Whenever I see the bullshit on Worldstar and some of the dumb shit that I encounter in the inner city… I often ask myself “Damn, Did the Civil Rights Movement even happen?!” because with the amount of bullshit I see, you wouldn’t think any of those monumental events ever occurred.
I waited a while to write about this album. This is probably one of my favorite albums of 2011 and I’ll continue to play it’s music. My issue with the album wasn’t with the production or the artists but rather with Hip-Hop fans and “purists”. I defended the album so hard on twitter, you would’ve thought my name was in the liner notes. In hindsight, I should’ve just ignored their opinions because after all, we as individuals are all entitled to them but my mischievous side never allows me to chill out when it comes to a argument.
First, I would like to acknowledge the argument that it isn’t cool to talk about wealth, materialism on records when the country faces financial turmoil in a stifling economy. Jay-Z and Kanye West are two young, black and wealthy hip-hop artists who are far from impoverished so why would they continue to write and perform songs about something that’s no longer an issue in their lives.
You don’t have to tell me twice about how ridiculously difficult it is to find a job. Sending out countless resumes without any chances in hell of getting employed. When I heard Watch The Throne, I looked past the talk of cars, women, bottle popping, and endless stacks of cash to find something that I aspire to be: affluent. Living from check to check doesn’t do much in terms of boosting one’s morale and I could be a lot more powerful with a nice chunk of change in my back account. I’d love to have the luxury of travelling to Paris, London, and Tokyo without worrying how each trip would affect my pockets. Being a broke is a joke that I refuse to find hilarious.
I admit, some people may listen to Watch The Throne and only hear tales of extravagance and decadence because its all that they desire or it’s all that their closed minds (and ears) absorb. In my opinion, being materialistic makes everything in life superficial and though you will be rich in assets, you will be poor in spirit. Watch The Throne may not be everyone’s cup of Earl Grey tea but before you denounce it because of its apparent opulence, check out “Murder To Excellence” to get an idea of what the fuels this album.
I never liked saying that word. I was taught to never utter such a profane term while referring to a woman. And why would I? Especially hearing Queen Latifah talk about punching someone “dead in his eye” over it as an impressionable preteen. I remember getting in trouble for playing with the word and this girl’s name in class and almost catching wreck for it in the 5th grade. And it wasn’t until high school that I notice my fellow classmates substitute the words for girl, woman, etc. for the unflattering “terms of endearment”.
So what was a nice, well mannered, young brother from West Philadelphia supposed to do in a climate where “respect” for the other gender lost its luster? I almost got into a fight in college with these younger guys who worked for dining services over asking this question about a girl he saw me with: “So Mike, is that your new bitch?” I had to politely tell that kid to chill but then since he lacked class, he automatically tried to act tough but of luckily, nothing came of it. Ironically, the girl I defended actually put me through some of the most uncalled for, unscrupulous bullshit of my collegiate junior year and the summer that followed. But is she a bitch? Nope. Just a goofy broad who actually did me a favor. Blessing in disguise.
I’m almost 30 years old. Well, I have like 2 and half years to go but you’ll get the point. I’ve dealt with women who were beautiful inside and out and I’ve also dealt with a few ladies that I wanted to put in eight consecutive headlocks. I’ve dropped the “b-word” in conversation with a limited number of friends only while expressing my frustration about any woman who decides to bring forth bullshit in my path. I’ll probably never call a woman a “bitch” to her face because that’s not how I get down but I can never say “never” right? So I’ll do my best to maintain my composure.
What I find really find humorous are the women who call themselves “bad bitches”. “Bad Bitch” usually refers to a woman who’s on point physically and maybe mentally (I don’t think I’ve ever heard Trina discuss the Pythagorean Theorem in her songs but she could be a rocket scientist). I have no problem stepping out with a very attractive woman but if she ever said to me “Mike, I’m a bad bitch yada yada yada” I’d have to treat her like she’s expendable. A woman with confidence is a must have but there’s a difference between that and a false sense of entitlement. In conclusion, if you refer to yourself as a “bitch”, don’t be surprised if you receive that kind of treatment.
Jealousy should be a felony, especially when you’re a grown man angry because a woman is feeling someone else instead of you. Gossiping, throwing dirt on another brothers name, etc. is whack by any means. Keep calm and chill the fuck out chiefs.
As a member of the male species, I can say that sex is a beautiful thing and very necessary in sustaining my sanity. I watched my fair share of pornographic films over the span of 20 plus years and I’m not shocked by anything anymore. But do I still see certain women and fantasize about doing wild things with them? Yes very much so, especially with so many talking the talk.
We live in a society where the Amber Roses, Kim Kardashians, and World Star Candy models thrive off their sexuality. I’d be lying if I said that if any of the women named offered me a risk free night of fucking that I’d turn them down because I’d certainly would not BUT would I seek a relationship? Nope. I have nothing against those women but it’s like if other brothers (a multitude of them) have been intimate with them then by all means I’ll take the pass on that.
Every chick who I’d have crazy fresh out prison type sex with isn’t who I’d want for a relationship. It’s quite a few women in Philly who I’d whip out the beecho for, you know, slang the almighty Alabama Night Stick on but its all based on sexual attraction not for anything “legitimate” reason like personality, level of intelligence, or even their overall likability.
When I was younger, I learned the hard way that you can’t “save” them all if they don’t want to be saved. I treat all situations differently because not every woman’s the same and neither are their motives. You have to know the game in order to play it. Although I’m not about playing games but when you’re in Rome, you do as the Romans do, no matter how retarded or ass backwards.
I said once that I’d never get a tattoo. It wasn’t really my thing and with the numerous young, uncouth dickfaces in my neighborhood adorning themselves with the ugliest body art ever I removed tattoos from my mind. I remember last year I thought about a tattoo based upon my astrological sign but my friends quickly shot it down and showed me the error in my goofy ways.
I remember talking to my good friend MP about tattoos last week and for some reason the Japanese Irezumi body art came to mind and I’ve been committed ever since. I contacted my cousin about something music related and somehow the subject of Irezumi reared its wonderful head mid conversation and he volunteered to design the artwork. We came up with the characters for the design and he emailed me early sketches this earlier today and I can’t wait to show everyone once it’s finished.
When I said I wouldn’t get a tattoo, I said I especially wouldn’t allow myself to brand myself for life with a symbol, picture, etc. that had little to no meaning. This tattoo represents the next phase of my life. The death of the old and birth of the new. I’ve played by the book my entire life and I’m tired of not getting my just do in life. With the economy and unemployment, it’s my back against the wall. But even though I’m outnumbered, I refused to be outgunned. My tattoo will represent humility in the face of adversity. I don’t brag but I’m confident especially when it comes to my creativity especially since its all that I have to separate me from the mediocre mongrels that inhale and exhale bullshit on a daily basis.
The tattoo will represent change. How can I change anything externally if I don’t start internally? You already know the answer…
It’s been a long time since I’ve written anything of serious merit on tumblr but I have things to get off of my chest. First, I want to say that I was wrong for saying that I hate my city because “hate” is such a strong word and I rarely every use it. Not only is Philly the city of my birth, but my family and a few friends reside here as well. I’ve done many great things in my life because of the people in Philadelphia so how can I really “hate” it?
My issue isn’t and shouldn’t be with the city itself, it’s more so with some people within it. The “scene” that exists in Philly seems to create an endless cycle of mediocrity. We have really creative people here who receive attention in other locations instead of their hometown. And some of those that do receive burn in the 215, are those who ride the tides of what’s “relevant” or my personal favorite “what makes money”.
It’s probably one of the reasons that I fell back from shooting events and going to all the parties with my digital camera. I remember back in 2009 it was a select few of us with them at certain events but within 2 years, everywhere I went their was a camera. I don’t have anything against people with their cameras but I just hope that they all respect the craft. That’s probably why I went towards working with Polaroids. It’s something about it that I gravitate towards and it probably has something to do with nostalgia. Also, polaroids can’t be reproduced as they are a one of one.
I don’t really care about aspiring to be “the man” when I already am. I’m not focused on being popular with my peers because it does nothing for progression as a person. I’m creating a photography project now to document the life and times of my generation. A documentary through photographs is important to me and I hope that once I’m finished people will get the point.
I’m not changing who I am or what I am for shit! Goofy bastards are saturating everything with old traditional (but very defunct) ways of thinking and I’m not having it.
“Jimi Was A Rockstar”
Though I have no guitar or a band to back me up, I’m prepared to do my own interpretation of the Star Spangled Banner… with my own twisted creativity. F*ck the nonsense and all the pretentious individuals who I encounter. Life is short and my tolerance for fuckery is shorter.
P.S.
Waddup Dutchmassive!
Behind The Scenes: Conscious Porn Photo Shoot 2010
While shooting Hezekiah’s Conscious Porn album cover photos, I took time to document what was going on right then and there.
Special Thanks to Model/Artist Lee Mekhai
It’s been a long time. Had a few missteps along the way but I finally got here. How long my stay will be is up in the air in this point and it has me a bit shook. I mean of course unchartered territory takes some time getting used to but when I think that I have other odds stacked against me, the panic button gets bigger and bigger. I have to relax and but when I let my mind slide to the past, the fear comes back to haunt me. I just have to see how the cards are dealt, and I’ll play them the best way possible.
Sometimes you have to say “Fuck The High Road!” and just feel how you want to feel for the time being. I’m not one for keeping anger bottled up inside especially when I have issues with certain people. I know what I’m saying probably isn’t the best way to go about things but at 26 I’m entitled to express my emotions in any shape or form possible just as long as I don’t do it to intentionally harm anyone. But sometimes other peoples feelings aren’t on my list of things to give 6 rat asses about on a certain day.
Yo I swear on everything I love… the more you broadcast yourself and the shit you want to be acknowledged for… the less people will be inclined to rock with you. I got heads running around the city with the “Look At Me I’m A Somebody” T-Shirts on like its all good and it’s not. Fuck your words of hot air , your blogs, your facebook statuses, your co-signs, the suckers who follow you and believe the hype. The only thing that matters in this game is the change you are bringing and how you’re being a innovator.
I dubbed thy stroke M.H. Phenomenal…
You Can’t Knock The Struggle
The Journey > The Reward
