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Lyrical Lesson 7/29/10

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:57:00 -0400

"Read a couple books, my vocabulary stretched. I think it's time now to put my seeds in the dirt" - Rapper Big Pooh/Delightful Bars/On the Real

*Sorry, I couldn't find a visual for this song*

Growing Old

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:31:00 -0400

In a post over at allhiphop.com, Seandra Sims writes about an emerging genre of Hip Hop. Adult Contemporary Hip Hop is the genre’s current name. I’ll refer to it as gettingrown music. Gettingrown(ACHH) is defined as rap infused with content relevant to a mature listening audience. This definition could also read music about something for an audience that’s about something(or at least making an effort to be about something.) At this point I’m unsure how I feel about the need for a new sub genre within Hip Hop but I can’t run from the idea that some separation was needed. Not only to identify the differences in the music but also to identify some of the core differences in the audience.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always been drawn to the type of Hip Hop that addressed topics in a generally positive and progressive manner. I’ve never been interested in dwelling on unfavorable circumstances, championing violence, degrading women or senseless acts of nonsense. This doesn’t mean that I haven’t listened to or even purchased music with many of these characteristics. I understand the hypocrisy and I’m okay with it. There is a place for music preoccupied with the ills of the world and glorification of pain and suffering. That place should occupy a small portion not the whole.

Just because gettingrown(ACHH) music has been defined doesn’t mean that it’s viable or durable. In order for ACHH to become those things, the mature listening audience has to show artist’s support by buying their music. We have to stand up and support or preferred brand of Hip Hop. We must demand that the artists we favor always put something good into the music. So as to facilitate growth among the artist him or herself and the listeners.

Maybe the moniker ACHH wont stick? Maybe there isn’t a need for a separate genre? No matter the answer to those questions it is clearly recognizable that something pioneering needs to happen in Hip Hop music and culture. The stakes are too high for Hip Hop to continue not being used as a primary source of hope, encouragement, motivation, self-determination...and the list of positives go on and on. In the allhiphop.com post Ms. Sims interviews Dres from BlackSheep. He had this to say “we’ve got all of these millionaires and hundreds of thousandaires that would rather spend in the name of shining...ACHH is an opportunity for us to make Hip Hop what it’s supposed to be...something that’s very self-sufficient and empowering.”

Peace. Power.

For The Kids

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:39:00 -0400

West Virginia? Who knew Hip Hop could be found all the way in WV? I thought all the black folks followed Da’Sean Butler on out of town. I kid. I live in Ohio, there isn’t alot I can brag about in terms of a Hip Hop scene. The thing is over in WV they just kicked of the 4-H Hip Hop Camp at WV State University. The Hip Hop Camp focuses on Hip Hop tradition. Panel discussions ensue. Local artists speak about their experiences. At the WV State University camp, legend Nikki Giovanni was in attendance supporting Hip Hop.

The campgoers, mostly High School students talked to the panel about old school vs new school, violence, media’s impact and the future of Hip Hop. General topics that the average Hip Hop head talks about with friends. The panel talked about some of the lyrics in Hip Hop and advised that the campgoers not try to live out every word they hear in a Hip Hop song. Sound advice and because the lyrics in mainstream Hip Hop are often useless, I’ll have to agree with not doing anything they say in those songs. However, there are endless artists who provide valuable knowledge within their lyrics. I just happen to feature some of those with the Lyrical Lesson. The camp will continue thru Thursday. Hopefully the kids at the camp will embrace the messages shared by the likes of Nikki Giovanni.

Recognition for this side of Hip Hop is supremely inadequate. The voice of encouragement and promotion for events like this should be deafening. Both young and old within Hip Hop need to know that Hip Hop is working in positive ways, even if they can’t always see it. Anytime people are served Hip Hop in ways that promote growth it’s a win-win situation. Hip Hop begins to fight back against those that slander it’s name and the people leave motivated and encouraged. Endless cycles of motivation and encouragement should take the place of endless cycles of violence. If camps can begin to garner some spotlight artists will run to them. Which means kids will run to them. Which means more and more kids are involved in Hip Hop for things that are productive and enrich their present and futures.

I’ll be on the look-out for events such as these. Offering my take on them and encouraging people to use Hip Hop as a means to change the world for the better.

Peace. Power.

Lyrical Lesson 7/28/10

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:20:00 -0400

"The devil laughing when you lazy, man get off your ass. A talent don't mean nothing without all the practice" - Reflection Eternal/RPM/In This World

Lyrical Lesson 7/27/10

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:37:00 -0400

"I realized I'm supposed to reach for the skies. Never let somebody try to tell you otherwise" - Roots/How I Got Over/The Fire

Lyrical Lesson 7/26/10

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:20:00 -0400

I'm shining simply because mother earth I am yo sun(son)" - Outkast/Stankonia/Slum Beautiful

More From Murs

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:32:00 -0400

This is a dope interview with Murs. I’ve made a couple of posts about Murs so it’s no surprise I’m a fan. Watching this interview forced me to write. If for no other reason than to express my appreciation. I always take something positive away from the music Murs makes, and this interview encourages me to continue doing so.

During the interview Murs addresses questions like a man. He’s unapologetically honest and very comfortable with who he is and what he represents. Murs has managed to create a niche for himself that encourages honesty, peace and love among other things. He’s comfortable there because his image isn’t an act. Yes, he’s an entertainer by definition but he’s not allowed that definition to define him. Murs is showing his fans the true possibilities of hard work, dedication and commitment. Hard work is a topic of little consequence in your average rap cat’s catalog. But it’s what Murs and his fans represent. Their collective experiences could summed up in a definition for hard work.

Murs show us that independence can work. It is achievable. And not only is it achievable but it’s most certainly within reach. The representation of Hip Hop that Murs provides speaks to me. The manner in which his rhymes almost always relay a positive message is something I try to duplicate in my everyday life. It’s a goal everyone should share. Murs gives fans the power to be different. To be bold and confident but always respectful. The example he sets brings life into perspective. None of the extra shit that Hip Hop often offers, just life. He and his fans have a different focus. Their expectations are different. Not always better just different. Murs allows us this freedom.

Inclusion is something Hip Hop in general lacks. Murs has it in abundance. Differences don’t matter in the space that Murs occupies as a human being. The interview illustrates how we all can make being inclusive a part of our mission. The confirmation of character this interview provides, encourages me to keep moving forward with the mission of HHHD. It suggests to me that the mission of helping people is worth while and something Hip Hop can be a proud part of.

Peace. Power.

Thanks, Mr. West

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:21:00 -0400

Several days ago on Twitter Mr. Cornel West said that Hip Hop was the most powerful cultural force in the world. Again, Cornel West said Hip Hop. Powerful. Cultural. Force. WORLD. His assertion isn’t new to me. He mentioned something like this in his book ‘Hope On A Tightrope’. I was inspired then. I am inspired now.

We shouldn’t take these words of Mr. West lightly. We shouldn’t take any of his words lightly, especially those directed at us like a laser. An elder has given us license to be great. An elder has acknowledged our potential. Mr. West has shown us great respect with such a wonderful statement about Hip Hop. He has, without saying so directly, given us the green light to change this world and make it what we want it to be. He’s given us the go-ahead to take control of our own destiny. Mr. West, with this statement, has removed any and all barriers, perceived and otherwise, from our journey. The ball has been passed to us. No strings attached...

Now...what is we gon do? Are we ready to handle the rock? Do we handle it with the fundamental precision of the three point stance or are we strictly street ball with it? Can we shoot, pass or dribble? Or just shoot? What is our objective going to be? How will we choose to use our power? Do we even understand the power of being the most powerful cultural force on earth?

Mr. West don’t just post shit to Twitter for shits and giggles. He posted this statement because it is what he believes. We may not have needed his vote of confidence but it doesn’t hurt. And from my perspective Hip Hop wasn’t all that confident in it’s ability to have a positive global impact at any time prior to this statement by Mr. West.

Hip Hop has fumbled around with the responsibility to it’s people for 15+ years. Trying to find success in a world full of false successes. Trying to make money in a business full of leaches and vultures. Trying to reach an audience willing to pay but unwilling to compromise their true selves. White kids with enough discretionary income to purchase Hip Hop CD’s and enough sense to leave the shit rappers talk about to the people rappers talk about. Leaving the Hip Hop community to prove to those white kids that what these dudes say in their rhymes is real.

Instead of showing the world how powerful our positive influence can be we’ve chosen, in large part, to show the world how out of control our ego’s could get. We’ve chosen to show the world how despicable we are to one another. We’ve chosen to give the world a perspective that revolves around one thing and one thing only...money.

Our influence on the world hasn’t brought about any sweeping social change. Our influence hasn’t fostered any global opposition to poverty or hunger. On our watch more of us are in prison than ever. The drop-out rate amongst us is insane. Preventable illnesses continue to take our lives in great numbers. While we’ve been kicking the ball around the court our families have crumbled. The children we say Hip Hop is intended for are going to inherit an earth we’ve done little to better.

Hip Hop has to be in control of Hip Hop. We’ve got to watch what we say, how we act and the images we show to ourselves and the world. The game has changed. We have power. Power to do good, power to influence positive change amongst our people and people all over the world. That’s worth more than any earthly possession. Maybe we’ll realize it sooner than later.

Peace. Power.

Lyrical Lesson 7/23/10

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:44:00 -0400

The truth is the only thing you can never be striped of. And if we commit to that truth we could end the infinitely vicious cycle affecting out youth today...if you just stop lyin" - Big Boi/Sir Lucious Leftfoot.../General Patton

Lyrical Lesson 7/22/10

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:16:00 -0400

"You can deny the lie but you can't deny the truth" - Outkast/Aquemini/Y'all Scared