Shady/Intercscope v. The SOURCE

On November 18, 2003, Raymond Benzino Scott, co-founder of The SOURCE magazine, began a full frontal assault against the artist EMINEM, the label Interscope Records, and ultimately, the unity of hip-hop itself. Since the presentation of the now infamous audio cassette containing racial remarks in freestyle rap by EMINEM against black women (recorded in 1988 or 89), Benzino has gathered his allies, including the editorial staff of The SOURCE, in an attempt to crush what they label as white supremacy in hip-hop. Benzino considers this white supremacy as EMINEM and anything in relation to him. In the February issue of The SOURCE magazine, Benzino attacks the character of Marshall Bruce Mathers III based on a recording made close to fifteen years ago, and judges the legitimacy of Shady/Interscope Records (due to their commercial success over other labels) with whom which Marshall is signed. In conclusion to this matter, The SOURCE made an informal proclamation that the white man has no business in the art or profit of hip-hop. Provoked by a fifteen year old recording and an envious attitude towards the success of EMINEM and Shady/Interscope, Benzino has declared true hip-hop as belonging only to The SOURCE and their black and latino fathers. This selfish attitude is an attack led by Raymond Benzino Scott not only against the Caucasian side of humanity (which is a hypocritical display of racism: exactly what they are claiming to prevent), but also an attack on the racial and cultural unity which hip-hop was born to achieve.
The purpose of this petition is to preserve this unity in hip-hop, and destroy whatever may threaten this unity. The following is a statement made by Marshall Mathers in defense of the racial accusations made against him since the presentation of the audio cassette, made December 4, 2003:
I did and said a lot of stupid shit when I was a kid, but thats just part of growing up. The tape of me rapping 15 years ago as a teenager that was recently put out by The SOURCE in no way represents who I was then, or who I am today.
In becoming an adult, Ive seen what hip-hop and rap music can do to touch millions of people. The music can be truly powerful, and it has helped to improve race relations in a very real way. I want to use this negative attack on me as a positive opportunity to show that.
Dave Mays and Benzino are spitting in the face of what hip-hop and rap music have done to promote racial unity. Their attempt to use this old, foolish recording to damage me and, in turn, the positivity that hip-hop promotes is really nothing more than a blatant self-promotion for a failing magazine and one mans lifeless music career. Theyre scared of what can happen if the hip-hop community shows it can live without them.
The methods being used and the poison being spread by The SOURCE make it easier for the enemies of hip-hop and rap culture to divide us. Hip-hop has helped a generation deal with the poverty and prejudice that affect all of us- whether you come from the projects or from a trailer park.
So while I think common sense tells you not to judge a man by what he may have said when he was a boy, I will say it straight up: I am sorry I said those things when I was sixteen. And I dont want to let anybody turn this into an opportunity to promote their own bullshit agenda.
The signers of this petition demand the immediate expulsion of Mr. Raymond Benzino Scott from The SOURCE magazine with no trace of his influence or agenda left to touch the pages of this publication. The signers also agree to the immediate boycott of this publication until the said individual is removed from his position. We agree to support EMINEM, Shady/Interscope Records inc., and its affiliates. Ultimately by signing this petition, we agree to fight for the continued unity of hip-hop, no matter what the cost.