The
Council Of Presidents
, which is a coalitionof people who represent African American college Fraternities
and Sororities are planning to meet this weekend to
discuss the images that Rappers are portraying in
music videos that are airing on the once black owned
BET. The Council is concerned about the impact images
of artists dripping in ice and pushing Bentley’s is
having on African American youth.
In a letter
sent to BET Founder and Chairman Robert Johnson, the
group denounced Johnson for not operating in the best
interest of the African American community and also
said that BET doesn’t support black businesses, leaders
or institutions. The group threatened to boycott BET,
Viacom and their advertisers.
The Council
met with Johnson in September and aired their complaints
to the Billionaire. According to members of the Council,
Johnson made it very clear that he is a business man
and that BET is a business. Johnson did say he wanted
to continue dialogue with the group and try to come
to a happy medium.
Exec’s at BET say that they do not control the content
of the videos that they receive, which are sent to
them by record companies and Johnson suggested that
the Council air their complaints to the record companies
that actually make these types of videos. BET is coming
off of their highest rated season.
Russell
Simmons, founder of Def Jam and who more recently
founded 360HipHop.com which was recently bought by
BET before they in turn were bought by Viacom contacted
Allhiphop.com in defense of the network. While he
doesn’t condemn rappers, or view their images as being
negative, Simmons said that it’s simply just time
for a change, echoing sentiments he aired at his 2nd
Hip-Hop Summit this past summer. "N####’s need
to stop the b####### and write some different songs
or shut the f### up. You can quote me on that one,
please," Simmons said.