Is Hip-Hop the new White Culture?

It never occurred to me that Hip-Hop has been transformed into a genre more catered for white culture until my mentor brought it to my attention. Perhaps we should explore the attributes of Hip-Hop when it was still locked and sealed in the culture of African-Americans. First, Hip-Hop was a form of social activism.  Songs such as B.D.P's "Stop the Violence," "Self Destruction" and Tupac's "Brenda's Got a Baby" clearly showed how Hip-Hop was a medium to address real time social issues concerning the plight of African-Americans.

What was even more rewarding for old school Hip-Hop fans was they often only needed to turn on the radio to access those kinds of songs. Groups like X-Clan, Public Enemy, The College Boyz or artists such as KRS-One, Nas, Kool Mo Dee all were signed to major deals. Furthermore, they had creative freedom to release songs that were up to speed with the social needs of the average African-American (not excluding other races by far).

But just as China invaded Tibet and purged out many of the ancient traditions of Buddhism, corporations have colonized Hip-Hop and now, Hip-Hop is far from its original square which began in the late 70's.  Now, what do I mean when I say Hip-Hop is white culture or better yet, what was my mentor referring to?
In a nutshell, corporate America has changed the image and purpose of Hip-Hop.The final effect has produced a genre of music that is about making you dance; whereas, the quality of lyrics don't matter to the average listener. Good production and a catchy hook is the key to your secular Hip-Hop songs these days. In laymen terms, it has become "dumb you down music"-especially in the south.

Hip-Hop (amongst other things) is modern day's most succesful Minstrel Show and the Minstrel Show entertained who? Ahhh, yes white culture.  Just a brief quote from Wikopedia brings the point home: "Minstrel shows lampooned black people as ignorant, lazy, buffoonish, superstitious, joyous, and musical." There's not enough space to discuss such a vast issue in one blog so we might need to discuss this topic again.  Also, this is not to say that original  Hip-Hop doesn't exist anymore.  It is only to say that the kind of music that made Hip-Hop so successful is not what is defined as Hip-Hop anymore.  Hip-Hop is T-Payne, Souljah Boy, Jeezy, and the likes.  Artists that actually used Hip-Hop as a vessel to enlighten the mind or address social issues were or have been put on the back burner.  It hits home because I'm a Hip-Hop artists and I can directly see how all this has influenced my Hip-Hop career.  Yes, Hip-Hop is the new white culture.  The question is what will we do about it?  Take the time to see how Hip-Hop culture now is used by Whites/Europeans to stereotype African-Americans in the video below.

Illuminati: Fact or Fiction 2

If you google Illuminati hand symbols, an array of characters and signs are displayed. Yet, when you see many different people throwing the same signs, it's hard not to conceive that some kind of uniform message is being relayed.

Does this mean I think people like Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Jay-Z are members of the Illuminati? Yes and no. Are they the power players that sit with occult members and plot the world's demise? No, I don't see Jay-Z really sitting with the Rockefellers or other power players. However, I do see them as possibly being agents. In other words, they are acting or advertising for the principle (the occult members). What's in it for them? I would say money, fame and a small portion of power. It's amazing what people will do for that green paper. One should also note that Satan, as depicted in the Bible, was in charge of Music. What better package to advertise hey?

Take the time to look at some of these pics. Surely, there is more happening than what meets the eye.

"Illuminati want my mind, soul and my body."
-Mobb Deep

That's right it's wicked, that's life I live it

Ain't asking for forgiveness for my sins, endz
I break bread with the late heads, picking their brains for angles on
all the evils that the game'll do
It gets dangerous, money and power is changing us
And now we're lethal, infected with D'Evils...
-Jay-Z-

Hip-Hop: A Hobby or Profession?

At what point do you become detached to the very same thing you love? Mr. Sobek says that we all have become attached to various aspects in our lives. The effect of such attachments often leaves us confused. What am I talking about? In this case, I'm referring to hip-hop.

For instance, at what point do you stop chasing dreams and start focusing on reality? This is an invisible problem that I am beginning to notice in the hip-hop industry.

There are a disparate number of musicians who have spent a good portion of their lives trying to "make it" in the hip-hop industry. At the end of the night, all they have to show for their efforts is their music and a job (just over broke).

I have an associate in the industry who has his own studio, a nice house, and even has an independent album he just cut. The sharp contrast is that he is a pharmacist. He has recently joined a hip-hop band; moreover, he enjoys entertaining patrons and kicking his old school, organic brand of hip-hop. When he's not on stage, he's working twelve hour shifts at the local pharmacy, sleep or in the studio. However, it seems evident where his main focus is (on his profession, not his hobby).

On the contrary, we have plenty of hip-hop artists that have college degrees (i.e. money spent and owed), but spend more time enhancing their hip-hop careers than the career they spent 5 figures into. Do you think Sallie Mae cares about their insatiable desire to "blow up?"

Now, if you have no degree or viable profession (and no kids), you can afford to go full speed ahead in your quest to become financially successful in the industry. Such is not the case for me.

I graduate in May and told my music constituents a long time ago if nothing gave by the time I graduated, I would be putting all my chips in my Bachelors of Science in Legal Studies. In addition, I have aspirations to attend law school next year. Sure I'll have a studio, and sure I'll be banging out tracks in my spare time. The main point is this: It will be a hobby at best.

Some of you artists are spending tons of money, entering contest, rocking free shows, and have aspirations to "blow," yet in the end, it is no more than this: "An activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation." You could try to say you're a professional musician, but if you have a 9-5, and you mainly rock free shows, you're not fooling me.

Bottom line is some of you have confused a hobby for a profession. Thus, an educated man with a 4 year degree could easily be found working an average job (not even in the field of his degree) but rocking the mic passionately at the local night club. You are not a celebrity my friend. You are attached to something which doesn't give back as much as you've put in. If this blog applies to you, the question is: What will you do now that someone has held you accountable? Don't forget, at the end of the night, Sallie Mae wants that cheese back, and no matter how dope your rhymes are, it will not fulfill your debt so far as you can see. In the words of KRS-One, "You must learn."

Baraka Obama: The First President to Love Hip-Hop?

"Obama has been a self-admitted Hip-Hop fan for years, and first met Jay-Z in 2008 as part of his goal to help emcees use their art to spark critical thinking and bridge generational rifts."

Oh really? Wow, not only is Barak of my kin, but he likes Hip-hop to? C'mon man, this is too cool. I have to quote the President who was a Senator at the time of this statement:

"But also something that I'm really concerned about is they're always talking about material things about how I can get something; more money, more cars.”

You got to love it hey? That means me and Obama agree on hip-hop; To bad you can't draw policies on hip-hop artists. That would be an invasion of creative expression and as much as it's needed, in the end, it wouldn't make sense. However, it's encouraging to know that our President is at least concerned about the depraved state of hip-hop. After all, the majority of mainstream hip-hop is poison to the minds of the youth. By the way- the article this blog is based on can be found on allhiphop.com.

I'd like to end this blog by quoting Jay-Z (from the article):

"Sometimes there are hard truths in rap, they're not packaged with pretty ribbons. Sometimes the realities of the situations are harsh and they need to be told,” Jay reasoned to the BBC. “We're the poets of our generation! Those truths and those honesties need to be told and sometimes that will rub people the wrong way but that don't mean you don't tell them. I think when rap is done brilliantly it can inform you of a problem, things that are going on."

Jungle Fever Revisited: Where are the Brothers at?

I wanted to blog tonight, so I said what the heck-let's do a spin off my last blog about jungle fever. I stumbled across a clip on YouTube that had some pretty interesting takes on interracial dating (black and white). And honestly, I like the sista to the right in this clip. As she put it firmly, "We (black women) don't have enough black men for us to go around."

Well honestly folks, she's right. I don't want to bog you down with the statistics. I don't want to talk about the disparate treatment America's criminal justice system hands down to the Asiatic male. Couple that with men who are already in relationships and homosexuals, and it's easily understandable why it's difficult for a sista to find a brotha these days.

Now, whats interesting is when the host asks the European women why she prefers blacks, she exclaims, "it's the shade of their skin." Ahhhhhh, we were just talking about this on Thursday weren't we. It's the good ole don't eat that one cookie in the cookie jar kind of set up! Man it's an undeniable taboo and atleast this women was honest enough to admit it. I bet as soon as she got out her parent's house, her dating radar immediately fixed on the dark shaded brothers.

"... The other thing, of course, is that White women get into relationships with Black men because they think the sex is going to be better."
- Dennis Rodman

I personally feel it's easier to acquire a white women. I've dealt with several in my lifetime. They all were cool, crazy submissive, and all but one treated me like I was a king that just touched down to the states. More specifically, I dated a white women in 98 and remembered thinking, "This is to easy." I tell ya, I had a free pass on back massages and money, to name a few of the benefits I can mention. Essentially, I was culture shocked.

But brothers should listen up and take heed. Sistas are really getting desperate right now. I talked to my cubicle buddy a few weeks ago about this very same subject. She agreed with the sister on the right and she's at a ripe age of 25 years old. Yeah (paraphrasing her), there are brothers out their, but what noble women wants a man with his pants hanging on his knees? Couple that with his cheezy pick up line, and any good women would have already rejected him before he got halfway into his spill.

There are a lot of good sistas available fellas, more than you can imagine. But most of them are waiting on you to get your game tight. Maybe you need new role models? I mean, honestly guys, maybe Lil Wayne isn't the best person to look up to in terms of macking to a women. After all, he wishes he could "f___" every girl in the world. Oh yeah, same for Drake to.

As a race, we need a generation of brothers to rise up in character and recognize a queen when they see one. We need brothas who aren't afraid to rescue their black queen from the dumb, deaf and blindness that this western society subjects us to. We need brothers to lead sistas spiritually and economically. We need sharp, educated brothers who are willing to take on a single mother and her kids.

Now, when those brothers start popping up, and they marry a white women-how does it help the plight of the African-American race or culture? Truth of the matter is, it doesn't. Okay, I'm done with my digression.

Kanye West: Allow Me to Pardon Him (Jungle Fever)

Alright,

This has been boiling long enough on the hip-hop radar that Sia must, like everyone else in the blogosphere, throw in his two cents. Now, as it has been seen all through the net, Kanye has developed close ties with Amber Rose, a European model.

Sure, Sia can take you back to the Jim Crow days when our ancestors were hung for merely looking at white women. Why? Because thats just how much European males hated the concept of Africans and Europeans mating, let alone producing children. In fact, states created laws where consensual sex between a "white" women and a "black" male was considered rape by law. Don't believe these absurd kinds of laws existed check this-Exhibit A:

Alabama Code 4189: "If any white person and any negro or the descendant of any negro to the third generation was a white person, intermarry or live in adultery or fornication with each other, each of them must, on conviction, be imprisoned in the penitentiary or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not less than two nor more than seven years."

-Dred's Scott Revenge-page 134 (Source)

Crazy right? This hostility of the two races coming together in a heterosexual context perhaps only made both sides more curious about each other. But Ohh, the drama that comes with a black man dating a white women. Check out Othello, Native Son or Jungle fever if you think I'm kidding!

But back to Kanye. I know in Hollywood, one of the symbols of success for a African brother is to acquire that pretty European women on his arm. Lets face it-it's true, or atleast many people feel as such. And guess what? Kanye did just that. But, and it's a big but-I'm going to pardon Mr. West and it has nothing to do with the incredibly dope beats he produces. Here are my reasons:

1) Kanye lost two of the most important women to him in a relatively short amount of time: His mom died and His girlfriend apparently dumped him. That will have any man in the weeds searching for something.

2)Kanye never claimed to be a black nationalist-he's just a brother that's super talented and has a fetish with lovely ladies, preferably models, from Europe. Search out Kanye West on this blog to see where I unveiled this fetish. Now if he rhymed like Public Enemy or X-Clan, that would be totally different. LOL

3)In all of his arrogance, maybe he is still shining on African-American women. 808 Heartbreak was for his ex, but maybe this time Kanye is saying-I'm done with all yall-"Play with it."

4)Well, love is love. If my son brings home some feminine, dime piece, Euro speciment, and he says this is the one-will I be mad? No. I'm more concerned about the psyche of it all. Marry her because you love her- not because she's white.

5) He's a grown man and can do whatever he wants. At the end of the night, a man makes decisions that, hopefully, make him a better man and for Kanye West, maybe Amber Rose is just that.

What Happened to Little Kim: Was it Faith?

This is not the first time I've blogged about Little Kim. Before, I spoke about her being a candidate for Dancing With the Stars. She did that, exposed her breast accidentally, and eventually got booted out. Apparently her dancing skills aren't as good as her rhyming skills. But since Little Kim now qualifies to be a member of the Jackson family via her plastic surgery, there's a couple of things I want to get off my chest.

After watching Notorious, my wife and I wondered what happened to Little Kim. As the movie portrayed and as we all knew, she was Biggie's "ride or die" chick. He elevated her economically at the price of her being "Hip-Hop's Marilyn Monhoe." But the movie Notorious shows what happened when Biggie married Faith. After all, some of us went through the drama with Biggie. I remember having the feeling, when the news broke (of Faith and Biggie's marriage) that Little Kim might not be to happy.

If she had a heart, she was hurt. And most women who sacrifice for a man, and then abruptly are thrown to the curve for another women ask the infamous question: What does she have that I didn't? Trust me, I've been there.

So anyway, next thing we know, we have Little Kim wearing blonde wigs and all kinds of different hair bleaching techniques. Years later, we have a women who has bleached her skin, and has had plastic surgery done to monstrous proportions. To put it frank, she's not to far from being Kim Jackson.

Now, here's my theory and this is just an opinion, so don't go spreading this like the gospel. Okay, Kim was in love with Biggie. Biggie raised her up, and showed her the ropes in the rap game. Big meets Faith and elopes, and demotes the initimate aspect of him and Kim's relationship. Big continues to see Kim while married to Faith until both realize it's to much hassle and heartache. Big "dumps" Kim and only deals with her professionally. Kim is heartbroken, already had lowself esteem and sees Faith as the object of her pain, yet feels that if she was more like Faith, maybe she would still have Biggie. From their, the plastic surgeon got called.

Now maybe I'm tripping but I doubt it. I mean, I don't think Kim was trying to turn herself into a white girl. I've never seen any reason that would make me think she was on the path of Michael Jackson. I think she got hurt mentally, got bent up psychologically and really was trying to get some Faith! Thus, we see the bleaching of the hair, the bleaching of the skin and don't ask about the butchered nose.

But it goes to show you that confidence is underated. Why be like someone else when you can be like you? Instead of saying if I was more like that, I would be fine, why not be still and find the answers between you and your self? Poor Kim, she seems lost and I hope she finds her way.

Hip-Hop & The Illuminati? What Gives?

A lot of my readers end up on my blog because, believe it or not, people are trying to find a link between hip-hop and the Illuminati. Ironically, one reader landed on my blog searching for lil wayne and his relationship to the Illuminati. Apparently, our conspiracy thinkers (I presume from the hip-hop generation) wonder if hip-hop and the global grand scheme of the Illuminati have a connection.

If you asked my opinion, I would say yes. I haven't got to my book that discusses this secret society in detail, so I don't want to go the historical route. What I do want to do is discuss what we do know. We do know that the Illuminati is pushing for global domination. Moreover, this would not be a good thing for humans. The plan itself comprises of the middle class becoming the lower class and thus, only the wealthy would be on top.

What do they need the people to do while they implement their plan? Well, everything else but pay attention to the laws that are passed in Congress!! They don't want you to know what they are doing, because in the end, they want you to be "enlightened" by their grand plan. Yup, it's good for them and bad for us.

So maybe hip-hop takes out a huge percentage of young adults, who instead of reading the N.Y. Times, or Constitutional Chaos (Napalitano) they are reading XXL or VIBE. Instead of studying for school, they are watching MTV. I have family members that can tell me more about the hip-hop culture than the history of the United States. Couple that with the fact that they know minimum history about their ancestors and you have someone who is deaf, dumb, and blind.

"I have family members who can tell me more about Hip-Hop culture than the history of the United States."

At first, the concept seems outlandish, but when you think about it, isn't Hip-Hop an easy way to disillusion the masses? Isn't it a great smoke screen that takes one's attention away from things that really matter? After all, there are no more artists screaming revolution anymore. To bad X-Clan, and Public Enemy came a little early. We could use their message being blasted twice an hour on the radio these days. Now you might say I'm being tough on hip-hop. No, I'm tough on the people that allow Hip-Hop to rule their lives. I'm tough on the parents that can't see that their kids have to much of an obsession with Little Wayne (as if he's a role model). Will these be my politicians when I become a senior (inshallah)? I'm shaking in my bones!

So yes, take the "urban science" out of hip-hop, discourage any kind of education in lyrics, and only put major money into gentlemen and women that are willing to put on the "blackface." In addition, infuse the genre through the land internationally and now you have millions around the world that will be deaf, dumb and blind because of their passionate loyalty to hip-hop. Yeah, it could be part of the plan of the secret society elites, but even still, it's a minor one at best. Never the less, Sia Sobek says there is a correlation between hip-hop and the plot of the secret society globalist. And in all satire, I say: "Good job big brother."

"Inspiration Never Dies-Neither Does Good Music"

I guess I'm pretty old school when it comes down music. Sure you can catch me on the stage rocking sci-fi raps with Planet Zoron, but when I go home, I don't even listen to hip-hop. Does it strike you odd that even though I'm a hip-hop artist, I mainly listen to jazz, neo-soul, new age and funk? I hope not.

I guess the apple never falls far from the tree. My dad always listened to jazz and classic R&B. I guess when you grow up in Detroit, it's hard not to. But at any rate, when I was younger, I listened to artists like Miles Davis, Rachell Ferrell, Will Downing, Brian Mcknight, Ramsey Lewis, George Duke, and Anita Baker to name a few that come to mind. I guess you can say I was way ahead of my time or maybe I just had an "old soul" at the time.

But the fact of the matter is, even though these artist were not hip-hop, they taught me so much about the inherent nature of music. Attributes such as passionate songwriting, brilliant compositions, and stellar performances had to rub off on me. Perhaps this is why I never wanted to write about balling, selling drugs...your typical "street" emcee if you will. I always sought to raise the bar by rapping about everyday life in an extraordinary way.

"Rock the house yall, like it's old school 89 with flows thats divine so they way beyond time."
"Another Planet" by Planet Zoron

I guess at the end of the night, the lesson learned is you normally get out of life what you put in. Who knows what my musical fate would have been had I not listened to these ingenious musicians. For all I know, I may have never become an emcee, producer, promoter, and owner of an entertainment company. And though I can feel that this 14 year run might be coming to an end as I prepare for law school, and embrace spirituality- I know it was well worth it. I wouldn't take it back for the world.

Lupe Fiasco: An Old School Soul Resurfaces in Modern Day Hip Hop

We talked earlier this week about Hip-Hop and it's lack of variety. We discussed its lack of political topics in lyrics, and we spoke of the impact that corporations have had on the market. However, I wanted to point out an exception.

Lupe Fiasco is one of the rare exceptions to Monday's blog. On first listen, it almost sounds like he is literally just throwing words in a bowl and making gumbo, but when you listen closer to Lupe, he actually is making a lot of sense. Ironically, associates in my hip-hop network in North Florida aren't to impressed with him. Go figure. Let me guess, any hip-hop artist that makes to much sense is given the thumbs down (are you taking the time to listen?)?

Here is a man that grew up with the geeks and gangsters. In other words, though he grew up in the slum side of Chicago, he still attracted those that didn't follow the trends of the "ghetto." In the interview for his USA Character Approved Award, Lupe noted, "If I tell a lie and I sell a million records, I've just told a million lies." In addition, he noted, I speak about things that are "meaningful."

Even moreso, I'm impressed with his creativity. Lupe new if he spoke on "meaningful" subjects to profoundly, he would be blacklisted like many other artists. Instead, he chose hip poppy beats and chose his words and delivery carefully to create an overall package that the average ear can listen to. Things like this don't happen overnight. Listen to Lupe speak on the psychology of "The Cool," and you'll find that he put together an elaborate scheme to address the pertinent issues that he felt he needed to get off his chest. Young artist who are viewing this blog should take notes.

*P.S.- Make sure you watch "Conflict Diamonds." The song alone educates the listener to the struggle specific Africans endure so millions can wear a diamonds. We need more of these kind of songs in hip-hop.

Low Income, Drug distribution, and the Excuses thereof

You remember Boyz in Da Hood, Menace to Society, New Jersey Drive...etc? Good, because you know that movies as such portrayed demographics, which demonstrated the trap of the inner city life. Often, urban youth are literally born into circumstances where selling drugs "seems" normal, common if you will. However, upon close scrutiny, excuses are made and lives are killed, communities are damaged (often times beyond repair), and generations are affected forever.

On the flip side, the psychology of the individuals who distribute drugs in our urban communities seem warped, even considering the rigorous circumstances. You can say, "I'm from the hood, this is all I know." But do they not make a choice in the matter? At some point, a man/women must evaluate-Is this right and if it's wrong, do I still want to continue doing this? With that said, the aforesaid quote seems like a well concocted excuse.

The mind is sharp. And my philosophy is only you can make it sharper. For instance, most inherently know right from wrong. Why? Empirically speaking, it seems to be a inner brand that comes along with the package of being a human being (unbeknown to us). So if you agree with me that that inner being or consciousness is there, how can we reason with those who default any criminal activity to an excuses (s) such as: This is where I'm from, This is all I know, This is who I am, This is how I was raised.

Now, in a court of law, do these excuses fly? Are they permissible? NO! Why? Because that dag on state attorney (whether crooked or not) and that judge expects you to know right from wrong! Something gave you those spidey senses, because you surely didn't give it to yourself. It's even hard for an atheist to argue that point (not necessarily saying that it comes from God).

So, when I see hip-hop that portrays this kind of mentality, I don't agree because we ALL can choose to do better for ourselves. We all can choose to let go of negativity, and we all can choose to help mankind to the best of our abilities. Anything else is uncivilized and history proves it.



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Planet Zoron: We're on a Whole New Atmosphere

Just wanted to give a big shot out to my band, Planet Zoron. These guys kick but. Our weekend was an exciting one indeed! Friday night, we rocked the Engine Room in Tallahassee, Florida. The crowd was overwhelmingly pleased with our performance and we even created a virtual pit where people could do the b-boy dances of old. Classic indeed.

In addition, we rocked a house party Saturday night. Our strategy was to tap into the F.S.U scene and we did an excellent job of doing so. At the end of the night several disc were sold, and our email list was full of new fans. Cool-works for me.

Hard work pays off and in this business, your fans get the best reward out the deal. We work, while they dance and drink. Furthermore, it's awesome for musicians to see fans vibing to the beat. It's truly a mutual and reciprocal obligation between fans and musicians and the more fans we acquire, the more I know we are very close to accomplishing the dreams and goals we have set forth.

Guest Blogger Seth Pickens: Biggie Smalls-A Deeper Perspective

Biggie Smalls, 12 Years Later

“…the greatest rapper of all time died on March 9…” -Canibus

It’s already been 12 years to the day since Christopher Wallace, AKA The Notorious B.I.G., had his life cut short by the assassin’s bullet. When I first heard the news back in 1997, I didn’t really believe it. His new album had just dropped, and it was curiously called “Life After Death.” I sincerely thought it was a publicity stunt until I saw footage of real people mourning in the streets of Brooklyn.

I was only 19 at the time, and BIG was 24. Nineteen year olds look up to 24 year olds. By the time I turned 24, I realized just how young Biggie was to have lived so fully and died. (Tupac Shakur was only 25 when he was gunned down.)

When I reflect on Biggie and Pac’s lives and deaths, I take 2 lessons away. First, they teach us that you are never too young to pursue your dreams. They had the chance to grab the fame and all that came with it, and they took it. They followed their dreams. They didn’t say, “I’m only 19. I can’t be a platinum millionaire. I can’t rock a crowd. I’m too young.” They paid the ultimate price, but in the end, it’s better to die doing what you were meant to do than to live and just take up space.

The second thing these hip-hop greats have taught me is that you’re never too young to have people looking up to you. Like I said, when I was 19, I looked up to 25 year olds. Now I’m in my 30s; 25 year olds come to me for advice, and many 19 year olds see me as more of a father-figure than a big brother. You ever see how a second grader looks up to the “big kids” in 8th grade? There’s always someone looking up to you

On this anniversary of BIG’s unfortunate demise, let’s remember the power to influence we all have. Follow someone who inspires you and more importantly, use your power and influence to truly make things better. You never know who is watching.

Permissibility: It's the hip hop way...

So hopefully you realize if you are married or have a girlfriend, the only way you could throw a party with 40 naked women wearing masquerade masks is in your dreams. However, in hip-hop, things as such are permissible.

I know, I know, Kanye keeps popping up in my blog real, but what can I say? He stays on the edge and in the press.

So yes, Rapbasement.com reported:
"Kanye and Beecroft previously worked together for Kanye's "808s & Heartbreak" release party that included 40 naked women with face masks and illuminating fluorescent lights." Hmm. Sounds like alot of fun. I just don't know if it's good or bad fun. I wonder what his girl thought? I wonder was she there? And in the words of Kanye, if she wasn't there "I wonder, do you know, what it means?

But then again, It's Kanye, a bonafide hip-hop don. He has the superhero strength to resist the bait of lust in moments like this. Out of his own mouth he said:

"I'm a star, how could I not shine

How many ladies in the house

How many ladies in the house without a spouse,
Something in your blouse got me feeling so aroused"

Well we know there were at least 40! How could you not be aroused? Can you imagine the 20 questions he got if his lady wasn't at the party when he got home? Would a reasonable man be faithful under such a predicament? In the end, charge that to the game. It's permissible in the world of hip-hop.

Leaving Your Mark: If you don't do it, who will?

Last night, Mad Mardigan, founder of the only current hip-hop night in Tallahassee partied with us for possibly the last time. He's on his way to Kentucky for a permanent move. But he left his mark here and hip-hop artist in Tallahassee should be ever grateful to him for starting a local hip-hop movement.

Alot of people think making a mark has to be this illustrious demonstration of brilliance that rubs off on the people in their circle (or outside of their circle). But maybe we've complicated the idea of leaving a mark. If everyone looks out for their fellow brotherman/women, and truly shows compassion in their actions, does that not constitute leaving a mark?

Not everyone can be Michael Jordan, Barack Obama or Benjamin Franklin. However, the simple things in life are underated. Things like saying thank you, going the extra mile for someone, being noble and fair, being honest and just...can't we leave are mark this way?

Well if Mardigan can do it-so can you. Sometimes people who have conquored extraordinary feats cloud are judgement on our own being. Chogyam Trungpa, a late Tibetan Lama, states "When you hear of someone who possesses remarkable qualities, you regard him or her as a significant being and yourself as insignificant.The continual comparing and selecting generates a never-ending procession of desires." I concur with such a statment.

Essentially, we have to remove the pressure that we place on ourselves. I remember my dad would always tell me that if you don't surpass what I've done, you've failed. Perhaps he used it as a motivational tool, but it also can create a dangerous pyschological paradox in which one feels that they must either surpass the feats their parents accomplished or accept failure.

The fact is God gives us all that we need to be the best at who we are. When we point to someone else and say that's my hero, it infers that we lack something. The truth of the matter is we don't.

So today, make up your mind to make a mark. You have everything it takes to do so and it doesn't have to include breaking a record,making history or being famous. Start with your family, move your way to your friends, and even to your associates. Recognize your worth and continue to act in a manner that shows people their worth. I'll miss Mardigan, but he left his mark in this town. He will always be remembered by a select group of hip-hop artist in Tallahassee for revitalizing local hip-hop. Moreover, the way he treated us was just and fair. We've made making a mark to complicated. He made his and all he did was stay true to himself. We'll miss you Mardigan.

The Brilliance of Kanye West

I'm hearing rumors that Kanye may be retiring his music career for modeling. Apparently he's in France having a great time hitting that runway. The truth of the matter is I don't think he'll be able to stay away. He loves it to much, and I know the feeling. But if he does, it's a lost to hip-hop...

Six Reasons why Lil Wayne is the Best Emcee

) He's been on lean (codine and Hawaiian Punch) for 9 years. In addition he's a "weekly prescriber."

2) Baby and Slim think he's better than all the other emcees in North America.

3) Even he admits, "If I fail I'll quite and go back to the block. Man, can you imagine me going back to the block with a royalty check? I'm serious." This is a blatant indication of his humility.

4)He realizes he is the best and encourages all to have his mind set. This includes even if you are the best at "nothing."

5)He's so street. He agrees, that he has goons in his squad that thrive off of smacking people. Even if they lose the fight, as longs as one of them smacks them first,that's all that matters to the people.

6) In 07, when he was asked was Trina his girl, he responded: "Yeah, that's my girl she...yeah...she gives good head." This certifies that he is a suitable role model for all his middle school fans.

Joaquin Phoenix and Hip-Hop? I Smell Trouble!

Just when you thought hip-hop had revealed all its demons, possibly another one is on its way out the closet. Joaquin Phoenix, a premier hollywood actor (Gladiator, Walk the Line), was spotted on January 19th rocking the mic at club Lavo in Vegas. He apparently dropped three tracks, and I had the honor of listening to the first track. If you know how sensitive my ears are, you would know that it was no need to continue to listen to Phoenix.







In addition, yes, we do have Times Online.com admitting that Phoenix is working on a hip-hop project, and this is coming out of the horses mouth:

“My experience afterward was I had a lot of dudes come up and say, `We really respect you for doing it, putting yourself out there, and going with it.' Because I think true hip-hop heads know that it's hard, it's going to be a hard transition, and people are going to be lining up just to make fun of me."

My discrepancy is that the YouTube video clearly shows that Phoenix is not a rapper. In fact after his performance, he tripped and fell off the stage. And as much as I like to admit that I love Phoenix as an actor, so far, his music sucks.

Meanwhile, I'm more curious with why so many people want to rap and feel that they are competent to represent the art form. Aren't there enough rappers out there already? I meet young and grown folks alike that swear they have the hot skillz. Phoenix exemplifies my point. However, people that aren't passionate or are simply incompetent only bring degradation to any art form.

In the Times Online.com article, Phoenix admits that most people will not take him seriously. In fact, the article's main thesis is that Phoenix is serious though many will ridicule him. I personally think that Phoenix's album at your local music dealer goes to show how far hip-hop has deviated from it's original theme. With our luck (true hip-hop fans), Phoenix's album may take off, go gold, and then we'll see Russell Crowe, Ben Afleck, Denzel Washington, and Al Pacino all release albums (give me a break).

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5659301.ece

A Few Things About the Hip-Hop Industry.

1)It seems that newbies to the industry have no respect for the men/women who have been doing it while they were in middle school. Even lately, I meet cats that are my age but started rhyming, managing, producing...since 05. They don't realize that experience does count. For me, it's cool to be able to observe it go down in this fashion. Sometimes you have to just see it to believe it.

2) In the end, your product is all you have. If you have flash, have money, have women, and all the other b.s...you BETTER have a dope cd. Why? Because it may look good, but it doesn't sound good. I get tons of demo disc-every year. The problem-1) no brand...random music with no swag 2) "heard it all before" 3) you have literally just wrote your name on a blank disc with a sharpie...and put it in a slim case?

3) To much 8 mile! Is it not clashing of the titans to a degree? Huge egos meeting for the overall betterment of hip-hop. Yet, all these individuals are grown men/women. Just because one disagrees doesn't make it beef or a war.

Business will always be business and great business men are the weirdos whose crazy plan actually worked. Can't you just feel the haters when Russell signed RUN DMC, and LL COOL J, BEASTIE BOYS..etc.? Bottom line, I bet he had major haters, yet he saw past there folly. He stayed focused, and now his business is sought after by citizens and companies alike all around the world.

If we were more unified in thought, all of us could eat off hip-hop, but what are the chances?