N.W.A. weren't the first to try to turn racial slurs into a badge of honor

[D-Dey]

That landmark(if you can call it that) goes to Patti Smith:
http://wc05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:wzfqxq9dld6e

[catlover79]

:rolleyes: ohno: :mad:

[ABlairican Pie]

Interestingly, as I was a Patti Smith fan almost thirty years ago and aware of what she was trying to say, she used the "n-word" in a song title as a way of identifying with marginalized people, as she was the first major punk poetess. It wasn't a slur (but probably woundn't fly in this day and age, especially since she is white), but if you read the lyrics, she repeats the lines, "outside of society".

[Ireneparalegal]

When she performed the song at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, I was shocked that Rev. Al Sharpton was in the audience, clapping and enjoying her performance! :faint: :eek: What gives?

[D-Dey]

Interestingly, as I was a Patti Smith fan almost thirty years ago and aware of what she was trying to say, she used the "n-word" in a song title as a way of identifying with marginalized people, as she was the first major punk poetess. It wasn't a slur (but probably woundn't fly in this day and age, especially since she is white), but if you read the lyrics, she repeats the lines, "outside of society".
Oh, I understand that perfectly. Still in both cases it was being used as a backlash against those who've marginalized them to begin with.

[catlover79]

When she performed the song at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, I was shocked that Rev. Al Sharpton was in the audience, clapping and enjoying her performance! :faint: :eek: What gives?
Part of Sharpton's "Do as I say, not as I do agenda." :rolleyes: :mad: I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.

[Ireneparalegal]

Part of Sharpton's "Do as I say, not as I do agenda." :rolleyes: :mad: I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.
Ohhh is that what it was. Hmmmmm...hypocrite bastard. :rolleyes: :mad: I tell ya. :crazy:

[Shine]

In college I loved Patti Smith's Horses album. I played it ALL the time.

[Austin Tripper]

anyone remember Schooly D

;)

[AKA]

There are a lot of white artists who have used the "N" word in their songs, notably John Lennon ("Woman Is The ****** Of The World"), Bob Dylan ("Hurricane") and John Mellencamp ("They're So Tough" and "Cuttin' Heads," although on the latter the word is sung by a black female vocalist).

[D-Dey]

There are a lot of white artists who have used the "N" word in their songs, notably John Lennon ("Woman Is The ****** Of The World"), Bob Dylan ("Hurricane") and John Mellencamp ("They're So Tough" and "Cuttin' Heads," although on the latter the word is sung by a black female vocalist).
Yeah, but those weren't really used in the same manner as Patti Smith... at least the John Lennon and Bob Dylan songs weren't. I've never heard the two John Mellencamp songs you're referring to.

[AKA]

Yeah, but those weren't really used in the same manner as Patti Smith... at least the John Lennon and Bob Dylan songs weren't. I've never heard the two John Mellencamp songs you're referring to.

I'll post both the entire verse from both songs:

"They're So Tough" (1991):
They'd like to make me their ******
I say to hell with them
I'm not gettin' down on my knees
And beggin' please
Can you throw me a crumb now and then

"Cuttin' Heads" (2001):

Don't call me ***** 'cause you know I don't like it like that
Don't call me ***** 'cause you know I don't like it like that
Don't call me ***** 'cause you know I don't like it like that
Don't call me ***** 'cause you know I don't like it like that

[catlover79]

Didn't George Clinton do a song called "Don't Call Me N*****, Whitey"?? I think that was him.

[D-Dey]

Didn't George Clinton do a song called "Don't Call Me N*****, Whitey"?? I think that was him.
I thought that was Sly and the Family Stone.

I want the rest of you to understand that this thread isn't supposed to be about the general use of the "N-Word" in music. If you wanted to do that, you may as well go way back to some pre-Ragtime crap where white people used it the way it was originally intended.

[catlover79]

I thought that was Sly and the Family Stone.

I want the rest of you to understand that this thread isn't supposed to be about the general use of the "N-Word" in music. If you wanted to do that, you may as well go way back to some pre-Ragtime crap where white people used it the way it was originally intended.
You're right, it was Sly & the Family Stone. I just remembered that after I posted. Thanks for clearing it up! :o