Hip Hop and the Youth Vote...Neptunes Pharrell Makes Crazy Remarks...

[shoopnyc123]

...and, this writer, and others, didn't bat an eyelash. As a black person, Pharrell should know that a lot of people DIED to give his *#$! behind the right to vote...help, I need an email address to complain about his outrageous statements, (Below). Peace.

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FNV NEWSLETTER Feb 20 2004

*P-Diddy Calls Out George Bush

FNV Newsletter C 2004
=====================================

P-Diddy Calls Out George Bush
by Davey D

For those who weren't able to come out to the Left Coast last week and
enjoy back to back weeks of activities which centered around the
Grammy Awards and then the NBA Allstar Game, trust me when I say there
was a lot to take in and a lot to observe. In short Hip Hop was in
full and total effect.

It started off Saturday night, February 7th at the Rock The Vote
Lippert Awards when Sean 'P-Diddy Combs' Combs came to the stage to
recieve an award and gave a rousing 15 minute speech that smashed on
President George Bush. "What we have to do is Get His Ass out of
Office", P-Diddy told the packed house who cheered wildly at his
words.

P-Diddy stopped midway and quieted the crowd. He stated that he
wanted to make sure that people in the audience clearly understood
that he was being serious. 'This is no joke', he said. "We have to
get George Bush's ass out of Office..."He doesn't care about Black
people. he doesn't care about young people and he certainly doesn't
care about all those mothers who have lost their sons in this war in
Iraq... Let's register everyone to vote-Let's take the 20 million who
register and 'Get him out of office". He concluded by noting that he
would be doing everything in his power to unseat GW.


P-Diddy's words came as a pleasant surprise to those who only know him
for being a flamboyant, controversial, materialistic rap mogul. But
his remarks also indicated that many in Hip Hop are coming to a
crucial point in their lives and careers where they now understand the
importance of stepping up, speaking out and trying to be political.
For those who don't know P-Diddy along with ferllow rap mogul Damon
Dash has been stepping up their game so that they can start actively
chairing and hosting some of the many Hip Hop Summits that Russell
Simmons has scheduled for this year.

What was a bit disappointing was the fact that with all the media
present, very few covered P-Diddy's powerful remarks. My guess is
that they don't want a guy who can influence thousands of people to
dress a certain way or dance a certain way to use his influence to get
folks to act a certain way-politically.

Later that evening the Neptunes performed and this time Pharrel spoke out. Although it was a RTV event he went on record to say he was glad people were coming together, but he didn't think voting was the
answer. His perspective is one that many in this generation for
better or for worse feel and while there are many who didn't agree
with Pharrel's remarks, it was great to hear some of these popular
icons taking a stand. It's will be up to us to keep encouraging
political dialogue amongst this generation.

On a side note folks may wanna be on the look out.. A group of
popular artists who will go unamed at this time, are gearing up to
release a song that addresses the Bush Presidency and whats wrong with
it...More details will soon follow.
=====================================

[justjones]

1. WTF does he think the answer is then......

Making millions of dollars producing music, making videos with half-dressed women.....singing falsetto......

I dont' get it.

[shoopnyc123]

2. A True Idiot he is...eom

[roguevalley]

3. Sean Combs came up a bucket in my estimation. The other

guy? What a fool. The world doesn't run on its
own. Bad things happen when you let them. I hope
Sean keeps it up. God bless his wild ass. :)

[thefencehurts]

4. It's already here

Hip Hop political activism is already here and has been for many years. While not present in the mainstream, there is a huge amount of political rap. For example, Immortal Technique, Public Enemy and Ras Kass. And they put things much more succinctly and in depth.

[w13rd0]

5. Thanks for the recommendations...

...hadn't heard of Immortal Technique or Ras Kass...

[thefencehurts]

6. Yes

Not many people have. They are well worth it though if you can get hold of some of their songs. Check out "Nature of the Threat" and "Soul on Ice" by Ras Kass and "Cause of Death" and "Dance With The Devil" by technique.

[annagull]

7. I just heard Immortal Technique on the radio 2 days ago

the song "Cause of Death"--needless to say, it blew my mind! I just ordered Revolutionary Vol. 2 yesterday. Man, he really lays it all out, about Bush-Binladen, the CIA training terrorists, even Wellstone's murder.

[FDRrocks]

8. Don't forget Mos Def

He's always been a good political rapper. Outkast are pretty liberal. The Big Boi dude is always shouting about how fucked up this Bush shit is.

[thefencehurts]

9. Yeah, Mos is definetly there

So is Nas even. And Atmosphere. There's quite alot. Haven't heard much political stuff from Outkast. At least, not directly poliical. You've always got things like "Synthesiser" though.

[FDRrocks]

10. RE: Outkast

I meant Big Boi more in his interviews. I've heard him say all sorts of crap including "we trained Usama" in these interviews. I suspect Andre 3000 is a libera, I haven't seen him say it, but he is a vegan... which to me seems an indicator.

[truizm]

15. Don't forget the other half of Blackstar: Talib Kweli

Dead Prez, Last emperor, Q-tip, Jeru, and Common Sense too.

[youngred]

11. Michael Franti and the Spearheads

absolutely amazing hip hop and tremendously political

[Nlighten1]

12. Indeed...

One of my favorite bands ever.

[leodem]

13. While I was in Miami

I heard this artist on the hip hop station who was starting a movement to register 2,000,000 youth voters. I didn't catch who it was but he said "we've had too much Bush, he has to go." and the latin DJ laughed and agreed with him. It's good across the country to get that demographic but especially in South Florida to counter the Miami Mafia cuban vote that Bush panders too. I think most rappers are liberal, never heard of a "conservative" rapper. :)

We all can't forget Tupac Shakur, some songs were very political. Didn't get the name "The Realist" for nothing.

[newyawker99]

18. Hi leodem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[shoopnyc123]

14. Again...

if someone has an email address for his label or company, it would be appreciated. And yes, I am aware of the former, more politcally aware climate of hip-hop, (I have to say that I do work in the field). But now, if you noticed above, Davey D had NOTHING to say about it. Pathetic.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

16. Hip Hop activism is better than "Toby Keith Country Music Ignorance"...

activism!

[Ksec]

17. I never cared for Diddy but reading this gives me

a different perspective on him. At least hes using his wealth to promote something good for the country instead of the soulless bling bling mantra I hear today. Maybe he can start something. I sure hope so.