Courtesy of David Lindquist – Metromix
Panelists included rappers Sandy "Pepa" Denton (left) and Yung Joc. (Credit: Michelle Pemberton / Metromix)
BET personality Jeff Johnson talked about Chinese DJs and Liberian fans of 50 Cent during a Thursday night panel discussion titled “Hip-Hop and Its Influence on Global Culture” at Clowes Hall.
Johnson and rappers Sandy “Pepa” Denton and Yung Joc offered perspectives on a musical movement that began at street level in 1970s New York City and presently resides on “Cash Kings” lists at Forbes.com.
“The beautiful thing about hip-hop, to me, is that it’s always been unbridled,” Johnson said. “With that, it’s been able to go in 25 directions at once.”
Thursday’s dialogue primarily focused on two segments:
- Hit songs often criticized for violent or sexist content.
- Less-popular recordings based on social commentary.
Joc, a platinum-selling act from Atlanta, entertained the estimated audience of 2,000 with anecdotes illustrating the gap between mainstream and high-mindedness.
He said major-label executives wanted no part of principled stories when he lined up songs for his debut album. After Joc established himself as a persona akin to “your favorite cousin at the cookout,” progressive rappers ignored his suggestions to collaborate.
Johnson argued that unlikely alliances among musicians are necessary for hip-hop’s advancement. He cited Run-DMC’s popular partnership with rock band Aerosmith in the 1980s.
Johnson, Denton, panel moderator Le’Deana Brown and Butler Professor Vivian Deno traded observations on the role of women in hip-hop.
Johnson didn’t excuse elements of misogyny in popular lyrics, but he said he believed hip-hop is a scapegoat within a society where sexism is pervasive.
Denton, a member of long-running hip-hop act Salt-N-Pepa, said female rappers were rare when she started and are still rare today.
“I’m doing my part,” Denton said. “As long as I continue to stay positive and empower women, then I feel good about it.”
Mathew Knowles, father and career manager to R&B superstar Beyonce Knowles, canceled his participation on the panel — part of Butler University’s Celebration of Diversity Lecture Series.
Johnson opened his remarks with religious fervor, saying.
“I’d rather hear a negative artist that has the gumption to be able to tell their truth than a positive artist who’s a hypocrite.”
Joc said many hip-hop fans rally around escapist rhymes based on diamond necklaces and oversized wheel rims because they live on limited means.
Regarding Johnson’s theory that bling fantasies and backpack truths can co-exist, Joc said, “I pray for that evolution. (This panel) is the beginning of that evolution.”
