New Feature: Kaze’s Hip-Hop Hater of the Week: Jere Eaton

...And the worst part(and this REALLY chaps my hide), is that now those kids don't get those funds. To cancel a fundraiser for your own community and the young folks in it is even more criminal than the "element" you're fighting to block. Its clear this woman is campaigning to head that NAACP branch there and as usual Hip-hop is the easiest, most popular taret to hit.

You'll probably never run out of material for this one. I have the "Kiss of Death" CD...for that person to call Jadakiss the "worst of the worst" is clear evidence that this person does not know what the worst of the worst is :-). One thing is certain, she has not heard Too Short :-).

What many of these types don't seem to grasp is the duality that exists in most people exists in rappers too...that you can have Too Short telling people on one song that its o.k. to be a nerd...to get an education and put down the beer and cocaine and then going XXX on the next song.

Well, Kaze, sometimes we make sacrifics to make our voices be heard. Some people said that Blacks were dumb for walking to work, paying more money for cabs, and carpooling during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. What if they never boycotted, we'd still be sitting on the back of the bus. What if we continue to accept the artists who blatantly disrespect themselves, our race, and our women? We'll never move forward.

Futhermore, if Jadakiss (or any artist in a similar situation) is so interested in raising money for kids, they'd forget about the "apperance" and make an anonymous donation.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

What many of these types don't seem to grasp is the duality that exists in most people exists in rappers too...that you can have Too Short telling people on one song that its o.k. to be a nerd...to get an education and put down the beer and cocaine and then going XXX on the next song.

I'm curious. Is that kind of "duality" a good thing?

I grew up hearing about "dualities" (although they didn't call it that).

"Aw, that old boy don't mean no harm even if went to a Klan meeting or two." Lord, how many times I've heard variations on that theme.

Or, as they were pointing out at the Killen trial, many Klansmen "helped" a lot of people. I mean, Killen was a preacher, after all, as was pointed out.

I guess the question is: If you gain your notoriety through actions/expression that hurt people, does it make it OK to turn around and do helpful things (or raise money) to help others?

And it all rather reminds of me of people trying to get me to go to the Fairview Inn when Bill Simmons owned it (until recently). He's the former head of the Citizens Councils of America for those who may not know, which hurt many, many people through boycotts and the like. People would tell me how nice he is, and how he has black employees and black customers now, but no one could point to a real apology for his past. I simply would not give them my business because, to me, that kind of "duality" made no sense. Why make someone richer who has spent time hurting others? (Even if they do some good things, too.)

(Not talking about Jadakiss specifically here; I'm responding more generally to Whit's "duality" comment. It confused me, sounding double-standard alarms.)

(BTW, I can't get sucked into this thread. Just back in town and too much to do. So, I offer those comments about "duality" for y'all to knock around without me. Don't even try; I've burned tires up going up and down this particular road already. <smile>)

Sho you right...don't wanna mount that horse again..
However, my point was not about jadakiss making an anonymous donation. He could easily do that. It isnt about him. Its about the kids. It was about them getting to see up close an artist that they like. they were deprived of that special performance. that's what you guys are missing. those kids suffered for Eaton's grandstanding. Jadakiss's appearance may have affected a kids life in there that day. Rarely do kids get to touch stars and Im sure they were disappointed. Jadakiss wasnt doing that for press. we probably wouldnt have even known about this incident had it not been for Eaton lobbying votes for that prez spot. THAT'S what could have been done quietly. how about calling Jada's people and expressing those concerns and asking him to keep it clean. News Flash!!!! most artists know that when they're performing for kids they are to keep it clean, that goes unsaid. Then your kids are happy, the money gets raised, and the grown-ups get a G rated show.
..BTW the money was not coming from Jada. The proceeds were coming from the ticket sales to the celeb b-ball game and Jada performance. They were doing the show and appearance for the kids for free. which regardless of what you say..is comendable!

Well, that sounds fine. But they were also doing it to create a future market for themselves. Nothing wrong with that, but let's not squeeze any and all marketing efforts out of this. That would be disingenuous.

Well Eaton did that when she raised the issue. Obviously it was she who wanted a little press. This crusade and the ensuing press will probably catapult her right into that Prez spot of the NAACP she's running for. That's where the grandstanding comes in.

I wonder, Kaze, have you talked to her? Interviewed her? Asked her reasons? Or, are you just relying on news reports? You're drawing a lot of conclusions based on the story linked above.

I can see why they did cancel the appearance.

She's only made a small dent by stopping this show. This isn't going to change anything. She needs to be saving her energy to go after these major record labels in which there are only about four or five big ones that own the majority of the smaller ones. They have total control over who gets a record deal and who becomes successful.

Since they refuse to let musical styles change on their own, like they always have (before these huge corporations), it's time for the public to show it's dissatisfaction. A style change is long overdue and I'm not talking about a change in hip hop. I'm talking about hip hop either going out of style, going back underground, or sharing the airwaves with other forms of R&B instead of dominating the whole damn thing. These labels aren't going to let that happen though. Why? Because hip hop is much cheaper to make than something like funk.

Hiphop is cheaper to produce than ALL other genres. Rap album budgets have notoriously been lower than their R&B and Rock Counterparts due to the technology involved. thus, the overhead is lower and chance for profit greater. You can make more money and faster from hiphop. You can produce, release, and recoup faster than any other genre. Budgets for new Rock bands newly signed almost always start at 1 million or better(thats for a complete unkown) R&B budgets 750,000 and above. While a lot rap records can be produced for as little as 50,000 on major labels. Its simple math.

And to respond Donna C'MON of course I havent talked to her or interviewed her. But it doesnt take a private eye to surmise her motives. As soon as I read that she was up for that presidency I knew her motives. This power play generated just enough press for her to crusade her way into that position. Id heven go so far as to say she or some of her folks leaked it to the press. Simply because it made news and it didnt have to. Now it could be the media sensationalizing the rap angle after the Imus incident or a combination of both. But she could have easily made her objections known without the power play. Plus sehe's a former board member...she didnt object to any of the other celebrity fundraisers they've had in the past? Jadakiss was the last straw? doubt it. Timing is everything. And you have to admit hiphop is the whipping boy of the day right now untill something else comes up.

But it doesnt take a private eye to surmise her motives. As soon as I read that she was up for that presidency I knew her motives.

As a former journalist, Kamikaze, you know better than to try to state emphatically what people's "motives" are without even trying to talk to them. Tsk, tsk.

LOL..thats ONE of the reason I didnt fit into that world. Waiting to "talk" to folks got in the way of good old common sense and street smarts.:-). I know Donna...I dont know "for sure" so Ill digress and say "in my opinion" But Id bet rent money that she's using this as a spring board for votes. She looks like the "decent crusader" ridding the town of that filthy rap junk!" she's a shoo-in now.
..People have begun to let fact that journalists need "proof" (especially to avoid getting sued) to hide their true motives and feelings. Im just too sharp for that crap! She's not fooling anybody! Eaton knows that anyone questioning her sincerity can be shot down because they have no "proof"... I can never prove it, nor will she admit to it. but...mama didnt raise no fool!
IN MY OPINION, and this is unfounded...She's grandstanding!

Waiting to "talk" to folks got in the way of good old common sense and street smarts.:-).

B.S., Kaze. No one is saying you shouldn't have an opinion. You know as well as I do that I think that he-said-she-said journalism is crap. But this is different. You don't want people telling you what your motives are without even bothering to talk to you about it—and you know that someone isn't credible when they do that.

You're trying to raise standards around here. Walk the talk, yourself, to lead the way.

The funny part is that you could easily call this person and have a conversation and then write a column about it. I learn stuff all the time from people I don't agree with.

**But it doesnt take a private eye to surmise her motives.**<--Kamikaze

Kaze, one could *surmise* your motive in opposing Ms. Eaton is that she is an older lady and not a 'youngblood'. I've noticed that your posts (most recently regarding the Alamo Theater) often have negative, stereotypical references to older people. IMO, it is equally repulsive for one to condemn all rap and hiphop artists because some use degrading lyrics as it is for one to condemn people who are older citizens. Just sayin'.

Right, Kacy. And I don't agree that it is that easy to "surmise" her motives. This journalist could see a number of possibilities, and there is no way I could know for sure without actually talking with her. I could sit here and speculate, but I wouldn't be any more credible than you are on this one, Kaze. You're taking cheap shots about the "motives" of someone you've never talked to.

I would agree with you Kacy if that was the case. My reference to the older folks over the alamo was far from "negative" and I realize that all older folks don't fall into that category, however, it has been MY experience (let me emphasize that) thatthe majority of them are quick to condemn hiphop aqnd young folks based on sweeping generalizations far more then young folks do of them. Has Eaton heard Jadakiss' music and did she offer an opportunity for the promoterto find a substitute? Has she listened to ANY rap lyrics at length?

.."All of these artists are the worst of the worst. They're criminals, their favorite word is the N-word, and they demean women by calling them b***hes and ho's," according to Eaton."..

ALL? sounds sweeping to me. Only calling her on what SHE said. So she wasnt interested in my opinion of substituting she was interested in condeming across the board NO RAP period and in turn I think she did those kids a disservice which again was my focal point of this blog. The KIDS who were deprived of their show.


...and I apologize if it appeared I was attacking the group over the Alamo because of their age. However, it is my opinion, that their age does not give them the proper forsight and creative acumen to adequately help that building become active and turn a profit. They are out of touch with whats new and what could pack that building and based on our meeting weren't very willing to listen. And even when we were close to maybe agreeing in principal they unleashed an antiquated set of provisions that would have tied the hands of me as a businessman and leader. They wanted us to compromise and they didnt. I would chalk that up to bad business sense over age in that case. but Im off topic.

Kaze, you hate older folks? Haterism is a curable disease, and you can get help before you get old, too.

I understand your point Donna and ideally you would probably be right. but I always operate off instinct. and its kept me alive, safe, and prosperous in business thus far. Of course I could be horribly wrong if my hunches lead me astray but thats a chance you take. But so far, i've rarely been far off. And no, you're right I havent talked to her, but based on she COULD have handled that situation as opposed to how she DID handle it...I think she was grandstanding. thats me. And anyway If I DID talk to her Donna do you honestly think she would ADMIT to showing out for the media? Do you honestly think she would say YES I did this to drum up support for me in my NAACP president's bid. C'mon! you cant be serious. Thats the same problem I have with Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson sometimes.

...and thats cute Ray, But I have nothing but the uptmost respect for my elders. I hope that Im blessed to live long myself. Its just that its a new day and age and some of the elders need to be dragged kicking and screaming into 2007. Some of their views are tried and true and still work, but some are antiquated. I get frustrated when they just condemn and simply dont try to understand young folks or the music we make. we're usually dismissed.

I'm afraid I agree with Kamikaze to some extent on this. Why stop them from coming all together. Why not insist or demand that they do a clean show or be arrested? Why not inquire as to whether they have agreed to or are willing to be more responsible as of late. It seems Sewell presented a different picture of the group. Saying all ot theseartists are the wrost of the worst, and all are criminal says alot about her mindset. What else could Kamikaze want to know about what she thinks of rappers?

Also, they were coming to play basketball, not rap. Maybe she knows a rapper can't stop rapping?

**would agree with you Kacy if that was the case. My reference to the older folks over the alamo was far from "negative" and I realize that all older folks don't fall into that category, however, it has been MY experience (let me emphasize that) thatthe majority of them are quick to condemn hiphop aqnd young folks based on sweeping generalizations far more then young folks do of them**<--Kamikaze, May 9, 3:59 p.m.

Kaze, I wasn't only referring to your Alamo post; there have been many others. Once you even wrote something to the effect that you would 'go with the youngblood every time'. It might have been related to a much earlier thread about Melvin being selected by Frank to replace Ramey Ford at Parks & Recreation. Moreover, if prefacing your remarks by saying "it has been MY experience (let me emphasize that) that the majority of them are quick to condemn hiphop aqnd young folks based on sweeping generalizations far more then young folks do of them

Oops...hit the submit button by mistake: What I was beginning to say, Kaze, was that prefacing your comments with the *in my experience* qualifier does not make it any less of a generalization about a group of people than what you say Ms. Eaton and your *elders* make about rap and hip hop artists. You can't have it both ways.