This is something I found interesting

There was a segment called “Misty's Matter's of the heart.” Usually it's something basic to the extent of, “ oh I think my husband is cheating how should I approach this?” type deal. This one Monday's question was something straight from left field. The question was posed to women, if your gay male friend wanted to know what it as like to be with a women, would you let him? We all know that is a out there question but something that would take a lot of thought. First of all I though wow, that is a question for sure. I thought “Hey that is kind of proactive and lets see how open these women of Columbus are.” As more people answered it made me realize so many people had thoughts like, “No they have STI's and that's nasty.” (That was a lot of the callers I heard.) Oh and the one that stuck out the most was this one strong women. “No!, they stick it in booty holes, and that's how Aids/HIV gets spread.” My first reaction was wow, she has some strong feelings about the gay's. The main thing that her strong statement made it seem as if all people thought so negatively about the homosexuals. Why are those views acceptable for people to thinking. Even though Black women are more likely to get STI's like HIV than homosexual's. Why is it always seeming as if homo's will always do wrong. This question, weird as it may be. I think it could spark a bigger debate. The debate of, why are there so many negative thoughts and connotations with your homosexual friends.

Why does it seem as if once you come out as a homo, you are automatically given the wrap sheet full of stereotypes, stigmas and characteristics. For example, as a gay male you are perceived as weak, flamboyant (flamer), disease spreader and so forth. For women you are manish, a tomboy, into softball and or basketball and many more. Yet some of those same things are exactly what all other sexualities deal with. Each one deals with stigmas of being “this or that.” As if sexuality transmitted diseases are only with homosexual's while heterosexual's deal with immunity as far as that goes. What makes that logic seem valid in our community?

The Art of a Freestyle: A thought

I wonder what will happen in the future, as technology grows and evolves. The art form will have to evolve with it. Will the freestyle slowly phase out? The “off the dome,” part of it and become off the phone? The allure of it will slowly fade away and become a long lost art form. Which is a big part of the culture. I have no problems with this “pre-written,” freestyle or free verse. My question is why do it?Where is it? I know talking about something like this may seem like a rant. Which is what I do not want this to be like. My question is, where and when did freestyles change. Some of my readers are like what do you mean? If you think about how many times have you heard a freestyle and loved it? Now re-listen to it, and think about the flow. Now to the untrained ear its no different. Yet, there are many who Black Berry Freestyle or (BBF). Some examples of artists who I have noticed who do this consist of Lil Wayne, Joe Budden, and more.

My favorite happened to be battle rappers who used their skills to the extreme. When you battle your mind has to be quick and sharp. You can tell a veteran from a rookie in the battle world. By the way they react and respond to what their opponent says. I stated before, “pre written freestyles,” are even present in the battle world. Trust me, I have seen it before, I was doing a battle, final round and the I was battling was nice, until his style changed. His verse dynamics changed and it did not seem right. The battle went on, and oh by the way (I called him on it in a verse, ha!) Needless to say I lost the battle, don’t you just love hip hop politics...anyway. Once this happened it made me rethink how battles are past and present.

No matter if you believe it or not, written freestyles are being passed off as non-written freestyles. It is becoming the new “it",” thing to do now a days. Prime example, Black Entertainment Television (I use that term loosely). Who remembers the tv show “The Basement,” Many of the artists who appeared on the show actually previewed the beat they were going to freestyle to. So it gave them time to prepare for what they were about to rhyme about. Which goes against what the show and the basic skills of the art form are about. Going further, some of those freestyles, became real verses for other songs that many people recite now.

I wonder what will happen in the future, as technology grows and evolves. The art form will have to evolve with it. Will the freestyle slowly phase out? The “off the dome,” part of it and become off the phone? The allure of it will slowly fade away and become a long lost art form. Which is a big part of the culture. I have no problems with this “pre-written,” freestyle or free verse. My question is why do it?

Social Networking Politics: Social Commentary

It’s funny how our generation is about injustice, and fighting for equality.  As much as it is funny, it is really sad. We care about politics only when it gets “twitter,” or “tumblr,” famous. The people who decide that “man this is something important,  my best friend, cousin, brother should know about this case.” If a case doesn’t make a social network I would strongly say  85% of our generation would not  know heads or tails of current events. Those people would be deaf to new policies, proposals and laws. Now to some they will argue, “ Chris, that’s how social networks work. They spread the word and make more people aware, sparking them to delve deeper into the issue. “ This is true, I am not going to deny that. Yet, where are the socially conscious ones at when it does not hit those networks. Where are those socially charged people at? Clearly they are talking recklessly throughout their days. Not knowing what’s going on, how they’re falling behind in the news stories that don’t make the major news networks. Yet, ask them when some big social experiment is…they know where it is. Which to me is a shame, if we spent half as much time caring about the events that actually change our daily lives than to who is having a new baby or an album leaking, those changes we “fight for,” would be happening a little more sooner than later.  The values and things we deem important have changed. For a generation that wants change, we sure do go out for it…

 

 

Don’t we?

A much needed update

Whats up world...this is Sway...wait..scratch that. Its ya boy Crispy. Its been a while since I have even touched up on this thing. Life has been crazy, I haven't forgotten about the blog. I have been working a lot new job. Applying for this internship ...hopefully I get at least one of the two I applied for. No internet at the moment so I am taking the blog to the phone a lot more updates will be coming soon.

Deeper than Hip Hop- Why so much hate?

Why does Hip Hop (Rap) get a bad rap from many non-listeners? It is as if they believe everything they hear about the genre. Oh it’s misogynistic views towards women mean that’s what all those so called “artists” speak about. The lyrical content is only about drugs they have sold or have smoked. Oh no talks of drugs then it’s the women. Wait women…let me rephrase that, the bitches, hoes(whores), skeezers, jumpoffs, breezys, tricks, sluts, run thoughts, etc. The only other thing they talk about is their “bling bling,” lifestyle. You know those hundred thousand dollar cars, their new mansions and the jewelry that could snap the neck of a small child. These arguments though valid to some, to others including hip hop scholars like myself, that is far from the truth.

Many don’t realize that there is more depth within the lines of these songs. Yes, songs about killing yourself (Suicidal Thoughts), hustling to make ends meat (Grindin). The phrase “Deeper than Rap,” is going to be the definition to many of these songs. These lyrics and countless more paint vivid pictures to showcase their struggles as musicians. Sometime the face value of a song is only the gateway to the truth meaning.

Now the main topic that those against hip hop haters is the treatment of women. Groups have said that all the males do is degrade women. Noting some of the worst artists as, Too $hort, (Uncle) Luke, Notorious B.I.G, Three 6 Mafia and countless more. Now yes things may have been said or videos shot but even those songs are party songs. Not saying that is the reason why they are okay to do what they have done or said. Yet, we do not discuss other genres that have done or artists who have mistreated women. It is as though their genre gives them a free pass. When Jordan Knight came out with his song (Give it to You), Everyone loved that song, making it on chart after chart. Even though the song itself was filled with hypersexual lyrics, and innuendos throughout. Oh it is just a harmless pop song that the kids wont catch. So is the song “Make it Clap".” Yet the rap communities lyrics are always under a microscope. Same premise just because the genre is different they treated the Busta Rhymes as though his song was the worst. Why is it that the microscope of hip hop is ten times stronger than any other style of music? We focus on how every song is misogynistic towards women. Songs like Dear Momma prove a point. Look at 2Pac, people deemed him as the worst yet when Dear Momma cam out everything was okay. Then you have his song, “I get around.” That instantly made him a misogynistic person.

This is Part 1…

O.C

Boom Bap Hip Hop

Remember when hip hop beats used to be simple, we all know that one “boom bap,” beat. Yeah, I do too when these simple beats I lead to some of the most complex rhymes and most memorable songs. Those songs still reside in the hearts of all the true hip hop heads and purists. Songs like, “The Bridge is Over,” to an instant classic, “Chief Rocka.”  What makes these songs work are two important elements. The simple catchy beat and the powerful lyrics that are stating something of substance.  These were the songs that made up the soundtrack to the eighties and nineties. Even as the artists got grittier and the positivity of the eithers got replaced with the coke rhymes of the nineties. The songs like “Keep it Thoro,” to the “Grindin’s.” Some may even say (and one of my favorite Wu tracks) “Ice Cream.”

 

These songs were simple enough to hit the masses to get them to enjoy. Yet lyrical enough that the true hip hop heads would respect them.

 

I have included links to the songs throughout this post so give it a listen and give me some feedback….

Sir Michael Rocks Review

Lately mixtapes have been in a pretty legit place. There have been a pretty good amount of solid tapes dropping at a fairly steady rate. They are making me and my Sony studio headphones smile ear to ear. One of my recent favorites has been the Sir Michael Rocks presents “The Rocks Report.” When one half of the Cool Kids drops a tape, you have to listen to it. The production is quite solid in my opinion. THe instrumentals that he has are solid. They are in the same league just like the majority of the Cool Kids beats. They will having you going, “I want that beat like now.” One of my top tracks on this cd would be the songs “Stagelights.” For most, it is a simple beat. For others they will notice that the sample is from Final Fantasy 7. (The sample is from the saving music found HERE)

Now to some this mixtape is just a “Cool Kid’s Light.” Yet Mikey (as some call him and yes he rocks)shows how he can hold his own. Some songs I will say make you wish that Chuck Inglish was right there with him on some of tracks. Even though it does not really happen, Sir Michael Rocks provides some quality lyrics. It is just a good tape to play when you are riding down the block.

 

4/5 stars