[Interview]: Dr. Cornel West on modern-day Hip Hop, Lupe Fiasco, Talib Kweli & Jay-Z
The Spectrum interviewed Dr. West before his Friday night speech at The Center for the Arts in Buffalo, NY.
They discussed various topics including Obama, Dr. West's childhood and modern-day Hip Hop. Check the Hip Hop part after the jump
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via: LUPEND
Posted by: -Fisha
They discussed various topics including Obama, Dr. West's childhood and modern-day Hip Hop. Check the Hip Hop part after the jump
Continue Reading...
via: LUPEND
Posted by: -Fisha
The Spectrum: Now I’m an old school hip-hop guy, and I know you’re big on that stuff and have even been mentioned in Lupe Fiasco songs. I’m kind of skeptical of modern hip-hop, pop kind of stuff. What’s your view of all of the stuff on the radio?
Dr. West: Guys like Talib Kweli and Lupe Fiasco rap messages and have something to say. Now Jay-Z is on the radio and he’s talented, but he’s just not at the level he use to be at on Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint. The genius is still there, but there’s no more motivation.
The Spectrum: Do you think those artists that are on the radio rap about limited messages are providing bad role models to young African Americans?
Dr.West: They’re not spiritually deep. I’m a libertarian, people have the right to make noise, but there’s a lack of diversity of voices on the radio. Every generation has some music that’s questionable and not overly sophisticated.
Unfortunately, the radio is so systematic. When I was making my album, they said if I made a catchy and booty-shaking single, they’d play it. But that’s not what music should be about, especially the popular songs on the radio.
