Entertainment Page 7 The Compass Oct. 2005 Video vixens, female artists, and their role in the African-American Community Keisha Hill Staff Writer

Artists claim the women in the videos Magic Johnson, internet message boards encouragement and insistence that an Today’s youth seems to watch that make their bodies do things, I will lucrativeness. At the end of the day, are there under their free will. To this I and newscasts were flooded with chatter artists sell and promote sex via lyrics and endless hours of videos. They see the probably never in my lifetime be able the entertainment industry is not must agree, because no one is forcing about their scene-stealing show the video imagery? Or is it the responsibility likes of Buffie the Body, Esther Baxter, to do, here is where I first saw rapper/ concerned with how skimpy the thong these women to gyrate, frolic, and sell ladies provided millions of viewers. of the artists to stand up and be role Ki-Toy, Mely ssa Ford, and Gloria Velez actor Nelly’s now infamous “Tip Drill” may be - they are focused on how their souls to the entertainment industry models, and uplift their race and respect dressed in exquisite designer clothing’s, video. By no means am I a prude; yet I green the paper is. devil. their women? Or does the blame lie on Uke Salvatore Ferragamo and Roberto found this video to be extremely the women that fall prey to the Cavalli. In most cases, these women are Vulgar in content, as N611y proudly A 2003 study conducted by the disillusionment that they will be rich and wearing almost nothing at all. They are showed the world why he never leaves American Journal of Public Health famous for their backsides that Shacks draped in diamonds that dance when home without his credit cards (and he found that 44 percent of young girls to the latest hot track? Or should we lighting hits it just right. Their hair is was not making any purchases with his surveyed who watched hip hop videos hold BET responsible for its constant coiffed to perfection, and their scantily platinum card). It seems the more were more susceptible to contracting promotion of lackluster creativity as the clad bodies are some of the best in the disrespectful rappers are to women in a sexually transmitted disease in world sees Black women as sexually business. While the Cameras roll, these their videos, the more props it seems comparison to 33 percent that did not charged objects instead of strong queens women are the undying affection for the to get in the street. We may not know watch as many videos. Additionally, that are the foundation of the African music industry’s leading men. what the definition of a tip drill is, but young African American girls that are American family? we surely wiU remember NeUy sliding entrenched in the hip hop video world But at some point, the male-dominated industry should check its moral fiber. It I am not sure who is to blame, but I Many of the images that we see of video a credit card down a gleeful, well- are more likely to get in trouble with is hard for me to fathom why African My memory is singed with images of sincerely hope mothers are teaching their girls living a lifestyle similar to that of endowed sister’s backside. the law, and participate in a lifestyle American men are so eager to relinquish media darling Beyonce as the camera daughters that being a corporate the rich and famous are considerably of drugs and other detrimental their attachments and cease being their zoomed in on her body as it pulsated and executive carries more significance than different in reality. Most of these women behaviors. sisters’ keepers. Why can’t African refused to miss even the slightest pelvic being eye candy of the month. I hope will never touch the glamorous life or American women get the same love, they thrust. Never again will I be able to Usten fathers are teaching their sons that there live like British royalty. For starters, Russell Simmons, founder of def jam give to their Air Force One’s, white tees, to “Cater 2 U”, and feel the trio’s is more to Black women than what their most video girls are not the feature records, has been quoted saying, and 22" rims? sincerity without seeing rap mogul Jay bodies can offer. At some point, I hope (meaning they are not the major feminine “Although these records and videos are offensive, young girls can learn a Z’s significant other profoundly shaking the creativity bug bites artists, directors, focus in the video), therefore, they may lot about the mind-set of the young her buttocks in a very married Terrence and label executives while reality sinks be paid as little as $100 for a day that Howard’s face. In an interview with Matt its teeth in the women, which allow can run 8 hours or can last up to 18 guys they’re going to school with. Now that the truth is out there more, Lauer on NBC’s Today Show, the ladies themselves to be pawns in the g«ne of hours. Many will not be paid at all. If young girls can learn how to deal with called it “seduction”. I have always been entertainment. you are lucky to be in the few that are guys.” Spoken like a true told if it walks like a duck and quacks actually the crfeme de le creme, you can businessman, however, I am sure his like a duck, then guess what? It is just make a minimum of $3000 for a daily ideology would change greatly if one th at-a duck. And this duck is quacking, shoot. Interestingly you will find more, of his daughters came home proudly “Sex sells.” of these ladies scraping together outfits announcing that she wanted to forego to be an extra in the latest 50 Cent video 1 that Phat Farm and Baby Phat empires By the end of their performance, the than you will find, one that has her own to become a video vixen. soon-to-be defunct group had succeeded glam squad taking her from ashy to w in enhancing and heightening a media classy! Most of the women that “drop Hip-hop has evolved to touch all points of the globe. It has expanded frenzy that already surrounds them. down to get their eagles on” are old news past the days of such lyrical pioneers Considering Destiny’s Child is currently by the time the director yells, “Cut!” and legends like Rakim and Big However, criticism cannot be reserved for touring the country on their last tour as Undoubtedly Nelly is not the only artist Daddy Kane. What we put out in the only video girls, hip hop divas, and the a group, this was a great marketing ploy. that has had sexually laden lyrics and universe is what other cultures assume men throughout the industry. We should Ticket sales likely increased based upon videos that assuage the silent desires we are, and in too many instances their all question the state of urban music that performance alone, with eager men of the public. Most male artists know perception of African American when you have R&B songbirds like hoping and praying they will be chosen and buy into the adage, “the raunchier women is that they are nothing more Destiny’s Child giving lap dances on this from an audience of thousands for their year’s BET Awards show. In fact, their Outside of an artist’s actual lyrics, the message, the more likely it will be than overly sexed individuals. Gone brief encounter with superstars, and videos have become the most vocal outlet turned into five figures and better when are the days of subtlety and class. In burlesque performance overshadowed Oblivious to everyone is the fact that for the degradation of African American I go to the bank.” But the men are not its place are the constant reminders of the reunion of one of hip hop’s greatest there are many young girls wanting to women, and the praising of negative and the only ones throwing their hats in the a billion dollar business that only groups. The Fugees. The morning after emulate the group’s lead singer, Beyonce the bumping and grinding had ceased, materialistic lifestyles. Is it too much sex filled arena. Femme fatale rap seeks fame and fortune. Knowles. internet message boards and newscasts However the question, still to ask for the termination of both of these I once consider myself to be divas Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, and Trina were flooded with chatter about how the rerpains, just who is to blame for the detrimental behaviors? African savvy and open to new concepts and introduced us to hardcore lyrics as they trio’s sexually charged performance with stereotypical and falsely represented American women deserve to be depicted ideas. That is until I stumbled upon late let the world know how they intended rapper Nelly, actor Terrence Howard, and images of African American women to in a better fashion than what black night television’s series of soft pom-like to stack their dough. The ladies of hip- former NBA star turned entrepreneur the world? Are record label executives entertainment is currently providing. It videos on BET’s “Uncut,” Videos that hop dared to be wild, and turned sexual (many being fathers of daughters takes a village to raise a child, and it is are overflowing with half naked women braggadocio into financial themselves) to blame for their strong time that we cease television raising ours.

Fantasia Reveals, Illiteracy Secret STREET HEAT By Shanna Williams Staff Writer O

Top R&B/Hip-Hop / a Albums By Nija BLAQUE Staff Writer

1. The Peoples Champ - Paul Wall ■ ■ (Swishahouse/ Atlantic/Asylum) 2. Late Registration - Kanye West - (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) 3. Charlie, Last Name Wilson - Charlie Wilson - (Jive/ Fantasia Barrio, the simple things and she can barely single-mother, the 21-year-old Zomba) American Idol winner of two make out or pronounce has a highly successful career. 4. Welcome To Jamrock - Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley years ago, unveils a secret she unfamiliar words. Fantasia’s success includes her (Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong) has kept for years. Although her In her book “Life Is Not debut platinum-selling album 5. Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 - Young Jeezy experiences range from a Fairy Tale,” which Fantasia and her American Music Awards (Corporate Thugz/Def Jam) illiteracy to rape. Fantasia’s dictated to a freelance writer, the nominations. 6. The Massacre - 50 Cent (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope) faith in God, has kept her the singer reveals that her mother is Fantasia knows the 7. PCD - The Pussycat Dolls (A&M/Interscope) strong woman she is today. also functionally illiterate. The struggle of the life she was living 8. The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey (Island) Before her fame book also includes details about with a deep and dark secret 9. Thoughts of a Predicate Felon - Tony Yayo (G-Unit/ Fantasia never held a job, her poor childhood and how her inside her for years. What makes Interscope) because she was illiterate, and faith in God was the only thing her a phenomenal woman is that 10. Diary Of A Summer - Jim Jones (Diplomats/Koch) could not count money. that kept her hopeful. she is willing to spesJc the truth 11. Monkey Business - The Black Eyed Peas (A&M/ Fantasia also reveals being Fantasia is working about her illiteracy to the world. Interscope) raped as a freshman in high with a tutor to improve her Because of her courage, 12. Purified - CeCe Winans (PureSprings Gospel/INO/Sony school, and says she blamed reading and writing skills. She she can help children or adults Music) herself, because of the way she hopes her story will inspire understand that being illiterate is 13. Trauma - DJ Quik (RBC/Mad Science) dressed. others who struggle with reading a problem that can be solved. If 14. Wanted - Bow Wow (Columbia/Sony Music) Growing up Fantasia and writing. Fantasia can overcome these 15. Chapter 3: The Flesh - Syleena Johnson (Jiye/Zomba) would hide behind her country After winning obstacles by revealing her 16. Lyfe 268-192 - Lyfe Jennings (Columbia/Sony Music) accent for not pronouncing her American Idol, Fantasia is secrets, then she has already 17. The Way It Is - Keyshia Cole (A&M/Interscope) words correctly. Meanwhile embarking on an acting career freed herself. 18. Day By Day - Yolanda Adams (Elektra/Atlantic) music directors will believe and is publishing her memoirs, 19. The Minstrel Show - Little Brother (ABB/Atlantic) Fantasia’s excuses not realizing which reveal dark secrets from 20. TP.3 Reloaded - R. Kelly (Jive/Zomba) that she was actually illiterate. her past. In spite of being a high She has a difficult time reading school dropout and struggling