I just saw a copy of a Boston alternative paper called the Weekly Dig. It had a picture of Rick James and the words "I'm Dead Bitch"

I was appalled. I understand it's playing off the Dave Chappelle joke, but it isn't funny under any circumstances. I think it only helps aid in Boston's rep as a racist city. Personally, I think those days are behind Boston, but when I see this walking down the street I wonder. I posted a message on the web site mesage board and I urge orgers to go to their web site, sign on the message board and post complaints. You can also email the Publisher, his email is on the web site.

Link: http://www.weeklydig.com

but, um, that's what the general public IS walking around saying in reference to his death.

I actually don't find it offensive.

I mean, I consider Rick James' personality. ... I think if his could channel his comments from the grave, he's say some shit like that.


He's never been sanctimonious ...

SynthiaRose said:

(faint voice from 6 ft. underground) i'm dead...but i'm still rick james...:rickjamescackle:

Wow...I don't know whether to laugh or be disturbed.

it was also done as a promo for a local radio station here in Frisco on the same day he died. Completely tasteless. . . . . .

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

hahahahaha

and

4EverYoung said

But I don't think people are making fun of James. If anything it's a tribute to him and his famous tag line.

I think it is in bad taste to print a headline like this so soon after his death. He only died last Friday and hasn't even been buried yet. Rick James' fans are still in shock of his death and more importently, Rick James' family. Regardless of how anyone feels about Rick James, his family deserves more respect than this during their time of mourning.

Now, if this were printed later on in the future, I think it would be fine. Rick James was a controversial artist who was loved by many and also disliked by many. Bad headlines go with the territory of being a celebrity. I think the press should lay off on headlines like this until his family has had time to mourn.....they haven't done anything to anyone and deserve more respect than this.

SynthiaRose said:

Surely you jest.

vainandy said:

I'm not surprised by it at all, but it is wack to do such a thing.

All I can say is damn.

That's some rude shit

oh dear. a comedy newspaper made a joke in poor taste. heaven forbid that the great heavenly saint Rick James be besmirched in such a way

If you go to Ebay and clik on Rick James,you'll see that some folks are even selling T-shirts that say "I'm Dead Bitch"

If this were anyone else I would find it extremely in poor taste. HOWEVER, knowing Rick, it seems fitting. He's probably in the beyond, laughing his ass off at it! I seriously doubt it would have offended him.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Hot 97's Darnell Rollins does a really good Dave Chappell as Rick James impression. On Tuesday they did a RJ skit that went something like....

Miss Jones (answering the telephone): "Hello, who is this?"
Darnell: "This is Rick James, Bitch!"
Miss Jones: "What?"
Darnell: "It's dark in here. Get me outta this coffin! I'm too live to be dead, bitch!"

That was the gist of it, it was a little bit longer.

Compared to a stunt the show's DJs Star & Buc Wild pulled after Aaliyah died (sound effects of a plane crashing and a woman's screams), this was less offensive to me.

I'm just wondering how it looks to someone who has no knowledge of the Chapelle skits and the whole "I'm Rick James bitch!" quote. To come across that headline, and just be like

DavidEye said:

It's predictable really.

minneapolisgenius said:

I agree. Everybody isn't going to be hip to that skit or the show. That "I'm dead bitch" is totally insensitive and cruel. I'm not going to justify it by saying "Well, Rick wouldn't mind." Ya'll don't know how that shit would have flew with Rick or Rick's family who's still living. Some of u same motherfuckers who justified that shit would have had a cow if a paper would have mocked Prince in that way. It's not about if u or like liked Rick or not. Rick was a human being just like Prince and the rest of us. Just on that alone, he deserved better than that.

blackguitaristz said:

Oops. Should have said "if u or I liked Rick." But you all got what I was saying.

blackguitaristz said:

MAYBE

IF HEADLINE GO LIKE THIS

B DEAD BITCH

THEN MAYBE IT FUNNY

POOK said:

Statements like this really make me not like you POOK.
You used to be funny and smart, what happened?

blackguitaristz said:

you all do realize that it's a comedy newspaper, a la "The Onion." correct? lighten up. it's not the New York Times.

people are so fuckin stupid

That's ignorant!!!!!
[This message was edited Thu Aug 12 23:01:01 2004 by silverchild]

I personally think they're not respecting a legend. They are making him into a big joke. I don't see anything funny about it, because that's ignorant.[/quote]
[This message was edited Thu Aug 12 23:01:21 2004 by silverchild]

It's the times we live in. A joke has to be made out of EVERYTHING!

UptownDeb said:

wow they really did that after she died? damn i'm glad i aint here that...

as for i'm dead bitch...i don't kno whether to laugh or think that its fucked up....cuz it is on the one hand wrong cuz its soo soon after his death to b doin this u kno? but then on the other the hand its funny as hell....dave chapell where u @? ur bus' never late!

DMSR said:

I feel where you're coming from, but it's also an alternative weekly. It's meant to be sort of lowbrow and tongue-and-cheek. So saying "I'm Dead, B--ch" is understandable coming from them. Now if it were NEWSWEEK, it would be an entirely different story!