BLACK BALL PLAYERS LOVE VANILLA!!!

Extravagant homes, expensive cars, extremely lucrative endorsement deals and the highly coveted trophy.... A WHITE WOMAN...the all inclusive perks of the African-American athlete!

 

(hey...he's holding the wrong trophy!)

If I were to go down the list of black athletes who have taken a white counter-part,  it would be as if I'm reading the starting lineup of a basketball game. The number of ball players with the customary white trophy wife are enough to construct a team or two, in either league (NBA or NFL).

I by no means have anything against mixed relationships. Most of my closest friends are the direct result of mixed race or mixed culture relationships ( OUR PRESIDENT IS MIXED). The basic point i would like to make is...Why is it every famous athlete over looks the darker breed of females upon obtaining a certain position of power and fame? Does he think the white woman is a trophy? Yes! among other various reasons.

Many black men feel that obtaining a white woman is a sign of wealth, a bright-blinking indicator of success.  In a subconscious "killing two birds with one stone" sort of way, a black man thinks "Hey i can marry a white girl, and people will think I've made it...at the same time stick it to the white man, by taking his woman!" This may or may not be the athletes main intention, or maybe he may not be aware of his deep seeded reasons.

The black man's love for white women travels back many years prior to our current time frame. As we all know, the white man wasn't always fond enough of the black man to allow him to be president of the UNITED STATES. White men oppressed our people in every way possible. One of the biggest crimes a black man could commit more than 50 years ago was to merely look at a white woman! But, we took it further.

Behind the white man's back, black men would turn white women out! White women would flock to brothers like a drug, a high-prohibited drug. They way we danced, sang, and our overall physical appearance, stimulated white women's sense of danger, excitement and direct insubordination of their white husbands. Within this forbidden attraction, a great opportunity presented itself. With white women smitten, black men seized their chance to get back at the white men for his oppressive ways. Imagine what a white man would do if he knew his prized possession was cooking (at least attempting to ) grits for some jungle bunny?

The black man, due to this master plan, finally had something over the white man-but this plan has backfired. Because the white woman was so sought after, she was put on an even higher pedestal, almost driving the black man crazy, causing them to risk their lively hood for a taste of this white delicacy. Back to the present...black men no longer need as much leverage over their oppressors as they once did, but avid white girl enthusiast, they remain.

Looking beyond the racism overtone for a more concrete explanation, maybe the brothers just prefer white women over black women? Many black men see black women as, nagging, controlling, unappreciative. They see white woman having long flowing hair of their own (which they all don't!) and the black woman purchasing hers. They feel a white woman would do anything and everything to please her 6 foot 5 inch starting forward, especially with her dollar signs for eyes. Black men seem to forget that the BLACK woman-who was neglected whilst in his search for a mate to accompany him in his lavish life, was the one who stood by him throughout the gritty beginnings for his quest for greatness.

Lastly, I'm not knocking the merging of black men and white women in holy matrimony. If you find someone you know you love, then...that's life! LOVE THAT PERSON. I am simply examining why famous African-Americans, more exclusively athletes, tend to gravitate toward white women.

On another note...why do black women gravitate toward white men! To heighten their social, status, the blue eyes, the assumed bigger bank account?? Maybe because all the brothers are getting snatched up by the white girls???...This situation is a whole other blog post, stay tuned!

 (PAYBACK LOL....I SEE YOU VENUS)

 PEACE!!!!

NEW EP FROM dwayne. ENTITLED "LOOKING GLASS"

       THIS SATURDAY OCTOBER 17TH...

COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR MY BOY dwayne.

            AND HIS NEW EP "LOOKING GLASS"

Performing and ushering in the release of his 
     BRAND NEW EP... 

"LOOKING GLASS".

He's SELLING CD'S, SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS, EVERYTHING!!!

He's also going to debut some new songs, and  just have a good time!! 

ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL

196 ALLEN STREET

NY, NY, 10002

(BETWEEN  E. HOUSTON AND STANTON)

DOORS OPEN @ 7:30PM EST!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHOW STARTS @ 8PM!!!!

FREE ADMISSION FREE ADMISSION FREE ADMISSION FREE ADMISSION

SEE YA THERE!

IN THE MEAN TIME...CHECK OUT HIS MUSIC!!!  dwayneny.com www.myspace.com/dwayneny www.twitter.com/dwayneny www.vimeo.com/dwayneny

"LETTER TO MARCELA" BY: TARIQ

Dear Marcela,

How should I start? ….....Where do I begin?.......

I told you how I felt and told you what my interests were.

Little did you know...you interest me.

At first I hid it. I didn't know it was already visible.

I even covered it. I didn't know it was transparent.

So what did I do? I told you what was already being said.

I told you what my interest were.

I could possibly blame it on what I've imagined but never seen before.

In disbelief, I want to blink

But I'm too scared I wont see you again.

So I stare...

What am I looking at?

I see a mother, student, provider, beautiful young lady.... superwoman to say the least

You go to class with much class, Good work when you're at work

Provide for your son with everything under the sun

And what am I?

What do I have to offer?

What do I have to bring to the table besides a fork?

I don't know...

Stress?

How can I help your son?

What if what I have to add takes away?

In addition to that, it may not be so positive

You have enough stress...I would add to that

You've cried buckets of tears...Will I make them barrels?

Basically what I'm saying is...I don't want to be the addition...
...that takes away..

Sincerely yours,

Tariq

Tariq G

                                                http://twitter.com/FOLLOWTQ

"THIS POEM" BY ME!!

THIS POEM...

This poem...that I told them
Totally changed their perception
Something therapeutic..
But you must pay per session...
And the currency's attention
So don't put your 2 cents in...
....just list...en

This poem...that I told them
Totally sounds like a rap song
Set it to some music
But If you do it, it won't last long
Its Mad short but mad strong
Like a note its to be passed on
Its that raw...

This poem...that I told them
totally excites the mind
you too can do it
every time you write ya rhyme
dance, sing, or move like a mime
because of this poem that i told them..
we all see eye to eye

- J rasean

ELEVATOR AIN'T WORKING AGAIN????

"I WAS RAISED IN THE PRO-JECTS, ROACHES AND RATS"

..to partially quote Jay-Z.  Projects buildings have inconsistent hot water, inconsistent elevators, inconsistent management. The only consistent variable is the " I don't give a fuck! " attitudes of its inhabitants.

How do you expect an elevator to work 100 percent of the time, when its covered wall to wall with urine and spit.....100 percent of time? In a literal sense, the appearance of the INSIDE of an elevator has nothing to do with the mechanics, but it's a huge factor. When elevator engineers are dispatched out to repair these "mobile bathrooms" they are greeted with a floor full of piss and a wall full of spit!  When they notice the horrid shape the elevator's in, they MUST sub-consciously (if not consciously) think "THEY don't care about this elevator enough to take care of it, why should I?" thus explaining their sub-par work. Aside from this less then obvious reason, I'm sure they don't enjoy pissy floors with a spit covered backdrop, as a workstation.

Aside from disgusting elevators, there is tons of "artwork" that  is apparent all throughout most project buildings. Ranging from gang slogans and symbols, all the way to certain tenants being referred  to something...unflattering. Its good to know young Jamal can bring his new lady friend over, and watch her jaw drop as she reads " Jamal sucks dick ". "But I Don't, That's a different Jamal!!" he exclaims, " Sure Jamal, Sure" she says. A lot of times people will non-nonchalantly invite guest to their home with no reservations about seeing their filthy building. The reasoning behind this is; once off that disgusting elevator (and ushered down a long hallway with  that odor that smells as if everyone was boiling dog shit simultaneously), they reach an apartment straight out of  "MTV cribs". Because of the low, stabilized rent, tenants can afford to live lavish. Giant flat screen T.V's, leather couches, A PICASSO (not really) are just a few things you might encounter. Tenants have no problem keeping their homes IMMACULATE, but the buildings common spaces say "FUCK THE LOBBY, I DON'T SLEEP THERE" 

People have no problem paying  minimal amounts of rent for minimal living conditions, as long THEIR home...looks great. On the flip-side; when someone gets raped because the lobby door doesn't lock, or an elderly person passes out when she has walk the stairs when the elevator isn't working, everybody's ready to complain! The same one pissing, and drawing their endearments on the elevator, complains whens its not working well enough to take him to the 3RD FLOOR! The guy with Picasso is complaining bout their never being hot water, or the front door being closed...you can afford a Picasso,  why don't you just move, right?

In the end, respect is universal, and if you respect yourself...others will learn to respect you with ease. These rules don't apply just to the person, but the person's surroundings. Guys bring girls to their filthy buildings all the time, saying things like " Pardon this building, these niggas are nasty " secretly knowing he relieved himself in the very same hallway they are standing in. Because project living conditions are so very poor (self inflicted) society looks upon them as vagrants, less then deserving of decent service. Relating back to what I said earlier " RESPECT YOURSELF...AND OTHERS WILL RESPECT YOU" also means "RESPECT YOUR SHIT" too. Maybe think twice about spitting on elevator door or spray painting " Jaquan IS PUSY" (spelled wrong on purpose) all over the hallways, and society will take these many buildings to be CLASSY establishments, which they CAN be if treated better.
PEACE!!!

 - J rasean

"IN MY EYES" BY J. HALE

In my eyes… 


If you were me, you would be able to see what I see 
but you ain’t me so you cant see... 
but this is what I’m gonna do for you, give you a little piece of me…

Getting off the train station from a long day of school
I see on the corner the same damn fool
I hope he don’t think that sitting on the block is cool 
cause its wrong but he don’t have a clue. 

I keep walking along, I see an African American brother trying to sell that sticky.
And standing next to him is his girl with her hair mad picky.
Right behind them is a memorial that says R.I.P Ricky. 

There’s a report everyday about someone getting stabbed, shot, or beaten to death.
Now cops patrol the blocks, like boats in the docks.
Brothers get mad at the cops, so they disrespect them and tell them to kick rocks.

No one recognizes the brothers that are doing good.
That’s why they can’t wait to pack, and leave the hood...
There are some that’s all about making dough
Then there are others that only care about piping the local hoe.

All I do is shake my head
And pray every night before I got to bed
That I make it in this fair world and get ahead. 

- J HALE

FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER!!!

twitter.com/J_2cute_Hale

" My Insecurity " By: Tariq G

" My Insecurity "

This girl is not for me

And I am too insecure to see
My insecurity is what keeps me secure

From a hurt with no cure

A feeling so obscure
I long to love her no more

Before we got together there was much to discuss

You knew I had a problem with trust, so hush 
I don’t want to lie and tell you you’re my only one

And another girl is carrying my son 
Not only will I feel dumb, I don’t need it

And I’ll have to explain why I cheated

Why I left the green pasture for the dirty weed

Why the other side of the fence looked so green

Why I cut down a tree to plant a seed

I don’t know myself; it’s still hard to believe

Is there a me without you?

Is it worth texting another girl that I don’t want to see?

I wouldn’t be cheating on you

I’d be cheating me 
Now I know that

This girl is not for me 
I am too insecure

She is my insecurity that keeps me secure

From the hurt with no cure

A feeling so obscure

I long to love her no more

Tariq G

http://twitter.com/FOLLOWTQ

"WET DREAMS" by J. HALE

..FOR THE GROWN...AND SEXY'S EYES ONLY!!!

It was like about 3 in the morning when it happened. I remember it like it was yesterday, I had my first wet dream. It all started when I was on the phone with "daddy" and he was telling me all the freaky things he wanted to do to me. Usually, I don't entertain him when he's talking like that, but this night was the first night I decided to just let him tell me a bedtime story. After that I went straight to sleep then it began...

"Jasmine baby wake up" I heard his voice softly in my ear as I turned around to face him. Seeing him sit there watching me sleep made me smile, because I felt protected. I got up to go to the bathroom to splash some water on my face and freshen up a little. When I returned back to the room the lights had been dimmed and my favorite candles were lit, and slow jams from the stereo was playing softly. "What's this about" I asked him as I got closer to the bed. He said " Remember the story I told you last night? well it's time to make it a reality" All I could do was look at him with a blank face, and respond with an "alright".

How it all began was blurry, maybe this was when I was turning in my sleep.All that I know, in just a blink of an eye, "daddy" was rubbing me down with oils with one hand and the other he was massaging my clit -while fingering me. Damn, all I could do is moan because he knows how to make me leak faster than a leaky faucet, and with JUST TWO FINGERS. Next I felt his lips make a trail down my back inch by inch going lower and lower as my spine tingled because it felt so good. He finally reached his destination and began to eat me from behind just like he promised. He ate me for about 45 minutes and still had enough energy to continue for another 45 minutes. He told me to sit on his face because he still wanted to finish up the job. We performed 69 because it was our favorite position.

He told me "It was about that time that we get it in" because he has been waiting to feel my walls surround his shaft all day. He knows that my cooch tightens up, and that he's gonna have to ease it in at first because his shaft is crazy thick and long to just try to PLUNGE it in. He held my legs open wide and put his tip in "SHIT!"...I thought, as he continued to proceed inside of me. After a couple strokes he started going faster and FASTER as I was throwing it back. I pulled away and laid on his back the I got on top.Riding backwards was like the best! because he loves the sight of my ass as he smacks it while I go up and down. I'm going full speed when he tells me to get off. As soon as I hopped off, he grabbed me and flung me on the bed face down ass up -that's the way we like to fuck. In the background I could hear PLIES "please excuse my hands" blasting! and that just added to the sexy, because that song turns me on as soon as the beat drops!

Damn, I'm so happy the walls in my apartment are thick...because this nigga must've taken some enhancers because for some reason he was going extra deep and extra hard, or maybe it was just me. "Daddy" had me screaming like it was going out of style and that just made him go harder and faster. When I looked back he had a grin on his face as if he knew what he was doing and he was punishing me...for what reason I don't know. I knew he was about finish because his strokes became longer and deeper and he was starting to buckle up. He came and so did I, like 5 times during the process! He always made me cum it never fails...but this time it was different. We laid there cuddling and resting our eyes, then I looked at him in confused and asked "how did you get in?"

Before I knew it I...

I was laying in my bed eyes wide open, body sweaty and pussy full of juice, so much so I could ring out my pajamas. I just knew I had to make that phone call then...




- J. HALE


FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER!!!

twitter.com/J_2cute_Hale

"BE MINE"....BY DJ FUTURE

A track entitled " BE MINE" by: DJ FUTURE produced by DJ FUTURE

off the " SELF TITLED PT. 3 - THE SOAPBOX MIX TAPE "

 A real funky track...smoothed out : )

CHECK IT OUT >>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6PJYtpvAQ8


Let me know what you think of it!! Also hit up the creators of this ILL music!!!

HIT UP DJ FUTURE ON TWITTER:

HTTP://TWITTER.COM/DJFUTURE

Priorities? Anyone?? ...Revisited

Dreams and aspirations always seem to consistently occupy the mind of a person who has nothing.  The dreams that reside in the mind of the obviously non-content, are both varied and synonymous.
Varied in such a way that everyone has different dreams-synonymous in a sense that dreams are all the person thinks about, especially if they currently dwell in an unsatisfactory situation. During the quest for dreams there are a certain classifications of priorities. If you aspire to be wealthy what do you plan on doing with your riches? here lies room for ignorance over intelligence, responsible over irresponsible.

Awhile back I was approached by an army recruiter with the intent on signing me up. Sitting in a black Benz (along with a fellow recruiter and a young lady) he called me over and proceeded to list several enticing benefits of joining the army. As he spoke, and before I understood why he called me over, I thought "why the fuck are these hood muhfuccas calling me over here to this dark lit Benz?" Once I was over this quite hood approach, I must say, I  was partially sold.  I say partially because although the army seems like a great career move at this point, I'm not willing to participate in this idiotic war, I'm good.

The recruiter handed me his card, and I bid him good day. As I began to walk away, the other passenger of the vehicle called me back. He handed me a registration card and told me to fill in my information, so they can contact me. He claimed it would take 10 seconds to fill out, "10 seconds that will change your life" according to him.  I declined ( I was on my way to Junior's in Brooklyn! and I was starving ) that's when he said what brought me to write this piece...

"Yo, I know you not getting bread...See my belt, it's LOUIS! ( Louis Vuitton ) see my whip, ITS A BENZ!, holla at me when you wanna get some bread..."

 I looked at him with a smirk and said " I'm Good". I couldn't believe the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT has two hood dudes advertising for the US ARMY, by promising "Champagne wishes, and caviar dreams" in this case Louis Vuitton and a Mercedes Benz. The first thing that crossed my mind was, what makes these young gentlemen think I'm going to fight an AMERICAN war, so I can purchase a $400 FRENCH belt. Priorities are in DISARRAY! As I continued my  "making the band"-esque journey to Junior's, I was befuddled. I conversed with my girlfriend (who had heard what was said to me, and confirmed that I'm not hearing things ) about why clothing and luxuries are at the top of the priorities list, especially in minority neighborhoods. If I would have walked by a WHITE recruiter, do you think he  would have offered me a promise of achieving GUCCI status in exchange for my blood shed? Maybe he would've, minorities constantly give off the impression that, fancy things is all we care about.

What happen to owning a home, having good credit, getting an education, getting an outstanding job once you're done with the ARMY? Those are all things I would have used as my tools of persuasion. Maybe everyone is thinking " Why get a degree and a great job, when I can skip all that and get the LV now? Because, LV won't pay your phone bill or feed your hungry children, which STATISTICS say minorities are prone to having...in the lots.

In any event, I began writing this awhile back as a comedic story intended to be on twitter. While writing this it turned into a bit of a rant, and reminded me of my previous post entitled " Priorities? Anyone??". I just hope the people reading this will agree with what I'm saying, and that they're acknowledgment of what I'm saying will trickle down, hopefully...

PEACE!!!

"Arose" BY: TARIQ G.

Good Morning!


As I rise
I arose, a rose
I try to grow but the soil gets deeper
I need to leave 
But I leave in need
If I move too soon I’ll hurt
I try to pull myself up
But I bring up dirt


Once again I try to leave
I move to the garden facing the sun
There I look at my life in wonder

  WHERE DID IT ALL STEM FROM?

     

BY: TARIQ G.

   http://twitter.com/followtq

IS T-PAIN SORRY?...YEAH, HE IS

Now you've all heard about T-pain and his random outburst while performing at REHAB in Las Vegas. He obnoxiously taunts rapper Jay-Z by making light of his age, saying Jay is 59 years old ( Jigga turns 40!, this December). Following this exaggeration, he proceeds to say  " I think if anything is dead...It should be him" Harsh words from, "the mad TOP hatter", who seems to be one of Jigga's TOP haters...Check the play on words!

Shortly after the Club REHAB situation, Jigga responds in his laid back, non-evasive sort of away, still causing T-pain to regret opening his gold toothed mouth. He goes on to say that he was merely using a combative way to provoke Jigga to say whom "D.O.A" was really about, we all know its about T-pain and everybody like T-pain, but whatever you say PAIN.

All though T-pains words were misguided, he seems to have a legitimate reason for any negative energy to spew Jigga's way. This year at Summer Jam, the stage was set for an ackward exchange between the two superstars, which may have been the catalyst for this insignificant quarrell.  T-pain goes on to say:

“I called Jay and I said can you come out on my set [during Summer Jam] and do the D.O.A song, it’ll be a big look for me and you. I embrace the song, I love the song and don’t get me wrong Jay-z is the best in the game period. I would never say anything different. At that time he said “yo I’m triple booked, I’m in Switzerland right now, I can’t do it”. Then I’m ready to go on stage after Jeezy set and they said “hold on, Jay-z is about to come out with Jeezy” and I said ” Jay-z is in Switzerland”. They say “no he’s not, he’s right there” and I look to the side and there’s Jay-z. So he gets on the stage and when he gets to the part where he says “I don’t need anyone smiling at this” he pointed at me and then at the end of the song when I tried to shake his hand, he turned around, gave the mic to someone and said “good riddance.”

Sounds kind of rough T-peezy...Now i could see that causing someone to act a tad hasty...

In any event, I think ever since the beginning of hip-hop, artist continuously over-step their bounds. "Sticking to the Script" and knowing your place is not an apparent quality in most people, including SUCKER MC's. Take Canibus having his head handed to him on a few occasions by LL Cool J. More recently, check out Soulja Boy's disreguard for respect, as he disses the rap veteran ICE-T who also happens to be 40 years his senior!. Now we have T-pain an artist who obviously is very famous, without a doubt! due to the fact he's riding a trend HE ushered in, using computer generated sounds along with catchy hook. When a veteran, with his paid dues intact lashes out at this trend,  T-pain LASHES back with slick remarks. T-pain hasn't really tasted the fruits of longevity, such as Jay-Z has and should be more careful with whom he gets rowdy with. Save that energy on assuring you'll be around when YOU'RE 40...

PEACE!!!

D.O.A. again

Whether you all refer to it as "Auto Tune" or even "that t-pain" there has been a seemingly unstoppable surge of NEW music saturated with a not so NEW sound. One of the earliest uses of of Auto Tune, was in 1998 in the song "believe" by singer Cher. Commonly known as a trade secret, the vocal enhancing Auto Tune was now out for the world to see, due to the fact "Believe" was a chart topping success. People eventually went on to call the use of Auto Tune, "the Cher effect" sound familiar? More than 10 years later, this instrument of deception is back again, and with a vengeance.

This musician's tool has been used to enhance many of the mundane, repetitive voices of the present,IE T-Pain. Rappa turnt sanga, T-Pain would undoubtedly love to take blame for breathing life in to this ever popular electronically induced form of entertainment. Auto-Tune is currently a mainstay in the hip-hop world because of T-Pain. With his hit song "I'm in love with a stripper" he burst on the scene with his mediocre singing skills, draped in machine sounding perfection.

Mr. Pain has struck gold with his synthesized deception in such away, that most have moved on from "the cher effect" and now to refer to auto tune as " that t-pain " T-pain has even been heard to smugly suggest that he be properly compensated by anyone who chooses to use Auto Tune.... What?! If anything T-pain should hand out some of the cash to Cher!, I'm sure she doesn't need it, but still...

All though T-Pain must have been sipping on that "purple stuff" when this suggestion approached his decorative top hat engulfed head , his point does hold validity. Because T-pain has found extreme success thanks to auto tune (and actually being able to put together a catchy song) many popular mainstream artist have migrated to the use of auto tune. Lil Wayne, Drake, R-Kelly and Kanye West just to name a few, have all adopted this futuristic sound. Mr. West even released an album called "808 and heart beaks" with the majority of the tracks demonstrating the auto tune sound," he used that T-Pain!!" and he seems to love it, unlike his 'Big Brother"On the flip side there are many unknown, unsigned artists also using auto tune. Unknown and with no significant buzz, these new artist feel as if using auto tune will allow them too soar to the top of billboard charts. Perhaps this isn't their quest, but that of the record executives concerned with duplication and imitation in order to produce record sales. This is where T-Pain should focus his discrepancies, at those striving to achieve success on his semi-extravagant coat tails.
As predicted, ( by me ) new artist using auto tune to soar to the top, only enjoy moderate success. When the second single comes around it fails to live up to the previous single and falls to the depths of one-hit wonder hell.

In his new song, Jay-Z definitly challenges the abuse of auto tune. Entitled "DOA" (death of auto tune), Jay-Z questions rappers masculinity and musical capability. "You niggas singin' too much, Get back to rap you T-Pain’n too much" clearly stating music is becoming co-dependent upon this particular method of making music. An earlier occurrence displaying Jay-Z's distaste of the usage of auto tune can be heard in the song "put on remix" featuring rapper Young Jeezy. Jay proclaims " I don't need no T-Pain, I got this one!" I do believe Auto Tune must die, at least be badly injured. There has definitely been an abusing of the sound, causing everything to sound the same. In hip-hop, creativity is a key component along with innovation.

So as a message to all of you singers and rappers, I do not wish to discourage your thirst for stardom. I am encouraging you take a different route and flirt with creativity and create something memorable. And for all the house hold names...This is the death of auto tune, moment of silence…

Priorities? Anyone???

Louis Vuitton bag $800, PRADA sneakers $300, GUCCI shades $650, not being able to pay your rent... senseless. Priorities in the minority communities are grossly out of whack! Expensive clothes and gadgets are on top of every ones wish list, f**k food and shelter huh?

Have you ever encountered one of your friends driving a 2010 BMW with all the trim, sound system, and rims, and when you call his cell, it's cut off?, a brand new G1 phone at that. Its because portraying a fancy lifestyle takes priority to taking care of life's necessities.

Have you ever paid a visit to one of your acquaintance's homes in the projects? Upon entering this building, you notice it isn't even suitable for the great number of rats in and all around it. The one! out of two elevators that is working skips certain floors, and is drenched in spit and urine. Upon entering your friends apartment, you see a 52 inch flat screen television, Jordan sneaker boxes and you might even see a damn Picasso! In awe you peer back in to the grotesque building hallway trying to figure out what's going on. You may think that you're seeing a mirage, you're not. The sad actuality is that people have no problem living in poverish conditions in order to be able to say "man I love this new v, cost me a years pay and I won't be able to pay my health insurance, but it's worth it".

I've learned that when shopping people actually weigh their options. "Should I get these sneakers or buy groceries this week". Mother's, don't be surprised if your child is eating dinner at your house all of next week, at least they have nice sneakers. Ever seen something as mind-blowing as father making their kids eat hot dogs and beans for dinner, just so he can go out to the club and pop bottles?, I haven't...yet, but I'm sure it goes down.

Our economy is currently in shambles, but this obviously doesn't curb our societies appetite for living lavish. Due to this recession, your company recently laid you off. On the walk to the subway cradling, your nic-nacs in an empty file box, you pass several women with the latest Louis bag. This visualisation doesn't seem fair does it?. Part of the reason you see these women with these fancy bags is because they have more money than you and can afford to have
one. The other sad truth is draped in denial, women buy the bags believing the recession doesn't affect them. The rich with tons of money, and the poor who spend their rent money on this bag to be fly at the club on Friday night, priorities are in a disarray...

The thing is, the rich will be okay, somewhat. But the "not so well off" woman with bills due, and a pink slip waiting for her when she comes back to work Monday morning from a weekend of partying and flaunting...will awaken to a harsh reality. The dude with the expensive car won't be able to afford the gas for his multiple cylinders, and I bet neither of the two have a drop of money saved for their kids tuition, but I bet the children's sneakers and cell phones are very nice...
now weigh that out...

-Rasean

"ya' over the hill son!"

Hip-hop is a relatively young genre of music, geared toward a young, hip audience. Anyone can listen to it, even partake in a freestyle battle or two, but by all means, RAPPING is a young man's game.With the exception of Jay-Z and few other hip-hop veterans, rappers are getting younger and younger. I am roughly the same age as some of the highest earning rappers in the industry and even older than many!

A far fetched dream has become an attainable reality for pre adolescent boys and girls world wide. Now, if your 35 and on your myspace page it says "rapper" under occupation and you don't have an album, record deal or even a fan base..put the mic down pops.

Almost everyone aspires to achieve a certain level of stardom. Women would like to be models and actresses. Guys want to be ball players, actors, some fancy a career in rapping. In the 'hood, in particular, almost every dude has dreams of becoming a rapper. The glitz, the glamour, women and fast cars all appeal to a young man. Many try to achieve greatness investing all of their time and most of their life to the cause, but when is it time to hang up the mic?

Its okay to have dreams, and don't let me crush them. That doesn't mean dreams aren't meant to be crushed at all. As a teen some of these "over the hill" MC's should have developed a fall back plan somewhere along the line. No woman wants to be sitting there chatting amongst friends and when asked what her man does say " oh, my baby's a rapper" and if she can't provide any record label information or any sort of credentials its not because she's being humble, its because he's a nobody. Don't be surprised if her girls counter with the follow up question of "nah seriously, what does he do for real" or "isn't he like 35? "

Now let's say this nearly middle aged man has talent. Who would want to sign someone his age unless they want use him as gimmick. If you have a seemingly "baby" face and look considerably young for 35, then hey, give it a shot. But if once in the game you start to go prematurely gray and begin wearing high dress socks with shorts, we are all going to figure out you're not 22.

At the current state of our economy, we can't afford to hold on to *pipe dreams. Pipe dreams won't pay the bills and provide for a family. I understand, I too love music so I comprehend someone continuing to reach for that greatness in which they admire so much. But when things aren't going according to plan sometimes you have to jump ship.

So for some of the older MC's who considered a second option, use that degree you obtained when you realized that you just might not make it. For those who swore to the high heavens that they would "get rich or die trying" and continuously sacrificed themselves in order too "blow up son"...once again drop the mic, maybe get a city job??

-Rasean

Thoughts on the Omar Edwards murder...RIP

Thoughts on the Omar Edwards murder....


Is this how a black cop has to get upgrade to detective?

Last week, in my hometown of Harlem NY, there was yet another a senseless murder. This, probably the thousandth senseless murder of this year (not really, but you get my point ). We had to a bury yet another young black man, all though on different circumstances, senseless nonetheless.

For those of you who haven't heard Omar Edwards, a 25 year old, rookie officer was added to the roaster of slain black men in New York city. Edwards was murdered when merely trying to foil a robbery attempt on his vehicle. Officer Andrew Dunn came in contact with Edwards while the latter was pursuing this criminal. Likely assuming Edwards was in the act of a robbery himself (can you smell the irony?) fired 6 times and hit him 3 times, leaving Edwards' young family with no patriarch.

The obvious truth is, if Edwards hadn't been brandishing a weapon while in pursuit of this criminal in plain sight, he would have most likely avoided being shot. With in this same truth lies another less accepted truth. If Edwards had been a WHITE man waving around a weapon in the Harlem streets, his life most likely would have been spared. The fact is any black man seen with a gun has to be committing some sort of crime in a cops eyes. On second thought, really ask yourself, if YOU saw a plain clothes black man running down the avenue, pistol in hand would you really say "oh he must be a cop, its ok" I wouldn't, I'd take cover.

So Dunn's premature assumption is justified due to societies view on certain members of within its society, but this doesn't make it right. I am not saying Dunn is a racist, but the fact remains a young Black! Cop is dead because he was black, aside from the fact we have faulty system of law and order in this fine city.


Now one must delve in to the degree to which this injustice was performed. Why did Dunn fire 6 times? Why was there no warning hurled at Edwards? According to an eye witnesses there was nothing said to warn him, thus there was no sufficient chance for Edwards to reveal he too was an officer. History tells us that even if Edwards had an opportunity to reach for his badge, that too would have been reason for Dunn to shoot Edwards down. Think back to the senseless (word of the day) murder of *Amadou Diallo an African immigrant shot 19 times!! (out of 41 shots fired!!) at the front door of his new york city apartment attempting to reach for his wallet for the purpose of proving his Identity.



Police officers have to protect themselves from eminent danger, and must take extreme precaution. With precaution, one must posses clear, concise judgement. If someone is suspected of committing a crime and also suspected of having a weapon and they proceed to reach some where other than sky, you have to act fast or it could cost you your life.
These previously stated facts are understood, but the NYPD (along side other cities) are notorious for excessive behavior, dramatically blurring the lines of right from wrong.

Edwards was buried last Thursday an occasion graced by the attendance of many of his colleagues, colleagues once again reminded of the dangers of being an officer of the law.
Throughout the dense crowd was a look of sadness accompanied with the significant realization that it could easily be one of them in that casket. I bet none of the officers expected that yet another of their own another would be murdered, and again due to "friendly" fire.

After this incident I would hope a new procedure will be implemented to prevent such a tragedy. They've began working a new gun that can identify other police officer's service pistols in a certain radius, riiiiiight. Maybe they should focus on training their new recurits, just a thought. Along with new precedents and standards within the police force there must be change within our society. In order to change what's around us, we must first change ourselves. RIGHT?

- Rasean