Kendrick Lamar stops white fan from rapping N word on stage.

dankind

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he should just ban white people from his concerts, to guarantee that none of us are singing those parts of his songs.

Why? What good would that do anyone?

It’s awesome that white people are listening to his music and likely exposing their sensibilities to a new culture. Perhaps it will lead to more understanding. This was a hiccup.

And most people who aren’t black know better. If I’m singing alone at home in my pajamas or driving around town, I’m not saying that word. It’s not for me to say. I imagine that other nonblack people are the same, but maybe I’m wrong.

This was a young, ignorant and likely somehow intoxicated girl. She said she sings it that way to herself. Well, she shouldn’t. Maybe she knows that now. Or maybe she needs a history lesson. Or a sociolinguistics lesson. 

PJ_Soul

dankind said:

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he should just ban white people from his concerts, to guarantee that none of us are singing those parts of his songs.

Why? What good would that do anyone?

It’s awesome that white people are listening to his music and likely exposing their sensibilities to a new culture. Perhaps it will lead to more understanding. This was a hiccup.

And most people who aren’t black know better. If I’m singing alone at home in my pajamas or driving around town, I’m not saying that word. It’s not for me to say. I imagine that other nonblack people are the same, but maybe I’m wrong.

This was a young, ignorant and likely somehow intoxicated girl. She said she sings it that way to herself. Well, she shouldn’t. Maybe she knows that now. Or maybe she needs a history lesson. Or a sociolinguistics lesson. 

I was being sarcastic.

I think it's ludicrous to expect her or anyone to censor themselves from saying the actual lyrics of the song that she was brought up onto stage to sing. I don't find that to be a realistic or reasonable expectation at all. I think the same thing when you say she shouldn't sing the lyrics even to herself while she's singing along to the song. That ridiculous IMO. Under that premise, Leonardo DiCaprio should have censored himself while acting out the script on the set of Django Unchained and Ed Norton should have refused to say the N-word in American History X. So what if the word was part of the script, right? They should have known better than to actually say it out loud.

elvistheking44

lolobugg said:

that shit is faker than the Foo Fighters BS

100%

josevolution

dankind said:

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he should just ban white people from his concerts, to guarantee that none of us are singing those parts of his songs.

Why? What good would that do anyone?

It’s awesome that white people are listening to his music and likely exposing their sensibilities to a new culture. Perhaps it will lead to more understanding. This was a hiccup.

And most people who aren’t black know better. If I’m singing alone at home in my pajamas or driving around town, I’m not saying that word. It’s not for me to say. I imagine that other nonblack people are the same, but maybe I’m wrong.

This was a young, ignorant and likely somehow intoxicated girl. She said she sings it that way to herself. Well, she shouldn’t. Maybe she knows that now. Or maybe she needs a history lesson. Or a sociolinguistics lesson. 

Ok i guess i can see what your saying so you don't say the word even though it's in the lyrics may be the CD's or how ever his music gets distributed should come with a note : Please refrain from singing this lyric sorry but i find he's stance a bit hipocritical and if anything i bet this turned off most of that audience ...

PJ_Soul

josevolution said:

dankind said:

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he should just ban white people from his concerts, to guarantee that none of us are singing those parts of his songs.

Why? What good would that do anyone?

It’s awesome that white people are listening to his music and likely exposing their sensibilities to a new culture. Perhaps it will lead to more understanding. This was a hiccup.

And most people who aren’t black know better. If I’m singing alone at home in my pajamas or driving around town, I’m not saying that word. It’s not for me to say. I imagine that other nonblack people are the same, but maybe I’m wrong.

This was a young, ignorant and likely somehow intoxicated girl. She said she sings it that way to herself. Well, she shouldn’t. Maybe she knows that now. Or maybe she needs a history lesson. Or a sociolinguistics lesson. 

Ok i guess i can see what your saying so you don't say the word even though it's in the lyrics may be the CD's or how ever his music gets distributed should come with a note : Please refrain from singing this lyric sorry but i find he's stance a bit hipocritical and if anything i bet this turned off most of that audience ...

Absolutely. Don't use the word in the first place. Problem solved without placing absolutely cuckoo-bananas and hypocritical expectations placed on the consumers. And you know, the context of the lyrics don't change with the colour of the singer's skin. That girl was white, but she was still singing his words in his context on his stage. Honestly, I'm shocking some are treating his perspective as legitimately as they are. This is crazy.

Kat

I think it was intended, way back when, that using the word would remove any power from it, that the word would no longer be owned by racists. I don't think that plan is working...let's just get rid of it. It's a hideous word and not necessary in any culture.

dankind

PJ_Soul said:

dankind said:

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he should just ban white people from his concerts, to guarantee that none of us are singing those parts of his songs.

Why? What good would that do anyone?

It’s awesome that white people are listening to his music and likely exposing their sensibilities to a new culture. Perhaps it will lead to more understanding. This was a hiccup.

And most people who aren’t black know better. If I’m singing alone at home in my pajamas or driving around town, I’m not saying that word. It’s not for me to say. I imagine that other nonblack people are the same, but maybe I’m wrong.

This was a young, ignorant and likely somehow intoxicated girl. She said she sings it that way to herself. Well, she shouldn’t. Maybe she knows that now. Or maybe she needs a history lesson. Or a sociolinguistics lesson. 

I was being sarcastic.

I think it's ludicrous to expect her or anyone to censor themselves from saying the actual lyrics of the song that she was brought up onto stage to sing. I don't find that to be a realistic or reasonable expectation at all. I think the same thing when you say she shouldn't sing the lyrics even to herself while she's singing along to the song. That ridiculous IMO. Under that premise, Leonardo DiCaprio should have censored himself while acting out the script on the set of Django Unchained and Ed Norton should have refused to say the N-word in American History X. So what if the word was part of the script, right? They should have known better than to actually say it out loud.

Speaking as a former actor (and playwright), this is not at all the same thing to me. She wasn’t playing a role. She was completely herself, saying someone else’s lines. 

This place is crazy. A white girl mistakenly says the N word on stage at a black man’s concert who very politely points out that she shouldn’t use that word, and he’s the bad guy!?!

PJ_Soul

dankind said:

PJ_Soul said:

dankind said:

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he should just ban white people from his concerts, to guarantee that none of us are singing those parts of his songs.

Why? What good would that do anyone?

It’s awesome that white people are listening to his music and likely exposing their sensibilities to a new culture. Perhaps it will lead to more understanding. This was a hiccup.

And most people who aren’t black know better. If I’m singing alone at home in my pajamas or driving around town, I’m not saying that word. It’s not for me to say. I imagine that other nonblack people are the same, but maybe I’m wrong.

This was a young, ignorant and likely somehow intoxicated girl. She said she sings it that way to herself. Well, she shouldn’t. Maybe she knows that now. Or maybe she needs a history lesson. Or a sociolinguistics lesson. 

I was being sarcastic.

I think it's ludicrous to expect her or anyone to censor themselves from saying the actual lyrics of the song that she was brought up onto stage to sing. I don't find that to be a realistic or reasonable expectation at all. I think the same thing when you say she shouldn't sing the lyrics even to herself while she's singing along to the song. That ridiculous IMO. Under that premise, Leonardo DiCaprio should have censored himself while acting out the script on the set of Django Unchained and Ed Norton should have refused to say the N-word in American History X. So what if the word was part of the script, right? They should have known better than to actually say it out loud.

Speaking as a former actor (and playwright), this is not at all the same thing to me. She wasn’t playing a role. She was completely herself, saying someone else’s lines. 

This place is crazy. A white girl mistakenly says the N word on stage at a black man’s concert who very politely points out that she shouldn’t use that word, and he’s the bad guy!?!

I disagree (also as a former actor). She was totally playing a role, as any person would be if they were brought up on stage like that to sing along with a famous person in front of a sold out show. Her role was to sing that song confidently, looking like she really knows the lyrics, without coming off like an idiot, hopefully.... Lamar obviously ruined that goal for her in short order, lol.

I sincerely have no clue why you think this place is crazy because of this. What exactly is so shocking? He humiliated that girl and dragged her into a media storm with his hypocrisy and insane expectations about how she shouldn't sing his lyrics when he's invited her to sing his lyrics. How is he not the bad guy in this scenario?

my2hands

lolobugg said:

that shit is faker than the Foo Fighters BS

what are we talking about here?

josevolution

PJ_Soul said:

dankind said:

PJ_Soul said:

dankind said:

PJ_Soul said:

Maybe he should just ban white people from his concerts, to guarantee that none of us are singing those parts of his songs.

Why? What good would that do anyone?

It’s awesome that white people are listening to his music and likely exposing their sensibilities to a new culture. Perhaps it will lead to more understanding. This was a hiccup.

And most people who aren’t black know better. If I’m singing alone at home in my pajamas or driving around town, I’m not saying that word. It’s not for me to say. I imagine that other nonblack people are the same, but maybe I’m wrong.

This was a young, ignorant and likely somehow intoxicated girl. She said she sings it that way to herself. Well, she shouldn’t. Maybe she knows that now. Or maybe she needs a history lesson. Or a sociolinguistics lesson. 

I was being sarcastic.

I think it's ludicrous to expect her or anyone to censor themselves from saying the actual lyrics of the song that she was brought up onto stage to sing. I don't find that to be a realistic or reasonable expectation at all. I think the same thing when you say she shouldn't sing the lyrics even to herself while she's singing along to the song. That ridiculous IMO. Under that premise, Leonardo DiCaprio should have censored himself while acting out the script on the set of Django Unchained and Ed Norton should have refused to say the N-word in American History X. So what if the word was part of the script, right? They should have known better than to actually say it out loud.

Speaking as a former actor (and playwright), this is not at all the same thing to me. She wasn’t playing a role. She was completely herself, saying someone else’s lines. 

This place is crazy. A white girl mistakenly says the N word on stage at a black man’s concert who very politely points out that she shouldn’t use that word, and he’s the bad guy!?!

I disagree (also as a former actor). She was totally playing a role, as any person would be if they were brought up on stage like that to sing along with a famous person in front of a sold out show. Her role was to sing that song confidently, looking like she really knows the lyrics, without coming off like an idiot, hopefully.... Lamar obviously ruined that goal for her in short order, lol.

that's exactly how i perceive this whole episode ....

rgambs

I'm with Dan here, I don't understand the visceral reaction people are having.  

PJ_Soul

rgambs said:

I'm with Dan here, I don't understand the visceral reaction people are having.  

What's visceral about it? I think my reaction to it is fairly non-emotional; I'm just calling it like I see it. I feel like everyone else also seems to be using their heads while discussing this.
What I am doing, though, is empathizing with the girl on stage (whose life is probably suffering because of this). Thinking about this young lady being called up on stage like that, in front of all those people, my god, she probably felt barely capable of putting one foot in front of the other without falling on her face in front of the crowd, let alone have all the socio-political concerns that might come about if she sings the lyrics she's been invited up to sing run through her head while she's trying to just remember the lyrics. I think Lamar just really put her on the spot, plain and simple, and he shouldn't have the same expectation of white Jane-schmoe and he might have of his ultra racially aware cohorts. At best, this was a super inconsiderate venue for him to bring this up, and even harmful to have sent his message using this girl. I have seen that girl's photo on facebook probably 15 times on my newsfeed .... anyone considering how this is affecting her personally? She's gone viral thanks to Lamar's decision to make a point. That isn't usually a good thing. All she wanted to do was get up there and sing the song right and have a good time.

Plus, I think it's just plain idiotic to write lyrics to a song and then stop someone brought up on stage from singing those lyrics during a singalong of those lyrics. That is just straight up bullshit. I am having trouble understanding how this seems reasonable or rational to anyone, no matter what your feelings are about the N-word (which I'm sure we all think is a terrible word). I think that if Lamar wanted to make this point, he should have made without involving an innocent fan.

Nami

PJ_Soul said:

rgambs said:

I'm with Dan here, I don't understand the visceral reaction people are having.  

What's visceral about it? I think my reaction to it is fairly non-emotional; I'm just calling it like I see it. I feel like everyone else also seems to be using their heads while discussing this.
What I am doing, though, is empathizing with the girl on stage (whose life is probably suffering because of this). Thinking about this young lady being called up on stage like that, in front of all those people, my god, she probably felt barely capable of putting one foot in front of the other without falling on her face in front of the crowd, let alone have all the socio-political concerns that might come about if she sings the lyrics she's been invited up to sing run through her head while she's trying to just remember the lyrics. I think Lamar just really put her on the spot, plain and simple, and he shouldn't have the same expectation of white Jane-schmoe and he might have of his ultra racially aware cohorts. At best, this was a super inconsiderate venue for him to bring this up, and even harmful to have sent his message using this girl. I have seen that girl's photo on facebook probably 15 times on my newsfeed .... anyone considering how this is affecting her personally? She's gone viral thanks to Lamar's decision to make a point. That isn't usually a good thing. All she wanted to do was get up there and sing the song right and have a good time.

Plus, I think it's just plain idiotic to write lyrics to a song and then stop someone brought up on stage from singing those lyrics during a singalong of those lyrics. That is just straight up bullshit. I am having trouble understanding how this seems reasonable or rational to anyone, no matter what your feelings are about the N-word (which I'm sure we all think is a terrible word). I think that if Lamar wanted to make this point, he should have made without involving an innocent fan.

After reading all the comments i have to agree with this.  I cannot for some reason bring myself to watch this video due to feeling really bad for this young girl.  Can you imagine the crap she is going through now because a message had to be made?  

ok watched the video, it was dumb, and a setup no doubt.  

Thoughts_Arrive

jeffbr said:

Bitch move by Kendrick calling a white person up to sing along. I don't know that dude or his music, definitely not my thing, but I agree with Thoughts. Not sure what he expected. And fuck those white people in the crowd yelling "fuck you" to her. You know they were all singing along as well until Kendrick said something. It was a total setup. Does he punk white people at all of his shows? I wonder who buys his albums?

I buy his albums, love his music. But this stunt has left me disappointed. I have never seen him live and was thinking of going to his upcoming show here in my city but not sure now. 

Thoughts_Arrive

I feel for that woman.
If he doesn't want people saying the N word then don't fucking put it in your lyrics.
His songs are full of that word.

PJWGIII

This is dumb.

She's rapping Kendrick's lyrics. SHE is not saying the N Word, she is quoting Kendrick saying it. It's not her words, she's just reciting the words of the original artist!

I am in the camp of not understanding why the word is used casually, but if you're gonna use it, then don't get offended when others recite what you are saying and say it.

Personally, I will never say it myself. If you ever hear me say it, it will be because I'm reading or quoting the words of another person, and that's what happened here.

EDIT: After reading the article, I can defend some of the reactions of the fans, because apparently she was already annoying about getting a chance to go onstage prior to the video. However, that doesn't chance my viewpoint expressed above.

Thoughts_Arrive

dankind said:

I don't think it was a stunt, and I don't think he was trying to punk anybody. He actually went out of his way to try to help her recover from the gaffe. He's stated himself in interviews that he would like to stop using the word himself, but he's been saying it his whole life and leaving it out of his lyrics is hard because it feels forced -- like he's not speaking his own truth (paraphrasing). 

If anything, I think maybe seeing how using the word in his lyrics makes white girls feel like it's OK for them to say it might be an eye opener for him. Maybe he'll revisit his own truth.

And now for some comic relief:
https://youtu.be/ofu70pSG-1A

I laughed hard lol

Thoughts_Arrive

These idiots that booed her and yelled "f*** you bitch" probably say the N word when rapping along to his songs in their cars. 

brianlux

Kat said:

I think it was intended, way back when, that using the word would remove any power from it, that the word would no longer be owned by racists. I don't think that plan is working...let's just get rid of it. It's a hideous word and not necessary in any culture.

I totally agree.  But not because white people like me say so.  What it would take would be for some high profile black people to say, "OK, look, we took that word back from the whites, we made our point and now we're going to dump it for something else, something even better".   

In 1968, James Brown came out with the song "Say it Loud- I'm Black and I'm Proud".  Around the same time, the term "Black power" was becoming a common phrase used by African Americans.  To be honest, I thought all that was a little intimidating at first but before long came to see it as something beautiful.  Some of my biggest heroes back then were black people- Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Dick Gregory, Sun Ra, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, among others.  Black pride was building.  But those who were making it happen were high profile folks and all the while, the average African American was still struggling under the pressures of racism and social and economic inequality.

Eventually, then, Black Power gave way to gangsta, hip hop, rap generation and the use of the "n" (as in ****a) word.  This could all possibly work well if the motive is separatism.  There is a black separatist movement that would prefer to see the races totally divided.  I can see how that came about and why some would want it, but I don't see it being the best way to go for either side.  I don't know how others feel but I want black people (and Hispanics and Asians and Indians, etc) in my life, both as heroes, and as ordinary people- neighbors and co-workers and friends.  And not so we can all eventually be "tan".  Bo-o-o-ring.  Give me variety, the spice of life.  All the colors, all the cultures sharing our talents and gifts.  The ultimate and beautiful rainbow of diversity. 

mace1229

brianlux said:

Hi! said:

I agree. I dont know exactly, but i would estimate the crowd is 80%+ white. I guarentee when his white fans are alone by themselves or with other whites singing in their cars they aint skipping the n-word. They all acted so offended, but its ok to say cunt bitch and fuck every other word.

I only sing the "f" word when singling along with "Save You".  I mean, how can you not, haha!

I can’t help but think of, and therefore sing the “kcuf me” version they did on Letterman every time I hear that song.