The Dirty Awards Exposes Hip-hop’s Flaws
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Looks like President-elect Barack Obama couldn’t change everything after all. Yet another incident at another hip-hop awards show broke out last night at Radio One’s Dirty Awards. This time, the incident surrounded Atlanta rappers T.I. and Shawty Lo who have been “beefing” for sometime now — mace was sprayed, chairs were thrown on stage and fists were flying. Thing is, this isn’t the first time a melee has unfolded during a hip-hop awards event…by a long shot. You have to wonder when the madness will end.
Back in the day, when brawls broke out at the Source Awards in Pasadena, Calif., it could be chocked up to youthful enthusiasm. The Source held the first notable awards shows for the genre and gathering a group of boastful, rambunctious rappers together under one roof proved to be a little challenging at times. But it was understandable — these days, not so much.
Hip-hop has grown up, and wastes no opportunity to brag about its maturity. From conquering Hollywood to the corporate world, rappers behave like astute businessmen everywhere—except at home.
It would seem logical that at hip-hop awards shows rappers would be on their most benevolent behavior. After all, what other time do they have to come together and celebrate each other’s accomplishments, and even more importantly, the strides that hip-hop has made over the years? Instead, these shows have served as breeding grounds to address unresolved beefs, give birth to confrontations and get into unnecessary altercations.
You don’t see Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney brawling at the Country Music Awards (CMAs). Nor Miley Circus’ camp throwing chairs on stage while Hilary Duff performs.
So where is the love in hip-hop? Looks like it’s the same place the record sales are—non existent. –s.h.
