"He has succeeded on the backs of people predominantly in that lower pay bracket, people of color I don't believe that. It's snotty suburban white kids that are buying his garbage.
Posted on 12/07/2004 8:58:17 AM PST by Imaverygooddriver
Wonder Rips Eminem, Preps Album
Mon Dec 6,12:25 PM ET
By Charlie Amter
So much for that "Ebony and Ivory" stuff. At least as far as Stevie Wonder and Eminem (news - web sites) go.
Speaking to Billboard magazine, Wonder comes to the defense of old Motown roster mate Michael Jackson (news), saying he was "disappointed" Em mocked Jackson's child-molestation allegations in the rapper's video for "Just Lose It."
"Kicking someone when he's down is not a good thing," Wonder tells Billboard. "I have much respect for his work...[b]ut I was disappointed that he would let himself go to such a level.
"He has succeeded on the backs of people predominantly in that lower pay bracket, people of color. So for him to come out like that is bull----."
Jackson has publicly complained about the "Just Lose It" clip, in which Eminem frolics with kids on a bed. BET banned the video upon its release out of deference for Jackson, but the video--which also pokes fun at Madonna (news - web sites), MC Hammer, Pee-wee Herman and his 8 Mile self, among others--remains in rotation on MTV.
Wonder's outcry came just as he announced his first album in nearly a decade. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer tells Billboard that his new studio set, A Time 2 Love, will hit racks in April.
"For me," Wonder tells the trade paper, "I had to make a real decision not to rush [this record]."
He's not kidding--his last collection of new tunes came out nine years ago, with 1995's commercially disappointing Convesation Peace.
"I didn't mean for that to happen," he says of the long layoff between releases. "On the other hand, it wasn't a panic-mode situation, either, where we've got to do this or we're going to have a problem up in here," said Wonder. "A lot of what I do when I do an album is based on whether the timing is right."
Among the tracks on A Time 2 Love: a collaboration with old-school hip-hop star Doug E. Fresh, a song featuring the West Los Angeles choir and a tune called "If Your Love Cannot Be Moved," with instrumentation by Wonder and several special guests.
Meantime, Wonder is set to receive Billboard's Century Award--the mag's highest honor for creative achievement--during Wednesday's presentation of the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Another old Motown cohort, Diana Ross, will be joined by Mary J. Blige to present the hardware.
Blige and other R&B stars like Brian McKnight paid tribute to Wonder on the 2003 release Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder Songs.
After Time is released next year, the 19-time Grammy winner singer says he has "three immediate goals": a "jazz album with harmonica," a gospel album and a musical.
Praying that R&B can overcome Rap.
Sometimes, during a dispute, it's best to just step back, watch the action and NOT get involved.
"He has succeeded on the backs of people predominantly in that lower pay bracket, people of color I don't believe that. It's snotty suburban white kids that are buying his garbage.
I'm praying with you. Eminem is a such a corporate fraud, which is quite ironic considering he started out with some promise. Money talks it seems.
"...the video--which also pokes fun at Madonna (news - web sites), MC Hammer, Pee-wee Herman..."
What year is it, '85? I thought Eminem was the super hip, pop culture skewering Wunderkind. At least he's staying away from the touchy subjects like the Berlin wall and milli vanilli.
no, that's bullsh*t.
Take a cue from Dylan: sing, don't preach.
A Time 2 Love. Well ain't that clever.
Jeez.
This is one of many things I don't respect about "artists":
Their take on soaking a crucifix in urine: Brilliant! Genius!
Their take on rappers calling for the assassination of President Bush: Daring! Brave!
Their take on burning the American flag: Courageous! Passionate!
But God forbid someone have fun with Uma's and Oprah's names, and all holy hell breaks out.
Thin-skinned, hypocritical whiners, every last one.
Sure, I can understand Stevie being upset by Eminem. What I can't understand is all the things that DIDN'T upset Stevie.
It's sad to see how Stevie Wonder has deteriorated, he made some amazing albums in the early to mid 70s. Then he had to do that stupid "I Just Called to Say I Love You" song and it's been all downhill since then.
"Hey Man, Stevie Wonder's a Musical Genius."
I'd like to hear that one. Wonder is one of the most distinctive harmonica players around. Whenever I hear him play, I try to think of who he sounds like and who might have influenced him, and I come up blank. His style seems unique and unprecedented to me. It's extremely lyrical and way beyond the stock licks that you normally associate with the harmonica.
I don't know if you're being sarcastic, but to call Stevie a musical genius is a gross understatement.
His powers have diminished in these later years but his legacy is undeniable. One of the most gifted pop/R&B musicians ever...
The line was from an old Eddie Murphy routine, about how upset some fans got when Eddie mimicked him.
Bottom line: Eminem won't be remembered. Stevie Wonder will be. A true genius.
I wonder what Stevie thought of his "Mosh" video?
Has it occured to anyone else that M & M is the Wierd Al of Rap? They sure look like parodies to me.
Wiggas.
We had the same idea.
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