Hip-hop isn't exactly a genre known for clean language and family-friendly images. While Konami, Def Jam, 4MM Games and Terminal Reality are using radio edits for all of the songs and music videos in their upcoming rap/hip-hop game, Def Jam Rapstar, the truth is that many songs are more explicit than we realize. 4MM, who is doing most of the development, is a little more accepting of this graphic language, choosing to print the leading letter followed by a dash for most foul words.
This was fine in most cases, except one: the n-word. As a white male, this is a word I am just not comfortable saying, and seeing it in songs, even just alluded to with "n-----," was one unexpected stumbling block. I performed T.I.'s "Live Your Life," and while the song has a positive message and less swearing than many others, the n-word caught me completely off-guard. What would I do? What should I do?
I brought this question to Jamie King, the Chief Creative Officer for 4MM Games, and while he recognized the problems, he explained that it's up to individual feelings and preferences:
We don't have ownership, as [white people], of that word. I think that word does come up, and that is perhaps a word where, with the radio edits, there is an opportunity to not say it. We certainly don't make it a central part of the story or the career mode. That is a very personal decision in that point and time, regardless of race, creed and color as for how you use that word in the context of the song. Obviously, these artists are using it; they've empowered it and own it. To just shy away and be frightened doesn't mean we should abuse it, and hopefully I think we've treated it in a respectful manner the way all these artists and their content in their work would expect us to.
So what do you think? Will you be saying swear words when you play Def Jam Rapstar, even the especially loaded n-word?
Contest:
12:00 PM on 04.13.2010 | 
Besides every time I say it, I sound more like a white person using the term in a racists tone more then anything else, so.... I will avoid it
I think it is because I have a habbit of pronouncing it as its spelled, with the "er" at the end" as opposed to how people say it with "ah" at the end.
But I digress, I simply will not say it.
Oh !He mad now!
i stopped reading after that.
NOBODY owns words. anyone has the right to use any word/s how they see fit.
im sick and tired of this Human Bitching Condition.
Btw, if you want to play a rap game then you shouldn't get unconfortable with what it says, don't go in expecting clean lyrics.
Honkey Hero, anyone? Equal rights, after all.
White people are pussies. I can guarantee you with an M rating not a single black person would care. If anything that would turn them off to the game. It totally detracts from the hip-hop fantasy they're trying to imitate.
I lul'd. I lul'd hard.
What up my ninja!
Niagra please!
I'm reminded of the time a friend got all the way through 'Smells Like Team Spirit' using nothing but random noises.
Though, its not actually illegal to use the word. So it should be up to your comfort level. Say it if you want, don't say it if you're uncomfortable.
On a side note, I never bought the whole "We say to take the power out of the word" argument. If that's true, they're doing a bad job at it. In case nobody noticed, there is still a lot of power left in it.
Of course, the game doesn't really sound fun, either. Are they just rating you on getting the lyrics right, with the right timing? How hard is that? You're basically just coloring.
@ jawshoeuh- "Nucka" works nice, too. Has a nice solid sound in the middle, just like the original word.
I hope they have some full album downloads on there. If so, Niggaz4Life by NWA would be a MUST BUY!
The "N" word is still racist - as defined in the dictionary as "based on racial intolerance" or "discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion".
I try not to use racist words in a derogatory manner so no, I wouldn't sing those words... but nor would I have an interest in music that uses racist, sexist or derogatory language.
... besides, I'm old. RAP music sucks, JPop sucks... but showtunes rock!
I'll just go with "white-ass bitch".
My opinion (should it matter, which I expect it doesn't) is that we accept the word and move on OR everybody stops using it.
I've no qualms over the N word, because I don't mean it when I say it. You just gotta watch where you drop it, because some people can't exactly read your good intentions.
I have a friend who stopped talking to me because I quoted 50 Cent in a song: "Nigga my gun go off." I liked the song, genuinely and with a sense of humor. That friend works at NYU, which should explain everything.
"I ain't sayin' she a gold digger. But she ain't messin' with no broke, broke."
That's just dumb. If Kanye's egomanical ass gets to say the word in pop-culture, so does everyone else. That's what equality is.
Sarcasm is so difficult to convey in print.
Are you seriously that afraid of saying a word? Its a word that people use to both show their fondness of one another (He's my nigga) and also as a term of endearment (Look at that crazy nigga). It also has meanings that are offensive to some, like many many other words.
Its just a word and it only has as much meaning as you allow it to have.
The -er variant will get your ass kicked, no matter how, why or when you hurl it.
That blurb disgusts me. What disgusts me more is that people have to say stuff like that just so they can keep their job. Obviously, he'd probably have to say something like that sooner or later. Or, you know, just put out the game and assume people realize that there could be offensive themes in "Def Jam Rapstar."
What about the domestic violence, objectification of women, husslin' smack, and those other wonderful things? Naw, people already know that's all hip-hop is about. Like the N-Word. (Which is an absolutely fucking disgusting term on it's own.) Not that any of that offends me or anyone I know, anyway. The only people that are offended are the ones that want to be,
I would be disappointed in any game that postures itself as a hip-hop and rap singing game and didn't let me say "nigga." I should be able to say "nigga" if I can say "Bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks."
Ideally, I should be able to say or sing anything I want, especially to repeat the lyrics of a song I liked, and especially especially one I liked enough to make me buy the game.
Fuck it. I was willing to give it a rent, but no way now. How the fuck can you do Wu-Tang without cussing or the n-word? Is anyone still gonna try this?
Also, say negro cus it's funny as hell.