Las Vegas Sherriff Bill Young Banning Hip-Hop from Casinos

'Young is now arguing that hip-hop is a bad influence and therefore, should not be part of the image that Las Vegas wants to cultivate itself'

I was in Vegas last week, what the hell is this guy talking about. It's Sin City for christs sake!

>>It's Sin City for christs sake!

yeah seriously, that's like banning murderers from hell. Ok maybe that wasn't the best analogy, but you get my drift.

I wont point out the irony of the sheriff of Vegas trying to oust "gangsta rap" because of the its not good for the community. I will however note that asking the casino operators to do it for him is a rather scary scenario. It might work and then whats next???

Now, I am not a big fan of rap myself (It doesn't deserve to be called music, usually.) But this does catch my nerve, as it is getting very close to censorship, which irritates me. Murders happen with the people who attend these 'concerts,' due to their 'upbringing.'In my mind, however, the people doing such shootings, deserve to be shot. What is horrible about this situation is the parents of certain children allow their children to attend these clubs where this music is played, and those children tend to get caught in crossfire. Then again, these children, that attend these 'shows,' may actually be part of the problem. This brings me to my point.
The population of those contributing to the problem should be controlled. I won't fret over those lost during these low-life battles in such places as a 'Nelly' show.
However, censorship should also not be allowed, so I have to put in my disagreement with Young. If the casinos decide to do this of their own will, good for them. It should be their choice whether to play this rap 'music' or not. This should not be up to the government or police department.

I agree with critics that hip hop needs to be censored to some degree, but how do you tell what is hip hop and what is ganster rap? No one has answered that question yet. The community that is on fire "hip hop lovers" are being lead to believe that it is all racially motivated. The fact that the words "these folks" and "these people" who gather at these events prove that the word black is carefully being skated around. These people the sheriff referrs to (black people) are not stupid. They know what is not being said. Black people cause too much trouble and they are not welcome in this town. The point was made clear and now Vegas is on the verge of full blown mayhem and rebellion. What they don't realize is that there are a lot of other people at those same events that turned out horrible that are really good people and deserve to see live rap music. We can sell the music in stores and play them in elevators, on our phones and in the clubs but the people who make the music can't perform here. That's hypocritical. The sheriff say's that we do not sell violence in this town but what about the records stores, videos, and more that sell this music. Is he calling all stores to restock their shelves and networks to stop playing the videos? The rap community would be more open to their views on banning hip hop if they were honest and said that they don't want too many black people in one place at one time because they don't trust that they know how to act. Were gonna let the few young people that don't want to have a good time screw it up for everyone else. Why isn't mosh pits, rock concerts, woodstock, Marily Manson and more being banned. Because violence is okay among "these folks" and "these people". That's the message the ban on hip hop in Vegas is sending to the world. Do a google search and see how many people all over the United States have something to say about it. White, Black, Asian, or Hispanic not one of them agreed with the sheriff or Anthony (UNLV)....So what does that tell you. It's personal opinion versus power with this issue. It's going to be interesting to see how it plays itself out. The funniest thing I heard so far was that if they had it their way they would change the sign at the border to say, "WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS, NO BLACKS, RAP, HIP HOP OR GANGSTER RAP ALLOWED"

I would like to add not one murder accured during a rap concert in the history of Las Vegas.

I'm guessing that "not one murder occurred during a rap concert in the history of Las Vegas" because guns are screened for prior to admittance. Otherwise, though, it's another story. Cases in point---Tupac Shakur and Big E Smalls. Anyone know how many others? While I despise censorship, public safety trumps all. If anyone or anything is to blame for this ban on rap music, it's the rappers and the rap mentality of the fans. You asked for it, you got it. Sorry---you've no one to blame but yourselves. Does this actually come as a surprise?

And, yes, Vegas was rampant with white gangster influence for many years, but has since pretty much successfully cleared itself of these ties. Now it's going after the black gangsta influence. If for no other reason than to be as fair and equitable to blacks as it was to whites, shouldn't it???

To the previous poster pointing to violence in heavy metal. Well, killings are rarely part of that scene. If it was, rock music would be banned, too. How many rockers get murdered?

One more comment on rap music in general. I heard a black woman recently say (sadly) "We blacks used to have music. Now, all we have is 'beats'. Any comments on this?

Honestly, the question is not about the quality of music, whether hip hop is consisted of beats (which is a huge part of African music....period) or rock of indiscernable screeming.

The concept of excluding one type of music based on personal taste and biases is just wrong. Everyone who attends a hip hop concert is not a thug or a low life, infact the majority of people are not.

Furthermore, a decision like this can't be made based on a few incidents that are actually not the norm, but what your local news stations love to air. How often do you here about people overdosing at rock parties or getting hurt in mosh pits. Well it does happen more often and is a reality whether the media thinks it's dramatic enough or not....How safe is this type of behavior? Should it be banned too, because I am positive that there are more casualties that occur at these types of gatherings.

I won't ignore that there have been a few incidents of shootings, but banning a whole genre of music is extreme....taking precautions to keep the vast majority of level headed listeners safe from the few trouble makers should be the focus.

A FEW incidents??!! Come on! Of course not every fan of hip-hop has been shot and killed, or shoots and kills. But to say the incidents are few?? Am I not always hearing of hip-hop-related violence---not just involving the deaths of the artists, but of the concert-goers and club-goers themselves? I doubt that there is an equivalent at rock shows that the media is ignoring. Blowing someone away cannot be compared to overdosing at rock concerts, nor to getting hurt in mosh pits, acts which are not the least bit newsworthy. Let me ask you---was the sheriff's deputy killed by a rapper or a rocker? The fact that this is the best you can come up with, tells me you're either kidding me or kidding yourself.

What kind of precautions should the Vegas police or the club owners take? Extra security? Metal detectors and a SWAT team in the parking lots outside of the venues? Why should they have to resort to this anyway, if there are so "few" incidents, as you say?

And, yes...banning an entire genre of music is extreme. And unfortunate. Maybe the genre will now have to finally take responsibility for itself, at least in Vegas. Pretending rap music doesn't beget violence does not make it so.

I think that rap should not be banned becuase its a form of expression. When people get violent after a rap concert its on them not the music. I dont listen to rap. I dont like it, but if they want to ban it, then they should ban rock music too becuase just alike they promote violence, sex and drugs.

"WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS, NO BLACKS, RAP, HIP HOP OR GANGSTER RAP ALLOWED. BUT PLEASE LEAVE YOUR MONEY AT THE DOOR."

It's only fair...rappers ban cops from their places of business...

Lemme tell Bill something...

For every Mosh pit that happens at a ROCK concert i can guarantee that someone gets stomped out...

" A girl falls down in the mosh pit and a couple of people kick her. Then she gets up and a fight breaks. "

Also quoted from another source

"Pantera, Slayer, Slipknot, System of a Down…all these are bands. These are bands that have been associated with violent behavior since their inception. Their lyrics incite aggressive emotions, which follows up with fast paced music. These are signs for concert violence. However, the question that needs to be asked is why does this happen. Sure we can say “it’s because the music is loud”, or that “they incite people with their lyrics”, but it doesn’t seem like many people are stepping forward in the general public to explain why this is. The key word is “why”. This can be explained.

Rock music has always been associated with violence. The first rock concert in 1952 (called a Moon Dog Ball), which was organized by disc jockey Alan Freed, resulted in a riot that sent mobs of young people rampaging through the streets of Cleveland, Ohio. Riots, beatings, and stabbings occurred at other Freed concerts. Following a riot in Boston in 1958, rock concerts were banned in several cities and Freed was kicked out of the concert business. Freed, called by Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock "the original Pied Pipe "

BILL
get off your high horse talking about a celebrity murder. Plenty of celebrities are victims of vbiolent crime and it is sensational to even implicate the artists music to the crime they fell victim too. Put down the magazines and realize MTV is not the best source for news. To bring bring up Tupac and Biggie and saying that is what rap is all about is rediculous. In contrast, how many Rock singers blew thier heads off or someone elses while Tripping off of huge amounts of coke or other drugs.

First of all to the poster who thought it was good idea to use the name "Bill Young's Mom"...I hope you realize that your ignorance and lack of sympathy towards a human being (and the rest of his family) who lost his mother and uncle in a horrific car accident is completely inappropriate. I would say that his deceased relatives will be waiting for you when you get to Heaven to give you what you deserve, but I'm sure that you probably aren't even going to such a place. May God punish you and idiots like you. There is no reason to personally attack a man who is trying to do his job.

And those who think that the Sheriff or anybody else for that matter is trying to ban rap/hip-hop music or is racist needs to get their facts straight and actually attempt to find out what is really going on and consider someone else's point of view before ignorantly jumping to conclusions and bad mouthing someone who is obviously putting a whole lot more effort into doing something POSITIVE for his community than you are.

And by the way, I am a fan of rap and can recite "Gin and Juice", "Boys N' tha Hood", and more than a few other rap songs word for word, so don't try to argue that no one who agrees with Sheriff Young doesn't listen to rap music. It's a shame that the whole genre of music gets a bad reputation because of a few people who aren't man enough to NOT carry a gun or resort to violence, like Amir Crump had.

las vegas is crap anyway

Hasan, in the last week or so:
1. Four of rapper T.I's crew were shot, one killed.
2. A riot broke out following an E40 concert in Sacramento, 45 cops had to be called to the scene.
3. Snoop Dogg and entourage were arrested in England for throwing bottles of whiskey at airport staff and cops after being refused entrance into a lounge there.

How many rockers were involved in fights or riots or killings in the past few weeks? Please provide facts, like I just did, rather than innuendo. You "guarantee" that someone gets stomped out in every mosh pit?? Oh, then it must be true if you "guarantee" it. I'm convinced!!

And, I dunno, Hasan...how many rock singers DO blow their own heads off or that of their friends while high on drugs? Last rock suicide I remember hearing of was Michael Hutchens of INXS. I think that was 1997. Before that, Kurt Cobain in 1994. Also, please provide the names of all these other rock singer/murderers of whom you speak.

I never said rock music was devoid of any violence, but it's kid stuff compared to rap.

Ooops...missed one, Hasan. Rapper Big Hawk was killed in Houston last week.

Maybe I should update you on each rap-related murder I read about. Never mind, I don't have all the time in the world.

Sheriff Young should know that his city
IS Sin City for crying out loud! All his
denounciations of controversial entertainment is just going to backfire (on him) and
make the stuff more attractive (decadence
sells! Remember the controversies over heavy
metal back in the last century, not to mention
rock'n'roll's name meaning and original Elvis
the Pelvis of about 50 yrs. ago.

"Sin City" is one thing. "Kill City" is another. Murder is way more serious than the decadence of heavy metal or the controversy over Elvis' gyrations.

You guys are idiots! There is a huge difference between Elvis shaking his hips on television, and a bunch of hoodlums bringing guns to rap concerts and shooting people. And trust me, I have lived in Vegas my whole life, and "Sin City" refers to the fact that you can gamble, and drink your life away if you want to, not that everybody is running around shooting people and doing drugs here. Vegas is not as much of a "Sin City" as many other cities around the United States, so quit using an innocent nickname for Las Vegas as your basis to argue that rap does not attract violent people.

Do any of you even know what you are talking about? Bill Young was not trying to ban rap artists from coming to Las Vegas. He was merely asking the casinos to beef up security for these concerts when considering who they are asking to come perform at their venues. Everyone just jumps to conclusions because they don't know the full story and just want to get mad at someone for something. Try listening first and then make an intelligent comment-

Oh, and the asshole who decided to put Bill Young's mom as their name should be punched in the face for doing that. Have some respect.

It's interesting to read these comments, but none touched on the pervasive Gang influences that drive these so-called 'Rap Artists', nationally and here in Las Vegas.

It seems anyone can intonate their grievances in a 'rap song', for lack of a better term. However, the lyrics or wording expound on the repression and anguish they have endured and appear to incite listeners to strike back at society and the community at large for their transgressions. Point in fact, the recent attacks by a gang of black youths at a major hotel and various public sites throughout the city. One person was soon caught and could not offer an explanation when asked what prompted these assaults on random citizens or businesses.

The events that occur during and following a rap concert are disturbingly similar. Violence seems to pervade at these turn-outs as well as events such as award ceremonies that involve this crowd. And according to reports, possibly due to the attendance of rival rappers and their aggression and feudal mentality towards each other and members of their own genre. Perhaps attained from the environment which they emerged; which has also cultivated the proliferation of these gangs in Las Vegas.

Censorship should not be condoned, however the safety and well being of the community should not be discarded as well. Bill Young's comments seem to stem from the tragic events that took place and his accounting of the increasing gang activity and the rippling effect that follows.

Again, just drive around the city and one can see first hand what is taking place.

Why, when I read of the many incidents such as the one described in King's above post, do I automatically think of the murderous zombies rampaging mindlessly through the streets in "Dawn of the Dead"? Is this prejudice or is it judgement based on observation? Is it my fault or the fault of the rap/gang mentality?Sorry, but it's not mine!!

To all of you who support the gang and rap mentality on any level: take heed!! The actions of Bill Young are just the beginning. You can expect a lot more censorship and "racial profiling" if this gang behavior continues. Many people, including blacks, are just fed up. But if you won't police yourselves, everyone else will. Any future oppression/censorship you may experience is YOUR OWN FAULT, and is well-deserved.

This is not a threat. It's just the reality. And it's about time you thought about the realities that you yourself have created and asked for.

You asked for it, you got it. Have I made myself clear?

This is very interesting.. I bet everyone that has postied a bad comment about rap on here is WHITE!!!! Go figger, well I to am white but let's just say I don't agree that hip hop is the only bad influence in the entertainment industry. Look at rock and roll. Kurt Cobain, Merlin Manson. do you think they pose a positive image? Hell no they represent drugs and frakin devil worshiping. I do think rappers should get more positive but trust me they are not the only bad influences.

Yes, Ambermist...I am white. Does that make my arguments less valid? I could just as easily say that the opinions of black people or rap fans are less valid, as blacks or rap fans might be less impartial. Besides, I have to live in this society, too. So please don't say that I must like the music in order to have an opinion on its detrimental effect on this country I live in.
As a white person, don't you even see what every other white person---and probably most blacks---see? One shooting after another. Death after death after death. Certainly, rock music has had its bad influences, too. But, the last I checked, there haven't been a lot of rock-related murders. Though drugs and devil-worship may not be positive, they don't equal murder. Try googling "rap murder". Then google "rock murder". Notice the difference---in quantity and content.
Yes, Kurt Cobain killed himself. More than 10 years ago!!! And since then, I haven't heard of any Cobain-related murders. Nor "Merlin" Manson (by the way, as a white girl, don't you even know his name is Marilyn?? Makes me question your awareness of your own culture). But as far as I know, neither of them nor any of their "entourage" have ever killed or been shot at.
Why do rappers need "entourages", anyway? That's a red flag right there.

MANN IM FROM LAS VEGAS
RAP AINT GOT SHIT TO DO WITH THA VIOLENCE THATS WHUT WERE SURROUDED BY WHUT U EXPECT WHEN U CANT GO AROUND YOUR OWN BLOCK BECAUSE OF THA GANGS
SHIT IZ CRAZY OUT HERE SINCE JUNE IVE HAD 7 HOMIES SHOT AND NONE OF HAD TO DO WITH RAP
AND I PERSONALLY KNEW AMIR AND IT IS A SHAME THAT BILL YOUNG WOULD TRY TO SAY HE PLANNED ON KILLING A COP THATS BULLSHIT
IF U WANNA FIND OUT WHY THESE THINGS HAPPEN COME OFF THA STRIP AND SEE WHUT OTHER OPPORTUNITYS WE HAVE
''NONE'' THIS IS WHUT WERE SURRONDED BY GANGSTAS,PIMPS,THEIVES,AND SLOT MACHINES
ALL THEY WANT U TO SEE IS THA STRIP
COME TO THA REAL HEART OF VEGAS THA HOOD WERE WE WOULD DIE FOR OUR COLORS AND OUR CITY
THA MEDIA TRYS TO MAKE US LOOK BADD FOR THA THINGS WE DO WHUT OTHER CHOICE DO WE HAVE
ITS QUICKSAND ONCE YOUR IN YOU CANT GET OUT
REAL TALK

'STACKS'
SINCITY REPRESENTA

I am black and I have given up on living and partying with my own people because we have become absolute savages. Hip Hop music and its negative images of violence, irresposible sexual behavior, materialism, and disrespect for women has become a terrible influence on black youth. Look at those idiots who beat up the security guard at the MGM and the asshole who shot up the Silver Nugget--look at their style of dress in the security camera videos: they look like the low life niggaz that today's hip hop music is glamorizing. Ban all the damn rap concerts and keep Black-America's low life trash out of Las Vegas! They all make me ashamed to be a black man. I aways wear a tux, suit, or smart casual whenever I go into the finer strip casinos. Don't want to be mistaken for a Gangsta Nigga! Stay out of my mostly white and quiet neighborhood too! I have found peace here in LV--don't follow me from LA. You almost killed me many times and I hate all you niggaz!
Sherman.

comparing rock concert beatings to rap concert murders would make sense if no sin was greater than the other sin. a sin is a sin is a sin.

I can tell you all this and you all know its true. It isn't the music you are right. But the fact of the matter is that nobody wants to follow the rules. If it's a 21 and over show there will be countless minors there trying to get in past security and when security turns you away you just stand there at the front of the line with your mouth hanging open, playing stupid. Like you didn't know it was 21 and over. Or maybe it's because you are broke and you spend all of your money on the cover charge (which you bitched about because you handed the door guy an expired free pass and he refused to honor it) and have no money for drinks or to tip the bartender so you sneak your bottle of Hennessy in under your jacket (that is 3 sizes too big, and way too hot to be wearing) and the club loses out on the revenue that would be generated by someone who actually had money and was actually buying drinks. On the flip side of that if you do actually have money to buy drinks, you don't tip your waitress or bartender then get pissed off at them wondering why they refuse to serve you. In the absence of a server, staring down the empty bottle of Hennessy, you decide to smoke a joint that can be smelled throughout the entire room. When you are approached by security and asked to leave you feel like you have to put on a show in front of your "homiez" so you don't go out like a punk. You say," I ain't smoking no mutha fuckin' weed you rent a cop mutha fucka! Your boys stand up wanting to join the fray(because thats what your boys do). The security calls for back up and has to ask you and all your friends to leave because you were an asshole and didn't want to follow the rules.You brought in your own alcohol (an offense, that if caught by the authorities would be cause for loss of a clubs liquor license), you did drugs in the club( another offense for which the club could be fined for), you thought that the security guy was blind and couldn't smell anything so when he came to you and asked you to leave, you decided to mess up your friends night and everyone elses night around you by getting ignorant. Once you are outside the club in the casino, you are still loud and disturbing all the people there who are trying to have a good time. They don't want to see you make an ass out of yourself. Why do you think other people hate you? Then, hotel security asks you to leave. You stand there, again looking at him with your mouth hanging open like you didn't understand what he told you to do. Finally you turn around and very slowly make your way to the exit door of the casino(after pulling your pants up 17 times because you like to have them hanging down around your ass cheeks). Why in the hell would anyone want to deal with that? The music brings that demographic. Avoid the problem with the demographic by not playing that music in the club. It's that simple. These clubs are established by the owners to make a profit. It is a business, not your own personal playground. The rules are established for a reason, if you choose not to obey them stay home.

I've not much to say on the issue but Hip Hop music is what is mostly played in clubs, is it now? It's not the fact of the demographic it represents, it's more of what America listens too. A lot of people don't like rap or hip hop music. But for every 1 person that doesn't, there are many more that do. Almost every white person I know out here my age and older listens to Rap and Hip Hop music. Tha 50 Cent, and Dem Franchize Boys, and Snoop Dogg, and whatever other hip hop music plays in the club. Don't get me wrong, I know there are other genre's of music in the club, but most of the music is rap and hip hop music and that is what makes people go to the club and dance and have fun. They just have to learn to book the right shows and play the right songs, its that simple.

I live in Las Vegas, teens out here shoot up shit just to shoot it up. It doesn't matter where they are at, they just don't know how to act. MGM guards gettin beat down in front of wal-marts, or whatever, house parties get shot up(I know this very well, I've been shot at many times). They don't shoot and act violent because of the damn music, its because of they boys and their Pride. They wanna prove that they are real. And thats just how it is. If some other nigga disrespects them they are going to want to put them in check, let them know they ain't no punk. Growing up in tuff neighborhoods, thats just how you gotta act. Respect and Pride is everything in the black community,

Rap has destroyed our communites. Our Latino and black have been "played" to think that is cool to act stupid and dress like a clown. That killing one another is cool and makes you a man. No, what makes you a man is that you can grew up, get a job (you won't looking, talking and acting stupid) and take care of your family...THAT IS A MAN!

Most Gangster Rappers are STRAIGHT UP PUNKS. They cannot even hold a job, hide behind women to work for them, are too stupid to take care of their kids and so on. They can't even speak correctly.

The Music, TV and Hollywood, owned by rich white people, have "played" young people in our communites so they can get rich off of our misery. If you really believe in a "Thug" lifestyle you are worse than the Klan. Glamorizing killing, robbing and stealing from people, especially your own. We need leaders to stand up to this B.S. and confront these Corporations that are destroying our young people in the Latino and black communities.

Educations is the only way...not Thug Life.

Also, I am not white, but a Latina who has seen to many young people follow some bad Hip-Hop, Gangsta Rap influences and end up either dead or in prison.

How many Gangsta Rappers stay rich? Not many, but the real ones pulling the strings, behind the scenes are. The Music, TV and Hollywood Corporations are getting fat off Gangsta Rap and Hip-Hop.

Than many Rappers shed their "Gangsta" lifestyle and are now making "mainstream" movies...I thought they were so bad? Meanwhile many young kids in our communites, who believed the "hype" are in prison, broke-azz dumb, or worse... dead.

to be honest its a big thing what happened to amir but how can u say just because it was done by someone in a rap group it means there all the same?!?!?! the piont we r trying to make is: what if a for example a ballet dancer killed someone you gunna ban that from everywhere....................? maybe that wasnt the best example i could come up with but you get my point.....me BEKKI and my friend K8 are 17 ourselfs and i dont agree that music makes young people bad its the way they are brought up.. like having your own mind.........(if your friend or someone you look up to jumped off a bridge woulg u?) NO!!!! young people to have there own minds and listening to music isn't going to change that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gonna be stopping thru Vegas next week (10.26.06-10.29.06) I know the topic here is about hiphop on the strip---but was wondering does anyone here have any suggestions on the best strip clubs and night clubs in the hood---off of the strip---basically what i'm asking for is where da hell is the hood? Thanks in advance, hit me at my email of comment here. See u on da scene!

TQ

It seems that alot of these black rap incidents that are being referred to did not happen in Las Vegas. Since you are the sheriff of Las Vegas stick to the incidents that occur in your city, and you say rap is bad but what about the eighteeen year old girls dancing in bras and panties in the 21 and older clubs with men old enough to be their fathers watching them like a hunter watching its prey. But black rap music is bad what exactly are you trying to promote in your clubs?