Music lyrics take spotlight following Imus controversy

[leobold1]

WIStv.com Columbia, SC: Music lyrics take spotlight following Imus controversy

April 13, 2007 11:18 PM CDT

ORANGEBURG, SC (WIS) - If people found radio host Don Imus' comments about the Rutger's women's basketball team offensive, why are people at South Carolina State University lining up to hear similar words from rap artists?

In one song from a performer at Friday's concert, the n-word is used more than 100 times.

It's images and sounds like those that have Reverend Deforest B. Soaries on a mission to stamp it out. "We have been aware of the recurring theme that can best be described as a double standard. We have been frustrated for years that the culture has produced language that has degraded women and there are certain segments of the culture that seem to do it more than others."

The Reverend Al Sharpton, talking about Imus and other entertainers, says it's time to show the media and the public that it is not necessary to be misogynist and racist to be creative or to be commercial in this country.

WIS asked students at on campus about the concert and the lyrics. One student, Kendra Johnson, says, "The radio host was out of line when he said it. Some rap artists may be out of line, but they don't mean no harm."

Student Justin Miller says, "There's always a time and place for everything. With hip hop music that's a certain situation where those remarks can be used, but on public radio station pointed to a particular group it's not proper."

One of the performers at the concert was Crime Mob. Their video, "Rock Yo Hips" is set on a fictional campus, Crime Mob university. That's where they depict women as strippers saying, "After she dance on that pole, I pull my cash so quick and fast."

Students tell us, "It's just music. It's all how you take it."

The controversial group is performing during Bulldogfest, a weekend designed to celebrate school spirit and recruit new students.

Student Body President Deven Anderson says, "Being they are a performing artist group they're merely here to entertain us. That's nothing serious in content, they're here to entertain."

In less than two weeks the rap will be replaced with debate. SC State University is hosting the first Democratic presidential debate.

Anderson says, "I think it represents the culture they have here at the university. We have students that are urban and we have students that are political figures who like politics, so I think it represents our variety of students at the university."

Reported by Angie Goff & Maggie Alexander

Posted by Chantelle Janelle

[Snowden]

WIS asked students at on campus about the concert and the lyrics. One student, Kendra Johnson, says, "The radio host was out of line when he said it. Some rap artists may be out of line, but they don't mean no harm."

Whether or not they mean harm, harm is one result of these lyrics, simply because it causes many in that generation to denegrate women. And it seems both genders allow it and slide down to meet the standards of those sick lyrics. It does harm, whether or not intended.