Originally, when I reopened my blog with this entry it was about three to four pages long, single spaced. But, I cut a lot of the material out—trimming the fat, so to speak. One thing that the Late Honorable El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, or otherwise known as Malcolm X, used to say was that we need to “Make it plain”. We shouldn’t dress our messages, essays and speeches up in inefficient rhetoric to make it “sound good” or what we think they should sound like. We should make them plain so that the message that we’re seeking to give is received. One thing that has stuck with me from my undergraduate education is the concept of communication. Although, I myself have not perfected this practice, I do know a little about it. I believe communication is a lifetime practice.
But to refocus, Malcolm said that to speak to someone, you have to speak their language. So, I hope that the writings I have are reaching you, the reader.
One of the conversations that I’ve been continuously having in my mind revolves around the black community and the expanded role of the Uncle Tom Negro. If you’re not familiar or mistaken, Uncle Tom is person of Afrikan descent that participates in the oppression and denigration of his/her own people. In the slave context, Uncle Tom was used by the slave master to keep the other slaves in-check. If the slaves were planning a revolt, the Uncle Tom ran to his slave master and told him. If the slaves we’re talking bad about their slave master, Uncle Tom would run and tell the slave master. Like the other house slaves, Uncle Tom was treated better and so he believed he was better. But, Uncle Tom was the slave master’s personal pet dog. All the while, as good as master was to Uncle Tom (and compared to the field slaves, you could call it better), he didn’t object to the fact that he was still a slave. The slave master would never look at him as an equal or respect him. The slave master would rid of the Uncle Tom just as quick as the other slaves and when he did, that Tom had nobody to turn to. His master didn’t care for him, his people didn’t care for him and often, he didn’t care for himself because he was black.
Today, thanks to integration, Black America lives in a state where Uncle Toms are once again at the head of the slave house. I call these people Uncle Toms because they support oppression of their people, whether it’s openly on in secret. Today they mostly turn a blind eye to it, but, not to choose is to choose. You always make choices—passively or aggressively. Government, entertainment, academia, the social arena—when I look around at the black constituency I see “safe” Negroes, quiet Negroes, good Negroes and afraid Negroes. Not all, but many. These individuals need to be pointed out and described for what they are—Uncle Toms. Many aren’t concerned with the well-being of the masses. They choose to avoid interaction with their kind unless they fit a certain description or come from a certain type of background. As a people we are as great as our lowest brother or sister and many of our brothers and sisters are at low points—chained economically but more so mentally. Yet, when I look at the so-called black leaders that we have, rarely is self-improvement of the black condition on their agenda and if it is, too often there is a camera and a dollar sign attached to their hips. Where are the grassroots organizations that use to work for us? Where are the true leaders who live in the grind of heart of the movement? Everyone has an agenda and far too much is the agenda money. We live in an age of sellouts and Uncle Tom’s have to be called what they are—a disgrace to the race.
Looking at these divorce papers...
It's been over a year since the last post.
Not intentionally, yet, not on accident.
Yet and still, I make my return to blogging with divorce papers.
Things have always been uncertain and will continue to be as long as there is time. That's where faith comes into play. However, there's a fine line between faith and delusion...sanity/insanity...and apparently, reality/fantasy.
We live in an age where many who follow the biblical scripture believe that the second coming of Christ is near. Some people do not and that all of which is a hoax. Others, believe that 2012 could be the end of the world as hypothesized by the Mayans. We have proof of nothing. Again, faith/delusion...sanity/insanity...reality/fantasy. Pick one.
With that said, what we cannot ignore is what in front of our faces. Rather, EYE cannot ignore what is front of our faces. For most (if not all) of my life, I've been a huge supporter of human rights, civil rights, decency, order, fairness, etc...just the overall the well being of the human spirit. To go deeper, I just happened to be placed into this world in a small town in southeastern United States as a black male. I identify with my people. No shame, no shade. Don't mistake my association for discrimination. I belong to a group that too few want to be of, and too many want to perish--even those of my own kind. Nevertheless, I support ALL in the name of good and prosperity.
Still, I am human. I come from pain. Much pain. Pain that has stayed within me for many years and pain that will live within me for many years to come. However, my heart is pure. It always (well not always, but usually) overrides the reaction I want to have...and when I don't follow my heart, it enforces inflicts punishment on my spirit. Maybe, my heart is not mine. But, whoever this heart belongs to, that spirit...it made me feel and feel deeply...more deeply than I ever felt about myself. My significant other often chides me because I say that I really don't think highly of myself. It's not that I don't want to, but I can't. It's not IN me to do so. Often, I love people more than myself. I do NOT love things.
This is why I'm looked at crazy (there goes that word again) when I decided to drop plans of being some book-writing, finger-shaking, hollow-word speaking, professor and decide to teach the youth. The youth are the future. The future is now. Based on what I'm seeing among blacks, ALONE...the youth need GUIDANCE. They need LOVE. They need someone to believe that they are as great as they can possibly imagine. Yet, when I look at today's youth, I do not see those facts being echoed throughout our community. All I see is self-destruction on every block, every TV, every Facebook post, every rap song, ever Twitter Trending Topic (#bitchesaintshit, #niggasaintshit), every radio station...everywhere. And...nobody seems to care. Everybody just wants to get rich fast, live in excess, be materialistic and outrageous as humanly possible---TOO OFTEN in the name of money and greed.
It's like I'm constantly taking body shots.
...and I GREW UP on hip-hop. But how can I listen to the music that I loved with my woman and promote Lil Wayne's new single 6'7 when one of the first things I hear is... "two bitches at the same time, synchronized swimmers/got the girl twisted cause she open when you twist her/never met the bitch but I fucked her like I missed her"...how can I look at her after that? Does he go home to his daughters and say "Hey bitches, daddy is home!"?? It's plain disgusting. To clarify, I wasn't always aware to even have this mindset. I did listen to and like the music that I now find disgusting. But, woman brought to my attention my lack of attention to that detail and evolution happens. My job isn't to act holier than thou. I'm just like you. But when we see something wrong we must fix it. Black women are the foundation of the black existence. I am forever in debt to them because of their work towards my ability to exist. We cannot continue to aid in their dehumanization. Period. These bitches, hoes and sluts that you claim are of less value than the American dollar are our sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, mothers. As black men, it is our DUTY to defend their honor with our lives.
These facts remain: Our leaders are no longer here. We must lead. We must become what we seek to see exist. We don't need a leader. We need leaders. We need a foundation to build upon. We need to rise above the obstacles in front of us, without abandoning who we are as a people. A leader can die. Leaders can pass on. But, foundations stand even when the building collapses. Our current situation exists because we have no foundation. Integration has taught blacks to abandon their own in favor of others. You cannot build a house upon the foundation of another, for it will NEVER be of your own. You'll only be renting. No matter how much you put into that house, you're not the owner and you're on borrowed time and land. We have to become owners and I mean that in more than one way.
So I sit here like a tired woman who's be constantly abused and used...wavering between my love of self and the love of my life...and like many of those women, I love my lover more than I could possibly love myself. I just can't walk away. I'm ready to fight...fight for our love.
Not intentionally, yet, not on accident.
Yet and still, I make my return to blogging with divorce papers.
Things have always been uncertain and will continue to be as long as there is time. That's where faith comes into play. However, there's a fine line between faith and delusion...sanity/insanity...and apparently, reality/fantasy.
We live in an age where many who follow the biblical scripture believe that the second coming of Christ is near. Some people do not and that all of which is a hoax. Others, believe that 2012 could be the end of the world as hypothesized by the Mayans. We have proof of nothing. Again, faith/delusion...sanity/insanity...reality/fantasy. Pick one.
With that said, what we cannot ignore is what in front of our faces. Rather, EYE cannot ignore what is front of our faces. For most (if not all) of my life, I've been a huge supporter of human rights, civil rights, decency, order, fairness, etc...just the overall the well being of the human spirit. To go deeper, I just happened to be placed into this world in a small town in southeastern United States as a black male. I identify with my people. No shame, no shade. Don't mistake my association for discrimination. I belong to a group that too few want to be of, and too many want to perish--even those of my own kind. Nevertheless, I support ALL in the name of good and prosperity.
Still, I am human. I come from pain. Much pain. Pain that has stayed within me for many years and pain that will live within me for many years to come. However, my heart is pure. It always (well not always, but usually) overrides the reaction I want to have...and when I don't follow my heart, it enforces inflicts punishment on my spirit. Maybe, my heart is not mine. But, whoever this heart belongs to, that spirit...it made me feel and feel deeply...more deeply than I ever felt about myself. My significant other often chides me because I say that I really don't think highly of myself. It's not that I don't want to, but I can't. It's not IN me to do so. Often, I love people more than myself. I do NOT love things.
This is why I'm looked at crazy (there goes that word again) when I decided to drop plans of being some book-writing, finger-shaking, hollow-word speaking, professor and decide to teach the youth. The youth are the future. The future is now. Based on what I'm seeing among blacks, ALONE...the youth need GUIDANCE. They need LOVE. They need someone to believe that they are as great as they can possibly imagine. Yet, when I look at today's youth, I do not see those facts being echoed throughout our community. All I see is self-destruction on every block, every TV, every Facebook post, every rap song, ever Twitter Trending Topic (#bitchesaintshit, #niggasaintshit), every radio station...everywhere. And...nobody seems to care. Everybody just wants to get rich fast, live in excess, be materialistic and outrageous as humanly possible---TOO OFTEN in the name of money and greed.
It's like I'm constantly taking body shots.
...and I GREW UP on hip-hop. But how can I listen to the music that I loved with my woman and promote Lil Wayne's new single 6'7 when one of the first things I hear is... "two bitches at the same time, synchronized swimmers/got the girl twisted cause she open when you twist her/never met the bitch but I fucked her like I missed her"...how can I look at her after that? Does he go home to his daughters and say "Hey bitches, daddy is home!"?? It's plain disgusting. To clarify, I wasn't always aware to even have this mindset. I did listen to and like the music that I now find disgusting. But, woman brought to my attention my lack of attention to that detail and evolution happens. My job isn't to act holier than thou. I'm just like you. But when we see something wrong we must fix it. Black women are the foundation of the black existence. I am forever in debt to them because of their work towards my ability to exist. We cannot continue to aid in their dehumanization. Period. These bitches, hoes and sluts that you claim are of less value than the American dollar are our sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, mothers. As black men, it is our DUTY to defend their honor with our lives.
These facts remain: Our leaders are no longer here. We must lead. We must become what we seek to see exist. We don't need a leader. We need leaders. We need a foundation to build upon. We need to rise above the obstacles in front of us, without abandoning who we are as a people. A leader can die. Leaders can pass on. But, foundations stand even when the building collapses. Our current situation exists because we have no foundation. Integration has taught blacks to abandon their own in favor of others. You cannot build a house upon the foundation of another, for it will NEVER be of your own. You'll only be renting. No matter how much you put into that house, you're not the owner and you're on borrowed time and land. We have to become owners and I mean that in more than one way.
So I sit here like a tired woman who's be constantly abused and used...wavering between my love of self and the love of my life...and like many of those women, I love my lover more than I could possibly love myself. I just can't walk away. I'm ready to fight...fight for our love.
Music pumps through the veins of my soul...
Music is ingrained in my DNA. Its simply something that I cannot live without. It brings me out of moods, puts me in moods and takes me places that only I have been. It teaches, enlightens and comforts...and as those closest to me know, it encourages physical expressions of all kinds, whether your "swag surfin' in the A, nodding your head to the beat or clappin on Sunday mornings, line dancing at a ho' down or what have you...
As a southern black man, I grew up in the church. Therefore, my earliest musical experiences were colorful collages of piano keys, rhythmic percussion, modified hymnals and voices that could have only been crafted by the hands of god. Gospel, they call it. But I'm not talking about this new age stuff--I'm talking quartets, mass choirs, and families of musicians. Growing up, I personally started listening to hip-hop at the age of 3 (and yes, I can remember as far back..), as it was the voice of black youth (and I'll get to that later) but, R&B has always moved me in ways that hip-hop never has. I'm not saying that one is better than the other--NOT AT ALL. But the feeling that I got from listening and watching videos of Marvin Gaye perform was different from when first I popped my first Nas cd, heard the Juice Crew, or Rakim Allah..
One of my favorite tracks..
As an Libra '85 baby, I envy those that had to privilege to see Marvin perform live...the soul and emotion that he put into his music was (and still is) amazing to me. I sometimes close my eyes while I'm listening and try to envision the kind of love or pain and emotion that inspires people to bare their soul. My personal favorite band, Earth Wind & Fire, painted pictures with their exceptional instrumentation to compliment the anointed voices of Maurice White and Phillip Bailey...it was like musical matrimony. I could only imagine what it was like as my father described to me how grand of show that they would put on at their concerts, while on my trek to Albany, NY. ...I DO remember Michael and Prince. Boy, do I...like so many 80s babies, I too was moonwalking at the age of 3 or 4. Perhaps...my love of dancing started with my intrigue of MJ. To watch him perform, was to be captivated...lost in a moment of time...awe struck...and still so up until his untimely death. To describe Prince in one word?...badass. (That might be two words, but whatever...lol). For one man to play all of the instruments in his songs? Badass. For him to push the boundaries of musical acceptance? Badass. For a 4'11 man with a deep voice to walk around in makeup and tight suits with his rear end out, still pulling chicks? (And some say dudes, too...but I ain't touchin that) Badass. You might not agree with his look, but the man's music is pure genius.
As a 13-14, 15-16 year old, its hard to explain to your male friends before a football game why you have CDs of Jodeci, Maxwell and whoever, filled with ballads and love tunes w/o them looking at you funny. Oddly enough, when I'm in the gym or in the house working out, I like to work out to soulful R&B...rap, rock...all of that other stuff doesn't do it. But, even now that we're grown, its ironic to hear a lot of my friends talk about how they've developed their own R&B catalogs.
Another one of my favs...I would bust out the live version w/ this crazy keyboard solo but y'all aint ready...
AS far as Hip-Hop/Rap?
Ahhh man, I remember vividly being 3 or 4 and watching Yo! MTV Raps every afternoon with my older cousins. The music then was so pure and UNDERSTOOD. I like to call the late 80s - early 90s the golden ages of Rap/Hip Hop. That's when it was about the people, music message and not the money. That's when dancing in videos was fun and cool...and not looked at as a southern minstrel show. That's when women were in videos CLOTHED...not to be subjected to objectivity. You ALSO had female MCs. That's something that I miss about today's hip-hop/rap. I still Fs w/ MC Lyte's music to this day. It's almost like hip-hop needs a gender-based affirmative action plan. There's so little female artists anymore, and the industry has become so mysogynistic. Whether its because of the lack of artists, or vice-versa can be debated. In addition, you had MC and DJ combinations that were perfect for each other. The DJ was still a respectable force in hip-hop and not out to exploit and/or work for self. There was positivity in the music and it wasn't considered corny. I can go on and on...
I remember when used to literally sit and wait just 4 this video to come on Yo! MTV Raps...Definitely one of my earliest fav. hip/hop tracks..
As we know, its a lot different now. You have Nas saying Hip Hop is dead...people claiming that the south killed it...the music is dumbed down...etc...to all of that I simply say with a smile, "Shut the F**k up!"
Recent years have led to an uprise in hip-hop elitism where, too often, certain individuals have developed the idea that their idea of hip-hop is the only true form. Truthfully, I understand where the sentiments comes from. There's reason for true hip-hop/rap fans to be disappointed in some of the music that's played on airwaves and television. But...There are several things that people have to understand about hip-hop now that are different from earlier years.
1. It has been commercialized. In other words, it has now become money dominated. The capitalist principles start the become the dominant ideology, it can kill the purity in anything and with a people who have been financially disadvantaged historically in the U.S., it is intensified. Why?...because commercialized rap is built around selling records, ringtones, etc. You find a formula that might not ever be the best musicially, but if you can get many people of different backgrounds to like it...then they will buy it. THUS, endless radio spins. THUS, lots of money for promo. Y'all forget that this is America and the radio industry is just that. AN INDUSTRY. Radio stations will play what gives them listeners...listeners bring them advertisements...and advertisements pay the stations. I don't like a lot of what is on the radio. Radio stations have no variety anymore. Therefore, I just don't listen to it. Plain and simple. Jay-Z said it himself, "Truthfully I wanna rap like Common Sense, but I did 5 mil...I aint been rappin like common since." EVEN Common traded his Like Water For Chocolate-revolutionary-rap in for some Universal Mind Control...(which sucked, to me lol...but thats me..)...Which brings me to #2...
2. As a whole, black people do not financially support their artists. I hate to say it. People don't wanna say, but I will. Some do. Too many, don't. Some of the most critical of my "hip-hop head" friends do not buy CDs of the artists that they LIKE. Since we know that hip/hop is an industry, and the most visible of artists are the most paid, then...why not support the best artists??? Because black people would rather bootleg CDs (more evidence of how the commercial effect is intensified with blacks), and complain. You can't have your cake and eat it, too. I told myself years ago that if I like the artist, I'll buy his/her cd and I have stayed true to my word.
3. There is no single definition of Hip Hop. Since the late 80s/early 90s hip-hop has developed all over the US in their respective areas (ATL, MIA, HOU, BAY AREA, DMV, CHI, etc.), therefore, you can expect different types of music from different areas. You don't have to like it, but it is what it is and I listen and appreciate it ALL. As a southern man, I love southern rap, because I understand what it is. That doesn't mean I rock with every southern artist, but I'm not going to patronize other people because they do. Same goes with the Bay Area, H-town, DMV, etc. I like Soulja Boy. I love ATLs club music just like I like Go-Go, Balitmore Club and my growing appreciation for Reggae. I like Young Dro just as much as I like Little Brother and Fab, Dead Prez, OutKast, etc... and I accept the many sub-genres of hip-hop for what they are and stop trying to put the music in a box that only you can fit. Some stuff I like to ride to...some stuff I like to play while I'm cleaning the crib...some stuff I listen to right before I hit the club...I'm not really on Gucci Mane like that, but I can see why he has a following and I think its cool. I don't consider Jay-Z the 'god mc' but, I can see why a lot of NYers do. And like I said previously, If you don't like it...you don't like it and that's fine. Just stop the bitchin' unless you're prepared to make change.
You can't hate on havin fun...AT ALL..lol..."Look at my ruuf!"
4. Creativity has become a lost art. I don't care if you "spit dat hot shit"...if u sound like every other rapper that spits "dat hot shit" then, you're not going to have a lot of success...you're boring. Hip-hop has never been (and will never be) just about lyrics. Sorry. Its about making music that people and feel and relate to--whether you do it with twisted wordplay or not. Why did Kanye catch on? He was different at the time. Soulja Boy? Different. Whether they will maintain their relevance is dependent on how they reinvent themselves. We've seen OutKast do it time and time again.
With all of that being said, I think that creativity in hip-hop is returning. I think that the internet is opening doors for artists to support themselves and circumvent the monster that is the music industry and independent seems to be the way of the current artist. One thing that bothers me is that I'm getting a feel that the industry is also beginning to be over-saturated with artists and "artists" to the point that music fans will be even more fickle then they currently are. I hope not. But with so many people trying to be music stars, its certainly a thought. Yet and still, good talent will always be appreciated.
***And If you haven't seen it, this is just an interview w/ Marvin Gaye and a young and relatively slim Tom Joyner that intrigued me...Marvin looks liked he just faced a blunt lol its all good tho..
As a southern black man, I grew up in the church. Therefore, my earliest musical experiences were colorful collages of piano keys, rhythmic percussion, modified hymnals and voices that could have only been crafted by the hands of god. Gospel, they call it. But I'm not talking about this new age stuff--I'm talking quartets, mass choirs, and families of musicians. Growing up, I personally started listening to hip-hop at the age of 3 (and yes, I can remember as far back..), as it was the voice of black youth (and I'll get to that later) but, R&B has always moved me in ways that hip-hop never has. I'm not saying that one is better than the other--NOT AT ALL. But the feeling that I got from listening and watching videos of Marvin Gaye perform was different from when first I popped my first Nas cd, heard the Juice Crew, or Rakim Allah..
One of my favorite tracks..
As an Libra '85 baby, I envy those that had to privilege to see Marvin perform live...the soul and emotion that he put into his music was (and still is) amazing to me. I sometimes close my eyes while I'm listening and try to envision the kind of love or pain and emotion that inspires people to bare their soul. My personal favorite band, Earth Wind & Fire, painted pictures with their exceptional instrumentation to compliment the anointed voices of Maurice White and Phillip Bailey...it was like musical matrimony. I could only imagine what it was like as my father described to me how grand of show that they would put on at their concerts, while on my trek to Albany, NY. ...I DO remember Michael and Prince. Boy, do I...like so many 80s babies, I too was moonwalking at the age of 3 or 4. Perhaps...my love of dancing started with my intrigue of MJ. To watch him perform, was to be captivated...lost in a moment of time...awe struck...and still so up until his untimely death. To describe Prince in one word?...badass. (That might be two words, but whatever...lol). For one man to play all of the instruments in his songs? Badass. For him to push the boundaries of musical acceptance? Badass. For a 4'11 man with a deep voice to walk around in makeup and tight suits with his rear end out, still pulling chicks? (And some say dudes, too...but I ain't touchin that) Badass. You might not agree with his look, but the man's music is pure genius.
As a 13-14, 15-16 year old, its hard to explain to your male friends before a football game why you have CDs of Jodeci, Maxwell and whoever, filled with ballads and love tunes w/o them looking at you funny. Oddly enough, when I'm in the gym or in the house working out, I like to work out to soulful R&B...rap, rock...all of that other stuff doesn't do it. But, even now that we're grown, its ironic to hear a lot of my friends talk about how they've developed their own R&B catalogs.
Another one of my favs...I would bust out the live version w/ this crazy keyboard solo but y'all aint ready...
AS far as Hip-Hop/Rap?
Ahhh man, I remember vividly being 3 or 4 and watching Yo! MTV Raps every afternoon with my older cousins. The music then was so pure and UNDERSTOOD. I like to call the late 80s - early 90s the golden ages of Rap/Hip Hop. That's when it was about the people, music message and not the money. That's when dancing in videos was fun and cool...and not looked at as a southern minstrel show. That's when women were in videos CLOTHED...not to be subjected to objectivity. You ALSO had female MCs. That's something that I miss about today's hip-hop/rap. I still Fs w/ MC Lyte's music to this day. It's almost like hip-hop needs a gender-based affirmative action plan. There's so little female artists anymore, and the industry has become so mysogynistic. Whether its because of the lack of artists, or vice-versa can be debated. In addition, you had MC and DJ combinations that were perfect for each other. The DJ was still a respectable force in hip-hop and not out to exploit and/or work for self. There was positivity in the music and it wasn't considered corny. I can go on and on...
I remember when used to literally sit and wait just 4 this video to come on Yo! MTV Raps...Definitely one of my earliest fav. hip/hop tracks..
As we know, its a lot different now. You have Nas saying Hip Hop is dead...people claiming that the south killed it...the music is dumbed down...etc...to all of that I simply say with a smile, "Shut the F**k up!"
Recent years have led to an uprise in hip-hop elitism where, too often, certain individuals have developed the idea that their idea of hip-hop is the only true form. Truthfully, I understand where the sentiments comes from. There's reason for true hip-hop/rap fans to be disappointed in some of the music that's played on airwaves and television. But...There are several things that people have to understand about hip-hop now that are different from earlier years.
1. It has been commercialized. In other words, it has now become money dominated. The capitalist principles start the become the dominant ideology, it can kill the purity in anything and with a people who have been financially disadvantaged historically in the U.S., it is intensified. Why?...because commercialized rap is built around selling records, ringtones, etc. You find a formula that might not ever be the best musicially, but if you can get many people of different backgrounds to like it...then they will buy it. THUS, endless radio spins. THUS, lots of money for promo. Y'all forget that this is America and the radio industry is just that. AN INDUSTRY. Radio stations will play what gives them listeners...listeners bring them advertisements...and advertisements pay the stations. I don't like a lot of what is on the radio. Radio stations have no variety anymore. Therefore, I just don't listen to it. Plain and simple. Jay-Z said it himself, "Truthfully I wanna rap like Common Sense, but I did 5 mil...I aint been rappin like common since." EVEN Common traded his Like Water For Chocolate-revolutionary-rap in for some Universal Mind Control...(which sucked, to me lol...but thats me..)...Which brings me to #2...
2. As a whole, black people do not financially support their artists. I hate to say it. People don't wanna say, but I will. Some do. Too many, don't. Some of the most critical of my "hip-hop head" friends do not buy CDs of the artists that they LIKE. Since we know that hip/hop is an industry, and the most visible of artists are the most paid, then...why not support the best artists??? Because black people would rather bootleg CDs (more evidence of how the commercial effect is intensified with blacks), and complain. You can't have your cake and eat it, too. I told myself years ago that if I like the artist, I'll buy his/her cd and I have stayed true to my word.
3. There is no single definition of Hip Hop. Since the late 80s/early 90s hip-hop has developed all over the US in their respective areas (ATL, MIA, HOU, BAY AREA, DMV, CHI, etc.), therefore, you can expect different types of music from different areas. You don't have to like it, but it is what it is and I listen and appreciate it ALL. As a southern man, I love southern rap, because I understand what it is. That doesn't mean I rock with every southern artist, but I'm not going to patronize other people because they do. Same goes with the Bay Area, H-town, DMV, etc. I like Soulja Boy. I love ATLs club music just like I like Go-Go, Balitmore Club and my growing appreciation for Reggae. I like Young Dro just as much as I like Little Brother and Fab, Dead Prez, OutKast, etc... and I accept the many sub-genres of hip-hop for what they are and stop trying to put the music in a box that only you can fit. Some stuff I like to ride to...some stuff I like to play while I'm cleaning the crib...some stuff I listen to right before I hit the club...I'm not really on Gucci Mane like that, but I can see why he has a following and I think its cool. I don't consider Jay-Z the 'god mc' but, I can see why a lot of NYers do. And like I said previously, If you don't like it...you don't like it and that's fine. Just stop the bitchin' unless you're prepared to make change.
You can't hate on havin fun...AT ALL..lol..."Look at my ruuf!"
4. Creativity has become a lost art. I don't care if you "spit dat hot shit"...if u sound like every other rapper that spits "dat hot shit" then, you're not going to have a lot of success...you're boring. Hip-hop has never been (and will never be) just about lyrics. Sorry. Its about making music that people and feel and relate to--whether you do it with twisted wordplay or not. Why did Kanye catch on? He was different at the time. Soulja Boy? Different. Whether they will maintain their relevance is dependent on how they reinvent themselves. We've seen OutKast do it time and time again.
With all of that being said, I think that creativity in hip-hop is returning. I think that the internet is opening doors for artists to support themselves and circumvent the monster that is the music industry and independent seems to be the way of the current artist. One thing that bothers me is that I'm getting a feel that the industry is also beginning to be over-saturated with artists and "artists" to the point that music fans will be even more fickle then they currently are. I hope not. But with so many people trying to be music stars, its certainly a thought. Yet and still, good talent will always be appreciated.
***And If you haven't seen it, this is just an interview w/ Marvin Gaye and a young and relatively slim Tom Joyner that intrigued me...Marvin looks liked he just faced a blunt lol its all good tho..
"We need to be FREE people, not FREED people."
Are you free?...or are you freed?
Freed people are not free people. If you are freed, then you are such because SOMEONE ELSE freed you. You did NOT free yourself. To be a free person is to be free of the mental, physical spiritual and emotional chains that constrain you as a human entity. A lyric from Outkast off of their 1998 album, Aquemini (one of my personal favorite artists & albums) says, "Can't worry 'bout what another nigga think, that's liberation and baby I want it..."...Liberation...free from worldly evils that slow down your personal development and seek to put a cap on your soul's potential. Free from conformity.
A few days ago, I made a post about how black (and American, in general) females are subjected to attacks on their self-esteem to the point that they feel necessary to compensate with material things and false beauty. However, this is not just true with females. This is true with American PEOPLE. People spend countless amounts of money on things they they don't need. Things that don't even seem logical to want. Hundreds of thousands of jewelry? Expensive cars? For what? What purpose does it serve? There's enough wealth in the world for no person to be homeless and starving. Why would you want all of that for yourself?? In return, the people that are WITHOUT see this gluttony on television, magazines, the internet, etc...and obsess over it. People who have been deprived of a decent living for a long period of time long for things that are supposed "signs" of wealth----If someone was to forbid you of chocolate for 15 years, while you witnessed other indulge in it, you would think that chocolate is a valuable as gold, when actually its not. LEARN TO LIVE SIMPLE, PEOPLE. Lusting over material items only makes other people rich. For a person's mind to be completely fixated over..."having the best shoes"..."latest fashion"..."hottest car/rims"..."fitting an image" is giving the people who create/decides these things POWER over you. Simplifying your life goes against everything that the anglo-american society is about.
To be free is to embrace your individuality. To be free is to not conform to societal standards. I hear the uppity Negroes--the black bourgeoisie--(that gets on all 3 of my nerves--but I'll save it for my next post), who are Anglo-Americanized individuals, speak as if black people have "arrived"---whatever that means... They are prime examples of American comfort--people who've been bought out to shut up and stay content. With the resources they have, they should be teaching and leading. Whether you drive a Mercedes-Benz or a Ford Escort, an injustice anywhere is still a threat to justice everywhere and as a black man, I know that the injustices that my race (and the human race) face are far too frequent and overwhelming for me to be content. Race is an illusion meant to divide and conquer. The sooner that people realize this, the faster that people will be able to progress as a whole.
Taking it a step further, the lust for women/men, sex, approval from people (no matter what position they hold!), music, drugs, alcohol, TELEVISION and the garbage it spews...its all mental (and some physical) slavery. How about corporate/network media? Just because of who they are, that does not mean that you should not question what they report and why they report it. Know the facts and make/trust your own judgments. The bible says "put your trust in NO man." A french proverb says "mistrust is the mother of certainty." If something doesn't seem right and doesn't make since, then chances are that there's a REASON why. Free yourself from these poisons meant to keep you stationary. You should be able to navigate freely through your life without feeling obliged to unreasonable constraints.
It's hard...Lord knows its hard...I'm working on it myself, as I am not completely there. But, I will be. No excuses.
"Shake that load off, shake that load off..."
Freed people are not free people. If you are freed, then you are such because SOMEONE ELSE freed you. You did NOT free yourself. To be a free person is to be free of the mental, physical spiritual and emotional chains that constrain you as a human entity. A lyric from Outkast off of their 1998 album, Aquemini (one of my personal favorite artists & albums) says, "Can't worry 'bout what another nigga think, that's liberation and baby I want it..."...Liberation...free from worldly evils that slow down your personal development and seek to put a cap on your soul's potential. Free from conformity.
A few days ago, I made a post about how black (and American, in general) females are subjected to attacks on their self-esteem to the point that they feel necessary to compensate with material things and false beauty. However, this is not just true with females. This is true with American PEOPLE. People spend countless amounts of money on things they they don't need. Things that don't even seem logical to want. Hundreds of thousands of jewelry? Expensive cars? For what? What purpose does it serve? There's enough wealth in the world for no person to be homeless and starving. Why would you want all of that for yourself?? In return, the people that are WITHOUT see this gluttony on television, magazines, the internet, etc...and obsess over it. People who have been deprived of a decent living for a long period of time long for things that are supposed "signs" of wealth----If someone was to forbid you of chocolate for 15 years, while you witnessed other indulge in it, you would think that chocolate is a valuable as gold, when actually its not. LEARN TO LIVE SIMPLE, PEOPLE. Lusting over material items only makes other people rich. For a person's mind to be completely fixated over..."having the best shoes"..."latest fashion"..."hottest car/rims"..."fitting an image" is giving the people who create/decides these things POWER over you. Simplifying your life goes against everything that the anglo-american society is about.
To be free is to embrace your individuality. To be free is to not conform to societal standards. I hear the uppity Negroes--the black bourgeoisie--(that gets on all 3 of my nerves--but I'll save it for my next post), who are Anglo-Americanized individuals, speak as if black people have "arrived"---whatever that means... They are prime examples of American comfort--people who've been bought out to shut up and stay content. With the resources they have, they should be teaching and leading. Whether you drive a Mercedes-Benz or a Ford Escort, an injustice anywhere is still a threat to justice everywhere and as a black man, I know that the injustices that my race (and the human race) face are far too frequent and overwhelming for me to be content. Race is an illusion meant to divide and conquer. The sooner that people realize this, the faster that people will be able to progress as a whole.
Taking it a step further, the lust for women/men, sex, approval from people (no matter what position they hold!), music, drugs, alcohol, TELEVISION and the garbage it spews...its all mental (and some physical) slavery. How about corporate/network media? Just because of who they are, that does not mean that you should not question what they report and why they report it. Know the facts and make/trust your own judgments. The bible says "put your trust in NO man." A french proverb says "mistrust is the mother of certainty." If something doesn't seem right and doesn't make since, then chances are that there's a REASON why. Free yourself from these poisons meant to keep you stationary. You should be able to navigate freely through your life without feeling obliged to unreasonable constraints.
It's hard...Lord knows its hard...I'm working on it myself, as I am not completely there. But, I will be. No excuses.
"Shake that load off, shake that load off..."
Did anybody tell you how beautiful you are?...
I'm not gonna be long with this one..
...cause I was thinking about how many of my female friends spend endless amounts of money each year on shit they don't need. Purses, shoes, bags, blouses, dresses, etc. ANYTHING. I have to ask "why" to things as such because it bothers me. Why? Because I don't understand why they feel like they need these things to validate themselves...but I'll come back to that later---
Not too long ago, A friend of mine made a statement that had me completely baffled. She basically said (in so many words) that she is after a million dollar ring...and immediately I'm thinking, "okay...she's not serious...she's just saying that..." blah blah blah...BUT...she keeps saying it. So I asked her, "Why on earth would you want that?" Besides the fact that violence usually is attached to these diamonds, a ring is just a ring...it could never measure up the love that you have for a person--especially someone you intend to marry. UNLESS, your relationship is just that shallow...then maybe the ring is worth more. Maybe its because I'm a male...she never gave me a legitimate answer. I think she gave me a "can't I just want it?" type of response, but that thang (excuse my country) bothered me. And it got me to thinking about how Americans are slaves to materialism...how people are coerced into buying things that they want/think they need. From television to magazines to music...women specifically are psychologically trained to believe that they way they look isn't good enough. For black women, it's 2x, 3x worse. They're not thin enough, light enough, hair not straight enough...just not pretty enough. As men, we don't often pay attention to this fact. Hell, half of us are so busy chasing women we don't stop to notice. But, ladies...all of those expensive clothes don't mean a damn thing. We just want you 4 you. (...well I do)
Black hair by itself is a very sensitive subject with females. Personally, I wish my black women would just go natural...HOWEVER, I'm not gonna dismiss a female cause she has a perm and I'm not gonna dismiss her if her hair is shorter than mine. To me, the process is a symbol of self-hatred and oppression. But, I find that a lot black women don't know that and see it as just "gettin a perm." They've been taught to believe that their hair in its natural state is "nappy", looks bad and straightening your hair to look like white women is more appropriate. That couldn't be more further from the truth.
Another thing? Makeup. I hate it. I think that most black men hate it. I've never met a REAL BROTHA that was infatuated with makeup on a sista--although I've heard some pussy niggas say such. Truthfully, being on a date with a female who wears a bunch of makeup feels like you're on a date with a mannequin. No really. And I must say that my favorite look is that early-morning-just-got-out-of-the-bed look...its so natural and revealing...ladies...no real man is gonna trip over make-up, hair or cause you don't have the latest Prada bag. At all.
I guess what I'm trying to say to all women, and to my fellow black women is that you're all beautiful as you are. You don't have to buy excessive amounts of clothing, put on your clown mask or spend excessive hours under a hair dryer for men to appreciate you. It's a ploy to exploit your insecurities and make you spend more money. At the same time, I understand that some of that is just being a woman...some...and I like treating my woman.
Eric Frimpong: soccer star to jail time
Shoutout to Mr. Akai for bringing this to my attention.
If you remember not too long ago Genarlow Wilson, an honor roll HS student and football recruit, was jailed for basically receiving oral sex from a white female acquaintance. Eric Frimpong is another sports recruit (soccer) who was convicted of rape by ANOTHER white female. Shocking, I know...smfh...ANYWAY...The catch is that actually was no evidence supporting her claims. She has no knowledge of being with him. His DNA wa not found in or on her. In fact, her boyfriend's DNA was found in her.
With the recent murdering of former NFL QB, Steve McNair, by his Iranian girlfriend, all I have to say to my black men is to BE CAREFUL and MINDFUL of who you are around. If you're gonna taste of that 'Forbidden Fruit' don't be surprised when reality reminds you why it is indeed forbidden. YOU READ AND MAKE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT.
If you remember not too long ago Genarlow Wilson, an honor roll HS student and football recruit, was jailed for basically receiving oral sex from a white female acquaintance. Eric Frimpong is another sports recruit (soccer) who was convicted of rape by ANOTHER white female. Shocking, I know...smfh...ANYWAY...The catch is that actually was no evidence supporting her claims. She has no knowledge of being with him. His DNA wa not found in or on her. In fact, her boyfriend's DNA was found in her.
With the recent murdering of former NFL QB, Steve McNair, by his Iranian girlfriend, all I have to say to my black men is to BE CAREFUL and MINDFUL of who you are around. If you're gonna taste of that 'Forbidden Fruit' don't be surprised when reality reminds you why it is indeed forbidden. YOU READ AND MAKE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT.
Eric Frimpong: soccer star to jail time
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...Why I have love for Michael Vick and why anyone else who feels differently can...
This is a subject that brings a lot of emotions out of me for many different reasons. None of them are happy. Personally, Michael Vick's case is about as close to me as Sean Taylor's death was when it occurred. Both were black athletes who were in the prime of their careers when tragedy struck. Fortunately for Vick, he has a second chance. Taylor's life was taken away by underaged teens looking to rob his home under the assumption that he wasn't there. When they approached his bedroom door, he opened it simultaneously and a panic shot was let off that hit a major artery in his leg. He died a day later. With that said, both of these cases were very preventable and should NOT have occurred.
I remember precisely when Vick first made his mark in the sports world. As a redshirt freshman quarterback, Vick brought a relatively obscure Virginia Tech (VT) football team to national prominence with an athletic ability that NO ONE has ever seen (and still haven't) at the quarterback position. He took his VT team to their first national championship game as a freshman and I remember the game like it was yesterday.
Vick, who is from Newport News (known as "Bad News" around the way), is a native of Hampton Roads. Hampton Roads is about 45 mins away from where I'm from. I have family from all over the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia so its very familiar. Newport News is hood. There's no way else to describe it. If you're not from there, then its not a place you would like to visit. Being located in northeastern North Carolina, our news coverage area tied in with Hampton Roads. Therefore, it was nothing to turn the television to the 6 o'clock news and hear about the various robberies, shootings, stabbings, etc. coming out of Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News. His cousin is Aaron Brooks who played for the University of Virginia and was a starting QB in the NFL. NBA star Allen Iverson is also from Newport News. Alonzo Mourning is from Chesapeake in Hampton Roads...Bruce Smith...you get the idea.
THEREFORE, to see him come up from nothing in Hampton Roads and be on TV in the NCAA Football National Championship against a powerhouse in Florida State was something to root for. Of course, Florida State was heavily favored and won the game, but Vick sent a message to the college football world when he single-handedly lead his team to a one-point advantage at the end of the third quarter against one of the most notorious and best defenses in college football. He stayed just another year.
Then came the NFL...the number one pick, the 100 million dollar contract, the huge Nike endorsement, the NFL Madden cover...at one point, Vick WAS the face of the NFL. A black QB was the face of the NFL. Go f***** figure.
The knock on Vick (of course) was that...
...he was inaccurate. Which was very true at times.
...he was too short. He isn't as tall as the prototypical NFL QB.
...he was too athletic and should play another position. Once again, QBs aren't usually the best athletes on the field.
1. I'm not denying Vick's accuracy was something he needed to work on. At all. But, if you're gonna be particular, let's talk about his lack of talent. In six years, the falcons didn't provide Vick with ONE Decent receiver. His best wide receiver was freakin' Alge Crumpler. Alge Crumpler is a tight end (and a repeat Pro Bowler while Vick was there). I repeatedly saw Vick's receivers drop pass after pass after pass, but that mostly goes unmentioned. Donovan McNabb is JUST getting decent WR talent and he's been kissing Andy Reid's behind for YEARS (but, that's another blog in itself). His running back was Warrick Dunn. I'm not knockin Dunn, but we know he's nothing more than a scatback. Vick was the QB and the premier RB in the backfield behind a weak offensive line. Kiss my a**.
2. Too short? Doug Flutie was 5'9 and Drew Brees is the same height as Vick. Brees led the league in passing yards last year. Height isn't a problem. Kiss my a**.
3....This angers me more than anything. Why? Because the black quarterback has always been in the crosshairs of coaches. Yes, crosshairs as in a gun. Killed off. The perception is that black quarterbacks are too dumb to be quarterback. Hmmmmmm...okay. Black players are too athletic and that athletic skill set should be put to use in other areas of the field. Hmmmmm...okay. It sounds like, to me, that the quarterback position is restricted to mostly white males. I say this because, if you look across the country you'll see converted black quarterbacks. Where? Look at Anquan Boldin, a Pro Bowl WR who came to Florida State and changed positions. Look at Hines Ward, another Pro Bowl WR who played college QB at Georgia. Look at Antwaan Randle-El, a WR from Washington, that was a 5'10 quarterback at the University at Indiana. That's just a few. If you look in college, the number converted black QBs probably doubles (at least). I'm not saying that some of them shouldn't have changed positions. As you can see, it has worked out. But, why do black quarterbacks have to be amazing to remain a QB and whites have to prove that they suck before they're yanked? In addition, a lot of black quarterbacks are perceived as "too dumb" to play QB in the NFL. At the NFL combine, the wonderlic test is looked at as a gauge for intelligence. How about Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Terry Bradshaw, two of the NFL's Hall of Fame quarterbacks, scored a 15. A freakin 15. Vince Young scored a 16. Hell, Donovan McNabb scored a 14 and Alex Smith, a former #1 overall draft pick of the 49ers in 2005, scored a 40. McNabb is a 5-time pro bowler and Smith is a backup. Kiss my a**.
Then came the dogfighting incident.
First of all, I don't condone dogfighting. At all. I'm totally against any animal brutality. I don't hunt. I don't agree with hunting, either. I don't even like when people kills bugs or small animals just because they're there. But, you're telling me...I can kill a person--a human being--and get less (or no) time than killing dogs. Are you kidding me? I just witnessed Donte' Stallworth get a few days in jail for running over a person in the influence of alcohol. Years before that, Leonard Little of the Rams did the exact same thing. No jail time. The privilege of athletes and celebrities angers many everyday people and for good reason. If you are a certain color, you better believe that the anger is doubled.
What about the hypocrisy of hunting and horse racing?! Both, that involve the slaughtering of animals??
..and don't give me that, "its legal" bulls**t. If hunting was a majority-black pastime, do you really think it would be legal? A bunch of black people with shotguns? Really? People have talked about the brutality of horse racing for years...there have been TV specials on it...yet, its fine because of how much money it makes and who makes it. Kiss my a**.
The really screwed up part of all of this is that Vick was a starting QB in the NFL. He had a plethora of endorsements, engagements, etc. He lived in Atlanta. He gave his cousins a house and they ran the operation out of a "kennel" in Virginia. There is no way that he was the ringleader and controlled the operation. I believe he fought dogs and probably killed a few, but not to the extent of the people that were there everyday. He had no time to do that. Yet, when his "family" saw that opportunity to get off relatively scratch-free they blamed everything on him. Some family. Since Vick owned the house and financed most of everything (they had no money), he took the fall. THAT'S why this is a tragedy to me. This could have been avoided. Blacks athletes have to remember what they are, regardless of their status. There will always be people looking to bring you down and YOU WILL FALL if they come after you. It seems like we have forgotten that.
What continues to amaze me is how many rooted and still are rooting for this man to fail. Not just because he is a black athlete, but because he's Michael Vick--the anti-protypical NFL QB in every aspect of the phrase (athletic, shorter, black, black-cultured, with speed that forced defenses to plan their entire game around him and he had a lot of money lol) that BEAT THE PRECIOUS LORD BRETT FAVRE-WHO-DOES-NO-WRONG AT LAMBEAU FIELD IN THE PLAYOFFS. The ONLY loss that the storied, beloved Green Bay Packers have ever received on their home field in the playoffs. You don't think that made him a lot of enemies? He lost all of his endorsement, his money, most of his possessions and did jail time. Over dogs. I'm just saying.
So I root for him with everything I got. Everything.
...Against those naysayers that say that he has to come back as a WR, RB or Wildcat QB...but, wait isn't a run-first scheme supposed to fail? Why are more teams using the wildcat? Kiss my a**. Yet, he has more playoff wins than Tony Nono-err--Romo. Once again, Kiss my a**.
...Against PETA. F*ck PETA. Hypocrites. Police and whites used to sick dogs on blacks during the civil rights movement. Kiss my black a**.
...against those people who rejoice at seeing another black man fail. Especially, other blacks.
Go Mike, go. Make your comeback and do it your way. Don't let these MF'ers break you and strip you of your blackness and what makes you, you. Kobe did it. (But, Kobe was more "white-friendly" and fake as hell to begin with. LOL)