http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/14/taalam-answers-saul/ Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:32:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/14/taalam-answers-saul/comment-page-1/#comment-1095 Erica Reid Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:29:07 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/14/response-to-saul-williams-oprah-letter/#comment-1095 I like this article. I responded positively to Saul's letter to Oprah. I just have a few opinions. I may ramble, but I just want to express some things.... I don't think Saul ever defined that all "Spoken Word" artist were poets, he mentioned a list of poets who frequented spoken word sessions, but not once did he ever comment on "spoken word" being poetry, (not from my recollection). On the comment about 50 cent/George Bush: I feel what you are saying about 50 cent not ruling hip-hop is true. Who is 50? Is he really that damn important? Not to me and not to a lot of people, but his influence to the youth like Bush's influence towards how countries view America is the problem, thus awarding 50 cent much power, whether we agree with him or not. Take a look into the streets of Harlem, Brooklyn, 3rd ward Houston, TX, New Orleans,etc.. they don't even know who Saul Williams is but mention Pimp Magic Dawn Jaun and see if you don't get a full description. They're not bumping Talib, Mos Def as hard as 50 cent, Dipset, and Cash Money....It's about the international and iconic power these rappers are awarded for the buffoonery and misinterpretations of an entire culture that spawns the title of a "gangster" like a George Bush. Yes, 50 does not run hip-hip nor is he an ambassador, but he has the power, no doubt, over a vast majority of the young generation. Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine don't have a face, but 50 does. Haliburton and the Carlisle Group don't have a face, but George Bush does. These people are all pawns in this game for money, no matter who they hurt in the process. So yes, 50 is a major player in Hip-Hop. The problem is not only selfishness, but cowardice. No one has the gumption to challenge these hip-hop "gangsters" on a national level. So what Kanye is producing good music? But can he and will he do what 50 did to Ja Rule? No, because there is a major risk in challenging a Goliath...not realizing that David may come out on top. These artist are scared and that's what the industry wants, because when a person acts in fear, he can be manipulated into doing things he may not intentionally wanted...so they stick with what works because "cash rules everything around me". You feel me! I like this article. I responded positively to Saul’s letter to Oprah. I just have a few opinions. I may ramble, but I just want to express some things….
I don’t think Saul ever defined that all “Spoken Word” artist were poets, he mentioned a list of poets who frequented spoken word sessions, but not once did he ever comment on “spoken word” being poetry, (not from my recollection).
On the comment about 50 cent/George Bush:
I feel what you are saying about 50 cent not ruling hip-hop is true. Who is 50? Is he really that damn important? Not to me and not to a lot of people, but his influence to the youth like Bush’s influence towards how countries view America is the problem, thus awarding 50 cent much power, whether we agree with him or not.
Take a look into the streets of Harlem, Brooklyn, 3rd ward Houston, TX, New Orleans,etc.. they don’t even know who Saul Williams is but mention Pimp Magic Dawn Jaun and see if you don’t get a full description. They’re not bumping Talib, Mos Def as hard as 50 cent, Dipset, and Cash Money….It’s about the international and iconic power these rappers are awarded for the buffoonery and misinterpretations of an entire culture that spawns the title of a “gangster” like a George Bush. Yes, 50 does not run hip-hip nor is he an ambassador, but he has the power, no doubt, over a vast majority of the young generation. Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine don’t have a face, but 50 does. Haliburton and the Carlisle Group don’t have a face, but George Bush does. These people are all pawns in this game for money, no matter who they hurt in the process. So yes, 50 is a major player in Hip-Hop.
The problem is not only selfishness, but cowardice. No one has the gumption to challenge these hip-hop “gangsters” on a national level. So what Kanye is producing good music? But can he and will he do what 50 did to Ja Rule? No, because there is a major risk in challenging a Goliath…not realizing that David may come out on top. These artist are scared and that’s what the industry wants, because when a person acts in fear, he can be manipulated into doing things he may not intentionally wanted…so they stick with what works because “cash rules everything around me”. You feel me!

]]> http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/14/taalam-answers-saul/comment-page-1/#comment-834 DJ Black Adam Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:52:18 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/14/response-to-saul-williams-oprah-letter/#comment-834 Nice article. Nice article.

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