Hip Hop: The Billion Dollar Industry that Criminalizes Black People

In 2006 Nas declared that "Hip Hop is Dead." So anything that appears to be Hip Hop now should be thought of as the music industry's version of "The Walking Dead." A post-apocalyptic horror that plays out through media images that affect minds and ill-advised actions by young people each and everyday. Urban radio is essentially giving free advertisement, each time a song is played, to the well-documented private prison industry. There is a cause for alarm. As many states are relinquishing their control of incarcerating their disproportionally affected African American population and turning it over to "for profit" private companies throughout the United States. It's probably the only business in America that doesn't have need for an advertising budget! Just call it what it is: Inmates for profit.

The following article by Sebastien Elkouby originallly appeared at Rap Rehab.com. 
The Criminalization of Black People – A Billion Dollar Industry 

I’ve spent the past few years tirelessly writing about the music industry’s deplorable portrayal of Black people. I’ve verbally attacked record companies, radio stations, TV networks, and executives who profit from Black death and dysfunction. I’ve harshly criticized rappers like Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz, YG, and Rick Ross for glorifying crime, sex, drugs, violence, and general ignorance. I’ve gone after clueless bloggers and hipsters for praising the very worst that rap has to offer. I’ve watched an industry blossom from the exploitation of the most vile and obscene racial stereotypes imaginable and openly accused it of promoting a covert white supremacist agenda. I’ve called out media conglomerates for their proven connection to the private prison industrial complex. I’ve been vocal and unapologetically determined to expose the industry for what I’m convinced is a deliberate attempt to dumb down generations of unsuspecting listeners. I’ve gained friends, supporters, and allies but also made a few foes in the process. And although it’s become increasingly difficult to say something I haven’t already said in past articles or interviews, as long as the industry keeps pushing its propaganda, I’ll continue speaking out against it. For every person who’s heard my arguments a hundred times before, there’s someone else hearing it for the first time. 

Throughout this amazing journey, I’ve observed how strategically wicked “the enemy” really is. I’ve watched how this industry seduces young impressionable artists at their most vulnerable, builds them up with false hope, manipulates them to think they’re in control, and discards them when they no longer serve a purpose. It happened to Chief Keef and Trinidad James, it’s happening to Bobby Shmurda now, and it will probably happen to Columbia Records’ latest acquisition, 23 year-old female rapper Dej Loaf whose radio hit “Try Me” has her killing entire families and rapping lines like “I really hate n****s, I’m a Nazi”. After years of indoctrinating the masses to view Black men as criminals and animals, an image that has undoubtedly shaped the George Zimmermans and Darren Wilsons of the world, the music industry has turned it up a notch by promoting this young Black woman as a psychopath and murderer. With co-signs from Drake, E-40, T.I, and Wiz Khalifa who are either blind to the industry’s racial exploitation or mere forgiving beneficiaries, where does an inexperienced artist like Dej Loaf turn to for wisdom and guidance? Besides Erykah Badu who called Dej to offer advice, who will pull this young sister to the side and warn her of what is likely to happen after her short-lived fame fades into oblivion? Who will stand up for her humanity, her soul, and her dignity as a woman…as a Black woman?

...

This article continues at RapRehab.com
Follow Sebastien Elkouby
on Twitter @SebIsHipHop

Be sure to check out the highlighted links in the article

Radio programmers should be taken to task for adding the type of songs mentioned above in their rotation simply because a label says it's impacting this week. Yes it's impacting the young lives of many and the vast perception of the mainstream.