(This following was inspired by the disappointment RKJCME & JustErin had with me for what I said about M.I.A. in this Madonna-related thread: http://prince.org/msg/8/3...?&pg=5

Rather than going further off-topic in SoulAlive's thread, I'm better off having this thread where I can really say exactly what I need to say. Please bear with me.)

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In 2008, KRS-One donated a song to an alcohol beveraging company.

Within the last 10 years, The Black Eyed Peas went from Joints & Jams AND Where Is The Love to transhumanism (Boom Boom Pow).

M.I.A. is now doing a track (for Madonna) with Nicki Minaj.

Seriously..... :disbelef:

What the f*** has happen to "socially conscious" rap artists these days? What the f*** has happen to the meaning of being a true socially conscious recording artist in general, not only musically & lyrically, but socially as well?

Whatever happen to the days when a socially conscious rap artist would not compromise their priniciples simple because they wanted crossover mainstream success that badly?!?

Or is it all my fault that I NEVER gotten the memo that the status of "socially consicous" means nothing anymore? Shame on me that I never knew that being "socially consicous" is only a gimmick for some artists.

So as it stands, M.I.A. has no problem being on the same track with Nicki Minaj artist that is the exact opposite of MIA's own "socially consicous" status. So what's next, Public Enemy featuring Lil'Wayne?!?

Tell me fellow orgers, am I absolutely right for being a little concern? OR is there something that I have overlooked?

http://prince.org/msg/8/368622

Why do you object to MIA performing with Madonna so much? Madonna has done her share of social consciousness in some of her songs and video. Madonna was very much about the Iraq war and is very liberal on political issues. It's not like Madonna is some conservative Republican. If she was I could see your objection to MIA performing with her. I don't know what Nikki's views are but I doubt she is a conservative. So what principles is MIA compromising from performing with both of them? I'm confused. I could see your point if she did a record with some right wing country singer.

TonyVanDam said:

Public Enemy

Didn't Flava Flav open a chicken joint?

MickyDolenz said:

TonyVanDam said:

Public Enemy

Didn't Flava Flav open a chicken joint?

Do you mean Coon Chicken Inn 2010? Yes, Flava is guilty as charge for that bullshit.

Good thing Chuck D & Professor Griff are still socially-consicous.

They are socially BROKE.

Glindathegood said:

Why do you object to MIA performing with Madonna so much? Madonna has done her share of social consciousness in some of her songs and video. Madonna was very much about the Iraq war and is very liberal on political issues. It's not like Madonna is some conservative Republican. If she was I could see your objection to MIA performing with her. I don't know what Nikki's views are but I doubt she is a conservative. So what principles is MIA compromising from performing with both of them? I'm confused. I could see your point if she did a record with some right wing country singer.

I have a far bigger issue with MIA being on THAT same track with Nicki Minaj. Nicki is THE exact opposite of the "social conscious" status of MIA.

How in the hell can MIA be socially conscious while on the same track with Nick Minaj, the Lil'Kim clone that has no problem playing the role of a lovable ho?!? Come on now.

Graycap23 said:

They are socially BROKE.

Lupe Fiasco seems to be doing financially OK. And he hasn't compromise his principles thus far.

Money. Which is normal.

What about We Are The World 25?

deebee said:

What about We Are The World 25?

Are you serious?

TonyVanDam said:

Graycap23 said:

They are socially BROKE.

Lupe Fiasco seems to be doing financially OK. And he hasn't compromise his principles

Agree!

Thats a popular inaccurate theory thats been said for years. People put shit out because they want to not because they have to ... its fast food really but then again todays artists are technically not real "artists". They go with the motion of the ocean instead of sticking to their gut or their vision. Singers/Rappers today dont know how to be real artists because theyve been taught and programmed to model roles and other artists before them as well as trends... so they dont push themselves creatively in fear of getting rejected.

Lupe has nothing to lose, that's why he's doing what he's doing. Who knows with MIA but I don't think it's fair to say she's just socially conscious, she was always mixing the two. May I remind you of "Swagger Like Us"?

deebee said:

What about We Are The World 25?

Quincy Jones has lost his dignity a long time ago.

Timmy84 said:

deebee said:

What about We Are The World 25?

Are you serious?

That shit was barely breathing, let alone 'conscious'.

He puts out the stuff he puts out because he wants to... losing anything has nothing to do with it... His a smart cat.. and his intellectual capacity goes beyond music.. I definitly can see his material is geniune and strictly because he simply enjoys what his doing. No glitter, label, award or accolade.

TonyVanDam said:

In 2008, KRS-One donated a song to an alcohol beveraging company.

I didn't know about that until now. Jeez....

Graycap23 said:

They are socially BROKE.

Ya know? At the end of the day they are all capitalists and want to make a buck.

Let's not get our panties in a bunch. There was a time when socially conscious music was profitable. Perhaps they were just trying to make a buck even then. There is also something to be said for being provocative and pushing buttons. IMO KRS1, M.I.A, Lupe and the whole lot of them probably don't believe half the shit they sing/rap about but then know it will get them attention and attention = audience = $$$$$.

If money wasn't a major factor, they'd all be performing for FREE!

HotGritz said:

Graycap23 said:

They are socially BROKE.

Ya know? At the end of the day they are all capitalists and want to make a buck.

Let's not get our panties in a bunch. There was a time when socially conscious music was profitable. Perhaps they were just trying to make a buck even then. There is also something to be said for being provocative and pushing buttons. IMO KRS1, M.I.A, Lupe and the whole lot of them probably don't believe half the shit they sing/rap about but then know it will get them attention and attention = audience = $$$$$.

If money wasn't a major factor, they'd all be performing for FREE!

Exactly.

TonyVanDam said:

Graycap23 said:

They are socially BROKE.

Lupe Fiasco seems to be doing financially OK. And he hasn't compromise his principles thus far.

Give him time.

HotGritz said:

TonyVanDam said:

Lupe Fiasco seems to be doing financially OK. And he hasn't compromise his principles thus far.

Give him time.

I do dig how he's anti-political though.

Timmy84 said:

HotGritz said:

Give him time.

I do dig how he's anti-political though.

That's the one thing that turns me off about him. People who are anti-political complain about the process rather than trying to change it. Its easy to sit back and point fingers but unless you are actively making a difference either with your vote or with your dollar then you can kick rocks.

Sorry, but I'm still sore over him calling Obama "the biggest terrorist of all".

HotGritz said:

Timmy84 said:

I do dig how he's anti-political though.

That's the one thing that turns me off about him. People who are anti-political complain about the process rather than trying to change it. Its easy to sit back and point fingers but unless you are actively making a difference either with your vote or with your dollar then you can kick rocks. Sorry, but I'm still sore over him calling Obama "the biggest terrorist of all".

I can respect your point. I honestly didn't mind it though I wouldn't have called Barack that at all lol It's bigger than him.

Timmy84 said:

HotGritz said:

That's the one thing that turns me off about him. People who are anti-political complain about the process rather than trying to change it. Its easy to sit back and point fingers but unless you are actively making a difference either with your vote or with your dollar then you can kick rocks. Sorry, but I'm still sore over him calling Obama "the biggest terrorist of all".

I can respect your point. I honestly didn't mind it though I wouldn't have called Barack that at all lol It's bigger than him.

This is what the finger pointers don't understand. There is a WORLD political process going on and no one man has all the power nor all the answers. I understand that Lupe's father was a Black Panther which is why I'm bummed that he talks so much shit but doesn't do the footwork to make things different. I also know that he's Muslim but I think he's more of the NOI kind rather than a true and practicing Muslim but we won't go there.

^ Yeah let's stick to the topic at hand lmao

By the way I get quite annoyed when people refer Marvin, Stevie and Curtis as simply socially conscious artists when they were more than that...

Timmy84 said:

^ Yeah let's stick to the topic at hand lmao

By the way I get quite annoyed when people refer Marvin, Stevie and Curtis as simply socially conscious artists when they were more than that...

Its hard not categorizing that brotha as socially conscious though. CURTIS WAS THE MAN!!!!!

I think I found another candidate for my King of R&B thread.

HotGritz said:

Timmy84 said:

^ Yeah let's stick to the topic at hand lmao

By the way I get quite annoyed when people refer Marvin, Stevie and Curtis as simply socially conscious artists when they were more than that...

Its hard not categorizing that brotha as socially conscious though. CURTIS WAS THE MAN!!!!!

I think I found another candidate for my King of R&B thread.

I agree. I think he kinda was typecasted as one as he had a lot more love songs. The Curtis album had a lot of romantic songs on it ("The Makings of You" is probably the best track he ever wrote IMO, and a song I may upload on my channel later ).

Question.

Does socially conscious music have to only include subjects like war, politics, poverty, and drugs?

If music has the power to entertain, heal, change lives and make us think, then why can't fluff songs be somewhat socially conscious? Aren't they still a reflection of the state of our culture?

sorry y'all Im on some shit 2day. fuck it.

I don't buy the argument that welll, everyone trying to make a buck. At what cost?

Yeah, I'll go here ....

Do we not live in a community that's lost its damn mind because we think, "get rich quick or die trying? We've sold our souls to the devil then are shocked that we've turned on each other.

As Graycap said, Socially broke. By no means am I speaking of perfection, all people have feet of clay. But there 's something to be said for trying to do the right thing or striving to be a good person. You can't be socially conscious if your welling to pony up your tail to the highest bidder or think its par for the course. (IMHO)

deebee said:

TonyVanDam said:

In 2008, KRS-One donated a song to an alcohol beveraging company.

I didn't know about that until now. Jeez....

http://grandgood.com/2008...ess-model/