Simmons: 'Leave Rappers To Sing What They Want'
14 May 2007
Simmons: 'Leave Rappers To Sing What They Want'
Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons has called for calm in the ongoing debate about offensive lyrics in rap music, insisting musicians should retain the right to sing using whatever language they want.
Simmons recently recommended the recording and broadcast industries censor the words "bitch, "ho" and "n**ger".
However, he believes it's not the responsibility of rappers to tone down their lyrics, but is instead down to the corporations who distribute hip-hop to do so responsibly.
He says, "I don't see how we should censor artists or think that because they don't say what we want, that we have the right to tell them what to say.
"These are poets. They have every right to say what they want.
"I am not defending the words of rappers, I'm just saying they're truthful and they can be looked at."
Simmons recently recommended the recording and broadcast industries censor the words "bitch, "ho" and "n**ger".
However, he believes it's not the responsibility of rappers to tone down their lyrics, but is instead down to the corporations who distribute hip-hop to do so responsibly.
He says, "I don't see how we should censor artists or think that because they don't say what we want, that we have the right to tell them what to say.
"These are poets. They have every right to say what they want.
"I am not defending the words of rappers, I'm just saying they're truthful and they can be looked at."
Contactmusic
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