quoted KRS’s verse as a testament to how an MC can impact his listener, so much so that it inspired 9th wonder to go to college as it did many others who listened to artists of the same caliber. Today we have Nas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and plenty more if you cared to listen or if record execs cared to project their messages. Instead you see Gucci Mane on tv and hear him on the radio, while The Mighty Mos Def releases “The Ecstatic” album with no exposure at all. If this Hip-Hop was projected more in mass media we’d have a better society but the truth will not be televised, literally. The majority of the albums sold are purchased by white people who to no fault of their own assume that we as black people are all like these fucked up rappers but it all starts with US. We as black people and true Hip-Hop fans decide what’s hot and others just follow. The issue here is why are our people so attracted to ignorance? Why aren’t we listening to uplifting music? Why is Jeezy your child’s hero and not Mos Def and Nas? At the end of the day, Gladys Knight made a generalized statement about an artform she knows nothing about, i doubt she can name 5 MCs, in my opinion that makes her unqualified to comment. I can’t list 5 opera singers so saying I don’t like the opera that I’ve heard is fine, but saying that Opera is nothing but a bunch of fat white people yelling because thats NOT the case and I’m sure I’d find more substance in it if i looked past the stereotypical fat person singing (Pavarotti?). In any case, this is a never ending topic but the fact still remains that our society embraces ignorance and shuns intelligence. I don’t expect Gladys to like Hip-Hop no more than I’ll ever enjoy Opera or Country music, the difference is that I won’t criticize the few without praising the masses that are overlooked. Just to prove my point, If some rapper came out and made a statement saying “Fuck That Fat Bitch Gladys Knight” for her comments, it would’ve got so much more coverage than this thoughtful and civilized letter written by 9th, simply because America is in love with ignorance a.k.a. “Nigga Shit”
JUSTICE IS BLIND 10/2/09, 12:47:PM

BEYONCE IS HER OWN GLORIFIED VIDEO WHORE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Choznwarrior 10/2/09, 12:58:PM

The people mentioned n yesterdays hip-hop had a two fold effect.Some mentioned these people because they gave examples of black activism.Others mentioned it because black culture was a fad in the late 80′s/early 90′s.The same way we mention the latest gossip.Just to prove they could drop a name that you never heard of.The same way people know the release date of Jordans’.

Studying is up to each person.

I too, grew up in a household where NO SECULAR music was played.I would sneak to listen to it on the radio.

The groudwork for deterioration had began.

We hate to admit it but we need to.The quality of music has plummeted.

How many songs inspire you to do anything except be materialistic,boastful,and self worshiping.Count how many times “artists” say “I,me and my”,you’d be amazed.

Anyother kind of hip-hop is about raising “consciencness”.Which is some form of spirituality,(Egyptology,5%’s,sun worship,and even atheistic views,or better yet a view of God that he does not condone).

Be honest this music will put you in a mind numbing,thoughtless,self worshipping trance.The beat is the basis for the trance ,then they place a “message” on top.Whether you think you’re getting a message or not is neither here nor there.”Something” is being said.

This is not just present in hip-hop,but all music forms.
Inopia 10/2/09, 12:58:PM

real portuguese hip hop
Truth 10/2/09, 01:03:PM

Is this dude 9th Wonder for real? Brother you are in such MAJOR denial. This guy is referencing A Tribe Called Quest, P.E and the like. Dude, these examples are soooooo 19-20 years ago. Ms. Knight is referring to what’s going on now in 2009 and today’s music is a whole ‘nother ball game to 1989. Get this idiot a calendar and a time capsule already!!
Choznwarrior 10/2/09, 01:10:PM

Gladys Knight was a the forefront of a musical movement that changed the face of music.

We still sample from that era.So hip hop is riding on her back as well.

Once again let’s be real,I was a hip hop head back n the day…even then sometimes nothing was said,but nothing was said with cleverness.We paid homage to an MC that was inept with language.

We like the beat and the energy the “artist’s”.

If people want something back the way it was,they’ll put up a fuss.Then the “Powers that Be” have to listen because we would’nt spend our money on the products.

How many of you are old/young enough to remember when they tried to switch Coca-Cola’s formula?Needless to say they switched it back and they ain’t tried it since…lol
Choznwarrior 10/2/09, 01:13:PM

We like the beat and the energy that the “artists” give off…..sorry
really? 10/2/09, 01:16:PM

@Yawn, and Bear

You 2 said it best. Didn’t even bother to read anything else cuz you have it covered. Nobody could say it better. Hope Prof 9 Wonder read it! I cosign. Nuf said!
Ms. Brilly 10/2/09, 01:19:PM

@ Esco

I get what you’re saying. But the whole argument that “the powers that be” are pushing XYandZ is a bit of a cop out. There would be nothing to “push” if people didn’t come with this so called hip hop music we hear today. Okay, so being entertaining sells and the record companies and networks are trying to make a buck. But if our people didn’t sell their souls to act a bafoon on songs and tv then the record companies would have no trash product to make them rich. We can only blame them so much for exploiting us since we’re exploiting ourselves.

On a different note, Gladys Knight didn’t really say anything I disagree with. She seems to have made comments about 95% of the “hip hop” that’s easily accessible (the trash on the radio) so, in my opinion, she wasn’t wrong. The argument that 9th wonder seems to be making, in part is, “hey, bypass all the trash out there, dig undergroung to find the “real” hip hop…” but the real question is why should she have to? Why should we expect her to be “up on” real quality hip hop when the majority of people younger than her (who claim to be hip hop fans) aren’t?
Keisha2doll 10/2/09, 01:26:PM

He just needs to man up and admit that the music nowadays is garbage. It’s not a separation of music generations, it’s just the truth. Not just Hip-Hop but all genres and there are some Gems out there in that sea of s**t but, they are mostly underground.
The Bear 10/2/09, 01:32:PM

@ YAWN

“If only 2% of the hip hop artists make positive music while 98% make garbage then who is true?”

You killed it right there. Its now officially DEAD. LOL!!!

Eh everybody!!! YAWN just killed Hip Hop. Lol