I'm sayin' tho...

Why I Love Hip-Hop #7

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:50:55 -0400

I love hip-hop because it talks about that shit.

I think I was watching The Show when someone said something to the effect of…hip-hop covers all of the important issues that other outlets won’t discuss.

I really believe that hip-hop is unique in that it can address and dissect long-standing societal issues with grace. It can be depressing to sit and ponder all of the evil in the world. It can make you feel helpless and small. But hip-hop has this strange ability to allow the listener to examine these issues in an almost healing manner. We can listen to the lyrics, nod our heads, and say, “Yeah… that stuff really happens in the world. And it’s fucked up. And it’s not fair. But we gotta keep moving.”

Most importantly, the hip-hop teaches us that we’re not alone in this despair. It helps us to feel more connected. I’m nodding my head and listening to this artist preaching in time and you’re nodding your head too because we’re both getting the message. We don’t even need to discuss it afterwards.

For example, there are plenty of songs that address racism in it’s many forms. But I believe that young Black men encounter a very specific form of racism when they appear to be successful. Certain people feel more surprised and compelled to ask questions when they see a young Black man doing well for himself. Almost as if they want to say, “How did he accomplish this? He must have cheated the system some how.” Now, those words will never come out of anyone’s mouth. They’ll ask these questions by disguising them as innocent curiosity. I think Jay-Z has a great verse that discusses these instances:

In this manila envelope - the results of my insanity.

Quack said I crossed the line ‘tween real life and fantasy

Can it be the same one on covers with Warren Buffet

Was ducking the undercovers?

Was warring with motherfuckers?

…

If you believe in that sort of luck your screws need adjusting

In the world of no justice

and black ladies on the back of buses

I’m the immaculate conception of rappers-slash-hustlers

My God, it’s so hard to conceive

But it all falls perfect

I’m like autumn is to trees

The doc interrupted…

he scribbled a prescription for some Prozac

He said, “Take that for your mustard, boy

you must be off your rocker if you think you’ll make it off this strip before they ‘Pac ya.

Nigga… you gotta be psychotic

Or, mixing something potent with your vodka

It takes a lot to shock us

but you being so prosperous is preposterous!

How could this nappy headed boy from out the projects be the apple of America’s obsession?

You’re totally disconnected with reality.

Don’t believe in dreams.

Since when did Black men become kings?”

Shiny Suit Theory - Jay Electronica Ft. Jay-Z

I Love You Gee

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:42:15 -0400

I Love You Gee

tanyakatoch: NEW: Quadron “Better Off” X Kendrick Lamar

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:39:25 -0400

tanyakatoch:

NEW: Quadron “Better Off” X Kendrick Lamar

thecookiefullofarsenic: MLK

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:40:47 -0400

thecookiefullofarsenic:

MLK

blackmanonthemoon: Samo/ Basquiat

Tue, 28 May 2013 22:04:30 -0400

blackmanonthemoon:

Samo/ Basquiat

Photo

Tue, 28 May 2013 19:50:33 -0400

"I remember when my niece, Toni, was a newborn. I’d babysit her and sometimes she’d cry, like babies..."

Tue, 28 May 2013 19:01:37 -0400

“

I remember when my niece, Toni, was a newborn.
I’d babysit her and sometimes she’d cry, like babies do.

Nine times out of ten I could solve the problem, I could figure it out, but

…sometimes when I’m walking along the street and a shaft of sunlight falls in a certain way across the pavement…and I just want to cry.

And a second later, it’s over.

And I decide, because I’m an adult, to not succumb to the momentary melancholy and I had that sometimes with Toni.

She just had a moment like that.

A moment of not knowing how, or why, and she just let herself go into it. And there was nothing anyone could do to make it any better — it was just her, and the fact of being alive, colliding.

”

- Margot - Take This Waltz (one of the best movies this yr imo)

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Fri, 24 May 2013 00:36:07 -0400

acookiefullofarsenic: You fuckin’ varmint. Dance!

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:11:24 -0400

acookiefullofarsenic:

You fuckin’ varmint. Dance!

"Every little glance my way Every time you wanted to hang You seemed so interested Could you tell..."

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:31:35 -0400

“

Every little glance my way
Every time you wanted to hang
You seemed so interested
Could you tell me…
was it real or was it all in my head

Was it real or was it all in my head

”

- In My Head - Tori Kelly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTrb92wmLTU

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Mon, 20 May 2013 22:02:47 -0400

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Mon, 20 May 2013 17:50:43 -0400

thehappyprojectblog: Happiness is focusing all your energy on...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:23:34 -0400

thehappyprojectblog:

Happiness is focusing all your energy on building the new.

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Sat, 18 May 2013 00:40:02 -0400

Photo

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:07:29 -0400

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Sun, 12 May 2013 22:18:35 -0400

you can only deny the truth but so long. happiness is always...

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:19:46 -0400

you can only deny the truth but so long.

happiness is always the answer.

"Now while he stands tough notice that this man did not have his hands up This Free World got you..."

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:42:10 -0400

“

Now while he stands tough
notice that this man did not have his hands up

This Free World got you gassed up
now who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?

1… 2… 3 and to the 4
1pac, 2pac, 3pac, 4
4pac, 3pac, 2pac, 1
You’re pac, he’s pac
no pacs

none

This guy ain’t no mother-fuckin MC
I know everything he’s bout to say against me

I am white
I am a fuckin’ bum
I do live in a trailer with my mom

My boy Future is an Uncle Tom
I do got a dumb friend named Cheddar Bob
who shoots himself-in the leg-with his own gun

I did get jumped by all 6 of you chumps

And Wink did fuck my girl
I’m still standin here screamin’
“FUCK THE FREE WORLD!”

Don’t never try and judge me dude

You don’t know what the fuck i’ve been through

”

- Eminem - 8 Mile freestyles

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Mon, 06 May 2013 01:56:22 -0400

gsfsoul: smokin weed in bambu sippin on private stock

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:25:33 -0400

gsfsoul:

smokin weed in bambu sippin on private stock