Readers Cap Heimlich; What, Is Neal Pollack Some Kind of Parodist?; More

T. Edmonds,
Dallas

RE Adam Heimlich’s
"2002: Hiphop’s Year One" feature (1/23). Heimlich makes some
errors. First, he misunderstands Jay-Z’s lyrics. In "Izzo (H.O.V.A.),"
it may sound like Jay-Z is saying the word "roaster." He is, in fact,
saying "rossa," as in Ferrari Testarossa. Jay-Z might also mean roadster,
as in the Audi sports car (or a 30s-era Ford classic–pick one). In the
tradition of Michael Gold’s "Jews Without Money," Jay-Z’s
motive is to free his people from institutionalized stereotypes: rich black
man, he is saying, is not an oxymoron. Understanding Jay-Z’s vocabulary
is essential to getting this point.

Second, in saying that "not
even for a second did [Wu-Tang] run hiphop," Heimlich displays a lack of
knowledge of hiphop history. In fact, it can be argued that their first album
was a rite of passage for the genre, and altered the art form forever, spawning
hordes of clones, inspiring a new generation of producers. Beginning with their
first single, "Protect Ya Neck," the entire Wu-Tang crew humbled every
lyricist who preceded them (with the possible exception of Rakim and Kool G
Rap). Indeed, as pure poets and chroniclers of the hiphop zeitgeist, Inspectah
Deck, Raekwon and Ghostface are light-years beyond both Nas and Jay-Z. Others
have my back on this, believe me. What’s more, some of their songs, including
"C.R.E.A.M.," gave birth to terms that have entered the pop lexicon
and ideas that were seized on not only by fans, but by academics as well (see
Craig Werner’s A Change Is Gonna Come).

Tyler Maroney,
Brooklyn

Adam Heimlich replies:
Regardless of whether the "Izzo" lyric is "rossa," "roadster"
or "roaster," it’s clear enough that Jay-Z is talking about a
hot car. In the very next sentence, I referred to Jay-Z as a "pauper-turned-king,"
so I don’t see how Maroney can claim I missed the point (or, for that matter,
imagine that any listener could fail to notice that Jay-Z wants it known that
he’s a very wealthy black man!).

Neal Pollack: Surely this
is some kind of parody, or one of those little things where you’re making
fun of someone ("Daily Billboard," 1/21), or you don’t mean what
you write. Otherwise, you people are sick. Get a life.

Riley Petty,
Corpus Christi, TX

MUGGER: Put Maureen Dowd,
Frank Rich and Michelangelo Signorile in a barrel and roll ’em down a hill.
You would have a narcissistic jackass on top all the way down. I am really getting
tired of reading their flatulent, plaintive whining. Who do they think died
and left them in charge?

I wanted to say this to
Neal Pollack: thanks for your intimate memoir of shagging Tina Brown. Do you
have any tales of bestiality you want to share with us? Oh, let me guess, the
point is there is no point. I almost forgot that I forgot.

Tracy Meadows,
Brenham, TX

Mike Signorile: I recently
wrote a somewhat caustic letter to New York Press ("The Mail,"
12/12) in response to a column in which you wished good riddance to families
opting to leave New York ("The Gist," 12/5) in the aftermath of the
destruction of the World Trade Center.

I’ve subsequently had
the opportunity to read a few more of your columns, and would like to retract
the scorn conveyed in my letter, if not the substance of my objections. Your
piece comparing Christian fundamentalists to the Taliban was a welcome breath
of fresh air. I look forward to reading more of your work.

Chris Lynch,
Brooklyn

MUGGER: Brilliant column
(1/23), both on Enron and on Talk. I love the way you sum things up with
such bang and pop. It’s because you use language that is your own. Words
that came out of a can, but a damn good, American hero can, while the glossier
media writers all write from the same infinite font of pasteurized text. Sorry,
I can’t articulate what I mean. I’m on codeine for an acute throat
infection. Whatever it is you do, keep doing it.

Celia Farber,
Manhattan

RE Christopher Carbone’s
"Don’t Want My Gay TV" ("New York City," 1/23): I am
a radio talk show host and producer in Orlando, FL. I enjoyed the article! I
disagree with a few of his points, but I found it refreshing to read.

I am a lesbian, although
that rarely comes into play in my arena, on air or off. I am respected for my
thoughts and statements as a human being, without a sexual organ attached. Most
people know my sexuality. Some choose not to concern themselves, others will
occasionally ask me to send regards to my girl (she worked in sales for a short
while and every