I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.T.

I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.T.

Written by 4bars

Aight, I’ma keep this one brief because I caught myself speechless when I realized what I’d be writing. I’m sure you’ve all heard the summer smash hit “Wipe Me Down” by the lyrical trio (heavy sarc) of Boosie “BAD AZZ”, Webbie, and this dude Foxx. Honestly, how many people knew it was actually Foxx’s song? Not for while did I. But from “Gimme That” to “Rachet” to “Wipe Me Down” many would argue that these three were responsible for the lackluster “ringtone” hip hop that the south has been producing as of late; and most times I’d agree 100%. Neither of these three have much lyrical ability (in my humble opinion) and the content of their music is often lacking, but on the newest Webbie single (which is number 1 on the Baltimore 92.3 countdown) “Independent”, there is actually something to it. As I said at the opening, I was f’n shocked when I came to this realization but the song is about women doing for themselves, independently. Now if you’re a female reading this, I know what you’re thinking cause my gf said the same thing “all I hear is a nigga wanting a woman to take care of him…”, which is definitely a plausible argument.

And while both Boosie and Webbie both mention their woman “spoiling” them and giving them “presents” they make no mention of them not working and depending on this woman for anything. It is simply a bonus that their woman is financially independent and able to do things for her male counterpart. I hate to impose on my man KT’s signature but the lyrics are actually about something and it’s like a breath of fresh air to me: a 808 heavy song that will get mucho club play but also is promoting something positive, TOWARDS THE WOMEN!! (sniff) forgive me, I almost shed a tear. “Been in school even walked across the stage” Webbie spits, makes me think of “they’re tryna graduate from school Lu…” and I just marvel at the way that “dumbing it down” actually has to happen sometimes to reach certain audiences, no offense. The last 3 bars of Webbie’s verse are my favorite though, by far:

“The Stilletos The Jays Depend On How The Weather Look
Flip Flop Slippers Jus To Show Off The Pedicure
Flip Flop Niggas Depend On How The Cheddar Look
She'll Buy Her Own I Dont Think She 'll Never Look
In A Man Face Standin Waitin For Him To Take Care Of Her
She'll Rather Go To Work And Pay The Bills On Schedule”

Boosie holds his own and Lil Phat (???) stays on topic but Webbie’s verse is clearly the standout (as it should be since it’s his song). I’m just really glad to hear something on the radio that has us chanting something worth a damn. If you can’t tell, I’m smiling, this is definitely a win for hip hop, “work hard, two jobs u a BAD broad” hahaha, still a tad coonish but those are my folks and I’m ridin wit em on this one. So much for keeping it brief, haha…

Still Dreaming...

Storytelling. One of the best tests of a lyricist’s ability. Yeah, he can rhyme some words, but can he frame and shape a narrative with those same rhyming words? Of course, when I think of storytelling, I think Slick Rick, Rakim, LL Cool J (remember, Mama Said Knock You Out and Walking With A Panther has some of his best music). But there’s a song, I should say a verse, that has been on my radar since I heard it for the first time last year. So, as I let that Hip Hop Is Dead queue up on my iPod Touch and “Still Dreamin” (might be the best song on the album if not for “Black Republicans”) come through the headphones, I prepare to hear ‘Ye spit some of his wittiest and vivid lines, and jumped into my own dream.

Some Dreams stay dreams, some dreams come true

So as I lay my head back, I find myself standing underneath a streetlamp on an otherwise dark street. Kanye stands next to me watching a black BMW pull up in front of a house at 6:30pm. Music plays. ‘Ye spits: “he pulled up @ 6:30 in the 745/as he waving shorty “hi"/you know he showin’ his bling out…”

‘Some flashy dude stepping out on his girl.’ I scoffed. ‘He out here faking the funk.’ Kan just nodded and bobbed his head to the beat that loomed in the background like a phantom. “She got in the car/he drove and pulled his thing out…” I felt myself laughing through my sleep. Still, back in the dream, I shook my head and lifted my eyes up just in time to se a beautiful girl alone, sitting up in her bed preparing to chuck a wedding band out the window.

“How she found out?” I ask Kanye. “She dreamt the whole thing out.” He replied.
“Damn.” I say. Once your married, ain’t that sacred? Kanye tried to explain it to me. I wasn’t really trying to hear him at first, but then he spit “Y’all be going through problems/you gotta work the kinks out/when you go to sleep what do you think bout…”

Nightmares from your dream girl’ll make you scream out

My eyes shot open. The picture he created felt as real as that. You can imagine yourself in that situation. Could I face the wrath of that scorned woman? Popular culture and the women I’ve chosen to associate myself with would say no. And I know most of them would agree when the Louis Vuitton don says “y’all get a divorce she gon’ take everything/except the kitchen sink out.” You can almost feel the animosity. And for those of us who’ve been through that before, you know exactly what it feels like. And for those who don’t Kanye continues his verbal sketch: “Make it so cold/that you gotta pull your mink out.”

Yet even as he paints this great scene for us, he follows by taking us full circle and back to the dreamer at the beginning with the line “nightmares from your dreamgirl/ will make you scream out” So then could that original scenario have been the wild, startling nightmares of someone’s honey dip? Let us not forget that Nas gives us some of his usual potent and thought provoking bars in the song, but I can’t help but to wax poetically about how tangible ‘Ye’s verse seems. Sometimes I forget how good of a writer that Kanye West is in between the beat making.

Still, I don’t hear many people talk about this song. Guess you got some who really are Still Dreamin’

Glow in the dark tour flyer

"Music is like magic there’s a certain feeling you get when your real"

Nyquil Mixtape of the Week – (noun) A group of five (5) songs that you are currently sleeping on. Either you've never heard them or forgot how much you really love them. Regardless, you need to brush the dust off your CD rack and play them or add them to your collection.

1. "Till I Collapse" – Eminem, The Eminem Show
If an alien landed on earth and wanted to know how good Eminem is, play them this song.


2. "Long Kiss Goodnight" – The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death
Subliminal shots at Pac? Cease says no but you be the judge.

3. "1-9-9-9" – Common ft. Sadat X, Rawkus Presents: Soundbombing 2
The smooth drums blend perfectly with Common's flow.


4. "Mac & Brad" – Beanie Sigel ft. Scarface, The Truth
The rap version of watching the craziest action scene in Dukes of Hazard. The relentless back and forth attack.
"Mac & Brad" – Beanie Sigel ft. Scarface

5. "100 to 1" – AX, unknown
I know you've never heard of him… just listen. Lyricism at its finest.
AX - 100 to 1

Come back every week for a new mixtape!

Where are you?

I remember it like it was yesterday, I would go to check my spot where they sold cell phones, beepers and mixtapes. I would get the newest DJ Clue Mixtape (when it was actually a tape) and check for the new Canibus freestyle. Listening to him was like a cool science class. His vocabulary and his play on words was ill, not to mention he could battle. When it came to making a song by himself let alone an album I never felt like he could get it done. Many rappers fall into this category maybe not as much as him though i.e. Cassidy. I always questioned that, why is that you can be that quick and articulate to break another rapper down but you cannot put together a quality album? One lane rapper? I guess, Canibus Where are you?

-gWiz

Before

Now


Type rest of the post here

Street Cred

Shyne & Puff: A Lesson on Street Cred. Part 1

According to today’s industry standards, your street credibility is almost a pre-requisite in order to have any kind of success. But what is street credibility actually worth? Does having a reputation in the streets really add to a rappers financial or artistic success? Back in 1999, a shooting occurred that changed the lives of two entertainers forever. At the center of this issue were street credibility and the decision to maintain it. The decisions that were made ultimately sent their fates in opposite directions. While many of the details remain blurry the fact remains that Bad Boy artist Shyne took out his gun and fired into a crowded club for what he said was in defense of him and his entourage after an altercation occurred involving his boss Puff Daddy. For his actions, Shyne was facing a long jail sentence but he was given a choice. He had a chance to significantly reduce his jail sentence, possibly even avoid it altogether. All he had to do was identify the man that tried to shoot him first. According to Shyn,e even though he knew who did it and could identify him, he wasn’t going to because he refused to “snitch”. Shyne held down the code of the streets and as a result, he received a sentence of 10 years. On the other hand, Puffy immediately distanced himself from the entire incident. He chose not to “ride with his boy and Co-D (co-defendant)” (although he did pay for Shyne’s legal team) and instead denied any accountability. As a result of his decision, Puff received no punishment whatsoever and was a free man.

At the time, people were furious at Puffy for not standing behind Shyne and accused him of not being true to the streets. On the other hand, “Free Shyne” chants and sentiments could be heard because people respected how he “kept it real”. Without question Shyne’s street credibility was solidified. So how did this street credibility help Shyne since? Well it’s nearly 9 years since that dreadful night and he’s still in prison. In 2004, Shyne “released” a lackluster album which received neither commercial nor critical acclaim. All of his supporters back in 1999 didn’t rush to the stores and purchase Godfather Buried Alive; in fact, they don’t mention him at all these days. These “supporters” have moved on and found new artists to listen to and praise for their “gangsta”. As for Puffy Dad-, err, P.-, err, Diddy, well he’s still on top of the music industry… and the fashion industry… and a few other business ventures. All the people who were mad that Diddy wasn’t “hood enough” just sprayed their Unforgettable cologne on their Sean John shirt while bumping the “I Get Money (Remix)” in their room and getting ready to hit the club and drink that Ciroc vodka with the cranberry.

One incident put two people in a situation where they had to choose whether to follow the code of the streets or not. Puff chose to protect his own interests while Shyne chose to protect his reputation on the block. So I ask again, what was all that extra street credibility really worth?



Stay Tuned for Part 2

Premo...

Best of Premo part I

Best of Premo II