Call For End To Racist Rap Lyrics




7:10 am, 26 Apr 2007

The founder of legendary hip-hop label Def Jam has called for three sexist and racist words to be removed from songs.

Russell Simmons, the pioneering entrepreneur whose label has released music by Public Enemy, Run DMC and the Beastie Boys, objects to the use of "nigger", "ho" and "bitch".

Simmons said there was "growing public outrage" about the use of the terms, which he said should be viewed as the same as "extreme curse words".

He asked broadcasters and record companies to voluntarily remove, bleep or delete the words from music and he suggested setting up an industry watchdog to recommend guidelines for lyrical and visual standards.

Last week, Simmons called a private meeting of influential music industry executives to discuss the issue.

© NewsRoom 2007


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