Tag Archives: Common

Homophobia In Music.

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Around a week or so ago, something happened in America that made me realise even more that homophobia is disgustingly and sadly more alive than ever. A young lad named Jamey Rodemeyer who was only 14 years old, a baby, took his own life due to being bullied for being gay. He was part of the It Gets Better campaign. A few days later duo, Uh Huh Her (Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey) were taken off a flight just for kissing each other.

Do we throw straight couples off flights for kissing? No, we don’t. No one fucking looks, no one bats an eyelid. However, when it is two people of the same gender showing their affection for each other it is treated as if it is the worst thing in the world. It’s wrong how people will be vile towards two people of the same gender kissing each other, yet no one says a word when a parents hits their child in public.

We live in a world where love and compassion is no longer a core feature in society. We live in a world where all kinds of hatred are glorified and encouraged. This cannot continue. We are harming each other and neglecting unity. It is vile and HAS to end. Thing is, will it ever end? Will we ever live in a world where we just live and let live?

Homophobia is growing. I always knew it was bad and I’d be lying if I said I’d never been on the receiving end of it- more recent than I wish to acknowledge sadly. But for some reason unknown to the good people of the world, it seems to be getting worse. People kill themselves every single day because they are being ridiculed and shunned just because of their sexuality. It isn’t right. How can you possibly judge someone based on their sexuality? Why would you want to hate someone because they’ve found someone to love? Love is love. It has no race, it has no gender, it has no religion; it is just LOVE. When you find someone who can stand you even when you’re being a massive wanker- you’re one of the lucky ones. Not many of us find it or will ever find it. So why on earth would you want to stop someone finding something so precious, so sacred.

Uh Huh Her are a band that I adore, not because they are lesbians but because they make excellent music. Their sound isn’t defined by their sexuality. Just like Holly Miranda isn’t. She’s a singer/song-writer; her sexuality plays no part in her music. That’s how it should be.

Michael Stipe never used his sexuality to sell records for R.E.M; they sold records because of their talent.

Do musicians need to announce their sexuality? Well, it depends how you want to look at it. I don’t care for any of the artists I’m a fan of personal life at all. However, when a band you love has a gay band member you feel you can identify with them more; it gives you a personal connection. It gives you something to identify with.

For instance, Gossip was a band that helped me accept who I was. Now, I don’t use my sexuality to define who I am. Never have, never will. But when I was at Uni, I was away from a place that was so homophobic and small minded. I could finally live my life the way I wanted. I could finally be happy. I’d been a fan of Gossip before Standing In The Way Of Control was released, but when I heard it; it gave me strength and courage. If the song was around a few years prior, I would’ve saved myself a lot of hassle and hurt.

I know I frequently say music should bring us together, but a lot of Reggae/Dancehall artists are STILL promoting homophobia. It’s got to stop. In the Hip Hop community, artists such as Common are working towards stamping out homophobia in Hip Hop. It’s going to take baby steps to get rid of such a big problem, but hopefully people will see sense and stop being small minded. You cannot catch homosexuality- but homophobia is spreading. Kids are becoming more and crueler. Adults are becoming less and less understanding.

Seek refuge in music and just be yourself. People will try to take and take from you, but don’t ever give in. Something has to be done, it’s just a shame it takes a tragedy for people to wake up to what is happening.

Music is such a powerful force and if anything, it should be bringing us together. We need it now more than ever. We cannot be divided anymore. This HAS to end.

I want to finish this with something my mum posted on Facebook a few days ago, of all the people I know; she is by far the most wisest and compassionate human beings I know. I like think, no- I KNOW I inherited all my good qualities from her. My bad ones are just habits I picked up along the way of growing up and learning. Reading what she wrote made me proud to be her daughter and to be who I am. I’m lucky to have such an accepting mum. I know of so many that aren’t as lucky as me, and it makes me so sad. Like my mum has always said- my personal life isn’t her business so long as I am happy and safe. That’s all that matters. Here’s what she wrote :

“To be gay isn’t a choice it is a heart and soul felt emotion. To be gay is no threat to heterosexuals, you aren’t their type. How many gay serial killers and rapists have you heard of; gay people are not the enemy. The world has enough hatred without throwing it at vulnerable, gentle souls that want nothing other than to be left to live quietly and with dignity. If your child is gay its not really your business, did you love them before- hopefully yes- if so then how do you not love them now? If you can’t understand same sex relationships, don’t bother live in your ignorance, but leave them alone. How on earth can you harm someone just because they are different to you, try deflating your anger.  You know you are seriously mentally unstable when you can harm an innocent person that you don’t know just because they are gay. LIVE AND LET LIVE, LOVE AND LET LOVE. Everyone is special, everyone is worthwhile.  As Moms we love our children equally and without thought of gender, sexual preference or belief. We have to realise that hatred is killing the planet, starving us of compassion. We need to gently show the people of the world that being “gay” is not a reason to be hurt by ignorant homophobic “people” who don’t want to understand that if we were all exactly the same it would be a mighty lousy world. Embrace your children, all of your children, and for those who cannot understand same sex love, well then don’t bother-but for God’s sake leave them alone to be happy and content. Gay is no threat to your world stop being afraid they don’t want to convert you.  You are vicious and hateful, you aren’t their type. God Bless Everyone, especially young gay kids. xx”

One last thing dear reader, never hide who you are from the world. Be yourself and don’t give up or give in to the hate. You’re better than them. Have heart and be gentle.

What Hip Hop Means To Me.

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As I write this, I am watching How Hip Hop Changed The World on Channel 4. I also have a migraine and I’m unsure if I’m going to pass out from pain or throw up. I’m also fighting off sleep like a stubborn toddler.

This programme is bringing back a lot of memories for me, and it’s got me thinking- what does Hip Hop mean to me?

I grew up on so many kinds of music. Everything from Billie Holiday to Bob Dylan to Blondie. I heard everything. It all inspired me in so many ways.

When I went to secondary school, I didn’t exactly have the time of my life there. To say it was hell is a massive understatement- but that’s not for here. Never for here. I remember walking down the corridor in my second year of secondary school playing Eric B & Rakim’s album Don’t Sweat The Technique  on my Walkman. Tape Walkman that is. I loved Eric B & Rakim so much. I thought Rakim was the best thing since hiding in the library to escape everything and everyone.

I adored bands such as De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, A Tribe Called Quest, Salt n Pepa. I loved them all so much. I felt like nothing could touch me as I walked through school. The reality was, I just couldn’t hear anything due to having my music blaring in my ears ridiculously loud.

I never liked the songs that degraded women or bragged about the amount of money so and so had. I loved the fun lyrics and the in depth lyrics.

I loved (and still do) Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Common. Those three were the ones I constantly played. Black on Both Sides by Mos Def still remains one of my favourite albums ever. I loved LL Cool J’s early stuff. I challenge you to listen to Mamma Said Knock You Out and not feel like you were the most important person ever. It just held you so high, you felt like you could do anything.

I was obsessed with Tupac. I’ve still got all his albums, all the books, his poetry book, videos- that’s right, I’ve got VHS’ of Tupac, all the films he was in, bootleg tapes and CDs. I just adored him. I still do. I loved his honesty, his brutal lyrics, his loving lyrics. I still can’t listen to Dear Mamma without crying. It still tugs at my heartstrings. I’m also still angry that they never caught his or Biggie’s killer. I know everyone was its either Tupac or Biggie- you couldn’t like both. I thought both were brilliant. Biggie’s Ready To Die is a phenomenal debut album. The way Tupac could break your heart then instantly make you laugh with his wordplay just blew me away. First and foremost, he was a poet. He made you see the world how he saw it with his words. He made you change how you saw the world with his words.

I could write so many words on why I love him and what he means to me. I probably will soon, I can feel some kind of essay about Tupac coming on if I don’t move onto a different part of Hip Hop.

There’s always been a lack of females in Hip Hop. Those that ever got anywhere were usually half naked on stage and being ever so vulgar with their words. For some reason, I loved Foxy Brown. I loved her deep voice, the way she didn’t care about what she said and how she said it- she wasn’t afraid. That for me just made me love her music. I was never a fan of Lil’Kim. I don’t know why, I just didn’t really care about her music as much as I cared for Foxy Brown’s.

Does anyone remember MC Trouble? No? Well, she was amazing. But she died before anyone really knew of her. MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante, Queen Latifah, Missy and my favourite- Monie Love. They were all strong female rappers. Ones worth looking up to.

Many argue about who and where Hip Hop started- I’ll always say it started with DJ Kool Herc. Always. But obviously there is no way you can deny that Grandmaster Flash played an equally vital role as Herc did. I guess I’d say, they both started it.

Kurtis Blow, Rakim and Big Daddy Kane are three of my favourites ever. EVER. There is no denying that those three flow so smoothly over beats. Their wordplay hypnotised you and made you want to rap. I was just in so much awe of them when I first heard them. I still am now. There’s never been anyone else like them, there never will be.

One rapper that I adored and was massively upset when he was killed was Big L. The Big Picture is up there with one of the best hip hop albums ever. I’d safely place it in my list of favourite albums of all time too. His song. Ebonics educated you on street slang. The Freestyle on the album blew you away. His duet with Tupac, Deadly Combination was just stunning. It’s just a perfect Hip Hop album.

So, what does Hip Hop mean to me? Well, I personally feel it has that Punk vibe to it. Don’t care what anyone thinks about you or says about you- just be yourself and express yourself. It’s an art-form. A way of life. Pop music isn’t a way of life or a state of mind. It’s just empty words over repetitive sounds. Hip Hop on the other hand educates. It’s a state of mind. Just listen to Public Enemy if you want to be educated in a way you never thought you could be taught.

For me, Punk rock and Hip Hop go hand in hand within the music industry. They went against everything you were told you listen to. It was rebellious at best and dangerous at worst.

What still pisses me off is the way people are always going on about how it degrades women and is mindless.

Those that say this are listening to the kind if Hip Hop that doesn’t deserve to be called Hip Hop. They are ignoring the songs that hold depth and lessons.

Go listen to Public Enemy, go listen to Jurassic 5, go listen to Dilated Peoples. There is more to Hip Hop than what the media rams down your neck.

Not every rapper carries a gun and a wad of money in their back pocket. Open your mind and go listen to the true essence of Hip Hop.

There will always be rivalry in Hip Hop. The media will always blow it out of proportion and make Hip Hop out to be the bad guy- when really, it isn’t. Hip Hop speaks to people; it’s a form of art and a way of life that has undoubtedly saved lives.

Remember, “It ain’t where you from, it’s where you at.”