"the music is negative because we're living negative lifestyles/values."
NO!!! I really don't think so. There are alot of us who try and live as good as we can. Music is one of our most important resources, because the kids listen to it. If the major labels keep putting money into crap like Limp Biskit, Marilyn Manson, Linkin Park, Cold, Disturbed, Cash Money, Three 6 mafia, Ja Rule, St. Lunatics, Jay Z, P. Diddy, Godsmack, Slipknot, Coal Chamber, Static X, etc., the kids will be turned into the wrong direction. Yes, I do believe Negative music can influence a generation of youth, that are ignored by their parents, talked down to by their teachers, and being brainwashed by the media (government= upcoming New World Organization). So, this is very difficult to sit by and let happen. I've been communicating with alot of peers (other dj's, producers, musicians, artists, and concerned people locally), and they want to do something, too. I say we expose the greater evil....... the major labels who don't care about their consumers. Write emails to labels spreading this negativity, and bring in all forms of positive artists together as one to fight the FIGHT. I know some of you think, I'm too busy to do this, but if you really care you'll try and do something. Let us know your ideas. It's awesome to have this list to openly share ideas and positive information. Acid Jazz has also had positive messages. Look at lyrics by early bands like Galliano, Brand New Heavies, JTQ, Young Disciples, Repercussions, Digable Planets, Guru (Jazzzmatazz), MC Solaar, Jamiroquai, United Future Organization, Jhelisa, etc. Now, most of us have websites, do music production, radio shows, and some of us are even high profile artists with a fan base. What we can do is spread a positive word/ messadges, do free events with special guest speakers (social-political rallies on the dangers of negative music, media, and NWO). It can be achieved, if we really care and DO IT!!!!!!!
I will cast the first stone. Write back with any ideas, anyways you can help, and feedback.
dj essential
http://hipjoint.iscool.net
----- Original Message -----
From: B. Graff
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 6:36 AM
To: acid-jazz@ucsd.edu
Subject: Re: Negative music...
Lotsa interesting points mentioned in this discussion. My two cents: I think this sense of music "turning negative" is a by-product of us getting older and realizing that things just aren't like they were when we were coming up. Like it or not, we're already starting to yearn for the "good old days."
That said, the issues surrounding contemporary music are numerous. One has to do with the lack of diversity being offered through mainstream outlets, which is basically all that young kids have exposure to. Speaking in terms of rap, back in the day we would see videos from Too Short, Geto Boys or NWA, but they'd also play Boogie Down Productions, X Clan and Queen Latifah. It seems like many labels, radio, and tv have decided to put all their energies on the most commercially successful stuff, which is usually highly sexual, materialistic and/or violent.
Now why is that the stuff that dominates the airwaves? I think we as consumers have to look at ourselves in terms of questioning why "conscious" artists always seem to fall off. It's always been my belief that even during rap's Golden Age, most of those artists were going gold at best. To move it to today, how many of us own records by the Coup (who have sold only 15,000 copies of their most recent album), Antibalas, the new KRS One, Dead Prez or Femi Kuti? De La Soul just lost their record deal, and I think plenty of us would call them one of our favorite acts during the early 90s. I think a lot of people say they want "meaningful" music, but don't buy it when it's available. And if we don't buy it, who's supposed to counter the stuff our younger family members are listening to?
Most people buy music as background music (work, doing chores) or for riding, relaxing or partying to. Therefore, they just want something that sounds good. And I will concede that Ja Rule, Mystikal and most southern bounce have blazing beats that are perfect for dancing. Until people decide that lyrics are more important than beats (or "conscious" artists decide to put as much emphasis on their beats/hooks as their words), artists with dope production will always be more popular.
Or, it could be as simple as something a friend once told me: the music is negative because we're living negative lifestyles/values.
--- B.Graff www.allthingsdeep.com________________________________________________________ Outgrown your current e-mail service? Get a 25MB Inbox, POP3 Access, No Ads and No Taglines with LYCOS MAIL PLUS. http://login.mail.lycos.com/brandPage.shtml?pageId=plus
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