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The true value of hip-hop
By Jesse Muhammad
Staff Writer
Updated Oct 31, 2007, 02:05 pm Email this article
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Minister Farrakhan holds intimate conversation with industry artists
and executives

* Web Video - KRS-One on Hip Hop and the need for balance (FCN,
10-13-2007)

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan speaking to the hip hop
community at Justin's Restaurant, Oct. 14. Photos: Kenneth
Muhammad/‘It’s one thing to talk about the condition in which we live
and say we keeping it real. But is that the way you want to continue
to live and keep the reality of what the slave-masters and then their
children placed our people in? Is that the reality you want or do you
want something better for yourself and our people? ..But how will you
get something better if you don’t raise their consciousness to a
certain level for something better.’
ATLANTA (FinalCall.com) - On Sunday, Oct. 14, the Honorable Minister
Louis Farrakhan hosted a private invitation-only brunch with over 300
hip hop artists and top music industry executives to engage in an
intimate conversation on the subject of “The Evolution of Hip Hop.”
The brunch was held at Sean “P. Diddy” Comb’s restaurant, Justin’s,
where the intense dialogue would bring tears to many as Minister
Farrakhan delved into the value, leadership abilities and potential
power engrained in the capacity crowd.

“I am honored to be here with you. I thank Allah (God) for the
greatness that is in this room, the power that is in this room, the
leadership that is in the room, but above all the potential that is
this room,” stated Minister Farrakhan in his opening words after being
introduced by Dr. Benjamin C. Muhammad. “Who are you? I want to
encourage you to be the light that produces a revolution. That word
sometimes inspires fear, but we shouldn’t be afraid. Jesus was the
supreme revolutionary. Revolution means a complete change that brings
a thing back to its original point.”

Minister Farrakhan then connected our pain as slaves on the plantation
to how it produced the music the artists express today. “Without the
pain of slavery we would not have what is called Negro spirituals.
Blues was born out of our pain. Jazz was born out of our pain. Our

During the questions and answers portion of the meeting, N'Dea
Davenport of The Brand New Heavies, spoke on the humiliation she and
other women are subjected to by executives in the record industry.
When addressing the need for people to feel respected with the
addition of big houses, fine cars, “bling-bling” and other material
things, Minister Farrakhan shared that “we keep adding things to
ourselves for respect because there is emptiness on the inside. You
don’t need a diamond if you are shining. Why do you need gold when you
are the standard of value? We only need these external things to cover
the *****ness of our being or soul that needs to be fed. To cover a
mind that needs to be taught and a people who needs to be raised.”

“Your talent and genius is being manipulated to create conditions that
make your people less than what they should and what they could be,”
he passionately said. “The enemy makes you wealthy beyond your dreams
to make you think that wealth means that you are right.”

On the issue of derogatory lyrics and rhymes that unmask the condition
of the Black community, Minister Farrakhan stated, “In the 60s, the
language changed. We called one another Brother and Sister. It’s one
thing to talk about the condition in which we live and say we keeping
it real. But is that the way you want to continue to live and keep the
reality of what the slave-masters and then their children placed our
people in? Is that the reality you want or do you want something
better for yourself and our people?”

He continued, “But how will you get something better if you don’t
raise their consciousness to a certain level for something better. Who
are you? You are the bearers of light or darkness. If you continue to
make your people think that the way we act is right, then you are an
emissary of darkness and not a bearer or light. The artists are the
most important people. You are the teachers.”

L-R: Kawan Prather, President of Ghetto Vision Music and Chuck D of
Public Enemy.
Minister Farrakhan then answered questions that included an emotional
testament from artist Killer Mike who spoke with tears rolling down
his cheeks. “I just want to say I am sorry for my part. I thank you
Minister Farrakhan.”

“I believe Killer Mike expressed it best, the feelings that some of
the younger folks felt, that raw emotion. When you hear a kind or
caring word that touches your soul, you feel it in a major way and you
process it in a way that lasts forever,” stated Chuck “Jigsaw”
Creekmur, co-founder of AllHipHop.com. The elite hip-hop site was the
lead sponsor of the brunch. “Some of us have to lead by example and
set a tone and create the climate conducive for change. I think we’ll
see it soon. There is a current and a more balanced approach to the
art. We have been looking for more socially responsible hip hop and
we’re getting it.”

“The light the Minister shed on us at Sunday’s brunch was the answer
to all of the social confusion in the world today. I encourage all of
the youth and the entire hip hop community to take heed to the
guidance given from our Brother Farrakhan. We can do better,” stated
Brother Hasaun, brunch co-organizer.

Minister Farrakhan’s powerful message to artists, managers, producers,
radio personalities and executives is a charge for positive change.
His instruction to “Do not be a spokesperson for the hurt of our
people” is key. If we adhere to this simple charge, we can make
positive change in our industry, said Dee Dee Murray of Murray Media
Music Corp. and brunch co-organizer. “Working to organize this event
on behalf of Minister Farrakhan has forever changed my life and
validated my purpose in working to better my community and advancing
my people.”

“The Minister has inspired me to change some things about my
artistry,” stated poet Tamika Harper, who performed at the brunch. Up
and coming music artist Radiant Amar also performed.

The list of guests also included Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, DJ Toomp,
D4L-Shawty Lo, Cee-Lo, Chuck D, Professor Griff, Jahlil (Whodini),
Doug E. Fresh, Vexx, David Banner, Teddy Riley, N’Dea Davenport, No
ID, Ray Murray, Bryan Michael Cox, Diamond D, Griffey 2 K, Capricco
Scates, Bryan Barber, Dave Tolliver, Charles Mathis, Kendall Minter,
Omara S. Harris, Ray Murray (Organized Noize), Ric Ross (Capitol
Records) and Vision (Dungeoneze).

Audrey Muhammad contributed to this story.
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_4044.shtml