You ain’t the only one. There comes a time when every “blogger” seems to hang it up for a while, call it a right of passage. And while most hang it up on average after 30 to 70 posts, I took a temporary hiatus after less than 10 (What Can I Say? I’m quick on the uptake).

This break time wasn’t spent in vain however. I’ve done some research, watched my fair share of porn, downloaded and uploaded my fair share of files, watched videos and saved favorites, edited and reedited my buddy list, checked all my myspace bulletins, watched anime, read sports blogs that give me hope for The Jets season, seen Greenbay, Dallas and the 49’ers start their season 2 and 0 like it’s 1995. Listened to music that reminded me it aint 95′, and even saw Saigon snuff prodigy. Some would think I’ve seen the end of the internet, however my thesis is slightly different. Walk with me.

Me and all my online social cohorts are for the most part stemmed in Hip Hop. While our eccentricities in taste vary from subject to subject, the foundation of our interest is primarily built on the 4 pillars of Hip Hop. And even though there are 4 pillars, The most influential is of course the music.

Yet my boredom doesn’t stem from the culture itself, but the driving force behind the culture. The music is stagnant. You know it if you listen to music and don’t just skim through it. From tired radio shows, to wacktastic non concept singles, the music is contrived, uninspired and boring. Sure I want to superman that ho on occasion, but that latest offering from the RIAA cookie cutter music factory is the last in whats been a 5 year long line of what can be defined as a clear decline in the “art” of this music.

I mean lets call a spade a spade, calling Hip Hop in any sense “art” needs to be done with a grain of salt. Even during the last golden era I can recall, songs ranging from Gin and Juice, All about The Benjamins, Big Pimpin, I’m not a player (I just fuck a lot), Oochie Wally (however the fuck you spell it) and stand outs like that, remind us that the visual part of the music was far from magnificent. Sure it may have captured a bravado and a time frame, but it labels the culture to those who don’t understand it. Now there are also songs that are truly masterworks of lyricism, wordplay and sentiment that capture the feel of angst, joy, struggle and the will to succeed in as many as 48 bars. Such as Things Done Changed, Black Girl Lost and I Gave You Power, You Must Love Me, So Ghetto, Soon You’ll Understand, Heart of The City and so on. (Yea no links, Go do some research if you don’t know these songs. Also this isn’t a definitive list, but this speaks to my experience) So while the songs I mentioned before get mentioned by the racist media whore mongers such as Bill O’ Reilly, songs like the latter get glossed over.

The reason I say calling Hip Hop music an art must be done with a grain of salt is simple. In no other Genre are fans more concerned with an artists status, business moves and personal wealth than Hip Hop. We’ve all done it. Shit look at the recent industry manufactured drama that was the Kanye West, 50 Cent fiasco. What they packaged it as was Good vs. Evil. New vs. Old. Gangsta vs. Backpack. When it was really Them (the recording industry) Vs. Us. The hype was played up on the blogs, websites and yes even magazines (the magazines that didn’t shut down anyway) and everyone was happy. Consumers felt significant again because “their vote mattered”. The reality I saw however was a wool and it was being pulled over the eyes of the sheep. Talk about dramatic irony.

In no other genre of music do average joes care so much about the business side of it than Hip Hop. And while some artists like 9th wonder can complain about it and random bloggers can agree with what he is saying vehemently. It’s the mentality of Hip Hop. The struggle out of the hustle and grind to affluence and shine. By no means am I saying 9th is part of the whole pissing contest when it comes to status, but he’s part of the culture and he should understand that comes with the territory. On the flipside though, do I wanna hear my local barber talkin about why Nas is wacker than Jay because he doesn’t have a clothing line or 500 million in the bank. Fuck No. Just cut my goddamn hair.

When it comes down to it the climate of music, or rather the stagnant nature of music, has driven the overall conscious of Hip Hop down. From shows like Hot Ghetto Mess to radio morning shows that are a hot ghetto mess, to programing like VH1’s I Love NY, it all comes back to the music that made these ideologies popular and acceptable on a mainstream scale. Few are the voices that ring out with true sentiment.

Here is one of the few thats Kept it 100.

Star and Buc.. Ask about em.

My lil break was cool in more ways than one. It gave me a hot minute to think about shit and really wonder why I would even take time out to “blog”. While there are several answers, the one that applies is “Why the fuck not”.

The cover you see above is, to the best of my knowledge, Mr. Curtis Jackson’s first cover period. He might have gotten a feature for getting shot 9 times elsewhere, but this was about the artist, not the incident per say. Now time for some real talk.I knew who 50 cent was from his video here..

I thought the homie was from Brooklyn, and this track was dope at the time. Plus the fact he filmed most of it near my hood made me somewhat of an instant fan. The one liners were witty.. he repped NY properly. Shit was tight. So his buzz quiets down for a lil bit, (due to what everyone now knows as the 9 shots heard round south side) and I forget bout homie.. Then I hear Em who comes off of the monster smash The Marshall Mathers LP and Dre, a legend in his own right, sign 50 to a million dollar deal, which was unheard of at the time for a new artist. I got the assignment and did some research being he has been off my radar since that rowdy rowdy video. We met at the interscope offices and 50 walks in with an entourage of 6’7″ 325lbs dudes. Now I aint exactly Prince when it comes to stature, but damn he coulda played runnin back for the Jets behind that line.

What stands out is as we get the photos done after the interview is over so the photographer would have time to set up lighting etc. the photog asks 50 to climb out the window on the ledge. I thought damn homie, why you gonna ask this dude to go and do that, but 50 did it no problem, the interior shots of the issue were crazy (i don’t have them here) and it’s funny cause 50 remembered me 2 years later when I did the pre massacre interview as the dudes who made him climb out of the window. Anyway

When we were in the conference room instead of having his whole entourage en tow(ex. Jada, Cam,) 50 requests everyone leaves and it’s just me and him havin a conversation. Interscope tv’s playin videos in the back, and we kick some small talk before I get into the heart of the questions. I realized then 50 was a cool, intelligent dude and every move is calculated. To give you the context when this was conducted… pre GRODT, so this is pre 11 million sold 50. This is also one of my earlier assignments, I only discovered it on a 3.5″ floppy after looking for some old photos. Without Further Ado..

Trying To Make A Dollar Out Of 50 Cent

“ I run this city!” yells the South Jamaica Queens born and bred rapper 50 Cent, while on the roof top ledge of the Interscope office building in midtown Manhattan. Wrapping up a photo shoot promoting his new album “Get Rich or Die Trying” set for early release February 6th, the self proclaimed ruler surveys his alleged kingdom with a quick glance. Seeing the backdrop of the city visible under his outstretched arms you begin to wonder if this cat’s serious, or seriously joking. With the dust barely settled from the battle between Jay-Z and Nas for the New York Crown, does he honestly think he can lay claim to the once and again most prominent skyline in the world as his own? That remains to be seen. Sometimes 50’s harder to read than subway maps circa 1978 yet that half smile lets you know he’s playing around. It is true though that many a truth is said in jest. One thing’s for certain though, whether or not he can call the skyline his own, the streets have already crowned him king.

The Legend

“I never really took rap serious till I was blessed with the opportunity to work with Jam Master Jay” says a more somber 50 thinking back on the fallen rap legend’s influence on his career. “The first time I ever made a song was with Jay. He helped me with my start, my style and my song structure. What I say and the way I am is because of who I am. But Jay did help me.” Because of this history it’s understandable why Jam Master Jay’s unfortunate passing hit a lot closer to home with 50 than with most of us. Though you couldn’t tell by his demeanor you get the sense that 50’s acceptance of such events simply comes with the environment he grew up in. He realizes you always got to look ahead. Jay was there in the beginning, but eventually they’d part ways. “Things come up. We all have our own agendas and Jay was being overwhelmed with his touring schedule by being a part of Run DMC. He wasn’t able to focus on me at the time so I had to move forward.”

The Deal

Through the contacts he made while running with Jam Master Jay 50 was able to work out a deal with Columbia through Trackmasters. It isn’t a myth that most new artists, hungry to get signed, end up in bad deals and 50’s was no exception. “That deal wasn’t a great deal. Even with the Jay deal I never received anything outside of lessons on how to make records and what’s hot and what’s not.” Things at Columbia played a bit different. “The Columbia deal probably was like $250,000. I got $65,000 in advance. They negotiated a $50,000 release with Jam Master Jay and $10,000 went to attorneys. That left me with $5,000 dollars. I was back selling crack. So it was like through the whole first album I was still grinding.” That first album he’s referring to is of course “The Power of the Dollar”. It’s hard to understand how a deal with a major label could leave the artist with 5 g’s. That money, obviously not being enough to change his situation, meant he was still on the block while recording and the hood influence showed heavily. “I kinda put the hood in a nutshell. I thought most of the things that go on in the hood were financially driven.” That mentality fueled songs such as “How to Rob”, “Gun Runner” and “As the World Turns”. His effort to convey the harsh realities of his life through his music ironically led to the end of his involvement with Columbia.

The Shooting

Looking at Columbia’s roster of artists with such acts as Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand and Destiny’s Child I’m sure they don’t normally deal with their artists getting shot. This event changed the way they dealt with 50. “I got shot. After I got shot I fell back. First I called back like wassup I’m ready to work. They ain’t have no answers for me so I fell back hoping they would drop the project and it kinda faded.” With the album never released due to heavy bootlegging and Columbia’s reluctance dealing with a potential liability coupled with the label’s wavering confidence in their new star, the deal fizzled out. Suddenly it was back to square 1 for 50.

The Mix Tape King

So 50’s lost his major label vehicle and his career is on hold. What does he do to get back in the public’s eye? “I worked the street. You got to use what you have access to. The way I capitalized with mixed tapes I don’t think anyone is going to receive the same response I received.” He may be right. He’s the only artist I know with two “Best of” mixed tape CD’s circulating underground. 50 launched a marketing campaign comparable to a campaign a major label would put together. This tactic solidified his “street credibility” and you get the idea this kid from Queens got a business sense to match his verbal capabilities. Slowly coming back from obscurity to become the people’s choice Emcee 50 stepped up his game and majors were checking once again for that cat who thought nobody liked him.

Shady/Aftermath

With mixed tape CD’s in heavy rotation and the buzz hitting a fever pitch only time would tell where he’d be signing and for how much. With deals on the table from Universal, Warner Bros., Jive, J Records and Capitol just to name a few, options were more than wide open. Though one unlikely option presented itself soon enough. “My attorney, Theo Stedmire and Paul Rosenburg, who represents Eminem, had a relationship. They got a chance to communicate and he gave Paul a CD. ‘Guess Who’s Back’ one of the mixed CD’s I put out. At the time he was in the middle of finishing up ‘The Eminem Show’ so when you in the zone you can’t really stop what you doing to do some other shit. His album came out and did 1.3 million his first week. Then he decided to listen to it. He told Paul ‘I got to do this’. They flew me out to Los Angeles on Friday night to talk.” 50 felt it was strange to go on a Friday considering when people normally talk business it’s Monday through Friday 9 to 5, but didn’t think much of it. With all the aforementioned deals, if nothing came from this trip to Cali then that would be that. Ultimately that wouldn’t be it. “When we sat and communicated with each other I knew that’s where I wanted to be.” He felt “Creatively I wouldn’t be censored. Dr. Dre, he’s from N.W.A. so he got to understand and Eminem’s music speaks for itself so I’m like this ain’t a bad idea.” “Then the fact that 1 million dollars came into play” didn’t hurt either. So understand that raps top selling artist and greatest producer decided to go “50/50 on 50”. This sent shock waves through the industry and 50’s stock soared. “You don’t have a lot of leaders in this business. When [Dre and Em] decided they were interested in 50 cent…the numbers the other companies were offering skyrocketed. Some offered 1.6 million. When those offers got that high I was like nah I need to go back to that situation.” So with that decision 50 cent became the flagship artist for Shady/Aftermath and became the guy between Eminem and Dr. Dre. With the star power, clout, experience and mainstream credibility that duo added to 50’s arsenal, he went from King of the streets to buzzworthy on MTV. That’s something usually beyond the reach of strictly street certified rappers. The hit ‘8 Mile’ soundtrack single Wanksta, a blatant jibe at Ja Rule, in heavy video and radio rotation led to 50 breaching that mainstream market all artists want, but he kept his street credibility. Maybe it’s the work ethic at Shady/Aftermath that keeps 50 on his toes. “It’s a competition. You got to understand that my pressure is being in between Eminem and Dr. Dre. Em’s so talented it becomes frustrating. When you got a guy whose second LP sells 16 million copies and his first film does 54.5 million in its first two days. When those numbers are being put up and his energy is exactly the same, like he’s still hungry, you realize the kids phenomenal. He has a real love for the music.” That level of success attracts attention both positive and negative with one detractor markedly taking shots at the entire label roster except 50. Is this highly publicized drama lyrical or literal?

Benzino

“Em doesn’t have a beef with anybody” comment’s 50 when asked about all the shots being taken at his new boss. Though he admits to feeling a little left out. “Lyrically [he’s] been running around, running from me. On the records he is clearly saying ‘50 I don’t want it’. If he was inviting me I should have been on the same boat as D12, Obie Trice, he took a shot at everyone but me. His approach is from the hood standpoint, that’s where I’m strongest at. There’s nobody stronger than me in the hood right now musically. If you’re going to come at Em and be like ‘you the white boy that’s ruining Hip Hop’ and you’re representing the hood, how do you go at the kid that is the most popular rap artist in the hood? Then you move yourself into a space where you look like a damn fool, a real idiot, cause you have no grounds.” 50’s point is valid, basically saying streets need to match with streets. Buzzworthy clips and number one radio spots not withstanding. Like I said before though, success attracts both positive and negative energy.

Ja Rule

“With Ja, it bothers him to see me do so good.” This beef stems from what seems to be a simple misunderstanding the way 50 tells it. “He got robbed. A friend of mine robbed him. I call the guy a friend cause I grew up with him. It’s not a person that I always fuck with, kick it with and shit like that. Son got robbed. Seen the kid that robbed him, didn’t do nothing, but afterwards carried me different cause he seen me kicking it with the kid.” Verbal exchanges have been made numerous times between the two. In situations like that, you can’t take words to heart. “A rapper will get in your face and say anything to you because you rap too. He’ll get in your face and say his rhyme, what ever he wrote and say it with confidence like he means it. Say some shit to you and ain’t been going through none of the shit he talking about. On the other end of that is myself. I’m hustling and I’ve experienced all of that shit that you hear. So I’m listening and I’m looking at them like ‘I don’t believe you’. Until I see something about him that makes me believe that’s a part of his character, he’s lying.” Evidently with no love lost between the two it seems nothing to cut ties and move on. Though he has had several strained relationship in the industry, he always seems to keep it moving forward.

Nas

50 and Nas had their shares of ups and downs in their industry lifetimes. According to 50, Nas saw a younger version of himself in 50 cent and invited him to join the Nastradamus tour. “Nas is a guy who says ‘50 you should come with me. You remind me of when Illmatic came out. The way everybody talking about you is kind of how they were talking about me when my record came out.’ He did show me things because I did go to markets I wouldn’t have been to because I hadn’t gone on tour before.” Perhaps it was this history between them that led Nas to recently comment that 50 was his protégé. 50 disagreed. “Hell no I’m not his protégé! I don’t think you can call someone a protégé unless you help put [that person] together, unless you help create that person. Jam Master Jay could call me a protégé cause he was at the beginning of my career.” “He is a great lyricist, a great writer, but his actions confuse the fuck out of me. Even his deal making, when he makes a deal I have no understanding of why someone would even be interested in making the deals he decides to try and make.” “And the things that he says, like he goes to radio and he says he just wishes him and [Jay-Z] and me and Ja and everybody would stop beefing, that we should all go do just one big tour. Saying that shit is like saying I just wish there was no violence in the world.” Maybe there are more underlying issues here than 50 chooses to reveal, but he claims, “I don’t have nothing negative to say about him, but I’m just not fucking with him. I’m not comfortable with not knowing who a nigga is and having him around me. It’s hard to tell how a nigga’s going to react in certain situations when just dealing with your homies regular, but this guy is out there so far already that fucking with him would make you look like a damn fool for associating yourself with someone that’s so unpredictable. He just contradicts himself.” 50’s sentiments can be better understood when you consider the “war” Nas waged on the industry and almost everyone involved a few months ago citing everyone from radio stations to fellow rappers as the problem. Nas later revealed that his mental state, with the passing of his mother being a factor, slipped a little and he acted out of character. It seems that 50 and Nas have to have a few words to clear the air, but eventually things will be straightened out. For now however, 50 keeps it moving.

G-G-G-G-Unit!!!

“G-Unit is my record label. It’s going to be what Shady records is.” Another artist with another label huh? In cases when the artist wants to play CEO they normally go back to the block and sign everyone and their mother to non-lucrative deals that go nowhere. In most cases the label is only an extension of the artist’s ego, so what makes 50’s G-Unit different? “I signed Loyd Banks and Tony Yayo, That’s who you hear on the tapes. With me collectively they make G-Unit. I didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew. I don’t want to have 100 artists signed to a label. I want to be able to focus and make what I think can work, work right now. We go to work now, not a year from now. That’s what happens on a major [label]. You have to have your moment. You have to create a momentum and have people focused and maintain that focus till the release of your record.” It’s all about focus with 50. Already proven to be a capable marketer, his business sense shines through. “I established [G-Unit] last year, but we’re still in negotiations. I think…it will be more effective for me to finalize my deal…after my first week of sales.” says 50 grinning, like he has the answers to the final exam a week before the test. With the game mapped out things should pop off without a hinge right?

The Charges

“I find myself in the middle of some shit.” It’s almost as if 50 expects the drama to keep coming. Soon after this interview 50 got caught up in “some shit”, more specifically gun charges. It was reported that 50 cent a.k.a. Curtis Jackson along with Loyd Banks a.k.a. Christopher Loyd, Tony Yayo a.k.a. Jean Benard and Timothy Bonaparte were charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. On his way to perform at a pre New Years Eve event at a Manhattan nightclub, 50 and his entourage were approached by police officers in an unmarked taxicab. They then directed the black, bullet proof SUV 50 was in to pull up around the corner. Upon inspection of the vehicle they allegedly found a .25 caliber semi automatic pistol and a .45 caliber semi automatic pistol. The 2 guns reportedly belonged to 50’s two bodyguards, who are indeed licensed to carry firearms due to their profession. Bonaparte, who is also a bounty hunter, claimed the .25 caliber gun was taken from a bail jumper he had pursued. The .45 caliber gun reportedly belonged to Dream J. Robinson, who had exited the vehicle before the search took place. The way the story was played out in the media, it seemed there was some serious foul play going on, when all that transpired was some Bill O’Reilly style police work. They never did state for what purpose the vehicle was initially stopped. Just another day in the life of 50 huh? Remember that success attracts both positive and negative energy.

Inner/Outer Demons

Thus far it seems the aforementioned charges are nothing more that a new link in a string of bad situations. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time or something along those lines. It’s not like he seeks these situations out “I’m not a thrill seeker. I don’t do things for no reason. I seen so many altercations and situations with me being involved either by name or actually physically being involved in [it]. It may lead some people to believe that I just like it. I’m comfortable with it. It’s a part of my life almost. Though it’s not like I wake up in the morning and say “Imma start some shit today”. Normally a label would shy away from someone seemingly so prone to such “altercations”, but Shady/Aftermath isn’t your typical label. Em and Dre have their own history with the law and understand how minor situations become major with a little media help. So if anyone can relate, they can. 50’s lawyer, Robert Kalina, proclaimed his client’s innocence concerning the matter. Based on the information available it seems 50 will leave this “situation” unscathed, less some legal fees. Law of averages suggests that perhaps next time he won’t be so lucky. So far 50’s been able to survive shootings, bad deals and the streets to become their chief representative. Though the old aphorism “art imitates life” and vice versa holds true. Will the inspiration for 50’s gift prove to be his curse? Who knows? Though as of now it’s evident. The only one with the power to stop 50, is 50.

Lookin back… I think my writing was still tight back then. And shiet… 50 changed the face of the game, so apparently 50 never got in his own way.

I tried to stay away from this all day today. I was hoping the current events in popular culture would be enough of a distraction from what today obviously remains to be, and for the most part they were. Yet around 11:30 I was on my way home taking the BQE which travels by Brooklyn Heights, which is right across the East River from lower Manhattan and I saw the tribute lights. Seems I was unsuccessful in my endeavor this day…

Cinema can relate emotion and sentiment better than any medium and Spike Lee is a master at his craft. In case you are unsure of what the video I posted is, it’s the opening sequence to The 25th Hour. An excellent movie based on the plot alone. Spike Lee however, decided to make the 9/11 tragedy a silent character ever present in the back drop, thus placing his stamp and marking a cities sentiment in time through film.

I was asleep on that morning 6 years ago, when I heard my sister say that a plane struck the twin towers. I thought she was being stupid, especially being that she was up at 8am, which was a rarity both then and now, so I decided to flip on the news to see what she was talking about. All the channels were down. I then ran up the ladder to the roof top where I had a close, clear city view, being I am from Williamsburg. What I saw that day I watched in utter disbelief. I need not go into the visuals of it all, being that it was seen around the world, but seeing it in person had so much more of an impact than any newscast could convey.

I lived in Williamsburg since birth and have always meant to take photos of the skyline, with the monumental twin towers at the centerpiece of my photo essay. It took me 20 years to finally follow through with my intention. I took a series of photos on September 7th 2001. I remember circulating them afterward online via AOL chatrooms as a comfort to New Yorkers who missed what security those towers represented.

Regardless of who you believe was responsible for that tragedy, the fact remains that is was indeed a tragic event. So 6 years later on a leasurley drive down the BQE, when I notice the tribute lights, It still tugs at my heart to this day. So I came to share my brief experience with those who can identify, and those who can’t.

So much has been made of this “showdown” and I for one decided to throw my 2 cents in at the 25th hour. Hood music vs. G.o.o.d. Music (Applaud that title by the way) is supposed to be the revitalizing jolt the RIAA needed. Kanye and 50 stans aside I couldn’t care less about this shit, but see my prediction of the winner after the jump.

I think this picture speaks for itself. Kanye should win this showdown handily. Will it usher in a new era for retail music? Fuck No. Does it affect me in any shape, form or fashion? Nah not really. Is it good for Hip Hop? I suppose. Will I be copping either album? Nahhhh B. While I can appreciate all the hype that’s been surrounding this, I am unmoved generally. First off Hood music is a bit inaccurate, when you have cuts on there with J.T. and Robin Thick (nh) The hood ain’t really riding with that. Even though I Get Money was a big look, it pales in comparison to his other singles.

And while Kanye is an adept rapper, who is lyrical in a subtle manner. His biggest hit thus far off this album is yet another remake. Daft Punk Stand Up. His sample selecting skills are off kilter which gives him his unique sound production wise, but I can’t place him anywhere near the top producers because adding a 2-1 drum pattern to what is essentially an unmodified sample doesn’t scream super producer to me. It’s still good music, but I expect more from my beatsmiths personally. BTW The most overhyped producer in this day and age is Will I Am.

In Conclusion, Kanye will massacre 50 in sales, Until interscope initiates a buy back to shore up the numbers. I still aint buyin shit though. Imma wait for the alleged Nas album later this year. At least today has a different feel than it did in the past 5 years, so if I can’t truly appreciate the music, I welcome the distraction.

EDIT: Big Brother is a damn good track of the Ye album.

It’s evident this was the summer of the sequel, prequel or trilogy, and while we may marvel at the cinematic masterpiece that was the summer of 07′, here is a look back at some sequels that should have been left on the cutting room floor.

Ok. So I know this is a parody, but c’mon. This storied franchise which spawned scary movie 1 (The highest grossing black made film ever) and scary movie 2, took a sharp nose dive after The Wayans Bros. discontinued involvement following the second installment. While the third film was funny in the leslie nielsen sort of way, (Think the naked gun series) Part 4 clearly said “Fuck it… we made cake the last three times, people will go see the movie based off the name alone” I think that much was evident when the supporting cast included DR. Phil and Shaq, (Scary movie 4 made Kazaam look like citizen muthafuckin kane btw). I sadly.. wasted 2 hours of my life one night watching this celluloid shit storm on DVD. Aside from being contrived, wack and basically unimaginative, the main character (Chick with the blond hair) got collagen injected in her lips, which I thought at first was part of the comedic plot, but then realized the movie wasn’t nearly that clever.

The sad shit is… scary movie 5 is slated for 08′ and will in all likelyness be a smashing success.

Now it might seem late in a franchise for the 5th movie to have jumped the shark, but dammit I thought Rocky’s 1-4 were excellent!! Imma get into the plot a little bit, but eff a spoiler because if you haven’t seen Rocky 1-5 by now, you’re not gonna. Unless you get caught up in one of those late night TBS marathons where they play all the Rocky’s back to back, but I digress. End Rocky 4, our hero Rocky Balboa just defeated the russian giant Ivan Drago and should be on top of the world.. his slut monkey wife finally believes he can win 3 seconds before he knocks drago down for the count, his kid is proud of him, america loves him and Rocky single handedly healed the rift that was The Cold War in one night of fighting. Fade to black.

Fade in and Rocky 5 is a fuck fest of catastrophic proportions. First of all The fat bastard drunk low life Paulie somehow loses all the money, they move back home to the mean streets of philly and Rocky is havin a hard time holdin a job at a slaughterhouse or wherever the fuck he was. Enter tommy guns blah blah rocky helps him to the top (no homo) blah blah, he betrays rocky blah blah. They fight, in the street.. in a street fight.. that happens to get aired on local network television. The only highlights from this flick was that E from Entourage fucked up Rocky’s bastard son and Rocky uppercuts the don king like character in the movie, but the shit has no resolution, because they are still piss poor come the roll credits. Oh wait… the resolution was pride. Fuck pride.. it wont get you a sweet lambo or talking robot like you had in part 4 homie.

Oddly enough The 6th installment Rocky 6, made up for 5’s short comings.

Ok.. The Leprechaun series. Now I could have gone with “Leprechaun goes to space” or “Leprechaun goes to the hood” but I decided to go with the Sequel within a sextuple set, which translates to some new kind of movie lingo, the sexquel. “Leprechaun Back 2 Tha Hood” Now mind you, the effort someone in marketing put into the name selection. Back 2 Tha hood, identifies with me and people like me because we frum da hood ya dig. But on a more curious note. Why did he go back to the hood? apparently this sequel within a sextuple set series takes place before the 4th installment where he goes to space. If you try breakin the shit down, you’re gonna give yourself an aneurysm. The point is based on the premise, the title and the fact that this is a sequel to part 5, all signs point to this being the worst movie ever… Or more correctly put… worst movie ever to see while not high or sober, since people have alluded this shit is the truth when you’re high as a kite. Though I think anything short of me injecting a speedball directly into my medulla will help me enjoy this film. Maybe if they set it in bed stuy instead of compton. either way.

Yea this is a short list, but the amount of shitty films released would make the RIAA seem like they consistently put out auditory gold by comparison. Here are some that would have made the list had I more time to write.

WhiteNoise – the Michael Keaton movie that was supposed to document the EVP Phenomena (google it) and was meant to be a film that made you weary of watching TV. This movie only made me weary of watching Michael Keaton movies.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer – Simply for having the Worst title in movie history.

Half Past Dead – Starring Steven Segal and Ja Rule, this shit was doomed from the start. Ja lent the movie the up coming title for his career.

Son of the mask – his mother should have swallowed him.

The End

Side Note: It seems script writing is the new demo tape. So look for a semi-consistent post about all things film and not film.

Aight so I know I need a late pass on this subject, but me n my boy were havin a discussion last night about the homie usher’s marriage to this chick pictured above. It went a lil somethin like this.

Sin(12:25:44 AM): yo

BKScribe (12:26:23 AM): yo

BKScribe (12:26:29 AM): funny you pop up

BKScribe (12:26:35 AM): i got a question for you

Sin (12:26:38 AM): dacosta was here playing warhawk

Sin (12:26:41 AM): shit was mad funny

Sin (12:26:44 AM): he put in an hour

BKScribe (12:26:48 AM): you still think usher is a bigger star than justin timberlake

BKScribe (12:26:50 AM): FUCKIN Dacosta

BKScribe (12:26:58 AM): damn i wanna play some warhawk

Sin (12:26:56 AM): at this moment no

Sin (12:27:08 AM): but when he drops his album yes

Sin (12:27:18 AM): also usher is more low key

BKScribe (12:27:22 AM): do you know bout the chick he married?

Sin (12:27:23 AM): yeah

BKScribe (12:27:27 AM): that

BKScribe (12:27:31 AM): is the biggest brick

Sin (12:27:30 AM): lol

BKScribe (12:27:35 AM): since brick came to bricktown

BKScribe (12:27:45 AM): she like 10 years older

BKScribe (12:27:49 AM): she got 3 previous kids

BKScribe (12:27:53 AM): fuck outta here

BKScribe (12:27:56 AM): you’re goddamn usher

BKScribe (12:28:03 AM): and this is what you pull

BKScribe (12:28:04 AM): im done

BKScribe (12:28:06 AM): mattafact..

BKScribe (12:28:09 AM): imma make that a blog

Sin (12:28:10 AM): i heard the wedding song was i love my life by nore

BKScribe (12:28:18 AM): LOL

BKScribe (12:28:27 AM): i love that song

BKScribe (12:28:30 AM): i was singing it today

Sin (12:28:28 AM): thats what he is dealing with

 Now let me explain my position (nh).. It’s cool to bag older chicks.. most definitely. Experience is a good thing. However…  when you are a star of ushers capacity.. you can safely assume you’re able to bag anyone on the planet. So why, why settle for this chick who got the forehead of a Klingon warlord. (Usher if you’re reading this, and I doubt that you are.. im jus gettin my point across dammit!)

 Who knows.. Maybe she is THEEE Truth in the sack. *Shrug* Maybe she threw that voodoo on him.. some backwater witch doctor gave her an usher voo doo doll.. Or maybe she spit game so sick he feel she his soul mate. In any event while it isn’t like me to concern myself with this teeny bopper shit. I think young raymond.. got a ways to fall.

Alright ladies and gentlemen. The summer of 2007 is coming to a close. With labor day fast approaching and that brisk fall breeze becoming more prominent these evenings I am forced to notice something that happened this summer, or rather something that didn’t happen. THERE WAS NO SUMMER ANTHEM.

Now mind you, I can’t bring myself to listen to anything from a “lil boosie, webbie, soulja boy, lil wayne, baby or anyone else for that matter. (mind you 4 out of 5 of the men on that list have kisses another man on that list. THE SOUTH LOSES AGAIN, but I digress)

Hip Hop has become this caricature of itself, the same way blogs have for the most part become a caricature of actual journalism. (There are the exceptions of course and I see yall) Now the initial subject of this entry was supposed to be about Anthems, but while doing a lil search, I came across a video by soulja boy, and I said.. Why even bother, this Hip Hop shit is a done deal.

To put things in perspective… I remember when NORE dropped Superthug. An Anthem in its own right..around 97.. I tried finding a video for all you born in the 90’s that prolly never heard of Superthug, but all i found was this fan video, (the editing aint too bad actually)

This is a hot song based on the energy in it and the beat, but even a casual listener back in 97 (Yea I know a decade ago eff what u heard) knew that despite this song being hot. NORE Was at the bottom of the barrel when it came to lyrics. Yet the mofo comes out with a few “freestyles” and he could easily be considered one of the top lyrically in this climate. This is no discredit to Nore, mattafact N.O.R.E. was one of the top albums of 97 along with Confessions of Fire and could still bang today.

Anthems aside, it seems the game is in a state of instant noodles. Just add water, microwave for 3 minutes and you got a ‘meal’, even though you’re hungry 3 minutes later, and the shit is bad for you. Rap is disposable. Jay-z said it in a few interviews I saw and as trite as that statement is becoming it is true. Yet if anyone is in a position of power to change the climate of music, it’s the god MC no? I mean Kanye is doing huge things, but thas just Kanye bein Ye’.

I keep hearin a bunch about a homie by the name of Jay Electronica

(I see you Nation)

and The boy Ruste Juxx is on the verge of killen em out there.

(I see you Billz)

So there is hope on the horizon. It’s just… I can listen to Reasonable Doubt or It Was Written like it was yesterday. Anyone listening to ‘Wipe Me Down’ even a year from now, needs to sky dive out their project window.

I realize Anthems tend to be a regional thing, kinda like men kissin men on stage is a Louisiana thing, so all I can offer here are Anthems that were killen em out there at one point of another from my point of view… summer or not.

Fuck the flow yall jackin our slang

Ya daughters tied up in a BROOKLYN basement

DeadInTheMiddleOfLittleItalyLittleDidWeKnowEveryRiddleToMiddleMenWhodidn’tDodiddily

So deep..so deep.. Well you know the rest

I Bomb atomically..

These are just a few off the top.. this isn’t a definitive list, but I feel it.. Holla at perdue.

Whattup people.. This is my inaugural weekly column about things that, when mathematically compared, are greater than your life. While the brilliance and impact of this video may escape the casual viewer at first I will explain WHY this is so great. First off… Eddie Murphy and Rick James. At the time this video came into existence, both Eddie and Rick were mega stars. Here is a second by second breakdown with the standout points elaborated on.

:22 – I’m honestly shocked that @ 22 seconds into the video when they exchange a manly hug, the universe itself didn’t implode due to the magnitude of their sheer awesomeness.

:47 – Ok.. so the beats been playing ever since Eddie walked into the studio.. yet notice how he walks into the booth on cue and begins to lay down the track.. IN ONE TAKE.. Who else records in one take? Jay-z. Coincidence? I THINK NOT

1:48 – So at this point we can see that the studio has in fact burst into a quintessential 80’s jam fest! Rick’s effortless side to side dancing makes you feel all warm inside. Don’t lie like it didn’t.

2 :27 – OK look at the lil homie in the white polo shirt. He is so over come with joy he does a dance that was never seen before… and never..seen…again. It’s almost as if he’s fanning the joy he feels in his heart out into the world with his hands. THIS SONG IS THAT AMAZING!

2:36 – Eddie looks almost bored with this. Apparently musical masterpieces come as easy as comedy to this god, this Cadillac of men. Eddie lets you see that “This is easy for me, I’m almost asleep while im recording. Bask in my glory!”

2:50 – Despite Eddies laid back demeanor its obvious RICK JAMES can barely contain his excitement as he is on the brink of emotional breakdown. Let me tell you, *Grabs a box of tissues* He wasn’t the only one.

3:08 – Rick walks away hi fiving people… knowing they got a hit on their hands..

Unfortunately however This song was so far ahead of its time, it wasn’t the monumental hit the mere union of Rick and Eddie would suggest. By my estimation it should hit top of the chart status sometime in 2009, around the time the general publics aggressive nature will finally catch up with the brilliance that was… Party All The Time.

So if you’re one of the 3 people that followed my “blog” from myspace to here, you’ve likely seen this piece before.. It’s several years old as you can tell by the references.. Yet I feel it still rings true today. Like to hear it here it goes.

Death and destruction…
Wrought by the lies of the simple minded..
Money inspired…
Motives cost lives and billions of dollars…
Dark past darker future…
For current leaders…
How are men who never lived our lives.. supposed to lead us..
They teach us in school every voice would be heard..
Yet when billions raise alarm in unison not one word…
Goes past the dollar sign.. sold his soul for a profit..
Of several billion dollars, but in 20 years what would it matter…
What would it cost to fix a shattered existence…
When your family exists in…
Only description..
Of memory long past, long forgotten really..
It’s been so long since your life’s song sang clearly…
Big Bang Theory coupled with modern philosophy…
Reveals oil monopolies, Nostradamus Prophecy..
What was written shall come to pass…
The future is now, how long will it last before we all end in a blast..
Of atomic fury, journey through my eyes to see what tomorrow brings when today brings more of the same..
Pain and shame, dealt daily…
And we accept inept in the ways of the world…
Journalist Pearl…
Murdered as a martyr to fuel the war machine…
Police state..
National guards in green fatigues the theme…
Armed with M-16’s on 14th street…
No more peace or privacy…
And they think internet piracy will influence the demise of popular culture when popular culture influences assimilation…
Re segregation not by race but class..
Situation hits critical mass..
And the middle caste vanishes in front of the poverty line..
And we’re institutionalized to think every thing’s fine…
That political leaders have our best intentions in mind..
When their intentions to line… their pockets…
And we wonder why multi-billion dollar rockets explode…
Upon re-entry…
Someone paid the sentry…
To look the other way, while funds went to someones pay…
Instead of going to maintain…
The left wing..
Debris carried through the jet stream…
Screams carried through dead mens dreams…
Less schools, more prisons…
The 1 percent’s vision..
To realize totalitarianism..
Break the 99 apart like scattered light through a prism..
And saturate the masses with infectious wisdom…
Like.. be all you can be..
When they control all you see…
All you’re led to believe…
The air you breathe..
And sometimes the way you die…
But they can’t control your loved ones eyes that cry for justice I believe you should fight for what you stand for…
Not fight for…
Land or..
Power..
No ifs ands or..
But lets face it… the basis for race and race relations…
Was formed by those ignorant to the most basic bases…
That form the foundation that classifies what true race is..
Instead they’re driven to power, fueled by hatred..
Whether it’s instilled or internal it’s present..
No matter how many lessons, one percent see these words as a blessing…
The Dynamic schematic of classic oppression..
Those in power seek to keep it…
Those not live to seek it..
Most who’d make change when they reach it…
Change only the way they see it..
Then do they see fit..
To preserve self and family…
The most basic instincts..
Two classes separate drastically…
Now we have slavery..
Lemme explain the plan plain as we inch closer and closer to the end of days…
First raise tuition and lower financial aid so those who could barely afford to school before now have no way to maintain..
Attendance due to lack of finances, then give incentive to join one of the branches of the military since they’ll pay for your schoolin…
Who are they foolin..
And army of impoverished youth then…
Those who chose to stay behind and work hard…
Find it hard to stay in line with one job workin 9 to 5…
For 5.35 an hour so they doubly scour..
Looking for a job that pays more than nada..
So the jobs they see with decent wages require college degrees, so many degrees of Separation in the second stage of the new enslavement…
Elitists with fleet of rejects working jobs because they had no choice for further enhancement..
Stifled advancement…
Here we lie troubled entranced and..
We think cash in advance would end or alleviate the problems we face..
The problem with that is lack of funds is a problem that’s placed..
On our shoulders, strugglin to move boulders with our bare hands..
Winters get colder in these bare lands..
Graspin at stray sands within the hourglass, then generations pass and the rift expands…
Slums and palaces, no in between…
The American Dream the forefathers bore was shattered…
All of the shards plastered in different distant democracies..
The hands that bled to free this pen shackled with mockery…
Freedom fries instead of french, moronic novelty…
Or is it me who is wrong, this was the plan all along…
Unseen slight of hand switched our manifest destiny…
And now the fate we manifest is best left to inquiry…
Liberty’s vision, akin to justice only privy to injury…
Am I to simply accept what path was chosen for me?