Former URB cover star, and current Jay-Z signed rising star Jay Electronica apparently ruffled a few feathers at this weekend’s Manifesto fest in Toronto, where the MC reportedly stated onstage that “All women like to be choked during sex,” and then went on the lead the crowd in a chant about choking, according to one posting on Facebook.
The festival organizers have already issued a statement condemning Electronica’s performance, stating:
We are disappointed and disheartened that someone whose conscious artistry we felt would be worthwhile to share, chose to abuse the platform given to communicate opinions which were extremely hurtful. His remarks – which seemed to legitimize sexualized violence against women – were uncalled for and sadly cast a cloud over an otherwise overwhelmingly positive event. We apologize for enabling that to occur, and are taking steps to ensure that we prevent something like this from ever happening again. We empathize with all who felt injured by his statements – especially those who have fallen victim to gender or sexual violence.
Of course, this line of thought has been a regular part of Electronica’s performance for some time. So if the organizers are acting surprised, it’s clear that they didn’t really know much about the artist they were booking. Watching these two clips where Electronica talks about violent sex, it’s hard to tell if he’s advocating, condemning or just plain wacky. All of the above most likely.
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[...] audience, “Do women like to be choked during sex?” He’s also reportedly asserted that “all women like to be choked during sex” and says there’s a bet afoot between him, his DJ, and Nas that will be settled on Christmas [...]
I was quite excited upon hearing about JE’s signing with JZ (I am no fan of JZ’s music but when he speaks I do enjoy to hear him and knows he exhibits signs of simple brilliance…the dichotomy…hmmm). I thought the signing could be a push for more intelligiable music, and interplanetary audial lyrics and images being heard in mainstream airwaves. I was born and grew up alongside hip hop and now that I am an adult I am looking back at not only my development through the years but hip hop’s as well… I am curious…
I have just recently (yesterday) come upon Jay’s comment and have gone through a myriad of emotions and at the very root of it I am confused and concerned at the state of the world especially as it relates to women. My husband and I have been avid appreciators of J.E. and his music, lyrics and overall character (from what we of course are privy to). I too understand we are all human…however, I do find this situation very baffling on many levels but mostly unsetteling metaphysically, karmicly (not sure if it’s a word but I hope my gist is gotten;)) spiritually and even generationaly…I digress
My husband and I went to a Mos Def concert in ATL and JE opened for him, we were just as excited to see him perform…his energy was off the charts his flow was fluid and his charisma was aces. After his set he did something very different he led the whole audience in a non religious, universal yet sincere and divine word of non specific prayer. I thought the words he chose were poignant but the whole act quite different we both felt (after discussing on the way home that evening) that that prayer really set another tone for that evening and the crowd seemed more united (maybe it was just us). No one heckeled him, told him to shut up…I fact many of us united hands, hearts and spirits. And I am unsure of whether he did it at each and every concert but that is a thought worth pondering. BTW both Mighty mos and JE ROCKED IT that night!!
I feel that had I gone to his concert in Seattle and he began or ended his set with the question he is NOW posing to audiences worldwide, I would have felt entirely different, not to mention the energy of the crowd. I know I would have left the building until Mos came on and then maybe would haven’t even stayed for his concert only feeling he could be “guilty by association” especially if it was polled at every concert…again I digress a bit…
After the concert, a friend of our was good friends with Mos and wanted to introduce us which was an added bonus of the evening so we waited outside and while we were waiting we were graced by JE…he wasn’t talking to everyone either, but he came and spoke to us (a group of sisters and my husband) and we inquired about his daughter and her well-being and he beamed a ray of light and broke out his cell phone and shared pictures and a brief story about Mars. Being a mother of two, a wife, daughter and aunt I felt his joy radiate and was touched to be a part of that moment with him…So fast forward to the present when I heard, read and meditated on the poll/bet he is posing I found my disturbance in these points here…
(Like you I know that consenting adults do what they like when they like and that’s one thing so rough sex, violent sex to each their own) BUT when attending a concert and having the person I am coming to see pose a question of this nature: 1.knowing there are minors present (he make his disclaimer in the video of him in Seattle) 2.knowing women are present and I am assuming this next point (based on the words he prayed at his previous concert) but 3.knowing the seed you are planting by stating a question of this nature in the minds of the public, the universe over and over again really upset me, saddened me and also alarmed me, at the lack of respect and consideration for the women from whence he came from and fathered. It alarmed me also because I had just seen a clip of Kanye’s new video Monster and there are many images just in the 40 second preview of women (mannequins) hanging from ceiling and Kanye kissing dead looking women, while fondeling their genitalia, and knowing the connection between KW, JZ and now JE and praying that this is not the next level of abuse on women. I really am not against nor in support of the conspiracy theories but I am aware of my ancestors and spiritual guides and the knowledge of the power of words and ritual and I do stand firm in stating that this is a dangerous thread to “gamble” with…I know for a fact if his under aged daughter went to a concert and this was a topic of discussion AND GODDESS forbid a choking/sex incident like this occurred to his underaged daughter IT WOULD BE NO LAUGHING MATTER.
I am aware as adults we are all given choices and it is up to us as individuals to make our choices (right or wrong) and deal with the outcomes (positive or negative). The reasons as to the “whys” of this question are mute to me…was it a pub stunt, is it an intiation, was it “male” humor, is it really just a bet, is it linked to a song or was it simply a joke. However, the repercussions are what concern me.
I know we all make thoughtless mistakes and because I know of second chances I am prayerful that JE will step up and admit to his irresponsibilty of this poll and right the wrongs that he has set into motion…and if he doesn’t I can no longer support this brother based of the fact that I am a woman, daughter, sister, wife, and come from a divine line of women.
I am grateful to you for this blog and posting and making a united stand.
Peace, love and positive motion with the ocean by the light of the moon goddess…
a daughter of Yemonya
This isn’t news…
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who cares? i think its a stupid thing to talk about onstage everytime he performs but watevs, im not about to choke a bitch over it.
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