WHAT'S GOOD.
"Thanks for coming out tonight. You coulda been anywhere in the world, but you're here with me. I appreciate that." -H to the Izzo
Copped!
Tues, Mar 1, 2011 11:18 AM
I been had Creative Rec!
growing arsenal...
DSPN
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 11:00 AM (Bangalore, India)
Let's get into it...
Ok, so recently I've gotten hooked on hockey. Been to a few games now. The pace of the game is exciting, and then all of a sudden someone gets checked up against the glass... PLADOW! (Martin Lawrence voice) Best fight I've seen so far was on Nov 20 (see below). The Portland Winterhawks are pretty good, with a 33 wins through 51 games. But no more games at the Rose Garden! Too fancy. I need the 16-bit, no instant replay, can't see the puck, black and white projector. Maybe if hockey had better celebration dances, like soccer or football, it would catch on. If I played, I would hit a triple axel everytime I scored. #boitano
Tiger, Tiger, Tiger Woods y'all. Apparently, as my man Amooretto so eloquently put it in his acceptance speech, there is sex in the Champagne Room. Was Tiger wrong?... Yes. Are the floozies wrong? Well, they are floozies, but yes. Are we shocked? NO. Do we actually care? NO. Let's face it. It only made news because he's the richest athlete in the world, he's black, and he got caught. Take a poll prior to the story happening, and most people would probably suspect he was cheating anyway. All that money and power doesn't come without temptation at every corner. The way the media switched him from a 'laser-focused' golf great to a 'closed-off, private' person was unfair. If everyone's business was on the street, famous or not, then report something good from time to time, and maybe people in his position would you let you in more often. These athletes aren't complete mosters. Actually, we build them up to be what they become, and the second they do something we don't approve, we tear them down. Then they come back, win a bunch of championships and we forgive them as if it never happened. Fickle. Well guess what, Tiger didn't care what you thought yesterday, what you think about him today, and he won't care tomorrow. Props to Nike for sticking by him. His personal life has nothing to do with his game. I mean it's not like he brought guns to the golf course. #gilzero @Tiger: just win a bunch of titles and it'll go away... right?
Brett! I think it's safe to say that it's time to hang it up. You've been my man for years, and I'm glad you got to write your own ending, although I would've prefer you finished as a Packer. Broken all the records, and bones to go with it. Probably the toughest person in sports.
I still feel like the Packers made a mistake not taking him back. He instantly turned a bad Jets team into a .500 team and took the struggling Vikings to the NFC Championship. As a Packer fan, I can't argue with this year's trip to the Super Bowl, but imagine what he could have done in those two years with the established chemistry. It'll be bitter sweet to watch them win without #4, but we're still gonna get in that Pittsburgh ass!
As far as the text message thing, see Tiger Woods above. Too bad he won't get his chance to win and make it go away. #jennstergerisbadbytheway
So Ray Lewis potentially stabbed and murdered two people, and gets a fine and probation from the NFL. Ben RAPElisberger is accused of sexual assualt twice and misses a few games. Michael Vick is caught up in a dog-fighting circle and goes to jail and gets dragged through the mud. What?! Lopsided! Was Vick wrong? Yes. Is this the first time this country has witnessed undeserved acts of crime? NO. Civil Rights just ended 50 years ago... or did it? The same legislature that put Vick away is the same people who participated in segregation. Really, what is football? Let's pay to watch 22 guys throw their bodies at each other in attempt to rip each other's head off. Kids are being taught to hunt at 5. Is that any better? Did Bambi ask for that? Vick was right to get punished. Just don't think it fit the crime. But for those that do, that's okay, so long as you respect that he served his time and deserves the second chance he's been given.
Anyway, it's good to see the most electrifying player back in the game and doing his thing. Wish he coulda played against ATL, but SORRY, my Packers had to put an end to that.
NBA. Or is it WWF? It's turned into a sitcom.
LeBron- He was right to leave. But I think he shoulda gone to either New York or Chicago. Both teams are missing a wing player like him. New York is the home of basketball. A ring for the Knicks is way sexier than with the Cavaliers. And the Jordan cloud in Chicago can't be a factor. Outside of the 90s, Chicago has nothing to claim. Celtics fan aren't mad at their Big 3 for only winning one so far. A win is a win. But it's his decision...
Miami Heat- I should be happy about this, but I think everyone is jumping the gun. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Chris Bosh has never been to the playoffs, so the hype around him is head-scratch-worthy. Only D Wade knows how to will his team to a win when they absolutely need it. If they win, it won't be for two years. If they don't win, who does LeBron get to blame it on then? Wade already has a ring.
Around the League: Russell Westbrook is a beast. Derrick Rose- beast. Amare Stoudemire- beast. Blake Griffin... MONSTER! Shawn Kemp is back, and he's light-skinneded!
Lakers in 7 over the Celtics. Phil re-writes history. And the MJ Kobe comparisons continue.
Let's Go Magic! Glad Turkoglu is back. We might have to upset the Celts right quick...
Decoded... d-coded.
Sun, Jan 16, 2011 2:37 PM (Fu Zhou, China)
"I hate Jay-z!"
"No you dont."
"Yes I do. I can't stand him."
"No you dont. And here's why..."
I remember being in high school and having to prove to people that they loved Jay-Z. The conversation would always start with how much they don't like him, then I'd name a song, and the response would be something like, "Okay. That's one song." Then I'd recite another verse from another song and the response grew to "Okay, so he has a couple hits." By the time I was done repeating lyrics, people were almost salty that they were actually Jay-Z fans.
"Told you."
I couldn't wait to read Decoded. Dream come true- a book expaining all of Jigga's lines, lines I spent nights memorizing from the moment I heard 22 2's (shoutout to Khary for puttin' me on). Reading the some of the lyrics put me right back to the first time I heard 'em. Driveway of my parents' house in Miami, in my cousin's bedroom studying each bar, up late drawing in my dorm room in Detroit.
"Who's the best MC? Biggie, Jay-Z or Nas?" I've had this debate one too many times, and to be honest, I don't have an answer. At one point, Talib Kweli was my favorite rapper, Canibus was in my top 5, and Nas has always popped in and taken the crown from time to time. In most arguments, however, I defended Jigga. The perfect combination of toughness and devonaire wit. Clever lyrics, dope production, and a creative way of making the listener feel like a part of the Roc. Has he made my favorite song? No. The best album? I could probably pick some others I'd listen to first (*coughs* Stillamtic *coughs*). So what is it then? Why is he the best? Where do I begin...
Jay-Z has the ability to reach all audiences. He speaks directly to the hood, but a dude with a Harvard degree can understand him just the same. He's got lifetime fans from Reasonable Doubt alone, and is accepted by the younger generation. His story isn't too unique, although his delivery of it is and has a line for every aspect of life. And what I respect the most is that his fame stayed in the music. Rap was never a stepping stone for him. He didn't run off to go act, never sponsored a product he didn't believe in, or run for office. He is what he is- a hustler. That mentality produced a clothing label and other ventures, but never took away from what got him there. No other rapper, besides Snoop (maybe), can claim to consistently remain as relevant for so long- 15 years without falling off. No other rapper was able to use their art, become a mogul, and still stay in the spotlight without a stain. "Hov's a living legend and I'll tell you why. Everybody wanna be Hov and Hov's still alive." If you think about it, Hov doesn't really have to retire. He has an image a lot like the Jazz musicians that weave in and out of his music. He showed a young man's game how to grow up in a lot of ways. I wouldn't be surprised if Jigga was rapping at 60, still dropping No. 1 singles about selling drugs.
As I read the book, it quickly became clear that someone like me wasn't going to get much more out of breaking down his lyrics. Been doin' that since '96. It only confirmed what I knew already- the guy's pretty talented. On some pages I found my head bouncing as I ressurected the beat out of my mental jukebox. Some verses put you in his shoes, or right there in the booth with him. But for the most part, it was a re-cap of a brilliant career. These cliffnotes would come in handy if you jumped on the bandwagon after the turn of the century. For me, what was more impressive than him explaining his work, was the fact that he has reached that point. It's almost Shakespearesque.
There were, however, some rhymes I either missed or just didn't catch the meaning. The line 'Jiggaman is Diesel when I lift the Eight up' (Breathe Easy/ Lyrical Exercise) was an obvious reference to drawing weapons, but wouldn't have caught on to the Shaq and Kobe reference. On "This Can't Be Life", not sure how I missed 'I kept arms/ 38 longs inside my mom's Buick', a sneaky nod to his sleeve length as well as type of firearm. There's plenty of ingenious double-entendres like this or better throughout his discography.
I also appreciated the autobiographical angle to Decoded. He gives us some entertaining anecdotes about his life before rap that either play out in his music or just shaped who he is and the relationships he has today. He also explains rap as an art in a way that some wouldn't recognize by skimming the surface. Most people who aren't trying to listen view rap as just misogynistic chatter, whereas Decoded sheds light on how intricate wordplay can be, and how much of an understanding of the English language it takes to wrap so much meaning into each line. Hip hop, to me, is the most intricate form of music when done well, putting out more information than any other genre in one song. Using each word of each line of each verse to convey a message, have it all connect with each other, to a rhythm, and stay catchy, takes real talent.
But what I enjoyed the most were those few lines that could be pulled out of context. There are a few gems that I felt could be applied to life, either as good knowledge to have or things that could dictate, define or change how you live:
Pg. 55- "The joke's on them because they're really just fighting phantoms of their own creation."
I hate judgmental people. I hate people who jump to conclusions. I hate prejudice. But the beauty of people like this, is that they're so worried about what other people think of them it's funny. And it makes it fun to test their limits. When you're real, you recognize real, keep it real, and keep it movin'.
Pg. 86- "Success could only mean self-sufficiency, being a boss, not a dependent."
Preach. They won't give it to you. Gotta take it.
Pg. 103- "Consumption's flip side is decay and waste, and what's left behind is emptiness."
Cut the fat. He talks about success and how we define it by how much you have. All that stuff just slows you down and distracts you from appreciating the details. Sadly though, this can also be applied to the people in your life too. Can't save everybody.
Pg. 131- "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate."
Preach.
Pg. 191- "It fits my style to rhyme with high stakes riding on every word and to fill every pause with pressure and possibility."
Stay loose and be a sponge to your envirnoment. Be ready for anything, or nothing.
Pg. 220- "... turning away from it doesn't make it disappear."
Yep! Handle your business.
Pg. 240- "Having a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other is the most common thing in the world."
You're not perfect. No one owes you anything- not even respect. Make your mistakes, grow and respect yourself.
Pg. 253- "I'm talkative when I get to know you, but before that I can be pretty economical with words. I'm more of a listener."
I can relate. Measure 10 times and cut once.
Pg. 279- "The truth is always relevant."
Isn't tho! The funny thing about deception is that you're actually lying to yourself. In order to make someone else believe something, you have to believe it first- can't sell what you don't have. And as convincing as you may seem to others, you know you're not staying true to what you really want. You've actually given up your own desires to please the expectations of another party, and you've found yourself maintaining a situation that you don't even care for. Joke's on you.
Pg. 285- "We can't be afraid to be fly... Fear is a waste of time."
"I'd rather die enormous than live dormant." - Jay-z
A Big Easy Thanksgiving
Tue, Nov 30, 2010 4:00 AM
Every year I use Thanksgiving to visit family I haven't seen in a while, or otherwise wouldn't see if not for a large family function (reunion, wedding, etc). Last year was in Dallas with my cousin Sherwin and his family. And much like last year, I got a chance to visit a state I've never been before... LOUISIANA. It was a pleasure to see Aunt Lyn and Uncle Mike, my second parents, and cousins Laurence and Mike, Jr. (and family). The party got started in New Orleans with an alligator sausage sub and a stroll down Bourbon Street that ended with some late night beignets.
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And you know we ate good... Jerusalem and Carla threw down in the kitchen.
And you know we got it in... I got to catch up with my boy Gregoire.
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And you know I picked up a new nickname... Beignet DuBois.
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And you know I'm going back...
Copped!
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 10:20 AM
To add to the collection...
$30.00 online at Beau Ties LTD of Vermont. The houndstooth will fit nicely with the rest of the collection.
NICE! THAT'S NICE!
"It was the best time of our lives. Gettin' money was all we eva did..."
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 12:47 AM
This has to be the best movie intro EVER! The way the beat drops, the blacklight, the shootout... and let's not forget Tommy's (DMX's character) house.
Watch the intro to Belly here.
Copped!
Mon, Nov 22, 2010 6:15 PM
Big shout out to Tom A Hawk for lettin' me know about the UndrCrwn online sample sale...
$4.99. Can't beat that wit a bat!
Pandemonium has ensued, Andy!
Sunday, Nov 21, 2010 6:45 PM
Never thought I'd see the day. I'm actually into hockey (This is the same feeling I had when I finally went snowboarding). But only live. It's like basketball, soccer and death rolled in one... on skates. The Portland Winterhawks were SCRAPPIN' last night! A big brawl broke out at the end of the 2nd period. Peep...
Vitamin D
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 8:59 PM
Just a little verse I wrote on the plane...
A head full of thoughts, a heart full of feelings/
and it's hard bein a man cuz I'm taught to conceal em/
ought not reveal em/ nah, that would be a mess/
but I gotta bench press/ this heavy weight up off my chest...
and yes I want success but unless this stress come wit a vest then when they pull it these bullets gon make me second guess the test/
and Love is too confusing/ choosing to avoid the bruising/
only leads the heart towards more delusion/
and Life is too long/
whoever said it was short was wrong/
this thing is like a never ending song/
ballads of backstabbers, hooks full of crooks/
things aint what they seem, good covers on bad books/
Forever are your friends, fake ones will pretend/
seen it first hand, hope to never see it again/
So it's on to the next one, back on my Memphis. Grizzly. Grind/
Money on my mind.
How You Like Yo Eggs?!
Friday, Nov 19, 2010 1:00 PM
These dudes are on fire!!
@0:22: Peep how he holds up 9:00 on his hands
@2:10: Random white guy
@2:22: Ya boy Yung Humma gets it in... Need to learn that
And please... PLEASE stop sleepin' on Flynt Flossy!
Lemme Smang It, Girrrrrl!
Wed, Nov 10, 2010 2:04 AM
I got a new favorite thing to watch on YouTube. My boy Shaka hit me up with a link one day and I can't stop talking about it. Search "Lemme Smang It". A song by Yung Humma of Turquoise Jeep Records. That's all I'm gonna say...
And please don't sleep on Flynt Flossy!
Back to School
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Giving back is on the agenda this weekend as I plan to walk my old stomping grounds. I'll be visiting my high school, DASH, in Miami to pay a visit
to the Industrial Design students and offer some advice. As part of my trip, I'll also share a few words with DASH's 500 Role Models group, a prgoram for young minority men in Miami's public school system. As a former club President, I'm looking forward to being an inspiration to those like myself.
