XZIBIT: ‘DON’T BLAME RAP’
XZIBIT is taking on the unofficial role of rap ambassador because he’s sick of the knocks the music genre gets for its violent lyrics and imagery.
The rapper, real name ALVIN JOINER, insists he and his peers are simply chronicling modern times and if society wasn’t so terrible, their lyrics wouldn’t be so controversial and violent.
He says, "Rap is a reflection of society. If society wasn’t violent, then hip-hop wouldn’t be violent.
"You can blame hip hop but we’re like reporters; we tell you what’s going on in the neighbourhood and we tell you how it is. I don’t think hip-hop should glorify the violence. I think with hip-hop music you have to have some kind of balance. When you take someone’s life you’re gonna end up losing yours.
"But we can’t be like ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER; he can kill 70 million people on the screen and still he’s a role model. But when you talk about slapping somebody, or shooting somebody on a rap tape, you are a criminal."
© wenn.com
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This reminds that during the riots that shook France a few months back, one of the rap groups told French politicians: “You should have been listening”. The idea was that the roots of discontent were plain to see (or hear) for anyone involved at a grassroots level.
Having said that, you have to be a little careful with statements like that. Indiviudal rappers are still responsible for the words that come out of their mouths.
Comment by Michael — September 18, 2006 @ 8:16 am