Is reggae star Beenie Man changing his tune? It sure sounds that way.
Human rights activists cheered last month when gay group Outrage! reported that Beenie Man, Sizzle and Capleton, among others, had signed the so-called Reggae Compassionate Act, which reads, “We do not encourage nor minister to hate but rather uphold a philosophy of love, respect and understanding towards all human beings as the cornerstone of reggae.” Gays and straights alike celebrated the Act, which promised to ring in a new era for reggae. Now, however, Beenie Man’s saying he never signed it. Or, we think he’s saying that: “And mi neva sign it, yuh hear sah.”
B.M. goes on to tell reporters that while he can’t guarantee he’ll never sing another homophobic lyric, he’s not down with anti-gay violence. He will not, however, condone the gay “lifestyle”:
We don’t need it. We don’t need to kill dem. We just need [to] tell the people dem the right ting because I not supporting a gay lifestyle because it’s not wholesome to me.
Not the most ringing endorsement, but it’s certainly better than calling us batty boys.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
So, what of the RCA? It’s a clever post-colonial business ploy, “It’s a ting from the promoters of Europe.” God, those Europeans just can’t help themselves!
Paul Raposo
Reggae and rap are both the same garbage. Rich performers making millions whining about being poor. You never hear homophobia in any other musical genre, yet reggae and rap make millions pushing anti-gay beliefs, misogyny and violence on their dimwitted listeners.
BillieXX
You must be a music critic Paul because essentially you have no idea what you are talking about. However, I guess when you use the phrase “dimwitted listeners” you are looking beyond musical critique.
Paul Raposo
Rather than critiquing me Billie, critique my post. Or better yet, refute what I wrote.
I’m the king of rock, there is none higher/
Sucker MC’s should call me sire/
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire/
I won’t stop rockin’ till I retire/
Or,
The cops don’t know what to do, because my dope breaks thru/
No matter what they do, my stuff gets to you/
Kickin’ on the Boulevard, my tempo’s hyped and hard/
I don’t ask, the Ice just bogards/
I can defend that and did for many years. But the garbage that permeates rap and reaggae–and mostly rap music–today is indefensible. Braggadocio and posturing has been replaced with violence, calls for violence and pathetic flossing.
I saw an interview with an African American photographer, I’m trying to find the link. However, this well known still photographer was asked to direct and film a music video and he was disgusted by what he saw. He pointed out that in this well known rapper’s video the Bentley and Ferrari were rented; the platinum was actually rented silver; the Gucci clothing was rented; the big house was rented; and when filming was wrapped up, he got into his grandmother’s VW bug and drove back to his grandmother’s house, where he lived in the basement.
Mr. B
“Reggae and rap are both the same garbage. Rich performers making millions whining about being poor. You never hear homophobia in any other musical genre, yet reggae and rap make millions pushing anti-gay beliefs, misogyny and violence on their dimwitted listeners.”
I’m certainly not saying that no rap or reggae artist has ever spewed hate speech (but then again, the lily white rockers aren’t exempt either–even the Beatles glorified rape), but Paul, that was a really unfair generalization. And none too subtly racist, regardless of your intentions.
Paul Raposo
“And none too subtly racist, regardless of your intentions.”
Are you implying that only people of colour are involved with rap and reggae? What about Eminem? Are you stating that only people of colour listen to rap and reggae? I’m white and I listened to more than my fair share of rap. Nothing at all racist in my comment.
Mr. B
“Nothing at all racist in my comment.”
So you’re defending this comment–“Reggae and rap are both the same garbage. Rich performers making millions whining about being poor.”–as not racist because a few token white guys are rappers? Seriously?
This from the same person who called that director of the homeless shelter homophobic because she implied that a lot of gay culture revolves around bars (which it does and has for centuries) and that homeless queer kids are susceptible to being taken advantage of.
Paul Raposo
“So you’re defending this comment…as not racist because a few token white guys are rappers?”
No. I’m defending that comment because it’s true. Performers who have made money, who live in nice homes, who drive nice cars, who travle all over the world, are rapping about being poor. They aren’t poor and more likely than not, were not poor before their stardom. Biggie Smalls came from a middle class home with an educated working parent, but claimed poverty sent him into the streets. Bullshit.
Since I did not mention skin colour in my comment, you’re reply smacks of racism because you imply that only POC are involved with rap and reggae. I merely pointed out that this is not true.
“This from the same person who called that director of the homeless shelter homophobic”
I called Ms. Jones homophobic because she claimed that homeless kids are already “low” so will be willing to engage other men, or allow themselves to be victimized by gay men, as if happy homeless people would never, ever do anything gay.
“If you are young, you have lost your friends and family and feel low about yourself, you will not be bothered about going off with someone who makes you feel better, gives you a bed for the night and shower in the morning”
You see that? She is claiming that only lowly people could be gay and that gays take advantage of that. Her comment has nothing to do with queer youth; she is making gay men out to be predators chasing after children and they must protect homeless children from gay men. She has generalized homosexuals as not only predators, but as having no self-respect.
Mr. B
Hmm. I know this is the wrong comment thread for the homeless queer kids article, but what the heck.
Anyway, I’m still inclined to disagree about Ms. Jones. I’m as against anti-gay stereotypes as the next queer, but I really and truly do not see her making a blanket statement there. She’s talking about the gay kids she works with (who are homeless), and though predators are in the minority, unfortunately that IS the experience of many (if not most) homeless queer kids. It’s a contextual thing. Nowhere did Ms. Jones say, “Gay people notoriously target homeless youth”–she was talking about the kids’ experiences. And again, I don’t like stereotypes, but face it–in most parts of the world, gay meeting places are predominantly BARS. As in, places where lots of alcohol is consumed and plenty of drugs are done. Not everyone–or even the majority of bar patrons–are alcoholics or addicts. But if you’re a desperate kid looking for money/a place to sleep/someone to protect you, a bar is a place where the likelihood is much higher that you’ll meet someone who expects sex from you than a kindly social worker who will turn your life around. And that’s true whether you’re gay or straight.
Also, it’s pretty hard to have self respect when you’re not only queer and a minor, but also disowned and on the street.
I’m not here to call you a bigot, Paul. I’m not even calling you A racist. But you made a generalization about a music genre–two genres, in fact. (The word was garbage.) And then you try to call my statement racist? Hello, Jamaica (the birthplace of reggae) is 90.9% black. It’s hardly a gross assumption to state that most reggae musicians are black. As for rap, sure, there are white rappers, but you’ve got to be kidding if you’re trying to say they’re even close to the majority. Rap and reggae are two genres largely performed by POC. To dismiss the genres as “garbage” because you equate ALL of that music as “whining about being poor”?
But what do I know, since apparently the fact that I don’t think the majority of rappers are white is more racist than saying their music about their experiences (that I know nothing about) is crap.
hisurfer
Paul – In one post you say rappers whine about being poor, in the next post you say they brag about being rich; in one post you dis a rapper who drives a VW and lives with his grandmother, in the next you claim they’re all millionaires pretending to be poor.
Which is it?
Some rebuttals are too easy.
And for the record, the Billboard top rap & hip-hop songs this week are:
1. Fantasia. When I See U. Sample lyric:
I put your picture on my mirror
Start to blush when somebody says your name
In my stomach there’s a pain
See you walk in my direction, I go the other way
I start to stutter when I speak
Try to stand, but my knees go weak
2. Musiq Soulchild. Teach Me.
I was told the true definition of a man was to never cry
Work till you tired yeah got to provide yeah
Always be the rock for my fam, protect them by all means
(and give you the things that you need, baby)
Our relationship is suffering trying to give you – what I never had
You say I don’t know to love you baby
Well I say show me the way
3. Fabolous – Make Me Better
I’m a movement by myself.
But I’m a force when we’re together.
Mami I’m good all by myself.
But baby you, you make me better.
4. R. Kelly & Usher – Same Girl
Man, I can’t believe this chick… damn… mm
Tell me whats wrong dawg, what the hell you damning about
I’m your homie so just say what’s on your mind
Man I didn’t know that you were talking about her
So man you’re telling me you know her?
Do I know her? like a pastor knows his word
5. Rihanna & Jay Z – Umbrella
When the sun shines
We’ll shine together
Told you I’ll be here forever
Said I’ll always be your friend
Took an oath
I’mma stick it out ’til the end
*****
Hmm. So far no homophobia, whining about poverty, misogyny, or violence. I got to number ten before I even saw a hint of braggadocio & posturing.
Paul Raposo
Thanks for replying, hisurfer. I don’t want to argue with Mr. B because I like him. I really can’t stand you, so I’ll have at it.
“Paul – In one post you say rappers whine about being poor, in the next post you say they brag about being rich;”
Which are both true. Eminem bellyaches about living in a trailer, even today, then he brags about his 38 million dollar house on another track. The BIG whined about “having” to sell drugs to survive, then tells us “his car go 160” while speeding backwards in a Merc convertible. Jay Z tells us that “niggers like [him]” have no chance to survive, yet cuts a deal with Audemars-Piguet to produce a diamond studded serious of Royal oak watches to commentate his ten year anniversary.
Run-DMC bragged, but rarely whined. KRS-1, who came from true poverty, talked about it but rarely talked like he was still poor and used his experience to tell his listeners that they can succeed too. Rakim rapped about violence and how it disgusted him and again, empowered his fans to grow up and take control of their lives.
Todays rappers seem to want to keep their listeners angry and in a poverty mentality, rather than using themselves as an example of success. I guess it’s hard to keep your cred, when you’re driving around in chauffeured Bentleys.
“in one post you dis a rapper who drives a VW and lives with his grandmother, in the next you claim they’re all millionaires pretending to be poor.”
I didn’t dis the rapper, hisurfer, a photographer who filmed and directed his video–as per the record companies instructions–did. And again, yes the great majority of them are making big money while crying poor. Even P-Diddy who has a net worth of a half billion dollars, cries poor in interviews.
“Which is it?”
Both.
“Some rebuttals are too easy.”
Yes they are.
“Hmm. So far no homophobia, whining about poverty, misogyny, or violence. I got to number ten before I even saw a hint of braggadocio & posturing.”
If you gather your musical tastes and influences from the Billboard Top 40, then there really is point in debating this with you.
Educate yourself, hisurfer and then reply:
http://uk.gay.com/headlines/7183
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/10/23/beenie_man_defends_homophobic_lyrics
http://www.fradical.com/Homophobia_bad_sexism_good.htm
An important link:
http://www.sovo.com/2003/8-29/news/national/hiphop.cfm
And the most informative link you can read on homophobic lyrics:
http://www.phatfamily.org/dadislist.html
Paul Raposo
Thanks for replying, hisurfer. I don’t want to argue with Mr. B because I like him. I really can’t stand you, so I’ll have at it.
“Paul – In one post you say rappers whine about being poor, in the next post you say they brag about being rich;”
Which are both true. Eminem bellyaches about living in a trailer, even today, then he brags about his 38 million dollar house on another track. The BIG whined about “having” to sell drugs to survive, then tells us “his car go 160” while speeding backwards in a Merc convertible. Jay Z tells us that “niggers like [him]” have no chance to survive, yet cuts a deal with Audemars-Piguet to produce a diamond studded serious of Royal oak watches to commentate his ten year anniversary.
Run-DMC bragged, but rarely whined. KRS-1, who came from true poverty, talked about it but rarely talked like he was still poor and used his experience to tell his listeners that they can succeed too. Rakim rapped about violence and how it disgusted him and again, empowered his fans to grow up and take control of their lives.
Todays rappers seem to want to keep their listeners angry and in a poverty mentality, rather than using themselves as an example of success. I guess it’s hard to keep your cred, when you’re driving around in chauffeured Bentleys.
“in one post you dis a rapper who drives a VW and lives with his grandmother, in the next you claim they’re all millionaires pretending to be poor.”
I didn’t dis the rapper, hisurfer, a photographer who filmed and directed his video–as per the record companies instructions–did. And again, yes the great majority of them are making big money while crying poor. Even P-Diddy who has a net worth of a half billion dollars, cries poor in interviews.
“Which is it?”
Both.
“Some rebuttals are too easy.”
Yes they are.
“Hmm. So far no homophobia, whining about poverty, misogyny, or violence. I got to number ten before I even saw a hint of braggadocio & posturing.”
If you gather your musical tastes and influences from the Billboard Top 40, then there really is point in debating this with you.
Educate yourself, hisurfer and then reply:
[There were suppose to be a serious of links here, but fucking WordPress won’t post my reply with them. They are available for those who want them]
An important link:
http://www.sovo.com/2003/8-29/news/national/hiphop.cfm
And the most informative link you can read on homophobic lyrics:
http://www.phatfamily.org/dadislist.html
Paul Raposo
Thanks for replying, hisurfer. I don’t want to argue with Mr. B because I like him. I really can’t stand you, so I’ll have at it.
“Paul – In one post you say rappers whine about being poor, in the next post you say they brag about being rich;”
Which are both true. Eminem bellyaches about living in a trailer, even today, then he brags about his 38 million dollar house on another track. The BIG whined about “having” to sell drugs to survive, then tells us “his car go 160” while speeding backwards in a Merc convertible. Jay Z tells us that “niggers like [him]” have no chance to survive, yet cuts a deal with Audemars-Piguet to produce a diamond studded serious of Royal oak watches to commentate his ten year anniversary.
Run-DMC bragged, but rarely whined. KRS-1, who came from true poverty, talked about it but rarely talked like he was still poor and used his experience to tell his listeners that they can succeed too. Rakim rapped about violence and how it disgusted him and again, empowered his fans to grow up and take control of their lives.
Todays rappers seem to want to keep their listeners angry and in a poverty mentality, rather than using themselves as an example of success. I guess it’s hard to keep your cred, when you’re driving around in chauffeured Bentleys.
“in one post you dis a rapper who drives a VW and lives with his grandmother, in the next you claim they’re all millionaires pretending to be poor.”
I didn’t dis the rapper, hisurfer, a photographer who filmed and directed his video–as per the record companies instructions–did. And again, yes the great majority of them are making big money while crying poor. Even P-Diddy who has a net worth of a half billion dollars, cries poor in interviews.
“Which is it?”
Both.
“Some rebuttals are too easy.”
Yes they are.
“Hmm. So far no homophobia, whining about poverty, misogyny, or violence. I got to number ten before I even saw a hint of braggadocio & posturing.”
If you gather your musical tastes and influences from the Billboard Top 40, then there really is point in debating this with you.
Educate yourself, hisurfer and then reply:
[There were suppose to be a serious of links here, but fucking WordPress won’t post my reply with them. They are available for those who want them]
An important link:
[Again, another link that won’t let my reply appear.]
And the most informative link you can read on homophobic lyrics:
http://www.phatfamily.org/dadislist.html
hisurfer
Hey Paul – aren’t you the same guy who thinks its unfair that black people won’t let you call them nigger anymore? I’m glad to know you can’t stand me!
Paul Raposo
“aren’t you the same guy who thinks its unfair that black people won’t let you call them nigger anymore?”
WTF? If you want to make this personal, hisurfer, I’m game, but do try to make some sense in your personal attacks.