Bum Rap?

There’s practically a Rainbow Coalition of rap detractors. Tipper Gore says it “provokes” violence. Some black radio execs think it’s too grating and obnoxious. And film maker Spike Lee says he’s a fan of Public Enemy but complains: “This whole bit about boasting how many gold chains you have is ignorant. All it does is perpetuate that mentality where one’s life and existence is defined by how much gold you have around your neck.”

Fresh Prince isn’t happy about such close-minded attitudes. “I think anyone who makes a general statement saying rap is bad is an idiot,” he said firmly. “It’s like saying all black people eat fried chicken or watermelon. We automatically prove them wrong, ‘cause we don’t have any negativity in our songs.

“It kills me that you see people criticizing Run-D.M.C., but I didn’t see them grabbing themselves on stage at the Grammys, like Michael Jackson did--so how come no one complains about him?

“You know, if I’m on stage for 30 minutes and you’ve been raising your child for 17 years, how can you claim that I’m gonna change that kid in half an hour? I say the problem with these wild kids starts with their family, not with us. If you follow a beast home, a beast will open the door.”