Memphis Flyer questioned by MemphisRap.com for breaking the ‘urban etiquette’ code

In this article, the Memphis Flyer published in print, as well as on Internet, a quote from Criminal Manne in which he mentions the word “N---a”, which is not the reason why we contacted the Memphis Flyer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

MEMPHIS, TN – This is in reply to a recent interview from the Memphis Flyer with Memphis’ own local rap artist Criminal Manne published in this week edition of the Memphis Flyer 794th Issue dated May 13-19 2004.

In this article, the Memphis Flyer published in print, as well as on Internet, a quote from Criminal Manne in which he mentions the word “N---a”, which is not the reason why we contacted the Memphis Flyer. We too publish this word, probably more than others, but there is an urban etiquette code in the rap community which we keep when using this word. The reason why we contacted Memphis Flyer and think that you should contact them as well, is because of the way they spelled the word, which is a “Neva Eva” in the rap community in our book. This is not an attack on the Memphis Flyer and we encourage local support from all, and we also invite rap community fans and readers to encourage any other media who “violates” to use proper urban etiquette when covering our great genre. Just hang out with us and we’ll “getcha on our level”, whatever it takes to avoid this happening again. Stay tuned as we can only wonder for now what the Memphis Flyer has to say, if anything, in reply to our question: “What were you thinking?”

We ask for everyone to voice your opinion here by posting a comment and/or by the methods mentioned later in this article. Please read on for further information regarding this alert, and on how you too can reply and be heard.

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Memphis Flyer’s Recent Interview with Criminal Manne ….
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Straight Gangster
Local rapper Criminal Manne tries to break through –and live up to
his name.

http://www.memphisflyer.com/content.asp?ArticleID=10&ID=5872

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MemphisRap.com’s Reply Letter To The Memphis Flyer’s Article
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Dear Editor@MemphisFlyer.com:

We applaud your coverage of local rap music. In doing so, we hope it continues after this brief statement. In a recent article interview of local rap artist, Criminal Manne, you printed a quoted comment made by Criminal Manne, in which he used the now slang term referred to by many as simply The “N” Word. I say the “N” Word in this wording because I want to point out the reference of the “N” Word in text and pronunciation.

In the rap game, there is an urban etiquette. One example is the “N” word, which is in the strongest sense a “NEVER EVA” in urban etiquette pronounced or spelled ending with