In his video called 'Rich N*gga Sh*t' (I can't even write the title, because I don't want to pollute the eyes of my readers. Maybe you can fill in the missing letters, as on the TV game show 'Wheel of Fortune.'), the rapper Soulja Boy has worked overtime to set an all-time record for massive hip hop buffoonery. But he's only 19 years old, so I am going to give him a pass in hopes that he will choose to wise up at some point.

Showing off his new diamond chain that doubles as a remote control toy Lamborghini, the young brother proceeds to wow his audience by pushing the limits of financial extravagance. I've seen rappers with chains shaped like the state of New York or jewels that have their names on them, but I have never seen a chain that doubles as a remote control car. When I saw his latest "achievement," I truly felt that he'd lost it. I am not here to say that Soulja Boy has not planned for his financial security, I really hope he has. At the same time, I've seen a ton of rappers get wads of dough, only to find themselves broke and spending their lives in the studio trying to create their next breakout hit. Let's be real: the industry is not here to empower the rappers -- it is here to enslave them. Soulja Boy's comments about giving "big ups" to slave masters (for bringing black people to America) should have been saved for the slave masters in the recording industry who control his destiny right now.

I don't hate Soulja Boy. In fact, I defended him during his feud with Ice-T, the gangsta rap legend who decided to attack him for allegedly destroying hip hop. I also give him mad props for his defense of himself that he posted to the public. In fact, I would dare to say that Soulja Boy is actually quite intelligent, and that his music inspires an entire generation. During his response to the attacks made by Ice-T and the other "O.G.s" of hip hop, Soulja Boy made the accurate point that an older artist should spend time mentoring young artists instead of criticizing them. The problem I have with Soulja Boy's words, however, is that he then defends his silly behavior by stating that he only knows "hood sh*t" and that this justifies his seemingly ridiculous choices.

Sorry brother, you're not allowed to be intelligent enough to describe the source of your own ignorance. Your "Ignorant Negro Who Can't Help Himself" card has been revoked. We demand that you express your intelligence rather than pretend it's not there. The only thing worse than an "ignant" rapper, is a smart rapper who practices being stupid.

I would rather see this as more of an opportunity to educate Soulja Boy as a young man instead of attacking him profusely. The problem is that Soulja Boy, like many young artists, is probably intoxicated by his financial and social power. He has all the money he wants, all the women he wants and all the respect he wants. The last thing he desires or needs is to hear from anyone who criticizes him, because I am sure the haters stack tall and wide already. I can understand that, since I don't enjoy hearing from the haters myself. I have a long line of haterologists in the hoity-toity "black scholar crowd" who think that writing articles for the public is "unscholarly." So, in an odd way, I can appreciate and relate to Soulja Boy's plight. As I always say, "The hustler's dream is the hater's nightmare." So, maybe they should call me "Soulja Boyce." Ok, I know that's corny. I digress.

Since I am sure he wouldn't listen anyway, I am not speaking to Soulja Boy when I make the following remarks. I am speaking to anyone who is watching Soulja Boy and tempted to replicate his behavior. Rappers set the absolute worst examples when it comes to what one should do with large sums of money. I rarely hear of any rapper talking about investments (other than T.I. and Ludacris). Instead, I hear about someone buying a chain that is bigger than his competitor, or throwing money in the air at the club while popping bottles of Crystal all night. Am I the only one who wonders why hip hop artists are the only musicians who make an infinite number of songs which celebrate such blatant financial stupidity? It seems that in America, a black man is only given power if he has made it clear that he doesn't really plan to use that power productively. Rappers call themselves "players," but most of them are getting played like little black Xbox machines.

In his video where he brags about his new diamond remote control car/necklace, Soulja Boy repeatedly yells the phrase,"They shoulda never gave you n*ggaz money." Finally, he and I agree on something: they should never have given him money if he still thinks that a diamond, remote control car on his neck actually makes a lick of damn sense. If only he could understand that the people who sent him the cash to buy his latest diamond chain are really laughing at him behind his back. They are spending his album money on private schools and real estate, while encouraging him to buy a bigger chain and a nicer car. Of course he won't hear any of these words, since he is trained to ignore them. He will figure it out in about 10 years, when his best experiences are behind him and he's wondering where all the money went. Hopefully, the pawn shops will be open that day. They might be willing to buy a remote control car with diamonds in it.

Every hip hop artist should go to business school, so they can learn how money really works. They should also take a class on social justice, to understand the tremendous power they have to change lives and impact minds. They should understand that with the power of a great platform comes a huge responsibility and opportunity to change the world. Hot music can be mixed with positive energy to create the juice that lasts a lifetime. To be so respected for their creativity, I find myself sorely disappointed that many artists simply copy off one another on a regular basis. Black men are supposed to be stronger than that.

Dr Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University. He does regular commentary in national media, including CNN, MSNBC, BET and more.. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, please click here.

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