Chuck D – ’10-15 Buzzards Control Hip Hop’

Former Public Enemy front man Chuck D released a venomous response to the news that Universal Records would not be replacing ousted president Jay Z with him or anyone else. “Its sort of expected, and a primary reason why the music business has collapsed,” said Chuck D.

Chuck D placed the blame for the demise of Hip Hop squarely on the shoulders of 10-15 “buzzards” who are “trusted” by the clan of execs who really run Hip Hop (Jews and Israelis). In his statement, Chuck D went further calling the inner circle of usual suspects “incestuous.”

The same thing that happened to MOTOWN is DEF JAM’s fate. In my opinion, the fact that 10 -15 individuals in the guise of hovering buzzards are given keys to the culture based on their alliances with these corporations, is a partial reason for the troubled condition it’s in. Hence music, and especially this urban, black, whatever you wanna call it, is an incestuous inner circle of usual suspects that are financially trusted over black culture by a select ‘other few.’ It’s evident that we are not the same people.

Chuck D didn’t name the 10-15 “buzzards” who are eating off the rotting flesh of Hip Hop, so I decided to give it a crack myself:

JAY Z
SEAN COONS, SEAN JOHN, PUFF, or whatever the hell he’s calling himself these days
RUSSELL SIMMONS
LA REID
CHRIS LIGHTY
50 CENT
IRV GOTTI
JIMMY “HENCHMEN” ROSEMOND
SNOOP DOGG
KEVIN LILES
WYCLEF JEAN
NAS
PHARREL WILLIAMS
DRE 3000
KANYE WEST

kogletree

I’m confused…..why Dre3000?
http://www.myspace.com/birdshu Bird

Chuck D is not the former front man of PE. He is still the front man of the group. As for that list, I didn’t get the impression that Chuck was referring to rappers or black folks exclusively. I thought he was talking about big time record execs. I agree with him though. Russell, Diddy and Jay/Dame/Biggs started hip hop labels because they loved it and wanted to do their own thing. But once The Man saw them being successful they wanted it for themselves so all three sold their souls to the devil. At least Puffy and Russell kept their clothing lines so that they own something. Jay-Z sold all his stuff and screwed Dame and Biggs out of what they created. Now he’s left with fly by night night clubs/sports bars and a small stake in a professional sports team.

Anyway, I thought that was more what Chuck D was talking about.
free

i think you hit a few of them but the rest are not what i would deem true execs.
https://www.sandrarose.com Sandra Rose

Bird Says:

I didn’t get the impression that Chuck was referring to rappers or black folks exclusively.
“““““““““““““““““““““

Maybe you missed the part where he said, “And especially this urban, black, whatever you wanna call it, is an incestuous inner circle of usual suspects that are financially trusted over black culture by a select ‘other few.’ It’s evident that we are not the same people.“
Sane and Clean

OK but can you take off Nas and Andre 3000? They stil got the oomph.

Now the rest I concur can be buzzards. Tadow.
Black Bauer

Anyone with knowledge of the industry would have listed names like Morris, Iovine,Bronfman, etc……
https://www.sandrarose.com Sandra Rose

@ Black Bauer:

the last time I checked those were white people. Maybe you should read the posts and not comment.
Black Bauer

If you actually READ his quote, and UNDERSTOOD it, you would know that he was talking about BLACK MUSIC and not BLACK PEOPLE. He also has been saying for years the the number one problem with black music is that it has been hijacked by “outsiders”. You are the only person naieve enough to think that those people you named are in the inner circle of people who run the industry. BTW, Russell Simmons hasnt been in the music biz in how long……….
niastar

Its not just hip hop, its the “music industry” as a whole. Its all gone to shit and it all sounds like shit with the exception of those few that are really doing something. Everyone is out to make that almighty dollar and its just not the same anymore. I have to agree with Chuck. I also disagree with you on most of the names on that list that you pulled out of your a**.
Poetry777

Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, Dre 3000 & NAS definitely need to be taken off this list in my opinion…Also, I think there are way more than 15 people responsible for the state of hip hop……Thanks!
jcroft

Sandra – thanks for posting news worthy info.
Sharonda

Well basically, what Chuck is trying to say is…

IT’S EVERYBODY’S FAULT!

You can pin point the finger who cause the fall of hip-hop.But Hip-Hop changed since the “execs (white)” figured they can make huge money of them to make them look like fools and guess what?They did.But partially it’s not their (execs) fault, the people who buy the music, the consumer has much more control then the music industry.
Sharonda

than*
Poetry777

Also…..I agree with your statements Black Bauer & niastar
Anti-believer

Everyone listed except for Andre 3000 has there own imprint(record label) that is distributed by a major label which is funded by Caucasians, Jews and Israelis. These artist are able to maintain a career with money backing marketing from C J & I’s. Just look at R&B… the “real singers” don’t have major marketing bucks behind them. I believe Chuck D would’ve made a great change to artist on the Def Jam label but the problem is that Def Jam lost money hiring Jay-Z which he did NOTHING but support his-self despite claiming to be retired. Jay-Z abused his position and that’s why his ass is out. Yes, he doesn’t care cause his bills are paid. Hip Hop/Rap is not at it’s best.
Anti-believer

Also I want to say hip hop wasn’t hijacked…. it has always had white men backing it with cash on hand. There aren’t any black owned major labels. I believe even Def Jam is funded by Caucasian, Jews or Israelis.
J Gats Juice

I really think Sandra named every black male she could think of because I didnt see Cash Money or Jermaine Dupri.

Black bauer & Sharonda, I have to co-sign with u. How far would Soulja Boy have gotten if we didnt allow our kids to support his buffoonery? We have to be more aware of who we give our money to & what we expose ourselves to. Honestly, I would love to keep the black dollar black, but then I get discouraged when I see Lil Wayne with platinum grills & tatted up. This is what Bob, Dick & Habib pay for… So thats what the “future” is gonna give em. Thank God for originality & bravery, otherwise, we wouldnt have Ty Tribett (sp), Erika Badu or Andre 3000
dj_dceezy

Soulja Boy runs hip hop.
J Gats Juice

Wow, DJ_Dceezy, I really hope thats sarcasm!!!
Bsoul

@ bird
Didn’t Russell Simmons sell Phat Farm along with Baby Phat? If I’m not mistaken he and Kimora still have stock and serve as advisors.
http://www.myspace.com/birdshu Bird

Sandra,

The part of the statemnet that says,

“Hence music, and especially this urban, black, whatever you wanna call it, is an incestuous inner circle of usual suspects that are financially trusted over black culture by a select ‘other few”

is referring to the type or music not the type of people. I’m sure he’s not talking about little powerless rappers. They control nothing. LA Reid is the only person on your whole list with any real power. Jay-Z worked for him after he sold his company like a dummy.
http://www.myspace.com/birdshu Bird

Bsoul Says:

@ bird
Didn’t Russell Simmons sell Phat Farm along with Baby Phat? If I’m not mistaken he and Kimora still have stock and serve as advisors.
***********************************************************

Not that I know of. I’m pretty sure that they kept the clothing lines. I could be wrong though. You know you gonna make me look it up now. Daggone it!
http://myspace.com/akiey5 akiey

I fully agree with Black bauer & Sharonda. I have met and talked with Chuck D on numerous occasions and believe you me he doesn’t have the listed artists/label owners at fault for the deplorale state of HipHop or music in general. He’s almost always pointed the finger at execs running the distribution & marketing companies/labels.

The so-called Usual Suspects you name don’t deserve to be on that list and you know it. Bet you included the names just so folks could argue back & forth, lol!

And yes, we the consumers have power to decide how soon Silly Boy and his ilk should get off the air and stop polluting it with their no-talent, here today-gone tomorrow trash they want to call music.
http://myspace.com/akiey5 akiey

PS: I meant “deplorable” state of HipHop and music….
kettajp

Definitely take Dre 3000 off this list. his swagger is completely different from anyone on this list.
Bsoul

Andre 3000 sans Big Boi?

I’m just asking since they are both in Outkast.
free

sandra, he says “given keys to the culture” which leads me to believe that at least some of the folks he was referring to were outside the black culture.
http://www.myspace.com/reddymond_45 The Black Katie Couric

If we follow the reasoning of Sandra’s list I think we must also include:

The Ying Yang Twins
Anyone who has ever hosted BET’s Rap City (Tigger inlcuded).
Karinne “Supahead” Steffans
Vanilla Ice
AND the girl from the Tip Drill Video!!!

I agree with what Black Bauer had to say!!!
the king

i think that list sandra put up is more personal that anything else
those people on that list really dont hold no weight or control anything, or have alot of influence on anything
irv gotti being on that list is a joke
snoop dog and nas really dont hold any weight in the game as far as the masses are concerened, u should report sumthing usefull, the chuck d article was interesting but your list screams “i have a personal vendetta against these few”
calibuddafly

@ #17-
The biggest buyers of hiphop are the white kids from the ‘burbs.
captpmo

I HAVE KNOWN CHUCK D FOR 20 YEARS HE WOULD NEVER ATTACT OTHER ARTIST LIKE THAT. HE SAID “alliances with these corporations” IS DRE 3000 IN ALLIANCE, IS SNOOP, IS KANYE WEST, IS NAS. SOME ON YOUR LIST IS RIGHT. I HAVE SAID FOR 25 YEARS THAT RUSSELL SIMMONS IS A PIMP AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN FROM DAY ONE. JAYZ IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CLOWNS AROUND TODAY. LA REID DID SOMETHING THAT’S HAD NOT BE DONE WHEN HE CAME TO ATL AN STARTED LAFACE, AND THEN SOLD IT FOR PEANUTS. KEVEN LILES HAS KILLED SO MANY SOULS AN HIS QUEST TO THE TOP IT ANT FUNNY. BUT YOU FORGOT ONE, THE ONE AND ONLY MR LYOR COHEN. THE BIGGEST PIMP OF OUR HIP HOP TIMES. PEOPLE DON’T KNOW IT WAS LYOR THAT GOT RUSSELL OUT OF THE WAY, WHO GOT RICK RUBIN OUT OF THE WAY. OVER ALL I THINKS IT’S A WRAP FOR HIP HOP, HIP HOP THAT WE KNOW IS DEAD. I DON’T SEE A WAY BACK. SOULJA BOY? SEEMS LIKE THE ONLY WINNERS IN THE GAME NOW ARE THE DOPE BOYS BECAUSE THEY DON’T NEED THE MONEY. THEY DO IT FOR OTHER REASONS. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT DON’T SEEM TO HAVE “alliances with these corporations” JUST MY POINT OF VIEW, I COULD BE WRONG, ONLY TIME WILL TELL.
http://www.myspace.com/bettathaniwasb4 2bme

Yall know Sandra put Dre on that last cuz she has beef with him..he has nothing to do with the demise of hiphop..Outkast have always been innovators and helped put the south on the map..Lyor Cohen is Satan..he is to hip hop what Tommy Motolla is to pop.you break bread with the devil you live by the devil’s rules..no other reason for Soldier Boyto hit like that..are you serious?? I could go on but the point has been made by several posters already..HipHop is the walking dead..zombies..no life..no talent…no nothing..just emptiness..too much greed to resurrected
http://www.myspace.com/millyly milly

WOW this list is ummm….interesting, some of it I agree with, but not all.
ms.peaches

2bme you make a very good point!! @Sandra you just had to put Jay-Z on the top of the list didn’t you?(lol) & what’s up with Pharell’s name being on there I like him!! & Russell to me that was a low blow cause he isn’t even doing that much at DefJam if anything at all to my knowledge he still has PhatFarm so why would the 2 or should I say the 3 of these guys be considered Buzzards! I won’t even acknowledge Andre’s name being on there cause I think Sandra was just running outta names!!
BaBiEDoLL

EVERYTIME I Post On Sandra Site I Have to Ask Myself “Is This Chick Forreal???”. Damn Sandra U FELL OFF Ma! U Post Good Stuff Never These Days, Ever Since the New Year! We Need Something Worth Reading… I Guess Until Then Ill Just Read Bossip.com Since U Get All They Lame Sh*t And Leave Out “Newsworty” Sh*t!
sumpthinspecial

I just read this story and was reading through some of the comments. I too believe that Chuck D is referring to the “Powers that Be” in music as well as the infiltration from outside influences in Hip-Hop; the individuals who are slowly killing the genre of music because they had no love and/or respect for it to begin with. It’s just a cash cow to them. As such, this does include some rappers–not necessarily the “successes” alone but also the rappers who simply want to make a buck. This includes the ones who glorify guns, money, and materialism as a whole in addition to the ones who are purely exploitative. The entertainment game today very much mirrors the drug game of yesterday — sans the loyalty factor. For someone like Chuck D who has been in it… not on the outside looking in, but truly in it, it must be frustrating as well as disheartening to witness a slow demise of music and that he so loves. His frustration could not possibly lie with simply a set of rappers…the situation is much deeper than that; Chuck D is much deeper than that.

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