Hip-Hop To Blame For Derrion Albert's Murder?

The brutal September murder of Derrion Albert left many of us scratching our heads, wondering who we could blame for such a senseless act.  Was it simply a mob mentality?  Was poverty to blame?  Turf wars? Ignorance? Or, was it the music?  One rapper says it was the music.

Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco says Hip-Hop should take some of the blame for Derrion's murder.  Lupe says Hip-Hop promotes negative things like violence.  In an interview with Chicago radio station WGCI, Lupe said more of his fellow rappers need to step up to the plate.

“Hip-Hop has to take some fault for that. Just in the fact that the amount of violence and the amount of negativity that's in Hip-Hop and the music, it attributes to so much that goes on, negatively, in the hood.”

Lupe went on to say the more positive stuff, sadly, can't seem to find a place on mainstream radio.

“It lacks entertainment value. It lacks a certain kind of hype around it. A certain “coolness” about it. So it doesn't fit on the radio.”

Lupe said he hasn't been doing enough to use his celebrity to promote more of a positive message to kids.  One person who has been using his street cred in the Chi is Twista, who met with some of the young people who were there for Derrion's beating death.
 
So, what's your call... should rappers and other entertainers become more involved in promoting a positive element to kids?  Or, is it the parents' job?  Does it still "take a village?"
 
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David Banner Speaks Out Against Derrion Albert's Murder

Add David Banner to the short list of hip hop celebs who are stepping forward with anti-violence songs, open letters and pleas for healingin the wake of Chicago honor student Derrion Albert's murder. Banner's new song "Something Is Wrong" dropped on YouTube today. He touches on everything from violence to gay teens to sexual violence. Whoa!

Take a listen...

Nas Speaks on Chicago Violence

Nas has been one of the few celebs to step up and speak out against the violence taking place on the streets of Chicago (and many other urban areas). He penned an Open Letter to Young Warriors after the video taped beating death of Derrion Albert hit the Internet.

Over the weekend, Nas hit the CNN airwaves to talk about the deadly street violence and what (if any) role music plays in the healing process.

Brew Commentary: Does Chicago Deserve The Olympics?

Yesterday, we told you about the brutal beating death of Derrion Albert in Chicago. All because the honor student walked into a street fight between other kids. That case got me thinking about the ongoing black-on-black/youth-on-youth crime taking place in Chicago. And it led me to ponder: in light of what's going on there, does this city really deserve a chance to host the 2016 Olympics?

When (or, if) the Olympics makes it to Chicago, will its violence problem simply be swept under the rug or buried in the B section, after all the glorious stories of Olympic gold?

Our president, Chicago's adopted son, is campaigning hard to woo the Olympic committee. President and First Lady Obama are even traveling to Copenhagen this week to lobby on behalf of the Windy City. An unprecedented move, especially for a wartime-recession president with so much on his plate.

Shouldn’t President Obama be lobbying equally as hard for more afterschool programs in Chicago to give kids constructive things to do after 3 pm? Should he be lobbying hard for a ban on guns? How about more year-round student-job programs to give kids opportunities to build resumes, develop professional skills AND make money legally? Should he be lobbying for a sweeping clean-up of Chicago's school system and its legendary corrupt political machine? Or, perhaps lobbying for all of the above?

In the race to make this era post-racial and this presidency not about 'race,' has this White House missed a key opportunity to break ground on combating black-on-black crime than any previous politicians have?

Why has this White House been so noticeably silent about what ills Chicago (and many other cities)? Even CNN has taken note by producing a lengthy series on Chicago's violence problem. This president is teetering inside a unique bubble: one that could burst if he pays TOO MUCH attention to race. But, it could also pop if he doesn't address it ENOUGH.

We all know it takes a village, but is it also THIS president's job to make ending Chicago's youth violence problem a priority? Should he make it as much of a priority as he's making bringing Olympic dollars to the Magnificent Mile?

What's your call?

Nas to Derrion Albert's Killers..... "You are Fighting the Wrong War"

Nas wrote this open letter to the children responsible for Derrion's death. He came at it from a "been where you are" perspective rather than a scathing tongue lashing.

Here it is....

Dear Young Warriors, Fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Being hurt from the lost of a love one was never cool. Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong war! I know that feeling , that frustration with life and needing to take it out on someone, any one. But…. We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for.

I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, fila’s , and name plate chains. Deaths over “he say she say”!!!!! “I’m from This block or I’m from that block”, or “my moms n pops is f*cked up now the whole world gotta pay”!!! I remember feeling like I was the hardest “n*gga” breathin. And I couldn’t wait to prove it. But let’s think. What r we really proving?? And proving what to who??

Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state feels your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household. You have the ability and mind power to change they way we are looked at. Look who’s watching us young warriors, look who’s throwin us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Lovin to bury us in the ground or in jail were we continue this worthless war on one another.

Young warriors…. We are WASTING more and more time. We gotta get on our jobs and take over the world. Cuz This movie left the theaters years ago, Juice, Menace, boys n the hood , blood n blood out, Belly! When we see each other why do we see hatred? Why were we born in a storm, born soldiers, WARRIORS….and instead of building each other up we are at war with each other..

May the soul of this young person find peace with the almighty. I’m with you young warriors. You’re me and I’m you. But trust me! you are fighting the wrong war. -Nas

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Student Beaten to Death

"I love black people, but I hate n$#$as..." Chris Rock, Bring the Pain, 1996.
Exactly how I feel writing about this next story. A gang of ignant negrids on the South Side of Chicago beat a 16-year-old Fenger High School honor roll student to death while dozens of people watch and even laughed. Word on the curb is that Derrion Albert was killed because he didn't want to join a gang. Some dudes (probably all lookin' like Lil Wayne) beat Albert with 2x4's. Bystanders caught some of the beating on tape and police say they were able to pinpoint some of the alleged attackers. A memorial service is scheduled for today at 2pm. To add insult to injury someone torched a makeshift memorial put up in Albert's memory. What's wrong with people? Chicago get a grip. Ya'll over there protesting Fantasia not being at the Color Purple, stand up for this brewshyt! Kanye feel free to interupt this extremebitchassness going down in your hometown! I'm temporarily trading in my race card. I can't claim ya'll today. Goodbye!

If you want to see "your people" act a fool click on the link...warning it's extremely graphic.


The Witches are extending our sympathy to Derrion Albert's family. May he rest in peace.