Sway may not have the answers, but Tupac does– and in thirty seconds or less, too.

Rick Ross coming under fire for his controversial wordplay again?

What a surprise.

At least he’s not taking the heat literally, like Trayvon Martin did when he was shot dead.

Ross conveniently opted to provide an in-depth explanation of the questionable line yesterday–as well as get everyone buzzing about his new album–on the anniversary of Martin’s slaying.

According to Rick Ross, the line “Trayvon Martin, I’m never missing my target”  should serve as a call to action to stay “accurate,” “alert,”and focused on your goals, whatever they are, even if it’s just “getting out the hood.”

You can decide for yourself if that’s what you think he meant–or if it was a rather unfortunately well-played publicity stunt.

It wouldn’t be the first time Trayvon Martin was used a pawn, and sadly, it probably won’t be the last.

It’s also not the first time that Rick Ross has faced a backlash over his careless lyrics.

When he’s taken to task over his lyrical content, he espouses a positive message of concern and care for the community–one that his lyrics seem to be a direct contradiction of.

Consistency is key–and being consistent in gaining a lot more press immediately prior to your album dropping because you’ve been called out for the content–doesn’t count.

It’s rather difficult to accurately assess the impact of his (hopefully genuine) attempts at a positive, meaningful conversation in the community, when on the beat he’s a drug kingpin and off beat he’s a concerned citizen.

This is the one situation that it’s preferable for a rapper to be off beat:  Be a concerned citizen first and a rapper second–not the other way around.

Tupac said it best, in all of 30 seconds.

April Dawn (@scarlettsinatra)