January 17, 2006

Documentary on Hip-Hop Homophobia/Misogyny

I know this film has been around for a while now, have any of y'all seen it yet?

Hip-hop and sexuality

LIer's look at misogyny and homophobia a key note among music-driven movies

In the society of hip-hoppers, there are some places that you just don't go. Take the time when Smithtown-born filmmaker Byron Hurt asked rapper Busta Rhymes to explain the link between machismo and homoeroticism in hip-hop. Rhymes was so unwilling to go there he got up and walked out of the room.

This agitated flight is captured in a new documentary that Hurt will unveil at this year's Sundance Film Festival - which kicks off tomorrow - entitled "Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Hip-Hop Head Weighs in on Manhood in Hip-Hop Culture."

...Among the other notables who had their feathers ruffled by Hurt's crusading camera was hip-hop entrepreneur and social activist Russell Simmons, who, when asked to weigh in on the sexual objectification of women in hip-hop, replied, "I think we have to challenge sexism as it stands in the community, and not the poetry that is a reflection of it ... I can't address every issue because I don't have the equipment."

The 36-year-old Hurt seemed unconvinced. "I thought it was a bit of a cop-out," he said from his home in Central Islip. "Here is someone ... the Rockefeller drug laws are important to, voting and registration is important to, reparation is important to. He's a spokesperson for PETA. But he's not willing to delve into issues of sexism and respect for women. It's reflective of the general belief system a lot of men have, that it's not a priority..."

Posted by jsmooth995 at January 17, 2006 1:43 PM

Comments

Yes, Hurt has made the rounds with this one. I've seen a good portion of it. Busta demonstrated his sexual anxiety in a memorable scene reminiscent of Jaheim's Hot 97 flip out. Fat Joe's in it. Kevin Powell does his talking head thing. Hurt tries to engage prominent (I'm using this word loosely) young men of color on questions of gender and sexism. It was nothing particular new to me or any young pop culture savvy feminist of color but I'm sure it's eye opening to a lot of audiences.

Posted by: jb at January 17, 2006 4:00 PM

I've heard things about Busta, which may be why he's so uncomfortable discussing it on camera...

Posted by: Johnny Twisto at January 17, 2006 6:52 PM

I guess Russell would rather defend cats and dogs than women. LOL!! I think the vast majority of men in Hip Hop turn a blind eye to the blatant misogyny. I found it notable that Kanye West made the comments about homophobia, which was good, but now can we get some guys to do the same about sexism.
I was thinking about inviting Byron Hurt to my class. I think my students would like the subject matter....I'm going to get on the case, if he's able to come sometime this semester, I'll post it on my blog.

Posted by: Rachel S at January 18, 2006 9:41 AM

The problem with these so-called moguls is that at the end of the day, they're not going to critisize their source of income. They can talk about keepin it real all they want, but seeing t!tts and a$$ keeps the record company money flowing in.
It's a shame really, that kats can come up out of the hood, make mad paper off the hood, but aren't willing to put it on the line, not even for the hood, but just a little respect for their moms and sisters! That's wack.

Posted by: JG at January 21, 2006 10:31 PM


January 17, 2006 Documentary on Hip-Hop Homophobia/Misogyny I know this film has been around for a while now, have any of y'all seen it yet? Hip-hop and sexuality LIer's look at misogyny and homophobia a key note among music-driven movies In the society of hip-hoppers, there are some places that you just don't go. Take the time when Smithtown-born filmmaker Byron Hurt asked rapper Busta Rhymes to explain the link between machismo and homoeroticism in hip-hop. Rhymes was so unwilling to go there he got up and walked out of the room. This agitated flight is captured in a new documentary that Hurt will unveil at this year's Sundance Film Festival - which kicks off tomorrow - entitled "Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Hip-Hop Head Weighs in on Manhood in Hip-Hop Culture." ...Among the other notables who had their feathers ruffled by Hurt's crusading camera was hip-hop entrepreneur and social activist Russell Simmons, who, when asked to weigh in on the sexual objectification of women in hip-hop, replied, "I think we have to challenge sexism as it stands in the community, and not the poetry that is a reflection of it ... I can't address every issue because I don't have the equipment." The 36-year-old Hurt seemed unconvinced. "I thought it was a bit of a cop-out," he said from his home in Central Islip. "Here is someone ... the Rockefeller drug laws are important to, voting and registration is important to, reparation is important to. He's a spokesperson for PETA. But he's not willing to delve into issues of sexism and respect for women. It's reflective of the general belief system a lot of men have, that it's not a priority..." Posted by jsmooth995 at January 17, 2006 1:43 PM Comments Yes, Hurt has made the rounds with this one. I've seen a good portion of it. Busta demonstrated his sexual anxiety in a memorable scene reminiscent of Jaheim's Hot 97 flip out. Fat Joe's in it. Kevin Powell does his talking head thing. Hurt tries to engage prominent (I'm using this word loosely) young men of color on questions of gender and sexism. It was nothing particular new to me or any young pop culture savvy feminist of color but I'm sure it's eye opening to a lot of audiences. Posted by: jb at January 17, 2006 4:00 PM I've heard things about Busta, which may be why he's so uncomfortable discussing it on camera... Posted by: Johnny Twisto at January 17, 2006 6:52 PM I guess Russell would rather defend cats and dogs than women. LOL!! I think the vast majority of men in Hip Hop turn a blind eye to the blatant misogyny. I found it notable that Kanye West made the comments about homophobia, which was good, but now can we get some guys to do the same about sexism. I was thinking about inviting Byron Hurt to my class. I think my students would like the subject matter....I'm going to get on the case, if he's able to come sometime this semester, I'll post it on my blog. Posted by: Rachel S at January 18, 2006 9:41 AM The problem with these so-called moguls is that at the end of the day, they're not going to critisize their source of income. They can talk about keepin it real all they want, but seeing t!tts and a$$ keeps the record company money flowing in. It's a shame really, that kats can come up out of the hood, make mad paper off the hood, but aren't willing to put it on the line, not even for the hood, but just a little respect for their moms and sisters! That's wack. 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