Friday, December 23, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Decades and Eras
Who were the most influencial artists in hip-hop?
WATCH: Eric B. & Rakim - I Ain't No Joke
Rakim, now 43 years old (January 28th 1968) leads a perfect example.
Sometimes I wonder what we really have now in hip-hop. At times I feel as though music is distorted and every one is lost. Artists whom I once admired as a child, I realize now are nothing but sell-outs.
Not 2PAC though. Count on this artist to always speak with genuwine warm-heartedness and wisdom.
*insert more mushy commentary here*
Not 2PAC though. Count on this artist to always speak with genuwine warm-heartedness and wisdom.
*insert more mushy commentary here*
WATCH: Tupac Interview at 17
THE TRUTH ^Analyze this interview if you want to be enlightened.
Could you imagine if the 17 year olds of today were raised in a similar environment to 20 years ago?
We should be "evolving", yet I find society is going backwards. I was impressed with Tupac's outlook on life at the age of 17.
Throughout the past year I've encountered hundreds of "adults" who seem to be living unconsciously, not paying attention to what's going on around them. Sad way to life wouldn't you agree?
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
ANATOMIZATION: Confessions of a Video Vixen
Confessions of a Video Vixen is an autobiography of Karrine Steffans' assorted tales as a video girl in the hip-hop industry - a "tell all" detailing her affairs with celebrities, actors, athletes, and music artists.
To cut things short, from what I got of this novel, the woman is psychologically tainted a.k.a. screwed up.
Countless men strolling in and out of her life as a child, casually like a convenience store...
Yes, I understand that her mother wasn't the best female role model growing up, but I never understood how a person could continuously use their "fucked up" past as an excuse to justify their actions in the future - KNOWING what they do is wrong.
To cut things short, from what I got of this novel, the woman is psychologically tainted a.k.a. screwed up.
Countless men strolling in and out of her life as a child, casually like a convenience store...
Yes, I understand that her mother wasn't the best female role model growing up, but I never understood how a person could continuously use their "fucked up" past as an excuse to justify their actions in the future - KNOWING what they do is wrong.
Here she is on the cover of KING back in the day. See that twinkle in her eye?
Well, it looks a bit OFF. Must be the greed blinding her...
Why am I bringing this attention?
Firstly, what I notice is women view this kind of behavior in two ways.
1. Acceptable - Empowering to have the ability to "control" men with their outward appearance and also believe they have "special" magical powers to seduce them in order to get what they want.
2. Unacceptable - That a woman would feel the need to dress this way to gain attention for something other than her intelligence
WATCH: Karrine Steffans Interview about some of the affairs
Secondly, I see this kind of garbage every day in our society.
Women competing with each other for attention from men and basing their entire lives off gossip, materialism, and nonsense. Karrine writes of how the women would act catty toward one another, yet contradicts herself by stating she was the "best" at what she did... doesn't take a genius to figure out exactly WHAT she did best.
Karrine Steffans a.k.a. Super Head
I recommend reading this novel if you know a friend, have a sister, a daughter - an important woman in your life who wants to get into the hip-hop industry. Take this woman's life as a lesson of what NOT to do.
I read this book knowing I would be disgusted at the end, but wanted to attempt to understand her point of view rather than simply judge her based on her nickname.
However, this Game and Kanye track sums up everything.
WATCH: The Game - Wouldn't Get Far ft. Kanye West
I dedicate this to all the "video vixens" and "models" out here.
Careful now, take it easy!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Parody Time
Rick Ross
Drake
I laughed out loud a few times for this one.
Soulja Boy
This was proper.
"Swag swag no sense... this shit make no sense."
Drake
I laughed out loud a few times for this one.
Soulja Boy
This was proper.
"Swag swag no sense... this shit make no sense."
What Happens When Music Changes?
The evolution of music is endless. Do we embrace change or reject it?
Every few years, new artists will emerge who remind us of previous ones - such as ODD FUTURE reminding us of The Wu-Tang Clan. Except every rapper in Wu-Tang could actually rap.
Every few years, new artists will emerge who remind us of previous ones - such as ODD FUTURE reminding us of The Wu-Tang Clan. Except every rapper in Wu-Tang could actually rap.
WATCH: Wu-Tang back in '93 Interview
"The Tongue Is Symbolic To The Sword..."
This interview was jokes. What gets me: "My name is Ol Dirty Basterd..."
Wu-Tang was inventive and OUT THERE.
9 eccentric minds at work.
This interview was jokes. What gets me: "My name is Ol Dirty Basterd..."
Wu-Tang was inventive and OUT THERE.
9 eccentric minds at work.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Realness Remains
LISTEN: Saukrates - Money Or Love
OoOoWee One of my favourite tracks. Can't get any better than this.
OoOoWee One of my favourite tracks. Can't get any better than this.
ANATOMIZATION: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
ALBUM: PEOPLES INSTNCTIVE TRAVELS AND THE PATHS OF RHYTHM
Lively and comedic.
A Tribe Called Quest put out their first album People's Instnctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm in 1990 - 21 years ago - yet it's so refreshing to listen to this album in 2011 and be able to fully appreciate it.
It's humorous, alternative, and entertaining every time.
The messages in the lyrics were unique and quite interesting. I find myself taken through a series of stories mixed in with some odd humour and random pond noises here and there i.e. crickets, chirps.
Footprints and Mr. Muhammad are among my favourite tracks on here.
Listen carefully :)
LISTEN: MR. MUHAMMAD
"As we start trudging me and my brothers will be looking and be bugging,
Vehicles of life they be rolling and be merging,
Searching for the virgins of life
That be shoving out the door that's cracked..." - Footprints, A Tribe Called Quest
Revisit the album or check it out if you haven't heard it before.
Couldn't find a stream of it, so here's a "best of" mixtape.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Run DMC Style
Kudos to anyone who can pull off a fidora, square specks, and big ass rope chains!
LOL^ can't stop the hustle...
Kelly Rowland *pause*
Kelly topless?
Why do respectable women pull stunts like this for attention?
Tisk Tisk forshame
(hahahaha)
Note to Kelly: No matter what you do, Beyonce does it better
*Example is below*
Ice Cream: Favourite R&B Videos of the '90s
Seems as though there's a million amazing R&B tracks from the '90s.
Here's a few of my favourites.
I'm going to do a section every week of throwback videos.
Pony - Ginuwine
Are You Still Down - Jon B. feat. Tupac
Creep - TLC
Can We Talk - Tevin Campbell
Love Me Down - Ready For The World
Forever My Lady - Jodeci
One In A Million - Aaliyah
I Get Lonely - Janet Jackson
If It Isn't Love - New Edition
Here's a few of my favourites.
I'm going to do a section every week of throwback videos.
Pony - Ginuwine
Are You Still Down - Jon B. feat. Tupac
Creep - TLC
Can We Talk - Tevin Campbell
Love Me Down - Ready For The World
Forever My Lady - Jodeci
One In A Million - Aaliyah
I Get Lonely - Janet Jackson
If It Isn't Love - New Edition
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Commercial Hip-Hop, Urban Pop & Ellen
Mr. West On Ellen
Jay-Z On Ellen
Justin Timberlake
Beyonce
Nelly, Ashanti, Akon
Jay-Z On Ellen
Justin Timberlake
Beyonce
Nelly, Ashanti, Akon
The Meaning In Music
Some of us need a discrete reminder that conscious hip-hop is not dead. It's up to us to revive it.
Right now, I need a break from some of the newer BS rap. So I'm reverting back to the artists from the '90s.
If you placed a picture of a newer artist beside picture of one of these heavyweights, do you think any one of them could outshine 2Pac or Biggie?
Think about it.
Listen: 2PAC - The Passion of Tupac (featuring various artists)
Right now, I need a break from some of the newer BS rap. So I'm reverting back to the artists from the '90s.
If you placed a picture of a newer artist beside picture of one of these heavyweights, do you think any one of them could outshine 2Pac or Biggie?
Think about it.
Listen: 2PAC - The Passion of Tupac (featuring various artists)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Positive Portrayal of Women In Hip-Hop
I'm going to shine a spotlight on an artist who showcases the elegance, sophistication, triumphs and tribulations of women.
Lauryn Hill
She tackles many important issues that women experience on a daily basis, and also discusses these conflictions with relevant points and eloquence. I have the highest respect for her because of her integrity and consistency. There is a lot to admire about Lauryn Hill.
She actually disappeared from the spotlight for 4 years after her solo album's success due to her distaste of fame and the industry.
But I appreciate her scarcity and will definitely go out and buy the "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill".
In a perfect world, the children in our modern age would have Lauryn to look up to rather than a bullshit female MC such as Nicki Minaj.
Take Big Sean feat. Nicki's "Dance A$$" lyrics as a perfect example before you tell me otherwise.
As a listener who actively LISTENS to a track as an ensemble - the beat, lyrics, voice dynamics, delivery - I value lyricism in addiction to everything as a whole. I want to be positively affected by a verse, rather than have it fly over my head with a catchy melodic gimmick to cover up the irrelevance of what the artist is saying.
"Showing off your ass because you thinking it's a trend,
Girlfriend let me break it down for you again
You know I only say it because I'm truly genuwine
Don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem." - Doo Wop, Lauryn Hill
Check out the documentary below (shown on BET).
"Tell me who I have to be to get some reciprocity." - Ex-Factor, Lauryn Hill
You need FCHW - @SpokenReasons
"Success, everybody want it but most don't want it bad enough.
I see people all the time pick up books on how to be successful.
All you need is... FCHW.
Check him out - http://youtube.com/spokenreasons
Spotlight: Frank Ocean
Christopher Francis Ocean (born October 28 1987), singer and member of Odd Future, has made quite the wave in the hip-hop industry this past year.
His success definitely did not come overnight. He's written songs for artists such as John Legend, Beyonce, and Brandy - and was also signed to Def Jam back in '09.
Get ready for his album set to debut next year, but for now;
I'll listen to his entire mixtape (play the tracks consectively back to back), gather my thoughts and check back.
P.S. 50 Cent wants to work with Ocean for his next album?
That's funny. I'd like to see what happens with that.
LISTEN: Frank Ocean "The Wonder Years"
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tyler, The Creator - Rookie of the Year
Tyler Okonma (March 6 1991), leader of OFWGKTA.
Controversial, and perhaps a little sadistic - Tyler, the Creator is fascinating nonetheless.
He's expressing himself in all facets - this is what music is meant for.
Each one of us has a bit of a dark, rebellious side that we repress because of society.
Odd Future would be that group saying the things we want to say, doing what we want to do.
He's one of those characters who's intention is to be of entertainment.
Anything he says in an interview is simple and honest.
He's definitely not hiding anything in comparison to other artists - the ones withdrawn and sheltered behind a PR team (hahahaha).
=)
" I was taught to act my shoe-size, never my age
I always judge a book by its cover, never the page
I never judge a murder by weapons, only the rage
That he felt when he dealt with physiological phase
They say that I will never cease to amaze
While half my mental belongs in a cage"
- Pigs Fly, Tyler & Domo Genesis
LISTEN: Best of Earlwolf, and Tyler Fucks Cows
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