Where in the world are the Grandmaster Flashes of today? You know the rappers who told a story that many folk could relate to. Nowadays hip has hopped its way into the bowels of shame. No, I’m not talking the Talib Kweli’s of the world either, I’m talking mainstream rappers whose controversial rhymes are landing them in hot waters, mainly because of heavily misogynistic-laced lyrics. Some have offered apologies to the public, while others would rather snub their nose at us than muster up an “I’m sorry.” It truly is a jungle out there for some of these rappers, and it makes one wonder if they’ll keep from going under. Ah-huh-huh, huh, huh.

(Photo by Vince Bucci/PictureGroup) via AP IMAGES

Misogynist rap lyrics are nothing new. But last week Rick Ross discovered the suggestion that he spike a woman’s champagne before having sex with her without her knowledge was a step too far. After radio stations banned his song, the rapper took to airwaves to plead his case.

The rapper’s apology wasn’t enough for some. (It was pretty terrible.) Protest group UltraViolet delivered 72,000-plus signatures to Reebok’s flagship store demanding they back away from their endorsement deal with Ross. The brand, who Ross name-dropped just a few beats before the lyrics in question, has remained silent on the issue. But, should brands be called in to play the role of morality police, making sure the artists who make their products cool stay on their best behavior?

Rewarding & Punishing Bad Behavior

Brands have distanced themselves from artists for bad behavior or questionable values before. T.I. lost his deal with Axe body spray after going to jail for violating probation in 2010. Chris Brown was dropped from Doublemint after his infamous Grammy night brawl with Rihanna. Pepsi cut ties with Madonna and later Ludacris when they didn’t agree with the images portrayed in their music.

When brands align themselves with artists like Rick Ross, they know what they’re getting themselves into. Ross made himself rich masquerading as a drug lord with murderous tendencies. Ross’ lyrics are horrible, but Reebok would come off a little hypocritical asking their “gangster” spokesperson to tone it down. (“We like you coke dangerous, but not date rape dangerous.”)

Companies, especially juggernauts like Reebok, don’t choose brand ambassadors haphazardly. They strategically choose public personas whose images are in line with their brand, and the lifestyle they want to sell.

Why Do Good Brands Like Bad Boys?

Cortez Bryant, co-founder of management firm handling Lil Wayne, a rapper who has also come under scrutiny for his lyrics, says that companies are willing to take a risk on artists who capture the attention of their target demographics, even when their track record is questionable. “You know, in the previous years we’ve had hard times, but people ‘get it’ for [his] brand,” he said of Wayne’s partnership with Mountain Dew. “It just seemed like where they were going with their brand, which is all about diversity and crossing barriers, is the same place we want to go.”

Would companies like Reebok dropping artists like Rick Ross make other artists rethink their lyrical content? Maybe. Hitting a person in their wallet is usually an effective way to get them to change their ways. But, at the end of the day, it isn’t Reebok’s job to change Ross.

Supplying The Demand

If Ross is selling a lifestyle the Reebok consumer wants to attain, the brand has a successful partnership. Unless their alliance with the rapper impacts their relationships with their other customers, say active women, the brand has no reason to walk away from him. Let’s be real. Ross’ controversy, like countless other rap lyric scandals will most likely fade from the news cycle, his fan base unbothered. If Reebok did drop his contract, he’d just find another brand to align with.

Brands can’t be relied on to influence artists. The more effective approach for those looking to curtail offensive messages against women may be to look at why personas like Ross and the lifestyle of drug-fueled chauvinistic fantasies he promotes are so attractive to some consumers. After all, brands and enterprising artists like Ross will always and only align themselves with what sells.

—

C. Cleveland covers professional development topics and entrepreneurial rebels who blaze their own career paths. She explores these stories and more on The Red Read, Twitter (@CleveInTheCity) and Facebook (/MyReadIsRed).

We all have a song or two that we just can’t stand. Sometimes the radio plays a jam one time too often. Sometimes the beat isn’t exactly on point. And sometimes, the lyrics are the problem. It may not be the whole song we’re over, but there are choruses and phrases we’re just sick of or that make no amount of sense at all. Check out our list of 10 rap phrases that we don’t want to hear anymore.

Image Source: Jlnphotography/WENN.com

“Popped a Molly”

Rap music may need an intervention. Apparently, Molly is the new hot drug in the street. Rappers spit about it so much, white people get on the Internet and Google “who is Molly?” They know Molly as MDMA and they’ve been losing their minds on the designer drug since the late eighties.

Rappers like Juicy J talk about popping a Molly in almost every song. And all I want to know is can we move on and talk about something different? ‘Cause ya’ll sound like a broken record. No? Well get back at us when ya’ll are done getting high.

Source: WENN

Remember over a year ago — yeah we’re still holding on to it — when Keri Hilson was doing an interview with Juicy magazine on the red carpet at the Soul Train Awards and the mag asked her to hold up an issue with Beyonce on the cover and she said, “No, I can’t do that. I’m sorry”? Well, that little move was just icing on the cake that was already supposedly baking between the two who were said to have major beef as a result of some lyrics Miss Keri Baby penned back in 2009. Word was she took shots not only at Bey, but also Ciara, with lyrics like:

“Your vision cloudy if you think that you da best/You can dance/she can sing/but need to move it to the left… She need to go have some babies/she need to sit down she fake/them other chicks ain’t even worth talkin’ bout”

and

“Go head tell these folks how long I been writing your songs/I been putting you on/check the credits hoe!…If you want me you can find me in Decatur hoe.”

Sounds pretty specific, right? Well not if you’re Keri Hilson and looking to do damage control. Recently Hip Hollywood caught up with the singer at a Gillette event in LA and when they asked her what’s up with all the  beefin’ she said this:

“I don’t have a beef with any female artist. I think its just interesting that we live in such a gullible world. Anything that’s written, anything that is posted, and a picture that is interpreted one way, is truth. It’s like Bible now. You can Photoshop something, put it out and everyone believes it.  I’m human and it is hurtful. It’s not okay to make up something about someone in their personal lives especially. Professionally, fine. Scrutinize me all you want, I know I can’t please everyone. But, personally let’s just leave it alone, it’s going too far.”

I wonder if what’s hurt is her career, as many speculated Keri’s super quick rise to fame and equally rapid demise was a result of her being blackballed by the powers that Bey, if you know what I mean. It also could’ve been that way over the top “Way You Love Me” music video. Then again, maybe she’s just happy going back behind the scenes to pen those songs she’s talking about. Just hope whoever buys them credits her this time around, lest they end up in another lyric.

Do you think Keri Hilson’s backtracking on her shade throwing or is her supposed beef all fabricated?

Source: pictures19.com

For the most part, I haven’t been a big fan of rapper Plies’s music. A majority of the time I can’t understand what he’s saying, but a lot of the time, I just think his lyrics are a bit too explicit for my tastes (“Bust It Baby, Pt.2″ for example), so when I heard he did a tribute video for Trayvon Martin, I was a little skeptical about what I would hear and see. But after watching and actually listening to the lyrics, I think he did an awesome job, and I have to applaud him for being one the first artists to do a recording (and video) about the slain teenager. In the video the rapper says he was especially touched by the young man’s death, probably because of the senselessness of it, and the fact that they’re both Florida natives. Throughout, we see images of young people being judged for their looks and their hoodies, but doing nothing but holding Skittles and ice tea. And I like the fact that he was able to get young black men and women as well as young white men and women to participate. Plus, the track isn’t bad at all, and proceeds from it are going to the Trayvon Martin Foundation. Love the hoodies, actually love the lyrics, and love the message.

Check it out for yourself and tell us what you think of the rapper’s efforts.

So what do you think?

More on Madame Noire!

• Didn’t You Think They’d Last? 7 Surprising Celebrity Breakups
• Where Are They Now? The Cast of “Good Times”
• You Remind Me Of My Jeep: 7 Songs That Make You Want To (Joy) Ride
• Ready For The Beach: Swimsuits For Every Body Type and Style
• Gabourey Sidibe and Kelly Ripa Stumble Over Afros, Normal Hair, and Being Americanized
• The Sweet Brown Viral Video: Embarrassed? Why You Shouldn’t Be
• NEW MN WEB SERIES: “Ask A Black Man” Episode 3: The SEX Episode
• How Old is Too Old? Mayim Bialik (aka Blossom) Still Breastfeeds her 3-Year-Old Son

There’s a letter floating around online that’s said to be a poem Jay Z wrote to his darling daughter Blue Ivy. In it, Jay has supposedly vowed to never use the B word again out of love and respect for his little girl, but something seems a little suspect about this. Here are the lines:

Before I got in the game, made a change, and got rich,

I didn’t think hard about using the word B—-

I rapped, I flipped it, I sold it, I lived it

now with my daughter in this world

I curse those that give it.

I never realized while on the fast track

that I’d give riddance to the word Itchbay, to leave her innocence in tact.

No man will degrade her, or call her out her name

the women won’t despise her and call her the same.

I know it’s gonna miss me

cuz we been together like Nike Airs and crisp tees

when we all used to hang out front

singing 99 problems but a lady ain’t one.

Excuse me miss, can I be your mister

cuz I can tell the difference from a little girl and a sister,

She never grew up, her father left her alone

I promise not to talk like we used to

until Kingdom Come.

I’m so focused on your future,

The degradation has passed

I wish you wealth, health, and insight

forever young you may pass.

Blue Ivy Carter, my angel.

If this letter is in fact true, great! Someone of Jay Z’s rap caliber standing up against the use of a derogatory term to describe women is monumental, but the question is why now? I mean, we know why now—obviously, Blue Ivy—but why now after you just referred to your wife of nearly four years as a B— on your last album (and countless others), plus you have a mama and sisters. It’s kind of messed up none of these  women in his life were important enough to make him hang up the word.

Hopefully this letter is the real deal, and just like Jay ushered in button-ups back in 2008, his lyrical examples will encourage more men to put down the B word and pick up their parenting skills. But so far, the jury is still out on whether this is a commitment he really vowed to make. And I already know what you’re thinking, hopefully the N word will be next.

Do you think it’s likely Jay Z would really give up the B word in his lyrics? If it’s true, what do you think about the fact that his daughter is the only reason he decided to?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

• Do White People Really Know What Racism Is?
• 9 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Left College
• 8 Dynamics That Should Never Exist In A Relationship
• Keep Your Legs Closed! Celebs Who’ve Racked Up Baby Mamas & Drama
• “ What We’ve Learned From T.I. & Jim Jones: When Men Love, They Love Hard
• The Neutering of the American Male: How Did We Get Here?

If the rumors that Kanye put a gag order on Amber Rose after they broke up are true, it must have had a one-year expiration date. Kanye is all she seems to talk about these days—and from her recent interview on MTV, it looks like she’s been holding a lot in.

Sway asked Amber how Wiz Kalifah feels about her speaking about her ex so much (I was wondering about that too), and she said he doesn’t mind because he knows she would never go back to that—that being Kanye. Then Amber begins crying as she talks about Kanye’s fans throwing things at her in the street and the rapper bullying her through his music.

It’s not unimaginable to see Kanye bullying Amber, but after a little search, the only direct negative reference to Amber that anyone talks about is a verse on “Stronger.” He changed the line:

“I’d do anything for a blonde dyke, and she’d do anything for the limelight” to “I did anything for a blonde dyke and she did anything for the limelight.”

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

• Michelle Obama’s No Angry Black Woman and Neither Am I
• Shyte Natural Hair Girls Need to Stop Saying and Doing…
• 9 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before Jumping the Broom
• 9 Artists Who Should Have Blown Up Big…But Didn’t
• Our Favorite Word?… Girl
• Ask a Very Smart Brotha: Trying Not to Hate Him & Saving It

I love that Drake and Common are going at it so hard and pretending their beef is about rap lyrics and not the fact that Drake is tapping Common’s ex-girl, Serena Williams.

The drama unfolded when Common released the song “Sweet” from his new album “The Dreamer/The Believer,” which has a line to the tune of:

“Singing all around me man, la la la / You ain’t m—–f—in’ Frank Sinatra / Uh, lil’ b—h.”

Immediately people assumed the song was a diss track aimed at Drake who’s been known to sing on a song or 200. Although Common claims that wasn’t his original point, now he says if the shoe fits…wear it.

“He opened his mouth and said some things, so if that’s what he want — all that subliminal [talk]… you could do that too, but say it now.

“The verse is about me, but when you hear some of the stuff on the chorus it’s like you can’t help but think about dude and I guess that’s what he felt. So, at the end of day, he fits in that category, he already embraced it, so wear it.”

Drake may have felt the diss, but he’s definitely not embracing it. At a recent show, he lightweight went off while he was thanking the crowd for their support, letting them know he’s no punk.

“I might sing, but I ain’t no b—h. If you got something to say, say it to my face.”

So what, or should I say who, is this really about boys?

Common would have no real reason to come at Drake if he’s a self-proclaimed “sweet” rapper himself, so tell us why you really mad son? Could it be that he’s still not over Serena? He can’t seem to get through an interview without singing her praises, and while some of that is obviously pushed by the interviewer, Common could say “no comment” if he really wanted to. As a matter of fact, he’s still gushing over Erykah too, and it’s been several years since they were together. Seems like he wants to put a little noise in both women’s ears that he’s open to the possibility of round two.

But it doesn’t look like Chi-town is going to get any play. Drake and Serena have been seen vacationing and hanging out together a lot, and when Complex magazine asked him about his relationship with the tennis pro, he said “I really, really love and care for Serena Williams. She’s incredible. That’s someone I’m proud to say I know. She’s definitely in my life and I’m in her life.”

The only plus for Common is that Drake has basically said that same thing in reference to Rihanna and Nicki Minaj too, and who knows what he told the video vixens he was messing with. There’s a slight chance their relationship is all in his mind (like it was with Ri Ri) because the thing about emo rappers is they get attached quickly, so Serena might tell him he needs to back up and slow it down. As far as Erykah goes, Jay Electronica’s not letting that happen.

What’s most amusing is that Common recently talked about how men love in JET magazine. He said, “Men go crazy over women. They go to prison, start wars, and lose hair over them. Don’t act like you can’t acknowledge it. It may be that you haven’t been through it, so I’m not afraid to say it.”

Well then it’s time for you to go ahead and say it now, Common. No one believes this lyrical cover up he’s got going on. We know he misses Serena, and it’s OK–almost cute even. We just need him to stop embarrassing himself out in the open and give the girl a call.

Do you think Drake and Common’s beef is really over Serena? Which rapper do you like with her best?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

• A Man’s Perspective: Does Vanessa Bryant Deserve Half?
• Why Do People Think Tyler Perry is Gay?
• Shows That Exploit Naive and Borderline Ignorant Folks
• 10 Things You Don’t Know About Beyonce
• The Didn’t Ask, Don’t Tell Rule in Cheating
• The Real, Real Basketball Wives of The NBA

Oh, the innocence of childhood. When you’re a kid (well, at least way back when), you’re not worrying about who or what is messing up the economy, you’re not jaded into dressing or trying to look a certain way (especially since moms wouldn’t allow it anyway), nor did you have a real understanding about sex and foreplay. Or at least, you really shouldn’t have. You may have been filled in about what sex was, but when you heard songs about it, you were pretty much listening for the basics. As a kid, if you turned on a good beat with a catchy chorus, I was going to sing along. Now that I’m older, I can only laugh at my young self for singing these songs out loud not knowing how ahead of my years and knowledge they were.

*NOTE: I’m not THAT old so just keep that in mind with some of these picks (smile).

Sometimes I think my moral radar is a tad bit off. My sister showed me this video of little Sophia Grace Brownlee singing Nicki Minaj’s hit “Super Bass”. When you see that a kid is about to perform a popular song, the assumption is that it’s going to suck. But little Sophia surprised me. She knew all the words, the tempo and she put on a little show in her pink tutu and tiara. After I watched the video I thought. How cute! The girl should go into show business. (I peeped how she was able to pick out the changes in pitch throughout the song.) And that was all I thought about it.

Then this morning I saw that Clutch Magazine had done a story on this same video. While many people applauded Sophia’s efforts, the writer over a Clutch was “disgusted”.

Did I miss something?!

Sure, “Super Bass” is not the most child-friendly song on the radio these days but as many times as I watched this video I noticed Sophia substituted some of the more “adult words”.

For instance in the original song, Nicki says, ” …he cold, he dope, he might sell coke“. Whereas Sophia says, “He might sell a car“. And when Nicki says, “And yes you’ll get slapped if you’re lookin’, hoe.” Sophia says “And yes you’ll get slapped if you’re looking hot.”

We can all remember listening to and singing songs that maybe weren’t so age-appropriate. For me it was Jodeci’s “Freakin’ You” and H-Town’s “Knockin the Boots.” I had the general idea, but for the most part I had no idea what I was singing about and I wasn’t substituting any words either.

So my question is this video really something to be disgusted by?

What do you think?