Will Smith Urges Rappers to Be Role Models
By RYAN PEARSON, Associated Press Writer
2 hours ago


Will Smith performs his hit single "Switch" before the ...
LOS ANGELES - Will Smith has one big introduction to make at Tuesday night's BET Awards: Gangster rappers, meet the rest of the world. Smith told The Associated Press he hopes to impress the global significance of U.S. black culture on the show's audience and artists.

"The kids that are making these trends, making these songs, don't understand the level of effect that black Americans have around the world," he said in an interview. " ... Black Americans are so elevated, it's almost worship."

Smith, co-host of the show (8 p.m. EDT) at Hollywood's Kodak Theater with wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, said he witnessed the phenomenon recently while in Africa. Touring a village in Mozambique, he came across a shack on which someone had scrawled the name of slain rapper Tupac Shakur.

"I was asking the kids: What is it about Tupac? Why is that there? I kept asking why. They were saying we want to dress like you dress, wear all the things you wear, talk how you talk."

"The impression is that black Americans are the dragon slayers. Here we are 13 percent minority in a foreign land, and yet we can make laws, change laws. If Jesse Jackson shows up at Coca-Cola, something changes."

Smith, who won the first rap Grammy in 1988 for his squeaky-clean "Parents Just Don't Understand," said he wants hip-hop artists to recognize their importance and shift away from thuggish themes.

"It's real important to have balance of the imagery. Yes, there are people who fire guns in the street, but there's also doctors who go to work in those areas to feed their children."

The gangster lifestyle is celebrated in black communities for its strength, Smith said. "That's the image of survivors. The dude that sells the drugs or has the guns or is most willing to kill somebody is the dude that has the greatest potential for survival, or at least that's the perception. So that's what people strive for.

"What I'm trying to present and what a lot of other artists are presenting is a different approach to survival and a more sound approach to survival. It's a more long-term approach based on intellect and skills that can't be taken away from you: The smartest dude survives the best."

Smith picks out Common and Mos Def as other artists "that really have something to say that don't necessarily fit on the `106th & Park' top 10."

Now more well-known as a movie star ("Men in Black," "Bad Boys," "Independence Day") than rapper, the 36-year-old Smith maintains on his latest album "Lost And Found" that his nice guy image has worked against him.

"Black radio, they won't play me though," he raps in one song. "Guess they think that Will ain't hard enough. Maybe I should just have a shootout ... just ignorant, attacking, acting rough. I mean then, will I be black enough?"

Though his current single "Switch" is a top 40 hit, the man once known as the Fresh Prince said he no longer worries about album sales.

"I'm an entertainer. I make it and close my eyes," he said. "Sometimes it sells 14 million, sometimes it sells 300,000. For me it's about just doing what I do, and hoping that my artistry makes a difference."

On the Net:

http://www.bet.com/betawards.htm

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Very interesting...what r your thoughts?

missfee said:

Interesting. There's some truth in what he says. Radio definitely has a standard - however wrong or right it may be - that he doesn't meet anymore. The other half of it is that his music just isn't entertaining the way it used to be.

Gettin' Jiggy Wit it was a hit on Black radio, right

lilgish said:

Yes, but he's also had three albums since that time. His last real hit on R&B radio was in 1999.


[Edited 6/27/05 19:48pm]

RipHer2Shreds said:

Damn, never heard about those

Even if Big Willie tried to come with a ruggish,thuggish image,it wouldn't sell.
He's too good looking.The uglier you are,the more real you appear.Look at Nelly.He's a decent looking guy so he doesn't try to be a thug.He developed his own style.And it works for him.Now 50 cent,he's a real thug,and he's real ugly!

RipHer2Shreds said:

I hate to carry the theme from the other thread but music today is shitty and formatted.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

You've made a good point.

Shouldn't you be musically talented first before attempting to be a musical rolemodel?

i think hes totally right, rappers (or should i say the u.s) have a huge affect on the teenagers in australia, australia is basically turning into a mini america. all the kids are dressing like 'thugs' here and listening to 50 cent. although will smith's new single is doing VERY well here, number 2 i think.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I don't think he's ever had a film role where he "curses like a sailor." I think the difference between his film roles and the hip-hop acts he's criticizing is that his roles are fictional. A large portion of these rappers portray themselves as "real," and they're representing their lives and the lives of others from the street. And in defense of Mr. Smith he's usually killing aliens and robots, not people.

bravo to Will Smith

I'm so sick of all of these thugged-out rappers who do nothing but glorify violence and reinforce negative sterotypes,all in the name of "keeping it real".It's tired and played out.Their only message seems to be...

I'm a pimp.
I'm a gangsta.
I'm from the ghetto.
Women are bitches and hos.
I've been shot at many numerous times.

DavidEye said:

Davideye - your comments are right on! Others would rather make fun of Will and his image or call him a hypocrite. I happen to agree with him and you!

kisscamille said:

I agree too. How many times do we have to keep listening to the same old tired bullshit? So you came from the ghetto? Why don't you try to do something about it unless you like it there. So you're a pimp. Why aren't you in jail yet? You got shot at a million times, shouldn't that tell you that something just ain't right about what you're doing? These rappers/thugs whatever are so pathetic.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Ironically, Will Smith, arguably the most radio-friendly MC there ever was, can't get on the radio, but guys who wouldn't have even gone gold 15 years ago are in "heavy ro."

Not that Will's even that good, but it's true.

I recently heard that 50cent lives in the Poconos - is that right?
You know the Poconos - honeymoon capital of the world.
How gangsta is that???

Novabreaker said:

Nova always has great replies

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I was just telling someone this the other day. Yeah Will doesn't curse in his songs, but in his movies in which most are rated R or PG-13, he curses like there is no tomorrow. Although I do agree with his point at the same time.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I guess you've never seen Bad Boys one or two. And the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air became a mockery of the "educated black family" well into its second season. I think the HBO film Dancing In September was making light and exploring the way black families are altered from the Cosby blueprint to the loud mouth bunch to garner ratings, ironically co-starring James Avery(Uncle Phil) as a tv star in a very similar role.

I just think we need to think critically about this topic. Like I stated in my initial post, I agree with Smith's points and I applaud him for taking a stand. However, everyone needs to take a look in the mirror before/while pointing fingers because cursing, killing and acting a fool in your movies or on a t.v. show, or being subservient ie. The Legend of Bagger Vance is just as bad or at times worse than the studio gangster. Imagery is very powerful on both fronts, we all need to recognize that.
[Edited 6/29/05 1:14am]

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

i agree with u that its a bit hypocrital of him when u think of some of his film roles. however i also have to agree with dorothyparkerwascool; will smiths film roles are fiction and are accpeted as that. but these rappers lives are real, or atleast they portray them as real, and no matter how fictional what they rap about maybe its unfortunatly accepted as fact and something to be glorified.

i'm happy will is urging rapers to be role models. i'm happy that he HAS been a role model. he and mclyte should hook up as far as thing is concerned

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

-----
WTF Will is playing in the movies. Rappers are shooting people for real. I'll be glad when everybody takes their head of the sand when it comes to rap music and the images that are being displayed. I applaud Will.

laurarichardson said:

Are you stating that my head is buried in the sand in regards to rap? If so you didn't read my post. Furthermore, as a behaviorist I also know that imagery largely impacts society as well. Why do you think so many ethnic and womens groups are so guarded about the images that are peddled on t.v. and in film? I think we are burying our collective heads in the sand to the vital and influential role that all media plays in the way people perceive themselves and their role in society. I think rap is terrible for black males, but I also think there are other forms of media that are just as bad for everyone yet they never get blasted. The "ficition" argument is a cop out as well because many people, especially young people have a hard time deciphering that imagery from reality. Furthermore, rapping about shooting people for real and showing someone kill multiple people in a film without any remorse is just as bad (In society we label those individuals as psychopaths). If you don't think film imagery plays a large role in the lives of black males then you have never paid salient attention to the way many glorify the images seen in Scareface and the Godfather.

Again, I applaud Smith's stand, but we must remember that NO ONE is above reproach and that many people have done disparaging things that have had adverse affects on many people. Some are just more latent than others.
[Edited 6/29/05 8:34am]

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

-----
I did not mean you specifically, I mean rap fans and maybe a lot of African-Americans.
----
"rapping about shooting people for real and showing someone kill multiple people in a film without any remorse is just as bad "

Maybe you missed the news last week. Cassidy a rapper shot and killed someone in a drive by shooting. Some of these guys are killing people for real.

A movie that is rated R is for anyone over 17 years of age. I would hope at that age you can tell the difference from a film and real life. Rap music and the images are being put out to children of all ages.

Your comparing Apples to Oranges.

whats funny these lil "suburban" Kids wanna be street?.. and the 1st time they get shot or catch handcuffs they gon' be cryin like Bitches.
[Edited 6/29/05 13:02pm]

laurarichardson said:

And you missed my point, I never absolved rappers of any responsibility, I'm stating that both are equally as bad. Forget it, I'm wasting time and energy. Why do I even bother...an exercise in futility.
[Edited 6/29/05 13:16pm]

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

You're right. Will's choices of movies aren't above reproach so, yes he should look in the mirror as well. Nevertheless he is right about rappers-- those that know better especially. True thugs should have a voice but not any moreso than somebody like Mos Def. Most true thugs will tell you they don't want to stay in that wild lifestyle as they grow older. However, if they see that they have to perpetuate the image to sell records-- stay out of that lifestyle-- that's what they'll do 9 times out of 10.

This is why my problem is with these media outlets that don't show the natural balance in the "ghettos" and elsewhere. Corporate MFs like Chris Rock and Will Smith himself would have you believe that the media isn't at fault but look who's feeding them. If things were as bad as the media would have you believe the inner cities would be uninhabited by now. The picture they paint isn't helping any that's for sure.

lilgish said:

There is no Black radio per se-- atleast not mainstream. Clear Channel isn't black owned as far as I know.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

-----
I understand what you are saying I just don't agree.