A blog for those who wish to hear a true opinion about music today and other various topics. This site supports rants and raves as long as they are backed up by some evidence which could be researched and retorted.

Hip-Hop music, is it influencial?

When Minister Farrakhon, asked Hip-Hop artists to embrace their role as leaders in today’s society, he wanted them to tell their story as well as motivate other leaders.

He said this, knowing that one song from any known artist could reach many more people than he could simply preaching from crowd to crowd.

Farrakhon, knew that artists’ audiences listen to the message in the music they create, even more so than their parents. So with that knowledge in mind, he pushed to bring back the positive influence that Hip-Hop artists like Talib Kweli, Jay-Z and Mos Def has.

Music has come along way from is roots as a story of hardships and success. Now, rap has emerged as a way for artists to say what they want just because it sounds hot on a track. Rap is influential but in a different way.

From groups like N.W.A., rap has become a way to incite anger in its listeners, Good music no doubt, but the message back then was enough to cite more than one riot.

I believe that music is influential regardless how we look at it. I can incites drama and problems in our society or it can promote well-being and a blueprint to change your life for the better.

Hip-Hop Transcends culture barriers

Even in Tokyo, Japan, Hip-hop culture can be experienced through artists like The Teriyaki boyz.

The stigma behind Hip-Hop has always been that its a “Black” thing. In this day and age, artists who are willing to give the rap game its dues, grab the mic rock it and tell a story are those who keep the culture alive.

When Hip-Hop started, there was no Latin influence, like Daddy Yankee or Tego Calderon. There was no English culture like Dizzee Rascal, no, there was only black men rhyming about hardships on the corner of every blacktop in New York.

Now, You can read XXL magazine or The Source and find artists of every caliber and from every background. Even as you surf the channels on cable Televsion, you see artists from different races and nationalities showcasing their talents in hopes to reach a global audience.

When I consider the way that Hip-Hop culture has evolved, it becomes apparent that like most activities in our society, we share it with other cultures. It still shocks me that an artist can make it big in the United States and go on tour over seas and be even bigger in countries like Afghanistan and otther third-world countries.

Whenever you think Hip-Hop, think of a catalyst for change in our society. With Hip-Hop, people can communicate across vast mediums. Artists and their fans can discuss music like they discuss politics, with the same vigor and intensity, minus the illegal checking of passports and other legal documents.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Beef... It promotes good music

What ever happened to the old days of the rap-inspired-altercation called “beef?”

Back in the days when b-boy and b-girl dance crews would have a contest to see who was better at breakdancing. Even in Hip-Hop, artists like KRS-One and MC Shan created an epic beef between each other that surpassed even the two artists themselves. Their beef became the catalyst that made Brooklyn and Queens so different.

Today, beef has gone to lengths that go beyond its traditonal limits. Such in case, the Biggie and Tupac beef which ended in both their deaths. Now, artists turn sticks and stones into guns and ammo.

When they feel that their pride is hurt by a certain lyrical assault, more words get exchanged, along with fights and ultimately death. The beef I’m nostalgic for has a reason, its much more efficient. It breeds character in an artist, putting them on top of their game because now the whole world is listening.

Take for instance the Jay-Z and Nas beef. I look at that and call it “classic.” Brooklyn Vs. Queens, a match made to spark greatness. Before that beef, both artists were slightly cocky. The beef put their skills to the test, and aside from a little altercation involving “Supaugly” by Jay-Z, both artists came out un harmed and better lyricists.

So “beef” isn’t a negative word. In music it should be a means to better one’s self in lyrics. At least that’s the “beef” I’m talking about. Go Grab yourself a plate of it, cook it up and tell me what you think.

Artists... does anyone freestyle anymore?

Among many artists, the best one out in terms of consistency and lyrics is Lil’ Wayne. But even he steps into the freestyle booth on BET’s popular television show Rap City and lays down a verse from a song that he’s already put out.

Where’s the ingenuity, the showmanship that makes Hip-Hop what it is? Has it been lost along with the old days of real mixtapes where tracks put on mixtapes were exclusive, never to become radio rock? I think so.

The issues I have with artists these days revolves around the fact that they one, either have ghost writers who write their lyrics for them. Two, have pre-written lyrics that they put out as “freestyles” and three ad-lib their so-called freestyles which negates the word freestyle.

I believe that even if a person can’t come up with punchlines as fast or messes up occasionally, its still a freestyle and you’ll still get respect for doing it.

Take for instance, artists like Jae Millz and Murda Mook. They are true freestyle artists. You’ll never hear a verse they did on one track used again on another. They completely respect the sanctity of Hip-Hop unlike alot of new artists.

I encourage all artists trying to make it big to be true to themselves rather than create a false image. Artists get respect for their work, unless they are off beat and have nothing relevant to say. So man up artists and take charge. Give your fans what they want, real uncut gritty freestyling. Its hot in the streets.

Hip-Hop's funeral...

Nas said it best “Hip-hop is dead.”

The new artists emerging from the “concrete jungle” they call the streets aren’t as musically talented as they believe they are. They believe that the audience just wants to dance or participate in some extra raunchy sexual experience.

The way I see it, rap is dead, not Hip-hop. The true essence of Hip-hop comes from a musician’s ability to convey his or her life into a melody, and once mixed with an instrumental, tell the audience a story, not just to shake their ass or jiggle their hips. In my opinion, thats the side effect of listening to a good song.

From the days of the Sugar Hill Gang and the Rakim, musicians have split into two factions, Rap and Hip-Hop. Rap, excites its audience, giving them something to move to and memorize because its catchy, where as Hip-Hop gives its audience a story a deeper look into the mind of its artist.

Take Lupe Fiasco for example. He is a Hip-Hop artist who’s lyrics ignites the beats he “spits” on. Lupe tells tales of the hardships of life, giving his listeners the real current events as he sees it. Through that genre, that attitude, he is able to convey much more than a hit song, his music becomes classic, something that you can hear 5 years after it came out and scream ‘OHHHHHH SNAP!!! THIS JOINT WAS OFF THE HOOK!!!”

To counter, artists like Soulja Boy don’t convey any story-telling, or anything truly relevant to the music world at hand. Artists like him are Hit-makers, those who make music to dance to and can’t make a good serious track. He fits the genre of Rap, Less punchlines, simple metaphors, ridiculous themes.

Though Nas said it, its not entirely true. The rap game will come back around to the lyrics like Lupe said. I hope that’s true.

Rest for the weary... Its about time

Its almost the end of the school year and you know what that means; Yes the dreaded final exam week is approaching.

Students will be cramming their heads with a whole semester’s worth information that should have been reviewed and memorized already. Students won’t be getting their much-needed rest or retaining information as well as they should because cram sessions are usually done last minute. These all-nipghters normally occur around the week when students have most of their exams, not really a great combination.

Without enough sleep (sleep deprivation) an person’s performance is lessened. Even one night without sufficient sleep will affect the way a person operates and the craziest thing is that people don’t know that they are not fully functional.

Studies have shown that teens who experience a lack of sleep cannot function or perform as well as those who get the right amount. Those who felt the effects of sleep deprivation experienced sleepiness in class, distractions from the task at hand, the inability to recall information quickly and they found it hard to concentrate.

Research has shown that a little nap during the day is not a bad idea, however, a little more than a nap throws off your sleep schedule and will affect you later on. The effects may occur the next day or that same night as you try to fall asleep.

So give yourself ample time before the exam to study, avoid burning your self out, take some Flintstones, close your textbook a little early and get some sleep. You’ll thank me and yourself in the morning.


University of Florida students study inside the College of Journalism and Communications building. Procrastination and last minute studying is one of the largest causes of sleep deprivation.
University of Florida students study inside the College of Journalism and Communications building. Procrastination and last minute studying is one of the largest causes of sleep deprivation.

Sleep's like Nike: Just Do It

While the world doesn’t move to the beat of just one drum, They do move to the cycle known as the Circadian rhythm.

In normal people terms, a Circadian rhythm is defined as the melody of the human body and the changes that occur in the body over a 24-hour period. Of the numerous factors which affect “your body’s melody,” including, body temperature and blood pressure, sleep is the most crucial. Sleep Deprivation or a lack of quality sleep does have negative effects on this aspect your body, so all you insomniacs blazing the night oil, drinking, partying or otherwise take heed, it WILL catch up to you.

Yes, the body needs sleep to help the brain make sense of things, so not sleeping throws your body’s rhythm off balance, changing the way you attack your day. And Although “the best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup”, a hefty dose of sleep makes taking on the challenges of everyday much less stressful.

In 2002, a survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, showed that Almost 74% of all Americans do not get enough sleep each night. That’s a hell of a lot of people who won’t be smiling at you on the morning bus ride to class or work.

Just ask Mary Carskadon, PhD, of the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center, who compared results of studies which cataloged the sleep habits of all age groups. She found that teenagers, in general, needed the same if not more sleep than most age groups.

Remember that sleep is one of the most important parts of the body’s Circadian rhythm. Without it, the Joakim Noah’s, Tim Tebow’s and Mike Jordan’s of our society would all be Robin instead of Batman. Think about it.