Hip Hop *Revisited

Confession Of A Hop Hop Junkie a.k.a. The Lazy Cast Vol.1a

2008-05-19T01:51:00.007-04:00

OK...Eye asked you people to hang around while Eye get my podcast ish together...as you can see, that's been takin' a minute.

So, Eye decided to take a note or two from one of my newest faves on Podomatic --- a dope cast called "Diggin' In The Tapes". If you haven't checked it out, you need to...especially if you're diggin' the vibe here.

Anyway, my man Saheeb over at D.I.T.T. has inspired me to dust off some of the tapes Eye used to make back in the day. Really, I'm just being lazy...wasn't quite up to doing a full cast today. This was so much easier.

So enjoy some flavor from 1997...This is the A-side of a 100 minute cassette, the mix is called "Confessions Of A Hip Hop Junkie". I'll post the B-side shortly.

Peeeeeeeeace.

Confessions Of A Hip Hop Junkie a.k.a. The Lazy Cast Vol.1b
May 19, 2008 07:35PM

As promised, the B-side to the Confessions tape. Side-A featured more traditional Hip Hop, but side-B was decidedly more experimental. Eye threw in some spoken word and more downtown Brooklyn flavor.

Have fun...btw...I'll probably be yanking these down after awhile so, d-load while you can.

I'm out....One!

Click here to get your own player.

Thoughts: EPMD, Naughty By Nature, Lordz Of The Underground, OC @ Nokia Theatre, NYC 4.25.08

2008-04-29T12:00:00.008-04:00

Considering Eye didn't even know about the show until the day before, it was hard for me to get too excited about this show.

Actually, even if Eye had known about it, Eye wouldn't have been too tweeked.

Other than EPMD, the lineup was not that crucial to me in terms of catalog and live performance. And before you all get your panties in a bunch, Eye don't mean to imply that everybody else doesn't have a solid (if not stellar in the case of Naughty) catalog...it's just that for me personally, the other acts didn't have more than a few joints that Eye REALLY connected with on that "Eye have to see them rock ____" level...feel me?

Now EPMD...them's my dudes right there!!! The banger quotient is a lot greater...more meat, less filler. PLUS...they got DJ Scratch. If you've never seen an act that has a battle DJ (as opposed to a cat that just queues the next track and does a rub here and there for effect), then do yourself a favor and catch EPMD when then they come to a theater near you! DJ Scratch puts on a show.

But Eye digress.

As Eye alluded to above, my sense of urgency was non-existent for this ticket, so Eye showed up close to two hours late...just in time to catch the tail end of D.I.T.C..

Ok...now I'm feeling a little annoyed, as Eye didn't know they were going to be in the building. Eye would've made more of an attempt to get there early had Eye known. Actually, Eye found out afterwards that OC was the official act but, when Eye got there he was already joined by Lord Finesse (an all-time fave for me) and AG (who Eye last saw live at a Madlib show...still sharp, always refreshing to hear a good NYC emcee). What little Eye did see was good and the crowd Eye was posted near at that moment was definitely open, so Eye guess they did their thing.

Seeing the Lords Of The Underground was a first for me. Never heard much about their live set from back in the day, but Eye figured given their studio persona's, they would probably have a high energy live set. And that's pretty much what it was. Both cats generally nailed their performances, although there was a moment or two when it looked like DoItAll was upstaging Mr. Funky a bit...and from the look on his face, Funk caught that vibe too. Still, the overall chemistry between these cats appeared to be genuine and positive. Good to see them let Lord Jazz get some shine with his song as well.

There were two things that hurt their set, though. First, was the lousy sound, particularly on DoItAll's mic. It was bad to the point of distraction. Not a good look. The other problem was a problem that plagues a lot of shows featuring vets from era's gone by...new material. Or more specifically, new material that no one has heard yet. Nothing kills momentum more than dropping some new joint that no one in the crowd has heard before after ripping through 3 or 4 classics. By the time they got to the last song of the set (Chief Rocker), the energy of the crowd was down to one bar. Luckily, Chief Rocker was apparently what the whole house was waiting for because, the place exploded when they jumped into that.

Naughty actually kinda surprised me, as they ended up having the tightest set of the night. Not that Eye didn't think that they had a tight stage show...Eye know better than that. These cats have been the ultimate professionals on stage over the years. It's just that Eye never really considered myself a Naughty fan...in the way that I'm a fan of say, M.O.P. or DeLa or Gang Starr. It's like yeah, Eye know the hits and Eye own an album or two, but it's not like Eye have their complete discography.

But Eye can't front, there wasn't a song they rocked that Eye didn't know...and most Eye genuinely dug. They never really lost the crowd. Partially because of the string of hits they dropped and partially because they just had fun up there. Vinny did his usual ringleader thing and Treach was particularly loose...almost comical, but he was on top of his rapid fire flow all night. Just one thing, fam...Eye think it's time to let go of the wife beater. The six-pack is more like a keg these days.

As the headliners, Eye was a little disappointed that EPMD got cut short. Apparently, the Nokia management is on some Strictly Business shit too when they set their closing time because, Erick and Parrish hit the stage after 11pm and were off the stage by midnight.

That said, what we did get from them was what Eye was expecting...that classic EPMD hardcore funk. Individually, the E Double was going hard at the new generation of rappers all night. He's a genuinely funny guy. PMD was his usual calm but deadly persona. Scratch did his thing, as mentioned before. Watching these cats put it down just confirmed how much of a crime it was that they split up. They really were unique. Despite the early assertions that they were trying to imitate fellow Strong Islander, Rakim, they ended up with a style and flavor that was very distinctive. That's saying a lot in the rap game, where biters by the dozens have always tried to duplicate hit sounds to get put on.

Overall, the show was more enjoyable than Eye anticipated....and definitely wet my appetite for the 2008 Rock The Bells tour.

Much peace to the heads over at Grandgood.com and IAmHipHop.com for the vidz.

Your subscription has NOT expired!

2008-04-15T21:57:00.002-04:00

Don't go deleting the Hip Hop *Revisited Podcast from your RSS feeder just yet!!!

I know it's been a minute since Eye threw up a cast but, keep layin' in the cut like peroxide...we'll be back with another full set of classic Hip Hop treats shortly.

In the meantime, here's a little Scooby-snack to hold you over til then.

Click here to get your own player.

It's a little late, but it's my nod to the 2008 Super Bowl champion New York football Giants!!!!

New York is the town and the team is the Knicks

2008-04-07T15:22:00.018-04:00

When the Hip Hop generation began to infiltrate the major sports scene in the late eighties-early 90's, several icons emerged...the greatest individual figures being that of Mike's Tyson and Jordan.

When it came to teams, universally it was Jordan's Bulls but, in NYC...it was all about the Knicks.

A far cry from the current cast of knuckleheads that call MSG home, the Knickerbockers of the Golden Age of Hip Hop were unquestionably knuckleheads themselves but the BIG difference was, they were winning!!!

They played an in-your-face, rough and tumble, knock-down-drag-out style of ball that clicked with the street-cred mentality of New York City Hip Hop.

And in the center of it all for the orange and blue stood the captain, Patrick Ewing, who for better and worse came to symbolize the team in all it's pain and glory.

Today it was announced that Patrick will be enshrined in the basketball hall of fame, where he will be immortalized as one of the all-time greats of the sport.

Eye hope this serves as a not-so-small slice of vindication for the man.

To this day, he gets more than his fair share of abuse...for everything from not winning a ring, to his looks (people can be real f*cked up sometimes), to his demeanor.

One thing, however, could never be questioned...his heart.

That man always gave everything he had when he suited up and the whistle blew.

And no matter how many haters came out of the woodwork, he always commanded respect (and if you got too slick with the lip, you might just get mushed by him and his crew of thugs).

Kinda like NY Hip Hop was back in those days...constantly fighting for respect.

Anyway, Eye just wanted to big up the yardman on this crucial day....

like Heavy D. once said..."man like Patrick Ewing....you're large!!!!"

I Want My U68 !!!

2008-04-01T18:47:00.006-04:00

Back in the day, somewhere in the mid 80's before B.E.T. and the BOX....before MTV was playing anything other than rock......and at some point after Hot Tracks, Friday Night Videos and Video Music Box (peace to Uncle Ralph)...

...there was quite possibly the best music video channel to ever broadcast in the NYC area...

U68.

The station was broadcast out of Newark New Jersey and it reached the entire NY metro area.

It was a UHF station with a generally weak signal but, damn, did they have the right idea when it came to programming!

If you were a person who loved music regardless of genre, this was the station for you. They played it all (including Hip Hop)...

"Punk Rock, New Wave and Soul,
Pop music, Salsa, Rock & Roll.
Calypso, Reggae, Rhythm & Blues,
mastermix those number one tunes..."

G.L.O.B.E. & Whiz Kid - "Play That Beat"

Damn, do Eye miss those days...

U68 promo

Podcast Ep. #008 - 2007 Holiday Special

2007-12-27T00:38:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays, fam!

Please click through and check out my 2007 Classic Holiday Hip Hop EXTRAVAGANZA (as Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito used to say back in the days of 89-Tec-9....LOL)

Whilst on a last minute holiday shopping mission in the city, Eye took some time out to bless you with some holiday gems...Eye hope you enjoy.

And BTW....Have a happy, healthy and safe '08!!!!!!!

Click here to get your own player.

Santa Baby - Christmas All Stars feat. Rev. Run, Mase, Diddy, Snoop, Salt, Onyx, Keith Murray

Santa Claus Is Going Straight To The Ghetto - Snoop

Christmas In The City - Angie Martinez & Mary J. Blige

Cold Chillin' Christmas - Juice Crew

Kangol & Doc - UTFO

Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa - De La Soul

Live @ Harlem World 1981 - Force MC's

K.O.S. (Determination) - Black Star

The Night Before Christmas - Cutmaster DC

Christmas Is - Run DMC

Santa Is A B-Boy - Whistle

That's What I Want For Christmas - The Showboys

My Christmas Bells (Hardcore Xmas) - Elf Elf & Dok-Im

He's Santa Claus - Disco 4

Dana Dane Is Coming To Town - Dana Dane

Christmas Rappin' - Kurtis Blow

Xmas Rap (a.k.a. Santa's Rap) - Treacherous Three feat. Doug E. Fresh

The Night Before Christmas - Cypress Hill

Santa's A Fat Bitch - Insane Clown Posse

Merry Muthafuckin' Xmas - Eazy-E

Sleigh Ride Drive By - Coolio and the Z100 Morning Zoo

W H Y ? ? ? ? ?

2007-12-06T15:35:00.000-05:00

WHY MUST THESE WACK ATHLETES CONTINUE TO PLAY THEMSELVES!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?........

WHEN WILL THEY LEARN.....STICK TO BALLIN'....WITH A REAL BALL!!!

Just when you thought there was nothing new to discuss about THAT word...

2007-11-03T15:16:00.000-04:00

...here comes this shit!

The song is David Banner's "B.A.N.".

A cleverly crafted track that lifts several sound bites from a popular animated television adaptation of the controversial comic strip, "The Boondocks". The clips that were sampled for the song's hook feature a notable character from the show's first season. A cantankerous old blind man named Col. Stinkmeaner.

The Stinkmeaner character was featured on one of the more memorable episodes of the show, one that dealt with a phenomenon that the show's creator Aaron McGruder dubbed, "the nigga moment".

The general concept of "the nigga moment" being any situation where irrational and self-destructive behavior by black folk reigns supreme in a circumstance that prevailing logic would dictate should have otherwise been harmless.

With "the nigga moment" setup as the precept, McGruder introduces Stinkmeaner as antagonist to one of The Boondocks' central characters, "Granddad", a senior citizen who moves himself and his two grandsons out of the "hood" and into a vanilla suburb called Woodcrest. The bourgeoisie aspirations of the Granddad character are constantly being sabotaged or outright thwarted...sometimes by his own doings, but usually at the hands of his two grandsons, Huey and Riley, who rebuff all attempts at forced assimilation.

It is Riley, the younger and somewhat misguided grandson who instigates this particular diversion away from the civility of upper-middle class life through a series of unrelenting taunts and attacks on Granddad's ego after a confrontation with the Stinkmeaner character leads to brief scuffle in which Grandad is floored and caned by his blind adversary. Adding to the humiliation of being bested by a blind man is the fact that Col. Stinkmeaner is a foul mouth, trash talking old dirty bastard who did not hesitate to deliver a barrage of shit-talking that would put any WWE cat to shame.

The word most active (and most lethal) in Stinkmeaner's repertoire was that most inflammatory of insults, the N-bomb.

For all of the venomous properties contained in the word when used by non-black individuals who use it as a racial epithet of the most traditional order, there's still something to be said for those times when a black person reaches deep into their soul to put that extra sauce on the word and spit it with a level of contempt that could never be truly perceived by anyone who has never been on the wrong end of that word.

By contrast, another recurring character on the show named "Uncle Ruckus", an openly self-hating older black man who routinely refers to all black folk (himself included) as niggers, almost comes off as civilized by comparison.

Eye believe that it was that bottom-of-yo-black-ass-heart-cruel aspect of Stinkmeaner's character, which was brilliantly voiced, that resonoated with so many people. The greatest humor is often culled from the tragic truth and McGruder's brand of satire has consistently been razor sharp. The character of Col. Stinkmeaner is evidence of both those statements.

One of the reasons why McGruder's Boondocks comics and animated television show are considered so controversial is because of the very public depictions of characters, language and subject matter that many people feel should be off limits for mainstream consumption. The general fear being such portrayals do more to perpetuate than eliminate, a sentiment more acutely associated with his detractors in the black community.

Supporters counter with the assertion that the beauty of McGruder's work is in the absurdity of the subjects that he chooses to spotlight and how astutely he illustrates the ridiculous nature of certain sad realities in a comedic setting. In short, his opponents don't understand the very nature of satire and therefore can't see that Aaron McGruder is one of the most gifted satirist of this generation.

So then The Boondocks represents yet another catalyst for the seemingly never-ending struggle within the black community between what Eye like to think of as those who believe the solution is to abolish all traces of socially destructive entities (most readily represented in the form of the N-word), and those who are of the mindset that such entities can be nullified through recontexualization.

Imagine then, the quagmire that is likely ensue if and when this David Banner ditty starts getting widespread attention.

With any luck, nobody will notice and it will just slide right on by....and those who get it, will get it, and those who don't won't see it as anything more than an extension of the irresponsible mess that is The Boondocks.

Somehow though, Eye doubt we'll get off that easy.

A Tale Of Two Cities

2007-08-08T17:17:00.000-04:00

Probably the most hallowed Hip Hop grounds to be located outside of the borough of the Bronx is the Queensbridge Projects, which sit on the western edge of Queens.

Some of the most revered names in the history of Hip Hop have been linked to this almost "mythological" housing development:

Marley Marl, Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Tragedy, Craig G, Nas, Mobb Deep, Capone & Noreaga...and the list goes on and on.

Anyway, Eye recently came across this interesting little video paradox...funny (or not so) how times change......

Podcast Ep.#007 - Duets

2007-07-23T00:10:00.000-04:00

Ok, ok....Eye know there were some technical difficulties around here lately. But they can only hold ya man down but so long!

As you can see, I had to switch the steez a bit and go with another widget. (not a knock on Streampad, which is great. But until the programmer can get it to work with RSS enclosures, Eye had to find another avenue. Had more to do with fileden's trifling service!)

Eye could probably do this much better with a pay-hosting service, but right now Eye can't justify the cost. If Eye blow up or if Eye can figure a way to capitalize on this, then Eye might take the plunge. But for now, I'm on the El Cheapo plan!

Click here to get your own player.

Ep. 007

This episode of the podcast features some of my favorite duets.

This is a theme that Eye may have to return to at some other time, as there were quite a few joints that Eye thought about after recording this podcast (including a couple that Eye meant to include here).

Not to fear, though. What Eye did include was more than adequate for your listening pleasure.

A lot of strong lyrical performances on this episode. Eye tried to focus on songs that had a good energy from both emcees.

Fat Joe/KRS-One - Bronx Tale

Smoothe Da Hustla/Trigger tha Gambler - Broken Language

Dr. Dre/Ice Cube - Natural Born Killers

Chino XL/Ras Kas - Riiiot!

Apani B. Fly/Jean Grae - Shut The Fuck Up

Charli Baltimore/Ghostface - Stand Up

MC Lyte/Positive K - I'm Not Havin' It

Masta Ace/Paula Perry - Who U Jackin'?

Pete Rock/Large Professor - The Rap World

Common Sense/Ynot - Chapter 13 (Rich Man vs. Poor Man)

Grand Puba/Positive K - Grand Puba, Positive & L.G.

Humpty Hump/Biz Markie - The Odd Couple

Busta Rhymes/Old Dirty Bastard - Woo Ha! Got Cha All In Check (Remix)

Notorious B.I.G./Method Man - The What

Jay-Z/Nototrious B.I.G. - Brooklyn's Finest

Man and his Machine

2007-06-09T14:51:00.000-04:00

Eye first saw this cat several years back as lead singer for the group Maktub, when they were opening for the criminally slept on band, Soulive. This is one of the illest vocalist you will ever come across (and Eye mean that in every sense of the term).

His name is Reggie Watts.

And apparently, these days he's doing a one-man performance schtick that incorporates not only his strange-but-dope vocal skills, but also his comedic talents.

But Eye posted him up here because of his deft use of a very crucial, but seldom acknowledged tool of the Hip Hop trade...

...the echo chamber.

Throughout the history of Hip Hop culture, the echo chamber has been a device that was employed by DJ's and Emcees to enhance their aural landscape and add a dramatic flare to the proceedings.

Whether it was the legendary confrontation between Hip Hop DJ Gods Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa in which Herc very majestically commanded,

"...Bambaataa!-baataa!-baataa!....Turn your system down!!!-down!!!-down!!!...",

or the undisputed Queen of the True School era femcees, Sha-Rock rockin' the introduction to the Funky Four hit "Do You Wanna Rock" in true True School fashion...

"Now this is the way we-we want it done-done,
and at the same time-time, mess with ya mind-mind.
On the same identical beat one time-time.
As we posess the beat that'll make you wanna rock-rock,
takin' ya on down-down to the laaaaaaaast stop-stop-stop...",

or Run-DMC executing the "echo-rhyme" to perfection on the B-side classic, "Together Forever (Krush-Groove 4)"...tapping into the essence of original Hip Hop culture...live interplay between the vocalist and the echo.

Which brings me back Reggie Watts.

Not that he's a Hip Hop artist per se, but clearly his art has been influenced by the Hip Hop aesthetic.

Specifically when it comes to rockin' the echo chamber live...or in Reggie's case, DL4 Delay Modeler, a device that is a more sophisticated relative of the old analog delay boxes used in the live Hip Hop of the late 70's-early 80's.

In this clip, Reggie gets his human beatbox on and flips it by layering multiple vocal echo riffs on the fly......and then proceeds to bless the mic with a smooth melody over his Bobby McFerrin-ish foundation.

Dope stuff...brought me back to the days when cats knew how to rock the echo.

Just figured I'd share.

Reggie Watts: Lost in the Options from Jakob Lodwick and Vimeo.

Enjoy.

Context

2007-06-04T01:59:00.000-04:00

The latest joint in regular rotation for me is the new Polyrhythm Addicts joint, "Break Glass...".

It's a tight, if not stellar project and a welcomed breath of fresh air for me. My last several months worth of eMusic downloads have been used on scooping up vintage Hip Hop albums, bangin' instrumentals, or music from every other genre BUT Hip Hop.

Sure, Eye may cop the occasional single or take a chance on an underground project here and there, but Eye can count on one hand the number of complete projects that got more than a couple of listens in my system over the last couple of years.

Kev Brown, Loer Velocity, and Black Sheep come to mind...and now the Polys.

But none of this is why I'm sitting at the keys right now.

While listening to the Polys, Eye was reminded of something that has occurred to me in the past about Hip Hop and how we "hear" it. There are certain aspects of the music that are instantly gratifying (if you're inclined to appreciate the music in general) such as a bangin' beat or some catchy lyrics.

Those are aspects, however, that any pedestrian listener can lock onto. To really be intimate with this music, or more accurately, to experience it more fully often requires that you be familar with a certain context...be it lyrical or musical.

So much of Hip Hop music is constructed with the borrowed or appropriated that it's easy to miss out on the total splendor of many songs.

Whether it's the appreciation of a well-flipped sample or an obscure-but-dope lyrical reference, so many great moments float by the unknowing listener.

It's almost as if certain songs were recorded in 7.1 Surround Sound and the listener was listening on a single-speaker clock radio...they hear the song, but have no idea of the things that they're missing without the seven speaker set-up.

Sometimes it could be nothing more than some historical Hip Hop references (as the Polys do on tracks like "Goin' Down" and "Revamp").

Sometimes it's about being up on the latest whatever info...street shit, pop culture, politics, etc.

And musically, it's always a treat when a very familiar tune is chopped up and respun as a hot joint (as DJ Spinna does with Atlantic Starr's "Send For Me" on the track, "Thoughts Of You"). Without knowing the sample source, the stong still stands strong, but knowing the root tune adds an extra layer of appreciation of the effort.

There are so many different variants to the context discussion that you could be here all day with new directions.
..and suffice it to say that for every one that Eye know about, there are probably two more that Eye am ignorant of.

Eye often wonder if this is a blessing or a curse for Hip Hop.

Although contextual reference is certainly not unique to Hip Hop, it is also not utilized in any other genre to the degree that it is in Hip Hop.

On the one hand, these extra layers to Hip Hop songs are often what make them truly unique to the culture and can contain some of the most artistic elements of the music.

On the other hand, as Eye mentioned...some people will never fully understand just how dope a lot of the music they listen to really is.

Personally, Eye wouldn't change a thing though.

Eye love discovering new things that went previously unnoticed or unrealized by me. It extends the life of many joints in my playlist and often increases my respect for an artist. And even when Eye do catch the moments off top, it's still a good feelin' because you know you've just heard some clever shit...and somehow just picking up on it is a positive.

I'm just glad that there are still artists out there like the Polyrhythm Addicts who do context well.

Podcast Ep.#006 - Strong Words Pt.2

2007-05-15T15:05:00.000-04:00

Click here to get your own player.

Ep.006 pt.2

As promised, here's part two of the "Strong Words" episode.

Eye got a little more rest before Eye started this part, so the production was a little better than in part 1.

LOL

This part is decidedly darker than the first. The song selection is a little more provocative overall, plus Eye got a couple of True School joints in...always a treat for me!

Anyway, strong shouts to my fam, John Journey from the "Hip Hop Is" podcast...speedy recovery and get back on the set stronger than ever!

Enjoy.

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - New York New York

Fearless Four - Problems Of The World (Today)

Boogie Down Productions - Love's Gonna Get 'Cha (Material Love)

Jadakiss feat. Anthony Hamilton - Why

Loer Velocity - World Of Poverty

Chino XL - What Am I?

Juggaknots - Clear Blue Skies (Remix)

Organized Konfusion - Hate

Nobodies - Suicidal Tendencies

Paris - Bush Killa

Mr. Len feat. Jean Grae - Taco Day

Danja Mowf - Strange Fruit

Podcast Ep.#006 - Strong Words Pt.1

2007-05-06T23:11:00.000-04:00

Click here to get your own player.

Ep.006 pt.1

Eye was kinda tired when Eye got behind the mic and it shows but, Eye managed to get thru this one. It's been a long, trying week for me so producing this ep. was a challenge. Whatever! Sometimes you just have to man up and handle B.I..

Mental Music.

That was the order of the day.

Time to shut up and just listen for a change.

Strong Words.

Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y.

Brand Nubian - Sincerely

Common feat. Lauryn Hill

RETROSPECT FOR LIFE

Edo G. feat. Masta Ace - Wishing

2Pac - Words Of Wisdom

Public Enemy - Son Of A Bush

Immortal Technique - Bin Laden (Remix) feat. Chuck D. & KRS-One

Lauryn Hill - Mystery Of Iniquity

Sarah Jones - Blood

Mos Def feat. Q-Tip - Mr. Nigga

No Face feat. Digital Underground - No Brothas Allowed

Imus In The Mourning

2007-04-12T20:05:00.000-04:00

So another so-called "shock jock" has bitten the dust.

Oh well, I guess CBS and MSNBC has just made the future of satellite radio that much brighter.

Imus is yet another radio personality who was making big dollars on terrestrial radio, that will likely take his show on the celestial road and join the ranks of the satellite converts.

Now if they can just stop delaying the inevitable and merge XM and Sirius, we can get all the racist, misogynistic, irresponsible, insensitive, homophobic, hateful speech our hearts desire.

It appears that all of the heavyweights will be there; Stern; Opie and Anthony, Imus and my personal favorite, Star and Bucwild, who are rumored to be headed in that direction soon.

Jonesy, you better get ya weight up baby! ( figuratively that is ... good lawd!!! )

Speaking of Star, am Eye the only one who is painfully aware of how fucked up this country can be when it comes to these kinds of things?!?

When Star launched his verbal assault on DJ Envy and his whole family, EVERYBODY, was screaming for his head. The media called him everything from a hatemonger to a pedophile. And at the end of the day, Clear Channel showed him the door.

Same as the I-man, right?

WRONG!

Clearly there were SOME people who were calling for Imus' immediate dismissal, but oddly enough there were a number of people who were, at minimum, satisfied with his apology alone and, at worse, outright defending his position. And these were white AND black people who had Imus' back!!!

WTF?!?!?

But wait, that isn't even the f'd up part!

The kicker is this.

When Star crossed the line, Hip Hop was constantly referenced as the context from which he hatched his madness. But the truth was that although Star's show was on a Hip Hop station, his show was not rooted in Hip Hop. In fact, Star was extremely critical of contemporary Hip Hop culture. If anything, he was anti-Hip Hop.

But Hip Hop was guilty by association - by way of his employer.

And as if that were not frustrating enough, now Imus goes too far ( unprovoked, Eye might add ) and not only do people try to give him a pass, but once again Hip Hop takes the black eye!

How can that be?

Last time Eye checked, Imus didn't play rap music, nor does he work at a station that plays Hip Hop. The women's team at Rutgers are ballers ... as in basketball. So what does any of this have to do with Hip Hop???

"Well, rappers say these kinds of things all the time, so why get mad when Imus says the same thing? Why should he be punished when these rappers call women ho's? Listen to the lyrics on ( insert your misogynistic song of choice ). If they can do it, what's the difference?"

And several people who made that particular argument were not lacking in the melanin department.

A r e y o u f u c k i n g k i d d i n g m e ? ! ?

So, if that logic holds true then, in theory, he could have gone for the full Monty and said, "those were some nappy headed niggas!" And we should all be cool with that, right. Eye mean, hey, those rap guys say it, so it must be acceptable. Right?!?

NEGRO PLEASE!

HAD Don Imus said that, he would have been crucified by EVERYONE except the neo-nazis!

Eye know, you know it.

So, don't gimme this crap about rappers using the language because the N-word is thrown around far more freely than ho references in today's rap music. Yet clearly, Don wasn't completely stuck on stupid because he steered clear of that word even though, given the context of the humor he was shooting for with that bit, it would've been a more effective hook.

What's that you say? That's different?? Why???

The rappers say it all the time. In fact, the comedians, the actors, the kids and a sizable percentage of the black community use the word rather freely on a daily basis. So, if we're to roll with the premise of "if we say it than it's all good", than why is that word off limits?

What's that you say? Because you know how people feel about that word; it has such a horrible history?? So then, does that mean you don't understand how women may feel about being called whores ... because surely you can't possibly tell me that a man intelligent enough to dialogue with some of this countries biggest political and social figures does not know that HO is a colloquialism for WHORE?!?

That argument is as offensive as it is ridiculous.

And what's even more maddening is how many black folk fell right in line with that dumb shit!

Listen, if you are offended by that language, that's fine.

But dude does not get a pass because a lot of rappers ain't got no couth!

I saw filmaker Byron Hurt, Angela Burt-Murray - the Editor-In-Chief for Essence and several other black people go for the okie doke and get caught up in this man's diversionary tactic when the cameras came calling.

Stop blaming Hip Hop for things that, if we were at all truthful with ourselves about, run far deeper than rappers using those words freely. The N-word and the B-word were being used in the black community just as freely back when Eye was a kid as they are today.

There was no Hip Hop to blame it on either.

Who can forget Richard Pryor's profound comedy routine where he professes that after a trip to the motherland, he had an epiphany ... he could no longer call anybody "nigger". That could not have been such a powerful and poignant moment unless it resonated a certain truth with the audience.

The truth was, we were using that word like there was nothing wrong with it. Even back then.

But here's the difference with the previous generation and the current generation. ( and the current generation is NOT the Hip Hop generation. Eye am of the opinion that the true Hip Hop generation are the people who came of age in the mid-to-late 80's/early 90's )

When they listened to those old Richard Pryor albums, it was at home in the basement, not in public. As kids, we had to sneak to listen to the records on our own ( even though our parents blasted them when the whole family was around!!! ). And that's key, because it speaks, not only to the plurality of the word, but it exposes the difference in conscious between the generations.

The current generation would have listened to Richard with volume on 10, blasting from the Escalade in the middle of block. Partially because, generally speaking, they are somewhat ignorant to the harshness of direct, overt racism. But equally important is that this generation is far more empowered to carry themselves unchecked and unapologetic.

It's a sign of the times.

Personally, Eye don't see how the trend can be reversed. The empire is crumbling and we are in the throes of moral decay.

And from where Eye sit, Hip Hop is far more symptomatic than it is problematic.

So Eye really wish people would stop trying to blame Hip hop for everything that ails our society.

Really, enough is enough.

Aw damn, there EYE go again ... defending Hip Hop. Promised myself Eye wasn't gonna do that anymore.

Nevermind.

Podcast Ep. #004 - The Questions

2007-04-08T23:35:00.000-04:00

Click here to get your own player.

Ep. #004 takes a look at some Hip Hop songs that pose a musical question. Eye ask a few of my own as well.

Heavy D. & The Boyz - Who's Da Man?

Ya'll better answer right!!! Seriously, though. I've always wondered if this was meant to be the title track for the movie of the same name.

Rough House Survivors - Can U Dig It?

Smooth joint featuring a hot guest spot from the Mecca Don himself, C.L. Smooth.

MC Serch - Can You Dig It?

Serch falls back, rolls with plan A and drops the dolo mission. But here's a question: What the heck does "I'm hip to the dig" mean?

Artifacts - What Goes On?

The fellas from New Jeruz question the gurlies. Seems like they had a few issues they needed to work through.

Blacksheep - The Choice Is Yours

Well, this song seems to be helping consumers make quite a few choices lately as it has appeared in quite a few recent high profile commercials.

Trends Of Culture - Who Got My Back?

It's that crew with the other Nas. Definetly a fave of mine, shame Motown didn't know what to do with these cats. They had a nice debut album.

Black Moon - How Many Emcees...?

Contrary to current definitions, this is that classic backpack shit! The real question is, how many emcees are gonna use a hook by Kris?!?

Ill Al Scratch - Where My Homiez (Come Around My Way)

Big Ill Da Mack did a big switch on "Homiez". His stint with the W.I.S.E. Guys and that video, "Time For Peace" was quite different.

2Pac - How Do You Want It?

Pac was in the pocket with his flow on this one. Plus, he had Heather Hunter in the video riding the bull! Nuff respect.

Busta Rhymes & Janet Jackson - What's It Gonna Be?

Janet wouldn't have to a ask a brother twice!!!

Leaders Of The New School - Where Do We Go From Here?

A young and hungry Bussa Bus and his original squad, the dynamic L.O.N.S.. One of the last Hip Hop groups to effectively utilize the multiple voice delivery.

Deda The Original Baby Pa - Understand?

How can a project this dope get shelved?!?!? Pete Rock blessed this project, along with the Ini album. Amazing that these stayed unreleased for as long as they did.

Madkap - Questions

The Beatnuts gave these cats from the left coast that east coast underground heat to freak with. Nice results.

Danja Mowf - Question

From the tragically slept on "Word Of Mowf" album, this is a playful, yet insightful little joint that flows nicely.

Ugly Duckling - Do You Know What I'm Saying?

Only a true Hip Hop afficiendo will really appreciate the clever construction of this tune. The same technique was used by KRS-One on "Hip Hop vs. Rap", however UD flipped the entire song with jacked lyrics.

Jungle Brothers - How Ya Want It? (We Got It)
It's a Native Tongue reunion, however short-lived. These days Baby Bam is not quite as nostalgic.

Positive K - How The Fuck Would You Know?

Spittin' the pimp game hard, Pos K does Too Short, Shock G, and Big Daddy Kane proud on this one.

Hip Hop Rules!

2007-04-02T22:13:00.000-04:00

"Hip Hop rule! Hip Hop rule and these other industries out here can't take it!"

KRS-One - from the song "Hip Hop Rules"

Truer words had never been spoken.

And that was damn-near 20 years ago!

When Kris Parker proceeded to pick up the mic and fling down crazy lyrics in 1989 he wasn't just spitting some of the dopest verses Hip Hop had heard thus far, he was also getting his prophet on.

On the watershed release, "Ghetto Music: The Blueprint Of Hip Hop" KRS-One summoned all his mystical powers to prove that not only was he the nicest emcee on the mic, but that he was determined to put the knowledge in your ear.

18 years later, Eye find myself reflecting on just how on point the Blastmaster was and how his words still resonate late in the opening decade of the 21st century.

Two songs in particular from that classic album strike a chord in '07.

The first is "Hip Hop Rules".

After laying down a quick timeline, KRS delivers the brash proclamation that Hip Hop had gotten it's swagger and was not looking to lose it anytime soon.

FFWD two decades later and the rear view mirror is still looking pretty clear.

Check the facts:

Not only has Hip Hop all but buried Rock, it has virtually become the new Pop or at a minimum, the most mainstream genre of music these days.

But the sphere of Hip Hop's influence reaches well beyond the Billboard charts.

Witness Mr. Will Smith.

A product of Hip Hop's "Golden Age", he was recently dubbed the new "King of Hollywood" with boxoffice receipts reaching the 4.4 billion (yes, that's a "B") mark.

Big Willie, indeed.

More proof you say?

Look no further than Miss Dana Owens b/k/a Queen Latifah.

Is there anything that the Queen of Royal Badness does not have her hands in?

She's the spokesperson for everything from makeup to pizza to clothing to charities.

She's won AND hosted the Grammys AND has been nominated for an Oscar.

Movie star, Recording Artist, CEO. At this pace, she'll be the next Oprah!

But perhaps the truest sign of KRS' wisdom may be found in the person of Ice Cube.

Here is a man who introduced himself to the world with a profanity laced opus detailing the gritty life that is L.A. gang culture.

A man who earned himself (along with the rest of N.W.A.) a personal FBI file because of that most subversive of ditties, "Fuck The Police".

The man who was the self-proclaimed "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted".

Well, although he seems to have misplaced those darn K's, he is still certainly most wanted in America.

Just not for the same reasons.

Seems that O'Shea Jackson is for the kids these days.

His latest releases, "Are We Done Yet" and it's predecessor, "Are We There Yet" are high grossing, highly recommended wholesome family fun.

Yayeeyeah!

The other song that stands as a testament to the Teacha's foresight is the timely, "Who Protects Us From You?"

This song has never really lost significance, but it really hits home at a time when all of NY is waiting to see what happens in the case of the murder of Shawn Bell at the hands of NYPD.

No real explanations needed here, the chorus sums it up to perfection:

"You were put here to protect us, but who protects us from you?"

A very good question.

And speaking of questions, my next podcast will be focused on that very subject....

...the questions.

So until then, here are the songs Eye mentioned above and a couple of extra joints thrown in to keep it

F R E S H for '07

You suckaaaaas!!!!

Podcast Ep. #003 - Hip Hop Multiplicity

2007-03-18T22:23:00.000-04:00

Click here to get your own player.

Ep. 03 of the H.H.*R. podcast showcases a collection of songs where the artists assume the role multiple characters. Whether doing a duet (or posse cut) with themselves, or dropping dead-on imitations in their flow, these emcees demonstrate the uncanny ability to portray more than one persona in a single song.

Tracey Lee - Many Facez

Trace actually takes on the role of the whole crew on this joint. Good interaction between the characters.

U.T.F.O. - Split Personality

Check for Doctor Ice's head trip when he goes the ethnic Sybil route, flipping to hispanic, carribean and asian alter-egos.

Notorious B.I.G. - Gimme The Loot

One of my favorite Biggie joints, his wicked sense of humor and ridiculous flow are on full display. Again, a great sense of interaction between the two characters.

Digital Underground - Packet Man

Shock G. and his infamous alter-ego, Humpty Hump trade licks in this slick tale about an imaginary new get-high ... sex packets! (if only ... ) Oddly enough, when checking through the D.U. catalogue, there really weren't too many Shock/Humpty pure duets to be found. Although they appear on several songs together, they very rarely just trade off like they do here.

Nine - Hit Em Like Dis

Rather silly tune which finds the usually gruff IX kicking it with a rapping reptile. Nine decides to rip-it, rip-it by rocking the froggy frog style in this duet with his normal persona. Interestingly enough, this would not be the last time the frog style would be the technique of choice for an emcee (see Thirstin Howl III's "Skillionare").

Kwame - The Man We All Know And Love

The classic debut song from the polka-dotted rapper-turned producer. Filled with clever melodic hooks and hysterical ad-libs, this is an impressive demonstration of the style that Slick Rick made popular.

The Bad Seed - Pockets

Trippy joint that tells the story of a cat that is literally caught in the middle - of his two rapping jeans pockets!
A clever twist on the age old good vs. evil concept.
Bad Seed does well with playing the middleman to his pockets' yin and yang.

Positive K - I Got A Man

The unofficial sequel to the classic MC Lyte duet, "I'm Not Having It", except Pos decided to handle the mic duties for both sides of the game. Eye always wondered if this really was supposed to be another duet with Lyte that somehow just didn't happen. Anyway, Pos K still brings that NYC swagger to the table, while still keeping it light (no pun intended).

Jimmy "Super Rhymes" Spicer - The Adventures Of Super Rhymes

One of the first real emcees (Wayne and Charlie the Rapping Dummy don't count as real emcees in my book) to rock multiple voices on wax. This epic classic is a superior example of seminal Hip Hop storytelling.

The Last Emperor - Secret Wars Pt. 1

A ridiculous combination of imagination, clever lyricism and impersonations. Great concept from the Last Emp.

Force M.D.'s - Itchin' For A Scratch

First, let me say that it is purely coincidental that these cats have now ended up on every podcast I've doned. Not sure how that happened, but it wasn't the intent.

Anyway, more impressions.
This time Popeye, Mr. T, Mike Jax, and James Brown get the business.
This song was featured in the absolutely horrid flick, "Rappin'".

Masta Ace - Me And The Biz

Juice Crew holds down the square, well actually it's just Masta Ace.
But Ace definetely brings the Juice Crew alive on this one,
flipping Biz's style with the precision of a brazillian ju-jitsu master.

The Roots - Boom!

Black Thought a.k.a. Riq G's delivers an absolutely jaw-dropping vocal performance on this song. He nails BDK and G-Rap with stunning accuracy. Amazing!

BONUS JOINTS!!!

Here are some companion vid clips:

The Last Emperor - Secret Wars Pt2 (Live)

Aries Spears - Freestyle

***This episode of the Hip Hop *Revisited podcast is brought to you by
GHOST WEED....it's not like, WOW!...it's like, WHOA!

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!!

2007-03-07T23:21:00.000-05:00

Eye am through!

Eye give up.

It's pointless and Eye refuse to do it again.

I will NOT defend Hip Hop again!!!

Mind you, it's not that Eye think that Hip Hop's critics have it all right. In fact, Eye think most times they have it dead wrong.

Problem is, you can't make people see the truth when you live in a world full of lies.

Everybody is so worried about being PC...the truth is something to be avoided at all cost. You can dance around it; camouflage it; imply it...but to actually speak it....HERESY!!!!

Case in point.

I'm doing my normal Sunday morning rituals....getting my Emeril on while listening to Stephen A. Smith put it down on the podcast of his ESPN radio show. As usual, my man has been pissed off by something. The source of his ire today?

NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.

More specifically, Billy Hunter, President of the NBA players union who made a statement regarding said event which really didn't sit too well with Mr. Smith.

You see, over the past few years NBA All-Star Weekend has gained a bit of a rep as the premier event for nigga-nonsense. And this year's edition in Sin City did not disappoint.

Reflecting on the weekend and it's potential for a destination for next year, Hunter, in his infinite wisdom, managed to offend the residents of New Orleans and diss the very players which he is supposed to represent in one deft moment of ignorance.

So my boy Stephen A. rightfully called out Hunter for his blunder. But he's collecting those Disney dollars, so Mr. Smith limited his barrage of hostilities to questioning the wisdom in the President of the NBA players union calling into question the integrity of the players he reps for, particularly in light of the fact that the most glaring of that weekend's transgressions came at the hands of an NFL player!

When pushed by his in-studio cohorts to at least acknowledge that there is some validity to the general sentiment expressed by Hunter, all poor S.A.S. could say is that he was out there at all the parties and he, along with all the NBA cats he encountered were well-behaved.

What Eye was waiting to hear was something more like what his boy (NBA columnist and fellow ESPN'er) Scoop Jackson said in his Page 2 column over at ESPN.com.

But that didn't happen.

To make things worse, Eye then listened to the podcast of ESPN's OG big dawgs, Dan Patrick & Keith Olberman called "The Big Show".

Eye listened to them sarcastically take thinly veiled shots at the people associated with the NBA All Star Weekend. Dan went as far as to matter-of-factly state that he consciously chose not to attend this year's festivities, as it is no longer an event he can enjoy.

Oh yeah, and then they moved on to the American sportscasters' favorite pastime these days...Barry-bashin'!

So what does any of this have to do with defending Hip Hop, you ask?

Everything.

Because that's what seems to get blamed on Hip Hop these days.

Everything.

Ron Artest.

Carmelo Anthony.

Pacman Jones.

Everything that's wrong with the NBA and NFL...

and television...and the movies...and the streets...and the suburbs....blah, blah, blah.........

Don't get me wrong, Hip Hop has done some actual things to solidify it's own perception recently.

The murder of Israel Ramirez.

EnJ v. Nyckz (Oh You Mad Cuz I'm Stylin On You...).

Anyway, Eye get in bed that night, just in time for the 11 O'clock news....

Muthafuck!!!!!!

Some idiot black kids not only figured it would be a good idea to introduce a couple of toddlers to the pleasures of the haze...but also saw fit to record the occasion on videotape!!!

Trust me on this one fam....this is just ignorance, pure and unadulterated. Hip Hop only complicates the matter...but Eye assure you, these kids are simply morons.

And somehow, Eye know that Hip Hop will take a hit for that one too.

So Eye give up.

The truth is too hard.

Eye mean really, how do you tell the Emperor that his new gear is booty, literally?

America is supposed to be the center of the civillized world, so we can't possibly be that socially ill...could we?

Nah..it's just that damn Hip-Hop!!!

"...or just writin' my name in graffiti on the wall..."

2007-02-28T17:46:00.000-05:00

Yo, Ed Koch....holla at ya boy!!!

thanks to dj d-lite over at the O.S.H.H. board for the link.