State of the Culture’ is the show you turn on to hear unfiltered, unapologetic, gritty opinions in regards to topics within hip hop culture — whether you agree with what’s being said or not. Joe Budden, Remy Ma, Jinx, and Eboni K. Williams aren’t here to hold your hand in their debates and sugarcoat their words. They’re here to say what everyone else is afraid of saying, and do so with no hesitation. From talking about music, politics, sports and everything in between; the hosts are always with the shits. Welcome to ‘State of the Culture.’
Snitches get stitches…or reduced sentences, it seems. This week on “State Of The Culture,” we talk about the widely publicized case involving Tekashi 6ix9ine telling on his former gang associates. Eboni and Remy Ma go head to head about the term snitching and whether it’s ever OK. Dave East’s threesome takes a nasty turn, and Antonio Brown’s sexual assault case inspires a heated discussion.
Check out the nine gems from this week’s “State Of The Culture” below.
State Of The Culture – “State of Trappin’ and Cappin’”
1. The REVOLT Summit in Atlanta had us talking
In partnership with AT&T, the REVOLT Summit took place in Atlanta a couple weekends ago. The viral clip of Candace Owen and T.I. going head to head about black economic progress in the U.S was from the event’s “Trap the Vote” panel. The argument was about the “Make American Great Again (MAGA)” slogan and whether America was ever great for black people. Killer Mike chimed in with the finisher, bringing common ground to both sides. However, Jinx was none too thrilled with Owens’ involvement in the panel, saying, “Being in proximity to her is not my bag. So, when I first heard it, I was good on her.” Eboni reveals that she was asked to appear on the panel, but removed herself when she heard Owens was added to the roster. “I took a little spiritual vow to never bring shame or combativeness in a nasty way to another black woman,” she says of her decision. “I just couldn’t do it in a way I could feel proud of.”
T.I., Killer Mike, Candace Owens, & More Talk: Black Agenda, Voting, & Donald Trump | REVOLT Summit
2. The question remains: Was America ever great for black people?
SOTC takes a crack at the question, “When was America ever great for black people?” Remy says, “The word era is the functioning word. There have been great moments, like when we got the right to vote after the Civil Rights Movement. But, it was great because of all the fuck shit [that] we had to do to get there.” Jinx uses Obama’s election as an example of an era of greatness that hasn’t sustained. “We’re still living in the shit,” he says. Eboni expounds upon the Reconstruction Era that Killer Mike shed light on during the panel, saying, “If you blinked, you missed it. It was only a moment where it looked like black people were going to partake in the American dream.” She explains that the end of that era came when federal troops, who enforced the advancement of black people in the former Confederate states, were sent home in exchange for Democratic presence in the White House.
3. Tekashi 69 makes Remy question what’s considered a crime
The big elephant in the room this week, of course, is Tekashi 6ix9ine’s widely publicized cooperation with the federal government. In exchange for a reduced or canceled prison sentence, the rapper snitched on his fellow Nine Trey Blood gang associates. He also mentioned the names of Jim Jones and more as members of the gang. Remy Ma took the lead on commentary as “the prison expert” (as Joe stated) and informed us that “snitches” are walking around every day untouched. Furthermore, she doesn’t take kindly to the internet making light of the situation with various memes. Remy says, “There are people who are never going to see the light of day after this case is over. Kids are never going to see their parents. People don’t even know [that] their life is about to be over just because their name was brought up in this case.”
4. Eboni causes a stir with her opinion about there being a “right” way to snitch
As an attorney, Eboni explains that prosecutors are evaluated based on their conviction rate. She also doesn’t snitching isn’t “bad” in every case, saying, “There is a way to snitch and a way not to snitch.” She continues, “At 22 years old, 47 years ain’t no bullshit. That’s his life. It’s understandable that some people would rather cooperate with the case.” This statement sends Remy into a state of disbelief as she replies, “That’s crazy to me because where was this energy when [he] was out here funding fucking guns and equipping gangs?” The conversation gets even wilder when Eboni shares some tips that she would give to a client who’s considering cooperating, such as keeping their testimony private and limiting what they would tell. This is where Remy draws the line. “Can I get off this couch while she’s giving people advice and tips on how to snitch?” Remy asks out loud. The rapper goes on to explain that the issue of snitching in Tekashi’s case is more profound than some might realize. “Tekashi’s not snitching on blue-collar crime. He’s not snitching on people who are going to own his masters for the rest of his life. He’s snitching on people that look like us.” Joe thinks the real cautionary tale is meant for the dudes in the field.
5. Dave East’s threesome goes awry
Word on the curb is that Dave East commissioned two baddies (or one and a possible) who he met at a Vegas club for a threesome. However, one of the women allegedly felt neglected during the exchange, and got angry and attacked the rapper. Jinx doesn’t find this surprising given the nature of how Dave met these women. “That can happen when you meet anybody off the street. Two people and the odds go up,” he says. Remy comments on the version of the story the women in question gave, where Dave alleged kicked them out and refused to return their things when they denied a threesome. “I also don’t think her injuries are consistent with the claim of the grabbing,” she claimed. Eboni agrees, saying it’s not wrong to question the nature of the accusations: “I think it’s a good thing we have due process. If we just start locking folks up and convicting them off of allegations, what kind of climate is that?”
6. Set It Off Remake Is A Go
Issa Rae is producing a remake of the 1996 film Set It Off, and SOTC is giving this idea a thumbs up. Joe just has one condition: “The second I see a Lawrence (played by Jay Ellis) sighting in some corn rows..I’m not watching it.”
7. “The Boondocks” Returns
The most controversial animated series ever is making a return thanks to HBO. Remy wonders if we’re going to get the raw, uncut humor that we’re used to on “The Boondocks” remake or not. Jinx doesn’t think it’ll be a concern, saying, “When it’s funny, it rises above that. And I think [Aaron McGruder] is smart enough to figure out how to do that in today’s climate.”
8. The return of “Love & Hip Hop: New York” OGs might get Jinx to watch
Recently, it was announced that “Love & Hip Hop” OGs like Jim Jones, Chrissy, Emily B; and yes, our own Joe might return to “Love & Hip Hop: New York” for the first time in years. Jinx, who’s known to be reality TV averse might make an exception for this one. He comments, “If this is going to be the Avengers: Endgame of ‘Love & Hip Hop,’ then I’ll watch this season.”
9. Remy Ma doesn’t side with Antonio Brown’s accusers
Remy Ma gives her honest take on the sexual assault claims levied against Antonio Brown, who was recently released from the New England Patriots. Anticipating that she’ll get some heat for her statements, she says, “If you raped my sister, my daughters, I don’t want your money. I want something to happen [to you] where you’re removed from being able to do this to someone else,” she says. Eboni offers that some accusers may want money as compensation for hospital bills, therapy, and missed work. Remy feels the issue is black and white, adding, “In any exchange where sexual acts are being compensated with money, that’s prostitution.”