Another golden Kanye West quote in the news today

[Hanley!]

If @Everlong comes back from vacation and finds himself in the middle of a race war, I don't think he's going to be too happy.

[PorkChop]

If @Everlong comes back from vacation and finds himself in the middle of a race war, I don't think he's going to be too happy.

When Tim returns:

[Daz]

I'm gonna say this and I expect some negative feedback from it, but it really frustrates me when people use their race (not directed at anyone in particular here before things are taken to a Locke like level of misunderstanding) to justify an argument (even if the point they're trying to make is a valid one) because it immediately un-evens the playing field.

Also, Kanye comparing anything that makes him millions of dollars to slavery is just utterly ludicrous. Pluck any slave out of time and ask them if they can relate to a guy who can afford to spend ridiculous amounts of money on a ridiculously grandiose wedding, and after they're finished laughing in your face, I'm sure they'd reply with a big fat no.

[Kirbi]

@DanielsonTHAGOAT

Racism may be, and have been, one of the causes of slavery - but racism and slavery are nowhere near the same thing.

Okay… what's your point? Both those practices are still present in the music industry. Being the face to bainwashing a whole race of people is disgusting.

There are many people actually suffering through slavery in the world right now. West's comparison lacked any empathy for those people, was poorly expressed as an intended comparison, and will garner column-inches of opinion on him rather than the supposed 'fight for justice' you're describing here.

Kanye West is a black male, whose parents were Black Panthers that actually participated in the sit ins in the 1960s. How does he lack empathy with his own people? LMAO, he is actually one of the only artist to use his platform to address this issue. His music is driven a lot about black empowerment.

If he intended to get people to really look at this problem, he did a poor job. And just because someone is talented, doesn't mean they can do no wrong. Your defense of the way he expressed himself here is kind of absurd.

He did a poor job? Yet, his latest album was critically acclaimed and has sparked conversations in universities and blogs about mental slavery and people are criticizing how the music industry is really being ran.

https://www.aclu.org/blog/prisoners-rig ... ple-profit

http://www.metacritic.com/music/yeezus/kanye-west

I like how you didn't respond to any of the points I made and just randomly said thins that weren't relevant to the conversation.

Ok, I seemed to have missed the explosion here (because sleep, and work, unfortunately must also be things that happen). Regardless, I am going to clarify my post.

I didn't respond to much of your post because I didn't disagree that it there is exploitation in the music industry - I just disagree that it is comparable to slavery in that way.

My first point, regarding the difference between racism and slavery (which you seem to be willfully misunderstanding) referred to the fact that the situation you describe is is racist, but that it is not slavery. In this context, the oxford online dictionary's definition of the word slave, reads "a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them". This definition does not apply here; these people are not property.

In my second point, when I referred to slavery in the world today, I meant actual human trafficking. The definition here is "the illegal movement of people, typically for the purposes of forced labour or commercial sexual exploitation." This, while done without legal force behind it, is today's actual 'new slavery'.

To attempt to dilute, repurpose, and bend the word slavery to mean what you have described is bad enough. But to do it when there are people in the world who are enslaved right now is utterly despicable.

And when I said he did a poor job it had nothing whatsoever to do with his music; I meant his success in actually advancing this cause that's apparently so close to his heart.

When I, and seemingly many other people read what he said, they didn't think "wow, this really makes me think about the state of the music industry". I thought "what kind of asshole diminishes the suffering, rape and torture of so many people to service his own ego". And, really, that's what it looks like. If he really wanted to make a difference, maybe he should attempt to become a person that people want to listen to (and not just to make fun of his douchery), and make reasonable arguments that aren't insultingly offensive.

Is this clear enough for you?

[JDD]

If you're scared what I'm thinking, you should probably be scared of most minorities in the United States because they express the same frustration as well.

Welcome to the most ridiculous thing said in this post. Sorry, you may be a black man, but you don't get to speak for all black men. I've spoken with and become friends with plenty of minorities and trust me when I say not a single one of them shares your views on this matter. You are playing to a perception which is as much of a problem as anything when it comes from either side.

This. Im a minority as are most of my friends. Not a single one share your viewpoint. There are bits and pieces i agree with, but not to the extreme that you do.

[Daz]

@DanielsonTHAGOAT

Racism may be, and have been, one of the causes of slavery - but racism and slavery are nowhere near the same thing.

Okay… what's your point? Both those practices are still present in the music industry. Being the face to bainwashing a whole race of people is disgusting.

There are many people actually suffering through slavery in the world right now. West's comparison lacked any empathy for those people, was poorly expressed as an intended comparison, and will garner column-inches of opinion on him rather than the supposed 'fight for justice' you're describing here.

Kanye West is a black male, whose parents were Black Panthers that actually participated in the sit ins in the 1960s. How does he lack empathy with his own people? LMAO, he is actually one of the only artist to use his platform to address this issue. His music is driven a lot about black empowerment.

If he intended to get people to really look at this problem, he did a poor job. And just because someone is talented, doesn't mean they can do no wrong. Your defense of the way he expressed himself here is kind of absurd.

He did a poor job? Yet, his latest album was critically acclaimed and has sparked conversations in universities and blogs about mental slavery and people are criticizing how the music industry is really being ran.

https://www.aclu.org/blog/prisoners-rig ... ple-profit

http://www.metacritic.com/music/yeezus/kanye-west

I like how you didn't respond to any of the points I made and just randomly said thins that weren't relevant to the conversation.

Ok, I seemed to have missed the explosion here (because sleep, and work, unfortunately must also be things that happen). Regardless, I am going to clarify my post.

I didn't respond to much of your post because I didn't disagree that it there is exploitation in the music industry - I just disagree that it is comparable to slavery in that way.

My first point, regarding the difference between racism and slavery (which you seem to be willfully misunderstanding) referred to the fact that the situation you describe is is racist, but that it is not slavery. In this context, the oxford online dictionary's definition of the word slave, reads "a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them". This definition does not apply here; these people are not property.

In my second point, when I referred to slavery in the world today, I meant actual human trafficking. The definition here is "the illegal movement of people, typically for the purposes of forced labour or commercial sexual exploitation." This, while done without legal force behind it, is today's actual 'new slavery'.

To attempt to dilute, repurpose, and bend the word slavery to mean what you have described is bad enough. But to do it when there are people in the world who are enslaved right now is utterly despicable.

And when I said he did a poor job it had nothing whatsoever to do with his music; I meant his success in actually advancing this cause that's apparently so close to his heart.

When I, and seemingly many other people read what he said, they didn't think "wow, this really makes me think about the state of the music industry". I thought "what kind of asshole diminishes the suffering, rape and torture of so many people to service his own ego". And, really, that's what it looks like. If he really wanted to make a difference, maybe he should attempt to become a person that people want to listen to (and not just to make fun of his douchery), and make reasonable arguments that aren't insultingly offensive.

Is this clear enough for you?

Thank fuck for you.

[Hanley!]

Ok, I seemed to have missed the explosion here (because sleep, and work, unfortunately must also be things that happen). Regardless, I am going to clarify my post.

I didn't respond to much of your post because I didn't disagree that it there is exploitation in the music industry - I just disagree that it is comparable to slavery in that way.

My first point, regarding the difference between racism and slavery (which you seem to be willfully misunderstanding) referred to the fact that the situation you describe is is racist, but that it is not slavery. In this context, the oxford online dictionary's definition of the word slave, reads "a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them". This definition does not apply here; these people are not property.

In my second point, when I referred to slavery in the world today, I meant actual human trafficking. The definition here is "the illegal movement of people, typically for the purposes of forced labour or commercial sexual exploitation." This, while done without legal force behind it, is today's actual 'new slavery'.

To attempt to dilute, repurpose, and bend the word slavery to mean what you have described is bad enough. But to do it when there are people in the world who are enslaved right now is utterly despicable.

And when I said he did a poor job it had nothing whatsoever to do with his music; I meant his success in actually advancing this cause that's apparently so close to his heart.

When I, and seemingly many other people read what he said, they didn't think "wow, this really makes me think about the state of the music industry". I thought "what kind of asshole diminishes the suffering, rape and torture of so many people to service his own ego". And, really, that's what it looks like. If he really wanted to make a difference, maybe he should attempt to become a person that people want to listen to (and not just to make fun of his douchery), and make reasonable arguments that aren't insultingly offensive.

Is this clear enough for you?

I think I fell in love after a similar rant ...

[The Legend]

Ok, I seemed to have missed the explosion here (because sleep, and work, unfortunately must also be things that happen). Regardless, I am going to clarify my post.

I didn't respond to much of your post because I didn't disagree that it there is exploitation in the music industry - I just disagree that it is comparable to slavery in that way.

My first point, regarding the difference between racism and slavery (which you seem to be willfully misunderstanding) referred to the fact that the situation you describe is is racist, but that it is not slavery. In this context, the oxford online dictionary's definition of the word slave, reads "a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them". This definition does not apply here; these people are not property.

In my second point, when I referred to slavery in the world today, I meant actual human trafficking. The definition here is "the illegal movement of people, typically for the purposes of forced labour or commercial sexual exploitation." This, while done without legal force behind it, is today's actual 'new slavery'.

To attempt to dilute, repurpose, and bend the word slavery to mean what you have described is bad enough. But to do it when there are people in the world who are enslaved right now is utterly despicable.

And when I said he did a poor job it had nothing whatsoever to do with his music; I meant his success in actually advancing this cause that's apparently so close to his heart.

When I, and seemingly many other people read what he said, they didn't think "wow, this really makes me think about the state of the music industry". I thought "what kind of asshole diminishes the suffering, rape and torture of so many people to service his own ego". And, really, that's what it looks like. If he really wanted to make a difference, maybe he should attempt to become a person that people want to listen to (and not just to make fun of his douchery), and make reasonable arguments that aren't insultingly offensive.

Is this clear enough for you?

I think I fell in love after a similar rant ...

We don't need to hear about your pillow talk

[BSM]

"Today, there are more African-American adults under correctional control than were enslaved in 1850, before the Civil War."

That statistic is fucking ridiculous.

I think part of what makes this statistic sound ridiculous may be that, as far as I can tell, it's not true. From what I have gathered, there are, approximately:

337,000 African-Americans on parole
1.26 million on probation
907,000 in prison

for a total of about 2.5 million African-Americans under correctional control.

In 1850, there were approximately 3.2 million enslaved African-Americans in the United States.

But the numbers even being that close isn't saying that much when you consider that the African-American population in 1850 was about 3.6 million, whereas now the African-American population is closer to 40 million people.

[Daz]

Let's also not forget that the slaves by and large, were taken and sold. The men in prison, by and large, committed crimes that put them there. Meaning that relating the two things in the first place is utterly ridiculous.

[SlightlyJames]

Let's also not forget that the slaves by and large, were taken and sold. The men in prison, by and large, committed crimes that put them there. Meaning that relating the two things in the first place is utterly ridiculous.

Pretty much what I've been thinking while I've been reading this thread, they weren't just magically put in prison for no reason, they're in there because they've committed crimes.

[Str8Shooter]

@DanielsonTHAGOAT

Racism may be, and have been, one of the causes of slavery - but racism and slavery are nowhere near the same thing.

Okay… what's your point? Both those practices are still present in the music industry. Being the face to bainwashing a whole race of people is disgusting.

There are many people actually suffering through slavery in the world right now. West's comparison lacked any empathy for those people, was poorly expressed as an intended comparison, and will garner column-inches of opinion on him rather than the supposed 'fight for justice' you're describing here.

Kanye West is a black male, whose parents were Black Panthers that actually participated in the sit ins in the 1960s. How does he lack empathy with his own people? LMAO, he is actually one of the only artist to use his platform to address this issue. His music is driven a lot about black empowerment.

If he intended to get people to really look at this problem, he did a poor job. And just because someone is talented, doesn't mean they can do no wrong. Your defense of the way he expressed himself here is kind of absurd.

He did a poor job? Yet, his latest album was critically acclaimed and has sparked conversations in universities and blogs about mental slavery and people are criticizing how the music industry is really being ran.

https://www.aclu.org/blog/prisoners-rig ... ple-profit

http://www.metacritic.com/music/yeezus/kanye-west

I like how you didn't respond to any of the points I made and just randomly said thins that weren't relevant to the conversation.

Ok, I seemed to have missed the explosion here (because sleep, and work, unfortunately must also be things that happen). Regardless, I am going to clarify my post.

I didn't respond to much of your post because I didn't disagree that it there is exploitation in the music industry - I just disagree that it is comparable to slavery in that way.

My first point, regarding the difference between racism and slavery (which you seem to be willfully misunderstanding) referred to the fact that the situation you describe is is racist, but that it is not slavery. In this context, the oxford online dictionary's definition of the word slave, reads "a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them". This definition does not apply here; these people are not property.

In my second point, when I referred to slavery in the world today, I meant actual human trafficking. The definition here is "the illegal movement of people, typically for the purposes of forced labour or commercial sexual exploitation." This, while done without legal force behind it, is today's actual 'new slavery'.

To attempt to dilute, repurpose, and bend the word slavery to mean what you have described is bad enough. But to do it when there are people in the world who are enslaved right now is utterly despicable.

And when I said he did a poor job it had nothing whatsoever to do with his music; I meant his success in actually advancing this cause that's apparently so close to his heart.

When I, and seemingly many other people read what he said, they didn't think "wow, this really makes me think about the state of the music industry". I thought "what kind of asshole diminishes the suffering, rape and torture of so many people to service his own ego". And, really, that's what it looks like. If he really wanted to make a difference, maybe he should attempt to become a person that people want to listen to (and not just to make fun of his douchery), and make reasonable arguments that aren't insultingly offensive.

Is this clear enough for you?

BOOM! Danielson just got Mrs. Hanley'd!

[Everlong]

Saw this cus steve tagged me. Still in the woods. There are... no sufficient words to describe my opinions here, lmao.

Aoife did a bang up job here already, but likely I will say my piece tomorrow night when I get home. So you have that to look forward to

[DanielsonTHAGOAT]

And, really, that's what it looks like. If he really wanted to make a difference, maybe he should attempt to become a person that people want to listen to (and not just to make fun of his douchery), and make reasonable arguments that aren't insultingly offensive.

Kanye's is one of the strongest voices in the hip hop community regardless if you personally like him or not. There's been many credible journalist, etc all praising his message from Yeezus about the world we live in. Look at the reviews to his album..



The man sold out 30,000 people in arenas and his Yeezus tour was the second grossing tour of 2013. Mind you, this is without any mainstream radio hit and extremely little marketing.

The people that sit there and make fun of Kanye's "douchery" clearly don't understand his music and don't realize the impact he has had to music in general.

His songs and the content he talks about constantly gets praised. So I think he makes reasonable arguments with "New Slaves" or "Black Skinhead" because if he didn't, he wouldn't be such a huge voice in music. If he didn't, he wouldn't be critically acclaimed.

Kanye definitely is an artist people listen to. Not just for his music but the messages behind his lyrics as well.

[SlightlyJames]

"I am God's vessel. But my greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live."

"I am Warhol. I am the No. 1 most impactful artist of our generation. I am Shakespeare in the flesh."

"I still think I am the greatest."

"I will go down as the voice of this generation, of this decade, I will be the loudest voice."

If you can't see the douchiness in that I don't know what to say.

[DanielsonTHAGOAT]

"I am God's vessel. But my greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live."

"I am Warhol. I am the No. 1 most impactful artist of our generation. I am Shakespeare in the flesh."

"I still think I am the greatest."

"I will go down as the voice of this generation, of this decade, I will be the loudest voice."

He is 100% correct about this. No other artist has won 21 Grammys, influenced music, critically acclaimed albums and is the best digital selling artist.

It's this same exact attitude why people love his music. He even addresses it "Now I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem Or use my arrogance as the steam to power my dreams".

This is equivalent to being mad at someone like Floyd Mayweather for calling himself the best boxer. Men lie, women lie, numbers don't.

[SlightlyJames]

Whether he is right or not about being the best is an opinion thing, to me he certainly isn't. Disregarding that the fact that he comes out with shit like that makes it seem like he is completely up his own arse and it's one of the many reasons a lot of people think he's a prize wanker.

[Viazon]

The man could be the single greatest artist who has ever lived. He's still a douche.

[prophet]

Comparing him with Mayweather doesn't hold up either. Music is far more subjective than sport so whilst you might consider Kanye the greatest and agree with everything he has to say about himself there's plenty of people in the world who don't like his music and who disagree with everything he has to say, and to those people Kanye West more than likely comes off like a complete headcase.

[DanielsonTHAGOAT]

The man could be the single greatest artist who has ever lived. He's still a douche.

To the media and paparazzi, yes.

To his fans and other people, no. People who've worked with him and met him say he is one of the more genuine people in the music industry.