When Jennifer Lopez was taken to task for her use of the "n-word" in the Ja-Rule remix of her "I'm Real" song, many people wondered how she gained a "ghetto pass" to say such a word. It certainly wasn't her idea to do so, and if it was, she was thinking about a means of getting another audience — a black audience. Ask Justin Timberlake — it worked for him.

When NSYNC came onto BET's 106 and Park to promote "Gone" from their Celebrity album, he made a comment about having love for "the sistas". You don't think that record labels who observe BET (and that show) didn't quickly realize that Timberlake not only would have a successful career in urban music, but that folks like Robin Thicke would be possible in the same vein? Just look at the reception to "Cry Me A River" (produced by Timbaland), that wouldn't have come together if record labels didn't think he could pull it off.

Since everyone seems to be attacking Snoop Dogg in the wake of the Don Imus comments, let's examine a couple of things. Yes, he did come from Death Row Records and his primary lyrical content consists of the street life. But Snoop has the sense enough to know that not everyone, including his record label, want the same old street talk. This is why a few cuts from his albums have done better than any of his gangsta music in recent years – he can balance himself. As a matter of fact, I can pick a few right off the bat:

“That’s That” – Featuring R. Kelly
“Beautiful” – Featuring Pharrell Williams
“Signs” – Featuring Justin Timberlake
“Let’s Get Blown” Featuring Pharrell Williams

These songs still have a ting of the gangsta, but with a bit more commercial accessibility. It also gives a record label more confidence in getting their money’s worth, which is why these songs got the focus of video and radio play lists, as opposed to the other songs on the albums the songs come from. Snoop Dogg, musically, isn’t stupid. He knows exactly what songs will bring money to his record label and what songs will give him a street audience who prefer that to his commercial songs.

Artists cannot be held responsible for the content that’s put out. It’s about demand. People watch a show on television, the Nielsen Ratings system collects it and the networks get a final report. If they go up, the show stays. If they go down, changes are made – the same thing goes for record sales.

An artist who is successful knows exactly how to play the system in their favor in order to, not only stay paid, but to keep their name in the mind of the label. Creatively, this isn't the best choice as that means the artist has to do a song or three that aren't to their liking. Honestly thou, what choice does an artist have when they have a label on them?

Not much I imagine.