Grand Master Sharpton and the Hall

Last I checked, Mark McGwire is not up for induction in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Yet in a typical example of our culture's new freedom from common-sense, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just inducted... rappers. Not surprisingly, Al Sharpton was there to cheer them on and offer his authoritative support, saying:

"Those who say that Hip-Hop doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame don't understand the social roots of Rock and Roll Music."

Thanks, Al. Another brilliant statement. As a side note: Sharpton and his kind annoy me greatly, because they spend more time shoving their "blackness" into the faces of a purportedly racist and ignorant white America, rather than helping their own people. I wish I could remember the name of the black Christian preacher, who accused such men of monopolizing power at the expense of the communities they pretend to benefit. The truth hurts.

My solution? Mr. Sharpton, Grand "Master" Flash and company need to pack up, find another empty lot in Cleveland, and build the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame.

In the end, Hip-Hop has nothing to do with rock. Rock music was a grass-roots movement, a fascinating mixture of Black Blues, White Southern Music, and Urban influences. It has evolved into numerous genres and styles, spawning some truly well-made music. Perhaps you think that Grand "Master" Flash and his kind deserve a spot next to the epic Pink Floyd, the eccentric genius of Jimi Hendrix, and the soulful voice of Elvis Presley. If you fit this category, I prescribe a severe ear-wax cleaning, followed by consulting a mental health expert.

You may have surmised that I have little respect for the hip-hop genre. You would be correct. As a musician, I know the difference between writing a song, and ripping one off. I know the difference between spending years honing your talents and individual "sound", and talking in a monotone over a series of samples. I know the difference between an epic anti-war statement (complete with virtuosity) by Metallica, as opposed to a certain puny-white rapper "talking" about raping his Mother.

I've had numerous music-technology students set out to make a hip-hop mix in our class projects, and I've always let them. Each and every one has finished their project with a comment like "there's nothing to this" or "with this technology, anybody can make this stuff." Yup. I can't argue there.

It's apples and oranges... Or even better, it's apples and rotten oranges.

The Hall has disgraced itself. What is it in our culture, in our human nature, that drives us to patronize degenerates?

Will the likes of Snoop Doggy Dog and Eminem one day grace the walls of the Hall, in all their infamy and greatness?

Will there be a "pimps and hos" party to celebrate their induction?

If such a day comes, I only ask that the official song of the ceremony be American Pie. That way, we can all sing about "the day the music died."