Been So Long....

I haven't written anything in over six weeks. And to be truthful I am not inspired to. My father has been in and out of the hospital all summer and the things I am interested in aren't firing the synapses the way they normally would. Hopefully this mental malaise will dissipate in the days to come until then there will be musical selections to reflect my mental state and photos that are inspiring, stay tuned.

Mint Condition - Runnin' (Live)

Morgan Heritage - Raid Rootz Dance

Dope lead singer, tight band,......

LIVE 1979 Earth Wind & Fire Fantasy

Completion.

Style Front and Center....

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Every icon has his signature piece from bow ties to suspenders to jackets and hats. When reading the Sam Cooke biography I noticed his shirts were always wonderful. His flare for shirts pushed me to step my dress shirt game up from polos to oxfords and french cuffs. I recognize Sam for his simple tasteful elegance through his example I saw that the little things make a fine ensemble.

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Black Music Everymen

Black Music Everymen

Black Music Everymen

Gospel Griots

Gospel Griots

For most of us our music experiences started in the church. So Black Music Month would not be complete if we don't take it to church. Bless the Lord. This is the first family and IMO has the greatest gospel writer ever in Marvin Winans.

The Winans - Calvary - Oprah Show

Gospel Griots

Gospel Griots

Mary Mary - I Worship You

Sisters in song. These chicas keep the flame burning for contemporary Gospel.

Commissioned Running Back To You

This song is my testimony verbatim. Far too many times I have pursued my desires, wishes, needs and wants instead of God's purpose. His grace has seen me through those times and kept when I was lost.

Gospel Griots

Gospel Griots

Style Front and Center....

The next stylistic to be honored for Black Music Month is Andre 3000. 3000 has been a fashion renegade from the beginning turbans and shoulder pads with no shirt were just the beginning. The evolution of 3000 has rendered a more classic feel while maintaining his personal sense of panache.

Hoofers Pt 1. On the Good Foot Breakin' Turbo Broom Dance

This guy right here was the guru for a young 10 year old Shid. I would wait for Breakin' to come on cable so I could add to my repertoire. I never got remotely close to this level of brilliance but it was crazy fun trying. When I break even to this day I reflect back to Turbo and Crazy Legs as the quintessential B-boys.

James Brown From TAMI Rock Concert 1964 - Please Please Please & Night T...

Strength, grace and ferocity all in one body.

HOOFERS (Its a Celebration) Moonwalk - Michael Jackson - Billie Jean - The First Moonwalk King Of Pop

For Black Music Month I am going to celebrate the breadth of this country's musicians. I first participated in music(hip hop specifically) as a dancer. So I felt it only right to pay homage to the world class steppers. This group of men possess power and grace that are rarely seen in any generation. The gentleman mentioned are the creme de la creme but not the only giants of dance go dig around on youtube to check Kid n Play, Bobby Brown, the Clark Bros., and Gregory Hines.

CHRIS BROWN feat RIHANNA - Wall To Wall, Umbrella & Kiss Kiss ( Vma Perf...

Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal

MC Hammer - Turn This Mutha Out

Sammy Davis Jr. Boogie Woogie

Sammy was the most complete entertainer I have seen. Impressionist, singer, musician, you name it he did and did it well. Check the tape.

Nicholas Brothers in Stormy Weather

The greatest dancers ever, EVER!

Style Front and Center....

http://streetetiquette.com/the-black-ivy/

For the final week of Black Music Month I will be highlighting a different group of icons both musical and fashionable for the two go hand in hand like chocolate and peanut butter. The gentleman above put together an homage to collegiate style entitled Black Ivy check the slideshow and enjoy. The quote at the end of the presentation encapsulates my feelings not merely on dress but on being Black men in America. One.

Cee-Lo Green - Bridges

This song did not make the cut off the slept on (even by me) Lady Killer album. This is merely another example at Cee-lo's oft ignored brilliance. This Neptunes collaboration echoes early 70's soul with it's wistful positivity and calming melody making it a cutting room floor find.

The Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Country Preacher (live)

In 1993 I was enamored with a young lady who was three years my senior so whatever she did I wnated to be a part of. She had an interest in poetry and wrote heartfelt poems so I tried my hand at it. She would cook spaghetti from scratch so I wanted to learn. She was interested in Jazz so I had to listen to it. She lived in Trotwood, Ohio so on my way to/from her house I stoppped by Camelot music and looked for the best option according to my budget. I looked through the clearance rack and found The Best of Cannonball Adderley,$ 2.99. With only ten dollars in my pocket I purchased it with glee. I took it home and marinated on it listening to each cut and digging each one more than the previous. At the end of the tape there was a dedication to Jesse Jackson entitled the Country Preacher. A minute into the song I recognized the opening notes from some record I had heard before. For months the questioned burned who used that? I would listen to that song on bad days and just allow the moody melody to seep into my cerebrum. After months of obsessing over this record my man aka the Connect informed me this was used by Pete Rock. This information blew my mind because Pete & CL were among a handful of artists that peaked my interest in Jazz. At that moment I was immediately reminded of the ATCQ line..1

You could find the Abstract listening to hip hop

My pops used to say, it reminded him of be-bop

I said, well daddy don't you know that things go in cycles

The way that Bobby Brown is just ampin like Michael

Tuesday Two Step: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth: Return Of The Mecca(

I grew up familiar with jazz but not loving it. My Grandfather played in Duke Ellingtons orchestra so I had a faint curiosity about the music. This curiosity became a motivation once I witnessed in living color in the movie Mo Better Blues, and heard it used as the bed in some of my favorite hip hop records. Few producers manipulated jazz samples as adeptly as Pete Rock. His loops boasted an affinity for horns that became his signature sound. Here he uses a snippet of a Cannonball Adderley record which happened to be my first jazz purchase. What is often lost in the discussions of Pete's brilliance is CL's microphone mastery. He was never going to be anyone's Rakim but like Ra he had a breezy lyricism. When it was coupled with the right track he shined like a new penny.

Rachid-Pride/Prototype Live/Lily Allen fans

This is one of the standouts from one of the greatest albums no one has ever heard. As I mentioned in the previous post this was off the Prototype album produced largely in part by Hakim. This song is the story of a runaway who is seeking fame but finds that the road to stardom is littered with the souls of the young, who cashed out morally and are left with only the emotional baggage . For those unaware of this man's music pick up his cd from amazon for a penny and savor the selections.

The Boys - Crazy

I missed this weeks Tuesday two step so here is the selections of the week. These triple threats started writing and producing their own music on the second album this is one of the records they co-produced. Hakim the most charismatic of the brothers carved out a nice niche for himself in the late 90's when we all thought they fell off. My favorite work of his was done with an artist by the name of Rachid. This melancholy brother was an instant fave not because we share the same name but because he was someone I didn't see coming. What made it even better was when I read the liner notes like all heads do, and found that Hakim was heavily involved in the project.

Munderrated 2 -terence trent d arby wishing well

In February of 1988 I laid in my bed listening to the radio trying to got to sleep as I brother snored in a bed right beside me. As I started to drift off I heard something that sounded like Prince had combined his musical sperm with Bobby Womack in the womb of Tina Turner. The words jolted out of my pre-slumber phase; "Kissing like a bandit,Stealing time,Underneath a sycamore tree,Cupid by the hour sends,Valentines,To my sweet lover and me,Slowly,But surely,Your appetite is more than I knew,Sweetly,Softly,I'm falling in love with you"

I had no tape, no way of keeping this brilliant nugget, so I decided to commit it to memory as best I could. I walked around the singing it in my best "old dudes" voice(I had no idea who sang it) just to relive the sensation that came from hearing the song. A few days past and I heard it again on WBLZ and soaked up every note of the song and waited with glee for the name of the genius of melody. Terence Trent D'arby.

Terence Trent D'arby rode the wave of Wishing Well,Sign Your Name, Let me Stay and a remake of the Michael Jackson/Smokey classic Who's Loving You to a crest of 12 million records sold. He inserted himself in that pantheon of 80's artist(black artist's especially) to create an indelible mark on the music scene. Springsteen, Madonna,Prince, and Michael may be the few who can claim a bigger breakout than D'arby. So what makes him an underrated artist you may ask? The answer is his brilliance has been completely forgotten in the following years. His second album Neither Flesh Nor Fish lofty concepts and self aggrandizing tones turned listeners away in droves and they have never returned. But his music at its core has been adventurous if not accessible. I myself was unfamiliar with the following efforts until one fateful day in Gem City Records.

My boy Dre and I were in there on a Friday evening was our custom in those days. He went to the bin that housed the newest used selections. I went to the 4.99 bin and struck sonic gold. I immediately come across Symphony or Damn his third album released in 1993 and shriek with as much manly joy as I can muster. Then flipping through a few more cd's I come across Vibrator and my mental rolodex scrolls to album reviews I'd read in years past and pulls up the review from a Vibe magazine a few years earlier. "D'arby was the only true contender for Prince's black rock/funk crown. Vibrator is a gritty funky....." Enough said I feverishly flipped through the next rows and came across Neither Flesh Nor Fish his alienating sophomore effort. I hoped against that I would find the all important first album Introducing the Hardline. With no luck. I took the cd's to the listening station by song number 3 of Vibrator I was hooked bought all 3 cd's on the spot without much listening to the others.

With D'arby I found an artist who loved to write not merely wrote, but loved the structure of words and was not afraid to be intelligent and introspective. Holding Onto You is an ode to a dead relationship that gave life to an artists great works. This song struck a chord with me because it typified what I always found that my writing was always better when hurt or stressed this song became my anthem. Other gems like Undeniably, It's Been Said, Frankie and Johnny and If You Go Before Me reveal a man who has no lane that he can't handle. For those who have not listened to this man ever start with some of his later work before picking up his Thriller, or Purple Rain in Hardline. Like those gems by other geniuses you may be doing yourself a disservice because of the funky accessibility and pop perfection. Give this underrated brother a listen.

Holding On To You -terence trent d'arby's

Terence Trent D'arby - Sign your name high quality

AZ - Fan Mail

Underrated (AZ feat. Nas Mo Money Mo Murder)

According to Webster's underrated means to undervalue and under appreciated this typifies the view on the MC known as AZ. He is respected but is rarely mentioned among the greats when the lists of Top mc's are enumerated. He is lyrically precise and adept at covering a variety of subjects. When he drops a project I am always interested and make sure I cop it though it may be from an amazon 2nd hand seller. What impress me most about AZ is that whoever he shares the mic with he seems perfectly comfortable doing his thing. Time and time again he has collaborated with Nas and more than once he has out shined his Queensbridge counterpart. Check the tape. He is often referred to as an underacheiver because many heaped their lofty expectations but in hindsight he like Jadakiss after him and Kool G. Rap before him lack that superstar quality. He doesn't have the charm of a Jay, Kane, Meth, Em, or the push of a powerhouse record label.

Sartorial Sammy!

A few weeks ago I mentioned Sinatra as my sartorial blue print and a buddy asked if his style was more personally accessible than say Sammy or Miles. In all honesty at this stage in my life I tend to gravitate toward more of a Sinatra vibe than a Sammy but that does not dispute that Sammy is hugely impactful in my his diversity rubbed off tremendously on me. So here is my salute to Sartorial Sammy the original Mr. Entertainment. One question is sartorial the same as fly?

Hip Hop Dedications

My cousin issue this weeks challenge to come with the comprehensive list of Hip Hop dedications. When issued this challenge the above song is the first one to come to mind. Treach the master of anthem records spills his heart to commemorate Hip Hop's most troubled MC. The world is given a window into the relationship of these two hip hop icons and gave us our first (best IMO) Tupac tribute. What follows are a series of special dedications by Hip Hop artists, I tried to paint a picture of why the songs touched me and what made them great. Some of them are rarely heard outside of the die hards and others bonafide hip pop classics. Enjoy and check out the catalogs of these diverse giants of hip hop.

Common - I Used To Love H.E.R

Common feat. Lauryn Hill - Retrospect for Life

common - G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definit - Thisisme Then (The

These three dedications are eternally intertwined in my mind. I can not separate them, they are the blueprints for so many songs that I have tried to write. I love this music we call hip hop and share the sentiment of Common when I Used To Love H.E.R. was released. The game had taken an angry violent turn that I could not relate to largely. Retrospect for Life represents the fear, apprehension and borderline depression that overcomes a man who becomes a father before he is a husband and way before he is ready. Unfortunately I created a similar situation and I felt that my dreams were being killed as my son's life was shaping in my wife's (then girlfriend's) womb. Finally G.O.D is the very thought and premise I used to explain my relationship with God. Through my relationship with Him I have gained my definition and understanding of myself. Also through this life long journey I have become the man I am meant to be instead of the one I want to be. These records have been with me through some trying times and at times have been my thoughts and words. Enjoy.

Dr. Dre - I Need A Doctor (Explicit) ft. Eminem, Skylar Grey

Here we have an amazing track, meeting amazin lyricl colliding with intense emotions making the perfect song. Eminem spills his guts representing a friend to and fan of Dr. Dre saying what only he could say. Dre get busy. Hip Hop has shown that a dedication can truly embody any form when the creator is imaginative and here is a good example. This is dirty so excuse the language. I hope this is just a highlight on the most anticipated album in history.

Jean Grae - P.S.

This dedication is from the criminally slept on This Week album by rap phenom Jean Grae. Jean takes time out to speak those who were done wrong by her in her immaturity and selfishness. What made this special to me is that she lays out her heart and truly tries to connect with those she has wronged. The third verse is one of my all time favorites ever because she speaks to the greatest victim of mistreatment. With any song the track has to knock and this one does not dissappoint strings, guitar, funky drums. A+ material. For those who have not heard this album cop it you will not be upset and those that have it break out and think of what Nicki could have done. 1.

OutKast - Ms. Jackson

Hip hop dedications are a dime a dozen but this particular was special in concept and execution. We all have been affected by baby mama drama directly or indirectly and these brothers from Outkast took the situation and made a heartfelt anthem for those who wrestle with this all too common issue. The verses touch each man's personal experience, Big Boi's vitriol and frustration pouring out and teeming with sarcasm. 3000 seemed disenchanted a bit more introspective about his situation promising that the situation would not keep him from being involved.

Road To The Riches - Kool G Rap & DJ Polo

G. Rap like the previously mentioned Billy Joel is forever notched in my Top 20 list. His tales of street life coupled with a nasally raspy voice made him a hip hop tour de force for 3-4 years in the late 80's early 90's. He covered subject as various as racism, drug dealing, love and sex in his brief but brilliant career. G. Rap is the prototype Queens MC fierce lyricism and street tinged hip hop. You can see his impact on your favorite rappers favorite rapper from Pun, to Nas, to TI to Cormega. GRap is selected today for his use of the Stiletto sample which is the bridge that connects these two griots. Check out other works by these artists neither one's catalog should be to difficult to acquire.

Tuesday Two Step (Billy Joel - Stiletto)

This is a new feature I'm trying on the blog. Each Tuesday will feature two songs that share a common bond. The bond may be thematic, sonic or in underappreciated classic status whatever the niche they will be shared here. First up is Billy Joel who is thoroughly nestled in my top 20 pop artist of all time. His musicianship is utterly amazing when he gets behind the piano. In his early efforts he seemed so influenced by Ray Charles that the critics called him derivative. As he progressed he developed a knack telling these stories that engulfed the listener and painted a very distinct picture of life of the every man. This song is about the woman who a man loves in spite of the fact that she is ruining him. 45 seconds in hip hop heads will recognize the piano that was masterfully sampled by Marley Marl which leads to our second selection.

I Don't Need No Introduction......

From time my friends and I have these debates on a wide range of subjects from the greatest villain to the worst hero. I have decided to pull back the curtain and allow the world to get a peek at our most recent debate the greatest album intros of any genre. That is so expansive I had to cut my search short and stick the ones that amazed or made an impact culturally or both. Feel free to add your own or comment on what you feel was a funky introduction of how nice ......

Introduction # 3

This intro is from Talib's 2002 release Quality . The intro is so ironic because is the proclamation of greatness from an understated and overlooked MC. The previous release had Dave Chappelle doing an amazing Nelson Mandela impression announcing that when he is chilling out he listens to Reflection Eternal, Hi-Tek and Talib Kweili. Here Dave Chappelle (right on the cusp of super stardom) introduces Kweili as the keynote speaker and runs down a fantastically ridiculous introduction. Full of pomp and circumstance check it out and then check out the album in it's entirety, my personal fave of Kweili's solo work.

I Don't Need No Introduction 1

This song was the first song on the biggest selling album of all time. It announced Michael Jackson's coming as the Greatest Entertainer and helped usher in his two year stranglehold on the pop charts. This song is a true introduction it set the table for the masterpiece that followed and wet the appetite for the musical meal that was and is Thriller. It displayed Michael and Quincy's brilliance for crafting symphonic onomatopoeia pop funk(trademark pending). By the end of the song we listener's were raptured into an African chant that we still can't decipher nearly 30 years later but it feels good. Say it with me mamma say mamma saw mamakusa. Hee hee.

I Don't Need No Introduction Part 2

Let me start by saying this intro is littered with profanity and graphic imagery and I wrestled with posting it. I decided to post it because of the brilliant way it lampoons those overly violent macho recordings that were prevalent in the early 90's(and to some extent still are). Black Sheep were a group of lyrical lothario's who focused on the good times to be had over some of jazziest loops in existence. This introduction/first song is them at satirically sharpest. Enjoy this one won't be up long.

2011 In Pictures....

Out of the dozens of movies I have seen , these are the cream of the crop of the year so far.

Limitless- This film deals with the premise of a pill allowing you utilize 100% of your mental potential. Eddie Mora takes said pill and becomes the man of his dreams, creatively, financially, and romantically. The problem is that when you suddenly have everything, everybody wants to take it from you. The cat and mouse game between Cooper, DeNiro and a number of well used character actors made this film truly enjoyable.

Adjustment Bureau- Matt Damon stars in this romantic thriller about a charming politician who finds the woman of his dreams only to find out that he can't have her. Not because of some other but a group of men whose purpose is to ensure that the Chairman's will be done. The driving point of this film is how far would you go for the one you love would you move heaven and earth ?

Sucker Punch- A young girl is thrown into a mental institution by her evil step-father. While there she hatches a plan to escape the evil orderly/pimp. The plot to recover the tools for her escape provide the opportunity for some of the most amazing action scenes in recent years.

The Mechanic- Jason Statham plays a legendary assassin is hired to kill his mentor and takes on his son as a protege. This film was a well paced action thriller in the vein of the Professional without the awkward tension. Statham plays his usual cool under the collar macho antihero to a T. Ben Foster's anger percolates right under the surface as he struggles to find himself as a new cleaner.

1. 

Amos Lee - Soul Suckers

Catch me While i'm sleeping

Jay-Z had a line from Imaginary Playmates that went something like "you catch on the block bumping some other ish you know some other ish.." I have since heard this line in my head when rolling down the street playing something that I consider truly esoteric. What is shared is a small sample.

Dionne Farris - Food For Thought (Live)

This was on her first album and with Hopeless from Love Jones are my favorite songs from this talented often ignored soul sista. I tell my friends all the time she was the original India Arie with broader material.

Annie Lennox The Hurting Time 2003

I have a special place in my heart for Annie Lennox every few years she does something that I absolutely can't get enough of. This song came in my life when there were so many things up in the air I didn't know whether I was coming or going. I went to Half Price Books looking for some mood music and was drawn to this album with her painted in an ashened white paint and a sullen blank stare. I put it on in the listening station and was hooked by the third song.

New Radicals - I Don't Wanna Die Anymore

I listed this in the previous post and just wanted to share it. This song was on an album that I picked up for the bubbly single but came to love for its tortured lyrics and haunting melodies. I hate that this group came and went in a matter of months, enjoy.

Moody Waters

Mope Playlist

These songs are the ones that are in rotation on those days when I don't feel my usual ebulient self. Music helps me process thoughts and emotions easier so this play list is the conduit to a happier state of mind through the melancholy melodies.

• Slow Like Honey-Fiona Apple Food for Thought-Dionne Farris Like a Star -Corrine Bailey Rae I Don't Wanna Die Anymore-New Radicals Time Waits For No One-The Jacksons Like A Tattoo-Sade Creep-Radiohead The Hurting Time-Annie Lennox

Work Out Playlist

Every site/blog has there list and this blog is no different, but to switch it up personally I decided to pay tribute to my personal faves ala playlist. Playlists that speak to a diverse aspects of my life in song. First up is my workout playlist, these songs are the ones that give that boost when my body wants to quit and my mind is cussing out the machines these songs kick in.

• Butcher Shop- Kool G. Rap
• Who We Be - DMX
• Don't Believe the Hype- Public Enemy
• The Champ- Ghostface Killah
• Survivor- Eye of the Tiger
• Hush Boy- Basement Jaxx
• Hearts on Fire- John Cafferty
  

Stylized Statements

Style is at the epicenter of this epilogue.....(From Take 2 by Julezwinfield)





I first fell in love with clothes in the third grade. My mother took us to the mall to shop for spring outfits and I picked out a couple of ensembles that I thought were bona fide show stopper. One grey and black windbreaker short sleeve set and one in teal and black. I waited till Thursday of that week and broke out the grey piece. My classmates gave their kudos and my best friend RC told me I should have saved it for the zoo field trip the next day. I told him I had something else for tomorrow. The teal outfit received an even greater response. On that day I realized that the right clothing choice at the right time can make a powerful statement. The question is what do you wish to convey? I have had some peaks in valleys in my sartorial journey but I always wanted my dress to reflect my personality. I viewed myself as a mixture of Eddie Murphy, Frank Sinatra and LL Cool J. I am not saying this was a true representation of me in my totality but its a decent snapshot. Frank Sinatra always embodied cool, class and strength and I swore when I had enough money and lost enough weight he would be my style blueprint. Not fashion blueprint because fashion follows trend, season, and function while style leads while respecting trends, season and function. I love to allow formal wear and street wear to mingle together highlighted with various textural elements. Silk and wool, denim and cashmere playing together like a fresh jazz quintet. As we look to spring embrace your personal style let no one enforce their rules and regs about what is hot this season. Blaze a trail of sartorial splendor, intellectual individuality and righteous renewal. Carpe denim.

ReGenesis

This month has been littered with blessings and burdens. My car spun out and rolled over leaving my wife and daughter bruised but not broken. We walked away with no real injuries to speak of . The following week was spent watching God remove obstacle after obstacle restoring our faith and Christian confidence daily. Triple the money on the trade in offer 8 months ago, approved for a car loan in less than ten minutes with a lower interest rate by 3%. With all this going on I realized that I still had a purpose. I can not go back to sleep.

Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin'

I find in Lupe what the a large portion of the game is missing, imagination and sensitivity. He is not the most charismatic, energetic or swagtastic but he is one of the most lyrically out of the box mc's around. I put emcee's (and almost everything) in classes. Their is the class of 87/88 Kane,KRS,Rakim, 94 Biggie, Jay-z, Nas, Outkast , 03/04 Ye,50,Game . Then there is the everybody after that class without diverting too much off subject there 5 maybe 10 truly talented spitters since 05. And when I look at them all Lupe resonates the most with me. I previously mentioned his sensitivity, I don't mean in the whiny connotation often applied to it but the open awareness to the plight of others connotation. He speaks for the disenfranchise african, the latchkey kid, the skateboarder and so many more. Like Kanye he is an everyman emcee. He is not without flaws and faults, one in particular is his beat selection. He often chooses awkward off putting tracks for the average beat connoisseur. His mix tape beat selections don't suffer from this as much as his official releases do. I however usually find the rhymes so enchanting that I can endure the beat. Understandably others may not have that kind of patience for his offerings.

I can not fairly or intelligently critique Jay Electronica because I have not given the attention a review deserves. I found that he is a lyrical beast on the few offerings but as I mentioned in the previous post reminds me of GZA. For all the brilliance of GZA's opus Liquid Swords I think I may have listened to it four times in 14 years because of his voice. For all of the mix tapes of Jay Elec floating in cyberspace I have not completely listened to one. I must give credit to the producer side of him as an artist. He is a dope producer from the joints he has done for himself, Nas and others. I will report further once I have taken some songs to the wood shed.

"DEAR MOLESKINE" JAY ELECTRONICA

I

I tried to find the studio version of this but there isn't a complete one. But this is my favorite joint among the few Jay Elec cuts I have listened to. I tried to give examples of them spittin' and then comin' with extra imagination kind of stuff. My thing with Jay is the voice just throws me a little. His voice is in that GZA family unique but annoying at times. Without a doubt both of these brothers are crazy nice.

Lupe Fiasco (Twilight Zone) (Lyrics)

Jay Electronica - So What You Saying (produced by J Dilla)

m

My man put me on to this cat and got my ire when he said this is Lupe Fiasco but better. My response was wait for the wolf and it has taken two months here it is.

A Tribe called quest - Scenario

AT ODDs RD 2 (A Tribe called quest - check the rhime)

EPMD Feat. K-Solo & Redman - The Head Banger

Here we have the two groups with their respective crews. I must admit that I liked HeadBanger better by just a smidge. The importance of these post are beyond words. These tunes offer a window into my adolescence.

AT Odds RD 2 (EPMD - So Wat Cha Sayin')

8

1988-89 are widely recognized as two of the greatest years in Hip Hop. Those years gave us Epmd and A Tribe Called Quest, two iconic groups. My man Dre was a die hard fan of the brother's from the Boondocks and I swore by Queens finest. Here are samples of their finest work IMO. Enjoy.

What f0llows was initially a response to a friend but I decided to share it:

Jay Dee didn't come in until the last two joints starting with Beats,Rhymes and Life. He was a co-producer hence the Ummah (he,Q-tip, and Ali collectively). I think they were most influential aside from maybe four or five other groups in Hip Hop, Tribe was definitely more influential than EPMD as far as style, sound and vibe. As far as better rappers I am torn. Because when you look back at it only one of the four mc's in both of these groups made the top 50. Q-tip # 25. Here is a short list of accolades related to the above mentioned Low End Theory: Among the accolades awarded to the album were:

5 Mic Album award from The Source (1990)
#2 in Ego Trip's Hip Hop's 25 Greatest Albums by Year 1980-98 (1999)
#53 in Blender's 100 Greatest American Albums of All time (2002)
#56 in Pitchfork Media's Top 100 Favorite Records of the 1990s (2003)
#154 in Rolling Stone's Best 500 Albums of All Time (2003)
Spin Magazine
#32 in Top 90 Albums of the 90s (1999)
#38 in Top 100 Albums of the Last 20 Years (2005)
#87 in 100 Alternative Albums (1995)

All around I think they were more diverse lyrically and conceptually. The production was better. This is one of those beatmaker v. producer discussions that will go into perpetuity. Just my thoughts.

You had mentioned the Hit Squad being better all around than the Native Tongues. Hit Squad(EPMD,Red,K-solo,Das EFX even Keith Murray) v. (Dela,Jungle Brothers,Black Sheep, Latifah,LONS and ATCQ) that's another debate.

Martin Lawrence Def Comedy Jam

Eddie Murphy on Boxing

Martin Lawrence - Jokes About Boxing - Audio

At Odds Til We Even Rd 1 (Eddie Murphy on singers)

My friend Dre and I have been friends for 25 years and over the course of that friendship we have agreed to disagree on many subjects. We may often agree that someone is the greatest in their field but the point of contention is usually who is number 2. For example we both agree that Richard Pryor is the greatest comedian ever but we split on who is a greater contender Eddie or Martin. My stance is that Eddie has it in all three categories, stand up, tv, and film. My brother Dre feels Martin is the greater stand up, Eddie the greater film star and I'm unsure of his opinion of tv Eddie. Here is a series of clips. I could not find video of Martin's HBO video which is finest stand up. But what I have is pretty good. I havd the same issue with Eddie's SNL footage . So I excluded the TV portion. Also when you see the clips, I feel those who know us will see the influence and reflection of each of them in us. You get a glimpse of why I gravitated to Eddie and he Martin.

Breeze - L.A. Posse

I dont care what nobody says this was my joint back in the day. My had it all charisma, energy, lyrics, flow and dance moves.

4th Deadly Verse Wu Tang-Triumph

This joint had me and Dre at CD Connect at midnight to scoop it. Check INS, Rae, Ghost, and U. Especially Ghost after GZA spit.

3rd Deadly verse KOOL G RAP & DJ POLO - MEN AT WORK (lyrics)

This is the original Big Pun I pride myself on being able to memorize records but I could never get this down.

Second Deadly Verse (Chino XL - It's All Bad (1996) [HQ]

One of the cats that got lost in sauce (the original Eminem).

1st Deadly Verse

A few months back my friends and had an extended debate about the greatness of various mc's. Jay-Z or Kanye, Eminem or Lil' Wayne and by the end everyone stuck to their guns and continued to embrace the lyricist of their choice. We decided we should make a list of that wordsmiths choicest cuts to display what we saw in them. Then we were to give examples of those who make up our musical blueprints and set the standards by which we measure all others. This was the preeminent lyrical influence of my youth. LL was my fave for the longest but Rakim was the spittter I admired most. He was clever, dense, and an amazing writer. The layers of rhymes that he used to occupy a verse were unrivaled. Beyond that he was an MC with a name that closely resembled my own. Growing up there were no Rashid's that were prominent and I definitely could not find my name in a novelty shop. So when Ra came I felt an instant connection. His verses were rehearsed his cadence was imitated. Here is the verse that blew my my mind.

Stevie Wonder - UNTITLED SONG SNIPPET (Unreleased)

This is the legendary snippet mentioned in the previous post. I know this has been posted and re-posted a million times. But enjoy it just the same.

Money, Power, Respect.....

I have for years wished I had the money/influence to make dream projects happen. I long to produce a viable vehicle to showcase the Eddie Murphy that I love to watch. I wish I could produce/write the perfect Marvin Gaye project whether it be film or theatre. Lastly I wish I could give my musical heroes a shot in the arm to turn their careers around. My first order of business would be to let Questlove head up the project. So many talented artists release projects that lack vision,direction or that umph that came with their early/prime work.

For those who are unsure of his qualifications to spear head a legendary project. Check his resume. Ahmir Khalib Thompson (born on January 20, 1971), known professionally as ?uestlove or Questlove (also known as BROther ?uestion, Questo or Brother Question), is an American drummer, DJ, music journalist and record producer. He is best known as the drummer for the Grammy Award-winning band The Roots, which is now the in-house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He has produced for artists such as Common, D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Jay-Z, Nikka Costa and more recently, Al Green and John Legend. He is a member of the production teams the Soulquarians, the Randy Watson Experience, and The Grand Wizzards. Add to that Common, Maroon 5, and Pharell just to give you a glimpse of his diversity.

My friend Dre and I discussed this over Christmas break, that certain artists ought to seek him out and humbly place their musical trust in him. Prince immediately comes to mind, as one who could benefit from the Questo touch. Quest is a die hard Prince follower as evidenced by his Rollingstone Prince playlist. He could provide Prince with that funk that has all but disappeared over the last four releases. He along with Prince could find the sonic fountain of youth and really produce some fantastic music. Prince is still a phenomenal musician, his guitar work, writing and showmanship remain intact. The heartbeat of a band is the drummer and whether he's drumming or is using John Blackwell something is missing from the songs.

The Michael Jackson estate should hire Questlove in an executive producer capacity. Here he could be used to edit/finish those projects that Michael was unable to complete with his untimely passing. He could select producers that fit the vibe and vision of the demo's and help to round out the sound. Jackson recent releases lacked that glossy warmth that comes with a Quincy Jones production. Rodney Jerkins is talented as are the hodge podge of producers that contributed to the posthumously released "Michael". With Quest at the helm he could help to recreate that magic that MJ fans are longing for. He hinted at this with remix of Pharell's In My Mind entitled out of my mind. According to his Myspace blog while creating the rarely heard redux, Pharell would offer short musical quips to guide the drummer. This song should sound like Debarge meets DJ Premier or something to that effect. The end result was a project that surpassed the original.

Finally legend has it that Stevie Wonder has some 5000 songs in a vault, turn them over to Questlove. Wonder set the bar so high in the 70's that no artist has been able to surpass it, including himself. I believe that he takes so long between projects because he is trying to create that masterpiece to rival his early work. While his fans are waiting on a release of new work he could release previously unreleased material to satisfy them.( By them I mean me. ) Every other year allow Quest to cull 10-12 songs for a compilation. This will give a window into the mind of a genius that we rarely get to peer through. Also it allows him to have a part in the process instead of all these things coming out after he dies without any say so. The snippets released last year gave glimpses of the brilliance that could possibly lie on the shelves. The below link is to wet your appetite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmoIz9k0eCE&feature=player_detailpage

The Shidscars.

My brother from another already did his list so please check it out. The Shidscars are an award not recognized by any governing film bodies or reputable agencies. The opinions offered and awards given reflect the notions of Rashid Sartorial Taylor

• Action Film of the Year(Traditional) :Knight & Day
• Action Film of the Year (Alternative) : Scott Pilgrim V. the World
• Apocalyptic Film of the Year: The Book Of Eli
• Comedy of the Year : Dinner for Schmucks/Date Night
• Best Remake: True Grit
• Best Performance by an Actor: Christian Bale in the Fighter
• Best Animated Film : Toy Story 3
• Most Thrilling : Unstoppable
• Best Biopic: Social Network
• Best Heist Film :The Town
• Best Film Not Named Inception: Shutter Island
• Chick Flick of the Year: Eat Pray Love
• Best Picture: Inception
• Most Disappointing: Faster
• Most Surprising: Kick Ass

For The Record

I was re-reading The 50 Greatest MC's by Kool Moe Dee and he made a point that a great song is not always a great record. So that made me think for a second, because we often use the terms interchangeably but they are completely different. For my own understanding and definition a great song is a lyrical/ musical gem that can be interpreted and reinterpreted time and time again. It does not have to be wonderfully producedThe example that immediately comes to mind is Yesterday by the Beatles. This song has remade by everyone from Marvin Gaye to En Vogue and always sounds good.

On the flip side a great record in my estimation is a great product, where the sonics, lyrics and vocals serve each other. Before you know it you are caught up and singing along whether you like the record or not. Ice Ice Baby anyone. Not that I didn't like it but it was the first time I realized that I sang along even when I did not want to. In my next post I will list those that I find to great songs and great records. What is your definition? What are your examples? Or is Kool Moe Dee wrong? Notice I said Moe Dee not Rashid. ;) Uno

Catch Up

Catch Up: Okay I know every year that certain flicks are going to get by me around September/October, Wall Street, Legends of Guardian , and The Social Network all missed for various reasons. Today thanks to a snow day I got a chance to catch up on the latter two. Legends of the Guardian was a wonderfully majestic film. The creatures looked so life like that I was checking my mantle for feathers. It moved slowly and I dozed off a few times but once it hit its stride it worked. They found a way to have owl battles that were convincing, which is not easy.

This was merely an appetizer for the entree that was Social Network. This film was another masterpiece by cinematically deft director David Fincher. Fincher built the tension from the opening scene, showing Zuckerberg's drive and fragile ego that made him a true success. The viewer is taken on a voyage of deceit, debauchery and the money making potential of a revolutionary idea. For those who haven't seen this film pick it up and settle in.

A Change Is Gonna Come

I don't make New Years resolutions, but at the the beginning of this century I resolved to be. Be better, be vigilant, be loving and so on. With each passing year I have also decided to focus on personally developing the various aspects of Shid. 2009-2010 was to embrace my sartortial side and the above picture is a sample. This year is going to be spent cultivating relationships of healing and renewal. This blog was initially intended to connect with those that I separated from by distance. Through my spiritual connection I hope to be a tool. Use me.

Something New

It has been three + years since I have published anything on this site . Dre revitalizing his has inspired me to do the same. Here I will post the burning questions I have. Hopefully they will be answered.