While trolling through the music section of Creative Loafing online, I unwittingly stumbled onto what is described as the music blog. I hoped to both study the execution of the featured writers as well as possibly find undiscovered music. What I encountered was much less rewarding and in some ways outright disturbing.
Initially, I observed definite patterns in content and genre presented within the blog. In addition to the domination of hip-hop related news, subtle political themes also emerged. I was surprised by this discovery; it had never occurred to me that different political agendas would or could be promoted under the veil of music news. I mistakenly believed discussions regarding music were sacred and impervious to personal agendas. Two recent posts in particular, illustrate how the Crib Notes blog is being used to launder ideas of a decidedly political nature.
The first was a blog regarding a female emcee, SA-ROC. The piece was a compelling celebration of her lyrics for their adherence to five-percenter ideology and featured excerpts from the talented emcee’s essay, an embittered condemnation of Nicki Minaj. However, as I meandered through this world of hip-hop politics, I began to wonder if the music had taken a back seat to political discourse.
I was further disheartened by a second recent article about Killer Mike, and its fear mongering approach to a pro-gun ownership platform. The sensationalist title and militant undertones were accompanied by a bizarre reference to the conspiracy theory that credits the CIA for the dissemination of crack in the black community. However, to briefly and rationally address that proposition, I believe we can concede that crack addiction tears through lives indiscriminately, blind to both race and politics. But the deficiency of these articles stems not from their tangential content, but rather from posturing them as anything other than what they are: blatant political agendas.
When I pursue music news, I am seeking refuge from the madness of incessant chatter and echoes of self-interest. Although music itself deals in things political, social and otherwise, it does so with artistic expression as the primary consideration. What I have observed recently in Creative Loafing are articles primarily concerned with social and racial issues that are thinly and unnecessarily connected to some aspect of the music world.
My belief is that music should be revered for its healing quality and ability to transcend race and politics. Instead the Crib Notes blog features divisive articles that only perpetuate what appears to be a highly personal agenda, one that has little to do with music. Each of us is afforded the privilege to relate to and appreciate music in our own way. These articles are a debasement of that virtue and this vile injection of pseudo- political propaganda threatens to destroy one of our final sanctuaries. Therefore, I propose a conscious effort to restore the integrity of the music blog by refraining from outright political indoctrination and a renewed sensitivity to the celebration of music and its blessings.
