Hasbro Invites Rapper Who Hypes N-Word, Promotes Misogyny & Drugs in Lyrics to HASCON Family Event
Sunday, August 13, 2017
WARNING EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IN THE LYRICS IN THIS ARTICLE AND VIDEO
Hasbro's new comic con-style event is intended to be family-friendly, but the special guest performer Flo Rida - who is mainstream now - had in his career promoted drug dealing in songs that are highly misogynistic, violent, and weave the "N-Word" into the lyrics.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHasbro's HASCON says the event is family-friendly. "From fan favorites to family fun, grown ups and kids alike are invited to celebrate the power of play at this first-of-its-kind "con"!"
The event offers small children the opportunity to try out for a Hasbro commercial, "AUDITION! Youths ages 3-15 can audition to potentially appear in a Hasbro TV commercial or piece of entertainment!"
The three day-event takes place at the Providence Convention Center.
"This is 'gutter culture' in my opinion. Now I'm not in favor of stopping it, having been with the ACLU. But I think it's corrosive," said former State Representative Ray Rickman, who now runs the non-profit Stages of Freedom, which "promotes and celebrates African American culture for the entire community and provides programs to empower youth," of the lyrics of some of Flo Rida's songs.
"A lot of young people, if this wasn't here, they'd do something better. I have long dialogues with young people about the n-word," said Rickman. "On the bus, you couldn't go a block without hearing a 15-year-old use it. They told me they had the power to use it. I said no you don't -- it's been used a certain way for 300 years."
In one Flo Rida song titled American Superstar the lyrics include: (SEE THE FULL LYRICS OF BOTH SONGS BELOW):
"Look At Me Bitch
I'm An American Superstar
I Got Guns For The Snitches
Roses For The Bitches
Hop Up Off The Whip"
In another song, titled, "Gotta Eat"
"Damnit I'm proud to buy my own bag of weed
Found me a hood that'll help plant my seed
I got bail money they fuck with me
(Cause in my hood err nigga gotta eat)"
State Representative Teresa Tanzi who represents South County said she found the language and raised questions about who is being exposed to the performer.
"The questions I have would be, what's the payment structure [by Hasbro to Flo Rida]? Is this a ticketed event for people who are buying the family pass, or is this a separate event? If it's separate, sometimes people like this appear at later shows, for a different audience," said Tanzi.
"Sometimes we grow up. Was this [language] used when he was breaking in and hasn't continued it? I'm not ever one to condone misogynistic expression or glorify murder. It's a curious choice," said Tanzi. "I'd like to hear what [Hasbro] has to say."
Hasbro repeatedly refused to comment on Flo Rida's appearance and the language in his lyrics.
National Debate
The debate about song lyrics is not new - especially those that encourage violence, promote drug use, or are demeaning to women. But rarely are hardcore rappers invited to perform at family events.
Al Gore's wife Tipper in the mid-1980s along with other high profile political women led a fight to label music based on the language in the lyrics. She co-founded the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) with Susan Baker, wife of then United States Secretary of the Treasury James Baker.
The Obamas made news in 2011, when they invited a group of rappers to the White House including Commons, who was criticized by police organizations and some political columnists for the lyrics to some of his songs.
National Fraternal Organization of Police President Chuck Canterbury sent a letter expressing to the White House the "profound disappointment" of the Fraternal Order of Police over the invitation to a rapper whose body of work includes violent, anti-police lyrics. Canterbury said he spoke by telephone to the White House to remind them that National Police Week was a time to honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifice.
LYRICS
"American Superstar" (Lyrics: Google Play Music)
(feat. Lil Wayne)
[Lil Wayne:]
Look At Me Bitch
Look At Me Bitch
Look At Me Bitch
I'm An American Superstar
[CHORUS: x2]
[Flo-Rida:]
I Got Guns For The Snitches
Roses For The Bitches
Hop Up Off The Whip
Paparazzi Taking Pictures
[Lil Wayne:]
I Got Guns For The Snitches
And Roses For The Bitches
Hop Up Off The Whip
Paparazzi Taking Pictures
[Flo-Rida:]
Heavy Metal For Them Boys
Slanging Pedals For The Cash
Got An Appetite For Destruksion
You Can Call Me Axcel
Ask Me Bout What A Nikka Done Done
Ask Me Bout What A Nikka Do Well
Ask Me Were The Bricks Come From
That's What A Snitch Nikka Do They Tell
I Don't Want Nothing To Do With That Deal
If It's Selected I'm Bringing Them Shells
Only Position For Me Is A Playa
That's Right Playa
Better Get It Right Playa
I Have To Be In Emergency
Lucky For You If I'm Blowing My Trees
Come On My Nerve
No Regular me
It's Somebody Shawty With Me On Her Knees
I'm Ready If There's A Problem
She Sexy Flo Rida Holla
Don't Test Me Get That Bro Harda
Get Messy Just Like A Mobster
My Brawls Deserve Lobsters
You Clowns Deserve Choppas
You Serve Like Jimmy Hoppa
American Showstoppa
[CHORUS: x2]
[Lil Wayne:]
I Got Guns For The Snitches
And Roses For The Bitches
Hop Up Off The Whip
Paparazzi Taking Pictures
[Flo-Rida:]
I Got Guns For The Snitches
Roses For The Bitches
Hop Up Off The Whip
Paparazzi Taking Pictures
[Lil Wayne:]
Look At Me Bitch
Look At Me Bitch
I got Money On Money On Money On Money
On Top Of More Money On Top Of My Shit Like Flies
Open That Ferriar F5 Like Eyes
Up And Down Ocean Drive
Jumping Out That MayBach With A Bitch Way Back To Tease Them Tighs
She Got A Tattoo On Her Booty And It Say 305
DJ Khalid Say It's A Movie Now Don't Forget Your Line
Cause You Don't Want Me to Edit Before We Roll The Credits
Bitch Give Me My Credit
I'm So Energetic
I'm Fucking Like Rabbits Smoking On Lettuce
But What Ever I Want I Get It
I Meant It If I Said It
And I Say I Keep Pumping I Ain't Talking Unleaded
If You Want It Come Get It
Cause Boy I'm Ready
I Get It Fast Fetty
They Should Call Me Tom Petty
Got Two Bitches One Peanut Butter Jelly
I'm An American Gangsta Already
And I'm An American Superstar
[CHORUS: x2]
[Flo-Rida:]
I Got Guns For The Snitches
Roses For The Bitches
Hop Up Off The Whip
Paparazzi Taking Pictures
[Lil Wayne:]
I Got Guns For The Snitches
And Roses For The Bitches
Hop Up Off The Whip
Paparazzi Taking Pictures
[Lil Wayne:]
I'm An American Superstar
Yeah
I'm An American Superstar
Yeah
I'm An American Superstar
Yeah
Baby I'm An American Superstar
Yeah Uh Hu
"Gotta Eat" (AZ Lyrics)
[Chorus:]
Damnit I'm proud to buy my own bag of weed
Found me a hood that'll help plant my seed
I got bail money they fuck with me
(Cause in my hood err nigga gotta eat) [x5]
[Verse 1:]
I know where I come from
Niggas gotta grow
Penny bitchin for paper till you poppin big bucks
Give it a blow they cock it ain't no telling with them thugs
Dealers straight out da projects only felon that'll bust
Some shit you don't discuss
Snitches they get them stubs
Damnit I'm proud to buy my own bag to fill my dutch
Planted my own seed now a month without bud
Granted I got the fee and we don't pump the same blood
You need that new Mercedes
Home of that color gravy
How the hell you gonna pay me
I made a deal to 380
Tell me I'm acting shady
I try to ignore the lazy
Set my brains on the deli
If mine arrest me I'm ready
[Chorus:]
Damnit I'm proud to buy my own bag of weed
Found me a hood that'll help plant my seed
I got bail money they fuck with me
(Cause in my hood err nigga gotta eat) [x5]
[Verse 2:]
Chow I had that dinner platter meals on deck
Cash coming that currency to earn that respect
Money machines measuring making sure you collect
Rolling that dice game you better be stomping best
Keep it moving like chess
Look for ya new address
Proof of ghetto for sex
That make the culprits go wreck
Hope the fay of the fruits of ya label mama impress
Don't know whoever knew you could point at you through the stress
That drama on the block
All them run-ins with cops
Couldn't afford shoes was happy 2 pair of socks
Steady paying ya dues that landed you in the box
Other niggas confused you asked them to borrow crop.
[Chorus:]
Damnit I'm proud to buy my own bag of weed
Found me a hood that'll help plant my seed
I got bail money they fuck with me
(Cause in my hood err nigga gotta eat) [x5]
[Verse 3:]
Crying erryday big breaks on they grain
Preparly marinate a million strong keep the change
Challange that generate we gotta tone it with a crain
Hustlas for that bank be aware that we untaimed
Duckets we deranged
Muscle the day I change
Melica off in that hood come get you that's point blank
Hit you it's all good
Hit dis before a game
Women tell us hes never survivin that chedar lane
You see we want it all
Yea we breakin the law
Buy it Sell it Cook it that's a merry thang if it's raw
Anyway you put it tell the folks we breakin the law
Sing it so I took it and if you tell a nigga that's all
[Chorus:]
Damnit I'm proud to buy my own bag of weed
Found me a hood that'll help plant my seed
I got bail money they fuck with me
(Cause in my hood err nigga gotta eat) [x5]
Related Articles
- Good is Good: On Race & My Own Racism
- Anti-Latino Racism and the Right’s Soft Underbelly
- YWCA’s Race Against Racism 5K Returns Oct. 7
- Don Roach: Paula Deen, Affirmative Action + 21st-Century Racism
- Seven Examples - Racism in New England
- Leaders Respond to Allegations of Racism in Johnston
- MINDSETTERS ™ Cardeiro & McLoone: Ginsburg, PC Students Opinions of Kaepernick - Colorblind Racism
- First Sex, Then Drugs—Warwick Physician Suspended Second Time
- RI State Report: Drunk Driving, School Safety, and Synthetic Drugs
- RI State Report: Strip Clubs, Guns + Drugs
- NEW: RI Physician Ordered Controlled Drugs for Home Use
- NEW: 2 RI Physicians In Trouble Over Drugs
- As Prom Season Approaches, Anti-Drinking, Drugs Campaign Launches
- War on Drugs Has ‘Catastrophic’ Impact on RI
- What Bernie Sanders’ Election Would Mean for Legalized Drugs
- Cheat Sheet 6, FBI Files Unveils Patriarca’s Ties to Port and Alleged Connection to Drugs
- RI Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Labeling & Selling Misbranded Drugs
- Providence Clubs Plagued by Violence and Drugs
- Smart Benefits: Five Ways to Save on Prescription Drugs
- Lethal Rejection: Pfizer Restricts Use of Its Drugs in Executions
- Prescription Drugs Found With Prince at Time of His Death
- Guest MINDSETTER™ Fine: How Many Drugs & How Much Alcohol Do Rhode Islanders Use?
- The Most Dangerous Drugs
