If there is one issue that has been ubiquitous in the last few months, it has been that of the extent and limitations of our free speech.  The latter has seen recent consequential affects not only in media, entertainment, but also in our day to day interactions with one another.  Believe it or not, saying “that’s so gay!” in various circles may have you facing some punitive actions. As we can get into a debate about what should and shouldn’t be said, what is offensive and what is mere vernacular, I want to shift focus to what is taking place within the music industry.

As we are all aware of, the Imus incident has caused all of us to scrutinize what has been taking place in mainstream music for decades.  Some will say, “hip-hop didn’t start it!” Others will say, “hip-hop is part of the problem!” Many will say that “enough is enough!” While everyone has their opinions, it is apparent that something has to be done to address the incidious, often non-sensical, and offensive lyrics that pervade our airwaves.  Whether we side with them or not, politicians and pundits have stood up.  Social critics have said their peace! But where are the major record executives? Where are the white dudes (hmmm…is that PC?) that head up the Big Four Record Labels: Sony BMG, Universal, EMI, Warner Music Group.

We’ve definitely heard from the pawns: Russell, Chamillionaire, Master P, et. al. There have been talks by these individuals to proverbially, “clean up their act” and start putting out clean, street albums. They say that it is possible to put out an album that is free of offensive lyrics. UUuuuh duh! As if this is some new phenomena….(I’m sure Will Smith is secretly thinking, “told ya suckas!”) I digress….So yes, as I was saying, many artists are recognizing the change and rift in the air with respect to their lyrics and are proactively doing something about it.  Seeing that his actions caused a lot of hurt and controversy, even Mr. “I Wanna Love You” has apologized for his actions on stage and is seeking to repair his tainted image. As written in the article, Master P explains “I am ready to take a stand by cleaning up my music and follow my son’s footsteps and make a clean rap album.” But the question still remains- Where are the record execs?

As the Big Four Labels account for over 85% of US music sales and over 70% of world-wide music sales, it would seem that their voice and actions would have a 360 degree affect what we hear.  According to this article on BlackNews, the lack of rhetoric or actions by these music label heads is highly revealing of not only the power structure that exists between the Mighty Exec and the lowly artist, but that at the end of the day, it’s all about the Benjamins. (remember Washingtons go to wifey. lol).

The article goes on to explain that even though many attempts have been made to get these record execs to do something about said issue, their replies have been weak thus resulting in little to no follow-through. But is the real issue a black/white thang or all about $$$. The article reads, “Nobody wants to put the white man’s face on things,” said Fager, who is black and once worked in the music industry on artist development. “They don’t want to see the real person behind it.” If the latter is true, why is it so hard to expose this harsh reality? Are we as consumers to blame? While we reproach those that are producing these mega-hit wonders full of obscenities, we still manage to download the music or purchase them. Who should the real finger be pointed at?

Many questions indeed but I will say that we cannot solely blame the record execs. They are in the position they are in to make dollas. Real talk! Chancellors and presidents at universities look at their institutions as businesses and do what they can do make dollas! In the land of capitalism, can we really hate on someone trying to get guap? On another tangent, many say that the images of women in these music videos are lewd, distasteful, and raunchy. I’d like to believe that at the end of the day, ultimately, women have the choice to decide how they want to be depicted.  No one is holding a gun to these “video girls” and saying if you don’t strip you won’t make it into the videos. There is something in these girl’s mind that is tellin’ them that in order to be accepted and make it on the latest King cover, I gotta be exposed. In that vein, it all starts with a thought…that thought leads to a choice thus becoming an action. Without women, there will be no music videos. lol. So women really have all the power to change how they are viewed.

I say all of that because we as consumers have more power than we think. If we all boycotted, the execs would respond because it is their aim to please the market.  So before we start saying “where are the execs,” we really need to start thinking about where are the real people who care about change.  Until we see a rise in the latter, shyt may never change….

….Those are my thoughts!

~Thesis