HIP HOP HONORS... LACK OF RESPECT
HERE'S SOMETHING THAT WAS POSTED ON MY MYSPACE PAGE.
IT'S A BIT LONG, BUT A DECENT READ.
http://www.classichiphopllc.com
"Hip Hop Honors" Disrespects Pioneers and Icons of the Culture
Does VH-1 Really Care About Hip Hop? An Inside Look at the Awards Show Reveals More Contempt Than Honor.
By A-tone, the Hip Hop Historian
ClassicHipHopLLC.Com Co-Founder
October 9, 2007
At first glance, it appears that Hip Hop Culture is getting its just due, even though you would expect more of an acknowledgement of Hip Hop's rich history, culture and artistry from MTV or BET rather than the home of "Divas Live". In any case, in its fourth year, the VH-1 "Hip Hop Honors" awards show has become the most anticipated TV event for Hip Hop Culture purists.
Of course, no one expects a tribute to Hip Hop on VH-1 without the latest commercial rappers (coincidentally with new albums to promote) because the channel has to support its bottom-line. That's to be expected. But, it has come to our attention that VH-1 has become increasingly condescending to the very ones that they claim to honor. What follows is a behind-the-scenes view of the taping of the 2007 awards show and the respect (or lack thereof) your favorite Hip Hop legends receive.
Let's start with access to the taping itself. While bulletins were being circulated online to inform folks of ways they could get free passes to the taping (and become members of the "mosh pit"), how do Hip Hop pioneers and icons get access? Are Hip Hop legends treated in similar fashion as Rock-n-Roll legends, like Elvis and the Rolling Stones?
Sources say that there was a special committee set up to handle "denials" of passes to Hip Hop legends that were not considered to be legendary enough. We're not sure who is on this committee but we do know that there was an individual who was designated to field e-mail requests for passes. Sources confirm that e-mails were sent days in advance of the taping but no response was ever received before the taping took place. Roxanne Shante is confirmed as one of the legends that were denied passes in this way.
Let's cut to the night of the awards show taping, Thursday, October 4, 2007. The taping was at the Hammerstein Ballroom which is located on 32nd to 34th Streets in ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Manhattan. There was a red carpet set up for Hip Hop legends to walk on as they entered the taping. However, if an attendee did not have a "Red Carpet Pass", was not a performer or just wasn't recognized as a celebrity, they had to go to the back of the venue to attempt entry.
The back of the venue on 33rd Street had trailers for the performers which were next to the garage entrance where two tables were setup. One table was for the press, the other for "everybody else". While Whodini, Grandmaster Caz and other performers made their way from the trailers to the red carpet, Donnie Simpson (BET's Rap City) DJ Davy DMX ("One for the Treble") and Chuck D of Public Enemy had to wait for 35+ minutes before being allowed to visit the general table by security which had to radio in for approval. According to our sources, there was a general tone of disrespect and ignorance coming from the security staff for anyone that wasn't designated as worthy of honor by VH-1. As a result, an atmosphere of chaos and disorder ensued as security guards began to yell and scream at participants while moving them from one area to another.
Disrespect wasn't just reserved for the non-performers or non-honorees. Charlie Ahearn, the producer of the seminal Hip Hop film, "WildStyle" said that in the past years, when the Hip Hop Honors asked for pictures, they were very respectful but now they became very rude and disrespectful when Mr. Ahearn asked for passes for people to come in to the venue that were a part of "Wild Style". Mr. Ahearn was all but ignored when he said that "these individuals MUST be let in because of their contribution to the movie." It appears that when VH-1 wants something from a Hip Hop legend, the attitude is "peaches and cream" but it changes to disrespect when that same legend would want something from VH-1. "Uncle L" himself, LL Cool J, was allowed entry but had to personally come back to the 33rd Street garage entrance to get his guests in to the venue.
At this point, persons were being moved from space to space while event staff was trying to figure out who needed to go where based on what type of pass (out of several types) that they were able to obtain. While much talking and waiting was going on in the garage area, a number of celebrities walked the red carpet without hindrance: Kel (Fat Albert movie), Sway (MTV host), Rich Nice, Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, CoCo, Whodini, Charlie Ahearn, Fab 5 Freddy, Salt-n-Pepa, A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Nelly, T-Pain, Swizz Beats, Wonder Mike (Sugarhill Gang) and others.
The non-red carpet legends were all given green passes which were the same passes that were available online for the mosh-pitters. The silver passes were for the mezzanine level, where there was food and the taping going on Busta Rhymes and his crew literally ran upstairs with security in tow yelling at them to "don't disrespect" their authority. Other passes were for security and talent. At this point, Chuck D decided to take a seat in the lobby and declared that, "This is the best seat in the house!" Some of the other legends decided to venture down into the mosh pit instead of risking another berating by security. While in the lobby, a VH-1 staffperson gave Chuck D and others silver passes. At this point, Kool Mo Dee and L.A. Sunshine (Treacherous Three) arrived. Doug E. Fresh & L'il Vicious also arrived and their entourage was stopped by security and given a hard time. No such delay was offered to Chris Rock, P. Diddy and Russell Simmons as they were entering with their entourages. Other legends in attendance: O.C. & Tito (Fearless Four), Pebblee Poo, Mele Mel, Kid Creole, Rahim (Furious Five) and Crazy Legs & Fabel (Rock Steady Crew). For the record, there were a number of people of people (mostly White) that were walking about without passes, no questions asked.
As far as the performances, sources state that they went well with a few stand-outs: Bow Wow performing with Snoop, Busta Rhymes performing "Scenario", Tracy Morgan as host, the Wild Style segment with Busy Bee, KRS-1 and Grandmaster Caz, Common performing with A Tribe Called Quest, T.I. performing "Deep Cover", Whodini's performance, and Tribe performing "Award Tour".
Once the taping was over, the disrespect continued with security yelling at the top of their lungs, "Get out of the building!" The Hip Hop Honors stands in direct contrast to MTV's Video Music Awards where ushers were polite and respectful to attendees. It seems that VH-1 needs to learn that honor in Hip Hop Culture does not begin nor end with record sales and the big "I" and little "u" mentality. It begins with mutual respect for all of those that have laid the foundation of Hip Hop and doesn't end even through the current generation of Hip Hoppers. I can't say that I'm surprised to learn of this increasing level of disrespect for our legends in Hip Hop, but it certainly needs to be exposed whenever the opportunity presents itself.
A-tone, the Hip Hop Historian is a co-founder of Classic Hip Hop L.L.C. which is dedicated to the Early Days and Golden Era of Hip Hop Culture that is best represented by Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun via the Arts of DJing, MCing, Breaking and Writing (Graffiti Art). For more information on Classic Hip Hop L.L.C. visit http://www.classichiphopllc.com or e-mail atone@classichiphopllc.com
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IT'S A BIT LONG, BUT A DECENT READ.
http://www.classichiphopllc.com
"Hip Hop Honors" Disrespects Pioneers and Icons of the Culture
Does VH-1 Really Care About Hip Hop? An Inside Look at the Awards Show Reveals More Contempt Than Honor.
By A-tone, the Hip Hop Historian
ClassicHipHopLLC.Com Co-Founder
October 9, 2007
At first glance, it appears that Hip Hop Culture is getting its just due, even though you would expect more of an acknowledgement of Hip Hop's rich history, culture and artistry from MTV or BET rather than the home of "Divas Live". In any case, in its fourth year, the VH-1 "Hip Hop Honors" awards show has become the most anticipated TV event for Hip Hop Culture purists.
Of course, no one expects a tribute to Hip Hop on VH-1 without the latest commercial rappers (coincidentally with new albums to promote) because the channel has to support its bottom-line. That's to be expected. But, it has come to our attention that VH-1 has become increasingly condescending to the very ones that they claim to honor. What follows is a behind-the-scenes view of the taping of the 2007 awards show and the respect (or lack thereof) your favorite Hip Hop legends receive.
Let's start with access to the taping itself. While bulletins were being circulated online to inform folks of ways they could get free passes to the taping (and become members of the "mosh pit"), how do Hip Hop pioneers and icons get access? Are Hip Hop legends treated in similar fashion as Rock-n-Roll legends, like Elvis and the Rolling Stones?
Sources say that there was a special committee set up to handle "denials" of passes to Hip Hop legends that were not considered to be legendary enough. We're not sure who is on this committee but we do know that there was an individual who was designated to field e-mail requests for passes. Sources confirm that e-mails were sent days in advance of the taping but no response was ever received before the taping took place. Roxanne Shante is confirmed as one of the legends that were denied passes in this way.
Let's cut to the night of the awards show taping, Thursday, October 4, 2007. The taping was at the Hammerstein Ballroom which is located on 32nd to 34th Streets in ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Manhattan. There was a red carpet set up for Hip Hop legends to walk on as they entered the taping. However, if an attendee did not have a "Red Carpet Pass", was not a performer or just wasn't recognized as a celebrity, they had to go to the back of the venue to attempt entry.
The back of the venue on 33rd Street had trailers for the performers which were next to the garage entrance where two tables were setup. One table was for the press, the other for "everybody else". While Whodini, Grandmaster Caz and other performers made their way from the trailers to the red carpet, Donnie Simpson (BET's Rap City) DJ Davy DMX ("One for the Treble") and Chuck D of Public Enemy had to wait for 35+ minutes before being allowed to visit the general table by security which had to radio in for approval. According to our sources, there was a general tone of disrespect and ignorance coming from the security staff for anyone that wasn't designated as worthy of honor by VH-1. As a result, an atmosphere of chaos and disorder ensued as security guards began to yell and scream at participants while moving them from one area to another.
Disrespect wasn't just reserved for the non-performers or non-honorees. Charlie Ahearn, the producer of the seminal Hip Hop film, "WildStyle" said that in the past years, when the Hip Hop Honors asked for pictures, they were very respectful but now they became very rude and disrespectful when Mr. Ahearn asked for passes for people to come in to the venue that were a part of "Wild Style". Mr. Ahearn was all but ignored when he said that "these individuals MUST be let in because of their contribution to the movie." It appears that when VH-1 wants something from a Hip Hop legend, the attitude is "peaches and cream" but it changes to disrespect when that same legend would want something from VH-1. "Uncle L" himself, LL Cool J, was allowed entry but had to personally come back to the 33rd Street garage entrance to get his guests in to the venue.
At this point, persons were being moved from space to space while event staff was trying to figure out who needed to go where based on what type of pass (out of several types) that they were able to obtain. While much talking and waiting was going on in the garage area, a number of celebrities walked the red carpet without hindrance: Kel (Fat Albert movie), Sway (MTV host), Rich Nice, Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, CoCo, Whodini, Charlie Ahearn, Fab 5 Freddy, Salt-n-Pepa, A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Nelly, T-Pain, Swizz Beats, Wonder Mike (Sugarhill Gang) and others.
The non-red carpet legends were all given green passes which were the same passes that were available online for the mosh-pitters. The silver passes were for the mezzanine level, where there was food and the taping going on Busta Rhymes and his crew literally ran upstairs with security in tow yelling at them to "don't disrespect" their authority. Other passes were for security and talent. At this point, Chuck D decided to take a seat in the lobby and declared that, "This is the best seat in the house!" Some of the other legends decided to venture down into the mosh pit instead of risking another berating by security. While in the lobby, a VH-1 staffperson gave Chuck D and others silver passes. At this point, Kool Mo Dee and L.A. Sunshine (Treacherous Three) arrived. Doug E. Fresh & L'il Vicious also arrived and their entourage was stopped by security and given a hard time. No such delay was offered to Chris Rock, P. Diddy and Russell Simmons as they were entering with their entourages. Other legends in attendance: O.C. & Tito (Fearless Four), Pebblee Poo, Mele Mel, Kid Creole, Rahim (Furious Five) and Crazy Legs & Fabel (Rock Steady Crew). For the record, there were a number of people of people (mostly White) that were walking about without passes, no questions asked.
As far as the performances, sources state that they went well with a few stand-outs: Bow Wow performing with Snoop, Busta Rhymes performing "Scenario", Tracy Morgan as host, the Wild Style segment with Busy Bee, KRS-1 and Grandmaster Caz, Common performing with A Tribe Called Quest, T.I. performing "Deep Cover", Whodini's performance, and Tribe performing "Award Tour".
Once the taping was over, the disrespect continued with security yelling at the top of their lungs, "Get out of the building!" The Hip Hop Honors stands in direct contrast to MTV's Video Music Awards where ushers were polite and respectful to attendees. It seems that VH-1 needs to learn that honor in Hip Hop Culture does not begin nor end with record sales and the big "I" and little "u" mentality. It begins with mutual respect for all of those that have laid the foundation of Hip Hop and doesn't end even through the current generation of Hip Hoppers. I can't say that I'm surprised to learn of this increasing level of disrespect for our legends in Hip Hop, but it certainly needs to be exposed whenever the opportunity presents itself.
A-tone, the Hip Hop Historian is a co-founder of Classic Hip Hop L.L.C. which is dedicated to the Early Days and Golden Era of Hip Hop Culture that is best represented by Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun via the Arts of DJing, MCing, Breaking and Writing (Graffiti Art). For more information on Classic Hip Hop L.L.C. visit http://www.classichiphopllc.com or e-mail atone@classichiphopllc.com
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