RE: Don't Let the Business Fool Ya!

IMHOTEP72@aol.com
Mon, 8 Jun 1998 04:13:08 EDT


A word to all the blind,

DAMN!!! Why is everybody on BET's nut-sack? First off, If you don't like BET,
well then watch something else. BET can't please everybody. BET caters to a
certain audience, chiefly Black folks (hint the name Black Entertainment
Television). Most black folks could give a flying fuck about you and your
opinion---and so does BET.
BET''s target market is getting to see Rap, R&B, and Jazz music that would
otherwise NOT get play on that utilitarian MTV.

MTV had nothing to do with Rap music, let alone R&B, and Jazz. MTV only
decided to get into rap music when it discovered that rap music was going
mainstream (i.e. white kids were buying rap music) and that urban Blacks, who
support and buy this music, were a large untapped ca$h potential. Thus the
advent of that now defunct Yo! MTV Raps show, which only gave rap fans about
an hour of pleasure with the rest devoted to mainstream (white) music (heavy
metal and rock music).
BET was designed and created by Black folks who wanted to have a show that
would cater to their own entertainment and music tastes. Not everybody can get
down to rock and alternative music.

The Black people who control BET know and understand the Black music artforms
of Jazz, Rap, and R&B (Yes, I did say Black artform, look who the majority of
the artists are who perform this music---Black folks!!!, go figure). You have
to also understand that BET encompasses ALL venues of Black
entertainment---Black actors, comedians, and social issues---so equal weight
has to be given to each and every one of these venues. BET is not soley a
music station and was not originally intended to ever be. It is a station
designed to give Black people access to Black-oriented shows, entertainment,
and issues they would'nt otherwise get if it were left up to the mainstream
media. If anybody thinks this is wrong or racists it isn't. Spanish people
have their own stations that cater to their music and their own issues. If
they didn't who would? Nobody, because nobody else cares. Do for self.
I'd rather not have a room full of white middle-aged clueless media executives
decide what is"cool", "hip", or "happenin'' for my viewing pleasures because
they don't even live the hip-hop lifestyle nor can they truly appreciate it or
understand it.
That's why Yo! MTV Raps folded---misguided by clueless media execs out for
cold hard ca$h money.

As a Black man I support BET for the support that they give to people who love
and appreciate Rap, R&B, and Jazz. Fuck all the criticisms. If you don't like
the station pick up the remote and push on some place else because we don't
give a fuck about you and your bitch-ass opinions. We're getting what we want
to see and if it wasn't for BET people like me would be left to watch that
lame-ass corny MTV bullshit.

Seek wisdom son.

Peace Out,

Imhotep