Sunday, March 2, 2008

OKAY SISTERS





WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE??

Far be it from me to impose my thoughts upon a situation such as this. I believe women get the raw part of the deal always. How is it when we look at our counterparts who have been brought in for cases much higher on the pole of importance, we find they walk away with no more than a slap on the wrist?

After allegedly purchasing firearms and such, TI gets to stay home in the comfort of his luxurious Atlanta home while nearly every woman in the game that has been taken in for something, has either done time or waiting on pins and needles to know the outcome of their cases. One case as trivial as a cell phone head bopping (don’t front like if you were pushed to the edge you wouldn’t hesitate to turn a Razor flip or a Jimmy Choo into the best kept secret weapon). Every dude from Diddy to Snoop to Barretta has walked away from doing any time behind bars. This statement is in no way saying these gentlemen committed these crimes, I’m simply saying how does the system justify sending these women away for the scuffs, bumps,bruises and white lies, which this beloved country of ours was built on.

It’s a hard-knock life in the hip-hop game simply because you are continuously being tested. Tested by the label, promoters, managers,po-po and everyone else that feels they deserve the flamboyant life of fame more than you.

These women have worked hard and performed arduous tasks to attain the notoriety that the system so eagerly desires to not only strip away but defame the African-American queen along the course.

I have faith that these women have the power to turn it all around to work in their favor. This moment in time they have all had to come to terms that they can only depend on themselves and the God within to give them the answers they need to sustain. They each have harnessed an insurmountable amount of power and prestige which has proven for many others to be unattainable. I wish these women well on the journey back to leadership where others have no choice but to accept, respect and expect the absolute best from them. My sisters….we love you.

16 comments:

2true said...
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2true said...

don't think that the women are getting harsher treatment then the men. T.I is on house arrest until his trial starts, while Kim, Foxy and nem were walking around being FREE until their trial began. Shyne is STILL in Jail, as well as Mystical. Foxy imo belongs in jail, if she had kept hitting folks with stuff, it could've been worse. I don't think Kim should have gone to jail, but she also can't go around lying to the FEDS (or whoever she allegedly lied to). As for Brat, if I'm not mistaken she also isn't in jail and probably wont end up going. But ya can't go around busting people in the head with bottles, you have to be smarter than that. No one made these ladies do what they allegedly did, so the blame goes on them. The same way you said in a video clip that I saw, that no one put the (alleged) gun in T.I's hand!!

LYTE said...

I feel ya. Maybe I should have said the dudes with money. You do speak truth no one makes anyone do anything, they sit at the top and pull strings to make it happen. Or better yet the people in positions of power make it so we're so unhappy with life that we lash out at the things and people around us. Of course it all depends on what you do with that anger that decides your fate. I pray for the young ladies as well as TI. There must be a better way.

LYTE said...

On another note, Shyne comes home in 09. Can't wait to hear that flow.......

L Boogie said...

I have no sympathy for these feamles at al 1st and for most what happen to the music Hip-hop is not about sitting by watching a shoot out, having "diva" moments and assaulting people. I think the females of hip-hop have bought these issues on themselves. It has to do with money but in some of these cases its just simple stupidity and lack of self love. I honestly don't like the females who represent hip-hop todayn the are wack and have no substance. If you want to be street stay in the street.

Anonymous said...

I agree wit I boogie. Foxy Brown is and has continued to be an idiot for years. She still thinks she's the brooklyn Don Diva and she's not. She's nothing but a diva with and uncalled for attitude. I felt sorry for Kim but Kim did lie and continued to lie to "hold down" folks who obviously didn't give a s**t about her. This isn't the first time Brat's been in trouble and as you yourself lyte has said, you have a responsiblity to the young ones who aspire to be like you. She's a star and she can't just go around poppin folks everytime someone disrespects her. If Remy Ma is responsible for what's being said she was in the wrong too. It's not about male hip hop versus female hip hop. It's about irresponsible desision making and consequenses.

Lyte you have been in the game longer than any of them and you seem to have always been very private and kept a handle on foolishness and negativity. STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR THEM! I remember in an interview years ago when asked your opinion of the new girls takin ova (Foxy and Kim), you said give them time, let them grow. Hopefully they learn from these mistakes because Hip Hop is completely missing all female representation right now. Part of it probably stems from them always having to have male representation (Biggie, Jay Z, Fat Joe) e.t.c. behind them. They need more empowerment and sisterhood to better learn how to love themselves and each other. This Hip hop game will mess you up, even more so if your a female.

Unknown said...

I totally don't think that MC Lyte is making excuses for these women. In fact I totally agree with her analysis of how black women face multiple layers of sexism and racism in the industry. I think it's unfair to call them idiots and individualize the mistakes that they've made as artists and individuals -- i'm not trying to say that they have no "agency" or anything like that, but the fact is that women of colour have do face sexism, racism and class everyday and those experiences shape how we act. I think that we ALL have a responsibility to stand up for each other; everyone needs to realize this in the industry -- which means that men should not be removed from this issue and they have just as much of a responsibility to take in turning things around.

Tiffany S. Jones said...

These are all sad situations but we all have to be responsible for our own actions.
Women are always subjected to more harsh criticisms and punishments because for whatever reason, bad behavior is considered "unladylike" and we should be taught a lesson.
Meanwhile, our male counterparts are literally getting away with murder.
No doubt, it sucks but that is why we have to police ourselves and act like we got some sense.
Just my $0.02.

LYTE said...

Oooooooh, I love it!! folks with real opinions. I toyed with the thought maybe some of these judges feel it's a walk in the park for a woman to do time, after all what could possibly happen to HER behind bars? On the other hand a judge who's palm has been greased can somehow sympathize with what a man might have to go thru in clink. What do you think?

LYTE said...

Hell nah, I ain't making excuses for nah body. lol The truth is I feel we all bring every experience we have to us. Whatever hardships come our way is because of the game we choose to play. Life is that... a game to be played. When you play big, the wins are big. Meaning when you take smart risks you can reap great benefits. Being an aritst is a risk. We put everything out there to be judged from music, to performances, to how we speak and what we wear. We have no idea at which point we will be met with something someone doesn't like. We have to be emotionally ready to handle any situation at any given moment. I feel anyone who breaks the law should be penalized, however simply sending someone to jail is not going to fix the issues. Prison does not rehabilitate.

Eb the Celeb said...

I think they have the power... but just dont know what to do with it...

Where are the female MC's... not the female rappers that make pop records... I'm talking about the REAL MC's. I cant name one that is doing the damn thang right now...commercial or otherwise.

One Love ❤ said...
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One Love ❤ said...

Update on T.I. and Remy...

Good Day For TI, Bad Day For Remy
By Nile Ivey, BET.Com Staff

Posted March 27, 2008- Remy Ma and T.I. coincidentally both had their days in court today (March 27), one of which who pleaded guilty and the other who was actually found guilty. According to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, TI, whose real name is Clifford Harris, pleaded guilty on possession of unregistered machine guns silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon in which he was arrested for at the BET Hip Hop Awards last October in Atlanta, GA. If T.I. had been found guilty, he would’ve faced a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.



If the guilty plea is approved, pending the approval of U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr., T.I. will only face up to 12 months in prison, and will be ordered to serve 1,500 hours of community service, speaking to a bevy of youth groups throughout the country. Although the experience has been very stressful for Harris, the ordeal hasn’t halted his creative juices. While on house arrest, T.I. begun the early stages of his sixth solo project, Paper Trail. Penning his first body of work since his freshmen debut, I’m Serious, T.I. named the album Paper Trail which indicates his new format of creating material this time around.

While T.I. may have something to celebrate, former Terror Squad member, Remy Ma wasn’t so lucky. In a shocking turn of events, Remy Ma, who's real name is Reminisce Smith was found guilty this morning on assault charges, which where lowered from the initial attempted murder charges, and could serve up to 25 years in prison.

Smith, who according to the Associated Press could be heard sobbing and yelling “Oh My God” as the verdict was announced, got into an altercation with her then best friend, Makeda Joseph- Barnes over $3,000 that was stolen from Remy’s purse after leaving a lounge in downtown Manhattan last July. Ivan Fisher, Smith’s attorney, deemed this as “bad day” for Remy in which he asserts she was completely blind-sided by the verdict’s decision. Fisher plans for an immediate appeal before the rappers sentencing, which is April 22.

Though Smith maintained her innocent from the start, Fisher who claimed his client did in fact shoot Barnes, claimed the incident was a mere accident. Prosecutors also noted that the weapon used in the shooting was loaded with hallow point bullets, which clearly indicate an intent to cause harm.

Check back with BET.com for more emerging details within both cases.

info found at http://www.bet.com/Music/News/musicnews_TIREMYGUILTY_03.27.08.htm

Tiffany S. Jones said...

I am dying to know your thoughts on Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme on VH1. Please post your thoughts when you get a chance.

L Boogie said...

I personally watched the show 1 time and the females on this show (especially Khia) are garbage. I hate that a sista such as Yo-Yo is even judging this crap and telling these females they are any good. I heard Khia got put off on the 2nd show, my ? is this "Why was she on the show" if your claim to fame is "My kneck and Back" you 1st should be ashamed 2nd I bet not 1 person can tell me the lyrics from that song other than the hook. It always bothers me to see females (not women, no self respecting women would do any of this mess)conduct themselves in this manner for $$$ and shime. I honestly have not heard a true female MC bless the mic since Lauryn Hill and the ones who get busy (Jean Grey)for real have no deal because. Maybe its just me but this rap shit is out of control and I have to agree with Nas Hip-hop is dead...but bull**** is ongoing and everlasting. CAN THE REAL FEMALE MC'S PLEASE STAND UP!!!!

C Babe said...

L Boogie I agree with you 100% Hip hop has been dead for a while, especially since artists like Soulja Boy(no offense) came on the scene. As for real Femcees, just check out the Hip Hop Sisters myspace page. There are so many talented women out there with a love for hip hop thats so deep you could feel it on every track. This is where real hip hop is at, it's underground! The industry isn't interested in real hip hop, they want females who are willing to disrespect themselves and others just to make a hit. It seems to me like all these female rappers want to be the baddest B**** or the Queen B and that's what sells. It's gotten so bad for me that I just stopped listening to the garbage they have on the radio. I just resurrected all the old tracks from Lyte,Salt n Pepper, Public Enemy etc. Because I'm not into that ignorant s***, the garbage that these rappers are spitting just gets you into that ignorant mind set, get's everybody thinking it's cool to be toting guns. It's so strange to me because these rappers put on their tracks "I'm trying to make it out the hood", "I can't wait to make it out the hood", now you're out what you going back for? That's how they get into all of these problems, Lil Kim's talking bout she can't snitch she's gotta hold her people down but in all realness these people would never do the same for her, and when you're in the industry it's always wise to choose the right friends, stick close to family and stay up out the hood! Other wise you'll end up losing everything you worked so hard to gain (Remy Ma).That's just my opinion though. I would also like to add that these women are responsible for their own actions, however I do feel for them. They're trying to get recognized in a male dominated industry and that's not always easy, you have to have strong values to actually survive in the business and you must be well grounded.