Some quick notes on the great personal narrative, "Killa Season," Cam'Ron's movie from a couple years ago that was released on DVD (I think). I saw it almost exactly two years ago with the actual founder of this blog, Jason, and another friend. Of course, I was very drunk as it was senior week so I only remember a few pieces of it. But, Patrick and I watched it again yesterday. First off: this has to be the longest movie (about 2 and a 1/2 hours) about a rapper's life ever... no homo. Any casual readers know I don't use that dumbass phrase, but as this is a movie about DipSet, it's only appropriate. Anyway, on to the highlights:
I never need to see the process of how mules transport drugs into and around the world. Maria Full of Grace was enough.
I can't figure which situation offends me more: a little girl being shot or a little girl's face being spit on. Somewhere, R. Kelly was smiling when that scene was filmed.
Let's take over the block.
Don't have sex with crackheads. They'll only take your money... and go to community college and clean their lives up and thank you in a very special way.
Michael K. Williams (Omar of the Wire) has the greatest cameo ever. It's a beautiful performance, no homo.
Though he hasn't put out a (relevant) compilation album in years, Funkmaster Flex still has paternal-like control over all rappers, especially a guy who says he gets the computers 'putin'.
Let's take over the block.
Don't claim to be hard or tough, no homo.
As you may be able to tell, TT is back. I have nothing but time on my hands, so in between laser tag and sleeping I'll try and get back to writing some more stuff. I've been out of the loop for the past three weeks or so, please excuse me if I am late on a few things (like Noz losing his job). There's a new muxtape up, since the site crashed a little while ago. There are a few songs I want to post, but the site can't accept them, so check them out here and here. I have a few thoughts on albums I've been giving a lot of burn recently, but I need to get back into the flow of writing, so please be patient. As soon as I'm ready, I'll give it to you raw. No homo.
Finally, there's a video for this masterpiece. There's a new muxtape up as well. The end of the semester is here, and I was drained, so it was hard to choose a broad selection. Sue me. Also, I couldn't upload the "Drivin' Down the Block (Remix)," which really upset me. Our last show is on Wednesday, and we'll be reading the greatest interview ever along with playing some classic joints. Be sure to tune in.
Since I will soon be away from a radio booth, I need to figure out a way to share music with people semi-regularly, because it is just so much fun. Seeing as we here at Trenton Takes always try to stay ahead of the curve, I present to you a muxtape. I have no idea how often I'll update it. I'll do the best I can, but don't expect anything like our show. Although, there will be one song that's a bit... unnecessary.
That may be one of the best quotes all year. I don't agree totally, given the full history of the word, but I think Tical makes a good point that Al Sharpton is really just looking for attention from the media and not worrying about problems that are affecting people in very tangible ways. Also, Rev. Sharpton saying that Nas is helping out the racists is something I don't understand. At all. And for the record, other groups of people (namely, some in the gay community) do reinterpret slurs and use them as tools of empowerment. Does anyone say they're helping out homophobic people? Sure, but it doesn't stop them. I also love this quote:
People [who use the term in their music] wouldn't put out a record against whites or cops or Jews because they ain't got the guts to do that. They only got the guts to beat up on their own.
Hey Al, ever heard of "Cop Killer," "The Rape Over" or every rap song that speaks out against white people? Shut up, you sound like an uninformed moron who wants to hear their own voice. And why was he at the premiere of American Gangster, does that not also go against his morals? It's about a black drug kingpin. His opinion has rarely mattered to me, but his hypocrisy is too much. Between this and "Read a Book," Al Sharpton/Jesse Jackson/Stanley Crouch's generation refuses to understand. Engage and be critical of the music, don't just degrade it. No one will listen, and rightfully so.
It is a problem when CNN is faster on rap news than the people who cover rap. I have no idea what Cliff (or any person, for that matter) needs with an "arsenal" of weapons, but I know this is going to be ascribed to all of the hip hop community. Should T.I. take responsibility? Well, yeah, that's a lot of damn guns. But that is just T.I. No one else is responsible. Be very clear about that. Also:
Harris has dubbed himself the "King of the South." His music is built around the drug culture and is known as "trap music," or music to listen to while using drugs.
There are a couple things wrong with that piece of information. First of all, the title he has dubbed himself is not relevant to the discussion. It might be more relevant if the person writing the article had noted that some in the hip hop consider T.I. the "King of the South." As it stands, it is like any other nickname a rapper comes up with, something else a listener can remember him by. They could have also mentioned how many records he's sold (especially with King), the Grammy he won with Justin Timberlake, or the record company he is affiliated with. But, my first point is "outdated" by today's news standards, associating him with JT would put white people (overprotective parents especially) in a tizzy, and the last point is bad business. Heaven forbid a label be accountable for what an employee does. He won't get dropped, he brings in too much money, and Universal knows that. CNN doesn't care about real responsibility in terms of rap's relationship with the outside world (see previously), they only want to appeal to mainstream America's fears.
That brings me to the second part of what is wrong with the above quote: trap music is not primarily made to be listened to while using drugs. Trap music (or muzik), as I understand it anyway, is about detailing the life of a drug dealer and (hopefully) all the things that go along with that. Is it the most wholesome? No. Can it be offensive on many levels? Certainly. But that does not change the fact that for some people (T.I. included) this is or was a way of life. And it can be interesting. See The Wire, Clockers, The Corner, or Traffic for previous examples of the drug world captivating some audience. It's not music that you listen to only after lighting up an 8-ball or playing with heroin. But like I said, CNN and the general public won't be interested in getting their facts right. They want to scare parents so that no one buys rap anymore. It is poor journalism, nothing more. I was reading tonight one of Noz's best posts over at XXL, and I can't help but think how this instance will only fuel Stanley Crouch, John McWhorter, and others who are not interested in having productive discussions about images in the media of rappers/black men. They only seek to demonize so their world view is validated. It has to stop.
Between Twinkletoes and Tip, the hip hop police are really on their job.
In other news, the Rubberband Man's street cred is heavy like the 7 series Beamer right now. That topic will hopefully get addressed sometime soon now that I have a little bit of free time. Here's an idea of what I'll be saying in that authenticity post, if I ever get around to it.
I hate to be a cynic, but this may not work out as well as they think. People might like some jobs, trustworthy police, and a mayor who isn't a jackass. Again, I could be wrong and this event could set Philly on a course back to respectability.
The show starts tonight at 8. I promise nothing but heat rocks from the both of us. Be sure to turn your shit up to 11 when we come on. And if your shit don't go up to 11, get yourself a new system. You know what time it is.
Blam. If only every hip hop writer/activist could express themselves so clearly. And what makes someone a "hip hop" activist, anyway? Based on what I know, they just seem less effective, and that is not a distinction to be proud of (Vote or Die, anyone?).
We start next Sunday, so you'll have to wait a bit. Podcast our show, tell your friends and your mom. Thanks to Microsoft for the squiggles underneath the title.
This needs to stop. Now. Dudes have been wearing their clothes like this since at least... uh, '92 or so? Now they want to anyalyze where your life is headed if your pants sag? Next time I'm home, I will try and get fined. What'll they do then. They're just mad 'cuz they're stylin' on 'em. Enjoy the view:
Hopefully, you all can read this and realize contrary to what the media has been telling your parents, Hip Hop can actually do something for people. Even "radio" artists. Though I doubt I'll be buying his album, shout out to Kanye for helping kids in his city. For real, you don't wanna be my age and can't read and write, begging women for a different place to sleep at night.
''I do not see this country allowing another Katrina-type event to happen.''
- R. David Paulison, the new head of FEMA
That's good to hear (if not obvious). So does this mean we'll be able to help places like Jamaica, or are they on their own?
There's also this article where a task force leader compares MS-13's spread across the country to a virus, not unlike "The Matrix." Some of these kids sound like aspiring rappers. And a few probably are, for that matter.
I've also been reading the blogs a lot, Noz in particular, and he writes well (which says a lot since most hip hop bloggers can't form a complete sentence). He really likes Jay-Z, and makes interesting arguments about him (like Breihan), but I don't get it. So for this reason, I must return to the radio after a 9 month absence to understand why Jay-Z is good (if he is so). For that task, I need a partner. But not just any old fan, someone who actually likes to talk about rap and has open ears. No small task back at the Dungeon. We'll see how that goes.
What I find even funnier is that Al Sharpton and Co. are still going to attack the "real reason" behind Imus's comments: a type of music. In fact, he did that already across the country. I am more than a bit skeptical about the "lyrics" committee thing, since I've heard plenty of stupid remarks about all types of people who are not black women in recent rap songs. More on this at some point.
Good day in the news for the Chocolate City. And it seems like black people are the leaders in this field. I am sure these two things are the result of too much rap music being distributed to our political leaders and young people. Oliver Thomas must have had his mind submerged in the world of Mobb Deep. Don't laugh, political leaders are always under pressure like fat bitches.
Maybe if kids could get a job after high school without a college degree this wouldn't be so necessary? I hate adults.
Why would they do this? Imus is a jackass, and always has been. And why is this news, on a more "big picture" note? What happens when someone says something about other races (I see you, Newt). Isn't he planning to run for president, why aren't we on his ass? I guarantee he'll be able to run in a couple months and people will somehow forget about this event. Same with Imus/Miss Jones/any other shock jock, it won't change until Americans grow up. But that's neither here nor there.
And I hate to sound like a cynic, though I am, but why is this so incredibly relevant? Love is science, whoop-di-doo. Should I really care? I am not so sure. And the little table they show does not really correlate with anything (South Korea enjoys sex more than the U.S.? Word...?). I can't really think of anything about people's emotions that I would want to see in the Science Times, but that's my old man view. Whatever.
I'll morning news you, Ron Burgundy
And this is by far the funniest thing I have seen in a few months, which speaks to how bad comedy is around me.
Listen to this. Davidson and Princeton are leading the pack. Swarthmore would do good to follow their lead, seeing as we have 1.2 billion dollars we're just sitting on. No student loans would get us straight to the top of U.S. News and World Report. Take note, Al Bloom, I could have just saved the school's rep. I never considered going there and I'm proud.
And I swear, if this does not end in three convictions I will burn down a building. Call me crazy, but there's rarely a need to shoot at anyone 31 times. And that's one cop's gun. I hate the NYPD.
