Talib Kweli Rallies Behind Chief Keef: “I’d Rather Him Gang Bang On Records” [Video]

Written By S. Samuel

Days after weighing in on Rick Ross' controversial date rape lyrics, New York rapper Talib Kweli has shared his opinion on teenage hip-hop artist Chief Keef's violent music.

1.7k Views Comments Off on Talib Kweli Rallies Behind Chief Keef: “I’d Rather Him Gang Bang On Records” [Video]

In Kweli’s perspective, Keef is merely going through a phase and believes the 17-year-old will create different content in the years to come.

“I don’t care because that’s like a novelty thing,” Kweli said in an interview when asked how young is “too young” to rap about street life. “I don’t know who Lil’ Mouse is but as far as Chief Keef, Chief Keef is obviously a product of his environment. He’s somebody who comes out of a very horrificly violent neighborhood of Chicago. Whether you think he’s skilled or not, what he’s doing is extremely positive. Even if he’s gangbanging on records, I’d rather him gang bang on records than in the streets and if you gang bang on records, you’re at some point going to have respect for music and you’re going to grow out of that. Snoop Dogg used to gang bang on records, now he’s Snoop Lion. If Chief Keef could get to Snoop’s stage, his content will change, you’ll see him grow up. I want to see him live, I don’t want to see him die.” (Karmaloop TV)

Coincidentally, fellow Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco spoke on the connection between violent music having a strong impact on the world.

“Q: Does violence in music promote/cause/support/influence violence in the world and society? A: Of course it does.,” Fiasco tweeted March 24th.

“Violent music (and all violent media) effectively says its “ok” to be violent. It provides positive reinforcement for negative actions.”

“If you rap and make violent music then own up to it. Stop hiding behind “art imitating life” as a way to evade the guilt.”

“”How the hell you gonna tell this man not 2 be violent?, Cuz he dont need to go the same route that I did” -Eminem & Dr. Dre “Choices”” (Lupe Fiasco’s Twitter)

Recently, G-Unit’s 50 Cent downplayed the potentially damaging impact his music has on society.

“No,” Fif said when asked if he thinks his music glorifies gun violence. “I think that the actual films, like, I’m flattered actually when they say that to me because it would mean that I’m so, I have such a strong hold on the youth or people in general that it completely changes their thought process — the music is that powerful. [Rap’s more than discussing guns and violence]. Yeah, it’s a lot more. It’s writing. If you were doing that and didn’t actually experience it, I would say you’re glorifying it. If you’re drawing from something from your actual experience, isn’t art imitating life?” (“CBS Sunday Morning”)

Mega producer Swizz Beatz recently shared a similar sentiment and said neglecting the youth can lead to violence.

“I think it’s bigger than him. Chief Keef is just a name people can relate to because he’s in the entertainment business. But, I think the real reason is the youth, period, with nowhere to go, no plans, and they’re just resorting to living however they want to live. You go to a different country and they don’t have no support, no food, it’s the same thing. It’s just that we’re knowing about it more because there’s a celebrity name involved, but I wouldn’t even put that on him. This has been going on for years. They shut down the whole Cabrini-Green a long time ago. This been happening. But the key thing is how is it going to stop happening? Is it arts? Is it music? That’s the thing to figure out.” (Global Grind)

Check out Talib Kweli’s interview:

Comments Off on Talib Kweli Rallies Behind Chief Keef: “I’d Rather Him Gang Bang On Records” [Video]

Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj Says She Never Spread ‘Em Open: “I Didn’t Want Anyone To Say ‘I Had Sex W/ Her'”

Ciara Admits Future Has Her Sprung: “I’m W/ Somebody That Makes Me feel Very Comfortable”