Racism/Sexism/ect in Music

littlemouse · 07-08-2012, 03:12 PM

*etc, (will edit when I've gathered enough posts)
Curious to hear some of MB's opinions on this topic.
Is it ever "excusable" for an artist to make such a song? Does it bring down the quality of the rest of their work?
When is it making a social statement through a racist/sexist...etc narrator and when isn't it? Ex: The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar."
What about the disparity in calling out violence & sexism in "gangsta rap" compared to bands like Guns N Roses (especially blaming increased violence on rap)?
What about songs like the Violent Femmes' "Black Girls" ?
I'm not too sure about any of this, it's something I started thinking about recently after reading a post at "stuff white people do" titled "listen to racist music" about "Brown Sugar." So, thoughts?
Sorry, first thread, lmk if I placed it wrong?

Trollheart · 07-08-2012, 03:26 PM

Very good first thread, and an intriguing question. I'm not familiar with gangsta rap, hip-hop or any of the other genres who seem to be more predisposed towards using racism or sexism in their lyrics, but I would just offer that it's not a new thing (as you point out): bands have been doing it for years --- which doesn't necessarily make it right --- and rock and metal would be another big culprit. I mean, not too many prog rock songs refer to "Girls with big tits" or whatever, unless you extend sexism to speciesism, in which case those guys REALLY have it in for dragons!

Gotta think about this more, will post again. I'm sure there'll be plenty of conflicting replies.

Well done: exactly what we need in a thread: intelligent, well thought-out, bound to create debate and interesting.

And not, to my knowledge, done here before...

**Janszoon** · 07-08-2012, 04:11 PM

I think a lot of the time those accusations come from people failing to understand that a work of art dealing with offensive subject matter is not the same that as endorsing it.

musicsbiggestfan · 07-08-2012, 05:08 PM

What about the bands who are in fact racist, such as any white power groups.

musicsbiggestfan · 07-08-2012, 05:10 PM

There is a radio station online for aryan radio.

jackhammer · 07-08-2012, 06:09 PM

I become equally annoyed when it's 'etc' and not 'ect'

hip hop bunny hop · 07-08-2012, 06:13 PM

I don't care and don't see it as any different than a band preaching some other moral/political stance.

CanwllCorfe · 07-08-2012, 06:23 PM

For racism the three things that come to mind are Nazi Punk, National Socialist Black Metal, and good ol' Johnny Rebel.

I obviously don't agree with it, but they're free to make music about whatever they feel like.

Forward To Death · 07-08-2012, 06:25 PM

Freedom of speech, and also artistic purposes would have to make me say that it doesn't have a negative impact. I think that everyone should look at Slayer, a band that does songs about the Holocaust and "blasphemous" material. Lombardo is a devout catholic. It's just music, and I think you have to approach it with an open mind.

Forward To Death · 07-08-2012, 06:27 PM

David Alan Coe, who has done his fair share of racist music, actually has had black musicians, and I believe he has denied being racist.

07-08-2012, 03:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Very good first thread, and an intriguing question. I'm not familiar with gangsta rap, hip-hop or any of the other genres who seem to be more predisposed towards using racism or sexism in their lyrics, but I would just offer that it's not a new thing (as you point out): bands have been doing it for years --- which doesn't necessarily make it right --- and rock and metal would be another big culprit. I mean, not too many prog rock songs refer to "Girls with big tits" or whatever, unless you extend sexism to speciesism, in which case those guys REALLY have it in for dragons! Gotta think about this more, will post again. I'm sure there'll be plenty of conflicting replies. Well done: exactly what we need in a thread: intelligent, well thought-out, bound to create debate and interesting. And not, to my knowledge, done here before... __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

07-08-2012, 04:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I think a lot of the time those accusations come from people failing to understand that a work of art dealing with offensive subject matter is not the same that as endorsing it. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

07-08-2012, 06:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I become equally annoyed when it's 'etc' and not 'ect' __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

07-08-2012, 06:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
hip hop bunny hop Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,381	I don't care and don't see it as any different than a band preaching some other moral/political stance. __________________ Have mercy on the poor.

07-08-2012, 06:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
CanwllCorfe Quiet Man in the Corner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pocono Mountains Posts: 2,480	For racism the three things that come to mind are Nazi Punk, National Socialist Black Metal, and good ol' Johnny Rebel. I obviously don't agree with it, but they're free to make music about whatever they feel like. __________________ Your eyes were never yet let in to see the majesty and riches of the mind, but dwell in darkness; for your God is blind.

07-08-2012, 05:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
musicsbiggestfan Groupie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 48	What about the bands who are in fact racist, such as any white power groups.

07-08-2012, 05:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
musicsbiggestfan Groupie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 48	There is a radio station online for aryan radio.

07-08-2012, 06:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Forward To Death Trolier Than Thou Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,336	Freedom of speech, and also artistic purposes would have to make me say that it doesn't have a negative impact. I think that everyone should look at Slayer, a band that does songs about the Holocaust and "blasphemous" material. Lombardo is a devout catholic. It's just music, and I think you have to approach it with an open mind.

07-08-2012, 06:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Forward To Death Trolier Than Thou Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,336	David Alan Coe, who has done his fair share of racist music, actually has had black musicians, and I believe he has denied being racist.