Edd's MANtra: Keeping the Music Alive

Well, I had planned to blog about rap's latest feuds - Joe Budden's pissed at Method Man because fans voted him as a better rapper in a freakin' online tournament and there's a three-way battle between short-bus passengers Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman - but then I realized how lame both of those scuffles are.

Nice way to celebrate Black Music Month, guys.

Just when I thought my faith in the music industry had been forever shaken, the wifey directed me to this interesting essay at TheRoot.com. Writer Erin Evans says that, despite this age of rampant buffoonery, it's more important to celebrate black music than ever before.

And I agree - to a point.

Let me clear something up - celebrating black music goes beyond BET airing a Top 10 Booties in Hip Hop special. Let's hear more about the pioneers of the genre.

NO, I do not mean R. Kelly and Mary J. Blige. Even folks like Prince and Quincy Jones. Yes, Michael Jackson is great and all, but let's hear more about pioneers like George Duke - a guy whose work is sampled endlessly but never gets any love. His stylings laid the groundwork for today's producers.

Let's encourage kids to pursue careers in music. Instead of telling Lil' Quisha "baby, you sho can sang" when you know she clearly can't, we should encourage music fans to explore a career that extend beyond the spotlight. Trust me, if you wanna make money in the music industry, composing is the way to go. Performers usually get shortchanged. Ask T-Boz n' dem. Encourage schools to retain their music and arts programs so kids can cultivate a solid musical education.

Seriously, would YOU want your children learning about music from these fools?

image via

Does his chain say yum? Ewwww.

If Black Music Month is about a celebration of history and what we can do to build upon it, then I'm cool with it. If it's just an excuse for Vh1 to make more ridiculous countdown shows, don't bother.