I find it very odd that you included a Vinnie Paz track on your latest mix. “Keep Movin’ On” is certainly an attempt at socially conscious songwriting, but it comes from an artist with a long history of regressive preoccupations. It’s actually kind of jarring to see his name alongside such genuinely thoughtful and progressive artists as Monch, Mos Def, and Nas. I’ve personally nominated Mr. Paz as the most homophobic rapper in hip-hop, which is only a marginal exaggeration. ”Keep Movin’ On” makes mention of the popular conspiracy theory about HIV/AIDS being a disease manufactured by the U.S. government. (The reality is actually much more sinister: the Reagan administration was content to simply ignore a disease that was killing off an entire generation of gay men.) One might reasonably question why the fuck Vinnie Paz cares where AIDS came from, as it’s a disease that’s taken the lives of countless gay men, a group that Vinnie Paz himself despises. I don’t want you to feel that I’m beating you up on this. I actually enjoy your blog very much, and wouldn’t bother making this argument if I wasn’t genuinely interested in the work you are doing.

(submitted by howtotalktogirlsdialectically)

Thanks for this, I actually appreciate criticism if I feel it is coming from a place of honesty. I think the world would be a much better place if people had more friends that checked each other on their bullshit.  I think this is an interesting topic of discussion and one that I could run on about. I always prefer these types of debates in person but I will do my best to express my thoughts in writing. Here is my response.