Literally, This Album presents Hip-Hop at a full converge of what the genre is really all about, its not about fruity loops, samples, boom baps or anything akin to that, even tho, it is laden with some of those parts of the art. This shows you the blues base of which the art was birthed from.
This presents The Roots as a Band, in which they are, all of the members are an intricate part of the art. Hip-hop has grown tiresome at times, too many rappers and not enough MC's. I tell people that Black Thought is hip hops last great MC that is commercially relevant, and they scoff and argue, but i ask them if they have seen Black Thought live, and if not, i tell them to keep quiet.
Rappers rap and thats it. MC's Move The Crowd and are true Microphone Controllers. Rappers focus on pure words for the sake of words. MC's blend in with the music and are just part of it. A symbiotic relationship of sound notes and words. Rappers stay beating a beat to death with words, no style, no charisma.
I love it when words become secondary to the sound of a band, words should only enhance a score of music, everyone on here, is literally just a sonic treat to have on the album, no one feels out of place, the way the album is set up is perfect, This is as much of a treat as J.Dilla's Donuts. Nothing forced, just getting back to the roots of the culture.
I've been rocking out to The Roots hardcore since 1997, i have had the extreme pleasure of seeing them perform twice in Chicago, if you have never been to a Roots show, your life is missing out on the greatest live performing band out touring, period. They are the hardest working no ego artists out there. Check there work ethic, its impeccable and you will see them rocking out 35 years from now.
How I Got Over proves itself as one of the most beautiful pieces of art that has come through in a long time. If this would be your first Roots album purchase or your 11th, you can enjoy exactly what this album is, for what it is right now, you will play this album 15 years from now, and see all the live performing rap acts and see where it was birthed, a culture in the blues.
Over all thoughts of How I Got Over, buy a copy and then go see them when they are in a town near you, worth ever bit of money and time.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The OJ Simpson Disorder.
This is one of things i have been mulling on for some time, is peoples relative craze about whether or not OJ Simpson murdered Nicole Brown-Simpson. I even asked the homie Rhymefest if he did do it and if it mattered. Rhymefest said "it doesn't matter at all." and he is right.
It doesn't matter at all or not, because all that is for sure, is that those two kids are going to be scarred for life. Victims of domestic violence and having a mother that was brutally slain.
So, everyone can keep up the racist diatribes on either side thinking that they are having a real conversation, because like most issues, most of you are missing the point. These are some kids that have been victims of domestic violence, but you like to make spectacle out of someone else's flaws.
Domestic violence is real, and it is horrible. Everyone cracks jokes about what they would do in this scenario, but most have never been victims of domestic violence.
It's easy to dissect celebrities lives, because most never take the time to look at there own. I personally don't care about celebrities coke sniffing habits and things of that nature, but don't ever fail to miss a valuable lesson when one is being given at a great cost.
I would say a lot of people i know have missed this lesson. Some actually blame Nicole Browns family for her being murdered, regardless of who did it. Claiming it was a set up, instead of realizing, that there two kids no longer have there mom and dad. Congrats people for keeping the inane racist diatribe and not being human.
Because, it really doesn't matter if OJ did it or not...in so many different ways.
It doesn't matter at all or not, because all that is for sure, is that those two kids are going to be scarred for life. Victims of domestic violence and having a mother that was brutally slain.
So, everyone can keep up the racist diatribes on either side thinking that they are having a real conversation, because like most issues, most of you are missing the point. These are some kids that have been victims of domestic violence, but you like to make spectacle out of someone else's flaws.
Domestic violence is real, and it is horrible. Everyone cracks jokes about what they would do in this scenario, but most have never been victims of domestic violence.
It's easy to dissect celebrities lives, because most never take the time to look at there own. I personally don't care about celebrities coke sniffing habits and things of that nature, but don't ever fail to miss a valuable lesson when one is being given at a great cost.
I would say a lot of people i know have missed this lesson. Some actually blame Nicole Browns family for her being murdered, regardless of who did it. Claiming it was a set up, instead of realizing, that there two kids no longer have there mom and dad. Congrats people for keeping the inane racist diatribe and not being human.
Because, it really doesn't matter if OJ did it or not...in so many different ways.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Fish Market Part 2
All i can say about this album is that it is a great example of what a mixtape can be. If the art is dope enough, why not sell it? Thats what Chali 2na has done.
I've been a fan of Chali's work since the Jurassic 5 EP in what i believe was 98 or 99. He is perfect example of making rhyming seem so easy, he's just effortless cool with the flow.
He's definitely the James Earl Jones of the rhyming world. This is one of the first solo projects i have picked up from Chali in a very good while. He's been rapping for a looong time and always blessing us with good art.
It's crazy that more people never really got on board with J5 and moreover Chali. He's one of many artist that is crazy successful with 0 ego.
I think i found my new Cigar smoking and comic book reading album. This album is very much me. Effortless cool and effortless style. You just feel good listening to this album...i need a cigar now.
Chali shows that you should never be afraid to go against the grain of the industry. He's been putting on classic material for over 12 years. so, my question is...where have you been? Sleeping and Bullshitting.
Total analysis, but 3 and pass two, it will not burn you.
I've been a fan of Chali's work since the Jurassic 5 EP in what i believe was 98 or 99. He is perfect example of making rhyming seem so easy, he's just effortless cool with the flow.
He's definitely the James Earl Jones of the rhyming world. This is one of the first solo projects i have picked up from Chali in a very good while. He's been rapping for a looong time and always blessing us with good art.
It's crazy that more people never really got on board with J5 and moreover Chali. He's one of many artist that is crazy successful with 0 ego.
I think i found my new Cigar smoking and comic book reading album. This album is very much me. Effortless cool and effortless style. You just feel good listening to this album...i need a cigar now.
Chali shows that you should never be afraid to go against the grain of the industry. He's been putting on classic material for over 12 years. so, my question is...where have you been? Sleeping and Bullshitting.
Total analysis, but 3 and pass two, it will not burn you.
El Che Album Review
I've listened to this album 5 times through already since Midnight. I'm going to go ahead and say it is a beautiful example of a moment in time, that i can rediscover everytime i listen to it. In more simple terms...Classic.
Sometimes when an artist has what is perceived to be a large gap in putting out an album there can be a lot of hear say of why. all i can say is, it was well worth the wait. Quality over quantity every day.
Sonically it is a treat. Verbally it is amazing. Everyone that features on this album is enhancement and an enjoyment. A lot of rappers could learn some very valuable lessons from this album.
Blue Collar is a classic, there are 5 songs on there that are hip hop staples. you can't say that about most albums 4 years removed. On El Che, there are 9 amazing songs. 1 of which is a song that i have thought of writing for years, but never was able to.
Fans are too fickle when it comes down to the art of hip-hop. They really don't know what they want to hear about, but in recent years, hip-hop has gotten to be NOT FUN. This is an album that you can think, laugh, dance, cry and just enjoy.
One of the more disturbing things i herd recently was that in order to be successful in hip-hop you don't want fans, you want consumers. That is where he is wrong. Fans travel from Toledo to Chicago to watch a performance. Consumers are just on to the next one.
Rhymefest has always been one of my personal favorite emcees over the last 5 years. He's an amazing song writter and he his words are classics. like he has said, you don't have to buy his album but his words are priceless. I agree. He also said recently Hotness cools, and Dopeness lasts.
If you are looking to be entertained then this is your album, fans need to stop being so serious. 98% of fans can't rap, write, dance, sing or even be entertaining. so just chill and support good art and stop analyzing everything.
Complete analysis, Buy Three copies, keep one and pass two on to help spread the love. Thats what i do.
Sometimes when an artist has what is perceived to be a large gap in putting out an album there can be a lot of hear say of why. all i can say is, it was well worth the wait. Quality over quantity every day.
Sonically it is a treat. Verbally it is amazing. Everyone that features on this album is enhancement and an enjoyment. A lot of rappers could learn some very valuable lessons from this album.
Blue Collar is a classic, there are 5 songs on there that are hip hop staples. you can't say that about most albums 4 years removed. On El Che, there are 9 amazing songs. 1 of which is a song that i have thought of writing for years, but never was able to.
Fans are too fickle when it comes down to the art of hip-hop. They really don't know what they want to hear about, but in recent years, hip-hop has gotten to be NOT FUN. This is an album that you can think, laugh, dance, cry and just enjoy.
One of the more disturbing things i herd recently was that in order to be successful in hip-hop you don't want fans, you want consumers. That is where he is wrong. Fans travel from Toledo to Chicago to watch a performance. Consumers are just on to the next one.
Rhymefest has always been one of my personal favorite emcees over the last 5 years. He's an amazing song writter and he his words are classics. like he has said, you don't have to buy his album but his words are priceless. I agree. He also said recently Hotness cools, and Dopeness lasts.
If you are looking to be entertained then this is your album, fans need to stop being so serious. 98% of fans can't rap, write, dance, sing or even be entertaining. so just chill and support good art and stop analyzing everything.
Complete analysis, Buy Three copies, keep one and pass two on to help spread the love. Thats what i do.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The John Mayer Disease.......
I really thought I could avoid this, but i can't. It wouldn't be proper if i didn't address this. I HATE seeing things like this, it bothers me more then just the slip of a pejorative or even the Nappy Headed Hoe thing, this is waaaaaaay more deep then that. Those things you can say...."that white dude just called me a ****** welp. fuck em he's an idiot lets move forward." at least with that you KNOW WHERE THEY STAND FROM THE GET GO. it's in the spirit of all the way ONE HUNNED as it were.
It's another, to sit there and say your personal plight is akin to a COMPLETE STEREOTYPE of a very small portion of a race. DUDE, YOU ARE A BLUE EYED SOUL GUITAR PLAYER PLAYING THE BLUES!!!!!!!, what is wrong with you? that isn't cool. Why would you abuse your privilege of being able to unite people? that means, you are a bigger jerk then what i ever would have thought.
My plight is not greater then anyone else's, and in fact someone else's plight might be greater then anything i could ever imagine or have personally experienced. And my hat is off to you. *tips my NEW ERA fitted* you even fooled THIS WHITE guy. that shit is tough to do my dude, and you did it.
I grew up around HARDCORE racists, and to be honest they are better at being true to themselves then you are or could ever be. They will drop a pejorative at the drop of a hat and not think twice. You spoke your mind freely, and now that you did, you are reeling and dealing to get back to where i thought you might have been.
like my math teacher Mr. Lathrop always said, "mean what you say, and say what you mean" well my dude, you did just that, but now you look like more of an asshole retracting statements, instead of saying. "yeah i said it. could i have said it better, sure, but it doesn't take away from what i said" instead, you take that pussy PR approach and try to apologize for shit you said.
That ish was in an interview, a recorded interview for a printed publication. YOU GET A DUMBFUCK AWARD for that. if you are going to say COMPLETELY INSENSITIVE shit too a lot of people, large scale and INDIVIDUALISTIC, please have the spine to back up what you said.
Sir, you proved a great point in all of this, and unfortunately i don't think its one many would pick up on, right now, but your Faggy Hipster Fans are defending your Idiotic Hipster Logic in all of this shit. You are the true poster child to the HIPSTER movement. i have a personal personal motto for HIPSTERS......
Be Disingenuous To Thine Own Self.
you live up to that phrase more swimmingly now then you ever did before. sheesh, i didn't see it coming, i should have since a good portion of your fans are hipsters anyhow.
There is a saying that you gotta love yourself and that you can never play yourself, but guess what. you played yourself. with no credibility, sincerity or deference to anyone and including yourself, have a sad and lonely existence with all of the Hipsters of the world.
It's another, to sit there and say your personal plight is akin to a COMPLETE STEREOTYPE of a very small portion of a race. DUDE, YOU ARE A BLUE EYED SOUL GUITAR PLAYER PLAYING THE BLUES!!!!!!!, what is wrong with you? that isn't cool. Why would you abuse your privilege of being able to unite people? that means, you are a bigger jerk then what i ever would have thought.
My plight is not greater then anyone else's, and in fact someone else's plight might be greater then anything i could ever imagine or have personally experienced. And my hat is off to you. *tips my NEW ERA fitted* you even fooled THIS WHITE guy. that shit is tough to do my dude, and you did it.
I grew up around HARDCORE racists, and to be honest they are better at being true to themselves then you are or could ever be. They will drop a pejorative at the drop of a hat and not think twice. You spoke your mind freely, and now that you did, you are reeling and dealing to get back to where i thought you might have been.
like my math teacher Mr. Lathrop always said, "mean what you say, and say what you mean" well my dude, you did just that, but now you look like more of an asshole retracting statements, instead of saying. "yeah i said it. could i have said it better, sure, but it doesn't take away from what i said" instead, you take that pussy PR approach and try to apologize for shit you said.
That ish was in an interview, a recorded interview for a printed publication. YOU GET A DUMBFUCK AWARD for that. if you are going to say COMPLETELY INSENSITIVE shit too a lot of people, large scale and INDIVIDUALISTIC, please have the spine to back up what you said.
Sir, you proved a great point in all of this, and unfortunately i don't think its one many would pick up on, right now, but your Faggy Hipster Fans are defending your Idiotic Hipster Logic in all of this shit. You are the true poster child to the HIPSTER movement. i have a personal personal motto for HIPSTERS......
Be Disingenuous To Thine Own Self.
you live up to that phrase more swimmingly now then you ever did before. sheesh, i didn't see it coming, i should have since a good portion of your fans are hipsters anyhow.
There is a saying that you gotta love yourself and that you can never play yourself, but guess what. you played yourself. with no credibility, sincerity or deference to anyone and including yourself, have a sad and lonely existence with all of the Hipsters of the world.
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Fan to the Artist.
The Responsibility.
Is Heavy.
It Might Not.
Be An Uzi.
But.
It Weighs A Ton.
Stop.
And Ponder That.
For A Moment.
You Spit Those Words.
With.
The Reckless Aim.
That An Uzi.
Would Do.
With Hollow Points.
You Toss Them.
And.
Hope They Hit.
Each And Everyone.
Of Us.
And.
They Always Do.
And.
Always Have.
Then Pen.
Has Always.
Been Mightier.
Then Your Overused.
Metaphors.
That Flow Forth.
From The Cannon.
You Call Free Speech.
The Destruction.
Might Not.
Be Visible.
From The Distance.
You Launch Your Cannon.
But.
Know Just This.
The Brains.
Are More Desecrated.
Then.
Afghanistan.
And.
Our Financial System.
More Over.
Our Faith.
In Ourselves.
Is Lost.
You No Longer.
Know What Your Value Is.
For You.
It Might Be A Benz.
But For Others.
It Might Be.
Rent Or A Sandwich.
To Say.
The Things You Have.
Y'all Should All Get Lynched.
N.Y.Oil was right.
And.
So Is Jay..
Y'all Idiots Is Targets.
Garages For Bullets.
Please Don't Make Me.
Park It In Your Upper Level.
Valet A Couple Strays.
From A 38 Special.
Idiot God Bless You.
And.
Thats.
Why I Am Here.
Shoot You.
With Knowledge.
And.
Hope You Die.
Is Heavy.
It Might Not.
Be An Uzi.
But.
It Weighs A Ton.
Stop.
And Ponder That.
For A Moment.
You Spit Those Words.
With.
The Reckless Aim.
That An Uzi.
Would Do.
With Hollow Points.
You Toss Them.
And.
Hope They Hit.
Each And Everyone.
Of Us.
And.
They Always Do.
And.
Always Have.
Then Pen.
Has Always.
Been Mightier.
Then Your Overused.
Metaphors.
That Flow Forth.
From The Cannon.
You Call Free Speech.
The Destruction.
Might Not.
Be Visible.
From The Distance.
You Launch Your Cannon.
But.
Know Just This.
The Brains.
Are More Desecrated.
Then.
Afghanistan.
And.
Our Financial System.
More Over.
Our Faith.
In Ourselves.
Is Lost.
You No Longer.
Know What Your Value Is.
For You.
It Might Be A Benz.
But For Others.
It Might Be.
Rent Or A Sandwich.
To Say.
The Things You Have.
Y'all Should All Get Lynched.
N.Y.Oil was right.
And.
So Is Jay..
Y'all Idiots Is Targets.
Garages For Bullets.
Please Don't Make Me.
Park It In Your Upper Level.
Valet A Couple Strays.
From A 38 Special.
Idiot God Bless You.
And.
Thats.
Why I Am Here.
Shoot You.
With Knowledge.
And.
Hope You Die.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sincere Ignorance
This was an issue that i had with 7-11 just right before i moved and closed on my house. so here you go, this is the email i sent 7-11 corporation, and they have not responded to me, to let me know what was done. i even invited the guy in charge of the case to my house after he responded to me the first time to show him the neighborhood. so here you go.......and that was the title of my complaint was Sincere Ignorance.
Both of these two employees displayed what i fear most and
what Dr. King said is the destroying our lives. "nothing in this world
is more dangerous then sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
It was nice that the middle aged lady recognized us from the night
before. he have been coming to this location frequently enough for over
last year, and we told her we weren't sure how much we would be back
after this week and she asked why. we told her we were buying a house in
South Pullman.
She immediately had a look of horror on her face, and told us that
people get shot over there all the time. My wife and i kept explaining
to her that this is the good part of the Pullman area, she kept
insisting that drive-bys happen in my neighborhood and i told her that
it was impossible for that to happen right where i lived, she continued
to display an obscene amount of ignorance.
She kept on saying it as though were certain truth, when i asked her to
name the specific area, she could not. She was going off of what the
Police officers have told her that patronize this particular location. I
kept explaining to her that happens literally on the other side of the
tracks, and also happens in Beverly, Morgan Park and even Evergreen
Park. She insisted in her sincere ignorance.
The only reason why she felt comfortable telling us these things is
because we are White. My father-in-law grew up in that area many years
ago and also likes the neighborhood we are moving to. Nothing is ever
perfect and nothing is ever certain, except one thing at the exact
moment.
I will never be back to this location ever again, and i will make sure
that every last person i meet, i tell them not to go to this location.
I let both of the ladies on duty tonight know this after I stepped
outside to get in my car, I kept telling the middle aged lady that I
could not continue this conversation with her.
I step outside of the store to get into the car with my wife, and then i
went back into the store to let them know that i would not ever be back.
The older lady proceeded in her own self righteous sincere ignorance to
tell me, "that's okay you are only one customer." i then told her "i may
be only one, but my influence is many." she continued to say that is
okay.
Well here i am as only one customer, about to post this on the internet
to let those know about this store. So, i just thought i would share it
with you folks first and if nothing is done to rectify this situation, i
will post this on my blog and link it to a lot of different sites.
Marginalization means that none of us are equal.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Bliss
Both of these two employees displayed what i fear most and
what Dr. King said is the destroying our lives. "nothing in this world
is more dangerous then sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
It was nice that the middle aged lady recognized us from the night
before. he have been coming to this location frequently enough for over
last year, and we told her we weren't sure how much we would be back
after this week and she asked why. we told her we were buying a house in
South Pullman.
She immediately had a look of horror on her face, and told us that
people get shot over there all the time. My wife and i kept explaining
to her that this is the good part of the Pullman area, she kept
insisting that drive-bys happen in my neighborhood and i told her that
it was impossible for that to happen right where i lived, she continued
to display an obscene amount of ignorance.
She kept on saying it as though were certain truth, when i asked her to
name the specific area, she could not. She was going off of what the
Police officers have told her that patronize this particular location. I
kept explaining to her that happens literally on the other side of the
tracks, and also happens in Beverly, Morgan Park and even Evergreen
Park. She insisted in her sincere ignorance.
The only reason why she felt comfortable telling us these things is
because we are White. My father-in-law grew up in that area many years
ago and also likes the neighborhood we are moving to. Nothing is ever
perfect and nothing is ever certain, except one thing at the exact
moment.
I will never be back to this location ever again, and i will make sure
that every last person i meet, i tell them not to go to this location.
I let both of the ladies on duty tonight know this after I stepped
outside to get in my car, I kept telling the middle aged lady that I
could not continue this conversation with her.
I step outside of the store to get into the car with my wife, and then i
went back into the store to let them know that i would not ever be back.
The older lady proceeded in her own self righteous sincere ignorance to
tell me, "that's okay you are only one customer." i then told her "i may
be only one, but my influence is many." she continued to say that is
okay.
Well here i am as only one customer, about to post this on the internet
to let those know about this store. So, i just thought i would share it
with you folks first and if nothing is done to rectify this situation, i
will post this on my blog and link it to a lot of different sites.
Marginalization means that none of us are equal.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Bliss
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