Over the past years it has become blatantly obvious to anyone with half a brain that The Source isn’t interested in ethics whatsoever. From the Made Men fiasco to the Eminem smear campaign, The Source went from a great magazine to a tool to benefit the co-owners failing rap career. The result has been a XXL takeover as the top hip-hop magazine and increasingly desperate measures.
This Saturday (October 9), The Source is holding a “Join the SIPHA: Hip-Hop Voter Education Rally.” Ever the pro-voting activist, Russell Simmons was scheduled to speak at the event. That is, until he pulled out early this week. Source owners Dave Mays and Ray Benzino, already unhappy with Russell when he sided with Eminem, have issued this statement in regards to the Def Jam founder:
“Russell Simmons has been exploiting Hip-Hop for years. We invited, and expected him to participate in the largest annual Hip-Hop weekend of the year, and he bailed from the event because he is afraid of the authenticity and influence of The Source Magazine, and our weekend. Russell is further from Hip-Hop, the community and struggle it represents than he has ever been. Russell is a serious threat to the advancement of the black community, and Hip-Hop culture because he exploits the perception in corporate America that he represents the views of the Hip-Hop community when he does not.
Russell’s call for unity with Eminem, Jimmy Iovine and Interscope Records downplays the seriousness of Eminem’s latest attack on black people, and the incredible legacy of black music, as clearly depicted in his new music video ridiculing Michael Jackson. The true cause of disunity in Hip-Hop is the lack of open dialogue regarding the state of the Hip-Hop music industry, and the role of corporate interests in the destruction of black owned companies and black artists. We invite Russell, Jimmy Iovine, Eminem and Paul Rosenberg to a debate to discuss the future of Hip-Hop and those things that divide us. The Hip-Hop Summit, and Russell Simmons may represent the Hamptons and his rich friends, but they don’t represent the Hip-Hop Community. We expect a huge turnout this weekend in Miami and a larger than ever Source Awards weekend. We remain excited and inspired about our political rally at which we expect thousands to gather for our event.”
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In the past I have made comments about Russell Simmons that are very similar to those made in the first paragraph. The ironic part is that if you replace Russ’ name with The Source, the paragraph is a perfect fit for them as well. The only real difference is that The Source’s crimes against hip-hop are much easier to document. Then again, if you ask the filmmakers responsible for the documentary Beef II, they would argue differently. For those who are unaware, Beef II was to feature a 30 minute segment on the Eminem/Benzino beef which exposes The Source and their shady antics to the tenth degree. You’ll notice I said ‘was to feature.’ The documentary was delayed and all that footage was removed. Did The Source have a hand in this? Of course, but that is whole other story. The bigger question is, will anyone ever see this lost documentary? Of course, in fact, I have it right here. Maybe I’ll have to review the real Beef II and fill ya’ll in, cause that is a whole other story right there…
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