Page 28 - Will Smith: A Biography of a Rapper Turned Movie Star

Will Smith
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considering the severe lyrics of much hard-edged gangsta rap.
But no work of art, whether a song, a stage play, a movie, or a
painting, is universally admired by everyone.
The criticism of “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” fell into
two different categories. On the one hand, some journalists
and feminists knocked the song for being sexist. Will blasted
those critics for reading into the song a message that did not
exist. He said that he always had the utmost respect for the
women in his family and would never write a song demeaning
women. He insisted that it was just a fun song about the
misunderstandings boys and girls have about dating.5
The other criticism came mainly from the African-
American community, especially fellow rap artists. To them,
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s rapmusic was lightweight.
They faulted the duo for not representing the black
experience. “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” was not the
angry music of rap artists such as N.W.A and Public Enemy.
Other rappers pointed to the fact that “Girls Ain’t Nothing
But Trouble” was one of the first rap records bought in large
volume by young white people. Will and Jeff were accused
of selling out their black heritage by softening the soul of
gritty, urban rap music to suit suburban white teenagers.
This criticism from his fellow rappers was tougher for
Will to take than the charge of sexism. To be accused of
betraying his heritage was a personal insult. Will said these
critics were stereotyping African Americans. What about
the many African Americans who live in comfortable homes
with stable families? Does not living in crime-ridden