Thursday Review: David Banner and 9th Wonder Death Of A Pop Star

I remember in 2009 when our country had a slight uproar about Derrion Albert death only because it became news and because it was posted on youtube.  After all the blacks are savages talk David Banner and 9^th Wonder dropped “Something’s Wrong”. Before this song I had no idea they were working together at all. I saw some interview with a shaven David Banner saying he had a list of producers he wanted to work with but a mutual friend linked him up with 9^th. From there what started out as a mixtape endeavor turned into a full fledge album.

 

So what happens when a MC/producer gets with one of the more popular underground beat makers in Hip Hop? Well first off the south gets represented nicely with 9^th being from NC and Banner being a Mississippi dude. You also get Banner going back to his conscious rap roots. 9^th Wonder really came through with the beats on here. It’s strange as fast as you can hear people say they’re tired of his sound it’s the collaborative efforts like this that shows he has much more to offer.

 

The album opens with “Diamonds On My Pinky” where David Banner just throws ill lines after ill lines in a short one verse bangout. Once that ends you get something pleasurable to the soul as 9^th beat sounds mad different than what you’re used to and David Banner kills “No Denying”. These one verse tracks show that this would have been a dope mixtape. Again it sounds good hearing a southern rapper with sense of self because that just seems like the last thing a south rapper has at all. “The Light” is one of those tracks I skip not because it’s a bad song but the hook is too damn long. As the title suggest it’s another food for thought track. A well welcomed highlight is hearing guest Ludacris and Marsha Ambrosius join the party on “Be With You”. It’s sound like a Luda track as he does kill it with the wordplay that only he seems to pull out of nowhere. Banner does keep up but Luda last bars put him over. Guest that show up make the album feel like David Banner and 9^th had a wish list of artist they made beats for and saw similarities on that list and called those people to come through. Some of those picks worked like with “Be With You” and “Strange” featuring Big Remo. “Silly” featuring an uninspired sounding Erykah Badu which was nothing more both producers braggin on their production credits, I swear this must be the first version of the last verse on “Make It Big”off the Wonder Years album for 9^th Wonder. Anthony Hamilton makes it on the album too, sounding a bit off key. I think that’s a 9^th issue because a lot of R&B artist sound a bit off on his production especially if he or someone he regularly works is mixing down the songs.

 

What’s cool and odd is the sound 9^th is known for hardly shows up. On “Stutter”, “Slow Down” and “Mas 4” which is really just some hard gangster shit. The way these beats come off are the way you expect 9^th to be coming all the time. So far I have been really feeling what he’s coming with and it’s sad those who say they are fans of his have yet to pick this up if just for a different sound beat wise. By no means do 9^th overshadow David Banner, I think they fed off one anther good. This album is good and short which has no interludes and skits, how old school is that? This isn’t an instant classic and to be honest what is nowadays? This is going to be one of those must haves down the line for someone who is a fan of either one of these men or both. If you don’t have this and like their music this might be a good listen for you. This is what Hip Hop is all about right here.

 

 

 

Mitt Romney offense looks more like defense

All day yesterday I was hearing how Mitt Romney is on the offensive. He’s been on the offensive since the primaries started. Hell he’s been on the offensive since McCain beat him. Romney was the front runner in a pool no names candidates, two has beens, and a highly overrated asshole cowboy who shot himself in both feet. The only competition for Romney is the party he’s a part of.  He’s been the one constant in the game of musical chairs, everyone one has had their spotlight moment to be a threat to who? Romney. He has been Ali with no Frasier. There’s been a Foreman, a Patterson, maybe a Liston but no Frasier at all. Now what was once thought to be a two for two victory in the first two primary votes is now a one for two thing and having his ass handed to him down in South Carolina, a place he really had no real chance at anyway, now he’s on the defensive.

I’ve asked before what is the motivating force behind this run? There seem to be more excitement about him winning one out of three primary votes than anything else leading up to this. The media hasn’t been this excited since the thought of Christie getting in the primary race had really picked up steam. If anything if I’m a republican I hope Romney doesn’t get the nomination because his party has shitted on him so bad that he might just become everything they claim he is if is to beat Obama.

As of now Romney has to regroup and now take this race a lot more serious than ever had to. At no point before the voting did Romney have to consider anyone a true threat pass Rick Perry the first few weeks of him entering the race. All the other hot for the moment candidates that got there week or two to shine to have news networks break down their political profile never were on Romney’s radar. Newt Gingrich became that threat because he (Gingrich) is just as well known as Romney is on a national. Its natural Newt would be the major thorn in his side and that their down south things totally are different. Romney now has to fight to stay alive. That’s not offense that’s defense.

KC Currents 1-22- 12

I almost missed the rebroadcast of KC Currents last night. Well I did miss all but the segment about local Jazz. Listening to whole show it’s one in which I was reminded again why I like the show. They talk to a Tuskegee airman and then there is the Jazz stuff. The spot they’re referring to on The Plaza I have never been to it, seen it before but I don’t hangout at The Plaza. It’s not my kind of crowd of people. I have been to and love and feel the real source of Jazz is The Blue Room on Vine. It was nice hearing what local artists had to say about the city and the Jazz scene. There also is a piece for those still with hurt feelings about the New York Times article and the lack of places to eat for those not wanting meat. As always click here and enjoy.

Creating American jobs and putting Americans to work aren’t one in the same

Mitt Romney was somewhere speaking about not wanting to stop people from starting companies and making money. The crowd went crazy and then came a few sound bytes of people who owned their own business saying that’s why like Romney. That’s fine but for some reason we seem to have fused supporting American businesses with supporting hiring American people to work for those companies. Every few weeks it comes out during a slow point on a news network or NPR that many companies are out sourcing or just setting up shop out of the country. Hoffa put Apple on blast on a Sunday show on CNN when no one is watching because Apple was setting up shop in Mexico. That was the beginning and end of that story.

For all the flack Obama gets it should be noted that he (Obama) does have enough sense to separate American jobs and American companies. You always heard him say things like put Americans back to work or create jobs for Americans. Something Republicans aren’t really saying. Instead they are saying look out for the job creators as if that insures Americans will gets jobs. We are in a global market. The first thing anyone learns about business is get the best results without spending a lot of money. If that means outsourcing then so be it. Something no one really takes in consideration at all when they allow these politicians to speak on Obama being a job killer. I wrote about American bridges being built in China awhile back, the company who outsourced that job is an American company the workers aren’t, how are we supposed to be happy about that as Americans? That is something that needs to be addressed much more than taxes, regulations and Obama care.

If that becomes the focus, whoever is in support of outsourcing or just going to another country should lose the election. They can attempt to blame it on taxes or even throw a quick subtle jab by speaking about unqualified workers without trying to come up with a solution for what has now become a major issue that no politician is willing to address at all. If the Presidential race does boil down to jobs I think the person that strikes that blow of trying to figure out how to retrain Americans will have the upper hand. Because the opposing theory is of course cost. To say you’re not willing to invest in or “throw money at” retraining Americans to better their chances at getting work sounds anti Americans to me. All the pro life true conservative Jesus talk can’t hide that fact.

Sunday Soul Sessions: Quiet storm Boyz II Men vs Jodeci

 

1. Intro/ Smokey Robinson – Quiet Storm
2. Jodeci – Forever My Lady
3. Boyz II Men -  End Of The Road
4. Jodeci – Cry for You
5. Boyz II Men – Bended Knee
6. Jodeci – What About Us
7. Boyz II Men – Trying Times
8. Jodeci – I’m Still Waiting
9. Boyz II Men – Water Runs Dry
10. Jodeci – Feenin
11. Boyz II Men – I’ll Make Love To You
12. Jodeci – Good Luv
13. Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday

When legends aren’t pop relevant

I don’t do rest in peace posts at all. Even when there are people I totally admire who have passed away I made it case not to go there. This isn’t my first issue with people not recognizing icons and legends that have passed away and who have been forgotten due to time.

It was reported Etta James had passed away, my girlfriend hit me up right after I had heard the news from someone at work. I jumped on Facebook and Twitter throughout the day and night and pass DJs and those who really loved music no one mentioned Etta James at all. I follow people in my age and older than me on for the most part on Twitter and most people are around my age that I’m friends with on Facebook and to not have it be something everyone is speaking on is crazy to me. I couldn’t feel that way too much about Gil Scott because as known as he was I knew he wasn’t someone the average person on the street would know. Etta James though? That was a different case in my mind. I thought everyone knew of her and knew at least one of her songs. I would have been cool with people going the lady Beyonce played in Cadillac. Nothing like that even came up. Maybe it’s just the people I follow and work around and live by. The cynic in me says if this was anyone out right now the news would be huge.

Is it a case of no longer caring about those who came before us? Could it be Etta James wasn’t a big enough star so her passing wasn’t on everyone’s radar? So many people will pass, it’s life, they aren’t all going to be Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton larger than life pop relevant people. There will be thousands of the lesser known artists who have contributed so much to music and should be recognized for it, not just in death.

I’m sure the Grammys will do something to honor Etta James, at least that’s what I would think. The Grammys have dropped the ball many times in the past several years. If they do choose to do a tribute it can’t involve any of the chicks on “urban radio” at all, including the mother of Blue Ivy.  None of the ladies out right now are worthy of such an honor in my opinion.

RIP Etta James

Embarrassing Americans: Protecting the entertainment industry not IPs

I’m not saying shit this will do it for me

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

See you Thursday

RSIEH: KRS One Interview

When people ask who is my biggest influence in Hip Hop I always say KRS One. In a list of MC’s he is number two behind Rakim. As Hip Hop goes after listening to this interview you see just how a true legend should act. In the interview it’s more autobiographical as he reflects on his life and career. Not many MCs or rappers can have you wrapped up in what their saying without beefing, promoting their music or just saying things to get their name in the news. KRS has been one of the few MCs who can go around and speak and not have to do shows or have those places he goes to speak want to hear his music. I’ve seen him on youtube at places where he spoke about politics and the people interviewing not once brought up his music. He put the music behind him and never looked for an opening to bring it up. While many former rappers who don’t settle into acting gigs or production duties find themselves not really doing too much that’s note worthy. When the 15 minutes is up some have nothing else to offer. KRS doesn’t have to make another album again ever and say take any topic out of the things he spoke about in this interview and build with a crowd of people.

This interview also shows the difference between how MCs used to carry themselves as opposed to today. It’s like when watching the Beef series and seeing Davey D, KRS, Ice-T and few more school artist you saw how different they were from all the new beefs at the time of the DVD series. You can call it maturity or just call it a lost system. I think like how Motown had taught people how to speak and carry themselves Hip Hop artists had something similar. Or it could have been most old school rappers were college students, yeah college students, none of that being too hood to learn, go figure. Yes of course that isn’t KRS life but if you heard him and listened to him speak you’d never know it. He (KRS) is the one reason I read so much as well as sat in listened to the older Gods around my way when they would build about life and religion.  It’s cool seeing KRS show love to all those he beefed with in the music business, well everyone except PM Dawn. He admits he was young, they all were young and it could be why he never really disses the new dudes in the game. You have to grow up at some point and he knows that more than anyone.

This is a deep look into the life of KRS and it’s free on youtube, gotta love the internet age for reasons like this.

Why so much hate Hip Hops first couple?

Since it’s been announced Beyonce had her baby and then the public was told the name and THEN the Jay – Z song about the birth of his daughter floated around I noticed those in the Hip Hop community really don’t care. You can’t count the on air personalities whether on radio or satellite radio as a voice on how the general Hip Hop head feels. The news is embraced more by the pop culture than us. This is our moment right? I mean to be honest when was the last time you heard a song dedicated to a child from a farther on Hip Hop pop level? Hell marriage is as taboo in Hip Hop as being gay is. Most rappers are or have been married and you would have never known because it never comes up in their music or the fact it never came up in interviews.  We know Beyonce and Jay are married, we witnessed the over a decade long relationship between them as it developed in front of our eyes. This birth should have been Hip Hops version of the royal wedding last April. Instead everyone is claiming they hate both Jay and Beyonce and there are jokes everywhere about their child. To be fair I too had jokes, more so about the name. I mean Blue Ivy? I will not go down that road at this time.

 

Imagine ten maybe fifteen years ago and the word spread Nas and say, Mary J. were an item and they got married and they were having a baby? Hip Hop would go crazy. Image if we knew Rakim. LL Cool J or Big Daddy Kane was dating and about to marry anyone from En Vouge or Toni Braxton? Shit would be crazy right? There have been major couples before them and now as well but none of them has gotten the attention like this. Not Will and Jada, Russell and Kimora, Dame and Aaliyah, Jojo and Mary, Janet and JD or Nas and Kelis. Back to the present, we as a culture could care less about these two Jay and Beyonce. I don’t feed into the whole illuminati talk because, well that’s another post all together. I’m just not getting how this wasn’t received better to be honest. I am totally not a Jay fan at this point in his career and I swear Beyonce is the black Britney Spears minus the drugs and breakdown but just as tone deaf if not more when she (Beyonce) does that wale call thing in her songs like she is Aqua Lass. You’d think with all that money she has she’d get a fucking singing coach to inform her that’s not cute, not cute at all.

 

I for one am happy this Hip Hops major couple status goes to these two and not say Ashanti and Nelly, T.I. and Miss Piggy, Nick and his once talented wife and Swiss and Alicia. I purposely left out the by all rights swinger couples who swap boyfriends and girlfriends amongst themselves like some Soap Operas. Not a fan of either of them but I will give them the title of Hip Hops first family… I will it’s just my opinion it’s not like I’m The Source or XXL or even Hot 97, I just feel they deserve that mantle.

What if Martin Luther King Jr. was here today?

I found myself watching The Boondocks episode about Martin Luther King Jr. not being killed but was in a coma. That episode was funny and poignant because it showed just how far we as African Americans have come and how we gave up somewhere. The thing is African Americans are divided down the line about the show. Some feel that The Boondocks help put our flaws out there and make fun of them while another group feels that those involved with the show are fake ass Uncle Toms. Still if Martin Luther King Jr. was here today what would he be saying?

 

I think if Martin Luther King Jr. was here he’d be sadden. He like most Civil Rights activist would be happy and proud of Barack Obama running for president, having a good change to become the first black President to becoming that man. He would also be upset once he sees the backlash against Obama for no other reason than because of his color. I think Martin Luther King Jr. would be the one to state the obvious. We are Americas closest antagonist who have been and remain oblivious to that fact. We are Americas Yehudah to their Yeshua, we are Starscream to Americas Megatron (take those comparisons how you want to take them). King would speak on how he has come to the realization we were never supposed to be equal with whites in America.

 

We have become segregated again by choice. We have many African Americans still working low paying jobs and if not low paying jobs making less than their white counterparts with the same position. What has become new over the last 20 years or so is education has become the new tool to keep African Americans behind. By the 90’s many programs were cut and classes were no longer teaching certain lessons. I took business class and advertising and promotion class in high school, my farther learned how to work on cars and electronics. Most males couldn’t wait to take shop class. I remember going to my older cousins homes and seeing the soda can lamp and couldn’t wait until I got that chance to do that. That no longer exists and there is no equivalence to what I or those before me took when it comes to the digital world of today in high school. Some schools in the suburbs use laptops and tablets and those in the inner city if those schools are even still open might just have two to four classes that use Dell desktops. Even if you’re an honor student in inner city schools you will still be behind because the world is so different now. I know kids that don’t write by hand at all and that’s not a bad thing at all in their world.

 

The problem is we can’t complain or we’re not supposed to. We’re told as African Americans that we have Affirmative Action so we should be happy. I personally hate Affirmative Action, I get what it was created for, but it’s the new millennium to even still have it proves we are not seen or treated as equals at all. What would King have to say about that or the fact that African American men are going to prison at a higher rate than whites? Being a felon makes it hard to get a job and strips them of a right to vote which automatically silences your voice. If it’s hard for whites to be a new home owner today it’s damn near impossible for African Americans. Even those with money have a hard time getting homes and their rich people. A regular Joe really has a hard time. It seems we’re not supposed to live the American dream, we’re supposed to be content with the pursuit of happiness.

 

The dream is just that and for those who have made it pass expectations tend to downplay all the hurdles placed in front of them. To me that is where the biggest issue lies. Those who make it tent to feed into the “if you believe it you can achieve it” talk and feel the opportunity that they got is out there for everyone and many African Americans just don’t put forth the effort to grab them. Then there is the lack of those African Americans who have made it not reaching back. One reason is because it is expected to happen so they buck the system but some African Americans just don’t want to do that giving back thing anyway. There are no meetings in community centers hosted by those who have made to network with those in the inner city to show that overcoming can happen and give some tools to help people. That never happens so the dream is still not close to becoming a real for African Americans. Kings’ dream of America being a color blind nation will never be. It’s not white thing or a black thing, it’s a history thing. This country was founded from white supremacy. Whether we’re talking about Americans taking land from the Native Americans and Mexicans to bringing slaves from Africa to build this nation to the Asians who built the railroads, the American Dream was never crafted for non whites at all. When people would go west and plant flags and start trying to build homes on that land non whites weren’t part of that. That isn’t too different from today when you hear about the studies talking what non whites have to go through to get a home and then how some of those homes have less value than a small cheap home owned by whites… Yeah that was a study a few months back,  some of those homes in minority suburb areas are worth less than some small home owned by whites  No matter how equal we want to be and feel we should be the fact is we’re always going to be second class citizens. The news media tells us that, television tells us that, movies and magazines tell us that. Just because we no longer have separate water fountains and bathrooms doesn’t make us equal. I think King would quit talking about race issues because until white people who control corporate America and by in large the government chooses to let all non whites get a piece of the American pie we will continue to see only a few African Americans get by.