Saturday, November 14, 2015

It's been a long time...

I shouldn't have left you...without a dope beat to step to.


That being said, Sorry about that. But I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll bring you Busdriver;s latest mixtape called "Thumbs". He's out of LA and has one of the most interesting flows in hip hop. He's been rapping for a long time too. He's heavily understated and underrated.  Anyway, here's  a taste:



Pick it up at Itunes.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Look what I found!

I Don't Camoflauge: A behind the scenes look at how rap artists, and participants of the culture look at the idea of trying to "fit in" and how they handled this idea when they first encountered it.


Thursday, July 24, 2014

The Problem With Ms. Hill (formerly known as Lauryn Hill)

I saw this article that Vibe Magazine put out and I decided I'd say something about it. Here's the video footage of the alleged "Kanye moment" as mentioned by the writer of this article.




 I get sick of people talking big shit on her. Sure, she had kids by a guy who she didn't marry and he was out (for lack of a better phrase) fucking and ducking. He broke her heart and she lost her mind for a while. That sort of thing happens to a LOT of people. Why did people shame her for that? She wrote about her relationships, and various things that happen in her life and people balked about what she had to say. They said she was trying to be "holier than thou" and trying to preach to people. I saw it as her trying to tell people what she had been through. Sure she did get at some men, but so what? Men shit on women CONSTANTLY in rap songs and no one bats an eye. She said something about some of the men she's been with or know about (without using or making up any derogatory slurs towards said men, might I add) and everybody was saying things like "Fuck that dumb bitch. She think she's too good, etc, etc." I guess women aren't allowed to mention said things (the aftermath of Nikki Minaj's Looking Ass Nigga was a great example of that) , but men can throw women under the bus all day and night and make up new slurs for all of the women they ran across. That shit is not cool at all. 

She's late to her shows. What planet are people on when they think a show is going to start on time? Shows NEVER, EVER start on time. At least she came to the shows and didn't use a stand in like MF Doom did, and yet people are still buying Doom's records. They said it was a "dick move" for him to do such a thing and left it at that. But oh no. Not Ms. Hill. She can't get a pass. Nope. And people want to say that she's rude. Newsflash! there are a LOT of rude artists out there, and I bet a lot of them are ruder than her. So What? If she's "rude to you" then don't see her play. Plain and simple. Nobody is twisting these people's arms or holding them at gunpoint and making them see the shows. If she is late to every show, people should expect that and prepare for it, since it's common knowledge in this case. In fact, this is the reason why I don't go to most shows. I just don't have the time these days. 

She is far from perfect, and is a flawed person. She's trying to get along in this world while people try to grasp at excuses to not like her. Whether it's for her music (That Thing, or any other song she wrote to blast on her ex-es WITHOUT male bashing slurs, might I add), or alleged "craziness" or not paying taxes. That being said, I haven't seen anybody talk shit on Wesley Snipes for not paying taxes, and he's been in jail for a while. In fact Murs wrote a song on the White Mandingo album called 'Free Wesley Snipes." If my memory is correct, people were mad that he got locked up and all of the Wall Street people are not locked up. People said that Wesley Snipes got locked up because he was Black, and people were mad about it. Why does Ms Hill get looked at in a different light? Sounds like she ought to write a follow up song to Mos Def's "Mr. N!gga" because it looks like she's getting the Ms. N!gga treatment to me. I'm just sayin.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Has-Lo: In Case I Don't Make It (2011)

This was me back in the day minus the academic misadventures. There was a point in my life where I would not be able to speak on the quality of my existence back then for fear of shame and bringing back the old feelings. Today, I can own it and say yeah, that was me, and still is a part of me in some aspects.  The great thing about my existence during those hard times was that I learned so much about myself, the people around me (for better or for worse), and I was able to learn how to use critical thinking skills in an effective manner. I admit that I 'm still a bit troubled in other areas of my life however I can say this, I am quite a bit stronger than I used to be and I'm assertive, direct, and very precise when necessary. The ability to acquire those skills has been the greatest gift of all.  That being said, this rapper named Has-Lo gets it. His 2011 album titled, "In Case I Don't Make It" was an eloquent piece of work that spoke on mental wellness, his experiences with religion and spirituality, rap music, as well as shared personal experiences in general.  Yesterday, I decided I'd revisit his album, and I'm really glad I did. I needed that. 


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Black Milk

Close your eyes and listen to this song. I mean, really listen to it. Pay special attention to each verse. ‪#‎BlackMilk‬ 's storytelling abilities really shine. This is why I love hip hop.


Friday, February 7, 2014

Mndsgn- (My Yert (0.)

I messes wit it! It's definitely off the beaten path, that's for sure. 

The Black Opera 80z Babiez to the 2Gz (The Experimix) < Check it out and go get it.



Last year, Mellow Music Group released a free mixtape by a group called, "The Black Opera". The album was called : 80s Babiez To The 2Gz. These guys go IN over recognizable beats from the 90s. You've got to check them out. I really enjoyed listening to it. http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/80z-babiez-to-the-2gz-the-experimix


The Villanz is just one of their songs that showcases their skills. Check them out.