Re: [microsound] [OT] hiphop article

["Jay Stickel" <j_stickel_otfp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Another good book on the matter is called "Toms, Coons, Mullattoes, Mammies, 
and Bucks" and another that comes to mind is entitled "Defining Blackness."  
I studied comparative cultures and religions in college and these were two 
very interesting texts.  Definitely worth a read.  And let's just say that 
this scholars take on the topic is certainly not without bias.  His research 
as an academician should lend itself to a more objective criticism, as his 
exposure and reference materials are obviously taken from only one view of 
"hip-hop."  By definition alone his statements are incorrect.  I think he is 
actually referring to what most of us would deem bling-bling rap bullshit 
(well, I will speak for myself).  Hip-hop has largely been defined as 
socially conscious and uplifting in direct contrast to the rap he speaks of.

Although there has definitely been a paradigm shift in terms of mainstream 
exposure to urban music, the old school mentality still exists.  I am a 
white kid who grew up in mostly black lower-middle working class 
neighborhoods.  The music addresses universal topics and appealed to me as a 
youth not only because I had a lot of exposure to it, but also because I 
identified with it.  Black or white, I think the message is the same for the 
majority.  Do I agree with some of the article's primary concerns?  To an 
extent.  Do I think the author's views are a bit subjective and skewed?  
Most definitely.

JS

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Richard Linville" <rlinville@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: microsound <microsound@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <microsound@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [microsound] [OT] hiphop article