The Roots' Questlove Responds to Ashley Judd Slamming Hip-Hop

By Boombox Editors Posted Apr 11th 2011 10:40AM

On Thursday (April 7), the BoomBox reported on actress Ashley Judd's criticism of hip-hop music, writing it off as "rape music," as well as her harsh words aimed at artists like Diddy. Now, a prominent member of the culture is hitting back.

Roots drummer Questlove addressed Judd via his Twitter page, commenting on their interaction, or lack thereof, during her appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show. "hmmm. at least i got my answer as to why ash judd didn't give us so much as a nod on her last visit. im a criminal [sic]," he wrote.

The Philly native also compared her rant to Oprah Winfrey, who has long been vocal about her disdain towards hip-hop music, for its use of bad language and misogynistic lyrics. "EVERY genre of music has elements of violence," he continued, in response to a fan's comment regarding the matter. "It speaks MORE volumes that in rap only a certain side gets promoted."

In a passage from her book, 'All That Is Bitter, and Sweet,' Judd attacked Diddy and Snoop Dogg for their charity work with non-profit organization YouthAIDS, theorizing that their support of the company was hypocritical.

"YouthAIDS created hip, public service announcements for TV and radio using popular local and international celebrities and athletes and was participating in the MTV World AIDS Day 'Staying Alive' concerts," she wrote. "Along with other performers, YouthAIDS was supported by rap and hip-hop artists like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy to spread the message ... um, who? Those names were a red flag. As far as I'm concerned, most rap and hip-hop music -- with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as 'ho's' -- is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny."

Judd has been on a national tour promoting the book, which was released April 5. The explosive nature of the memoir -- in which she also characterizes her mother, country singer Naomi Judd, as neglectful, and reveals that she was sexual abused -- has led to some to believe that her words are merely a publicity stunt.

Get more at The Boombox.

Check out The Roots' 'Dear God 2.0.'

Tags: ashley judd, Questlove

Comments

(36)

Monday 11 April

By mizsarah77

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Ashley Judd is clearly closed minded for making such a blanket statement about hip hop. There are criminals from all races and backgrounds out there. Why would she specifically criticise those artists for their charity work? Why not applaud them for being aware of those less fortunate and doing something in their own way to help?

Tuesday 12 April

By arnie bean

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I am glad that Ashley had the guts to tell it like it is. When my 15 year old daughter has to tell me not to listen to a song because it downgrades women, I shake my head in disbelief! This "rape" music needs to change.
Go Ashley!

By j

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Because what is popular and pushed in hip hop and rap is music with no social value. The Roots are musicians. I have loads of respect for them for that,but (as with black culture in general),question ?uestlove not defending the opponents of it's less than savory artists.
I'm white so I won't understand. I know already.

Saturday 16 April

By Brian

Rape music?Ashley is barely a actress so shut the hell up.And Arnie Bean your ignorance is staggering.

Sunday 17 April

By Lilly

I don't understand how can you place blame when she said it herself that she was sexually abuse by a non-rapping individual with a sick mind. I would prefer to have them rap about it than to actually be a participant.

By gigster

she's loving all the controversy - it's selling her book. I don't really care to know all her family's secrets - shouldn't those things be discussed between family & friends - not a few million people?

By chaz

I have a whole new respect for Ms. Judd. At its best hip-hop is (with a few exceptions)really poorly written (and executed)poetry. At its worse it is a (music?)genre tha accepts, glorifies, and promotes negative behavior including (but not restricted to) the objectification (and degredation)of females

By rican

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It is art, whether you agree or not. That is its beauty, you do not have to like it, but to recriminate one and not point out all the others is what is hypocritical

ALL FORMS OF ART HAVE AN UGLY SIDE, IT IS THE POINT!!!! To provoke you, expand your confined existence from your to other things in the world. To teach you about the beauty, the wrong, the ugly, the joy, the pain, the abuse, and all that each of us experiences in a unique and personal way.

But why not applaud Snoop and Diddy for using the money and fame they earn from this to teach and learn, they are also learning from the experience, maybe not in the way you like, but you have your own mirror and life to look at before you can judge...

By Oops!Thereitis

There is rap and there is raunch rap. Raunch rap is porn. Listen to the words, watch the video. Porn sells. It's the low road with high dividends. Who cares about effect as long as it sells.

By bob

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Hip Hop sucks .Its funny that all the dumb white people who buy this garbage when these racist black hip hoppers are knocking the white race in their garbage music...If there is one good thing about it these skid kill each other over it ....

By Will

Hmm... The last time I checked the best and most popular rapper is white. Stop trying to make this a race argument.

By Faye

Hip Hop is music and good music. If anyone loves music or claims to would include all music in their collections. What Ashley Judd said is pretty harsh and she came off as being very judgemental which is something that should be left for God to do.
After all someone who has to get attention producing a book with all of their issues from birth, and think that anyone cares anyway, really should not criticize anyone else.

By Jason

Ashly Judd needs to look back on how she grew up before she can speak on anything about hip hop!!!! And to these racist people up here given there opinion about blacks in hip hop use this platform to express there thought! But would not dare try saying that in these Rap artist presence. Stop hiding behind your keyboard..

By VVoice

Modern Rap/hiphop does present women as sex objects. Also, the idea that people should keeps secrets is NOT RIGHT. The gives people who molest children protection by way shame.

By Cleveland Gal

I agree with Ashley! Hop Hop and Rap music does nothing but, degrade women in every way even the videos portray women as nothing but playthings. It is truly sad that women don't take a stand and not listen to the garbage that rappers and hip hop artists put out there. Don't women respect themselves anymore? The artist should respect women a little more-I mean it was a women that brought you into the world.

By DENEAL

...

By mrbluesays

Music is a reflection of whats happening in todays world be it good or bad... I find that there are many innocent black people locked up in jails in America, Then I find that there are many guilty white people who never saw the inside of a jail in America. When you point your finger at something you got 3 fingers pointing back at you.

By tony

i highly doubt ashley is looking to get a payday,can we say dario franchitti?

By DeNeal

I LOVE HOW WHITE PEOPLE CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND ANY OF THE trash THEY SPEARD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD! THEY RAPE THE ARABS OF THEIR RESOURCES THEN CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY HATE THE WESTERN WORLD! THEY INVADE AMERICA, THEN CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE MEXICANS WANT TO DO THE SAME! THEY KIPNAP US FROM OUR CONTINENT, TO LIVE AS THEIR JUNKYARD DOGS, THEN CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ACT LIKE ANIMALS!

PAC SAID IT BEST, YOU CAN CALL YOURSELF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN, BUT TO THEM WE WILL ALWAYS BE N*GGERS!

By dee

Not True and quit living in the past. If Oprah thought like you we wouldn't know her today , that's only one example.

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