Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tupperware
Rhymefest feat. Wale - "Get Up"
Chi-town to the DMV. Kinda like ur favorite bloggers.
Lupe Fiasco - The Cool Leftovers
(Not really leftovers, just songs not on either of his studio albums.)
Chi-town to the DMV. Kinda like ur favorite bloggers.
Lupe Fiasco - The Cool Leftovers
(Not really leftovers, just songs not on either of his studio albums.)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
"We don't believe you, you need more people"
LMAO. Bow Wow does his best TI impression. Watch Bow Wow get hype and hide behind his security. Classic material. Fame has gotten to this nigga's head. Isn't he from Ohio anyway? Why does he sound like an extra from the movie ATL?
Bonus video of Bow Wow the OG.
LOL @ "He always picks on me." I think Bow Wow bleeds.
Fresh From The Lou, Konichi-wa Bitches!!!
"Guess who's back in the house/ With a bunch of souvenirs and a smile for ya mouth" -Lupe
Whoever said that the commercialization of Hip-Hop was a bad thing? Click the covers and enjoy...
Whoever said that the commercialization of Hip-Hop was a bad thing? Click the covers and enjoy...
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Signs, Cosigns, and Tangents
I got into a tepid debate with ma dukes today over the phone. She was upset to learn that I had called my sister a "nigga," and even more upset that I had no problem with it. I didn't, nor have I ever, really had a problem with the word nigga. I don't just like the word, I love it. I think it's a great word. I won't get into the semantics of the nigger vs. nigga argument simply because I think it's dumb--fuji and macintosh apples all look the same to me.
I think when it comes down to it, people today decide to wage wars against the wrong things. We fight the symbols of inequity instead of actually raging against the machine. We get Don Imus fired and hold Congressional hearings on rap, but don't open more libraries in the hood, replace the crumbling infrastructure of the nation's cities, or pass and enforce legislation that restricts gun usage. People today are scared to take risks. In an age where you are held accountable more for your miscues than your straight shots, no one wants to step out the boat and walk on water for fear that Jesus won't be there to pull them up if they lose faith and sink. So instead, we've convinced ourselves that protest is as easy as a $25 limited edition t-shirt with some esoteric slogan screenprinted fashionably across the front. We've convinced ourselves that we can make a fashion statement and save the world. Martin and Mahatma had it all effed up son.
A month or so ago, I watched an episode of Real Time with Bill Maher featuring Presidential hopeful John Edwards. I haven't spoken much about the whole political scene mostly out of disinterest, but also out of lack of information, but that night I became a supporter of John Edwards. I had never bought into the whole Obama thing cuz the nigga never said anything about his ideas about how he was gonna lead the country. He spoke in abstract terms of "hope" and other Hallmark-worthy things. He's also supported by Oprah, who I detest. Hilary seems like she's too entrenched into the fabric of bureaucratic malaise in our government to do anything to change it substantively. Voting for her would be like giving me a dirty rag to take a shower with. More importantly, neither of them have truly inspired me.
However, while watching Edwards talk casually to Maher about his ideas (yes, ideas!), he made me a fan with one word: sacrifice.
He admitted simply that as President, he would ask the country to sacrifice for their own good. He spoke with integrity and passion, as a captain leading an army: admitting that there may be loss, but that it would all be for a greater gain. American politicians speak directly to our guts, our insatiable need to consume and fill our bellies. They appeal to our selfishness, individually and collectively, and are afraid to take the risk to call us to become a greater people, to "ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country."
It was shocking to hear a politician call upon voters to sacrifice, to admit that taxes might be raised. But it was refreshing. It stuck with me because it reminded me that some people want to be President because they are interested in improving the nation, not living in the White House. There are those who want to rehabilitate and revitalize the Oval Office, not just change the curtains and vacuum the carpet.
I've gone on an unintended tangent. Back to the lecture at hand...
Words derive their meaning from connotation; language is inherently implicit. Were it explicit, babies would never be able to discern enough to learn how to speak. We know what someone means not so much by what they say but by how they say it. It is from this stance that I approach the usage of the word "nigga". I say it how I mean it, which means I mean what I say. 8-)
Unfortunately, there are those who believe that certain words are magical and their denoted meanings are powerful beyond measure, destructive to the point where they can break down the very being and identity of an individual. Their context is always moot and, in fact, if you attempt to use it outside of its denoted context, your misuse of the word wields that destructive force with no less ferocity on the unassuming subject. Some would argue that, perhaps, it is even more deleterious to use it outside of its already pernicious denotation.
To those people I say: "Nigga, please."
"The Meaning of a Word" by Gloria Naylor
P.S. Imus got his job back and rappers still say "bitch," "nigga," and "ho."
I think when it comes down to it, people today decide to wage wars against the wrong things. We fight the symbols of inequity instead of actually raging against the machine. We get Don Imus fired and hold Congressional hearings on rap, but don't open more libraries in the hood, replace the crumbling infrastructure of the nation's cities, or pass and enforce legislation that restricts gun usage. People today are scared to take risks. In an age where you are held accountable more for your miscues than your straight shots, no one wants to step out the boat and walk on water for fear that Jesus won't be there to pull them up if they lose faith and sink. So instead, we've convinced ourselves that protest is as easy as a $25 limited edition t-shirt with some esoteric slogan screenprinted fashionably across the front. We've convinced ourselves that we can make a fashion statement and save the world. Martin and Mahatma had it all effed up son.
A month or so ago, I watched an episode of Real Time with Bill Maher featuring Presidential hopeful John Edwards. I haven't spoken much about the whole political scene mostly out of disinterest, but also out of lack of information, but that night I became a supporter of John Edwards. I had never bought into the whole Obama thing cuz the nigga never said anything about his ideas about how he was gonna lead the country. He spoke in abstract terms of "hope" and other Hallmark-worthy things. He's also supported by Oprah, who I detest. Hilary seems like she's too entrenched into the fabric of bureaucratic malaise in our government to do anything to change it substantively. Voting for her would be like giving me a dirty rag to take a shower with. More importantly, neither of them have truly inspired me.
However, while watching Edwards talk casually to Maher about his ideas (yes, ideas!), he made me a fan with one word: sacrifice.
He admitted simply that as President, he would ask the country to sacrifice for their own good. He spoke with integrity and passion, as a captain leading an army: admitting that there may be loss, but that it would all be for a greater gain. American politicians speak directly to our guts, our insatiable need to consume and fill our bellies. They appeal to our selfishness, individually and collectively, and are afraid to take the risk to call us to become a greater people, to "ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country."
It was shocking to hear a politician call upon voters to sacrifice, to admit that taxes might be raised. But it was refreshing. It stuck with me because it reminded me that some people want to be President because they are interested in improving the nation, not living in the White House. There are those who want to rehabilitate and revitalize the Oval Office, not just change the curtains and vacuum the carpet.
I've gone on an unintended tangent. Back to the lecture at hand...
Words derive their meaning from connotation; language is inherently implicit. Were it explicit, babies would never be able to discern enough to learn how to speak. We know what someone means not so much by what they say but by how they say it. It is from this stance that I approach the usage of the word "nigga". I say it how I mean it, which means I mean what I say. 8-)
Unfortunately, there are those who believe that certain words are magical and their denoted meanings are powerful beyond measure, destructive to the point where they can break down the very being and identity of an individual. Their context is always moot and, in fact, if you attempt to use it outside of its denoted context, your misuse of the word wields that destructive force with no less ferocity on the unassuming subject. Some would argue that, perhaps, it is even more deleterious to use it outside of its already pernicious denotation.
To those people I say: "Nigga, please."
"The Meaning of a Word" by Gloria Naylor
P.S. Imus got his job back and rappers still say "bitch," "nigga," and "ho."
Throwback of the Week
This is for the City. Spring 03 nuckaaaaaaaaz. Why was this video so friggin great? Old folks dancing, white folks dancing, fat folks dancing, philly folks dancing, even Biggs was gettin it in this video. A true classic.
Friday, December 14, 2007
I'm So Hood!
I don't know why Khaled didnt put the Dips on one of those remixes, cuz these niggas DEFINE hood.
Huffys my dood...
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Something's brewing...
Beanie and Freeway kick it on Hot 97. Niggas ain't happy tho.
P.S. The Freeway album is crazy son. one of the most underrated rappers in recent hip hop history.
Swingline
So I've been in the market for a letterman jacket for the past few years. I almost picked up the one 10deep made last year, but chose not to due to the fact that I wasn't head over heels for the design and because it was too recognizable and thus, too pedestrian. When Hov said, "I just took back the Phantom. Too many f--kers could fathom what it felt like to have one," I knew exactly what he meant... kinda.
Well, way back in the spring I caught glimpse of the joker above and decided that this was the one. It just dropped, and ya boy is copping it ASAP. I won't run down all the details, but let's just say it's understated and intelligent. And if you don't know...
The Niglet Who Stole Christmas
Signs that we're all going to hell in 2008...
1) Global Warming
2) China
3) Children setting Santa on fire...
The other day, two boys who were dissapointed with the hood Santa's anonymous gift distribution at Evergreen Plaza (or "Everblack" as we grew up dubbing it) on Chicago's South Side, pulled his violation card. They returned to the scene with proper tools and set his black ass on fire. The aftermath...
""The fire was quickly spread up through the tree and the area became full of smoke at which point in time we had obviously to evacuate the entire mall," said Howard Reihheimer, security chief for Evergreen Plaza Shopping Center at 95th and Western. He called firefighters immediately. "Had he not had done that, we still might not be talking to you here right now; we would still be fighting a fire, or possibly worse, somebody might've been injured or killed," Evergreen Park Police Chief Michael Saunders said. By the time firefighters arrived, the entire Christmas display, including Santa's sleigh, was engulfed in flames. "Everything that's in the center square that has to do with the Christmas tree, where Santa meets the kids, was burning," Evergreen Park Fire Department Chief Ron Kleinhaus said. "
As Lupe states on The Cool, the Streets ARE on Fire... no pun intended.
1) Global Warming
2) China
3) Children setting Santa on fire...
The other day, two boys who were dissapointed with the hood Santa's anonymous gift distribution at Evergreen Plaza (or "Everblack" as we grew up dubbing it) on Chicago's South Side, pulled his violation card. They returned to the scene with proper tools and set his black ass on fire. The aftermath...
""The fire was quickly spread up through the tree and the area became full of smoke at which point in time we had obviously to evacuate the entire mall," said Howard Reihheimer, security chief for Evergreen Plaza Shopping Center at 95th and Western. He called firefighters immediately. "Had he not had done that, we still might not be talking to you here right now; we would still be fighting a fire, or possibly worse, somebody might've been injured or killed," Evergreen Park Police Chief Michael Saunders said. By the time firefighters arrived, the entire Christmas display, including Santa's sleigh, was engulfed in flames. "Everything that's in the center square that has to do with the Christmas tree, where Santa meets the kids, was burning," Evergreen Park Fire Department Chief Ron Kleinhaus said. "
As Lupe states on The Cool, the Streets ARE on Fire... no pun intended.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Moment of Silence
As the great Dave Chapelle once stated so poignantly... "you're done son!" White, and all, I just don't see any going back on this. Thnks Fr Th Mmrs Ms. Winehouse...
Monday, December 03, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Singers get bootlegged too, ya know
Click the album covers to download.
This chick does her best impressions of Lauryn Hill, India Arie, and Angie Stone through 14 tracks. Not really, but picking up on her influences is far from difficult. That doesn't mean the album sucks, cuz it definitely doesn't. It isn't great either though. There are definitely good songs: "Walk In My Shoes", "U & I", "Moon", "Never Be Lonely". Some not so good: "Color Blind", "Alright". It's an alright album to clean the house to. And yeah, she's racially ambiguous. And oh yeah, she can sang.
I know. It's old. You should already have it by now, but in case you don't. Toma.
I don't even think I downloaded this, but maybe you want it.
Give it a shot. I did. Album's old. If you liked Feist, you should dig this. It's hot. She's Russian.
The Heart Gently Weeps
On Da Drought 3 he said he "keep a bad bitch skating like NuNu" but I aint believe him...
Speaking of the heart weeping... apparently the WU vs. RZA beef was all too real.
Ghost added this to the fray...
"RZA ain't listening," Ghost revealed. "He wanted to make [8 Diagrams] how he wanted it and it ain't come out right. He wanna always do the whole thing himself, produce the whole album. We're like, let's bring in some other producers too. Bring in Kanye, bring in Pharell. You ain't gotta do the whole thing yourself. He wanna make his own instruments and s**t and it sounded real horrible."
"So now it's like when fans come up to me like, 'Ghost, why you let them put that out,' it's like nah, we ain't taking the blame for that," Ghost continued. "That's what Rae was saying. We ain't co-signing that. It's like, the game is different. It's not how it was 10 years ago. We're trying to tell him, you can't just put a Wu-Tang album out and just think it's gonna sell just because. We been gone for what, six years? It's hard to win new ni**as. A lot of the fans now was in f**king diapers when we first started doing this. That's why a ni**a like me drop every year. I stay relevant."
Grease you need to find that Big Doe Rehab album and post, post haste!!!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Broken Record
Until Wale wins a Grammy, a Source Award, and is a 106 &Park/TRL mainstay, expect to be updated every time he coughs, sneezes, or makes the cover of a magazine. Read it. It's a very well-written article.Long live hype.
P.S. I'm definitely jealous of his Supreme hoody. I need that.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Bootleg for life
It's officially Christmas Time, so I dropped a rack of music for yall and re-upped the playlist. The Player is too big for the space, but oh well, we keeps it bootleg like that.
P.S. I'll be happy when November is over. Me and November never got along quite well.
P.S. I'll be happy when November is over. Me and November never got along quite well.
'Tis the Season
I listened. 3000 Miles and Running. An album with all Dre verses.
Art of Storytelling Part 4 is off this album.Tuesday, November 20, 2007
What Kinda S-Type Donda West Like?
Apparently Dr. West, was the Hip-Hop Mom, because everyone is really taking her passing to heart... even the kids at Cal-Riverside...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Billy GOAT Gruff
Anyone who asks me who is the greatest rapper of all time is usually shocked to not hear me immediately shout "Jay-Z" or put the Roc-a-fella diamond in the air. The truth is, Jigga is my favorite rapper, but I've never been completely comfortable giving him the crown as the greatest. That doesn't mean I don't consider him the GOAT, but it does mean that I'm open to changing my assessment when a good argument is made for other greats like Biggie and Rakim. Biggie made "Somebody's Gotta Die," "Suicidal Thoughts," "I Got A Story To Tell." Rakim's lines have been bitten so much that they've become hip hop cliches. Do you understand the lyrical power of creating a catalog of cliches?But those aren't the only artists I feel are worthy of the throne. (There's, of course, Weezy F. Baby--please say the "Baby". Sike nah!) But really, Andre 3000 may be quietly taking the scepter for himself. Think about it. Homie has done everything every great rapper has done. Lyrical? Heck-muthaphreakin-yiggidy-yes-yes-yall. Stories? Yezzir. Thuggery? That too. Charismatic delivery? And you know this. Flow? Heavy, like a period gone bad for a fat girl. He even went psychedelic and made The Love Below. Other great rappers did the same thing, just not to much acclaim and with such cohesion. (Electric Circus anyone? Cee-Lo Green and his Perfect Imperfections? The Soul Machine was fantastic tho.) Andre went left and we still couldn't help but follow. Blond wig, hammer pants, bird chest and all, we were double-clappin' to women shaking like a polaroid picture.
Remember when Jay went left? Oh, that's right, he went right and made Kingdom Come, the album where he flew to Mars in his G-4, cigar in hand, and left us behind. He said he wanted to expand the scope of the music. He did, but so did Andre, to much more artistically gratifying results. I'm not advocating for 3 Stacks here, nor am I turning my back on Hov (pause), I'm just presenting a case. My biggest gripe with Jay is not that he doesn't have the capability of artistic genius, but that he doesn't live up to it. In fact, he refuses to. His egocentricity does not allow him. He was comfortable with being recognized as the greatest. He didn't feel the need to go 72-10 or 16-0. The championship ring was enough for him. He views each of his accomplishments as something that trickles down to the common folk of the hood. He is the carrot in front of the horse, the pool beneath and the branch above Tantalus; the unattainable goal. His brand of altruism is about self-indulgment first, which is itself a contradiction. "I do this for my culture/ To let 'em know what a nigga look like when a nigga in that roadster." Thanks Jay. We appreciate it. The hood needs that. Black people need that. :-|
I contrast that to Andre 3000's first lines from "Da Art of Storytellin' (Part 4)":
She said, "Why in the club you dont make it precipitate?
Ya know 'make it rain' when you could make it thunderstorm?"
I’m like, "Why? The world needs sun. The hood needs funds.
Theres a war going on and half the battle is guns.
How dare I throw it on the floor when people are poor?"
So I write like Edgar Allan to restore. Got a cord,
Umbilical, attached to a place that can't afford no landscaping or window draping
This old lady told me if I ain't got nothing good, say nathan
that's why I don't talk much
I swear it don't cost much to pay attention to me...
You lie, Andre. It does cost to listen. Would Jay make it rain in the club? Hecky nah, son, but for completely different reasons. "I gotta get mines, you gotta get yours," would undoubtedly be his reply to a chick asking him why doesn't throw his cash in the air for fans to grab. You get the feeling that Jay thinks that he worked hard to make this money, not to give it away. And if he is giving it away, better believe he's getting something for it. <>It's the hustler's mentality.< /sarcasm>
To be fair, an artist's worth and talent cannot be a derivative of his perspective. If it were, a 5 year old's crappy crayon drawing of the sun, flowers, and happy faces would be viewed as "better" than intricately detailed drawings of ugly ish. So I'm not saying that just because 3000 has a more community-conscious conscience, he's better than Jay. If that were the case, Talib, Mos, Common and every other rapper do-gooder would be the subjects of endless GOAT debates. (And sadly, in some circles they are.) It's really about the level of artistry. Most neglect to put Tupac in the list of Top 3 rappers for the simple reason that he wasn't lyrical. Yes, he could touch you in ways unimaginable (no homo/jacko), but he was often lyrically simplistic and metrically one-dimensional.
Jay and Dre are artistically heavyweights in all categories. However, you get the feeling that Jay has no problem being lazy when Dre cannot stand the thought of it. Where Jay can come up with a hot 6 lines and feel that's enough to coast through the rest of a song, Dre has to make sure the whole verse is hot. He wants you to quote the entire verse on your Facebook page, not just a hot couplet.
And that's why I'm ready to consider: Andre Benjamin > Jay-Z
Discuss.
(And yes, I said "Da Art of Storytellin' (PART 4)". Exclusive! *DJ Clue echo*)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
It's a crew song
I'm butter right now.
Just discovered that Wale's "Nike Boots" is the iTunes Single of the Week. What that means (outside of the fact that homey is making waves) is that you can download it for free from iTunes. That is, if you didn't download it for free off the blog two months ago.
But even if you did get it, download it off iTunes just for good measure. It's free, and it will help promote an artist with actual talent. Win. Win.
Fuh realz.
Nobody know karate more bodies than "Kill Bill"
Sorry had to get that out. Word to Roscoe P. It's wild in the streets of Philly son. I heard that 2 cops got shot last night. In case you don't know, cop-killing is serious ish. No Scorcese. It approaches anarchy.
In other news, I went on (another) field trip with my kids today to the Franklin Institute. It was vicious son. I really like teaching in Southwest. Yup, that's all I have to say on the subject. Either that, or start droning on for another 2 hours. I don't have the energy; you're not that interested.
Lastly, I upgraded the music player (Audiophilia). Although the tape player looked cool, a lotta ppl had issue with how to pause it and all that jazz since the buttons were a little hard to find, so I went with a standard looking jawn. Also threw a new mini-playlist up with some mellow personal faves. It's getting colder, days are shorter, might as well let the music fit the mood, ya dig?
Cuz after Turkey Day, it's all Christmas music son!
Disfruta.
In other news, I went on (another) field trip with my kids today to the Franklin Institute. It was vicious son. I really like teaching in Southwest. Yup, that's all I have to say on the subject. Either that, or start droning on for another 2 hours. I don't have the energy; you're not that interested.
Lastly, I upgraded the music player (Audiophilia). Although the tape player looked cool, a lotta ppl had issue with how to pause it and all that jazz since the buttons were a little hard to find, so I went with a standard looking jawn. Also threw a new mini-playlist up with some mellow personal faves. It's getting colder, days are shorter, might as well let the music fit the mood, ya dig?
Cuz after Turkey Day, it's all Christmas music son!
Disfruta.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Can't Get Out The Game
Winter is fast approaching people. The day's are getting shorter, the nights colder, and my bank account, smaller. I've pretty much satiated my denim desires. (Still holdin' out on the PRPS and some grey levi's though.) The hoody game is deader than the dunk game. All I need is a plain grey zip jawn. I'm thinking old school Champion or Russell Athletic. Yeah nigga, Russell Athletic. The tee game is non-existent. I mean, it's bout to be winter, and I'm a nigga's nigga. I do not play when it gets cold. The less amount of skin visible, the warmer (and friendlier) I am.
Still, that nagging issue persists. Kicks. If it weren't for that cot durn swoosh, my life and bank account would be bursting at the seams like my closet or a fat girl in a cheap cotton leotard.
This Saturday's a big day too. For one, I have class from 9am to 4pm (kill me now). Secondly, two vicious Air Force 1's are releasing.
I need these ppl. It's not a game. Eff UPenn.
Still, that nagging issue persists. Kicks. If it weren't for that cot durn swoosh, my life and bank account would be bursting at the seams like my closet or a fat girl in a cheap cotton leotard.
This Saturday's a big day too. For one, I have class from 9am to 4pm (kill me now). Secondly, two vicious Air Force 1's are releasing.
I need these ppl. It's not a game. Eff UPenn.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Saturday, November 03, 2007
The soundtrack to the movie. Click the album cover.
And here's a very interesting article from New York Magazine. It's a conversation between Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes about their past as drug kingpins, the movies coming out about them, and other stuff. Real talk. Pun intended.
Sweet.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
It's Only Entertainment!
Click the album cover to download.This is the retail version of American Gangster. The first version was just the webrip. What that means to the bootleg-illiterate is that this is what will actually be in stores and sold online. The webrip didn't have all the songs and faded out many of the songs early. You thought AG was already dope? Guess what buddy, there's more.
And my (very) premature judgment of AG: Jay's 3rd best complete effort after Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint. (For the record, I think both are tied for first place in any ranking of Jay-Z's catalog.)
Cool points to anyone who can tell me where Jay bit his first line from "Success."
I useta give a -uck, now I give a -uck less
What do I think of success? It sucks--too much stress.
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Greatest Show on TV.... EVER.
Wait, it's not TV. It's HBO. If you are not a fan of The Wire, then I will assume you just haven't seen the show yet. Get the DVD's, or better yet, watch it OnDemand. Season 1 is up right now and you can play catchup until January. It beats whatever other garbage they're putting on TV these days.
And if you have seen the show but still aren't a fan, let me know. I will not waste time trying to convince you of its genius, originality, and realism. I will just regard you as an idiot who has been masquerading as a person with a functioning brain.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Wu-Tang Killer Beatles?
RZA discusses "The Heart Gently Weeps." This interview makes me love the song even more. He describes the process of getting to redo a Beatles song (which if you don't know, is near impossible) and explains the premise of the song.
Watch and enjoy.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Yall niggas betta bundle up
This winter's bout to be cuh-razy. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. Wu-Tang's 8 Diagrams. Jay-Z's American Gangster.
Lupe Fiasco - Dumb It Down
Lupe Fiasco - And He Gets The Girl
Lupe Fiasco ft. Verbal & Sarah Green - Can You Let Me Know
Wu-Tang Clan - The Heart Gently Weeps
Get a scarf. It's [gonna be] a cold winter.
Lupe Fiasco - Dumb It Down
Lupe Fiasco - And He Gets The Girl
Lupe Fiasco ft. Verbal & Sarah Green - Can You Let Me Know
Wu-Tang Clan - The Heart Gently Weeps
Get a scarf. It's [gonna be] a cold winter.
Let Me Talk My S@#% Again Part 2
I'm sure this is a moot point to you that have been used to his on-air lunacy, but Bill O'Reilly might have truly lost his mind...
From carpetbaggerreport.com:
From carpetbaggerreport.com:
At a minimum, I can’t help but think Bill O’Reilly needs to get out more. He explained the other day, on the air, that he and Al Sharpton had dinner together in Harlem, and O’Reilly was amazed by what he found. Regrettably, he wasn’t talking about the food.
“[W]e went to Sylvia’s, a very famous restaurant in Harlem. I had a great time, and all the people up there are tremendously respectful. They all watch The Factor. You know, when Sharpton and I walked in, it was like a big commotion and everything, but everybody was very nice.
“And I couldn’t get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia’s restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it’s run by blacks, primarily black patronship.
On the same program, O’Reilly was describing his experience to NPR’s Juan Williams. “There wasn’t one person in Sylvia’s who was screaming, ‘M-Fer, I want more iced tea,’” O’Reilly said, adding, “You know, I mean, everybody was — it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn’t any kind of craziness at all.”
It might not have been quite so offensive if O’Reilly didn’t sound so surprised.
What did O’Reilly expect to find in Harlem? Why does he assume that white people at a suburban Italian restaurant are civilized, but black people in Harlem may be prone to “craziness”?
Put it this way — if O’Reilly had gone to an all-white restaurant, would he have found it worth noting on the air that none of the patrons were screaming, “M-Fer, I want more iced tea”? I suspect not. Call it a hunch.
There’s also the broader context. If O’Reilly had never uttered racially insensitive remarks on the air before, one might be more inclined to find a more forgiving interpretation of these remarks. But Media Matters noted some of the Fox News blowhard’s recent tirades on race.
* On the June 7 edition of The O’Reilly Factor, O’Reilly said of Edwin Roy Hall — the man charged with murdering 18-year-old Kelsey Smith after abducting her from the parking lot of a Target store in Overland Park, Kansas: “[T]his guy who is charged has a child and a wife. You know, he’s like white-bread guy. And we’re all going, ‘What is that?’ ”
* On the August 16, 2006, edition of The O’Reilly Factor, O’Reilly argued extensively for “profiling of Muslims” at airports, arguing that detaining all “Muslims between the ages of 16 and 45″ for questioning “isn’t racial profiling,” but “criminal profiling.”
* During the April 12, 2006, broadcast of The Radio Factor, O’Reilly claimed that on the April 11 edition of The O’Reilly Factor, guest Charles Barron, a New York City councilman, had revealed the “hidden agenda” behind the current immigration debate, which, O’Reilly said, was “to wipe out ‘white privilege’ and to have the browning of America.” O’Reilly suggested that this “hidden agenda” included plans to let “people who live in the Caribbean, people who live in Africa and Asia … walk in and become citizens immediately.”
* In a February 27, 2006, conversation with a caller about the disproportionately few jobs and contracts that have gone to locals in the rebuilding of New Orleans, O’Reilly said: “[T]he homies, you know … I mean, they’re just not going to get the job.”
* On the September 13, 2005, broadcast of The Radio Factor, O’Reilly claimed that “many of the poor in New Orleans” did not evacuate the city before Hurricane Katrina because “[t]hey were drug-addicted” and “weren’t going to get turned off from their source.” O’Reilly added, “They were thugs.”
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Where all the ladies in the house?
Prompted by David Kenneth's posting the Rich Boy video with the beautiful Keri Hilson, I have decided to compile a list of The Top 10 Hottest Women In The Game. To compile this list, I consulted the Brain Trust (no homo), which in this case, is myself. This is not You Hype! Sike Nah...'s list, seeing as Mr. Kenneth will most assuredly be dismayed to discover that Amerie is not on my list. Nonetheless, he and all readers are fully encouraged to contribute their own lists of the The Top 10 Hottest Women In The Game.
Being as I'm left of center, some of these women may be unfamiliar to you. Still others may not even be attractive to you. But that's when you realize that you don't matter as much as me and my opinion. :-)
Now, without further ado, the list:
The Top 10 Hottest Women In The Game
She's not so scary. And maybe Eddie Murphy has some heterosexual left in him after all. And yes, she made the list purely off this photo.
Yes, I picked a pasty white woman who's closing in on a half-century years old. You cot durn right I did. Seen Boogie Nights? Seen Children of Men? If you have and didn't find that pale, old, red-headed white woman sexy as you-know-what, ur gay.
The whole time I watched "I Think I Love My Wife," between the times I thanked God for downloading it and not paying to see it, I gawked at just how B-B-B-B-B-BAD Kerry Washington was. And "Last King of Scotland," where she was a sexy lil African. Oh and Ray, where she was a blind man's gorgeous lil girl-next-door wifey.
C'mon ppl. She's Jessica friggin Alba. It's so cliche, but cliche or not, she's the truth.
Santowho? I know, you've never heard of her. Youtube + Myspace. Waste time. Expand your horizons. If you're in NYC, go to a show.
Yes. I chose the least tasteful of all the possible pictures. But I feel as though this (and her love scene with Andre 3000 in Idlewild) provides the best explanation possible. Sue me.
Without her, there would be no list.
Stab yourself in the eye with a pitchfork if you don't know her by now.
Yes, this pic makes her look as though I randomly facebook-stalked some chick, but she's actually big on the underground, a girl about town, with a very famous on-and-off-again boyfriend. Google. It won't be so anti-climactic of an ending for you.
Being as I'm left of center, some of these women may be unfamiliar to you. Still others may not even be attractive to you. But that's when you realize that you don't matter as much as me and my opinion. :-)
Now, without further ado, the list:
The Top 10 Hottest Women In The Game
10. Scary Spice
She's not so scary. And maybe Eddie Murphy has some heterosexual left in him after all. And yes, she made the list purely off this photo.
9. Julianne Moore
Yes, I picked a pasty white woman who's closing in on a half-century years old. You cot durn right I did. Seen Boogie Nights? Seen Children of Men? If you have and didn't find that pale, old, red-headed white woman sexy as you-know-what, ur gay.
8. Kerry Washington
The whole time I watched "I Think I Love My Wife," between the times I thanked God for downloading it and not paying to see it, I gawked at just how B-B-B-B-B-BAD Kerry Washington was. And "Last King of Scotland," where she was a sexy lil African. Oh and Ray, where she was a blind man's gorgeous lil girl-next-door wifey.
7. Jessica Alba
C'mon ppl. She's Jessica friggin Alba. It's so cliche, but cliche or not, she's the truth.
6. Santogold
Santowho? I know, you've never heard of her. Youtube + Myspace. Waste time. Expand your horizons. If you're in NYC, go to a show.5. Paula Patton
Yes. I chose the least tasteful of all the possible pictures. But I feel as though this (and her love scene with Andre 3000 in Idlewild) provides the best explanation possible. Sue me.4. Keri Hilson
Without her, there would be no list.3. M.I.A.
Stab yourself in the eye with a pitchfork if you don't know her by now.
2. Lauren London
No brainer. Pun not intended.
1. Vashtie Kola
Yes, this pic makes her look as though I randomly facebook-stalked some chick, but she's actually big on the underground, a girl about town, with a very famous on-and-off-again boyfriend. Google. It won't be so anti-climactic of an ending for you.The Top 10 Hottest Women In The Game. I'm sure I forgot a few noteworthy women. Mel B aka Scary Spice aka Eddie Murphy's baby mama is barely on the list, but I doubt that anyone else could get knocked off (Not even Julianne Moore). An honorable mention goes to Taral Hicks and the dark-skinned chick from Pharrell's "Frontin'" video. Were they still making waves, they'da been on the list.
Adieu.
Adieu.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Projects to Penthouses
"We eating joe, you still saying no cobbs"
Common, Southside feat. Kanye West
Some of y'all may have mistaken it for yet another hip-hop euphamism from the oft over-ya-head Com, but Chicago's 80's babies understand why this line was so dope.
Once upon a time in Chicagoland's grammar schools (elementary for tha out-of-towners), proclaiming "no cobbs" was the only thing that stood between a lil nigga on free lunch from coming up on your fruit roll-up, capri sun, lunchable, squeeze-it, teddy grahams... I could keep going. YES, it was that serious. As a free lunch youth from time-to-time, I was one of the few overzealous students who preyed upon the unsuspecting wielder of Now-And-Laters (known in the hood as 'Niahlatas'). As ridiculous as this sounds, if we caught you slippin and called "cobbs" before you could drop a fittingly preventative "no cobbs", the unwritten law of the classroom meant you got taxed...
As random of a sidebar as this is... I'm getting somewhere with it, bear with me lol. Last night I connected with one of my guys from Wash U that now resides in the DMV. Now I havent really kicked it tough with this cat in minute, but in real nigga fashion, we picked up where we left off. Interestingly enough, he's on the corporate tip now and as it turns out, has some of the same specific aspirations I carry in terms of investments and financial education. Reflection upon our dialogue was empowering and inspirational enough to make blog two days in a row.
Bringing me back to the Common line...
As young black professionals, ranging from a variety of backgrounds and demographics, we share one consistency... someone (mother, father, auntie, tt, madea, somebody nigga!) busted their hump so we could dream with no limitations. Sadly enough, it is our audacious conservatism as a people (it aint yo fault... look up Souls of Black Folks for more insight) that keeps us so complacent with simply surpassing the next nigga or collecting degrees. We are so worried about protecting the little bit that we've accomplished that we're afraid to stray the beaten path and go for ours.
The college degree in Black America has become a symbol of status, another marker of inter-social hierarchy and is losing its dynamism. By all means, achieve and tack as many letters onto your name as you can, but instead of simpy relying upon that to promote your bachelor eligibility in a swanky nightspot; start an investment group with your bourgie-ass friends (I did), promote financial education amongst your peers and the misguided youth, start your own business, travel the world, but by all means... don't settle!
In the last few weeks, my cousin was gunned down in wanton gang violence. He was the typical black child raised by the unforgiving streets, for lack of responsible parenting. Despite the path he walked and numerous jail stints, I loved him as a brother and did everything in my power to protect him. Whereas most of my family had gotten to the point of simply trying to protect his physical, I wanted to preserve his mind. As an elementary school dropout and repeat offender, he believed that his ambition for normalcy was unrealistic because he didnt have the stats behind him that myself or our cousins carried. His death showed me ever more, the importance of claiming our destinies and pushing it to the limit.
Y'all can keep callin' "no cobbs", but I'm over here eating. The pursuit of my passions will not stop, simply out of fear for what another man thinks.
Common, Southside feat. Kanye West
Some of y'all may have mistaken it for yet another hip-hop euphamism from the oft over-ya-head Com, but Chicago's 80's babies understand why this line was so dope.
Once upon a time in Chicagoland's grammar schools (elementary for tha out-of-towners), proclaiming "no cobbs" was the only thing that stood between a lil nigga on free lunch from coming up on your fruit roll-up, capri sun, lunchable, squeeze-it, teddy grahams... I could keep going. YES, it was that serious. As a free lunch youth from time-to-time, I was one of the few overzealous students who preyed upon the unsuspecting wielder of Now-And-Laters (known in the hood as 'Niahlatas'). As ridiculous as this sounds, if we caught you slippin and called "cobbs" before you could drop a fittingly preventative "no cobbs", the unwritten law of the classroom meant you got taxed...
As random of a sidebar as this is... I'm getting somewhere with it, bear with me lol. Last night I connected with one of my guys from Wash U that now resides in the DMV. Now I havent really kicked it tough with this cat in minute, but in real nigga fashion, we picked up where we left off. Interestingly enough, he's on the corporate tip now and as it turns out, has some of the same specific aspirations I carry in terms of investments and financial education. Reflection upon our dialogue was empowering and inspirational enough to make blog two days in a row.
Bringing me back to the Common line...
As young black professionals, ranging from a variety of backgrounds and demographics, we share one consistency... someone (mother, father, auntie, tt, madea, somebody nigga!) busted their hump so we could dream with no limitations. Sadly enough, it is our audacious conservatism as a people (it aint yo fault... look up Souls of Black Folks for more insight) that keeps us so complacent with simply surpassing the next nigga or collecting degrees. We are so worried about protecting the little bit that we've accomplished that we're afraid to stray the beaten path and go for ours.
The college degree in Black America has become a symbol of status, another marker of inter-social hierarchy and is losing its dynamism. By all means, achieve and tack as many letters onto your name as you can, but instead of simpy relying upon that to promote your bachelor eligibility in a swanky nightspot; start an investment group with your bourgie-ass friends (I did), promote financial education amongst your peers and the misguided youth, start your own business, travel the world, but by all means... don't settle!
In the last few weeks, my cousin was gunned down in wanton gang violence. He was the typical black child raised by the unforgiving streets, for lack of responsible parenting. Despite the path he walked and numerous jail stints, I loved him as a brother and did everything in my power to protect him. Whereas most of my family had gotten to the point of simply trying to protect his physical, I wanted to preserve his mind. As an elementary school dropout and repeat offender, he believed that his ambition for normalcy was unrealistic because he didnt have the stats behind him that myself or our cousins carried. His death showed me ever more, the importance of claiming our destinies and pushing it to the limit.
Y'all can keep callin' "no cobbs", but I'm over here eating. The pursuit of my passions will not stop, simply out of fear for what another man thinks.
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