As I’m sitting here writing, Rihanna’s “Bih Better Have My Money” is spinning on constant replay in my head.  Yes, I’m a fan of R&B and Hip Hop!!  I love it! The beats just take me somewhere!! I have much respect for the artists talent, grind and work ethic.  However, I must admit I am disappointed in the message that’s being transferred to the delicate minds of our young generation.  Some say it’s just entertainment.  And to those I say, “you’re absolutely correct!”  It is “just” entertainment but it’s that entertainment that is “just” destroying the minds and actions of our children.  Some may go even further to say it’s not the responsibility of society to raise the parent-less children (parent-less literally and figuratively being that some parents may be present physically but on a parental mental hiatus to return only God knows when) it’s the responsibility of the parent(s) to raise their children.  Again, I say, “you are absolutely correct!!!” But realistically it’s not happening, and in turn their precious babies seek role models from the entertainment industry.  “But wait”…says the voices of many…”entertainers didn’t sign up to be role models!”  Again, you are absolutely correct!!  However, we live in a society in which celebrities are role models by default.  According to the Miriam-Webster definition of a role model, a role model is a person who another person admires and tries to be like.  Default is defined as a preset value that a computer system assumes or an action that it takes unless otherwise instructed.  In this case, couldn’t our society be that system that has set up the entertainment industry’s preset value?  We all know the more money one makes the more powerful he/she becomes.  The more money our talented artists make the more influential they become.  Don’t our children admire and strive to be like so many of our talented (and not so talented) entertainers unless otherwise instructed?

So why have I targeted hip hop and R&B when there are other genres of music that don’t necessarily relay the best messages as well?  Simple, because it’s African American children that are dying and going to prison at alarming rates.  Just like entertainers are celebrities by default, the f***us system…I meant justice system-excuse me… is set up to destroy the African American race by default unless otherwise instructed.  Therefore, I am bothered that African American  music artists won’t come together to refute the setting the system has put in place by default.  You, talented African American music artists, are the “unless otherwise instructors” that can change and begin to change the systemic degradation default setting.

Our little ones emulate you.  Especially those without a strong support system.  When I hear children walking around singing “eat the booty like groceries” it’s just sickening.  Just to hear that phrase from anyone is sickening.  Do what you do, but must we broadcast it?  And we wonder why children are becoming sexually active younger and younger.  The songs give explicit instruction … detail by detail. ..so if you don’t know now you know!! (S/O Biggie)….  But uh, back to the lecture at hand (S/O Dr. Dre and them) …Not only do songs give explicit instruction about sex, songs tell those delicate minds how to cook pies (not the nice sweet potato pies your grandmother bakes for those whom are a bit naive to the street terms), sell pies, store pies, make money from pies, protect the pies with your glock 9, how to make it rain at the club with the money you made from the pie sells, ok I think you get it.  In no way am I insinuating that this behavior can’t be taught elsewhere but there’s no need to glamorize said behavior.

I was in my twenties when glamorization of the ghetto-fabulous lifestyle era came through hypnotizing and mesmerizing us giving us that euphoric feeling that good music so often does.  Not only did the music provide us with auditory stimulation but it provided us with visual stimulation to heighten that sense of euphoria giving us that musical high.  Some fell victim to its trance, while others understood it’s “just” entertainment.  Some actually attempted and continue to attempt  to bring the videos and music to life..Money, cash, h***, money, cash, h***gets you time with feds with lots of kids fo sho…Now see how easy that was to just add reality to the music (that’s why you’re the artists I’m not)?  I understand music tells stories and hip hop is the voice of  the pain and struggles of the “hood” (although drugs and violence wasn’t birthed in the hood).  But can Hip Hop and R&B artists not make more conscious music?

One less thought…

Real Wife