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Altering Popular Perception Since 1985
CORNELL WEST FOR FUCKIN' PRESIDENT
Peace! CORNELL WEST FOR PRESIDENT is the official campaign. Beyond Hip Hop (I keep Hip Hop is caps,) I'm a social junkie. I actually dropped out of college for a year and joined a grassroot organization based out of L.A. and we traveled hit unheard places to inform people of this crooked government.
Still to this day, I spend more time with the people than with textbooks and t.v. I believe that travel and interaction is the best way to learn about human nature and their perceptions/perspectives. I make it my duty when I hit places like NYC, I hit up Harlem, Bedstuy, South side Jamaica and when I went to Cali, I made sure I hit Watts and when I went to New Orleans, I made sure I hit up the 3rd Ward (when I was in Costa Rica I even hit up Limon). I think it's important to understand my people and their struggles. I feel like that's my mission as a human being- to uplift and inspire the people. Shout out to Hip Hop's INTENT.
Anyway, I've always admired Cornell West because his literature forces you to learn (his vocabulary game is like a political Canibus, lol). If you haven't read the 1993 published, "Race Matters" you should really consider copping that.
I watched Hip Hop Vs. America (parts 1 and 2) on BET the other night. After watching the show, it began to dawn on me that a lot of people, just don't get it. Although Cornell wasn't there, BET kept re-opening the segments with these mini-interviews they had done with the Activist/Author/Professor. Good thing they did, because he was one of the few who really got it. He had an honest and balanced way to look at Hip Hop and America. The majority of the panel was either too deep into defending Hip Hop or too deep into clouds, which led them into not wanting to listen, rather prove their positions.
The other night he made a good point that people are about, "greed, pleasure and power- money, stimulation and status." <
He also said that people have become "well adjusted to injustice." It seems as if a lot of us don't even know when we are being walked over, when we're living in poverty, when we really don't have shit. We have become so content with living in the slums that it's become normal or ok. Bad business.
He also said that we need to focus on seperating fantasy vs. reality. Lauryn Hill also mentioned that on her MTV Unplugged album that, "Fantasy is what people wnat but reality is what they need. And I'm retired from thefantasy part."
THINK ABOUT IT. I think these are issues that Black and Afro-Latino America need to address and we need a President who will address real issues and actually have a platform to execute the problems. We need someone who will uplift humanity.
A.H.L.OT. A HIGHER LEVEL OF THINKING
This is a video that all Hip Hop heads should see:
REMEMBER, I'M NOT THE ENEMY. THEY ARE.
I'm good on Timberlake, I'd rather watch Chris Brown.
Peace!
I wanted to do a blog on Cornell West for President but I'll wait until manana, when I feel like the people are ready for A HIGHER LEVEL OF THINKING. Anyway, I'm amazed with Chris Brown's performances. He's officially that dude. Maybe you missed this performance but I'll give it to you for FREE 99. Don't worry about it. :0)
On the record, shout out to the past and PEACE to the future!
I WOULD EVEN MARRY JILL SCOTT!
Before the kids come out to play, let me say that I'm not a lesibian. I can only be truthful, when I say "she's hot" though! Jill Scott is the epitome of a woman and she embodies the "NEO CHIC." Shout out to all the brown skin ladies in the building! Men can't deny this chic and women wish they had her swag. Once again her album was overlooked- it dropped yesterday and word of mouth it's hot. I haven't bought it yet. I have an excuse though (I'm a broke ass college student) lol. Shout out to Jill as well as her beautiful voice and spirit. MAYBE SHE'LL SAVE HIP HOP. THINK ABOUT IT (WE CAN'T COUNT ON UNCLE MURDA). :0)
I also wanted to share another event I attended this summer in NYC. It was a smooth, calm and chill and gave me an opportunity to get some good shots of the "grown and sexy" nightlife- NYC style. A lot of dope people showed up. I had a chance to network and connect with people who are close to the ground (versus living in the clouds). SIDENOTE: A lot of these industry events are full of dummies and frauds. Anyway, the party was in dedication to Jill's success. She deserves it.
Peep the ILL Photography from the event:
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: http://www.hiddenbeach.com/
Kanye IS boarderline G.O.AT.
Peace! As you all might know, I was in the studio with Kanye West and the good people over at G.O.O.D. Music this summer...kickin' it. You might remember that I also attended his birthday party at the LV store in NYC on 5th Ave. The party was crazy! The craziest thing happened. I was asked to attend the Live EARTH concert in support of Mr. West and crew. Prior to the concert I went the studio to meet up with (so that I could catch a ride. lol). Prior to our departure, I met Kanye West while sitting in a waiting room.
He looked in the room and said, "Hey!" It was weird because although I had attended his B-Day party, I didn't get the opportunity to meet him. Kanye is one of the more interesting emcees in the game, so I was pretty open. I couldn't believe that I was in the mist of Kanye West, industry insiders and chillin' like it was nuthin. It was like a dream ( not to mention days prior I was in Milwaukee, WI questioning myself and going through some Lauryn Hill Unplugged shit).
Anyway, so I'm in the waiting room looking at Ye's wardrobe and thinking, "This dude got gear!" I mean, he had exclsuive pieces..shit you ain't ever seen. To be honest, I was his stylist (in my mind). He had dope jackets and sneakers for days. I'm thinking about matches pieces and putting fits together. Lol.
My homie Tony Williams, asked me to come into the studio to listen to Kanye's "Can't tell Me Nothing" remix featuring Young Jeezy. At this point, I'm texting all my homies, my brother and my cousin like: I'M IN THE STUDIO WITH KANYE WEST! Of course my phone dies and I lose contact. Lol.
After everybody gathers in the room to listen to the track and heads bob like chickens, he opened up the room for discussion. This was the first time I had ever been a "real studio" with million dollar equipment. The sound quality was crazy, the beats were whoofing. I had to let him know-even though I don't care for Young Jeezy...that the track was crazy! Word of mouth, the track was made for Jeezy and he passed it up (these people are going to learn, when passing up these hot ass beats). I ended up telling Kanye that the track was dope and Kanye looked back at me, smiled and said "thanks". The whole room thought the joint was hot- which it was.
Soon after Kanye decided that he was going to get dressed for the concert. I'm thinking (in my mind) that I could pick out a crazy outfit, with those wardrobe options. He comes in the room with his first outfit and then his second outfit and then his third was the one I had to tell him about.
The third outfit was a pair of tanish brown jeans, some yellow Ice Creams and a white shirt with various colors on the sleeve and upper chest. He asked the room, "How does this look"? People said, "I like the shoes" and some people said, "I like the shirt" but they didn't tell him it looked wack. I could no longer hold it in and I said, "Yo, Ye they tryna play you. That shit looks wack." He then looked at me with the face, "who the fuck is she"?
I then looked down and thought, "what am I doing, telling this fresh dude, his outfit is wack"? Everybody started to agree, like "Yeah, I don't like that." He then went to go change. Tony looked at me and smiled. I couldn't wait to go home to tell people, I'd been addressing Kanye like "it's just you and me". I did tell everybody...lol. That's cool though because I'm able to be me in a room of BALLERS.
After that, we went on to the LIVE EARTH concert and that's when I met Jody Rosen (the journalist). He was mad cool. The whole experience was amazing and I really appreciated being around dope people. These people are good people. Word up! Shout out to Tony Williams...and Kanye (as well) for even letting me be around. He couldv'e( on several occassions) told me to move around or whatever else. They really treated me like I was a REAL BACK-UP SINGER...lol. ANYWAY CHECK OUT THE NEW BLENDER MAG (OCT 07). THE INTRO IS ALL ABOUT THE STORY (I JUST TOLD YOU,) WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CONCERT AND THE FUN WE HAD BACKSTAGE.
Theymentioned what I told Kanye and the journalist assumed I was a back-up singer. Cute. Lol.
SHOUT OUT TO CONSEQUENCE, TONY WILLIAMS, BIG SEAN, DON, JOHN AND RHYMEFEST FOR LETTING ME INTO THE "CYPHER". OH YEAH, SHOUT OUT TO JODY ROSEN. HERE'S THE PIECE FROM BLENDER:
Way Out West
Kanye West spent his life struggling for the respect of his hip-hop peers. Now he tells
Blender the genre can’t contain him: “I want to be the no. 1 artist in the world.”
Blender, October 2007
It’s official: Bright-yellow pantswear is a fashion don’t. Kanye West learns this immutable sartorial law the hard way, when he saunters into a midtown-Manhattan recording studio sporting jeans (and matching Nikes) of a hue somewhere between Banana Breeze and Scalding Sunburst. “How does this look?” West asks the roomful of friends and associates. A long silence follows. Finally, one of West’s backup singers speaks up: “Naw, man, that’s the worst yet.” “Damn!” says West, as everyone breaks into laughter.
It’s a steamy Saturday in July, and West has already spent the better part of an hour trying to put together a suitable outfit for this evening’s performance at Giants Stadium in New Jersey—the U.S. edition of Live Earth, Al Gore’s six-continent-spanning environmental megaconcert. A certifiable dandy, West does not take such decisions lightly. “Clothes are my drug,” he’ll later say. “And I like to overdose.” Popping into an adjacent room to try on ensembles for his dozen-strong entourage, West dismisses one look as “very hood—a.k.a. wack.” There is an extended debate about which color combinations will stand out best against the backdrop of the Live Earth stage: a garish grid of car tires inset with flashing lights. For a few minutes, West settles on white trousers topped by a white polo-style shirt with a multicolored-pinwheel design splashed across the chest. “This shirt is fresh,” he crows. But then, doubts start creeping in. “The all-white, with the white Jordans, it’s too Diddyish,” he says. “Too St. Tropez.” Back to the drawing board.
“It isn’t always like this,” West says, after finally choosing a pair of gray jeans, a red polo topped with a white jacket and blindingly white new high-tops. “But you know, it’s a tough decision, what to wear on worldwide TV.” And Kanye West has a reputation to uphold. “With me,” he adds, “people expect the unexpected.”
FOR MORE GO FIND BLENDER MAGAZINE AND FRAME THAT. LOL.
THE CROWD WAS CRAZY
KANYE AND ROSARIO
CONSEQUENCE
YE, TONY AND I
MUSICIANS
ANOTHER HIT BARRY BONDS
A BACKSTAGE LOOK:
Shout out to American Gangster & Isaiah Stokes!
Peace!
Let me start off by saying "sorry" for the lack of effort I've been putting into these blogs. I've noticed that I've been doing a half ass job on the latest entries. I've also been lashing out at people who bring it to my attention. With that said, welcome to the day and the life of a Music Editor (at my student newspaper) a HipHopDX contributor and a full time senior in college. Let's not talk about the daily pressures of being a role model, an auntite, a daughter and a sister...I'm also a future ex-wife. It's hard for me... especially following up with artsits, students and teachers.
I wanted to say "thank-you" to all the readers and constant supporters (Meka, Mark, Bigga, VA, Drea, Will, Mr. Clark, Ohsokool, my brother) and all the other dedicated readers who comment and click. I really appreciate your dedication and feedback.
On the way (this month) will be quite a bit of footage and photos. I wanted to share with the world my experiences in NYC (in the studio and backstage w/ Kanye West, my PR internship at a huge promotion company and my exclusive interviews and parties with big shots and up and coming greats). I took this opportunity to share with you, one of my favorite parties that I attended this summer in downtown NYC, thrown by Hennessy.
If you don't know Isaiah Stokes, become familiar with this guy. He's one of the biggest hustlers in NYC and has a relationship with Moet/Hennessy who just so happened to have pressed 100,000 copies of his mixtape. He's in the upcoming film "American Gangster," and he's also had small roles in some of your favorite hood films like: "Get Rich or Die Trying," and "Killa Season." Keep in mind he's done all of that w/o a manager, promotion team and w/o a lot of pub. He's the definition of "GRINDER." If you have not already checked out his mixtape, do so by clicking on HipHopDX's mixtape section.
Here's some photos from a party I attended this summer with Isaiah and met some good people over at G-Unit West (Spyder Loc's cousin,) Mils (who crazy in the fashion section) and my homegirl Dominique who does everything!
Thanx...and leave some comments and advice on my writing and what I can do to become a better journalist for the Hip Hop community. THE PEOPLE matter the most. :0)
P.S. Check out the Cassidy, Fatal, Kevin Michael, Ja Rule and Mic Geronimo story if you hadn't already.
Peace!
NEW YORK IS OVER!
I rememeber Cam on MTV 2 talking about Ma$e and his book. He kept calling Mason a fraud. It was hard for me to watch because I remember Ma$e introducing Cam on RapCity, through a walk with Big Tigger in Harlem. MaSe plugged Cam and then the next thing you know, I saw the Horse and Carriage (RMX) and Charlie Weakmore (or Baltimore) disses Ma$e on the slide. I didn't know what was goin' on. I discovered Cam was salty about Ma$e not being and his video and that had issues involving money.
Whatever. I just couldn't believe that he was dissin his friend in the public- the same dude who gave him a chance. It was crazy! That sh*t was crazy. Now it's happenin' to Cam.
I was actaully a Dipset buyer. I like Santana's first album and they gave Harlem some sort of identity. But I've come to the conclusion that, a lot of New York dudes are frauds. They disregard their friends for money and sh*t. That's wack. Maybe I don't see the bigger picture- maybe these n*ggas have a motive...but the Dipset thing really hurt me.
What the fuck is Santana and Jim doing with 50? Why is Remi dumb and why would she disregard Joe? Loon is talking sh*t on the slide about Ma$e in interviews and sh*t- what are these people thinking about when they make decisions?
Think about all the crews in NYC and how many of them fall apart...they diss their crews and then they make songs with dudes they dissed on prior records. At the end of the day, money is controlling the minds of these emcees when they should really appreciate loyalty and friendship.
It's like selling their souls to the devil. I wish these dudes the best and maybe, just maybe they'll get some 101 loyalty lessons. I CAN'T RELATE BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE THIS INDUSTRY SHYT. That's real talk. Think about it. NYC let's get it together.
The point of the blog is to bring to your attention that all the people who last, are loyal dedicated people. Karma is a muthafucka. Real talk.
But anyway, stay funky, fresh and free!
You P*ssy Rappers & Listeners = SLAVES
The way I found out about Nat Turner and Marcus Garvey was through Nas. The way in which I learned about Nina Simone and
a lot of my history was through conversations through Mos Def and Talib Kweli. The way I was exposed to lots of knowledge of self and Black history was through music!
It bothers me that I was at the "Jena 6" Rally yesterday and the spirit of the people had shifted. The leaders aren't the same and all I could think about was "where is he at and why isn't she here?" When I discuss he or she, I mean the emcees, the singers and everybody else that our children look up to for what's hot. Where the f*ck are ya'll when we need ya'll?
WHERE IS THE STRONG BLACK AMERICA THAT WE SAW IN THE 50'S...DURING HUNDREDS OF YEARS OPPRESSION? ALL THAT'S MENTIONED IN THE CLUB IS MONEY AND HONEYS... I FEEL LIKE THE WHOLE WORLD IS MAD AT ME. MY FRIENDS DON'T WANNA SEE DOMINQUE COMING. LOL. FA'WHAT? ASK YOURSELF WHY ARE YOU MAD AT THE POSITIVE EMCEE?
The days of Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley are over and the people like Tupac are dead. Where do we look and where do we search for inspiration and upliftment? I guess WE should look towards the sky and wait on "the light" to hit US, while WE're dodging danger and f*cked up enviroments. At the end of the day, what can I say other than shout out to Mos Def, Salt N Peppa, Bun B and Lyfe for showing up to an event that meant something.
Yes, I listen to Kanye West because he is one out of few, whom actually speaks up when its time and that's what the people need. It won't be Al Sharpton who is the voice for young Black and Latino America, but the voice of an emcee.
This is what Mos Def had to say according to BET in regards to the lack of "friends" that showed up:
"Shame on everybody who's not here. I'm f---ing mad. I'm disappointed to always be coming to these things and it's only one or two people [from the industry here]," he said. "If you ain't gonna use your voice, then be quiet...I'm disappointed and ashamed."
YEP..."FOOD FOR THOUGHT, SCRAPE THE PLATE."
A.H.L.O.T. (A HIGHER LEVEL OF THINKING)
I GET AROUND: I FOUND PRIMO, 9TH & PETE
PEACE! THIS IS YA GIRL BACK IN THE BUILDING!
Anyway, I decided that I would share some footage of my summer in NYC. I have an interview w/ Primo, 9th and Pete Rock. It was crazy because it was one of my first (in person) interviews and I was in the mist of three legends. It was crazy! I was mad nervous but interviews like this only make me better. I was actually there working the door, helping set up the party and assisting with the press junket. Somehow, I was chosen to do a 5 minute interview with all three of them at the same time. CRAZY, RIGHT?
It was dope though, good energy and good vibes. I am the future of this Hip Hop sh*t and since I have everything to do with what's happening to this culture, I will dedicate my life to making myself better. I alway try to ask deep, different questions and try my best to "Alter Popular Perception." If I don't, who will?
The party was dope though. Q-Tip, Primo, 9th and Pete had sets and the crowd was pumping! Pharoahe, Young Guru Talib and Buckshot was in the building. The bar was crackin' and everybody had a good time. Never mind my outfit, I was the middle eastern Punkie Bruster that day! LOL. Word. This type of sh*t only makes me better.
THE HOT 97 INTERVIEW W/ PRIMO, 9TH AND PETE ROCK
Kev, homies and ME!
Talib, Zack and I
Yep...lifted
Interns in the building!
Tanya Morgan and I...shout out to Donwill
Drew, Fresh Daily and I
Young Guru and ya girl!
History in the making
This photo was taken by Zack...good shyt
THANKS PEOPLE!
A low budget, Kanye & Lil wayne Video
OK...AS YOU ALL KNOW, I LOVE KANYE WEST...HE'S MY FAVORITE EMCEE. I'm kinda SALTY AT WAYNE THOUGH FOR SEVERAL REASONS, ONE BEING THAT I DIDN'T GET THE INTERVIEW I WANTED AND TWO HE DIDN'T SHOW UP TO THE FADER PARTY. Hmm. Yes, I'm salty. They both tight though and "Barry Bonds" is sick. Kanye...is that Dude-fa'real...but I ran acrossthis video thought I'd share this video. It builds off the stereotypes and misconceptions...and even some perceptions. So, check it out
ARE PEOPLE ULTIMATELY HATING OR WHAT?
OH YEAH, IF YOU MISSED IT, CHECK OUT THE KANYE/50 UNOFFICIAL LISTENING PARTY...DOPE SHYT: http://www.hiphopdx.com/blogs/AHLOT/2007/09/13/exclusive-face-off-50-kanye-unofficial-listening-party.html
KANYE'S NEW VIDEO featuring T-PAIN, "The Good Life"
THEY ROBBED MY DUDE AT THE MTV AWARDS BUT HERE'S ANOTHER VIDEO FOR YOU BASTARDS. BEST VIDEO OF 2007. I DIDN'T WANT TO DO A LOT OF WRITING SO YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE.
PEACE!
SEP/12/2007 9:50 A.M. CST <<< I got the exclsuives!
Once again...YOU don't get it.
"WAKE UP PEOPLE... hip hop hasn't changed, you have..... ya'll talk about lyrical this, and lyrical that... I bet 90% of the people on this site, can't go listen to an album from front to back that was made before 1990... ya'll talk about how it used to be, but ya'll don't really remember.... real hip hop, aint about what's lyrical and what's not... it's about music that relates to the urban commuinty... no matter what the artist intentions are, at the end of the day it's about what relates to the URBAN community.... so if all jeezy rap about is selling drugs... guess what? People are selling drugs in these "urban" communities... and they were doing it before Jeezy was born... so that's the definition of hip hop, if you wanted to know... it's not about lyrics, beats, dancing, or anything like that... it's susposed to be a mirror image of the streets... and for the most part that what it is... if you "hip hop" heads stop worrying about these rappers personal lifes, and record sales, then you would be able to enjoy hip hop..." -Space Cowboy
I know what you were trying to say but you didn't execute the idea. If that's what Hip Hop is, I'm not Hip Hop. Wyclef once said something like "You can't blame it on Hip Hop," which WAS true. This is no longer true. At this point you have to ask yourself...
"Is HIP HOP a reflection of the streets or are the STREETS a reflection of Hip Hop?" I think intially Hip Hop was a reflection of the streets but now I TRUELY believe Hip Hop controls A LOT (and not all) of what's happening in the streets. This isn't the best for the future of humanity. It's not cool to glorify drugs, crime and murder. I think it's a difference in expressing your experience and glorifying your experience (especially drugs, crime and murder). Ultimately it's not hurting the elite, yet it's hurtin' the majority of us...whom are the minority.
At the end of the day, these people will do anything to feel good about themselves even if they have to sell their souls. The illisional lifestyle is much more important than their actual lives and the quality of their lives. Honestly, I don't think the majority of people at the top give a f*ck about ya'll...I PITTY THE SELFISH MAN. Of course, a lot of you are against me. You'll thank me later.
RAP ABOUT THIS:
SHOUT OUT TO HIP HOP. MAYBE I HAVE CHANGED. CHANGE ONLY MAKES SENSE...THESE FOOLS MUST BE STUCK IN THEIR "SECOND CHILDHOODS." I guess you'll live your life not making progress. "ANYTHING THAT ISN'T GROWING IS DEAD."
I've "GRADUATED" from listening to music that's not progressive (DOMINQUE "A.H.L.O.T." HOWSE). Hopefully you'll join me. THAT'S ALL. Peace!