There's this book of poetry 2pac wrote when he was a teenager and it was later released under the title "The Rose That Grew From Concrete". I own it and I never read the 4ward until a couple days ago. Some of the so-called 4ward was written by Nikki Giovanni..whoever that is.

Let's read what the trifling PERSON* has 2 say:


"I like Tupac Shakur in the same way I liked Prince when he was Prince. When he wrote music that was a bit edgy, a bit out there, a bit daring. Whatever turned that beautiful boy, the "rude boy", into a whiny symbol should rot in five different hells. Tupac stayed fresh and strong and committed himself to his people...blah blah blah"

I kid u not, it actually says that! Comments?

This sounds like an off-topic rant from a bitter former fan. It had no place in this book, in my fucking opinion and I can't believe how she can call 2pac "fresh" after she mentions the freshest fucking artist 2 have ever lived.

@ Nikki Giovanni...get over urself, u silly witch."Beautiful boy"? Tsss...he's a MAN now, maybe she should learn 2 deal with it!

I'm sorry...I just found this mildly offensive.

*EDITED 2 make it more acceptable 2 people who use the word anyway...go figure. )

.
[This message was edited Sun Jul 21 0:56:21 PDT 2002 by Nep2nes]

Nep2nes said:

haha...

maybe someday you'll become enlightened

suomynona said:

I dont WANT 2 know who this tramp is...she needs 2 wake up 2 what real music is...

Nikki Giovanni is one of the great black poets of the moderen 20th century. And I have a feeling she would love how Prince has become inspired again.

musicman said:

If she's so great I'm surprised I've never heard of her being that I love poetry.

But maybe I shouldn't b suprised, as she made a bigoted comment about white people 2wards the end of her so-called 4ward.

You can love him or hate him. It's a must that you respect the "man" that he is, and what he's done for music. Don't even bother trying to figure out who she is...

The Gold Experience: #15 "Billy Jack Bitch...BITCH!"
There ya go, I found her

Blue Cashmere
Don't Play Me

That ain't no bitch!
That's a beeeyaaach!

Hey Nikki Giovani how dare you mention Tupac and Prince in the same breath! Tupac was a creep who RAPED a FEMALE FAN and DID nothing When His FRIENDS or Bodyguards did the SAME thing and then later made like it was her fault and she was a TRAMP. I wouldn't wish Death on Anybody,but IF you LIVE a Filthy Life You are Gonna die a Filthy Death. Bible quotes You Reap , What YOU Sow. So Plant some good Fruit,Good Seeds not ,Rotten Fruit. But Really don't say that about Prince cause he's better than ever and sorry you are simply not a Fan...

Nep2nes said:

Don't count on that enlightenment ever happening, Suomynona...

Nep said:

Why am I NOT surprised?

Nep2nes said:

Man...Aren't people entitled to have their own opinions. Wake up, not everybody likes, loves, or respects Prince. I'm sure there are days when Prince gets up and doesn't smell himself nor kiss himself twice...Gawd!!! Why does everybody get so bent out of shape when someone says They don't agree with Prince. I can't comment on Nikki's personal feelings, but I do enjoy her poetry..I'm sure if u found her comments offensive about Prince, she might find your comments about "her" offensive..So what? Do two wrongs make a right??? BREATHE...RELAX...CHILL OUT... There are plenty of us who do like, love, and respect Prince to balance out the scales...

I remember this being discussed in the old P.org back in the day. I sort of agreed with her, Prince was more edgy before his symbol days. But then again how long can stay edgy.
But anyways, she makes it sound as if Tupac lived for ages.

Nikki Giovanni is one of my favorite poets and while I don't agree with what she said I respect her right to say it. I think she enjoyed Prince's earlier work because she felt he was bearing witness to the issues of the generation. I think she liked that Tupac was bearing witness to the issues of his time as well.

Nep2nes said:

Nikki's not saying anything you can't read about P in magazines, newspapers, messageboards etc etc.

Nobody has to agree but it's hardly that rare, controversial or offensive a statement in scheme of things.

This was the first Nikki Giovanni poem I ever heard...

WOMAN

she wanted to be a blade
of grass amid the fields
but he wouldn't agree
to be the dandelion

she wanted to be a robin singing
through the leaves
but he refused to be
her tree

she spun herself into a web
and looking for a place to rest
turned to him
but he stood straight
declining to be her corner

she tried to be a book
but he wouldn't read

she turned herself into a bulb
but he wouldn't let her grow

she decided to become
a woman
and though he still refused
to be a man
she decided it was all
right

Here's an idea, Prince should invite Nikki Giovanni and Jill Scott to do spoken word/poetry workshops for Celebration 2003!

Peace

musicman said:

- I dont know nothing about her work, but I hope she is really a ´black POET´. Unfortunately, lately, every rapper is called a ´poet´, just because he/she disses the police and women with rhymes. Poetry is much more than that.
But I can agree about what she said. I love Prince´s music now. I really love TRC, but Prince used to be more ´edgy´ in the 80s. I hope he brings back all of his creativity WITH great musicianship. Could you imagine the creativity of the 80s with the musicianship he has now?

BTW, why did Matt close all the ´most active´threads?

GustavoRibas said:

She's a POET, not a rapper!

GustavoRibas said:

Gawd, u read my mind. I was thinking the same after watching a certain show on HBO last night. But, I've heard nuthin' but good things about N. Giovanni's poetry. Matter of fact, I think I'll check out what she's about right NOW. PEACE

I don't know the date of the book. But I do think that based on her comments about Prince being a "symbol", you probably have to put Ms Giovanni's comments in the proper perspective. As much as I love Prince, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that a lot of what he was doing back when he was fighting Warner Bros. was a bit silly to say the least. For me personally, it's easy for me to see how Prince's behaviour at the time could've turned a lot of people off. I mean, face it, Prince WAS giving off a lot of negativity at the time.

Ummm...

This aint about how pretty her poetry is.

It's about her statement--the one I quoted 4 every1.
Yes, people have been saying things about Prince similar 2 this...but in a book dedicated 2 2pac's memory I felt it was the wrong place 2 air her resentment. I also did not c how this comment had ANYTHING 2 do with what she was writing about. Seemed kind of random 2 me.

Yeah she can say what she wants...but I can also disagree if I want.

I felt the "burn in 5 hells" thing was a bit extreme and quite frankly SHE sounded like she was "whiney."

Oh and F.Y.I...any1 can b a poet...just as Prince said that "anybody can sing"...it's just a word 2 me.

eos23 said:

U must not know me very well..is all I have 2 say! Just ask some folks around here what I think of Prince...I'm sure they'll tell u---he's been subject 2 my ridicule as well.

But I do it in an internet forum...NOT in a fucking poetry book dedicated 2 the memory of a rapper. Sorry, that's the truth.

Nep2nes said:

you need a hug...here (((nep)))...


..

Nep2nes said:

You are right, I don't know u well, I'm not commenting on "You". I am commenting on the thread you posted. If you copied Nikki's quote "correctly" she said she liked TuPac like she used to like Prince, which is a contrast and comparison I think she felt people could relate to. As far as calling him a beautiful boy, Nikki is older than Prince, I think she is in her 60's so probably looked at Prince as being a young man. And as far as rotting in Hell...she said "Whatever turned him into a wimp" needed to rot in hell, NOT PRINCE. And maybe if somebody was sensitive, they would take offense to u calling one of the most prolific black poets of our time a "bitch" and all the other rude things u said about her. Just an opinion...Don't take it personally...

eos23 said:

The fact that she's prolific doesn't mean shit 2 me.

The fact that she's black doesn't mean shit 2 me.

The fact that she's a poet also doesn't mean shit 2 me.

Understand?

Almost 4got,

the fact that she's OLD doesn't mean shit 2 me, either.

Christopher said:

Thanx.

U know I ain't usually defensive of Prince it's just...I was reading all this nice memory shit about 2pac (who I have a hard time understanding in the FIRST place) and she's going 2 sit up there on her high horse and inject some resentful Prince shit in2 it? Ok...let me go take an Advil cuz I'm really not feelin' that!

Nep2nes said:

Wow, are u on the rag or what? Need some midol? Okay, You proved your point..Go ahead and be "angry" about a quote by a woman who is very honored and respected around the entire globe. In fact when I run into Nikki, cuz we float in the same circles, I'll get some clarification on what she was trying to say, which I'm sure you are completely overreacting to.

This is funny...You are a self proclaimed "ridiculer" of Prince, but this woman in your opinion can't speak her mind??? Wow the org is full of all types isn't it??? Oh and by the way...Do u think Prince would approve of your language..My God, as my niece would say "You got a potty mouth" LOL...I'm done for the night, A wise man once said, if u argue with a "lie" u become the lie. I'll leave u to your illusions...Peace, Love and Prince...

Nep2nes,

What a very adult and intelligent way to respond to something. You should be proud of yourself. Idiot. If you knew anything about her, you would know she has been a prince fan for a very long time. The forward is her opinion, and only her opinion. calling here a BITCH isn't going to change that opinion. The problem with people today is that they have no basis to say some of the things they say. Did you do any research on her? I am quite sure you didn't. If you did, you would know she has been a long time supporter of Prince, but when he started writing the word "slave" on his face because of his record contract and changing his name to the symbol, that is when she started to criticize him. He VOULUNTARILY signed with Warner. As a matter of fact, when Purple Rain blew up, he signed a 100 Million dollar contract with them. Give me a break. Know what you are talking about before you speak. Oh yea, I am sure you will come back with, Makavelli, you don't know what you are talking about and so forth. Learn how to argue a point and have the facts to back it up, because you don't.

Damn Nep, chill out.

Here's some info on Giovanni.

http://www.math.buffalo.e...ikki2.html

If you'll be studying literature you'll probably come across her name soon enough.

In the meantime, if you want some positive comments on P. from a writer, check out Kathy Acker's Don Quixote, where she says she thinks Prince should be President of the United States!

Ahh what a fine line between enlightenment and self-satisfaction...

That's is Neps, freak out because someone doesn't agree with you. That's good for your bood pressure.