Having said that, I’m reminded of an experience I had recently.
I went to see a cool documentary, “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest”. This flick, directed by actor Michael Rapaport, follows what may be the last collective tour by the group and gives a history on their origins. I became nostalgic as I heard the back-stories of some of my favorite songs growing up.
Now I have to question my love for this band, which is tough after seeing them in that great documentary. Can we separate one song from the whole discography? Or is it really not that big of a deal?
To be fair, the group members were probably around 19-21 years old when they recorded the song…does that make any difference? Is this just an accurate reflection of life for young black men in NYC back in the 90’s?
Were they just commenting on the “down low” issue from their own young point of view?
However, if this were a 20-year-old Eminem that went through the entire process of writing and recording an anti-niggers song, would we still be accepting? Even after an apology?
I’m still wrestling with this one. What does that say about me and my self respect as a gay man?
– Nick
(rappers appear to dislike women, hate sissies and seem to only want to chill with the fellas…hmmm, what does that sound like?) Priceless! GREAT POST!
This is a very good conversation to be had. Although I think there are some things to be considered, while trying to determine the love/hate for this group.
The gernations of preceding the 90’s did not embrace homosexualtity the way the current generation does. Through ignorance, they were taught to hate homosexuals, even if it wasn’t truly what they felt in their hearts. A lot of people were “frontin” so to speak, so they would not be part of the minority. This was not just the case in the entertainment industry such as music, but was also the mentality of churches, professional sports, the military, and society as a whole. I think people were afraid to stand up, and speak out against such ignorance, so they chose to be a part of the majority, as to not stick out like a sore thumb. Additionally, peoples idea of homosexuality then was that of sissies, and effeminite men. But now they are able to see that gay men can be masculine, and roughneck thugs, or jocks.
Today’s society is more accepting, and we are continuing to see society embrace the LGBT community. This is evident because of the laws that are changing within our nation. The military is changing, schools are changing, churches are changing, and society is beginning to change. This will be a gradual process, and not an overnight fix. Truth be it told, if it weren’t for the gay customers in the community, most celebrities would not be as rich as they are. Including the rappers. LOL…
I look at it as a milestone marker. Look at where we came from to where we are today in music, and society as a whole. The question is, if we interviewed the same members of the group today, whould their views change, or would it be the same??? One of those questions that make you wanna go hmmmmmmm ….. (Great post Nick !!!)
Tonic
I’m really struggling to write a reply to this post. Young people do a lot of stupid posturing, and I would venture to say that goes even more so for young men, and more again for young male rappers. The lyrics to this song are inexcusable but I think it would go a long way to have an apology and maybe a discussion about how and why this song was written and how they feel about it now (and what can be done to prevent these sorts of attitudes in the future). I’m struggling to believe that Tribe really held these views but even if they did, they should say now that they don’t…and if they do, we have other decisions to make – can we separate the artist from their work? Should we? ATCQ have put out a lot of work that has been uplifting, challenging, intelligent. To discount that because of a song that was (thankfully) never released would be a shame but giving more money to them equally so.
I thought the song was ridiculous then….I find it repulsive now! We need to stop giving mofos a pass
I’m seriously thinking the same thing also. I question artists or celebrities that I find inspirational or that I happen to like. I really thought A Tribe Called Quest was a good group until I found this. I do like their music, at the same time though, I really question some of the “positivity” groups like them and The Pharcyde reflected. I also question on the whole Alternative Hip Hop thing on how they’re grouped up along with singers like Queen Latifah or M.I.A. It’s one of those topics that really sits through my mind.
Wow! And I also love a tribe called quest. It sucks that they would even think about making a song like that. I honestly can say that will still listen to their music, but I still don’t know where their head is at when it comes to gay people.
I wana chalk this up to being young n dumb, n possibly a result of something they saw/heard of/witnessed before realizing how many gay men were running the industry and signing their checks. But, w the likes of Lord Jamar, who knows?! But we can all bet the farm that q-tip would have a completely different outlook if questioned abt it today!
Right now, right here I don’t give a pass. I grow up listen to this anti-gay shit. This is what my generation had to go through–SUCKED.
Hi! I did exactly the same! I found this song after watching the documentary.
It is undefendable, there is no question about that. It is not the age, the neighborhood, the “context”. They were homophobic and that’s it. Let’s face it, they recorded this song about 20 years after Stonewall, not in the 16th century, they were born in the and raised in the same city. Gay, bi, trans, lesbians were as marginalised as they were, black gay, bi, trans and lesbians had it even worst. This song is hateful to unspeakable levels (and it’s also quite terrible), it’s everything but “art”.
I love their music in general and I think I will keep listening to them, but this song remains awful. As people, I don’t know them and I don’t care to know them, if they’re homophobic (judging by this I think they are, or they were, at least) well fuck them, I never gave them my money anyway and I certainly will not in the future.
… and speaking about “The low end theory”, I still don’t get what they were trying to say in “The infamous date rape” and that period-joke… I am not sure “The low end theory” is really their best album.