April 23, 2007

Weighing In On Winfrey

I've refrained for chiming in on this Don Imus story for the last couple of weeks. But after watching Oprah Winfrey's town hall meeting about hip-hop on her daily talk show and hearing people excuse Imus' actions because "rappers use the same language all the time," I was outraged and felt compelled to comment.

Hip-hop music is about as responsible for Imus' racist and sexist remarks towards the Rutgers University women's basketball team as Elton John and George Michael are for Isaiah Washington using a gay slur against his 'Grey's Anatomy' co-star. Better yet, no one is blaming Rosie O'Donnell's regular rants on 'The View' about President George Bush on The Dixie Chicks. People say what they want to say and feel how they feel because that's who they are. It has nothing to do with music and I for one will not allow Imus, his supporters, Oprah Winfrey, her TV panelists, the women of Spelman University or anyone else tell me that hip-hop is the root of this evil.

Was hip-hop the blame for Imus' other racist remarks? Was Snoop Dogg the cause in 1993 when Imus spoke about black journalist Gwen Ifill who covered the Bill Clinton presidency when Imus said: "Isn't the Times wonderful --they're letting the cleaning lady cover the White House." And are we pointing the finger at Nelly for Imus calling black New York Times sports columnist Bill Rhodes a "quota hire." I'm sure I'm supposed to believe that Ludacris is to blame for Imus' remarks about his ex-coworker, a black woman named Contessa Brewer, when he said: "With that fat ass she's got, she wouldn't be [a beautiful woman]. That skank has to spend three hours with makeup in the morning." No, no, no! Imus, who is 66, has been spewing his bigotry on the radio long before the Sugar Hill Gang hit the scene.

In my best Miss Sophia from 'The Color Purple' voice: I's love Oprah, God knows I do! But even I have to say her town hall meeting was about as slanted as the regular news coverage on Fox News Channel. Though I appreciated Common's presence on the show, why was he the only rapper booked on a show about hip-hop? Where were guys like Ludacris, Nelly, Jay-Z and 50 Cent, who could have brought a fiery perspective to the show, especially since Ludacris and 50 Cent have accused Winfrey of being anti-hip-hop in the past? This would have been the perfect platform for her to enlighten them as to why she feels the way she feels. More so, why not have successful products of hip-hop like Will Smith, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J and Ice Cube to show what the hip-hop generation has birthed and to bring a balance to the show. Instead, Winfrey, Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock, former editor in chief of Essence magazine Diane Weathers, New York Daily News columnist Stanley Crouch and several other guests threw hip-hop under the bus and allowed Imus to drive it!

Am I a hip-hop head? Absolutely not! Just ask Shaheem Reid at MTV News and he'll tell you. When we were students at Norfolk State University I would ask him things like: "What's the difference between a Redman and a Method Man?" I can certainly make the distinction now. Most laugh when I say my favorite rapper of all time was not the Notorious B.I.G. or Tupac, but actually Will Smith. But I say that to say that as someone who fits the hip-hop demographic, though I'm not married to the music, I still believe that making hip-hop the scapegoat for Imus' actions is a slap in the face to all African-Americans, specifically the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Because the reality of this situation is that though there may be some issues with hip-hop and maybe it is time to make some rappers take accountability for their lyrics; not even the filthiest, most misogynistic rapper in the game called the ten players on the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos!"

And before I finish, I also have issues with 'The View' and their stance on Imus too, but space won't allow me to take that show to task now. But thanks to über-conservative, republican co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck for surprisingly being the voice of African-Americans during the Imus fallout. I don't know why the show didn't book frequent guest hosts Jacque Reid or Sherri Shepherd-two women who could actually offer a real Black perspective -- but I can definitely say that the presence of Star Jones Reynolds has certainly been missed more than ever over these last three weeks.

Idol Chat

Season four 'American Idol' finalist Anwar Robinson has an opinion on this season's phenomenon known as Sanjaya Malakar just like everyone else does. "I think Sanjaya had a lot of supporters and fans," began Robinson when asked about last week's booted contestant. "I think he was the youngest guy that was on 'American Idol' this year. I think the support he had is a good tool for him to build upon. I think he's had a nice run and since he's come in seventh place, we have the same place number. I think he's a really nice kid with a lot of potential to grow in a lot of areas and he'll get the opportunity to do that."

The former school teacher certainly knows how to be diplomatic! Unfortunately, season five finalist Paris "Princess P" Bennett has come under fire for her not-so-tactful criticism of 'Idol' and pledging her support for the "Vote for the Worst" campaign to keep Sanjaya on. "We want to see him win because it'll kind of prove that 'American Idol' is kind of losing its taste and that it kind of isn't going for talent anymore but more for popularity, so we thinks it's a joke and we're voting because it's funny," Bennett told the "Tone E Fly Morning Show" in Minneapolis.

Robinson was surprised to hear Bennett's comments. "Wow, I didn't know that she said that," he confessed. "I think one should always be objective and thankful for the opportunity first and foremost. I have a ratio of 75/25 and I think that's fair based on where I sit with my limited experiences. So I think one should always be thankful for an opportunity like that because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not only that, former contestants and finalists of American Idol get so many opportunities just from the exposure alone that I don't really think there's much room to complain in my personal opinion."

With six more contestants left on the show, Robinson, who turned 28 on April 21 (we share the same birthday) believes the show will only get better. "We do have some very good singers left in the competition. I'm confident that 'American Idol' will have some spark towards the end of the season, well, at least I'm hoping so," he said.

Another seventh place contestant on 'A.I.' was Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. Robinson feels her story is encouraging to everyone who participates on the show. "It makes me very hopeful and proves that your gifts will make room for you. Jennifer is one of the most deserving people to have had everything happen to her and she's worked very hard. I'm very happy for her and very inspired," he shared.

Robinson, who once sung with a group called The Art of Soul that had a record deal with Clive Davis, has been taking meetings with record companies about a new recording contract of his own. In the meantime, he's showcasing new music on his MySpace page: www.myspace.com/AnwarRobinson. In addition, the singer has also been fielding offers for various Broadway productions, though he has some reservations because of his hair.

"I've considered it before and I'm still exploring that option. Although I do realize there are some aesthetic changes I'd have to make with my locks that have come up in question in regards to me playing certain roles. Just having the time to make the decision whether it's worth changing my look overall is still up to debate. They say if you can make it on Broadway you can make it anywhere," he said.

And I couldn't let Robinson off the line without asking who he was rooting for to win 'American Idol' this season. "All six of them are really good," he offered cautiously, before divulging: "But someone who I really enjoy overall is Melinda Doolittle. The reason why is her whole disposition. Something about it is really charming actually."

Buzzworthy

James "JJ" Hairston & Youthful Praise recorded their fourth album and accompanying DVD live in Baltimore, Md. The Evidence Gospel/Light Records choir packed out the Church of the Redeemed of Our Lord for the session, which featured guest appearances by Ted Winn, Steve Lawrence, Jordan Martin, Timiney Figueroa-Caton and a show-stopping number by Judith Christie-McAllister. Youth Praise's labelmates Zei'l opened the recording with their dynamic vocal acrobatics and contemporary remakes of gospel standards. Singer Bryan Wilson also performed a new solo number. The CD and DVD are slated to drop by year's end.

Comic Bill Bellamy is hosting the new season of NBC's 'Last Comic Standing' and instead of finding the hottest new comedians, the show will find the funniest comic in the game. I hear comedienne Thea Vidale is one of the contestants on the new season. Speaking of hosting shows, actor Anthony Anderson will host the last five episodes of 'It's Showtime at the Apollo.'

Can't Say Names ...

Baseball player Gary Sheffield has a new autobiography out called 'Inside Strength' that talks about the sex scandal surrounding his wife, gospel singer DeLeon Richards and R. Kelly in 2003. (See Karu Daniels' "BV Newswire" for details) Missing from the tome however is how the Sheffields falsely accused a Hollywood actress/comedienne of trying to aide the extortionist after the tape of Richards and Kelly was sent to the cable TV show the talent hosted at the time. Said Hollywood star tipped Richards off about the tape and went from trying to be a good samaritan to being investigated by the F.B.I.! Even after the real culprits were arrested and sentenced to 27 months in prison, the Sheffields never apologized for the torment they caused said funnywoman.