Author Topic: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism  (Read 1391 times)

Mr. Humonculous

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Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« on: May 12, 2006, 03:42:27 PM »
Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
By Chris Richburg and Clarence Burke Jr.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is speaking out about the recent criticism she has received from the Hip-Hop community.

In the past few weeks, rappers Ludacris and 50 Cent have openly condemned Winfrey, who appeared on Ed Lover's Power 105.1 radio show yesterday (May 11) to defend her side of the story.

 "I listen to some Hip-Hop. I've been accused of not liking Hip-Hop and that's just not true," she said. "I got a little 50 [Cent] in my iPod. I really do. I like 'In Da Club.' Have you heard the beat to 'In Da Club'? Love that, love Jay-Z, love Kanye, love Mary J. Mary J. is one of my friends."

The backlash against Winfrey sparked last year after Ludacris appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote his co-starring role in the film Crash.

While discussing the movie's racial subject matter with the other cast members, Winfrey interrogated Ludacris about his notoriously raunchy lyrics.

The rapper addressed the incident in the May issue of GQ Magazine, stating that Winfrey edited his comments out of the show.

He also revealed that he wasn't invited to appear on the show initially, and that he felt Winfrey's questioning was inappropriate considering the fact that he appeared on the show as an actor.

"What I got was that by having rappers on her show, she feels like she is empowering in them. It was like being at someone's house who doesn't really want you there," Ludacris told GQ. "I don't see why Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, who I am huge fans of, it's OK for them to go on Oprah. They speak the same language as I do, but they do it through comedy, so I guess that's acceptable to her."

Winfrey said she and Ludacris continued their conversation after the show, as she attempted to explain why she put the rapper in the hot seat.

 "I said 'Look Ludacris, you are so smart. You are one of the brilliant guys. I used to have the Klan on and the skinheads on and I looked out in the audience and I saw contact being made between the guys in the audience and the stage and they were like, 'Yeah get her, get her, get her, Bud,'" she said. "At that moment, I was doing nobody any good [by] putting those people on because I realized that that platform was being seen and heard by a lot of people who weren't as smart as I am.

"My idea was, I want y'all to know that this is what's going on," Winfrey continued. "And I said to Ludacris, 'A lot of people who listen to your music aren't as smart as you are. So they take some of that stuff literally when you are just writing it for entertainment purposes.'"

Ludacris isn't the only rapper who has claimed to be offended by Winfrey's actions, however.

50 Cent told the Associated Press that rappers are a rarity on her show.

"I think she caters to older white women." 50 said, adding that "Oprah's audience is my audience's parents. So, I could care less about Oprah or her show. I'm actually better off having friction with her."

While Winfrey expressed her love of Hip-Hop to Ed Lover, she also decried the misogyny prevalent in the music and stressed that there are many different aspects of Hip-Hop. 

The media mogul said she personally felt the worldwide impact of rap during an encounter with a security guard for African political leader Nelson Mandela.

According to Winfrey, the guard greeted her group by saying "Hello n***as."

Winfrey explained to Ed Lover that the guard thought it was the norm because they watched videos and listened to rap music.

Lover later told Winfrey that he would never use the word 'b***h' again.

Hip-Hop's power is undeniable, Winfrey acknowledged, as she noted the music's growing influence years ago, as well as the accompanying responsibility.

 "Years and years ago, Quincy Jones and I had this conversation about the evolution of Hip-Hop and what it really means to our culture," Winfrey said. "Hip-Hop is like jazz and gospel music, evolved from the people, a form of protest, a form of expression so you can't deny that, nor would I try. But I do believe there needs to be awareness of who we are, how we got here and what that means about staying here."

http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=5667

 

QuietTruth

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2006, 03:48:26 PM »
Ha! Ha!

 

Elevz

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2006, 07:01:53 AM »
50 Cent told the Associated Press that rappers are a rarity on her show. "I think she caters to older white women." 50 said, adding that "Oprah's audience is my audience's parents. So, I could care less about Oprah or her show. I'm actually better off having friction with her."

Yeah. So basically he says, his only fans are 14 year old white kids now. And he admits to his see-through marketing scheme of randomly beefing to gain popularity? Now as for Oprah, it's clear that she really loves hiphop now that she has In Da Club on her iPod. ::)
 

mauzip

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2006, 07:43:37 AM »
Oprah is a hypocrite. For once I agree with 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige makes R&B, not hip hop ::)
 

Eihtball

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2006, 07:50:35 AM »
Y'all are being too hard on her.  OK, so she got into a debate with Ludacris about misogyny, but are y'all really about to deny that's a problem?  There are enough hip-hop artists who have begun taking it seriously that I think we can all agree it's a legit point to make that rappers need to think about the responsibility they have to their audiences.  Besides, Luda's point that she was OK with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle is stupid - neither of them have done a stand-up routine that comes close to, say, "Area Codes".

And to Frits Bom: Most people agree Mary J. was responsible for helping bridge hip-hop and R&B.  Honestly, given Oprah's age, I'm surprised she listens to hip-hop at all...it ain't her generation.
 

ABN

Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2006, 08:01:07 AM »
  Besides, Luda's point that she was OK with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle is stupid - neither of them have done a stand-up routine that comes close to, say, "Area Codes".
no, their stand-ups are a lot worse(and did they have to defend their offensive "art"?). Eddie Murphy,Dave Chappelle,Chris Rock etc etc have all said way worse things then Ludacris but when they are on her show she lets them be regular persons and that clearly wasn´t the case when Luda was on her show. he was there just answering questions as a rapper and not as a regular person(and he was there as an actor lol). if Oprah interviewed the Osbouners you think she´d spend most of the interview talking about them sayin bitch,ho,cunt,slut,motherfucker,shit,asshole,whore etc etc all the time?
 

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2006, 08:41:33 AM »
  Besides, Luda's point that she was OK with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle is stupid - neither of them have done a stand-up routine that comes close to, say, "Area Codes".
no, their stand-ups are a lot worse(and did they have to defend their offensive "art"?). Eddie Murphy,Dave Chappelle,Chris Rock etc etc have all said way worse things then Ludacris but when they are on her show she lets them be regular persons and that clearly wasn´t the case when Luda was on her show. he was there just answering questions as a rapper and not as a regular person(and he was there as an actor lol). if Oprah interviewed the Osbouners you think she´d spend most of the interview talking about them sayin bitch,ho,cunt,slut,motherfucker,shit,asshole,whore etc etc all the time?

You have to look at the intended audience and the effect. As far as I know you can't just walk into any club and see an adult targeted comedy show. You have to be over 18 and you are supposed to be to get the jokes. Obviously you'll always have groups of teens that get their hands on tapes, just like they do cigarettes or porn, but the fact remains it is intended for adults. Hip Hop is intended for children and shown during the day for children, and easily sold over the counter to children, and greatly affects many children. The Osbourne's don't have that negative effect. They are just one mildly popular TV family and their influence has not been seen on such a large scale in society so it makes no sense to attack them because it would only make them more popular. And the comedians do what they do for the adult audience they cater to. If Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle allow children into their shows then I fully agree that Oprah is a hypocrite but if they don't then Luda needs to think before he speaks.
 

ABN

Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2006, 08:50:49 AM »
  Besides, Luda's point that she was OK with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle is stupid - neither of them have done a stand-up routine that comes close to, say, "Area Codes".
no, their stand-ups are a lot worse(and did they have to defend their offensive "art"?). Eddie Murphy,Dave Chappelle,Chris Rock etc etc have all said way worse things then Ludacris but when they are on her show she lets them be regular persons and that clearly wasn´t the case when Luda was on her show. he was there just answering questions as a rapper and not as a regular person(and he was there as an actor lol). if Oprah interviewed the Osbouners you think she´d spend most of the interview talking about them sayin bitch,ho,cunt,slut,motherfucker,shit,asshole,whore etc etc all the time?

You have to look at the intended audience and the effect. As far as I know you can't just walk into any club and see an adult targeted comedy show. You have to be over 18 and you are supposed to be to get the jokes. Obviously you'll always have groups of teens that get their hands on tapes, just like they do cigarettes or porn, but the fact remains it is intended for adults. Hip Hop is intended for children and shown during the day for children, and easily sold over the counter to children, and greatly affects many children. The Osbourne's don't have that negative effect. They are just one mildly popular TV family and their influence has not been seen on such a large scale in society so it makes no sense to attack them because it would only make them more popular. And the comedians do what they do for the adult audience they cater to. If Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle allow children into their shows then I fully agree that Oprah is a hypocrite but if they don't then Luda needs to think before he speaks.
i´s real hard for you to walk into any store and buy any of their stand-up dvd´s? hell naw it´s just as easy as it is to buy an album. and how do you know that Osbournes don´t have the exact same effect(they´ve done any studies?) all your doin in your post is giving everybody else a pass but when it comes to rappers they gotta answer for shit that everybody on Oprah´s show doesn´t have to answer. and you don´t think Chapelle´s show etc are directed at youngsters? if not then you might wanna do a background check on the company who distributes the Chappelle Show coz they the ones mostly responsible for little kids hearing negative rap during the day. at the end of the day it´s not the rappers fault it´s the parents faults or atleast according to Oprah most of the things that goes wrongs with a child´s life is the parents responsibilty(she´s had dozens of show about shit like that). and i´ve been to a Chris Rock stand-up and the majoriy of people in that bitch was waaaaaay younger then 18.
 

Eihtball

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2006, 08:51:31 AM »
  Besides, Luda's point that she was OK with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle is stupid - neither of them have done a stand-up routine that comes close to, say, "Area Codes".
no, their stand-ups are a lot worse(and did they have to defend their offensive "art"?). Eddie Murphy,Dave Chappelle,Chris Rock etc etc have all said way worse things then Ludacris but when they are on her show she lets them be regular persons and that clearly wasn´t the case when Luda was on her show. he was there just answering questions as a rapper and not as a regular person(and he was there as an actor lol). if Oprah interviewed the Osbouners you think she´d spend most of the interview talking about them sayin bitch,ho,cunt,slut,motherfucker,shit,asshole,whore etc etc all the time?

How are their stand-ups worse than rap?  At least it's obvious that it's comedy and you're just supposed to laugh at it, whereas hip-hop has a tendency to forget it's entertainment quite frequently (if the number of rappers shooting each other in real life is any indication).  The line between hip-hop vs. reality is far more blurry compared to the line between comedy vs. reality.

You have to look at the intended audience and the effect. As far as I know you can't just walk into any club and see an adult targeted comedy show. You have to be over 18 and you are supposed to be to get the jokes. Obviously you'll always have groups of teens that get their hands on tapes, just like they do cigarettes or porn, but the fact remains it is intended for adults. Hip Hop is intended for children and shown during the day for children, and easily sold over the counter to children, and greatly affects many children. The Osbourne's don't have that negative effect. They are just one mildly popular TV family and their influence has not been seen on such a large scale in society so it makes no sense to attack them because it would only make them more popular. And the comedians do what they do for the adult audience they cater to. If Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle allow children into their shows then I fully agree that Oprah is a hypocrite but if they don't then Luda needs to think before he speaks.

Actually, that's a really lame argument (then again, coming from someone who doesn't listen to hip-hop anymore, I didn't expect much from you).  Hip-hop is not targeted towards children any more than comedians like Chappelle or Chris Rock; they both deal with a lot of the same issues and anybody who's at all familiar with pop culture will easily get 90% of what's being said by comedians and rappers alike.  It was high school kids who made that "I'm Rick James, bitch!" shit popular two years ago, anyway.  So you can see, both have the ability to affect youth culture.  But generally speaking, there's not nearly the same kind of negativity in black comedy that exists in gangster rap right now.

As far as the Osbournes go, it's pretty obvious that they haven't had nearly the same cultural impact that rappers have had.  I see plenty of kids wearing Roc-A-Wear or G-Unit sneakers and using hip-hop slang every day, but I can't recall the last time I saw someone dressed like Ozzy Osbourne.
« Last Edit: May 13, 2006, 08:58:14 AM by Tha Spirt Ov Allah Clarence 13Xtra Tha Fatha (Iz Active) »
 

ABN

Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2006, 08:57:25 AM »
  Besides, Luda's point that she was OK with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle is stupid - neither of them have done a stand-up routine that comes close to, say, "Area Codes".
no, their stand-ups are a lot worse(and did they have to defend their offensive "art"?). Eddie Murphy,Dave Chappelle,Chris Rock etc etc have all said way worse things then Ludacris but when they are on her show she lets them be regular persons and that clearly wasn´t the case when Luda was on her show. he was there just answering questions as a rapper and not as a regular person(and he was there as an actor lol). if Oprah interviewed the Osbouners you think she´d spend most of the interview talking about them sayin bitch,ho,cunt,slut,motherfucker,shit,asshole,whore etc etc all the time?

How are their stand-ups worse than rap?  At least it's obvious that it's comedy and you're just supposed to laugh at it, whereas hip-hop has a tendency to forget it's entertainment quite frequently (if the number of rappers shooting each other in real life is any indication).  The line between hip-hop vs. reality is far more blurry compared to the line between comedy vs. reality.
and it´s not obvious when Ludacris is having fun and joking? i could´ve understood Oprah´s whole tirade if she had a "gangsta" rapper that tries to glorify selling drugs,killing and shit like that. but Ludacris is basically a comedy rapper and if anyone can´t see that they should prolly take a trip to the nearest shrink.
 

Eihtball

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2006, 09:01:47 AM »
and it´s not obvious when Ludacris is having fun and joking? i could´ve understood Oprah´s whole tirade if she had a "gangsta" rapper that tries to glorify selling drugs,killing and shit like that. but Ludacris is basically a comedy rapper and if anyone can´t see that they should prolly take a trip to the nearest shrink.

Ludacris may not be a "gangsta" rapper in the sense that he doesn't talk about hustling or killing as much as Snoop or 50, but there's plenty of misogyny in his music.  I remember quite well when "Area Codes" came out and lots of people were singing that song's chorus.  He can still have a negative effect upon youth, and he shouldn't try and deny that.
 

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2006, 09:31:55 AM »
  Besides, Luda's point that she was OK with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle is stupid - neither of them have done a stand-up routine that comes close to, say, "Area Codes".
no, their stand-ups are a lot worse(and did they have to defend their offensive "art"?). Eddie Murphy,Dave Chappelle,Chris Rock etc etc have all said way worse things then Ludacris but when they are on her show she lets them be regular persons and that clearly wasn´t the case when Luda was on her show. he was there just answering questions as a rapper and not as a regular person(and he was there as an actor lol). if Oprah interviewed the Osbouners you think she´d spend most of the interview talking about them sayin bitch,ho,cunt,slut,motherfucker,shit,asshole,whore etc etc all the time?

You have to look at the intended audience and the effect. As far as I know you can't just walk into any club and see an adult targeted comedy show. You have to be over 18 and you are supposed to be to get the jokes. Obviously you'll always have groups of teens that get their hands on tapes, just like they do cigarettes or porn, but the fact remains it is intended for adults. Hip Hop is intended for children and shown during the day for children, and easily sold over the counter to children, and greatly affects many children. The Osbourne's don't have that negative effect. They are just one mildly popular TV family and their influence has not been seen on such a large scale in society so it makes no sense to attack them because it would only make them more popular. And the comedians do what they do for the adult audience they cater to. If Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle allow children into their shows then I fully agree that Oprah is a hypocrite but if they don't then Luda needs to think before he speaks.
i´s real hard for you to walk into any store and buy any of their stand-up dvd´s? hell naw it´s just as easy as it is to buy an album. and how do you know that Osbournes don´t have the exact same effect(they´ve done any studies?) all your doin in your post is giving everybody else a pass but when it comes to rappers they gotta answer for shit that everybody on Oprah´s show doesn´t have to answer. and you don´t think Chapelle´s show etc are directed at youngsters? if not then you might wanna do a background check on the company who distributes the Chappelle Show coz they the ones mostly responsible for little kids hearing negative rap during the day. at the end of the day it´s not the rappers fault it´s the parents faults or atleast according to Oprah most of the things that goes wrongs with a child´s life is the parents responsibilty(she´s had dozens of show about shit like that). and i´ve been to a Chris Rock stand-up and the majoriy of people in that bitch was waaaaaay younger then 18.



You don't read very well do you? If Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle allow children into their shows then I fully agree that Oprah is a hypocrite but if they don't then Luda needs to think before he speaks. Now where did I say I know for sure they don't let children. The last time I ever tried going to a mainstream stand up act it was Andre Dice Clay in the early 90s and I wasn't allowed in because I was too young. I don't know exactly how it works on the comedy scene these days and I never pretended to. I am strongly against selling any adult entertainment to minors in stores and am kind of surprised you are allowed to buy some of the DVDs as a minor. I remember working at a video game store a while back and we couldn't even sell 18+ games to 16 year olds, and it wasn't porn games. I still stand by my argument that you have to look at the effect. I don't need a study to tell you that Hip Hop hasa greater influence than the Osbournes. I just need to take one trip to the mall and look around. If that isn't enough for you then you can compare the 33% of US record sales being hip hop compared to the very small rating the Osbournes would get on vh1.



Actually, that's a really lame argument (then again, coming from someone who doesn't listen to hip-hop anymore, I didn't expect much from you).  Hip-hop is not targeted towards children any more than comedians like Chappelle or Chris Rock; they both deal with a lot of the same issues and anybody who's at all familiar with pop culture will easily get 90% of what's being said by comedians and rappers alike.  It was high school kids who made that "I'm Rick James, bitch!" shit popular two years ago, anyway.  So you can see, both have the ability to affect youth culture.  But generally speaking, there's not nearly the same kind of negativity in black comedy that exists in gangster rap right now.

As far as the Osbournes go, it's pretty obvious that they haven't had nearly the same cultural impact that rappers have had.  I see plenty of kids wearing Roc-A-Wear or G-Unit sneakers and using hip-hop slang every day, but I can't recall the last time I saw someone dressed like Ozzy Osbourne.


How much I listen to hip hop isn't the issue. Sure the people behind Chappelle may have teens in mind when they are marketing, but so do cigarette companies and both have their limits. As far as I remember (correct me if I'm wrong) Chappelle Show came on Tuesday's at 10PM, which is when parents are home and teens should be getting ready for bed and school the next day. I can come home at 3:30 and turn on BET and see Hip Hop at its worst. And you've already agreed with me so I don't know how my argument is "lame" like you claim. "there's not nearly the same kind of negativity in black comedy that exists in gangster rap right now"; that was my argument.


We also have to touch on one very important issue that the supposed intelligent Ludacris seemed to forget; when Chappelle came on the show he himself said he didn't want to return because of the lack of responsibility the show had when it comes to social issues. Chappelle himself acknowledged he was in the wrong and didn't feel comfortable performing those kinds of skits anymore so Oprah would have no reason to bash him. If Luda was on Oprah and said I don't want to rap those kind of songs anymore she wouldn't attack him either. She'd probably embrace him. Luda's problem is he tries to defend what he does. You want to know a "lame argument"? It comes from those that try to justify their own wrong doing by pointing out the wrong doing of others and asking why is that okay. Whether or not Oprah is hypocrite has no bearing on whether or not Luda is a smut peddling misogynist. Luda's defense when asked abut his lyrics was that "there are girls that are really like that". That's the best he could come up with? He was on the show to promote a movie about prejudice, so he can't say he wasn't ready because he really should have been.


 

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #12 on: May 13, 2006, 11:38:20 AM »
so the world isnt a perfect place?  :'(
 

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Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #13 on: May 13, 2006, 12:10:04 PM »
Oprah is the most self-righteous bitch on earth. The sad thing is alot of these stupid women take everything she says as if it's law.

So what Luda puts down women. That ugly bitch puts down men on a daily basis and she has much more impact than Luda ever could.

That nigga sold out. Wet from smokin crack to inviting famous people to her million dollar parties, giving them million dollar gifts, and airing it on television for all the poor and middle class to watch.
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ABN

Re: Oprah Responds to Hip-Hop Criticism
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2006, 12:15:32 PM »
"That's the best he could come up with? "

and how the fuck do you know that´s all he could come up with when he said that they edited it out 3/4 of what he had to say? but at the end of it Oprah can suck a dick, she reps blacks people almost as much as 50 Cent so.........
« Last Edit: May 13, 2006, 12:18:22 PM by Fuck Bein' Active »