Sunday, April 21, 2013

Jay-Z and Beyonce's Controversial Cuba vacation

Star/power couple Jay Z and Beyonce decided to take their fifth year anniversary trip to Cuba, earlier this month, which has blown up into an international scene. People are upset that they used their names to get into Cuba, which according to the Washington Post, isn't even that difficult to get into for a regular individual.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) stated, "“The Obama Administration should explain exactly how trips like these comply with U.S. law and regulations governing travel to Cuba and it should disclose how many more of these trips they have licensed.” Rubio added that cultural-exchange waivers “have been abused by tourists who have no interest in the Cuban people’s freedom.”

For whatever reason people are upset about, I really don't see why it is news worthy. Jay-Z combated his critics and "haters" with a new rap song, and much speculation has been drawn from his new release. Please watch the video below and comment your thoughts. Do you take issue with Jay-Z's actions?



Sunday, April 14, 2013

Adidas Drops Rick Ross as a Sponsor

In the continuing drama of a controversial lyric in Rick Ross' "U.O.E.N.O," Reebok finally decided to drop Ricky Rozay from their roster of brand representatives."Reebok holds our partners to a high standard, and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand. Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so," Reebok told MTV News in a written statement issued. "While we do not believe that Rick Ross condones sexual assault, we are very disappointed he has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue or an appropriate level of remorse," the statement read. "At this time, it is in everyone's best interest for Reebok to end its partnership with Mr. Ross."


 Sonia Ossorio, President of the National Organization for Women protested, "It is a hate crime to be out there making fun of -- making light of drugging and raping women, something that happens all to often in our culture." According to VibeUltra Violet, another woman's right group joined Sonia and NOW at the protest and brought along a petition with 72,000 signatures collected nationwide in a plea to Reebok to drop Ross from their campaign. The rest of the report can be found here.

Rick Ross tried to make amends with all of his disappointed fans via Twitter, when he posted on April 4th: "I dont condone rape.Apologies for the #lyric interpreted as rape. #BOSS,” adding, “Apologies to my many business partners,who would never promote violence against women. @ReebokClassics @ultraviolet.” I don't know what Mr. Ross thought he was rapping about when he said, ""Put molly all in her champagne, she ain't even know it. I took her home and I enjoy that, she ain't even know it..." Why do you think our society has become so accepting of music that refers to violence, drugs, and sexually objectifying women? Do you think there is any glimpse of hope that we can change that within mainstream music and media?

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Rick Ross making junior theme a whole lot easier...

"Put molly all in her champagne, she ain't even know it. I took her home and I enjoy that, she ain't even know it...Got a hundred rounds in this AR, you don't even know it"-Rick Ross

These words featured in Rocko's mixtape Gift of Gab 2 appeared in a Rick Ross verse on the track entitled: "U.O.N.E.O." I've been inquiring why hip hop has evolved since its birth in the 1970s and found this lyric encompassing every aspect of the rap game that has changed. Ross' first line, "Put molly all in her champagne, she ain't even know it" is referring to slipping a woman drugs into her beverage, called 'Molly'. ABC News Radio explains, "Molly, which has become a popular reference in rap music, is the so-called "pure" form of MDMA, a chemical often found in Ecstasy.  MDMA characteristically produces feeling of euphoria, energy and a closeness toward others." Right here, Rick Ross is talking about drugs, and sexual objectivity of women; two major evolutions of rap.


The last line of the quote, "Got a hundred rounds in this AR, you don't even know it" is referring to an AR assault weapon with powerful firing capabilities. This weapon is used by gangs everyday, took the lives of 12, and injured nearly 60 people in the movie theatre shooting in Aurora, CO. In one line of a song, Rick Ross talks about sex, drugs, and violence. This clearly wasn't the way rap music was originally... Despite apologizing for a "misunderstanding", his lyrics couldn't have left a clearer message about what rap music has become…