Do we really need Don Lemon’s intellectually bankrupt behind trotting out Trinidad James on CNN to have this discussion? Conservatives have a clear double standard when it comes to appropriating terms better left alone, because they seem to have no problem dropping N-bombs.
You never hear them using similar anti-Semitic slurs, because they know they’ll lose their job.
This is not a difficult concept. You’re not entitled to say certain words without the threat of physical violence. Nevertheless, here are 13 songs white folks should never sing. You have the right to free speech, but that right can sometimes be accompanied by a fade.
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Photo: CNN screen capture
N.W.A – “Ni**az 4 Life”
Yes, Dr. Dre kicks one of his handful of career socially conscious verses here, and MC Ren also drops some jewels. But you’re better erring on the side of caution and either censoring yourself or avoiding this N.W.A classic altogether.
photo: WENN
Jay Z and Kanye West – “N****s In Paris”
It’s catchy, provocative, and does indeed “get the people going.” Kanye wanted to raise eyebrows with the name, so mission accomplished there. If you lack melanin, trying to “ball so hard” might get you beat up so bad.
Trinidad James – “All Gold Everything”
Don’t let these racists from SAE get you caught up out there. You can’t sing along and drop any iteration of the N-word (even the one that ends with the letter A) four or five times in a row without repercussions. Even though it’s his song, we’re gonna disagree with young Trinidad on this one.
photo: WENN
YG – “My Ni**a”
Even YG says you need to be careful singing this around mixed company. Surely, you can think of another term of endearment, right?
Nicki Minaj – “Lookin’ A**”
The limits of exactly how far to push the envelope aren’t even mutually agreed upon within black culture. Nicki caught serious backlash for trying to copy Malcolm X’s iconic pose with this single’s artwork. You can easily clean this up by going with, “Lookin’ A** Boy.”
Bobby Shmurda – “Hot Boy”
If some of the content of “Hot Boy” allegedly got Bobby Shmurda locked up, imagine what would happen to you for singing the unedited version among mixed company.
Wu-Tang Clan – “Shame On N***a”
On one hand, Wu-Tang kind of appropriated a bunch of stereotypical and borderline racist tropes about Asian cultures from old martial arts movies. So while there’s temptation to point out that double standard by singing this track, perhaps it’s best to remember what happened when the Clan was offended by a Wu-Tang cartoon interpretation back in the day.
C-Murder feat. Snoop Dogg and Magic – “Down 4 My Ns”
The last thing you want to do is scream, “Touch them other hittas” when you’re turned up and releasing some tension. Consider how the teenager who offended C-Murder fared, and reconsider your options.
photo: WENN
2Pac – “Ratha Be Ya N***a”
Do remember the duality of Tupac Shakur. Yes, there was the drinking, Madonna screwing guy who got shot on separate occasions for hanging with actual gangsters and killers. But there was also the revolutionary who used the acronym Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished. The latter would probably frown on your usage of a certain racial epithet turned colloquial term of endearment.
photo: WENN
A Tribe Called Quest – “Sucka Ni**a”
Even Q-Tip starts to flinch as he tries not to say it.
Isaiah Rashad – “Ronnie Drake”
It’s all right there in the chorus: “Don’t call me a n***a, unless you call me my n****a.” There’s rules and regulations to be followed.
photo: WENN
Jay Z – “Ni**a What, Ni**a Who (Originator 99)
Since ‘Hov is out here enjoying the rich people problem of defending Gwyneth Paltrow’s right to drop N-bombs, you gotta concede he’s not the best role model here. Back in the real world, you might catch some knuckles to the face for repeating the chorus of this or “Jigga, My N***a.”
