Monday, February 13, 2012

How can females like rap music?

Over the years, I've been asked this question a million times.  As an avid rap fan for many years, I have struggled with it as well. I have gone through several phases where I would ban various artists from my ears because they constantly referred to females as all types of "bitches" and/or "hoes".  It didn't matter if they did it all day or maybe just once in a while.  I used to show complete distain for women who dance to songs that showed flagrant disregard for females, and even once thought the artist as possibly being gay due to the vitriol they spewed fourth when it came to their relations with women, because I felt these artists were responsible for why young guys felt it was acceptable to ask a random chick walking down the street whether or not they would let the guy "do her neck" (true story), and have the audacity to act hurt when the girl became offended by what was said.  Meanwhile, flashing cash in ridiculous ways and artists rapping to their fans saying in so many words that we won't ever have shit, won't be shit, and can't do shit, so stop hating and buy their cd while calling us broke mofos all at the same time started to get on  my nerves after a while.  It got to the point where I would question the motive of said artists, and ask, "Why would people want to buy their stuff so they could get crapped on in their ear? That's like some sadomasochistic type stuff right there."  So I'm going to address these topics first and foremost since they seem to stand out the most for me, and a lot of other people I'm sure.

Now before readers jump all over me for lambasting rap music and attacking artists for what they do or what I perceive they did, please note that I said, " I used to".  Here is why I came to that conclusion and what I did in order to continue to enjoy the art and do so unapologetically:

Regarding women dancing to degrading music:
Sure, some artists do that, but as a female, I must examine the situation closely. First I must understand that in a lot of cases, the artist is a guy. (The female artists who degrade are not off the hook yet. I'll get to them a bit later,lol).  Guys in general talk that talk amongst each other. They have done so for years. The only difference is that it has been publicized in various art forms. Women of all races have been disrespected for centuries, its just that no one has talked about it and it was the norm.  I have come to the conclusion that the artists are telling their "locker room stories" to other guys.  Sure, back in the day,if they were talking in a park, they might have quieted down when they saw a female walk by, but in reality they have no idea whether the person on the other end of the speakers is a female.   Men tell tales of sexual conquest (and so do women), and sometimes things get trumped up. Yes their audience is a whole lot bigger now, and yes some things shouldn't get aired out like that, but who are we to silence them?  I could play the "well they should have been raised better" card, but I guarantee that those who were "raised better" probably did or said similar things back in the day. The difference is the story about that particular female hasn't been blasted across the world.  Women have dealt with it and will still continue to, be it by dancing to the music or starting a movement of sorts.  If they chose to dance to it, then so be it. I can't account for anybody's actions but my own, and I really don't have time to worry about what they are doing.

For the record, I am not for the disrespect of women, and I am not calling all women "queens" so to speak. Yes there are shady men and women out there. Face it. All men aren't "kings"either. There are just as many trifling mofos out there as terrible women. As we go out into the world we are bound to run across (or become)one of these fools (men or women). It is our choice to keep company with them, not associate with them, or become them. This also applies to the female rappers who talk trash about men or women as well.

My take regarding female rappers and sexuality:

Ladies: Men are visual creatures. Men are mostly the fan base. Therefore a lot of the mainstream female rap artists are catering to that demographic.  Men don't want to hear about how some guy did a girl wrong, a break up to make up relationship, lost love,or growing up as a young woman, etc. A lot of men want to hear how the artist can sex them up while looking hot as well.  Unfortunately, there are some female artists who don't really want to be known for all of that,but still appear as "grown and sexy" so these artists get the short end of the stick when it comes to gaining exposure.

My stance on women degrading women.


Women can be very jealous. It shows its ugly head in various ways (2 women+ same outfit = #hellisfinabreaklooseupinhurr).  So depending on the women, she may attempt to deflect it by saying something along the lines of, "Fuck these hoes and bitches! Can't nobody do it like me", etc.  Strangely enough, the same goes with guys in the club, except there might be an unsettled issue (or same outfit scenario) that might cause a fight or worse, bullets.   Again, it depends on how the person deals with it.  Rap music is all about status. Always has been, always will be. This leads me to the next thing to watch for:  Rapping about "Bling"

Remember Erick B and Rakim's album cover, "Paid In Full" ?  That cover was made in 1987, long before the so called, "Bling Era" of rap.  Note the stack of money, the chains, and the "fly" clothes of the day donned by them, not to  mention the title of the album.  The whole album is about getting  paid. in. full., or cutting out the middle man so to speak.

I also used to get annoyed about the flaunting of cash by No Limit, and Cash Money Records.  But guess what?  Everybody wants money, new clothes, a nice car, and a house.  It's a universal phenomenon in this country.  I know I like to be able to go shopping every once in a while, I buy jewelry once in a while, and I want to eat good as well.  Yes, No Limit and Cash Money and various other camps, or artists were a bit excessive with it, but that's how they chose to spend their money. Sure, I could do without the platinum teeth encrusted with diamonds, the Lamborghini  with the suicide doors, and a pool in my living room, but a lot of rappers rap about having "thangs" so to speak. I could listen to Nappy Roots spit about cars all day long, because they do it so well, but it was torture listening to Still Fly from Big Tymers.


I guess what I'm saying here is in order for a female to still enjoy rap music, she needs to do this:
The trick is to search for artists who rap well and fit your music tastes. It was a lot harder to search for music back in the day because it meant you needed to do some traveling to the music shop, dub some tapes from your friends, etc, but we have the internet for God's sake! So  much is at our finger tips it's insane!  Yes, it takes time to find these artists, but when I find them, either I'm pleasantly surprised, or I have another album or mixtape I have to discard.  The best part about it is a lot of the stuff I find is free, so I don't waste any money.

I can hold on to my Jean Grae, Rah Digga, and Bahamadia cds in hopes more dope female emcees will take the underground crown, and get noticed for having flows and not being hoes while hearkening back to the so called "Good ol' days " when Monie Love, Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, Salt and Peppa ran the game, or I can get busy looking for artists like these:
Boog Brown
K-Rino
NYOIL
Signif
Declaime
Jasiri X
Horse Shoe Gang
Ill Sevenz Music Group
The Left
Nitty Scott, MC
Invincible
Tiye Phoenix

On that note, I hope I encourage you to start digging the e-crates to find your new favorite artists.  Hopefully, I can get another female out there (or male for that matter) to like hip hop and realize that hip hop is not dead, it is alive and and well, kickin it in the underground.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Disclaimer (Read this before you read any other poems from me)

So you wanna know what's on  my mind?
I must warn you.
These wide lines hide hard times behind leather designs.
Some might find they invoke hope from the rhymes I spoke.
Others see trials and tribulations that might burn their throat.
Keep in mind, writing is how I cope.
Otherwise the tide gets high enough to  make me choke.
I can't swim,so I row my broken boat to stay afloat.
The fight inside me got me tough enough to write this note.
So if you continue to let me keep your ear, sit back relax and grab your favorite beer.
Let me take you where I've been and tell you what I know.
It ain't much, maybe you'll take home your favorite quote.
I  might lose friends from what you see in this.
Before you read on, I give my hug and farewell kiss.
I hope I miss you, there's no telling where my mind will go,
WIth that said, I finish my flow so I could start the show.

Thank you.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

TheSpot4HipHopTV has arrived

Welcome to TheSpot4HipHopTV.  Please be patient. New videos and a better channel are coming soon.
Garcia Vega kicks knowledge to artists wishing to branch out.

Here's part 2 I was browsing the internet yesterday, and I found this show called "Real Wrap". I liked it, I like it a lot.  So without further adeiu, here is "Real Wrap.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Mission

Okay, I know what you're thinking. There are so many hip hop related blogs out here it's ridiculous. Why am I starting another one?  Well, it's simple.  My goal is to not copy all of the other hip hop blogs out there, but to showcase my contribution to the culture I love so much.  I plan on focusing on the areas that I feel have been given little attention within the culture, as well as document my small contribution to it.  I hope you enjoy what I have to offer, and give genuine feedback.  No I will not support links to porn, drugs (illegal or illegal), nonsensical flame wars,spam, etc.  If you want to do that, then go ahead and do it, but not on my blog.    I encourage you to add your contributions as well. I hope to create a unique area where people can express their opinions, share their talents, dreams (and all of that sappy ish, lol).  Without further adieu, I present " The Spot 4 Hip Hop".