Don't mess with Texas

So, Texas is thinking about secession from the U.S. if current fiscal policies are not changed. If that means Bush has to obtain a passport to visit the rest of us, I'm fine with that. What's really scary though, is the fact that Chuck Norris may run for President of Texas. Laugh all you want, but if this happens, the U.S could be facing the greatest army in the history of the planet - the army of Chuck.


Honestly though, it's just a publicity stunt by some rich white people. there is no way this would actually happen. It'll be fun to see them try though.

Do you.

Fish sticks

After seeing Kanye get murdered on South Park, I wondered how things would change if Kanye was really homosexual. Personally, I would still listen to his music, still be eagerly anticipating his clothing line, and still be thirsty for a pair of all black Air Yeezys with the glow-in-the-dark sole. I would still think he is a great producer, and I would still be proud that he reps Chicago so hard. I wonder if I would be in the minority or majority on this one.

The hip-hop industry is extremely homophobic, so I know there would be a lot of backlash there. he would be ostracized by all the rappers that could finally say, "I told you so!" Diss records would be released every half hour.The Bossip writers would probably jizz in their pants. His "biggest fans" would denounce their love for all things Kanye. Chicago's rep would take a huge hit in the rap game.

It's ridiculous that so many people would jump at the chance to tear down a successful black man simply becuase he doesn't fit the mold of a typical hood rapper. Like the Clipse said, we let so much slide in hip-hop. Why can't we let Yeezy slide. I mean, Lil Wayne and Baby were on 106 and park, and Wayne said that the only person Baby kisses is him. Where's the outrage? Wayne and Baby kissed each other on the lips, yet go to any hood in America and you will find plenty of people that feel Wayne is the best rapper alive. Wayne has this piercing. Yet when Kanye is in a pic with someone who has on leopard print tights, we work ourselves into a frenzy. Where's the consistency? Is it becuase Kanye is well spoken, middle class, and a great dresser? Should he have sold drugs or gotten a lot of tattoos? Should he be more mysoginistic and more glorifying of activities and behaviors that destroy our communties? I'm not saying Kayne is an angel, but for some reason, a lot of people want him to be gay.

Is probably becuase he'd be easier to accept then. It would be easier on their fragile egos.

Do you.

Hip-Hop Snobbery

<------- This is true for the most part, but sometimes there is that one song (or 3) that challenges or belief (or carefully crafted facade) of what you consider good music to be.

I will not admit what those songs are to me, but you can...

Do you.

No Pedo

I was talking with my girlfriend the other day about the pedophilic tendencies present in U.S. culture.

Urban Dictionary defines the phrase "no pedo" as "A phrase stated after a questionable remark intended to clear the sayer of being a pedophile."
ex."in about 3 years, holla at me Miley Cyrus"- Mack Maine - "Every Girl"

Notice the lack of "no pedo..." it's disturbingly absent. Never mind the fact that Miley Cyrus looks like, um...not really sure. But in any case, a grown ass man is insinuating that he is lustily waiting for this girl to get a few years older.

A few years ago, Maxim, and white male America, was thirsty for the Olsen twins to become of age despite the fact that they look like scared monkeys. Now that they are over 21, there is virtually no interest in them as sexual objects.

An estimated 2% of American Catholic priests (914)are pedophiles (CARA).

Toddlers and Tiaras a TLC show about beauty pageants, is basically porno for pedos.

http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/category/celebrity-children/. Kids should never be called "HOT!"

This one too!


There are many, many other examples of this in media, but i want to keep this post kinda short. In closing, we need to look at why we have this obsession with children and why we prefer certain traits and tendencies in older women (that's a whole different monster).

Do you.

Calling all MC's!

So Mos Def was feeling himself recently and challenged all current rappers to a pay-per-view rap battle. Specifically, he called out Beanie Sigel, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Freeway, and a few others. Now in my opinion, I think Mos has a shot at all of them in a freestyle battle, but the problem is, on a stage that big, you know everyone is bringing their best written material.




In a true freestyle battle, these are my top 5 in no particular order:

• Crooked I
• Jin
• Chino XL
• Rhymefest
• Eminem

What do you think? Personally, I'd kill 'em all :)

Do you.

Speedin'

By most accounts I'm your average young male west side raised Chicagoan. I love all things Chicago, I dress kinda fly (cept for at work, randomly), and I love mild sauce lol! But one thing that absolutely drives me mad about Chicago is the driving!

Let me preface this rant by stating that I didn't get my drivers license until about my sophomore year in college (Rutgers). Let me tell you something. Driving in the NY/NJ area is NOTHING compared to driving in the Midwest. Don't get me wrong now, I love the laid back and mellow way of life here, but learning to drive on the East Coast turned me into a monster!

These are the things that irk me the most:

• People in fast, expensive cars that drive slow
• People that drive SUVs and slow down to a complete stop before driving over 2" speed bumps.
• People that don't pull out into the intersection while waiting to make the left turn.
• Post-winter pot holes
• People that go 60mph in the far lane on the E-way
• People eating/drinking/talking/applying make-up while driving.

I love you Chicago, but please learn how to drive!

Do you.

A Tribute to Dipset pt.3

<------- It's dip set! get it, DIP SET? Oh come on! Dip Set......yeh, anyway here's part 3.

Dip Set!
Dip Set!
Dip Set!

I'm sneakin like a creep
in yo room, it smell like feet
bog ole gorilla meat
got me itchin like fleas
drinkin designer teas
get off you knees
too much strees on ya dungarees
shout out to Super Mario - Me


O holy night in my draws
I let out a fart and you came out my dark boody hole
you ain't got no soul
the methane cleared that up
my up you dirty flerge
livin like a 15th century dirge - Q


I'm grimy like a sewer
all kinds of meat to skewer
I like veggies too
although they make me poo
I got mad kebabs
like my homie Steveie jobs
fresh ipod yo
whiter than fresh dandruff bro
Selsun Blue, I see you - Me

Yes, we do have waaay too much time on our hands. This is it for now. Maybe more to come next time we're extra bored.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Do you.

A Tribute to Dipset pt.2

Part 2 of the random ridiculousness...

Yeah yeah I fiber
muscle fiber
stool fibers harder than any BOD - Q


My poopie hard like rubies
yo poopie soft like Rudy
digestion outta whack
like some flooding slacks
my stool game extra proper
like Mexican La Raza
Italian like a mobsta
got cake like Betty Crocka
shout out to my man Jewish Dave - Me


Ok, ok Rudi Hukstable, Ruby Tuesdays
flippin women ways, all kinda ways
anyways, you hungry? you lonely?
get up off me, get on me
on my demonstration of how I have revenue
for the nations be patient, you
ain't gettin none
get to a nunnery cause you ain't feelin nonna me - Q


Get to a nunnery
u tryna feel on me
but I got spikes ma
like a fly porcuP
they stab u in your hand
like rusty soda cans
make u burp so loud
off them soda bubble clouds
I can't find my phone - Me


Well, spikes is nice
I got one in my pants
doin the undie dance
come take a peek, you ain't gotta sneak
Boo! I caught you
you ain't up to this
you ain't even had breakfast - Q

Do you.

A Tribute to Dipset pt.1

To commemorate the return of Killa Cam to the rap scene, I'll be posting a series of Dipset-esque bars that a friend and I did a few months back when I was bored at work. Please, don't take these seriously. I am not an aspiring rapper. When you read this, use your Cam'ron voice.

Waddell, gave me a job,
now I'm on the job
I got gobs
gobs of money sonny
(Dip Set version)
By Q - The lines that started the madness


I got money money
like big pots of honey
Winne the Pooh you kid
ain't nothin funny
Shout out to Eyeore - Me


Dip Set, trip set, den I whip set
don't call chil' welfare cause I fare well
I den shot the apple cause I spotted apple early on
Will Tell & Steve Jobs had a baby
it aight
no baby it was me saying waaa, waaa
I want the moneys so I filled my pockets - Q


I got that Buffet loot
or like T.Boone Pickens
lace up my Timbs
I'm finna go kickin
up some dirt like Joe
oh you ain't know?
I'm poison son
cuz I'm a Scorpio
I like hot dogs yo - Me


hot dogs yeah you always got a dog in yo mauf
sayin feed me, feed me
with miracle whip please
only miracle I know come from my roll - Q


I got mad green
like a kiddie booger
ew that's nasty son
wipe you on my sleeve
before you could sneeze
I flew off in the wind
like a stiff breeze
Metamucil - Me

More to come soon! Feel free to add your own bars!

Do you.

Best Combo Ever?

The Best Combo Ever? is not a question of gustatory debate. It is not one of culinary curiosity. The question posed is one of musical persuasion. Earlier today I was listening to "Some X S**t" by DMX, and noted that he always kills the Swizz Beats tracks. So I wondered to myself and Dane, who else always kills tracks by that one producer? Who is the Best producer/rapper combo ever?


I know this list could go on forever, but here are some of my favorites:

• P.Diddy/Biggie
• RZA/Wu-Tang
• Kanye West/Kanye West
• Pharrell/NORE
• Manny Fresh/Lil Wayne
• Swizz Beats/DMX
• 9th Wonder/Little Brother

I could go on and on. Of course there are some notable producers and rappers left off the list, but 1.)it's a favorites list, and 2.) some great producers don't have one artist that consistently outshines every other rapper they produce for.

Who are your favorites?

Do you.

Gucci Bandana. Aye!

So I go to imeem.com today and I am greeted by utter nonsense. They have a section on the 30 best Gucci Mane songs of 2008...... Yep. First, I was amazed that there were 30 songs to put on the list. Secondly, a list as long as 30 implies at least double or triple the amount of total songs. Who is buying Gucci Mane like that?! Have you heard "Gucci Bandana"?! He says the word Gucci like 17 times. That's like once a bar!

Let me take a step back and say there have been numerous occasions where that song has been stuck in my head, but still....

Other top 30 lists I'd rather see:

• 30 places to visit in Wyoming
• Top 30 trends in trailer park interior design
• 30 reasons not to have unprotected sex: A Pictorial
• Fat Joe vs. Rick Ross: Battle of the Bare Bellies
• DJ Khaled's top 30 ad-libs of this week

Not to hate too hard on Gucci, but c'mon man, step them bars up. Fans, step your expectations up.

Do you.

CPS Violence

I know ya'll read the title and immediately started thinking about all the shootings CPS had in 2008, but this violence is much different. In this case, the teachers/staff/coaches are beating the students. So far, about 600 incidents have been reported, and only 24 teachers have been punished. I won't write too much because the link is below, but I will pose these questions:

• Is there an acceptable amount of phyiscal discipline that can be administered at schools?

• Can these actions ever be justified?

• Is this an issue of ill-mannered kids stressing out overworked/unerpaid teachers?

• Does the race of the students or teachers play a role in this?

• Why are the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) so bogus?

• Should we be worried about Arne Duncan making policy for the rest of the nations schools?
  

• What would you do if this happened to your child?
  

As a product od the CPS system, I have experienced some abuse at the hads of my wrestling/football coaches. I say abuse, but it really just felt like the kind of discipline that you'd expect from a coach. My teammates and I never had any issues with it. The classroom is a different story though. If my science teacher tried to discipline me the same way my football coach did, then we'd have a serious issue on our hands.

My experiences with physical discipline came at an all black high school in a rough area. The elementary school I attended was very diverse and in an affluent area. That probabaly had a lot to do with it. No matter the setting though, we can't have educators abusing the children. Something needs to be done immediately.


http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh0E9LJ84O1c1EUwe5

Do you.

Twitter

On Twitter now: windysity.

Check me out.

Hopefully this isn't as distracting as it has the potential to be...

Do you.

KRS-One

I was browsing WorldStarHiphop.com today, and I came across a video of KRS-One spouting the usual conspiracy theories about the New World Order, 9/11 bring an inside job, and how we're all walking in darkness. He says that he doesn't trust Obama becuase he his part of the same regime, just with a black face.

Apparently "they" put Obama in power to: 1. quell the upcoming revolution, 2. eliminate the black vs. white argument, and 3. being President now is equivalent to being a manager at Burger King.

KRS is very brave for saying this things becuase according to him, the FBI (yes, THAT FBI) was in the crowd listening to him, yet are powerless to stop him..... Lemme get this straight- "they" can orchestrate elections, carry out gov. sposored terrosism, and destroy the global economy but can't quiet his voice? Wow.

He also references the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as poetry and GOD given, yet hasa necer exercised his right to vote. Well except in the last election. And that's only becuase he says voting allows him to be critical of the President. Hold up. You're telling me that you only voted for Obama so you could criticize him? Does that mean you've been silent over the past 8 years about what Bush has done, yet you jump at the chance to tear down the first black President? C0me on, brotha, you cain't be serious! He's been in office less than a month, and everything you're talkin about happened before he was elected. I undestand you having a general distrust of politicians, but you seem to be going out of your way to question Obama.


http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhK09UCKR2uH9jEnwQ

KRS will one day realize that no matter how loud he speaks, how animated he gets, and how wide is eyes open, this shit sounds tired and old.

Do you.

Signs of the Times

Man, it's gettin rough out there.

I was at the Walgreen's on Madison and Western today getting some cash out of the machine for a fresh haircut when I witnessed a daring mid-day heist unfold right before my eyes. As I turned to leave the store, a man ran past me, hurriedly stuffing multiple 4-packs of Dove Moisturizing Bath Bars into his coat. The store employees were too stunned/lazy/disinterested to do more than cast a disapproving glance at the exit through with the thief had escaped. Of course the one white guy (manager) that worked there came running out with a concerned look on his face, but stopped short of actually leaving the store. He prolly realized that the beating he'd receive if he caught up to the thief was too high a price to pay to for the employee of the month plaque he'd get for recovering the merchandise.

As I left the store, I could just make out the tail end of the thief's coat flapping in the wind as he bent the corner into the alley. I have to say, he made a wise choice with his soap theft. Chicago winters are notoriously harsh, and Dove's natural ingredients soothe the chapping effect of the City's namesake winds. That one thought in his mind is probably what gave him the clarity to reach out and select Dove amidst the veritable cornucopia of bath products. Well done good sir, well done.

No only does Dove symbolize real beauty, it symbolizes real hood too!

Do you.

Inaguration

So I know I'm EXTRA late but, I went to D.C. for the Inauguration of President Obama. As much as I want to say it was a transcendent, tear-jerking moment in my life....I can't. Don't get me wrong. There is no where else in the world I would've rather been. It's just that the bone chilling cold, and massive crowd put a damper on things. By the time the inauguration started, my girl and I had been standing outside for over 6 hours. On top of that, since we were standing near the Capitol building and not on the mall, we couldn't see anything. On the plus side though, I was able to get a lot of good shots with my spiffy new Nikon D40.

Let me say that although I seem to be complaining, I know I am very fortunate to have been a part of history. I am fortunate to have been among the diverse throng of people that descended upon D.C. to see the first black President sworn into office. I'm fortunate that I can tell this story to my children and grandchildren. Throughout all the excitement, all I could think is that we don't have time for more celebration and ceremony.

I wondered how many people around me didn't have jobs to go to the next day. I wondered if they would still be so teary-eyed and excited then. I'm sorry that my inauguration tale isn't a cheery one, but man, it's hard to be happy in these tough times.

I will say though, that I have the utmost confidence in Barry, and I feel that he will change things greatly for the better.

Obama '12!!

Do you.

New Monument

Remember last month when Bush visited Iraq unannounced and got a pair of shoes thrown at his face? Of course you do, it was hilarious. Well, a few days ago this Shoe monument was built by orphans of the Iraq war. I'm sure Bush had dreams about a monument being built in his honor, but this has to be a surprise

Regardless of your stance on the war, I think you'd have to agree that the person responsible for the invasion of your country walking around smiling, talkin bout how the troop surge was one of the greatest successes in US military history is kinda bogus. It's a slap in the face of the people whose country you crapped on.

"This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog." With those words, and the hurling of his shoe at Bush, Muntadar al-Zaidi became a national hero. He put an action to the feelings of a lot of his countrymen. Hell, there are quite a few Americans who'd like to throw something more than a shoe at Bush. My GPA in college was higher than his approval rating when he tok that last flight on Marine One after Obama's inaguration.

Bush destroyed lives in multiple countries and trashed our reputation in the global community. I wish one of those shoes had've hit him in his fat mouth mid-sentence.

Do you.

Slumdog Millionaire

I recently saw Slumdog Millionare, and the hype was justified. The story was good, it was told well, and executed well. Here are some thoughts:

I've been to Africa a few times and thought I saw poverty, but some of the parts of India are on a whole different level. The amount of heart, determination, and desperation needed for him to get where got by the end of the movie.

I can understand why some Indians felt the movie was exploitative and/or disrespectful to their country, but you can't deny the facts. Millions in India are living in horrible conditions while they (the offended) are comfortable and well-fed. Don't be mad. If you want India to be portrayed better, then make it better. That goes for any and every country in the world!

M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" is a dope song, and I hope she wins an award at the Grammys'.

In fact it's so dope that one of the hottest rap collabos of the year samples her song. You know your joint is hot if it's being sampled WHILE STILL IN ROTATION! If "Swagger Like Us" wins any Grammy's, M.I.A. should get one too.

Slumdog Milli follows the classic rags to riches plot but the way it's presented makes it fresh and exciting rather that boring and predictable.

GO see it.

Do you.

Keepin up

Man, it is tough to constantly post good new material for a blog! Well, at least for me it is. It's probably becuase I don't have a theme or particular focus - I basically put up whatever I feel like. A lot of times I'll have an idea, thought, or observation during the day, but if I can't jot it down, I'll either forget, become disinterested, or something else will come up and distract me from it. For the moment, I have these quick hits:

• Blago became the second straight bogus Gov. we've had in IL.

I think it had more to do with his horrid hairstyle, than his corruption. If he had been a Chicago politicain, he'd still be in office. SMH.

• Alicia Keys' new album is surprisingly not nominated for Album of the Year.

I thought all she had to do was open her mouth to get nominated. The album was good - surprising omission by the Grammy folks.

• Not a single Republican Senator voted for Obama's stimulus plan.

They just keep looking worse and worse. I understand they're all well-heeled, but the rest of us need a lil help from our Government.

• Obama is shaking things up a the White House with his later start to the day and relaxed dress code. White House staffers are shocked.

Apparently "Dubya" was too caught up on appearances to govern our country.

• I am addicted to Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock.

I'm a young Jimi Hendrix, Jr. in training.

• After many, many listens, 808s and Heartbreaks has grown on me.

I was critical of it early on, but it's full of honesty and emotion, and is well produced. Definitely not his best album, but one that was O.K. and probably very therapeutic for him.

• Blogging takes work man!

Yeah, it does.

Do you.

Blasphemy!

I know what I'm a bout to say will sound blasphemous to hip-hop fans that are about 26 and older but,we need to get past Big and Pac.
Really, we do. I'm a huge fan of both and I can't deny the impact they had on hip-hop's history. Many rappers have emulated their styles and their words (Jigga...). Many rappers owe their careers to the late icons, but at some point the idolization must stop.


People need to stop using them to make themselves money while claiming to honor their memory,(Diddy...) and artists need to stop using unreleased tracks to bolster their own mediocrity (too many to name). True Keyshia Coles' new joint with Pac is hot, but he's been dead for over 12 years. Find another rapper please.

I think our hesitance to release them speaks to lack of any great current rappers and our reluctance to accept atrists that push the boundaries of hip-hop.
Jay-Z - Swagger jacker.
Nas - Inconsistent.
Andre 3000 - I don't think music is a priority for him right now.
Eminem - Less about yout wife and mother please. We get it. Life sucks. Move on.
Snoop - Was on No Limit Records....
Everyone else is too regional to be universally accepted or not commercial enough to be included in discussions (shame.)

Pac and Big were victims of the lifestyle their lyrics glamorized. If Hip-Hop is indeed dead, it dies with them. We have become too occupied as a culture to appreciate the artists we have now. Instead of demanding quality from our artists, we demand reincarnations of Big and Pac, as long as you are not blatantly imitating them. It's a tough thing to have to do, to be a post Big and Pac rapper. Sure it's been done successfully, but their prescences remain havey in the industry.

If we want to emulate someone, it needs to be a person like Cornell West, President Obama, or Colin Powell. We don't need to shuck and jive to be successful or famous. We can be intelligent and articulate. We can respected without big cars, nice clothes, groupies, or guns and we can have self-esteem without drugs and sex.

Big and Pac were legends in their own time, but sadly that time is over. The sooner we realize that, the better off we'll be. Our music will probably get better too.

Do you.