Reaction To Fox News’ Attacks On Rapper Common!
Fox News
Recently Chicago rapper Common has become the subject of conversation on Fox News after he was invited to the White House to read his poetry. As informed workers in the music community, we were outraged to see how lyrics from one of his poems in 2007 were taken out of context to be used against him, while the message of the poem was lost. For years Common has been one of the few socially responsible rappers. He often raps his lyrics in a narrative, telling stories to try and have an impact on tthe black community in a positive way. In fact after that tragic events on September 11th 2001, Common’s music was one of the select few that MTV chose to play during their special programming at the time that focused on bringing Americans together.
Of all the rappers in the music industry that Fox News could have attacked and would have had a valid point to do so, to attack someone like Common is not only wrong, but it puts into question their journalistic credibility as a news organization . Fox News spent most of this week attacking a man based on a hand full of lyrics and poetry that they never actually tried to understand. To have people like Bill O’Reilly’ and Karl Rove call someone like him a “misogamist” or “controversial” is nothing but disgraceful of a media outlet claiming to be fair and balanced. These people make it obvious that they have never actually taken the time to really even listen to Common’s music ever. But with that said, they were more than willing to tear him down anyway. Politics aside, Fox News is making themselves look ignorant, and show how willing they are to grasp at straws to make a uninformed politically slanted point. They have done this while verbally assaulting an innocent man who just happend to be invited to the White House.
Unlike Fox News, we will not just print some lyrics to use in propaganda to make our point. We will show you Fox News’ report, The Daily Show’s well put together response, as well as Common’s actual music. Take a listen to the music that Fox is saying is so bad and you will see our point for yourself. All of you who work at Fox News should be a shamed of yourselves for creating such a gross misrepresentation of an accomplished posative individual.
Bill O’Reilly’s Talking Points About Common
May 11th 2011
The Daily Show’s Response On Fox News’ Comments On Common
May 11th, 2011
Full Episode
(Common’s Discussion Is In The Beginning)
Music And Media From Common
Common’s Poetry At The White House
Common & Will I Am
“A Dream”
From Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture: Freedom Writers
MTV Films/Paramount Pictures/Hollywood Records
Just Wright
A Film Released By Fox Searchlight Starring Queen Latifah And Common
Common
“The Light”
From Like Water For Chocolate
MCA Records
Common Featuring Mary J. Blige
“Come Close”
From Electric Circus
MCA Records
Common
“Be”
From Be
G.O.O.D. Music/Geffen Records
Common Featuring Kaye West & The Last Poets
“The Corner”
From Be
G.O.O.D. Music/Geffen Records
Common Featuring Lilly Allen
“Drivin’ Me Wild”
From Finding Forever
G.O.O.D. Music/Geffen Records
Common Featuring Chester French
“What A World” (Explicit)
From Universal Mind Control
G.O.O.D. Music/Geffen Records
Joss Stone Featuring Common
“Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do Now”
From Introducing Joss Stone
Virgin Records America Inc/Capitol Music Group/EMI
John Legend & The Roots Featuring Melanie Fiona & Common
“Wake Up Everybody”
G.O.O.D. Music/Columbia Records
UPDATE: Jon Stewart & BILL O’Reilly Debate Common’s Invite To The White House