DMX should love Arizona

Did You hear about the slap in the face of Justice? I’m not talking about the defense’s claims in the Merserhle case (he killed Oscar Grant on January 1st this year), but DMX in Arizona.

Yes, DMX – otherwise known as Earl Simmons or by his inmate number - has skated away from the repercussions of his actions yet again. The reason he has escapes me completely. I imagine that the Judge and Prosecutor must be enormous fans of his rap music.

To bring you up to speed, DMX (Simmons) had been arrested for drugs, weapon possession, animal cruelty (dog fighting pitbulls of course), evading arrest, theft, and potentially fraud. For the sum of these charges, plus speeding, he served all of 80 days in jail. Again that is eighty days. You would think the Court was his love slave to get off so lightly.

But there’s more. While serving the mockery of time, DMX assaulted an officer. That offense, from an inmate known for repeat violations of the law and in a penal institution, normally would have severe consequences. But this is one of the more popular jesters of the music industry these days. He has even expanded his minstrel act to include farces that some call movies, really bringing in money for the executives that I imagine are bankrolling vacations for the Court in lieu of his sentences.

What might such a lucky and obviously stupid [he keeps committing crimes and getting caught – I call that stupid] criminal entertainer have to say about all this?

“Don't misunderstand me. It's a beautiful state, it's a beautiful city. But the powers that be have it out for me. It kind of taints my view.”

Yes the powers that be are tainting his view of Arizona. It has nothing to do with his multiple violations of laws in that state. It has nothing to do with the Court sticking its figurative head up its own ass to help out Simmons. Blame the system even in the face of the obvious. Brilliant.

Perhaps the view DMX has is tainted because he is spoiled. He is being treated like he has made some act of importance for mankind. That will warp anyone’s viewpoint, especially a mere petty criminal and rapper.

To really help DMX get some perspective, and at the same time providing for the safety of Arizona, I suggest that the next time he gets arrested and convicted of a crime he gets treated like a regular criminal. Not a Black criminal – that would be overly harsh – but like any other joe bloe doing these things. And to make sure that the 3rd strike really sunk in, I’d charge him the cost that the State would normally pay to imprison him. If the time doesn’t make him straighten out his act, the fine might.

Either way there would be some semblance of Justice. And all the kids that follow his career thinking he is someone to emulate; they might just be even a slight bit more civil and law abiding. Which is reason enough for me.

DMX vs Maricopa County - the wrong one wins

Oh the joy of the holiday season just does not end. At least that is what DMX is saying right now.

Earl Simmons got a late gift in the form of a plea deal. This rapper who seems incapable of avoiding a criminal act, or police, admitted guilt to one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, one felony count of theft, and one count each of felony possession of marijuana and a narcotic drug. He has been busy indeed.

And for admitting his guilt, which no one questioned, he will receive the grand total of ... 90 days and probation.

Screw a gift, who might he have had sex with to get that sentence. And I wonder if he paid them after he got done?

Seriously. Wesley Snipes was proven innocent of all charges except 3 misdemeanors with the full weight of the U.S. Government against him and the media lapdogs doing phenomenal bits of staging to make him look guilty as hell. Snipes got 3 years.

Michael Vick got 23 months Federal and 3 years State for his animal cruelty. And he deserves every minute of that.

A minor rapper wanna-be Rico Wright got 20 years and 20 years probation for shooting a guy and making a rap about it.

Akon got community service for throwing a minor off of a stage in front of dozens of witnesses and more than a few police officers.

TI got away with voting though he is a convicted felon.

Remy Ma got 8 years for assault, weapon possession and attempted coercion. And she "accidentally" shot a woman.

Is anyone noticing a trend here?

What the hell is wrong with the legal system. If you or I were charged and convicted with any of the things these rappers have done, repeatedly, we wouldn't see the light of day for a decade - with a plea bargain. And the bigger they are, the more the legal system is willing to ignore.

Snipes was facing 17 years if convicted. He was found innocent of everything but minor issues that normally get probation. yet he will spend more time in jail than DMX and Akon combined. And I don't think either man was allowed to vote.

Considering the way the legal system has been I would have expected Wright to have walked out the door, but I guess his song didn't get a big fat record company deal first. No wonder young kids are looking at rap as a way to live. The bigger the star the more insanely stupid things you can do with little consequence. How can we expect kids to live by the rules when the people they spend unknown hours listening to and mimicking are flaunting the law and getting away with it.

I'm glad that 2008 is ending. And that we have these examples to look at as we enter 2009. I hope judges are looking over the cases in 2009 and seeing what a revoltingly perverse job they are doing.

These criminals don't deserve to be paid, or to get glorified in music videos or movies (talk about a stupid and blisteringly dumb waste of money and talent. Yet sure to make a profit). They need to be in jails, not concert halls. They need to be serve penitence, not get served drinks.

It's one thing to be Slick Rick. But there is no question of the remorse of DMX, Akon, Remy Ma and so many others. There may be an argument to be made about their sellout shuck and jive for record executives, but outright crimes should never be excused.

If I were the people of Maricopa County I would be sure to start the New Year by calling up the District Attorney's office (602-506-3411) and let them know they need to do better in 2009. And then I'd follow that with a letter to the major record labels (to many to list but you can find them on Google) asking them to have a shred of ethics in how they reap in their money. Big Oil is bad? How about the people supplying your kids with heaping doses of convicts and ex-cons as examples of success.

The year can't end fast enough.

Bad tattoo ideas from Lindsey Lohan and India

So as I was wandering the web reading thru a few posts, websites and news reports for something of interest in the tattoo world I ran into 2 items. One is on Lindsey Lohan; the other is on tooth tattooing.

All I have to say about the normally alcohol and cocaine besodden entertainer is that the tattoos she has gotten to match her girlfriend is a stupid thing to do. Just as I would never advocate getting the name of a spouse or partner (though children and especially deceased parents makes perfect sense) tattooed anywhere on a body, the same applies to tattoos of any symbolic nature. Though the stars and hearts they have now seem rather basic, if these women ever break up (Hollywood entertainer splitting-up? Impossible) they will have the same situation as if they had inscribed the other former-significant other’s name on them.

As for tooth tattooing, what? I didn’t know such a thing was possible let alone desired. But in fact it is. It’s becoming popular in India at the moment, and I would have to imagine that it’s only a matter of short time before some rapper abandons their silly metal filled mouth accessories for this new event.



The positive about a tooth tattoo is the fact that it is easily removable. Of course like all tattoos a professional should be the one doing the work, lest damage be caused.

But I still have to wonder why? I understand the fact that like most tattoos this would only be visible if it is shown off. My 4 tattoos can’t be seen unless I remove my shirt and display it, this would be the same idea. Except at a distance – say in an interview – it would look like you have spinach in your teeth.

And what might you put on a tooth? You really can’t put in a lot of detail, it’s too small. Too many colors and your teeth look diseased to a casual observer. Too many tattoos and you look like a stereotype of a redneck. It just seems to promote the look of anything but clean and attractive.

Now I’m not saying that tattoos look unclean or unattractive. I think they can look great. And I’m not saying that teeth that look so white as to be reflective are any more attractive than a bar of soap. But there is a line for my preferences.

I’d love to hear from someone in India that has one of these tattoos. Maybe that would shed some light on the subject.

Until then I suppose I just have to wait for the inevitable rapper to ‘highlight’ yet another fad for their teeth that will be done in a manner that only entertainment executives with products to sell would love.

Akon shows his fan appreciation - 6.4.2007.2

Now how can I not comment on the recent actions by hip hop artist Akon? There are numerous incidents of the violence that many rappers and other artists propagate seemingly daily. Most of these incidents occur at night, in a club or strip club, but it’s not uncommon to hear about transgressions in airports or on city streets. This though is a new low, and some media seem more than happy to cover it up.


Some may be aware, in a recent performance, that Akon assaulted a fan during the concert. It seems that both on purpose or by accident a fan threw an object at the stage and hit the entertainer. Akon stopped performing in the middle of a song and had the kid brought to the stage. The kid was then lifted onto the stage, picked up by the artist, and forcibly thrown off the stage. The kid had no clue any of this was going to happen, and was quite startled while it was happening. Akon then tells the crowd how lonely he feels (as best as I can tell) and begins to continue performing, having stated “he’s alright.”

I wasn’t there, so I’m guessing at the exact words. According to the Poughkeepsie Journal this entire event was simply an enthusiastic entertainer helping fan ‘crowd surf.’ Isn’t that nice. Reading their published article one would think it was quite harmless. Even the general manager, Mr. Jason Finkelburg, and Fishkill Police Chief, Don Williams, seem to feel it was unimportant. To their benefit, neither was at the event.

I would guess that the reporter wasn’t there either, or missed the event. I say this because it’s all hogwash. At best it’s poor reporting, at worst it’s a media cover-up, protecting entertainers that behave maliciously because they bring money in. How could I possibly say this? What gives me any more right than what was reported and said since I wasn’t there [and I couldn’t get paid enough to be there]? Because there is a video of the event.

It’s just that simple. And the video can be seen on the Poughkeepsie Journal’s site. Obviously, in my opinion, the reporter failed to view it. If they had then I would imagine they would see it quite differently. It seems obvious that Akon isolates grabs and throws this fan with intent to harm him. There is no music during the whole incident, no explanation. The kid looks bewildered. The police officers shown in the video seem as startled as everyone else. The throw was hardly anything friendly or helpful. I’ve seem more kindness in a mosh pit.

The fans cheered this whole event. They thought it was great, seeing this entertainer enact violence on someone that could have just as easily been them. Imagine if it was your kid. Imagine if the kid was hurt.

Think about the fact that often hip hop artists and rappers go out and try to outdo each other in acts of violence and rudeness, in an effort to maintain their ‘street cred’. Absolute idiocy. But it happens all the time. So what do all the other tough, bad-ass, malefactors and nay-do-well’s do? What is the next step in this genre? Entertainers in gansta rap have already molested unwary women from the audience on stage, now this ups the ante. Perhaps an actual beatdown on stage. Or a gang rape. If neither of the other acts already done on stage caused a consequence, why should these.

I don’t know. I don’t pay to see an entertainer who pisses in my cornflakes, or those of a friend. I don’t want to see a wrestling match at a music show. Especially when it’s the equivalent of a sucka-punch, and the performer is surrounded by police officers and bodyguards. Yeah, Akon looked real impressive and manly. [That’s sarcasm for those that don’t get it]

I won’t say all rappers or hiphop artists act like this, but more than enough do. New rappers and many other entertainers try harder than the few that last a while. Too many take pride in being a bullet magnet, a dealer of death (drug dealer), and having a trail of women used for their bodies and children without fathers. The trend isn’t getting better, and newspapers misreporting these acts do harm to the general public.

This is what I think, what do you think?

**audio for this post can be found at http://www.blackentertainmentblog.com/audio-post/audio.html

He-man, Young Jeezy, Presidential candidates - 6.4.2007.1

As the half way mark approaches on the Robin Roberts book giveaway contest, I want to mention that there is still time to get in. There has been a lot of activity so far but there is always a chance of winning a copy. Winners will be selected on the 10th so tell your friends.

In other update news, the current status of the online poll choosing which Presidential candidate should be the President in 2008 continues to be a close one. According to the poll on this site, 34% are looking for Senator Obama to win. Senator Obama is closely followed by Senator Clinton with 26%, and then Senator McCain with 16%, and Mr. Giuliani at 13%. There are your front runners. I may update the poll (which will require a restart) to include Mr. Fred Thompson, and other candidates of both parties. If you go by Rasmussen Reports the current leaders are Mr. Rudy Giuliani (60% for Republican) and Senator Obama (58% for Democrat). Keep voting until the real vote comes. Every vote counts!

In less serious thoughts, and this really can’t be too serious, the preparations for a He-man movie are moving along. Yes, the most laughable cartoon series of the 80’s is being made into a movie. Why? I think all original thought in Hollywood has been dead for quite some time. That could be the only reason. I mean He-man? Cartoons may be funny but this show wasn’t trying to be. Plots may not be a major part of children’s anime in the U.S. but this one was over the top by any standard. And the art sucked. That does not include the fact that some have issue with the probably most homosexual character on television. You think that teletubbie with the bag was gay, He-man just takes the award. She-ra probably takes 2nd place. [Being gay is not an issue to me. But I hardly think these 2 characters are the poster child of a positive image for anyone.]

Moving on with possibly a less serious item than the one above, Mr. Jay Jenkins (Young Jezzy – where do rappers get these names?) was recently arrested. Another rapper being arrested is no surprise, most I feel would serve the public better in a jail cell but that is my opinion, except that in this case the arrest had nothing to do with a gun, physical violence or any other weapon. Amazing as it is, this was merely a very heated verbal confrontation. No drugs were found on Mr. Jenkins, or his entourage, which really amazes me.

The part that seriously trips me out though is the fact that Mr. Jenkins sister was on the scene at the time of the altercation. It’s weird when you realize this happened in a strip club. Some people may enjoy drinking and hanging out with their siblings, no big deal. Arguments happen from time to time in any establishment open to the public. But what guy brings his sister to a strip club? It makes me get an impression of a low class style of life [money does not make low class actions better]. Perhaps I’m harsh, but I respect my sisters enough to not take them to a place like that.

This is what I think, what do you think?

**audio post are coming back. To hear this post go to http://www.blackentertainmentblog.com/audio-post/audio.html

Musings based on Mr. Bill Cosby's words

While many people are paying attention to the questionable mothering activities of Mrs. Britney Spears, or the alleged media driven divorce of Sir Paul McCartney, Many in the Back community may have missed something important. While not directly focused on entertainment comments from Mr. Bill Cosby have been overlooked I believe. Perhaps it’s the fact that what is being said is not particularly favorable to hip hop and rap, the current cultural emphasis on ‘thug life’, or the simple fact that it places attention on the accepted shortcomings of the Black African American youth of today. I for one not only agree, but am happy to have noticed the news.


I am specifically referring to the speech by Mr. Bill Cosby to Spellman College graduates recently. This is part of several comments made in recent years that address various aspects of Black culture and its failings. There is no reason to be tactful, in my opinion, as such attempts serve only to coddle the feelings of those that most need the harsh light of direct honest. Mr. Cosby correctly states that it is becoming more important for Black African American women to take the lead in fixing the current situation. While I feel that leading the family requires a strong father figure (yes I am somewhat old-fashioned), there is no debate that growing numbers of Black males are incarcerated, uneducated, unemployed, on drugs or killed in their youth. It’s estimated that 75% of the 500,00 incarcerated in 2000 were black (on non-violent drug offenses), and the number of this group being Black men is high. Why is this? I think the better question is why do we allow this.

I can cite many of my posts where an entertainer has been arrested on violent charges, or drugs. Many times the offender has gotten off quite lightly, and it is also apparent that disproportionately the news media emphasizes the Black African American offenders. The reaction of these offenses has been played by the media and various entertainment industries as an endorsement or marketing campaign for the offender. Too often this is focused on rap hip hop artists, or sports athletes. Within my last several posts [Harper Hill - success vs. dmx - airport arrest, Breaking the law entertainer-style] there are several incidents I have spoken about. How can we not penalize these repeat offenders, and why are these individuals rewarded for their actions with increases of record sales and sporting event tickets?

As Mr. Cosby mentions, how can we allow these men to

“... know how to send their sperm cells out and then walk away from the responsibility of something called fatherhood.”

When did that become acceptable? I mean specifically when did it become a bragging point for a Black man to say that he has 5 children, each from a different mother, and that he supports none of them? At what point did women (Black African American in particular) find pride in bearing children with random men, without the expectation of support or the intent of a relationship, and knowing that they lack the means to provide those children with basic needs. How could grandparents stand by or permit their children to pass on their obligation to raise their children, either to the grandparents or to the state, or worse yet to no one.

Too often we have seen many entertainers brought into courts on charges of failing to live up to child support, or abandoning their children completely (how many rappers and basketball players fall into this group that you can name as an example?). Yet we continue to ensure their continued activities, and disrespect, with censure to those that mention how badly these entertainers have behaved.

Mr. Cosby also poses another series of questions,

“Why are we the only race of people who use that stupid word, a word you learned from your mother? Why do our girls dress up like prostitutes? Why do our young men wear clothes designed like the clothes people in prison wear?”

I can’t understand how we can permit forms of entertainment that promote disrespect and ignorance. Look at a music video, not for the entertainment but what is being sent as a message. What do you see? How many women are performing in a manner that would get them arrested were they in public. And in comparison even the women in rock videos, long known for skimpy attire, behave and receive more respect than in the average rap video. Listen to a rap song, and/or many of the entertainers in various industries. Do you notice the on-air time spent on those that cannot speak English as well as 3rd grade children. Name a performer in country music, an actor for movies or television, rock music, or sports that isn’t in rap hip hop or the ‘thug life’ that speaks badly. Not badly, virtually incomprehensibly. Other than the noted mis-spoken usage of Mr. Don King, there are virtually no others. At least Kid Rock has the excuse he is illiterate, as I recall. I’d suggest you recall how many speak well and are in the ‘thug life’ but I think that would take too long and may not exist.

Continued in part 2 ...