Comments

1. Renee wrote:

   The audience clapped at this, but I was left uncomfortable. It’s an interesting point, but did he really just pull the “I have black friends” card?

   White people like to use the whole I have black friends line as a get out of jail free card. No one buys it not even the person that is saying it at the time.

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 9:35 am ¶

2. C-Marsh wrote:

   The video is Awesome!!! Clearly 100 times better than Dynamite Hack’s rendition of “Boys in the Hood,” although I still like their version.

   It’s interesting to see that how Jay’s statements reflect the ideas that Tami just posted about. Not only did he pull the, “I have “Black Friends” card, but he explained why Black people shouldn’t be offended. Not that he is intentionally overrules how Blacks should feel about his cover of the song, (I’m sure that his “Black Friends” heard his version before he bust it out for everyone) but it’s almost like he is playing both sides. He made the statement, in part, to ward off backlash from the presumably White non-racist liberals who would find this offensive on behalf of Black people, but at the same time he was the White non-racist liberal explaining why this isn’t offensive to Black people.

   The example is terribly nuanced and I do not have the mental energy to go into right now. (Other posters, please feel free). I personally wasn’t offended by the vid clip, but because I’m Black, does that mean that other Black people shouldn’t be offended? Does it mean that White people cannot be offended?

   (I wonder which article I should post this comment…)

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 9:37 am ¶

3. browne wrote:

   “I was also left wondering if Jay really would have felt comfortable doing that song if there were many (or any) black people in the audience.” Eng

   I’m going to guess no. I’ve heard this cover. I would like to know does he believe in the sentiment that is being presented in this song. I wouldn’t sing a song that I didn’t believe in, so I wonder does he believe in this song. I wonder does Nina believe in this song. Hey I wonder does NWA believe in this song.

   Though I will say NWA albums are a great time capsule of the political and race relation climate of LA in the 80s and 90s. You might hate them. They were completely vile, but they capture LA for that time period.

   Browne aka Live and Die in LA

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 9:38 am ¶

4. dave wrote:

   so ad adjacent thought while we’re here, can we also get into how awkward it is to listen to music dropping the “n-word” left and right when you’re the kind of person who likes to sing along but doesn’t like to sling slurs … and i don’t even want to talk about hoes (if there was one word i could convinced people to rerecord over it’d be that, songs by actual prostitutes excepted).

   so yeah, interesting he didn’t edit. when adapting songs for my own purposes, i usually subsitute “fellas” for “niggas” and “ladies” for “bitches” but that only works like 25% of the time and the rest you sound like a tool.

   sorry not a very complete thought, but you know what i mean?

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 9:46 am ¶

5. dave wrote:

   *an adjacent thought, not ad, sorry.

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 9:46 am ¶

6. livininphilly wrote:

   Hmmm… it seems to me that if you already are on the defensive about something before anyone says anything then perhaps you shouldn’t do that offensive thing to begin with. I don’t care how many black friends a person has, their familiarity with racial issues in the USA or whether or not it’s in the name of art… white people *scratch that* anyone of another race should never, ever use the n-word! Why can’t people get that through their heads. Respect the history of words b/c words have power and words have & will continue to harm people. If your gonna cover a song with lyrics like that then change the words, substitute for something else and if you can’t do that then perhaps you have no business covering the song in the first place.
   To me this is an example of someone who is unaware of their privilege co-opting the culture of another group and his faux cultural sensitivity/hipster racism doesn’t give him a get out of jail free pass.

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 11:05 am ¶

7. Katie wrote:

   Those comments would have left a bad taste in my mouth too.

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 11:07 am ¶

8. Dan wrote:

   Why couldn’t he leave the cover for it’s artistic merit without the political commentary? If his intent was pure, why worry about it?

   If artists had to explain themselves every time they did something that could be considered controversial by anyone, there would be less artists. But that’s what art does. It makes you think outside the box and consider alternative realities or absurd possibilities.

   Whatever, as an artist, when you breach territory that can be controversial to some, you need to expect to get ‘emails’ and commentary that questions the intent behind such art.

   If you don’t want to deal with it, then don’t do something that can be even remotely considered controversial and live a nice sterile life without having to explain anything to anyone.

   I am a big fan of Dynamite Hack’s version of ‘Boys in the Hood’ because, to me, it puts into sound the absurdity of white boys from the stale and lifeless ‘burbs listening to gangsta rap. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMlPVpXtkJY

   and The Gourds bluegrass cover of ‘Gin & Juice’ just because it’s fun as hell. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCAM3C3dpIA&feature=related (the video is assembled by some listener and is stupid but you can hear the song there).

   However, after watching Jay Brannan’s video and reading how he does several covers of rap and R&B tunes, I’m beginning to think that the fact that white acoustic covers of black music is already becoming diluted and is becoming absurd for another reason. That being, with whites being 80% of rap consumers, because perhaps the music confirms the already held negative black stereotypes whites have, are white covers of black music such as this just perpetuating negative black imagery by now making it a source of laughter? Because if you listen to the audience of Jay Brannan, people find it as a form of comedy rather than artistical music expression.

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 11:11 am ¶

9. Thrasher wrote:

   Yawn..I am not impressed with yet another white person speaking on my behalf..

   Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 11:31 am ¶

10. TierList E wrote:

    Yeah I’m for “if you feel you have to immediately defend yourself, you probably shouldn’t have done it”. I feel it’s in a similar vein to “I’m not racist but”. I don’t like hearing those types of things- either say what you’re going to say, period, or leave it alone.

    If I think something that’s may be taken sketchily but I truly believe in it (and also if I felt it needed to be said) I make the statement first and then further explain/debate if I’m asked.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 1:39 pm ¶

11. Ike wrote:

    I agree with Dan. Just cover the song and move on. The explanation makes it seem more suspicious.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 2:34 pm ¶

12. RJG wrote:

    @TierList E’s “I make the statement first and then further explain/debate if I’m asked.”:

    I half agree. I do feel that if you don’t think something is offensive, you shouldn’t have to explain why it isn’t until confronted with the fact that it is, but we’re also not living in a generation where the normal path of action is for someone going to someone after a show or writing a letter or even just emailing the person to go “you did X and that bothered me.”

    Instead, the path is to toss it on youtube, send it over to a few blows, and make a good wildfire. And with how quickly that wildfire can spread, it probably can be a good idea to preempt it. With the downside of coming off as backpedaling.

    Is it possible that he was concerned his audience wouldn’t understand the context (or, from the sound of it, who wrote the song originally/where it came from/etc)? And if people don’t get the context, and get offended due to not understanding the context, should he take the effort to clarify?

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 2:42 pm ¶

13. Black Girl wrote:

    “I have black friends”. Yes that’s a card if I’ve seen one lol. Great read! Too bad I couldn’t check out the show. -black girl.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 2:46 pm ¶

14. PaulPortland wrote:

    Hmm, I’m not sure how to feel about this. I agree with you, Tami, that the acoustic folk rendition was beautiful to listen to (both Jay’s and Nina Gordon’s), but the idea behind it troubles me.

    I think what Dan wrote @8 was insightful. There is the sense that even if Jay didn’t intend it to poke fun at rap music or at a certain segment of Black American culture, his audience (at least in the linked video in the original post) thought it was hilarious. Now, were they laughing because of the absurdity of a white, gay, non-threatening folk singer using words like “motherfucker”, “gat”, the N-word, “sawed-off,” etc. wrapped around a delicate folk melody? Or were they laughing that the Black culture that produced “Straight Out of Compton” in the first place? If it was the latter, then I’m troubled.

    Still…art is art. To a certain extent, I think artists should have the right to produce anything they damn well want to so long as they have the backbone to take the heat. Go ahead and be ironic and transgressive and cutting edge, but if you think you can just duck out of the conversation the minute trouble starts brewing by saying, “Get over it, I’m just kidding, you obviously don’t understand what I’m trying to do,” then the police are gonna hafta come and get me off yo ass.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 2:57 pm ¶

15. PaulPortland wrote:

    er, I meant I agreed with Joanna’s original posting regarding how nice the cover sounded, not Tami.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 3:16 pm ¶

16. jstele wrote:

    Well, I don’t think he pulled the black friend card. His point was not that he knew black people. He was just saying that the song is about gang culture, which does not define all of black culture, so he was not making fun of black culture in general.

    He used the song, but gave an explanation because he knows how the audience would likely react. I only read the quotes from the article, so I don’t know how it came off on the video. As an artist, he may have felt that he needed to be true to the song and not change its lyrics. It is a cover, but if he changed the words it would be more of an adaptation. Yeah, it’s only two words, but two powerful words that have a strong effect on the meaning of the song. If he was not disparaging in the presentation of the song, I don’t know what the problem is.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 3:38 pm ¶

17. TierList E wrote:

    @RJG

    I’ll admit I was coming from a situation where I’m in a conversation with friends or others face to face; I don’t know if I can imagine myself in a situation where my opinion/actions is broadcasted- :-p that’s probably a bad idea in the first place.

    But in the situation you bring up I guess if you have to explain yourself I think it’d be best to come off as least defensive as possible and stay far away from _insert group here_ friend counting.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 3:39 pm ¶

18. Prometheus wrote:

    I have to agree with Ike and Dan. The qualifying of his choice of performance is indicative of his insecurity. This word still has too much power and we give it so by jumping down others throats when they use it, instead of explaining why it’s use is such a problem. Remember what Carmen said on CNN in regards to the recent Jesse Jackson controversy…?

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 3:45 pm ¶

19. RJG wrote:

    @TierList E:

    Yeah, I 100% agree that if you feel you have to explain something to avoid it being interpreted wrong, you really need to be careful on how you phrase it (like not playing any cards, etc). But that would be the case even if you didn’t try to preemptively respond to any backlash.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 4:05 pm ¶

20. FemaleBillCosby wrote:

    In my opinion, the day Black people learn that the word N***a is NOT a term of ENDEARMENT and merely a word used out of cultural ignorance is the day others will stop using it as well.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 6:55 pm ¶

21. David Marine wrote:

    And, um…… Thrasher, are you a gansta? If not, how is Jay’s cover of “Straight Outta Compton” “speaking” for you? And are you equally offended when black people sing songs that were written by white people?

    I’m glad that people are sensitive to racial issues, but this is a non-starter. As for Jay’s comments, he tends to interact with the audience. Perhaps he saw a grimace of disapproval, or heard someone make a comment. When I saw him in concert he didn’t make reference to the song after he performed it. Also, who knows what kinds of emails he has been receiving about this version? He may have been responding to those.

    On a final note, I certainly disagree that if one must explain their use of a term, it’s better not used. Why would this be? The mere fact that this discussion has unfolded is evidence to me that perhaps some in the audience benefitted from Jay’s clarification.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 7:47 pm ¶

22. twentysomething wrote:

    ‘It’s an interesting point, but did he really just pull the “I have black friends” card?’

    Am I missing something here? Where do you see him pulling the “I have black friends” card?” He said nothing about his friends. He simply stated that there’s more to black culture than gang violence….which is true.

    But I do agree; there was no need for him to apologize. if I were covering a song that I really liked, I would sing it unaltered. He should have just sang the song and kept it moving.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 8:33 pm ¶

23. twentysomething wrote:

    Jstele – took the words right out of my mouth. I wish I’d read your comment before I posted mine.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 8:35 pm ¶

24. babybro wrote:

    I think it depended mostly on his audience. I definitely not on the “we can say but other’s can’t” train. So I have no problem with him saying it since it’s such a powerful tool in hip hop culture. But if I had my choice, I would prefer nobody use it.

    With that said, even if people want to jump down his throat, he brought up an excellent statement in that gang culture does not represent black culture.

    I have plenty of friends from different races who say the n-word when listening to music, and they ask me my opinion. I told them I don’t mind, just don’t call me one because I’m not and they haven’t ever.

    So overall, he shouldn’t have felt so hesitant. That’s my only recommendation. It wasn’t like a pulling off a kramer, as he was only doing an replication of a popular song. People of other races just need to understand the difference between the two.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 8:46 pm ¶

25. BewareofWhiteRacists wrote:

    Why is anyone surprised?

    This has been a regular part of America ever since Christopher Columbus arrived to enslave the natives.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 8:48 pm ¶

26. Kara S. wrote:

    I’ve been to his show before and he didn’t explain it then. So, with that said, I think that he might have seen someone grimace, therefore prompting his explanation. For those assuming he’s racist, obviously you (plural) don’t know him (neither do I, for that matter) or his intentions.

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 9:41 pm ¶

27. Gironde wrote:

    …And out comes the tinfoil hat. That’s a wrap, folks!

    Posted 11 Aug 2008 at 10:40 pm ¶

28. Black Canseco wrote:

    Personally, the last thing i need is some coffee shop liberal riding to the rescue of oppressed folks whenever it suits their artistic/intellectual agendas. I get tired of white folks pulling this BS because the ones who do this don’t stand up any other time.

    I’m glad dude thinks he knows the difference between “black culture” and “gang culture”. I wonder if he knows the difference between “sanctimonious white liberal” and “fighting for equality.

    I wonder how many times dude encounters racist behavior and says, “you know that’s not what they (group being insulted) are really like dude.”

    Lenny Bruce pulled this crap 30 years ago with his n-word bit claiming he was going to say the word until it lost its power. yet he never did his infamous n-word bit infront of black crowds.

    I wrote about this very thing regarding lisa lampinelli and back when the Laugh Factory fined Wayans for using the word.

    http://knockthehustleblog.typepad.com/hustleknockin/2006/12/twenty_dollar_n.html

    i think it’s relevant here because it touches on the same issues and types of performances and reactions to those performances.

    Posted 12 Aug 2008 at 1:38 am ¶

29. Dan wrote:

    FemaleBillCosby – I don’t think it’s fair to put that weight on black people when it’s white people who not only created it and used it in a hateful manner, but who continue to make it acceptable by being the biggest purchasers of rap music.

    By seeking to shift the blame for use of the word onto black folks, whites show their duplicity. After all, whites have been using that word a helluva lot longer than black folks. It’s the same silly argument as those who attempt to downplay slavery by saying that black in Africa sold other blacks into bondage, as if that makes blacks every bit as blameworthy as the whites who profited from slavery. As if whites had only visited Africa for the weather and had been coerced into the slave trade.

    Again, if 80% of all rap music is purchased by whites (and that is the conventional wisdom), then white consumers must be responding with their purchases to an already held impression of black people. Without such pre-existing notions in place, the images of blacks as gangstas, pimps, dealers and “hos” wouldn’t make possible billions of dollars of sales every year. In other words, perhaps whites need to consider the possibility that the thug image is marketable to them and has created a financial incentive for black artists to play to that trope because those images agree with the negative things that much of white America believes about blacks in the first place.

    If whites were interested in buying music by rap artists who sang about social transformation and community uplift, then THAT’S the music that would be churned out. But white consumers aren’t, by and large, looking to buy songs about overthrowing the system from which we benefit. So in the ultimate irony, it is white buyers who make that kind of rap profitable, but instead of asking for any responsibility from them, we blame the artists for doing what they’re supposed to do in a capitalist system, which is respond to market demand, no matter the social consequences. Naturally, of course, it isn’t capitalism that gets the blame but rather the black folks who have taken the bait offered by the market system.

    Posted 12 Aug 2008 at 9:03 am ¶

30. Tre C. wrote:

    Black culture not synonymous with gang culture?? News flash- no kidding! The very fact that he has to point this out makes him and his audience seem woefully ignorant. In my opinion, he’s just banking on the supposed “dissonance” of a white Williamsburg denizen performing music made by black LA gangsta rappers being amusing to a mostly white Williamsburg audience. It’s ‘funny’ because his audience sees this cover as a form of ironic mockery, and know, behind the mask of multicultural/colorblind liberalism, that his is a safe space for them to openly laugh at that which they see as so not resembling themselves ie. “themselves” meaning “fully and three-dimenisionally human”. The performance is public derision, not homage.

    Posted 12 Aug 2008 at 11:10 am ¶

31. David Marine wrote:

    There is some truly stunning ignorance being displayed here. Tre C. could not be more wrong about Jay’s performance. I wonder, has he seen it? Obviously, there is an element of humor that arises from the dissonance of someone as quiet and unassuming as Jay, acoustic guitar in hand, singing gangsta rap. But Jay’s performance is far more nuanced than that. I have no doubt that the anger and frustration that he sings of resonate for Jay personally. But he interprets and channels not just the anger, but also the frustration and pathos inherent in the song. So ultimately, this version is more than cathartic: it is empathetic and illuminating.

    And, frankly, I find BlackConseco’s rant to be offensive. I would wager that he, too, has not seen Jay’s performance. What may be lost on BlackConseco is the bitter reality that young gay men in this society do not receive a free pass, whatever their color. There is a long tradition of gay artists relating to themes of oppression that have been articulated by black artists. Why is BlackConseco dismissing Jay as “some coffee-shop liberal”? What does that even mean? I am sensing some not-so-veiled homophobia from the “black coffee-shop neo-con.”

    At the end of the day, offensive or not, hugely talented artists should speak or sing whatever is true to their heart. And there is no question that’s what Jay’s doing not only here, but in all of his original songs, too.

    Posted 12 Aug 2008 at 1:53 pm ¶

32. Black Canseco wrote:

    David Marine,

    having see the clip, Tre C’s sexuality has nothing to do with my criticism or rant as you put it. My criticism was clearly laid out and i stand by it.

    Whether or not gay men of any color get a free pass in society wasn’t brought up by me or anyone else in this thread. And i refuse to get in another pissing contents with someone over which group’s got it worse, or can related to black struggle.

    But if you want to project, put some muscle behind that projectile because that’s the only way it’s gonna reach the point i was making as you couldn’t be further off if you tried.

    Posted 12 Aug 2008 at 9:06 pm ¶

33. Tre C. wrote:

    David Marine, I saw the clip before my first post. That is how I drew my conclusion and I stick by it. Furthermore, in reference to the article, I still find it distressing that he pointed out the importance of discerning black culture from gangsta culture AFTER performing what most would consider a seminal gangsta rap piece. Confusing much? That’s why I don’t believe it was meant as a “teaching moment” or chance to challenge folks and knock down their long-held misconceptions. More of a chance to show how “versatile” and expansive his musical repertoire is, even though its performed in a way that renders the lyrics subservient to his own laid back style, to augment his street cred or cool factor amongst others who share this false belief. He then proceeded to try and proactively extinguish any contraversy and prop himself up as Teacher by quickly imagining a corresponding racial lesson aspect to the performance. Except that it did not really correspond because it did not make any sense in context to any part of it. I do not believe anything racist is occurring here per se; just evidence of someone with an overblown sense of entitlement having to imaginatively backpedal.

    I mainly know Brannan from music videos on LOGO and the movie Shortbus. I’m familiar with him and even like some of his songs so, in response, please refrain from telling me I just don’t understand him or know where he is coming from. As a gay man, I know where he is coming from in certain respects. However, as a person of color I see this sort of thing happen too many times and my bullshit detector went off in this instance.

    Posted 12 Aug 2008 at 10:27 pm ¶

34. David Marine wrote:

    BlackConseco, I got the point you were making. It really had nothing to do with Jay Brannan; it was about plugging your blog. The problem is, you’re making huge (and incorrect) assumptions about Jay based on… what, exactly? Could it be that you’re not homophobic but racist, too? It’s laughable for you to imply that JAY doesn’t know what it is to stand up and fight for equality. He gets on stage every night and speaks his truth through his art, only to be pissed on by people like you.

    Posted 12 Aug 2008 at 11:35 pm ¶

35. Tre C. wrote:

    I think that it is a huge (and incorrect) assumption that all detractors of Jay’s performance are motivated by homophobia. As far as I’ve seen in this thread, that assumption is completely unfounded, though I don’t assume to know what beliefs lie in peoples’ hearts, unlike the way your posts have displayed.

    I also don’t claim to know what is in Jay’s heart, just what I percieve through his actions detailed in the video and the article about THIS PARTICULAR PERFORMANCE and the way he handled what most would consider a cultural faux pas. I believe the reaction of his audience to his questionably heartfelt performance to be many things, but definitely not empathetic, and I felt he knew that and was playing off of it, exploiting it.

    So he’s a gay artist? I’m a gay artist, of color, as well, and I don’t register every percieved slight or criticism against me as homophobia. Plenty of people bare their souls for their art. They need to be strong enough to take responsibility for their actions because what they say matters.

    Posted 13 Aug 2008 at 7:42 am ¶

36. bas bleu wrote:

    Livin in Philly: “To me this is an example of someone who is unaware of their privilege co-opting the culture of another group and his faux cultural sensitivity/hipster racism doesn’t give him a get out of jail free pass.”

    and

    PaulinPortland: “Go ahead and be ironic and transgressive and cutting edge, but if you think you can just duck out of the conversation the minute trouble starts brewing by saying, “Get over it, I’m just kidding, you obviously don’t understand what I’m trying to do,” then the police are gonna hafta come and get me off yo ass.”

    Being transgressive, after all, means you’re going to have to take some hits (criticism-wise). If your defense is “you black people are too sensitive,” then tell me again, what is it exactly that you’re trying to do here?

    Posted 13 Aug 2008 at 9:43 am ¶

37. cm wrote:

    “Before you say that I’m making fun of black culture…. I think I know some black people who would take issue with you equating black culture to gang violence.”

    Oh I get it… he’s just making fun of gang violence! Much, much less offensive.

    Posted 13 Aug 2008 at 11:44 am ¶

38. David Marine wrote:

    It should be noted that the linked clip is NOT the Highline Ballroom performance being referenced, and that Jay’s supposed comments were paraphrased.

    Tre C., I never said I could see into anyone’s heart, but when I saw Jay perform the song, I didn’t hear a false note in it. You’re the one who questions Jay’s sincerity, and claims to have a “bullshit detector.” Nor did I claim that it was Jay’s audience who was displaying empathy. Rather, I was claiming it was Jay himself who was empathetic.

    On another note, I never said “all detractors of Jay’s performance are motivated by homophobia.” I never said anything even close to that. And finally, I don’t agree that plenty of people bare their souls for their art. My experience has been that it’s the rare artist who does so.

    Posted 13 Aug 2008 at 4:08 pm ¶

39. Black Canseco wrote:

    David,

    As a longtime commentor and supporter of Racialicious, most folks here know 2 things about me (1) i’m not a self-promoter–i was invited here by Carmen back when she did most of the writing here.
    (2) i rarely post links to my blog here unless i’m writing on my own blog that’s absolutely germane to the discussion at hand (3) i’m a black male, fully aware of not only my own biases as they may be, as well as others’ as i encounter them. I’m pretty good about calling BS on myself as well as others when apropos.

    You’re the one who suggested i was homophobic. you’re the one who suggest i was engaging in self-promotion.

    In your desire to defend what Jay’s done you refuse consider even for a moment that Jay just might have pissed people off for a very legit reason about and beyond some sanctimonous artistic expression.

    As for the reason i linked back to the post that i chose, it was relevant as i paralleled what Jay did with what more popular performers have done recently claiming the same defense.

    And again, just as with popular white comedians who do race-based humor claiming “i’m so hip i can play with this issue this without being biased” I feel comfortable in my assertion that Jay wouldn’t have sang this song infront of a predominantly black audience; not out of fear of retaliation but out of the cold shower of understanding that this type of championing isn’t legit no matter how you dress it up.

    Posted 13 Aug 2008 at 4:37 pm ¶

40. PaulPortland wrote:

    This is kind of interesting. So, I listened to the other folky hip-hop covers linked from mental_floss’ site (from Joanna’s original link to Logo’s review of Jay’s performance from her post – whew!), and this is the sense that I got:

    The “Hey Ya” cover by Mat Weddle of ObadiahParker was fine, and it felt authentic. Why? Well, two reasons: 1) because, as my wife commented after listening to it, it seemed like Mat was merely experimenting with a different sound when it came to the original Outkast song. It was purely a sonic interpretation with no subtext; and 2) the song itself seems to lend itself to a more straightforward cover than, say, more studio produced hip-hop songs plus the subject of the song is about a relationship and thus is universally applicable across culture lines.

    “Gin & Juice” by the Gourds was also pretty cool. Why? Well, the Gourds version was just pure countrified/ blue-grassed. Unless you knew about their cover or knew “Gin & Juice” by heart, you’d be hard pressed to even recognize it. Second, “Gin & Juice” is a party song, plain and simple. That’s pretty universal.

    “Bust A Move” by Young MC? Well, I don’t mean to hate, but it’s a fluff song, and indie hipsters can cover it all they want.

    Now, we come to Jay’s cover of “Straight Outta Compton” and Jonathan Coulton’s “Baby Got Back.” Both covers still trouble me, for similar yet slightly different reasons.

    Coulton’s “Baby Got Back” is less offensive because it doesn’t seem to pretend to be anything but a put on. The offensive part, though, seems to be the fact that he’s making fun of a particular body type – almost like he’s concurring with his mostly white audience that worshipping big booties is either insane (because we all know skinny girls rock) or that Black men’s obsession with butts is ridiculous and juvenile.

    Jay’s cover, now that I’ve listened to it multiple times, just doesn’t ring authentic to me. Why? Well, my wife, who is much harder to offend when it comes to racial sensitivities, thought that it just seemed like he was straight up mocking gangsta rap, and I had to ultimately agree. “Straight Outta Compton” is just too specific to the experiences of a certain segment of young Black men growing up in South Central, L.A. in the late 1980s. It’s reportage, not allegory. No matter how much I, as a suburban raised Asian-American man, might enjoy or respect early NWA or the Geto Boys or Ice T, I will never be able to claim a kinship with the experiences/ emotions they are depicting. There’s a legitimate anger and fury in the original “Straight Outta Compton” that is completely bleached away by Jay’s performance.

    Now, this doesn’t mean Jay’s intentions were less than honorable. It’s just that certain songs are so laden with history and personal experience. It’s like if I decided to make an up-tempo, poppy, disco dance version of Tori Amos’s “Me and a Gun”…dude, that would just be wrong, right? Or is every expression of personal pain fair game?

    Posted 13 Aug 2008 at 10:27 pm ¶

41. David Marine wrote:

    PaulPortland raises some interesting points. I think that insofar as this is a somewhat contentious issue, it may be because the original song itself works on two levels. It might be said that early gansta rap functioned as reportage, but Ice Cube’s verse surely is not meant to be taken literally. It’s hyperbole, and to my mind it’s meant to demonstrate not only anger and frustration, but also the necessity of posturing.

    I don’t think the “legitimate anger and fury” is bleached away by Jay’s performance; I think it’s expressed differently. Ice Cube was taking a certain posture, and Jay is taking a completely different posture. Both are voicing extreme frustration, so extreme that they are ready to kill or be killed. But neither version is meant to be taken literally, is it? I mean, Ice Cube isn’t really claiming to be like Charles Manson, is he? He’s not really saying that he’s chopped up bodies and made a gumbo out of them, is he? I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that the same themes of extreme frustration, a sense of being driven “crazy,” and a willingness to “waltz with death,” are voiced in many of Jay’s original songs.

    I still think that Nina Gordon’s version, and Jay’s, are born of empathy, not out of a desire to mock or deride. In my opinion, the idea that somehow this song is sacrosanct merely diminishes it.

    Posted 14 Aug 2008 at 4:53 pm ¶