Singer Sade Refuses to Collaborate with Rappers

Although Jay-Z may be one of the most successful rappers of all time, one project he will never accomplish, is working with singer Sade.

In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Sade reveals that Jay–Z and other MCs have approached her about rapping over her beats or having her sing the hook on their records, but she has politely declined.

“I'm too scared they'll find me out. It's like The Wizard of Oz. They'll find out there's nothing there. As for collaborations, I'm collaborating with the band and do what we do. I see myself as a member of this band who does these songs that we write.”

Dr. Boyce: Black America Must Outgrow the Jay-Z Business Model

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Jay-Z is an amazing rapper.  Some think that he’s been in the game for a bit too long, but I don’t agree.  Personally, I think “Jigga” simply reflects the fact that hip-hop itself is aging.  Jazz was once solely the domain of rebellious teenagers, but now you’re sure to hear it playing in every old folk’s home across America.  The same is going to be true for hip-hop.

Jay-Z has said repeatedly that he will stop making music, and I’m sure that one day he will.  However, there is one area in which we need to retire Jay-Z: In his role as the pre-eminent black businessman in America.  It’s not that Jay-Z is a bad role model, it’s just that he’s been exhausted.

Don’t get me wrong, Jigga has made significant amounts of money by busting rhymes on his left and selling clothes on his right.  Good for him.  But is he really the best business role model for young black males, who are already consumed with a culture that teaches them that all they can be are rappers or athletes?  No, he is not.  Young black women also find that their leading role models in business are women like Oprah and Beyonce, both of whom keep us hyper-fixated on the entertainment industry.   It’s time to make a change.

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Protestors Rally Against “Saggin.” A Waste of Time?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Ken and Gwen Rasheed of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, apparently find saggy pants to be a serious problem in their personal lives. The two are working diligently to fight for an ordinance banning teens from "saggin" and have a zero tolerance policy for this style of dress. In fact, this past Saturday, the couple had a rally against saggy pants.
"I was working in the recreation department in one of the recreation centers and about 95 percent of the kids that came in there had their pants saggy," said Ken toldFox 8 News in Winston-Salem. "To me, the sagging and showing your underwear is not showing any pride in who you are."

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The Latest from Hip Hop Wired

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Dr. Boyce Video – The Future of Hip Hop Part 3

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

What is the future of hip hop? I have our panel together to discuss the issue once again. They are the leading figures in hip hop, and I think you'll enjoy the conversation. To see part 1 one of the conversation, click here. To see part 2, click here.

 

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Dr. Boyce: 8 Reasons Some Men Might Date White Women

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

First, I’ll start this article by saying, “just kidding.” I have immense loyalty to black women, and that’s all I’ve ever dated in my adult life.  But after reading the article “8 Reasons to date a white man,” I just had to respond for the brothers.   We know white men are just as imperfect as the rest of us.  But the idea that the author decided to put white males on a pedestal above black men without considering the challenges of being black in America had me fuming.  So, here are some reasons that those brothers who date white women might have decided to do so:

 

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Dr. Boyce Video: Dream Hampton, Marc Lamont Hill Discuss Black August

I got a chance to speak with Marc Lamont Hill, a brilliant young professor at Columbia University, along with Dream Hampton. Marc is the host of "Our World with Black Enterprise," replacing the great Ed Gordon. Dream is a hip hop journalist, who was the first female editor of "The Source" Magazine. She has also helped to create award-winning films such as "I am Ali," and "Behind the Music: The Notorious B.I.G." I spoke with both of them in the studio about their work, and I think you'll enjoy the interview and become inspired by it.

 

Click here to watch.

Dr. Boyce Video: The Future of Hip Hop Part 2

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

If you're anything like the rest of us, you are probably sick and tired of much of the hip hop you hear on the radio. This is not to say that there aren't artists who produce quality music, but there are quite a few who show nothing less than complete disrespect for themselves, black women and the entire African American community. I'm a fan of hip hop, but not a fan of stupidity, especially when these images are teaching young brothers how to be black men.

 

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TI Might Go to Prison, But Would Lindsay or Paris?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

It's being reported that the rapper T.I. (aka Clifford Harris) has a probation revocation hearing coming up on October 15. The rapper was arrested for drug possession with his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle. The incident occurred on September 2 of this year, and they were allegedly in possession of Codeine, Ecstasy and Marijuana, which was uncovered in what police say was a routine traffic stop.
I spoke with someone who is familiar with the case against T.I. I asked him if T.I. was going back to prison. He said that while he isn't sure what the rapper's fate will be, there is an inherent contradiction in his case. While we can almost expect that T.I. will be punished for his latest violation of the law, the same can't be said for other celebs, like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. Both of these young women have been arrested time and time again for one offense after another. In each case, they are typically given a slap on the wrist.

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Scholars Talk about the Black Church and Homosexuality

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins and Dr. Jeff Gardere – AOL Black Voices

Dr. Jeff Gardere and I both agree that the recent gay sex scandal of Pastor Eddie Long has opened a chasm in the black church and the black community that needs to be filled with discussion and most importantly, understanding. The relationship between the black church and the black community is one that begins for most of us as children and never ends. It is time to begin a conversation that can heal a lot of people.

My Take – The Black Church
The black church is one of the deepest and most significant institutions in the African American community. Anyone who struggles with a problem in their lives is encouraged to turn to the church for answers. If you want to know why you made it through your surgery, got a better job, or found a way to get off crack, there's probably a church on your corner willing to provide you with a convenient explanation. The church is in our blood and our pastors are our spiritual fathers.
Many black folks understand the church before they ever even understand God. This socialization puts a psychological stranglehold on us: Many of us are taught to condemn those who are different, whether it is because they are gay, not baptized or simply believe what we don't believe. Some accept a life of hypocrisy, since the idea of being marginalized by the church is far worse than the challenge of maintaining a double life. We learn how to twist and manipulate the bible to help us explain away every socially deviant behavior and moral imperfection.

 

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Does the President Listen to Gangsta Rap?

by Dr. Wilmer Leon

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, President Obama was asked about his musical preferences, he replied in part, “My iPod now has about 2,000 songs,…There's still a lot of Stevie Wonder, a lot of Bob Dylan, a lot of Rolling Stones, a lot of R&B, a lot of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. …A lot of classical music. …my rap palate has greatly improved. Jay-Z used to be sort of what predominated, but now I've got a little Nas and a little Lil Wayne and some other stuff, but I would not claim to be an expert…”

Soul, folk, rock, R&B, jazz, “A lot of classical”, and some rap; sounds like a fairly diverse musical palate.  This represents the musical tastes of a number of American’s of the president’s generation, especially those with school age children.  Diversity is good, unless you are reading the Fox Nation website.  According to the Huffington Post, Fox Nation took this description and briefly posted the headline, “President of the United States Loves Gansta Rap” with photos of tattoo laden Nas and Lil’ Wayne thrown in for “flava”.

 

Click to read.

Take a Look: Court Documents in Bishop Eddie Long Case

Click here to view one of the lawsuits filed against Bishop Eddie Long.