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Yo! Mos Def TV Raps

© Steve Juon

In recent trade publications and word via the internet rumor hotline, it has been mentioned that underground hip-hop superstar Mos Def and MTV are in negotations for the pilot to a Y2K update of "Yo! MTV Raps" featuring the beloved Mos as host.

Needless to say, reaction among the hip-hop community has been mixed. Some seem to think that Mos Def will be a sellout if he's on MTV endorsing the latest videos from ultra-commercial artists like Master P. After all, how many times do you suppose Dr. Dre and Ed Lover had to fake like theyactually liked something just to keep MTV happy? Others think that this will put a hold on Mos Def's blossoming musical career. And some people just seem to be straight up PLAYA-HATING, as if they don't want to see him be a success with a new venture.

Now honestly, my biggest concern would be that MTV, when it comes to hip-hop, is BLATANTLY phony. Take the Fab 5 Freddy edition of MTV Raps, for example. You could tell they were phony when he interviewed the Wu-Tang Clan. He didn't know shit about them, he asked the same questions two or three times during the interview, and looked very uncomfortable surrounded by eight members of the Thuggish Ruggish Wu. That was a VERY PAINFUL episode only punctuated in stupidity by Ol Dirty Bastard bragging about how poor and ghetto he was. Thanks my man, that's something to be proud of. So you put your eggs on the windowsill? Whatever. Sheesh.

Anyway, I don't see why people need to rag on Mos Def for wanting to do a Y2K MTV Raps. I think we all know and can agree that they're going to have to play some wack ass music, because this is MTV we're talking about. But by sneaking in a true head like Mos who loves the underground and IS the underground, you'll probably notice some things creep up in the mix. Bet your booty that anytime somebody like Jigmastas, Company Flow, Defari or the Dilated Peoples is pushin a new video, Mos Def will be in the corporate offices arguing with them on why it should be in the mix. And he'll win a few. Don't put the guy down for taking advantage of the opportunity that's available to him. Rather, let's support the fact that one of our own and our favorites is gonna have a chance to REALLY make a difference for hip-hop. I'll tune in and watch a Mos Def version of MTV Raps - wouldn't you?

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