Two Sides of the Geto-Geffen Flap

In the Aug. 26 Pop Eye column, Monica Lynch of Tommy Boy Records and Bill Adler, rap activist and marketing agent, charged that Geffen Records exercised racism by refusing to release an album by the controversial rap group the Geto Boys even though the company had released albums by offensive comedian Andrew Dice Clay and foul-mouthed rockers Guns N’ Roses.

Critics of Geffen Records fail to realize that groups such as the Geto Boys rely exclusively on raunchy lyrics glamorizing violence, racism and misogyny. Their music and lyrics have little purpose other than to shock and create controversy.

Acts such as Clay and Guns N’ Roses use controversial topics and foul language to add to their material and enhance the overall product. Guns N’ Roses’ oft-criticized song “One in a Million” uses seemingly racist and homophobic comments to portray the confusion and fear of living on the streets of Los Angeles.

Clay’s offensive material complements his persona and entire act, which is not composed of only vulgar material.

People are often too quick to cry “Racism!” when presented with two seemingly similar cases in which different ethnic groups are represented. This time they should look beyond the surface and see that this is not a case of white versus black, but rather art versus trash.

MICHAEL LIM

Palos Verdes Estates