DJ Honda feat. Mos Def_Magnetic Arts
DJ Honda feat. Mos Def_Magnetic Arts
Let me tell you something about these two: The last time they made a record, they made a absolute hip-hop classic in my opinion. For the uninformed, that record is called ‘Travellin’ Man.’
Not sure how this one could live up, but they said why not and gave it a second go.
Still need to get my ears on to that Ecstatic.
Brother Ali_Us (Artwork)
Press release below:
Brother Ali Announces New Album Us, On Rhymesayers Entertainment
Minneapolis rapper embarks on North American Tour in support of albumBrother Ali’s last album, the critically acclaimed The Undisputed Truth, was a landmark in hip-hop, an album that carried weight equally with critics and fans alike, an album of bold statements and bolder beats, politically and socially aware without being preachy. His new album, Us (out September 22nd on Rhymesayers Entertainment), is a progression that will make Brother Ali one of the most enduring figures in hip-hop; while still aware, Ali has turned his gaze inward, and started examining the human condition from the outside in. A profound personal glimpse into a vulnerability seldom seen or heard in music, Us touches on the strengths and flaws of the human condition, exploring drug abuse, divorce, homophobia and many more topics that most people are scared to touch in their own lives, much less on an album for the world to see.
As with previous endeavors, the beats here are courtesy of Ant, whose production work seems to be getting more soulful and lush by the minute. The guest appearances only accentuate Brother Ali’s strengths, with Chuck D, Freeway, Joell Ortiz and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition making strong appearances.
In support of the new album, Ali is embarking on a North American tour of epic proportions, enlisting the help of labelmates and collaborators Evidence (of Dilated Peoples, recently signed to Rhymesayers), BK One and Toki Wright.
Word to my mother. The boy is a beast.
Wale feat. Gucci Mane_Pretty Girls
Wale feat. Gucci Mane_Pretty Girls
Wow. Oh my. This cat Wale got the MANE, Gucci Mane to ride with him on this track. Allegedly, this will be on the album. I do like the fact he keeps the Go Go vibe. The only bad part is that I think a lot of this ends up sounding the same. Right, now Wale has dropped a bit on my radar. Though I def want to hear the album for sure.
It’s GUCCI!
They Say Oh You Graduated? No, I Decided I Was Finished
By Salvatore Hall
I was conversing with a colleague and the question of acceptance came up. He was working on a piece dealing with acceptance, and I asked if he meant social or spiritual. This got me thinking. Why do we do the things we do? Does our inner most being really seek to be accepted by our peers? How important is it really to be accepted? I think there is a thin line. We want to be independent, but it is very difficult and sometimes social suicide to break the mold of conformity and venture on a different path. It would be much easier to always go along with the crowd. To take the propaganda spewed to us on a daily basis, and put our own thoughts on hold and follow the rhythm set in motion by others.
Look at Christmas every year. They come out with either a new iPod or children’s toy, and they create this market that you must get this for your kids. You do not want your child to be the only kid on the block without this over priced product. As we continue to be crushed by this influx of marketing to our phones, televisions, computers. So why not the beach too? Nowadays don’t be surprised when you see an airplane littered with advertisements.
We are constantly barraged with promises from a product that if you take this, you will fit in. If you wear our clothes, you will look the part of businessman. Or you will look like your favorite celebrity and everyone accepts celebrities. If you are like them, people will like you too. It is fairly obvious when we are one with our groups things are pretty easy. People assume their roles, but nothing great can come from it. In order to truly achieve some next level success, the quest for acceptance have to be of a spiritual nature. That can only come from true self-reflection. The only acceptance needed is that of a sharpened conscious and peace with the inner monologue.
When we get under the covers and relax into sleep, our brain begins to slow down. In that process, many parts of the brain continue to fire thoughts into our heads about things we did not accomplish that day and things we did accomplish. We rehash our day and sometimes life in the moments before we enter the “waking life.” This is when we can see if we would accept ourselves. Before we lament over social acceptance by worrying about copping the latest pair of shoes, or the hottest new tech device on the market we must look to see if we are truly acceptable individuals. Do we make the best decision the majority of the time? Do we truly look to help others on a daily basis? Where is our moral code at this time? I do not mean at a social level I mean personal. What is your moral code? Is it constant? How many things did we justify that we knew were wrong?
I list the questions not in the tone that I have all of these things figured out, or that I even know the right answers. I am simply a young man on a quest for enlightenment. Our intrinsic urge to be connected to one another is the reason I feel we can better our own life. Then we will be sending those thoughts into the world. The more we send out, the more answers we may receive. In those answers, we can benefit our own lives which will make us better as we interact with others in social settings. If they also were working on bettering their lives, then our interactions will be more positive. If more interactions are positive, then the trickle effect will also trickle up. Not only will younger generations begin to see a shift in their elders social interactions, but also our business interactions will improve as well.
If people are working together better and are not solely out for self, this positive shift will be due to the fact more people are taking the time for self-reflection rather than inter-office politics. Inner office actions will flow better, thus creating a better business atmosphere where people are getting along better and being more productive. The work of the group will ensue, and we can begin to pull ourselves out of this recession. No matter who we have in office, the President cannot single handily pull us out of this recession. No one could, it is up to we the people.
We need to dig deep. We have to let more petty shit go and strive to get along better with our brothers and sisters. The reason America is so great can be attributed to the people and the American spirit. This is a place based on the fact that all men and woman are created equal with civil liberties. We are protected through life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Pursue your happiness. Try anyway.
It’s hard. Believe me I know. It is easy to wake up positive. Yet, when you get the day rolling and get hit in the face from all angles, it is hard to remember that we are in pursuit our of happiness. Instead of stressing about a new car or another object to give you the feeling of acceptance, think about your own moral code. Start to think about the problems we face in the world as a country and as a species. I hate to break it to you, but if we do not make some changes in the way we live we will have a short stay on this planet. The resources are getting scarce. Believe it or not there is a real scarcity of our basic needs. There are fellow human beings that do not have their basic human needs met on a daily basis. So before you worry about fitting into the group, why not think of a way to make sure ever human being is accepted into the club or social group that has the ability to eat at least three meals a day, dignity, a chance to give their gifts to the world and most importantly access to the essence and basis for life clean and portable water.
This is a major problem concerning our world, and it is up to us to change this. I ask you to pray for me this week as I will for you. It is not always doom and gloom. There is so much beauty in the world and sometimes it leaves me in awe. The key is extracting that beauty from every situation you find yourself in. This is not easy, but it can be achieved. Have extraordinary confidence in yourself and realize that you have specific gifts and talents uniquely yours. You do have a purpose in this world. I have not lost my faith in humanity and I know, at the risk of being cliche, our best days are ahead of us. I wish you the best and remember the positive impact that you can have on the people and the world in which we inhabit. Pray hard.
Jay Electronica_Dear Moleskine (prod. by Just Blaze)
Well isn’t this something? Ask for a little new Jay Elec and thou shall receive. Only bad part is: it’s a snippet. The video looks amazing however.
Bout to take my siesta in Barcelona. Hit up the beach today. F’n lovely. Topless beaches. Nuff said.
Can I live?
"Told Me My Name Would Help Light Up the Chicago Skyline"
Lying here breathless knowing everyone’s on the take.
Want to make a name for myself on my own.
Pavlov couldn’t get me to chase this bone.
Want to push harder but being slowed down.
Was once a constant smile now a frown.
Hows the kid going to push through
Can I succeed at all I’m supposed to?
I can envision the world and the impact at bay
And I know all of the things that I should say.
Tears are not enough to describe the despair
As I sit alone in this fucked up office chair.
But lion hearted is the cry as I roar from the soul.
I will not give up I will reach my goal.
Drop dead weight like like a herse
Which why in my head all I do is curse.
Gaining strength from the greats of the past.
Will make it a point to sacrifice and fast.
Knowing the one out there is greater than me.
But in His likeness the boy Sammy.
Don’t Sleep.
Guest Spot The Mevs himself Clint
I have this friend who texts me early in the morning. He says “Clint I’m having some bad thoughts, I’m battling some demons. I need some help.” When I ask him what type of bad thoughts I did not like his answer. But it’s something that we as humans are gonna come across throughout life.
First off, it’d be nice to think by being uber positive we’d all pass through life without getting down. That’s bullshit. Everyone gets down, some just hide it better then others. And when I say ‘hide’ I mean they know how to cope. They know how to roll and deal with it. Life is a tough battle. You have to be very principle-centered and balanced to really get through it and be successful. You’re gonna fail many times. What defines you is how you get off the mat each time, and what you learned. Learn from your mistakes.Take something small each time and file it away for the next time. Like you’re facing a pitcher in the batters box of life. If you remember where he threw that fastball last at bat, and you took the pitch he grooved instead of knocking it out of the park; be waiting in the weeds the next time he comes with that shit.
I’m a believer that everything we experience is to teach us a lesson or show us something. I’ve had that instilled in me over and over again by fate. Life is a series of lessons that will keep on repeating itself until you inevitably show you have learned that lesson. It’s hard to see you are in the picture when you are part of the picture. Do your best to get beyond that moment by just remembering that concept alone. Things will get clearer as time goes on; they just will. You’ll see the purpose for something later on in life even if you don’t like what that purpose was. And I won’t lie, you aren’t going to always like the purpose. But I promise it will be there.
What I told my friend when I sat back and thought about the advice he needed to hear most; was to play the hand he was dealt.That’s what winners do. If you aren’t taking a swing in life, you aren’t going to get a hit. And all that sounds cliche but think about it. How can you win if you don’t play the game? How can you learn to dance if you don’t get out there and cut up the rug? You are gonna be dealt a hand each day. Some days you might not like the cards. A lot of days you are gonna be holding losing cards. But if you play it long enough, enough days in a row, and keep the attitude that you are gonna take the hand you hold and win with it; then eventually your luck is gonna change. You’re going to start winning.
And thats all life is. I try to think of it like this: you are gonna worry about shit that is trivial in the grand scheme of things. Life and everything it entails amounts to a simple laugh. All this you worry about each day is just something that you’re going to be sitting on your porch laughing about some day over a few cold beers with one of your buddies. You aren’t faced with anything you can’t handle each day. You have been through the wars before and you’ve had the bulletts flying and if you’re reading this you already have rose above it. If you look back long enough, you probably own the scars to prove it. And those scars should serve as reminders of each learning experience you were lucky enough to have.
Wake up everyday and look in the mirror at yourself. It’s okay to tell yourself “I’m the man”. You need a little bit of swagger to do well at this game I speak of. As you hold your cards don’t be afraid to look the others sitting at the poker table in the eye and grin with a confidence and cockiness that puzzles them as to who you are. Even if your hand lacks what it takes to win, you should act like you are holding the best hand in the game if you have it in you. It’s gonna take some intestinal fortitude to do that, but if you do it you’ll see others fold. At the end of that day; the end of the poker game of life, what you won will be better then if you decide to fold your hand and throw in your cards.
What’s the take home message? Let me tell you that if you grasp this concept, and you realize whatever hand you are holding has the potential to be the winning hand; that is pretty damn exciting isn’t it? Only you can control your own destiny. No one else. You can spin your cards each day to be a winner and rake in the chips. Make a game out of life each day. By doing that, you make the serious things in life seem simple. I’ve found there’s no better way to gain perspective. And make sure when you are playing your goal each day is to beat the game.
I know this slick cat who others always thinks are holding winning cards now. He wasn’t always that way. But as he plays his hand he has them all fooled. He even has himself fooled on some days. The guy is always grinning like he’s got a winning lottery ticket. Is he bluffing? Or is he just crazy enough to stare any big bet in the face and call it down to see what happens? When this guy is sitting at your table you’ll know who I’m talking about. And you better keep your head on a swivel. He’s hungry for life and he’s there to beat your ass.