In a recent interview with Blender Magazine, singer Alicia Keys commented that “gangsta rap” music was a scheme designed to convince black people to kill each other.
According to Eurweb.com, Keys’ words were, ” ‘Gangsta rap’ was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. ‘Gangsta rap’ didn’t exist.”
Not only was Keys’ statement offensive, but it was incorrect.
The Web site about.com states, “Gangsta rap is a genre of hip-hop that reflects the violent lifestyles of inner-city youth, which was pioneered around 1983 by Ice T with songs like ‘Cold Winter Madness’ and ‘Body Rock/Killers.’ ”
For someone at the top of the music charts and a veteran in the industry, Keys’ lack of knowledge is alarming.
Keys is currently claiming her comment was misinterpreted. As indicated by Foxnews.com, Keys said, “The point that I was trying to make was that the term was over-sloganized by some of the media causing reactions that were not always positive.”
Many of the “gangsta rap” lyrics articulate the problems of the artists’ experiences, and I think all of us, including our leaders, could be doing more to address these problems,” Keys continued.
While Keys’ follow-up quote seems much more reasonable, her first comment is still bothersome. People, including celebrities, must be conscious of what they say.
Angelica Roberts for the Editorial Board.