Vh1’s, "White Rapper Show," Is Making of Mockery of Hip Hop
The title of the show alone would tell you this is not going to be the most sophisticated entertainment. I was willing to look past that, and assumed that VH1 would be getting talented rappers who really want to make it in the game. Foolish of me to think they would put effort into casting people with great prowess in rapping.
Don’t get me wrong, some of the rappers have some potential. One contestant named, “Shamrock,” seems like a cool dude with average skills, but comes off as a fake Paul Wall. The southerner, “100 Proof,” has some ok lyrics, but his redundant flow was his Achilles heel. “Jus Rhyme,” can spit, but his political themes make him annoying at times. Persia, the aggressive female, has the swagger but lacks the memory to be a female MC, but who knows what the future holds. Lets not forget about the infamous John Brown, “Kings of the Burbs.” Contestants seem to hate him due to his constant talk of, “The Ghetto Revival,” and trademark phrase, “Hallelujah Holla Back.” I think he is more of a business man than MC and is trying to milk the show for all the exposure he can get.(Same thing I would do)The rest of them aren’t even worth mentioning.
While the talent isn’t very high, for some of the rappers, the main reason the show makes a mockery of hip hop is each show is drenched in Hip Hop gimmicks and stereotypes. Contestants that lose have there sneakers thrown up on telephone wires like seen in some hoods(how cliche). MC Serch says, “Step Off!,” every elimination to copy the, “You’re Fired,” format of the Apprentice. There is a giant roach that appears randomly for no apparent reason. One rapper says the N word and is then given a huge chain that says N word, to walk around with for a day. Contestant were even put though a contest about black stereotypes. The last episode is what really inspired me to write this. Contestants were put through a, “Thug Challenge.” VH1’s idea of being a thug includes literally, catching a case, beating rats that drop dimes, and stealing a bike. Does this have anything to do with being an MC? This show makes it painfully clear that it’s not focused on real talent, and is looking for cheap laughs at the expense of Hip Hop.
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February 16th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I see your point completely on trying not to find a real MC…but maybe John Brown playing it smart, trying to milk the show…Either way, it’s entertainment I don’t think anybody really expect a true MC to come out of there but like most shows from Ego Trip just something funny to keep your mind off of stuff….either way, I think the show makes more fun of white people than of hip hop itself…if anything white people should be pissed off at this..
February 16th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Honestly it is a television show. With Hip Hop being as big as it is you have to take the good with the bad. Do you think AMERICAN IDOL does a great service who scrape all their lifes to become singers? Probably not, but it is just tv. The funny part is that MC SEARCH was a ill ass rapper back in the day (MF Doom is from that camp). It is okay imo for hip hop to be portrayed this way the same as it is for Diddy to have MAKING THE BAND (hip hop one) or BET to have a show like such or SMACK to sell battle style DVDs or JLO to have dancers (mostly urban style) on a reality show. It is just tv, hip hop is so big i think everyone realizes it is a mockery in a sense
February 16th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
I think the guy who wrote this piece doesn’t understand what the show is trying to accomplish. The old school hip hop magazine Ego Trip are the people behind this show. They are all black and all true hip hop heads. They are using this show to mock the stereotypes people have of hip hop and the cliches you see in today’s music.
February 16th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
cosign with the #2 post.
February 16th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
straight up REAL i am surprised at ya…Dont you get it “White Rapper” is trying to teach that in order for White People to truly get HIP HOP they would have to understand HipHop but HipHop is not some subject that can be taught but part of the lifestyle of urban poor. Thats the whole Point but actually i cosign with #3 post. Do some research into EGO TRIP actually they are not all black but asian and hispanic too but they are all OLD HIP HOP HEADS. If you watch or read the old shows produced by EGO TRIP you will see it is the WHITE person who thinks they can truly rep RAP or HIP HOP that is being made fun of….. Peace I truly enjoy your site.
February 17th, 2007 at 8:07 am
im soo glad i’ve never watched the show.
im already disgusted with hip hop, watching that show will prolly be the last straw and make me lose my lunch.
February 17th, 2007 at 10:10 am
I agree with this article completely. The straight trippin with the Thug contest. What does stealing a bike have to do with Hip-Hop? That’s crazy!
February 17th, 2007 at 11:10 am
I watch the show. I find it entertaining though I don’t think any of the emcees are that great. I’m sure there are better white rappers out there. And some of the challenges seem pretty stupid like the mentioned “thug race”. John Brown will likely win but i don’t see him doing big things after the show.
February 18th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I think I watch two episodes and forgot about it. The creator of the show is asian.
February 19th, 2007 at 6:38 am
i agree with #2. It is just t.v. I think they put funny moments in the show but they did that with making the band, flava flav, or even college hill. Entertainment is just that, entertainment, cant take it too seriously!