Revisiting Kanye

I'm not sure whether to applaud Kanye's disregard for fundraising propriety, his lack of eloquence, or the fact that his message will only receive praise from those who already had the message in the first place.

Maybe it's because I'm not a fan, but I can't help but note that Kanye's pronouncement comes only shortly after him getting called out for his own materialism and hypocrisy w/r/t blood diamonds, and right about the time his new album is set to drop.

Don't get me wrong--I hate Bush a lot more than I hate Kanye, but I haven't seen any evidence that either one of them cares about poor people.

from an article in the guardian:

"While West's comments expressed a blatant truth for all with eyes to see, to some they were more outrageous than watching thousands of people dying live on television from neglect in the wealthiest country in the world."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1562737,00.html?gusrc=rss

I think the tone (meaning the obvious extreme nervousness) of his delivery belies any notion that this was a slick publicity maneuver.. This was clearly something he was scared to death about but felt he had to do..

And I saw him getting much more praise than scorn for his handling of the diamond issue.. he had already come out ahead on that one.

this is our generation's Olympic gold medal ceremony with the two Black winners raising a black power fist in the sky. People forget how hated they were for doing that.

I write more about that here:
http://blogs.sohh.com/katrina/archives/2005/09/the_impact_of_kanye_wests_stat.html

You know how much you have in you friggin bank, Kanye. The hell you have to talk to your business manager for? If you are sick of the government's ineffectiveness, go spend that money you have stashed for shopping to help the victims your own way. That's much better than just standing around and blaming it all on Bush. You can bad mouth politicans after the victims are all taken care of! Don't act like a lil bitch. God damn, man.

not feeling bush or the government's lack of urgency with regards to the victims. but as far as kanye's comments go, i have a mixed feelings.

on one level, i applaud him for saying something that needed to be said even though it wasn't scripted (even thought he mumbled and stumbled it)

on another level, and maybe i'm wrong for this but, part of me doesn't believe him. when a guy constantly makes everything, and every situation about him, it's hard to believe, even in times of tragedy, that in some way, he's not making this about him as well. throw in the timing of this with his album release and....let's just say my bullshit detector starts beeping fanatically. i don't remember kanye saying bush didn't like black people during the elections. it was just as obvious then as it is now.

the poorest crackhead in new orleans is bright enough to say "bush doesn't like black people", so let's not make it more than it is. i have nothing but love for our artists, poets, and rappers, but echoing the people's voice alone, doesn't some how qualify you as leader. one.

first off this is NOT like the black fist at the olympics, shit like that is as ridiculous as like when people were calling janet's super bowl incident "nipplegate" (i.e. watering down something of major importance). while he may be right about the bush admin. lack of care for black/poor people, it was the wrong time/wrong place. i agree he was just making the situation about himself. lastly, i take personal offense to his statements because there were poor blacks, whites, and latinos affected by this, don't do a diservice to all the victims by making it a race issue when its a class issue.

bush cut leeve funding that would've prevented this, he installed a head of FEMA that had no emergency response experience, and was woefully uninformed in the early days after the storm hit. and whats worse is that this is all part of a pattern of this administration to react far to late to a situation they could've seen miles down the road...sound famliar? just what are you up to GB? the destruction of our proud land and her people?

8 Tips On How To Avoid...
...Dealing With The Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Obvious Racial Dimensions of the New Orleans Tragedy, As Taught To Me By Television And The Web:

1. Admit that poverty disproportionately affects Black people, but DO NOT think about why that is.

2. This is not the appropriate time for questions. The appropriate time for questions is when nobody cares anymore.

3. Take anything that has racial implications off the table (try saying something about "not playing the race card"), then make a big deal about how what remains is not racist.

4. All Black people are to be held accountable for the actions of all other Black people.
We White folks are reasonable people after all...If they want our help, all we ask in return is that no Black person ever do anything bad.

5. People who complain just want attention.
And even if they don’t, what’s important for us to talk about is the fact that they’re complaining. DO NOT think about whatever it is that they’re complaining about.

6. George Bush does so care about Black people; after all, he hired two of them!
I have actually heard people say this.

7. It’s their own fault for not leaving New Orleans.
Remember, most Black people in the urban South have cars, gas, large savings accounts, insurance, credit cards with high limits, places to go and several weeks of vacation time that they can take whenever they want.

8. Repeat after me: "I have NO IDEA why a Black person who grew up in an impoverished, segregated environment and had been left to starve to death for five days surrounded by dead bodies wouldn’t trust a white guy running towards him with a gun."

KANYE...THANK YOU!!!! Even though it wasn't a message that WHITE America didn't want to hear...it was a message that needed to be said. I respect you for saying that watching the news made you feel uncomfortable/ ashamed as a highly successful BLACK man, because you felt you fully doing your part. As a result of that uncomfort you're willing to help out a 110% if need be to aid to our BLACK brothers and sisters(refugees...lol). I stand by you and pray that other influential BLACK REMODELS don't just stand by your side, but lend a helping hand.

It took only two days to get food tho the victims of the tsumani, five days for rescue and relief, and even NOW AMERICAN MONEY is still being used to help that tragedy. So why is it nearly two weeks since the Katrina and food, rescue, relief, and reconstruction taking sooooo long. Okay Okay everyone is asking for donations and money to aid in the relief, but 15% of the donations is going towards paying someone to sit at a desk and push papers. If I donate $100 only about $65 is going assist those who truly need it.

I don't want to play the blame game and point fingers, I just want to see a 360 change on this RELIEF progress.

I was watching the benefit concert, and Kanye did infact state that "Bush hates black people." I'm curious to know why the press and several audiences are "softening" the blow of his words... I was utterly shocked by Kanye's words and cannot yet get the matter from my mind. I've never witnessed anything so blunt in my life. Most of the time Bush does come off as an incompitent leader; but why the need categorize people? This "us" and "them" crap is something I've never understood. It really eats at me. Kanye seemed to rekindle an issue which most "human beings" would like to erradicate. While everyone is discrimated against, whether it be for their religious belief, their weight, or their social and economic status, discrimination is an altogether disgusting behavior. High profile individuals ought to consider the weight of their words more carefully and take responsibility for how they influence an audience of people. Especially during a crises situation like the hurricane disaster, words ought to be used to reproove and edify: Not to cause hate...

I was watching the benefit concert, and Kanye did infact state that "Bush hates black people."

No, he didn't.

it's mess up! it's the truth. i think that he did pointed out the truth about Bush that he didnt care about balck people. i dont know but those white are always hating on black peeps.

I have to agree with little_girl, sept. 9th. Kanye' is concentrating on the wrong issue here. We are all aware that racism still exists and is particularly prominent in the upper classes of America. We are also aware that Bush is not a humane person with a rational head on his shoulders, as he has proved time and time again to his own embarassment. It is also true that racism is as appauling as any other kind of descrimination and most of us are trying to stamp it out. These are problems in themselves and need to be sorted by the world as a whole and individuals individually. The bottom line is that Bush is out for power and money. It doesn't matter who stands in his way- if they can't make him money, or he can make more money by screwing them over, he will, indeed, screw them over. Black, white, man or woman, even children, are of no importance to him next to the buck. Full respect to Kanye for saying what he did even if he had an alterior motive (ie self- promotion)in mind, the principal of him standing up for what he believe in on a huge stage in the face of the opression of which he speaks- he's probably risking his wellbeing there.

Atlanta's-Own Amp Camp Moves Over 70,000 Units Through Independent Sales

I recently got a chance to talk with one of Atlanta's upstart groups, Amp Camp, a trio of artists who have been independently pushing units at a feverish pace. Amp Camp (Atlanta Music Production) has reportedly moved over 70,000 units via website and other avenues of distribution with many of the sales coming overseas.

I talked with CEO Ariel Glover who is also the vocal component and marketing whiz of the trio, and he stressed the importance of taking control over your own music as an artist. Also pointing out that new aspects of media have allowed for all good artists to sell.

"Of course the big three (major labels) are able to put big money into marketing and distributing your product but the new advances in technology have made it a wide-open market to where artists like you and me can sell large numbers provided you have a good product to offer." said Glover.

The blend of hip hop and soul is due in main part to the eclectic mix of the groups artists. Amp Camp is comprised of family members Ariel Glover, De'Kim (Producer), and G-Love (MC). The CD can be purchased online through their website and you could possibly be customer number 70,001 I guess. Glover says that Peach Bottom Girl and The Way You Do That Dance are the songs catching most peoples attention right now. The entire CD can be previewed on their website.

The group hinted that thay have been working with several undisclosed major artists in the area and that they have major plans for the future. "It's like once people see that you have something that's in demand and something that the people want then everybody wants to do business with you

SOHH Atlanta ..wow..your whole article is soo ambiguous (spelling?)

I would just like to say a few things in regards to the comments of some narrow-minded individuals who have posted their comments. There have been far too many comments posted for me to read them all in one sitting. However, of the first half of the comments that I have read, I would like to comment particularly on comments posted on 9/3/05. First and foremost, I do believe there are right and a wrong ways to say things. Kanye could have chose better words, but who do you know that can articulate and speak without a script, from the HEART knowing they will probably only have a few seconds before what they have to say is cut off by the networks. I'm sure if given another opportunity (which we all know is absolutely impossible) what he had to say may have come out better.

Getting to my next point, I noticed a few individuals pointed out that it was not Bush's fault, but FEMA's fault. If you watch and keep up with current events other than what you want to hear, and take the time to listen to EVERYTHING, not just a little bit, you would know that Michael Brown who was referred by Bush (a “favor for a friend”) for director of FEMA, was unqualified for the position, had no earthly idea what he was doing, so he resigned to avoid further ridicule. So, yes Bush is partially the blame for this delay in response to the unbelievable crisis Hurricane Katrina created. Then you talk about how Bush went to New Orleans and was holding minority families hands, fighting back his tears, and etc. Have you ever heard of a photo-op? Additionally, if you smart asses want to take it a little further, the majority of major decisions made, Bush has to pass through other entities of the government. When the ridiculous war in Iraq was stirred up, he ignored those rules and went his own way and/or persuaded and deceivingly conned others in the government to agree with him. (Don’t you all remember Condoleezza Rice taking all the slack and pressure or Colin Powell retiring because there were no “weapons of mass destruction”?) Notice how quickly he turned nothing into something and got what he wanted! Clinton lied about getting head, and Bush lies and lets our people sacrifice their lives for nothing, and who was impeached! How many lies do you forgive him for until you are finally fed up? Now when it came to helping his fellow Americans, whether rich or poor, it was not done with urgency, however, it was urgent to make Iraq and Afghanistan a democracy. NOW, THAT IS THE PROBLEM! If you really want to get deep, think about how he blew the budget to send money overseas, taking away from projects that were detrimental to the American people, particularly levies to help keep New Orleans from sinking. Yes, New Orleans was destined to sink anyway, but there were still people living in the city that needed to be safe from flooding waters.

No it is not entirely about black people, it is about the American people, since those poor people did not have the means to save themselves, our government just said fuck them! Hell, he called them refugees for crying out loud! And, anyone who wants to rag on Nagin, you are wrong, he specifically said there were not enough resources to get ALL of the less fortunate out of the ghetto's of New Orleans. You also have to realize a lot of them wanted to stay. Put yourself in his position, you are responsible for millions of people, and you have to think on your toes???? I sometimes have to find the strength not to let what fellow Louisianan’s say about their own people get under my skin. If you people from New Orleans cared so much, why didn't you swing by and pick up your grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, and friends on your way out. Instead of getting on cameras and in newspapers complaining about how you lost all these family members. You managed to get out, didn't you?

Do not get me wrong, I am a very understanding person, not trying to upset anyone. But, I wish sometimes, people would take the time to stop and think sometimes. I have worked with a lot of the evacuees that are here in Houston, a lot of them are very, very nice, and grateful. I get up and help usually 6-7 days out of the week 10-14 hours a day. I left my job to help. I love to help those who help themselves and whom are grateful for my efforts and others as well. I do not expect applause, praise or anything, because I can afford to give my time, and what I have to others in desperate need. What are you doing? Before you take time out of your busy day to scoff at what Kanye or anyone else has said or what others are doing, ask yourself, what are you doing? Just for the record, there are many evacuees going back and helping their people in all the sludge and disease infested water, don’t believe everything you see on T.V.

But one thing I do know that I see with my own two eyes, a lot of these people rely on government assistance. A lot that are alive, well, and able-bodied, can go to work, however they refuse. I live in the Houston area, and can recall seeing a lot of evacuees in the Galleria shopping, and it is not hard to identify them because they all have on wristbands, so they can get back into the SHELTERS. If that isn’t backwards, I don’t know what is. I notice that the lines for food stamps, child support, disability, FEMA, and Red Cross are packed from sunrise to sunset everyday. However, the lines for a job are sparse with people who really want to find a job and start over. What do you need food stamps for if you have not refrigerator, and you are getting 3 hot meals a day and any snack you could imagine, including ice cream.

You cannot blame a whole population for a few bad seeds, but some things should not be ignored. I believe the reason black people still feel that they are being oppressed is because a lot of black people are scared to stand up for what they believe. The number of minorities and Anglo-Saxons are getting pretty close. A lot of blacks are walking on eggshells, scared step on anyone’s feet whom is in charge, with the fear of them dismantling their lives. Because they let them be in control, they will never really gain control of their own. Although I appreciate the hip-hop culture and what it has done for black people, a lot of them are concerned with keeping up with the “Jones’” or exceeding them. Which poisons the minds of our young. And what is really important is being ignored. This catastrophe should be a lesson that anything can happen, and nothing is ever guaranteed. It should make people look at life in a new light and start making changes, because not many are going to extend their hand and get it dirty to help, if the people who need the help do not want to strive for better lives. I am unsure of all the black people who either read or heard the New York DJ Dee Lee read “They Don’t Read”. If you haven’t heard it or read, you need to take the time to do so. I was very saddened and appalled at the same time. Only because it is very true for a lot of the black population.

I am a black person who took a stand and decided to READ, and take control of my life. Maybe one day all of you complainers will do the same.

*ditto*

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