um… sorry?
Was reading this article on a rapper that has been slammed for writing a song that has some "anti-gay lyrics". He's getting shows cancelled and has offered his "sincerest apologies to those who might have been offended, threatened or hurt by my songs".
Aw... that's sweet. I mean, how bad can the song be? And it does sound like he's really, really sorry. I'm sure it's all just a misunderstanding anyway.
Oh, the name of the song? "Queers Must Be Killed." wtf?
Is this guy some kind of idiot? His manager thinks the lyrics are merely "metaphorical." Is he an idiot too? Maybe the producer is an idiot. Maybe the record label is run by idiots.
Why even apologize? It's fairly obvious how he feels about homosexuals. I'm pretty sure if Hitler said he was sorry we would still charge him with war crimes. Maybe not if he gave us his "sincerest" apologies.
Ironically, I'm still 100% for freedom of speech. If an artist wants to use their talents (or lack there of) for producing whatever is on their mind, hey, groovy. If he doesn't like gays... well good for him. If he wants them dead? Probably best to keep that to himself but if he wants to share... go for it. Just don't be surprised when the rest of society decides to take the proverbial crap on your career and not forgive you when you try and pass an apology for it.
This rapper obviously has some homophobic issues that should be treated by a professional (read: shrink). Maybe he's referring to killing his own homosexual urges. Who knows really. But whoever is giving him career advise... should probably be fired.
Freedom of speech? or Hate Crime?
August 27th, 2004 - 11:09
Freedom of speech? or Hate Crime?
Just an asshole.
“I just want to teach people _ my sons and my daughters _ the right way of life,” he said.”
Blecch.
August 27th, 2004 - 11:10
“Freedom of speech? or Hate Crime?”
This has the stink of a publicity stunt. I mean, who is “Beenie Man”? Never heard of him, until now. Granted, I don’t follow reggae (he’s not a rapper, apparently), but still, not a “name brand” musician.
How much do you want to bet this is his best selling album by a long shot? He’s probably getting far more media attention by getting kicked off the VMAs than he would if he attended them.
As for free speech/hate crime issue, free speech is all well and good, right up until you violate someone else’s rights. And this guy has crossed that line. He isn’t just expressing his hatered of gays, but he is encouraging others to kill them. That goes beyond freedom of speech.
And no, I haven’t heard the lyrics, and I couldn’t find them on any of the lyrics websites. Hmmmm…
August 27th, 2004 - 16:15
What’s today? All assholes get in the news day?
Found this article after this guy was thrown out of a Dutch festival. Is this the same lunatic or are we talking multiple cases of IQ’s smaller than your shoe sizes here?
As for freedom of speech: probably one of the most important things around but as soon as you start promoting harm to somebody else your rights fade away very quickly.