By Fred Bloom

Daily Titan Staff Writer

“Wow, someone gave Master P a reality show.”

After reading those words sent to me via text message, I immediately flipped through the channels to find the newest not-so-reality series. Of course, my search did not last long as I flipped through the usual suspects and found it airing on VH1.

Much to my surprise (and dismay), I did not see a group of obnoxious women competing for the “love” of Master P Instead, “No Excuses with Master P” featured the former hip-hop star cracking the whip on the show’s participant in an attempt to motivate him to turn his life around.

Apparently, he has traded in his baggy “No Limit” jersey for a suit and is now encouraging people to end their drug-dealing habits.

I have no problem at all with Master P trying to help people improve their lives.

Selling drugs is not cool anymore. Maybe hearing the message come from someone who once sold drugs, rapped about it and went on to become a successful businessman is more effective because it is easier to relate to him.

But when will bad reality shows starring old rappers go out of style?

Television producers will give anyone a show. Artists that once competed for top spots on the pop charts are now competing for ratings. Everyone from MC Hammer to 50 Cent has been the star of a reality show.

I’m not sure when this trend began, but I believe it started with the hilarious string of reality shows starring Flavor Flav, a member of rap group Public Enemy.

After falling for Brigitte Nielsen on the VH1 series “The Surreal Life,” Flav went on to star in “Strange Love” and three editions of “Flavor of Love.” Television producers noticed VH1’s success with Flav despite his previous history of legal issues and drug problems and the rap-reality movement started.

I do not think all these reality shows are bad. The problem I have is that television is ruining the image of these rappers that developed over years through their music.

Even in the rare instance the show is watchable, it hurts to see rappers that were wildly popular in the ‘90s as they are now.

The hard edge they once had that scared mainstream culture and propelled rap music into big business has softened.

One of the big draws to rap-reality shows is that the audience gets to see the stars in an element that they are not known for.

For instance, “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” featured rapper Snoop Dogg taking care of his family. It seems that Snoop is really a good father based on the show.

But hearing him rap, “It ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have none” is just not the same after seeing his wife make him eat healthier by taking away his plate at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.

Coolio was cool when “Gangsta’s Paradise” came out. He was even cooler, in my opinion, when he made the theme song for “Kenan and Kel.”

But it was sad to watch his show and see him struggling to control his children while desperately searching for love.

The spirit of rap music that made many of these reality stars famous is not evident in most rap-reality shows. And it’s questionable how much “real” is in these reality shows.

Rapper-turned-entrepreneur Master P is great for trying to help people, but it’s a long way from trying to “make ‘em say ‘ugh.’”

Please VH1, MTV and all other “reality” networks, leave ‘90s rappers alone.

Until then, I’ll keep watching.