Monday, May 15, 2006

My Debate With Rakoo

By Alan Cohen

About a week and a half ago, I was scrolling around the DFWHiphop forum and I came across a comment that Rakoo of Rakoo Nation had posted. He called me out by name. Here is exactly what Rakoo said:

I didn't like the comment, but I also felt like they reflected his sincere views. In other words, I don't think he was trying to pull a publicity stunt. So I invited him to our offices for a face-to-face debate on the issues he had raised in his comments. To Rakoo's credit - he accepted my invitation.

Click to play video: Alan debates Rakoo (40min 59sec)

The debate took place last Thursday evening here in the TexasGigs studio. Here are my thoughts in the aftermath of the debate...

Rakoo and I disagree about a 3 key points:

1) Rakoo believes that as the press I have the responsibility of going out and seeking out all the artists in the DFW scene. I dont think that the responsibility is on me. I keep my door open to ANY artist that emails, calls, talks to me, and I will always cover the artists that approach me first.

2) Rakoo believes that I should write more negative reviews about artists that I see and dont like. I dont feel an obligation to bash artists that dont connect with my musical taste. My choice is to focus on the artists whose music does connect with me. When I run out of artists that I like, I'll spend more time talking about the artists I dont.

3) I dont think its reasonable to expect that one person would be capable of covering 100% of the hip-hop scene in DFW. I have too much respect for how large, vibrant, and important the entire breadth of the DFW hip hop scene is to expect that it could get covered in its entirety by one person. I think that if Rakoo is upset about certain artists not getting covered then he should should write an article about them himself - we'll run it on TexasGigs. I dont OWE any artist an article, I dont OWE any venue an article. I dont OWE anyone or anything coverage. When I do CHOOSE to write about an artist, it is usually out of respect for what they do. I have little sympathy for people who are willing to complain but unwilling to act.

BUT

Here is where Rakoo and I find common ground:

1) I agree that there are some artists/venues in DFW that have yet to be covered by TexasGigs that absolutely need to be. It will simply make TexasGigs a better site by having more coverage of these artists. Its not that I think I HAVE to, its that I WANT to. So I'm setting that up with Rakoo.

2) I agree that the reason that some artists may not have contacted me is not because they are unwilling to work, but simply because they are not as internet savy and do not know about TexasGigs. I never want that to be the reason why someone doesnt get coverage. But like it or not I throw that responsibility on everyone else. If you know an artist is working his butt off and he is making amazing music and he needs coverage, I need you to tell him about TexasGigs. If I dont know about the artist, I cant cover the artist.

3) I agree with Rakoo that when two people have a disagreement, they sit down face to face and discuss. Rakoo and I may not agree on everything even after sitting down, but I think we have both been bettered by the experience.

BONUS: Rakoo sent over some video footage of his trip into the TexasGigs studio. Click Here to check it out (Real Player required).

BONUS BONUS: After our debate, I challenged Rakoo to a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos. Click Here to check it out

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