In my 65 years of living I have actually experienced racism on every level. Now I just only Wonder who is the GOD, they have been praying to . Yes when their time do come for them to meet their maker, my God will already know their heart because of the evil and racist ways towards my black people , America so true ☢️🗽
Honestly I never thought I’d see a piece like this on a major news network. Gives off real “old school journalism” vibes ya know. Keep on keepin on brother.
🤣🤣✌️ are you pro police or not? I know you’re pro crime already. Go dem cities. And like dems care about free speech. That issue is why I used to be a democrat.
@@TowardTreatise I'm anti crime especially when committed by police.nota bene : I have never experienced the things written in these songs. But I accept the veracity of the composers lyrics.
@@georgeb.wolffsohn30 well good, the stats will please you. Defund the police is stupid. Unless it’s a dem atrocity to expand the federal influence on the police force. Seems how that’s going.
It doesn't support justice if the police are allowed to get away with crimes. I'll bet there are thousands of police nodding their heads in agreement with me right now. The officers who commit these acts make it harder on the good cops who strive to protect and defend their neighborhoods..
Ari you are so great! i appreciate your support on so many issues. There is so much discrimination going on in this country. Please help us. Please Arie!!!!
Thank you, Ari, for always bringing light and truth to the sad and despicable racism in our country, and for supporting our brothers and sisters of color, many of them the most talented humans on the planet...in many more ways than just art. Thanks again.
Ari always keeps it real. His voice is vital in pointing out the historical injustices and systematic hypocrisy in a system that has victimized African Americans by sustaining ignorance, greed and fear. I appreciate his efforts.
All the stuff I'm trying to teach my 15 y/o son into rap and music history: It all comes from a time and place, and all these artists were thrust by their place and time to create these lasting songs. Amazing stuff Ari!
😤 They need to publicly apologize to Sister Souljah. I studied her first book 'No Disrespect" in my first year of undergraduate school. It changed my life. I began performing poetry on stage in NYC venues. Decided to use my own life to empower others. And today, I'm completing my dissertation for my PhD. So how dare they or Clinton. And, dear dear Ari... how I wish I could marry you. 😌💚 Thank you for what your show does.
Thank you for showing the true side of Hip Hop and Rap. I remember those old news stories and fear of the Rappers back in the 80s & 90s. I believed them. Now I understand how the politicians and others were not seeing the art & poetry the artists were singing/rapping about. They were speaking their truths about what it was like growing up Black in a white world. We need to shine more light on the Black communities and bring change. We all are equal.
That was beautifully said Mr. Melber. The first step in fixing anything is acknowledging the problem. We need a societal change is perspective relating to race in America.
I'm a teacher educating 14-15 year old students. I try to hide how desperately I am trying to teach them equality, justice, dignity, respect, integrity, and honor... sometimes music and culture are the best ways to contextualize history. I got into teaching to help create a better world. As a teacher, when I get my students to look up at me from their phones, I feel vindicated, but then the weekend rolls around, and I feel defeated thinking, "why am I competing with a phone, social media, and video games?" Then I start teaching about slavery , abolition, and civil rights and I think, "please identify with the good guys and imagine yourself walking in a slave's footsteps", and when they do, I think, "I have completed my mission". We mustn't repeat the mistakes of history and we must create a better future for all. Vote.
Gil-Scott Heron and Tupac. Ari, your shows are so informative, meaningful and educational. You are so refreshing compared to these other stations regurgitating the same old stuff.
Ari-- You are something and someone special! Every once in awhile when you leave the desk and interview someone face to face, I see small parts of your beliefs in the bracelets you wear and small details in the words you choose and I feel there's a man in there that is much more poetic and creative than the confines of MSNBC will ever let you share. You are young, and there is time, and I believe your time will come to share what you hold back about who you are the deeply held values you hold so tight. I see that in you, and I've wondered if others see something so significant in you and your work. Thank you for the job well done!!
Awesome job! This is great! Loved every bit of it!!! This was a treat. I hope it reaches people who need it, and not just us who appreciate and already believe it.
Truth has no bias, no ideology, but the truth HURTS! You can see who it hurts by who, in this case, screams the loudest. Great job, Ari... Keep it up. Is ignorance truly bliss? I think not.
Ari, you inform and educate us all with every broadcast! I've said/intimated it all before in previous comments, but you really are a great 'factual' analysist of everything (past and present) that is happening in the US - politically, legally and 'culturally'! Keep up the great work - you are appreciated and valued!
So glad you gave props to Gil Scott Heron. One of the all time best and along with the Last Poets progenitors of Hip Hop. We often overlook the power and influence of Sam Cook and Billy Holiday and I love that you highlight their contributions. Excellent show. Ari Melber be like him. Dare to struggle. Dare to win.
Thanks for the great music history lesson Ari, and for shining a light on the original American sin of racism that seemingly will never end. Unfortunately, many people in the United States along with the government (to score political points) have always harassed artists who in any way questioned the status quo, and for using their art to advocate for progressive change. This is especially bad for black artists, but other artists like John Lennon and Pete Seeger also endured this treatment. And of course, we had the Blacklist in the 1950's when a lot of artists of all colors could not work in their field. In the past, Paul Robeson, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, and many others were treated extremely bad in this country. And when President Nixon started the war on drugs in 1971, he had ulterior motives. His advisor John Ehrlichman finally admitted the following in an interview in 1994 in Harpers Magazine, Mr. Ehrlichman said, “You want to know what this was really all about?” He went on: “The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and Black people. You understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or Black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and Blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.” And it seems like this endless war on drugs, combined with the endless racism, is so entrenched in the legal system now that it continues to affect each new generation of black artists, including the rappers of today. Thanks again for bringing light to this. I did not expect to see this on the corporate news media. You deserve praise for reporting on this issue.
Awesome recap of the history of some music artists. Ari Melber is MSNBC’s ‘Music Meister’. I wasn’t aware of what happened to Billie Holiday - that was truly nauseating.
People want to act like opinions in the past, that aren't seen as controversial now, weren't just as or even more controversial at the time. As if this is something new. History matters.
The more I learn, the deeper my respect for the American Blacks grows. In spite of all that they have endured over hundreds of years, they remain (largely) gentle, loving and supremely patient and optimistic. They are among our best actors, poets, musicians, athletes, artists, hard working businessmen and blue collar workers. They certainly have a lot more soul in every sense of the word than whites. I want to see them treated better and have them reach the potential that they are obviously capable of.
@@shondraclemons8358 Anyone who is backing the democratic socialist party is building death camps as the talk anger and fear of their fellow man. Joe Biden just gave the most evil national address at the Independence Hall. I speech more Hitler like than has ever been spoken by an American President as he used a broad brush to paint half the country as enemies of the state! The democrat party uses the far-left ideology to drive divides and build up anger in its followers until it explodes & that triggered individual snaps & starts shooting everyone in sight. Cashless Bail a democrat policy of INSANITY.
When an old tree is sick and diseased like America, we need to call a tree surgeon to amputate the diseased part. We need radical changes in this political system , if not by revolution or drastic measure. God helps America!
Billy Holiday handcuffed to her hospital death bed just mind blowing. I just heard this for the first here and now. So thank you for pointing it out. Time doesn’t erase injustice does it? Not at all.
Over 400 tears - Over 400 years of Abuse . Astounding ! When I hear someone use the N word I find they are really speaking about themselves - A ignorant person - they are really saying who they are . A ignorant person . It's hard to find Peace and Love in such a evil world . Peace .
Let me school you on something Mr Frank if you actually look at the n word KRS-One actually has published the book since he is a college professor in the state of Missouri and he has the book called the history of the N Word and in that book it actually traces back that word which is negus n***** in the Bible and African language stands for King I were you I would literally try to find krs's book on it educate yourself the n word was actually way before the colonizers took it and made it negative it was actually a positive calling each other kings which as I said before it traces back to the word negus which means king
Why did Brandon sell out America to our enemies & enrich his crime family & take for himself, ‘10% for da bigg guy’ confirmed on crackkk head Hunters laptop?
Thank you Ari for sharing this piece. It's amazing!!! The answer is they don't want to face their history. Why...because it's DESTRUCTIVE!!! Thus country was raised on BRUTALITY of others. SURPRESSION of those that DON'T LOOK LIKE THEM!!!
When one discusses urban Black music, also called "rap", there is a truth that cannot be ignored, but also apparently cannot be discussed. Mainstream media, mostly white-controlled and operated, is the "gatekeeper" of what the public hears and sees in the media, and very few Black people are in the position of being part of that group. Those fortunate enough to break in still tread very softly, for fear of being kicked out of the "club". So Jay-Z releases a work that goes to #1 on the charts, but that is only because the programming sheets given to outlets allowed it to be on the rotation playlist. While true that many "rappers" promote materialism and excessive hedonism, often with an accompanying disregard for the rule of the law, it is the "gatekeepers" who determine that the public will hear it. For every "rapper" out there, there are at least 10,000 truly gifted singers, instrumentalists and producers who aren't running with gangs, or living the "street life" but are creating musically significant work, but you'll never hear it, because they don't fit the desired stereotype which the "gatekeepers' want to sell to the world. I posit that they intentionally choose songs that portray Black people as "uncivilized", or "dangerous", then make sure that such an image is spread around the world, so people become disinclined to try to do business with Black artists, unless there are white people controlling the strings. They intentionally pick people from dangerous street environments, let them have just enough money to become dangerous to themselves, then when the "street life" resurfaces, they point to dead "rappers" and posit that "See, this is how those people are".This of course means that any money generated by such work first passes through white hands, where most of it gets stuck. As far as politicians using Black music as a handle upon which to rationalize their racism, if they didn't have that, they would use some other handle, and if they find no handle to use, they will make one up, because such is their nature.
@@AminaPhilosophy Forced? Debatable at best. But chosen because they are willing to do so for the money? Yes, absolutely. Just like the women who choose to be demeaned, or demean themselves in such videos, they do it for the money. A person trapped in a society where money is necessary for survival, but where dignified, well-paying, legal opportunities to earn a living are scarce, if they exist at all, has little choice but to get whatever money is offered, which is demeaning in itself. A more appropriate question would be why are the actual singers and performers who have extraordinary talent, who don't need to participate in demeaning videos, not being given the same airtime? It is established fact that the media chooses who becomes a "star" and who does not, not the public. The saddest part is that most of the money that such debasement generates, doesn't go to the performers, but to non-black "gatekeepers".
If rap music, words, and poetry are being put to that test, what are we supposed to expect from all the footage of the dangerous, vitrioric and inciendary screeds we have gotten from tRump rallies for a good over 6 yrs? Can we expect for him to be charged and tried for that?
I almost cried with joy that a national broadcast station would allow you to really speak the truth. It’s amazing to hear you articulate what we as African-Americans has been saying for decades. I salute you and pray for you because I know the backlash of you telling the truth will be deep. But we stand with you as you stand with us✊🏾
Ari, your forte! Portrayals of rappers through their lyrics so much so, that it’s ingrained in your soul (heart). Your purpose in the flesh. Thank you! 👍❤️
They seem like halcyon days now, even with the institutional racism and bigotry. There was a sense of hope and optimism that things would only get better. How far we have fallen.
The other 2 (white, British) members of The Jimi Hendrix Experience are on record as saying how shocked they were, when touring parts of the States, to play to segregated audiences … a strange country indeed, still.
Music and other forms of art have been expressions of history always. 20yrs ago I studied Music in Non-Western Cultures and Music in Asian Countries. Along with these subjects I've studied Music History. Every country has utilised music in protest, demonstration, and depiction of life. I love the artist and song choices you made today and I would add songs like Eve of Destruction, I Was Only 19, and And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda as evidence of this. It angers me that some would try to oppress vital songs of protest, story telling, et al. May MUSIC live beyong the wishes of the few. I would add that during the days of the USSR, Russia endeavoured to obliterate the culture and history of its oppressed peoples through the banning of music that inspired pride. This has happened all over the world where authoritarian rule is/was prevalent.
I've been around rap since it's early beginnings I even washed the cars of sugar Hill gang & Eddie Murphy lol, the art of rap music was fun and expressive to the issues of the people, then it became weaponized "gangster rap" but now I'm not quite sure what it is, maybe a great big blend of good bad and awful.
No Mr Clinton, reversing the words "black and white" is meaningless unless you reverse the power disparity between poc and whites as well. Walking a mile in another's shoes means nothing if you're not willing to travel the same road.
Ari, I pray that God continue to guide and lead you to always shine light on the truth. The very first time that I heard you, I know that your heart is at the right place. Continue to speak for the brothers and sisters
How you going to blame rap for the movies we see, the videos games we play, and the sinister volience we've seen at the nation's capital, and, the social media platforms that we don't own. And when you had a President that said "Get those son's of B words off the field" is a insult to anyone who has a imagination, and to one's concept of reality. Close mindedness!! Thank you!! Mic'22
This is long overdue. The truth hurts but it must be told. Mr Melber, this show was 10/10. Pure journalism speaking truth to power. Today, tomorrow and always. Keep on keeping on...
The people attacking rap music need to stop and ask themselves where its coming from. Many of these guys didn't make it up out of whole cloth, it comes from somewhere. So instead of addressing these lived experiences and asking where its coming from we say its uncivil, its disrespectful. Well, you know, its also disrespectful to ignore someone's lived experiences.
Two party systems are the worst is what im figuring from all this. You only get to choose one or the other, always on a dangerous line of losing our way of life. Feels messed up all together.
