No Hetero…errrr No Homo

 

Now that this movement is in it’s “post movement era.” I have decided to give my opinion on it. When this whole, “No-Homo,”  movement actually started by Cam’ron and Dipset. It spread like wildfire, your masculinity had to be in check. They were reinforcing the stigma that you, as a man cannon be okay with your own personal sexuality , nor can you be okay with the non0hetero sexualities that are prevalent in society. This really boils down to Hip-Hop’s lack of emotional depth.

Emotion is the kryptonite of Hip-Hop, as in some regards so is sexuality. Homosexuality is the biggest no-no in the culture. Bigger than oh lets say snitching. Urban Dictionary defined it as: Said to show that you aren't gay after saying something that sounded gay. If you are a homosexual or do anything that could be misconstrued as gay, and the least bit masculine you are looked down upon. Hence the “no-homo,” movement. Saying lines that some could constitute as gay but following it with the “no-homo,” like you are okay.  This came through and swept the community like Katrina and everyone did it. Thinking this was okay and just a Hip-Hop fad. Under the hood of that we were as a community thought it was okay, we are shunning a group of people that are more or less the same as the norm. I never thought Hip-Hop was for going with the main stream. being founded on the principles of social injustice and all. Since this caught on many Homo-rappers and artists felt as though a group that at one time was somewhat accepting is now treating them as second class citizens.

Hip-Hop needs to go back to the roots of being about the people. We talk about each other and not the social issues that are important to us all. How would Hip-Hop feel if there was a no-hetero movement? Or how about a No-Nigger movement. Being as though the major consumer of the genre is Caucasian males from about 16 to 27 year olds. How would we feel then?

A good video that talks more about this is youtube video from Ill-Doctrine

Can I melt on a Plastic Beach?

Okay so that was a bad joke but hey you can't blame me. As you can tell I'm going to be review the new Gorillaz Plastic Beach album. For those who don't know, I do enjoy some Gorillaz. From the first time I heard them years ago I have been a fan of what they do. And it is true some of their songs are either hit or miss and sadly I'm believing that this is the truth for this album.

The Gorillaz started back in 1998 as an idea from Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. And to those who don't know, the band "technically," isn't comprised of real people. They are 2-D fictional characters. They are a mix of many genres including Hip-Hop, punk, dub and more.

Fast forward to their third studio album. (They have a vast amounts of side projects and collaboration albums too) Plastic Beach which was heavily anticipated because of the major success of Demon Days. This cd seems to have more of a Hip-Hop feel out of all other genres that they are considered artists of. To me that is kind of a good thing but just the same can be said to be a step away from their cross-genre past.

The songs still have that funky Gorillaz feel. With their trademark singing over sometimes heavily synthesized records. Their lyrical content is actually very well done. If you can get passed some of the beats and focus on what they are actually saying this album is pretty good. Add in the guest appearences with Mos Def aka Black Dante, De La Soul, Bobby Womack and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble its a very well rounded mix of artists.

My only negative about this album is that it wasn't a true "mix" of genres that I am used to. Not to say that the mostly Hip Hop take on this cd is bad but

Favorite song off the album: Superfast Jellyfish feat. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul. Just the way this song flows and sounds is very well done.

Least favorite song off the album: Rhinestone Eyes. I don't know I personally wasn't feeling this song as a whole. Just didn't do anything for me.

In the end I will say I was happy to get this album in my hands. I love just as much as I disliked how they strayed away from their normal style of making music. And that change can either be hit or miss depending on the fan.

4 oh crispy's out of 5