The beat goes on. (Letters).

I AM INTERESTED IN BEADING YOUR SERIES of articles focusing on the economic explosion of Hip-Hop and its international influence (See "Hip-Hop Economy" series, May-August 2002). I wonder if you will ever confront the other ramifications of this exploitive "thug" driven industry. Yes, it generates wealth, but so did the slave trade, and many African Kings were quick to exploit a horrific industry for personal gain.

I wonder if you will liken Hip-Hop to the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC), another industry dependent on criminals for profit, and yes Hip-Hop is criminal dependent--it exploits, promotes, [and] endorses pathology as a way of life, a way of speaking a way of dress, talk and walk These stereotypical images have been transmitted to the entire planet, for profit, and have conditioned the way the world sees us--as criminals--the black M.B.A.'s and corporate executives, included.

Despite a well-heeled public relations campaign, the fact of the matter is that our future generations may be lost, as an oppressed class, because it's better to be a brain-dead, thugged out, "consumeristic" hip-hopper than a M.B.A. or an entrepreneur. Yes, Japanese may be dressing the part, but our kids are living the part and supplying the Prison Industrial Complex with much needed black bodies for its booming economy. Maybe black capitalist cannot be moralist or have principles, but one must wonder: Will we ever think about the collective? Will the needs of the many ever outweigh the needs of a few?

David Boone
Jamaica, New York
[e-mail]

BE HAS SERVED ITS PURPOSE. NORMALLY, I grab my BE out of the mailbox first, but this time my 13-year-old daughter had it under lock and key. Joyfully, I asked her why did she grab this issue? She said the words "Hip-Hop" and "Wealth" caught her attention. I teach my girls to strive to own and run the company, not work in it! Great marketing, BE, because it's the youth who will be the leaders of tomorrow!

Sharon Wright
Baltimore, MD

I ENJOYED THE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR that appeared in the August 2002 issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE. Some of the readers conveyed that they were disappointed in the article written by Business News Editor Alan Hughes entitled, "The Hip-Hop Economy Explosion," to the point of threatening to cancel their subscriptions. What the [readers] failed to understand is the word "economy," which relates to the production, distribution, and use of income based on supply and demand.

In no way did the article espouse or promote "hatred over peace, money over love, and violence as an answer to everything that upsets us," as one writer stated. The article was simply revealing the life and times of two unlikely entrepreneurs, [one] who from humble and destitute beginnings, used [his] talents and gifts (still God-given) to become one of the most lucrative, young, and influential African American men of our times. I say our times because my son, who is 20 years old and an aspiring rapper, is Jay-Z's No. 1 fan. He wears nothing but the Rockafella clothing line. Someone with that much influence--I want to know why my son has such regard for him.

So instead of treating these gifted artists as diseased individuals, to be ignored and shunned, I commend your staff and Mr. Hughes for educating and allowing our generation a glimpse of unorthodox business savvy, developed by two African American males, as one that took vision, fortitude and personal sacrifice. As one reader stated simply: "I cannot believe that your distinguished magazine put Damon Dash and Jay-Z on your cover"--that's what makes BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine distinguished. Your staff recognizes the contributions made by individuals who are different and set apart.

We don't have to embrace someone's philosophy to celebrate their gift. If their philosophy bothers you, just pray!

Melanie Sudduth
Pittsburgh, PA
[e-mail]