Alicia Keys: Gangsta Rap Was A Conspiracy

NEW YORK — There's another side to Alicia Keys: conspiracy theorist. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter tells Blender magazine: "`Gangsta rap' was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. `Gangsta rap' didn't exist."

Keys, 27, said she's read several Black Panther autobiographies and wears a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck "to symbolize strength, power and killing 'em dead," according to an interview in the magazine's May issue, on newsstands Tuesday.

Another of her theories: That the bicoastal feud between slain rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. was fueled "by the government and the media, to stop another great black leader from existing."

Keys' AK-47 jewelry came as a surprise to her mother, who is quoted as telling Blender: "She wears what? That doesn't sound like Alicia." Keys' publicist, Theola Borden, said Keys was on vacation and unavailable for comment.

Though she's known for her romantic tunes, she told Blender that she wants to write more political songs. If black leaders such as the late Black Panther Huey Newton "had the outlets our musicians have today, it'd be global. I have to figure out a way to do it myself," she said.

The multiplatinum songstress behind the hits "Fallin'" and "No One" most recently had success with her latest CD, "As I Am," which sold millions.

___

On the Net:

Blender:

http://www.blender.com/

Alicia Keys:

http://www.aliciakeys.com/

Comments

[NABNYC]

Why does the white media always label black people if they don't mimic the white "version" of events. The Reverand Wright is a "militant" because he thinks Aids might have been deliberately set loose on the black community by the government? Alicia Keys is a "conspiracy theorist" because she thinks the ruling class tries to create drugs, guns, disintegration within the black community?

I would say that it's a pretty safe bet that most of what the government tell us is a lie. Gulf of Tonkin: lie lie lie. Mushroom clouds: lie. So they lie us into war. Then they "have" to give Bear Stearns $38 billion of taxpayer's money? Lie. Cutting rich people's taxes will make the rest of us rich: lie. Nafta will create better jobs here at home: lie. The government systematically exterminated or framed every member of the black panthers, then lied about that too. Did they kill JFK, MLK, RFK, Malcolm X? If they did, you can be sure they've lied about that too. Alicia's okay with me.

[liya]

You must have read a different article than the rest of us. Where did Keys say "she thinks the ruling class tries to create drugs, guns, disintegration..."? She said gangsta rap was a ploy by the government. Her comments actually hurt any attempts to make known actual conspiracies (like the ones you listed), because the media will then just lump the real ones with the fruitcake ones like the ones Keys espoused.

Nobody disputes the government is always lying to us, but how is gangsta rap a government lie? It's a genre of music, Einstein, and one that in the beginning was about fighting the powers that be (quite ironically). JUST BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS ROTTEN DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE BEHIND EVERY SOCIAL ILL THAT BEFALLS US.

You seem smart, but quite ill-informed.

And it's beyond doubt at this point the gov was behind JFK, MLK, the hell have you been? Not sure about the other two, though I've heard stories about RFK.

AKeys is a nitwit.

[Lucille]

When someone in the media doesn't believe or believes differently than what the media tells us "we" are immediately told that their crazy, and un-American or whatever.

A lot of you are deluding yourselves and no amount of insulting Alicia is going to change that. Many people believe as she does, or at least that something like this is always going on and nothing you say is going to change that.

We know what is going on in our lives, you don't.

The world is changing and you don't know who will be in power tomorrow. If everyone would at least always try to do the right thing, then many of you would have nothing to worry about. Some of you are "worried" because your afraid that what she's saying is true or you somehow want the rest of us not to believe her, but if fact we believe that and worse already, yet we still try to be humane and hope for the best, but there is no guarantee that the latter will always be the case.

[NightRider]

"wears a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck "to symbolize strength, power and killing 'em dead,"

A = Alicia

K = Keys

Everyone close to her called her AK. She just used the moniker "AK-47" to say kill them lyrically with her music.

That fact alone tells me how distorted this story is. I love Alicia.

[meanguy]

yeah, someone rally needs to tell her why she wears the pendant...otherwise she might go do something stupid like tell an interviewer, who might write it down...thank goodness she has fans who have never met her to straighten out her 'distortions'...

[OverIt]

I hope Ms. Keys had a good financial advisor cause her money well will soon dry up.

[supergranny]

Too bad, she has a beautiful voice and had to spoil it with some highly insane blathering about a group of musicians that glorify killing, rape and drug dealing like its some badge of honor.

[geobushono]

Since my political awakening in the early 60s, I have KNOWN that racism is Americas #1 problem........and all others pale in comparison.
Hopefully There are enough enlightened voters to finally elect a President who will address thisNational Stain.

Obama 08---Yes We Can

[meanguy]

no, i would say that ignorance is the #1 problem...and ms keyes is living proof

[supergranny]

lame.

[DrJimmy]

Address the Nation's stain? Excuse me but the fact that a black man has reached this far and might become the next president is itself addressing the "nation's stain" The fact that a black man can not become president without the white vote just in sheer numbers is itself addressing the "nation's stain". Travel the world a bit and see how racism really exists in this world...Travel to Africa, the congo, Sudan etc and see how one set of Africans attack each other because of tribe differences....

[Getbent]

I wonder what her WHITE MOTHER thinks of all this? No doubt black people have been oppressed for hundreds of years, but no white man invented rap, much less gangsta rap. For years R&B and soul music described life of oppressed people, and gangsta rap is just a logical extension of that. I have no doubt the American government (as well as other powerful people) has been involved in certain people down, and certain people in power. Example: John McCain has at least 2 religious lunatics backing his campaign, but all people are talking about is Rev. Wright, who is backing who? Obama. That is all.

[geobushono]

....."gangsta rap is just a logical extension"...............not logical.............I don't expecr BRUCE to start writing gangsta..........and he certainly writes about some bad shit.

[banjomike]

Alicia said:
Another of her theories: That the bicoastal feud between slain rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. was fueled "by the government and the media, to stop another great black leader from existing."

....It makes me wonder. Which one of them was "another great black leader"? Tupac or BIG?
Some leaders. One had "Thug Life" tattooed on his belly, and the other made a career out of menace. It seems to me that neither one could lead the way out of a parking lot.

I fully agree that the recording companies eagerly promoted the violence, but both, and many more rappers, just as eagerly bought into it.

[sizzla]

It doesn't matter what she thinks. Her career is based on her ability to sing. As far as her theory goes it's a little farfetched but not unrealistic. The American government has been systematically putting the African American community for at a disadvantage for years. Maybe she knows something we don't.

Word of advice to Miss Keyes. If your going to make statements like that be prepared to back them up. Most historians and journalist need you to reference your sources otherwise you come off as an opinionated crackpot (see 165 posts before mine).

[meanguy]

i seriously doubt ms keyes knows ANYTHING the rest of us don't-she hasn't a clue...

[liya]

Right, and you're above being an opinionated crackpot.

Most people here are not denying what the government's done to the AA community. That doesn't mean that everything ill in the AA community is therefore because of the government. And I highly doubt a pop singer (and not too bright a one at that) is privy to information the rest of us aren't unless she's a CIA op spreading disinformation. Which at this point is more plausible than her statements.

[ElPerro]

This just in...

A nation-wide search for Alica Keyes brain has begun. So far the searchers have had no luck and are getting discouraged.

[meanguy]

maybe the government hid her brain in order to keep another great leader from emerging...

[readreza]

what happened to yours ?

[mtaylor90028]

reading these posts it seems most of the people here are afraid of "crazy" ideas that do not fit with their happy shiney world. they seemed to be pissed that she would even DARE think such a thing that they start attacking her personally or her music.

why are you getting so angry? lol, did she TOUCH A NERVE for you dumb, ignorant, white american folk? :) yep i bet she did, and you all just can't stand it can you? hahahha. you all know you hate black people, and just don't want to admit it. you know your government and leaders hate them too. you know your government would do anything to constantly keep them from getting powerful in this country out of fear of them.

By the way, I am not black and I tend to get annoyed by black americans and avoid dealing with them - but look at that - at least I am honest to say that unlike you people.

To Alicia: my gut feeling tells me Alicia you are probably right. Zionists and the members of the round-table (bush, presidents, kings, etc) are always thinking of ways to keep people - yes people of every color - in their place, and keep the rich, rich. One bit of advice though- lose the necklace because as another poster says, it is ironic that you say the government created gangsta rap, but then you turn around and promote 'gangsta-ness' also. it hurts your argument.

[danceswithyids]

Zionists?
Do yourself a favor, read "What would Martin Say"

[meanguy]

mtaylor90028: does the tinfoil make your scalp itch?

[liya]

I never cease to be amused by people like you who assume everyone is white. I am an African-American who is bright enough to know Keys is full of shit on this one and know her tunes are a sorry excuse for soul or pop music.

So is there anything beside your "gut feeling" that proves what Keys said to be even remotely accurate? My gut feeling tells me you're an idiot.

And when was the last time you were kept down by a "Zionist" (why not just come out and say you don't like Jews)? And what do Zionists have to lose by having Biggie Smalls and Tupac around? LOL

Some well-sourced explanations for all of these idiotic statements, please, or you're an ill-educated numbskull.

Also, I doubt Keys is reading this thread, so save the personal letter.

[hardrain77]

Why does everyone approach these comments as some shadowy conspiracy?

The elites of this country have been trying to keep us infighting and preoccupied with ourselves while they raid the lands. Gangsta rap was the embodiment of a group of people infighting. I'm sure if they could sell Sunni/Shia gangsta rap to keep them killing each other in Iraq, they would. Hell, the CIA's probably already working on it.

Record company heads all want the same thing: money. They're corporate shareholders all want the same thing: money.

When gangsta rap came up, which was just a hard-core artistic expression of living in the ghetto--an existence which was fueled by what was still a system based on poverty, racism and racial profiling. Whether or not you believe in the AIDS and Crack conspiracies, no one can argue that blacks have been screwed over for years. They always get the harshest prison sentences, etc.

Gangsta rap was perfect. The kids all loved it. It fueled violence and misogyny. Kept the gun and drug markets thriving. Led to infighting and 'black on black' crimes. Kept the prison industry booming. And, ultimately, kept the minority down while at the same time going against the message of Dr. King all the while making tons of money and keeping the angry eyes of the youth away from the shadowy secrets of government.

It's not a conspiracy, it's a business interest.

Wow, that sounds like Iraq.

[Katboy]

Agreed.

'Gangsta rap' is a tiny part of the hip hop spectrum that has grown like a cancer since its became the driving force behind MTV.

Basing your opinions of the enormous genre that is hip hop on MTV-style 'gangsta' is like basing your opinion of rock n roll on Britney. The product that's sold on MTV has no relation to the genuine article.

If there's a 'conspiracy', it's of the usual type - powerful interests moving in the same direction in order to make money. No shadowy meetings or secret plans are required.

The tiresome elements of hip hop, and 'gangsta rap' in particular - ultra-materialism, self-aggrandisement, machismo - are a byproduct of hip hop's roots in ultra-deprived urban areas. The fact that these elements are the driving force of MTV-rap is telling.

Basically, the shitty side of hip hop fits very well into the lifestyle of cultural and intellectual suicide that is incessantly pushed on MTV and the like.

[liya]

Um, it's called evidence and proof? The government isn't automatically directly responsible for every social ill (or every music trend for that matter). Mindblowing idea, I know.

So why do you defend her comments and then proceed to refute everything she says? She's saying gangsta rap never existed and was a ploy of the government and you proceed to give us an explanation of its actual history. And I think the crack conspiracy is beyond debate at this point and well-known to be true to anyone with the intellectual curiosity.

While what you say is accurate, it also does NOT prove a whit of what Keys said to be true. Try again.

[ElPerro]

The real "business interest" is the interest of the artists and their (black owned) record labels. They know that promoting feuds, whether real or bogus, and adopting the thug pose, is good for business. They knew what they were doing and did it willingly. They weren't duped by Whitey into betraying their high moral standards.

[1will]

I hope this young woman is not stupid enough to actually belief this crap.

[LawOfAttraction]

Keys means well but clearly she's young, impressionable and intellectually malliable to the point being putty.
Apparently Black conspiracy theorists (the same people that peddle AIDS and crack were genetically and chemically engineered to target and kills Blacks) have pumped her head full of nonsense and now this is what's coming out.

She needs to read some John Henrik Clark to get a better perspective on Black global history and PanAfricanism and some Nelson George for the history of Hip Hop, Rap and it's gangsta rap subgenre.

Gangsta rap was spawned in California in the late 80s/beginning of the 90s as a result of the drug trade blossoming and growing by hiring gang members to sell the drugs and set up interstate operations.
The rappers would rap about what they saw in their community and the gang culture, pimp culture and hustler culture were central themes in their life experience and music.

Tupac and Biggie and the East Coast/West Coast rivalry didn't come into the mix until the mid 90s, by which time gansta rap had already blossomed and ascended to prominence years before.

She's lost in spinland.

I predict one or two embarrassing albums (albums 3 and 4), followed by a greatly diminished following for her 5th album, after which there will be another new media darling singer to replace her and she'll fade into obscurity.

[liya]

This is a good perspective on this, thank you for it.

I think she just released number 3.

[YellerDawg]

Poor thing. It must be dreadful to be so rich and privileged. I can understand why she's so bitter, since she's so economically challenged. I love her music and talent, but, damn, she sounds a little out there. Maybe she should stop reading those books until she can understand them better. "The lady is young."

[liya]

"The lady is young."

Damn, I hope I'm not that stupid when I'm 28.

[LawOfAttraction]

Wow.. 28? Has it been that long since Songs In A Minor? I heard she recorded it when she was 16 or so. Has it been 11 years since then?? I don't think so...

Hmm.. Bio says she was born on Christmas day in either 1980 or 81.

So shes' a Capricorn like me. How odd.. We Caps tend to be intellectual, pragmatic and well grounded, with a voracious appetite for knowledge and as a result are rarely ever wrong.

Well, at least it's true for me. :-) lol

[DrJimmy]

Ya know the FBI followed John Lennon for years.....did the Gov invent Rock music??? Also if this is all true as she states and no one has created a movement based on this info....why? I'm confused if everyone says that he was such a threat to the U.S. Gov and the Gov had him killed...and nothing has come of it....then I guess is importance to this all...was over estimated by the Gov...and by Miss Keyes

[Bobleblah1]

PS
By this point, In the year 2008
If you have to ask black people whether they agree with this story,
Your are precisely the person who they would not give real talk to, about this story.

[carlgt1]

This is about as stupid as when Muslim groups claim the Jews were behind 9/11 etc. Take some friggin' responsibility for your actions and stop trying to find a scapegoat!

[Bobleblah1]

danceswithyids
For some reason I think your full of sh*t.
Your telling us you went out on the streets of Detroit today for an hour and started asking black people only, whether they agreed with this story? Does this mean you did this during your work time?
on your lunch break? in between class? I have lived in Detroit and your story sounds like Bullsh*t. Detroit people dont even get down like that.
But hey! maybe you did go outside in the middle of the day in Detroit, to interview random black folk for an hour, about a story that no one other than huffpo posters is talking about.

If thats the case I apologize for doubting you.