I think its obvious that Py's outstanding metaphoric lyricism is way beyond the comprehendable abilities of this author......

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Shame on Pyinfamous!

He should be ashamed of using that good Ole Miss degree on poor despondent "urban" youth, when he could be doing some selfish good. I mean, the nerve of that guy using that offensive "N"word, a word he neither created nor gave its sting. How dare he so freely use a word created by the establishment, still used by the establishment behind closed doors, only chastised at times in public whenever we want to criminalize someone. How dare he talk about guns in any fashion! That talk is only for NRA members.

The last thing we need is another "gangsta" rapper going around showing kids there is an option besides selling drugs or breaking in people's homes. Who taught him about metaphors, and similes anyway? I'm sure that you, writer, have a much better knowledge of such literal terms, than he or any other rapper. No sir, he can't fool you!

You anonymous writer, are a scholar of mass proportions and deserve no less than a Pulitzer for this piece of journalism here. The great Cronkite smiles from the heavens at you.

This is Satchel Page, signing out from Sarcasia.

Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? The answer is both.

Pyinfamous is a proven servant leader whose music uplifts the community, poses thought provoking commentary on the issues that matter, and provides positive alternatives to the negative messages proliferating the radio today.

It is a shame that the writer of this article disregarded all journalistic integrity and proper protocol and rushed to a biased judgment from his or her admittedly "quick search" that he/she conducted on artist/lyricist Pyinfamous in his/her attempt to assassinate a man's character.

If one is going to quote lyrics, then he/she should seek and find correct verbiage, not scramble to put together a mesh of errors and seek to piece together a false interpretation and attack of character. This is not about just defending hip-hop, it is about printing the TRUTH. Those lyrics are not the lyrics that are in the song and this writer has missed the boat in inscribing them.

It appears that her or she seeks to discredit the councilman (of whom I am not familiar because I am not from Mississippi), while inserting Pyinfamous in the mudslinging.

I have known Pyinfamous in both professional and personal capacities for the last ten years. He is no gangster rapper.

Pyinfamous, the man (Jason Thompson) is an accomplished scholar who graduated both at the top of his class in high school and from the honors college at the state of Mississippi's flagship institution of higher learning. He is a proven leader and businessman, having served as president of his international collegiate fraternity, and as a key partner in several small business ventures in marketing, music, and fashion. Pyinfamous has always given back to his community, and has done so in his music as he continues to seek to bring enlightenment to the dying art of hip-hop.

Pyinfamous is not your run-of-the-mill stereotypical rappers, who writes about his sad struggles trying to make it in the hood, sell drugs, gang bang, mistreat women, etc. Pyinfamous writes about the journey to make it and accomplish one's dreams and aspirations in life--period. This can include struggles, ups, downs, triumphs, love, and everything in between -combined with some of the most skilled wordplay and metaphors comparable to any artist in the industry today. His music is universal, and can be related to by anyone from the kid on the streets to the man on Wall Street.

It is for this reason that the Truth campaign, which advocates against tobacco use and smoking to youth, selected him for 2 consecutive terms to serve as its resident emcee on the Truth Tour and travel around the United States of America spreading its positive and life-saving message. I have no doubt that the children were in EXCELLENT hands with Pyinfamous. They might've also learned some new and helpful vocabulary words as well.

Stop attacking the councilman's judgment. Clearly, he did better research than the writer of this article.

As a Northsider, I read with interest the online op-ed titled “Chokwe Lumumba invites rapper to sing at party” (08/27/09). I was shocked and disappointed by the lack of journalistic integrity exhibited by it. I assume that the author of said op-ed was simply misinformed and did not do sufficient research before insinuating certain things about Ward 2 councilman Lumumba or PyInfamous. First, the lyrics cited in this piece were poorly interpreted as evidenced by the author’s inability to discern the metaphorical literary flourishes common in the hip hop art form. The fact that the author was not present at the Lumumba event, or that no interview of its participants (including Lumumba and/or PyImfamous) was also apparent. While I understand that commentary need not be so factually based, there is nevertheless a danger in publishing uniformed material for whatever purpose.

I am admittedly not an avid hip hop consumer but know by my decade’s worth of experience with it that PyInfamous could not and should not be labeled a gangsta rapper. To be sure, I am not comfortable with his use of the N-word, but that has not negated the sheer genius and social consciousness of his work. I have been amazed by his lyrical dexterity and its intention of raising awareness. Unlike many commercial rappers, the kind you mostly hear on radio stations or see on BET and MTV, PyInfamous seeks to make music that artfully moves people to action and personal and social transformation. Those who avidly consume his music are fully aware of this gift of his.

I am also a pastor and theologian and must say that I admire PyInfamous’ commitment to enlightening younger and older audiences through his life’s work. I have been inspired by his impact upon many youth in the city of Jackson. We recently spoke at a conference to more than fifty “at-risk” youth about the principles of leadership. He has invited me to speak to middle and high school students for whom PyInfamous is a big brother and mentor. He decries violent, sexist, sexually objectifying content that passes for good rap music. He tirelessly advocates for human empowerment and well being, seeking to secure a better future for those often forgotten populations in our capital city. He and I once partnered in college to bring various people to the table to address student concerns, and we have most recently worked in ministry together. Indeed, he has proven himself to be a role model for young people through his music and activism, and I am proud to call him friend.

I will assume that you are simply uninformed and will revoke your caricature for the sake of journalistic integrity, truth, and accuracy. I suggest that you thereafter educate yourself more on the diverse culture and music called hip hop and even invite PyInfamous into a larger conversation that will seek to enlighten, inspire, and empower persons on either side of this debate. It would promise to be a great teachable moment for all of us who call Jackson home.

May the grace of God abound toward you.

i wasnt at the event and i know py well. he is a gangsta rapper. graduating from ole miss and doing quite a bit of community work makes no difference in my opinion.

really and truly this article represents modern journalism. no facts, misleading and its intent is to misinform. good deal.

I too am appalled and offended at this piece of uninformed "writing." I've been working w/PyInfamous and Boston based E.B.B. & F.L.O.W., which Inf is a part of, for three years now. In that time we've had our share of struggles simply because their music is NOT gangsta rap and not commercial rap that talks about guns, drugs, bling and rims. It's particularly disturbing to me that this author would write such a scathing review that frankly borders on libel w/out having every listened to any of Inf's vast recorded works, or having even attended the event! First rule of Journalism 101 is to do some damn background checking on your subject...

It's embarassing and unprofessional on the part of the Northside Sun to have printed this piece of garbage, and I certainly agree that a retraction and apology to PyInfamous and the Northside Sun's readers is in order.

A quick listen of any PyInfamous material will reveal that he is a positive rapper who uses swear words sparingly and paints a vivid portrait of life in the inner city and all the trouble and turmoil that can bring. Clearly councilman Lumumba did his homework properly in inviting Jackson's finest emcee to perform at his event, and I applaud him for that.

I will only say one more thing, and that's that PyInfamous, this "gangsta rapper" you so casually labeled, is actually the head of a program for inner city youth and an upstanding member of his local community.

Please post a retraction and an apology immediately.

This comment will preced a letter to the editor that I will submit on Monday requesting a retraction of this commentary and an apology from the Northside Sun to the citizens of the City of Jackson, City Councilman Chokwe Lumumba and myself.

First of all if you plan to quote the lyrics of any musician, I would hope you try to get them correct AND understand the metaphors therin.

The song "Greetings" has no negative references at all. The line "we left them with no arms to fire" means that we TOOK AWAY their firearms and "no legs to run" means they are unable to move away from the rationale and understanding that we impart. The author goes on to misquote and misinterpet in the line "without relying on the backdoor like PRINCETON," which is a basketball reference. Furthermore, the line is "it's a beautiful day in the hood with my NEIGBORS" like Mr. Rogers.

I could go on with how the author has purposely distorted my words, but I do appreciate the free publicity. You can expect plenty of letters and e-mails from this article. Good job.

Greetings! Pyinfamous is one of the absolute best hip hop MC's ever. Thank God, he hails from Mississippi. He is a Mississippi-born and bred, college-educated intellect. Those, who grew up on hip-hop and have an immense appreciation for hip-hop, applaud Pyinfamous for his creativity, volunteerism, activism and integrity.

Hip hop is an artform steeped in metaphor, simile, personification, etc. Hip hop enthusiasts are typically analytical and critical thinkers, who have been trained in classrooms and outside, to "read between the lines" and interpret the meaning of hip hop song lyrics. To take all lyrics from country music, rock and roll, or even gospel literally compromises the true meaning of the lyrics.

My suggestion is that we all expand our understanding of music to include hip hop as an artform. Try listening to Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli, The Roots and countless others with whom Pyinfamous has a similar sound stylistically.

Finally, it was an utmost honor and pleasure to celebrate Councilman Lumumba's victory with the likes of the Marshall Elementary School Choir, which by the way had left the event immediately after they performed at the very beginning of the program; Vicksburg Mayor Paul Winfield; Congressman Bennie Thompson; Dr. Safiya Omari; and Raymond-based group M.U.G.A.B.E.E.

My read of the writer's article is that 1) s/he was not even present at the event; 2) s/he is an uninformed and infrequent listener to hip hop music; 3) s/he rushed to judgment and opted to share his/her slanted and biased opinions as fact to the reading audience (HOW UNFAIR!); 4) s/he mislead readers by reducing the 3-hour long celebration to ONE performance, which was one performance which the entire audience enjoyed.

Enough. I've said my piece. Family, do your research. We look forward to seeing you at the next People's Assembly on Saturday, 26 September from 3 until 6p at Word and Worship Church on Hanging Moss. All are invited. Please help to spread the word.

First, who is the author of this article? Where is the byline. Whoever it is was obviously not at the program on Saturday, because the song Pyinfamous performed was not what is referred to in this misguided, poorly written, uninformed excuse of an article. Pyinfamous, did a wonderful, uplifting and educational rap that was appropriate and enjoyed by all. I realize the standards of this rag, the northside sun is not very high, and all this about is to slander council person Lumumba. As usual white supremacy is alive and well and just reared it's ugly head in the guise of the northside sun.