PLATINUM SELLING RAPPER TELLS '60 MINUTES': WOULDN'T HELP POLICE CATCH EVEN A SERIAL KILLER BECAUSE IT WOULD HURT HIS BUSINESS AND VIOLATE HIS 'CODE OF ETHICS'

Don Imus gets fired...
This scumbag gets to make millions...
What a joke...

I agree with you Neo.

Punks. That's all they are.

Disgusting.

Who is it?

Cam'ron, whose real name is Cameron Giles.

Exactly!

Code of ethics, ha! more like a code of misconduct

Little does he know he might be the next to get it from the serial killer....film at 11.

What a moron. Serial killers have absolutely nothing to do with "gangsta rap". So now thugs have a code of ethics? I surprised that this guy can even spell ethics.

I guess there is a reason that I've never heard of this guy, this type of music and the lifestyle associated with it is just not for me.

He should take his code of ethics, fold is ten ways, and out it where the sun don't shine.

I've never heard of him either...I can say that original hip-hop came from "east side" "westside", etc...gang-related neighborhoods. It was all about which side was better than the other side. It still varies between areas of the country. California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, NY, NC, SC, MI...they all have their own distinct styles. I would think..altho I don't know for sure...the NY and probably MI rappers have the attitude this person speaks of more so than other areas because of the way they grew up...the neighborhoods where speaking up to the law/turning a criminal in would get you killed probably before your next word came out.

It's a shame they used this one person's view as it completely taints the entire culture...of which ranges from very extreme to christian in it's scope. I'm guessing the reason I've not heard of this "platinum" artist is because he is of the very extreme -explicit content only - not to be heard on radio- style.

I'd like to know how being a loser jail-bird "thug" became cool in the first place?

A little rebellious, edgy, whatever - fine. I get that. An out and out thug? I think not. And we wonder why our high-school drop-out rates are so unbelievably high, kids who do graduate can't read, and juvenile crime rates are through the roof.

I wholeheartedly agree with the poster above who said "punks."

Edited to add: I realize that not all "artists" in this genre follow the stereotype, but will simply say that stereotypes don't develop without some foundation. Like we talked about earlier - you want to impress me? Make it in this genre without the foul language and "thugish" themes.

Will Smith comes to mind...

Innn West Philadelphia, born & raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days......

We laugh at it...but in his music...when was the last time you heard him advocating killing cops?

Geez, don't get so defensive. I wasn't laughing at it. That's just the first song that came to mind when you said Will Smith. I don't really even listen to this type of music.

Just stirring the pot a bit here, but nobody complained way back when the Dixie Chicks sang about killing an abusive husband...in fact the song was a huge success.

And before everyone jumps all over me, I'm in no way saying that killing a cop is equal to killing an abuser, but isn't killing someone still killing??

I wasn't being defensive...
I agree...
I think we laugh at Will Smith because of what we view rap/hip-hop as these days...but Will Smith has become very succesful without "killing cops".

Of course he's not going to report a criminal. It's a purely business decision. Without the rampant violence, he would have no material for his rap. Its a vicious cycle - one he's apparently not interested in stopping since it puts a lot of money from misguided kids in his pockets.

Criminal Intent had an episode relating to the culture of violence and "street cred" recently that was portrayed pretty accurately. (Yes, I know I'm relating "real life" to Law & Order, but I've been sick, and when you're laid up on the couch for 3 days, you're going to watch at least 10 episodes, maybe per day!)

All that matters to rappers is street cred. W/o street cred, no one will buy their albums.

As someone who listened to rap when Biggie and Pac were still alive, violence has always been advocated. It started with NWA, who had a hit song with the lyrics " 187( police code in Cali for a murder) on a motherf****** cop." Biggie and Pac were probably best known for their involvement in the East Coast vs. West Coast battles which led to both of them being shot and killed.

I dont really follow rap as much as I use too, but what little I do here still has violence in it. Along with other ideals I am sure most BOLers will object to. However, this is what sells albums. As long as this set of "ideals" continues to sell albums, rappers will continue to use promote them.

BTW, any one citing Will Smith as a famous rapper needs to adjust their point of view. Both fans of rap and rappers look at Will Smith as a joke. He is attacked in numerous rap songs. He is more of an actor now then a rapper.

ACB...I'm just saying that in Will Smith's music, which is what started him, you never heard the cr*p you hear in Eminem's music and such...

I agree with that Neo. I have heard his songs. I dont think he is a bad rapper either. Its just that the culture has shifted so dramatically. Has Will Smith even put out an album since Men in Black?

ummm...yeah...I think
Willennium in 1999
Born to Reign in 2002
Greatest Hits in 2002
Lost and Found in 2005.

Gotta love Wikipedia.