Sheriff on 50 Cent and Eminem
As promised here are more excerpts from my conversation with Sheriff Bill Young about his attempt to get gangster rap banned from Las Vegas resorts as what he calls "a crime prevention" strategy: Q: Someone like Snoop, in Vegas, is likely to attract a bunch of tourists from the California suburbs who want to see the concert.
A: That may be true. But do we really want to sell that as the way we make our money in this town? We really only have one business, and that is entertaining people here and showing them a good time. If we have a reputation for entertainment that is going to cause negative consequences like violence and shootings, what is it we are trying to accomplish here?
Q: How do you define gangster rap?
A: I am not the proper person to define it in particular. I kind of leave that up to the promoters and the people that stage these types of events what the content of it is. I know—I raised three kids who listen to this—there is a big difference between rap and hip-hop and what I call gangster rap. I know Will Smith. He is a fine guy. He is a funny guy. He is a rapper. He doesn't go around making albums called 'Cop Killer' or promoting putting his wife on the street to work her as a prostitute, or selling drugs as the right thing to do. So, while my knowledge of that particular genre is somewhat limited I know there is a difference. I would start with 50 Cent—
Q: Who played House of Blues at Mandalay Bay about three years ago—
A: —and we had a near riot there and fight there that we couldn't control. Define it any way you want, my friend. I am not going to argue with you. I am responsible for the safety of this community, and if I know that in the aftermath of these concerts we are going to have shootings, murders and killings: Why are we having them here? I don't think we should be selling violence here in our tourist corridor. That's not Vegas. We are not a town that sells violence. It is the inability of us to prevent violent acts that are occurring around these folks. I am linking A to B.
Q: Does someone like Eminem concern you, too?
A:Well, Eminem's product, from what I've heard, has a combination of a lot of these things. Correct me if I am wrong; I am not an expert on these things.
Q: Well, I'd say he is not a gangster but on one typical song he talks about killing his wife.
A: Yeah, well, personally, I don't think we have a place selling that as a product here.
Q: Do you have any objection to the music being played here like a club spinning "In Da Club" by 50 Cent, or is it just the concerts and events featuring the rappers?
A: I am worried about the aftermath of events. This is America, and I love that people can listen to whatever they want.
Like I said before, I like the Sheriff and he seems far more open minded in conversation than this may read. But, despite his earlier claims, what he says here, I think, shows clearly his reaction has more to do with the content of the music than any crimes being caused at these events in the tourist areas. While the local rap scene has been plaugued by violence, there has never been a shooting death inside a casino resort related to a rap event. And, as noted before on the Buffet, there are very few of these events in the first place especially considering the massive commerical success of the genre. Rap shows by top artists on the charts are almost never held in any casino resort. For example, 50 Cent and Eminem have done their last two public concerts at a local stadium. But I did see Eminem perform at the Venetian a couple years ago; he was doing a private concert at a convention to convince clothes buyers to order his line of sweats, caps and shirts. There was no violence just commerce. Reminder: Tupac Shakur was killed after a boxing match. No one is talking about banning boxing.
photo by Fred Prouser/Reuters
As a a long hair heavy metal singer in the late 1980's I was crushed when the Long Beach Public Library said we could not do a concert there because heavy metal music draws "the wrong element". I consulted an attorney who said censorship based on content is unconstitutional prima facia (on the face)
My letter to the library pointing this out was met with the cancellation of all musical performances at the library. I recently thanked Alan Feldman of MGM/Mirage for saying they would continue to book rap acts. It is great to hear an organization honor the constitution when now adays so many easily put it aside.
Posted by: Steve Ferrera | March 03, 2006 at 10:32 AM
well i am a great fan of yours could you please tell me how you became a wrapper
Posted by: Raymond byrne | March 03, 2006 at 10:46 AM
you rock
Posted by: sonia nava | March 03, 2006 at 11:14 AM
The author of this did a great job, he potrays both sides well... The funny thing about this Sheriff is he seems a little ignorant... What I mean is if I was a cop trying to stop drug dealers, I would try to get as much info as I could about them and their operation. I understand he isnt really on a crusade, he just wrote one letter, but shouldnt he have done a little research before he wrote that letter? He's asking the reporter for information... Shouldnt he know the answers before he plants himself in the middle of this subject? This smacks of a Sheriff trying to further his political career, not a well meaning individual.
Posted by: King Nick | March 03, 2006 at 07:20 PM
How is las vegas any different from anyother town in America lots of casinos yeah but what else? we shouldnt just care about Las Vegas security we should care about the whole american security, if you think "gangsta rap" is endangering las vegas than its endangering whole USA, But if your trying to stop it from las vegas or any other american town then i think it's impossible because your going against the freedom.
Posted by: Sir | March 04, 2006 at 09:01 PM
man eminem and 50 rb the best i dnt give a f... wat this f.. says
Posted by: petre | March 05, 2006 at 08:53 PM
Dear editor,
I agree with your comments that certain rap does promote violence. But for you to point the finger at 50 cent and say he promotes violence is wrong. In your article you said after his concert at the Thomas and Mack absolutely nothing happened that would point towards violence, but his music talks about it. you should have pointed your finger at Nelly's concert where shootings occured, or other rap artists. For 50 cent to be the sheriffs main villian he sure hasn't done a whole lot in Las Vegas to attract that much attention from sheriff Young. I agree 50 cent is not the best role model for our youth--but you need more evidence to back your statement. And the whole idea of him banning shows like that from UNLV the school I attend, is infringing on my rights as a student. Who is he to tell me what I can and can't listen to, last time i checked we didn't fall under the category of communism. And if you are goimg to point the finger at rap at least study what you are pointing the finger at. I have grown up with hip hop and rap, and have never once thought of pulling a gun out and shooting someone. And i also feel you are setting a double standard because i know some rock concerts have gotten way more crazy and violent than a rap concert--so why don't you point your finger at them?
thanks for listening,
Nate
Posted by: Nathaniel Niles | March 05, 2006 at 09:02 PM
cool
Posted by: james | March 06, 2006 at 11:49 AM
hey my name is will and im only 15 but i just wanted to say in my point of view.I seen 8 mile with eminem and i have seen get rich or die tryin with 50 cent and their childhood was kinder the same 4 example "eminem grow up with out his dad while 50 cent grow up with out his mum"just trying to say both of them growing up was difficult that really makes them a better rapper they both rap about their problems thats what makes them such a good person and rapper in my point of view..
Posted by: will cohen (young gun) | March 07, 2006 at 12:56 AM
you am class at singin
Posted by: BRADSTER MILLINGTON | March 07, 2006 at 08:12 AM
I really like 50cent songs and eminem songs there gangster and i want to be just like them
Posted by: anthony | March 09, 2006 at 04:27 AM
Keep gangster rap out of Vegas if you want to avoid what often happens at such concerts. Fighting.
Reminder: Tupac Shakur was killed after a boxing match. No one is talking about banning boxing.
Yes, but who killed him?
Posted by: Patrick | March 09, 2006 at 06:28 AM
I hope that good wins for the benefit of us all.
I like all three artists: Eminem, 50 & Snoop. However, I sincerely wish that these young men
take more precaution as to the types of messages
that are being conveyed through their songs. Because whether or not they know or care, they're influencing millions. And if they're not accountable here and now, they'll have to answer to the highest form of authority @ his designated time, and I'm not talking about Sheriff Young.
Nevertheless, I do hope that these young adults are not being unfairly targeted. Otherwise, the sheriff might do more harm than good.
Posted by: Joy | March 09, 2006 at 07:25 PM
what difference does it make if u do ban rap concerts in vegas, its not going to stop every other bit of violence that happens in vegas. If i lived in vegas and rappers were'nt aloud to perform there i would personally be annoyed as of every other teenager in vegas that likes gangsta rap music, that might possibly just cause more violence, i mean come on get a life it will probaly not make a difference if u do ban it
Posted by: nikki | March 10, 2006 at 10:08 AM
hva er detta egentlig a?
Posted by: sossne | March 13, 2006 at 01:51 AM
The sheriff wants to ensure that no more rappers get a chance to kill any more cops. Their prevention to the mayhem in the city is to ban hip hop. But what they are not really saying is that they don't want black people in the casinos in mass numbers. They never seem to provide adequate security at the events that go wrong and the first people they blame is hip hop lovers, rappers and ganster rappers. Referring to them as "these folks" and "these people" without flat out saying "black people" Snoop was just denied booking at a casino here in Vegas. And makes too much money to care about the people who it really affects. The local upcoming artists and people who live here. He probably knows that his first amendment right was violated, but he has enough money to buy a casino, so why should he care about being turned down for a $30,000 or more booking for one show here in Vegas. They got their money and as long as the rest of the world doesn't ban hip hop or ganster rap they could care less what happens in Vegas. They come and spend money, but none never invest or show honest interest to the communities of Las Vegas. I guess this is proff that this is a dog eat dog world and if Vegas had it's way there would be a sign at the border that say's "NO BLACKS, RAP, HIP HOP or GANSTER RAP ALLOWED"
Posted by: vmclasvegas | March 13, 2006 at 01:53 AM
your messed up for blamin eminem and 50.
Posted by: your mom | March 13, 2006 at 10:15 AM
what kind of drugs did 50 cent do ?
Posted by: WHiTNEY HiN0J0SA | November 19, 2006 at 01:46 PM
I SAY ....MR SHERRIFF PLEASE HELP ME .LMAO..I NEED TA SEE EM 'N FIDDY PERFORM...SO GO EAT ANOTHER BOX OF DOGHNUTS !!! AND YOU WILL BE MIGHTY FAT N HAPPY N SO WILL WE.......:) CHEERS MR "SHERRIFF.....:)
Posted by: C.JAY | January 12, 2008 at 02:50 AM