Hip-hop legend Darryl “DMC” McDaniels is upset over derogatory remarks made by New York police commissioner William Bratton regarding artists of the genre.
Bratton called rappers “thugs” after a shooting at a hip-hop concert took place earlier this week. Now McDaniels is asking for the commissioner to apologize to artists like Will Smith, Chuck D, LL Cool J and others performers whose lyrics do not condone or promote violent acts.
Four people were shot at the Manhattan hall concert, where rapper T.I. was to perform on Wednesday night.
Bratton was quick to point the finger at “the crazy world of the so-called rap artists who are basically thugs that basically celebrate the violence that they live all their lives.”
McDaniels insists that the shooting is not a “hip-hop problem” and that such comments are ignorant and unfair.
“He needs to apologize to all the rappers who have come from (the) streets but have never put out anything negative (and) disrespectful to break down … and destroy their community,” the 51-year-old rapper said to the Associated Press on Friday.
“(Bratton) was upset and pointing a finger and getting to the root and not thinking about the people he would hurt by saying what he said,” He then added, “Him as the commissioner saying it did so much damage (and) pushes hip-hop back — that’s why he should apologize.”
Bratton has since explained himself better, but has not backed down entirely. “I meant what I said about the thugs who call themselves rap artists, and shoot up crowded clubs, and in this case, kill and wound people,” he told the Associated Press.
He further added that his comments were “misread as a reference to all of rap and hip hop, which it was not.”
In addition, a spokesman stated via email that he acknowledges rap music as “an important vehicle for storytelling in urban America” and that “gangster rap” often overshadows the genre’s most important and sincere messages.
Rapper Troy Ave, who was involved in the shooting and was injured in the leg, will face attempted murder charges. Police are still investigating the incident that ultimately left one person dead.