Ending the mess with Motown
Written By: Paul Porter 12 Jun 2008
Ashanti and Motown Records "Gotcha Gram" is another prime example on what is wrong with the music industry. Once again Ashanti and black America has
fallen for the black music trick. Just like poor schools, food stamps, incarceration, police brutality and BET, black America has been sucked in to it's
perception. If you watch your local news or get a look at America's only black network BET you'll understand the media perception.
After selling millions of records and singing every hook for Ja Rule and a cast of rappers, Ashanti's star might be fading. A summer single release falls
on deaf ears. Then panic sets in and it's time for another shock and awe gimmick. In comes a Motown marketing exec with a concept that is different from
everything Ashanti has done with a promise her sales will flourish. Another big budget video that has no connection to the songs lyrics. You see promoting a
series of wrong songs with hellacious videos is the norm not the exception.
.
That's the story hip hop has been selling for well over a decade. If it's not violent, misogynistic or materialistic the industry is not going for it
or BET won't play it and most of all the 70% white audience of hip hop won't buy it.
Ashanti's publicist and Motown tried the disclaimers of it being a parody, or comparisons to SNL or some Oxygen shows. That doesn't fly in this case,
Ashanti's fan base is young black girls and boys that can't grasp the logic of a parody or watch SNL or Oprah's Oxygen. They simply logged on and
picked there weapon of choice.
The same old moans for parental guidance, free speech and artistic creativity are missing my point of corporate responsibility. If Imus says something fowl,
black, white and of course the mainstream press are quick to react. If BET has a three hour marathon called "Slapping My Hoe's" nobody say's
a word. It seems like the perception is a reality regarding hip hop's lower standards.
The thing we don't see or read about is the systematic machine that profits from hip hop. Television will make you believe that Russell Simmons is the
authority, when in fact Simmons has not had a record deal in over ten years.
On Tuesday, CNN's American Morning jumped at a segment on Ashanti's "Gotcha Gram" that featured a black reporter commenting on Ashanti's
project. Black artist, black reporter and another black problem.
Anyone in the music business knows the names Cohen, Bronfman, Iovine or Morris. Have you ever witnessed a story regarding hip hop that had one white executive?
It's time black America stops making excuses because you¢re being pimped. The "Gotcha Gram" is shut down after a threat of a NBA Finals protest.
The shame is Motown and Ashanti still don't get it. Negative imagery and fowl content in hip hop is king , unless your singing the National Anthem Sunday
before the Celtics and Lakers tip off.
Click the link to see the video
http://youtube.
