Rap lyrics discussed by high powered group of music industry executives

April 19th, 2007 | Music Guru | Music News

High-powered group of music-industry executives met privately Wednesday to discuss sexist and misogynistic rap lyrics.

The meeting, called by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, was held at the New York home of Lyor Cohen, chairman and chief executive of U.S. music at Warner Music Group.

During the furor that led to Don Imus’ fall last week from his talk-radio perch, many of his critics carped as well about offensive language in rap music.

Organizers billed the gathering as a forum to “discuss issues challenging the industry in the wake of controversy surrounding hip-hop and the First Amendment.” Afterward, they planned to hold a news conference at a Manhattan hotel to discuss “initiatives agreed upon at the meeting.” But by early afternoon, the news conference was postponed, because the meeting was still going on.

After the meeting ended, it was unclear whether there would be another one. Simmons’ publicist released a short statement that described the topic as a “complex issue that involves gender, race, culture and artistic expression. Everyone assembled today takes this issue very seriously.”

Although no recommendations emerged, the gathering was significant for its who’s-who list of powerful music executives.

According to a roster released by Simmons on Wednesday, attendees included: Kevin Liles, executive vice president, Warner Music; L.A. Reid, chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group; Sylvia Rhone, president of Motown Records and executive vice president of Universal Music Group; Mitch Bainwol, chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America; and Damon Dash, Jay-Z’s former Roc-A-Fella Records partner. Top-selling rapper T.I. also attended, organizers said.