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Music News That Keeps Me Up Nights - Rape and Racism

This week music news was a trip, and a few developments literally kept me up thinking too long and too hard about what the hell is wrong with musicians.


1) +Rick Ross and Rape

For anyone who is a victim of sexual assault, this is a tender issue. Hell, for anyone anywhere this is a tender issue. For weeks since the song was released, his remarks to the press have made him seem completely oblivious to the fact that the lyrics below could be eluding to anything rape-ish. 


Really, Rick? Really? 
However yesterday after +Reebok kicked Ross to the curb, he issued a 'heart-felt' apology:

"Before I am an artist, I am a father, a son, and a brother to some of the most cherished women in the world. So for me to suggest in any way that harm and violation be brought to a woman is one of my biggest mistakes and regrets. As an artist, one of the most liberating things is being able to paint pictures with my words. But with that comes a great responsibility. And most recently, my choice of words was not only offensive, it does not reflect my true heart. And for this, I apologize. To every woman that has felt the sting of abuse, I apologize. I recognize that as an artist I have a voice and with that, the power of influence. To the young men who listen to my music, please know that using a substance to rob a woman of her right to make a choice is not only a crime, it's wrong and I do not encourage it. To my fans, I also apologize if I have disappointed you. I can only hope that this sparks a healthy dialogue and that I can contribute to it."
—William Roberts (a.k.a "Rick Ross”)
(via fuse.tv)

The timing blows the hope for sincerity out of the water. 


2) 'Accidental Racist' 

Last week good buddies +Brad Paisley and +LL Cool J released a duet called 'Accidental Racist' in which they confront their judgmental initial impressions of each other and work toward a way to resolve things. Kumbaya and all that jazz.  

If you simply can't stand country, click here for the choice of listening and reading along or just reading the ridiculous lyrics to this song. The back and forth between Paisley and LL (in parenthesis) near the end of the tune is epically flawed:

I'm just a white man
(If you don't judge my do-rag)
Comin' to you from the southland
(I won't judge your red flag)
Tryin' to understand what it's like not to be
I'm proud of where I'm from
(If you don't judge my gold chains)
But not everything we've done
(I'll forget the iron chains)
It ain't like you and me can re-write history
(Can't re-write history baby)

LL Cool J has said that he is "pleased" with the reaction. As long as people are discussing it that's a move in the right direction in his opinion. The only problem here, Mr. J, is that your rap credibility is shot. Gone are the days of 'Mama Said Knock You Out,' and with a new album from LL Cool J on the horizon we're all a bit worried. 

Any music news of late making your brain boil? Let me know!

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