• » Name: J. Burnett
• » Location: Atlanta, GA
• » Member Since: 05/25/07
• » Contact Me:
• » Syndicate: RSS

• » It's Been a Long Time...
• » T.I.'s Resume Checked
• » Rappity Rap Raps
• » A Call to Arms
• » Woooooord

	January 2008
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31
« Dec					Feb »

hip hop • rap • t.i. • the dirty south

• » Why Think Let Me Hold That

Why Think Let Me Do That...Jesus Approved Commentary

Know the Ledge: The Keffiyeh

StuntinOnProse 

A little bit under a month ago, I was in downtown Chicago shopping in an Urban Outfitters shop. The item I was looking for was an oversized bandana similar to the one Lupe Fiasco is pictured wearing above and my girlfriend protested basically inferring that she thought it was a religious garment for Jews. But...I quickly dismissed her notion--as I'm wont to do when I feel like she's talkin' out her ass--because I'd seen plenty of non-Jews rocking them. And shit, I thought it was pretty fly at the time, which trumps all in bizarro world of Hip Hop fashion trends right (recall the Afrocentric phase we went through)??? Nevertheless, I copped the item for around 20 bucks.

The problem came when it was time to wear it. The jawn was hella big and you don't tie it like the bandanas they sell at your typical beauty salon, bodega or the sort. So I did what anyone in my position who spent $20 on some shit he wanted to wear but didn't know how to wear it would do...scoured the internet for a how-to/DIY. Corny, right? Eff that J. Burnett doesn't piss away money--at least no my own. Oddly, I couldn't find one so I asked my homie what he would do. He said find out the traditional name and then search it.

So I did just that and the actual name for the item is a keffiyeh popularized by Yasser Arafat and Leila Khaled and it's actually a symbol of Palestinian nationalism. I wonder how many hipsters actually know they're reppin' for Palestine...It also was for protection against the arid climate of the desert. I found a pretty interesting read about the topic of keffiyehs becoming fashion items and people wearing them w/out knowing their true meaning. You can check that out here. What hit home the most was how the interviewee mentioned how big companies--such as Urban Outfitters whose CEO, Richard Hayne, is a major contributor to the GOP--take these important symbols, dillute them and we consume them never knowing their true meaning which in turn eliminates their symbolic nature; just something to think about while you're out there gettin' fly. Don't be that guy/girl who gets ran up on by someone who does know the meaning of what your wearing, accosted about the origin of your bandana and then presumed a bozo.

StuntinOnProse 

0 Comments             

Chicago, They're Jackin' Our Slang/Feelin' the Plight of New Yorkers

 Sure I could write about how Wayne's on his way to Kurt Kolbaining (word to Billie X. Sunday) but I figured I'd take on something that hit closer home.

This rant begins with me reminiscing on my college days. I remember thinking to myself, early in my college tenure that I have waaaaaay more friends from NYC than any other place. I attributed it to my lightweight obsession with NYC Hip Hop which happened to be good the best at the time—not so much these days—and various other similarities that we as big city bretheren shared. Albeit I’m from Calumet City (a suburb minutes away from Chicago), I could relate to catching the bus and/or iron horse everywhere, navigating through a city that’s essentially a grid and talking fast and loose and very bluntly to women at all times—not to mention drinking hard liquor and smoking Ls at an early age. It’s just apart of city life, right? I felt at home jone-ing on random lames on Clark Atlanta’s strip (promenade) with my people from NY, shit reminded me of home. I even spent a brief period of time admiring residents of NYC…At the time, they just seemed quite a bit ahead of the trends—in every sense. Truthfully, they were. Then, I began to notice more often than not how said friends made it a point to let EVERYONE know how far behind we were; how much of their slang we jacked; how their fashion was light-years ahead and how their rap trumped all and how anything from anywhere else was just plain wack. I never took the time to try to understand it. I just moved on to another clique and eventually the AUC (Atlanta University Center) just became a melting pot of styles and being fly, or having some type of status (i.e. Greek, an athlete or being stanky rich) was all that mattered.

But on this day, I understand the plight of a New Yorker.

Chicagoans, it’s time to make a stand. I’ve taken all I can take, and I can’t takes no more. It started with small things…I saw cats tipping their fitted hats to the left and right (like so), something Chicagoans have done for awhile. For some cats it was a way to express gang affiliation, for others, like me, it was a way to rock a fitted and show off their waves (I know, it was like a win-win). I took it as a mere coincidence. I mean there’s only so many ways cats can where a fitted. Then the resurgence of Converses…I remember going to the Chi and seeing them everywhere; partly because they were cheap and they came in mad colors and most Chicagoans—at least the ones I knew—were broke so it made perfect sense. I came back to school and voila…the same thing was occurring there. Cali has that trend on lock so maybe that’s a stretch. Then, I heard Cam’ron utter the words “bust down” a few years back. He was showing appreciation for us and he gave the credit due but here and there, I’ve been hearing all our slang pop up. It’s like, “yo, what’s good US? Y’all really feeling the Chi right now, huh” Take it as me being aggy, but when I hear Wale from DC saying “what up Jo,” or Wiz Khalifa from the Burgh say something about turning a chick into a certified “bussy” and having a track called “bust down” it makes me want to call foul-play. Even the popularity of these family reunion type tracks like the “Cupid Shuffle” makes me wonder…Even Soulja Boy’s latest macabre can find it’s roots back in the Chi (pauses, shutters and dreads bringin’ that up). A minute ago, like when I was in high school I remember hearing cats say “yaaah, yaaah” to get someone’s attention similar to how cats from Philly use to say “yeeerp.” Sidenote: typing those words are hella funny. Just to wrap this thing up though, am I tripping or does anyone else notice it. Chicagoans speak up. It’s time to let the world know they’re jacking our swag. Members of other regions, has your swagger been jacked on a national basis like mine has. Speak up, I need answers. It’s time for this phenomenon to come to an end.

0 Comments             

Don't Worry If I Write Rhymes, I Write Checks

Disclaimer: This blog is sure to hurt someone's soul. Please don't jump off a bridge. Thanks.

"Sometimes I listen to songs and I'm like if Jay-Z says it...to me it automatically sounds nicer. If you take some cat off the street and he says the same exact shit, it don't sound as nice..." Famous

Ain't that the truth though? If Hov drops a punchline that's slightly above average it's like the greatest shit EVAR. While if Pusha T drops bombs, as he's wont to do, it's like "eh, he's nice." Tell me I'm lying...Matter of fact, do me this one solid. Imagine Cassidy or  Fabolous or Budden's rapping the identical verse Jay did on "Success." Do you think you'd be as blown away? My guess: probably not. Truthfully speaking, is Jay that far ahead of cats??? Not really, well not now at least. But, he's still the man off GP just because he's been so nice for sooooo long. He deserves that. So if what I proffer is true, I'm not mad at all. If I was stanky rich I'd hire a ghostwriter too.

My guy at work sent me an email about this kid Famous  basically along the lines that this kid is Jay's ghostwriter. Here's the link from the article. I took it with a grain of salt (shit it's Mediatakeout), so I checked him out and I'm like "ok, dude is semi-nice" but I still was leery. Apparently, Wendy Williams--and although she's a man, she's a pretty credible source, as far as these things go--had him up on her show too. And then I got to thinking, maybe this kid did write for Hov.

Let's just start here...Isn't American Gangster kind of vague i.e. lacking a personal touch on some songs. "American Dreamin'," "Roc Boys," "Sweet," "Party Life..." Take away delivery which can be doctored once one receives a script verse and think about it. Don't those tracks have a certain generic feel to them? Even "Brooklyn 2.0" seems like anyone could have wrote it. I've been to BK 3/4 times and I can name drop Brownsville, Flatbush or King's Plaza even some streets names. You'd think an ode to one's hometown would have a lil' bit more substance to it. Don't you think?

Then, think about the time it took to create AG. It was like a month or shorter. Does it make more sense that he came up with his rhymes in a couple of weeks, gathered the producers, cleared the samples and hundreds of other things involved in putting together an album or did he just draw up a confidentiality contract and pay some schmoe to write it. You're telling me Jay has time to put together an album, run Def Jam (or act like he does), go to see the Knicks/Nets, run the 40/40 and continue all of his other endeavors. Like really, who has that much time?

Then, does it make sense for a 40 yr. to mystically regain the luster of his 20s from a movie? Come on, I know he's your favorite but does it all really make sense? Seems a bit, shaky. He did say "I'm not a business man/ I'm a business...man" and anyone who knows corporate culture knows that once you get established you find somebody below you to do the things you used to do when you were a schmoe. That's what getting paid is all about (right Timbaland, Dre, Kanye etc.)

Does he really have the mental capacity to reinvent himself every album within his mind??? That's the wild thing about all of this. That's what we've been lead to believe. When you think about it, from Reasonable to AG is it really a natural progression or did Jay-Z get a lil bit more punch line friendly towards the end of his career; not to mention most of his raps have a detached feel about them; not all but some do. I mean it could all be a publicity stunt to get this kid Famous...famous but what if it was true. There's enough there to make a case either way. What do yall think?

If it is true...bet y'all feel silly for doing all of those American Gangster remixes...Cue the horns from the Price is Right; you know the one's when you overbid or lose in Plinco.

StuntinOnProse

0 Comments             

Jadakiss: a Moment of Profundity

"Start with straight shots and then pop bottles/flirt with the hoodrats and then pop models"

Taking a cursory glance at the above quote you would think it's simply a nice choice of words; rhymes well; solid hook; sounds good, right? Unfortunately, if that's all you received from the above quote you'd miss the erudite nature in Jadakiss' moment of profundity and some important kernels of veritas. This all culminated proceeding my visit to the strip club, Pin Ups. Let me elaborate--not on the strip club story because I'll post a drop strictly on that later--but on the Jada quote. Lets start with  "start with straight shots and then pop bottles." It's an important maxim of "take it slow and work your way up" veiled in an instructional on how to get tipsy.

Peep game: If you're at the club and you plan on getting intoxicated you don't just start off with the Ace of Spade. You get your shots of Patron/Hennessy (your choice) get a lil' bit nice, chill, socialize a bit, then you get some Moet and if you want to work your way up to Cristal or Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spade) then you do so...If you start off with the top shotta champagne then you're destined to stall out before the night ends, which would just be lame...Same thing with life. You can't cop the Bentley boy before you move out of a rental property; you don't get the Prada sneakers and place them against a white tee; you can't get a job and start off at CEO. You gotta start with straight shots and then pop bottles.

The same applies to the latter end of the quote ("flirt with the hoodrats and then pop models...") Anyone who has bagged more than one chick at a party knows that you have to bag a few 6 and 7s before you go in on that 10 piece you've been peeping all night. Sorry 6/7s...That's just how it goes. You have to work your way up the hierarchy before you become the man. I don't know if Jada knew how much insight was contained in those two lines but its pretty much applicable to all facets of life where there's a hierarchy. Try it for yourself and you'll see...

Up Next: Warren G's bitch, hoe, trick hierarchy in "Ain't No Fun"

StuntinOnProse.com

 

0 Comments             

Streets On Fire: 500 Dead in Kenya, 250,000

I know most of you jabronis' world pretty much ceases beyond Rap but this is something I thought some of you should know about...

Anywhere from 500 to 1,000s of Kenyans have been violenty murdered just for opposing the status quo and we're still worried about Ms. Spear's next relapse...tsk, tsk. I found out about this story from my homeboy, SpaceBarZ, on his blog, here and I was surprised that another GENOCIDE has gone relatively unnoticed in the US but, sadly, thats the current state of affairs we're in. News about dysfunctional celebs >>>>>> African Genocide.

Here's a very, very brief sketch of the happenings in Kenya. Incumbent president of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga were in a heated race for the presidency of Kenya. The race was neck in neck for months until Odinga took a narrow lead in the opinion polls. On December 27th, the official election was to take place. Kibaki won, but there was talks that he and his clique had "rigged" the election. To say the least, Odinga supporters were a bit upset which led to riots; not to mention both candidates were of rival tribes which further fueled the situation. Odinga enthusiasts took to the streets and were met by the "forceful hand of the government." What ensued was the death of 500 Kenyans and the displacement of 250,000 others; not to mention the government shut down broadcasting outlets (another reason why this hasn't received much media coverage).

Since then, the toll has risen to the uppers of 1,000 and this has been since December 27, 2007. That's about 83 humans killed per day. Think about that and wonder why this story hasn't been received more coverage on international news. If you want more information on this story check here, here and here. My prayers go out to those who have to suffer through this bloodshed. We can turn the TV off or look away but this is their lives...

StuntinOnProse

0 Comments             

Mathematics: The Truth Behind the Numbers

Soulja Boy Souljaboytellem.com >>>>>> Wu Tang 8 Diagrams

Dance Moves + Gimmicks = cha-ching...Straight-up Hip Hop, not so much.

No one gives a shit about the Wu anymore, which, frankly, is pretty sad.

Being new is the new being good.

Kanye West Graduation >>>>>> Jay-Z American Gangster

Kanye West is waaaay more relevant than Jay-Z

Raps about perservering >>>> Mildy exaggerated crack Raps

Being trendy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Being Good

Lupe Fiasco The Cool >>>>>> Ghostface Killah The Big Doe Rehab

We're experiencing a changing of the guard (good looks TGJ) in Hip Hop

Old heads need to develop new methods of communicating with Generation Y or perish...

Being trendy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Being a legend

DJ Drama Gangsta Grillz the Album >>>>>>> Styles P Super Gangster Extraordinary Gentleman

"5,000 Ones," c'mon. Who the fuck bought this CD? 

Dancing >>>>>>>>>>> Hip Hop

Stripper tracks >>>>>>> Head Bangers, Hood Tracks, Conscious Tracks, etc.

Country Music Sales >>>>>> Rap Music Sales

Y-ites buy music, blacks not so much

Is this where we're at now??? The numbers don't lie people.

What do y'all think?

StuntinOnProse

0 Comments             

50 cent • bet • common • crooked i • dope • ghostface • hip hop • jay z • jay-z • kanye west • lil wayne • little brother • mixtape • music • nas • nino bless • phonte • racism • rap • rock the bells • sha stimuli • stimuli • termanology • ugk • west coast