I sat down on Thursday evening to catch the latest news regarding the Jena Six. One of the largest protests in recent U.S. history took place in support for the unjustly prosecuted young men, and BET's news personality Cousin Jeff was there in Alexandria, Louisiana covering the story. His report was shown during the network's popular video show, 106 & Park. To his credit, Cousin Jeff made sure to mention several times throughout his broadcast that the Jena Six needed money to pay for their legal costs.
Afterwards, the video for the new Wyclef & T.I. song was played and Wyclef was welcomed onto the 106 & Park set as the celebrity guest of the day. The video featured a very expensive vintage car owned by the star, and one of the hosts asked him how much he paid for the fancy vehicle. With a boastful tone and attitude, Wyclef explained that he had purchased the car for $500,000 from fellow rap star, Nelly. Let me back up and state that everyone on set was wearing all black in support of the Jena Six and in protest against the legal system prosecuting the youngsters. Perhaps this is why both the host's question and Wyclef's attitude really stuck out and made such a profound impact upon me.
Not to be self-righteous or judgemental, but the show was supposed to be focused on the six decent young men who are facing serious prison time, and somehow the host deemed it appropriate to ask about the price of Wyclef's vintage car. Even more importantly, Wyclef ceased the moment to brag about it. All I could think of was how far the $500,000 he spent on that car could go for the young mens' legal costs, and you know that Wyclef has way more where that came from. I mean damn, the brother carried on like he didn't hear Cousin Jeff just say on the very same program that the Jena Six needed financial help.
I'm not trying to make Wyclef a scapegoat here. He’s just indicative of the attitude most mainstream hip hop artists seem to have taken. From Fifty Cent to T.I., they all rhyme about how much dough they make. Though I am genuinely happy for their success, I do resent the fact that few of hip hop’s major stars are living up to the other hallmark of their rhymes.
How many times do we hear rappers talk about being down with the hood, about representing all the brothers in the streets and all the brothers locked up behind bars? Now would be an excellent time for them to prove it. Besides being in wonderful financial positions, as they so frequently remind us, rappers also have amazing access to the airwaves. Their videos are seen and their music is heard worldwide. What a great outlet they have to spread the word about the Jena Six.
Call me melodramatic, but I find the silent voices and sealed coffers of rappers from Louisiana to be particularly tragic. They ask for the support of the people when it comes to album sales, concert attendance, and voting their damn videos onto countdowns. And now, at a time when the community really needs them, there seems to be absolutely no reciprocity. Bless his heart, Master P has been one of the few Lousiana artists to actually step up to the plate.
Afterwards, the video for the new Wyclef & T.I. song was played and Wyclef was welcomed onto the 106 & Park set as the celebrity guest of the day. The video featured a very expensive vintage car owned by the star, and one of the hosts asked him how much he paid for the fancy vehicle. With a boastful tone and attitude, Wyclef explained that he had purchased the car for $500,000 from fellow rap star, Nelly. Let me back up and state that everyone on set was wearing all black in support of the Jena Six and in protest against the legal system prosecuting the youngsters. Perhaps this is why both the host's question and Wyclef's attitude really stuck out and made such a profound impact upon me.
Not to be self-righteous or judgemental, but the show was supposed to be focused on the six decent young men who are facing serious prison time, and somehow the host deemed it appropriate to ask about the price of Wyclef's vintage car. Even more importantly, Wyclef ceased the moment to brag about it. All I could think of was how far the $500,000 he spent on that car could go for the young mens' legal costs, and you know that Wyclef has way more where that came from. I mean damn, the brother carried on like he didn't hear Cousin Jeff just say on the very same program that the Jena Six needed financial help.
I'm not trying to make Wyclef a scapegoat here. He’s just indicative of the attitude most mainstream hip hop artists seem to have taken. From Fifty Cent to T.I., they all rhyme about how much dough they make. Though I am genuinely happy for their success, I do resent the fact that few of hip hop’s major stars are living up to the other hallmark of their rhymes.
How many times do we hear rappers talk about being down with the hood, about representing all the brothers in the streets and all the brothers locked up behind bars? Now would be an excellent time for them to prove it. Besides being in wonderful financial positions, as they so frequently remind us, rappers also have amazing access to the airwaves. Their videos are seen and their music is heard worldwide. What a great outlet they have to spread the word about the Jena Six.
Call me melodramatic, but I find the silent voices and sealed coffers of rappers from Louisiana to be particularly tragic. They ask for the support of the people when it comes to album sales, concert attendance, and voting their damn videos onto countdowns. And now, at a time when the community really needs them, there seems to be absolutely no reciprocity. Bless his heart, Master P has been one of the few Lousiana artists to actually step up to the plate.
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In response to Wyclef boasting about the price of his $500,000 car, a kid in the audience exclaimed, “Can I hold some of that money?!” Wyclef quickly shot back, “You better work for your money in America.” He then went on to discuss his philosophy on charity, saying that he didn’t believe in just handing people money. Wyclef said that he favored teaching people how to fish, as opposed to simply giving them handouts. His views on the matter are almost noble, if only he didn’t make them sound so Republican. I wonder if he felt this way when he was a struggling immigrant and unknown MC? Ohhhhhhhh, what money does to some people! It reminds me of one of my favorite Amiri Baraka poems, Class Gas, in which he writes:
In response to Wyclef boasting about the price of his $500,000 car, a kid in the audience exclaimed, “Can I hold some of that money?!” Wyclef quickly shot back, “You better work for your money in America.” He then went on to discuss his philosophy on charity, saying that he didn’t believe in just handing people money. Wyclef said that he favored teaching people how to fish, as opposed to simply giving them handouts. His views on the matter are almost noble, if only he didn’t make them sound so Republican. I wonder if he felt this way when he was a struggling immigrant and unknown MC? Ohhhhhhhh, what money does to some people! It reminds me of one of my favorite Amiri Baraka poems, Class Gas, in which he writes:
Since the rich eat more than anyboby else
It is reasonable to assume that they are more full of shit.
