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Should these three words be banned from music?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6586787.stm
The founder of Def Jam records has called for the words ho, bitch and nigger to be banned from songs. What do you think?
The founder of Def Jam records has called for the words ho, bitch and nigger to be banned from songs. What do you think?
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There’s a lot worse prose in the Daily Mail.
So, no.
The whole principle of freedom of speech is being able to say unpopular, controversial or downright offensive things. Otherwise, there would be no such notion or any need for such a thing as freedom of speech.
If we start throwing barriers up against what people can and cannot say, you will have opened the floodgates and it will provide people with enough evidence and justification to call for the 'banning' of any words that might be seen to cause offence. Where will it end? I mean, the Tipper Gores of this world already got their way putting the parental logo on CDs with naughty words in the lyrics. This is another attempt to further constrain liberties and expressions because a very reactionary minority take offence to it.
Yet another example of society being called in to deal with the problems that parents can't be fucked to deal with.
:thumb:
And it also includes the freedom of those paying for the record to be made, not to pay for something which expresses an opinion they don't agree with or don't want to be associated with. I don't see anything wrong with someone using their free speech to suggest to record companies that they don't associate with artists that they feel express such views. If there's a big enough audience for it, then they'll find a distributor. If no-one agree with what they're saying, then tough shit, fund it yourself, and don't be surprised that no-one buys it.
Incidentally, I can think of a few things I'd ban first. The word "Baby", anything where they add an extra "h" in the word because it doesn't have enough syllables and they're too lazy to think of anything else (e.g. "I can't live without you-hoo-hoo-hoo"), and anything with that most annoying of sounds, teenage girls screaming or chanting lyrics.
Firstly, we're not talking about one or two companies. The founder of Def Jam asked that the whole industry ban this. It's one thing if an individual company doesn't want to release a record because of their personal beliefs. Just remember back to EMI and the Sex Pistols but a blanket, industry-wide ban is tantamount to stifling of free expression.
Do you not realise the implications of banning even a few words? If it happens, it shows the world and all the neo-con/neo-fascist types out there that the music industry has conceded to them. After that, we would see a whole raft of bans being made against certain words that people found offensive. We can't pick and choose what words we back up with freedom of speech or not. I don't necessarily like or condone the use of words like 'nigger' but I will defend anyone's right to use it with every ounce of strength I have. Either it's every word is ok, or no word is ok. We can't pick and choose.
:yes:
You seem to be confusing "banning" something with simply not giving it your financial backing or facilitating it. Bearing in mind that the record companies have an decreasing influence on what gets heard nowadays (considering the internet in particular) I don't see a problem with record companies exercising their right to only fund musicians that portray a message or opinion that they want to be associated with.
It is mainly black hip hop artists who use the word "nigger", and it isn't actually meant in an offensive, racist way. It is just part of their lingo and a term that they use for their mates. Don't see a problem with it.
Not all hip hop artists use the term or like the term. Listen to Public Enemy "Yo Nigga!".
I know, that's why I said mainly. But still, alot do.
Hip hop/rap artists that used the word "nigger" in the late 80's/early 90's are a different kettle of fish to the one's that use it these days. It meant something then, it doesn't now.
Wouldn't that imply that one group deserves more protection than another?
You do know he's not actually homophobic, right? It's some lame PR thing he does because it appeals to his 16 year old neds for fans.
Exactly. Being homophobic is no more bad than being sexist, racist or whatever. Either allow all words or no words. There is no such thing as a happy medium.
If you think he's homophobic/racists/whatever then don't buy his albums. Parents should be aware of what their kids are listening to and act accordingly as good parents would. Don't leave it to the government or the system to raise your kids because it will fuck things up for more people than it helps.
Slim Shady is not homophobic. He's said he's not many times, and he's worked with Elton John.
Part of what Eminem is about, is not giving a fuck and just writing what comes to his head. The homophobic lyrics of his older albums weren't meant offensively, he was just writing lyrics that would have been a common way of talking where he grew up. It doesn't mean that he actually dislikes homosexuals.
The whole misogyny and the use of the words "bitches" and "ho" and talking about acts of violence towards women is also distrubing. Even if these rappers are not misogynist at all in person, it's what their lyrics say really.. Bearing in mind people of low intelligence and kids are likely listening to this music.
I don't believe in censorship of the arts (until it comes to people being hurt against their will directly), but I think some artists really should be more responsible.