The Darker Side of Black - ACE274.7

Musician, Money Love, talking about experiences with male musicians in the recording studio. Chuck D saying that language and attitudes stem from the fact that black people have been taught to hate themselves. Musicians/Brand Nubian, Lord Jamar, Sadat X, Sincere: one says that the music "rewards women that do right … and live according to their nature". Rose suggests that hip hop deals with sex as a means of control; women become "symbols of pseudo-power" in a context which gives the illusion of power. Suggs says that rap’s homophobic and misogynist attitudes are not held by the whole of the black community, and he is concerned that adolescent boys whose views are not thought through are being allowed to speak for that community. Brand Nubian say their song Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down (1993) is not "gay bashing". Caption indicates that they refused permission for the video to be included in the film. Suggs talks about the gay community’s response to the record. Young gay black men on a New York Street. Commentary says that the violence stems from the attackers’ fears of their own homosexual feelings. "Inside every homie exterior lies a homo interior." Part of video of Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy’s Language of Violence (1992). Musician/Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Michael Franti, talks about the message of the song as being against more than just homophobia.