I learned of Ol' Dirty Bastard's death last night during one of my many random visit's to Soundcircuit.com. When I viewed the thread title "Ol' Dirty Dead??", I assumed that it was simply another bullshit rumor about him. However, the articles I read on allhiphop.com and mtv.com confirmed it. The "Eddy Kane of the Wu-Tang" was dead.
Now, Ol' Dirty was not a family member or even a friend of mine, but his death has truly saddened me. I liken it to the way many Beatles fans feel watching their idols pass away one by one. Hip Hop is an important element of my life and will be a major part of my future career. I credit Ol' Dirty and Wu for laying the foundation of my hip hop interests. Their music opened my eyes up to the true essense of hip hop "beats, rhymes, and life." For this, the Wu hold a special place in my heart.
Many refuse to see Ol' Dirty Bastard as a credible artist, but those in the hip hop community know the greatness of his work. Though he in no way one of the best mcs in the Wu, he had some of the most memorable performances on their first to albums. His nihilistic, mysoginistic, and terroristic lyrical rantings stood apart from the other Clan members more traditional, yet still revolutionary, flows. His first solo album "Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version" is a landmark hip hop album. On the "Dirty Version", ODB gives his demented view of American inner-city life. What sets this apart from similar albums is that there is a quasi-demonic aspect to the music. I am not saying that Dirty had demons, though that was probably the case. I feel that there was a demonic nature to his lifestyle and environment and those demons are manifested in the album. Ol Dirty released two other albums and collaborated with artists such as Mya and friend Mariah Carey.
The life of Ol' Dirty Bastard represents the good and bad of hip hop culture. On one hand, his "I don't give a fuck" attitude was spirited in a country that sought to oppress and suppress those of his kind. Ol' Dirty Bastard was simply himself. He never put on a front or acted like someone he wasn't in order to advance his situation. Both Black and White America, since the American racial problem is aparantly dichotomous, seem to favor "Good niggers" although their definitions of them slighty differ. Ol' Diry Bastard was neither good nor bad, he was simply Dirty. This "keep it real" attitude is at the foundation of hip hop culture. It is what has helped hip hop become a major culture not only in this country, but around the world.
Dirty's life was also plagued with the vices that inflict many in hip hop and Black America in general. Like many of his peers, his "keep it real" attitude constantly put him in situations that led to violence and imprisonment. Like the late Rick James (who's "Cold Blooded" was eerily remade by Dirty on his "Nigga Please" lp), Ol Dirty Bastard lived on the edge. He had a terrible drug habit that prevented him living up to his musical potential. He had 13 children and I question whether he was a good parent to all of them. Unfortunately, Dirty was very much the stereotypical post-civil rights generation Black male. He was fatherless, an ex-con, a drug dealer, a drug addict, an irresponsible parent, and he died young.
Even though he was far from the ideal role model, Dirty has an undying legacy. I remember how proud I felt when he interrupted Shawn Colvin's grammy acceptance to protest Wu-Tang's grammy loss to Puffy Daddy. I also remember when Dirty allowed MTv to accompany him as he went to pick up his welfare check. Ol' Dirty Bastard, like all of us, had both positive and negative qualities. He was one of God's children and I hope that he's finally found peace.
taken from Vibe Dec 99/Jan 00 interview with ODB in the recovery center:
"I'ma stay ghetto," he declares, as a snowy TV screen hums in the corner. "Cops don't love me, but I love them. But they should stay out my motherfuckin' face. Don't stop my car when I drive by. My car ain't botherin' you. Don't worry about me [running red] lights. I don't do it in front of you, so don't worry about the shit. That's me."
-Russel Jones (aka Ol' Dirty Bastard)
11/15/1968-11/13/2004
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Monday, October 11, 2004
Nigger (Nigga)
Nigger is most debated word in Black America. The origin of the word is Spanish, but in America, it is most likely a Southern mispronunciation of the word "Negro". For hundreds of years, it has been used to disparage and denegrade Black-Americans. One single word has ripped the heart out of many a Black in this country. I truly never felt the painful essence of the word until I had my first "Nigger Experience". I was conversing with an African-American friend of mine in front of his residence hall. We were enjoying a hearty laugh until a truck carrying two white males approached. I guess we could sense trouble, because our laughter stopped as the truck got closer. As the grey truck rolled by, the white male in the passenger seat yelled out "NIGGERS" as loud as he could. It caught the attention of everyone outside. Even someone sitting in an office inside of my friends dorm heard it. I had never felt so sick, so hurt. I had never felt such rage. I ran out in the street in a worthless attempt to chase down the truck. As it turned the corner, the feeling of hopelessness took over my body.
Over the last few years, due much in part to the hip hop music I love so much, a different form of the word has increased in popularity. One can hear the word "nigga" in their favorite song, movie, or in the mouth of an Asian male on their school's basketball court. It is true that nigga has been used by African-Americans since slavery. Red Foxx even used it in an episode of Sanford and Son. However, hip hop music's rampant use of the word has helped make it a catchy slang term. Hip Hop artists and other young Black Americans love to claim that they have taken control of the word and made it something positive. In their (or our) eyes, "nigga" is simply a substitute for "brother". It is used that way a great deal. I am not going to argue that point. What is equally true is that "nigga" has become more prominent in the lexicon of American popular culture leaving whites wondering "Can I say it?"
The answer is yes. Freedom of speech is protected under the first amendment of the United States Constitution. We all have the right to speak freely as long as we accept the consequences that come with it. The fact is that most Blacks do not accept the white use of the word. A white utterance of the word riles up 400 years of Black anger. So, legally you can use the word, as long as you are prepared for the social rammifications. I do not understand why whites want to use it. Most of them will say that they aren't racist, but then want to do something that makes them appear to be. When whites say "nigger or nigga" blacks think, "NIGGER PLOW THAT FIELD", "NIGGER DON'T LOOK AT THAT WHITE LADY", or "YOU'S A DEAD FUCKING NIGGER". Why, if you love us as brothers, would you want to say something that stirs up so much pain?
Hip hop music does not justify the social use of the word. Hip Hop is rooted in the Black experience. It is made primarily by black artists for black audiences. I am in no way saying that whites cannot listen to hip hop. Anyone can be a part of the culture. I love the way that hip hop has brought people together. However, this does not negate the fact that hip hop is black music. Corporate America saw its money making capability, so it raped it, reshaped it, and spat it back out to the masses. What has resulted is a distorted expression of the culture. Much of the popular hip hop today is igorant and has no social responsibility. Corporate America supports the use of "nigga" in music because it is seen as cool or hip. They could care less about the brotherhood aspect that rappers argue. "Nigga" is bad and bad sells records. Corporate sanctioned racism.
Nigger/Nigga is not just a word. It is verbal hate. Whites awaken its hateful spirit when they say it. While Blacks have been able to somewhat make it a positive, our frequent use of the word has had negative consequences. I do not see nigger/nigga ever going away. I just hope that all sides see the negative affects of its use.
Over the last few years, due much in part to the hip hop music I love so much, a different form of the word has increased in popularity. One can hear the word "nigga" in their favorite song, movie, or in the mouth of an Asian male on their school's basketball court. It is true that nigga has been used by African-Americans since slavery. Red Foxx even used it in an episode of Sanford and Son. However, hip hop music's rampant use of the word has helped make it a catchy slang term. Hip Hop artists and other young Black Americans love to claim that they have taken control of the word and made it something positive. In their (or our) eyes, "nigga" is simply a substitute for "brother". It is used that way a great deal. I am not going to argue that point. What is equally true is that "nigga" has become more prominent in the lexicon of American popular culture leaving whites wondering "Can I say it?"
The answer is yes. Freedom of speech is protected under the first amendment of the United States Constitution. We all have the right to speak freely as long as we accept the consequences that come with it. The fact is that most Blacks do not accept the white use of the word. A white utterance of the word riles up 400 years of Black anger. So, legally you can use the word, as long as you are prepared for the social rammifications. I do not understand why whites want to use it. Most of them will say that they aren't racist, but then want to do something that makes them appear to be. When whites say "nigger or nigga" blacks think, "NIGGER PLOW THAT FIELD", "NIGGER DON'T LOOK AT THAT WHITE LADY", or "YOU'S A DEAD FUCKING NIGGER". Why, if you love us as brothers, would you want to say something that stirs up so much pain?
Hip hop music does not justify the social use of the word. Hip Hop is rooted in the Black experience. It is made primarily by black artists for black audiences. I am in no way saying that whites cannot listen to hip hop. Anyone can be a part of the culture. I love the way that hip hop has brought people together. However, this does not negate the fact that hip hop is black music. Corporate America saw its money making capability, so it raped it, reshaped it, and spat it back out to the masses. What has resulted is a distorted expression of the culture. Much of the popular hip hop today is igorant and has no social responsibility. Corporate America supports the use of "nigga" in music because it is seen as cool or hip. They could care less about the brotherhood aspect that rappers argue. "Nigga" is bad and bad sells records. Corporate sanctioned racism.
Nigger/Nigga is not just a word. It is verbal hate. Whites awaken its hateful spirit when they say it. While Blacks have been able to somewhat make it a positive, our frequent use of the word has had negative consequences. I do not see nigger/nigga ever going away. I just hope that all sides see the negative affects of its use.
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