Rap music mogul Jay-Z, former President of Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Rap Artist Memphis Bleek (Malik Thuston Cox) and Universal Music Group have managed to insult the church community and provoke the leadership within the Mission Consortium of Churches International by sampling former R&B Legend Joe Simon’s music.
The recording of Memphis Bleek’s song "Alright" released on the "534" Album contains extensive samplings of Joe Simon's voice. The song is laced with profanity, the "N" word and references to what appears to be dealing drugs on the street. It even contains a slight against Preachers in the phrase “I don’t go to the preacher…you watch me, I’ll teach ya”.
In addition to the obscenities which are bad enough, having the hook point that says, “They got me back in the game again…” with Joe Simon’s voice in the background negatively implies that Joe Simon is back in the secular music game again or worst, dealing drugs and unfavorable toward preachers who teach the word of God.
The R&B legend Joe Simon is now Bishop Joe Simon and second Presiding Bishop of the International organization. For years now Bishop Joe Simon has been living under his call to the ministry and has often publicly announced his separation from his R&B past and denounced ungodly lifestyles. Bishop Simon has worked tirelessly for the church, all the while displaying unwavering dedication that demonstrates his desire to avoid the stigma that has often followed celebrities who claim to have given their lives to Jesus Christ only to fall back into the life they say they have left. He has set himself apart from those who continue performing their old music while singing for Jesus thereby compromising their witness as Christians. Bishop Joe Simon has been adamant about his stand for Jesus Christ and has striven to maintain a standard of non-compromise. That standard goal has now been tainted according to Dr. Mark Sandilands, First Presiding Bishop of the Mission Consortium of Churches.
“This unfortunate situation has damaged the name of one of our Bishops and forces him and us to do damage control, it is a hindrance to what Bishop Joe Simon is trying to accomplish and an affront to us as an Organization."
Rap Artist Jay-Z - was President of Roc-A-Fella Records in 2005 during the time Memphis Bleek's song "Alright" was released on the "534" Album. Roc-A-Fella Records - is the Record Label that released the song "Alright" on the "534" Album. Island Def Jam Music Group - is the Distribution Company that distributed the "534" Album. Universal Music Group - is the parent company of Island Def Jam Music Group.
The position of Bishop Simon within the organization could be compromised as he could be called into question by his board of Bishops as to whether he authorized the sampling of his voice in the song.
It is also possible that it could have had a negative effect on his obtaining the kind of bookings he desires from within the Christian community.
“We feel that Joe Simon has separated himself from that life style but has now been drawn back into it by appearance through this recording.” (Bishop Sandilands)
According To Bishop Sandilands, Jay-Z is a prudent businessman who has been a leader in the music industry for a long time; he should have considered the detrimental affect such a recording would have had on Bishop Joe Simon. He could have reached out to Bishop Joe Simon to let him know what his plans were and out of courtesy allowed Bishop Joe Simon in on his plans to sample him; this over site concerns the Bishop.
“Your readers can help us to get the Bishop Joe Simon story out and to get the word out that the church is not represented by the secular music industry, our goals are different. We are trying to bring people out of that life style and into a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
While the Bishop acknowledged and praised the humanitarian work that Jay-Z and other secular artist are doing, he was unapologetic about the churches goal to win such people to Jesus Christ.
He also expressed his desire to have Jay-Z and other parties involved to take an active role in clearing things up on this issue.
“They made the mess, we would like them to come to the table and help us clean it up.” (Bishop Sandilands)
Bishop Joe Simon had this to say:
"The CEO and President are responsible for the conduct of the company and how the Company operates. Roc-A-Fella Records’ President Jay-Z / Shawn Carter authorized Roc-A-Fella Records to release a song titled “Alright” containing my voice and my music, placing Bishop Joe Simon on public display in such an explicit and provocative way that it pulverizes my character and vitiates my name and my Ministry.
Also, Island Def Jam Music Group / Universal Music Group pulverized my character and vitiated my name and my Ministry by promoting and distributing Bishop Joe Simon’s name, voice and music.
We are asking for and we are ready and willing to begin a common ground discussion along with a public apology".
