Chuck D Seems Disappointed in Jay-Z and Kanye for Being Selfish SOBs
Hip hop legend Chuck D says that he’s confused by artists like Jay-Z and Kanye West. The master laid down his opinion during a recent interview with “The Times,” stating that he’s not sure why Kanye and Jay-Z even exist. Says Chuck:
“Hip-hop celebrates those who wanna make a killing instead of a living. I like those guys, but they make me laugh sometimes because I don’t get who they’re here for, other than themselves.”
Chuck D, whose real name is Carlton Ridenhour, joins Harry Belafonte as part of a growing core of celebrities who are questioning the selfishness, materialism and self-destructive nature hip hop music. Belafonte said that Jay-Z and other celebrities have thrown out virtually all desire to do anything for anyone other than themselves, and don’t seem to want to do much for the African American community.
“And I think one of the great abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities. But they have turned their back on social responsibility. That goes for Jay-Z and Beyoncé, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you’re talking. I really think he is black,” said Belafonte.
Chuck D made a song about his concerns, called “Catch the Throne.” You can check it out below.
I feel they have made promises (took oaths) to do as they are told. In return, they receive stardom and cash. Makes me think of the movie Devils Advocate.
Harold
August 14, 2012 at 10:07 am
Kanye West has lost his mind since his mother died. Hanging around knuckleheads like Jay Z and dating a whores like Kim Kardashian makes me wonder. This is not the same guy who rightfully called out then President Bush as uncaring toward black people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Herman Hawkins Jr.
August 14, 2012 at 10:11 am
Aye real4real. All of what he said has been thrown out of the window. His favorite statement, we gone kill’em. His videos are flooded wth black people
Jdub
October 22, 2012 at 4:10 am
It is long overdue that collectively we expose these people,publish the
names and boycott their CD,s and shows.It is not rather they want to or
not,they have a responsibility to the community and we should let them know it.
Charles
August 14, 2012 at 10:24 am
They are who they are – those Black Folk with money and no conscious leave them alone.
Can we highlight the Black churches and other Black owned establishments that can be more instrumental in the uplifting of our communities?
Why keep beating those dead horses about things they aren’t conscious of. Also,would it be more appropriate for those in a position to target the masses(working poor and the poor) to get their minds right and focus on our MONIES and the power of a dollar-versus preaching the dozens about some rich a_ _ MINSTRELS?
Boycott Christmas 2012
Phillip Battle
August 14, 2012 at 11:50 am
I’m glad something made Chuck D get off of his couch! We have been missing his voice for a LONG time!
Kirsten
August 14, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Thank GOD for Chuck D and the legendary Harry Belafonte`. Someone needs to speak up about the greed and selfishness..
toussaint ellington-cooke
August 14, 2012 at 12:56 pm
What took so long to see this? Don’t get me wrong, folks can live their life how they want to. If the public buys it as commercial, so be it. Real is real. Most celebs just seem to wanna get paid and be seen as rich. All that we can do is not support them. Like what you like. American mainstream just has a new way to keep slaves, let a few prosper outlandishly, and watch the masses live through them. Nothing new! I love Chuck D, Harry B. and others like them. If in fact Jay, Bey and the like are selfish hoarders; let it be. We don’t NEED them. Maybe we need some NEW celebs and leaders? Peace.
Big Nick
August 14, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Blueprint 3 is the greatest donation of all time. Have you people not heard “So Ambitious” or “History”? Anybody that listens to that album for at least one month will benefit 3 folds more than any charity with some self proclaimed mission to save humanity could ever hope to advance them. Only we can save ourselves through ACHIEVEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION. Jay Z and Kanye can spend there money on building fifty feet self statues for all I care. Its there lives, there money, there perrogative to spend there hard earned cash where and how so ever they see fit.
G. Wizer
August 14, 2012 at 1:37 pm
It’s Their Money*
G. Wizer
August 14, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Sure its their money but thats not the history of this specialized sound. I’ve been listening to hiphoprapmusic since the boombox on the shoulder era. he is only rich 4life due to obvious reasons. My question to hime is, how do you go from “Jesus walks” which is very disrespectfull to even say the Lord walks like he personally knows him. Then wears cut off heads of idols, an brags how he’s “gonna kill’em with this one”?
Jdub
October 22, 2012 at 4:16 am
I hope there continues to be an outcry against these selfish bastards. They prefer to perpetuate negative sterotypes against black america in order to capitalize on it. But they prefer to sit tight-lipped when it comes to addressing our community’s problems. I guess it’s because they are the PROBLEM! What in the hell would you expect from a former DRUG DEALER & DILLUSIONAL JACKxxx?
sickandtired
August 14, 2012 at 1:54 pm
AH SH*T,,,,THEY STILL GOT IT!…..I WANT THAT TRACK. OVER TWENTY YEARS LATER, THESE BROTHERS ARE STILL LAYING DOWN THE TRUTH!!! AND THEY STILL SOUND AS FRESH AS THEY DID YESTERDAY. NOW THAT’S TALENT………!
AMAZINGGRACE
August 14, 2012 at 2:47 pm
I just got chills up my there is Hip Hope thanks Chuck……………..
bkshowers
August 14, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Chuck D is one of my favourite all time rapper, and conscious artist. Too bad there aren’t too many like him. I agree with Belafonte and Chuck D, but what are you going to do? Their wealth is theirs to do what they will, and unless they volunteer to act on behalf of others, there is hardly anything that anyone can do. I wonder if they even look out for their families who need help….
Warren Johnson
August 14, 2012 at 6:56 pm
we remember the good old days when hip hop was just pure fun…and many rap legends such as Chuck D..public enemy….erick b & Rakim….KRS 1…..layed down true wake me up social messges..in their music…which many responded 2….with action…..today….$$$$,sex..self….and mo mindless bling..the s–t..gets old…and very.tired..listening….to…a..2 a sucka…..rapping about how much he has…got..and gon get…….
milton williams
August 15, 2012 at 4:01 am
Why should it surprise anyone that they don’t have any social conscience about black America? These are some of the same people who don’t have enough integrity or respect for their own race that many of them call us a n*gg*r at the drop of a hat. The I don’t care attitude started when black entertainers realized they can make more money and open more doors for themselves by appealing to whites than blacks. That’s also when we started hearing the word n*gg*r being thrown around n*gg*r more often. Check out how many of these rich black buffoons defended white actress Gwyneth Paltrow calling blacks a n*gg*r. Long gone are the days of Harry Belafonte who spoke out on social issues. These black entertainers realize that whites don’t want to pay money to hear black people who aren’t acting like self hating buffoons. Sadly their is a ignorant generation of young black people who also support these types of black entertainers.
David2001
August 15, 2012 at 7:44 am
I think they will change and start to become more social conscious now
that they have the money and fame that they were striving for.Give them
a chance now that they have been called out.We all wake-up at different
times,you know that.
jaleel shakir
August 16, 2012 at 7:59 pm
I don’t care how Jay-Z, Beyonce or Kanye West do or how they live is of no concern to me. It not just black people with money that are selfish, a lot of rich people of ALL races don’t care about anything if they feel it doesn’t concern them! When black people use the ‘n’ word, it’s a term of endearment but it’s NOT okay for white people to use it!
Trevanne Foxton
August 17, 2012 at 4:01 am
Jay Z and Kanye are not the only selfish rappers. The black community supports these rappers and they can’t even come back and open a chain of grocery stores for us. It is badly needed across the black community in the USA. So what do they do? Flaunt what they have and continue to act like idiots. One thing about it if they don’t change their worldly ways this is their heaven here and where God is they will not be welcome!!
JC
August 17, 2012 at 9:26 pm
I agree with Mr. Belafonte.
Haziine EyTina
August 19, 2012 at 1:39 am
David, I couldn’t say it better myself, so true and no wonder it is a dumbing down of this young generation, look at the crap and people they admired. No one that I think that is doing good in the community, no one is perfect but damn, at least show that you care about your people, but everyone is looking out of number one, themselves, smdh.
Gene
August 19, 2012 at 1:41 am
Bruce Springsteen is not ‘Black’ Harry Belafonte but Chuck D and you are right about these modern materialistic self-hating slaves Jay Z , Kanye West and others.
Mandingo
August 20, 2012 at 1:55 am
I really understand Chuck’s and Harry’s point. I do think that Jay Z and Beyonce are doing some thing for the community but; Chuck and Harry should know that because of the nature of the media; you will NEVER read about it. Because of the media’s jeously you will only hear about the material things they get. Like Cosby and Oprah, Kayne and Jay should publicize what they are doing themselves because like Oprah with Cosby; it will inspire other rich celebrity and sport types to contribute the same way. JayZ and Kayne should publicize what they are doing. Don’t hide it.
Mike Jay
August 20, 2012 at 11:27 am
where was chuck with this same commentary when the dirty dirty brought strip club culture to little kids everywhere with pimp goblets? Kanye and J are just simple capitalists that was an invetible construct from a remnant art form that was systematically being commoditized in front our faces. While you tripping, puff and big really set that flossy floss off. This has been 20 yrs in the making so don’t just single the two that are running the game now when no one spoke up before. He may have ears in the hip hop community but not the pop rap community — and by hip hop …U don’t necessarily mean underground..just lovers of real art
cp
September 2, 2012 at 5:28 pm
No one has a right to forget. We all stand on the backs of those who willingly gave their lives for us to be where we live, education, equality. Kanye and Jayz are obsessed with white folks. Gwen Paltrow thought it was cool to call out the word Ni g as and Jayz defended her. Kanye its the great buffoon. Thanks ChuckD but let’s not forget our favorite coon Flava Flav-SMDH
Mz
October 21, 2012 at 6:43 pm
I am not in to rap but I don’t understand why we can’t be happy for black people who have seemingly made it compare too the many who have not all we do is complain about what they do or what they don’t do these people are not responsible for none of us and don’t owe us not one dime if they feel that they want to contribute too any community that’s a good thing and if not that should be their choice not ours what this sounds like is pure jealousy because obvisouly this Chuck D. don’t have a pot to piss in nor a window too throw it out of otherwise he wouldn’t have made these remarks let Jay Z. and Kanye live their lives and you Chuck D.live yours and stop whinning!!!!!and besides what have you done lately Chuck D.for the community?????
rosemary davis
October 21, 2012 at 7:40 pm
It is NOT their money! It’s yours, and yours, and yours….you too over in the church pew…yep! Your “work to hard to give your money to the poor but you’ll spend $100 for a ticket to see these rappers gyrate your minds” self…you too.
Some folk so poor, all they HAVE is money!
Really?
October 21, 2012 at 11:53 pm
I personally feel that all who worked hard for success who started with nothing does not owe anyone. We all have choices and others chose their path in life. Why should any person feel obligated because they made something out of their lives. I understand benevolence but come on. Look at for example Mc Hammer. He tried to help and look what happened he ended up broke and all those around him disappeared. I see chuck as being hypocritical and sounds like envy to me. The biggest thing he needs to realize us that MONEY will not change community’s. Knowledge, education, persistence, pride, and self respect will. Last I checked all of that is free.
jay bentley
October 22, 2012 at 1:15 am
I totally agree because Black people still haven’t learned and most will never learn that we are perpetuate and carrying forward the legacy that the white man has bestowed upon us an that is to keep us down and separated. It makes me sick to my stomach to see that in 2012 “Negras” are still envious and jealous of what someone else have. One thing that I am proud to say as an artist about HIP HOP is that the young bloods like JZ have taken the production and distribution of black music out of the hands of Whites and Jews and put it in their own hands getting 95% instead of 5% of sales. So get a life…
don ridgeway
October 22, 2012 at 2:48 am
Power to the people chuck d for president!!!
Blaze
October 22, 2012 at 5:59 pm
no doubt.its all about the money aspect of the game.rappers has forgotten that music is a nation no competation.jayz to me is nothin but a hyprocrite bowin down to the laws of materilism.how could u perform a hot track like change clohes,when u didnt.kids run the hiphop industry nowadays with their constant downloading of what they were thought to be real hip hop.this shits disgusting but it is what it is.we need a change badly.i guess nas saw it.hip hop is dead and needs to be reincarnated.word
infoknight
March 15, 2013 at 11:22 am