FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2014 file photo, Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC performs at Christmas in Brooklyn in New York. McDaniels says the New York police commissioner William Bratton’s recent comments, where he labeled rappers as thugs following a shooting at a hip-hop concert, is disrespectful and that he should apologize to rappers like Chuck D, Will Smith and Kendrick Lamar. McDaniels, one of the founding members of the classic rap group Run DMC, said the shooting is not a “hip-hop problem” and that Bratton’s statement was unfair. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
May 27, 2016 - 7:55 PM
NEW YORK - The Latest on New York Police Commissioner William Bratton's recent comments, where he labeled rappers as thugs following a multiple shooting at a hip-hop concert (all times local):
9:30 p.m.
Police Commissioner William Bratton says he meant his comments about "thugs who call themselves rap artists" and "shoot up crowded clubs."
But Bratton said Friday night that rap music has become "an important vehicle for storytelling" in urban America and that gangster rap has often overshadowed its most important messages.
The commissioner says he's concerned about those who glamorize violence and use it as a means of attaining "street cred" — but this isn't everyone involved in rap and hip hop.
Bratton's original comments about rap came Thursday after four people were shot at a Manhattan concert hall where rapper T.I. was scheduled to perform Wednesday night. Bratton blamed the shootings on "the crazy world of the so-called rap artists" who he said "are basically thugs."
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5:20 p.m.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and hip-hop icon Darryl "DMC" McDaniels says the New York police commissioner's recent comments — where he labeled rappers as thugs following a shooting at a hip-hop concert — is disrespectful.
McDaniels says Police commissioner William Bratton should apologize to rappers like Chuck D, Will Smith and Kendrick Lamar, performers whose songs do not promote violence and negative images.
Bratton's comments came Thursday after four people were shot, one fatally, at a Manhattan concert hall where rapper T.I. was scheduled to perform Wednesday night. Bratton blamed the shootings on "the crazy world of the so-called rap artists" who he says "are basically thugs."
News from © The Associated Press, 2016