Top 5 or 10 MC/Lyricist List

At a time when Hip-Hop should have been transcending into something that naturally should be greater than what it is now, a lot of fans and so-called Hip-Hop Headz got confused & hypnotized over the many years of what a true EMCEE is! When a part-time fans hear the same SHIT (songs) over and over again, of course they think that their artist is “Neo.” Then these part-time fans want to try and debate/convince someone unbiased (or biased to the culture) that <insert rapper’s name here> is heat; C’MON SON Corporate America/industry/empire sold dreams, money, and cars to sellouts (<insert rapper’s name here>). The industry/empire pretty much bamboozled, hoodwinked, & convinced a mainstream, corny, & phony artist, who by no means was making a mark on the Hip-Hop scene anyway, that they can make millions if they sell out to the “evil empire's” brand of rap. From there anybody and everybody thought they could do this...this grew into singles & ringtones. Everybody does one hot single and/or ringtone and blows up commercially. What happened to the classic albums with 12-14 tracks; all hot. Don't fool yourself in thinking that no matter how thorough the rhymes maybe, if an artist 'raps' over a beat that this is automatically Hip-Hop. It takes a lot more than rapping. This also applies to the true emcee or close to it that abandoned their culture for dollars. In no way am I suggesting that artist should go poor to accommodate me and headz like me (this is another discussion when talking business); what I am saying is this, Hip-Hop is bigger than one person and two songs!

I had a discussion with my brother from another; we discussed this very topic of 'Top' whatever list. He's a Hip Hop head; however, our list was far apart. Now this is in no way insinuating his list was booty (because it was quite legit) but he was concerned that they were way off for us to have basically the same taste. I told him because like in any culture there are subcultures with their own perceptions, truths, conceptions. He said, "we need to sit down & come up with a bona fide & legit criteria for list composition"

With that said, I can't tell you who  should be on your list but I DAMN sure can tell you who AIN'T on it...

TOP 5/10 LIST CRITERIA

At the end of the day, KRS-1 already told us what the criteria is! Artist such as Melle Mel, KRS-1, Jean Grae, Biggie (RIP), Styles P, Jakk Frost, Smiff & Wesson (Salute General Steele), Yaasin (Mos Def), Talib Kweli, Beanie Sigel, AZ deliver music that identified what the criteria is...A DOPE MC IS A DOPE MC; period, dot!

Now there are sub-list under this (if applicable or desired): 1) Lyricist (Dragon [see post Jean Grae's Home For Gifted Dragons]), 2) MC and 3) Rapper. Now before some of y'all blow a fucking gasket, let me elaborate a little...[NOTE: MC and lyricist are often used interchangeably but either one can never be confused with what a rapper is]

A lyricist (a dragon) is a mutant with super powers and is immortal who understands that this type of lyricism is a privilege, not a right. I believe it is imbedded within and is bestowed upon a fortunate few individuals that is lyrically beyond talent. Everyone doesn't have that gift (difference between gift and skill).

An MC are those who has the uncanny ability to formulate words lyrically, has the lyricist 'DNA', masters of their craft, sits at the table of royalty amongst the immortals, and could never; never, ever, ever be confused with a rapper.

A rapper are those wingnuts (fucktards) who, for the most part, really likes the Hip Hop culture but will never be considered an immortal. In the quest to be the best, they are easily influenced by delusions of grandeur. They easily and consistently side with the empire because, quite frankly, it really isn't in them...they went all in to be the best in something, anything within Hip Hop music other than the best at their craft “just to get a rep”.  Financially, this will make sense depending on your integrity and greed so I'm not discussing that. I'm just reiterating that a rapper does not equate to MC and/or lyricist and vice versa.

SO STOP PUTTING RAPPERS ON TOP 5/10 MCs/LYRICIST LISTS. THEY'RE RAPPERS AND DESERVING OF THEIR OWN LIST!!! Fans and so-called fans, stop taking the easy way out! Stop settling for market friendly, commercial friendly artist that lost their way paper chasing! THAT AIN'T HIP-HOP!!!

RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE!

...from the immortal words of Jean Grae, “SCRABBLEBEOTCH”

Salute

Philly aka @Philly2AZ aka Mr. Who is That aka Mr. Pause Tape Prince

UNO

HIP-HOP NEVER STOPS!

Big Up To My Hip Hop Massive

What up family! 

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." ~Upton Sinclair  

The familia, the family, the supergroup, the collective, the posse, the clique (or clik), the squad (or squadron); whatever name you call it, it's the collection of Thoroughbred, Dragon emcees and has been a mainstay in Hip-Hop since Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and the infancy stage of Def-Jam (see Krush Grove). Later in Hip Hop the 'crew' was formed; Hit Squad, BDP, Juice Crew, Hill Top Hustlers, etc...

Which now brings me to your lesson; Many confuse their camps with what a squad or clik (clique) is, many have what is called a 'team'. A team is not a bad thing or I'm not trying to state it with a negative connotation and if used loosely (by not strict definition) can be interjected with crew, squad, clique, collective, supergroup, etc...However, the term 'Team' is defined in Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as: a number of persons associated in some joint action. But the definition that applies more in this entry context is definition #2: two or more horses, oxen, or other animals harnessed together to draw a vehicle, plow, or the like. Those persons that were thrown together (harnessed) to draw a vehicle (major labels) or the like (generation of income) is what is being fed/dictated to the masses (misinformed, uninformed, & the casual Hip Hop fan) of what a crew is. A record executive can not put your squad together and it be authentic simultaneously (see Roc-A-fella). Just because you form/group individuals together and they rap doesn't make them a squadron! They are not producing those vital hellfire hits we affectionately call "Posse Cuts."

This blog entry is dedicated to those Hip hop crews/cliques/squads(rons)that keep delivering those posse cuts that keeps us rocking out; those collectives that always keep it thorough! Here's a list of my squads that keeps it authentic and represents Hip Hop to the fullest (this list is not all inclusive and NO! YMCM ain't on it!!): Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, The Roots, Native Tongues, Money Making Jam Boys, The LOX, and State Property. Shout out to my home city, the 2fifteen, for holding down 3 spots of the crews that influences the Hip-Hop game (Salute)!

The Writer's Guild out here in Arizona is that next collective that's going to be a force in Hip Hop...stay tuned for them and Jean Grae's Home of Gifted Dragons!!!!...SALUTE and PEACE!

RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE!

...from the immortal words of Jean Grae, “SCRABBLEBEOTCH”

Salute

Philly aka @Philly2AZ aka Mr. Who is That aka Mr. Pause Tape Prince

UNO

HIP-HOP NEVER STOPS!

Enjoy this video blog that goes with the written piece: it's funny, informative, entertaining, direct, raw, and necessary!!! Let's GO!!!!

Twitter, Hip-Hop, and You: Emcee Tribute (Occupy Mainstream #OccMS)

Welcome to another installment of: JEAN GRAE’S HOME FOR GIFTED DRAGONS! The name Jean Grae is a moniker for my favorite MC; however, it is also the moniker of one of the original X-Men who grew, resided, learned, and trained at the Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters; hence, Jean Grae’s Home for Gifted Dragons! Now this in no-way suggest that Jean Grae is the mother of Hip-Hop or the boss of any one; what this is, is a collective! A collective I named and would like to put together in the name and honor of Jean Grae. A COLLECTIVE OF DJs, MCs, GRAFF ARTIST, B-BOYS & B-GIRLS, and BEAT BOXERS to use their powers for the benefit of sucker MCs & DJs, humanity, and to prove mutant DJs and MCs can be heroes that deserve more recognition for their craft than getting of late...

Let’s be clear-Jean Grae as an artist and a person means the world to me! Through her music, Hip-Hop, and fate I have connected with a special human being and gained a friend. So I will continue to selflessly promote and spread her brand to the World. So now I present to you:  Twitter, Hip-Hop, and You: Emcee Tribute (Occupy Mainstream #OccMS)

Definitions:

Yin and Yang
Two forces in the universe, according to a Chinese theory: yin is the passive, negative force, and yang the active, positive force; balance.

Grassroots
The common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite; the origin or basis of something; the basic or primary concept, rule, part, or the like.

***********************************************

"They only say Hip-Hop is dead cause that DOPE shit is underground"~Joe Budden Freestyle

That bar, for all intent and purposes, is a factual statement. The mainstream rap genre (don’t and can’t [in good conscience] call it Hip-Hop and in some instances, it’s not even rap!) has effectively dictated what Hip-Hop and Rap is to the massive. They expertly have done this from two avenues: 1) consumer purchase and 2) from within.

Let’s tackle these two points individually:

1) Consumer purchase-it is often stated that 70% of Hip-Hop consumers are white, suburban teens. I couldn’t find any factual data to accurately back this up because no hard demographic study has ever been conducted on hip-hop's consumers. Are these percentages true? Or are these just sound bites and headlines to promote mainstream artist to fit the mold/image of major record executives to promote record sales and generate income. I don’t know the answer to these questions; however, what I do know is this, major record executives push what sales. I would bet diamonds to doughnuts that the majority of radio and record executives wouldn’t know Real, True, Authentic Hip-Hop if Hip-Hop walked up to them in the daytime, with a bright neon sign and punched them in the nose but what I wouldn’t bet on is this...music is big business and with big business comes big money. Major radio and record executives are greedy business persons and would sell drugs openly, though morally wrong, if it were legal to do so; whatever it takes to generate income and line their pockets would work for them so if authentic Hip-Hop sold they would push it! 
2) From Within- I have my theories when Hip-Hop changed, in my opinion for the worst, but one thing is for sure, it did change. Change is not synonymous with evolution though. Hip-Hop hasn’t evolved into what is being dictated in media and entertainment. It is a humiliating and embarrassing as a B-Boy and a huge fan that Music Television (MTV) and Black Entertainment Television (BET) are more known for sitcoms and show programming than their music; especially BET! It is absurd and foolish for the BET Hip-Hop Awards contained NO HIP-HOP minus a couple performers and except for the Rap Ciphers (I know they spelled it with a ‘Y’ but I’m grown and the ‘Y’ doesn’t automatically make it Hip-Hop); this awards show was one of those programmed sitcoms...extremely laughable! Baggy pants and wheat Tims have been substituted for skinny jeans and high end, clown shoes.  But it’s more than just dress; it’s speech/vernacular, it’s ideology, it’s common knowledge/sense within the culture of Hip-Hop! Dumb downed artist were put into positions based on album sales and associations. Artist that were and are mediocre at best were sold a dream and given cash advances in order to cash in on paydays.  What this did was give major record executives the means to get into the world of authentic Hip-Hop and add their brand based solely on what would sale in order to fund the cash advances and their pockets. ...BRILLIANT!

Business speaking, this is a brilliant business model. This is the same shit we see all the time in professional sports business practices, the money in politics (i.e. OWS), and in entertainment, more notably Hip-Hop, so why would music be any different....let’s take action! 

We as a Hip-Hop culture, community, and consumers can take this back. We do not have to go after every cornball artist and their lame, cornball fans. Those fans are loyal and unwavering so they’re not budging. They don’t get it because they don’t want to get it. These artist and their fans are in the category of confused, mislead, misinformed, and/or uninformed. We can start this effort of getting back to the basics by eliminating the previous two points. How? Let’s demand more from radio, television, and record execs; also, let’s start calling “a spade a spade.” There are DJs & MCs out now who are doing their part! They are consistently dropping that dragon fire! So why are people still saying there isn't no good music out there. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!!!! This call to action is for Hip Hop fans, B-Boys, B-Girls, the confused, uninformed, misinformed, and the mislead.


There was a time when Rap was almost synonymous with Hip-Hop; meaning RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE but they were married! Now the word rap is something with a slight negative connotation and rap is reserved for the less talented gimmicky “rappers” while lyricist is the word of choice for our DRAGONS! Yo! MTV Raps and Rap City contained Rap in the title but do not be confused to think it wasn’t HIP-HOP. Now we have shows like Hip-Hop Hits, Hip-Hop this, Hip-Hop that...blah, blah, blah but without a sprinkle of authenticity within the programming. Instead of fully eliminating that bullshit, let’s demand some Yin and Yang (or BALANCE--see definition above)! We need balance; let them keep pushing that foolery but we don’t and shouldn’t cater to that BULLSHIT! If it’s bullshit, then it’s bullshit! We need to stop pussyfooting around, especially in album reviews, coming up with soft descriptions like, “Production is nice” or “lyrics are average but...” FUCK THAT! Garbage is garbage! You buy it, you’re stuck with it but don’t pass it off as Hip-Hop! This is the only and real problem. Everything isn’t Hip-Hop just because someone decides to rhyme their words. It’s a crying shame when the Justin Bieber’s Otis freestyle was better than a lot of so-called “hip hop” artist out there or that the Gym Class Heroes are more Hip-Hop than Drake and Big Sean (and let’s be clear, I fucks with Gym Class Heroes). The point is...well KRS-One can better make my point, “So since y’all confused on what Hip-Hop is, y’all confusing it with what pop is” ~KRS-One, 2011, “Who Is It” from the album Royalty Check

There are many avenues where people of like minds can parlay, politic and brainstorm but I am going to focus on one: Twitter.  I reach out to many people about this grassroots movement but my approach may be off so I'm humbling myself and asking; No, pleading for assistance and support. There are no tricks, no traps, no gotchas; this is isn't trick to swindle loot or property. All I'm asking is if you find yourself complaining about the lack of authentic Hip-Hop in the mainstream then join me to make a difference! This Blog was created to establish a forum for that real shit! Let’s join forces and take back what is ours. We can make OUR culture relevant again! All my peoples that is on Twitter reading this, let’s start using the hashtag #OccMS! Let’s start putting this BULLSHIT on notice; we’re watching and listening and we’re not impressed or moved! And when you are asked what does #OccMS means, direct them to my blog for the entire meaning and definition, “Thank you in advance.” Everything revolution starts from some sort of grass-roots movement (see definition above), so the time is now! I don’t know what the future holds but I do know if we don’t try then don’t complain... I'm putting my cards on the table. I don't have the big or little joker but don't get it twisted; I'm MAKING MY BOOKS! All I am asking for is support in helping me re-educate and help preserve the the culture and OUR art form.

This blog post is dedicated to the EMCEE (my post before this was dedicated to the DJ) so I really want to show my love to my Top 5 MCs (if you are an MC then you are not excluded; I chose writer’s discretion and listed only five but do not think I don’t have a list and this is for you tambien...SALUTE!): R.I.P. The Notorious One-Biggie (the Greatest), Black Thought (a true Philly representer! Salute Family), Jean Grae (a lyrical beast! mi la esposa [in my bizzaro universe] but seriously a true dear friend...Love you homie), KRS-One (The Teacher! Nuff Said, Salute) and Pharoahe Monch (a lyrical beast and severely underrated [like everyone on this list minus Biggie]).

Now let me help some of y’all haters out before you get started; there will be some that will call me a dick-rider and/or etc...well let’s be clear. In my previous blogs I wrote “Hip-Hop saved my life.” I didn’t make that up. I owe Hip-Hop my life as it is now; no regrets, no do-overs! I’m doing this and my part, with others, that is trying to preserve our culture. Our culture of Hip-Hop, to date, is less than 40 years old...we have to do better! So if the best you can come up with is “dick rider” because I’m genuine in my actions with the courage to put it on paper for the public, then as Redman stated, “I’ll be DAT!” And frankly, I don’t give a FUCK! So now that the slander is out the way...


Attached below is another mixtape I made (I’ve been practicing). Now you may be asking, “why are you dropping mixtapes if you are not inspiring to be a DJ?” Well, 1) this is only my second, 2) I'm an authentic B-Boy who loves Hip-Hop to the fullest, 3) as told to me by DJs I respect and admire, I'm a DJ at heart; so there's your answer. So often I hear the statement, “I don’t listen to rap because there isn’t any good music anymore.” Well I’m here to prove that very soft statement WRONG! In addition to words, I wanted to drop some GOOD music that's relevant to this conversation and as always I pay homage to the DJ. It’s only right seeing how a DJ is the FATHER of our culture (Kool Herc, we love you). I wanted to present music on a straight novice level to the massive because for those that aren’t familiar to real Hip-Hop, authentic DJs can be intimidating because they literally make music with their hands so I figured if I can show them “folks” that there is good music out there with out catering and selling all the way out...I digged in my own crates to give the B-Boys, B-Girls, and the curious a mix they can rock to without feeling slimey LMAO! I could have hit you with mad freestyles and that grimey, grizzly, fork-tongue, slap your pops & moms, heavy shit but I’m not trying to chase anybody away so I chose Dragon Fire that is more radio oriented but HELL FIREBALLS none-the-less...ENJOY!

*DISCLAIMER* I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR 100% OF THE SCRATCHING IN THIS MIXTAPE. THIS MEANS I DID NOT SCRATCH A RECORD! I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ARRANGEMENT, MAJORITY OF THE BLENDS, BACKSPINS, BREAKS, AND JUGGLING! ANY SCRATCHING OR BLENDING THAT SOUNDS PROFESSIONAL WAS ALREADY IN THE RECORD ITSELF! THE MAJORITY (95%-98%) OF THE SCRATCHING WAS PERFORMED BY DJ JAZZY JEFF; ALL OTHERS WERE PERFORMED BY THE RESPECTIVE DJ FROM THE RECORD.

So big up and shout out to: The Magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff (my Philly brethren & a true inspiration), Jam Master DJ Scratch (you've been mentoring me & probably don't know it but thank you a million! Salute), the Legendary DJ Kid Capri (you are that DUDE! Salute), the Iconic DJ Pete Rock (holding it down for us Chocolate brothas...Salute Fam), DJ Premier (Primo...Salute!), DJ SNS (family how you!), DJ Tony Toca (Tony Touch for those still at home trying to update their scorers sheet), DJ Doo Wop (Mr. Uptown/BX, thank you sincerely for the 50 MCs mixtape! I still rock it on cassette), DJ Ron G (Mr. Polo Grounds), DJ Queen of Spades (my secret crush LOL, wanted to show you love too) and other DJs that have more than the letters "D & J" in their moniker and that consistently & regularly shows us what a DJ is...SALUTE and PEACE!

RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE!
...from the immortal words of Jean Grae, “SCRABBLEBEOTCH”
Salute
Philly aka @Philly2AZ aka Mr. Who is That aka Mr. Pause Tape Prince
UNO

HIP-HOP NEVER STOPS! (Click link below to hear the mixtape and rock out! Salute)

MC Tribute_Dragon Fire, Fireballs, Hell Fire

DJ Tribute: This is for You! A Video Graphic Novel Salute to Deejays, Emcees, & Hip-Hop

NOTE: This blog post is a tribute and is presented in two parts: first part is the words themselves and the second is the attached video created by yours truly! This video is my humble attempt to do true DJs justice. By no means am I an inspiring DJ, video director, or what have you...I am a Hip Hop Head and B-Boy from the gate, who loves Hip-Hop and wants to do his part in keeping the culture relevant! Enjoy this Tribute!



This is for you, you, you, you, and especially you! I want to send a special shout out to DJ Jazzy Jeff. Me and Jeff go way back to our old head Philly days. He may not remember me but I remember him & all the times I’ve seen him rock a party either at Central HS, USA Skating Rink (Roosevelt Blvd), or just rocking out in someone’s house/basement (I was that young buol B-Boy that was a local [Logan] pause tape DJ that hung around MC Parry P). DJ Jazzy Jeff is all Philly and we SALUTE you homie. I also want to shout out DJ Scratch! Scratch has educated the masses on a daily basis by way of Twitter and Facebook but I don’t believe he has ever been thanked; “Thank you Scratch!” He also deserves a HUGE SHOUT and BIG UP for ScratchVison.com! This is a place where lovers of Hip-Hop and true DJs can connect & build, learn & educate,  and breathe & have fun! DJ Scratch has brought us the imagery to go with the sounds of, via Scratch Vision, DJ Jazzy Jeff (The Magnificent), DJ Kid Capri 262 Beats (The Spectacular), DJ SNS (The Iconic), and the “Ladies First Weekend!” That was a special event for me; this is where I connected with the Queen (DJ Queen of Spades)...A special shout out also goes to DJ Queen of Spades! She showed me LOVE from the door! I appreciate the Love Sis! *Muah & a big hug*. Everyone, enjoy the Tribute...:



This is for my Real DJs!!!! (e.g. The ones that juggle, mix, scratch, etc...who makes music with their hands using the wheels of steel, the ones that don't just have the letter 'DJ' in their name [has a DJ in front of their name but doesn't even stand behind the tables in their own video...SMDH!), the ones that still break in that real hot authentic music, the ones who still make authentic mixtapes [if you're confused, you are not a real DJ]) 

This attached video mixtape is my humble tribute to the DeeJays and the Emcees in the only way I know how. I never claimed to be a DJ because I know I'm not. What you have here is an old head, B-Boy that loves his Hip-Hop Culture that dabbled in all the Elements of Hip-Hop and had a 'Jeffrey' brainstorm after being inspired by DJ Scratch's Tribute to Nas & ATCQ and DJ SNS’s killer ‘90s set on www.ScratchVision.com, and DJ Jazzy Jeff’s “Live At The Do-Over part 2.” Scratch has said numerous times that 1) we have to start paying tribute to our stars in Hip-Hop while they're still alive and 2) give your shit to DJs, they'll know if it's Hot. #Salute DJ Scratch!

This is for my brethren and sisters; my true Hip-Hop Headz (e.g. My people that viewed the MTV VMAs as a Sitcom, those who know term(s) Gazals, 80Belows, wheels of steel, fire, butta, nahmean (?), KRS-One, wack, PM Dawn, block parties, battle, Beef, Cipher, beatbox, vex, graffiti, B-Boy, B-Girl, those who will really listen to my mixtape and know at least 5 songs word-for-word, beginning-to-end; those who know what the Boom Bap is when they listen, those who can defend Hip-Hop to anyone who ask, the regular walks of life who would relish the opportunity to parlay with some of their stars!)

Question: why don't we have a network?



This is for the 85% (e.g. Those who listen to the radio only, those that misleads the misinformed & the uninformed, those who argue that Hip-Hop has evolved to what it is now???  Then the whole argument/debate revolves only around record sales and how much money they made)

This is for the 10% (e.g. HIP HOP NEVER STOPS! YOU CAN'T HAVE HER! WE’RE HERE! WHOEVER YOU PUT IN FRONT OF US IS GETTING "'MOWED' DOWN" [*PEEP THE QUOTES! PURE SATIRE!!! NO WAY I HAVE THE POWER OR MEANS TO INFLICT HARM ANYONE ON A MASSIVE SCALE OF 85% OF YOU DICKHEADS! IT'S JUST A FIGURE OF SPEECH DIRECTED AT YOU AND YOUR WEAK, LAME ASS, SO-CALLED rappers and DJs, and so-called B-Boys & B-Girls.] WHOEVER/WHATEVER DRAGON YOU SIGN, THEY'LL BE BACK BECAUSE IT'S IN THEM TO SHINE ON OUR TEAM!)

This is for the 5% (e.g. Those who keep it 100%, those who know term(s) Gazals, 80Belows, wheels of steel, fire, butta, nahmean, KRS-One, wack, PM Dawn, block parties, battle, Beef, Cipher, beatbox, vex, graffiti, B-Boy, B-Girl, etc...; however, it all means nothing if we don't build that rapport/bond back. That kinship, that familia, that Cos Dos Nostros, that FAMILY! I know there are more of like minds out there! If you have the means...CHECK THAT! If you have the time; social media gave you the means! You may not know me but you may know "a regular" person as myself with a like thought process that could be connected to me and we can build a better BRIDGE and base, support freelance bloggers [like myself] & podcasts [like Where's My 40 Acres]; no media ties so we can keep it uncensored, 100% YOU, YOUR THOUGHTS)



This is for everyone trapped in the 85%, aka the Matrix, that want out: Swallow the right pill, research, support us freelance bloggers and podcasters that truly support & defend REAL Hip-Hop, stop buying that bullshit, and be more selective and bias! Those "other guys" doesn't need your help defending them. They got followers that won't let go so this isn't for them ANY WAY! We're here....

This is for the misinformed (e.g. The curious of Hip-Hop Culture and were led to the  Rap genre on any cities FM dial. *everyone trapped in the 85%*)



This is for the uninformed (e.g. The old head or someone who should know better who has been told the hottest shit is on the radio [any cities FM dial] & won't put the "work?" into finding and researching for good music. *everyone trapped in the 85%*)

I am 100% convinced we outnumber the 85%! So why are we not connected????

I'm here! Where are you? Get at me, let's parlay & build! Some of y'all know people that know people so, as consumers, let us remind and dictate to the industry what is HOT instead of it being the other way around! You can't be this content because I expect more from Hip-Hop as a culture! Let's support each other & make our presence known; Twitter is a beautiful thing!! But we got to support each other! There is no reason why we don’t follow each other on Twitter and/or Facebook bouncing ideas off of each other. The “Hip Hop Ain’t Lost” is raw, authentic, direct, unpolished, and brash...just what our culture needs, a kick in the ass! Support, Support, Support my blog (Hip Hop Ain’t Lost [I'm on Twitter: @Philly2AZ]), Scratch Vision Radio, Where’s My 40 Acres podcast, and those like us.



You don't have to agree with my shit or their shit but support! And then let's converse our dialogue and get the whole culture right! Our Culture is less than 40 years old; we can save HER! Then we can live in a world where Kool Herc is taken care of for Life, where Kool Herc,  Afrika Bambaataa, Zulu Nation, Curtis Blow, Grandmaster Caz, Dougie Fresh will never pay to get into any show anywhere in the world (& anyone I forgot that’s deserving as a fore-father)! Hip-Hop is way better than that bullshit that’s out here now! AND IF THERE IS A RUMOR OR REAL EVENT PUBLICIZED  THAT SOULJA BOY HAD THE MONEY TO BUY A LEARJET FOR HIS B-DAY, THEN THERE IS DEFINITELY ENOUGH MONEY WHERE WE CAN ALL GET PAID AND EAT! LET'S START EMPLOYING OURSELVES!

Because I stand by my word and I want to keep it 100, "PLEASE Support my blog; my government name is Will and I APPROVE of this Message!" (To those who read my blogs will appreciate this with a good chuckle [LMAO])



What is it? What is the 2nd part of the Tribute: It’s a novice video graphic novel mixtape for you to enjoy. This mixtape is incomplete! There is a slew of old shit & new shit I didn't get too... I didn’t get to Random Axe, DeLa Soul, Native Tongue, Naughty, Rakim, Steady B, Cool C, E.S.T. Eminem, etc......I’ll get it on the next one! But I guarantee that you’ll be able to rock out though. I was a "'Pause Tape' Prince" back in the day, and with some pledge to knock off the dust and 2011 technology, I was able to create a mix that I'm proud of as a tribute! It's raw with mad mistakes but in this case, can I get some latitude? It's for the LOVE...
SALUTE



P.S. For those that will find some infinite bullshit to nit-pick & criticize; Let me rock! Or do better....What you scared....



RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE! 


...from the immortal words of Jean Grae, “SCRABBLEBEOTCH”


Salute
Philly aka Philly2AZ aka Mr. Who is That aka Mr. Pause Tape Prince


UNO

DJ Tribute: This is for You! A Video Graphic Novel Salute to Deejays, Emcees, & Hip-Hop

*MOBILE (Phone) VERSION* DJ Tribute: This is for YOU! A Video Graphic Novel Salute to Deejays, Emcees, & Hip-Hop  

A Recap of an Evening With Black Star (Hip Hop Bucket List) )

Stardate: 2455914, Captain's log: This mission was one of sorrow, mourning, celebration, and excitement. The travels through the stars and galaxy was without incident; all crewmembers have been working hard and those worthy of rewards and citations have been presented accordingly.

So I was back in Philly with family and friends, to celebrate the life of my Aunt Kay (R.I.P.). Within my travels I was able to connect with some cousins, aunts, and uncles that I haven't seen in years. So after family time from the week, the weekend was open to absorb all the Hip Hop that was planned this weekend.

First, Saturday afternoon, me and my crew parlayed over "Jeffries" and drinks while discussing/debating/listening to Hip Hop (old & new music). The Roots' "How I Got Over," Jean Grae's "Jeanius," Slum Village's "Villa Manifesto, & Money Making Jam Boys' "10 Deep Presents The Prestige" were on constant rotation. We were impressed with Kendrick Lamar's "Self-Titled EP" & "Overly Dedicated," Skyzoo's "Penny Freestyle Series," Reks' "Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme," XV's "Zero Heroes" and "LRG Presents Exile-Intro To The Outro" mixtape. Needless to say we had a very good session. That Saturday evening we hyperdrived through the Tri-State and ended in Delaware to catch, "Beats, Rhymes, and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest." This movie was literally mind blowing!!! I can't say or explain enough how much I violently LOVE that documentary....SALUTE and Big UP Michael Rapport and ATCQ! I had the Best Saturday to date....

Sunday is the big day. Sunday is FOOTBALL and the Eagles season opener and the Black Star Show/Concert! Black Star you ask? YES! Mos Def & Talib Kweli performing as Black Star in Philly! Can you say 'speechless...'

So here's a recap: Doors opened at 6pm EST, so before we make our entrance we "stroke the furry wall" (if you're not up on this then watch the movie "Get Him To The Greek") to elevate to a different plane than the ones mere mortals chill at. We were on some Mount Olympus, Asgard Immortal *ish. We entered around 6:45pm to the sounds of a DJ getting the atmosphere correct. And it was working...Hip Hop in the background and two trips to the bar, everything was RIGHT!

I'm not going to lie and tell you who was the opening act (I don't even know how good or bad they were) but I do remember the opening act's DJ playing Little Wayne, Aubrey Drake, and other radio friendly alternative rap (this is when Hip Hop took a bathroom break I would imagine). Severely disappointed and listening to unfamiliar territory, another trip to the bar was in order! This is when I noticed the crowd. The crowd was a mixture of sex, creed, nationalities, race, religion, etc...a decent "melting pot" mixture. But the most noticeable difference was the age bracket and occupation. I don't accurately know the percentage; however, it is safe to say that the crowd was mostly (70-80%) college students.

This was only noticeable because these were kids. And when I mean kids, I mean babies 18 to 23 years of age. They were to young to know first hand of the original Black Star movement. Curiosity is an understatement.... I was way too curious to see how this would turn out (I actually prayed that Philly wouldn't disappoint and show the Love Black Star deserves) because what I noticed was these weren't Hip Hop Heads but devoted fans to Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Black Star respectively.

So it's 8:00pm, 3 drinks in and still stroking the furry wall, opening act ending, the opening DJ is back for what I would assume was an hour set for intermission until DJ J Rocc  & Black Star took the stage. This is where it gets interesting; the time is now about 10pm and no sign of Black Star. This DJ rocked for 2 hours and he showed true DJ mechanics, so he wasn't bad at all for a turntablelist. But the crowd was relentless. They booed this cat for the simple and only fact that DJ (insert name [don't remember; stroking the furry wall]) was not Black Star. I felt bad for my man but that quickly changed as he maintained his cool and did his thing. His song selection was questionable but resources for an hour stretched into over 2 hours, I expected less but got more; he came through. Salute and Big UP to DJ...???... Who did Hip Hop proud that Sunday night....The crowd wasn't into Hip Hop per se; they weren't feeling DJ sets and no one attempted any B-Boying. They were there to see a Black Star show and not a Hip Hop event.

10:15pm (plus or minus 10-15minutes) DJ J Rocc  appears on stage. He was fighting an uphill battle because the crowd was very restless. After brief introductions, DJ J Rocc  showed the crowd an essential element of Hip Hop: The DJ! DJ J Rocc  absolutely obliterated the wheels; very impressive. Salute and Big UP DJ J Rocc!!! Now it's time for Black Star and the energy was crazy. Black Star came out well after 10pm for a venue that started at 6pm but there were no complaints though (until afterwards by way of Twitter *SDMH*). Black Star KILLED IT! Mos was hyped as *ish and Talib was on his Fonzi (get Gutter Rainbows to catch that Frisbee [shout out Skyzoo]). Throughout the night the two attacked every song with a Yin-Yang balance feeding off of each other and the crowd. Oh! The crowd was amazing! For the crowd to be so restless and showing lack of Hip Hop integrity, they showed up. They gave off crazy energy that later manifested into an hour encore set from Black Star! They new every word to every song whether it was a Black Star, Talib, or Mos Def song. I stood proud (in VIP of course) in Philly at a Black Star show with Philly young bucks (male & female) representing; and to remind you, these weren't B-Boys & B-Girls.

I spent my entire adult life (to date) in the military and when timing is crucial, it's relevant. I've never been able to see a Hip Hop show since being in the military because the timing was never right. Once I got out of the military, I told myself never to take for granted the little stuff again; the big stuff will take care of itself. So since being out the military, I've been able to live my dream and front line for Hip Hop! I got to be up close and personal with Jean Grae (my heart), saw Jean Grae perform (amazing show), saw The Legendary Roots Crew perform (also an amazing show), talked briefly with Black Thought, started a Hip Hop Blog with good feedback thus far, conversed (virtually via Twitter and ScratchVision.com) with DJ Scratch & DJ Kid Capri, connected with a crew of crazy MCs (The Writer's Guild) in all places Arizona, I finally saw the ATCQ movie/documentary, and watched Black Star perform to kids while this old head sat back and enjoyed a taste of the Hip Hop Good Life! Now I need to see Pharaohe Monch perform and have a "Jeffrey" session with conversations about anything with Jean Grae, Black Thought, and Pharoahe Monch; THEN MY HIP HOP BUCKET LIST WILL BE COMPLETE.

RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE!

...from the immortal words of Jean Grae, “SCRABBLEBEOTCH”

Salute

Philly aka Philly2AZ aka Mr. Who is That aka Mr. I throw up when I hear wack shit!

UNO

Top 10 Rappers Who Should Just Die In Their Sleep (Pure SATIRE)

DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER

We here at Philly2AZ do not under any circumstances wish pain, suffering, disease, family grief, brain damage, despair, plague, financial hardship, beef, OR ACTUAL DEATH to anyone mentioned on this list. The title is specifically and absolutely intended to get you to read this post. If you have finished reading any parts of this PURELY SATIRICAL read then my mission was accomplished and controversy indeed does sell. If you like it, send it to your friends or get at me on twitter @DjEmceeHipHop. If you take offense to this or any other post on this site, it's totally your right but you're probably not that bright. It's SATIRE!! Dictionary.com if you're not sure of the meaning. Also do not call me out for incorrect grammar, misspellings or run on sentences. I'm not a Geometry major (see Waka Flocka below). The ignorance I'm about to reveal will more than make up for any mistakes I may make. Please don't take this seriously other than the fact that I really LOVE HIP-HOP and my passion has driven me to start a movement with my boy @Philly2AZ to rid Hip-Hop of this nonsensical bullshit. At the very least we can steer you in the right direction of some purely dope shit and good music from artists with integrity who have the utmost respect for our Culture. I don't care how hot their tracks are, I hate these artists! I LOVE the CULTURE that these artists misrepresent. I hate them! Hate them like I hate George Bush, his Daddy and Republicans who talk from afar about what's wrong with Black people though they have no actual Black friends. Or Black Democrats who know exactly what our communities need yet do NOTHING to support the cause or give back.

So to any Stan's, fans, goons, groupie's or dude's (termed loosely) who approve of wearing skinny jeans with elastic around the ankles, who do not appreciate this brand of truthful, wishful thinking, Sam Jackson Pulp Fiction Ezekiel 25:17 before killing a mutha fucka, I'm joking but I'm dead serious at the same time, sense of humor, PLEASE STOP READING NOW BECAUSE YOU WILL BE OFFENDED. (In some cases the run-on sentence proves to be effective so to hell with your grammatically correct opinions. I did warn you.)

Have you ever just wished someone or something would just go away for good? Baby Momma, Baby Daddy, Taxes, Sarah Palin, Racism, Brett Favre?? I'm sure there are plenty of you who agree with me. The world will be a better place without some of these people or things. With that being said we have come up with a list of the 10 Rappers Who Should Just Die In Their Sleep. In no particular order, mind you. We don't care. Just Peacefully Expire. The sooner, the better. Say your prayers with me...

Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If anyone on this list ACCIDENTALLY gets hit by a Mack Truck.
Charge it to the game and please, please wake Biggie, Guru, Pimp C, Mac Dre, Proof, J-Dilla, Pac, Pun and Big L back up!

We used to call out wack MC's back in the day. We didn't tolerate it. We did not support garbage. Yes there were wack MC's back in the day. Ol'Heads tend to act like we can just scratch from the record that MC Hammer was a horrible Emcee but an incredible ENTERTAINER. Everything that came out of NY, Philly, Cali, Houston, Florida or ATL was not Gold just because it is OLD. But I do feel enough of a foundation has been set by our fore-fathers and fore-mothers that the nonsense that's being passed off as being anything closely related to the Culture of Hip-Hop is doing our children and young adults a disservice. As Black people we tend throw away our artists for the next big thing. We also tend to focus too much on what SELLS and not what's GOOD. With that said...

Record execs AKA The Overseer
Best and worst thing to happen to Hip-Hop?? Money got real!!. There are easy and hard ways to make money. There's hard work and shortcuts. I have white friends who love ol' school Hip-Hop. I sometimes randomly ask them who their favorites were. To make this plain I hear Tribe along with NWA as the most common answers. I love both groups. Tribe being my personal G.O.A.T. But NWA is an interesting answer. As a collective, they are incredible and still relevant. While their music told the real story of how things go down on the West Coast it also succeeded in selling the perceived ignorance of Black People to White America. "Got white boys calling themselves Nigga" KRS-One. Money got real when white people bought Hip-Hop. If they didn't have black friends, Hip-Hop was their way of connecting to what the media interpreted as, "all black people behave this way". Please do not say I'm blaming NWA or the West Coast for all of Hip-Hop's ills; the East Coast, Midwest and Dirty South are just as responsible as a whole. Ignorance however devolves over time. The message NWA was attempting to convey from 86 to 92 has devolved into the bastard children who rule the airways today and the companies who have taken short cuts to make a lot of money off of peoples failure to pay attention. Controversy sells. Look at TV today; Reality TV. Name a show where at least 3 roommates are not fighting or bleep, bleep, bleep does not happen at least 35 times in a 1 hour episode. Who thought we would ever see the day when Flavor Flav is kissing more women than Richard Dawson? Ignorance works on TV and works in Music. We also now know it works in social media. Somebody dies where does the news go...their Facebook page. What type of person were they? You're suspected of murder, where do the cops go...your Facebook page because you probably snitched on yourself with your dumb ass. This bullshit sells, execs know it. And if we do not stop buying it, the stupidity will continue to prevail.

Rick Ross AKA Fakin The Funk by Main Source
Now I know it's old news that William L. Roberts II was at one time a correctional officer or CO for short or those with a lisp (no disrespect). However lets get to the obvious. As of this post his real age is about 35 1/2. I say this because I call into question some of his lyrics that just don't quite add up. For example, Manuel Noriega. Noriega surrendered to the Vatican Embassy in Panama City, Panama on January 3, 1990. Been locked up ever since. Please refer to the 35 1/2 above and subtract approximately 21 1/2 years from it. That makes William about 14 years old at the time of Noriega's capture.
In the song "Hustlin"...William says, "I know Noriega, the real Noriega. He owe me a hundred favors"
The same Manuel Noriega who was a military dictator in Panama not Carol City, Florida (where William grew up) from 12/15/1983 to 12/20/1989, who basically "ran that ENTIRE drug shit" while William was anywhere from ages 8 to 14, in Carol City Florida, NOT Panama. Now, we know Hip-Hop braggadocio is is an essential part of being an MC. Putting your name out there as the baddest or coolest right? LL Cool J, Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane. We also are willing to accept some lies along with your self-promotion. But am I really supposed to believe Manuel Noriega he had a weakness for young ashy black kids in Carol City, Florida and he just happens to owe William, again, approx age 8 to 14 during Noriega's time as dictator, approx 100 favors?? The same William who raps under the alias Rick Ross; the same Freeway Ricky Ross who is probably best known for "running that ENTIRE drug shit" in Los Angeles, CA in the early 1980s while William, in Carol City Florida (early 80's age approx 4 to 9) sat back and admired? I know it's only a couple lines but, "We don't believe you, you need more people" Jay-Z

Lil Wayne AKA Grace Jones
3 random approximately 12 year old white boys: "Do you have any songs from The Carter 4"?
Me: "No and Lil Wayne sucks"!!
3 random approximately 12 year old white boys: "Nooo, He's the best"!!!
He kissed Baby and wears leopard tights. (Random thought...have skinny jeans now evolved into leopard tights? Please tell me this isn't the 2012 fashion trend, PLEASE!!!) He's a rapper who sings (Damn you Kanye and your fuckin 808 's and Heartbreaks. Look WTF ya dun did!!!) in auto-tune and has appeared on ESPN's Around the Horn. I'm not sure what to say about Wayne that hasn't been said already. He's that funny dude from high school that ten years later at the reunion is telling the same jokes he told in high school only it's just not funny anymore because you're in a different place mentally. Maybe it's me but it seems that Wayne's crowd is the same crowd Eminem successfully targeted 8 to 10 years ago only Eminem has matured and tells better jokes.
Editor's Note: Em is full-retard on the Mic. One of the best to bless it.

"Degrassi" Drake.
He's STILL acting and has you fooled. It should have been "OVER" but I think light-skin is coming back (paging Al B. Sure and Christopher Williams). I will cut Drake some slack because I'm light-skindid and I was mad when Wesley Snipes, Taye Diggs and that singing mutha fucka from the Pepsi bus commercial (I know his damn name and I aint sayin it and you can't make me) basically took over the chick game. Light skin went soft when dark skin came thru and crushed the buildings. Drake just appears to be in the WRONG LANE. Feel me for a sec. I'm a huge De La Soul fan. If Drake could REALLY rhyme can't you just envision him in the "Me, Myself and I" video? Tribe's "Bonita" video? Again feel me for a sec. I'm Native Tongue till I die and I'm surely not comparing him lyrically to Pos, Dove, Tip or Phife. Just think of those videos, close your eyes for 5 seconds and I guarantee you can see Degrassi Drake wearing a multi-colored polka dot shirt and Hammer pants. He's just so out of place right now. Degrassi Drake is Chris Rock's character in CB4. "Backpacking" is not selling but "Simpin" is. Drake is a below average lyrical backpacker but a top notch lyrical simper. I wish Cinderella(Drake) would lose the glass(mic) from her foot(hands). He's not "Fancy".

Waka Flocka AKA Yeah, he really said that
106 & Park: What's your thought's on voting?
Waka: Votin? Votin cool. Votin good. Ima keep it real dough....Votin good dough like, you rilly spposed to git into it....(indecipherable for 3 seconds)...Ayo we gotta run that back!!!
106 & Park: What's your thoughts on education?
Waka:...my thoughts on education? ahh education big dough I aint even gonna lie. even dough I didn't finish and got my GED...but education big dough bruh.
106 & Park: You plan on ever going back?
Waka: Going Back?....I might study and do um.. tah um um um um... Geometry like...Ima a mathematic person, real talk, real talk.
If only Geometry was an actual a major!!! Real Talk!!!

Nelly AKA I got murdered by KRS and actually survived
I'm not really mad at Nelly. Dude played it smart and got PAID off of consumers ignorance. But I knew no matter how dope the beat to "E.I." was, the intro...

"Uh.. uh uh uh uh
Uh.. wait a minute now
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Uh, uh..
Can you hear me out there?
Lunatics.. is y'all ready?
Let me hear ya
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

...and hook

"Andele andele mami, E.I. E.I.
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! What's poppin tonite?
Andele andele mami, E.I. E.I.
Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! If the head right, Nelly there ery'night"

...was headed straight to the C- students or below. Dave Chappelle said it best...

"You ever been taken to the ghetto?...That's the worst time when you get taken and you're not expecting to go...I started lookin out the window. What the fuck? Gun store. Gun store. Liquor store. Gun store. Where the fuck you takin me!?!?

Nikki Minaj AKA What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine
Rapsody, MC Lyte, Lady Of Rage, Jean Grae, Bahamadia, Roxanne Shante, Salt & Pepa, LadyBug from Digable Planets, Queen Latifah, Rah Digga should I keep going? You're telling me none of these dope MC's can get any radio burn? So Nikki is the ONLY female MC alive in 2011? You're telling me by strictly looking at her, you do not hear and see Missy Elliott's changing voices and out there persona combined with Lil' Kim's bright wardrobe, wigs and flow? I believe the term used for this sort of thing is BITING. If you bit another rappers style or rhyme that was considered the ultimate offense in Hip-Hop culture, was it not? This shit is now ok? "Ruh Ruh like a dungeon dragon". Busta Rhymes...Scenario?? "Raow Raaoowww, direct from the lungs of the dragon unh" Busta Rhymes verse from BDK "Come on Down". Look, if a nigga says it twice it's his!! WTF!! Shit they called Antoinette the female Rakim. And while her flow, delivery and voice inflection was very similar to The God MC she wasn't good enough to fuck with MC Lyte and her career died (I did like her though, she was nice, but she lost). Nikki is indeed a BITER, point black. We've seen her act before. "hang it up, flatscreeeeen" SMDH.

Soulja Boy AKA Master Ring Tone Hook Writer
You have to give credit to a one hit wonder who has managed to stay relevant. In September 2007, his single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was initially self-published on the internet, and it later became a number-one hit in the United States for seven non-consecutive weeks starting in September 2007. Shouldn't the whole 1 hit wonder thing have stopped right there? NOOOOOOOO. He had a dance too!! But you say Fat Joe had "Lean Back". And Dem Franchise Boyz had... What SB fostered in was a new wave of dances and a new wave of one hit wonders looking to cash in. "The John Wall", "The Stinky Leg" and of course "The Dougie". Soooo...
On August 17, 2010 Soulja Boy was listed at #18 on the Forbes list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings earning $7 million for that year. 7 million dollars!! He's still here off the strength of that one damn gawdawful song and dance. "Super soak that hoe". Good for the young man, horrible for Hip-Hop.

Lil B AKA The Cavity Creep
I'll keep this really short. Lil B is about 976 million bars from 50 Tyson, give or take 976 million bars. Lil B is late 70s early 80s black porn. Lil B is the coaches son that everyone knows can't play but he plays anyway. Lil B is the 2 Live Crew and Macy Grey's character from Training Day's love child.

Big Sean AKA Chingy
I'll let him quote himself from "A Million Dollars"...
"And we just started we nowhere near the outro,
I'll tell y'all what I'm about though.
High ends, high spending,
we just trying to end life on a high note, soprano.
And I was supposed to be on for a minute,
man I've been writing songs for a many.
And you can ask Kanye, you can ask G-Ro, you can ask Don C.
Hip hop why the hell you find a nigga like me?"...

Why Kanye why?

Thank you for reading and Feed Your Damn Kids!!

Jean Grae’s Home for Gifted Dragons

My contributing editor/author (DJ EMCEE) dropped a jewel for you guys in the blog, so this is just a special editor’s note based on the inspiration of the Killer Mike video “Burn” and the CNN interview. Killer Mike HAS WITHOUT QUESTION SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT! Salute to Killer Mike for the courage to stand tall and the movement “Where’s My 40 Acres” blog/podcast for bringing it to the world’s attention: http://wheresmy40acres.blogspot.com/.

Memo For Record:

You will see Jean Grae’s moniker throughout this entry and other entries. Some tease that I am a stalker or a dick-rider. Well let me clear that shit up right the fuck now: 1) She’s a female so it is physically, literally, and biologically impossible to dick-ride! I may be titty swinging or hip hugging but I am definitely not dick-riding! And 2) I do not stalk Jean Grae! I only follow her (behind the tree, in the dark, with binoculars)...but seriously, Let’s be clear-Jean Grae as an artist and a person means the world to me! Through her music and Hip-Hop, I have connected with a special human being. So I will continue to selflessly promote and spread her brand to the World. Jean Grae has inspired me again within this culture that practically raised me. So this special edition blog entry is once again dedicated to Jean but more importantly I’m raising the bar; I’m building/expanding the aura and synergy of this blog community to the new, “Jean Grae’s Home for Gifted Dragons.”

A dragon you say? Yes! A dragon. A dragon is a mythical monster generally represented as a huge, winged reptile with a crested head and enormous claws and teeth, and often spouting fire. The key to this definition is: A mythical monster usually represented as breathing fire! So we wanted to provide a vehicle for those underground and above ground emcees (that spit fire) and deejays (that destroy break beats and wreck shop on the 1s & 2s) can build and politic through.

The name Jean Grae is a moniker for my favorite MC; however, it is also the moniker of one of the original X-Men who grew, resided, learned, and trained at the Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters; hence, Jean Grae’s Home for Gifted Dragons!

“Hip-Hop Ain’t Lost: Jean Grae’s Home for Gifted Dragons”

THE VISION: TO EVENTUALLY BRING WHAT WE INDISPUTABLY KNOW WHAT HIP-HOP IS TO THE OVERGROUND SO THE UNDERGROUND WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS THE GREATNESS IT IS!
THE MISSION STATEMENT: RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE!
THE PURPOSE: 1) This blog was created for the simple reason of starting a Grassroots Movement to motivate and inspire those you are fed up with having Hip-Hop WRONGLY dictated to fans and  consumers!  2) To close the gap and start educating the younger generation on what Hip-Hop is! 3) To provide an outlet for those up and coming emcees, deejays, B-boys, & B-girls a platform to relieve stress, get some humor, build and connect with other like minded artist, and a vehicle to grow and build bridges using technology.

WE ARE GOING TO BRING BACK THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ELEMENTS OF HIP-HOP!

Introduction:

(First let me shout out my PNC [Partner-in-Crime for those scoring at home] and contributing author/editor: DJ Emcee *applause rips through the crowd* I’ll let him handle his introductions on his next post but here’s his latest entry so enjoy: ...And Now A Word From Our Sponsor [read here]: http://philly2az.blogspot.com/2011/08/and-now-word-from-our-sponsor.html)

Now let me re-introduce myself: My name is Philly (don’t worry about my government right now [you don’t need it if you don’t know my mommy’s name] @Philly2AZ via Twitter), I’m a Timberland boot addict from Philly (2 Fifteen ALL DAY!) living in Arizona (Tucson), I’m a Hip-Hop Head & Enthusiast, I’m the “Hip-Hop Ain't Lost Blog” Editor, a Truth seeker, Knowledge speaker, Gemini, and a Pescatarian. I’m fluent in Sarcasm, Spanglish, & Drunk Text. Sometimes when I’m on my shit, automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi! Biggie, Black Thought, Jean Grae, and KRS-One (in that order) are my favorite EMCEEs (And the 4 out of my Top 5; Pharaohe Monch completes the Top 5 and I’ll bet money on mine)! DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Kid Capri, DJ Scratch, and DJ Q’Bert are my favorite DJs (also in that order and also betting money)! Bobby Dance in Philly got me into B-Boying and breaking and North Philly’s SAM (Sly Artistic Masters), Tron, and Alien are the graf writers/artist that I tried to be like! I am very, very bias in what I listen to. I don’t care where you from, what color you are, what sexual orientation you are, etc...if your jawns is garbage, get the entire fuck outta here (I don’t have to waste my time listening to garbage because there are way too many avenues for bullshit to get looked at; The crew [Where’s My 40 Acres: http://wheresmy40acres.blogspot.com/] that I fucks with will already blast your shit to the other side of the moon so I got their back which get’s me off the hook from your wackness) I relocated to Arizona with no friends or family that shared the same aspect of Hip-Hop. No one was with me in the physical to vibe and parlay with about Hip-Hop and music. The wiz was getting worried/nervous about me talking to myself; so I started to put my thoughts, gripes, bitches, complaints, suggestions, and questions of the state of Hip-Hop on paper. Then I got hooked on Twitter (not a fan of Facebook) which connected me with like minds (Salute Jean Grae, DJ Scratch, DJ Kid Capri, DJ Jazzy Jeff...). I stopped writing to paper and wrote electronically. Then it happened; some FUCKNUT, FUCKTARD posted on Twitter that Little Wayne was 2 bars away from 2Pac. Really!!! I don’t know what that statement meant but I was mad as fuck none-the-less! So I started this blog out of frustration and therapy.

While in my therapy (this blog for those just joining us); I’ve had the pleasure of politicing (of course with Jean Grae and many others I admire in Hip-Hop) but also with four very talented, underground group of MCs that embody what this blog represents. This collective is called: The Writer’s Guild! The most lovely thing was that I first met a quarter of these MCs at the Jean Grae Show in Tempe, AZ (26 Aug 2011). What’s lovely is that Jean Grae blessed us with her presence in a small market. Once again through her music, she was able to bring people together that may or may not have met. All I know is things happen for a reason and Jean’s show was that vehicle that got this movement rolling so SALUTE TO JEAN AND THE WRITERS GUILD and to all others: GIVE MY GIRL HER FUCKIN CREDIT! SHE DESTROYED TEMPE AND I HAVEN’T SEEN ANY HIP-HOP GIANTS FROM THE BIG EAST IN A SMALL MARKET (Tucson doesn’t count) ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN!

My second feature will be on the collective The Writer’s Guild (the first was an Ode to Jean Grae [read here]: http://philly2az.blogspot.com/2011/08/ode-to-jean-grae.html); however, this will be the first feature that will be exclusively about someone other than Jean. This will be my first attempt to bridge Hip-Hop crews/artist/fans/enthusiast with each other and to the world through my lane without retribution, beef, or negativity. This blog isn’t for crews to battle each other or for beef to be aired out, this blog was created with the intent on giving us what we need and what the radio & mainstream is lacking, “fiend-ing for something good so I can puff on it” (Joell Ortiz, 2010, “Cut You Loose”). Here’s a look ahead of the feature on The Writer’s Guild:

The Writer's Guild is an organization created to protect the rights, privileges and integrity of writers. In the late 1960s, the term "supergroup" was coined to describe a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups." Don't call The Writer's Guild a "supergroup." Call it a collective..a movement... or the new standard. Formed in Phoenix, Arizona, the Guild is collection of emcees and one poet, all with the same goal-- raising the bar and quality level in hip-hop music.

Disclaimer:

This blog is OPEN to everyone; however, everyone isn’t welcomed in. Let me explain, I am not here to hate on what you like. Do you and like who you like but DO NOT COME OVER HERE TRYING TO DEBATE WHAT YOU THINK HIP-HOP IS. THAT BULLSHIT YOU CALL HIP-HOP IS FAR FUCKING FROM IT! THIS IS NOT ME TALKING OR MY OPINIONS BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT HIP-HOP IS! HOW? WELL BECAUSE (forget the fact that I grew up in the 70s and have been involved with this culture from the infancy to now, or that this culture raised me) IT WAS ALREADY MANIFESTED, SOLIDIFIED, AND STAMPED WITH AUTHENTICITY FROM THE FOUNDING FATHERS (SALUTE KOOL HERC, ZULU NATION, DOUGIE FRESH, KRS-ONE, ETC...)! WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THE ELEMENTS OF HIP-HOP MUST BE INCORPORATED IN SOME FACET OR FASHION TO BE EVEN CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE ‘BALLPARK’. SO BEFORE YOU COME INTO THIS HOME OF GIFTED DRAGONS WITH THAT SOFT, SILLY, BUBBLEGUM, FRUIT ROLLUP, FRUIT SNACK RAP OR PLAYING RECORDS WITHOUT EVEN A BASIC SCRATCH (OR YOUR NAME HAS DJ IN IT BUT YOU CAN’T MIX); IF YOU CAN READ, THEN READ THE MISSION STATEMENT AGAIN  AND THEN READ ALL OF THE BLOGS IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SEE WHERE OUR MIND IS AT. IF WE AIN’T ON THE SAME PAGE, THEN I CAN’T DO ANYTHING WITH YOU OR FOR YOU SO LET’S NOT WASTE EACH OTHER’S TIME. AND I WON’T HAVE TO CHECK YOU, I HAVE MUTANTS ON DECK AND THEY BREATH VICIOUS, STINGING, NAPALM FIRE SO LIKE WU SAID, “PROTECT YOUR NECK!”

Wrap-up:

HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE RECEPTIVE TO LEARNING, BUILDING, AND EXPANDING THEN COME ON IN; IT’S MY HOUSE BUT YOU ARE DEFINITELY WELCOME SO MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE.

THIS IS A VIRAL CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THOSE THAT WANT IN CAN SWALLOW THE RIGHT COLOR PILL AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE MATRIX; TO STOP HAVING “WHAT IS HOT?” DICTATED TO TRUE HEADS! THIS CURRENT WAY OF BRAINWASHING HAS LEFT TRUE TALENT IRRELEVANT! WE’RE HERE TO SPREAD LOVE, KNOWLEDGE/EDUCATION, AND GOOD MUSIC. WE’RE HERE BECAUSE WHILE EVERYBODY IS WATCHING THE THRONE, IT IS EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE KNOW RAKIM HAS NEW MATERIAL OUT! THAT KOOL G RAP HAS AN ALBUM OUT! THERE’S ENOUGH LOOT (MONEY) OUT HERE FOR OUR REAL STARS TO GET PAID AND DO WHAT THEY LOVE AND FANS BENEFIT FROM THIS.

Bottom Line:

There are 5 Elements of Hip-Hop; skinny jeans, wallet chains, snap backs, bad tattoos, and fake jewelry ain’t it! The latter isn’t evolution  of the culture, its just EMBARRASSING! Fans and consumers can like and buy what they choose. This is not a forum to hate, alienate (well sort of alienate), or force people to like what I like. But if you are wondering, that’s easy; I LOVE HIP-HOP, PLAIN AND SIMPLE! Now if this is to vague for you, then come on in and let’s talk about it...

P.S.

One more thing before a vacate, if one more motherfucking person tell me LITTLE Wayne is Hot because his beats are Hot...*punching the wall* Stop giving credit to these WACK ASS, LAME, GARBAGE rappers for music that they had no hand in creating. Start listening to instrumentals and check who the producer is; the producer just might be a DJ. And more importantly a DJ with real skill and knowledge...that’s HIP-HOP!

RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE!

...from the immortal words of Jean Grae, “SCRABBLEBEOTCH”

Salute

Philly aka Philly2AZ aka Mr. Who is That aka Mr. I throw up when I hear wack shit!

UNO

...And Now A Word From Our Sponsor

As you can tell by the tone of this blog we are extremely biased in our OPINIONS about what true Hip-Hop tastes, smells and acts like; much less sounds like. So again, if you do not know the 5 elements of Hip-Hop; BBoy, BGirl or Breakin, MC, DJ, Graffiti, and Culture, then again this not a blog you should continue to read. It'll just confuse your stupid-ass and I'm not blogging for the ignorant. If you choose to open your mind and ears to grown folk who were raised in this culture; who are telling you what this Hip-Hop shit is really about, then what we have to say will forever clear your mind of the senseless garbage you've absorbed. Think of us as your Hip-Hop enema; just lose the visual and literal application.

I was thinking the other day of actually purchasing.. scratch that.. listening to Lil-Pain's new...uh...uh..yeah right!! I looked at the track list and found the featured artists I love. 2 tracks; Bun, Busta, Shyne, and Nas on one track and Kiss on another; downloaded those and kept it movin. Fuck him and his leopard tights. Just sayin I'm wearin baggy jeans in my casket, my word!!

Anyway this has been on my mind. What has happened to the DJ in Hip-Hop actually SCRATCHING on a record! The Dj used to have their own feature track on an album. Jazzy Jeff - Rhythm Trax, House Party Style; Grand Master Flash On The Wheels Of Steel;Dj Mister Cee's Master Plan, although I hope his plan wasn't what happened in that car, but I don't judge. All I'm saying is certain groups SOUND was defined by the sound of the DJ. Gangstarr(Guru R.I.P) their sound was defined not only by the samples Premier chose but how he looped, scratched and mixed them together, along with Guru's cool flow; "Take it pers, take, take it pers. take take it personal" Pete Rock is legendary for his soulful grooves and how he put his tracks together. I can listen to CL Smooth all day if it's a Pete Rock track(Please don't say I don't like CL. I just like CL with PR same as I like Tip WITH Phife or a royale with cheese). I could go on and on, DJ Scratch from EPMD, Chuck Nice and Woody Wood from 3XDope, Eric B, Jam Master Jay. If you're a Head you can remember exact scratches on songs. As the song played you stood there with your boys and emulated it with your left hand on the fader and right hand scratching back and forth. I still do that shit and I'm a DJ. It's ingrained in me. It's as natural as looking at an approaching fat ass from the front and the split second she walks by you turn around and see that shit and make that "Gawd Damn" face!!

Today's music is different. I don't want to sound dated so I will give props. While my preference is the raw, sample driven, basic boom-bap, rhyme and scratch, today's sound is more refined as the technology has changed. Kanye is a talented MF. The Throne and Twisted Fantasy are musical explosions. Swizz Beats, Timberland, 9th and Rza are some of my other favorites. But that raw sound is gone from the mainstream. You can still find it underground and if you're willing to search the net. At this blog we are committed to keeping that sound and the purity of Hip-Hop at the core of your experience. It's a preference, not hate. Keep that in mind when I say Drake is the softest rapper since PM Dawn. I'm patiently waiting for KRS to throw his ass off the stage along with Big Sean and Lil B.

Anyway my next blog will be about something I rarely hear discussed. Which artists have the best back to back albums. We always talk about which album was better or your favorite album or even who has the better catalog overall. Back to Back Best Albums. ie Ready to Die and Life After Death(R.I.P Big). Now that's somewhat obvious but that's where the next discussion is headed. And we're going back people so do your homework.

Peace and Feed Your Damn Kids!!

Editorial Discretion (Adventures of a Dream Come True)

Editor's note: I am weeks behind on the blog; no excuses because I'm unemployed! But I do have my reasons: 1) I'm working on a piece titled Visualization/Imagery for the next entry; however, it's not finished because I wasn't feeling it...serious writer's block. I was taking way too long to get inspired. 2) I think I was uninspired because of a recent discussion/debate with my nephew. He tries but he isn't there; case in point, I had a real problem with him changing his Facebook profile name to the "Black Frank White" I have a problem because he has an uncle (Me!) who would more than love to school him in Hip-Hop,  all day, everyday, and twice on Sundays! It may not seem like a big deal to most but to me this is a problem with the young cats nowadays: They Don't Listen! And We Don't Teach! Back to the name discrepancy: the problem I had was he didn't really understand who the The Real Black Frank White was. He knew who it was but there was no over-standing on who he was! But what was fucked up was that he had no idea who Frank White was!!!! Though a fictional character, this name is relevant in this Hip-Hop culture. But what really ‘cooked my grits’ (LOL) was that he would quote Drake and Big Sean lyrics and talk about Lil Wayne as the best with the Facebook moniker “Black Frank White!” This was wrong on so many levels all levels...So I tried to start the education but this cat was not receptive at all. Like my 18yr old and the majority of young know it all, of course, he knew everything! Can't tell him nothing?????? Which leads me to 3) where I gave up for a hot second! Not really gave up, but I needed to find myself because I was crazy frustrated! If I couldn't converse with my nephew/family then what chance was I giving myself to strangers? So I took a hiatus to regroup. This is where my military training comes in; I'm going into this as, not a war or battle, but a conflict! There is a conflict and disconnect between what we think Hip-Hop is, what we know what Hip-Hop is, and what "they" tell us what Hip-Hop is....so I'm going in, "cover me!" And we don't leave our men/women behind in battle! EVERY ONE COMES HOME! SO THE VISION IS THIS: TO EVENTUALLY BRING WHAT WE INDISPUTABLY KNOW WHAT HIP-HOP IS TO THE OVERGROUND SO THE UNDERGROUND WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS THE GREATNESS IT IS! THE MISSION STATEMENT IS: RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO, HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE! WE ARE GOING TO BRING BACK THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ELEMENTS OF HIP-HOP! So I retooled my mental with a much needed event which was Amazing and refreshing for this old Hip-Hop Head! I recently attended the Jean Grae Show on Friday, August 26, 2011! I was in a different space and on a different plane than most so I felt things that others definitely wasn't feeling! I felt immortal again; I got my X-Men mutant powers back, I got my mind right, money ain't right but I'm definitely ready for W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)! So sit back and enjoy my Adventures of a Dream Come True...

*THIS IS FOR JEAN GRAE; I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR NOT HAVING THE "JEANIUS" ALBUM PRIOR TO AUGUST 26, 2011. I WAS STUCK ON THE ALBUM "THIS WEEK," AND I WAS ALREADY SOLD AND A BELIEVER SO I LUNCHED. WELL A DEFINITE MISTAKE BECAUSE THIS "JEANIUS" ALBUM IS THAT SHIT! THIS ALBUM HAS SINGLE-HANDEDLY CATAPULTED YOU FROM THE TOP 10 TO THE TOP 5 EASILY! THIS ALBUM IS THE ONE THAT I WILL USE TO DESTROY NAYSAYERS AND WHEN I PUT MONEY DOWN (and win) I'LL MAKE SURE TO USE MY WINNINGS IN A WAY TO PAY YOU BACK FOR BLESSING ME WITH BRILLIANCE...SALUTE Oh! Thank you a million times over for the autographed copy of “Jeanius”*
 
Stardate: 2455800, Captain's log: We avoided sure destruction! The wormhole would have definitely destroyed our transportation vehicle if not for the quick, methodical actions of our chief engineer! (NOTE TO SELF: Make sure I put this guy in for recognition; a commendation medal may be in order) We are en route to a destination uninhabited with our kind. Hip-Hop has not been seen on this planet called Tempe, AZ so the Hip-Hop immortals manifested the means and a date to send in one of the most ferocious generals of our culture; the mutant Jedi: JEAN GRAE! Her being a mutant Jedi, she could have easily handled this mission DOLO; however, education and understanding is the aim and not total destruction and annihilation. So young padiwans were sent in to assist the Jedi in her mission. My team/crew is what you call special operations and were dispatched only for the sole purpose of backup and support. This wasn't a mission for us to go at the necks and chest of those too ignorant to understand but to embrace and lift those to a level of over-standing.  

The crew hasn't had a break in a year's time so I used my discretion to give the guys & gals a break from this mission and decided to go in alone.

Night of the event, feeling nice off of wine and vegetation, I entered the facility with my mind on my mission. Then it happened, I was greeted by the universal language of the B*Boy; scratching and juggling from the DJ. I was greeted with peace in mind and this is when the adventure ended and the Dream began.

To get the event jumping was the DJ; and this was DJ Les735 and he was versed in the arts. I immediately began rocking out to the DJ. I rocked, rocked, and rocked all the way out! I then noticed I was the only one on the floor. No breakers, dancing, nothing...so I stepped it up and then came to the conclusion: FUCK IT! They get it but they're not feeling it. See it comes down to the space and place you are in. When they heard the DJ get busy, they were there in Tempe, AZ listening to their local cat get busy on the wheels. ME! I was 17yrs old at a block party in North Philly! I was in the zone! The DJ did his thing all the way up to the first act blessed the stage. This was a local cat (not necessarily Tempe but local from AZ) named Lakai. This cat got on stage and I have to admit that he wasn't bad at all. I thought I would be transported back to the present but Lakai kept the crowd moving (really just me but there wasn't one stationary neck in the place). I still was in North Philly and the sun is going down just a little bit and here is the first MC to get the party started. The buol did his thing...#Salute to Lakai. Here I needed a pause for the cause; I was on the patio getting my tree blowing on to remain in this spiritual mental mind state. While I was on break the next MC was a shortie, also local, named Rae Rae who had a different rhyming style but was nice none-the-less. I missed her performance visually but I heard her from the speakers outside on the patio.

Ok, recharged and ready for more the stage was empty. Then this cat just appeared (maybe he was there the whole time, I was altered LOL). He goes by the name Roq'y (pronounced Rocky) Tyraid. And I'm here to tell you that we are in a middle of a cultural revolution and as he consistently yelled "The Culture Is Back!" Roq'y is with a crew I fucks with since relocating to Arizona. I started fucking with this crew solely on the muscle of one of its members (MegaRan) because he's from Philly (sometimes a common bond is all you need to bring people together). Well as my man Ran said, "Roq'y is a problem!" Well Roq'y totally destroyed his set! The energy he gave off was infectious and now the block party was over. I was now at the after party in somebody's basement. I paid a dollar at the back door to get in and posted up along side the water heater while I listened to Roq'y rain down total destruction. *I spot a shortie posting up on the dryer*

After Roq'y obliterated any doubts that the culture is back, I received a message that the General Jean Grae is in the building! (These next few sentences will be in all caps. Not because I'm yelling but rather emphasizing and I want to be 100% honest & real with y'all)

SO I WAS SUMMONED TO THE BACK OF THE VENUE BY MY MENTOR AND HERO, SO I PROCEEDED. I SAW HER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE PHYSICAL AND I WAS IN AWE!!!!! FELLAS, BE HONEST, REMEMBER THE TIME YOU HAD A CRUSH ON YOUR TEACHER AND YOUR FRIENDS DARED YOU TO DO SOMETHING LIKE GET CLOSE TO HER AND RUB UP ON HER OR SOMETHING...THEN WHEN THE CHANCE CAME YOU NUTTED UP; WELL THAT WAS ME! I NUTTED UP! I FELT LIKE SCREAMING BUT I WAS SPEECHLESS. NOW I KNOW WHAT THEM LITTLE GIRLS FEEL LIKE WHEN JUSTIN BIEBER IS IN THE HOUSE. REALLY AWE WAS NOT A STRONG ENOUGH WORD FOR THE STATE I WAS IN (JEAN FUCKED UP MY WHOLE HIGH...THANKS JEAN LOL). I AM SO GLAD THAT JEAN DID NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME IN MY STATE BECAUSE I WAS HER'S FOR THE TAKING! IF SHE WOULD HAVE SAID GO ROB A BANK, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON MY "SET IT OFF or HEAT" SHIT. ONLY THING SHE ASKED OF ME WAS TO TAKE CARE OF HER DJ. THIS IS WHEN I MET THE INFAMOUS MR. LEN. ALL HE NEEDED FROM ME WAS TO MAKE A DRINK FOR HIM AND ROCK THE FUCK OUT! WHAT? THAT'S IT! TOO EASY...I'M ON THE VERY STAGE THAT ROQ'Y TYRAID JUST DESTROYED AND WAS ABOUT TO WITNESS THE TOTAL ANNIHILATION BY JEAN HERSELF. SO I MADE A STIFF DRINK FOR MR. LEN AND HE STARTED TO SHOW HIS SKILLS ON THE 1's & 2's BEFORE JEAN GRAE PERFORMED.

I was back at the basement party as Mr. Len did his thing. When Jean came out, I was really somewhere else. The only thing that I know is that I had the TIME of my LIFE!!!!!! I haven't felt that AWESOME in many, many years! Definitely A DREAM COME TRUE!

(The following is an open letter to ALL CONCERNED)

So my question is: why does this have to end? Why can't others feel what I felt on that Friday? Or don't they...I notice that Hip-Hop is viral but we aren't connected. In 2011 and with technology, there is no reason why we as Hip-Hop heads can't connect on some facet. So this is the day I start it off. If you are a real Hip-Hop head and you can understand what I wrote in today's entry then let's make it HAPPEN! I got this blog, my motherfuckin man PhenomBlak (@PhenomBlak via Twitter) with the "Where's My 40 Acres" blog/podcast team got his jawn up and running, and there are other sources that I don't know about but they are out there! So let's connect and build! There is entirely no fuckin good reason why we are still underground to the point where we don't know the Hip-Hop scene all over the world! This is what a grassroots movement is! Let's get real DJs & MCs, B*Boy & B*Girls, and Graf artist out in the open. I got 2 CDs that I purchased from the event: This kid, Lakai and my motherfuckin man Roq'y Tyraid. These cats need to have an honest listen to what they have to offer in the culture. I'll get it started with these two but I know others are out there! So what are we waiting for???? We don't have to hate on lame Hip-Hop artist and DJs; the culture and skill will speak for itself. We just need an avenue and me and others like me is that vehicle. It was the crowd that determined who the best is, not self-proclamations! If you have no idea what the fuck I'm talking about, then ask an old head that knows or watch "8 Mile." We can weed out the garbage by attrition and the process of elimination! I'm sick of cats with a DJ in their name but don't DJ! I'm tired of rappers claiming to be #1 when they aren't even lyrical! FUCK THAT! It's ours so let's take it back!

We have a bona fide, recognized culture that is traceable in our lifetime. The roots of our culture can not only be traced back to the beginning but we have people in the now living and breathing who can actually talk about Hip-Hop from the beginning! Our culture is less than 40yrs old so what's the excuse? WE CAN DO THIS! HIP-HOP NEVER STOPS! RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO; HIP-HOP IS SOMETHING YOU LIVE!!!!

...from the immortal words of Jean Grae, “SCRABBLEBEOTCH”

Salute

Philly aka Philly2AZ aka Mr. Who is That aka Mr. I don’t stalk Jean Grae, I just follow her (behind the tree, in the dark, with binoculars)

UNO