I don't dislike T-Pain, but I can say that I dislike his music. At that the same time, I can't get mad when a brother gets out and finds a way to make money, no matter how ridiculous the context might be. There are times when I find myself mildly frustrated by the fact that it does appear, in some cases, that T-Pain, Lil Jon and a few others seem to embrace the modern-day minstrel show a bit too much. That kind of thing needs to be called out for what it is. I know for a fact that Lil Jon is incredibly intelligent, so there is no excuse for pretending to be a thugged-out, alcoholic Muppet.
T-Pain
T-Pain has established himself as the king of cameos with his signature "autotune" vocals. And with a sound so unique, it would only make sense that his style be just as flagrant, leading the blonde-tipped, dread-locked singer to wear interesting variations of his signature top hot. Only a true ringmaster (as he likes to refer to himself ) could conceive of such a brilliant outfit.
Marilyn PR / WireImage / Getty Images(2) / FilmMagic
AFP
BlackVoices.com
The Eccentrics
Andre Leon Talley
With no fear of color or ostentatious design, the 6'8" mammoth editor-at-large of 'Vogue' proudly and unabashedly wears whatever he desires. In this picture, his large and intricate silk kimono is upstaged only by his equally large patent-leather "pilgrim" shoes.
Lil' Kim
One of the first females to push the envelope of sexuality in hip-hop, Queen B has had an equally boisterous presence on the fashion scene. Whether it be revealing chain-link bustiers or painted-on outfits with breasts covered only by a pasty, she has done it all. Pictured here is a more modern (and decidedly less brazen) Kim as she sports this metallic green getup.
T-Pain
T-Pain has established himself as the king of cameos with his signature "autotune" vocals. And with a sound so unique, it would only make sense that his style be just as flagrant, leading the blonde-tipped, dread-locked singer to wear interesting variations of his signature top hot. Only a true ringmaster (as he likes to refer to himself ) could conceive of such a brilliant outfit.
Grace Jones
As one of the definitive icons of the 1980's, Grace Jones' androgynous style helped define a decade. The 5'10 " actress, model, and singer was a willing muse for many an artist. This 1983 photo of her in this Japanese-inspired outfit is true to her edgy and frankly scary style.
Janelle Monae
With a distinctive style and excellent vocals to match, this Kansas City singer and recent P. Diddy protege is slowly but surely creating her own niche in music. Waist-high pants, knee-high socks, a Colonel Sanders tie, a top heavy hair style and two-tone leather bowling shoes can be quite an unusual combination.
Zoe Kravitz
The offspring of two of the most eccentric people in Hollywood, parents Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, Zoe was seemingly destined to come into her own eccentricity at some point. A fan of the whole grungy, hole-in-the shoe vibe, she rarely disappointments with her simple yet intriguing fashion derelict sense.
Teyana Taylor
This young Harlem rapstress and singer has been making noise since 2007 when she appeared on MTV's Super Sweet 16. Now a Pharrell protege and a new signee to his label Star Trak Entertainment, she has been making her rounds as a fashionista with her punk-meets-hip-hop style and exceedingly large Afro.
Michael Jackson
No this not a picture of a Muslim woman in Saudi Arabia. It is actually none other than the King of Pop himself. Perhaps more than anyone else, MJ is the embodiment of an eccentric. Evolving from his more traditional garb of admiral jackets and white silk shirts, Michael has taken to wearing pajama bottoms and full-body coverings such as the one pictured here.
Andre J
Defining himself as unconfined by gender and social conventions, NYC muse Andre J is making an indelible mark in fashion. He can often be seen with a wig, a fashionable dress and... a beard. Here he poses at event with blond wig and his grizzly facial curtain in full effect.
Andre 3000
Perhaps hip-hop's most refreshingly different innovators, Andre 3000 veers far from convention as he favors a variety of digs, from space boots to orange slacks to even this unexplainable, possibly native American-inspired design. Coupled with his eccentric taste is his uncanny ability to look impeccably fashionable in any situation.
T-Pain is a staple among those who've re-inspired ignorance in black entertainment. He usually appears with a corny-looking top hat and a mouth full of metal, and even came to an awards show wearing a large necklace with the words, "Big Ass Chain" on it. While all of us can appreciate a little humor every now and then, there is an underlying seriousness to the images that African American entertainers present to the world when they are on the big stage. It is unfortunate that the ignorant black man is always welcome in the door, but the intelligent black man is kept off the platform. It's not that silly images are unacceptable. I'd just love to see a little more diversity.
The point where I really began to lose patience with T-Pain was when he was recently caught on camera endorsing Sean Hannity and the conservatives. Not that there's anything wrong with being a conservative, it's just that you should at least make sure you know what you're doing. After being busted on camera doing the ridiculous, T-Pain only made it worse by issuing a statement in which he continued to brag about how he knows nothing about politics and only gave the endorsement because "this Hannity dude" was blocking his path to the tour bus.
I discuss T-Pain in this episode of 'What the Hayell?' a segment we created here on Black Voices to point out the outrageous and ridiculous things that happen in black America. Yes, I have a sense of humor, in case you haven't noticed yet, and 'What the Hayell?' reflects that part of my personality. And, no, that sense of humor isn't going anywhere soon. But while I find humor in T-Pain's ridiculous remarks, there is the fundamental truth that black men should NEVER brag about being stupid. That's just a simple fact.
Enjoy!
(NOTE: Rollover video with mouse to click & watch!)
Im a fan of rap music(not all), and although I do agree with some of the comments ive read I dont think we should generalize rappers/hip hop music, not everyone considered "hip hop" is ignorant...as for T-Pain, i would never of known he made such ignorant comments if it wasnt for this article, why give him the attention??and I also have to say to Dr Boyce..I love what youre doing my brutha but umm, you didnt have to repeat/quote the comment, not only did you repeat it, you didnt edit yourself..you never know who is listening.
do any of u even know t-pain. probably not. dont judge him on what he is saying. some of the stuff he is saying is true. no matter who is president, we are still going to have the same problems because one person cant change the issues cause once we please one half of the people the other half is not happy. either way someone loses. everyone cant be happy cause we cant live without drama. why should it matter about what he said about politics. he does not get paid to support a political party, he gets paid for his music. I bet there are more fans of t-pain than there are people who dislike him. so please just leave him alone and find someone else to hate on cause that is what you "enjoy" so much. GET A LIFE
I respectfully disagree with the overall statements made about T-Pain; no I’ve never purchased his music, but I particularly enjoy the coloristic ensemble he parades. What impact could he possibly have on our children when we provide structured homes where our children’s attention is on Malcolm X, reading the western canon and such. Be careful of pointing the finger, HATE, even mild dislike, by another other name is HATE. This is America people, and we each have the Divine Spark within our hearts. His preference is exactly that: HIS preference. Bobby Brown said it: ‘It’s My Prerogative’; I’m not agreeing to his statement, nor am I condoning with most of his music. Yet, I enjoy his rhythms and some of his lyrics. I do not expect my children to base their lives on T-Pains words. These are extremes. I’m proud of his diversity, his individualism, and all-around entertainment ability. I’m accepting the fact that he can be foolishly outspoken, he do these things. His opportunity to grow has nothing to do with our personal opportunity. We love T-Pain.
I respectfully disagree with the overall statements made about T-Pain; no I’ve never purchased his music, but I particularly enjoy the coloristic ensemble he parades. What impact could he possibly have on our children when we provide structured homes wherein our children’s attention is on Malcolm X, watching the Great Debaters or reading the western canon and such? How many of you making these comments own a dictionary, or the western, or eastern canon for that matter. Be careful of pointing the finger, HATE, even mild dislike, by any other name is HATE. This is America people, and we each have the Divine Spark within our hearts, the Threefold Flame. His preference is exactly that: HIS preference. Bobby Brown said it: ‘It’s My Prerogative’; I’m not agreeing to his statement, nor am I condoning his music. Yet, I enjoy his rhythms and some of his lyrics. I do not expect my children to base their lives on T-Pains words. These are extremes. I’m proud of his diversity, his individualism, and all-around entertainment ability. I’m accepting the fact that he can be foolishly outspoken, yet, His opportunity to grow has nothing to do with our personal opportunity. We love T-Pain. Collectively, we may want to focus our attention on something much more important, such as the Aspartame, fluoride, and other medicines and drugs added to our food or encouraged for relaxation and/or condoned for our dumbing-down and physical death.
Now I know why I haven't bothered to listen to any of T-Pain's creations. We are surrounded by conditioned minds. Our "black" people have faced confusion, hate, and peril,in generation after generation. Ignorance, stupidity, and poor education is so pervasive in our "African-American" culture it's frightening!
Not only are we faced with a Eurocentric culture of ignorance but a "black" culture of ignorance that is a result of the Euro-ignorance. One feeds off the other.
The country as a whole is full of people with minds so negatively conditioned, so misguided, and misinformed that we are scatterbrained in ever direction. Even the best educated of our society are misinformed, and miseducated on so many levels.
There is no relief in sight for the African-American "blacks" in this country, for no matter what we do individually we will be viewed as lower-class riffraff collectively, by the Euro-conditioned society as a whole. Therefore T-Pain's insanity will not hurt the public's view of us any more than it already is, and so constantly re-enforced by a biased media machine.
There is a method to the madness but only the keenest perceptive eye can see this.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (28)
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By: bacardidrk2007 on 6/16/2010 7:46PM
Im a fan of rap music(not all), and although I do agree with some of the comments ive read I dont think we should generalize rappers/hip hop music, not everyone considered "hip hop" is ignorant...as for T-Pain, i would never of known he made such ignorant comments if it wasnt for this article, why give him the attention??and I also have to say to Dr Boyce..I love what youre doing my brutha but umm, you didnt have to repeat/quote the comment, not only did you repeat it, you didnt edit yourself..you never know who is listening.
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By: huskerjeff1 on 6/16/2010 11:21PM
Your right on this one. Too many black men make complete asses out of themselves for the dollar. Who's the fool???
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By: Corie on 6/17/2010 12:15AM
do any of u even know t-pain. probably not. dont judge him on what he is saying. some of the stuff he is saying is true. no matter who is president, we are still going to have the same problems because one person cant change the issues cause once we please one half of the people the other half is not happy. either way someone loses. everyone cant be happy cause we cant live without drama.
why should it matter about what he said about politics. he does not get paid to support a political party, he gets paid for his music. I bet there are more fans of t-pain than there are people who dislike him. so please just leave him alone and find someone else to hate on cause that is what you "enjoy" so much. GET A LIFE
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By: Lynda G. McNeal on 6/18/2010 6:39PM
I respectfully disagree with the overall statements made about T-Pain; no I’ve never purchased his music, but I particularly enjoy the coloristic ensemble he parades. What impact could he possibly have on our children when we provide structured homes where our children’s attention is on Malcolm X, reading the western canon and such. Be careful of pointing the finger, HATE, even mild dislike, by another other name is HATE. This is America people, and we each have the Divine Spark within our hearts. His preference is exactly that: HIS preference. Bobby Brown said it: ‘It’s My Prerogative’; I’m not agreeing to his statement, nor am I condoning with most of his music. Yet, I enjoy his rhythms and some of his lyrics. I do not expect my children to base their lives on T-Pains words. These are extremes. I’m proud of his diversity, his individualism, and all-around entertainment ability. I’m accepting the fact that he can be foolishly outspoken, he do these things. His opportunity to grow has nothing to do with our personal opportunity. We love T-Pain.
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By: Jewel on 6/17/2010 7:49AM
What the Hayell? Very funny Dr. Boyce!
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By: Lynda G. McNeal on 9/30/2010 9:26PM
I respectfully disagree with the overall statements made about T-Pain; no I’ve never purchased his music, but I particularly enjoy the coloristic ensemble he parades. What impact could he possibly have on our children when we provide structured homes wherein our children’s attention is on Malcolm X, watching the Great Debaters or reading the western canon and such? How many of you making these comments own a dictionary, or the western, or eastern canon for that matter. Be careful of pointing the finger, HATE, even mild dislike, by any other name is HATE. This is America people, and we each have the Divine Spark within our hearts, the Threefold Flame. His preference is exactly that: HIS preference. Bobby Brown said it: ‘It’s My Prerogative’; I’m not agreeing to his statement, nor am I condoning his music. Yet, I enjoy his rhythms and some of his lyrics. I do not expect my children to base their lives on T-Pains words. These are extremes. I’m proud of his diversity, his individualism, and all-around entertainment ability. I’m accepting the fact that he can be foolishly outspoken, yet, His opportunity to grow has nothing to do with our personal opportunity. We love T-Pain. Collectively, we may want to focus our attention on something much more important, such as the Aspartame, fluoride, and other medicines and drugs added to our food or encouraged for relaxation and/or condoned for our dumbing-down and physical death.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: James Gadson on 6/22/2010 3:05PM
Now I know why I haven't bothered to listen to any of T-Pain's creations. We are surrounded by conditioned minds. Our "black" people have faced confusion, hate, and peril,in generation after generation. Ignorance, stupidity, and poor education is so pervasive in our "African-American" culture it's frightening!
Not only are we faced with a Eurocentric culture of ignorance but a "black" culture of ignorance that is a result of the Euro-ignorance. One feeds off the other.
The country as a whole is full of people with minds so negatively conditioned, so misguided, and misinformed that we are scatterbrained in ever direction. Even the best educated of our society are misinformed, and miseducated on so many levels.
There is no relief in sight for the African-American "blacks" in this country, for no matter what we do individually we will be viewed as lower-class riffraff collectively, by the Euro-conditioned society as a whole. Therefore T-Pain's insanity will not hurt the public's view of us any more than it already is, and so constantly re-enforced by a biased media machine.
There is a method to the madness but only the keenest perceptive eye can see this.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: goodgirl on 6/23/2010 11:05AM
Wow, I did not know T-Pain made those kind of comments! Goes to show you how stupid he really is and the people who follow him.
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