H.I.F.T.- 7/26/2012

Get More: Lupe Fiasco, Music News

As a fan of hip hop, it is easy to get caught up in the image of what a rapper portrays and not who they really are. We forget that being a rapper is a job and not everything is necessarily true that you see or hear them say. I was sifting through the video dumpster of worldstarhiphop looking for some meaningful content and happened upon this interview of Lupe Fiasco. What makes this video stand out from any other Lupe interview or of any rapper for that matter, is that he's expressing emotion. Emotion for his city, for his friends, and for those left behind. Emotion that you can visually see.

Emotion? Yes. You may think that to be trivial but as real fans of hip hop artists, you want to know as much about them as possible. Aside from the music, you don't really get to know them as, human beings. Though most of us will never know these artists on a personal level, it is good to see them be honest about how they feel. Hip Hop is notorious for glorifying being 'hard' and seeing any kind of emotion as being weak. I often wonder why that is. I know artists have no obligation to do this and are entitled to keeping their lives personal. But that allows your fans relate to you more.

I just thought it was cool to see an artist who was not afraid to show that he was moved by something on camera. I know that he's not the only one that cries for the youth or fallen friends, but it was nice to witness it. Don't ask me why it's important to see it rather than hear about it. Though I don't always agree with his opinions, I do respect him as a artist, a true artist. Never afraid to express himself despite criticism. This generation of youth growing up today often use music to escape from all the problems they face on a daily basis. I can't blame them.

A lot of the music you hear on the radio, videos on TV, and top 10 charts in hip hop reflect this. There is a lot of substance missing from music out there in mainstream hip hop. People would rather dance than deal with what is going on around them. Don't get me wrong. There needs to be dance music. Music that uplifts people and makes them feel good. I just see an imbalance on the substance.  But, that will change when people, young and old alike are ready expect more from their music. Until then, it is cool see artists like Lupe using their platform and celebrity to facilitate deep thought.

HIFT Vol ??

I was watching MTV hits this past weekend. And Nas' "It Ain't Hard to Tell" came on. And it just took me back to that time. It still feels fresh. And it still destroys much of what is on the radio now. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better. I am introduced to a new young talent by the name of Joey Bada$$. And my jaw dropped. Not just because the song, "Hardknock" ft CJ Fly is great lyrically but the whole experience felt like it was cut straight out of that same era Nas began in. And was pasted here with little effort. It didn't feel like someone imitating. It felt organic. Enjoy.

This performance made me shed a tear.....

 

For the brothers with daughters....

                      

Visionary of the Week: Taka Winter

Hey everyone. A while ago on twitter I promised that I would feature more local music talent as apart of my Visionary of the Week series. So here is my first offering; Modern Music Group Presents: Taka's Winter. I have been intentionally sitting on this project for a while because I wanted to really listen to the content. Hailing from Arlington, VA, Taka Winter crafts a unique project that covers many subjects while showing his depth. With the standout tracks, "Two Face" and "Substance Control" Taka shows his ability to make mainstream, radio hits. He easily switches modes to his more personal beliefs and heritage on his self-titled track "Taka's Winter" and "The Devil Inside of Me" The production does a good job of not overshadowing Taka's sound throughout the project. The beats are often reminiscent of producer, Nujabes. With varying subject matter over laid-back beats, Taka's Winter gives a smooth listen for listener. He uses every track as opportunity to display his lyrical versatility. The project feels a lot longer than 43 minutes and leaves you wanting more from the artist. You won't get tired of this project anytime soon. So dress warmer people, Taka's Winter is here.

                          

From Comeback to Comeback Please

Note: I know that this isn't exactly a current event. I wrote this some time ago but I am just getting around to posting it now.

Like most people, I tuned into the home-going service for Whitney Houston. It was really touching to see the outpouring of love and support that was shown by family and fans alike. It's sad that it takes death for people to say great things about you or acknowledge your accomplishments. But at least it happens.

With all the questions surrounding her death, (drugs, suicide) its easy for all of us become fixated on the last hours of life rather than a person's life, impact, and legacy. In the post-housewife era of entertainment, drama is king. The spiraling descent of a human being is more alluring than the rise. And once they crash, we rather they stay there to see if they could fall further.

Its the most true with entertainers. And the nail in the coffin can be the very thing that might restart your career, the comeback. Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, and Michael Jackson were all victims of it. They were musicians who were at the top of their game, fell off for many reasons (some scandals, others drug use) and were one event away from reclaiming their former glory.

Well, until they died that is...

Killed by the very thing that made them..fame. The pressure to perform to the same standard every time with very little understanding from fans and critics alike when they miss the mark. I know that I'm a guilty of that too. Its just very weird that three of the most recognized names in entertainment all fell within months of making their comebacks. And now, in death they get the attention (good or bad) they deserve. I wonder if we all could've handled that pressure; that criticism in this industry. If that's the case, we should all share in the blame and stop crying comeback please.

Yeah I know it sounds harsh. And its meant to be. Sometimes our expectations of people with a talent can be farfetched. We forget that they are human beings. They allow their artistic expression to be scrutinized by others.

The one thing I realized from the deaths of these artists, is that they really are always working. Even when you haven't heard any new material. A lot goes into that CD we buy or download that we don't see. I'm not questioning the sincerity of our outpouring of sadness for any artist. But I wonder what do we really miss about them? And as fans can we really be expected to miss more than their music? If they weren't as successful would we miss them the same?

About Trayvon...

Greetings to all who read and support my blog. I know I have been away for a while but I finally got a minute to breathe so that I can write something. Ironically, its about someone who isn't anymore.

I just got an email from a family member on some one's take on Trayvon Martin's killing. And it inspired me to write something. I had so many things that I wanted to post about that I didn't get a chance to (Whitney Houston, new music, etc...) But, non of these seem as important as this. When I first heard about the killing I didn't feel much as I saw a blurb about it on the TV at work. It wasn't until I sat down and watched a couple of videos and listened to the 911 tapes that I felt some emotion. Anger. Sadness. Frustration.

But what really made me upset was not the case but my initial reaction. Nothing. I wish I could tell you that I was upset and ready to put on my hoodie and march but I wasn't. The reality is that I have been conditioned to situations just like this one. Where someone of color is arrested, wrongfully-charged, killed, or profiled and somehow justice is not in their favor. In fact, I have come to expect it. And that my friend, is a problem. We are conditioned to immediately react and be outraged when something of this magnitude happens but what happens a week, month, or year from now? We will be caught up in the next major story the news puts out.  I count myself as part of that cycle.

I don't want this to be the case this time. I don't want us as people to forget the outrage, sadness, or anger that any of us feel for this boy and his family. Because that means we are still human. Our humanity is intact when we can still empathize for one another. When we can still rally together for a single cause and make a change happen and our voices to be heard. And I want to believe in that change. The hope that we can still accomplish this.

So how do we keep this movement going? How do we keep the outrage of this situation from dying down? Continue to feel something. Anything. Don't fall into the trap of getting caught up in the next story that every one's talking about and forget. Because the reality is that unfortunately, there will be another Trayvon Martin out there. Because racism is still alive. It's more alive today actually. And though it's not going away anytime soon, we must take those feelings and share them. Talk about them with your neighbor, your coworker, your loved one. Because dialogue leads to communication. And hopefully a better understanding of each other and how we can coexist together in this world.

Sounds overly ambitious right? Impossible? But we fear what we don't understand. Or choose not to understand. And it was obvious by those 911 tapes that George Zimmerman didn't understand something about Trayvon Martin. He ignored signs and warnings because he believed that he had categorized Trayvon correctly. Enough to justify killing him. And as long as things like this happen, we have a lot more talking to do.

The SOPA Act, The Internet, and You

I didn't know too much about this before but it is alarming if the the Senate passes this in its current state. Sites like mine can be severely limited or be black-listed altogether. If this is something that concerns you, contact your senator and let them know how you feel. You can find your Senator by searching your zip code on Google or other search engine.

Stay Schemin (Acoustic) Video

I have a love-hate relationship with Mike Posner's voice and his singing ability due to his song choices in the past. But he kills this cover of Rick Ross' "Stay Schemin" off the Rich Forever Mixtape. Shot out to Blackbear for the vocals and guitar assist and Killerhiphop.com for posting.

MLK Didn't Die (VIDEO)

Common Vs. Drake: Could It Go The Distance?

Alright so as you all know Rick Ross' Rich Forever Mixtape just dropped. That's great and all but the real story is this brewing beef between Drake and Common. Now as some of you know, Common has a track called Sweet from his new album. On the track he says;

"Singing all around me man, la la la
You aint muthaf-cking Frank Sinatra"

Peep the video

When the song originally came out, a lot of people thought that it was aimed towards Drake. And we all know that he has the tendency to sing and rap on many of his songs. So when Common was asked if that was a diss to Drake he didn't deny it. Which brings me to now. As I said, Rich Forever is out. Check out the video for Stay Schemin'. But pay special attention to Drake's verse.

 

As you can see from Drake's verse, he's talking to Common directly. Very good verse. But, wait...its not over. This just came out today. Skip to 3:30 to hear Common's verse.

 

That Canada Dry line was fire. Til this point, the more impressive rapper in this brewing beef has been Common. I'll tell you why. I am very impressed with how aggressive he has been with his issues towards Drake. And as far as I know, Drake hasn't addressed him directly aside from subliminally. I know I am getting ahead of myself with what this may mean. But as I have mentioned before, I think beef doesn't have to be a bad thing in hip hop. Though I don't doubt Common's feelings about Drake are authentic, I can't turn a blind eye to the timing being around his album release. Maybe it serves both purposes. 

Its always great to see a beef like this. Old blood vs New blood. This is a more raw side of Common that has been lacking from the last couple of albums. It is reminiscent of the Common that once battled Ice Cube. Drake's response to this could confirm his confidence not only as a rapper but potentially a rap legend one day. Yeah I know, way too soon. Whatever your opinion on beef, or this one in particular. Hip Hop heads, young and old, will be talking about it. Interest and discussion is good for hip hop. I just hope to get a couple more tracks from both of them before it ends up in the rap beef graveyard...twitter. 

Speaking of twitter, follow me @HipHopPoli to continue the discussion. Til next time....thanks for reading   

Niggas In Parris (Video)

In case you didn't know the lyrics.....