Commentary and Questions( I answered letter by letter) about the
special which was fantastic by the way.
Chuck ut Out
PEace
Chuck
It is a special day when I can tell you about a collaboration
between PBS and hip hop artist Chuck D. As you probably guessed, the
project that brought these two institutions together is about music -
namely, a program called “Freedom Songs: The Music of the Civil Rights
Movement,” which delves into the music that helped fuel the movement
(check local listings).
Chuck D is best known for his socially conscious work as a solo artist
and with the rap group Public Enemy. In “Freedom Songs,” he talks
about what there is to learn from the music of the 60s, saying, “The
story is buried in between the lyrics and the notes of these fantastic
recordings by great artists—both known and lesser known.” The
documentary explores the history of the civil rights movement through
the songs of artists like Aretha Franklin, Sly and the Family Stone,
and many more.
In this video, Chuck D reminisces about the music of his childhood and
how the music of the civil rights movement inspired his own music.
A perk of having Chuck D join the PBS family is that he is our guest
this week on Engage. Find out more about the documentary from Chuck D
himself by leaving your questions below. I'll post his answers to five
of your questions next week.
Stay Engaged. Get our blog by email »
Comments
Inspirational Music?
On May 26th, 2009 Thomas Walker said:
Given that the general tastes among listeners relates somehow to a
'collective consciousness', to what would you attribute the shift in
main stream hip-hop from groups like P.E., KRS1, DeLa Soul etcetera to
what is now mostly a misogynistic and materialistic offering? How much
can we blame consumers for not choosing ‘fruits and vegetables’ when
they are being offered, mostly, a buffet of cakes and candy and the
‘healthy food’ is two floors up behind an unmarked door? To be
specific I am mostly thinking of the role that the record companies
play in what is offered to the consumers considering that sex, the
high life and violence ‘always’ sell?
piggy on "Inspirational Music? question
On May 26th, 2009 Erika Felt said:
I would also like to know what your thoughts are on swinging rap back
to the culture of hip hop?
As a 40yr old mother of children under 14, I am proud to say that they
do get the difference but that is simply because they were born and
raised with me discussing our entertainment choices. I have always
discussed how our entertainment can be an escape, an expression of
ourselves, or something that we allow to shape our own mindset.
I can only manage those within my own home and then pray when they go
out the door.
Do you have ideas on what we can do, of course starting on a
grassroots level until others deem it worthwhile, to get the under 25
crowd to understand that a catchy beat and a ringtone rap is actually
quite mind deadening?
I am afraid for the culture which was such a powerful positive in our
communities and subsequently as a result to the rest of America.
I don't want what helped guide the greatest of our generation to turn
into the downfall for the next.
The Four Elements
On May 26th, 2009 Jake McDowell said:
My question is this, it seems that hip-hop has lost sight of what it
was originally intended for. I think Afrika Bambaataa's coining of the
four elements of hip-hop was ground-breaking and is essential for
understanding hip-hop, because as you know hip-hop is not just
'emceeing'. Should there be a shift or a re-focus on the four elements?
What can be done to change the what passes as hip hop these days ?
What happened to the culture ? What happened to the Black Rock
Coalition and all of the positive things that hip hop set out to do in
the 80's ?
It is a huge honor to holla @ you through this venue. I am hands down
one of your biggest fans, everybody who knows me knows that! My
question has to do with this so-called Radio tax. I am not all that
aware of its details and the extent of its possible impact as
suspected on lots of black radio stations. I assume your aware of this
and would be very grateful if you could explain as much as you know
about it. Including any personal opinions your willing to share on the
topic.
why do we have goverment that takes from the people but when a person
doesn't comply with what they want they destroy you? example mike vick
went to jail for dogs and got time for that and they treated him like
a murderer and we so caught up by the media and the lies could you
answer that for me I think we have been willie lynch!
Where Have You Been???
On May 26th, 2009 RashadNICE said:
Chuck, why are you! We don't need Jay-Z, Diddy, Jezzy, and the rest of
them to keep bringing or energy down!!! How can you just sit back and
let this ish happen! Are you one of them???
The Art of Sound
On May 26th, 2009 Sir Iregi said:
Often we here the critique of Hip-Hop music from those who are shame
of the lyrics of the youth of today. As a member of the Hip-Hop
generation, it was in my youth that NWA released "F-da police", The
same year B.B.D. released "Poison".
I only ask that we not forget that Hip-Hop is nonetheless an art form
that only portrays the reality in which our society lives.
Take notice that each generations artistic movement is fueled by the
priors struggle or success.
So when you here the harsh lyrics of todays youth, remember that it is
not the artist that is at fault, for an artist can only be true to
themselves when the music or medium reflects the reality in which they
live.
So, we must look at society as a whole, which provides the atmosphere
for today's artistic movements(Hip Hop).
2020 Vision -- Olympics in Africa
On May 26th, 2009 Alvin Overton said:
What do you think about the idea of bringing the Olympics to Africa by
the year 2020? Do you think it is feasible? I most definitely do.
Reading some of the previous comments it is evident that there are
ENOUGH minds out there to make this not only do-able but it can
catapult us to the future as a race (human, that is).
hopefully Mr. Chuck D. will remmeber me from the Tower Records in
Atlanta. (most "record" stores are gone now). i used to have
blonde/purple/red hair at times, he and i would talk about rock music.
at the time ('94, '95ish) grunge was the good music, which still holds
up to this day. we'd talk about how there's no more r & b, and little
to no hip-hop since P.E. days...i'd like to join the conversation,
expressing the fact that rock music was started by blacks. even VH1
had a documentary of the history of rock, in the beginning were black men.
if this message get's to you, i'd be happy to talk about any issues
involving music and the life of black men nowadays. whomever get's
this message, please pass along to Chuck D, maybe we could catch up on
old times. peace to all, and i truely love PBS and the progamming.
thanks for your time...James Hayes Jr.
what future hip hop?
On May 26th, 2009 Eric Morton said:
Many have posted their opinions of the state of hip hop & rap. I think
its easy to idealize what something (like hip hop) SHOULD be.
Given all that, what do you think of the potential for hip hop & rap;
what ways will it touch & move us?
Thank you.
Public Enemy and Multi Media Projects
On May 26th, 2009 Skeep said:
I read your comic book series and loved it. I thought it was brilliant
to turn yourselves into comic book characters in order to reach a
younger audience that may not have been aware of your music and yet
still reach your core audience. How did you come up with the idea and
where are you planning on taking this? Will there be even more reality
based themes or historical events interwoven with the fictional drama?
Thanks again for all of the music and now the great comics. Loved the
story and art. Loved How You Sell Soul by the way as well as Beats and
Places.
I am a white man from Michigan that grew up listening to P.E. and I
have always appreciate and respected your work (an understatement). I
can't remember what I had for lunch last Thursday but I can instantly
call to mind every word to Shut 'em down, Louder Than a Bomb or
Terrordome. I hope you realize how far your words reach.
I have to admit, however, that I've often felt that my race
automatically made me the enemy of Public Enemy.
What do you say to white people who love your music? Are your
non-racist white fans excluded from those lyrics aimed at the "other
man" or are they guilty by association?
black music is our history book
On May 27th, 2009 Jamie Myrick said:
Will the program you are hosting pay homage to how slave songs
(Christian Hymns) organized the underground railroad and later after
freedom, blues reported the violent abuse and suffering of a people
who never gave up?
I'm directing a musical review show at the Fitzgerald in Las Vegas
with a similar intent. Our people are missing from history textbook
but we still pass on our stories through music. Now that schools have
taken music out of poor schools we have to continue to pass it on
through churches and creating our own cultural centers and youth
organizations that pass on music.
general comments
On May 27th, 2009 richard peters said:
i delivered electrical equipment to the projects in camden and
bridgeport. i was the crazy white kid and no one bothered me - in fact
i was laughed at - stupid kid in a van. To me it was about getting
things done for folks to improve their lives - a rising tide raises
all boats only if the boats are in the same harbor...
Kid brother bought "Fear of a Black Planet" - "Brothers Gonna Work It
Out" is timeless - Chuck D. would be a great guy to sit down and have
brunch/meal with - won't happen but if it did he would have to forgive
me for inviting some of his Syracuse brethren - hah!
Anything they can do, We can do!
On May 27th, 2009 G.Andre Smith said:
where do you start with the original movement minded hip hop artist...
I used this quote, "Anything you can do, I can do better" as a
reference point. Simply to state that there are so so oh so many
different businesses, establishments, & institutions all throught the
world but our "American" situation is a little different than others.
With that said... Do you feel that we, as Black people, are able to
take on the responsibility to reach into our personal situation (as a
whole) and make it equal to the whole situation of the so-called
"founders" of this country?? Just a lil food for thought...
Can a HBCU win a national championship, (In any sport) or be viewed
with the same esteem as a MIT, Yale, or Harvard??
Can we develop our own communities with our own Money, Laborers, and
Residents?? Could we do the same with a structure built as part of a
city skyline??
Can we own and run our own distribution company for the music industry??
Can a black person have as many television channels as say a Ted Turner??
I'm sure you all see where I'm going with this and I could go on and
on. With all these questions, I do have answers...but...it will take
more organization than maybe we are able to wrap our minds around!
Still, I Believe all things are possible! We have endured hardships by
the boatload! Anything worth doing has never been and will never be
easy...
Integrity Knows No Color
On May 27th, 2009 Josh Christian said:
As a white middle class kid growing up around the same time as Chuck
and the rest of the PE crew.. I always felt a connection to what he
was saying even if it wasn't necessarily from the perspective that my
immediate peer group understood..
I was born in NYC and my Parents were diverse intellectual radicals,
left over 50's beatniks as opposed to self absorbed Hippies (no diss
to the latter, but they were less intellectual) My father had me
registering people to vote in 72 when I was 7 years old.. all of our
friends were involved in the "Movement" and I attended many debates
and protests with them. So "revolution" is in my blood you could say..
and Chuck's lyrics always resonated with me... again, I know a lot of
the PE fan base were white suburbanites... but I'm not so sure all of
them were getting the message.. and there is a Message.
Now in our 40's I respect all that Chuck has done and if I could say
one thing to him.. it might have something to do with being
anti-corporate. I've seen Chuck over the years turn his angst into a
positive emotion and elevate his standings beyond that of a
Rapper/Social Critic. He's actually come to a place of great respect..
wouldn't be surprised to see him in Public Office as opposed to Public
enemy eventually..
But I'm throwing this out there where no one will ever see it or
care.. but Chuck.. Don't get soft and find your place among "Them"
Fighting from the inside out is a sure path to becoming the enemy..
Stay on the outside, Fight from the edge.. it's where the real
strength is..
Peace to all... and keep on fighting, because it's actually getting
worse not better for the poor of this world..
Don't believe the Hype.. and Fight the Power.. are Both Calls to arms.
I like Nike but wait a
On May 27th, 2009 DJ Spikes said:
I like Nike but wait a minute
The neighborhood supports so put some money in it
Corporations owe they gotta give up the dough
To my town or else we gotta shut 'em down
For your intellectual perspective on the task at hand. Yes we should
remain "anti-corporate" and stay the edge. How we woe to be the men on
the outside fighting to keep persons in control who tried so hard to
do the impossible for so many years.... Nevamind that path to becoming
the "enemy" we should strive to only be the publics enemy and not the
Heads of the system who call all the shots and such. We need only vote
the best candidate. Phew! I'm glad you decided to bless us with that.
Where would we be without such sound advice like yours! From the
bottom of all our hearts, thank you, for your clear opinion on our
place and following up to put us in it! You're the man.........
When we look at (Black) american music from the 1960's and '70's and
compare it to todays (Black) american music, it does appear that
todays music has lost much/most of its "freedom song" quality that
once made it political, socially, and radically relevant, powerful and
empowering.
At the same time, when you look at the (black) political struggles (in
the streets) of the '60's/'70's and compare it to todays, we see that
the "struggle" today has largely become an assimilationist hustle to
"fit in" to the capitalist/corporate machine, as opposed to raging
against it, or trying to dismantle/destroy it....
My question is, do you think that the times shape the music, or the
music shapes the times?
You should see what goes on in Laurens SC
On May 28th, 2009 mj said:
Chuck D. a discussion that needs to be is
The Black Minister, The Redneck Shop and the KKK in Laurens SC.
It is all truly disgusting and is still happening in 2009......
Tell the truth...do you or any of the members of P.E. have a problem
with Jews? I ask this because I am a Jewish fan of your music and
respect the huge contribution you have made to hip hop, but I find it
difficult to support a group that is openly anti-semetic and has made
songs such as "swindler's list".
photomurray@me.com
On May 28th, 2009 PhotoMurray said:
THis is more of a thanks than a question. Thanks for making such great
much for so many years. I grew up listening to your music and was so
impressed with the Coachella show, nice work and great to hear It
takes a nation on millions....." album live.
This generation and it's time..
On May 28th, 2009 Jon Fox said:
With every generation it seems we have walls to break down. Last
century was civil rights and prohibition. What are the major walls we
have to break down this generation in your eyes?
welcome to the terrordome
