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Questlove Responds to Ashley Judd's Attack on Hip-Hop

Posted Apr 8th 2011 7:30PM by Latifah Muhammad
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FilmMagic, Getty Images

On Thursday (April 7), the BoomBox reported on actress Ashley Judd's criticism of hip-hop music, writing it off as "rape music," as well as her harsh words aimed at artists like Diddy. Now, a prominent member of the culture is hitting back.

Roots drummer Questlove addressed Judd via his Twitter page, commenting on their interaction, or lack thereof, during her appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show. "hmmm. at least i got my answer as to why ash judd didn't give us so much as a nod on her last visit. im a criminal [sic]," he wrote.

The Philly native also compared her rant to Oprah Winfrey, who has long been vocal about her disdain towards hip-hop music, for its use of bad language and misogynistic lyrics. "EVERY genre of music has elements of violence," he continued, in response to a fan's comment regarding the matter. "It speaks MORE volumes that in rap only a certain side gets promoted."

In a passage from her book, 'All That Is Bitter, and Sweet,' Judd attacked Diddy and Snoop Dogg for their charity work with non-profit organization YouthAIDS, theorizing that their support of the company was hypocritical.

"YouthAIDS created hip, public service announcements for TV and radio using popular local and international celebrities and athletes and was participating in the MTV World AIDS Day 'Staying Alive' concerts," she wrote. "Along with other performers, YouthAIDS was supported by rap and hip-hop artists like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy to spread the message ... um, who? Those names were a red flag. As far as I'm concerned, most rap and hip-hop music -- with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as 'ho's' -- is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny."

Judd has been on a national tour promoting the book, which was released April 5. The explosive nature of the memoir -- in which she also characterizes her mother, country singer Naomi Judd, as neglectful, and reveals that she was sexual abused -- has led to some to believe that her words are merely a publicity stunt.

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openeies4

I am a conscience African American woman and I say, thank you to Ashley Judd!

While I do know there is some very positive, hip hop and rap music out there that draws my ears to the, teachable lyrics, (Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Kool Herc and todayâ€™s underground hip hop/rap), there is such a dominant misogynist type of hip hop/rap that we as African American women and African America men should speak loudly to. This sick, nasty, lowlife sound we call poetic music is self hate crap, and some of us have the nerve to defend the garbage, well I donâ€™t! Why should I let Caucasian folk tell us how shitty weâ€™ve become in our music, outrageous in our mannerisms and many other bad ways that weâ€™ve acquired and continue to pass on to our innocent children just to act, and speak and make bad music in that same lowlife degrading way in the name of that almighty dollar.

Black mothers, you know who you are and the ugly behavior your rapping, booty shaking children acquired. You just want that money.

Yes, Iâ€™d like to see my children do better than me but not at the expense of becoming a misogynist rapper or booty shaking gutter rat. Just because you are poor doesnâ€™tâ€™ mean you need to loose your goodness and thank God! my children are doing quite well, living quite well, keeping their pride, dignity and self respect in tact and all they had to do is work hard and reap the benefits without shaking booty or making filthy rap videos and ugly rap words.

These few low lives will get lots of attention as appose to most of us who have kept our pride, dignity, greatness and positive attitudes.

Just because "EVERY genre of music has elements of violence," Does not mean we need to continue to make it even worse, without subtlety, nothing to make a young mind think or wonder, use their youthful imagination. Some of us just throw it out there like a dirty old rag to land on someone and infect their minds to become as sick as ours. Just because the Ugly Dog and Crummy Diddy do their charity does not compare to the filthy infection theyâ€™ve given to millions of children and young adultsâ€™ minds. They can only reach but so many with their charity but reach millions with their filth.

I walk in many black small shopping areas and neighborhoods and the filth I hear our black children speaking. Most of them speak from some hip hop, bad rap crap.
And donâ€™t say the crap like monitor your children, many do but just like when you were young there was always a way someone who would get a hold of or tell you something extremely unsavory. Some young people have weak minds and others have strong minds and canâ€™t be led astray. And I believe the weak will surely use your filthy hip hop to get attention because thatâ€™s how you all got it by making filthy misogynistic hip hop.

You all are just todayâ€™s white manâ€™s Uncle Tom and then you do charity to cleanse you betraying souls.

When I see destructive black children, I approach them with respecft and have quite interesting conversations with them about the positive and the negative ways weâ€™ve acquired. I leave them with something to think about as do they with me.

How many of you so called Black/African American men and women have spoken with children and just try to let them know that there are many up-standing ways to earn a living and you donâ€™t always have to work for some one else if you choose but is takes education and hard work and the rewards will come. And you certainly donâ€™t have to be a todayâ€™s Uncle Tom.

April 13 2011 at 12:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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