Byron Hurt interview on “Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes”
October 14th, 2009 | By
Refreshing and enlightening conversation with filmmaker and activist Byron Hurt on his renowned documentary on male identity in hip hop “Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes”. The film deconstructs hip hop as it relates to African American culture and consciousness, and it illustrates the elements of violence, misogyny and homophobia that are often endemic in this cultural form. This conversation also engages on aspects of modern race relations, culture and the rise of inspiring new models of African American manhood, including Barack Obama.
Posted by Sam Daniels
Racism in deeply ingrained in whites/non-blacks consciousness. I’m a black woman. I am the least threatening to anyone. Still I daily witness whites/non whites double back to turn on their car alarms, pull their children close, or lock their doors. I think WHAT THE HELL? I bet I’m more afraid of them then they are of me! Blacks don’t have the an extensive history of murdering, lynching or cutting off limbs of whites. We don’t burn crosses in anyones front lawn! Whites need to check themsleves.
You having a black guy you play ball with is NOT your right to ‘use any language you want with him. Fact is, you are advantaged in a ****** society. Now you may not be ****** but the ****** society serves YOU! It lays it’s red carpet out for you to potentially walk on through life. There is NO black person with that potential. Even the most rich black person will be held under the scope until his money, clout, or cardblanche can be verified because his/her black skin will set the alarm off!
I laugh to myself now because he didn’t but rather “the game is almost over” As if you say: You only have to put up with me for a little while longer. (haha). Anyway, I tried again. I told him the screaming is irritating enough but the banging I just can’t take. (I think he got it) He said he’s stop banging. He did. My point is: There is a priviledge and assumption that white enjoy that helps to impress upon blacks that whites have a world that we will NEVER KNOW.
@ nedenstation, there’s this white couple who lives next to me. During the football game he’s screaming to the top of his lungs. This goes on for two hours. I’m at my computer and can’t work. It’s so loud that he sounds as if he’s in my living room. I thnk about leaving. As the game progresses his starts to stomp on the floor and bang the walls. By then I’ve had it, I go knock on the door, he answers (with glassy eyes) I tell him. He saids I’m sorry but the game is almost over…(hahah)
@filmtress i don’t have any problem with blacks, i play ball and there’s black player in my team, and he lives near me, so we go together to the gym, court & etc. another thing is, blacks call whites however they want when talking about color of people and it’s all good from blacks perspective to diss whites, but to whites ain’t such a word to describe blacks, it seems like, if i say word black to black guy, he probably will be like “fuck you, wigga, you’re fuckin racist, fuckin pig”.
The truth is Plain. I luv it, expose the ignorance we uphold & support daily. We gotta stop defending this **** Hop movement of the last 15yrs. p.s. turn off B.E.T. especialy in front of our children. hotep!!!
don’t say nothing – the Roots
The ultimate question we need to be asking about hip-hop today is “Why do the worst get on top?” Because it seems that the more popular a rapper is, the less wholesome the message.
Great interview!
Good Brother this one. We need him around until we work this ‘thing’ out. Good Interview. Thanks MarkMolarlo you picked a good one to tap inside his brain.
20:11, on race: I agree. It’s really whites that are afraid to talk about race. We (blacks WANT to move on) many of us have. However, the scab becomes a fresh sore again because whites haven’t agreed to acknowledge or even try to remedy the situation. My answer to them (whites) is to allow us (African-Americans) to ‘heal’ the way we know best to without the ‘backlash’ whites love to dish out. If we claim the beauty & attributes of our skin color…DON’T SAY WERE BEING SUPREMISTS OR ******!
can someone tell me whats the name of the song at 1:00
u should recognize the rapper that rap against sexual abuse crime political crisis,humanity…and ttou should recognize bonethugs n harmony that is i kind of rapper i listen to…
Yes, the leadership starts from within, people have to be ready to grow. On a national level, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is truly addressing this issue. Most people don’t really know him, and have not taken the time to listen to him…and there is a reason why you may think ill of him, but when you are ready to really face root issues, he is on the money!
Yes. There ARE numerous artist who emcee w/ substance. Unfortunately, the MAJORITY of what is played in clubs & on the radio are NOT those artists. Did you know they won’t even play Nas’ music on Clear Channel?! I think one of the main points this video’s driving at is, the music that DOES have substance doesn’t get NEARLY as much financial backing as that which does not. This is why our top 10 is usually bullshit artists that purchsed some tight-ass beats 2 jibber-jabber over. ex:Rick Ross
It’s a Catch 20-2-
Cause with Super masculinity There’s Both a Defense and Acceptance- a barrier- that you need living day to day as a black male- who lives attached to their community and greater society – Cause The Crabs in the Bucket come a clawing.
But in Being a Super Male You also send invitation and attract people to test you even more.
But if you change PEOPLE a gradual change can come-
I loved the interview , better late than never. Its so rare to see a an interview with a black artist, in which interviewer and interviewee are intelligent and willing and able to discuss an issue of substance. I would agree the black male construct is trapped in macho bubble, created by both themselves an increasingly manipulative corporate machine, a the heart of rap music.
aliakazhotmailcom it always astonishes me when people brush away the power of historical knowledge and more importantly pride in your place within the framework of world history. So few black men are given the tools to self awareness and true pride in self. (I applaud the filmaker for telling his trutth within the hip hop construct).
Looked for the video on PBS’s site and its going for $150!!!!
He does mention one rap artist that he’s listening too who uses different language doesn’t he?
he’s not complaining, he’s raising awareness. figuring out the causes and the roots of the problem is already half of the solution.
I really like this guy, but I think it is difficult to be progressive and dwell on the past at the same time. I think educating young black men about history is great, but if you don’t have any solutions, then you’re just complaining and justifying unsocial behavior.
seen it yesterday! lets chat
ANY GUYS UP? Bf
please check out my channelihaha i am not begging, well ok i am but please just read my descripTion please man.
thanks a milli
PS.this is NOT spam just check out my channel
This is a great interview and I like the fact that Byron is able to answer questions in depth. This is my first viewing of The Alcove and it certainly won’t be my last.