1. What is N-Free™ Music?
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  2. Why make N-Free™ Music?
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  3. What is the significance of N-Free™ Music?
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  4. Are you trying to cram this down our throats?
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  5. Isn't there a difference between "n---er" and "n---a"?
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  6. What about other issues found offensive, such as denigration of women or excessive violence?
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  7. I notice that N-Free™ mark is free for usage by any artist or label, as long as the content marked fits the criteria noted in Question #1. The trademark is our protection against the corruption of the mark, thereby preventing cases of consumer fraud.
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    8.
  8. Where would we place the N-Free™ mark?
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  9. How can I get the N-Free™ mark for use on my music project?
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  10. There are some who think this is just another form of censorship. Could this be true?
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  11. I'm not a musician or a record label, but I'd like to represent and support N-Free
    12.


1. What is N-Free™ Music?

N-Free™ Music is a standard of music which excludes usage of the words "n---er", "n---a", or similar terms except in their original context, and strictly for documentative or educational purpose. Content with the N-Free™ mark states a guarantee that these words are not implemented in a manner inappropriate to this description.
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2. Why make N-Free™ Music?

A number of reasons:

- Years ago, African-Americans tried to make the 'N' word into a term of endearment, similar to 'Brother' or 'Sister'. That endearment became corrupted the moment it was used in a degree of malcontent. When the term in a fit of aggression, it negates the endearment and nullifies the amended intentions of the word.

- If the word were truly acceptable as a term of endearment, anyone would be able to use the word without consequence. However, it is deemed offensive in most cases during which the word is used by someone of another race or nationality.

- There are some who have been able to properly handle usage of the word in their own intended way. However, there are a great many who show poor ambition and esteem as they use the word excessively, and other still who don't even understand the word as they use it.
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3. What is the significance of N-Free™ Music?

Many artists tend to use the 'N' word in their music, some to the point where it decreases their creativity. In addition, it encourages others of various races and nationalities to use the word, the very incidence by which many of these same artists would become offended. By creating music that excludes this word, and publicized, it makes the statement that the word is not as tolerated as one would think, in the hopes that others in turn might decrease or cease their usage of the word.
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4. Are you trying to cram this down our throats?

Not at all. Any artist has the freedom of their expression. However, there may be parents who want to have some say over what their children are necessarily influenced by. N-Free™ gives them an alternative.
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5. Isn't there a difference between "n---er" and "n---a"?

No, not really. This is, of course, a matter of opinion in many cases, but there is no true, fundamental difference between the two words other than their spelling. If that were the case, hate crimes would be permissible under the claim that the assailant called the victim "n---a" instead of "n---er". Could you, as a potential victim, find this acceptable?
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6. What about other issues found offensive, such as denigration of women or excessive violence?

The Nunayufake Project does support the fair and responsible treatment of women. However, we will not seek to chage the world in a single sweep by ourselves. We would invite other organizations to take up similar causes according to their belief in such cause.

The 'Parental Advisory' warnings already in effect should be accounting for excessive violence in artistic content.
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7. I notice that N-Free™ mark is free for usage by any artist or label, as long as the content marked fits the criteria noted in Question #1. The trademark is our protection against the corruption of the mark, thereby preventing cases of consumer fraud.
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The N-Free™ mark is free for usage by any artist or label, as long as the content marked fits the criteria noted in Question #1. The trademark is our protection against the corruption of the mark, thereby preventing cases of consumer fraud.

As a courtesy, we would also ask that users of the N-Free™ mark place legal credit on all marked material, stating that N-Free™, its logo, and affiliated markings are a trademark of The Nunayufake Project.
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8. Where would we place the N-Free™ mark?

We ask that the mark be placed on the front cover of the music material, in the lower right corner. This would likely be to the left of the 'Parental Advisory' label. As a matter of preference, the mark can also be placed on the CD itself.
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9. How can I get the N-Free™ mark for use on my music project?

You may download it here. Simply right-click on the link for the image type you need then choose "Save Target As..." (or the equivalent menu option for your browser.)

JPEG Format (8KB)
GIF Format (3KB)
PNG Format (33KB)
Zipped Collection of Image Formats (42KB)

This is how the mark looks:

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10. There are some who think this is just another form of censorship. Could this be true?

In a word, no. Censorship is a process that is forced on the people, such as book-burning, or FCC mandates that require the removal of expletives from songs and films for radio or television. The purpose of N-Free™ is to give a choice. There is no mandate involved, no penalties incurred, because the N-Free
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11. I'm not a musician or a record label, but I'd like to represent and support N-Free

Living N-Free™ is just as good as putting out N-Free™ music! You can simply spread the word of mouth, if you wish--the griot was always a strong figure in African communities by teaching through telling. If you want to make a more public display,we exclusively have our line of gear, Living N-Free™, available in our store. Just click on the "Shop" button in our menu at the top of this page to get there, or the links in this answer.

We encourage anyone who would wear our quality gear, provided courtesy of Cafepress.com, and help turn this into a movement all its own.
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