Scene - Blogs - Maya Angelou shocked by rapper Commons use of language in song that features her poem

Maya Angelou 'shocked' by rapper Common's use of language in song that features her poem
Published: 12/21/2011 12:08 PM
Last Modified: 12/21/2011 12:09 PM

Maya Angelou. Associated Press file

Common. Associated Press file

Earlier this week, poet, feminist, civil rights leader, scholar and author Maya Angelou said she was “shocked” after hearing rapper Common’s language in a song she was featured in. She recorded a poem that was placed at the end of one of his songs, "The Dreamer."

She schooled the hip-hop artist in the use of language. She's not happy with the use of the "B-word" and "N-word," in a song just before her poem on the album, but she stands by Common and even calls him a possible "genius."

She's also confident that he'll eventually move away from the divisive use of those words in his music.

Tuesday night, Angelou called into Black Entertainment Television's "106 & Park" show while Common was promoting his album "The Dreamer, The Believer" and said:

"I don’t think the word 'disappointment' quite makes it. I was 'surprised.' I know that Common is brilliant. He may, in fact, be close enough to be called a genius – I’m not sure.

"I know that we are all in process and young artists are in process. It’s important to realize that all of you – all of us – (are in process). There was a statement made by Machiavelli in the 15th century. He said if you want to control the people, separate them, and you can rule them. Divide them and you can conquer them. I will not be divided from Common.

"By anybody’s imagination, he is brilliant and even genius, maybe. But certainly smarter than us to know that he’s in process. And next week, he might not even use the N-word or the B-word. It may even take two or three weeks, or a month. But I’m not going to be separated from him…

"Do your best to not be divided. This doesn’t mean you are supposed to support everything anybody says. Say 'I disagree, but I don’t disagree to the point where I want you dead and out of here.' You must understand that, people, we live in direct relation to the heroes and sheroes we have. Always and in always if we don’t have heroes and sheroes and keep them alive, we are nothing."

Hear the song and poem:

Common also responded via radio Wednesday morning, saying he and Angelou were't at odds. They just disagreed.

“... She did a poem about dreaming. I put it at the end of a song that had the N-word. She don’t approve of that word. It was never no like, ‘I’m mad at you.’ She’s like a mother,” Common said on-air over New York’s Power 105.1 radio station.

"Even if she got something that she don’t approve of me, she gonna let me know and we gonna keep it moving. She’s happy she’s on the album. I’m happy she’s on the album. They can’t create dissention amongst us. ...

“It’s bigger than just using the N-word. It’s some good music, it's uplifting, and what she’s saying is uplifting. We have to get past what this word is,” he said.

He also said he's even considered not using that word any more.

Watch the clip of her calling in to BET:

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Dr. Strangelove (last year)

"Even if she got something that she don’t approve of me, she gonna let me know and we gonna keep it moving."

Spoken like a genius?

hmmmm....

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Barrelhouse Beat

Barrelhouse: A colloquialism describing the low saloons at the turn of the century (19th) that served whiskey straight out of the barrel. It's also a reference to the type of music played in those venues. Ex: Barrelhouse music.

Beat: The time or timing. Ex: The band played with a solid beat. Also used as a term describing a reporters specific area of expertise. Ex: The music beat.

About me: I'm Okie born and raised, and have lived all over the state: Oklahoma City, Enid, Moore, Norman, Edmond and Tulsa. I am a music geek, writer, graphic designer and amateur photographer and videographer who's followed the Tulsa and regional music scene since I moved to Green Country more than 10 years ago. I've been enmeshed in Tulsa's varied and vibrant musical night life, what some of us affectionately call a modernized throwback to the Barrelhouse scene, since that time. I fell in love with it. I fell hard.

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Past Articles By Jennifer Chancellor

2/17/2013		Tulsan Johnny Polygon a rapper who delights in hometown crowd
2/15/2013		The Who brings nostalgia, ingenuity to BOK Center
2/15/2013		Lady Gaga tour is canceled
2/15/2013		Audio Adrenaline concert moves to April 7
2/14/2013		The Who brings 'other' rock opera to Tulsa's BOK Center
2/14/2013		Okies nominated for several top ACM awards
2/14/2013		Epic moments of rock 'n' roll history in Tulsa
2/14/2013		The Who talks about 'Quadrophenia' rock opera ahead of BOK show Thursday
2/14/2013		Shawnee songstress Samantha Crain to play Tulsa CD release show Friday
2/14/2013		Rick Springfield to play River Spirit Event Center on Saturday
2/14/2013		Local music roundup: Vaudvillian sideshows? Nerd nights? Live music? Parties? Yes, yes, yes and yes.
2/14/2013		Eli Young band coming to Brady Theater for first time

Jennifer Chancellor's Blog Archive:

2/2013	1/2013	12/2012	11/2012	10/2012	9/2012
8/2012	7/2012	6/2012	5/2012	4/2012	3/2012
2/2012	1/2012	12/2011	11/2011	10/2011	9/2011
8/2011	7/2011	6/2011	5/2011	4/2011	3/2011
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2/2010	1/2010	12/2009	11/2009	10/2009	9/2009
8/2009	7/2009	6/2009	5/2009	4/2009	3/2009
2/2009	1/2009	12/2008	11/2008	10/2008	9/2008
8/2008	7/2008	6/2008	5/2008	4/2008	3/2008
2/2008	1/2008	12/2007	11/2007	10/2007	9/2007

Jennifer Chancellor
BarrelhouseBeat

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