Bill Cosby, the 72-year-old actor, author and comedic legend, is preparing to release a new rap album of socially aware music aimed at those he has decided aren’t working for the betterment of the black community. Titled Bill Cosby Presents the Cosnarati: State of Emergency, the album features production work from Ultramagnetic MC’s Ced-Gee and William “Spaceman” Patterson and Cosby has recruited a crew of young emcees to spit the verses. He’s touring with the collective — the Cosnarati — in support of the effort. The album will discuss the various issues that Cosby has been actively discussing over the last few years in lectures across the country; including the importance of parenthood, absentee fathers, education and self-respect. Songs with titles like “Where’s the Parade,” “Dad Behind the Glass,” and “Get on Your Job” reveal that “The Cos” is looking to continue the discussion, this time, on wax.
“I don’t like referring to the music as clean,” Cosby said via a statement. “What I like is what you’re not going to do. You’re not going to curse. You’re not going to put women down. You’re not going to put the glory of the gun somewhere. And you’re not going to put a whole lot of violence up front like that’s the thing that will cleanse you and make you feel better.”
Cosby has been criticized by many for his comments regarding the state of the black community over the years, but he deserves respect for being passionate enough to present hard truths that make many middle-class black people uncomfortable. It’s funny that the man whose image shaped the way the black middle class likes to view itself is now using the music that is demonized by that black middle class to reach the communities that have been forgotten by them. It doesn’t mean that this album will be successful in reaching its goal, but there’s something to be said for trying. –todd williams
