Kanya King: There's more to black music than gangs and guns

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Kanya King: There's more to black music than gangs and guns

Published: 14 August 2007 When I look back, I see nothing but a history of outspoken social messages No one could doubt that there are some serious challenges facing the blackBritish community. In areas where poverty and crime go hand in hand,violence and so-called "gang culture" are becoming more and more of amedia issue. And then, of course, we are treated to the usual list ofsuspects that appear whenever the question of crime and the blackcommunity appear: music, role models, family issues, drugs. It's like amantra, loved by politicians and media alike.

Do these issues exist? Of course they do. Does the black community wantand need to address them? Of course. But there's something about the wayit's presented that is uncomfortable. When Eric Harris and Dylan Kleboldshot their classmates in Columbine in 1999, the media dragged MarilynManson into the debate; I don't remember ever seeing that referred to as"white music" or "rock" or anything similar. Yet, when it comes toviolence surrounding black teenagers, we're so quick to invoke the phrases"black music", "rap" or "hip-hop". Why?

Leaving aside the debate over whether any music has a real causal effecton people's actions - although it's certainly a valuable debate to have -I'm surprised at the lack of response in some quarters to the charges that"black music" is violent and that the community has a lack of role models.Really?

Whilst the actions of "Snoop" or "The Game" may sell more newspapers, I'm surprised not to see Ms Dynamite or Ty being lauded in the media for theirstance on liberty and freedom of expression - or at least, more than justthe odd article. These issues are important and MOBO is currently involvedin initiatives to address some of them ourselves, looking at bettereducation and access to representation in the music industry. It hasworked for years alongside existing community organisations and inmentoring young people.

The new foundation it's creating will implement initiatives which aim toincrease BME (black and minority ethnic) access to existing music businesseducation, as well as creating new and bespoke facilities aimed atfostering entrepreneurship in communities where such activitiestraditionally have a high failure rate. It will introduce a BeMOBO award,a non-music-based community award which espouses the MOBO-award socialideal of being culturally and socially responsible. We hope that thisaward will recognise and celebrate those who are committed to working toproduce a future generation of role models.

Meantime, there's a lack of black role models. Is that so? Or is it thatthere is a lack of visibility for black role models? I question myselfwhen I start thinking like that. I don't like the kind of paranoia thatgoes with that kind of thinking. I know that racism is a declining factorin society and I'm not one to throw the term around lightly. But I wonderwhy DJ Pogo and Jonzi D don't get more coverage for the good work they dofor the arts, worldwide. How come Roots Manuva, MC Mello, K'naan & LupeFiasco don't? Is it just me or is that not as sexy a piece of news asSnoop on a gun charge?

When I look back at the output of black musicians over the last 50 years,I see nothing but a history of outspoken social messages: Marvin Gayewrote about the environment in the Sixties. Bob Marley wrote aboutrighteousness and upliftment of the people throughout the Seventies, SteelPulse kept the UK roots firm in the Eighties, Michael Franti and PublicEnemy wrote about democracy and freedom of speech throughout the Ninetiesand Kanye West and KRS One are still performing and writing lyrics whichdeal with these issues today.

The music industry as a whole, particularly in the UK, has definitely gonethrough dramatic changes over the past decade. The number of black peoplein boardrooms or heading "genre specific" departments is virtuallynon-existent, and this goes across all creative industries, not justmusic. Could this be where the younger generation feel that their onlygoals lie? Behind the mic instead of behind the business and its futuredevelopment?

These are not the exceptions to the rule, they are the rule. The history,present and future of black music is a broad church, not just the domainof a few thugs. Long may it remain so.

Kanya King is the founder and chief executive of MOBO. This year's MOBOAwards are being held at The 02 Arena on the 19 September

Is this person confused by White Supremacist ideology?