Las Vegas Casinos Warned to Ban Rappers
In one of the oddest examples of music criticism Sheriff Bill Young backed by Nevada gaming regulators has declared war on gangster rap in casinos and their nightclubs. "50 Cent is the worst," the sheriff told Las Vegas Sun, "His whole act is predicated on violence. He's a mentor for all the other gangster rappers in the making."
Meanwhile to make sure the warning has teeth, the Gaming Control Board has sent a note to remind casinos that they are responsible for anything that happens in nightclubs on premises including ones like Pure (Caesars) and Light (Bellagio) that are leased out by clubs independent of the casino. Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander told the Review-Journal: "Given the fact the Sherriff expressed some concern we felt it was important to remind the licensees to be diligent with these club."
The use of the word "licensee" is not innocent. Las Vegas casino operators all have privileged licenses that can be revoked for such vague reasons as tarnishing the reputation of Nevada's gaming industry. With billions at stake in these licenses this all but guarantees that no casino will risk holding a concert or after party by a big name rapper. And, if you think gangster rap is fine to single out, be aware that the Sheriff's view of what fits into the genre lacks nuance.
Among the small handful of incidents that led to this letter, the most serious, were two shootings that took place after a Nelly concert at the Aladdin last May. Everything else that has taken place over the past few years at a casino or their nightclubs involves no more than a few examples of fisticuffs and officers called to a disturbance. Typical stuff for a place as wild as the Strip. The casinos could respond that this warning is nonsense and amounts to censorship. This is especially the case since no one is talking about kids here: nightclub events cater only to those over 21.
But I predict there will be no fighting back by the casinos. Part of what makes this crusade odd, is that Las Vegas has so few hip-hop events at casinos in the first place considering how well the music sells. And, many of the biggest rap concerts already don't take place at the casino's venues or nightclubs. Even the dreaded 50 Cent's show here last year was at Thomas & Mack stadium. No shootings or violence after that, by the way. But the bottom line is casinos now know if they book Korn and a fan gets out of hand it's one thing but if the same thing happens at a Snoop concert it will be a far more serious incident, because they have been warned about that. So, the Sheriff will win this and these events will all happen at local venues that, by the way, probably will have infinitely less security resources than a casino environment.
(photo by Brian Bedder/Getty Images for Child Magazine)
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Hooray for the Sheriff's Dpt. Glad to hear there are some people that stand up against this RAP CRAP. Rap is nothing more then Ebonics put to boring rythem. Ever listen to young black kids talking, you can hardly understand what they are saying. This is all due to the ACLU and their couterparts in the Educational System in this country today.
Let's take prayer out of school, but let's put Ebonic's in place of "English Grammar" and RAP CRAP in place of "Music appreciation".
Posted by: Dick Feuerherm | February 14, 2006 at 02:05 PM
"...the board expects that same level of due diligence in determining suitability of entertainment brought onto a licensed property, and will similarly hold the licensee accountable for incidents occurring as a result of entertainment the licensee knew or should have known would likely cause such incidents."
So it doesn't matter where the incident takes place, as long as the board deems it "a result of entertainment." So, if some audience members from a concert have a shootout several hours later, will they have a content-based investigation? Even if (and a big if) a gangster rap show can be accused of causing the incident since it glorifies violence, what about Paul McCartney doing a rendition of Helter Skelter? What about Eminem singing Stan? What about a rock band who shows clips of A Clockwork Orange as they perform? What about a Sex Pistols cover band? In which of these is the casino responsible, and in which are they not?
Posted by: crazymonk | February 14, 2006 at 02:16 PM
I hate gangsta rap, and its perpetuators. I agree that it should be banned from many places, especially radio & tv. But Bill, you're a racist. You went way too far talking about the kids. Life has a funny way...don't be surprised if you end up with mixed grandkids! Klansman!!!
Posted by: Gerald Burrows | February 14, 2006 at 04:28 PM
rap is merely a form of musical expression, no more or no less than rock, country or alternative. i am not a fan of rock, but i won't speak out against it even though i've heard songs that speak about the same types of things if not worse than what rap speaks about.
to bill, the next time you want to get on your soapbox and criticize somebody else, at least you can spell correctly. the word is rhythm not rythem. maybe if you will crawl out from whatever rock you've been hiding under for the last 10 years, you will see that rap is an accepted part of mainstream america. and you want to know who's driving rap music sales..? it's the little white kids in suburbia, trying so hard to be urban. you probably hate it because your kids have come home dressing in hip-hop garb and speaking "ebonics" as you say.
Posted by: dub | February 14, 2006 at 04:55 PM
This harkens back to a time where black individuals were not welcome in Las Vegas establishments, in the not so long ago past. It's like Faulkner said, "The past isn't dead. It isn't even past." Very random thing for the sheriff to single out, when there are so much larger and serious issues happening in his community.
Plus up to Dub, I agree with him. To Bill- I feel sorry that you have this unresolved, misguided, irrational anger towards people of my skin color. I'm not sure what the ACLU, prayer in schools and the education system have to do with hip-hop, so I fail to see your point. No, not every rapper or rap mogul enjoyed the priveleges of higher education, but consider that P. Diddy went to Howard. Rick Rubin, who founded Def Jam, went to NYU. And Will Smith turned down a scholarship to MIT to go into the business. Stat Quo went to the University of Florida. Based on your spelling and grammar, sir, you would probably have a difficult time getting into any one of these schools, so you need to give respect where it's due.
Really and truly, though, that shouldn't matter. If someone is being a productive citizen by working hard and making a living, you need to keep up out of their business and worry about yourself.
Posted by: true | February 14, 2006 at 06:23 PM
rap is nothin' but crap, man
Posted by: carey mike | February 14, 2006 at 07:29 PM
I agree... MOST of rap... turn on to BET anyday is about flaunting the money the supposedly have and woman dressed in almost nothing. Rapper like 50 cent are sure not helping young black kids grow up in the proper manner. I was a counselor at a camp for little black kids... and you should see how openly they talk about having sex and how the girls dance like strippers and think it's FUN.
Posted by: Lisa | February 15, 2006 at 06:56 AM
At least no one called it rap "music".
Posted by: Mike Kahrs | February 15, 2006 at 07:27 AM
The important thing to remember about casinos is, they are for gaming. Casinos supply a great majority of our State's funding. Casinos offer entertainment venues to lure gamblers, not concert goers. Even properties such as the Hard Rock that has very diverse concert offerings, channels the concert egress directly onto the gaming floor.
The media actually decides who will play the casino venues. Publicity (good or bad) drives the players either into or out of Las Vegas. If something negative happens in a casino, the media grabs it and runs for days. A block away, and nobody cares.
Sheriff Young does a good job of making sure that the 45 million or so of you that visit Las Vegas every year remain relatively safe. You will find that those of us who live here support his efforts for the most part. He is protecting our safety, our jobs and our family. Rap concerts in Las Vegas are a good thing, in a stadium, not in a casino.
Posted by: Darrel | February 15, 2006 at 10:20 AM
To single out a particular genre of music like Sheriff Young and the Nevada gaming officials have done is extremely problematic, particularly given the fact that there are different forms of music lumped together in broad, overarching terms like "rap" and "hip hop."
Like Rock has evolved throughout the years to encompass many different forms of music, "rap" and "hip hop" are complex forms of expression that differ widely from region to region, and based upon the individual performer's personal history, socioeconomic status, education, etc. There are gangsta rappers like 50 and the N.W.A. of old, but there are also positive hip hoppers like Mos Def, J-Live, Common etc. that speak life into their music. Is it fair that the music they put out has been lumped in the same category as the violent and sexist stuff other artists produce? Of course not!
To say that all forms of music categorized as "rap" are the same is as foolish as saying that all rock/country/classical music is the same. I don't think there's anyone on this forum who would argue that the Death Rock bands spewing violent, racist rhetoric are the same as Maroon 5.
I challenge Dick and Mike to step outside of your narrow-minded interpretation of "rap" and step into the reality of contemporary hip hop, soul and spoken word. If you invested even the most minimal time into discovering how hip hop and rap have evolved into these numerous forms of expression, I think you'll understand why others on this forum find your comments both offensive and absurdly laughable in their ignorance.
But then, I'm sure you won't take the time. You probably can't understand black vernacular well enough to even know what I'm talking about...
Posted by: TJ | February 15, 2006 at 11:09 AM
Hi everyone, here's a question i just wanted to ask.
Everyone who opposes Rap seem to blame the genre of music for causing, violance on the streets and so on. But would'nt you say the music mereley reflects whats happening on the steets in places like compton. What came first the chicken or egg. Gangsta's have been on the streets way before rap musicians started signing about it.
Posted by: SAF .C | February 17, 2006 at 07:42 AM
Nothing for nothing, but back when the boys ran Vegas, rappers wouldn't have made it into any casino. The gangsta hood punks, would never make it past the front door. Let's face it, rap is crap, it isn't music. Hey to the guys calling Bill a racist, watch ya mouth. Guy has a right to his opinion. I used to own a nice joint near Downtown, I welcomed everyone in my restaurant as long as you were dressed like a lady or gentlemen.
Posted by: Tony Vigaro | February 19, 2006 at 09:47 AM
Its pretty easy to see that everyone writing here knows nothing about hip hop.
Posted by: How to Get the Girl of your Dreams | February 19, 2006 at 12:50 PM
tony- A person has a right to his opinion, but we have a right to criticize. If a person spouts comments that I believe to be racist, I have to call it like I see it.
Back when the boys ran Vegas, I wouldn't have gotten in the door ... and I'm no thug ... so I can't have sympathy for that sentiment.
Rap is an art form, and it isn't going away just because you don't understand it, or don't like it.
Posted by: true | February 20, 2006 at 12:53 PM
Everybody is forgetting that he specificaly is taliking about "gangster rap" not all rap. I agree it should be banned, because it promotes nothing but negative crap, like pimping, drug dealing, murder, etc.
Posted by: David Cruz | February 26, 2006 at 07:55 PM
ok im not a rap fan. not at all. i think its just stupid. but all the same these people should have the right to perform. We probably make extra tourist dollars because of these shows. and just because the sheriff thinks it promotes violence is not a reason to stop it. thats one mans opinion. and just because you dont like rap or think its not a music form doesnt mean your right. just because you think it sucks doesnt mean other have the exact same feelings as you. And what happens if they did this to a big rock group? would everyone have the same opinion? i personally think censorship is wrong. people should have there right to listen to what they want to...
oh yes and rap does rhyme with crap. good for you guys. but your opinion is not fact.
Posted by: disgusted | April 03, 2006 at 08:59 PM
hey, I read most of your comments. I am excited to read what you mean. However, it is disappointing to know that rap is aimed for young kids.
Posted by: pan man | April 05, 2006 at 02:36 AM
The guy that made the first comment misspelled COUNTERPART also. I would like to say that I listen to all music, even the Rock songs that promote drug use and sex. If you don't like the music turn it off, don't buy it. Maybe people who don't like Rap/Hip-Hop wish they could but can't afford to lose the friends that don't. The Indian didn't hate the white man until the white man hated the Indian.
Posted by: Rick | April 06, 2006 at 10:15 AM
Well, Let's see now....NBA, rappers, L.V. crime, shootings, gangsta stuff, guns, killings, bad behavior....??? It's all just a coincidence with absolutely no connection to anyone, or any group, or any thing. It's all just random.
Forty K of these types in LA. When are we going to get it?
Posted by: dspelletal | February 19, 2007 at 10:56 PM
I LOVE YOU CURTIS JACKSON!!!!
Posted by: Keiasha | February 25, 2007 at 04:09 PM
Hip Hop Gangster Rap embodies ugly stereotypes about black males and black culture. The sad thing is that it is far more insidious, because it is presented as the black community's image of itself. Such appeal that glorifies irresponsible sex, drugs, gang rape, violence against women and gay people, etc. overall belittles and marginalizes much of the black community. Gangster Rap negative stereotyping of black people accomplishes what the Klu Klux Klan tried to do for years.
Posted by: John Bouchard | April 27, 2007 at 06:43 AM