R&B Legend Gladys Knight Doesn't Like Hip-Hop, Says It 'Has Not Elevated [Black People]'
Published 09/18/2009, by Miles Bennett

Gladys KnightR&B Legend Gladys Knight isn't feeling hip-hop music whatsoever.

According to The Boom Box, the 65-year-old singer expressed her distaste for the genre of music during an interview in support of her role in the new Tyler Perry film, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself."

She says hip-hop has negatively impacted the black community due to its strong lyrics.

"It's been bad, in my opinion, as far as the quality of the music and the stories that they tell. It's one thing to be raw about your history, but they took it to another level and it became vulgar," Knight said.

Despite the skyrocketing popularity of the genre, Knight says its never "elevated our industry musically."

She goes on to say that hip-hop's effect on the black community has not been positive, claiming its "lowered our self-esteem."

"It definitely has not elevated us as African-Americans, because we show disrespect for our partners, men and women," Knight explained. "I believe we have lowered our self-esteem with these performances and presentations."

Ironically, Knight's music has been sampled by some of hip-hop's elite, such as the Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane.

She is currently prepping a European tour in October.

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9 Comments
anzee11 - September 18, 2009 at 3:27 pm

She’s partially ignorant to that point. She must be talking about what she see on TV and what she hear on the radio. There’s so much more than that crap.

junior415 - September 18, 2009 at 3:32 pm

Stop Hating gladys Knight. People always hate what they don’t understand. Sit ur old ass down and shut the “F” up….

thewo - September 18, 2009 at 4:42 pm

Agree with her. Rap music went from an art form where you CAN curse to an artform where you have to curse to be considered a rapper. Cursing and degeneracy has actually become a definition of rap music

devon - September 18, 2009 at 7:40 pm

You are absolutely right Mrs.Knight, rap music is buffonery on it’s highest level ie Soulja Boy,Gucci Man & Tony Yayo whereas hip hop is an art form that only deep thinking skillful MC’s can excel in ie Nas,Black Thought or Lil Brother.Junior 415 you STFU you clown,don’t disrespect a legendary black artist that came up during the struggle because she hears bad music 24/7 on the radio the same coons shucking & jiving for there retarded fans

VENGEANCE IS MINE!!!!!!!!!! - September 19, 2009 at 1:23 am

ISN’T SHE MAKING MONEY OFF THE SAMPLES THEY USED FROM HER PAST HITS????

Clifo - September 21, 2009 at 4:36 am

VENGEANCE IS MINE!!!!!!!!!! – September 19, 2009 at 1:23 am

ISN’T SHE MAKING MONEY OFF THE SAMPLES THEY USED FROM HER PAST HITS????

Hey Vengeance, she is not making any money from the samples of her recordings due to the fact that she did not write them or own the publishing or masters. Trust me when I say that if she did write or control the songs she would not approve the clearence and you would not hear her songs being used.

mason830 - September 21, 2009 at 10:21 pm

she said she doesn’t like certain artist who have resorted to using vulgar language in their music. She didn’t say she doesn’t like hip hop

Jamaicafest - September 22, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Very strong words by Gladys Knight. There is positive hip hop music out there but unfortunately it does not get alot of attention.

Oh Please - September 23, 2009 at 1:11 pm

It’s widely understood that black people have had internal issues prior to Rap music and specifically the corporate driven infestation called “gangsta rap”. However it’s hard to argue that music period doesn’t have an effect on people one way or another.

The corporate infestation has completed it’s purpose with preaching materialism, animosity, self-loathing, less value for human life, apathy, resistance to knowledge, and plain ole buck dancing coonery.

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