Earlier this year the song “Karate Chop””leaked online featuring rapper Lil Wayne. He raps, “Bout to put rims on my skateboard wheels/Beat that (expletive/woman genital) up like Emmett Till.” A few weeks later a song by rapper Rocko featuring Rick Ross was release called “You Don’t Even Know It.””Rick Ross raps, “Put molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it/ I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.””Yes, we have our freedom of speech right, but when is freedom of speech taken too far?
Many would say both rappers have taken their lyrical content too far and offended too many. The family and estate of Emit Till have released a statement of disapproval over Lil Wayne’s disregard and disrespectful lyrics. Though his record label issued a statement of apology, the rapper has yet to do so. In the case of Rick Ross, a petition has been started over his blatant disregard for women and the issue of date rape. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that over 300,000 women are raped or sexually assaulted per year in the United States alone. That is a disturbing number and should not be taken lightly. His lyrics not only condone the behavior, but he boasts about it in the song. While some feel it’s only entertainment, many feel it sends and encourages the wrong message. Several individuals and organizations have taken a stand and so are we. Effective immediately Muskegon’s WUVSlp 103.7 the Beat has pulled ALL Lil Wayne and Rick Ross music from rotation. We pride ourselves on playing music that is non-degrading and non-violent. While we believe in freedom of speech, creative writing and individualism, we refuse to be part of the problem by spreading messages that could harm or end someone’s life.
Man, don’t nobody care about Muskegon. Nobody lives there.
You know it is about time someone in radio took a stand on the lyric issues with OUR artist because we accept anything they throw at us try to clean up the lyrics and put it on the air! WHY? Because if we do not play it the station down the dial will and we will loose ratings!
But it is simple to fix, Do like the folk a WUVS and drop it and if ALL Urban stations did that the artist would make better music in order to fit in the radio Choice Music. Before you say this will not work, why do you think the artist are making the crap they do now? Because WE play it on the radio.
Yes it is all JUST entertainment for You and I because we listen with an adult mind and take it as entertainment, but for an immature mind and life style those lyrics are like CHURCH to them.
When you look at the portrayed life style of the Top 10 Hip Hop Artist you would not want either one of them dating your Daughter, Grand daughter, Lil Sister or niece.
I only have Sons at this Point and sure would not want to see them coming through the Door with Niki Manaj on their arm either!
My personal opinion is editing this music for radio is like taking a porno film and blurring the images so you can play on TV after Cosby show. That is what it is when you edit Karate Chop for radio or when you edit Trinadad James etc.
Hey I am a professional Radio Person so I get the fact that folk like this music and they are free to make it, Just like Porn there is no law against it and folk that want it knows where to find it but it is NOT on CBS, NBC, TBS, USA, Discovery Channel etc.
I just feel like the Brave folk at WUSV should be applauded and we should all follow suit, it is great fro Radio Companies to make money, that is our lively hood, but at what expense do we serve our audience desires?
I mean there are a lot of Drug Dealers who would advertise on the radio if it was legal so why is it legal to feed our children garbage so we can get paid!
I still have faith that Artist are creative enough to make a song where they do not have to curse me out while i am listening. Yeah I am Different! I am Different! But do I need my lil 8 year old cousins singing this song with their middle finer up in the air?
Bravo to WUSV the station with the BIG ones to take this step.
Maybe I am tripping but I do remember Rap Artist that had platinum records and they did not have to cuss us out to get there!
I’m jus sayin
Royale,
You know you might be right, but nobody cared about Mississippi and Emmet Till, nobody cared about Rosa Parks in Montgomery, nobody cared about a Preacher from Atlanta Dr. King and so on, it is not where you are from it is what you are about!
Peace