MOBO AWARDS 2005... - Page 2

nodrama · (#26 (**permalink**))

This article says it all for me:

Helen Kolawole
Thursday September 22, 2005
The Guardian

Black music has never been in such a healthy state sales-wise, but politically
it has reached an impasse. Forget the occasional whiff of rebellion and menace
served up by the likes of hip-hop's 50 Cent; commercial black music has never
been so conservative, both in the aesthetic values that it delivers and the
homogeneous sound that it regurgitates. And the 10th anniversary of the Mobo
(Music of Black Origin) awards, which take place tonight, is a good point for
reflecting on why this might be.

Black pop music isn't the problem. It and the nerdy purists who criticise it
have been with us longer than Diana Ross's recording career. There is little
difference between the inane silliness of a typical Destiny's Child song and
Motown's flowery offerings of old. But what does grate is the almost complete
absence of a visible black counter-culture. Perhaps because, for once,
capitalism isn't keen to exploit it on any grand scale - at a time when it is
needed most.
Black individuality and expression are stifled when defined by banal industry
terminology such as "urban". At best this is a lazy catch-all that includes
anything from Joss Stone to Dizzee Rascal. At worst it's a patronising euphemism
for blackness that routinely serves to constrict creativity.
For example, the music station Channel U purports to showcase young black
British talent. But blackness is now being defined as groups of
indistinguishable hoodie-clad youths for whom hedonistic consumerism is nirvana.
Beneath the anti-establishment posturing lies a deeply cautious, insecure
generation.
While Channel U and similar TV stations are awash with conformity, breakthrough
acts such as Ms Dynamite get the occasional airing. But although her forthcoming
single makes protestations about the pharmaceutical industry's lack of ethics in
Aids-stricken Africa, she's a novelty.
The lack of political artists like her doesn't reflect the hunger for change
that exists in black communities, rather the power structures that maintain the
status quo and get rich on pimping a one-trick ghetto culture.
In today's marketplace, if you have the audacity to believe that black music
extends from Kelis to Fela Kuti, and from John Legend to John Coltrane, you will
be hard-pressed to find this reflected on black music channels, radio stations
or, indeed, award ceremonies, other than the point where they check James
Brown's pulse and give him an award for surviving such extensive dental surgery.
Unlike its white counterpart, black independent music isn't considered
commercially viable. But a black indie chart might be a good starting point
where true innovators such as London's Blacktronica would not have to compete so
hard with Ashanti's conformist warblings or Usher's love of bling.
Modern-day minstrels are what some commentators have called those artists who
market pimping and gangstas as black culture. "Keeping it real" is their
hackneyed response. But challenging these retrograde representations certainly
does not mean painting a rosy picture of the brutal world that so many inhabit.
Nor should it involve constructing ivory towers from which a few black artists
can conduct high art while the masses implode on nihilism. It's about truthfully
reflecting our multifaceted black cultures.
Monolithic constructions of blackness engulf us, and deconstructing them is a
tiring process, which is probably why, amid the euphoria that will no doubt
accompany the Mobo awards' considerable achievement this year, the status quo
will prevail.

Intelligent Hoodlum · (#27 (**permalink**))

@ NoDrama

...and everybody said....AMEN !!!!!

THATS THE TRUTH !!!!!!!

Melissa · (#28 (**permalink**))

Kunjufu, intrigued by your Sony/BMG comment, the MOBOs after party was hosted by Sony BMG ...hmmmm!

Kunjufu · (#29 (**permalink**))

Shocklate wrote:

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Nonetheless,your racist undertones are evidently present. The fact that; just because someone is white it doesn't mean they cannot win anaward for music that has come from a BLACK ORIGIN. Think about all the 'things' that black people weren't allowed to do and now we are being awarded for our efforts.

Now if we were tostill be in the dark ages, opportunity for blacks, would be NON EXISTENT, inANY industry.Do you not see this as a compliment that white people like our culture!
Besides the money they are making, we also have windows of opportunity to climb through.

You should lighten and be happy for black folk who wish to do well.

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[line]

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Shocklate: You know you are preditable as you are obvious stupid..I set the trap and you fall right into it.. 'racist' **shakes head** you muppet!!!

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Listen and listen good...when I deliberately mentioned the colour of the people nominated over Black talent ..the implication wasn't as you read into it..an arguiment that people should be CHOSEN solely on the basis of skin colour..

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if you're having an AWARD celebrating all music genre then it should be a straight fight BASED on talent no problems with that!!

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However if the whole basis of a special award like the MOBO's I thought was to target unrecognised and unappreciate Black talent..isn't it then slight odd that you fall into the same trap of gravitating towards KNOWN artist like

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Any Winehouse, Tim Westwood & Joss stone.. this year.. I could also cite Eminem and Justin Timberlake from previous years.

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Internatinally known WHITE artist already feted by other music awards on BOTH sides of the channel..Now STOP me any time if this get too complicated for you stupid girl..

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The premise of the MOBO's was to highlight black unrecognised talent constantly overlooked by mainstream music awards like the BRITS..

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Therefore it is a clear contradiction forthe MOBO's to state that it wants to promote BLACK artists in one breath but then only restrict itself to mainstream record labels, or internationally known White Artist at the expense of Black british talent..still with me STUPID!!!?

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If you're going to a BLACK VERSION of the BRITS, then IMO be honest andupfront and state that asthe intention don't blow smoke up my backside and tell me its sunny!!!

Thats my point THAT why many of us complain and have nothing good to say about the MOBO's because IT..not us IT sold out its own principles..

got it now dopey!!??

Kibibi · (#30 (**permalink**))

Shocklate wrote:

Quote:

Think about all the 'things' that black people weren't allowed to do and now we are being awarded for our efforts.

Now if we were tostill be in the dark ages, opportunity for blacks, would be NON EXISTENT, inANY industry.Do you not see this as a compliment that white people like our culture!
Besides the money they are making, we also have windows of opportunity to climb through.

You should lighten and be happy for black folk who wish to do well.

Quote:

What you typed was very disturbing...

Intelligent Hoodlum · (#31 (**permalink**))

Its another newbie annihilation !!! *sigh*

...look Shocklate you can chat "air" on some other weak websites but as you are learning the people here is fighting for the cause !

The real black cause ! ...if you gonna defend have a strong aurgument and sorry but your aurguement is sounding weak.

If you have listened you will understand the point being made.

"Do you not see this as a compliment that white people like our culture!
Besides the money they are making, we also have windows of opportunity to climb through."

Naaa mate, all that "Master is getting paid ...don't worry about Master... look at the lovely cotten field" chat aint gonna run round 'ere as Roll Deep say.

If Master getting paid ! THEN WE DAMN WELL GETTING PAID !!!

MALCOM X style !!! (by any means neccessary !!)

...don't let white business people use us for our talent... we should gain too or its just modern day slavery... oh and thats my view of Channel U... and don't talk about exposure ...cos exposure don't pay for studio time for them artists, or buy the cars or the bling they chat bout in their rimes!

One

Prince Hakeem · (#32 (**permalink**))

BlackBeauty wrote:

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Shocklate wrote:

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Think about all the 'things' that black people weren't allowed to do and now we are being awarded for our efforts.

Now if we were tostill be in the dark ages, opportunity for blacks, would be NON EXISTENT, inANY industry.Do you not see this as a compliment that white people like our culture!
Besides the money they are making, we also have windows of opportunity to climb through.

You should lighten and be happy for black folk who wish to do well.

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What you typed was very disturbing...

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confused3I doubtshock-value believes half of what he/she says....

Kunjufu · (#33 (**permalink**))

Intelligent Hoodlum wrote:

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Its another newbie annihilation !!! *sigh*

...look Shocklate you can chat "air" on some other weak websites but as you are learning the people here is fighting for the cause !

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Intelligent Hoodlum: Yes i know its unfortunate that yet another Newbie didn't come correct..but people have got to learn this is NOTthe place where you come with patronsing comments and people will just sit there and take it..

We get too much of this nonsense on the mainstream media.. Shocklate can go onto Trisha or some BBC Website with that type of lame half thought through analysis..and they'll accept it..

But here people need to come correct, or if not at least come prepared to defend it with something more than hot air and tabliod rhetoric..

Constant Quality · (#34 (**permalink**))

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:Xim soo pi**ed i wrote such a lovely articulate peice on my opions of the mobo's and the damn thing all got lost when i added a smiley

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but it was so passionate, and deep...you guys missedout...idont have the energy to re-type it all again *sigh*

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but it was along the lines of the artlcle thatintelligent hoodlumargreed on

.AMEN again.

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in fact it was practically identical accept mines was MORE deep-er

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p.s the media is trying to muscle in on it now by sending there white z list celebratitys to add some so called glamour...the cheek, who myleene class and jordan

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what a insult.

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apparently its on tonight so get watching folks