Rappers Sing Vulgar Lyrics at Half-Time of Atlanta Falcons Football Game

ESPN.com ^

[governsleastgovernsbest]

ESPN.com: NFL

Monday, November 3, 2003 Updated: November 4, 3:45 AM ET Official: Some things 'shouldn't have happened'

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- As if they didn't have enough problems, the Atlanta Falcons were scrambling to defend a halftime show featuring three rap groups.

Bonecrusher, Youngbloodz and Jermaine Dupri performed Sunday during a 23-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Falcons' seventh straight loss.

Bonecrusher, a hefty, Atlanta-based artist, sang the hip-hop hit "Never Scared," in which he muses about shooting someone in the head.

According to profanity-laced lyrics obtained from an Internet Web site, the song goes, "Let a choppa go PLOOOOOOWWW! to yo melon. Now the plasma is oozin outta yo cerebellum."

Groups often cut two versions of songs -- one to go on the album and one that's appropriate for radio airplay.

It wasn't clear which versions of their songs the groups used at the Georgia Dome. Some people at the game claimed they heard profanity, others said they didn't.

Roddy White, the team's director of event marketing and entertainment, conceded Monday there were "some things that happened that shouldn't have happened."

"We had a conversation with them prior to [the show]. We said, 'Look, this has got to be appropriate for the audience that's there.' The crowd that comes to a Falcons game is different than a crowd that comes to one of their shows," White said.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank watched the performance from his private box, but said he couldn't decipher the lyrics.

"Well, I'm sorry," Blank said. "If there was profanity, given the family atmosphere we have there, that's not right. We shouldn't have entertainers there that do that."

Bonecrusher took the stage first, ripping off his shirt during a raucous version of "Never Scared." Youngbloodz went next, performing the song "Damn!"

Dupri, a prominent producer as well as performer, finished the 10-minute performance with his hit song, "Welcome to Atlanta," which is often played by the Falcons during play stoppages.

Dupri could not be reached for comment. His personal assistant did not return two messages left at his Atlanta-based company, So So Def Records.

Dupri has produced hits for Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, TLC and others. In January, he was named a senior vice president of Arista Records, taking with him the So So Def label.

Bonecrusher and Youngbloodz both record for Dupri's label.

White insisted that team officials screened the songs and felt they would be appropriate for a diverse crowd that included plenty of children.

"We listened to the tracks beforehand and we didn't see any reason to be alarmed," he said. "When you're in a live situation, like doing live TV, things can happen that are good, bad or indifferent."

White said he wasn't sure if the team had received any complaints about the show. He said it's impossible to come up with entertainment that appeals to everyone in the crowd.

"I'll be honest with you -- I didn't hear the profanity that people said was being put out there," White said. "I will say this: Whether you liked it or didn't like it, there were a lot of people in the building that liked the show."

[Naspino]

The real outrage is that everyone was talking about it days before the game saying that exactly this type of thing would happen.

[NYCVirago]

According to profanity-laced lyrics obtained from an Internet Web site, the song goes, "Let a choppa go PLOOOOOOWWW! to yo melon. Now the plasma is oozin outta yo cerebellum."

C'mon -- the author should get *some* credit for not only using the world "cerebellum", but having it rhyme with "melon"! ;)

[TheBigB]

They were still easier to watch than the Falcons.

[chemicalman]

That's why I'll never see a game in person. Just watch them on TV.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Good point. Now if he had really wanted to get intellectual, he could have rapped about "my cap stirring a vortex in your cerebral cortex."

[leadpencil1]

Based on the demographics of Atlanta, they were just giving their audience what they wanted.

[T.Smith]

"I'll be honest with you -- I didn't hear the profanity that people said was being put out there," White said. "I will say this: Whether you liked it or didn't like it, there were a lot of people in the building that liked the show."

Let me paraphrase: "Some people may have been offended," White said, "but, other people thought it was cool and those are the people we really want to appeal to anyway. I don't see why families have their panties in such a wad."

[Hatteras]

Looks like we're going to have to call in some help to determine if a crime has been committed...

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Bonecrusher, a hefty, Atlanta-based artist

Maybe the Falcons should put him on the offensive line!

[truthkeeper]

Roddy White, the team's director of event marketing and entertainment, conceded Monday there were "some things that happened that shouldn't have happened."

Is this the idiot who booked them? Whatever happened to common sense?

[AngryJawa]

These "artists" are in no way as vulgar as performance of the Falcons this season.

[deadmenvote]

I always enjoyed marching bands at half time.

Now the NFL has stupid pet tricks or bands that no real NFL fan would listen too. It,s all about diversity

[governsleastgovernsbest]

In related news, White announced that in response to the controversy, the Falcons will be returning to more traditional fare, with next week's half-time featuring the singing of the National Anthem . . . by Roseanne Barr.

[AppyPappy]

Word!

[yoe]

Whatever happened to half time with rousing marching bands with wonderful music all can relate to? Rap may be the choice of ‘steroided up’ athletes, and what ABC or whoever is broadcasting the games think is “in”. However rap is hardly what the crowd and TV audience would like to hear and see.

[weave09]

Jivemn2 : Mnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Attndnt : Can I get you something?
Jivemn2 : S'mo fo butter layin' to the bone. Jackin' me up.
Tightly.
Attndnt : I'm sorry I don't understand.
Jivemn1 : Cutty say he cant hang.
Woman4 : Oh stewardess, I speak jive.
Attndnt : Ohhhh, good.
Woman4 : He said that he's in great pain and he wants to know
if you can help him.
Attndnt : Would you tell him to just relax and I'll be back as
soon as I can with some medicine.
Woman : Jus' hang loose blooood. She goonna catch up on the`
rebound a de medcide.
Jivemn2 : What it is big mamma, my mamma didn't raise no dummy, I
dug her rap.
Woman4 : Cut me som' slac' jak! Chump don wan no help, chump
don git no help. Jive ass dude don got no brains
anyhow.

[vetvetdoug]

Very few even shiv a git because these guys are promoting violence toward whites and profanity during a NFL game. Just let Rush say something that is the truth and can be twisted to be racist is a no-no. When is the US and the conservatives going to rise up and squash this cancer from our society?

[Spok]

"Rappers Sing Vulgar Lyrics"

Wow, who coulda seen that coming?

[eyespysomething]

Were they singing rapping about the Falcon's season?

I would curse also. I'm sure a lot of cursing went on in the stands, too.