Shaprton Marches For Decency In Rap Lyrics

[DudeAsInCool]

Prompted by calls to censor the words "bitch," "ho" and the "N word" from hip-hop music, National Action Network founder Reverend Al Sharpton and Director of Decency Tamika Mallory led a demonstration last night (May 3) in New York. Sharpton, Mallory and over 300 demonstrators made stops at three of the four major record labels, calling for "decency" in rap lyrics.

"This is not about censorship -- it is about standards," Sharpton said through a bullhorn to the crowd at Columbus Circle, the march's final destination. "There's a standard that says Ice-T can't rap against police. There's a standard that says you can't rap about gays, and you shouldn't. They had standards against Michael Jackson saying things anti-Semitic. Where is the standard against 'n*gger,' 'ho' and 'bitches?'"

The march, which commenced in front of the Sony Music offices on the corner of 55th Street and Madison Avenue shortly after 6 p.m., was led by police escorts on motorbikes. Marchers held signs that read "No Justice, No Peace" and "Do I Look Like a Ho To You?," as they chanted "dirty lyrics must go" and "record industries: you played yourself."

Read more at Billboard

Why stop with the words?

[rainbowdemon]

Why stop with the words?

Indeed!! If rap disappeared altogether, I wouldn't miss it.

[CTC Command]

It would have to be an artform to be missed...Rap ceased being an artform in the early '90's.

Of course, rock is just about dead as a doornail too, imho. Top 40 radio hasn't been this bereft of talent since the early 80's.

[Excrement_Cranium]

And the hip-hop hating continues.

Damn you beatfactory for leaving me alone, and loving reggaeton!!!!

[DudeAsInCool]

And the hip-hop hating continues.

Damn you beatfactory for leaving me alone, and loving reggaeton!!!!

I like The Roots. What's Sharpton got against Christmas?

[Shawn]

I haven't heard anything fresh out of the urban circles in about 2 years.

Rock is actually beating that.