Land of Confusion: Nothin’ But An N Thang?
Throughout history, politics has had a significant impact on music. Likewise music has had a significant impact on politics (thanks, Tipper). With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to create a dialog with you, the Hidden Track readers. I hope to address issues concerning the campaign trail, current hot button issues and candidates and then contrast them with artists, occurrences in the music business, lyrics and perhaps even a little music history.
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion on the Umphrey’s McGee fan message board about a recent podcast released by the band. Over the years, Umphrey’s has done several cover songs, including several hip-hop songs such as Regulate, Gin & Juice and Xxplosive. The podcast mentioned features a cover of Snoop Dogg’s Ain’t No Fun.
UM guitarist Brendan Bayliss keeps to the original by performing all the lyrics to the song. The specific lyric that caused controversy over on the message board is the “N-word.” Indeed, many rap artists have embraced this term to simply take on the meaning of a person. But does this not perpetuate the racial problems in our country? On the other hand, Widespread Panic changes the same lyric in question when they cover Curtis Mayfield’s Pusher Man.
Read on for more of Land of Confusion, and be sure to tell us your opinion…
With this in mind, as well as the recent media hype discussing the issue of race and politics, I wanted to try and create some dialog about some of the issues raised by this. Obviously, any citizen of this country (musicians included) is protected (thankfully) by the First Amendment. However, the question arises: Should Brendan have changed the lyrics? Should he have changed the lyrics because of the color of his skin? Should J.B. not have changed the lyrics?
Any song, in my opinion, and according the government is a work of art. So does it not change the integrity of the song or change its meaning when the original lyrics are altered? What would Curtis Mayfield think? What would the Doggfather do? I am reminded of what Sly and the Family Stone once said.
Does Brendan Bayliss have at least one black friend? If yes, it is ok.
I’m offended by Umphrey’s McGee’s music more than their use of the “N”-word.
Does this mean that all reprints classic art are pornographic because of nudity? I’m not trying to compare Snoop to Michaelangelo, but isn’t music art? I understand there is a deep meaning to the word, but they’re covering the song. Wouldn’t it be more wrong to change how it was written? Wouldn’t that change the meaning of the song?
I’m more offended by Umphrey’s McGee’s music than by their usage of the “N”word.
I think it’s just too charged a word for UM to use… I’d say skip it and skip the controversy. It’s not like their music is overtly political in the first place.
I’m more offended by Nate Diggity Dogg’s overzealous commenting, chill brah, we get it, you’re so funny.
It’s not a controversy, it’s post on teh bort, you just needed a topic for HT so you called it a controversy.
Pffft, it’s only 3 pages too.
Should white people not use the word in film? It’s the scriptwriter’s words, just like it’s Snoop’s word(s). I think it’s more of an honor or an homage to Snoop to keep the integrity of the song. That’s right, Ain’t No Fun has integrity.