Music

Content Preview

Newsday/Optimum Online® subscribers click here for full access
Not a Newsday or Optimum Online® subscriber? Click here

Hip-hop at a crossroads

As rappers face a new wave of criticism, BET explores the impact of their lyrics and videos

Not too long ago, it seemed that hip-hop and mainstream America had finally reached an uneasy peace.

On the one side, the music industry had made concessions: Radio stations bleeped out offending words, MTV blurred objectionable imagery and record companies printed advisory warnings on CDs hoping to mollify outraged parents and politicians. From the other side came a grudging acceptance that...

newsday.com is now available at no charge to Newsday and Optimum Online® subscribers. To continue reading, please log in or register now.

  • Already
    registered on
    newsday.com?
    log in
  • Already a subscriber
    to Newsday or
    Optimum Online®?
    get access
  • Not a Newsday
    or Optimum Online®
    subscriber?
    click here

Photos and videos