Oprah's Jay-Z Moment
Obviously aware of the likely objections of millions of her middle-class-suburban-housewife viewers, the other day Oprah very carefully introduced her guest Jay-Z by saying: "Whatever your thoughts are about rap or Jay-Z, after this show, I'm sure you'll agree: he is unquestionably impressive and really, really, really, such a sweet guy. He just released his CD The Blueprint 3. Come On Out Jay-Z!"
I haven't listened to Blueprint 3 yet but I did a quick Google search to find out just how "really, really, really" sweet Jay-Z is these days and came across a religious site called "Plugged In," which didn't seem to share Oprah's assessment of Jay-Z's latest:
F-words and s-words abound, as does Jay-Z's ongoing fondness for the n-word and other profanities...We hear passing references to using and/or selling drugs on "Thank You," "Young Forever" and "Empire State of Mind." The latter...disses church too ("Jesus can't save you/Life starts when the church ends").... Crude references to the male anatomy can be heard on three tracks, and at least five songs include sexual allusions and/or graphic descriptions of women's bodies and particular sex acts.Predictably, some of Oprah's aforementioned fans are outraged: "There's nothing "staggering" about how this guy became famous," wrote one. "His impact on a culture that is already SICK and is getting SICKER through his help, nonetheless, is disgusting. His rise to fame IS off female hate, N word, egomania and violence. LISTEN to the lyrics, people and not just the "beat""
You can read the rest of O's viewer comments here.
Way to class it up, Ms. Winfrey.
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Isn't this the point when a show is described as "jumping the shark"--when it seems to sell out on the rep its built?
If Oprah was going to have rappers on her show, I would expect it to be a panel discussing their work, the attitudes the song's project, and the consequential impact on how women are treated. But that's what you get for having expectations.
These days, it doesn't matter how you arrive, it's that you arrive. If you have arrived, you will get interviews, even in seemingly unlikely places.
I don't think Bill Cosby is giving in on his attitudes towards rap, and thank goodness.
Why must a panel be convened to have a rapper on the show? Your position essentially assumes that hip-hop is not legitmate enough to be on Oprah. 30 years after its introduction and it still needs to be legitimized? I think not. She had one its most prolific talents on her show. She also had Barbara Streisand on the show. Should a panel be put together to discuss the unrealistic lyrics inherent in pop songs?
A panel does not have to be convened to have a rapper on a show, my suggestion was how Oprah could have controversial musical acts on her show, but handle it in a socially responsible way to not offend her viewership. Oprah's show comes on in the middle of the afternoon and is targeted to women.
A contemporary rapper who's lyrics repeatedly demean women, and aren't changing anytime soon, stand in stark contrast to Oprah's message of inspiration, overcoming hardships and bad relationships to be the best person you can be. If the people on the show don't offend Oprah, the show's producers should at least think about the audience, which is the whole reason they have a show to put on TV.
Another poster on this page has problems with endorsing an act who raps about drugdealing and thug life, but the bottom line is the same--"bad example, bad message".
'Good for you getting ahead and being a success, JayZ, but the songs content isn't a positive influence on the culture long term.
the panel would be made up of rappers discussing their work and its cultural impact, and negative impact on perceptions of women in media.
Its not about rap being legitimized, its about a guy who got famous singing songs about materialistic whores, a lot of "n-word" use.
Does that sound like Oprah's typical kind of guest? Does that sound like someone most women viewers want visiting their living room at 4pm in the afternoon, within earshot of their kids?
As a recovering drug addict, I find Jay Z's continued glorification of the former life he led as a dealer to be enough to discount him completely. I haven't seen O in 10 - 15 years so I could care less about her audience as a barometer. I look to the man and his behavior and see that he hasn't renounced the destruction that he wrought upon his old neighborhood. He is living the good life made upon the supplying of drugs to users. The fact that he sings about it, actually brags about it, this is sickness of that community. I was running this morning listening to the words of Empire State of Mind. More bravado about being a dealer. Do I hear this in any other music? No. This is a sick subculture that he reigns. But so did the Kennedys, bootleggers of the last century. I guess a hustler is a hustler. Like 50 cent, another former dealer buying respectability.
I take responsibility for being an addict by recovering and contributing to the world now not by bragging how bad I was for being a drug addict. This guy's principles are all about money and power but he is smartly playing the "sweet guy". He ain't no sweet guy. Sweet guys renounce their ugly, selfish behavior. When he does, I will listen.
I am a 43 year old white guy living in Bed Stuy, NY, Jay Z's old neighborhood.
Hats off to you for clean living and being a true inspiration for others. People such as yourself are the real heros.
DAMN! You're living proof!! Got yourself clean and you have every right to speak out against this guy Jay-Z. Kudos man! I stop listening to rap and hip hop in high school. Back when it was on it's post 1993 slide. But, I got a lot of respect for people like you. BIG up.
I would disagree that Jay is responsible for the wholesale "destruction" of Brooklyn. There is a laundry list of reasons why the Marcy Projects and parts of Brooklyn are in third world conditions and Jay Z is hardly the person responsible for it.
Listen to the song again. In no way does he "glorify" his former life. If you hear the lyrics you will note he is talking about his life as a New Yorker -- the song is an ode to NYC. Where is he glorifying being a drug dealer?
His references to "hustlin'" are not about dealing. He refers to the "rap game" as a "hustle game". He is talking about making a way out of the life he was living and his *bragging* is not in regards to dealing but in regards to making it from being a dealer to where he is today. Of course he has to continue to go to that story or else his arc makes no sense.
You say you look to the man and his behavior but you are focusing on a single aspect of a nearly 40 year life span. Your focus is on him repenting but I would say he does not have to apologize for his life he only has to continue to live the best way he can just as we all should.
You didn't read my post, you ranted. I didn't say "wholesale" destruction, you did. He contributed to it, no doubt. How has he improved those whose lives he damaged? By giving a free 9/11 concert and getting huge publicity in return? I am looking at him and many (not all) in the rap culture who glorify their hustler past while not disowning it or disavowing it. If drug addicts do a moral inventory and right their wrongs, why not the dealers? I am not holding him to a higher standard.
The song still makes no sense to me.
A person can admire an artist without necessarily liking the art. How? well, you acknowledge the impact the art has had on other people. and respect THAT.
I don't like rap music at all. However, I can't discount that millions of people feel it is art - in particular the music Jay Z produces. We have freedom of speech in this country - one needs to simply not tune in or listen if they find something offensive. But to those who DO choose to listen, for whaever reason, go for it! Its that simple.
So, it would be OK if I said that I admired Hitler because the German Autobahn influenced the building of the US Interstate Hwy system, which is the backbone of American society?
Or if I said I admired Hitler because he understood the need for a reliable auto that anyone could afford - the influence of the VW Beetle on automotive design is staggering.
Full disclosure, I do not admire or support Hitler in any respect.
Well, YES, it would be OK. Are you saying that it's NOT OK to express an opinion anymore? For goodness' sake, now we're comparing a recording artist to Hitler?
Whatever one's opinion is, no matter how heinous I or anybody else may find it, it's your right to express that opinion.
Get a grip.
If Oprah's audience is the barometer of class then I would prefer to live in a classless society.
Classless society? Sounds evolutionarily futuristic. There is always hope that the future will hold a classless society.
The president is a huge Jay-Z fan.
Another palin fan. This is about Jay-Z, not our US PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA.
(caps intended so you can get over it)
we'll get over when Osama is gone!
POTUS really is a Jay Z fan. He has talked about it before.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041803282.html
I doubt that most people posting here have even heard a Jay Z song. It is not a diss to be a fan of his.
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