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Three 6 Mafia vs Commercial Appeal

Yeah, Wendy should've never started that battle. First, they're local talent, that has done a lot to put Memphis on the national radar (in the recent years). If you don't like them, don't listen..Simply ignore them there will be DOZENS of other acts to enjoy if that's not your thing. Some probably more offensive than Three-Six, just in another fashion, but to stop them from coming home to perform at an annual hometown fest is outragous, they're not satanic. She needs to get off her high horse and relax.
 
I agree with her, if it was wrong for Imus its wrong for them. I'd like to see all it go mainstream and force them to tone it down. That would really make Al and Jessie look good to there people
 
So let me get this straight...

Someone doesn't want Three Six Mafia to play Music Fest 'cause of thier lyrics, but they have NO problem letting a guy who killed someone and marry his cousin play?
Does anyone else see the irony in this?
 
Re: So let me get this straight...

Nobody cares whether Mafia plays or not. They're just trying to justify the ridiculous firing of Imus by feigning concern for a perceived double standard. Imus had an audience, Mafia has an audience. And the Rite Rev Sharpton is in neither of them.
 
radio_head said:
Yeah, Wendy should've never started that battle. First, they're local talent, that has done a lot to put Memphis on the national radar (in the recent years). If you don't like them, don't listen..Simply ignore them there will be DOZENS of other acts to enjoy if that's not your thing. Some probably more offensive than Three-Six, just in another fashion, but to stop them from coming home to perform at an annual hometown fest is outragous, they're not satanic. She needs to get off her high horse and relax.
Click to expand...

You apparently have never heard anything from Three Six Mafia except what is allowed on the radio. Why don't you pick up a copy of Mystic Stylez (1995) or World Domination (1997) and listen to the lyrics. And most importantly, pick up a current CD and actually listen to the entire thing. Then maybe you can actually understand why people dislike the messages they send out through their music. Sure, ignore them. That's a great way to handle things. ??? And, how is that going to be possible while trying to make your way through the crowd Three Six draws?

My feelings about it are conflicted. I know there are tons of artists, rappers, rockers whatever, that are offensive and to single out Three Six Mafia isn't going to change a thing. So what will? I can see it now..."Musicfest sponsored by WRVR, The River" where only "safe" artist are invited to perform. On the one hand, I see Wendy's point. But on the other hand I don't think stopping artists like Three Six Mafia from performing at their hometown festival is right. I have listened to them since I was very young, and took the lyrics like it was a movie--I just thought it was cool they were from Memphis and I happen to like rap music. But what about those who take the lyrics seriously? How do we even start to control what can and can't be done in the music world today? I know have do NOT have an answer. But to say they are not satanic is false. Three Six Mafia-three sixes as in 666 the sign of the devil. Their lyrics are not safe, and what you hear on the radio is just the beginning. Three Six is just an easy target because they are from Memphis, and this "freedom of speech" thing is getting out of hand. WHERE WILL IT STOP?
 
> this "freedom of speech" thing is getting out of hand. WHERE WILL IT STOP?

Well, this is NOT a freedom of speech issue. And, when anyone claims it is, they are missing the point entirely.

Freedom of speech only refers to government regulation of speech. And, assuming that the speech in question here is protected under the 1st Amendment – and it may or may not be – there is nothing to stop a private organization from censoring to its heart’s content.

Freedom of speech does not imply the right to force one’s speech on anyone (this is the mistake the Dixie Chicks made; they ran up the flag of “freedom of speech” after their intemperate comments on the President while in the UK). It simply means that by speaking in an unpopular way, the authorities may not throw you in jail, or the like. In short, one may have the right to say something, but there is no right to a specific forum to say it.

If Memphis in May, or any other venue, wants to keep Three 6 Mafia off its stage or air, it's their call. But, if the FCC wants to get involved to censor lyrics thought merely “offensive,” that’s a different issue, one that we should oppose vigorously.

DE
 
DeadElvis said:
Freedom of speech only refers to government regulation of speech. And, assuming that the speech in question here is protected under the 1st Amendment – and it may or may not be – there is nothing to stop a private organization from censoring to its heart’s content.

Freedom of speech does not imply the right to force one’s speech on anyone (this is the mistake the Dixie Chicks made; they ran up the flag of “freedom of speech” after their intemperate comments on the President while in the UK). It simply means that by speaking in an unpopular way, the authorities may not throw you in jail, or the like. In short, one may have the right to say something, but there is no right to a specific forum to say it.

If Memphis in May, or any other venue, wants to keep Three 6 Mafia off its stage or air, it's their call. But, if the FCC wants to get involved to censor lyrics thought merely “offensive,” that’s a different issue, one that we should oppose vigorously.

DE
Click to expand...


Thanks for clearing that up. I was about to do it myself. Freedom of Speech is the most often misunderstood law of our land.

Just as the police may or may not be able to arrest you for walking down Riverside screaming obscenities, the MIM staff can lawfully throw you out in a heartbeat.
 
Okay, well scratch the part about free speech. Do you still think it is okay for artists to be able to say the things they do? And do you think it is okay for Imus to have been fired by what he said, and seemingly no one else who says worse things on the air waves gets any kind of punishment? I'm just saying there is a double standard here, that's all. Or do you view the two as completely different situations? And for my own clarity...does free speech not have anything to do with Imus's case? I'm not being sarcastic; I just really don't know what is protected and what isn't.
 
Don't expect MIM to ax Three Six Mafia from the schedule. They're all about $$$$$ so they're not going to cut the show no matter how nasty, filthy or inapprorpiate the lyrics may be. They probably love all this hubub that Wendy has started.....additional publicity for them. You won't see me in the crowd for Three 6 Mafia......and if others like me who would object to this so called "art" should stay away as well. What a great country! Nobody's forcing you to go!
 
> does free speech not have anything to do with Imus's case?

Well, the short answer is, "it depends." Perhaps we should refer to the Amendment itself:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

OK... the key word here is "Congress." That also extends to all administrative arms of government, AND the states through the 14th Amendment. It says nothing of NBC, CBS, MIM, or the like. We all agree, then, that private organizations may censor as they see fit.

There is also a lot of hay to be made on the word "the" in the phrase, "the freedom of speech," but that is way too esoteric a discussion for this forum.

The problem is this. Many, including Reverend Al Sharpton, are asking for FCC intervention in this case. Said the Reverend, “There's no way the airwaves should be used to allow people to call people 'nappy-headed hos’ … And for [Imus] … to just walk away … would then mean that the FCC, who regulates everything on the airwaves … has no purpose at all.” That implies he wants government intervention in this case. That would cross the line.

The FCC is allowed to regulate some speech, and this has been upheld by the courts. Obscenity is not allowed; just ask CBS after the wardrobe malfunction of a couple of years back. But, what Imus said was not obscene, it was merely offensive. Regulation there, then, would wander into the marketplace of ideas, something clearly outside the power of government (see Amendment above). One has a right to be a bigot -- that's an issue of freedom of thought. One even has a right to speak like a bigot. All that is protected under the First Amendment. It's just acting on one's bigotry that is unacceptable or illegal.

Make sense?

DE
 
I understand. It just doesn't sit well with me. Seems like there are too many exceptions to the standard, what is viewed as okay and what isn't, what is regulated and what is overlooked. Just because that is the way it is though (the laws, standards, regulations) doesn't make them right.
 
eden said:
Okay, well scratch the part about free speech. Do you still think it is okay for artists to be able to say the things they do? And do you think it is okay for Imus to have been fired by what he said, and seemingly no one else who says worse things on the air waves gets any kind of punishment? I'm just saying there is a double standard here, that's all. Or do you view the two as completely different situations? And for my own clarity...does free speech not have anything to do with Imus's case? I'm not being sarcastic; I just really don't know what is protected and what isn't.
Click to expand...

After all is said and done, the Imus case had nothing...zero, zilch, nada...to do with free speech. It was a political event, nothing more or less, so I do think the two are completely different.

LBR is absolutely right. The MIM folks are all about the green above all else, so don't expect any changes...MIM routinely allows the park to fill above capacity, puts pressure on law enforcement not to enforce alcohol and drug laws, and generally will flaunt any rule for the $$$$$.

One year a process server showed up to serve a lawsuit on The Black Crowes...MIM stalled them until the show was over.

It's all about the Benjamins...it was much more fun 20 years ago before they got greedy.
 
Eden..It all goes back to to the basics.."Life isn't always fair" and that is especially true when you're dealing with money, politics, entertainment, etc...
 
So true. I just wish that I had a chance to enjoy MIM the way you guys say it used to be. You won't catch me there Friday night...unless I get free tickets, and then I'll be hanging out in the radio tent mad that I said I would never go again and did. :-\
 
I don't care for Three6, they're not my cup of tea -- however, the last time I was at Music Fest, they were playing on one end of the park and Skynyrd was playing on the other end and all was well by the river. It takes all kind to make this world go round.
 
I agree. It takes all kinds. But preventing Three Six from performing is not to going to stop the problem. It goes much deeper than that. It's got to start with record companies making the moves to prevent offensive, questionable lyrics and artsits on their roster.

It's not about freedom of speech, it's about responsbility. If three six wants to make those kind of songs, let them sell them on their web site or out of the trunk of their cars. It's about social responsibility. Chaos is the other alternative.
 
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