People can disregard what I'm about to say because in their opinion I'm probably playing the "race card", but growing up black in this country gives you a rather unique perspective on things. One person can see their local news as simply trying to get simple information out there, I can look at the same broadcast as them trying to paint all black males as animals. You could see Three-6 Mafia's Oscar win as something good for Hip Hop, and I could see it as a backhanded compliment from the academy by promoting a new millenium minstrel show. I know better than to buy that "Ron Artest is a caged beast", "Kobe is a dangerous black rapist", or anything that the media tries to sell you because of their continuous misrepresentation of my people whenever possible.That's why, when Dave Chappelle walked away from his show and was categorized as being mentally unfit, I knew better than to drink the Jim Jones Kool-Aid that the media wanted to pour down our throats. Black folks bought that shit hook line and sinker as well, from Barbershops to the blogishere, I never heard so many people talk confidently about something that they had no proven knowledge about. It was pretty fucking shameful if you ask me. But I do feel that Dave had a serious problem that was a subtle theme throughout this entire flick though.
That problem I feel, one that plagued many great artists who take their craft seriously and want to be treated as such, is a man highly uncomfortable with an astronomic level of fame. This concert in which he funded directly from the depths of his pockets was billed as a concert for "the people", which is wonderful, but it also felt like a very proud man apologizing for a 50 million dollar contract that he just signed.
The concert, although rather dated because it was filmed two years ago, was filled with a handful of the artists that I truly respect. Mos Def and Talib got me fiending for another BlackStar album, even though I find their "don't vote" stance deplorable I still had to got hype when Dead Prez performed "Hip Hop", Erykah Badu reminded me of how crazy as fuck she is but in a good way, and Jill Scott's soulful elegance reignited a love for her that will probably result in a restraining order. Common did his thing, seeing Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap brought a smile to my face, hearing The Roots rock brought to light how dope Black Thought is and how I take him for granted for it, with a reunion of The Fugees which was just average for me to be totally honest, and the parts sprinkled in with Cody Chestnut just gives people insight on what a great talent he truly is.
In an age where asshole celebrities run as rampant as remedial Hip Hop, Dave's interaction with the people of his home town and New York shows what kind of quality dude he is. The one criticism of this film is that it's "not funny", which inspires me to put a Timberland boot squarely in the chest of any underling who utters such nonsense since it is advertised as a "concert film". But there is enough of Dave's humor spread throughout the film to leave any person with a respectable I.Q who could comprehend the commercial of said film, satisfied. I also see this film as a slap in the face to all those Bill "dudes who don't know shit about Hip Hop but want to put all of it in a bubble based on seeing a Ying Yang Twins video" O'Reilly type of critics, who are racking their heads trying to say something negative about the acts in this film.
But at the end of the day I respect Dave, and I applaud him for putting together a concert filled with artists that he really wanted to see perform, in the midst of one of the most turbulent times in his life. Unlike many people who want Dave to return to his show, I don't, not if it means a lethal dose of poison to his state of mind. I'm not in any way saying that Chappelle is the tortured soul that a certain Seattle based rocker named Kurt Cobain was, but we all see what can happen when a truly artistic person suddenly feels trapped by their monumental success.
Thanks Anita..
28 comments:
Thank you for your review. I have not seen the movie, but I know that I will. You and Roger Ebert (who enjoyed the movie even though he is not a fan of the music) make a similar observation about Dave's perceived apology for the $50m.
Based on his "Inside the Actor's Studio" interview, I think and hope that he has dealt with that angst and moved on. Art will always prevail.
Thanks for the review. I haven't been to see it yet either. I admire Dave ... I hope he never goes back to Comedy Central.
I fucks with Dave Chappelle. I have since he was the lone brotha doing standup on the white standup shows before Def Jam did to Standup what it did to hiphop(make it great and fuck it up by amking it look easy in one fluid motion.
I look forward to him going on being great without the 50 million dollars that would have unquestionably been his undoing.
I tried to get tickets to this concert in 2004, and I heard it was one of the most best events that year.
To finally hear reviews about this most important concert, I was a bit disappointed when I found out people thought it was pure garbage.
Having said that, I'm glad I don't listen to anyone, and knew the concert was going to be exactly as I thought it would be. Him making subtle comments sprinkled with some humor and some talented artists doing what they do best....
Thanks for not being the only one who noticed the beauty that is the Block Party....
Dave is the man. I am glad he has seemed to sort things out.
I don't blame him for doing what he had to do, to stay true.
I just saw this film on Saturday and I agree that it's a good movie. One of the things I liked most about this movie was the positivity. I just sat back and enjoyed myself as I watched. I saw this in a theater with (sadly) only about four other people, so I got into the film almost as much as I would have if I actually went to the Block Party.
Thanks for the insightful review. I, too, thought it was stellar. Those who want Dave to stick to schtick have no idea what his art is truly about. This movie was not for them nor was it intended to be.
Nicely done. I wasn't aware that Mos Def was in the same camp as Kweli on the voting issue but I'm glad I'm not the only one to vocalize how fucked up that is.
Nicely Done. I didn't know that Mos Def was of the same mindset as Kweli on voting, but I'm glad that I'm not the only one to vocal say how fucked up that is.
I never watched that goofy ass Dave Chappele show. I found it appalling and disgusting. That was a true ministrel show. I tried to watch it a couple of times, but I would be so embarrassed that this fool was on national television acting a complete donkey. Saying nigga left and right in front of a predominately white audience. I was so ashamed. Everyone had so much to say about Three Six winning an Oscar but Dave could go on air every Wednesday night and disgrace the black culture. All those so called conscious entertainers appearing on the show, really let me know that anyone will do anything for a quick buck. I see all the entertainers and so called rap moguls hosting these hip hop conventions preaching about they want to change the direction of hip hop and then turn around and sign artist that promote violence and drugs. But it's whatever. It's just makes me laugh when I see black folks act a donkey about the little things and the most relevant things go over our heads. We fight and argue about the most inane things sometimes.....
Anyway, regardless of anything, I have learned to distance myself when it comes to me getting to involved with the media/television.
I agree with you on Dave. I didn't see him as an imbalanced person; rather someone (and I think he said this on the actors's studio), that he realized that most of the audience (at least those that were in the studio audience and certain people who were coming up to him), didn't get the tongue in cheek humor he is accustomed to doing.
As for the lotto. Hell yeah, get out of dodge. I'm changing numbers. Everythang. . .
PS. . .I included you in 'A Bloggers Tale' on my site.
Hey GP,
Re:Everyone had so much to say about Three Six winning an Oscar but Dave could go on air every Wednesday night and disgrace the black culture.
Three Six by far is just about the biggest foolywang group there is. Now when you say disgracing the culture, what do you mean? Advocating blantant drug use? Degredation (sp?) of women, and even violence against their own? That's what Three Six represent. And even in winning said Oscars, they still haven't released them from their hands, proving how niggerish they really are. Now when you compare that to Dave's Show, the whole point of it was to show the masses how rampant the use of the word "nigga" really is, and how ignorant the world has become. It's not the fact of him performing a minstrel show. It never was a minstrel show, it was a hard look in a mirror that people otherwise couldn't look into.
Dave Chappelle is the thinking man's comic. Most people that disrespect his talent, don't take the time to think anyway. Instead of dismissing what his whole show was about, take the time and actually try to understand what he was trying to say so subtly. And even if you don't, because you're so opposed to coonin', don't worry, Three-Six, and other slave mentality rappers will have that beat that will make you shake your ass anyway...
Interesante....I enjoyed him on Inside the Actor's Studio. I don't think the brotha is a nut-case at all....
I'm gonna have to see this "concert flick"...
GG
You really discredited yourself once you started using the words niggerish and so forth. First of all hip hop isn't niggerish. Don't get it twisted. Watch your damn mouth.
You don't know shit about Three Six because if you did, you would know that they don't promote anything different then 90% of the rappers that are out there. Including Jay-Z who everyone seems to be riding dick (probably including yourself). I listen to all types of music. One being rock music, therefore I realize that violence, degrading women, and artist promoting drug use is beyond just the black "hip hop" culture. But regardless, I never said that Three Six was the most positive group out there.
See, unlike you...I am not a goofy individual that sits around laughing with caucasion folks while someone is making a mockery of my culture. I understand it was comedy, but I mean come on. That shit was just out of control! nigga this nigga that. Hey look at crackhead tyrone with the big ashy lips..ha ha ha!
That shit wasn't damn funny. Shit, he had all that air time and all he did was a disservice to the black community. What came out of that show? Awareness? Naw...because all the real issues that the black community are having were a big ass joke. Shit wasn't funny to me.
Hell, I have to face sterotypes everyday. He only made it hard out here for a pimp. Got white folks down here writing nigga this and that on signs and thinking it is okay because the comedians say it. And don't no one in our community (entertainment wise) say anything about it.
Anyway, Dave Chapelle finally got a conscious sweetie and that's why he declined to do the show. You don't understand that? And you don't have to worry about many of the rappers in the industry making such a gracious decision because it's all about the paper to them.
"the whole point of it was to show the masses how rampant the use of the word "nigga" really is, and how ignorant the world has become."
You are giving him way to much credit. You truly are.
Hey GP:
You really discredited yourself once you started using the words niggerish and so forth.
I see I've struck a nerve.
Don't do the whole comparison hip hop vs. rock music thing...it doesn't wash. All music comes from the African diaspora, (oooh, a big word!) some just don't know that, did you? See, instead of shutting my damn mouth, let me school you. Hip hop, as a whole, is not niggerish, I didn't imply that. Just your precious 3-6. Now, all hip hop is not the same, but, I'm noticing their messages are very counter productive. So, if you like it, then you're promoting the counterproductivity. (Ooops, there I go again striking nerves!) Whatever your preference of hip hop, rock, bluegrass, it doesn't make a bit a difference, only because your preference of music was never asked about.
See, unlike you...I am not a goofy individual that sits around laughing with caucasion folks while someone is making a mockery of my culture.
See, unlike you, I know what my culture holds. I know what history is, and if you take a look around you, no one is making more fun of us than us. See, here's where the twisted part comes in. EVERYTHING is made a mockery of the black culture. From recent media to literary works, we're made to look like savages or comedic idiots. Sad part is, because, WE feel like 'we done came up' the mockery is looked over. No matter how you choose to view it, it is a color issue. The color GREEN.
Dave Chapelle finally got a conscious sweetie and that's why he declined to do the show.
Baby girl, like I said, before Dave Chappelle had a show, he was/is the thinking man's stand up comedian. The things he touched on, while not preachy, made people think. He was not heralded in the black comic world, because he didn't speak of the so-called black experience. He appealed more to a white audience, not because he was shuckin' and jivin' but because he wasn't speaking on bitches, hoes and other shit that makes black people laugh. I guess you were probably in diapers then.
And, that remark about shutting my damn mouth, sis, you discredited yourself, because you let a couple of words strike nerves. 106 and Park is on, go watch. Because it's obvious you cannot carry on an adult exchange of thoughts without losing your cool.
GO TO YOUR ROOM, GROWN FOLKS IS TALKIN'....
The Dave Chapplle show was satire:
Satire : trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly.
Therefore it was a social commentary, however, because creativity is up for intrepretation, there are those (think drunken frat boys) who are not going to see the deeper meaning and will use such entertainment as free-license to hold fast to stereotypes and misconceptions about the black community.
Therefore, GG and GP, you are both right so kiss and make up. :)
I have to disagree with Georgia Peach for several reasons.
1. the reason why Dave Chappelle "walked away" was because he realized that a great portion of the people that watched his show, black and white, missed what he was trying to say. On Oprah's show he admitted that white folks were laughing at him and not really getting it. That was when he felt he was doing a disservice.
I "Got" what he was trying to do (heck he put Paul MOoney back on the map, the brother who wrote for Richard Pryor and the Wayans -- he created Homie the Clown). For example, the reparations skit. I have read several interviews where Chapelle wanted to bring that topic to be debated everywhere not just in the political arena.
2. By his choice of musical artists on the show, he helped promote positive leaning acts and bring them to a different audience.
3. Jay Z promotes the same thing as three 6 mafia so he gets no love (and no one else brought him up until you did). Just by the name three 6 mafia, i know they are about debauchery anyway (plus i have followed their career for over ten years now and yes Bone Thugs bit their style).
4. If i recall correctly, i remember you were bigging up Young Jeezy who promotes what? drugs, killing , and disrespecting our women...
i loved it. did you see him on "inside the actor's studio?" that shit was phenomenal. i would watch it again 1000xs. I would buy it if it came out on dvd. it was that deep. one thing he said is "don't call people crazy, its dismissive. you don't understand so you say oh he's crazy." that shit pissed me off. i have to tell people everyday about their ignorance. its like no one understands at that station that all black people don't come from poverty and its still a tragedy if a black person is killed in his home when his children could have been there. why do i have to say this shit? if a black person is killed why the fuck do they assume they deserved it? that shit pisses me off really bad. it makes me never want to leave local news but i hate that shit. its so boring.
If there is so grammatical errors below, I really don't care.
GG:
You speak of Dave Chapelle as if he is some civil rights activist!..rofl
Look old man, any decent "grown" adult doesn't say niggerish. Especially on an open forum. It's rude, and it's inappropriate. I would rather curse your ass out before I make myself look silly by saying words like that. I have asked six people what niggerish was, and they weren't able to tell me. I would get on you, but really your entire argument was so contradictory.
"EVERYTHING is made a mockery of the black culture. From recent media to literary works, we're made to look like savages or comedic idiots."
My point fool! You are so full of shit, I refuse to tear down the rest of your comment to prove a point. I'll let you keep running in circles chasing your tail!
Brother Omi:
1) I said that Dave chappelle finally got a conscious. Isn't what you just said? I mean the bottomline is that Dave became more concientious of the way his comedy was percieved right?
Brother Omi I am going to be honest with you. I am not a big fan of Paul. Yes, he does produce good work and funny jokes. But there is something wrong with that guy. He has some inner unresolved issues about his race and his place in society. Everytime I see him, he is making some sick joke about the black man. Isn't he married to a white woman? Not trying to say anything is wrong with it (I am totally pro-interracial dating), but for him to be so "Black Power this" "Black Power that" he sure did strive real hard to raise him some black babies. I wouldn't be suprised if Paul was a racist white man in black make up. Civil rights activist? He wouldn't be leading me anywhere with his confused ass. Didn't he host 25 most @#%! Moments in Black History? See that's what I am talking about. Can't feel him like that.
2) I am sorry Brother Omi but I really don't care who Dave put on his show. See, I don't know Common, Mos Def and all them personally. I really don't. However, I do listen to their music, but I never failed to realize that they are entertainers. I all see is an image and that's exactly what I take it for. Nothing more nothing less. Maybe if I met them, hung out with their family, you know actually knew them, then I would feel differently. Regardless, anyone can be bought. They got families to feed to, albums to sale. I truly doubt they performed on Dave's show for free!
3)No one had to bring up Jay Z for me to mention him. I merely was pointing out that some people talk about three six message and fail to realize the Jay-z and other UP NORTH rappers promote the same messages.
4) Brother Omi I can listen to any kind of music I want too. See, I am an adult. And I realize that music is entertainment. What you need to do is bring that to someone's attention that isn't raising their child and is allowing the media to do so. And if you recall my comment, I also said that Jeezy is shallow, I love three six but I can't grow with three six, music is influential....and so forth (Nov.17th 2005) So don't half ass qoute me to fit your needs, thank you very much.
I forgot I had that profile pic up, my bad..lol. Seriously..lol.
Sorry Ricland, the days of you infecting my site with your "crappy blog" cancer are over. Enjoy internet obscurity!
"Who made you the authority of what grown folk can and can't say?? If characterizing Three-6 mafia as "niggerish" isn't your cup of tea, how about "ignorant", "minstrel show", "new millennium black face", "Stepin-fetchit". Are those better??"
::::clapping and cheering in HER office::::
Jack and Gg, see I don't need anyone to cosign with anything I say. I don't give a damn. I don't know you damn people! Understand? I am a one man army!
The word niggerish is wrong! The shit isn’t even in the damn dictionary for goodness sake. But regardless, it’s obviously offensive. Especially when you are using it to describe a black person’s behavior. I don't need you or anybody else to tell me that. I know that! I will NEVER use that word, and nor will my children. I can't even believe that you would act like there isn't anything wrong with it (but you probably a white boy). I be damn if I hear a white person saying that bullshit. Damn right I said any RESPECTABLE decent adult doesn't use that word! Why the hell do I have to explain that to you(?)! I know plenty of self respecting grown adults that DO NOT use that word. They have grown out of the word NIGGER/NIGGA. Matter of fact because they are so conscious and intelligent it’s obsolete in their vocabulary like it should be. And by me not using it only SHOWS my maturity. Why would you even try to hate on that? Shouldn’t you respect my decision? But you two are idiots!
Stop riding hip hop’s dick Jack. I am so sick at everyone pointing the finger at hip hop. Get a fucking grip! It’s only dividing us and steering us away from the real issues! Seriously. I from Decatur Ga. I am 23 years old. Damn right I listen to crunk/buck music. It’s in my heart and me soul to listen to music like that. But again, why do I even have to talk about that? It’s irrelevant because honestly that’s not even all that I am about. Not to mention an adult's music preference shouldn't be judged by anyone. But I am always going to represent because it’s goes down like that. You don’t know much about music because if you did you would know that there is a such a thing called death rock where many artist promote SUICIDE in their music and you jocking hip hop. You are a fool. No you are a jackass! I can care less about any of these entertainers mothafucker. You understand? I don’t know three six mafia, I don’t know Jay-z, Common, Mos Def. Fuck them. It’s just that damn easy. But why the fuck do I have to go here with it?
GG, you can claim female all day, but your ass probably a chubby fat white male with a penis the size of a cigarette butt. If I feel as though Dave Chappelle show was a damn minstrel show I can. I didn’t watch that bullshit. I have more respect for my race to sit there and allow real issues and problems in the black community be made a mockery of. Like Issac Haye’s said “there’s a difference between satire and mockery”. That’s what is wrong with the black community, we don’t fight enough for respect. We don’t stand our ground. You got people in the middle east that will KILL for respect. You see what happened after the Danish cartoon depicted their Prophet Muhammad. They don’t play! But we over here, we are so nonchalant about everything. Oh it’s just comedy…hahahaha. Don't spit in Masta's water! Shit wasn’t funny to me, but that’s the difference between you and I, besides the fact that I am a female and you are obviously male.
I have never read anything so lame in my life. And you really called yourself snapping on me? Please HC help him out! Your number one fan needs some pointers.
I am done talking dude. You're nothing to me. You got to copy and paste my entire comment for what? Say wtf you have to say and keep it moving. Damn. All that shit was not necessary for the little bit of bullshit your wrote. Why the hell is your zipper stuck anyway. Get your lame lazy ass off the computer and purchase you some larger pants so you will stop shitting and pissing in your clothes while you keep refreshing your screen to see if I responded to your crap or not. While you are at it, wipe you glasses off dude. Your shitty ass fingers done smudged up the lens and your are probably having difficulty reading this at this very moment, you sick fuck. If you were trying to imply that you would put your dick in my mouth then say it you punk ass bitch! Why the hell you have those tight ass khakis on any damn way?
What a loser!
That song was there just for lames like you coming over there from THIS SITE, that's why it's up there pussy. The song says "Don't worry about what the fuck we doin over here". I meant that shit...rofl! But my site is sucker free so I am very glad that you left.
"besides the fact that I am a female and you are obviously male."
How in the fuck can you dictate my gender, when I don't agree with your asinine comments? A white man with a cigarette butt for a dick?! Now that's NIGGERISH...LMAO
Every comment you've lovingly typed has proved, through and through, how much growing you really have to do. You've also shown the lovely people in this blog, how much a comment can send your ass into bullshit spewing convulsions.
But hey, we all can't have the same view, and we all can't be winners. Your comments prove that as well...
....and the fact that you just had to let the whole world know how old you were, really put the shine on the shoe....
Romper Room, baby, really Romper Room...
Sorry, you probably wouldn't know what that reference is either, Similac...
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