David Mays Responds to Kim Osorio Suit, Benzino Can't Stay Away

April 11, 2005

David Mays Responds to Kim Osorio Suit, Benzino Can't Stay Away

Responding in allhiphop.com, David Mays is the epitome of ~~class~~ crass:

...Dave Mays denied the allegations and took aim at his accusers credibility.
"Neither of those women ever filed any complaints during many years of working at The Source it raises a lot of questions when these types of charges are made subsequent to valid and legitimate terminations of their employment," Mays said in a statement. "Also it is a fact that Ms. Osorio had sexual relations with a number of high profile rap artists during her employment as Editor-In-Chief."

Even if we assume this is true, what in the hell does it have to do with anything? If this is how you plan to prove that you really do respect women in your workplace, you're in a lot of trouble.

Meanwhile as I expected, reports of Benzino's departure were too good to be true. Here's yet another bizarre press release I got in the mail, also posted by Jeff Chang. Anyone who doesn't understand why this press release is dripping with hypocrisy/absurdity should read the chapter in Jeff's book about Benzino's role in the rise and (mostly) fall of The Source.

Partners and Black leaders Appeal To Benzino To Continue His Fight For Artist's Rights and Empowerment in Hip-hop Industry.
Def Jam Records Shocker Cause of Benzino's Resignation Decision on Friday, April 8, 2005. Chairman LA Reid Pulls Def Jam Advertising From The Source After His Job Is Threatened By Interscope's Jimmy Iovine.

Benzino To Stay At The Source, Vows Not To Make Anymore Diss Songs� In Partnership With Reverend Al Sharpton's Movement For Non-Violence In Hip-hop.

April 11, 2005- New York, NY- On Friday, April 8, Ray Benzino announced that he was stepping down from his position at The Source Magazine, as Co-Founder and Chief Brand Executive. At press time, however, many community leaders called an emergency meeting and told him he must not leave The Source...

Reverend Al Sharpton, executives from Black Enterprise, David Mays, and others insisted he retain his position for the good of the cause. Benzino says, �When I heard that LA Reid was going to lose his job, I thought it was the right thing for me to do, to step down, because I don�t want any executive to lose their job over the beef between myself and Eminem�
The ongoing Eminem lawsuit played a big role in Benzino�s initial decision to leave The Source. Benzino continues, �For the last couple of years I was speaking up for Hip-hop and going against one label�s manipulation of Hip-hop music and its culture.

The Source Magazine will no longer print any beef with Eminem. Benzino also adds that he will no do anymore diss records against Eminem or any other artist. Benzino adds, �The Source needs to be preserved for future generations of Hip-hoppers. I�ve learned a lot these past few years. The major vehicles of Hip-hop (radio, TV, etc) are aligning themselves for the money. I understand that but we need to look beyond profit and install the balance so everyone has a chance to eat and benefit from one of the most important economic opportunities- Hip-hop.�

Benzino will not step down from The Source Magazine. He will continue to work closely with partner, David Mays and with Black Enterprise (Earl Graves and his son Butch) and others to make The Source bigger and better. Zino concludes, �We�ve started The Source Life Project, The Source Youth Foundation, The Source Latino, a Source clothing line, and our own mobile ring tones. We will also continue with The Source Awards and The Source All Access. Most important of all is the music side, fat tapes, ZNO Records and The Source Hip-hop hits...�

...In recent weeks, the New York Daily News, Reverend Al Sharpton and others have turned the discussion of responsibility for violence in Hip-Hop from a focus on the artists back into the corporate headquarters of the music industry�s largest record and radio companies. This follows over two and a half years of reporting by The Source on forces working to destroy Hip-Hop, including corruption, racism and monopolization within the music industry.

Posted by jsmooth995 at April 11, 2005 04:07 PM | TrackBack

Comments

So Benzino is gonna save hip-hop from Jimmy Iovine, MTV, and all the rest of them? That's like George Bush claiming to be the international shepherd of democracy: an eff-ing joke. Great post, Jay.

Posted by: straightbangin' at April 11, 2005 04:27 PM

"Most important of all is the music side, fat tapes, ZNO Records and The Source Hip-hop hits...� ZNO Records? Most important? Laughable.

Posted by: lazarus at April 11, 2005 04:36 PM

"Also it is a fact that Ms. Osorio had sexual relations with a number of high profile rap artists during her employment as Editor-In-Chief."

this makes me enormously angry on a personal level. I can't believe I was lamenting the downfall of his mag. Now I hate dude.

Posted by: Hashim at April 11, 2005 05:36 PM

That is quite one of the most dispacable statements I've heard. If you are a woman working there at this moment, there your sign to get your resume rollin'.

I mean what the...

Posted by: metalface at April 12, 2005 10:15 AM

sad...

Posted by: Mike In Bmore at April 12, 2005 07:57 PM

"Even if we assume this is true, what in the hell does it have to do with anything?"

I thought part of the reason she was brought in in the first place was to help restore the credibility of the magazine. How are you supposed to be unbiased towards artists you're having sex with?

Posted by: IB at April 13, 2005 02:56 AM

IB, you have got to be kidding.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at April 13, 2005 07:07 AM

I had to read that statement from IB again...

Are you kidding me.. Lets say for that thats a reason, did you see who the statement came from... HE IS WOORIED ABOUT BIAS.. Kiss my

Sorry I can't continue.

Posted by: Belve at April 13, 2005 01:05 PM

Links to SOHH with documents from the impending lawsuit http://www.sohh.com/images/supplement_joyce.pdf

and http://www.sohh.com/images/supplement_osorio.pdf

Posted by: Belve at April 13, 2005 01:09 PM

Just cause Benzino has his agenda that doesn't mean that the editor doesn't need to have credibility.

Posted by: IB at April 13, 2005 04:47 PM

IB, think you are missing the point. Mays was not doing his gossip mongering in the context of merely questioning Kim's general professionalism. He was specifically offering this gossip in an attempt to discredit her allegations of discrimination and harassment. Whether she had sex with a famous rapper has no bearing whatsoever on herright not to be intimidated and harassed, and it is straight up misogyny to suggest otherwise as David did.

Also, "Benzino has his agenda" is possibly the understatement of the new millenium, lol.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at April 13, 2005 05:18 PM

And for the record, I couldn't care less if an editor is sleeping with a rapper. Many many people hook up romantically while connected professionally and maintain their professional boundaries, both in the media and elsewhere.

Posted by: Jay Smooth at April 13, 2005 05:23 PM

OK, I see you're point, Jay.

Posted by: IB at April 14, 2005 03:50 PM

er, 'your'

Posted by: IB at April 14, 2005 04:05 PM

Hi from sufreaky.

Posted by: Festus at April 16, 2005 06:39 AM

Just shows why dude is whack.....I hope Osorio gets a job @ Shady Records, how funny would that be?

Posted by: I Sick at April 19, 2005 10:49 AM

This is my first time ever posting on a web site for forgive me if

Posted by: Carltonk9 at April 22, 2005 10:19 AM

This is my first time ever posting on a web site for forgive me if I'm speaking on the wrong subject. Everyone is commenting on the Osorio sexual harrassment alligations and have completely overlooked the fact that Jimmy Iovine threatened LA Reid's job if he didn't pull Def Jam ad's from the Source. I'm not a Benzino fan (musically) but I have an awful lot of respect for a man who went against the grain the stated his objections against a group of "artist" who use minipulation to sell to the masses. I would hope that even those who don't like Benzino or the Source pick up the may issue, with Game on the cover, and read up about Jimmy Iovine , Interscope Records ( and how they hold back great artist, Mos Def, The Roots, and continously rape Pac's vocals)and Soundscan and after reading it don't just stand by that alone use the internet for other things besides porn and do some research on the situation. I comment Benzino, Dave Mays and all of the others who verbally voice their problems with those who profit of off the pain of Black and Latino people. In closing I pray that every one will read this artical and not skip over it for the Memphis Bleek interview

Posted by: Carltonk9 at April 22, 2005 10:34 AM

First, I feel as if I must respond to CarltonK9 -- you need a little history lesson if you think that "Benzino" and David Mays haven't profted from the pain of Black and Latino people.

Second - since when is Raymond "Benzino" Scott a "Co-Founder" of THE SOURCE? He BECAME a co-owner -- but THE SOURCE was founded by Jon Shecter and David Mays. End of story.

Finally, I am SICKENED by Mays' comment re: Osorio having slept with rap artists. First, it is immaterial. Second -- he's been getting fucked in the ass by Benzino for 15+ years -- he should talk.

They should, and will, all get what they deserve.

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