Alicia Keys Backtracks On Gangsta Rap Conspiracy Claims

NEW YORK — Alicia Keys says she's not a conspiracy theorist. In a statement issued Tuesday, Keys said she was clarifying "comments that were made during my recent Blender magazine interview since they have been misrepresented."

According to an interview in the magazine's May issue, the 27-year-old singer says: "`Gangsta rap' was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. `Gangsta rap' didn't exist." She also is quoted as saying that she wears a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck "to symbolize strength, power and killing 'em dead."

"We stand by our story," Blender spokeswoman Kate Cafaro told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

"My comments about `gangsta rap' were in no way trying to suggest that the government is responsible for creating this genre of rap music," Keys said in a statement issued by J Records. "The point that I was trying to make was that the term was oversloganized by some of the media causing reactions that were not always positive. Many of the `gangsta rap' lyrics articulate the problems of the artists' experiences and I think all of us, including our leaders, could be doing more to address these problems including drugs, gang violence, crime, and other related social issues."

As for the AK-47 remark, Keys said Tuesday that AK-47 is a nickname given to her by friends "as an acronym for Alicia Keys and a metaphor for wowing people with my music and performances, `killing 'em dead' on stage. The reference was in no way meant to have a literal, political or negative connotation."

When AP attempted to reach Keys last week about the Blender interview, her publicist, Theola Borden, said the singer was on vacation and unavailable for comment.

The multiplatinum star behind the hits "Fallin'" and "No One" most recently had success with her latest CD, "As I Am," which has sold 3.4 million copies, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

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On the Net:

Blender:

http://www.blender.com/

Alicia Keys:

http://www.aliciakeys.com/

Comments

[shag11]

While there is a history of the government going after groups trying to make change in this country, rappers have created their own myths in an effort to enhance "street cred." As a black man, I am offended by the cheapening of the racism argument by people like Ms. Keys, falsifying stories for their wone amusemnt.
There are enough stories of blatant racism like the Jena 6, w/out creations dilusions. There is a story on this site today about the singer Akon, having made-up a story of prison life, in an effort to enhance is stature. Who's fault is that. Eazy-E and NWA created gangster rap in Compton. Keys is way offtrack. Save your energy for the real stuff.

[anghiari]

I am not sure how anybody who has followed Ms. Key's career would believe that article. It doesn't sound for one moment like anything she would say. I don't think she is backtracking. I don't think sge said it in the first place!

[toby25]

Does she go to the same church as Barack Obama? Is this where she gets these crazy ideas? Just like America infected black men with AIDS ...etc etc?

[MJD615]

Alicia should stick to her singing and her charities. Period.

[longnow]

Just like the Jewish doctors infecting Black babies with aids
now it da government infecting black yut wid gangsta wirics.
Dis be a demon ridden, superstitious world.

[Wolfgang]

I wonder if Alicia keys gets together with fellow Mensa member Snoop Doggy Dog to discuss conspiracy theories?

[AlP]

I heard her response live. She said exactly the same thing she said in the article. She's gone off the deep end. Yet another person who is either half-black, or a quarter, and suddenly they want to be a nationalist group member. She needs to get into therapy really quick!

[astark21]

Obvisously you didn't listen. Cause I heard that same interview. and she didn't repeat the same thing.

[AdultFilmLegend]

I like her. But she should sing in the microphone and not talk into it. We'll all be better off.

[Lucille]

Naturally "her people" were going to try to placate White folk, but she should keep her head up and not try to pacify anyone. I would not discount what she said because anything is possible and worse has already happened to Black folk.

So Alicia just refuse to discuss it anymore, your not on trial and have no obligation to discuss it further. Your a brave little sister and you are in my prays.

[astark21]

If I were her I would tell people to kiss my ass. And it's my opinion and if you don't like it, it's your problem. They got the nerve to call her a racist. Nothing in that statement is racist. She's half white and is very close to her white mother for christ sake.

[nihilon x]

Its funny how people can bear witness to our government authorizing illegal wars and torture abroad, yet find it impossible to believe that similarly sinister programs could ever be enacted here in America targeting very specific groups...despite the fact that our own history books offer PROOF that this has frequently been the case throughout history.

If crack cocaine had hit the suburbs the way it hit the inner-city, you know the government would have wiped out said "epidemic" within a year's time.

It reminds me of the argument where one blogger wrote that it was wrong to blame the goverment for the Tuskegee experiments because the (black) men already had syphillis and most likely were going to die anyway.

Never mind that said "epidemic" might spread throughout the black community if left untreated -- I guess the government only has a responsiblity to address such "epidemics" when they spill into the more "protected" segments of society.

[liya]

So are you gonna bother telling us who called her a racist? Or I can save you the trouble: no one.

[Mollye]

I'm sure she doesn't want to risk alienating any of her fan base. She did the right thing for her career.

[Gasparilla]

Still no explanation of how the media created a feud between Biggie and Tupac. That was her claim. The fact that they actually said the words that kept the feud going is apparently the fault of the media?

[adc]

The explanation of Biggie and Tupac is simple: They were both a couple of friggin' animals and shooting each other up was their way of marking their territory.

[liya]

Oh please, save the racial drama for your mama. This is not a black vs. white issue. I'll bet you anything you want to bet me that if you were to take a poll of black folks, a vast majority would think Keys is out of her damn mind.

Just because something is possible doesn't make it true.

[Lucille]

To Liya,

You don't know what the hell your talking about. Your telling me that drugs bought into Black communitees from around the world; assasinatlion of our leaders; the right to practice law stripped from Black lawyers' who defend unpopular clients (Tawana Brawley and no she didn't do it to herself); the murder out right and incarceration of Black men; slavery; Jim Crow; AIDs drug testing on Black foster children exposed in New York City a couple of years ago; and on and on, and (according to you) is just our imagination?

What was the stupid thing did you said? Oh yes, "mama. This is not a black vs. white issue. I'll bet you anything you want to bet me that if you were to take a poll of black folks, a vast majority would think Keys is out of her damn mind."

Wrong again Liya, must Black "folk" think your comment came from a "f" idiot.

Just who the hell are you to tell us not to believe our lying eyes? You said "oh please", PLEASE MY ASS.

We are suffering everyday because some White people have, in the past and even now, think it's their right to manipulate our lives, and many of them have no conscious about it at all.

So think next time before you start typing about our lives which, evidently, know nothing about.

[astark21]

If you people knew what you where talking about you would know that she not only a great artist but a even better human being. She is involved in great charities one is called Keep a Child Alive that gives medicine to children in Africa who have AIDS. And she doesn't do it because it trendy to give back but if you go to www.aliciainafrica.com you will see she is a very passionate person that wants to make a difference in the world. It is really sad that one misconstrued article could diminish all the positive stuff she has done. Like she said in her documentary if we spend as much time covering AIDS as we do on celebrities drama we would have a cure by now. SMH

[nihilon x]

Thank you for the positivity and keeping the bigger picture in focus.

All so many people on these boards want to do is hate...on everyone and everything they disagree with...even to the point where they will seek out the negative over the positive just so they can complain about it.

That's just what insecure people do.

Thanks again for keeping things in perspective.

[MJD615]

I respect her for being involved with charities. But, I don't have patience for inflamatory stuff. I hope in the future she sticks with her singing and charities and gives up the "black/white gov't drama."

[Phillyboy]

She's very cute....and very dumb.

[kentay305]

listen theres no fact that hip hop / rap in particular is a billion dollar business. and when CORPORATIONS are in play all they care about is money. and the best way to make money is to tell a story.. they know conscious hip hop sending a positive message doesnt sell as much as violence in america. i learned that a long time ago watching the history of violence on HBO. so when a rapper artist comes in and wants to do that type of music he is influenced otherwise by the company but its the rapper who takes the brunt of his work while the CORPORATION takes the money and hide... just like INTERSCOPE with DEATH ROW, WARNER BROTHERS did with COP KILLER, PRIORITY did with NWA. so she has her theory and for me it sticks... say what you want...

[BigLib]

She's pulling a Barry.

[nihilon x]

Restated...for emphasis.

"The point that I was trying to make was that the term was oversloganized by some of the media causing reactions that were not always positive.

Many of the `gangsta rap' lyrics articulate the problems of the artists' experiences and I think all of us, including our leaders, could be doing more to address these problems including drugs, gang violence, crime, and other related social issues."

[liya]

Yeah but that's a complete 360 from her original statements. These aren't her words but the canned statement written by a publicist or other handler for damage control. Gangsta rap can't both be a government ploy and an articulation of the artists' experiences.

[nihilon x]

Did you read the entire Blender article where her statements originated?

If not, how do you know what "a complete 360" is based on reading maybe 2% of her comments, taken completely out of context?

But whatever....I'm sure you bought everything they told you about Reverend Wright as well.

I'd explain to you that the government could have helped to CREATE the "gangsta" experience by allowing crack cocaine to filter into and take over inner-city neighborhoods back in the 80s and the 90s but I won't bother.

Believe what you want to believe.

[astark21]

It is her opinion and she has a right to say. It a thing called the First Amendment. What is wrong with this country when we bash someeone that has a valid opinion. People in this country need to take the blinders off and wake up.

[Gasparilla]

She has a right to say it and others have a right to respond. Is that part of the first amendment too?

[liya]

Clearly she is inarticulate; she should have gone for the canned publicist-written statement to begin with to save her the trouble....