Gil Scott-Heron: Comment #1 (Who WIll Survive in America)

I remember my cousin trying to put me on to Gil Scott Heron. I listened to the CD a couple times but never really listened. I was in high school and even though those were my highly politically involved and conscious days, I was probably too young to understand what Gil was talking about. Fast forward to 2010. I'm listening to a spoken word piece at the end of Kanye's new album and my mother says "That sounds like Gil Scott." So I investigated and found out it actually was him. The piece was taken from his piece entitled Comment #1. The entire piece is not on Kanye's CD but if it were it might have seriously overshadowed it. It's a very powerful and moving piece if I must say so myself. So here is the video of it. Feel free to look into other pieces from Gil Scott Heron

Keepin it Kanye

Now if you know me, you know I really appreciate Kanye West as an artist and a visionary. A lot of people for a wide variety of reasons dislike him. But no matter how u feel about him, what he's saying in this interview makes sense. The world tries to stifle who u are. They limit you to liking what they tell you to like. Television, radio all that shows you what they think you should know and if u speak out against the blatant shortsiding of our creative minds, you will be outcasted. He makes many good points. So regardless of how you feel about him, listen to what he says and feel free to disagree. I dont agree with Bill O'Reilly but I'll listen to what he has to say (every so often lol). So here it is. If you love art, music, fashion and expressing yourself through such means, watch the video

Style is History!

I recently came across "Street Etiquette" and "The Black Ivy." I must say fashion-wise, what an inspirational bunch!! The unabashedly prep style they exude is crazy! And they make it work! While not all outfits I saw I could see myself in, but a fair amount I enjoyed thoroughly. Shoutouts to BKc's Ouigi and Bevin makin an appearance, BKc is def a style inspiration for myself. In the slideshow posted below you can see where the style originates from. It is our black history and our culture. Pictures from Howard University's "Yard" show black ladies and gents just chillin, very dapper and very prep! Thats why Style is History...well this style is definitely

So without further ado, here they are. The Black Ivy

http://streetetiquette.com/

http://streetetiquette.com/the-black-ivy/ <-- click right arrow to go through slideshow

I Present...Lupe

By far the most lyrical human being on this planet. His lyrical prowess is unmatched by any one in the game. I'm still catchin lines I didnt understand today from back 04. The man is pure genius and it's a shame what Atlantic records is doing to him (#WeWantLasers)

So here's some songs and lyrics to some of the songs

Dumb It Down

[Verse 1:]
I'm fearless
Now hear this
I'm earless
And I'm peer-less
That means I'm eyeless
Which means I'm tearless
Which means my iris resides where my ears is
Which means I'm blinded
But I'mma find it I can feel it's nearness
But I'mma veer so I don't come near
Like a chicken or a deer
But I remember I'm not a listener or a seer so my windshield smear
Here, you steer, I really shouldn't be behind this, clearly cause my blindness
The windshield is minstrel, the whole grill is roadkill, so trill and so sincere. Yeah, I'm both them there
Took both pills, when a bloke in a trench coat and the locs in the chair had approached him here
And he clear as a ghost, so a biter of the throats in the mirror
The writer of the quotes for the ghosts who supplier of the notes to the living
Riveting is rosy, pockets full of posies, given to the mother of the deceased. Awaken at war, 'til I'm restin' in peace

[Chorus 1:]
You goin' over niggas' heads Lu (Dumb it down)
They tellin' me that they don't feel you (Dumb it down)
We ain't graduate from school nigga (Dumb it down)
Them big words ain't cool nigga (Dumb it down)
Yeah I heard Mean And Vicious nigga (Dumb it down)
Make a song for the bitches nigga (Dumb it down)
We don't care about the weather nigga (Dumb it down)
You'll sell more records if you (Dumb it down)

[Verse 2:]
And I'm mouthless
Which means I'm soundless
Now as far as the hearing, I've found it
It was as far as the distance from an earring to the ground is
But the doorknockers on the ear of a stewardess in a Lear
She fine and she flyin, I feel I'm flying by'em 'cause my mind's on cloud nine and in her mind at the same time
Pimp C the wings on the underground king
Who's also Klingon
To infinity and beyond
Something really stinks, but I Spinks like Leon
Or lying in the desert
I'm flying on Pegasus you're flying on the pheasant
Rider of the white powder, picker of the fire flowers, spit hot fire like Dylon on Chappelle's skit
Yeah, smell it on my unicorn, don't snort the white horse, but toot my own horn (sleep)

[Chorus 2:]
You've been shedding too much light Lu (Dumb it down)
You make'em wanna do right Lu (Dumb it down)
They're getting self-esteem Lu (Dumb it down)
These girls are trying to be queens Lu (Dumb it down)
They're trying to graduate from school Lu (Dumb it down)
They're starting to think that smart is cool Lu (Dumb it down)
They're trying to get up out the hood Lu (Dumb it down)
I'll tell you what you should do (Dumb it down)

[Verse 3:]
And I'm brainless
Which means I'm headless
Like Ichabod Crane is
Or foreplay-less sex is
Which makes me stainless
With no neck left to hang the chain with
Which makes me necklace-less
Like a necklace theft
And I ain't used my headrest yet
They said they need proof like a vestless chest 'bout the best, fair F-F-jet in the nest
Who exudes confidence and excess depth
Even Scuba Steve would find it hard to breathe
Around these leagues
My snorkle is a tuba, Lu the ruler around these seas
Westside Poseidon, Westside beside'em, chest high and rising
Almost touching the knees of stewardess and the pilot
Lucky they make you flowered
Personal floating devices, tricks falling out of my sleeves
David Blaine
Make it rain
You Make a boat
I make a plane
Then, I pull the plug and I make it drain
Until I feel like flowing and filling it up again..(Westside)

[Chorus 3:]
You putting me to sleep nigga (Dumb it down)
That's why you ain't popping in the streets nigga (Dumb it down)
You ain't winning no awards nigga (Dumb it down)
Robots and skateboards nigga? (Dumb it down)
GQ Man Of The Year G? (Dumb it down)
Shit ain't rocking over here B (Dumb it down)
Won't you talk about your cars nigga? (Dumb it down)
And what the fuck is goyard nigga (Dumb it down)

Pour champagne on a bitch (Dumb it down)
What the fuck is wrong with you? (Dumb it down)
How can I get on a song with you? (Dumb it down)

Say Something Freestyle (THE best display of lyricism in the last 10 years)

Make it rain for the chicks (Dumb it down)

Uh, we just gonna keep it goin' and goin',
until I feel completed and happy about it...You know?

Uh, Opus of a ghetto boy who grew into a project man
Brewster Place, he used to stick his scissors in his sockets damn,
clear that Project Runway, 'cause this is where my rocket lands,
ain’t got no problems, Houston, I A.K.A. then rocket land.
Events recent that lit a fire under him like pots and pans,
rockets and I (eye) up in the sky like helicopter cams...

And you down there in the traffic jam
from here I’ve seen a bunch of fake shit like avid wrestlin' fans...
Came up from the bottom of the eye exam ZOOM
Now I’m like the biggest G up in the room,
still hard to see me like the truth on TV
or the roof from the sidewalk, I don’t flo' (floor), I ceiling

My mama said they need me...
'cause, I’m made from the best stuff on earth like Snapple Tea Leaves,
they glass is half full so I spit into them like Celie,
no longer G, now you can see me
but your letter's still under my sea like seaweed
C and G but nothing bout me C-G, It’s all real, none of this is green screen...

"Shut Up and Let Me Go" just like The Ting Tings,
I’m feelin' like a Mac, standing around a bunch of PCs.
I’ve rocked it from the shouters to the soccer moms,
try to stop what’s going on...
you’ll see the back of my hand like the tops of palms,
I’m balling like the tops of pawns,
circle of influence getting bigger like the ripples on the tops of ponds.

Short-footed and War Headed like the tops of bombs,
http://www.elyricsworld.com/say_something_lyrics_lupe_fiasco.html
Domino-in n****'s, delivery is Papa John's, Little Ceaser‘s, uh,
burning down your Pizza Hut...
Plaque collection building 'cause, I don’t brush my teeth enough,
yeah, Crack is wack and reefer sucks, you might think this deep as fuck
but this like my weaker stuff,
they ask “Is this his day-to-day 'cause this is like a week to us?”

Mic is shy and speakers blush, I is shy (Chi) and he is up,
I correct, me is up - no we is up - cause its like two of me
and each of us, rappin' acid, eat this up,
A-Town down, peace is up, New York to East Coast is tough,
West Side ridin', lot of n****'s salty 'cause,
'cause I be overseas and tough.

Everything seamless, WorldStar never seen this,
NahRight gotta stream this, motherfuckin' genius!

Brave and fly, you backbone-less and wingless,
bunch of chickens on the strip, I’m coming for they fingers...
till what they throwin' up is meaningless...
Chilly Chill you seeing this? This didn’t make MTV’s list...

Finish fingers, eating wrist, feedin' frenzy and shit,
Succotash stuffering, Chicken-Frikasee'en this...
a beat eatin' media blitz,
pace is getting feverish, pain is growing Seaver-ish,
these the peppers Peter picked,
things are at their easiest, Real Compton city G’in it
but I’m from Chicago...house lights, bravooo!

The Coolest

Hurt Me Soul

HoodCelebrity | HollywoodNobody

It finally hit me. The name and concept of my new fashion blog. With no further ado, I would like to introduce you to... HoodCelebrity|HollywoodNobody

The concept is simple. A hood celebrity has more in common with a Hollywood nobody than you may think. They are both bound by their worlds, constantly wanting more and to break out of the environment that they feel is holding them back. While they have a lot in common, they are also opposites. But the beauty is in the duality. Follow me

The Hood Celebrity: A popular guy in the hood but knows that is not where he belongs. He dreams of the bright lights, fast cars and even faster women. He knows he's only one popped bottle of Rose` away from a first class jet to LA to be amongst the stars. But he's constrained. The hood has it's steel bars on lockdown it would seem. The Hood Celebrity knows it's going to be a hard journey out

The Hollywood Nobody: He's made it by the regular person's standards. But his flat on the hills doesnt compare to the mansion in the mountains his contemporaries parade around in. He knows he is destined for greatness. Front row at the Emmy's/Grammy's is tattooed on the back of his eyelids so he can see it when he dreams. But he wakes up to mediocrity every morning. He can taste it just like Hood Celebrity. They are the same in that they are constrained and are not content with where they are and both feel they deserve more. They are different only in their locations. Their mental plane is in the same realm.

But this is why they are so special. These two people represent us all. We are either a Hood Celebrity or a Hollywood Nobody. We are all striving for more in this world. We all know that where we are, is NOT where we belong. We know our potential and now we have to start plotting our coordinates. We gotta start our journey to where we belong at one point. And where does that journey start?

When you put on your clothes. The right outfit will give you the mindset that you can take over the world. So with my blog I will bring to the reader my take on the fashion world. Which clothes will look good on you on your journey. Whether you're a Hood Celebrity tryna make it out of the jaws of the ghetto or a Hollywood Nobody trying to gain your God given notoriety, there will be something for you on my page.

Your journey starts when you walk out the door. You want to make sure that when you meet up with Destiny, it can say, "Wow nice outfit."

And it starts

This Generation's Visionary Genius

Sorry for the long absence but this blog is still going strong. Been a little busy with LIFE and other things like it. But Im still here readers!

I love to see someone who cares for their craft in a serious way. There's a lot of ball players but not everyone cares about their skills like Kobe Bryant. There are a lot of rappers but not every one goes in to detail like Kanye does. And when it comes to movies, Christopher Nolan is putting it down for this generation's movie lovers.

I feel for directors though. They never really get the full credit of their work because they aren't on screen. But with Nolan, he puts his stamp on films so you KNOW it's him. From the musical score to the unconventional way he tells the story, his movies have Chris Nolan written all over them.

If you dont know what movies he's made, here is a list:

Following (1998)

Memento (2000)

Insomnia (2002)

Batman Begins (2005)

The Prestige (2006)

The Dark Knight (2008)

Inception (2010)

He employs some of the same actors for many films, Michael Caine appearing in most, Cillian Murphy being in both Batmans and Inception and Christian Bale as Batman and Borden in The Prestige.

I have a lot of respect for Nolan b/c he takes what he does very serious. It took him 9 years to write the screenplay for Inception. While movies come out from scripts that took a week to right, this man is thinking long term and it shows in every film.

So here's a toast to Christopher Nolan. A true genius and master of his craft. Cant wait for the Batman series' final movie in 2012

Style Over Fashion [Dedicated to the CLONES]

Hello hello as my man Rawlo would say. Funny cuz his old screen name [R.I.P. to AIM] had to do with this new blog post. He always believed Fashion is more important than style. But today I've come to disagree with my good friend.

What is Fashion

1) Conventional usage in dress, manners, etc., esp. of polite society or conformity

WHOA @ that last word. Scary really. Even the first word is scary. Conventional? CONFORMITY?? Fashion overall is the world that brings us every aspect of clothing and accessories that we spend large portions of our salaries on. Fashion is just that: Fashion. It can only go as far as what you do with it. Fashion is the safe way out. Its Plan A. The road often traveled. You are not fashionable because you can throw together an all [insert popular brand here] outfit. You are a CLONE. It's time for people to learn what style is..

What is Style?

a Particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode of action or manner of acting

Do you want people to know you by the clothes you wear or by ur style? Style is not limited to clothes like Fashion is. Style is everything! Your words, your manner of dress, the way you speak, the way you walk, your actions. Style is who YOU ARE! People can try and copy ur style but its the best feeling knowing they cant do it like you. Me and You can walk in the party with the same outfit on. Echoing the same fashion. My job is to have my style speak monuments over urs. That dont mean pop bottles or be the life of the party [If thats ur style go ahead but it aint mine] that just means at the end of the night, people will remember me over you, for whatever reason. While fashion is a blank piece of paper, Your style is your visual resume`.

In a world where everyone is essentially trying to do the same thing, people always try and take the same route. I heard Pharrell Williams [who I now have a newfound respect for after seein his interview on WorldStarHipHop.com] say something very profound but yet so simple. Everyone wants to come to New York but it's extremely hard taking the Holland Tunnel. You need to build a helicopter and fly over it. 1) Taking the Tunnel you have thousands of people doing the same thing. It will keep you backed up for hours. By the time you get out you dont even wanna go to NY any more 2) You have to BUILD a helicopter and fly over into the city. Dont rent one because you dont wanna owe ur success to any one else. You BUILD your helicopter and watch as the CLONES honk and move nowhere. Theyre all traveling in the same fashion. You gotta style on em. Fly off into the sunset and get what's yours.

Style will always be over Fashion. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. Forever

Living Fast and Dying Young

Who heard this new joint by Ross and Kanye? Man, if this is what rap has in store for the remainder of 2010, I'm down for it all. The soulful circa 2004 Kanye West beat is more refreshing than an ice cold Gatorade after 3 games of full court basketball. The flashy lifestyle Ross is so talented at painting has the listener seeing the stars over the sky of Hollywood and the life that comes with them. Kanye comes back and raps well enough to make us forget about 808s and Heartbreaks. From the first time I heard the song I fell in love. This is what the rap game has been missing!

In all of my love for this song and my anxiousness waiting on Ross' and Kanye's new albums I had to sit back and think. I have my spirit on one hand convicting me of listening to this music but to be honest I ignored it (Father forgive me). But I also would hear things in the song that KIND of bothered me. Rather not the song but what the song is promoting.

Living Fast and Dying Young. We've all heard it before. You live fast, you die young. But we dont know how true this is. How true this old proverb is. How much we can see it around us all the time. The stories we hear about the get money niggas in the hood and the nigga that comes along and quickly ends his life for a chain, a belt, some kicks, a little bit of money or whatever.

Die Young but eff it we flew first class - Ross

Ice insurance, f*** life insurance - Ross

The song says "So live fast and die young." The word "so" implies that you should indeed go ahead and live fast because hey, u never know when ur last day will come right? WRONG! U already know how I feel bout that! GIVE UR LIFE TO CHRIST! [Shameless Jesus plug]

But I wont get my point across by simply saying that. So listen closely. The world is set up to tell u to live the life u wanna live it. But the road that leads to destruction is wide but the road that leads to salvation is narrow. [Matt 7:13] I know I know. Who am I? Cuz I still do things u know. Im still living faster than I should. But we have to really look at what the messages the songs we listen to are telling us.

Live Fast - Drink, smoke, party, have sex with girls, spend cash, come in the crib at the crack of dawn and then repeat it all again. I guess this in turn leads to dying young.

This is what the music we listen to promotes. And this is just one song. I can go on and on as to what other songs speak on. Do I still listen to rap? OF COURSE!! I was tooo hype to come across some old Dip Set and even hyper with their reunion song getting play on the radio. But when u gain a deeper understanding of life u see things in a different light. [The devil doesnt want me to put this post out cuz my comp is all magically freezing but he's a liar so we gonna keep it movin] You have to take a step back if you continue to listen to rap and R&B and understand this music DOES HAVE THE POWER to change u and ur mindstate. If u continue to listen to rap u have to learn to separate the fake world of the music industry from the NOT SO FAST life ur living, the life God has planned for u. No need to do all these things to impress others. All those bottles popped, All the Louis copped, and the whips u push, its not for u, its so u can impress ppl looking at u.

Rap is just words over a beat with some dudes we dont know tellin stories. The things they speak of are nothing to aspire to (for the most part cuz theres positivity even in the midst of negativity) But when we listen to a song (as banging as it is) like Live Fast Die Young we have to say, what are u saying to me Ross? Is dying young worth it if it meant I was all over 7days7nights? Was it worth it if I had every Damier belt? They can bury me in my Lanvin kicks and Comme shirt but would it be worth it?

Now if u'll excuse me I'm going back to listening to Live Fast Die Young and maybe a lil Camron after that maybe some Dip-Set...but Im always mindful

Stay vigilant

My Apology

I never meant to be a summer time blogger

I'm a thinker. Thusly, I'm always thinking. My blog is my thoughts. Therefore I should always be blogging. My blog reflects change, I'm always changing as are my thoughts, surroundings feelings etc. Once again I should be blogging way more. I want the fans and followers of this blog and those who want to hear what I have to say to be satisfied.

But a lot has been going on. Life is movin faster than ever so forgive the kid. You can imagine the anguish a recent college grad can be going thru. Loans, jobless, and still livin under moms roof. So my mental hasnt even been 100% with me. There are days where I just feel so inadequate. But I remember the God I serve and how He said in His word how He has plans for me to prosper. So I get out of my rut and get back on the grind.

So once again forgive me cuz there's a lot going on. And to be honest the blog has been low on my priority list.

But I'm newly inspired for my next post.

It's about rap. You can thank Ricky Rawse and Kanye

See u soon

A Letter to God

Dear God,

I come before You more than anything unworthy. Your infinite mercies I take for granted. Your love I've taken for granted time and time again. But to my surprise You can still call me a friend and Your son. I'll never know why tho. For years I've doubted Your very existance maybe because I couldn't actually feel ur hand holding mine. To be honest with You who knows all truth, walking by faith nd not by sight is probably the hardest thing I've ever done. I often end up in a boxing match with the flesh. But I'm telling You I never wanna be KO'd by the flesh, the worst beating any one could take.

But that's one of my many problems Lord! You kno all my imperfections, all my shortcomings, all the cracks that need to be filled. But yet I wasn't looking to You to fill and fix them up. U remember when I was partying when I was hurting, drinking while crying on the inside and fornicating while my heart was aching. But You remained faithful! Psalm 66:12 You made me go thru fire and water but You brought me to this place of abundance. Because we know what I was going through. How I could not escape adversity and my enemies and how defeated the devil had me believe I was. And yet through it, I came to know You and be saved by Your son Jesus Christ. I'm forever grateful.

Psalm 17:1 Hear O Lord my plea it doesn't come from decietful lips. I'm coming to You telling You everything on my mind and in my heart. Like how the trials I face now have me scared out of my mind. I don't have to list to You the all-knowing the problems facing me. But all I have to do is remember the book of Job. First the devil has to ask YOU permission to mess with me to see if I will lose faith in You. Not gonna happen. And even in the midst of the storm, Job still praised Your name. As will I. At the end of it all u made Job a greater man than he was before. I can't wait. But even if u nvr gave me another blessing. You've done enough. No poem no prayer no praise could ever repay what You've done and what You will continue to do.

You are the love of my life. I had to write u this letter because ur the only Father I know. I could sit here and say how grateful I am for you ordering my steps. Because u make no mistakes. You cradled me in every situation and without ur grace where would I be? The thought is scary. And even the ordered steps are sometimes hard though Lord but I know You've got me covered.

And Lord You kno I battle with pride. For years I gave myself credit for making it to where I am today and gave You credit after I dished out thanks to everyone else. You got thanked when I remembered to. But I am now humble so that one day you may exalt me. Because what can I truly be prideful of if it didn't have You centered around it? Destroy my walls of pride like you did the tower of Babel or the town of Sodom nd Gommorrah. When I sing let it not be to hear my own voice but only to minister unto ur name and to bring ppl to Christ. Take away my desires to be the flyest person in the room. Take away my impurities and make me as silver my dear silversmith. Hold me in that fire until You see Ur reflection in me [Malachi 3:3]. Chisel away at my exterior to get to my beautiful core that is pleasing to You.

Do you remember when I cried at Winterfest Lord? Cuz I knew that God forbid if I were to die the next day the life I was leadin, I probably wouldn't have seen Your face. Lord I cried b/c through it all, despite me turning my back so many times you remained faithful. How ungrateful and unworthy am I!? I cried b/c I felt defeated because I wanted to change my life but I felt like it was impossible. I then realized I couldn't do it alone and that I needed none other than You. The devil tries HARD to convince me that I'm the same person. He does roar like a lion in my ear sometimes but a simple lifting of my eyes to the hills and knowing that is where my help comes from, is enough to get the enemy to flee.

And Lord I'm in this state of confusion after graduation. Fear and uncertainty lurk around like creepers at a party. I try and keep a calm head and remember Luke 12:22-25 where u say stress won't add a day to my life. I pray you lead me where I need to be and remove me from where I should not. Your will is perfect and is the only one I wish to be a part of. I sometimes question it in the back of my head Lord but I remember what you said in Isaiah 45:9-10, who am I the son to question You the Father? You're in total control and I wouldn't have it any other day

So Lord I write You this letter just to expound upon everything u already know about me. I want You to kno I will always be there to praise You as You will be there to be my everything. But I'm also asking You continue to mold me, melt me, form me and transform me into what You want me to be b/c I wouldn't rather be anything else. Remove any doubtful thoughts and replace them with reassurance that You are the I Am That I Am, Jehova Jireh and Elohim Himself. Let my past remain past and stand as lessons learned for my fruitful future. Let my now be devoted to You and be a pleasing sight to You. Finally let my future be prosperous in Jesus matchless name. Let my life be a testament to ur greatness. Let my light shine and my city on the hill be seen! And when they see the light I'll tell them who my electrician is. When they see my city I'll tell them who my architect is. The Alpha and Omega Thank You

Sincerely Yours, Now and Forever

Jelani

Amen...