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Altering Popular Perception Since 1985
Brooklyn Cats GOT THAT SWAG!
We all know some of the flyest people in the world fly straight outta Brooklyn. No need to name drop. Since ya'll gave me the right, I decided to skool ya'll to some hip shyt. So, from a place inspired by the people, and has produced people like Biggie and Jay, I present to you, Rasu and Dauod...the dopest dudes in the game.
With knowledge and application, these two cats are the epitome of "Grind" and "Progression." Short story...I interviewed these cats way back when, so I knew they were dope, but it didn't really hit me until this summer when I went to the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, and I discovered the brand was everywhere!
They've been featured in several online mags and their creativity is bursting out of the internet. The people love these two cats and the apparel is something that reflects their love for the people. Talk about giving back. So check em' out and let me know what ya'll think. Don't forget having swag is something you're born with, but staying fly...you have to buy. Connect with me people! PEACE.
"COUP D'ETAT BROOKLYN...the official brand, for years to come."- A.H.L.O.T.
Coup D'etat BK: coup d'etat, BROOKLYN is a graphically-bold design company based in Bed-Stuy whose philosophy follows one simple rule: "live to change something." The brand's founders, Daoud Abeid & Rasu Jilani, created the t-shirt line to manifest visual ideas and life philosophies into eye-catching designs that people, no matter their creed, can truly feel.
"There seemed to be a shortage of quality t-shirts on the market at one point, so we decided to make shirts that we would want to wear as we play our role in taking the t-shirt game to the next level," said coup d'etat founder, Daoud Abeid. "The term coup d'etat means 'blow to the state', and is more commonly known as a military take-over in French. The brand's tag line, 'live to change something,' reflects the way we approach life each and every day."
coup d'etat seamlessly connects the hero, the revolutionary, the truth-seeker, and the fashionista, with the understanding that these attributes reside in each and every one of us. -Taken from the website
For more information go to the website or even the myspace page:
http://www.cdtbk.com
http://www.myspace.com/cdtbk
A little bit about Coup D'etat Brooklyn, a brand made for the people:
A snippet of the short film, "Eye Jammy," shout out to Sunshowah/Daoud & Dahkil: "EYE JAMMY" Teaser
Behind the film and brand: Sunshowah's "Eye Jammy" profile by IRT
Top FIVE Emcees better than YOUR favorite rapper.
I decided to do a blog on some of my favorite emcees. I looked around the globe and these are the cats I found. It's funny because I believe in all of them. All of them are ground breaking emcees, ready to spit, spit, spit! In an industry full of wackness, sometimes we have to highlight the good. I wanted to pay tribute to the overlooked people in the game. Check em' out. Combined they've been featured in more than four major hip hop websites, in The Source magazine, in the iStandard "Beast of the Beats" competition, in local commercials and they all made it to my blog. Watch out industry dudes! Check out videos and the brief views...lol. PEACE! I luv u people!
R.E.U.B.
Hailing from: The D.C. area
Myspace Page: www.myspace.com/reubmuzik1
Age: 99
Why he's hot: He's been all over the internet...on some of your favorite hip hop sites. He's original, fresh and new. Both an emcee and a producer. He's 1/3 of The Clinic...a super trio taking over the D.C. scene with fans flopping out of the universe.
AL BE BACK
Hailing from: South Bronx, NY
Myspace: www.myspace.com/albeback
Age: 24
Why he's hot: For him, it's more than music, it's a lifestyle. He's been on HBO's Def Poetry, Graduation (itunes version) and he's dope. He has a sick flow with crazy metaphors...not a lot of similes...which is a good thing. He's actually bigger than rap...if you ask me.
ESINCHILL
Hailing from: East Oakland, CA
Myspace: www.myspace.com/rceasonmusic
Age: This guy has to be younger than T.I. but older than Wayne.
Why he's hot: Different sound, different look and a different train of thought...he's simpy hot! The dude is straight West Coast.
M. ISLAND
Hailing from: New York City
Myspace: www.myspace.com/misland
Age: Who knows...do you?
Why he's hot: Heart of a King, blood of a slave...he's dope as ever, with witty lines and a heart bigger than yours...lol. He reminds me of a passionate Canibus without all the big words. He's nice.
HAZ SOLO
Hailing from: Milwaukee, WI
Myspace: www.myspace.com/hazsoloemcee
Age: 20 something...
Why he's hot: he's got the style of a monster, the flow of an animal. This guy will not stop spittin. Maybe it's something in the blood.
Check out this video: Haz Solo - "The Do Over Show" Part One
Add to My Profile | More Videos
From the crates: Diggin' in N.O. for Hip Hop
Dominque “A.H.L.O.T.” Howse “We gone Clap back!” May 2, 2007
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Louisiana was known for it’s “soulful black folk,” unforgettable music and deep rooted history. In mid 1999 a sound from the unique southern streets, hit the airwaves and Junevile’s “Ha,” became the song of the summer. New Orleans was finally on the map and the mixture of Jazz, Hip-Hop and struggle reflected in the music.
Since then Juvenile has sold over 10 million records and released Wack-O and Skip, under his label UPT Records. Best known for their 2004 hit, “Nolia Clap” Wack-O and Skip are back. With an album set for release this summer, Wack-O sat down for an exclusive interview to talk about the current state of Hip-Hop, the industry and the future of New Orleans.
HipHopDX: It’s a possibility if you’re not in the southern part of the United States or in the Midwest, that Wack-O is an unfamiliar name. What is your affiliation with Juvenile and how would people remember you?
W: Ya’ll know me from the “Nolia Clap.” Everybody knows about the nolia clap. Mr. Nolia Clap is back again, ya heard me? Slippin’ those bundles and pushin’ those packs- again, ya heard me? The new album will be out in June. The name of the album is “Back like we left something.” We’re back like we left something…cause I left something (laughs).
HipHopDX: [Laughs]. After the success of the first single, how did you take it all in?
W: I don’t let that go to my head. I just keep it moving. Some people drop a hot single or a hot song and they feel like ‘I’m the sh-t, I did it, I made it.’ It’s not about that. It’s about staying consistent. Right now, “I’m back like I left something,” and we got consistent hits! When you listen to it you’re gonna be like “Yeah, that’s a hit, oh yeah that’s a hit.” You ain’t gonna have to keep pressing fast forward and rewind, go back…you can just listen to the album.
HipHopDX: Well, what happened right after the hit? You guys dropped a hot single and then it’s like, ‘Where Wack-O and Skip at’?
W: Well you know business, man. Rapping is cool, but if your business isn’t handled right-it’s 99 percent business and one percent rap. That’s what a lot of dudes gotta learn, coming up in this game. They think it’s all about rapping, getting rich and then buying the Bentleys- it ain’t like that. It’s hard work and dedication…making sure that your business is right. Making sure you get paid for everything that you do-your ringtones or whatever else. I’m saying if your voice is on anything, you need to get paid for it. Unless it’s a mixtape for promotion or something. Now, Skipp and I, our business is right and we’re “Back like we left something.”
HipHopDX: Alright, last time we heard from ya’ll, Hip-Hop we sort of different then. Nas brought out an album called “Hip Hop is Dead,” Killa Mike did a track back in the day about it, what’s your perception of the current state of Hip-Hop?
W: What they mean by Hip-Hop is dead, is that people ain’t really speakin’ life no more…in regards to the real sh-t that’s really going on. The rap game is one big party right now. Nobody is really taking it serious and everybody wants to dance. I guess we just gonna dance it all the way out. Then you have a few artist out there who still spittin’ real Hip-Hop- whether it’s gangsta Hip-Hop, regular Hip-Hop. You have Outkast, Nas and Jay- Z. You know there was an argument with Jeezy and Nas posted on the internet, about Hip-Hop being dead and sh-t. What Jeezy spittin’ to me is Hip-Hop, but it’s hard. Whatever the streets can relate to, that’s Hip-Hop for me. In the form or fashion of dress code and everything…the baggy jeans- well now the game has switched up to tight jeans. You see ni-ggas in tight jeans
HipHopDX.com: [laughs].
W: [Laughs], yeah, I’m not knockin’ another n-ggas swag, but I’m going to stick to what I do. When Hip-Hop started it was about the baggy clothes, the fat shoestrings, the tongue hanging out, dope ropes and all that sh-t. But, it’s a new fashion- Hip-Hop now, it’s coming from all different type of aspects. You can’t knock what other people doing. I just want to listen to real sh-t and hear somebody tell a story. The art of story telling is really being lost in the game. I guess that’s what Nas mean-we’re not really, spittin’ that real, real. You can say the same things over and over on a bangin’ a-s beat and make a hit. These days, n-ggas not really puttin’ any effort into it. “I got rims on my truck, rims on my truck,” you know what I’m sayin? C’mon man. Tell me how you got that truck, how you got that ice…talk about that.
HipHopDX: You spoke about style and how people have switched things up, what do you think makes New Orleans rappers stick out?
W: My favorite artist from New Orleans is Souljah Slim. That’s who I grew up on. Other cats grew up on, Tupac and- don’t get me wrong. I’m a Pac fanatic, but I’m a Slim fanatic. It’s like, I relate to dude and what he be talking about, because I’ve been there. When you do the same type of sh-t and n-ggas put it on the table, it’s like “damn.” It’s just like Jay-Z. Jay- Z say a lot of things, that any hustler or any boss- Jay- Z say every phrase and every definition of a boss. That’s why a n-gga feel it. Just like women, ya’ll feel Beyonce and them. When that certain song come on, and ya’ll sing it word for word. That’s how we feel, when a n-gga is rapping some real sh-t…when women understand what we had to go through to get there, that’s when they understand the rap better…
HipHopDX: You really emphasize struggle and hardship. Tell me how your perceptions of life changed, your career and your perception of music after Hurricane Katrina. How did things shift in your mind?
W: That’s a good question. I could think was that , I am blessed. It was a lot of people who didn’t really make it to survive. That day became the end of their lives. Everyday I wake up, still to this day and I thank God that I’m blessed. I’m glad I have a talent outside of selling drugs and jacking. I’m glad I have a special talent, to make money and stay surviving. With this talent, it don’t matter how many Hurricanes come, I’m good. This talent just doesn’t stop in one city. When you got dudes confined to one city and the streets they don’t even have their sources anymore. I’m blessed and thank God that I have a talent.. I overcame all that and I’m doing my thing- thing.
HipHopDX: Cool. Let me know how you felt when 400 Degreez dropped? It’s considered a classic album, not only in New Orleans but all over the country. How did feel the first time you saw Juveniles’s “Ha” on BET?
W: Right then and there, I knew I was gonna blow. I thought if they like that, I got something for they a-s. I was locked up. I was a prisoner when 400 Degreez came out. I was doing my bid, I was a juvenile, a four and a half bid. I was looking like, “He did it.” At the same time, I knew he touched it so I was gonna touch it. He opened a lot of doors…what gave me more inspiration, was the fact that he was my dude. We grew up together. He rich now, so we rich now. Where I come from, we go back and get our people. When, I saw that video, that day I said, “We made it.” We’ve been at it for a long time and Juve broke the ice. We showed the projects on BET, that’s Magnolia. Magnolia got hot and there where people coming from all over the world, like “Where is Juve, where Turk, where B.G., Silkk Tha Shocker.” It was a good feeling, because for a long time New York got all the glory and the West Coast got the shine-as far as rap. To see our lil’ crowd blow from New Orleans, it was a good feeling. I felt great seeing Master P and them. We here baby! They were showin’ the projects on BET.
HipHopDX; If you could control what the audience bought into what type of songs would you bring out?
W: Well right now, me, Skip and LIl’ Wayne. People who’ve been to New Orleans knows what it is. If you haven’t been to New Orleans you about to know what it is. They about to know what a second line is. Black history, they about to learn about black history and the history behind New Orleans. We trying to do something new, that they’ve never had a taste of. It’s been going here, but t hey don’t know nuthin’ about that.
HipHopDX: If you could work with anybody who would it be?
W: I still want to do a song with Tupac. I sill want to do a song a with Biggie…
HipHopDX: It’s possible [laughs].
W: [Laughs] Right, I still want do a joint with Slim. I’m talking to his mom right now. Me and Ms. Linda trying to get that business together, right now. Trying to keep his legacy alive. Who ever. I’ll do music with whoever. You can be into Rap, Pop, R&B-
HipHopDX: Who wouldn’t you work with?
W: [Laughs]That’s a good question. I would say um, RuPaul. I’d be like “Hell nah, I’m Good.”
HipHopDX.: [Laughs]. You guys are coming out with an album real soon…
W: Back like we left something! (Claps) Late May, early June…Lil Weezie on the single. It’s hot! I know a lot of people aren’t gonna like that.
HipHopDX: Speaking of Wayne, he said he was “The greatest rapper alive, since the greatest rapper retired.” How do you feel about that? As an emcee I thought you were suppose to feel like that…
W: That’s what I was fenna tell you. I’m the greatest rapper alive…I’m the greatest rapper alive! When you fall in that zone, it’s on. If you feel like you can’t be stopped, then hey…that’s Hp-Hop! If you want to know what it is, that’s what Hip-Hop is. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best- that’s Hip-Hop. Beat the best. Don’t get me wrong, he’s hot right now, he’s on everything. Name something he’s not on.
HipHopDX: RuPaul (laughs).
W: (Laughs) Yeah, he’s not on RuPaul…everything else he’s on it! He’s hot. I’m the type of dude not to hate- if you’re holding it down- you’re holding it down. Right now, Lil’ Wayne is holding New Orleans, Louisiana on his back. Me and Skip- Back like we left something.
HipHopDX: Anything else you want the readers to know?
W: If you a hatin’ f-uck you, if you congratulatin’ we love ya!
For more information go to: http://www.myspace.com/wackoutp
Figuring Out Kanye's secret BLUEPRINT to success
Ok, people...this is the most interesting thing I've seen in a long time...it's from one of my readers and he thought that he should share it with you all. It's dope. Take my word people, he's a genius. Peace!
Graduating with a Degree in Architecture By: Stephen Berrios
Dear Kanye West,
My name is Stephen Berrios and I am a huge fan of your music, which should be no secret to you or else why would I write you this letter. Now I’m sure you get letters like this all of the time, but I assure you mine is different from all of those, or at least I hope it is. You probably hear that line a lot as well, but all I ask is that you take time out of your busy schedule to read the entire article I have written before you toss it aside with the rest of your fan mail.
I’ll begin by saying I think, no I know, I figured out the hidden mystery that is “Graduation”. What mystery do I speak of? You and I both know what that is but I’ll say it for argument’s sake. “Graduation” is fashioned in the same manner that “Blueprint” was. Now this might sound like a stretch but by the end of this I hope you agree that “I got to be right now/ Cause I can’t get much wronger.”
First things first is the release date of “Graduation”: 9/11/2007. The “Blueprint” was released on 9/11/2001, a historic day for reasons other than hip-hop. Coincidence, maybe, but I think that you are way too smart for that. I know that this is a cheesy one so I’ll continue building my case.
The “Blueprint” had 13 tracks on it with 2 hidden bonus tracks “Breathe Easy” and “Girls, Girls, Girls Remix”. “Graduation” has 13 tracks on it with 2 hidden bonus tracks on the Japanese version and I-Tunes version (no U.S. love?) “Bittersweet” and “Can’t Tell Me Nothing Remix”. Exactly the same tracks with two bonus tracks, one of which is a remix, on both LP’s? I’ll move on.
Who is the only featured artist that Jay-Z lets spit a verse on the classic “Blueprint”? Answer: Eminem. Who is the only featured artist you let spit a verse on your classic “Graduation”? Answer: Lil Wayne. At the time the “Blueprint” came out Eminem was arguably the hottest MC in the game besides Jay-Z. Jay even gives props to Eminem on “Excuse Me Miss”, something he is not known for doing outside of Tha ROC, “Who else you going to run with, the truth is us/ Only dudes moving units, Em, Pimp Juice, and Us.”
Now in many circles, including a few of my own, Lil Wayne is the hottest MC in the game still active, he is killing the mixtape circuit and all of his guest features go straight to the top. (I know Jay-Z and Eminem are still active but they are legends, therefore they do not belong on lists anymore, besides the hip-hop hall of fame.) This is one of the more concrete similarities I see between the two LP’s but I’ll continue piling on the evidence.
I hate to rehash “Barry Bonds” but this will be the last time I swear. Wayne’s opening line is “Yeah I’m so bright not shady/ My teeth and my ice so White like Shady”. This is an obvious reference to Eminem, but why is Weezy giving props on the only guest featured MC on “Blueprint” on the only guest feature appearance on “Graduation”? It doesn’t take a genius to make the deduction, well maybe it does since a genius came up with it, and a genius figured it out. :)
Moving along, what was your first smash hit to get radio play? Answer: “ Izzo H.O.V.A.”. Now why was it such a success besides Jay-Z’s silky flow? Answer: the sample. On that track you used Jackson 5's “I Want You Back”, a sick selection if I do say so myself. What is going to be the biggest smash hit of this album? Answer: “Good Life”. What makes “Good Life” so hot besides T-Pain’s soulful, killer, truthful outro? Answer: the sample. Michael Jackson’s “P.Y.T.” is a sick choice because of the parallels and the fact that M.J. is a graduated version of Jackson 5. You really are a genius.
Speaking of “Good Life” I must note that it is also your “diss” record to 50 Cent and most people probably won’t even pick up on it. What did Jay-Z say about Nas on the diss track “Takeover”, produced by you, “So yeah I sampled your voice/ You was using it wrong/ You made it a hot line/ I made it a hot song.” So what does the Dropout go ahead and do? Follow Jay-z’s instructions and bite the hottest 50 Cent line in his career to make a hot song. The funny thing is “In Da Club” was a super-duper-slam-dunk hit, not a finger roll, but you have such artistic creativity you go ahead and get him on a whole different level.
In fact you say in the song “I pop the hood, Ferrari” compared with “50, a.k.a. Ferrari” (Subliminal? Yes!) and “The only thing I wish/ I wish a nigga would/He probably think he could/ But, but I don’t think he should” and proceed to jump into the sampled line from there. If my interpretation is correct you are telling 50 Cent that no matter who sells more you still win because you are living the “Good Life” making classic music and connecting with people. Just a reminder: “Blueprint” one diss track, “Graduation” one diss track.
On the first track of “Graduation” you sample the first track off of “Blueprint” for the outro when it just so happens to be the intro, first bar, of “The Ruler’s Back”. “Hustler’s that’s if you still living/ Get on down.” I’m starting to freak myself out with all these coincidences.
“Blueprint” was the first time Jay-Z compared himself to the Notorious BIG with “If I’m not better than BIG/ I’m the closest one.” On “Glory” you humble yourself and say “I hear people compare themselves to BIG a lot/ You know BIG and Pac/ You know to get it hot/ I guess when I die I wanna be compared to BIG/ Anyone Big Pun, Big L, or Notorious.”
Also on “Glory” you spit “In two years Dwayne Wayne/ Became Dwayne Wade.” Jay compares himself to Michael Jordan multiple times on “Blueprint” with “If you haven’t heard/ I’m Michael, Magic, and Bird/ All rolled into one/ Cause none got more flows than Son.” If Jay-Z is Michael Jordan than surely you are Dwayne Wade, since Wade idolized Jordan and mimics his style of play, and represents Chi-Town. There are even more basketball references on “Blueprint” with the Sam Bouie draft pick line and more on “Graduation” with the Gnarles Barkley, Charles Barkley simile.
I hate to put so much emphasis on “Glory”, it’s the best track by the way, but another line sticks out like a sore thumb that makes my case “Stronger”. “Lauren said her heart was in Zion/ I wish her heart still was in rhyming.” Compare this to a track produce by you of a certain azul flavor, “Now the Fugees go and break up/ Now everyday I wake up/ Somebody got a problem with Hov.” I might be stretching a bit but allow me my artistic creativity please.
You actually bites lines from the “Blueprint” all over “Graduation”, from “Hola’ Hovito” to the “Duuuude!” in “That Nigga Jigga” on “Flashing Lights”. Other similarities include the use of French lines in “Flashing Lights” that is bitten off of the “Girls, Girls, Girls” track. Both you and Jay also pay homage to Malcolm X on the LP’s as well.
In actuality we should have seen it coming. You helped engineer the “Blueprint” to legendary status and even Jay thinks it is his best work. On “Watch What You Say” Jay spits, “You talking to the author/ The architect of the Blueprint/ My DNA in your music/ Muthafucka you stupid?” The “Black Album” and “Reasonable Doubt” are also fine masterpieces but they don’t compare to the flavor of “Blueprint”. Not to get off the subject but the author line on the T.I. track is also mentioned on “Flashing Lights”, “I’m more of the/ Trips to Florida/
Ordered the hor d’ourves/ Views of the water/ Straight from the page of your favorite author.” This also bears a striking resemblance to “A sunny day/ Some chicks that want to play/ and I’ll be on my way.” This is another stretch perhaps but it does fit the mold a bit.
I think all of the tracks match up pretty well too, except for a couple. Here is my list: Good Morning = Ruler's Back, Champion = Hola Hovito, Stronger = That Nigga Jigga, I Wonder = Song Cry, Can't Tell Me Nothing = Never Change, Good Life = Takeover, Barry Bonds = Renegade, Drunk Hot Girls = Girls, Girls, Girls, Flashing Lights = All I Need, Everything I Am = You Don't Know, Homecoming = Heart Of The City, Glory = Izzo H.O.V.A., Big Brother = Mama Loves Me.
There are more similarities but I feel that these are evidence enough to prove my point. My only question is why keep it a secret? With all of the flack hip-hop has taken in the last year with the Don Imus situation and Rev. Al Sharpton starting a communist witch hunt on bitches, hos, and niggas, this is the perfect opportunity to signal to the world that hip-hop is not dead, and certainly won’t be as long as you continue to pump out classics. I feel that hip-hop has no direction right now with the constant gimmicky dance songs and party mentality of the genre. Don’t get me wrong I know those things are a part of hip-hop’s roots as it was an escape to create safe space from the harsh inner city tribulations, but I feel it has gotten out of control.
Therefore I propose the following as my reward for figuring out the puzzle, not that I deserve one but a graduate has to have dreams right? Since hip-hop is lacking direction right now I think you should take the reins and get the horse back on track towards a positive movement. The best way I feel to do this is by making a song with yourself, Common, and Lupe Fiasco pertaining to the upcoming election and promotion of Barrack Obama. The hook can even sample the Obama lines from Common and Lupe: “Why is Bush acting like he trying to get Osama/ Why don't we impeach him and elect Obama”, and “Standing in front of the judge with no honor/ My raps ignite the people like Obama” and “Catholic priest fondling/ Preemptive bombin’ an Osama an’ ‘em, Obama an’ ‘em”. Don’t act like you are unfamiliar with the concept either, since you were Pepsi’s spokesman, made a Super Bowl track, and a Mission Impossible song as well.
Now I know what you are going to say, you already said it on the “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” mixtape, “Dog, I’m not political” but you are a damn liar. I saw your public service announcement for education, the Katrina outburst, speaking about war and religion, etc. The list goes on, and whether you like to admit it or not you are very political because you make music for the people. Democracy is all about the people and by embracing them in your music you are embracing politics, because the fact of the matter remains what politicians do effect everyone’s lives. Politics is not all about donkeys and elephants, raising money, and voting but it embodies the way we live our lives and the decisions we make on a daily basis. You are a die hard American as you were educated in the school system and have the classic immigrant mantra of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, not to mention your rampant materialistic nature (I’m not hating, because I would do the same shit, I’m just saying.)
If I haven’t convinced you yet let me give you a vision for how I see the video. First things first is that the Democrats need to win Ohio and Florida in order to win the election this time around. So who are two of the biggest stars from each of these states? Lebron James and Dwayne Wade. The video has the two facing off in a one-on-one game in the rain on a broken down dirty court filled with garbage and not kept up in quite some time. As the song progresses the court starts to get rebuilt and with new hoops, nets, and concrete while the storm begins to fade. In the background will be images of historical minority leaders who have made change possible: Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Jesse Jackson, Harold Washington, Che Guevara, Cesar Chavez, etc. This is the image Barrack Obama represents, Change for the better. I know you have to be feeling Obama on some levels since his charisma and public speaking abilities are out of this world, so why not lend him a hand in his uphill battle. He’s Black, young, smart as hell and doesn’t have the last name Bush or Clinton. He represents real change for the people and if we elect Clinton then I fear we have started to digress into a puppet government that no longer responds to the people. Please prove the neo-conservative Christian Right Wing nut jobs wrong and help get Obama elected. I can assure you I do not work for Obama For America campaign, but I do respect the man a lot as I am a graduate of political science from DePaul University and a minority with big dreams and aspirations of my own.
Now all of this might be a stretch but like I said before, I’m a dreamer and your music gives me inspiration so I hope you understand when I write this with as much sincerity as possible. I don’t want to come off as a random fanboy obsessed with his idol but more of a revolutionary with a vision of how the United States can get back on track after an 8 year slump who figured out the secrets of the Shakespear of my generation. Whether you take my suggestion or not please let me know if I got my theory right. I’m pretty sure I hit on something, but a lot of my boys are calling me crazy and I would love to prove them wrong by hearing it straight from the horses mouth. My email is ______, and my phone number is _____please drop me a line saying I was right or if you want to pursue my vision of the future.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen Berrios
You Created these "NIGGAS" and "NIGGERS"
I'm up at 3:41a.m. (cst) conversing with some of my favorite people in the world and I decided to go to one of my favorite websites to notice a feature story on Nasir Jones as well as this posted video:
A lot of you may have previously viewed it, but I had to make sure that my world and the people in my cypher were able to take a glimpse at how criminals make you out to be criminals, as if they're the victims. In this case...Nas is the victim and these upper class Anglos are the criminals. I said it. I think it had to be said. I might lose a lot of you with this one.
I really feel and know that Anglo Saxons, have always made it look like the oppressed people are the bad guys. News Flash: The oppressed people are a relfection of a culture that you started. In a nutshell...Fox News is a representation of "Crankin' that Soulja Boy," on Black and Afro-Latino people across the world. Fuck it. It's A.H.L.O.T. saying this and don't you forget people.
Out of all things in the world, they wanna point the blame at Hip Hop and Nas? Did Nas create this term, did he create the environmnets or the bullshyt ass system that has destroyed generations of people? Last time I checked, he wasn't responsible. This isn't new to me though. Fox News didn't just pick any "nigga" to attack, they picked one of the strongest "niggas," to attack..so we can see the cookie crumble...just like on the plantations, when they tore our men apart.
I can't mean this more, when I say...it's not cool to see brothas like Al Sharpton and Jesse against Nas. It only seperates us and that's part of the plan. I can't stand it.
The clip pissed me off because Al and Jesse really think these people are on their side. They aren't. They look at you as CONSERVATIVE clowns, as well as your platforms. The word "Nigger" and "Nigga" are reflections of the white community or shall I say derived from the white community. So when you say, "OMG, Nas is using Nigger or the rappers are using Nigga," all I can say is...ya'll been using it for centuries...to destroy, demolish and kill...and now it's a crime? Get the fuck outta here.
As far as the lyrics that Nas uses...they picked some of the craziest bars to display...making him into a demon...or like a George Bush or a Cheney, maybe. I'm not buying it and I hope the millions of viewers didn't buy it either. Times like this, I am ashamed to be an American. Let's break the chains people and commend Nas for attempting to take this word to another level...to destroy the pain behind it. I know who's destroying the people and it's not Nas. Nas is not my biggest fear.
My biggest fear is that Black and Afro-Latino people will fall back and watch our people suffer, because of a bulshyt standard that somebody who hates the hell out of you created. That's a fear. A fear is living in the old Harlem, visiting parts of Chicago, growing up on the East-side of Milwaukee...walking at night in New Orleans...or even seeing thousands of people in Compton..die because of a bullshyt system they created...fuck that! I will not them tear down my people and blame Hip Hop.
A message from an Australian:
Also, all the people reading this blog please get the book, "Willie Lynch: Making of a Slave." I'm sure most you can read it in 40 minutes or less. Please take an hour out of time and think about all this Hip Hop shit and the reason why it's here. Look at the intent and the reason why it is what it is..and how it's transformed. Always search for intent. Oh yeah and blow a cock...Fox News and any other racist chump.
This video is somebody actually reading it for you, if you don't wanna read it:
One thing I will not do is forget...I'll never forget who the real criminal is. These issues are bigger than Hip Hop and Hip Hop exist because of them. Don't you forget.
This is my history:
STRUGGLE & STRENGH...punks!
Peace!
"Hurry Wayne...move in b4 it's too late."
Peace, people!
While watching the Hip Hop Awards the other night on BET, I received a phone call from a good friend of mine aka Proverb, speaking on how tight Lil Wayne was and I thought..."yep, he is." He continued by saying something similar to this, "Man, Lil' Wayne better do a Jay-Z/Biggie move and get in, while the King of the South is gone." I thought to myself and paused. He's right. If Lil Wayne wants to be king, he better move in NOW.
Can Little Louisiana takeover? Is that even possible for him to get a crown? Does he have what it takes to produce quality albums like "Aquemini," "ATLiens," and other southern classics? Hmmm. I know he can spit a great 16 and maybe a great 32..but does he have the charisma to be a Biggie, the impact to be a Pac, the various angles of a Nas or even the constant grind of a Jay-Z? I'm not too sure. Beyond being good or hot on 77 songs, you have to produce quality albums and make the people either wanna be like you or believe in you (A-EAZY, I SEE YOU). The people believe, I think.
Since I go to school in the southern region, I heard yesterday that Lil' Wayne is better than Jay-Z and that he's in the top five of all time. The problem with their argument was that they didn't know tracks or lines from Reasonable Doubt. If they did they would have known that Wayne has never made a song better than D'evils. They were one sided/ biased...but I actually own lots of Wayne's albums and mixtapes. Things of this sort...piss me off. Fall off his penis people, he hasn't proven himself yet. Not to that extent. People keep mentioning the 77 features, but they can't name five of those songs.
I think he's ill...yes, I do. I said that months ago. But is he the King? Nope. Am I excited that he wants to be? Yes. Do I fall asleep while listening to him? No. Can he become the King of the south if T.I. if gone? No. Why not A.H.L.O.T.? Beacause OutKast is still alive. Let's not forget Ludacris, Scarface and all the other people in front of Weezy F. T.I. was even stretching it when making himself king. If he did wanna takeover, this would be the perfect time to attempt to because everybody else, reaching for the crown is tired. I guess at the end of the day...the current state of Hip Hop is dry. I find myself listening to more silence than music. Shout out to the overlooked emcees and shout out to Lil' Wayne for his grind. I'm just not sure if he's is a trend or something here to stay.
When I think of takeover, I'm thinking of the Death Row era, the Diddy/Ma$e era, you could even say the Roc-A-Fella/Dynasty times. Having 77 features, isn't a takeover. I think I just might believe in this guy more than he believes in himself...if he made the transition from a "hot spitta" to a developed artist, it would be great.
He has to make something big happen...like a huge single. Word of mouth the HotBoyz are coming back, if they do...that would be huge and people will have to fear...a short takeover. But he would have to pull a Jay-Z and rush in, kick down some doors on some Hard Knock Life Vol. 2 shit....and take it there, on some next level stuff. He has to believe in himself...as truely being that dude, in order to takeover. Be Tupac, be 50, be Jay-Z..transform into THE GREATEST. Right now, there's nobody in your way. That way you wouldn't be king of the south but the king in all of Hip Hop culture.
BTW...the interview is in the bag (I think...it's my second attempt and he'll be down here next week)...let me know what ya'll wanna ask the dude, in case a chic turns into young Linda Carter :0)
PEACE!
FREE T.I. JOE...FOR WHAT?
T.I. VS. G.I.?
It dawned upon me while I was at the BET Hip Hop Awards this past weekend that the fans as well as these clowns (some rappers) are crazy. Lol, I can't spill the beans about the show, but it's not cute how in the streets and even on some local radio stations in Atlanta the people were talking about "Freeing T.I." Hmm. From my understanding w/o the official trial, this man seems to be guilty. I understand that, the statement is kind of bold, but it seems as if "The Po Po's" got the evidence they need to slam this guy.
I actually feel bad for the dude, but on some real shit...you can't be a felon, while purchasing weapons made for G.I. Joe's. Johnny couldn't even help you bastards on that one. It's not ok people. The fans as well as the artist and their crews have a tendency to say "Free" this dude and rock t-shirts that say "Free" so & so. For what? Tony Yayo was guilty...lol. I don't have to name drop, but most of these rappers are guilty. Some of them don't even take their lives seriously or their freedom. A lot of them are placed in situations, most dream for and what do they do? Smoke weed, snort coke and video-tape sex acts. Lol. This dude was just on Hip Hop vs. America...lol. What a way to go out. Sad.
Me and my homie decided to do a photo...he did the artwork...lol. Shout out to my dude.
The sad part about it is, it makes people like Chamillionaire look bad, when he makes tracks about rappers being stalked and unequally attacked. Not to say the hip hop police aren't real because they are, but some dudes ask for jail time. If you know you're being watched for being a rapper, or because of your skin color, why would you buy a H&K? The actions made by these grown ass men aren't ok. Not to say that rappers are treated fairly but some of them put themselves in situations I can't understand. If you just made the Forbes list, why would you buy guns or have ounces of weed in your trunk, or attempt to kill? Think about it.
For some reasons dudes can not outgrow their mentalities...they are grown men stuck in their "second childhoods." Grow up C-Murder, T.I., Yayo and anybody else who keeps making crazy choices, to do unjustified stuff. These aren't mistakes...these are more like regrets, that they are going to have to live with.
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