The REAL Rap Game

Every now and again, I get included in a bit of magic. This email was sent to me by my little brother Chuck, (The incomparable Charles Babb) as his rebuttal to some of his friends insistence on the merit of some recent rap albums. Chuck is so loquatious, yet no stranger to elegant prose that I merely decided to let his words ring true here with all of my fans....He delves deep doesn't he??? Anyway to experience more of my little bruh, Chuck in his rawest form, check out www.thesaintofsinners.blogspot.com

Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:

The REAL rap game...Chuck on rap...

Don't believe me....check this diatribe out.....

"First off, I never said Souljah Boy is a good rapper, so you are wrong about that. He sucks like the other 99% of rappers out there today. Matter of fact, I'm quoted as saying, "He isn't a rapper. He's just a kid that talks over a beat created on his Apple with Garageband (the basic music making program that comes with Apple computers). However, the bad music has a reason for its success. Souljah Boy is a smart marketer. Anyone that can metatag his purposely mediocre song as all of 50 Cent's singles on the Internet in order to get people to download his music is smart. Souljah Boy will get all downloaders to listen to his piece of shit song at least once before hunting for the real 50 Cent song. Our simple-minded 50 Cent consumer base will like its catchy beat and chorus and forget that rap songs are supposed to have lyrics that rhyme and make sense." Onto Ghost. Ghost is a mildly above average rapper to me. I honestly believe Ghost purposedly creates abstract tracks filled with inconsistency and incoherence. Personally, I'm not a fan of his style. It is like many people hate Eminem's style because it is all nasal. Ghost sounds like a kid that is tattle telling on the bully after running from a beatdown. He just spits as it comes to him with no regard to the musical production. When he does tell a story, he delivers great pictorials of the world. Maybe, he is one of the best storytellers in the game because of his ability to lyrically paint vivid imagery. But, outside of storytelling, he is average to me. I have not listened to his last two albums (Hidden Darts or The Big Doe Rehab), so I cannot comment on his evolution as a rapper. Maybe, if I give those a good listen, then I would like him more. But, I cannot listen to him whine rap through an album by himself. His achilles heel is the incoherent verses that make you say WTF? It is like one moment he's Picasso and other moments he's Dante Lamb (http://www.dantelambart.com/)

. Even in your experimentation, please capitalize on skill.

If we are talking about legends in the game, there are so many at this point. From 1991 - 1998, before the Master P era, produced many popular legends (some better known than others) in the game. For example, have any of you checked J Live (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J-Live)? I think him and Gift of Gab (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gift_of_Gab_%28rapper%29) are two extraordinary storyteller rappers in the game. As you all know, I hunt down good rappers, so my palette of rappers is broad. I'll surf the Internet and listen to thousands of songs from unknown talent, ask for recommendations, and read a million and one posts by rap music afficionados. On ocassion, I give you all links to albums that I find. Like I told Randy, who I added to this thread, because I like it doesn't mean it is good and top caliber. There are plenty of things in the world that I like that isn't good. I just like it. For example, Jay-Z and Kanye's song Haterz. It is a joke/prank song that is witty as hell that is so off kilter and spoofing what is in the limelight of popular culture. It is a song that you will love it for what it is or hate it for what it isn't, which is great Jay-Z/Kanye collaboration. I know my main man, Mike Jordan, who is also added to this posts, hates that song with a passion. Outside of Outkast, the Clipse and Re-Up Gang are my favorite rap group, and all they talk about is drugs, guns, and being rich. However, I love how they do it. Their lyrical skill is unparalleled to any rapper in the game. But, let's talk about this rap music.

Oh, introductions are in order. I added Bobby Craft to the post. D and Asad, you all met Bobby in Japan. I also added my older brother Rekkai, and younger, wiser cousin Randy. Victor Lugo, a brother from grad school that is a hi-hop head that searches the Internet for new hot shit. And, another A-alike, the legendary Mike Jordan from my Morehouse days, who really doesn't need an introduction.

I hope all of you all have digested Lupe, Blu, Dox, Johnson & Jonson, Mickey Factz, Fashawn, Big Sean, Cool Kids, Wordsmith, Kidz in the Hall, Rock City, Kid Cudi, Skyzoo, TiRon, Pacific Division,Papoose, Wale, Drake, XV, Jay Electronica, Black Milk, Ced Hughes, P.Casso, Crisco, Tanya Morgan, Rigchus, Charles Hamilton, and J. Coles because we are going to start talking about young cats that are bringing rap back with a vengeance. Some these cats are straight up rappers and others add elements of today's brand of rap with old school rap schemes. (Yes, anything that pre-dates Cash Money is considered old school by today's youth.) Let's talk about how that brand of young rap is mixing with the new-age old school collaborations such as Buckshot and KRS-One collaboration, Buckshot and 9th Wonder, which are two remarkable albums (Chemistry and The Formula). Rae and Ghost>>> Remember, the Four Horsemen (Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Kurupt) The new HRSMN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gICGp_94oQ&feature=player_embedded), when super rap groups were emerging to combat the bullshit that was out there. Do our elder rappers truly need to team up to combat the bullshit that is out in the public when we have a plethora of young cats carrying the mantra of fuct rhyming like Wayne, I'm going to rap like Big L? With the death of record sales, how do we find good rappers? I know someone that all of you are sleeping on. Joe Buddens! My god, I thank Dudley (I think it was you D), that put me up on this new Joe Budden, post Def Jam. This muthaflower is rapping like it is a curse on his soul. Another question, should we be buying Jay's old disc or expect him to deliver on the same lyrical caliber as his previous entries? Has he earned the right to push out par albums? OR, should we continually expect an elevation in skill?

Cheers,

Chuck

Listening Material that is visually Appealing (Taylor I"m gonna let you have your moment, but these are some of the best videos this decade):
Vox- President of the Hood: http://vimeo.com/4759441 (Who Shot Ya?)
Righchus- Go Hard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgGfWEehloA ($200 to make)
Johnson & Jonson - Bout It Bout It: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5n8ChL-aY
Johnson & Jonson - Up All Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lg-y0FXet0
Black Milk - Losing Out (feat. Royce Da 5'9): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HY5r_4xrEA
Jay Electronica - Voodoo Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxyqgDGdtMM&feature=related
Jay Electronica - Drugs and Bitches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqOuCxzI1fw&NR=1
P. Casso- Best In show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaQofaGC0uk (This some abstract incoherent lyrics)"

Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com

Jay-Z's Benefit and Tribute Concert on 9/11

I just read this OUTSTANDING article about Jay-Z and his 9/11 Tribute and Benefit Concert and thought you should read it exactly as it is, so I won't let my words get in the way. Here is the actual article I am reprinting for my fans and the link to the actual article: Jay Z Benefit

"More than any rapper and more than most pop stars, Jay-Z knows the significance of a moment.

The Brooklyn MC’s career is practically defined by them. There’s his Summer Jam obliteration of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy back in 2001, the same year he brought out Michael Jackson for Hot 97’s annual concert. There was his retirement show at Madison Square Garden captured in the documentary Fade to Black. And then there was his Radio City Music Hall show to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Reasonable Doubt. And who could forget the Best of Both Worlds fiasco with R. Kelly that turned into the celebrated Jay-Z and Friends jaunt. He’s even transformed festivals into his personal showcases, with his appearance at Glastonbury last year and All Points West this year.

But when Hov announced he’d be headlining a September 11th benefit show, to not only coincide with the anniversary of his classic album The Blueprint but also to mark the release of his latest effort, The Blueprint 3, one had to wonder if this ambitious slate reeked of opportunism.

It did not.

Last night at the Garden, Jay-Z delivered a carefully orchestrated and riveting show striking the the impossibly difficult balance of serving the cause and seizing another night that will stand out in his long list of historic performances.

“We celebrating life tonight, we having a good time,” Jay-Z told the sold-out audience, which included Diddy, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Chris Rock, among other celebrities. “But let’s not forget in 2001 when the first Blueprint came out terrorist attacked New York. They thought they would weaken us. They were sadly mistaken. We stand here even stronger. This is our town. We run New York City. We run this town.”

And with that, the blaring Rihanna’s wailing voice boomed over the sound system. The “Umbrella” star then appeared under the spotlight decked out in a dominatrix-like black outfit. “We are, yeah I said it, We are, This is Roc Nation, pledge your allegiance,” Jay-Z rapped.

Kanye West joined the pair toward the end of the song, completing the triumvirate as he jumped from the stairs on the middle of the stage. ‘Ye stuck around for a few more songs, diving into “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” before asking Big Brother if he can keep going.

“Let’s do it,” Jay replied.

“Good Life” then came on, sans T-Pain, and an animated West — complete with a new ‘do, with zig-zag lines cut into his hair — fumbled a few of his lines but saved himself with an impromptu freestyle. “I fucked up the flow, but everybody know, I gotta give a shout out to my big bro,” he spit, drawing a smile from Jay.

The parade of guest appearances continued with Pharell Williams, Swizz Beatz and Mary J. Blige joining Jay-Z. John Mayer also popped up to play guitar for Jay-Z on “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune).”

Throughout the set, Jay-Z dipped into catalog but also performed new songs from his recently released BP3. Upstart Kid Cudi arrived onstage to assist Hov on “Already Home,” where the legendary rapper eviscerates mouthy MCs who say Jay-Z’s tenure on top is in the way of their rise to fame.

“These niggas want me to go, don’t they know that I’m gone/ They know that I’m space shuttle level, they need oxyggggon/Don’t they know that I yawn/ Only time they exciting is when they mentioning Shawn,” he rapped.

The Timbaland-produced “Venus vs. Mars” was another new tracked Jay-Z performed. He closed the song out with a new freestyled verse at the end where he name-checked Kanye’s lady friend Amber Rose and financial villain Bernie Madoff. Seconds after he finished, Beyoncé, featured on the song’s chorus, emerged from the bowels of the Garden rising up through a trap door to perform “Diva.”

The star wattage was bright but the greatest applause of the night came in honor of the service men and women who protect our country on this tragic date eight years ago.

As “Young Forever” spilled out over the arena speakers, a beautiful montage of firefighters and police officers who lost their lives on 9/11 eight years ago appeared behind Jay-Z on a huge screen. “Make some noise for those that lost their lives so we could live ours,” Jay-Z said."

"written by Jayson Rodriguez"

.

Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:

Jay-Z an Opportunist...Not on 9/11?
Don't believe me....check this video out.....



Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com

Can A Car Be Considered Art?

As you can probably tell by now, I LOVE cars! I found this clip of one of the most beautiful cars I had ever seen...AND I HAVE SEEN "A LOT" OF CARS, and I just had to show it to all of you, my dedicated fans. This video is a clip from one of my FAVORITE shows about automobiles, a British show called "Top Gear". Outstanding production quality and great reviews with some of the best cars on the PLANET makes me wish for a driving internship with the show ( I just wanna drive...and go fast...says the young, black Ricky Bobby) Anyway, once again I just thought I would let the video speak for itself. I have already told you about my Sickness for other vehicles like the Bugatti, Lamborghini and SSC, but this is a car that few people see or even know about....The Alfa Romeo 8C.

Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:

A Car as Art???
Don't believe me....check this video out.....



Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com

10 Fastest Cars In The World....

I get rock solid when I see shit like this! This is the type of video that makes me wanna..... Anyway, I just thought I wouldn't jack this up with a bunch of words and let the video speak for itself. I have already told you about my LOVE for other vehicles like the Bugatti, Lamborghini and SSC, but to put together a list of 10 pure orgasms....I mean automobiles....

Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:

10 Fastest Cars In The World
Don't believe me....check this video out.....



Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com

Funny things about our society...

I caught this from a friend while facebookin' and thought it was funny and kind of appropriate. It is funny how many situations we get into or see everyday and they are just dying to be spoofed. Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. So, without further ado:

Social Ills
Don't believe me....check these videos out.....



Part 1



Part 2

Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com

A True Ambassador to the Rap Game!!!

We have had many people come along in the 30 plus year history of Hip-Hop and represent us as a people and a culture rather properly. We have had political, cultural, social and artistic agendas carried out in the name of Good Music. However, there can be no Heaven if there is no Hell? I and countless fans of rap across the globe have had to put up with a Snow for every Tupac. We have had to put up with a PM Dawn for every Biggie. We have had (and some are still enduring) a Tony Yayo for every KRS-One. We have lived through our fair share of Ying-Yang Twins for every Public Enemy. There are SO MANY wack rappers out there, that I could talk for weeks about the sheer amount of BULLSHIT that passes itself off as rap these days.

Nas said Hip-Hop was dead. I have heard arguments on both sides of this issue. Is it dead? Whose fault is it? Can it be resurrected? Or has Hip-Hop simply taken on another form? Hip-Hop at its roots was ALWAYS about having a good time and recognizing the social ills that plagued our community. In the 80's during the crack epidemic, this changed. Rap was filled with stories from New York, the south but primarily the west coast of drugs, guns, women and excess. True 80's. Lyricism and content gave way to style and lack of substance. The saddest part of all of this is that if you listen to or are ever involved in an argument with people nowadays about what is good rap music. Especially kids. Oohhh, the pointless arguments about who is better, Soulja Boy or The GS Boys. Gimme a break. I have heard people say Plies or Lil Wayne is the Greatest. You can't be serious?

However, we have had an ambassador for the rap game return from a self imposed hiatus. Jay-Z is back. You heard it here FIRST, "The Blueprint 3" is TIGHT!!! Jay bowed out with "The Black Album", which was a good album with some memorable tracks. His so-called return in "Kingdom Come" was not a "TRUE" Jay Z album and I only say that in the alienation of his true base - taking streets raps and everyday situations and finding a way to relate them to people who have not lived them. Last Friday, Jay-Z appeared on Bill Maher's show on HBO. It was refreshing to listen to an interview that I didn't have to get the newest slang dictionary to decipher. It was nice to listen to someone not say, "Yaknowutumsayin" or "Nawmean" every few seconds. It was nice to watch an interview with a rap artist who wasn't so high that he didn't know where he was, let alone who he was talking to. It was nice to hear someone talk about the art involved and that they weren't shitting on the buying public and putting down just ANYTHING in the studio. I think all rap artists should watch this interview as part of their hip-hop orientation and learn about longevity and building your brand to something more than a brief period of being "paid" because you could buy some big ass necklaces and old school cars.

Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:

Rap's True Ambassador Parts 1 - 4
Don't believe me....check these videos out.....

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com

Why Do We Keep Trying To Kill Ourselves???

I knew I said I wouldn't be long winded in my blogs anymore. I have talked about Heaven and I have talked about Hell, but where do I really sit on the subject? I am what I would consider a christian spiritual. I am not a religious person. Religion, in my opinion draws very fine lines that supposedly are not to be crossed or there will be eternal damnation or something like that. Religions of the world and their differences have started and continue more wars than for any other reason on the planet in the history of man. Who am I, or is anyone for that matter, to believe that "My GOD" is better than "Your god". What is the real difference between a First Baptist and a Southern Baptist? What is the real difference between Holiness and Hebrew Pentacostal and Seventh Day Adventist and Jehovah's Witness? Very little. However, the problem is ask any of these folks if someone from another faith could get to Heaven if they didn't believe what "THEY" believe? The answer is unequivocally: NO!!!

But I digress. Why am I talking about this? This is NOT the topic of this post. Most times, major world religions don't agree on shit! However, there does seem to be ONE thing that they do agree with. We, man, are determined, destined even, to kill ourselves! Why, if that isn't the case, are we so completely fixated with the idea of complete annihilation of the human race. Look at the movies that we have paraded as entertainment to further these deep seeded hate of ourselves for only GOD knows what, maybe because we're sinners or guilt for being kicked out of the Garden or hatred of ourselves and fellow man for our waning relationship with God. I'm not sure what it is, but MAN seems completely fixated with destroying all humanity.

There are a bunch of movies that WE have made to remind ourselves of our FRAGILE mortality. And yet, we criticize artists like, Tupac or Biggie or Machiavelli for their fixation with death, when it seems from our most influential media that we are all about ending ourselves. Let's take a role call of the movies that we come close or actually accomplish this task: The Terminator Series, Total Recall, The Matrix Series, Lord of The Rings, Star Wars Series, The Prophecy Series, The 7th Sign, The Day After Tomorrow, Volcano, Twister, Volcano, The Core, The Perfect Storm, Deep Impact, Armageddon, Independence Day, just to name a few, etc.... However, I want to discuss two NEW entries to this list.

The first is 2012. I know you have probably seen the first trailer for the movie and maybe didn't understand much except for an old Tibetan monk ringing a bell for the end of the world at the same time a 50,000 foot wave came over the top of the 30,000 foot Himalayan mountains (You know the mountain range with the world's tallest mountain, Mt. Everest). Well here is the new trailer and it is more dynamic and sure to be an action packed movie. However, the question about this movie is: How close to real life is this movie? The ONE thing I said earlier that most major religions agree upon is armageddon is December 21st, 2012. Why this date? Because the ancient Mayans said so? Because Nostradamus said so? Makes you think. Watch the Trailer.



The 2nd movie is LEGION. I did not know alot about this movie and after watching the trailer, it intriques me. It reminds me of a book I have been tinkering with and writing for a few years now. Is GOD REALLY that upset with us? Does GOD REALLY want to destroy all but a select few of humanity and start over? That seems so....human. GOD, in all of his/her infinite wisdom seems to display a lot of human characteristics when you let US tell the story. This movie reminds me of "The 7th Sign" and a little bit "The Prophecy". Like I said intriguing. When you actually take time and THINK about it, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. Well without further ado:

Trailer for LEGION
Don't believe me....check this video out.....



Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com