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Will Smith urges rappers to shed the gangsta image

M

mAdD INDIAN

Diamond Member
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Smith, who won the first rap Grammy in 1988 for his squeaky-clean "Parents Just Don't Understand," said he wants hip-hop artists to recognize their importance and shift away from thuggish themes.

"It's real important to have balance of the imagery. Yes, there are people who fire guns in the street, but there's also doctors who go to work in those areas to feed their children."
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That's the image of survivors. The dude that sells the drugs or has the guns or is most willing to kill somebody is the dude that has the greatest potential for survival, or at least that's the perception. So that's what people strive for.

"What I'm trying to present and what a lot of other artists are presenting is a different approach to survival and a more sound approach to survival. It's a more long-term approach based on intellect and skills that can't be taken away from you: The smartest dude survives the best."

Smith picks out Common and Mos Def as other artists "that really have something to say that don't necessarily fit on the `106th & Park' top 10."
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He's pretty much expounding on what Bill Cosby said earlier, and I'm happy he's trying to bring forth that image.

Too bad that most folks will probably ignore him and say that he sold out.
 
Fine that he's advancing that image and I think he's on the right track but it doesn't help that he is an AWFUL RAPPER/MC.

If some worthwhile artists also took his cause it might do something, but for now, who cares what Will Smith thinks?
 
Originally posted by: pyonir
There are TONS of rap artists that don't use the "gangsta" image already.
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exaaaaaactly. what he's saying is fine.

but these artists already exist. its the president's/ceo's of the record companies and media conglomerates that decide not to play their stuff.
 
Most of the rappers these days are actors, anyways. For some reason there's mass appeal with this image...

A couple rappers from my school haven't fired a gun in their life yet they talk about it in quite a few of their tracks. They also talk about their fine vehicles and such, meanwhile they ride the public bus to school.

Have you guys seen that high school graduation photo of Lil' Jon? He was the biggest nerd and look at him now.

It's all entertainment, and it is pretty sad that most people can't understand that.
 
Originally posted by: konichiwa
Fine that he's advancing that image and I think he's on the right track but it doesn't help that he is an AWFUL RAPPER/MC.

If some worthwhile artists also took his cause it might do something, but for now, who cares what Will Smith thinks?
Click to expand...


Will Smith is probably the most successful rapper out there. He started out as a rapper, got his own TV show, then made it onto the big screen with starring acting roles.

He made it.
 
Originally posted by: konichiwa
Fine that he's advancing that image and I think he's on the right track but it doesn't help that he is an AWFUL RAPPER/MC.

If some worthwhile artists also took his cause it might do something, but for now, who cares what Will Smith thinks?
Click to expand...

I second his sentiments "You got to pray just to make it today." Do not follow my spending habits though.
 
Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Article

Smith, who won the first rap Grammy in 1988 for his squeaky-clean "Parents Just Don't Understand," said he wants hip-hop artists to recognize their importance and shift away from thuggish themes.

"It's real important to have balance of the imagery. Yes, there are people who fire guns in the street, but there's also doctors who go to work in those areas to feed their children."
Click to expand...

That's the image of survivors. The dude that sells the drugs or has the guns or is most willing to kill somebody is the dude that has the greatest potential for survival, or at least that's the perception. So that's what people strive for.

"What I'm trying to present and what a lot of other artists are presenting is a different approach to survival and a more sound approach to survival. It's a more long-term approach based on intellect and skills that can't be taken away from you: The smartest dude survives the best."

Smith picks out Common and Mos Def as other artists "that really have something to say that don't necessarily fit on the `106th & Park' top 10."
Click to expand...

He's pretty much expounding on what Bill Cosby said earlier, and I'm happy he's trying to bring forth that image.

Too bad that most folks will probably ignore him and say that he sold out.
Click to expand...

Common and mos def are true hip hop artists. He is talking about rappers. Yes rappers talk alot of stuff thats just stupid, but thats why i listen to hip hop. Also consider:

Dilated peoples
talib kwali
planet asia
Cali agents
The Roots
Hyrogliphics
 
Originally posted by: Orsorum
Originally posted by: konichiwa
Fine that he's advancing that image and I think he's on the right track but it doesn't help that he is an AWFUL RAPPER/MC.
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According to whom?
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Dude he sucks. His stuff is slow and not witty.Compair him with Talib, and he's like a little child.
 
Originally posted by: mchammer
Originally posted by: konichiwa
Fine that he's advancing that image and I think he's on the right track but it doesn't help that he is an AWFUL RAPPER/MC.

If some worthwhile artists also took his cause it might do something, but for now, who cares what Will Smith thinks?
Click to expand...

I second his sentiments "You got to pray just to make it today." Do not follow my spending habits though.
Click to expand...
LOL! Uh, that was actually MC Hammer! You of all people should have known that. 😉 Heh.
 
I have always liked Will Smith. He is both a good artist and actor and manages to pull off both without being offensive or rude :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: konichiwa
Fine that he's advancing that image and I think he's on the right track but it doesn't help that he is an AWFUL RAPPER/MC.

If some worthwhile artists also took his cause it might do something, but for now, who cares what Will Smith thinks?
Click to expand...


Will Smith is probably the most successful rapper out there. He started out as a rapper, got his own TV show, then made it onto the big screen with starring acting roles.

He made it.
Click to expand...

No. His producer and best friend never put out anything that actualy sold in stores before his role in fresh prince. He only started selling records after he became famous.
 
Are you fools seriously on here defending Will Smith? That's exactly why he sucks. He appeals to a niche (WHITE) audience, and that niche (WHITE PEOPLE) doesn't know a thing about rap music. You are his #1 fan base.
 
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