vainandy said:

Ice Cube -- Be True To The Game




It's the nigga ya love to hate with a new song
So what really goes on
Nothing but a come-up, but ain't that a bitch
They hate to see a young nigga rich
But I refuse to switch even though
Cause I can't move to the snow
Cause soon as y'all get some dough
Ya wanna put a white bitch on your elbow
Moving out your neighborhood
But I walk through the ghetto and the flavor's good
Little kids jumping on me
But you, you wanna be white and corny
Living way out
"Nigger go home" spray-painted on your house
Trying to be White or a Jew
But ask yourself, who are they to be equal to?
Get the hell out
Stop being an Uncle Tom, you little sell-out
House nigga scum
Give something back to the place where you made it from
Before you end up broke
Fuck around and get your ghetto pass revoked
I ain't saying no names, you know who you are
You little punk, be true to the game

[BREAK]


When you first start rhyming
It started off slow and then you start climbing
But it wasn't fast enough I guess
So you gave your other style a test
You was hardcore hip-hop
Now look at yourself, boy you done flip-flopped
Giving our music away to the mainstream
Don't you know they ain't down with the team
They just sent they boss over
Put a bug in your ear and now you crossed over
On MTV but they don't care
They'll have a new nigga next year
You out in the cold
No more white fans and no more soul
And you might have a heart attack
When you find out the black folks don't want you back
And you know what's worse?
You was just like the nigga in the first verse
Stop selling out your race
And wipe that stupid-ass smile off your face
Niggas always gotta show they teeth
Now I'm a be brief
Be true to the game

[BREAK]


A message to the oreo cookie
Find a mirror and take a look, G
Do you like what you see?
But you're quick to point the finger at me
You wanna be the big fish, you little guppy
Black man can't be no yuppie
You put on your suit and tie and your big clothes
You don't associate with the Negroes
You wanna be just like Jack
But Jack is calling you a nigga behind your back
So back off genius
I don't need you to correct my broken English
You know that's right
You ain't white
So stop holding your ass tight
Cause you can't pass
So why you keep trying to pass?
With your black ass
Mister Big
But in reality, you're shorter than a midge
You only got yourself to blame
Get a grip, oreo and be true to the game

SIDENOTE: Notice I only highlighted the 1st verse, such it's that part of the song that is the most controversial.

You know the funniest thing about Ice Cube is he criticized people for the same stuff he later did in his film career.

Timmy84 said:

But his Hip-hop stan/Clan will say oh he's older now and Blah, Blah,Blah. I still say SELL-OUT!!!

tamewar said:

Right!

TonyVanDam said:

You know the funniest thing about Ice Cube is he criticized people for the same stuff he later did in his film career.

Timmy84 said:

Ice Cube as the black version of Chevy Chase.....IT AIN'T RIGHT!!! I'm never wanted to see him in Are We There Yet? .

Give me Ice Cube in Boyz N Da Hood, Higher Learning, & Friday any day.

- As has happened many times, when black folks come up w/ something that white folks realize they can profit off of, it becomes exploited and watered down

- Black rap artists w/ real rap talent can't even get a record deal

This is part of what happens when black folk let others control something they know nothing about

- It's time for a new genre of music and this time no leeches

But how many of these guys are willing to rap about clubs, guns, and bitches, instead of something, y'know, socially redeeming? I work with a guy who's an incredible rapper. He's written some of the most heartfelt, well written, and plain old true stuff, but dude can't get arrested because he's rapping about politics, relationships, poverty, and all in an intelligent and well thought out way. It takes two to tango, and a lot of these rappers are willing to sell themselves out. Now if they told these record execs to fuck off and started their own labels...

BTW my friend's name is Dee-Nyce, check out his stuff: http://www.myspace.com/dnyce911

Mstrustme said:

But how many of these guys are willing to rap about clubs, guns, and bitches, instead of something, y'know, socially redeeming? I work with a guy who's an incredible rapper. He's written some of the most heartfelt, well written, and plain old true stuff, but dude can't get arrested because he's rapping about politics, relationships, poverty, and all in an intelligent and well thought out way. It takes two to tango, and a lot of these rappers are willing to sell themselves out. Now if they told these record execs to fuck off and started their own labels...

BTW my friend's name is Dee-Nyce, check out his stuff: http://www.myspace.com/dnyce911

CelibateMushroomCanopy said:

You know what I get really tired of SOME black people blaming everything on the white men or white people in general. Not everything is the white man’s fault. Take some responsibility for your own actions. You have these black rap artists coming out and making these vulgar songs…no one is putting a gun to their head and making them do this. You also have many black owned record companies that produce ignorant rappers like that. As well, as many of black youth that buy and listen to that mess. So it is not all the white man’s fault, ok? And just remember to there are white people on this forum as well.

You don't see corporate execs trying to push rappers like Common because he's not singing the kind of rap they really want to sell.

I'm glad folks are waking up and looking for other types of music that have been overshadowed for so long.

2elijah said:

That's because he wouldn't sell that much anyway. Some stuff - even if it would be good - just could never reach wider audiences and it doesn't have to either.

Pop music is pop music, which is the reason the most commercial rap music is "cheapened" to fit the mould. People buy pretty bad music in overall here in Europe as well, even if hiphop or commerical r&b wouldn't be that big a thing in most countries.


Well sure.

novabrkr said:

I am surprised that you think commercial r&b wouldn't be a big thing in most countries, because you have a lot of UK artists trying to do just that, copy that r&b sound from America. Also, I remember hearing that a lot of Japanese love r&b or what has been categorized as "Black music".

I do have to say, Rap (hardcore) apparently is worldwide, as I've seen many young folks around the world from Ireland to Israel emulating black rappers.

BoOTyLiCioUs said:

He/she is referring to the music corporate execs that sit in the boardroom within the industry and push this stuff through the media (mtv, vh1, bet).and some radio stations. Let's not forget M&M, Paul Wall and other white rappers pushing the same BS that is not real music, but minstrel crap. Soulja boy and other southern rappers, in my opinion, cheapened rap even more. You don't see corporate execs trying to push rappers like Common because he's not singing the kind of rap they really want to sell. I'm glad folks are waking up and looking for other types of music that have been overshadowed for so long.
[Edited 5/27/09 8:56am]

novabrkr said:

I am surprised that you think commercial r&b wouldn't be a big thing in most countries, because you have a lot of UK artists trying to do just that, copy that r&b sound from America. Also, I remember hearing that a lot of Japanese love r&b or what has been categorized as "Black music".

I do have to say, Rap (hardcore) apparently is worldwide, as I've seen many young folks around the world from Ireland to Israel emulating black rappers.

novabrkr said:

I am surprised that you think commercial r&b wouldn't be a big thing in most countries, because you have a lot of UK artists trying to do just that, copy that r&b sound from America. Also, I remember hearing that a lot of Japanese love r&b or what has been categorized as "Black music".

I do have to say, Rap (hardcore) apparently is worldwide, as I've seen many young folks around the world from Ireland to Israel emulating black rappers.

I remember seeing a video in the early 90s by Ice Cube and he was spitting out hate for black men that date white women and throwing people that he considered sellouts such as MC Hammer in the trunk of a car. I wondered why the hell a white person would listen to something like that and why didn't it offend the white label owners, but then I realized, they agree with those rappers...yeah, don't date a white woman....yeah, stay with a "sista" only....That's exactly what a racist white person would want to hear because it just irritates the hell out of them to see a white woman with a black man and "staying with your own kind" is the same thing they want also. And as for the hatred against them by some black people, hell they don't care because they don't like them either and don't want to be around them, they just want to be entertained by them.

No, I don't have any guilt. I'm a woman, first and foremost. So I've dealt with oppression. Just because I am white doesn't mean I haven't been through anything. Other minorities feel like they can be so openly racist especially when it comes to whites. It's a double standard. There's a lot more to the story then meets the eye.

Let me start by saying I'm offended by this. But then again, someone just pissed all over my beloved Hip Hop. Now the response:

Who told people that Hip Hop was for sale? IT'S NOT. I’ll allow many people saying otherwise to continue being wrong. Rap sales declined like all music sales. Is it because it is no longer a staple in American popular culture? Hardly. It’s because an art form that used to showcase skill, has been reduced to nothing more than a cheap pick-me-up for people who are easily fooled. It’s a mere escape for people who hate their own lives so much that they believe what these rappers say is gospel. This was never supposed to happen. It was once an outlet that helped silent voices get heard. The ignorance of the people so eager to dismiss it, has returned just to watch it suffer.

Rap music was essentially raped for all it was worth and left to die by greedy record executives. Those being raped often object when revenue isn't plentiful, NEVER when they‘re being moderately-generously compensated for their participation. Meanwhile, the artist's artist (the writer for the sake of writing something meaningful) is told his/her story isn't marketable. As if every poet longing to be published is not a writer because their words aren't in print. That is where you piss me off, as a lyricist. I don't write songs for white folks amusement (or anyone‘s amusement), like this article suggests. I write because it’s my passion. I write raps because words, manipulation, timing, and rhyming bring me pleasure. I could care less if people who don’t even understand my music bought it. I write for those who can’t say the things that I will. Most of the more popular rappers don’t. So saying that “white kids are no longer fooled” is not only in poor taste, but it completely showcases your personal lack of knowledge.

I don’t hear such accusations about any other genre of music. No real MC, lyricist or rapper says, “Finally a chance to sell millions of records to white kids who have no clue what the hell I’m talking about”. Before it became a get rich quick scheme, it was done out of genuine love for the craft, and still, by some, a means to getting paid. Those rappers were the ones that Hip Hop enthusiasts often ridiculed and publicly denounced for disrespecting the origins of the culture. While record execs could give a damn about what the b-boys and girls have to say, the true Hip Hop heads are not Soulja Boy fans.* [*Sidenote: Speaking for myself, I loathe Soulja Boy as a rapper. He’s not good for Hip Hop, and serves as a prime example of one of the recording industry’s many puppets. His songs are nonsensical and he’s completely in it for the money. His music has no purpose, cause, meaning and is hardly enjoyable. Far from unique, his fame stems directly from the lemmings, I mean fans who don’t expect more from someone paid to perform his material. It’s tasteless, mind-numbing, chant based, poorly organized garbage transmitted via satellite radio and online. Lyrically he doesn’t even attempt to prove any of what I’m saying wrong. He merely suggests that those who criticize him are jealous haters. Could they ever be RIGHT? Not according to him.]

How dare people boil it down to “it’s not amusing to white folks anymore”. That’s a slap in the face to a little girl from PG County who has loved Hip Hop and Prince for all 21 years of her life. I have never disliked any form of music for as little as people claim to HATE Rap (Hip Hop to those uneducated in the difference). This author must have either written this for shock value, or to fill empty space. Certainly, I will not put my pen down. Since it’s beginning, the detractors have been there. Now weakened, Hip Hop has to prove it will not become the new “disco”. I pray (figuratively, God has bigger fish to fry) that the artists who write because they are compelled to share something within, gain control of their music. It shouldn’t be this way. Why should elderly, rich record company executives be able to tell me “people like me aren’t interested in hearing songs by someone like me”? And what makes them so sure that other races are so worked up to hear “Turn My Swag On”? There opinion on music they can’t make, relate to, or criticize is complete BS, so take it with a grain of salt.

If these “big names” allow the door to shut on the only ones trying to keep the art alive, what will be left? We’ll have to live with hearing what ever happened to *insert rap LEGEND’s name*? I’m determined to keep it going. And though digital media is killing off the hardcopy, I will push and press on for those who wait for their favorite rapper’s latest CD. I am that kid who wants to be like her favorite rapper, because he does something impressive. I’m not the kid who raps because they thought college was too hard, or getting a job wasn’t cool enough. I’m a lyricist. So to hell with this article. Real rappers don’t try to get sales, they make the music that they love. I’m one of many.

Peace, Hip Hop, & Purple Rain

Gangsta Cru… The Lady and the Lyricist

BoOTyLiCioUs said:

LOL...sorry, but the "double standard" you're talking about would have to mean that Whites are somehow NOT openly racist or are no longer so. Not buying it.
[Edited 5/27/09 13:39pm]

So it's not just a bunch of dudes making music that they and their friends like?

brooksie said:

And blacks aren't? Give me a fuckin break. I've seen so many black people say openly racist things about white people and get away with it. There's a video on youtube where there is a black professor saying that we should kill all white people...there was no uproar against that. If some white person said that then all hell would break loose. The black dj calling miley a white bitch and getting away with it. I think to an extent black people are too defensive...and to an extent they have a right to be...same with white people are afraid to speak up against prejudice blacks because they have some false guilt about slavery.

- As has happened many times, when black folks come up w/ something that white folks realize they can profit off of, it becomes exploited and watered down

- Black rap artists w/ real rap talent can't even get a record deal

This is part of what happens when black folk let others control something they know nothing about

- It's time for a new genre of music and this time no leeches

Mstrustme said:

Sorry kid but ALL ARTISTS are exploited by people who know nothing about the art they are exploiting. Not everything is about black vs white.

Sorry kid but ALL ARTISTS are exploited by people who know nothing about the art they are exploiting. Not everything is about black vs white.