From LastEmp.com
“…I am writing this message to the universal Hip-Hop community in response to several reactions I have been made aware of, regarding the verse I delivered on the Sicamore Mixtape. As many of you are aware, the content of the verse was my response to hearing a song being circulated in my community where the artist known as Eminem expressed some negative views of black women. Hearing the song hurt me deeply and reaffirmed my belief that America and its inhabitants, still have a great deal of work to do toward eliminating racism, and racist attitudes. I realize now that I can not excuse myself from this phenomenon, yet before anyone condemns me for releasing the pain that I felt, allow me to explain from whence it came….
Like many other Hip-Hop fans across the globe, I too have been a fan of many of Eminem’s song. On an even more personal note, I have had the opportunity to be in this man’s presence as we both ventured into the grueling, sometimes dangerous caverns of underground rap in the Late 90’s. Seeing his commitment to Hip-Hop culture first hand, I felt that he was a legitimate artist in a realm where obviously African-Americans and Latinos have been at the forefront. It never mattered to me personally that he was of Caucasian decent and a part of the Hip-Hop community. He was skilled, and to me that is all that matters in terms of criteria of an emcee. I found myself defending him in certain circles both in and outside the Hip-Hop artists’ community, while many of my peers would express discontent with his rise in the rap world. Most important of all, I have expressed in two major Hip-Hop publications that the biggest accolade I had for Eminem came from the fact that he seemed to always be respectful of Black and Latino Culture – which has, and always will be synonymous with Hip-Hop Culture.
This is why I was tremendously hurt when I heard the remarks presented in the song disrespecting black women. This is why I felt compelled to respond. As an outspoken member of the Hip-Hop community, self-contained lyrist, friend, brother, uncle, and son of many African-American women, I felt compelled to address, what in my opinion, was another attempt by some of our respected African-American leaders to sweep under the rug, negative racial comments made by popular figures (i.e. john wayne, elvis presley, etc). I felt that this was happening when I heard some of the responses by others to the song. I am writing this now because I do not wish to be added to this list.
AD LOADING...
Looking back with hindsight, I realized the harshness of my words in the freestyle and even though I was responding to hurtful words being thrown towards women in my community, to respond with hurtful words myself makes me no better than my oppressor. I now realize that there are sinister forces at hand behind some of the most pivotal occurrences of conflict within the Hip-Hop Community. I pray that I have not fallen into the deadly trapped placed by these forces. These conspirators against Hip-Hop have instigated conflicts between certain artist in order to see this powerful medium of expression cancel itself out.
I would like to state for the record that if Eminem truly does not have the same negative views towards African-American women, and has atoned for those comments, then who I am to condemn the person he is today. If Russell Simmons and Kevin Muhammad only desire to keep peace within our culture, then I must make the same commitment. To my fans of Caucasian descent, I apolgize if my comments seemed blanketed to include any group of people. As a descendant of the first humanoid life form that lives on this planet, I realize that we are all a part of one, universal consciousness. And like all families, we experience triumph and tragedy, pain and pleasure, conflict and reconciliation. Through my music, I have been admired and accepted by all the flavors of humanity, and wish to continue this experience. From this point forth, I shall strengthen my commitment to reinforcing and channeling the true spirit of Hip-Hop Culture in to creating universal harmony on this planet as well as all other worlds. I thank you for your attention and patience with me.”
