Loop Diggin' Thursdays 07.12.07
Posted by Phil Watts, Jr on 07.12.2007
Earth to Lauryn Hill: PEOPLE STILL LOVE YOU! Plus: Kanye/Lupe/Pharrell, upcoming out-the-vaults material from AZ, J-Dilla, and Raekwon, and the International PLAYA'S BALL (a.k.a. Live Earth)---and YOU'RE the one left limping!
It's funny how money change a situation
Miscommunication leads to complication
My emancipation don't fit your equation
I was on the humble, you - on every station
Some wan' play young Lauryn like she dumb
But remember not a game new under the sun
Everything you did has already been done
I know all the tricks from Bricks to Kingston
My ting done made your kingdom wan' run
Now understand L. Boogie's non violent
But if a thing test me, run for mi gun
Can't take a threat to mi newborn son
L's been this way since creation
A groupie call, you fall from temptation
Now you wanna ball over separation
Tarnish my image in your conversation
Who you gon' scrimmage, like you the champion
You might win some but you just lost one
Now, now how come your talk turn cold
Gained the whole world for the price of your soul
Tryin' to grab hold of what you can't control
Now you're all floss, what a sight to behold
Wisdom is better than silver and gold
I was hopeless now I'm on Hope road
Every man want to act like he's exempt
When him need to get down on his knees and repent
Can't slick talk on the day of judgement
Your movement's similar to a serpent
Tried to play straight, how your whole style bent?
Consequence is no coincidence
Hypocrites always want to play innocent
Always want to take it to the full out extent
Always want to make it seem like good intent
Never want to face it when it's time for punishment
I know that you don't wanna hear my opinion
But there come many paths and you must choose one
And if you don't change then the rain soon come
See you might win some but you just lost one
You just lost one, it's so silly how come
When it's all done did you really gain from
What you done done, it's so silly how come
You just lost one
Now don't you understand man universal law
What you throw out comes back to you, star
Never underestimate those who you scar
Cause karma, karma, karma comes back to you hard
You can't hold God's people back that long
The chain of Satan wasn't made that strong
Trying to pretend like your word is your bond
But until you do right, all you do will go wrong
Now some might mistake this for just a simple song
And some don't know what they have 'til it's gone
Now even when you're gone you can still be reborn
And, from the night can arrive the sweet dawn
Now, some might listen and some might shun
And some may think that they've reached perfection
If you look closely you'll see what you've become
Cause you might win some but you just lost one...
There was once a time when this woman was one of the most critically acclaimed, most influential stars. Many magazines herald her as one of the greatest female rappers of all time. Personally, I think they gave her way too much credit, but the potential was there for great things…
Sadly, that was over 9 years ago.
Now, we have an arrogant, ignorant, self-serving individual who looks like her, but with only a fraction of the talent. Ever since the her official Jump-The-Couch moment, her MTV UNPLUGGED album, she has grown into one of those people who bought into her own hype and walks around acting like her shit's sweet scented. This really started to show when she rejoined the Fugees not too long ago, when she urged EVERYBODY, including ‘Clef and Pras, that she is to be referred to as MISS HILL at all times!! I hope you're not holding your breathe for that Fugees reunion album.
Just recently, she's been making the rounds doing concerts, trying to stage a comeback. She did a show in Oakland that had everyone talking. Unfortunately, she had them talking for all the wrong reasons. First off, she was 2 hours and 15 minutes LATE (mind you, the opening band long since left the stage 80 minutes before Miss Hill decided to show up.) When she did finally show up, she showed up looking like she's Macy Gray's sister or something (complete with busted afro). She was forgetting lines, slurring words, and singing off-key. At one point, she fell on her ass during the show (she blamed it on her high heels. GOOD SAVE!) After about 4 songs, people started filing out in droves, demanding their money back ($90, people. 90 FUCKIN' DOLLARS!!) However, the ultimate coup-de-grace came when she dropped THIS jem on 'em:
"When you're young, gifted and black -- and female -- you have to have a lot of endurance…I can't fit into a stereotype that makes me comfortable for you…If that makes me feel uncomfortable to you, I need to find some new company."(Here is the full version of her rant.)
Someone should clue her in that all those people didn't file out because they were THREATENED at her being a "young, gifted, and black female". They filed out because they were pissed at paying $90 for a shitty, unprofessional performance from someone that they THOUGHT was a "young, gifted, and black female". Oh, I guess it's their fault for putting her in a box that they feel ‘comfortable' in. On top of that, there are people who are far more talented than you and went through far worse struggles, so keep the sob story to yourself. This is a slap in the face that will leave a mark that won't go away any time soon.
Some people have no idea how blessed they truly are. Think about it: despite not having a hit in nearly 9 years, despite the millions of rumors of her being a crazy bitch, people were willing to pay $90 and wait over 2 hours in the stifling heat just to see her perform. They remembered her when she was at her best and had faith that she could still bring it, even after all these years she's been off the scene. That, ladies and gentlemen, is called LOVE. She should've taken a good long look at that crowd, taken a deep breath, left all of her industry problems and her personal problems BACKSTAGE, and walked out on that stage giving her ALL…and then some.
She didn't even try.
This was not the first time she got shitted on for a weak performance. At one point, she was performing with Kanye West and her voice was just as shaky. The moment the crowd started booing, Kanye started yelling at the crowd, telling them "SHE'S A LEGEND" and they shouldn't be treating her like that. However, she needs to realize that you can live off of potential and legendary status but for so long if you're not putting in any work and acting like a conceited diva all the time.
****
"Now look who the hot…look who everybody wanna be like…everybody wanna be like Kanye and Pharrell? Them dudes is NOT COOL…they not cool to be…like…in the hood?…like…That's cool?! Like…uh…like…That's not cool. Like…That whole image…like…who would wanna be that? You wearin' Louie Vutton driving shoes! Like, who does that in the hood?! Who dresses like that?! Silk shirts with the buttons…with the chest-hairs out and all that…who does that? Like they trying too hard like…like, that's not…that's not….that's not cool to be…that ain't…that ain't like…dudes like from where I'm from, you be walking down the street like that, you liable to get something happen to you. Yeah…you might as well come all the way out the closet, homeboy!"
From the looks of things, Beans is definitely going to have his name on the waiting list for THIS upcoming collaboration! (By the way, this is a WORD FOR WORD transcript from that BEEF video where Beans dissed Kanye & Pharrell. To make it funnier, Beans was wearing a Tiger Woods golf shirt while he was saying it…apparently because golf shirts are more gully than button-ups.)
If you checked out Kanye's mixCD/pre-album CAN'T TELL ME NOTHING, you'll recognize a song called "Us Placers", the first in what hopes to be many colab's between 'Ye, Pharrell, and Lupe Fiasco. Three are rumored to hook up and form a trio called CRS, or Child Rebel Soldier (CRS was also supposed to mean Chicago Runs Shit…which is lopsided since only 2/3's of the trio are from Chi-Town while Pharrell is from Virginia Beach). However, there's no telling when an album will materialize from this, since all three are pretty busy. Pharrell is still trying to recover from his IN MY MIND flop, Lupe is still working on his sophomore album, and Kanye's GRADUATION is about to drop in August.
If this does happen, they all need bring their A-Game. Productionwise, 'Ye can bring some really good shit when he's motivated. Pharrell can be a mixed bag, as he can make some decent stuff when he wants to, but he can also bring some pure fluff as well. In the vocal booth, Kanye is good for an unintentionally comical moment, but needs some capable MC's to help him step it up. That's where Lupe is going to have to step in, since he's the only one who fits that category. On the other hand, if Pharrell is going to step into the booth at all, it should ONLY be for HOOKS. Otherwise, he should stay as far away from there as possible.
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Average Environmental spokesmen talks to news media about global warming: "We need to do our part in helping the environment. Our planet is warming up and we have played a part in it…from the SUV's you drive to the energy we waste at home with outdated light bulbs. Temperatures are rising, polar icecaps are melting, and polar bears are drowning! We need to change the way we live! That's why we need to follow the 7-point program…"
Suddenly, some girl walks up to him and starts complaining: "Excuse me, but it's hot out here. I can't work out here. It's too hot. Come one, man. I can't work out here. It's too HOT…"
(Spokesmen turns around, raises hand and BACKHANDS her!)
"Now look…I don't care if it's RAIN OR SHINE, SNOW, SLEET, HAIL…I could give a shit if it's KATRINA PART 2 OUT THERE---YOU BETTER BE OUT THERE HO-IN', YOU HERE ME?!"
Girl: "uh…yeah…"
Spokesmen: "'YEAH' WHO?"
Girl: "uh..yes DADDY, yes, Daddy…"
Spokesmen: "THAT'S RIGHT!! Now get your ass back on that sidewalk, and the next time I see you, you better have some cash in your hand!!!"
Spokesmen turns back to startled reporter: "Now…where were we?"
You have no idea how much you're getting pimped by these people. Every time I see rich celebrities, either actors or musicians or athletes, get up on a soapbox and tell us how to live our lives, a red light goes off in my head. Most of them can't even get their own lives straight, and yet, here they are…telling US in a straight face that WE need to change OURS. The whole idea of RICH CELEBRITIES telling US to give OUR MONEY is enough to get me pissed. During that whole flack surrounding Hurricane Katrina, I said that if these rich celebs truly cared about those victims, they'd be giving their own money. Any one of those celebs have enough money to repair 3-4 neighborhoods EACH. If all of the most vocal celebs would've pitched together to repair New Orleans, that whole city would be back to normal by now. Last time I checked, there are places that still look like a war zone overt there! How the hell can fools say that BUSH DON'T CARE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE when these celebs are doing even less…other than ACTING like they care while tell YOU to give money?
Now, you have one big global PLAYA'Z BALL (a.k.a. Live Earth) that happened this past weekend, where all the pimps gathered from around the world to tell you to give up some more of that money! Al Gore brings in all the HOTEST of the HOT-HOT-HOT ACTS to "RAISE AWARENESS OF GLOBAL WARMING" by…performing their hit songs, most of which don't have jack shit to do with global warming! Yeah, there was a weak turnout in Johannesburg, South Africa because it was too COLD and Britain blamed the mediocre turnout on GOOD WEATHER (true story), but you can't keep some good propaganda down. So let's trot out the Pussycat Dolls to raise awareness by dancing like hookers, Madonna to raise awareness by fondling a guitar like a DICK, Chris Rock raised awareness by being Chris Rock, John Legend raising awareness by giving everyone an opportunity to take a BATHROOM BREAK. Even the host of PIMP MY RIDE gave his 2 cents about global warming, and Mr. "I-can't-afford-to-pay-tuition-because-I-spent-it-all-on-silk-button-ups" was out telling you what to do with your money. (Sorry, Xzibit and ‘Ye-Ye…you kinda put your asses out there.)
Now, you're probably asking, "WHY IS THIS FOOL WASTING HIS TIME BRINGING UP GLOBAL WARMING?"
This whole global Warming fiasco exposes a dirty little secret that the media conglomerates don't want you to know:
THE MEDIA HAS THE POWER TO PUSH WHOEVER & WHATEVER THEY WANT, WHENEVER THEY WANT, HOWEVER THEY WANT, AND CAN DO SO FOR AS LONG AS THEY WANT!
…and if it doesn't get over immediately, THEY HAVE THE POWER TO KEEP PUSHING IT UNTIL IT GETS OVER!
Don't ever let them tell you otherwise.
It took years to push this global warming shit. They started off small by putting it into the heads of the kids. I remember the days when they tried to turn G.I. Joe into environmentalists with the ECO-WARRIORS (they had to throw poor Flint in that group in hopes of getting the shit to sell, but many saw it as G.I. Joes's Jump-The-Couch moment), then they made that bullshit Captain Planet and the Planetteers cartoon to really drill it in their heads. Then they would add little bits into TV shows, videos, movies, music, whatever. They would bring it in increments, increasing the 'dosage' every single year. Now, it's a FIRESTORM. You can't go anywhere without hearing people talk about it. It's to the point where people are convinced that they HAVE to buy those $12 3-pack light bulbs or else the world will be DESTROYED!! Somebody is making mad money off of your fears. But I'm sure that I'll be getting some e-mails talking about how I'm a global warming denier and I'm all for dirty air and dirty water and for another Katrina to roll around and kill more people. Whatever. Say whatever you want, as long as you give them their money before the day is over. You know how they are about late payments.
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Traffic Entertainment has got a whole lot of interesting releases on tap for August, so save your money up:
AZ - The Memphis Sessions
Fresh off his critically-acclaimed album "The Format", AZ returns once again to bless his fans with a unique offering entitled "The Memphis Sessions", a two disc set where each disc stands on its own. Disc One combines AZ's effortless flow with some of the most funky and soulful tracks you'll come across. The second disc is comprised of all new, never released AZ cuts that sound as good on the streets as they do in the club. The result is pure start to finish listening pleasure for the audience as AZ's most popular acapellas are blended with beats reminiscent of 1970's Memphis. The success of Guru's "Jazzmatazz" albums proves that combining Hip Hop with other genres of music is a cutting-edge theme that's bound to be more common in the future.
Raekwon - "House Of Wax: The Vatican Mixtape Volume III"
The material on "House Of Wax" is older (that vintage Wu/RZA sound), and has been previously never heard or released. Rae hand picked these joints, 31 tracks strong and purposely left untitled... featuring RZA production and guest shots from Wu Tang brethren, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Old Dirty Bastard, Masta Killa as well as Hip Hop royalty Havoc (Mobb Deep), Fat Joe & Smif N' Wessun. As long as Rae sustains such momentum and relies on the RZA for the majority of "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II", he could have another classic album in the books. Until then, "House Of Wax" is a nice appetizer until The Chef cooks up his main course.
J. Dilla - "Jay Deelicious: Originals, Remixes, & Rarities"
Jay Dee, aka J Dilla, emerged as a Hip Hop producer to be reckoned with in 1995 when his name was attached to the first single from The Pharcyde's eagerly anticipated sophomore album Labcabincalifornia". Drop the needle on his first Pharcyde production "Runnin" and you have the launch point of a producer's career that mesmerized, titillated and expanded the domes of Hip Hop fans for the next decade. "Jay Deelicious: Originals, Remixes & Rarities" documents Jay Dilla's early production on Delicious Vinyl.
Working closely with The Pharcyde and Michael "Mike Floss" Ross, (Delicious Vinyl's founder), Jay Dee was instrumental in keeping The Pharcyde's second album as ear poppin' and bugged as their maiden classic "Bizarre Ride To The Pharcyde", stepping up big time after the group parted ways with "Bizarre" producer J-Swift. In addition to original productions and remixes for "Labcabin", Jay Dee skillfully worked with the label on incredible mixes for the Brand New Heavies, as well as unreleased remixes for former BNH singer, N'Dea Davenport. From the jazzed out Rhodes syncopation of "Sometimes" featuring Q-Tip, to the crazy cutting up of "Got To Give It Up" for "Saturday Night" featuring Mos Def, Jay Dee shows there's no tempo he can't freak on some otherworldly jazzed up funk tip. So put on your head phones and take a trip into the early work of a Hip Hop master. Umm Umm JayDEElicous! In respect to Dilla's legacy, all proceeds from the sale of this release will go to Maureen (Ma Dukes) Yancy.
Nashawn - "Mass Destruction"
When one of the Hip Hop's most legendary names co-signs a fellow rapper, you know that emcee has to be special. Even though they are cousins, Nas and Nashawn are also peers in the Rap game who have appeared together on numerous tracks. In fact, Nas was so impressed with his cousin's skills on the mic that he enlisted Nashawn's help on his "Nastradamous" and "Stillmatic" albums. Now it's time for Nashawn to step out and create his own legend. "Mass Destruction" is the new effort that Nashawn hopes will help him do it. This current Bravehearts member blesses the masses with 20 brand new tracks. Shying away from the current trend of "a million" guest appearances, Nashawn lets his skills speak for themselves. He is joined by his cousins Nas and Jungle on two tracks but reps the rest by himself. If you're a fan of the Queensbridge sound that Nas, Mobb Deep, Cormega, Tragedy, Capone, and Lakey The Kid have made famous, then you'll definitely be a fan of Nashawn.
Frank N Dank - "European Vacation" DVD+CD
In November of 2005, Europe was exposed to one of the greatest shows to ever hit the continent's soil. The J Dilla tour landed featuring none other than Frank N Dank and DJ Rhettmatic, and it was nothing but mass hysteria from beginning to end. Blunts, stunts, jokes, good music and history in the making was what went down. Witness an exclusive behind the scenes look at what it's like going on the road with these artists, which would end up being the last time J Dilla would grace fans with his presence. Hear the music and feel the vibe as we take you on a journey to the land where Hip Hop is alive and well. Welcome to Frank N Dank and J Dilla's "European Vacation". Included with the DVD are three music videos (for "What Up", "MCA" and "Nice 2 Meet You") and a bonus CD that has eight brand new FND tracks.
So in closing, you have 1) AZ over some 70's STAX-style material, 2) Some Prime-material Raekwon & RZA, 3) some pre-Uhmah Jay Dee shit, 4) a debut from another Nas protégé, and 5) hopefully, a Frank N Dank album that's better than 48 HOURS. BE ON THE LOOK-OUT!!
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IN MEMORY OF…
Randy Hubbard Parker…stepson of KRS-One
Imagine being on tour, promoting you new album with your former rival, rocking stadiums oversees…then suddenly, you got the news that you lost your stepson in an apparent suicide. G. Simone, KRS's longtime wife, released a statement that Randy, who was a graphic designer and entrepreneur, was going through severe depression. July 18th would've been his 24th birthday.
A lot must be on Kris's mind right now. Even though KRS wasn't the biological father, he did treat him like him like he was his son and looked out for him. With this situation, he must be wondering if he looked out for him enough, whether there was something he should've done or shouldn't have done. When it comes to suicides, there's never any easy answers.
Condolences to the whole Parker family. I know they're going to survive this.
X-1, brother of Onyx's Sticky Fingaz
A few weeks ago, I got an angry email from an Onyx fan. Around October of last year, I brought up some news of Onyx's offspring group, Yung Onyx, and I spent my time shitting on all of them. The person who wrote me wasn't very happy about it, stating that my facts weren't straight (I brought up the whole supposed connection between Onyx and the kiddy group The FamLee. The ONLY connection between the groups is that they both got put on by Jam Master Jay) and he hated the way I tried to discredit them by saying that M.O.P. made Onyx obsolete.
While I still take MOP over Onyx (though I'm worried about what 50 Cent has in store for them, especially with that "I‘ma make them hit the gym" shit) and found some of that GRIMEE shit corny at times, I have to admit that Onyx did have some moments. BACDAFUCUP, ALL WE GOT IZ US, and SHUT EM DOWN did do some damage out there and hit big on both the pop charts and on the streets (Big Pun MURDERED the "Shut em Down" remix!) .
X-1 made his debut on the SHUT EM DOWN album in songs like "Rob & Vic", a song about two brothers hustlin' in the streets and eventually becomes a Kane & Abel case (however, the song would've been much better without that off-key singing chorus singer. "WHOOOOOOOOAH!") X-1 also showed up in "React", which also featured a pre-Interscope 50 Cent (who was also a JMJ protégé, by the way), and "The Worst", which also featured Raekwon & Meth. X-1 would soon become a fixture in SHUT EM DOWN's follow-ups, as well as Sticky‘s solo joints. It's too bad that those records weren't nearly as good as the first 3.
Sadly, on July 5, X-1 was found dead in Las Vegas. No cause of death has been reported, but it's been rumored that this death was a suicide, too.
Damn. It's fucked up with all these suicides. First Disco D, then Kris's son, and now X-1.
