The headline of AP article that ran in the Sunday edition of the Star declares "Legislature to see proposal to condemn gangsta rap"
Here's how it begins:
The Legislature could make an unusual statement about popular culture this year and criticize gangsta rap for profanity-laced language and what critics consider messages that demean women and promote violence.Rep. Peggy Mast, an Emporia Republican, plans to introduce a resolution condemning gangsta rap after legislators begin their annual session Monday. She's doing so at the urging of Sonny Scroggins, a Topeka activist who has long liked rap — he names 50 Cent as a favorite — but is tired of the language rappers use.
Just look at that shit. You know when Emporian Republican women begin falling under the influence of fellows with names like Sonny Scroggins, sophisticated and measured thinking will not ensue.
Later in the article, this Scroggins guy gets a bit of focus:
But Scroggins said he's concerned that lyrics demean women, and he objects to their repeated use of some terms — the "b," ''h," and "n'' words, as he puts it. Both he and Mast fear that repetition plants its messages in young minds."Everybody wants to be a hootchie mama now," Scroggins said. "You know, young kids think they've got to cuss and say all of that."
I searched for Scroggins online and found this on the LJ World site:
Watch out, hootchie mamas, Sonny Scroggins is armed with FREEDOM.
Men like Scroggins take note: If you're going to say something like "Everybody wants to be a hootchie mama now" to a reporter, then you should expect to see it in print. And you should expect people to laugh your stupid Zorro-hat-wearing ass out the door.
The bigger problem, of course, is Kansas embarrassing us all by opening its corn-filled mouth to decry an element of pop culture that appeals strongly to young people. Will we ever see a headline come out of Topeka that says: "Kansas legislature to support positive hip-hop after-school programs"? Of course not. Instead, the world sees a bunch of cynical old fogies farting up to the podium to complain about Too Short. Fuck off.
Perhaps our state leaders could devote some time to researching the music that's being made right now in Top City, as Topeka's lively group of local MCs refer to the place. Here's a dancefloor rocker for all you chumps who think there are no verbal machine-gunners out there among the sunflowers and conservative wingnuts.
Str8jakkett: "Shake It Off" MP3, from the brand-new album Mood Swings.
Here are a few links for further listening: Str8jakkett, 11 Third Records, Lil Dizzy, Young Cam, Lil Casper ... the list goes on, bitches.
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