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Hip-Hop Artist To Sue FCC
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Progressive Portal
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Feb 08, 2002 19:08 PST
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[Below is excerpted from a newsletter by Hip-Hop activist Davey D. For
the full newsletter and subscription information, see the bottom of this
message.]
The FNV Newsletter
In Today's Issue: January 31 2002 [excerpts]
*HIP HOP ARTIST TO SUE FCC
*RUSSELL SIMMONS COMES THROUGH WITH TWO BIG EVENTS
[...]
Send comments, questions and concerns to:
mrdaveyd-AT-aol.com [replace "-AT-" with "@"]
The FNV Newsletter
written by Davey D
http://www.daveyd.com
http://www.rapstation.com
(c) 2002 All Rights Reserved
===================================
HIP HOP ARTIST TO SUE FCC
[Progressive Portal editor's note: KBOO-FM, a Pacifica Radio affiliate
station, has interviewed Progressive Portal representatives and been
supportive of free-speech advocates in their efforts to regain control
of Pacifica.]
Hip Hop/spoken word artist Sarah Jones is mad as hell and ain't gonna
take it no more. She is doing what very few artists have ever
done-suing the FCC [Federal Communications Commission]. The move is in
response to the controversy Ms Jones found herself embroiled in last
year [May 2001] when the FCC fined KBOO-FM a Portland community radio
station for playing her song 'Your Revolution.' This was a popular
spoken word piece that Ms Jones had done to denounce misogyny and the
degradation of women that is all to pervasive in mainstream Hip Hop.
Her saga began in October 1999 when the song was played on a show called
'Soundbox.' A listener took offense to the song's lyrics and complained
to the FCC. The result was the FCC fining the station $7,000 for airing
the song and ruling that there were sexual references in the song that
were designed to "pander and shock."
The ruling sent shockwaves around the country for a number a reasons.
First, it sent a chilling message that the FCC was bent on coming down
hard on small community radio stations. Second, the fact they came
after Sarah Jones' song which spoke to the type of rampant indecencies
often aired on mainstream, commercial radio seemed to suggest that the
FCC had a double standard.
For example, here in the Bay Area listeners can tune into local
commercial stations and hear popular sexually explicit songs like
Digital Underground's ' Freaks of The Industry' where Shock G raps about
'putting his thing up some girl's butt.' They can also hear Lil Kim rap
about 'How Many Licks' it takes to get to your love. That can be
followed by Grammy Award winner Jay-Z rapping about why he's 'Big
Pimping' At the same time Bay Area residents are unable to hear the
counter messages offered up by artists like Sarah Jones on local
community stations for fear that the FCC would find the songs too
explicit and fine them.
In interviews Sarah Jones had repeatedly pointed out that her song 'Your
Revolution' did not contain any of the 'seven dirty' words that have
been deemed offensive by the FCC. Hence her song did not violate the
FCC rules for indecency. Her song did contain sexual references, but
they weren't that different then the type of sexual references you can
hear 24/7 on most commercial stations. In fact what Ms Jones had done
was paraphrase lyrics from popular rap songs to hammer home the point
that there could be irreparable harm from the consistent airing of
sexually exploitative material the average listener was continuously
being exposed to. Here's a sample of her lyrics.
"Your revolution will not happen between these thighs . . . the real
revolution ain't about booty size . . . and though we've lost Biggie
Smalls your Notorious revolution will never allow you to lace no lyrical
douche in my bush . . . your revolution will not be you smackin' it
up, flippin' it, or rubbin' it down nor will it take you downtown or
humpin' around . . . you will not be touching your lips to my triple
dip of french vanilla butter pecan chocolate deluxe or having Akinyele's
dream a six-foot blowjob machine . . . your revolution will not
happen between these thighs . . . because the revolution, when it
finally comes, is gon' be real"
In the aftermath of the KBOO fining, community stations all over the
country not only ceased playing Sarah Jones popular song but they began
to scrutinize their playlists for similar material to remove from
rotation. A $7,000 thousand dollar fine is a drop in the bucket for
most commercial outlets, but can cause major hardship for their
community counterparts. Also many do not want to put their broadcast
license in jeopardy. There were several instances where defiant deejays
who saw this as free speech issue were suspended. Even, here at KPFA
94.1 FM which is the flagship station for free speech radio, deejays
were warned that they would be suspended indefinitely if they aired the
song. Hence when we did an on air interview with Ms Jones we could not
play her song. It's like telling a rape victim she cannot talk about
her harrowing experience on the radio because the sexual references
would be too upsetting, but then I can turn around and play Dru Down's
popular song 'Pimp of the Year' where he raps about raping a sister or
QB Finest's top 10 record Oochie Wally where they brag about a gang
rape. Talk about irony.
Where it stands now is KBOO attempted to get their fine overturned with
little success. Sarah Jones is suing the FCC claiming they violated her
First Amendment Rights. She is also asking that they overturn their
findings about her song being indecent. To have that stigma attached to
a song that directly addresses social ills like the exploitation of
women is more then just troubling. It sends the wrong message about
what's right and wrong. We'll keep you posted on the outcome of Sarah
Jones' case. In the meantime she deserves a Phat Award from us for
stepping up and holding it down for Hip Hop and the community at large.
====================================
[...]
RUSSELL SIMMONS COMES THROUGH WITH TWO BIG EVENTS
A PHAT AWARD goes out to Russell Simmons who is gearing up for two
positive events. The first is the West Coast Hip Hop Summit that will
take place February 13th and 14th in LA. From what I'm told it appears
that all of the major West Coast players ranging from are on board to
sit down and see how to elevate this art and now big business to the
next level. Former NAACP president, Minister Ben Muhammed has been the
point person for this summit and thus far has been doing some serious
legwork by contacting and talking directly with key folks up and down
the coast. The end result will be everyone from so called gangsta
rappers to Hip Hop activists all under one roof. I know he swung
through the Bay and made it a point to sit down with all sorts of groups
and organizations to make sure they were on board. He gets a PHAT AWARD
for taking the time to reach out and make it happen.
What makes this summit particularly exciting is the fact that is taking
place at the same time that the California Democratic Convention which
is also being held in LA. Given the political aspirations of this
summit, there is no doubt that there will be some bread breaking between
the Hip Hop community and elected officials. If that's not enough The
Nation of Islam is holding its annual Saviors Day in LA around the same
time. It looks like there will be a lot of things to do and see in LA
that weekend. This West Coast Hip Hop Summit will lay down the crucial
ground work for the National Hip Hop Summit which is scheduled to take
place also in LA ,this coming June.
The second event Russell is putting together is a huge benefit concert
to raise money and awareness about HIV and AIDs. Its called Life Beat
Urban AID 2 and it's scheduled to take place April 9th in New York City
at the Beacon Theater. Jay-Z and R. Kelly are set to headline. P-Diddy
and lots of other big name rap acts will also be performing. With the
spread of HIV and AIDs at an all-time high within the Hip Hop community,
we cannot do enough to bring attention to it's devastating effects.
Right now the fastest growing rate of HIV is among young folks who are a
part of the so called Hip Hop generation. More then 50% of the new AIDs
cases are within our mists. We have to do everything in our power to
try and change our behavior and reduce the rates of infection.
Hopefully this upcoming benefit succeeds in raising our awareness.
=======================
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