A Treatise On Hip Hop

I like k-os. As a musician he is probably one of the best in hip hop. However, he is not a very good emcee. As a matter of fact, he's kind of a one-note joke; the majority of his raps centering around how everyone is wack, and how we need to go back to the way things used to be. I can dig it. In fact there was a time when I felt the exact same way; that's probably how I caught wind of k-os in the first place.

See I'm not a new jack, and regardless of where my musical tastes rest at this moment, I really was raised on this shit. From watching LL's "I'm Bad" and PE's "Fight the Power" on Yo! MTV Raps, to Gangstarr "Mass Appeal" on Rap City, to Nas "Got Urself a Gun" on TRL, roots run deep. So understandably when I turn on the tele and see Souljah boy and Plies prancing around, it's going to strike a nerve with me. Still, this concept of "real" hip hop and "fake" hip hop is a fallacy, and ultimately far more detrimental to the culture at large, than helping.

Truth is, everything has it's place, from the most sugary-watered down-soda pop hip hop you can find, to the most lyrical super-scientifical emcees out there, everyone has an audience. Unfortunately, it is those very "scientifical" emcees that do the most to perpetuate the stigma of "real vs. fake" hip hop. And it's sad to say, but given some thought I believe the reason is obvious; they can not do any better. You see, being a good rapper really doesnt mean anything in the context of making a listenable tune, much less a popular one. Don't get me wrong, I personally place high value on lyrical ability. But let's face it, you can be the rappiest man on the planet and still be unable to write a good song; go ask Eminem.

I don't mean to devalue lyricism, but somewhere along the line emcees forgot that the point was to make good music, and it became a gotdamn spitting competition. The problem is, that very mentality gives way for underdeveloped rappers to take over the market. The guys willing to sacrifice solid lyricism for a catchy chorus (or perhaps a song about a dance) get their music played on the radio, while most other hip hop gets stigmatized and left by the wayside.

Really, despite any misgivings I may have towards either end of the spectrum, the biggest point I would like to make is that hip hop has always put out good product. Judging an entire culture by it's extremes just doesn't work. Regardless of what is popular now or then, you can always find something worth your time. As fans of hip hop I feel it is our responsibility to break down these walls and come to accept each other's ways. Lyricism is important, and pop music isn't evil. A balance of both would really do hip hop good, especially as far as our image is concerned. I hate the fact that hip hop has been around since the late 70's, and yet is still viewed as almost a joke to many people.

I would like to end this dissertation with a quote from Aesop Rock:

"What are you saving, honestly?/ Promise me you gon' shut the fuck up and recognize what you're holdin' ain't really broken."

That one's for all the perpetrators!

PEACE!,

Anthony

(fresh for 2010, you suckers! :P)

AM I A MAN?

"And they say desegregation was a big step forward, but integration only covered up a rotten core/ The surface might have changed, but the cauldron is still hot/ Now we more politically correct with less 'real-talk'." -Blue Scholars, "North by Northwest"

Am I a man? Lately this question has been plagueing me. Am I a man, or am I something else?

If what's under my belt is any indication, then the answer is a definite yes. But if other's response to my person is truthful, then I am not a man; instead I am, in fact, a color. The color I'm speaking of is of course, black. Now I say of course, although anyone without impaired vision can see very obviously that my skin is not black, but most notably a middle-shade of brown. Such information, however, is irrelevant to most, so for the sake of convention, my designation shall remain black.

Now I was always taught that a person was defined by action and character; and I still assume this to be the case for most other people. Blacks are different though. Awkwardly, I've come to find out that being black comes with certain stipulations. These stipulations cover a range of subjects that govern a black's entire existance. Everything from speech pattern and vocabulary, to clothing, music, and of course, the ever-present swagger. And these rules need to be followed to a "T"; or at least that's what I'm told...

Earlier I stated that these revelations came "awkwardly", and I would like to explain this. Increasingly, through introductions and the comments of others, I've come to see that my value as a person is limited only to that which is most obvious; my skintone. This, I have found very shocking, because I was under the belief that I am multi-faceted person. Never is Anthony the 'funny guy', or the 'happy guy', or even the 'athletic guy'; no, Anthony is the black guy. Unfortunately, I only recently found this out, and as a result my personality almost completely defies the 'black stipulations'. 'Fortunately' though there are plenty of people ready to put me in my place.

The quote at the top of this essay by Blue Scholars, perfectly reflects the current state of contemporary American society. While being called out as a racist or (more rampantly) a bigot, is highly undesirable for most people, the feelings expressed speak differently of the current climate. I am very notably reminded of Chris Mathew's relatively recent comment about how he "..forgot Barack Obama was Black"; and how oxymoronic that statement was.

The truth is, people still have yet to come to terms with other's ethnicity, as well as their own feelings of inadequecy; but pretending negative attitudes do not exist is not the way towards that goal. If you would like to judge me, then judge me; but do so with the knowledge of my character and values.

I hope that someday people will be beyond such petty differences, but until then I will keep asking the question: Am I a man, or am I a color?

--Tony "elTigre"

Individuality..

I've wanted to write about this for some time now, but really haven't had the words (still don't!). Anyways, here it goes...

The other day, while browsing the internet, I got on yahoo and clicked on an article about baby names. The article said that people have been picking increasingly obscure names for their newborns, in order to give them a sense of individuality (probably both for the baby and themselves). And this article just really got me thinking about what it is to be an individual and what role individuality plays in our society.

This subject is particularly interesting for me, since, I do not honestly believe people have any interest in being different. Individuality, it would seem, is really just the new heatwave. What I'm saying is, the facade or appearance of individuality holds more weight than actually being different does. Everyone wants to be the first to read/hear/wear that new hotness, in order to appear cutting edge or trendy. I've always thought it interesting when you hear a goth kid or hipster talk about how different they are based on the fact that their dress isn't 'mainstream'; while they in fact are following a group ideal.

"I don't try to be different, I am/So inevitably my style will survive when your now, turns to then." El-P/Company Flow 'Population Control'

As a person who is different, I can tell you from experience that it hasn't always been easy; nor will it ever be. I struggled with my individuality for years before coming to grips with who I am. The truth is, people really want to be a part of a group or collective, and to stand out too much is most often alienating. To this day people turn their noses up at me, and make jokes at my expense for not being "normal". In fact, the name of this blog came about because my views rarely coincide with that of the herd, and as a result people take me as a snob.

There is a quote on my facebook by Frederick Douglass that goes like this:

"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence."

That is a true statement of individuality. It is something that I try to live everyday; to be realer than real. True individuality; something which can not be bought or sold, worn or said; something not gained in a name or a style. But something which can be gained through the conscious effort of an individual to be you, just as you are.

-Tony "elTigre"

New Short Story

http://myhiproject.blogspot.com/

FML...Really?

Fuck.My.Life...That's what he said. The reason? "I'm bored." Really? 'I'm bored' is a valid enough reason to damn your entire existence? You've gotta be shittin' me..

Seems like people will use any minor obstacle to say it. FML I can't find my car keys. FML I'm sleepy. FML, life is like a box of chocolates. Ludicrous! In our world of tweets and facebook posts to virtually no one*, I am well aware of the self centeredness of the internet, and those dwelling within. But something about this 'FML' fad really bugs me.

Anyone who knows me, knows I've lived anything but a charmed life. But never has an incident incurred such incredulous defiling of my own existance. No loss, no hurt, no scarring, and no broken bones could ever make me say that. What I find most troubling though, is that it would seem people have truly forgotten that struggle is not something to be looked down upon, but rather is character defining.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do I honestly think people mean to damn their lives? No, not really. But then why mention it? If something is so insignificant as to be forgettable, why bring it up? Are you really that lonely and attention starved? Or could it be that you honestly believe your problems are that significant? That of all the shit going wrong in the world, your petty BS is of a higher calling.

Of all the ways to illustrate one's problems, FML has to be the most despicable; and you know what? I agree with you. FUCK YOUR LIFE. In fact, considering that your life is so dispensable, I implore you to go get all the clothes out of your closet and put them in a box marked "HAITI". Then go sell your car, and clean out your bank account and send that money down to New Orleans, because I'm sure there are plenty of people there who have a lot more value for life than you do.

Tony "el Tigre"

*For the record, when I mentioned "facebook posts to virtually no one", I was speaking about those who post but never respond to comments, thus using the site much like an open diary meant to be read but not responded to.

Reader Submitted Blog: SLOW DOWN!

This was submitted by my twin sister almost a month ago, and in my busy world of being unemployed and all, I completely spaced on posting it. In any case, here we have a great message on slowing things down and taking your time. I decided not to edit it since I feel the way it was written conveys fully the urgency of the matter. Enjoy!:



I can't help but notice and be utterly annoyed by the way EVERYBODY seems to be in rush everyday, all the time! I just really want to know where is everybody going? Why is everyone doing 45+ mph on the streets and riding my butt because they don't like my 40 mph? Hell, why am I even doing 40? Or why do I have to force my way across a street because no one can take 8 seconds out of their busy lives to let me, a pedestrian, cross the street so I can get to my car?! I'm not even just pointing my finger at everyone else. And I hope no one that may be reading this is shaking their heads thinking about other people they know or may have encountered doing these things. Take a minute and asks yourself..is that me? How many times have you been in a line becoming impatient because you've been standing there all of 5 minutes and you think this is too long? Or how many times have you grown impatient or been in your car speeding when you weren't even running late? I challenge everyone to be conscience of these actions that I am sure we are all guilty of. Be patient. And be kind. (It's good karma anyway!) Stop and flag someone in when no one else will let them into traffic. When you make it to the checkout don't be rude and annoyed with the checker but be polite and make conversation, even if you had to wait longer then you wanted..because it wasn't their fault!

You can't enjoy life day to day if you're always rushing! So slow down!

--Courtney Webb

I CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!

Ok, so maybe I can't. Not alone. But through me change can be implemented...right?

Change is a funny thing, isn't it? Nothing is more essential to the proliferation of life; to it's sustainance. Our survival as a species is dependent on it. But change is, seemingly, our biggest obstacle in implementing...change. Or, could it be that effort is our achilles heel?


Often it is said that the cure to most of life's ills is education. What's the quote, 'teach a man to fish and you've fed him for a lifetime'? Seems like conventional wisdom. But if poverty is such an easy fix, then why are there so many more beggars than fishermen? What's the missing link here? I mean look around; so much of our earth is still third-world. There are ghettos and slums in every city, in every state, in every country, county and province.

Is it racism? Is it hatred? Or is it, laziness, fear, subordination? Could it be that people are genuinely afraid of getting their hands dirty, or fear the repercussion of those with power if we change the system for our brothers?


No one ever said change would be easy, but it is more necessary now than ever.

..And not false political change. Yes, that is a jab at President Obama. I have nothing against the guy (hey for all I know he really wants a better world), but I have no faith in a political system designed to pander to the status quo. The change I'm talking about involves me, and you, them, and all of us determined to leave a better world to our descendents. The power is not theirs to wield alone. The power exists where it always has, in the hands of the people. The question is, will we take responsibility for it, and in the process take responsibility for each other?

"If one fails, we all fail"


Peace & good luck,
Tony "elTigre"