Idolator

Alicia Keys clumsily claims that the concept of "gangsta rap" was a concoction of the government/media in a Blender interview, and uncommercial maverick artists like 50 Cent get in a tizzy over the idea that they might be playing into some sort of conglomerate-approved caricature. "I don't like Alicia Keys no more though ... the same reason why I said that I don't like Oprah Winfrey." moaned Fid, "I'm prejudice(d). I don't like people who don't like me." Maybe he's just bummed he hasn't been asked to play her boyfriend in a music video. Not that he likes that "classical music shit" she's been putting out.

If she don't like that, (then) I don't like that classical music s—- she be doing. At some point she's playing some s—- that don't relate to me. ... We listen to it and try to figure out why people actually enjoy it. I am trying to enjoy it. That statement changes my perception of Alicia Keys totally. But the magazine is standing behind it, which means they probably have a tape of her in conversation saying it. It's just not really a bright comment anyway."

Bright or not, it's sad to see allegedly unapologetic thugs get het up over the fact that someone doesn't respect their work. HipHopMusic's Jay Smooth posted a response to her claims last week that is unsurprisingly more thoughtful and sympathetic than what 50 Cent came up with.

50 Cent Defends "Gangsta Rap" [Showbuzz]
Alicia Keys: Tupac Biggie Gangsta Rap Conspiracy [HipHopMusic]