Waka Flocka Deez!

I love Hip Hop y'all...you know this. And I can't front, I love the Hip Hop from back in the day, but I'd be remiss if I was to say that I didn't enjoy some of the current-day music that's being put out. I fully understand that some of the cats aren't going to match up to my standards being that I have been blessed to witness the true GREATS in their rise...their climax...and even in their descension in some cases.

I say all that to say, I KNOW that (GOOD) Hip Hop has had its GREAT, yet IGNANT moments. Many artists come to mind, don't front.

BUT THIS, I take issue with.

Waka Flocka Flame is saddening. Like REALLY. SADDENING.

I'll let these interviews speak for themselves:

Now...even though this nigga's "so-called" hit song, "O Let's Do It" (and I only say "so-called" because it'll be interesting to see if the play that it's getting will translate into record sales), is getting burn, is ACTUALLY kinda catchy, and contain lyrics like, "I influence...drug dealing music", I respect him for doing what's obviously is in his heart as an artist. ***SIDENOTE: I'm an artist myself , and I have a few choice words hopefully he'd respect too***

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**Message to Wacka Flocka**

But on some real shyt, how you gonna make yo'self out to be the MAN when YOU were the victim?

NIGGA, YOU GOT ROBBED..........AND SHOT!!!!!!!!!!

You tryin' to make the cat that did it out to be some lame, but HE got away with YO' jewlery in exchange for the lead that he deposited in you. He left without a band-aid, nigga! No aspirin or pain killers needed. Them hospital pain killers felt good didn't they? Not a scratch. Not a boo-boo. No papercut even from a doctor's bill that you have to pay now. You say he was scared, but I don't know if the nigga even broke a sweat! Yo' nerves was fucked up...on yo' right sidel

Who won nigga?? You? Not.

Honestly, in a situation like this, I know that no one wins. But don't try to make yo'self out to be some O.G. cat that can't be touched because niggas WILL try you. Everytime. And your track record doesn't look good. They even did it to your C.E.O.. Check The Rhyme

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Beyond the foolishness in the interviews, I'm moreso concerned with the response on his facebook fan page. I understand the well wishes for your "hero", but DAMN:

Young South: FUCK NIGGAS ALWAYS GNE HATE

February 3 at 6:32pm

Aaron Stick Boy Feggins: yeaaa waka hanle dat shyt like a g

February 3 at 6:41pm

Devin McCall: yu a real ass nigg dawg...

February 3 at 6:42pm

Damon Doitbigstein Walker: Fuck Dem pussy Niggas dey can't beat yo Ass Wit dey hands so dey use guns

February 3 6:46pm

Shannon TheGreatest Hollingsworth: damnnnnnnnnnnnnn he so damnnnnnnnnnn fineeeeeeeeeeeee shitttt niggas done SHOT my future husband!!!! stupid broke ass niggas LMFAO

February 4 at 12:07am

Trapboy Dubz: rite flocka bounce back like it aint shit, we rockin out witch out here, Westsid Wilmington, Delaware nigga!!!! cum thrum click on my music link n hear dat trap music!!! **TRAPBOY DUBZ** WESTSIDE WILMINGTON, DE

February 4 at 2:31am

D.j. Pollard: real nigga

February 4 at 5:30pm

Trust, there's worse...everything from the love professions of "I'm Mrs. Wacka Flocka" to "Flocka, you da REALEST".

Not knowing the profiles of these individuals, I will take the liberty of assuming that they're mostly teens who may not know any better.

**YET ANOTHER SIDENOTE: Jay's "I'm afraid for the future / Y'all respect the one who got shot, I respect the shooter" lyric keeps ringing in my head.**

Damn.

What do y'all think?

Man Up Obama!

First, I understand how politics work. I really do.

Secondly, what America needs right now is NOT a politician. We need a dude, let's call him a "REAL MAN", that's gonna stand behind his conviction and MAKE shyt happen.

Not one who's gonna turn the other cheek when a overly-emotional, possible racist SENATOR calls him a "LIAR" in front of EVERYONE and no repercussion takes place.

Not one who's gonna have a beer summit with a possible racist cop and Black man law abiding citizen to discuss what went wrong with no progress or point.

There comes a time when you gotta stop playing both sides of the fence when others obviously aren't. I don't know...*scratching my head pondering*...STAND for something. He has it in him (I think). I'm a fan of most of Obama's ideas and that's why I support him. But the GOP will continue to treat him like a "lil' nigga" unless he man up. Trust me. They don't have to like you, but they'll respect you more. Put your foot down and exercise the power that your constituents invested in you. Be a MAN and stop being a bytch.

Sorry I couldn't put it as eloquent as Roland Martin put it. **Please Click Roland Martin's name**

Gee, I've been sayin' this for some time now. Thanks Roland.

Is John Mayer A Nigga?

This, of course, is a touchy subject and I'm still kinda more nonchalant about it compared to others (some of my "brothas and sistas"). Maybe I'm just personally disconnected and could give a fuck less. Maybe I don't put much stock into what other (not my "brothas and sistas") people think of me or my..."brothas and sistas". Maybe I feel like it's just a word and I'm of the 'sticks and stones' theorem so the idea of a white person using the word "nigger" just doesn't hurt me, EVEN when put out there on some type of public medium. It's not surprising. I almost expect it in some sort of desensitized, "put nothing past no one"-way. I've been here long enough to know that that's how people talk (even if they won't admit it). Not suggesting that it's an everyday occurrence, but I'll look at someone with a major side-eye if they have reached their adult years and won't admit to EVER saying something that wasn't offensive (indirectly or directly) towards someone or a group of people. That's people just being people. Everyone's not a fuggin' saint...let's be real. That's how people talk.

So, when I read word that Black chicks' favorite white boy singer, John Mayer, used the word "NIGGER" in an interview with Playboy and basically said that his dick was racist, it came as no surprise to me.

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Playboy: Do black women throw themselves at you?

Mayer: I don't think I open myself to it. My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart and fuckin' David Duke cock. I'm going to start dating separately from my dick.

Also in the interview:

Playboy: If you didn't know you, would you think you're a douche bag?

Mayer: It depends on what I picked up. My two biggest hits are "Your Body Is A Wonderland" and "Daughters". If you think those songs are pandering, then you'll think I'm a douche bag. It's like I come on very strong. I am a very...I'm just very. V-E-R-Y. And if you can't handle very, then I'm a douche bag. But I think the world needs a little very. That's black people love me.

Playboy: Because you're very?

Mayer: Someone asked me the other day, "What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?" And by the way, it's sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass? But I said, "I can't really have a hood pass. I've never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, 'We're full.'"

Playboy: It is true: a lot of rappers love you. You recorded with Common and Kanye West, played live with Jay-Z.

Mayer: What is being black? It's making the most of your life, not taking a single moment for granted. Taking something that's seen as a struggle and making it work for you, or you'll die inside. Not to say that my struggle is like the collective struggle of black America. But maybe my struggle is similar to one black dude's.

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Not sure how you look at it.

Don't care.

I'm aware that John Mayer is a musician, but is he really any different from all the Black white, latino, asian, middle-eastern cats on Comedy Central comedians who use what some may consider offensive language?

In my opinion, John was in a really comfortable space and he felt like he could REALLY speak his mind. Yeah, nigga, No.

He kinda recanted on his twitter page saying this:

"Re: using the ‘N word’ in an interview: I am sorry that I used the word. And it’s such a shame that I did because the point I was trying to make was in the exact opposite spirit of the word itself. It was arrogant of me to think I could intellectualize using it because I realize that there’s no intellectualizing a word that is so emotionally charged. And while I’m using today for looking at myself under harsh light, I think it’s time to stop trying to be so raw in interviews…It started as an attempt to not let the waves of criticism get to me, but it’s gotten out of hand and I’ve created somewhat of a monster. I wanted to be a blues guitar player. And a singer. And a songwriter. Not a shock jock. I don’t have the stomach for it. Again, because I don’t want anyone to think I’m equivocating: I should have never said the word and I will never say it again."

Ha! I'm not sure about y'all, but I'm tired of the insincere, blanket, obligatory "I'm sorry's", "sorry for my inner-demons", rehab stints done by celebrities to save face. Shiiddd...Face That Shyt Nigga! Everybody's so politically correct nowadays...but that's a different story. *thinking to self honestly (how many y'all do that)...and raising hand as I may be guilty too*

Bottomline: The nigga just prefer white pussy. Just so happens the "nigga" I'm referring to is actually white. In essence, he likes his own, which is a trait that I know many Black women appreciate in their men.

Will I stop buying his music because of this?

Miss me with that. Although he has some cool songs and I like the blues vibe, I ain't never been no fan of his like that (if 2 negatives make it a positive, then 3 negatives must make it a negative, right?). Yeah, he's cool with a couple of my favorite Hip Hop artists, but shiiiddd...that doesn't mean I'm suppose to jock him. He's not in my iTunes.

Funny thing is, some Black women who may be offended and upset by his statements will soon forget about it and continue their support. They'll be no boycotts, no CD burnings and trashing, no John Mayer iTunes catalog deleting, no call to arms over this. Lucky for John Mayer he's not a Black man.

Yeah.

On one last note, even though John Mayer has received the "fucking" when it comes to this whole ordeal, does anyone see how PLAYBOY "baited" him with their question? Don't they deserve a little "hate" too? Just askin'...

Sade's New Album In Stores and Online TODAY!!

Ok...maybe I just wanted an excuse to post this picture. Is this Sade??


What about these?

Poppin' Tags!

When people say they buy ridiculously over-priced, designer goods because of the quality, they're fuckin' lying.

***NOTE: I was going to end this post right here, but I guess I'll expound a little bit so you won't take these jewels for granted. Thank me later...or now.***

I'm not talking about choosing to purchase Charmin or Angel Soft toilet paper over the dollar store brand because nobody wants a hand full of shyt and TP dingleberries when dropping the kids off at the pool. Nobody. Although I've done it myself when my budget didn't allow me the luxury of fluffy, soft, quilted with feathers toilet tissue, it's ideal to splurge a couple of extra bucks or some change for an "upgrade" like this. I mean...when you think about it, as a heterosexual male, I'm already anal about what touches my ass. Pun. And at the core of it, it's only a couple of bucks.

However, when it comes to dropping upwards of one thousand (or any plural derivative) dollars on a purse or pair of shoes with "quality" being the rationale, I'm calling bullshyt. I wish people would be much more forthcoming with their testimonials when making high-end purchases like this. Afterall, Honesty IS The Best Policy, right?

But, No.

Being on this planet for one-third of a century and particularly being raised, bred, conditioned, educated, and RE-conditioned (solely based on my own standards) in a capitalist, materialistic society, I KNOW (per fact) that the REAL reason why people make such purchases is to floss. That's It.

It's not based on quality. It's based on a need to show off or perpetuate the (facade of a) lifestyle that many Americans admire and aspire to (for some reason...usually trying to keep up with the Jones'). It's not quality, it's the NAME or the BRAND that one is spending astronomical prices for.

It's obvious that (most) many name brands are of superior quality when compared to off-brand items and I'm by no means saying that quality isn't a factor at all, but to say that THAT'S the sole reason for making such a purchase is a lie. I don't feel anything is wrong with splurging on yourself (or tricking your doe off) if that's what you want to and can afford to do. Ball to you fall, player. If you're just a fan of a certain high-end brand because of the look or prestigue and how it makes you feel, by all means, shell out those duckets for it. Just be real about it and say that that's why you're doing it.

Pissed Or Passionate?

This is a screenshot from Kanye West's blog that has been makin' its round on the internet the past couple of days. Every.Last.One. of the blogs made it sound like Mr. West was just an emotional wreck, reeked with anger and hostility in their headlines and content. We all are too familiar with Kanye's antics over the past years and nothing seems to come as much of a surprise any more. He was supposedly shunned from appearing on the Help For Haiti telethon because of his past showboatin'/show-stealin' public antics and the Grammy's have basically black-balled him from thier 2010 awards show after being nominated countless times and winning awards in prior years for his previous works. PETA has recently been skinning and eating him and his girl alive over the fur that they've recently been photographed in. The President of the United States have even called him a "jackass" after the Taylor Swift fiasco at the MTV Video Awards. Although I feel like I am not Kanye, although we all have a little bit of Kanye in us, one thing that ironically stands out to me in the midst of all this is that it appears to me that bloggers, who ONCE was the outspoken, unapologetic voice that "politically correct" media outlets lacked, have fallen into the same matrix of conformity and "cookie-cutter" opinions.

Not to get it twisted because many blogs still rep for independent thought and looking beneath the surface, but others have clearly abandoned "what they came here fo'" and have been transformed into commercial entities in which opinions are clearly bought and regurgitated to the public.

Sad.

I empathize with Kanye' West.

The scrutiny that people spew on Kanye definitely comes with the territory. As an artist, I he is completely open to public opinion and everyone will DEFINITELY have something to say (that's kinda like a test for some artists to see if they're still relevant....if people actually CARE because they have an emotional attachment to your work, they'll always be some sort of response). Obviously, he's still relevant because of his talent and that's why he'll remain a fixture in music and blog headlines. His reputation (pride, ego) has been detrimental to him in many ways, but I wish people would realize that it's pure PASSION from where he speaks. Bloggers ONCE spoke with that same intensity, but now, it's moreso cats who've got a little bit of money behind crafting posts in line with the status quo and ran with it, as oppose to giving their real opinion on shyt.

Although I can't personally get behind the "808" disc, and clownish outfits (claimer: I ain't no fashion nigga), I totally respect a lot of what Kanye has to say and it's really just a matter of people seeing things in one-way (THEIR "right" WAY) when it's really three-dimensional (their way-the artist's way-and the middle ground).

Can we all just get along? And can bloggers express how they really feel as oppose to following the status quo????

Just Some Thoughts...

...after watching the State of the Union Address:

*Gang affiliation is obviously not exclusive to the youth.

*As a Black man, the hate and disgust on an old white man's old wrinkled up face is truly a precious sight that will always warm my inner soul.

*Out of all my friends on facebook who run 5+ miles a day and are doing the p90x, the democratic senators have gotten a more intense workout from the all the standing, sitting, and clapping and ass kissing that they're doing.

*Nancy Pelosi must've been a cheer captain in her younger days.

*Where's Nino Brown when you need him? I kept hoping he would pop in Kanye West-style and say "SIT YO' FIVE DOLLAR ASS DOWN BEFORE I MAKE 'CHANGE'...for real!!"

*War goes on :-( Well at least for another 1.5 years...they say.

*The "United" States is an oxymoron.

*"I don't accept second place for the United States of America!" - Barack Obama. Sounds like a motto for the Olympic games.

*Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi looks like they're counting every single follicle in Barack Obama's head.

*Biden = Purple tie. Pelosi = Purple suit jacket. Obama = Purple lips...at least they're all matching.

*Looking at a room full of majority white people in High Definition is similar to watching a zombie movie.

*President Obama signing autographs on the way out...Priceless.

*All this talk sounds good than a muafugga don't it??

Y'all remember this joint right here?

Rashad "Tell em what they wanna hear"

The Glenn Twins | MySpace Video

Educated Black Woman

Gee...

I wonder why educated Black women don't recognize that when the term "educated Black women" is used in the media, it's often done with a very condescending tone. In a way, it's like saying "you're pretty...for a dark-skinned girl" or "you're the cutest big girl I've ever met". With all that "education", why oh why can't "educated" Black women recognize that they (read: the media) are patronizing you? On some real shyt, when was the last time you've heard the phrase "educated WHITE woman" or "educated ASIAN woman"? Probably never.

Over the past month or so, I've read about Helena Andrews, whose story "Bitch Is The New Black" (very attractive, right?) is set to be published as a book and is optioned for a movie deal (before the book is even complete). Many of my peers have blogged and posted articles about the Washington Post story and how they feel about it. VerySmartBrothas, Keep It Trill, and Sister Toldja are a few that have very insightful outlooks on the situation and I encourage you to check them out. Personally, I know several women who fall into this category and although I sympathize with their situation, I realize that in stories like these, they are being used as pawns. While the "educated" or "successful" Black woman is made out to be the proverbial victim, I feel that one point is persistently missed. THIS IS MORESO A DIRECT ATTACK ON THE BLACK MAN!

***SIDENOTE: Are these women REALLY successful if they are unhappy in their REAL lives? Life is much more than a degree and a job if you ask me. END SIDENOTE***

My passion lies in the arts and multi-media and I guess game recognize game because I can see right pass what some stories the mass media is pumping through the veins of Black American culture. Take for example, the ABC story posted above. Check the reporter's tone throughout the whole joint. Check the statistics that are and have been regurgitated to us since forever. Check the convinient way decent and good Black men are excluded from the equation PERIOD.

Although stories like this are meant to be somewhat of a voice for women who fit into that "successful woman" category, it only throws Black men under the bus...and in essence, Black women also. Black women because they are only being used to perpetuate negative stereotypes and tearing apart the idea of the Black family.

For the sistas who fall into this category, I'm not all-knowing and I don't have all the answers in how to find you a good Black man (although I can co-sign most of VSB's points). My only wish is that you look at the big picture and don't allow yourself to be used by internalizing this to be all about you. Because you and I both know, the media don't give a fuck about you...unless you're buying movie tickets, books and magazines, or increasing their ratings.