Interview Doctrine: Rap Materialism and Racial Humility.

Jay interviews Dan Charnas, in an interview that touches on some of the points that came up in our sprawling conversation about Asher Roth the other day.

G.D.

G.D.

Gene "G.D." Demby is the founder and editor of PostBourgie. In his day job, he blogs and reports on race and ethnicity for NPR's Code Switch team.
G.D.

Latest posts by G.D. (see all)

  • this is an excellent interview. asher roth made a serious mistake pinning “greed” to black rappers…it’s the genre reflecting societal ideals, not a race thing. also, black rappers have no responsibility to take care of people in Africa–if they choose to be charitable, fine, if not then fine; it’s not about obligation because of their race. on a related note, does any one know what sorts of charitable acts asher roth has engaged in, if any? just curious.

  • So on one hand, Charmas is saying that white rappers need to have racial humility to succeed, but on the other, he’s saying that the music is ultimately what matters? Which is it? And what does it mean if Roth (or others like him) can succeed without having humility and respecting those who came before? (And I don’t mean the Weezys and Jeezys, but the founders of hip hop and those who love the art form — not just the money that comes with it.)

  • ladyfresshh

    Great follow up, very much appreciated.

  • I know this may come off as nitpicky but how y’all gon’ watch the video and misspell homeboy’s name in the post and all through the comments? CharNas.

  • I think this interview was excellent. I’m really glad he touched on the fact that Roth’s whole “brand” exhibits his naivete about hip hop music as an art for in general. From the “African rappers” comment to his constant yapping about how rappers never made music that white kids in the ‘burbs could relate to, it all shows a lack of knowledge of the breadth of hip hop music and artists.