Music & Violence
I am constantly amazed at this little ass town of Charlottesville. So, here’s the story for today boys and girls. I Dj’ed last night (Saturday) and things seem to have gone pretty well. The club looked packed and the floor was moving. All is well until the last 5 or so minutes of the night. I decided to play ”Never Scared” by Bonecrusher. Now, please understand, I **DO NOT** listen to this type of music, but I had developed a small ”like” for that song when I was down in Myrtle Beach some years ago. Anyway, 2 minutes into the song, trouble starts. First there were two girls about to get into it, then there were two guys, and then there was a dude up in the face of the security guard. So, in the span of 2–3 minutes, there were potentially 4–5 fight possibilities.
So here is the question boys and girls. Does music incite violence? This is such an age-old topic on which I have typically held a singular opinion: no, music does not incite violence. Having said that, however, I can say that I’ve been to more than enough parties where something like ”Don’t Start No Shit Won’t Be No Shit” was played and fights ensued IMMEDIATELY. Being in C-Ville, with its somewhat weird population make-up, I can say that it’s not strictly a black thing. Some of the white boys like to get shit started as well.
I just don’t get it. Maybe these were all just anomalies. I was at a Mos Def concert (with Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and Jean Grae) and some girls, in the front ”row,” were about to go at it and Talib had to diffuse the situation (from the mic). All I know is that I haven’t been to a HOUSE club, yet, where a fight has broken out. There have been well over a 1000 folks dancing, jumping, and just feeling the vibe and not ONE FIGHT!!! You get a hip hop club with a few hundred folks on any given night and you might have to duck blows.I just don’t know. I like the money and all, but I’m tired of playing Top 40 shit. I’m tired of the topics, tired of the weak lyrics and hook-driven songs. All you need to succeed in hip hop or R&B for that matter is a ”hot beat” and a ”good” hook. Oh yeah, don’t forget the requisite LOOK. For ladies, that includes heels, titties out, and something that hugs the ass like a second skin. For guys, that includes anything that ”looks” thuggish or gives the ”appearance” of affluence. But. . . I digress!!!
Does music beget violence? Opinions please!!!
