French WWI concert scrapped after far-right fuss over rapper

[GennGreymane]

http://www.idahostatesman.com/entert...e77395367.html

A French mayor has canceled a rap concert marking 100 years since the World War I Battle of Verdun after objections from the country's increasingly influential far right.

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are taking part in a ceremony May 29 to honor those killed in one of the war's bloodiest battles. Separately, the town of Verdun planned a commemoration concert by rapper Black M.

But far-right National Front party members objected to the singer this week, citing a song by his group Sexion d'Assaut referring to France as a country of "non-believers."

Verdun's Socialist Mayor Samuel Hazard says Friday that city hall feared violence during the event because of "hate and racism" generated by the debate so he cancelled the concert.

The singer hasn't commented

[Kraenen]

Seemed pretty inappropriate to begin with.

[Glnger]

... a rap concert at a ceremony for WWI?

..........right.........

[Reeve]

Seemed pretty inappropriate to begin with.

What's inappropriate about a concert commemorating the fallen soldiers at the Battle of Verdun?

There's a massively popular rap musical right now commemorating the life and death of Alexander Hamilton that's considered wildly appropriate.

[Simulacrum]

What's inappropriate about a concert commemorating the fallen soldiers at the Battle of Verdun?

Sounds more like an excuse to have a concern than a commemoration to me.

[Reeve]

Sounds more like an excuse to have a concern than a commemoration to me.

Why? People have commemoration concerts all the time.

[Kraenen]

What's inappropriate about a concert commemorating the fallen soldiers at the Battle of Verdun?

There's a massively popular rap musical right now commemorating the life and death of Alexander Hamilton that's considered wildly appropriate.

A black rapper singing about WW1 is inappropriate. I can't find whether those lyrics are true to be bigoted but if so that's another reason not to have the concert. I mean it could be used in a good way, Idk.

[Reeve]

A black rapper singing about WW1 is inappropriate.

Yeah again, why? If a Puerto Rican rapper singing about Alexander Hamilton is massively appropriate, what's inappropriate about a black rapper singing about the Battle of Verdun?

[Kraenen]

Yeah again, why? If a Puerto Rican rapper singing about Alexander Hamilton is massively appropriate, what's inappropriate about a black rapper singing about the Battle of Verdun?

I never said either was appropriate. Did I make a post while I was drunk or something?

[Reeve]

I never said either was appropriate. Did I make a post while I was drunk or something?

I'm not saying YOU said that Hamilton was appropriate, but clearly it is, since it's a massive smash hit on Broadway, and they can't sell tickets fast enough. So why is a Black Rapper singing about Verdun inappropriate?

[Pangean]

I never said either was appropriate. Did I make a post while I was drunk or something?

And why is either inappropriate?

[Kraenen]

I'm not saying YOU said that Hamilton was appropriate, but clearly it is, since it's a massive smash hit on Broadway, and they can't sell tickets fast enough. So why is a Black Rapper singing about Verdun inappropriate?

He can sing about Verdun all he likes.

How is it appropriate for him to rap at this specific centennial commemoration?

And why is either inappropriate?

Seems anachronistic and unrepresentative to say the least.

[GennGreymane]

He can sing about Verdun all he likes.

How is it appropriate for him to rap at this specific centennial commemoration?



Seems anachronistic and unrepresentative to say the least.

It seems this person was invited to do so.

[Reeve]

How is it appropriate for him to rap at this specific centennial commemoration?

Because he's part of the commemoration?

How is it not appropriate? He's supposed to rap in honor of the dead. That's about as appropriate as it comes for a commemoration.

[Puri]

I don't see what there is to discuss. The mayor clearly stated why he abandoned the concert, and he rightfully only cares about the wellbeing of his town's inhabitants. Not much to gain from a social media assisted battle of left wingers versus right wingers, where you get extremists from both camps from all around Europe.

[Kraenen]

Because he's part of the commemoration?

How is it not appropriate? He's supposed to rap in honor of the dead. That's about as appropriate as it comes for a commemoration.

You haven't given an actual reason... I mean how is rapping appropriate at a WW1 Verdun memorial?

[the game]

music is alot like candy. You throw away the rappers.

[Pangean]

He can sing about Verdun all he likes.

How is it appropriate for him to rap at this specific centennial commemoration?



Seems anachronistic and unrepresentative to say the least.

Unrepresentative of what?

Anachronistic is inappropriate? Because they use a musical form not around during the time? I bet your anachronistic issues don't include the use of all the more recent inventions used during ceremonies like this. Times changes, music styles change. Unless they are saying things disrespectful of the event and what it represents how in any way this a problem?

[Kraenen]

Unrepresentative of what?

Anachronistic is inappropriate? Because they use a musical form not around during the time?

All I'm saying is it's inappropriate, and you seem to understand why.

A black rapper doesn't represent the people who fell at Verdun.

[Pangean]

You haven't given an actual reason... I mean how is rapping appropriate at a WW1 Verdun memorial?

How is it not? You are the one that made the claim it's inappropriate and are now hiding from stating how it is. Explain yourself.