Vindication of Mainstream hip hop

I just gotta write this. I grew up with the dichotomy that mainstream hip hop is pretty much wack, and underground is where it's at. That's a great general philosophy, but it's NOT CONSISTENT.

Why? Because there's a ton of sloppy-ass depressing underground music, and because good-quality hip hop music was popular music in the early 90s! even the late 90s, the early 2000s, and especially now in the 2010s. Some great music has come out lately, so I don't buy that "mainstream is wack" shit anymore. Some of it, like Souljah Boi and Mims is pretty weak, but quality can't be denied, and an open mind requires an open ear.

Personally, I've listened to a lot of underground/independent/old school hip hop, cuz shit be BANGIN. Immortal Technique, One Be Lo, MF DOOM, Nas, Wu-Tang, Black Star, Gang Starr, Pete Rock and CL, that's my favorite shit! I'm a hardcore fan....

BUT NOW, over time, and with some more understanding, I'm beginning to see the validity of Jay-Z. Of Lil Wayne. Of Puff Daddy and Biggie Smalls. of Kanye West. even Ludacris and Justin Bieber! It's not just catchy hooks and melodies. They make pretty good music... AND it's popular enough to sell records. That's not easy, that's hard! Admittedly, some songs and artists are just TERRIBLE... like The Newb Boyz. But Eminem and Nas have dropped the craziest verses that hip hop, whether mainstream or underground, has ever seen. Even with Souljah Boi, I can appreciate how he came up in the South. These guys are businessmen, hustlers, artists, entrepreneurs, whatever you wanna call them... they all had humble beginnings, they all worked hard at their craft, AND they get their business right. Why ya hatin'?

This type of business spurs economic growth. In fact, hip hop has created a huge commercial economy that was previously NON-EXISTENT. It wasn't there before, now it is, and people got money and fly gear. Not only that, but hip hop is a self-sustainable economy. More on that in the later post.

I post this because the popular artists seem to generate a lot of hate, especially within the "I like real hip hop" crowd. I guess the world works like that; greatness is met with haters (See: Anyone who's great). It's also for the people who think everything on the radio or TV is wack. I used to be like that... it wasn't very fun. The point is, there's no reason for popular music and quality music to be mutually exclusive; popular music can be good too.

And when "Big Pimpin'" comes on, you're not gonna move? at all? Moving with music is the best way to feel it. I don't know about this party rock shit though.......

By the way, fly girls, fly clothes, and making bank is definitely a part of hip hop!

See: J. Cole, Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Puff Daddy's "No Way Out" album, Ma$e, DMX, etc. for good mainstream music.

With that said, underground hip hop artists deserve their own vindication. That's happening soon. Next topic: Afrika Bambaataa.

Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now" w/ Busta Rhymes+Lil Wayne

First of all, I'll battle Chris Brown any day...and I'll smoke him! As far as dancing goes, I haven't seen 1 original dance move from him, but I'll admit he's good at choreography. Chris Brown, if you're reading this, I've seen some dancing from you (breaking, popping, house, etc.), it's not all bad, so let's battle! FUCKA.

2ndly, he gets minus points for his relationship with Rihanna. He fucking sucks as a person. He also fucking socks. Women. with his fist. 

3rd, his rap verse is a joke, but I do like the line "Ladies love me, I'm on my Cool J," that's clever, shout to LL Cool J. 


Onto the music... I like the song! Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne, and that phat beat really make this song for me. I'm happy to see it get popular. Why? BUSTA RHYMES! I'm not surprised that Busta Rhymes is still doing his thing, he's been beasting since early 90s, Leaders of the New School... but now even the new gen of kids know him. And he's beastlier than ever (see below). Lil Wayne also had a really ill verse. "What's poppin' slime?!" The beat was produced by Diplo and Afrojack, no wonder! Solid production. The music video's cool too.


Chris Brown, he's got a smooth voice when he sings, but I'm not feeling his rap, and he doesn't deserve all the credit for this song, cuz he got some major help. 


At the end of it all, I don't wanna be hating behind a blog. Credit is due to the artists involved, and as I said, I like the song. But I can dance and write better than Chris Brown! Hip hop's come a long way. Busta Rhymes is still slayin' em. Enjoy this:

Peace, understanding, and hip hop.

Message to the Masses/Methods to the Madness (original piece)

Sup Internet friendsters,

Been writing a lot lately, and realized I would never stop writing, just like dancing, because there's no limit.

To create is better than to vegetate.

I'll be doing this til I'm 88.

Another way to educate,

I let my rhymes perpetuate.

til infinity.

I'm gonna write some fly rhymes in my time.
In fact,
I already have,
but most don't know the half, that's why (eye)I'm tryin....
to spark the deaf, and dumb in the mind, blind.
ZomBeing around thinking they're Einsteins. I love fine wine, but I hate seeing girls who look fine WHINE. Word to Feinstein. She needs to represent me. California think tanks be on empty. Some have no idea, I have new ideas. The truth is clear. I'm advocating for the youth this year. It's time to win, no time for the losers here. Fly like fireworks through the air. There's a lot of shit that you should hear... so use your ears... or get bruised severe.

Skill is handcrafted, and mastered. Don't get distracted, and if you do don't let it be a habit. Keep ya cool, keep ya jacket. You can minimize wackness when you optimize practice. Peace to those who fasted. Supreme Science and Mathematic. Don't be basic, don't be an ass'ed. Your shit will get drastic. That's not too fantastic. Take the heat and get the point, fuckin cactus! Rhymes are smokin' like a blunt, dawg, pass this...

My Message to the Masses,
It's madness.
New rap shit. Get blasted. Words in preservation become classic.
No fake, Realer than plastic,
my own fate, I feel like I master. Fast lane, release the breaks and gas it, never tire, I'm on fire, so match this. If you try, that's a fat risk, cuz I'm way above the average. Dont' ass-kiss, I ass-kick, got mad ish, hat tricks, even backflips, never had a bad trip, smack a wack kid just to get him on the right track shiiit.

That way it won't be tragic.
(Peace) I'm out... remember to pass this.
Message to the masses.

note: audio's not sped up, just a higher pitch.

NBC omits "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance

Examiner: NBC omits 'under God': Christians angry - freethinkers celebrate

What's funny is... Most schoolchildren don't even know why they say the pledge of allegiance! It's just a formality to begin their day.
I didn't understand its significance until I was older, had more pride in my country, and started working in a school. That's when I started saying the pledge again.

YO.... The pledge of Allegiance is a beautiful piece of writing, peep this:

I pledge Allegiance 
to the flag
of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA,
and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands.

ONE NATION,
UNDER GOD,
With LIBERTY and JUSTICE for all!

First of all, just the name the UNITED STATES of AMERICA... is a beautiful thing. Divided we fall, United we're tall.

Secondly, most people don't know what a republic is. It's our form of government, it's not supposed to be an authoritarian rule, it means the people have power in the workings of the state. None of that 16th-century European monarch bullshit. And no, it's not exactly a democracy.

"ONE NATION," no more, no less.
"UNDER GOD," cuz he's the best! No matter what God you believe in, even if you don't believe in a god, go make one up! For real. Name him/her after yourself. I think this is the best part of the pledge, cuz when you say "under god," you include all people. I'll admit, my conception of God is as complicated as Mary's conception of Jesus. It wouldn't make sense until you understand it. I'll explain in the future.

I used to backlash against God, even just the idea of God. Why? Cuz I was a kid, I was rebelling, I was pissed that God took my father away, and I was like fuck that, I'm not gonna say "under god."
Then, somewhere down the line, I realized that whether God exists or not, how you live your life is up to you. So don't fuck it up! And don't be an ignorant lil bitch! Lots of people find more meaning in their lives after establishing a relationship with God. Why hate on that?

Plus, aliens exist anyway, so what makes you think earth-religions are the only religions?

Let's say "god" DOESN'T exist. Can't you still live your life as if he did? Yes! Just don't be convinced that your way is the only right way, don't push your beliefs on others, and keep an open mind to those who think differently. And don't be a total fucking idiot.

...with LIBERTY... and JUSTICE.... for ALL!!!!

Lupe Fiasco calls Obama a Terrorist (June 2011)

Just to clarify, he didn't mean radical Islamic Jihadist terrorist. He means the U.S. government, including Barack Obama, creates terror through its own policies, like foreign occupancy, corporate favoritism, and screwing up elsewhere (it's pretty easy to criticize and place blame). A little research will reveal a lot of inequity and unfairness in this country and in the world. To him, THAT's terrorism, he has a loose definition of what "terrorism" is.

Here's the video:



Also, especially as of late, U.S. and NATO foreign involvement is pissing off a LOT of people in Libya, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, and Afghanistan. This is creating a new generation of terrorists. Meanwhile, they say we're making "progress" over there, it's such a paradox. 2-edged sword. The more we cut em up, the more than wanna cut us down.

I see his point, but I don't think he comes off well when he says he doesn't vote either. I can see where he's coming from though. He doesn't want to support all the actions, and sometimes atrocities, that public representatives are responsible for. He's so right-wing, he doesn't even want people to vote for a government.

At first I thought this was just a stunt to create buzz. And it IS that, but it's more than that too.
This guy has over 600,000 twitter followers, and over 2 million facebook likes. He's a popular artist, and doesn't really need to create a "buzz" to get attention.

I think he realizes he has a social power, and a social responsibility. And being in that position, with so many fans, he just wants to shed some light to the suffering and TERROR that's out there when you take a close look at America and the world as a whole.