We've all got our handbags in a twist again over this issue haven't we? We all said we wouldn't but we've all fallen for the same ruse as last year - someone says something controversial (to me it seems quite deliberate) and then the bad feeling ricochets around before exhausting itself.
We all agree that the senseless bootlegging of artists whose music we love (even if we can't really love the producers of the same!) is wrong - so no disagreeing with KDJ on that - but ... We all also agree that the statements out of Mahogini go too far. I feel though that they're pure theatre - cynical use of theatre though - I fully agree, and it doesn't matter what one *really* thinks once you've dared to use such ruses, because the offence you've caused is the same. The way we feel about politicians who choose to play the 'race card' is similar. Ask Bill Clinton about Sistah Souljah - those who know. Those who don't, I hope you get my drift. There's no justification. I'd have hoped someone like KDJ would be wiser than that, no matter how embittered he might feel because of history - personal as well as collective. But I can't expect that everyone will try to be as enmlightened. When you come out of Detroit, that's pretty embittered. All I know is that he makes great music. He's aware how dependent he is on "pasty whites" for his success - example: never forget the St Albans connection! St Albans is a small sleepy town in the south of England. You can't get more pasty and white than that! (Hint: Peacefrog!) But he's not prepared to pull his punches when he doesn't like something. Don't take it personally. Maybe don't buy the music. I'd say having a damaging argument on the list isn't going to be much use either. What we need more of are the things which bring us together. (Good music?) It's a better way to eventually try to sort out the things which can potentially keep as apart. k
