Thug Life Army

The media and all resources of it are full of the stories and opinions on what is going on with Hip-Hop these days. So honestly, who couldn’t see through the smoke screen when rappers 50 Cent and Game kissed and made up? That’s why I dare all the other people that have the same amount of power they do to step up to the plate. Those in the very same industry that don’t glorify all the gunplay and the bogus gangsta image.

The press conference that was held couldn’t have been more convenient. The look on their faces couldn’t have been one that looked more forced and painful. The fact is that before the beef even started between the two rap artist, 50 was on Power 105 here in NY where he had already said that he planned on donating money to the Harlem Boys Choir. So why wait all that time to do it at a big press conference?

First off like $150,000 put some sort of dent in his wallet. The motive in the long run is to help his wallet when its time to file the tax return. Let’s be real here. If they were so interested in setting an example and helping the community it would be done all the time on a consistent basis. Not when the photo-op was needed. How about thinking about how all those kids look at you when your running around sporting a bulletproof vest like it’s a throwback?

See it’s funny and I have said it before. These artists that stay in the news this way come from the streets. The streets they should be reaching out to right now cause they know what it’s like. We know that cause you can’t listen to one song without hearing about it. Yet they continue to glorify what those people in the streets are actually doing when they have retreated to mansions in their Bentleys or Escelades.

Rev. Al Sharpton called for a 90-day ban on playing any artist who uses violence to promote their albums or to settle personal vendettas. Although I think Sharptons idea is a good one and agree, I think it is falling on deaf ears. The fact is that many people are eating off of this wave of stupidity.

Russell Simmons released a statement today praising the events that took place at the press conference. Russell Simmons, Chairman of the HSAN stated, "I witnessed the reconciliation between 50 Cent and The Game. It was genuine and sincere. Our prayer is that others will learn from the positive example that 50 and The Game have set to reconcile peacefully and, at the same time, give back to the community in a significant way." I couldn’t agree more. The point is look at the situation that brought us to the press conference. There was a shooting that could have left a couple of people dead and then what good would the press conference do? Would you hold a press conference to say sorry to the families of the dead? Would the checks be bigger and everything would just be water under the bridge?

A perfect example came the other night at the tribute concert to The Notorious B.I.G. at a nightclub in New York City. Crowds of fans waiting outside for Jadakiss to show him support for his beef with 50 Cent. Some reports say a car full of young men threatened Jada with the gun. Other reports say that Jada himself cleared that up by saying that the man was waiving the gun in support. Either way you chop it up it really doesn’t matter. If it was a threat, well then there you go my point exactly. If it was a show of support, well then when did it become acceptable to waive a gun around to show support? I hope the next time someone wants to show me love they don’t have a gun in their hand.

The point is clear. I hope the heat continues to be turned up. People in the industry sitting back shaking your heads like me and the rest of the loyal hip-hop.