“They say money make a n*gga act n*gger-ish”
Problem- A$AP Rocky
Problem- A$AP Rocky
On February 10th, the world will witness the 55th annual Grammy award
show and rap royalty will be in the hizzouse. This ain’t nuthin’
unusual. However, what is news is that for the first time, a song
featuring the controversial “N-word” is in the running for an award,
courtesy of Kanye West and Jay Z’s hit “N*ggas in Paris.” And since the
song is nominated in two categories, the odds are in their favor.
The only other thing to come close to this monumental event is,
perhaps, Nas and ex-wife Kelis sportin’ the N*gger embroidered jackets
on the red carpet at the 2008 show.
So the question is, if Kanye and Jay are successful, how are they
gonna announce the winner and who is gonna do it ? Since the Grammy
folks like to do the unexpected when it comes to announcing winners, I
can’t wait to see Ted Nugent jump on stage and say “and the winner of
the Rap Performance of the Year is “N*ggers in New Hampshire”…I mean
“Coloreds Outta Compton”…Aw, shucks …”
Also, the fact that the awards are smack dab in the middle of Black History Month makes matters worst.
If we look at the history of rap music and the Grammy’s, it is safe
to say that our music was not always welcomed. Kinda like a thugged out
version of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. “Although the genre was
finally recognized as something more than ghetto noise by the late 80’s,
controversy was created when the show would not televise the new
category, prompting a boycott by Jazzy Jeff and Will “Fresh Prince”
Smith and others in 1989.
So while some will be proud of the fact that 24 years later, Hip-Hop
can proudly boast that it has produced the first N*gga song that could
possibly win a Grammy, other Black folks, like myself, look upon the
possibility with utter disgust. Especially considering that more
socially relevant groups such as Brand Nubian and X-Clan never won the
award , even though they are considered legends in the Hip-Hop arena.
Perhaps most disturbing is that by rewarding such ignorance , it
helps to legitimize the usage of the work in the eyes of White
Americans. Droppin’ the N-bomb in the presence of white folks was once
seen as a cultural no no. I can remember the controversy that arose when
“George Jefferson’s “ white neighbor “Tom Willis” called him a n*gger
on national TV on the 70’s sitcom “The Jeffersons”
But thanks to Hip-Hop groups, like NWA (Niggaz with Attitude) the
word has become less offensive, even though it is, technically, still
taboo for white people to actually say the word.
Although, many point to Hip Hop for propagating the warped idea that
the overuse of the word would take the power out of it, it was actually
white comedian Lenny Bruce who suggested that back in the 60’s. It must
also be remembered that John Lennon tried to universalize the term back
in 1972 with the song , “Woman is the Nigger of the World.”
It is oft repeated myth that the N Word is hip because it is a term
of endearment that all Black people use to express brotherly love and
racial solidarity.
Uh, no we “all “don’t.
There are probably more African Americans who, vehemently, oppose the word than those who embrace it.
For instance Philadelphia social worker, Abena Afreeka, who recently
started a “N*gga Recovery Program” to help those addicted to using the
word, opposes it because it acts as a psychological trigger to
subconscious memories of slavery which results in negative behavior.
Thus creating the perfect Manchurian candidate.
Despite the false idea that we now live in a color blind society,
racism still exists. And when Black rappers use the word they are like
Beyoncé at the last Inauguration, lip syncing what many white folks in
this country wish they could say out loud.
Which probably explains the massive crossover appeal of rappers who
frequently use the word like Kanye West and Jay Z’s fellow Grammy
contenders former gifted college athlete turned ratchet rapper, 2
Chainz, and former correctional officer turned “gangsta,“ Rick Ross.
In a climate where people like Quentin Tarantino feel comfortable
releasing N-Word laden movies and reality shows that feature African
Americans as over sexed buffoons, it is time that we flip the script.
Hip Hop artists must stand up and denounce the use of the word in the
same manner that they denounce safer and non- race specific issues like
animal cruelty and bullying.
We must realize that the use of the word is just a throw back to
slavery and until we stop identifying ourselves as n*ggas, we will
continue to be 21st century mental slaves. It is not only the word that
must die but the pathological behavior that has been associated with the
word courtesy of Holly ‘hood and the music industry.
Like that classic scene from the old school Spike Lee flick “School
Daze” when Dap (Laurence Fishburne) tells some brothas “you’re not
nigga’s,” this must be our message in 2013.
But truth is there is a trace of the racial inferiority complex ,a
carry over from the enslavement of our ancestors, in all of us. And in
order for our fullest self to live, that part of us must die.
So before we can change the world we must change ourselves
As Chuck D once asked on the Autobiography of Mr. Chuck, “Can you kill the n*gger in you?”
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s website is NoWarningShotsFired.com.
Follow him on Twitter @truthminista To contact the Black By
Nature/Conscious By Choice Campaign contact
info@nowarningshotsfired.com.Source all hip hop .com
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