Fall TV: Hip-Hop Vs. America - the Series

Lately it seems like hip hop has received a lot of bad publicity. Derogatory and violent lyrics, images and values have plagued hip-hop's reputation. If that isn't enough, many naysayers have been proclaiming that hip-hop is dead. With all the controversy, some discussion on the matter is definitely warranted. So I was pleasantly surprised to hear about the upcoming BET series on the subject entitled Hip-Hop vs. America. This three-night special will attempt to tackle many important issues specific to hip-hop including it's image, it's link to criminal activity, and the degradation of women. BET states that this is the first of many town halls that they will hold to address the most pressing issues facing hip-hop.

The series was executive produced by journalist Selywn Seyfu Hinds, and will be hosted by BET's own Toure and Jeff Johnson. There will be approximately 30 people on the discussion panel including: hip-hop recording artists Master P, MC Lyte, Mike Jones , Nelly, T.I. and rap pioneer Chuck D from the rap group Public Enemy; music executives Valeisha Butterfield and Benny Boom; former video favorites Karrine "Supahead" Steffans and Melyssa Ford; top journalists Keith Boykin, Diane Weathers, Jeff Chang, Farai Chideya, Kim Osorio and New York Daily News columnist Stanley Crouch; filmmaker Nelson George; Judge Mablean Ephraim; ministers Conrad Tillard, Pastor A. R. Bernard; Professor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson; and the Reverend Al Sharpton.

Although I am happy BET decided to address hip-hop's negative publicity with this panel discussion, in my opinion, it appears that the panel is incomplete. With the title of the series being Hip-hop vs. America, I would have thought that the panel would have been a little more diverse. It seems like a whole cross section of America is missing from the panel as it appears that the panel is comprised of only African American people. Nevertheless, I am definitely planning on watching this as I am interested in hearing what the panel has to say. Tune your televisions to BET and experience it for yourself.

Part I of "Hip Hop vs. America" premieres Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on BET. The second episode will be airing on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), and the third episode will only be available on BET.com's BET ON BLAST.