Where were you, When this was brand new?!

What's Happening? Old School, New School?

Hey! Hey! Hey! How many new generation kids know where that came from? Give up? "What's Happening?" A show that starred Roger Thomas, now playing on "Everybody Hates Chris," as the mortician.

I work in the retail industry with a lot of young heads, mostly in their early 20s. I sometimes quiz them on music, movies, and television shows, and realize they don't have a clue about history. Well not the history of television and music. So I decided to enlighten the younger readers a bit and I implore those of you who are now considered "old heads" to add comments of some of the things I may have forgotten. So here you go younguns. A list of things you may not have known about people you now look up to and like.

Hmm where should I start, ok:

Janet Jackson's first album was not "Control." She had two flops prior to that. She also starred in "Good Times," "Different Strokes," and "Fame." She was taught how to dance by American Idol's own, Paula Abdul.

Paula Abdul started as a Laker's girl. Later, choreographing many of Janet's videos, and having her own career as a subpar singer and great dancer.

LL Cool J's first song was "Radio." Not "Phenomenon" or "...they call me big L'ey" His ass is old. He just looks young. He also had his own t.v. show, "In The House."

Rev Run was not always a Reverand. He was actually one of the members of Run DMC, way before Run's House. Actually Run's House is named after one of his songs. "Who's house? Run's house." He sings it in the beginning of the show.

Russell Simmons founded Def Jam, way before he found Phat Farm and Kimora Lee.

R Kelly was discovered on Gladys Knight's show called, "The Big Break." He and the Public Announcement, Kelly's first group, won the contest and the rest his history.

Before Crocs, there were Jelly's. Clear, plastic shoes worn only by women.

Robin Thicke's father, Alan Thicke sung the opening song for "Family Ties," a tv show that starred a young Michael Keaton. Who's first movie was "Back to the Future."

P Diddy, Puffy, Sean Combs, was a back up dancer along with Jermaine Dupri. They danced for Father MC. Whose hit song, "Treat em Right," was sung by Jodeci, and Mary J sung on one of his other songs. P Diddy can be seen in the video. He also produced and wrote Jodeci's first album, "Forever My Lady."

Jermaine Dupri founded super rap group Kris Kross, whose hit, "Jump" was a success. On a later album they had a song called "Da Bomb," which introduced rapper Da Brat, who is also the first female rapper to go platinum.

Busta Rhymes started in a group called, Leaders of the New School. Group members included Busta, Dinco, and Charlie Brown. One of their hits was "PTA" and they did a collabo with Tribe Called Quest called, "Scenerio."

Destiny Child's group originally had four members, one of which was not Michelle. The other two members were Latoya Luckett (had a couple of hits last year)and Latavia Roberson. They were dropped right before the "Bills, Bills, Bills" video was released. However, the song still had Latoya and Octavia singing on it. Farrah Franklin was one of the replacements that was dropped.

Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean were in a group called the Fugees. They had one of the best rap albums ever entitled, "The Score."

Denzel Washington got his start on the t.v. show "St. Elsewhere."

Adam Sandler got his start on "The Cosby Show."

Jamie Foxx was first seen on "In Living Color." Wanda: "I'll Rock Yo World!"

Will Smith's first hit was not "Summertime," but "Parents Just Don't Understand."

Laurence Fishburn's first role was not on "School Daze," or "Boyz in the Hood," but in "Cornbread, Earl and Me." A 70s flick about an aspiring basketball star who was killed accidently by police right before he was going to college.

Martin Lawrence got his start on "What's Happening Now!"

Michael Jackson was once black. And looked normal. He had a big nose, no clef in his chin and a gheri curl, but he always had the soft voice.

Raven Simone not only played in the Cosby Show and That's So Raven, but she also played in Hanging With Mr. Cooper. And her first song was "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of"

Bobby Valentino got his start with a group called MISTA whose only hit was "Blackberry Molasses."

Static Major, (Lollipop video), was originally in a group called, "Playa" whose hit was "Cheers 2 U."

Before Crunk or Snap music, there was Florida music and Go Go music, led by 2 Live Crew and Uncle Luke and EU and Rare Essence. (Doo Doo Brown, Doo Doo Brown).

The first rap song was "The White Horse." Artist unknown. Followed by SugarHill Gang's "Rapper's Delight."

Eve really was a stripper, so was Trina.

Lil Kim got her start with Junior Mafia.

Faith Evans used to be on Bad Boy. She and Lil Kim had beef. Lil Kim was never on Bad Boy, she was on Undeas.

Lil Bow Wow was first seen on Snoop Dogg's Gin and Juice. He was actually discovered by Snoop, who passed him on to Jermaine Dupri.

Alicia Keys once appeared in an episode of "The Cosby Show."

Before Backstreet Boys and Nsync there was Menudo, New Kids On The Block, The Jets and New Edition, of which Bobby Brown is an original member.

Whitney Houston was not always on drugs and was THE best singer of her time.

Get Smart is an old t.v. show.

Ella from Tyler Perry's House of Pain, got her start on School Daze, she is the one who said, "Because your face is already cracked and on the ground." Allen Payne got his start on "The Cosby Show," and his first movie was "New Jack City." "Am I my brother's keeper?" And he acted a lot better. Robin Givens, his girlfriend on the show, was once married to Mike Tyson. Miranda, Calvin's girlfriend, is none other than little Rudy Huxtable, and all of them got their starts on "The Cosby Show." Except Ella.

Kirsten Dunst, from Spiderman, got her start from the movie, "Interview With The Vampire," which starred Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Tom Cruise's leading role movie was "Risky Business."

Well that's all for now, I could go on for a while. If you think of anything else, please feel free to add. It would be great to see what you all come of up.

So youngsta's learn your history. All your idols got their start somewhere.

Honorable Mentions:

Nice and Smooth's "Hip Hop Junkies."

Before Lean Wit It Rock Wit It, there was the Wop, the Prep, the Mike Tyson and the Cabbage Patch

Jay Z was a member of Hawaii Sulky Fame along with Jaz-O before he became Jigga/Hova. Jigga was a nickname actually given to him by Biggie.

Cross Colours, Karl Kani, Used Jeans were the hotness.

Before Madden, there was 10 yard fight and Tecmo Bowl. Before Halo, there was Metroid, Zelda and Contra. Before NBA Live there was Double Dribble.

Before Ladanian Tomlinson there was Barry Sanders

Before "Heroes" there was the "A-Team" B.A. Baracka was Mr. T's first television role. "I pity the fool."

Boiling Crabs!

Salutations,

I have written several blogs, and none have been in relation to the upcoming election and the historic event that took place when Sen. Barack Obama became the first black nominee for President of these United States. Granted, I have many opinions about this, but I have chosen to hold those comments until later. However, the recent actions of one Rev. Jesse Jackson, known to his non supporters as J.J., have prompted me to remember an old adage about crabs in a bucket.

For those who are too young to know to what I am referring, when crabs are in a bucket, they continue to pull each other down in an attempt to get out of said bucket. This observation has been used in life in regards to when people try to keep their own from reaching the top, by doing whatever possible to keep them from achieving that goal. This is where J.J. comes in.

As many of you know, Jesse Jackson went on the conservative Fox News (first mistake), and made an ass of himself. Supposedly, he did not know that his mic was still on while he was in the green room and he made some comments about Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. Loosely speaking he said that Barack speaks down to black people and he would like to cut his balls off. Wow! Are you kidding me? And what does Fox do, what they were expected to do, air it as soon as they could. First of all, as an alleged black leader, he should not, on air or off, make negative comments about another black man who has made history. Secondly, as a Reverend he shouldn't even think about cutting any body's balls off. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord! This is a classic case of crabs in a bucket. Ever since Obama began his race for the presidency, he has received ridicule from both blacks and whites. The first group is a shocker to me, and one of the main reasons we as blacks in America will never, EVER, succeed. These are the reasons, if he loses, Obama may not be president.

Blacks are so busy trying to sabotage, kill, degrade, abandon, each other that we can never come together to do something positive that will benefit us. Honestly, we would probably be better off as slaves, and we won't stop until we are again. It seems that this is the only time we can come together and move in the same direction. As slaves our ancestors sung, prayed, and ran together. During segregation, they sung, prayed and marched together. Now, we argue, curse, and fight each other. All while white america looks at us with a big smile. What's the easiest way to get rid of a problem, let it kill itself off. And that's what we are doing. Degrading our own by organizing such groups as black republicans against Obama, (yes it does exist).

Jesse Jackson, an opportunist, not a leader, is apparently jealous of Obama's success. Obama was able to do what Jesse had been trying to do for years. In the 80s Jesse tried to become the first black presidential candidate elected by the Democratic party and failed each time, losing twice to Michael Dukakis. Years later, here comes Obama who not only gets the nomination from Democrats, but is getting support from Republicans as well. Go figure. This is not an isolated incident involving J.J., on several occasions, Jesse has made it a point to try to pull Obama back down in the bucket with the rest of the, *pardon* niggers. First, saying he is not black enough, why, because he doesn't have outside children that he doesn't take care of? Next, saying he was wrong for his father's day speech, why, because he was telling the truth based on his personal experience?(Struck a nerve did he?) Now, saying he talks down to blacks and wants to castrate the man, why, because he has been successful at what you have failed at? I wonder what Dr. King would have to say about this? Since he wants to follow in his footsteps. No matter what Malcolm X did or said, Dr. King never responded negatively, because, although they didn't agree with each others tactics, they were still fighting for the same cause. Take notes J.J.

Black people, open your eyes, take off the shackles that bind your mind and realize that we will always be frowned upon, degraded, embarrassed, and treated unfairly, because it's easy to destroy a chain when the links are not strong. We need to come together and concentrate on rising together. Doing it separately has not worked thus far, when will we realize that it won't?

And for those who think that Obama is speaking down to blacks, realize if he is, he's only doing it to try to get you to rise up to the level he knows we should and can be at.

Bottom line: Stop being monkeys and start being trainers. It's hard to kill the word "nigger" if we keep resurrecting it and proving they still exist.

So High...Yet Your Feet Are Still On The Ground

Check, Check, Mic Check, One, Two, One, Two,:

I told myself that I would not blog about the BET Awards. I believed that a degrading of the show, which I probably would have, would not be in good taste for a channel that, in the past, has done a lot for black artists and black music.

Saying that, my complaint about the BET Awards is the lack of support from said black artists. It seems that every year, we see less and less of the mega stars that make up black music, unless they are winning an award, and now it seems they refuse to show for that. This year I was very disappointed in the high society that BET made a household name. Now, I understand that prior engagements, scheduling conflicts, etc, make it hard to attend the show every year, but it's funny that they all seem to adjust their schedules to make sure they attend the Grammys, The American Music Awards, The MTV Movie (which makes no sense) and The MTV Video Awards. You have never heard one of their presenters say, "I'm sorry, Missy couldn't be here tonight, so I accept this award on her behalf." Instead they have a live video feed where they accept their award and make this big speech explaining why they weren't there and how sorry they are for not being there. What do they do for the BET Awards, The Soul Train Awards (which made Mary famous), and the now defunct (Vibe and Source Awards)? They just don't show. No explanation, no video, no respect.

I will admit that since the Source Awards are now cancelled, the "thugs/goons" have no place to go and vent and dress like they just rolled out of bed, so they have to do it at the BET Awards. Still that does not constitute an excuse to just crap on the channel that gave most of them careers. MTV and VH1 wouldn't and don't play most of their videos. Except on MTV 2, which most viewers can't catch. Kanye's outburst last year at the MTV awards show was justified. They were willing to put a cracked out Brittney Spears on before a grammy award winning artist. Yet this is who we choose to support? They have gotten so high on the hog that they forgot what chicken tastes like.

Mary was a no show, why? What was she working on? Shopping? Taking care of Kendu's outside children?

Kobe was a no show, why? He practically lives next door. And with the things he has been through he should be proud to have won the awards he has. Shaq: "Kobe how my ass taste?" sorry.

Missy was a no show, why? Well I can see why. She was nominated for a album she did over two years ago.

No Beyonce, no Jay-Z, no Denzel, no Will and Jada, no Bob Johnson (negro it was your channel). Babyface, Eddie Murphy ( you need all the publicity you can get, it seems you have another flop on your hands with that robot crap), Jamie Foxx, Eve, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Joe Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Tito Jackson (I know you weren't busy), TI, Dream, Ice Cube and so many more, all no shows.

The Soul Train Music Awards was cancelled for lack of participation, but the Grammys won't be. And they support and honor less black people than the Klu Klux Klan. I have yet to see them profile/honor greats like Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross even. Why? They don't care about us. They focus on the white audiences and our high class ghetto asses don't fit in their plans. So why support them? I keep alluding to Kanye because he makes light of what we are blind to. He had a multi platinum selling album, and they didn't give him an American Music Award. He spoke up, and because they probably didn't want to be brought out, the Grammy committee gave him one. Still he makes it a point to be at every BET Awards Show.

When will black people stop sucking the teet of white America and stand up for and on their own? They come in droves to the Oscars, but won't attend the BET Movie Awards show, or any black movie awards show. As soon as they can buy a platinum chain they forget where they got the money from. I say again, it's this kind of thinking that will keep Barack Obama out the White House and why black businesses hardly ever succeed. When are we going to stop being crabs and start being crab meat eaters?

Bottom Line: Don't get so high up that you don't realize your just standing on your tippy toes.

Blame It On The Rain...Not The Man

Greetings and Salutations,

As a man, I endure a great deal of crucifying and criticism from women. When I speak to female friends, I am often asked the proverbial, why do men cheat? Why do they treat women so bad? Why do men lie? Why is a good black man hard to find? My answers to them are simple. Most men do these things to you, because you allow it. Now, after this I may be labeled as a traitor to my gender, but I feel that in order to save the black man from constant ridicule and torture, and to help our black women, I must reveal some of the secrets that women, as smart as they are, don't seem to know. Which is funny, since they claim to know us so well.

In my past I have found myself being the big brother, cry on his shoulders, guy for quite a few women. I would rather not have been, but they sought comfort in me. All crying the same thing: "Why? I loved him." Well, that was your first mistake. What women fail to understand is that most men don't love with their heart. Women by nature are emotional beings, and men are physical. It's a fact. Don't believe me, ask your husband or boo, what first attracted him to you. He will try to not seem insensitive and say something like, your eyes, your hair, your walk. (Actually it was your butt, breast or looks). But it will more than likely be something physical about you that caught his eye. Your voice, your smell. Because quite honestly when a man first meets a woman, his first thoughts are usually about having sex with her. Ask a woman the same question and she will more than likely say, "well you looked very handsome in your suit that night, but I was really turned on by the way you carried yourself. You spoke well, you had a great sense of humor, and a wonderful attitude." Emotions.

And that, unfortunately, is what makes the most dominate being in the world, vulnerable. When you put your heart into something it hurts like hell when it ends, fails, or just plain ole disappoints. And most men use that to their advantage. When a man knows that he has a woman's heart, he knows he has her. It is not until the woman realizes that this man is not for her, and completely looses all sense of emotion for him, that she can walk away. Fellas realize that when a woman doesn't love them anymore, they are done. Think about it ladies, that man that had your heart, maybe your first love or your first, you felt like you couldn't live without him. You often caught him cheating, lying all the time, in some instances hitting you, and you still take him back. As soon as you woke up and got tired of his mess, seriously tired of it, walking away from you was as easy as breathing. No matter what he said, or did or how good the penis was, you could get up, wash, and leave as if it were nothing and not care about the girl passing you in the hall that was going to his apartment. That's emotion. That's a woman's strength and weakness. The emotional strength that could allow her to walk into the fiery pits of the man whose sex had completely turned her out, lay with him and leave without feeling nothing more than I got mine. And the emotional weakness that will have her crying after he came to her house, hit it, and left to go be with that other bitch. That is what will have you outside his job, hiding in his bushes, going to all his favorite spots, checking his phone, checking his computer, going through his wallet. A man on the other hand, when he has a beautiful woman that has turned him out, he can't get enough. Yeah, he may still go out and get others, but his heart is with you. But don't get it twisted, he may and more than likely will go out, men need variety at times. Chicken everynight can get boring. Because if he can get your fine behind, he definitely has the confidence to get somebody as fine or finer than you. It's in a man's nature to conquer as much as possible in as little time as possible whenever possible. Now I am only speaking for some men. Not necessarily all.

Example: a young lady I know started dating this boy. Prior to her meeting him, she was independent, self confident, and virginal. This young man used this to his advantage, the virginal part. After he got her to give him her heart he was able to transform her from a woman of substance to a woman of substance abuse. He did not want her to make herself pretty, i.e. make up, pedicures, manicures, etc, he had her believing that no one wanted her except him. And she started to believe that. She began comparing herself to the girls he was cheating with, believing that they were better than she was. She often said, "I can see why he wants her, she has this, and I don't, or she has that and I don't." He took her heart, broke her down, and used that to his advantage. He did several other things like, cheating, ruining her credit, keeping her away from her family, etc. However, she still can't find it in herself to leave him. She keeps using excuses like, "I don't want to inconvenience him, or put him out on the streets, he has no place to go. I love him. I can't stand to know that he is going to be with her if I leave." Then turns around and cries because he is leaving their house to go lay up with another girl at hers. This is the thinking of most women. Are you kidding me? Now to most he would be seen as the bad guy. And as true as it may be, however, who is really at fault? If I am a crackhead and you tell me to stay at your house and watch your stuff while you go out, then I in turn steal your television and pawn it, who is the fool? You knew I was a crackhead when you asked me to stay there. So am I wrong for doing what is expected of me? Or are you for giving me the opportunity?

Ladies, please stop bashing men for things you know and expect us to do. You congregate with your lady friends and talk about how trifling we are, but in reality, apparently, obviously, that's what you want. You have identified all the faults, admitted the problem but you go home and lay right next to this same man. And get mad when he wants to leave you. But, five minutes ago you said I was trifling and wasn't shit, but you don't want me to go? I've decided to no longer feel sorry for women. I refuse to. If you allow yourself to be mistreated than you deserve it. No real man would act this way. Women pray for good men, but they pass them along for the thug, that will dog them. Why? Because he hit the bottom? He keeps you in place? Honestly, that's the woman I want on the side, not the woman I want to marry. And I consider myself a good man.

Men it starts with you. You need to be a presence in your daughter's life. She needs to know that she does not have to depend on a man for comfort, support, or just for his presence. She needs to see that a man can love one woman and treat her like the queen she is. My younger brother has three daughters, and he tells them he loves them everyday, he tells them how beautiful they are, and that they don't need a man for anything. I admire him for that. When they grow up they won't have to rely on a man to tell them they are beautiful to make them feel special, they won't have to rely on a man saying he loves them to feel secure in their relationship. They will already know that. And that's what we as men need to do. No we aren't the blame for the mistakes that women make in relationships, but in a sense we are the source of the mistake.

However, that is not an excuse ladies. Never put anyone else's feelings above your own. Trust me he won't put yours first, if he did he wouldn't cheat. Depend on yourself to know you are beautiful. He may only tell you that to get some. Build yourself up financially and don't feel you have to use your finances to keep a man. A real man won't allow you to or need you to. Don't categorize all men in the same boat. True we are physical beings, but sometimes its the physicality that binds us emotionally. Realize that he may be hitting the bottom, but at the same time you have also taken all he can give, use it to your advantage for once. Take charge of the ship.

Bottom line: Ladies, don't say there aren't any good men in the world, if all you do is keep breast feeding boys.

Do The Music Industry A Favor: Please Recycle

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your eyes,

I don't claim to be a connoisseur of fine music and art. I mean I can probably recite or recognize music going back as far as the 1950's, (mainly due in part to my mother exposing me to every single genre of music, except country) but I am in no way ready to compete on "Don't Forget The Lyrics." But is it me or has the music industry gone GREEN and started recycling everything from beats, to content, to lyrics? I know, I know, my last two blogs have been about music, but music seems to be the universal language of the world at this moment. Hip Hop, excuse me, please forgive me REAL Hip Hop fans, I mean, Rap has corrupted what was once a glorified invention of rhyme and sound, R&B has gone "gangsta," and country has gone hip hop. Right now if I want variety, uniqueness, creativity, and realness, I have to put on a classic 70s CD or old school hip hop CD. I definitely can't listen to the radio. Why? Because everything sounds EXACTLY alike.

Don't believe me? OK, example: Irreplaceable...Chris Brown's song, I need you girl, or whatever. Damn that beat sure sounds alike. As a matter of fact, every time I hear it I want to say, "To the left, to the left." Instead I hear, "I need you boo, I need you girl, and something something something all over the world tonight." Huh? They did not just give him the same beat and expect us not to notice. Are you hearing this little girl with the goo goo eyes, staring wildly at the radio as if she is watching his video? Hello? I guess not.

Along the same lines, NeYo, (by the way I am a big fan of his) wrote "Irreplaceable," and Rihanna's "Take a Bow." Correct me if I am wrong, but are they not the same song with a different beat and lyrics. I know that doesn't make sense, but think about it, both songs are about a woman who has caught their man cheating, he is trying to get back in and ask for forgiveness, but they have wised up and moved on. Now they are bragging about all the stuff they gave him and how much he has lost. Both are hits, don't get me wrong, but c'mon NeYo. Really? And I guess no one else has noticed this.

Well let's see if you agree on this then, rap music, why are all the songs today still focused on the same ole, one, two snap? One, two, snap. Why the hell are we still snapping? Laffy Taffy, OK, that was unique. A breath of fresh air after we all got in shape and had heart attacks from being Crunked to death, but damn. Now I have worn my index finger and thumb to the bone snapping to every rap song. I never thought "thugs" were the snapping type. Fooled me. It's bad enough most rappers sound alike now, (Rocko, Young Jeezy), now they are recycling each other's beats, content, and features. C'mon, I know he's talented, but if I have to hear T-Pain's distorted voice on another rap song or R&B dance record I am going to...hell probably listen. Is it that hard to get a hit that you have to have the same person on each song? Between him and Lil Wayne they could have done platinum albums off just their features (that probably would have been a better album for Wayne than the Carter III). Which T-Pain made apparent at the BET Awards when he orchestrated his string of features for his set. He didn't have to perform not one of his songs. As a matter of fact for the best rap song category he was featured on all except one of the songs that were nominated. Same for the best male R&B songs. REALLY? And if I have to hear Lil Wayne's half freestylin self again... Seriously, it has gotten so bad that I was happy to hear and look forward to hearing more from Hot Styles (Lookin Boy). At least it's different. Even if their beat is the same as Laffy Taffy, I Bet You Can't Do It Like Me, and I Think They Like Me.

Before the late 80's all music was different. An R&B singer could swoon any girl off their feet with a love song that was totally different from the guy before him. If you went to a concert then, you got a show that was all different. Now you might as well put them on all at the same time because they are basically using the same beats. Just keep the same record going. The music industry is lacking on creativity, (thanks Diddy), and interest. R&B singers are talking about screwing in the club, are you serious, you really want to screw in the club? Wow ladies if you really think that's sexy. They don't know anything about love. Chris Brown thinks it's sexy to gyrate the stage to death while he takes his lady down. They want to be pimps and rappers now instead of making songs that babies are made from.

A ray of light is at the end of the rainbow, at least they have The Dream, Kanye, NeYo (when he is not bored), Trey Songz, The Neptunes, Timbaland, etc to provide a difference.

Until next time, remember, don't throw away your trash, one artist's hit is another one's hit, and another artist and another artist and another...

Dr. Cornel West: Hip Hop Phenom?

Last year Dr. Cornel West released a hip hop album entitled: "Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations." This album has not hit the mainstream markets, apparently, probably because it lacks the negativity of most rap albums today. This was a brilliant idea by the Honorable Dr. West to reach out to the mainstream rap artists and show them that their records will still sell, even if they stop cursing and degrading women. Dr. West was able to conjure up such great lyricists as Talib Kweli, Rhymefest, KRS One, Rah Digga, Andre 3000, and M1 of Dead Prez. To further compliment the album he also added Prince and the Great Jill Scott. The album had street artists as well, who were able to express the problems they faced growing up, without using the dreaded N-word or calling out our black women. They expressed themselves both lyrically and matter of factly and still their message was received. Which brings to point a previous blog of mine. Rap music can still exist if the rappers decide to make a change. In the beginning rap lacked all this negativity and it sold.

People will buy what "their" role models persuade them to. If all rappers decided to only put out positive music, it would sell. Promise. If you don't believe me, check out Dr. West's album. He was able to put together reputable artists, with surprisingly good beats, that compares to what is out today. And guess what? You listen to it and almost forget it's positive.

You find yourself rapping to Talib's "Bushonomics." "Plus we don't have no universal health care/and who the hell care about crack mothers and welfare. They called President Clinton a whore monger/voted him out and replaced him with a warmonger." In "Still Here," Ambassador proclaims, "Doesn't matter what you been through in you're life, you still here/ even though you feel like giving up the fight, you're still here" He was able to express how hard his life was, but never did he mention he wanted to kill niggas, f*&k bi*&hes, and so forth.

Dr. West also has a discussion with Michael Eric Dyson and Tavis Smiley about the use and ban of the N-word. This 12 minute debate was very enlightening as all three expressed their concerns and use of the word. They make the argument that corporate america has taken a word that blacks use as a means of reminding them of the struggle and strife in life, and used it for profit. That is what makes the word wrong to use.

This is a very positive and enlightening piece of work by Dr. West and its contributing artists. A must listen. This album is truly a message to mainstream rappers that the use of negativity in music is not a guaranteed sell. Especially when all of you sound alike. Change is what attracts attention, ask Outkast, Goodie Mob, Ceelo, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, KRS One...

This album proves that corporate america is controlling OUR music. It's time we take it back. Starting with BMWMB: Black Men Who Mean Business!

Thug, "What's My Motivation," The New Actor

I grew up during the time when rap music, nay Hip Hop, was born and began to prosper. The lyrics were quick, witty, and meaningful. Songs like "Self Destruction" educated the youth on how we were entering into a society where black on black crime was beginning to run rampant. Drugs were taking over our neighborhoods more so than before and violence was on the rise in black communities. Run DMC gave us music to bob our heads to, laugh to, and relate to. Special Ed spoke about how he had it made. Rakim and KRS 1 gave lyrics that made you say, "Damn, you heard what he said?" L.L. gave the ladies someone to love and swoon over, while Biz Markie and Dougie Fresh hyped the parties. Hip Hop was about the music, teaching, and entertaining. In no song did the lyricist kill a bunch of people, unless it was lyrically, beat his woman or call her a bitch or ho, glorified the drug game, bragged about how rich they were and how broke you were. Life was just as hard for them, but they found a way to express that in a way that showed how good it was to leave that behind and not bring it with you. Life was hard enough without having to hear it in every song on the radio as a reminder. That's like having a life threatening aliment and having somebody remind you of it everyday.

Today "rap music" has taken over the airwaves and the "thug" is the new face, well has been since the early 90's. It all started with a group called N.W.A. (Niggas With Attitudes). Myself, along with the rest of my generation and those to follow, embraced the new hardcore lyrics of "F, the police", "Bitches aint Shit," and "She Swallowed It." It was new, it was different. It was the new Jordans. It became so popular that now, suburbanites are creating the image of having a rough life, selling drugs, not having their father around, mother on crack, whoa is me mentality and making what they call, music.

Now our youth are brainwashed into believing that everything they hear on the radio is real. News Flash, this just in: 99.9% of the rappers today are merely rappers pretending to be thug rappers. Most of them went to and graduated from high school, never sold aspirin at a gas station, let alone crack on the streets, had curfews, and was raised by both parents in good neighborhoods. They even respected women before they got a record deal. Rappers have now become actors. Violence, drugs, being disrepectful to women, etc, it sells. The corporations have determined this is what makes them the most money, and like our president, they don't care who is killed in the act. Artists like Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Common, Mos Def and so on, are labeled as conscious rappers and don't receive as much of the limelight as the "thug" rappers have obtained. "Major" labels rarely sign them, with the exception of Common, Mos Def and Outkast.

Rappers today like Lil Wayne, Plies, Young Jeezy, T.I., etc, lack the lyrical skills, creativity and talent of the aforementioned rappers, but unlike them they get more coverage, limelight, and attention. Why? Because they glorify what's destroying the black community? They believe that killing their enemy is a better option than talking it out? Our youth flock around them and praise them as the new emergence of what they call hip hop. It is this kind of thinking that will make it difficult for Barack Obama to become president, but that's another blog.

I, however, do purchase the music of the mainstream rappers today. I take caution on who I buy. I tend to stray away from one hit wonders, or rappers who use gimmicks to sell records. I recently purchased Lil Wayne's "The Carter III" and Plies' "Definition of Real." As highly anticipated as Wayne's cd was, I believe it to be a complete failed attempt at trying to prove you are the greatest rapper alive. Most of his lyrics don't make sense, he stumbles over rhymes, since he attempts to freestyle everything, and it makes for a sorry excuse for a record. Plies on the other hand, chooses to focus on the profanity that has elevated rap. I am no saint and have used my share of curse words, but wow! I listened to one song in particular with my wife, and we had to close our ears! Every other word was negative. If it was on the radio, it would sound like this: "Beep, beep, beep beep, yeah, beep beep beep, ok, beep beep beep. Know what I'm saying."

They can't tell their woman they love them without having to degrade them first. "Bust It Baby is what I call you." And the young girls are eating this up. They see this as a term of endearment. What does this say about the future of our women, our future mothers? I understand you must maintain your thug mentality, but does that constitute having to tell her you love her with abusive language? Last I recalled love was sensual, not violent.

Does everything have to be so hard? When we start praising rims, jewelry, cars, and clothes over what matters. Does anyone realize there is an election going on where we may make history? Our neighborhoods are run down? Children are being passed through school? Black fathers are rarely seen? But this is what makes you a better rapper? I have to listen to my nephew say he wants to be 50 cent when he grows up. Which means I have to prepare for a call saying he has been shot 9 times, beefs with every rapper to sell a record, is lyrically imcompetent, and lacks self confidence? Not a bright future for our youth.

Bottom line. Most of the so-called, "thugs and goons," are merely wannabes. They take what they have seen on the streets, incorporate it in their ryhmes, act like it was part of their life and sell records. They are merely actors who take their roles off screen. They can't fight, won't fight, won't shoot basketball let alone a gun, never been to jail except to visit a family member, aint scared to die until they get shot and are about to die, both parent having, school educated, church going, respectful young men who only curse on record. Parents need to raise their kids, and let them know that Thug Rappers are as fake as Santa Claus. Beeyach!