Rap Task Force - Your thoughts on the NYPD following rappers

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Now this isn't exactly late breaking news, however i've been looking into this more and more ever since I heard about this a little while back.

Now, this may be more interesting to actual rap fans as opposed to let's say, rock fans.. but even still, it's an interesting topic.

It's a fact, (one that the NYPD used to deny but now acknowledges), that New York city actually has a task force that was specifically created to keep tabs on artists and industry insiders within the rap community. As well as possible friends and family members of said people.

A very brief explanation of this so called 'Hip Hop Police':

All Hip Hop

Club 50

Anyways, some people (especially those not into hip-hop) might not see this as such a bad thing. However, should one of the largest police forces in the world really be targeting an entire industry?

While I see it as more of stereotypical look at rap, for the simple fact that many of it's stars came from a criminal lifestyle, many take more of a racial standpoint.

Now like any reasonable person, it's best to look at both sides of this. For example, many of you are aware of the deaths of Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and Christopher 'Notorious B.I.G.' Wallace. Or the more recent death of Jam Master Jay. Some statements made by the NYPD suggested these were some of the reasons such a task force existed. But are rappers the only musicians being murdered? No. Shouldn't the NYPD, treat these incidents like any other homicides, rather than label them 'rap homicides'?

I could go on to point out many reasons why such a unit should not exist in the way it does, and how the 'hip hop police' could be considered racial profiling.

That's not even to mention how all of this could be used in a corrupt way. I liked these comments I found on a website:

Well, it looks like it was originally setup for protection, which I think is fine.

However, we all know the NYPD and the Miami Police Force...if you want corrupt, you'll find it there in a second.

and something to make you think..

Yeah, Biggie and Pac were under heavy surveillance too. We know the cops hated them. Funny how their both dead now.

Anyways, this whole rant here (even though I kinda summed it up briefly) was just to get some feedback on what some other people thought about this. Whether into hip hop or not, what do you think?

Also any MODS, this is focusing on Police relations concerning the entire Hip Hop industry. Not just something about music, so please don't move it into Music O'Rama..

[deeder7001]

i think that rapppers that came from a criminal lifestyle NEED to stay out of that sort of lifestyle. the only difference i see between rockers and rappers is that rappers talk about thier criminal activities(in thier songs) while rockers don't talk about it much.

if rappers would stop rapping about killing cops and stuff they probably wouldn't have a "hip-hop task force".

as you can probably tell, i'm not a fan of rap.

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Originally posted by deeder7001

if rappers would stop rapping about killing cops and stuff they probably wouldn't have a "hip-hop task force".

as you can probably tell, i'm not a fan of rap.

Most rappers grow up seeing violence and crime. Then they get older and are put in the same situations. Their rhyming about their life in the same way punk rockers stress how their so "misunderstood".

Let's say you sell drugs and rap, then you get a multi-million dollar record deal. Do you really think you would still need to be doing those sort of things? How many rappers out there you think are shooting anybody? Let alone shooting cops.

We're not just talking about the NYPD investigating rappers that may be suspects in criminal activity. They are literally following hip hop artists for what they do regardless of their criminal history.

They are also keeping tabs on people associated with these artists. So if you produce a Jay Z record, your probably a druglord?

-----

More to the point. If it is indeed just there to ensure these artists are not still into criminal activity, why deny the existance of the unit in the first place? Doesn't that say something about their intentions?

2Pac shot two cops while he was a millionaire. He was aquitted and never convicted. It was found he had acted in self defense. You put an officer with a grudge on a rapper in a task force like this, what's to stop some corrupt cops acting in the same way. It's giving police a reason to harrass rappers. It's pathetic.

[deeder7001]

it's pathetic that rappers glorify stuff like killing cops and smoking weed and having sex with hookers 24/7 and whatever the hell "bling bling" is.

[MidnightViper88]

I saw some old lady in a Bently the other day...

She was more bling-blingin' than any of them gangstas in them wannabe Escalades rolling on dubs...

[griffinn]

Any credible URL about this rap task force, from the NYPD site itself or from conventional news sites?

[iron2000]

Originally posted by deeder7001
it's pathetic that rappers glorify stuff like killing cops and smoking weed and having sex with hookers 24/7 and whatever the hell "bling bling" is.

My thoughts exactly!!

[S-uper_T-oast]

Todays rap sucks, they should go back to their "hard street lives" and get out of there damn $10million houses and sell there $50million+ in cars, jewelery, extravagant shit, etc... Your not a street thug, your an obnoxious rich person.

[Jay]

that really is the fate of big singers who talk about their hard lives. They get rich and become hypocritical.

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Originally posted by griffinn
Any credible URL about this rap task force, from the NYPD site itself or from conventional news sites?

Ignoring all the people here complaining about rap music rather than what I am actually talking about...

There are credible sources. But i'm not sure about any rap website you would deem 'credible'. I know there are some more offcial sites (news sites) that have reports about the official NYPD statements.

Let me try to find those sites again. But Google this if you do not truly believe it exists. It's common knowledge in the rap community these days. It's not some urban myth.

EDIT: Also allhiphop.com is indeed a very credible site. If they do not have 100% proof, articles go in the 'Rumors' section.

[S-uper_T-oast]

Not saying it isn't true, but "common knowledge" is not something you want to base things on too often.

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Originally posted by S-uper_T-oast
Not saying it isn't true, but "common knowledge" is not something you want to base things on too often.

It was announced officially by the NYPD. It's not just heresay.

[ventasperu]

Spam, spam I have been banned

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WTF?

[DJ ROACH]

It sounds to me like your not acctualy asking opinons or thoughts, if your asking what your thoughts are on this subject your going to get replys about hating rappers and getting what they deserve. That is a thought and their thought on the subject. it sounds to me like your looking for people to agree with your opinion on the subject, i think i agree with you. I realy dont know exactly what your stance is on it though.

I would think a task force such as nypd's would be most aware of the fact that they have money and can get away with alot more things. They are wealthy and for the most part come from a poor background. This would lead you to suspect that along side of people as wealthy as them they would be more reckless and be able to aford to get a way with it.
So if the task force was created to get better or more evidence against them, I say money well spent.
If you worked hard to make your millions your probaly gonna be more carefull about how your seen and what you do, if your a rapper chances are your gonna act out like your rap image is seen as and have the money to get you out of trouble, unlike you or i if we were to do the same things.

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See that was a good reply.

I wasn't looking for people to agree with me, I just didn't care for their music tastes.

Like:

"Todays rap sucks, they should go back to their "hard street lives" and get out of there damn $10million houses and sell there $50million+ in cars, jewelery, extravagant shit, etc... Your not a street thug, your an obnoxious rich person."

I was trying to focus more on the profiling aspect. I fully understand why a hip hop artist might be targeted by police. Guns, drugs and violence is a big part of hip hop. However, many of these rappers speak of their past, yet are pursued like they are running out and planning to kill off anybody who get's in their way.

We all know there are certain rappers who deserve what they get, but should every rap act who steps inside New York be subject to this?

EDIT: Also note, i'm discussing this. I am definately not saying the NYPD is absolutely wrong. But there idea is flawed.

[Omega X]

Originally posted by DJ ROACH

I would think a task force such as nypd's would be most aware of the fact that they have money and can get away with alot more things. They are wealthy and for the most part come from a poor background. This would lead you to suspect that along side of people as wealthy as them they would be more reckless and be able to aford to get a way with it.
So if the task force was created to get better or more evidence against them, I say money well spent.

Why not just create a "Rich" task force. If you don't already know, RICH people come in many different professions. Whether if its a crazy rocker like Marylin Manson or a ghetto rapper like Master P. They all have money and they ALL do crazy things with it. If they are going to do this, then they need to do it right. That would include Actors, Actresses, Business Moguls, Artists which include, Rock, Rap, R&B, Alternative Rock, Dance, etc. etc.

Don't just focus on Rap artists like its a damn disease. Every rap artist dosen't act the same. Not all Rap sounds the same nor does it have all the same messages and lyrics. That's completely bias and discriminatory. If Rap was so bad, how come most of the world likes it so much? The whole damn world can't be foolish. There wouldn't be things like J-Rap or Chineese people singing the songs word for word(and don't know a lick of English) because its a freedom that most of them don't ordinarily get.

That's just like saying,"Let's make a task force to watch rockers. They are prone to use a lot of drugs and we could bust them and the people that they get the drugs from. Besides its in the lyrics, especially blowing up the world and etc. etc." Now you know that not every Rock artist dosen't do drugs, or is an "in the closet" crazy terrorist yelling at the world through a mike.

Not to mention while they are watching Rappers in clubs, there are rapists, REAL killers, drug dealers, molsters, terrorists, thieves and robbers, Domestic violence etc. going on throughout NYC and its not being handled efficiently enough because "The rapper is getting drunk at some night club". OOOOooooo....dumbasses.

I swear, no one uses money for useful things in the USA anymore. I could go on and on but the rant ends here.

[deeder7001]

Originally posted by Omega X
The whole damn world can't be foolish.

it can and it is.

[Omega X]

Originally posted by deeder7001
it can and it is.

I guess that counts you too.

[deeder7001]

yep. i'm not foolish most of the time though.

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Originally posted by deeder7001
it can and it is.

Sounds like Mr. Religion doesn't like rap

Seriously though. Rap is like #1 on my list of favorite things. And it doesn't bother me at all when people say they don't like or listen to rap.

But then people make unfounded comments, or just plain racist remarks and I get pissed off (not talking about you deeder). But it seems when it comes to hip hop, people just get rude about it.

If you told me you liked thrash metal (which I find annoying), I would just say OK. That's what you like, not me. But I don't begin to talk about what is wrong with that music, how I dislike it's musicians, blah, blah, blah.

If you don't like hip hop, that's fine. Not everbody likes the same things. But honestly, nobody gives a fuck what you think is wrong with it.

There is a reason artists like 50 Cent, 2Pac (even after death), Nas, Eminem and even Dr. Dre (who started rapping 30 years ago) are selling more albums than anybody else in today's music. Rap is #1, and not just with respect to the music itself. Look at the clothing sales it generates.. people you know are wearing G Unit Reeboks, Timbs (boots), Sean John, Rocafella etc. And I could go on. Magazines, television etc.

You wanna argue about hip hop. Fine. You win. Rap sucks. But remember, that sucky music is bigger than whatever your listening to.

Bitch

[Mattress]

and that just points back to deeder's statment that the whole world is foolish :P

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Right.. that must be what it is

I guess your just a little bitter. Maybe even jealous. Punk rock not that big? LMAO

(Just so you know, i'm joking around.. before anybody takes this the wrong way)

[Mattress]

dude, i don't listen to punk.

I actually like some rap, just not that crap about fuckin' hos and all their bling bling or shit about killing cops and other violence, etc..

It's not the style of music I have a problem with it's the content.

[Print]

That's understandable.

So what do you listen to?

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Originally posted by S-uper_T-oast
Todays rap sucks, they should go back to their "hard street lives" and get out of there damn $10million houses and sell there $50million+ in cars, jewelery, extravagant shit, etc... Your not a street thug, your an obnoxious rich person.

Oh and I just had to say this...

Your an idiot. I don't like to flame people here. But seriously. Your just a fucking moron. Make some sense.

[deeder7001]

Originally posted by blueprint_n9ne
Sounds like Mr. Religion doesn't like rap

that would be correct. i don't like rap much even if the lyrics were about something i supported. it's just not my thing.

[Bilbo Baggins]

Blueprint, dont flame. Super Toasts comment did make sense.

I think that a task force to investigate rap related crimes is a good thing, and has only been bought about not only because of the percieved image that rap has bought upon itself, but because of the many actual instances of rappers with guns, gangs and violence aplenty. Wasnt it 50 Cent in the news recently because a member of his group got shot?

Special units of the police like this are not a new thing though. Here in the UK, there is a special taskforce to deal with black on black crimes, because its a growing problem. It has nothing to do with stereotypes or any kind of bigotry, it is pure hard fact that leads to this sort of thing.

[Mattress]

Originally posted by blueprint_n9ne
That's understandable.

So what do you listen to?

As far as rap is concerned? I occasionally enjoy Mars Ill, but I really like stuff that I guess would be categorized as downbeat, or possibly trip-hop. Basically rap/hip-hop without the rapping. Artists like Thievery Corporation, Nightmares on Wax, Kruder and Dorfmeister, Fila Brazilia, etc.. though sometimes they have rapping, though it's generally not about violence, money, or sex.

Rap started as a fun and positive thing (think Rapper's Delight, or MC Hammer even), happy party music, then gangsta rap came along and ruined it, now most popular rap is either about violence or lyrics about sex that could/should have been written by a 3rd grader (it's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes?) it's crap like that that gives rap a bad reputation.

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Originally posted by Bilbo Baggins
Blueprint, dont flame. Super Toasts comment did make sense.

I think that a task force to investigate rap related crimes is a good thing, and has only been bought about not only because of the percieved image that rap has bought upon itself, but because of the many actual instances of rappers with guns, gangs and violence aplenty. Wasnt it 50 Cent in the news recently because a member of his group got shot?

Well put.

Although about Super Toasts comments.. did you read them?

They should go back to their street lives and sell all there stuff?

Going from nothing to riches by working hard. And suddenly their obnoxious rich people? If you had nothing all your life and became very rich, you would have alot of jewelery, cars and expensive homes too.

You know, THE SAME WAY ANY OTHER ENTERTAINER DOES! Actors, singers, athletes. It's idiots like that that single out hip hop artists for anything they do.

Because you know, Shaq and Kobe don't have a fleet of expensive cars. Tom Cruise doesn't have a home worth tens of millions. The only difference is most hip hop artists had nothing before. Now they do.

Haters.

[SSJ4 Gogitta]

Very little rap music I can tolerate. I do, though, like a lot of Eminem's stuff.

Though not really rap, but R&B (may as well be rap), I like TuPac's song "Changes", and Blackstreet's "No Diggity".

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Originally posted by Mattress
As far as rap is concerned? I occasionally enjoy Mars Ill, but I really like stuff that I guess would be categorized as downbeat, or possibly trip-hop. Basically rap/hip-hop without the rapping. Artists like Thievery Corporation, Nightmares on Wax, Kruder and Dorfmeister, Fila Brazilia, etc.. though sometimes they have rapping, though it's generally not about violence, money, or sex.

Rap started as a fun and positive thing (think Rapper's Delight, or MC Hammer even), happy party music, then gangsta rap came along and ruined it, now most popular rap is either about violence or lyrics about sex that could/should have been written by a 3rd grader (it's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes?) it's crap like that that gives rap a bad reputation.

Just so you know, rappers like Chingy, Nelly, Cash Money etc.

I can't fucking stand. I love rap, and the excessive garbage alot of rappers use pisses me off too. And now that I think about it I get the feeling you think I listen to people like Slim Thug. Generic artists that only talk about hoes, money, guns and beef.

Not every artist is like the trash of the hip hop industry. And what about the positive messages in hip hop. Nobody seems to mention that at all. I recall friends of mine loving the song 'I Can' by Nas when it came out. And a people who don't even like 2Pac liked his single 'Changes'. What about the charities and foundations many rappers do work for.

50 Cent and The Game recently gave donations to help keep the Harlem Boys Choir in business. There's even a G-Unity foundation. Yes G Unity. Ever watch the Apprentice. Fat Joe, Jadakiss and Lil Kim had volunteered to help out for Pediatric Aids I believe it was.

But we'll look the other way because these people USED to sell drugs and carry guns. Once a sinner, always a sinner right Super Toast.

[papadoc]

I heard since we can't put panties on the heads of
captured terrorists to make 'em talk anymore,
we're gonna start making 'em listen to rap music

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LMAO..

That's only because it's so different from what they are used to.
If they were torturing you, they would make you listen to Arabic music all day.

[papadoc]

Arabic music wouldn't bother me at all.
But torturing me with rap music would make me spill my guts in a hurry!

[SSJ4 Gogitta]

Good piece of hindi music: Bally Sagoo feat. Gunjan - Noorie.

I actually like it.

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Originally posted by papadoc
Arabic music wouldn't bother me at all.
But torturing me with rap music would make me spill my guts in a hurry!

Wow.. i'm surprised you aren't making millions as a stand up comedian.

[Mattress]

Originally posted by blueprint_n9ne
Just so you know, rappers like Chingy, Nelly, Cash Money etc.

I can't fucking stand. I love rap, and the excessive garbage alot of rappers use pisses me off too. And now that I think about it I get the feeling you think I listen to people like Slim Thug. Generic artists that only talk about hoes, money, guns and beef.

That's because that is the face of rap to those outside of it. When you say, I like rap, that's what most people are thinking of.

I also liked Changes, even though from a musical perspective it wasn't a very creative use of sampling. California Love was much better.

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Originally posted by Mattress
That's because that is the face of rap to those outside of it. When you say, I like rap, that's what most people are thinking of.

I also liked Changes, even though from a musical perspective it wasn't a very creative use of sampling. California Love was much better.

Ya. When I think about it, ALOT of people think of rappers like that immediately. It's kind of like if I think of metal. Only stereotypes would come to mind i'm sure.

Anywho.. Changes was all about 2Pac's skill and lyrics, the beat was garbage. Then again, alot of people believe Pac never had the best beats. California Love had a good beat because of Dre. If only Dre had done more work with him...

[k_rock923]

I don't like rap. I don't like people who emulate rappers because they think it's cool. I don't like people that intentionally use bad grammer because that is the 'in' thing to do. I don't like people that only listen to rap music to be 'gangsta'. There is a lot wrong with the world today.