DreamerTheresa
06-28-2005, 10:38 AM
By John Goodwin
Despite his recent spats with R. Kelly, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z is riding high these days, with a possible deal to become president of Def Jam Recordings, a Reebok lifestyle line, a place on Fortune magazine's list of the wealthiest 40 Americans under 40, and a video, "99 Problems," that earned four MTV awards this summer, including rap video of the year.
But you'll have to forgive animal advocates if we don't join in the celebration over "99 Problems." With his video's celebration of dog fighting, a vicious pursuit with no positive social value, Jay-Z proves to be just another rapper caught up in the blood rapture. Whatever else the video intends, "99 Problems" offers an irresponsible tribute to a gratuitously cruel and illegal practice that represents one of the most serious threats to the safety of our inner-city residents.
In some ways, Jay-Z's video is just the latest beat in an extended mix of disdain toward canines. A few years ago, DMX admitted that he named his album, Grand Champion, in homage to top-notch fighting dogs, and in 2002 he pled guilty to animal cruelty for having 13 neglected pit bulls in his possession. One major record label has even gone so far as to market its own line of dog food—"Game Dog Professional"—complete with a picture of a fearsome, well-muscled pit bull on the bag.
Of course, there's nothing new about criticizing rap music—whether for glamorizing gang violence or the mistreatment of women or some other social evil—and some might say that dog fighting doesn't belong in this constellation of ills. But there's a reason why this form of animal cruelty is illegal in all 50 states. A closer look reveals its crucial links to the more common forms of violence and misconduct deplored by hip-hop's critics.
Behind the Music
On one level, rap's glorification of animal fighting serves as simply one more symbol of hip-hop's outlaw appeal for the millions of Americans who listen to the music. But the dogs die for real. They are pitted against one another as gladiators in bloody contests in which they attack and bite with crushing force. These fights can go for hours as the dogs slowly tear each other apart.
Dogfighting also threatens the lives of the human residents in every community where the activity thrives. If they aren't shot outright, losing dogs who fail to show "gameness" are released on the streets to fend for themselves. These dogs become an immediate menace to all who encounter them.
A look at pit-bull mauling cases shows that most involve dogs abused in order to make them "mean," and hence, better fighters. Once these dogs lose their natural inclination to see people as friends, they are more prone to attack, often with horrible results.
Some apologists for the violence in hip-hop videos argue that the imagery only reflects the harsh truth of the streets. But in this case, pop culture may have helped to bring about the grim reality. The glorification of fierce pit bulls and organized dogfighting by hip-hop artists coincides with a dramatic increase in dogfighting nationwide, despite a spate of newly enacted state and federal laws.
And there's another reality to confront. Young people often mirror the actions of the celebrities they idolize. Artists who insist on spreading these images through their work must accept their roles in perpetuating community violence. Where are the compassionate voices within the hip-hop world, those who despise dogfighting and the harm it brings to both the animals and the greater community? It's these artists, and not Jay-Z, who now need to be heard.
John Goodwin is an investigator with The Humane Society of the United States
Despite his recent spats with R. Kelly, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z is riding high these days, with a possible deal to become president of Def Jam Recordings, a Reebok lifestyle line, a place on Fortune magazine's list of the wealthiest 40 Americans under 40, and a video, "99 Problems," that earned four MTV awards this summer, including rap video of the year.
But you'll have to forgive animal advocates if we don't join in the celebration over "99 Problems." With his video's celebration of dog fighting, a vicious pursuit with no positive social value, Jay-Z proves to be just another rapper caught up in the blood rapture. Whatever else the video intends, "99 Problems" offers an irresponsible tribute to a gratuitously cruel and illegal practice that represents one of the most serious threats to the safety of our inner-city residents.
In some ways, Jay-Z's video is just the latest beat in an extended mix of disdain toward canines. A few years ago, DMX admitted that he named his album, Grand Champion, in homage to top-notch fighting dogs, and in 2002 he pled guilty to animal cruelty for having 13 neglected pit bulls in his possession. One major record label has even gone so far as to market its own line of dog food—"Game Dog Professional"—complete with a picture of a fearsome, well-muscled pit bull on the bag.
Of course, there's nothing new about criticizing rap music—whether for glamorizing gang violence or the mistreatment of women or some other social evil—and some might say that dog fighting doesn't belong in this constellation of ills. But there's a reason why this form of animal cruelty is illegal in all 50 states. A closer look reveals its crucial links to the more common forms of violence and misconduct deplored by hip-hop's critics.
Behind the Music
On one level, rap's glorification of animal fighting serves as simply one more symbol of hip-hop's outlaw appeal for the millions of Americans who listen to the music. But the dogs die for real. They are pitted against one another as gladiators in bloody contests in which they attack and bite with crushing force. These fights can go for hours as the dogs slowly tear each other apart.
Dogfighting also threatens the lives of the human residents in every community where the activity thrives. If they aren't shot outright, losing dogs who fail to show "gameness" are released on the streets to fend for themselves. These dogs become an immediate menace to all who encounter them.
A look at pit-bull mauling cases shows that most involve dogs abused in order to make them "mean," and hence, better fighters. Once these dogs lose their natural inclination to see people as friends, they are more prone to attack, often with horrible results.
Some apologists for the violence in hip-hop videos argue that the imagery only reflects the harsh truth of the streets. But in this case, pop culture may have helped to bring about the grim reality. The glorification of fierce pit bulls and organized dogfighting by hip-hop artists coincides with a dramatic increase in dogfighting nationwide, despite a spate of newly enacted state and federal laws.
And there's another reality to confront. Young people often mirror the actions of the celebrities they idolize. Artists who insist on spreading these images through their work must accept their roles in perpetuating community violence. Where are the compassionate voices within the hip-hop world, those who despise dogfighting and the harm it brings to both the animals and the greater community? It's these artists, and not Jay-Z, who now need to be heard.
John Goodwin is an investigator with The Humane Society of the United States