Can't Be Your Superman; Fan's Perception Of Rappers As Superheroes

                                 (*Image credit goes to @STACKmag on Twitter*)

It's hard to stay positive in a world where a reality show character is now the president of the United States. African americans (it seems) are targeted by police officers, jobs in America get harder to find (let alone, keep), and a race war is and has always been lurking in the shadows of a nation where the hardest working men and women don't get their just due. The choices being made by our nation's leaders are an unfruitful attempt at masculinity, and more often than not make things worse than before. If our leaders and "example setters" are doing things like beating women, avoiding paying taxes, and even murdering, then who're the good guys? I try not to treat life like some sappy, self-righteous episode of The Brady Bunch, where we always pick the right thing to do and we're accepting of everybody, but you know the world is in a bad place when you look to a T.V. show for your morals. I've always been a firm believer in guidance, because sometimes when you get side tracked in life, you just need that one person in your life to get you back and chugging on the right track (choo choo I always say). Hip hop has always gotten a bad (w)rap (there's my corny metaphor for this article) because of it's glorification of guns, violence, drugs, and the "degradation" of women, but most recently the game is seeming more like a beam of light than the darkness we're used to seeing due to some of it's... heroes.

Chance The Rapper has pretty much rocked the world of rap in the last year or so, it'd almost be nonsense to say he wasn't hip hop's biggest star in 2016. With the release of Coloring Book, Chance made a genre that takes themselves too seriously fun and lighthearted again with a sense of humor and a voice that spoke for the voiceless. An endorsement with Kit Kat and having his song featured on an advertisement for the NBA were huge deals for the Chicago rapper, but the biggest show of Chance's character came early in 2017. In March of 2017, Chance had a meeting with Illinois governor Bruce Rauner to discuss the budget cuts that were taking place in Chicago's school systems. Unable to prevent the cuts, Chance took it upon himself and donated $1 million to Chicago's public schools "to support arts and enrich programming." I guess not all heroes wear capes... or jerseys.

J. Cole is another fellow do-gooder emcee. Despite the preconceived notions that Cole doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to activism and politics (at least, in some "fans" eyes), "Mr. Nice Watch" certainly does more than just brag about his watch and grow his hair out to look "rastafarian." During his 2014 Forest Hills Drive promo run, Cole stayed under the internet radar, but was far from inactive. Cole did things unheard of for an A-list rapper, such as show up randomly at fans' houses and hung out, direct messaged fans on Twitter about secret locations for free concerts, and he even went as far as renting out his former 2014 Forest Hills Drive house for single mothers with multiple children for free for an entire year. Helping the needy when they need it most; that's a hero in my book. Check out some of Cole's fans touring his old home in Fayetteville while listening to the "new-at-the-time" 2014 Forest Hills Drive, in the link to the documentary with the same title below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs0UAIAjcYk&t=5s

Kendrick Lamar's donations, though he may not want the attention, don't go unnoticed either. In December of 2013, Kendrick donated $50,000 to Compton's Centennial High School, which was eventually used for supplies to expand the school's musical program. With Compton being as infamous as it is for it's crime rate, it should be even more noted for the talented rappers it has produced ( the obvious ones like Kendrick, Dr. Dre and NWA, Game, Boogie and many more), and a hefty donation for Compton's musical program could mean up and coming kids finding more talent in themselves than they could have ever thought possible. Kendrick also starred in an ad for the release of To Pimp A Butterfly (which you can find the link for below this paragraph) which featured him and a young boy walking around the streets of Compton, and the lessons Kendrick looks to instill into the boy lie in the title; "Hard Work." With short little PSA's like this, Kendrick is another shining example of positivity and teaching today's youth the right mindset for success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXZ5dm7XFzg

Have you ever seen a fanbase in hip hop as rabid and loyal as Run The Jewels'? Killer Mike and El-P practically started a cult in 2013 with their self titled debut album, though their first collaboration(s) came on Killer Mike's Rap Music album in 2012, where El-P produced every song. The two worked so well together that... you know, the rest is well documented history. There is no fanbase in hip hop like RTJ's, however. Blacks, whites, Asians, kids, men, and women alike all root for Run The Jewels, from places all over the world, and for good reason. Killer Mike's campaign for Bernie Sanders' presidential run, though unsuccessful, sparked a whole class of citizens to root for him and arguably may have opened up a whole new demographic for Bernie, and as cool an old man as Bernie is, he even introduced Run The Jewels at Coachella in 2016. Killer Mike and El-P's constant fight against the evils of America and politics are reminiscent of the values that hip hop was founded upon; values that even Public Enemy would be proud of. Check the link of Mike's Bernie co-sign right below this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikgh4JbAWUU
(*I do not own these pictures, videos, or the rights to any of them*)


You know the craziest part about a hero? No matter if they've stolen a pack of gum, robbed a bank, or even blown up a hospital, if the villain was hanging off the ledge of a skyscraper by their mere fingers shaking in desperation, the hero would still do anything to save them. The attitudes that have been instilled in hip hop haven't all been winners, the "no new friends" and "IDFWU" motto's, and the lack of trust aren't exactly shining examples of what to say or how to act (and believe that these aren't the only examples), but I try to avoid those acts altogether and just stick to the music (though it can be hard sometimes with what some of these guys are saying, or lack thereof). I know how it is because I still get like that sometimes; Budden vs. Drake was like David vs. Goliath, and, just like the story goes, David came out unscathed (say want you want but Budden properly put Drake in his place by EMCEEING). Even in the case of Remy Ma vs. Nicki Minaj, yeah, Remy did go for Nicki's neck, but she stopped once she realized there was no use. Everything Eminem drops is like Superman coming to save the day once again, in the time when we need him most. A character that doesn't change the way that he is because a couple of people don't see the humor in the situations. Maybe they can't be your Superman or Supergirl, but they can be somebody's. And if they aren't setting the example that you wish to see, then there's always the latter; set it yourself. Be the change that you wish to see in the world, and the rest will fall into place.

 











 

 

Okay, This Rick & Morty And Run The Jewels Collaborative Music Video Is The Coolest Sh*t You'll See All Week

If you're a Run The Jewels fan, then yesterday was pretty cool. If you're a Rick & Morty fan, then yesterday was really cool. But if you're a fan of both, then yesterday, you had a complete nerdgasm.

Yesterday, Adult Swim's official YouTube page released a music video for a song off of RTJ's 2016 album Run The Jewels 3, titled "Oh Mama." The video did not feature Killer Mike or El-P, however, instead featuring characters from a show on a frequently collaborating network of RTJ, Adult Swim. The video finds Rick & Morty kicking ass and taking names all across the galaxy, killing aliens often seen in the show, set to the tune of "Dear Mama". Check out the awesome video below. If Adult Swim brings more collaborations like this, then I, and I'm sure millions more people, will be here for it.


(*I do not own this video, or the rights to it*)     

3 Observations From Big Boi's "Boomiverse"

Big Boi's third studio album Boomiverse certainly lived up to expectations, and if it's possible to live up to an album's title, the Atlanta, GA based emcee did that better than anybody could.  It had been a whole 5 years since Sir Lucious Left Foot's last solo LP, and people were eagerly awaiting to see what the other half of the legendary duo Outkast had in store for the people. Though Andre has always been the one talked about (often referred to as "hip hop's unicorn"), Big Boi has seemingly never received his just due for the impact he's had on Southern hip hop, and the consistent quality of music he's released throughout his career, both as half of Outkast and his solo work.  But today, it's a must we talk about (in my opinion) the best album of the year, so far.  Below, I'll be pinpointing the highlights of Big Boi's intoxicating Boomiverse album.


Feel Good, Dance Party Vibes



All through the album, Big Boi grabs a hold of your ears and facilitates the grooves throughout your entire body.  These dance grooves mixed with Big Boi's signature style and poignant lyricism mix for a well rounded, yet refreshing hip hop album.  In a time period where it's either dumbed down radio hits or raw, underground lyricism, Big Boi does an excellent job of saying just the right amount while allowing you to dance, listen, and enjoy easily. "Mic Jack" features (though barely heard), an Adam Levine feature plus some of that bombastic spectacular production from Organized Noize's own Sleepy Brown, and "Freakanomics" wouldn't even sound like an ode to the freakiest women hip hop has to offer to the average listener; because Big Boi is that good at mixing and molding hip hop with dance friendly sounds.

Dirty South Sound


The dirty south has always been a huge part of hip hop's evolution, especially into the new millennium, and Big Boi brings back the "southern drawl" with force on Boomiverse.  He updates the people on the South's doings with some unreleased Pimp C vocals and a cool Gucci verse on "In The South", which has more "Southern drawl" than UGK, Outkast, and Organized Noize sitting on the corner of Headland and Delowe with cups of the bubbly (it pretty much doesn't get more Southern than that).  "Kill Jill" featuring titan Young Jeezy and OG Atlanta rapper and frequent Big Boi collaborator over the years Killer Mike is the banger that will get all the partiers and sippers moving with their subs.  The beginning of the sample sounds like some Shaolin monk, preparing-for-a-fight-with-Bruce Lee type of shit, and if there is any song to bump in the whip and feel your true Southern pride, this is the one.


Big Boi's Identity As A Rapper/Musician Is Never Compromised

(*I do not own any of these songs, or the rights to them*)

This may get to sound a bit preachy, but hear me out.  While it boasts many features (huge name features like Killer Mike, Jeezy, Adam Levine, and more), Big Boi's Boomiverse is unapologetically, his album.  Though the Atlanta emcee can mold his sound into any sort of instrumental, a hip hop banger or a catchy radio jingle, Big Boi does not compromise his signature otherworldly sound with what is currently popping in the hip hop world; Big Boi is still half of Aquemini living in his own Boomiverse speaking "Freakanomics" with the local, bad ATLien bitches.  Big Boi's ability to stay relevant in an ever changing hip hop climate speaks volumes to his ear for beats, and ability to make music that simply sounds dope.  The people have been in doubt about music coming out, debating on whether or not some of it is worthy of being deemed "classic", or debating whether it should be considered music at all, but Big Boi stays away from all the hoopla and just keeps doing his own thing; making great, feel good jams.          









            















     

     

Killer Mike Is Killing Shit With His Activism (Bill Maher Appearance, Video)

I like to think I use the blog for good (or try too, maybe I'm not at that level yet), and I definitely have to speak on something I believe needs attention. Killer Mike made an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher recently and discussed the events of Ferguson along with free trade, the declination of Christianity among the youth, and multiple other things.

Is Killer Mike the spokesperson hip hop needs?  You have to love his professionalism in handling the questions asked, and his responses draw much applause from the crowd. This, to me, is what protestors and blacks need to do to gain respect and to make headway in this mass movement of violence. If police call the National Guard to come in and break things up, it's because people aren't handling the police's actions very well (which is very much understandable), but is answering the response of violence with more violence really an effective answer?  I would love not to see more people killed, no matter where it may be (I'm not exactly an activist myself, but I don't really enjoy getting on the internet and reading about riots, cars being flipped over, stores looted and people being killed, the idea of martial law gets more real with more riots). Mike also discusses racism in America and Michelle Obama's comments on it, you can checkout that video right here.

                                             (*I do not own this video or the rights to it*)

       

Royce Da 5'9 & DJ Premier's "PRhyme": Why You Should Be Excited

It seems Royce Da 5'9 is taking it to the next level with this one. Earlier this week a short video surfaced of DJ Premier joining alongside Royce rapping in a video over what you could only assume was some choice Premo production. People of the internet were rather excited about what this could possibly mean, but since then no further details were released...until now.

PRhyme is going to be a full length Royce Da 5'9 LP with DJ Premier taking the reigns handling production. It's hard to tell where Premo is going to take the production with on this one, whether or not he chooses to sample certain artists or keep the sampling to a minimum. He did have this to say about the album recently; "I've never sampled just one artist, I'm known for my reputation and my creativity. I wanted it to be my traditional thing where I sample everything I find, but I am really proud of how the project came out and Royce is one hell of a pusher."  From the sounds of this it seems there is a minimum of sampling from Premo, but time will tell what we see in terms of production on the album.

PRhyme will boast some MONSTER features, however. It is confirmed that the project will feature Dwele, Killer Mike, Common, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Mac Miller, of course his fellow group mates Slaughterhouse, and Royce and Premo even managed to grab Jay Electronica for a feature. Are you excited yet?!  PRhyme has not been given a release date yet, but is rumored to be put out before the end of the year.

The route the Slaughterhouse members have been taking for their music releases has been an interesting one to say the least. Crooked I's last release Apex Predator was put out about halfway through last year, Joell Ortiz's House Slippers saw a release a bit more than a week ago, while Joe Budden has plans for his EP Some Love Lost in November and the release date for the album All Love Lost has yet to be determined.

Being that it is almost October already, so far it seems like these releases from Joe and Royce will spill into next year, while Slaughterhouse as a whole will supposedly be featured on the anniversary project Shady XV and also have their album Glass House coming (no release date given) as well. So far it seems next year will be a very exciting year for Slaughterhouse and Shady fans alike, but all you can do now is wait. Check out the teaser video for Royce and Premo's PRhyme below.

              (*I do not own this video, or the rights to it, Royce Da 5'9, DJ Premier, or PRhyme*)