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Altering Popular Perception Since 1985
Even KRS-One fucks with white girls...
I want to start off by saying, I was born in 1985. The year that all the rappers and old skool heads are siked about. I missed out on the dopest era ever and I grew up in the 90's. I can't say I'm a product of the 80's, because I'm really from a different era. My memories of Hip Hop stem from Public Enemy and Bel Biv Devoe. The year 1998 was my Hip Hop highlight. :0) Lately, I've been talking to my boy Teck form Brooklyn who is a Hip Hop guru, and he's skoolin' me and droppin' jewels almost every night about the times I missed.
This guy is a perfect example of a teacher. Shout out to Teck. He's appreciated. Anyway, last night we spoke about Fab Five Freddy and Blondie. He told me the passed down version of the stories Fab told him and next thing you know we're on the phone forever building. It was major.
For all the Hip Hop heads who were born in 85' or after, here's a little history:
Blondie, is one of the first fly girls from the white side...who helped bridge the gap between pop culture and Hip Hop. A lot of her inspiration came from Fab Five Freddy. Shout out to Blondie. 1981's Rapture hit number 1 on the Billboard charts and is still one of the hottest tracks of the early 80's- not to mention she's straight spittin'. :0)
Heard that beat before? Peep the KRS One version:
That track also led to a mash-up with Blondie and The Doors. Much respect to Jim Morrison.
It's amazing what Hip Hop can inspire. Follow your history. Stay connected. Peace!
Diggin' in the crates: Rich Boy is MLK JR.?
Dominque "AHLOT" Howse interview w/ RICH BOY (Spring 2007)
Beyond the D’s.
Beyond every single there’s a writer, a producer and a mastermind. “Throw some D’s,” was one of the country’s hottest singles- just last year. With all the fuzzy misconceptions and southern rap stereotypes, Rich Boy took some time out to explain his image and the man behind the single and why he wants to be someone similar to a black leader. Maurice Richards attempts to ALTER POPULAR PERCEPTION through this one on one with AHLOT.
AHLOT: Let me know how it’s been so far with the success of your first single.
Rich Boy: It’s been a blessed year and it’s a good feeling, especially coming from where I come from. I feel like I have to take the time to appreciate the situation. It’s really been great from me.
AHLOT: Who were some of the artist that inspired you? Being from Alabama there isn’t a lot of exposure down there for Hip Hop artist. So who made you think, “ I can do that because they did it?”
Rich Boy: I really wasn’t into music that deeply when I was growing up. I just really got into it about four years ago. The main person I really looked up to (in music) was Polow Da Don. He produced a lot of hits that are out right now like the Ludacris, “Pimpin’ all over the world,” Ludacris’ “Runaway Love,” Ciara’s “Promise,” “Loosen up my Buttons,” The Pussy Cat Dolls, “Glamorous Life” by Fergie and he co-produced “Throw some D’s.” So, that’s the person I looked at, in regards to music…Polo Da Don.
AHLOT: Nas brought out a record called “Hip Hop is Dead” and Killa Mike had a song called, “Rap is dead,” a couple years back, with the same title. Where do you think Rich Boy fits into that equation? In regards to Hip Hop, do you think you’re part of the problem or the progression?
Rich Boy: To be honest, I really wasn’t a rapper growing up and I really don’t have a definition for Hip Hop or how they define it. I feel like people should be able to express their opinion and that’s their opinion. Who’s to say what real Hip Hop really is? Who actually started it? What’s the real definition of it? You feel me? I feel like what’s going on now is Hip Hop (you know?) You’ve always got artists that are lyrical, artist that are willing to talk about something and that have substance. At the same time you have artist that just want to party and make party songs. As far as Hip Hop, I thought Nas was a Hip Hop artist…that’s like Lil’ John saying “Crunk is Dead,” and he does Crunk. Nas does Hip Hop and so I feel like it was a statement made as hype for the album, because he represents Hip Hop…that’s what he is, he is a Hip Hop artist. The songs he raps, you have to go study to see what he’s talking about. That’s my definition of Hip Hop (in a way) when you have to go deep into the lyrics and the person will have you studying something.
AHLOT: O.K., this is the second to the last question. What’s behind the jewelry, what’s behind the tattoos, what’s behind being fresh, what’s behind the “D’s” and what’s behind the rest of this stuff? Who is Rich Boy underneath the image?
Rich Boy: Rich Boy is the cat that was raised by two good parents in Mobile, Alabama. Who is actually the opposite of each other…I’m a mixture of both worlds. I grew up in the ghetto...I come from a part where we struggle. It’s not as bad as places in Africa-it’s people there who are really going through hard times. I didn’t grow up homeless, but I did grow up in a situation where I had to learn how to survive and be street smart. I’m in a city where young men die everyday. Most definitely, Rich Boy represents a cat that really realizes that we don’t really have any more black leaders. I really want to become that and that’s my goal. Even though I came out with “Throw some D’s” first, I realized that I had to put out a song that the young generation could relate to…and that’s all they can relate to. I can talk about riding in cars and stuff-first and then I can lead them. They have to be able to relate to what you’re doing and they can relate to all this. This is what they like and that’s what they’re trying to get. When you hear my album your see that I talk the war, racial profiling…high level of prostitution…I want to be a leader most definitely and become a leader in the south and in other regions as well.
AHLOT: What’s your biggest dream and at what point can you sit back and say “I did that.”
Rich Boy: I’m never satisfied and I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied. I feel like life is the situation where you always set higher goals… I want to most definitely set goals until the day that I die.
photo taken by dominque "a.h.l.o.t." howse
Diggin' in the crates: Omillio Sparks speaks out about Jay and State Property
THE PAYBACK IS IN SESSION
DOMINQUE "A.H.L.O.T." HOWSE W/ OMILLIO SPARKS
On August 28, 2007 Omillio Sparks dropped his debut solo album, “The Payback.” Eight years ago, he was an active emcee signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, while working toward his dream of making the transition from the “streets to the fame”. West Philadelphia native Kenneth Johnson, also known as the State Property rapper slash actor, has taken his eight years of experience under “Da Roc’ and has applied all lessons learned to start his own company, “Colossal Entertainment.”
Is he bitter? Quite frankly, he’s not. With Shawn Carter’s “road blocks,” and his lack of support when clearing a sample for Sparks’ album, Omillio had to move on.
The walking billboard for State Property continues to deliver gritty music, while staying dedicated to his team through collaborative efforts and bringing forth his “A” game, as a representation of a crew never to be forgotten.
Sparks’ is currently working on several unique films, functioning his co-owned company and has gained what he considers to be his “freedom”.
Omillio Sparks, the writer behind the chorus of Jay-Z’s (2000) “I Just Wanna Love U,” sat down with AHLOT, to talk about his album, his film career and his relationship with State Property.
For the record, State Property is officially in the building, regardless of Jay-Z’s support or not. Omillio’s happy- he even caught the Canibus fever and spit a couple bars, just for ALTERING POPULAR PERCEPTION.
AHLOT: Let me know what you’ve been doing in the last couple of years?
OSparks: We got our company, “Colossal Entertainment” and a joint venture with, Omillio Sparks Entertainment. I got the movies done. We got an independent movie done through our distribution company called, “A Soap.” We also about to do another one called, “Expendable.” We got the “Pay Back” album in stores. We got the movement coming. I got a movie done with Freeway called, “What We Do.” That’s scheduled for release pretty soon. I also have one in the making with Trey from the Wire, shout out to Trey from The Wire. I’m just working. I’m working right now?
AHLOT: I don’t want to dwell too much on your past, but you knew it was coming. What do you remember the most about your experiences over at Roc-A-Fella? Draw a picture of everybody who wanted to be down with the Roc, back in the day.
OSparks: We were “Roc’n’” hard- that’s what I know. We were riding. It was one a hell of an experience. We were riding and grooving and getting robbed [laughs]. Nah, it was, what it was. You live and you learn. I tell you, it was a wonderful experience. Word up [laughs]!
AHLOT: Word [laughs]. You said ya’ll were getting robbed?
OSparks: Yea, pretty much [laughs]. We were just happy to be there, riding for the “Big Homie,” and our leader. You know what I’m saying? We were just happy to be doing us.
AHLOT: [Laughs]. What’s your relationship like with the rest of State Property? I know you just did a movie with Freeway-
OSparks: Everybody still tight. I still kick-it with the whole Property. The only one I don’t holla at that much, is Free. I still speak with Mac and keep it close with Mac. O on my new mixtape. Me and the Gunz always talk. Crack, of course is my man- I got him signed. Me and him have a bond from the rip. Cracks on the mixtape and the album- that’s my homie. I still kick it with them. I’m doing business right now. I have my own company, I’m growing up and I’m on my “Grown and Sexy” and on my business. I’m just trying to do me.
AHLOT: It used to be you and Oschino. What’s up with that? Is it like a tag team or what?
OSparks: Nah, right now it’s all me. It’s me and my boys and the producers that I wanted to work with (the people that showed me love). O’s definitely included, in the future because that’s my boy. It is, what it is and we’ve known each other for years. O and I started off together so, I’m definetly gonna rock with him and we sound good together. We’re going to do music, regardless. We have a track on my mixtape and we ain’t bullshytin’ around.
AHLOT: I interviewed Amil from Roc-A-Fella-
OSparks: Oh sh*t, yea right! The movie we’re about to shoot, she might end up being my chick in that movie. What was Amil talking about?
AHLOT: [Laughs]. Well it was a section on our site called, “Where you been at?” because the people wanted to know. She seemed a little bitter but I asked her if she ever found herself listening to “The Dynasty” album or “Hard Knock Life Vol. 2” and she was like, “nah, neva.” She proclaimed that, that phase of her life is over. It’s all good… and I wish her the best. Her new sh*t actually sounds better, than the stuff from Roc-A-Fella-
OSparks: You know what, that Roc-A-Fella is a hell of an experience. You know what I’m sayin’? It’s a hell of an experience. She probably felt like the wind got knocked out of her, huh? You gotta watch. When I come through now, I’m being quiet. If I don’t know you or if we didn’t grow up together or is we don’t kick it- then I’m just quiet around you. We can talk about business but I don’t have a whole lot of rap any more. I don’t want anybody to pick up my swagger or use my slang. I don’t want none of that going on. You nah mean?
AHLOT: So, what do you find yourself listening to outside of yourself and the dudes you run with? What you got poppin’ in the IPod?
OSparks: You got that Marques Houston- it’s stupid!
AHLOT: [Laughs].
OSparks: Look, I got it (the album) in the Pocono’s. I was Marques Houston’d out. Marques Houston is on some whole new sh*t. Marques Houston are you listening? I dig the music. If he sees this write up, let’s do a song, yo. Your sh*t is mean!
AHLOT: I haven’t really gotten into Marques Houston like that.
OSparks: Ah Man, you gotta pick up “Veteran,” that sh*t is mean. Numbers three, nine and ten. Do 11 too.
AHLOT: Maybe we can get you on the remix to number three.
OSparks: I’m trying to get the beat, right now. I’m stressing out trying to get this beat.
AHLOT: [Laughs]. Word up.
OSparks: Word up!
AHLOT: [Laughing] Let me know how it was growing up for you and life prior to State Property.
OSparks: How was I? I was a little bad muthaf*cka. I was less fortunate, so you know how you grow up in this world. If you come to school and this kid has the new FILAS and your sneaks ain’t right- then they began to look down on you. That’s how I became violent. I came from a broken home; I was wild and hardheaded. I’m in a different place right now (I truly am) and it’s a beautiful thing.
AHLOT: Yeah, you sound happy.
OSparks: I am. I’m free- you know what I’m sayin’? I make good decisions because I’m doing what makes me happy. Even with the women, I can’t make a woman happy if I ain’t happy. If I’m with a chick and I don’t like what’s going on…how about we just call it quits. There’s no point in being miserable. That’s why I’m happy right now, I’m doin’ me.
AHLOT: You’re keeping it moving?
OSparks: Yeah, I’m keeping it moving. I ain’t got no rap for nobody. If you come my way with that bullsh*t, I ain’t tryna hear it- I’m out. I’m rapping and acting. Let’s talk business.
AHLOT: For the people who haven’t had the opportunity to cop the album, why should they?
OSparks: It’s me, Omillio! You hear my story? I’m working hard people. I’ve been going through it since 99’. If you don’t want to read that story than… got damn! You read a book like ‘damn, homie got shot in the face, his wife was cheating on him and kids left him’ and he still made it. You would want to pick that book up, right? C’mon people, show some love people. All my fans who was rockin’ with State P, know me and for the people who don’t know me, on this album I address the ladies, I’m in the club with it, I’m me. I don’t care if you’re “Grown and Sexy” or straight out the hood with it, I have something for everybody on this album. That’s real talk.
AHLOT: Do you think things would have been easier for you if you had dropped in 98’?
OSparks: I feel like if I had come out then versus now, there would be no difference. I’m Sparks. I would have focused on me. Until somebody comes my way, I’m not even trying to focus on them. As long as I keep myself in good health, right? Keep my skin clean and continue to do my push-ups. I speak my mind and present myself to the public. Roc with the boy young P.
AHLOT: I hope you drinking eight glasses of water a day and use that Proactiv.
OSparks: No doubt, I get my water on. I’m doin’ me.
AHLOT: Good. I want an exclusive 16, if you can’t give me that then give me eight.
OSparks: You want me to spit something?
AHLOT: Yes, I do.
OSparks: Cool, I got you. I get it. Listen,
/Signed independent/ Colossal muthaf*cka, O entertainment/eight bucks a record/ fuckin’ with Koch entertainment/ album droppin’ in August/ keep the registers ringin’/ a big movement/ and the flows spit is fluent/after spendin’ half a mil, public love what I’m doin’/I see some teams is ruined/ While I’m cold, fuckin’ chillin’/ In the city is killin'/ where the cats keep it peelin’/ that’s how these n*ggas is feelin’/ muthafucka keep drawlin’/ keep on playin’ for coppas/ people will chop at you Paco/ It’s O-skeezy, the cannon, only one body for villain/now respect how I’m livin’/ you see the moves that im making/ I make the cake, cuz I’m drivin’/ I keep on ballin’ and dribblin’/ they say that the sky is the limit/ so a nigga keep pushin’!
AHLOT: [Laughs] N*ggas keep pushin’!
OSparks: [Laughs]. N*ggas bite like mosquitoes/ get the coke, think they Vito/ Keep on playin’ with Speezy, runnin’ the A-R… Oh my God! How many bars is that?
AHLOT: I lost count. Your flow is stupid! [Laughs].
OSparks: They somewhere playin’ with the bamas/they want me somewhere playin’ with the hammers/or coherent, somewhere, instead chasin’ this paper.
….I’m not gonna give it to you people! Oh no…I can’t [Laughs].
AHLOT: You made my day, today.
OSparks: Yea, hopefully I did.
For more information and music go to: http://www.omilliosparks.com
Diggin' in the crates: UN KASA speaks out about Dipset & Purple City
Unreleased UNKASA INTERVIEW w/ Dominque "A.H.L.O.T." Howse
Growing Pains: Living in Purple City
Prior to September 11, 2007, A.H.L.O.T. caught up with Un Kasa in a Harlem public park to discuss his current relationship with his label and his frustration with the album’s release date. Since then, Dipset members Juelz Santana and Jim Jones have performed with 50 Cent and have publicly displayed a mysterious relationship. Was it betrayal or a symbol of nature's cycle, of people growing a part?
Several questions could be raised, like “Where is Camron?” “Is Dipset over?” and “What’s the future of Harlem?” Un Kasa tells all, in this exclusive interview with ALTERING POPULAR PERCEPTION. The Harlem native talks about his drama with Purple City Bird Gang, Jim and Cam’s relationship and his upcoming album- that he refers to as a “classic.”
You heard it here first.
AHLOT: What’s been good?
Un Kasa: Recording my album, going to different states and recording my mixtape. I’m doing mixtapes. I’m recording, “The Motion Picture,” which is going to be a classic. It’s going to be crazy but I’m not gonna brag.
AHLOT: Cool. Take it back a couple years and let’s talk about your experience with Dipset and Purple City.
Un Kasa: Basically, Dipset and Purple City is a brand that came from the streets. As far as the Diplomats, I’ve always been cool with Juelz. Him and I grew up together and I’m a couple years older than him. Him and I were always good friends and we did our street thing together, back in the day. It was always a bond there. As far as Cam and Jim, they came later on when L got his deal, when “Oh Boy” dropped and all that. Everybody’s pretty close. We were all on 145th and Broadway hustling cd’s, mixtapes, clothing and everything before we got our record deal, so the hood really knew us.
Purple City and the Diplomats came from us kickin’ it everyday. My man Luca got incarcerated. When he got out we did the Purple City Bird Gang track with Jim. We shot the video and right after that, it got poppin’. After the Diplomats and “Oh Boy” and Cam really began poppn’ with Roc-A-Fella, and that’s when people really started to look at Harlem, when it came to the music.
AHLOT: Apparently, there’s been something going on between you and some of the people part of Purple City. This is your opportunity to clear everything up.
Un Kasa: You’re probably talking about the diss track that happened with Purple City Bird Gang. It was situation where we were doing our second album and it was suppose to be executive produced by Jim Jones and Percy Trap Dealer. We were shooting a video in Brooklyn and I was out there from 6:45 in the morning waiting for my part. At around four in the afternoon, I was like “Where’s my part of the video?” Little did I know I was cut out of my own video, for the first single on the second album. They cut me out the video for “Trap Dealer,” for the first single on the album. I didn’t know why and I didn’t have a cameo or nothing (really).
At the video shoot, nobody had an answer for me. I was talking to various people at the video shoot and everybody was really just looking in the sky and didn’t really have nothing to say to me. I felt really disrespected. I’m out here working for this label and this family and I can’t get an explanation for why I’m not in the video or why I was even there? It got a little heated, a week had passed and the label still hadn’t called me- nobody hit me, really.
I spoke to the label a little bit about the project and they wanted me to weigh it out a little bit but there was no weighing out, cause everything was pretty much fucked up anyway. After I wasn’t in the Purple City video, fans were hitting me up on the website and asked me what was going on.
I went to the studio and made a diss record so that they could hear me out.
AHLOT: Why did you feel it was appropriate to make a track and not just confront them in person or talk it out?
Un Kasa: I tried. I talked to Sheist and a couple of other people in my camp and I asked them what was going on and they didn’t have any answers. They were like, “Un, this is not our call.” I’m like, if it ain’t ya’ll call whose call is it? I did it the best way in which I thought I could get it out to the fans, to the label, friends and family. I thought the best way to get the message across was through the music- that was the only way they were going to listen.
AHLOT: There are a lot of things going on right now within the Dipset camp. In particular with Cam and Jim and rumors about Juelz choosing sides. Where do you fit in and are you going to pick a side?
No, I don’t pick a side when it comes to that, because I’m really not into that. Juelz is my friend. I kick it more with Juelz then Cam or Jim. I haven’t seen Cam in almost a year. I see them every now and then. I’m with Juelz almost everyday. I’m not about to pick a side; if they separate then they separate. People grow and they get older, no hard feelings. They might be going through they’re going through and they might look at it later on, like it’s something type crazy. But at the end of the day, we’re all grown men and we grow older and sometimes people go different ways. It ain’t like when we didn’t have record deals and everybody was together, everybody basically made it to a point where they can basically made to a plateau where they can survive on their own, without Cam or without Jim or the whole Diplomat thing. That’s what happens when success plays (a role) and you get to a successful status- the break-ups and stuff.
AHLOT: Well, who is Un Kasa? Who are you as an emcee?
Un Kasa: I put out classic music. My music is like colors. I put out music that reflects colors and I paint a picture with the pen I got. I get hit up on myspace and on my website and a lot of fans are loving the new material. A lot them though, don’t understand because, I can’t display the same music I did four years ago due to music’s change. Music is changing. I’m a keep the flavor but as a solo artist I’m trying to expand into different horizons. The hard-core, underground music is for my die-hard fans- ain’t nothing fabricated. I’m a street dude. I just have different things I want to do with the music. That’s why I changed up the format a little bit because people were getting use to me being, “Two gun Un” and colorful cars and stuff like that. On my new album it’s party records, it’s conscious records, it’s snap records, it’s R&B records, it’s hard-core records- I’m putting all the music that’s poppin’ right now into one big Gumbo pot and showing them that I’m a genius and I can make good music.
AHLOT: What is some of the hot sh*t you listen to?
Un Kasa: I’m listening to a lot of old stuff. I have a lot of Biggie, Tupac, Nas, Wu-Tang and a lot of Prince, the “Purple Rain,” album. I also listen to alternative music- Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne and stuff like that.
AHLOT: Do you feel like you have a responsibility to Hip Hop to display a different message or kind of sound that brings back variety?
Un Kasa: The music industry is so different now and people have to accept it. Music is changing and there’s a lot of snap music, ring-tone music and it’s just their time right now. All things have their time. New York rap never died, the focus is just somewhere else. If you think New York died, then Hip Hop died. There would be no “Snap Hip Hop” or any ring-tone music if it weren’t for New York. The West had their time, the Midwest will have their time, the South has their time and New York will have its time, again. Everything goes back in a circle.
If you can’t go with the time or evolve with the time than you’re not a good artist. I feel sorry for people who can’t move with the time. New York will never go anywhere. I am New York. I didn’t go anywhere and I’m still hot. I’m still fire. I bet I can do a song better than anybody who’s doing that type of music. I have snap records and I’m going to put them out. That’s what poppin’ right now and I’m tryna stay in the loop of things and not be ignorant or narrow minded when it comes the music. I respect it all and I do it all.
AHLOT: Give me a preview of the album. Let me know about some of the features, content and production.
Un Kasa: The album is called, “The Motion Picture.” It’s an album based on my life experiences with music and has been the only big thing in my life. Anything that was ever big in my life or worth taking about had something to do with music, so…I have Fonzworth Bentley on the album, I have a cut with Julez, I have a lot of new producers, I got Lex Barkley from Europe, I got Shareko from Spain, I got Dame “Grease,” Bee Eazy and Develop. I have a lot of production. I got a lot of people who’ve done some joints for me, Marley Marl from Beat Box and a lot of up and coming artist. I got my man, Dinero, reigning from Jersey, the Dip family: S.A.S., Tom Gibbs, I got Bezzle, Max B and maybe a joint with Jim. I’m tryna get a joint done with Prince. There’s a lot of politics behind that though.
AHLOT: So, do you have release date?
Un Kasa: Ya’ll gotta call up the label and tell them to let that Un Kasa album go. They were telling me that they didn’t want it to be a project like that and wanted me to come out under somebody like Juelz (who’s mainstream) and I figure. The whole situation with Purple City was funny for the label and so I don’t have a release date. That’s why you can go to: www.myspace.com/unkasaman. You can check out some songs…I’m just rising.
AHLOT: Anything you want to make sure the readers know?
Un Kasa: I’m tired of people asking me, am I still “down with the Diplomats?” That’s my family. I’m still down with Purple City too, we’re still family but I’m just doing my own thing, too. Don’t get it twisted. I have “Crown Box” records- check out that on myspace. I have a group out called, “Family come first” composed of my little brothers and cousins. Look out for the clothing line and the whole family out there. Look out for various mixtapes. I have a mixtape coming out, eight tracks Hip Hop and eight tracks alternative. Stay on the look out.
I have to support this Nigger thing.
Peace! I'm salty because I posted Nas' album cover on my Myspace page today and the next thing I know, the photo has a "violated regulations" across it. Hmm. The Nigger album should be a dope piece of work. I'm rarely disappointed with Nas. I decided to post several videos of other opinions, in regards to the album. I'm down for it. I can dig it... and Im not sure if what I read over the internet was the correct tracklisting, but if it was, it seems dope. I think NIgger will be an album that will touch various topics and hopefully we can all learn from it. If it drops, I'm sure that it would be the best album of 2008. I got five on it. :0)
I don't think it's an album about him being a Nigger but an evaluation of the word Nigger. Besides, its about time that we discuss topics that have been avoided for centuries. If he would have made an album called, "Trap or Die" that would have been worse- to me. Why do people trip over power moves? Anyway, I wanna know what you think. Peace.
SIDENOTE: According to Wikipedia, the album's title has received support from:
Jay-Z
Alicia Keys
Common
Lupe Fiasco
Snoop Dogg
Ice Cube
Akon
Method Man
Rev Run
David Banner
Melle mel
GZA
& LL Cool J
I think it's important to pay attention to the jewels. I think he's gonna drop jewels on this one. It kind of reminds me of the late 80's or early 90's, when people said things that they believed in. Public Enemy... was the shit. I think it's time to bring back the missing discussion that has been abandoned in black music. Nobody else (mainstream) is going there. Talk to me people. :0)
-continuing to Alter Popular Perception
Damn, I wanna hear the Ying Yang Twins!
"Get out my face, you doo-doo head dummy" -Souljah Boy.
I try my best not to watch networks that place me behind in society. I'm not blasting anybody, but I just so happen to be skimming through the channels and I bump into a world premiere video by Souljah Boy. Keep in mind that I'm not against this guy. I'm against the people who control the guy. Who the fucks makes these executive decisions at these labels? White kids from the suburbs who would love to be considered urban? It's crazy.
At first, I thought the album was innovative, different and somewhat cute. I guess when I heard the album, I was a little "tip,tip" on something clear or maybe even "blunted on reality." Regardless of the reason, I didn't want to bash the guy. I wanted to understand or be able to relate to the the new generation. Side-note: I remember several tracks back in the day, that I thought were cool... and as I got older, I realized they were jokes. Unfortunately, in my clear state of mind, I watched two consecutive videos by this guy. The videos and the songs were straight garbage. Pure GARBAGE. At a certain point in time, flow, structure, production, aggression and creativity were some of the elements that created a good rapper. Now, you don't even have to know how to ride a beat. SMH (shaking my head) in dismay. In case you haven't seen it... here's the video:
In 2001-2002, people thought that Hip Hop was going down hill and the only thing that was slamming on the radio was ATL music, that encouraged women to dance and get naked. We didn't think it could get worse. I promise on my Lord and Savior, that I would rather hear that type of music than this. Anybody with a hook, a beat and something similar to "no vocabulary" can get a song played on the radio. The current state of Hip Hop is disturbing. At this point, I hope that Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins are working on something. If you guys are reading, please drop a single. Anything! Hip Hop needs a commercial shift. From the window to the wall.
I'm not gonna sit here and act like "back pack" rap is the solution. The solution is getting out of this era... and we need to do whatever it takes to make that happen. I don't care if we have to start rocking fatigue and carry ourselves as revolutionaries. We need change. It only makes sense that the people who make the music should inspire people to grow, change and learn. It's unfortunate that nonsense makes cents, in our current state on politics and entertainment. At first, I felt kinda bad because I force my nieces to listen to NAS. I force them to know the elements of Hip Hop, their geography and mathematics... and it saddens me when I see my niece saying "Souljah Boy got some good songs." They are 11 and 12, but there is no excuse. What's even sadder is seeing people over 16 doing the steps in the club.
When record companies talk about not being able to support Nas and "Nigger." It boggles me... because they are releasing niggers and niggas everyday and supporting songs that promote getting "D's" in school and ridiin' the cocks of fake ass drug dealers that rap and distributing it to children. I don't get it. You can distribute and sell crack as long as its called something other than "Nigga" or "Nigger." The messages should be focus, and not the titles. Fuck a title and these bullshit labels are wack too. I suggest that black and brown people invest in distribution companies, that they can call their own. I can't wait until Nas drops. Period. At this point, my shocking confession is I'd love to hear some Ying Yang as well.
Anyway...I would pick 2001-2003 any day over what's been happening in the last two years. SMH. Peace!
Continuing to alter popular perception.
Vote or Die in 2008.
I thought this was cute. Check it out.
"Ya'll must've of Fa' Got."-Roy Jones.
There's a fight this weekend and I'm ready. The Roy Jones vs. Felix Trinidad fight on Pay Per View is gonna be bananas! One of my favorite boxers is Felix Trinidad de Puerto Rico. I heard that Roy Jones has that "boom, boom, tap" that we've been looking for in Hip Hop. One of my major concerns is that Felix Trinidad, "mean ass hook." His stats are crazy, with 35 KO and 44 total fights. Yet, Roy Jones, is a powerful dude...and apparently he loves Hip Hop. I wanted to make a tribute to Roy Jones, this week, by posting a blog with his hit single, "Ya'll Must of Forgot."
The funny thing about this video, is his level of seriousness. Do ya'll remember his left hook? lol. Shout out to Roy. The even funnier shit about the track is, he's spittin' mad facts and droppin' stats on the Hip Hop community. I wasn't sure if he wanted the emcees to lookout for him or the boxers. I guess everybody should look out. :0) He better look out for Felix.
My favorite line in the track is "Don't get me mad cause I'm amped already." Ha. Can't wait to see the shit. I think Felix is gonna knock him the fuck out- De-Bo status.
For the hell of it, I decided to throw in another video from an athlete. Ha...Deion Sanders.
Peace! It's A.H.L.O.T.!
A woman can possibly be the G.O.A.T.
My list of the greatest rappers of all time, could possibly be a bit incorrect...but for the most part its right. Of course, you have to throw in some Outkast, a lil Jay, a lil Nas, a lil Pac, a dash of A.H.L.O.T. and of course, you have to include Lauryn Hill. A lot of you might think that I'm buggin', but quite frankly, she'll rip 95% of this industry-including ya boy, Weezy F. Not to say he's wack, but I know somebody will bring him up in the comments, so I had to address it, before it happened. Pay attention to what I'm sayin'...there are a lot of good emcees, but not to many great emcees. She is a GREAT emcee.
Dude, her thoughts, concepts and execution is unbelievable and I think she's underrated.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is still a classic RAP ALBUM and Unplugged was sick too! I think it flew right over the majority of peoples head (due to her voice and the guitar). It's killa though. I really don't feel like writing, but I did want it put that out there. She's amazing and she will NOT fall off. Lyrically, you could match her rhymes with any dudez (on paper) and she will stand a chance. I'm not a feminist, yet I am a realest and I tend to deal with reality and not fiction. Shout out to the femcees.
Next time, you talk about the G.O.A.T, Lauryn's name should pop up. Step out of your denial...shout out to the ladies. :0) peace!