Readers Cap Heimlich; What, Is Neal Pollack Some Kind of Parodist?; More
After reading Adam Heimlich's article I get the feeling that the writer is a Jigga fan because he keeps sweating him. He was right about the Infamy being some crap, though. He also made a very good point about Nas trying to be the "starving young warrior" again?it's a little too late for that now. But we as consumers are conditioned to have a very short memory by you guys?the media. You hype up everything and then shove it down our throats whether we like the taste or not.
T. Edmonds, Dallas
Not So Hiphop
RE Adam Heimlich's "2002: Hiphop's Year One" feature (1/23). Heimlich makes some errors. First, he misunderstands Jay-Z's lyrics. In "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," it may sound like Jay-Z is saying the word "roaster." He is, in fact, saying "rossa," as in Ferrari Testarossa. Jay-Z might also mean roadster, as in the Audi sports car (or a 30s-era Ford classic?pick one). In the tradition of Michael Gold's "Jews Without Money," Jay-Z's motive is to free his people from institutionalized stereotypes: rich black man, he is saying, is not an oxymoron. Understanding Jay-Z's vocabulary is essential to getting this point.
Second, in saying that "not even for a second did [Wu-Tang] run hiphop," Heimlich displays a lack of knowledge of hiphop history. In fact, it can be argued that their first album was a rite of passage for the genre, and altered the art form forever, spawning hordes of clones, inspiring a new generation of producers. Beginning with their first single, "Protect Ya Neck," the entire Wu-Tang crew humbled every lyricist who preceded them (with the possible exception of Rakim and Kool G Rap). Indeed, as pure poets and chroniclers of the hiphop zeitgeist, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon and Ghostface are light-years beyond both Nas and Jay-Z. Others have my back on this, believe me. What's more, some of their songs, including "C.R.E.A.M.," gave birth to terms that have entered the pop lexicon and ideas that were seized on not only by fans, but by academics as well (see Craig Werner's A Change Is Gonna Come).
Tyler Maroney, Brooklyn
Adam Heimlich replies: Regardless of whether the "Izzo" lyric is "rossa," "roadster" or "roaster," it's clear enough that Jay-Z is talking about a hot car. In the very next sentence, I referred to Jay-Z as a "pauper-turned-king," so I don't see how Maroney can claim I missed the point (or, for that matter, imagine that any listener could fail to notice that Jay-Z wants it known that he's a very wealthy black man!).
As for Wu-Tang Clan's greatness and influence, I've proclaimed it as vociferously as anyone. The paragraph Maroney quotes referred to a consensus perception within the hiphop community. Those tend to be based on sales figures and media omnipresence, not esthetics or lasting impact. Proud as I am to be among the many who "have [his] back" regarding the arguable superiority of the Wu's mid-90s output, I must remind Maroney that 2Pac, Biggie and Puff Daddy were among several contemporaries who were in no way "humbled" by it.
You Don't Know the Greatest American Writer?
Neal Pollack: Surely this is some kind of parody, or one of those little things where you're making fun of someone ("Daily Billboard," 1/21), or you don't mean what you write. Otherwise, you people are sick. Get a life.
Riley Petty, Corpus Christi, TX
More Fun Than...
MUGGER: Put Maureen Dowd, Frank Rich and Michelangelo Signorile in a barrel and roll 'em down a hill. You would have a narcissistic jackass on top all the way down. I am really getting tired of reading their flatulent, plaintive whining. Who do they think died and left them in charge?
I wanted to say this to Neal Pollack: thanks for your intimate memoir of shagging Tina Brown. Do you have any tales of bestiality you want to share with us? Oh, let me guess, the point is there is no point. I almost forgot that I forgot.
Tracy Meadows, Brenham, TX
A Brooklyn Convert
Mike Signorile: I recently wrote a somewhat caustic letter to New York Press ("The Mail," 12/12) in response to a column in which you wished good riddance to families opting to leave New York ("The Gist," 12/5) in the aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Center.
I've subsequently had the opportunity to read a few more of your columns, and would like to retract the scorn conveyed in my letter, if not the substance of my objections. Your piece comparing Christian fundamentalists to the Taliban was a welcome breath of fresh air. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Chris Lynch, Brooklyn
Celia Likes MUGGER's Can
MUGGER: Brilliant column (1/23), both on Enron and on Talk. I love the way you sum things up with such bang and pop. It's because you use language that is your own. Words that came out of a can, but a damn good, American hero can, while the glossier media writers all write from the same infinite font of pasteurized text. Sorry, I can't articulate what I mean. I'm on codeine for an acute throat infection. Whatever it is you do, keep doing it.
Celia Farber, Manhattan
Les Wants More
RE Christopher Carbone's "Don't Want My Gay TV" ("New York City," 1/23): I am a radio talk show host and producer in Orlando, FL. I enjoyed the article! I disagree with a few of his points, but I found it refreshing to read.
I am a lesbian, although that rarely comes into play in my arena, on air or off. I am respected for my thoughts and statements as a human being, without a sexual organ attached. Most people know my sexuality. Some choose not to concern themselves, others will occasionally ask me to send regards to my girl (she worked in sales for a short while and every