Kanye West about the term "bling":
"I'm not sure if we are allowed to say that word anymore. I think white people are allowed to say "bling". They are allowed to say all the old-school black slang, like "hottie" and "homie". Actually, I do not think that you all (white people) are allowed to use slang until it is at least a year old. If you say a slang word too early, it's like you're trying to be black. So as long as the slang is a little played out, you're all good. I do know what you are talking about, because I remember when we used to say "bling" about two years ago."

- Kaney West from the October 2005 issue of STUFF Magazine.

Discuss.

Copied this from another forum, thought it was teh interesting. Let's keep it civil, the other thread seems to still be going strong, let's follow that one's example.

I hate the word bling. I use it like I use the word radical, gnarly, etc. When I want to sound or make someone feel like a wanker. <<<another one :D
He's right you know. He's right. I don't always agree with Kanye, but, he tells it like he sees it. I like that.

Just another example of his ignorance.

why is he ignorant for this particular statement. All he is saying is that white people aren't cool. Well, we're cool in our own way, but not a black cool way. It's true. All the little white "thugs" running around get their speak from rap albums which are out of date.

Wow.. Kanye sure is stepping out of line right now... I wonder what's going to happen to him when he loses all his "white" customers. -.-

he won't. The people that buy that trash probably believe every word he says. Plus, they're the exception to the rule, they're hip. They stopped using bling....right now. Word. <<<haha

I don't know much about him, but from his latest two quotes he comes off like a racist a-hole.

Alright, if he lays claim to all new slang, I'm laying claim to proper English, racial slurs and the word "the." If you're not me, you can't use "the." You will all have to settle with using "a" or "an." :p

why is he ignorant for this particular statement. All he is saying is that white people aren't cool. Well, we're cool in our own way, but not a black cool way. It's true. All the little white "thugs" running around get their speak from rap albums which are out of date.


So why does "cool" have to be black or white? I have my own coolness about me, it's neither black or white. You?

I don't know much about him, but from his latest two quotes he comes off like a racist a-hole.
he is a racist.

IF HE'S RACIST IMMA BE A CARCIST

KANYES IS STUPID CUZ HE DOENST DRIVE A RX-8.

.....

That'll teach him!!!

So why does "cool" have to be black or white? I have my own coolness about me, it's neither black or white. You?
I'm pretty fly for a white guy. :D

Seriously. You know exactly who he is talking about. Middle class white kids who like to dress like poor inner city kids and listen to rap music. Pretending to identify with the urban struggle. Poseurs. The people who copy others speach and mannerism (rappers specifically) They aren't cool and we all know it. He's just calling it like it is.

By the way, I think the guy is a douche bag.

I'm making a list of white words that hip blacks are not allowed to say.

They include debutante, Hepplewhite, and limoges.

Oh, and especially "ask."

I want to make a very off-color remark right now, but I don't wanna get banned. :p

I dont want to step out of line, but there is some truth to what he said there. Terms such as "Bling" derive from rap music (there is actually a book defining rap slang, but Im too lazy to post a link) and are commonly associated with black slang, but after a few years pass, and that term dulls, suddenly its picked up enough popularity that older fellowes of other colors begin using it. I thought it was funny when I saw an older news anchor use the term "Bling" in a very serious conversation on t.v. It was considered a black term when it first began being used, but now its a term everyone uses. Same goes for " 24/7 " or " or |"Crib|"

I dont agree with everything Kanye says, actually I agree with very little, but I dont see anything misleading in his above statement except maybe a poor choice of words to explain the situation.

but then....this is just how I see it.

The whole "issue" of "whites" co-opting "black" culture is so tiring. The same was said about Jazz, then Rock & Roll, Rap, etc... *yawn* I guess there are no legitimate white Jazz musicians? Or rock & roll artists? Art forms are invented, spread, evolve. The same with language.

How the hell do you "own" an art-form or a word on account of the color of your skin? Or, do you have to be a fully-qualified "urban struggler"? Where do I get my certification? Are blacks automatically certified?

It's "aaight", Kayne. You go on ahead inventing words for me. I'll wait the mandatory 1 year before using them. 'Scool, homie. You hep-cat, you.