Essay 3016

From The Chicago Sun-Times…

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It’s tough defending gangstas

RAP MUSIC | Execs react with silence in face of protests against offensive lyrics

BY MARCUS FRANKLIN

NEW YORK -- Facing fierce criticism of sexist and depraved rap lyrics, top music industry executives planned a private meeting. They would discuss the issue, they said, and '”announce initiatives” at a press conference afterward.

That was three weeks ago. The press conference was canceled, without explanation. And ever since, music’s gatekeepers have been silent.

Leaders of the four major record companies, which control nearly 90 percent of the market, may fear cracking the door to censorship. Others say the record chiefs are “scared to death” of further damaging sales in an industry already hobbled by digital downloading -- or that they choose to remain in the shadows rather than protect “indefensible” lyrics.

Or perhaps they are leery of stepping into a racial minefield: While black rap artists recite those lyrics, the top execs are white -- like the man who ignited the controversy, radio host Don Imus.

“They want this whole thing to go away and keep doing what they’ve been doing, which is selling records,” said Don Gorder, chair of the Music Business/Management Department at the Berklee College of Music.

While industry leaders remain reticent, others are speaking out:

Ebony magazine pulled the rapper Ludacris from its June cover. Verizon dropped pitchman Akon after he simulated sex with an under age fan onstage. Chart-topper Chamillionaire says his new CD contains no curses or n-words. Percy “Master P” Miller, founder of No Limit Records, says he’s starting a new label for “street music without offensive lyrics.”

“I was once part of the problem and now it’s time to be part of the solution,” Miller said.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who protested outside major record labels last week, is planning to lead busloads of protesters to music executives’ homes in the Hamptons over Memorial Day weekend.

“It’s indefensible,” Sharpton said of why the record executives keep silent. “They’re hoping it’ll go away. We’re not going anywhere.”

The closest the industry has come to a public discussion is when Warner Music Group vice president Kevin Lilies appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s show and acknowledged “there’s a problem.”

Some say the executives’ refusal to engage in debate is tinged with race. The top music executives are white men, observed Lisa Fager, who co-founded IndustryEars, a think tank focused on the media's impact on minorities and children.

“Nobody wants to put the white man’s face on things,” Fager said. “They don’t want to see the real person behind it.”

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Execs at 4 leading labels decline interview requests
The Associated Press’ requests for interviews about rap lyrics were declined at the four major music companies, although some have issued statements on the subject.

UNIVERSAL

On the label: 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg

Refusing to talk: chairman Doug Morris, president Zach Horowitz

Statement: Values artists’ rights to expression “even if that means some of their music will not appeal to all listeners.”

WARNER

On the label: T.I.

Refusing to talk: chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr., U.S. music chairman Lyor Cohen

Statement: Takes “issues regarding the role of women and minorities in society very seriously.”

SONY

On the label: Three 6 Mafia, Bow Wow

Refusing to talk: chairman Andrew Lack, chief executive Rolph Schmidt-Holtz

EMI

On the label: Chingy

Refusing to talk: chairman Eric Nicoli

Statement: “Where controversy occurs, we will be open to debate on the issues.”