tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16658222468860670662024-03-21T11:36:00.208-07:00The Skidatel NewsletterThe Skidatel is the Newsletter for the Go Getter! Also make sure you check out Royalty Magazine at http://www.Royalty.Streetz.orgUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-8176466689204321672016-11-09T09:54:00.004-08:002016-11-09T09:56:57.581-08:00LISTEN: Woodgrain Grip - "Chemistry"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let's get the obvious stuff out of the way first. As you read this you may still be reeling from the idea of <b><u>Donald J. Trump</u></b> becoming President-Elect. It's trippy to be sure but trouble don't last always.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't believe me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I understand it sounds like an empty sentiment but there are other things to occupy your consciousness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For example, good ass music. It's been proven time and again that music has a certain power in our life. It can alter moods without effort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This brings me to New GA's <b>Woodgrain Grip</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On my usual perusal of Facebook I stumbled across a status of his [Grip's] asking for five minutes of your time to check out his latest track "<i>Chemistry</i>". I saw this and figured that instead of wasting those three hundred seconds on some other pursuit I could give a listen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was not disappointed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<i>Chemistry</i>" is a smooth track that gives the immediate vibe of a dapper gentleman spitting the most eloquent game to the beauty sitting shotgun as his hand grips (no pun intended) her thigh. Grip delivers this one with his unique flow and the ever present Southern drawl of one Georgia born.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the expanse of five minutes Grip evokes the spirit of <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Outkast</a>'s cool wordplay and Big K.R.I.T.'s casual confidence as his vocals dance over exquisite production and a well used female vocal on the hook that bears a sample of 8Ball & MJG's "<i>Space Age Pimping</i>". Grip puts forth a stellar flow here, one that speaks of all the things he'll do to please her once the Cadillac floats towards its destination. Pure chemistry to follow, really.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few favorite lines include:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Hey baby, hop off in this 'Lac of mine/Because I just washed this bitch up/And having you in it would be the finishing touch..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Surround sound around us/To drown out reality/When we get to where we're going/I'll turn that pussy to a casualty..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This track is meant to be played to set the mood between you and your lady. Just one drop of this will really get the chemistry going and nothing else will matter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listen to it here: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/woodgraingrip/chemistry">Woodgrain Grip - Chemistry</a></span></div>
Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-62285940731100220982016-01-10T12:10:00.000-08:002016-01-10T12:10:49.790-08:00The Steady Come Up...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
best decision I’ve ever made is to put my support and patronage behind the
movement known as <b>#NewGA</b>. It’s one of those choices that keeps paying
dividends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thus
far I’ve heard the soulful sounds of India Catrice as her voice dances over the
maestro and the music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
am well acquainted with Barz Bamu and TrailBlazzor Muzik, that amazing duo of
brethren known as the Fly Mind Poets. On (or rather in) everything they bring a
higher prospective and a depth that cannot be matched by many indie or
mainstream artists. Even as I write this I’m humming “<i>Scholarship Problems</i>” and
“<i>Sink In</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
got acquainted with the sounds and delivery of South Johansson, making sure
that I first shamed the devil immediately after I told the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And
then there is the ever trill, ever honest, ever amazing iBeast. Since the
release of <b><i>Pimp Said So: The 1<sup>st</sup> Supper</i></b>, I have been an avid
listener. Each project that comes from him [iBeast] has been better than the
one before it, a feat not many artists can claim. Not only can iBeast claim it,
he can revel in it. You can see the advancement and the addition of more and
more to his tool chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
leads us to <b><i>Steady Comin’ Up</i></b>, the first album. This one is unique in the sense
that it’s a purchase only album. Having purchased some paraphernalia in the
form of a dope and truly comfortable hoodie emblazoned with the emblem
associated with the album. Based purely on the merchandise I knew I was in for
something utterly special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ3Z1GqMv9i2wG0xaOCgOSAPqRVWO8T2jWO7QAY4gY0W1B53vBe8KV9ucl3SJfmlyicf7sGugZAgqYZDzCVakQxd_CSFomWk5TrTLghTqQhsXQ33OPy6xaP-b0zLT9_1E7MaKE2JfLT0/s1600/Steady+Comin+Up+%2528Front+Cover%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ3Z1GqMv9i2wG0xaOCgOSAPqRVWO8T2jWO7QAY4gY0W1B53vBe8KV9ucl3SJfmlyicf7sGugZAgqYZDzCVakQxd_CSFomWk5TrTLghTqQhsXQ33OPy6xaP-b0zLT9_1E7MaKE2JfLT0/s400/Steady+Comin+Up+%2528Front+Cover%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And
I wasn’t not disappointed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
preface this review by saying this overview of the album took me a month to get
finished with. A small part of this was my hectic schedule. The biggest part of
this was that I was riding with the music in order to take in this project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Steady
Comin’ Up</i></b> is a cohesive set of music. I didn’t get the deluxe edition with the
bonus track but I did study over the twelve tracks and singled out a few of my
favorites. So let us get into them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>Out
The Mudd</i>” strikes me first with the horn heavy production. The trumpet plays
like a refrain as iBeast begins his swanging over the beat. Something in his
delivery and words is entrancing, telling a better story than a wordsmith such
as myself ever could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>32oz</i>”
is probably one of my favorites on the whole album. The intro of the track
draws you in instantly, making your body move (particularly a nodding of the
head) whether you were ready for it or not. This one achieves the perfect
balance between party track and great riding music. Being that I’ve done both
to this one I am an expert on it. T-Polk comes through on an equally infectious
verse that sets this one apart from anything else I’ve heard in a minute. One
thing I can say is that it has that perfect Texas vibe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>I’d
Rather Be Hawg’n</i>” feels like an honest heart to heart over decidedly great
production. Not a lot of artists can pull that off but then again, iBeast isn’t
like a lot of artists. The message or rather the theme of this one is a
diatribe against fake niggas. Here he [iBeast] would rather ‘hawg’n’ than to
bothered with any of the bullshit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
surprise favorite for me was “<i>Vogue Tires</i>”. Before this project I had never
heard any of Aniyla’s vocals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And
now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m
a fan. The track starts out with what sounds like a harp or some serene
sounding stringed instrumentation and the angelic voice of Aniyla on the hook.
iBeast plays counterpoint with his timbre and his unique delivery. This is the
epitome of the riding song. I remember having my headphones as I rode home from
work, this track cranked up. In a moment of listening I-20 disappeared and
there was only the ride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’d
also suggest “<i>Fast Fwd</i>” featuring the ever amazing South Johansson as well as
“<i>Yea Whatever</i>” with an appearance by India Catrice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Steady
Comin’ Up</i></b>. Yeah, the name first perfectly… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-47739243786461032722016-01-01T21:30:00.001-08:002016-01-01T21:30:28.738-08:00Models Needed for 420 Fashion Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ymorYyqwhutJE233hNktU25syYiIXO6juFD3qy9El9vNoisgvndylpURgXYmLMto_cefjqTCfAcxVTUSe6appx2UuR92tolE7pkx4mJchDJ_DiCZag75dtfZpEoy68DmSog9brFkBqE/s1600/LS+Fashion+Launch+Promo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ymorYyqwhutJE233hNktU25syYiIXO6juFD3qy9El9vNoisgvndylpURgXYmLMto_cefjqTCfAcxVTUSe6appx2UuR92tolE7pkx4mJchDJ_DiCZag75dtfZpEoy68DmSog9brFkBqE/s640/LS+Fashion+Launch+Promo.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Currently looking for Models to participate in 420 Fashion Week! </b> <i>Spots are available in the fashion show as well as greeters and/or hosts are needed for the networking dinner and actual event</i>. <b>For more information</b>, please send twitter/Instagram or website links <u>and</u> at least 3 current pictures to <a href="mailto:SmokersSocietyClub@gmail.com">SmokersSocietyClub@gmail.com</a>. <b>Please put "<em>420 Fashion Week Model</em>" in subject line</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Interested in attending or participating as a sponsor or vendor? </b></i>Please <i><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/420-fashion-week-tickets-20146996208">click here</a></i> for additional information. <i>Tickets now available via <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/420-fashion-week-tickets-20146996208">Eventbrite</a></i>.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-80103389395654172542015-09-18T19:47:00.000-07:002015-09-18T19:47:08.705-07:00Rise Up, A 'Phoenix' Story<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>Rise up</u></b>.</div>
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Immediately you'd think of the Atlanta Falcons since the team has taken the two words as their slogan of sorts. Although they are off to a good start after Week 1, this article isn't about them. Maybe if they win the division we'll revisit them.</div>
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Another set of people heard that and thought of Rocky III and Survivor classic (and perennial workout motivation track) "<i>Eye Of The Tiger</i>". Clubber Lang and iconic films notwithstanding, that isn't the subject of this article either.</div>
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The subject is twofold.</div>
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First the title refers to Chicago born and HBCU educated producer Boyce. His sound is something amazing that one doesn't simply come across on the daily.</div>
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Secondly I speak of the labor of love that he [Boyce] has and/or will be presenting to the world in due time. I speak of Boyce's production EP <i><b>Phoenix</b></i>.<br />
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If you know anything about mythology you know that the Phoenix is the symbol of immortality, rebirth, and the circle of life. It lives, dies, and is reborn. One could go as far as to say it rises up, hence the title.</div>
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<b><i>Phoenix</i></b> is, putting it mildly, a great EP. Within the expanse of seven (7) tracks we are given much to feast on musically. By his own admission he is a 'Chicago born Caribbean boy' and this EP shows those roots plainly and perfectly. To the avid listener with a discerning ear notes of many genres can be heard such as soda, hip-hop, R & B, and house.</div>
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Because Phoenix is only seven tracks I will give you my three (3) favorites.</div>
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"<i>Enana</i>" is an instant favorite of mine. It gets you moving with little to no effort, almost as if putting your body into a rhythmic and hypnotized state. Assisted on production by Marq Raymond this house track has that sound locked down with heavy bass influences you'd expect from the best of hip-hop tracks. The juxtaposition here is flawlessly done.</div>
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"<i>Thrones</i>" had me lost immediately. As it began I was quietly wondering when that female voice was going to say, "Mike Will Made It..." As much of a fan as I am of Mike Will Made It, the comparison is high praise. This track is the club. It's the South. It's good ass, booty shaking hip-hop. Hearing it transports me back to my freshman year at Morehouse and the parties full of beautiful women, their perfect curves in glorious motion. Boyce has captured a moment and is giving it to use in the 3:12 running time. Quite gracious of him.</div>
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Finally, my most favorite.</div>
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"<i>Arrival</i>".</div>
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This one is theatrical, epic even. It has so many faces, some many facets that you can never really see it the same way twice. You can heard Caribbean vibes as clearly as you are reading these words. There is a thrumming of an electric guitar adding to the menagerie. The drums, pure hip-hop. The vocals of what's assume is some druid choir enters the fray. All of this over a dark and looming presence throughout. Somehow the track becomes almost sentient, taking on a life of its own. That is amazing when you think about it.</div>
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Go ahead, think about it.</div>
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Boyce rises here on this EP, showing us how great production and beautiful art are reborn. I can't wait to see what he does next.</div>
Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-35336962758445836012015-09-18T15:10:00.000-07:002015-09-18T15:10:37.564-07:00Interview - Boyce<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once again I am bringing you a great interview with another talented individual. Today I am speaking with Myzil Boyce, Jr., also known as producer extraordinaire Boyce. We talk about music in his life, the future, <b><i>Phoenix</i></b>, and a few other things.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: First things first. I want to thank you for doing this interview with me, taking time out of your schedule to talk to me. </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Anytime, man. I’m pleased to take the time out to speak with you. Other than job interviews, this is my first time being interviewed in my life.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: How is your 2015 looking thus far? What are looking towards in the new year? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: 2015 has been an amazing year. I was fortunate to engage in a one year MBA program at HULT International Business School and it provided me with the opportunity to travel the world while gaining an advanced education. If I had to summarize the year in one word it would be “culture.” But most importantly, this year provided the time to concentrate on my health-spiritually, physically and mentally. It’s been a year of healing and immense growth. Being isolated from my comfort zone made me stop lying to myself in every aspect of life. As far as 2015 and beyond is concerned, I’m looking to relocate from my home city of Chicago. I want to live in Miami or Los Angeles going forward so my priority is there. Looking for a corporate job as well, to help get me back on my feet and generate some cash flow. However, I plan on continuing my education; music education. And also, learning a new language. I didn’t realize how important it is to speak another language until I left America.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: What got you started producing? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: I come from a music/engineering-based family. My entire life has revolved around music. My father is an electrical engineer by trade, sound engineer by specialty. From as long as I can remember, I remember being over a DJ setup and sound system in the living rooms of my houses. Also as a youth, I played classical piano for about 8 years of my life. I played in multiple competitions and recitals. Unfortunately, I stopped playing piano around twelve to thirteen years old. What started my reemergence in music producing is after I left my job in corporate America on February 17, 2014. It was a grueling, demanding and unsatisfying four years of my life in the corporate world straight out of matriculation at Clark Atlanta University. One day while bored watching the NBA, I started making the song Phoenix on my iphone Garageband. It was garbage at first. (laughs) Sounded like shit. But that song was a sort of manifesto what would be my changing life. Over time and with dedication, I ended up making the skeletons remainder of the song on my production EP.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: How long have you been doing it for? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Technically I been making music forever. I always made songs as a kid while bored practicing piano. Also, I was known for making the best mixtapes in high school. You wanted a mix, you came to me. But to give you a straight answer, about eighteen months now.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Congratulations on <b><i>Phoenix</i></b>. I know the history of the mythical bird as I am sure you do. What made you title it thusly? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Exactly what the bird represents; transformation, growth, rebirth, strength and invincibility. This EP represents my dedication to self and investment into my spiritual needs in this world. You have to feed your passions and invest in yourself in this life. You can’t give your time to these people that have no regards for your well-being without supplementing your own happiness.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Now I say project because I'm unsure of what you would rather it be called. EP, mixtape, LP. What would you classify it as? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: It’s a production EP. Shout out to Pete Rock for making this a trend.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Via Facebook you and I have had a few passing conversations about music and the like. What type(s) of music inspired you as you put Phoenix together? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Well I’m a Chicago born Caribbean boy. Automatically that means house, soca, reggae, hip-hop, R&B, and interestingly enough reggaeton. (laughs) Reggaeton is my shit. I also have a affinity for neo-soul music. Man, I just need to be able to FEEL the music. I hate anything commercial though. Unless I'm in the club.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: So take me through the creative process you use as a producer. Is there a certain something that you look for from each track? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Because I still consider myself a novice in production, I don’t really have a certain process. Every song I made so far in life is based off a certain emotion I’m feeling at the time. But I plan on getting more technically sound at my craft and attending production school to do so. I just want to FEEL my songs. If I don’t feel it, I start over.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Not to give too much away before the release date but what can people listening expect from you and <b><i>Phoenix</i></b>? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: You can expect a different sound I hope. My music is very influenced by many different musical genres. People ask me what genre I make, and I don’t know what to tell them. I make music. Tribal music. It’s very African and Caribbean influenced, but modernized.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Any one stand out as a favorite of the tracks? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Arrival hands down. I haven’t heard anything that sounds like that track.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Switching gears for a second, what are you listening to right now? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: I’m a die hard Future fan so that <b><i>Dirty Sprite 2</i></b>. The new Dr. Dre <i><b>Compton</b></i>. Travis Scott-Rodeo. The Weeknd's new album. And all the carnival music from Barbados Crop Over.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Any dream collaborations you'd like to do? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Kanye, Nas, Outkast</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: So what happens after <b><i>Phoenix</i></b>? That is to say, what's the next move for you musically? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: I started my next project already. Have a couple songs completed. But im more concerned with the technical aspects of music right now. I want to be technically sound in my production, so I will be attending production school part-time. I also plan on registering my holding company for my businesses. A music company will be under that umbrella.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: What are your thoughts on the landscape of hip-hop right now? Of music in general?</div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Hip-hop is the music genre that is keeping the music industry alive. It is stronger than ever. I got the opportunity to travel worldwide as you know. The only genre you hear in every country is hip-hop. Music in general is moving in a good direction. I think the creative are gaining the power with the power and distribution channels of the internet. Once creative people gain their power back, art in general will be more powerful than it has ever been.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Are there any shouts out that you want to share? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Shout out to the HULT MBA class of 2015. Shout out to Maurice Tramaine, he has one of the hardest albums that nobody has heard yet. Shout out to Marq “Marq the Infinite” Raymond. A veteran in the industry at just 30 years old. He helped me develop the EP from a mixing and mastering standpoint. Also a hell of a producer. And shout out to Enana. They know who they are and what value they brought to my life.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Got some uplifting wisdom for us? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: Take risks. It’s really that simple. And meditate.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: How can people keep up with your music? When is Phoenix officially dropping? </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: https://soundcloud.com/myzilboycejr. <b><i>Phoenix EP</i></b> should be available in the next couple of weeks.</div>
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Thanks again, man. Be blessed. </div>
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<b>BOYCE</b>: You too, man.</div>
Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-5967850532958233422015-07-31T11:16:00.001-07:002015-07-31T11:16:18.888-07:00'Truth' And The Black Man<div style="text-align: justify;">
A lot of the everyday knowledge we use (and sometimes take for granted) is given by the older heads in our life. One that my mother imparts to me were ones she got from my late grandmother.</div>
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It's this: <i>"This world don't owe you nothing but a killing..."</i></div>
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Given today's climate, this is never more true.</div>
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But an adage we've all heard at least once or twice. </div>
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<u>Tell the truth and shame the Devil</u>.</div>
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I was therefore smiling to myself when I stumbled upon this tape. I'd been familar with South Johannson by his feature on iBeast's track "<i>RNO</i>" from <b><i>Cadillac Diaries</i></b>. This made me reach out.</div>
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We did an interview and I wrote this review. Granted, it's a long time coming but the best things cannot be rushed, something that can certainly say about the smooth progression of <b><i>Tell The Truth | Shame The Devil</i></b>. </div>
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What's presented here is an epic piece of music. With thirteen (13) track Johannson does something not even the most seasoned rapper can do-make a cohesive album. I was drawn in and lost within track after track with little effort. Usually with the more amazing tapes I take the time to outline every track's merits. </div>
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This is one of those tapes...</div>
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...but I'm about to go about it differently. Because I want to pique my reader's interest I'll give you a good look at three (3) of my personal favorites. Gotta whet your appetite a bit.</div>
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Here goes.</div>
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"<i>I Don't Look Like What I've Been Through</i>" is where I'm about to start. The title firstly speaks to a sentiment a lot of people can relate to. Often no one really looks like their circumstance. On this track South tells us a story of his own situations, his own circumstances. Aside from vibing to the production the words will really make you pay attention, maybe see something of the man.</div>
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"<i>Drink 'Til Sober</i>", produced by J3, at first sounds something like simple Atlanta trap music. But once the musical genius of J3 and the delivery takes it up to another level. To me this one is pre-game music before the hypest party, riding music once you're already half lit, and a club banger all at once. But what makes it so different is that this is light on the typical references you'd expect from a track like this. They are present but more peppered in for flavor like you'd add salt (or sugar if that's your thing) to grits.</div>
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"<i>The Art Of Storytellin'</i>" caught me because it gave me that same vibe I got when I would see the Outkast track of the same name on a playlist. Like the latter it's eloquent in that beautiful Southern way we have. It's a good ass story placed over a cool vibe in the way of production by WiFi Boys. It's introspective without being preachy and real without any bullshit, something hip-hop needs more of.</div>
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I would also suggest that you check out "<i>J. Marie</i>", "<i>Best Friend</i>", and "<i>Sorry</i>". Each add to the wonders of this project.</div>
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The tape as a whole is righteous.</div>
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I'm telling the truth. Promise.</div>
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Don't believe?</div>
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Check out the tape here: <b><i><a href="http://www.audiomack.com/album/sxvthjohansson/tell-the-truth-shame-the-devil-hosted-by-dj-king-rackz">Tell The Truth | Shame The Devil</a></i></b></div>
Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-22335226634782719532015-07-22T09:45:00.001-07:002015-08-08T16:55:13.335-07:00Which Model Should Win the I AM ROYALTY Award + Stoner Backpack?<b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="http://www.google.com/reviews/polls/display/341659409472335369/blogger_template/vote?font=normal+normal+12px+Arial,+Tahoma,+Helvetica,+FreeSans,+sans-serif&txtclr=%23222&chrtclr=%23249fa3&hideq=true&lnkclr=%23249fa3">Click here</a> to vote for your favorite model to win the I AM ROYALTY Award + a Stoner Backpack from our upcoming event at Seattle Hempfest...</i></b><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.google.com/reviews/polls/display/341659409472335369/blogger_template/vote?font=normal+normal+12px+Arial,+Tahoma,+Helvetica,+FreeSans,+sans-serif&txtclr=%23222&chrtclr=%23249fa3&hideq=true&lnkclr=%23249fa3">Click Here to vote for Michelle Luvly..</a>.</i></b></span></div>
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<b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.google.com/reviews/polls/display/341659409472335369/blogger_template/vote?font=normal+normal+12px+Arial,+Tahoma,+Helvetica,+FreeSans,+sans-serif&txtclr=%23222&chrtclr=%23249fa3&hideq=true&lnkclr=%23249fa3">Click Here to Vote for Porsche Fierce...</a></i></b></div>
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<b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Click Here to Vote for Janelle Jewell...</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></strong></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Stoner Backpack will include:</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13;"><u>*Smokers Society Backpack</u></span></strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxCxM3ETsuRNsPcrQEJ5kTRxgXS473ygryTyFjUIpDgNntcwCoQyiuBeJCAflYSv5Y7iybaUjxPODA2xOX6kgI2YcEEHD6gwmuwIypJuYMlqgr5z80Lc37iSfEyvwqD4oURdXl4YKDI_0/s1600/SS+Backpack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxCxM3ETsuRNsPcrQEJ5kTRxgXS473ygryTyFjUIpDgNntcwCoQyiuBeJCAflYSv5Y7iybaUjxPODA2xOX6kgI2YcEEHD6gwmuwIypJuYMlqgr5z80Lc37iSfEyvwqD4oURdXl4YKDI_0/s400/SS+Backpack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>*Nug Jug/Stash Jar</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCfSVHx1GYebrebV-hdsZ3gvoGlSmjlhMCqBKjFr7HqjUkuoTx8EK7cd11LskOlncAP82HiMv83DYgfu7c7Vk9P7BlkWuUDyWrxf-ZvkobsBZCiNB2rncWspwOag5oS5YQPrjOYeSCTgz/s320/girlsmoke_jar.jpg" width="320" /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>*Bracelet</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRqsC4IxfVB50CTBggeNcQRFHLgfUfvwckvoft6IoESC38Tjpb51j4xivQbEWebhJxYrl32J-ZSlHfyGjBh0bdcW7ktRpYR2FCnYq4-0mAATWn45Q5Sm12I4-SrTVbpZoLDWv4v-k8NM/s1600/bracelet+hemp+chain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRqsC4IxfVB50CTBggeNcQRFHLgfUfvwckvoft6IoESC38Tjpb51j4xivQbEWebhJxYrl32J-ZSlHfyGjBh0bdcW7ktRpYR2FCnYq4-0mAATWn45Q5Sm12I4-SrTVbpZoLDWv4v-k8NM/s1600/bracelet+hemp+chain.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>*T-Shirt</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpKQ4EFsouBIsb0LT4eiwNFrz8vMBcRItwtwFbxlcqNIpbXAESo3H7xbt2ZRMEaWRAvhrl0YdMpI-fpHULK_LNObWsxZ9i-D67Q1qnU_n5BJRdn36YairzJyqfmMYqmrv4bOE4BP3d48P/s1600/Michelle+Luvly+-+Legalize+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpKQ4EFsouBIsb0LT4eiwNFrz8vMBcRItwtwFbxlcqNIpbXAESo3H7xbt2ZRMEaWRAvhrl0YdMpI-fpHULK_LNObWsxZ9i-D67Q1qnU_n5BJRdn36YairzJyqfmMYqmrv4bOE4BP3d48P/s400/Michelle+Luvly+-+Legalize+it.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uE4Ml1sRmsP4PH1gJo611INhnJXOUREKnxCj3A04quWMMUtwzPKaHVYOMkii8GftVysee_UKK_wS5g-mffkypNKQcwyO-GTfmICNiO9C_Rd-BOcQpQN2JAlvHxpw8Sl3sTTWOXQDDRCE/s1600/Michelle+Luvly+-+Legalize+it+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uE4Ml1sRmsP4PH1gJo611INhnJXOUREKnxCj3A04quWMMUtwzPKaHVYOMkii8GftVysee_UKK_wS5g-mffkypNKQcwyO-GTfmICNiO9C_Rd-BOcQpQN2JAlvHxpw8Sl3sTTWOXQDDRCE/s400/Michelle+Luvly+-+Legalize+it+5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>*Current issue of Royalty Magazine</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP_XfjhwEd2JWbhXhNLe5pBED5duQy6lQ0oX5mkUlkiMPhxIPjjPyXZeHGsvPY2C-sdX3xeLxj9rZc5C2SbYuJPHJAV5BVZhEfc10iLtHouuz5yZo6BjBHxbUFwoh3PY3-xNg4Sbrn26v/s1600/Royalty_Magazine-ft-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP_XfjhwEd2JWbhXhNLe5pBED5duQy6lQ0oX5mkUlkiMPhxIPjjPyXZeHGsvPY2C-sdX3xeLxj9rZc5C2SbYuJPHJAV5BVZhEfc10iLtHouuz5yZo6BjBHxbUFwoh3PY3-xNg4Sbrn26v/s320/Royalty_Magazine-ft-cover.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4GrJK6sNWYW0OFDcfZ7gQr0LfkV7vIjG-TNo3guXuvMQaISxGvWt19Uw_6jdp817aKVac7GTjF_gl3APcWHT09BmntrQV-CWgA27q0iI0XX8PqOWk9ciei28loIuCwzNjX0433ZSicx1/s1600/Royalty_Magazine-bk-co-inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4GrJK6sNWYW0OFDcfZ7gQr0LfkV7vIjG-TNo3guXuvMQaISxGvWt19Uw_6jdp817aKVac7GTjF_gl3APcWHT09BmntrQV-CWgA27q0iI0XX8PqOWk9ciei28loIuCwzNjX0433ZSicx1/s320/Royalty_Magazine-bk-co-inside.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><i>*Plus....a Munchie Bag filled with various candy & Promo Material</i></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzFXS_yVYNHUfPuAeZOk-uwTOlT_uouciTLLeNJ4GTZnJRrYoVGqg4R1tFgI2Fgi1zQv9OS2ZxGK9pUA7NsbrA1OLPO0TMQate9TnRWnMlE0NKssl8NRU57UrGBQmlJ8Lx5cBuUeqVhtU/s1600/Royal-Highness-Flyer-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzFXS_yVYNHUfPuAeZOk-uwTOlT_uouciTLLeNJ4GTZnJRrYoVGqg4R1tFgI2Fgi1zQv9OS2ZxGK9pUA7NsbrA1OLPO0TMQate9TnRWnMlE0NKssl8NRU57UrGBQmlJ8Lx5cBuUeqVhtU/s400/Royal-Highness-Flyer-2.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><i><br /></i></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>One RAFFLE TICKET entry into our prize pool where additional prizes will be awarded... </i></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>Would you like to win a Stoner Backpack too? <a href="http://streetzhiphop.blogspot.com/2015/07/win-free-raffle-ticket.html">Click here</a> to claim your automatic entry!</i></span></strong></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Street Thoughts</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><strong style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">will be back at <i>Seattle Hempfest </i>this year promoting their community, products & services as well as selling 420 inspired merchandise!</strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><em style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From having <u>two Magazines</u> to a <u>fully licensed Radio Station</u> to an upcoming <u>Clothing Line</u>, <u>Digital Tour</u> and a <u>Team of Dedicated Talent</u></em><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><strong style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Streetz continues to create career building opportunities as well as raise the bar when it comes to Global Exposure!</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Are you attending this years Hempfest? </i></b> <b>Please show your support by stopping by Street Thoughts booth #596!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When: August 14-16, 2015</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Where: Seattle Hempfest</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Booth Location: Booth #596</b> <i>(located between Cannabis Cove & the Rose Garden via the Lunday Way)</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*Selling 420 inspired clothing, merchandise & accessories. U</b><b>se our password: HempLife when visiting our booth for a FREE Raffle Ticket in our prize pool! We will be giving away t-shirts, stash jars, magazine features & more...</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Are you a Model or Artist looking for FREE Magazine Features & Global Exposure? </b> Work with us at Hempfest as one of our Promo Models/Brand Ambassadors. </span><a href="http://streetzhiphop.blogspot.com/2015/06/work-as-promo-model-at-one-of-seattles.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click here for more information...</span></a></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Are you a business or entrepreneur looking for Magazine Advertising or Product Placement? </b></i> <i><a href="http://streetzhiphop.blogspot.com/2015/06/get-promoted-at-one-of-seattles-largest.html">Click here to get promoted at one of Seattle's largest events!!!</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to our Sponsors...</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.smokerssociety.org/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDUMdw6FNjv7dEhxkeC_ruhJeiEdgoEwVEAzAAnh-jv9snvSHRvTgUqPK_4aydCnEy5ipeLE8myciNE6r4Ba_Ol33c9DmRB7E7z7ExVakmhlWFH-QBeRs9p8XHVPvhKWVtLc-ksZtAwQM/s320/Smokers+Society+Logo.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-2835016675874695722015-07-11T15:35:00.000-07:002015-07-11T15:35:47.477-07:00Interview - South Johansson<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the first time I sit down with New GA affiliate South Johansson about his music, the tape </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i><b>Tell The Truth | Shame The Devil</b></i>, and what's coming up next for him. It was quite an enlightening talk to be sure. Check it out and see what we spoke on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS:</b> So this is my first time
sitting down with you. Glad that you consented to do this interview.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH:</b> For sure, bruh. Glad you took
the time to reach out and have me here. I am very appreciative for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS:</b> How goes 2015 for you thus
far?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH:</b> 2015 is great. Networking,
working hard and working on myself in the process. Personal growth and growing
with the music as well. And, of course, promoting this new project. It’s being
received well by the listeners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS:</b> So where did the name South
Johansson come from?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH:</b> South use to be short for
Southernaire. Back home in Augusta most people called me by the full name. Then
I moved to Oklahoma City for six years and they only called me South. I grew
tired of the name. I'd always liked the sound of the name South Johansson. It
just had a nice ring to it and stood out everywhere. Then I did a little
research on Wikipedia as well and discovered that last name is attached to
quite a few individuals from all walks of life. Inventors, athletes, musicians,
authors, actors, actresses, etc. So my reason/meaning for using it after seeing
that was to become successful at more than one thing. Do not ever limit
yourself to one thing. Do not ever limit yourself, period!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS:</b> When did you first start rapping?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH:</b> I was a late bloomer. I was fresh out
the military, had a little money in my pocket and was bored so I picked up
rapping. I didn’t start messing around with music until 2006. I didn’t take it
serious until '07 or '08. By that time, I moved to Oklahoma City and by 2010 I had two songs in rotation on the radio. That’s when I knew I could really do
this “music thing” with the best of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS: </b>Was there a person, place, thing, or
idea that got you started with rhyming?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH: </b>My partners Nile Rowe, Magnolia, and Lil' Charles. We use to get high, drunk and stay in Da Bottom all day making music
at Cool Hand Luke's spot. (chuckles) Daily. Just young and having fun. We were like the
Wu Tang Clan of Augusta. Everyone on the team had a different style but we all
could rap and stood for something. It was like ten of us. I miss those days. Everything seemed so pure at that time until that thing called life kicks in.
Some make it through, some disappear. I’m proud I made it this far though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: So I started listening to <b style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i>Tell The Truth | Shame The Devil</i></b>. Your flow, your delivery is unique and I dig it. How
would you describe both?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH:</b> It’s very aggressive. You can definitely tell I’m trying to get my point across but I keep it Southern and smooth at the
same time. I love to explore different things musically depending on the
beat. I hate hearing the same cadence, sound, or style. From myself or anyone. I
don’t like to hear the predictable. It’s a turn off as an artist and listener.
I’m just trying to bring a new sound to Georgia instead of the same ol' same ol', you know? That way I can separate myself from that bullshit I hear on the radio day in and
day out. It’s a whole new Southern rap tune over this way, you feel me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: I first heard you on iBeast's
<i><b>Cadillac Diaries</b></i>. The track "<i>RNO</i>" really introduced me to you. Tell
me a bit about that track for your standpoint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: RNO, Real Niggaz Only. I just wanted
to let folks know that we need to stop glorifying stupidity. Real niggas are
educated, taking care of their family, trying to make a play by any means
necessary to move up the ladder legally. And if you’re a dope boy, cool. But
have a exit plan. You can’t live that life forever. Move in a direction to <b>OWN
SOMETHING</b>, stop worrying about now, provide ways for yourself and others by
making good investment and career choices. It’s okay to have a future. I don’t
see anything real about being in and out of jail, teaching our youth how to
twerk and treating social media like the bible. Babies out here having babieswhile we just sit back and let it entertain us. This new generation is the most
independent but laziest group of people I have ever seen in my life. Real niggas take care of business, not put you out of one. We need to learn that,
in more ways than one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: So how closely affiliated are you
with the #NewGA movement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: We support each other. I am apart of
the Spotey Club roster but we’re all #NewGA as far as the new wave of music
we’re trying to spread throughout the city. I record, mix and master damn near
all of iBeast music, too. So that’s where
our affiliation started. I was a fan of all the music (iBeast, Fly Mindz &
India Catrice) before anything and it grew from there. Now where you see one, you
will probably see all. We just rock like that. I fuck with all of them the long
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: Let's talk on the tape for a second.
Explain to me why you chose the title and the concept if any.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: Just grew up hearing that all the
time and I got to a point where I got tired of rapping just to be rapping. So I
made a promise to myself as long as I’m making music. I will only speak on
things in my life or linked to me. I will no longer care about what’s “hot” or
“trending”. I will only make honest music. Some songs are brutally honest but
that’s the power of art. No rules, no limits when it’s you and you are
completely being yourself. I’ve never felt more free and excited about a
project until I put this out. And people are rocking with it. This is the path
I was meant to be on and it’s my own so imma drive on it freely. Tell The
Truth, Shame The Devil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: The first track I really like from
the tape is "The Final Straw". Give us some insight on making the
track from start to finish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: (laughs) I was just reminiscing when I was
a teen. Speaking on a stage in my life that most young adults go through when
you think you know everything, your parents are the enemy and girls are your
world. Just living young, wild, and free without a care in the world. (laughs). But, all things do come to an end and my pops gave me a choice to stay home and pay bills, go to school
(college), go to the military or get out his house. I was never home anyway so
I chose to go into the military at seventeen, knocking out two birds with one stone. Out
of the house and no more school. I was so stupid then but I needed it. Now me and my father are closer than ever. That’s one of my favorite songs by
the way. Mainly, it has the Andre 3000 "<i>Prototype</i>" sample in it. Classic!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: Another track I put on repeat is
"<i>Sorry</i>" featuring Naj Murphy. How did this one come about?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: Me being young and a dog ass nigga,
ultimately. (laughs). In the song, I was apologizing to my ex, who I am very close with
til this day, for doing what I did back then. We got caught up in some he said/she said and I thought she cheated (which I should have know better) and without
asking too many questions, I just moved on to another girl (a Dominicana. I will
not reveal her real name). After it was too late, I found out it was just a
rumor from a dude we both knew. He just wanted her so he made up a lie, got
others on board and it ended us. I recently seen that guy back home though. He
was <b>VERY</b> apologetic but it’s water under the bridge now. We live and we learn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: I'm familiar with both J3 as a
producer and as a rapper. How was it working with him to create "<i>Drink
'Til Sober</i>"?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: Great. He sent me a link to his Soundcloud and I chose that beat within ten minutes. It was the first song I did
on this project. Shouts out to J3!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: So what are a few of your favorite
tracks from <b style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><i>Tell The Truth | Shame The Devil</i></b>? Are there any that aren't your
favorites?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: I like all the tracks on the project.
I just press play and let that thang ride. Very proud of myself on this one and
hopefully everyone else will enjoy it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: So what else does South Johansson
have planned for us in 2015? Anything big for 2016?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: More networking, more shows, more
visuals and trying to get the project into the right hands. Continue to build on
my firm loyal listener base so when the time approaches, anything I drop is
undeniable and can not be overlooked by anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: What impact if any are you trying to
make with your music?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: Be you. Be honest. Create your own
art and never let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do because of what it
looks like on the other side or your age. I am so tired of artists, listeners
and the music industry using age as an excuse. The “music industry” prefers young people because it’s easier to mold and finesse them out a check. Remember
that people. It has nothing to do with your music. You create a crazy fan base
and bigger song, A&R’s and all will find any way to contact you. There is
no age limit on creativity so stop buying into that bullshit. The industry is
scared of you at a mature age because if you’ve done your homework, they can’t use
you and MUST pay you what you’re worth. Straight like that. Build your wave, your
sound and movement and the world is yours. That’s the impact I’m trying to make
on people. Don’t be scared to be you, get out your comfort zone and change
lives. Let your music pull emotions out of listeners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: Who are really listening to right now
as far as music goes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: Snoop Dogg – <b><i>Bush</i></b> (Album), Tyler The
Creator – <b><i>CherryBomb</i></b> (Album), Outkast, Sauce Walka, The Internet, Melodic
Dubstep, D.R.A.M., Casey Veggies, Dom Kennedy, Curren$y and of course...(laughs) my shit. I could go on and on but I’ll stop there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: Anything you want to say or share
with anyone reading this article?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: Support local artists like you
support these major artists you don’t even know. It’s a shame all the great
indie music (all genres) out here and you only worried about who you see on TV
or hear on the radio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: Any last shouts out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: Shouts out to anyone and everyone who
support me. You know who you are and I am very appreciative for that. Thank
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: Where can people listen to your music
and/or keep up with you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>SOUTH</b>: You can hear and download <b><i>Tell The
Truth | Shame The Devil</i></b> on Audiomack for free right now. Look me up on
Soundcloud and YouTube, as well. Follow me on twitter - @sxvthjohansson,
instagram - sxvthjohansson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>LUCIUS</b>: Thanks for your time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>SOUTH</b>: No problem, bruh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-67071012677059648742015-06-08T07:54:00.001-07:002015-06-09T07:06:33.735-07:00'Nation' Builds The Empire<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">(By way of a disclaimer, if you've
yet to see the epic film <b>300</b> then the introduction to this review will make
little to no sense to you.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">In the film <b>300</b> Leonidas and a
Persian messenger have a rather heated conversation about choosing their words
carefully. For those who know this scene it doesn't end well for the messenger
at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">But it gets me thinking about the
words we use. As a writer I like to think that I use an excellent array of
syllables to elucidate my eloquence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">(See what I did there?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">But I take a backseat to a duo of
rappers whose description of themselves as "unapologetically deep" is
so accurate that no disputes can be made to contrary without sounding stupid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">That duo is Barz Damu and
TrailBlazzorMuzik, New GA artists the Fly Mind Poets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Their latest offering to the sonic
tableau is the compilation tape known as <i><b>Nation Leakz</b></i>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><img src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xkRM5Rgj7nw/maxresdefault.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">The compilation album was, by their
own admission, meant to be something of a throwaway. (Oddly enough, iBeast said
the same thing about <b><i>Cadillac Diaries</i></b>). What it ended being was a soulful and
in depth view into the unique purview of the two rappers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Usually I would talk about a few
tracks and leave at that. However this one requires a full analysis. So here we
go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">"<i>What Is NL?</i>" is, for all
intents and purposes, a history lesson masquerading as an intro. Here
TrailBlazzorMuzik tells us how the Fly Mind Poets linked up with New GA, the
release of the Fly Minds EP, the death of friend Quincy "Q" Suggs,
and the music. He [Blazzor] goes on to tell us that Nation Leakz is the second
step, the point where these two artists start showing us who they are both
individually and as a duo while whetting our appetites for their solo projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">"<i>The Urgency</i>" is next,
produced by Jordeaux. It lulls you slightly before drum beats and the flow hits
you almost immediately. This track shows two ambitious artists who are refusing
to wait for success to come to them. They are recognizing the urgency of life,
of fame and stepping out on their own skills in an attempt to race time. It's a
sentiment that any and all of trying to do more can relate to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">A favorite track is "<i>Scholarship
Problems</i>" featuring the always amazing iBeast. Originally meant for
iBeast's<b><i> Cadillac Diaries</i></b> the track was added to the <b><i>Nation Leakz</i></b> because they
[Fly Mind Poets] wanted 'the vibe' on the project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">And what a vibe it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Propelled by a jazz inspired horn
section the production lends itself well to the three voices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Lyrically speaking, the track speaks
of advancing and learning. To me the title draws a parallel to the problems
college students often have maintaining a scholarship and the things that we
sometimes must sacrifice to keep that blessing as well as the growth it can
supply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">This is reinforced by an amazing
hook:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>They say that Satan just need a
vessel<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>The police just need a nigga<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Excuse me for all of my wrongdoing<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>But I ain't finna let life make me a
victim<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Did some wrong to try to eat better<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Stepped on some toes to move up a
level<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Not an OG, no thug life<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Not a killer, nigga<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>I'm just a rebel</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Being that I have previously spoken
on "<i>Genius Genes</i>" as well as "<i>ShoeBoxInTheClosetFlow</i>" and
"<i>Motivational Speakerz</i>", I won't say anything about them outside of
reinforcing how amazing these tracks are. Anything further can be found in the
links at the end of this article.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">"<i>Bounce</i>" is another of
those clever tracks that uses many different definitions to deliver in spades.
The word, obviously, is 'bounce'. Blazzor plays well against a somewhat dark
beat that shows both his absolute eloquence and the apparent creativity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">"<i>Perfectly Mistaken</i>" is a
laid back and well crafted track. So much so that I won't trust my paltry words
to touch it. What I will do I quote Barz when I asked him about it in our
recent interview.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">"<b>The song is touching on how we
can be so prideful in ourselves that we do not own up to our mistakes. On the
other end of it, we get too hard on ourselves for making mistakes rather than
moving forward with a healthy self worth and pride...</b>"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">What else needs to be said?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">From there we move on to "<i>Dwayne James</i>”, which is, an interesting track. This is why is why: here we are given Barz and Blazzor rapping over an <o:p></o:p></span>instrumental from Dom Kennedy's <b><i>Yellow Album</i></b> ("<i>We Ball</i>" featuring Kendrick Lamar). It surprises both artists that the track seems to be a favorite for many of the listeners to the tape. By his own admission, Blazzor isn't particularly fond of the track.</div>
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The next two tracks play like an introspective interlude to an already rather well put together tape.<br />
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"<i>Rap Ramblin'</i>" is unadulterated in its smoothness. Barz presents free associated over the beat, his delivery powerful but nowhere near a yell. Some of the subjects include being Southern born, crooked cops, and the lifting of one's consciousness.</div>
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"<i>The Key</i>" is another of those overly deep pieces that even my mind is dubious about touching on. So we allow a quote from my interview with the brothers to illuminate the brilliance on this one.</div>
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"<b>I wrote it a capella. It was really a diary to self. Nothing more was expected. That was until I found a beat to match. (laughs). But it was basically an attempt to ground myself through my frustration of perceived limitation within myself. And eventually, at the end, I found the key to ease my restlessness. It’s like a literal meditation laid out for you to hear. This is the thought process I tend to have when I try to ease my frustrations in private...</b>"</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">"<i>Reminiscin'</i>"
is the next offering , an track of cool, horn heavy trip down memory lane.
Hearing it takes me two places. One is towards my own Savannah born days while
the other allows me access to the place Barz and Blazzor are taking us. Calii
Dream comes through towards the end to deliver a great verse with his unique
timbre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">"<i>75</i>"
is the obligatory riding song from a Southern artist. From some artists this
seems like a space filler or a contrived attempt to get a cheap pop on a
lackluster project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><strike>THIS
ISN'T THAT.</strike></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Blazzor
adds himself to a lexicon, a pantheon of legends in a strong showing with his
storytelling and epic flow as he waxes poetic about Atlanta's I-75.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">"<i>Trippin'</i>"
is, to me, introspection at its finest. We have all been visited by old habits
and the ghosts of the things we once were. Things like that can make any man
(or woman) trip out, especially with Barz 'riding around sipping on a cup of
some of that something something'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">"<i>Ignore-Rant</i>" is clever wordplay on the title and, from what I can see and hear, a rant of sorts coupled with storytelling in a freefall format. It's played over a beat (produced by </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">KlausePrime)</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"> that I cannot qualify or quantify particularly but it carries a nice effect. Maybe later on I'll gain some clairvoyance and another view on this one. Stay tuned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">"<i>Self Centered</i>" has an Caribbean sort of vibe to it. Here we are once again confronted with a title and a track that takes it in another direction. Immediately upon reading the title you get the negative connotation of arrogance or even being cocky. But no. What Blazzor is speaking of on this track is being centered within oneself, focused on growing and being something better. It's concepts and ideas like this throughout the tape that make it so special.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">This next track is one of my favorites and a lesson in context.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The track is "<i>Sink In</i>". </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">If you were paying as much attention as I was when you dowloaded and/or bought<b><i> Nation Leakz</i></b>, you'll notice the similarities between this track and "<i>What Is NL?</i>". That's because it's the same beat, a cool something produced by Scientific). In the context of "<i>What Is NL?</i>" it's merely the backdrop to an eloquent explanation/history lesson..</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">But in this context?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">It becomes an almost sensual track. To me as a music connoisseur I am reminded of 80s fare from artists like Barry White or Teddy Pendergrass. It's a smooth track that teases at double entendres through the repetition of the song's title. One can either take it to mean either allowing words to sink in or maybe sinking into the depths of a woman. Whichever you get, the track is a masterpiece.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">"<i>Goddess</i>" and its production makes me think its producer Kelly Portis might be a music </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">connoisseur such as myself. Sampling the D</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">eniece Williams track "<i>Free</i>", this one is a poetic love song that Barz is happy to lay out for us. It's less about her looks but more about the intellectual aspect of loving someone. This is presented well and could be used on any romance movie soundtrack.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">I'm about to stop here because by now you should be listening to this tape. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Why?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Because Barz and Blazzor are building the foundations of an empire. You need to be like me and support it.</span></span></div>
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Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-993490727073992372015-06-08T07:53:00.002-07:002015-06-08T07:53:34.136-07:00Fly Minds Poets: InterviewIt's always good to catch up with #NewGA members. Today I caught up with the duo of Barz Damu and TrailBlazzorMuzik, collectively known as the Fly Mind Poets. Today we talk about the future, the new compilation tape<b><i> Nation Leakz</i></b>, and who they are listening to. Second interview with these brothers so let's see what they have to say.<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://scontent-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11218910_10153281756113454_4017195037522295299_n.jpg?oh=14b4834282e3e2b40aba8a4494513f80&oe=560546ED" width="400" /><br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Once again, it’s good that you guys took time out to do this interview with me. I truly appreciate it.<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: No problem, man. It's always a pleasure having a dialogue with you, fam.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: What’s up, bruh? Honored to chop it up with you again.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: So the tape just dropped. Right now I think you’re potentially sitting on a monster of a tape, something I distinctly remember saying to iBeast about his tape [<b><i>Cadillac Diaries</i></b>]. How does that feel?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: A monster? That feels just about right. Not to be cocky but on this joint, you can tell that we are doing exactly what we want to do with the throwaways on this tape. But it all comes down to how the people digest the content that determines if I will have a monstrous impact. We'll see in due time.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: To me it’s a sign of confirmation. I honestly didn’t have any expectations. I just wanted honest feedback because on this tape we showed where our general direction will be artistically. We also wanted to know if most of our <b><i>Fly Minds EP</i></b> supporters rocked with our versatility of sound and content. So it’s a feeling of confirmation, bruh.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Explain to us the choice of Nation Leakz as the title. What was the thought process there?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: Well, basically the tape consists of songs we leaked before the <b><i>Fly Minds EP</i></b> dropped and some exclusive joints that were intended for our individual tapes. We decided to let those go for the fans AKA “the Nation” to enjoy and to hold them over before our upcoming projects. The Nation is basically our fans so this is a tape for them.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Nation Leakz basically means this....the Nation is us and the Fly Mind supporters and the tape was a compilation of songs we leaked within the last fifteen months plus exclusives. Hence <b><i>Nation Leakz</i></b>. You know?<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: How is this new tape different from the last one? Would you say it surpasses the previous effort? Why or why not?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: It's different because there was more space for selecting the sounds we wanted. It surpasses the previous project because on this tape, there is a more expanded expression of who we are as individuals<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: It’s different because we had a limited selection of beats on <i><b>Fly Minds EP</b></i>. Z3, the <i><b>Fly Minds EP</b></i>’s producer, didn't have much output at the time due to life situations so we worked with what we had. On <b><i>NL</i></b>, we expressed more artistic freedom as far as sound especially as individuals. And I think that's why the new tape surpasses the prior one. To add to that, we opened up more on a personal level and that's what we will do more as we evolve.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: OK, how is it similar?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: It's similar in tenacity. On both tapes, we were in the state of mind to fuck shit up.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: It's similar because the overall message is generally the same as well as the chemistry between me and Barz.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: So I paid close attention to your intro "<i>What Is NL?</i>” I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your friend Q. Being a writer my pain finds its way into my writing. How has his [Q's] passing affected your rhymes and what you write?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: It didn't affect me too much because the life he led and the way he passed touched base on what I already right about in many angles. I mean, I will speak on it. That's for sure. I write nothing but my insights and experiences so it comes out.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: It tweaked my objective a little bit. It forced a slight paradigm shift in my focus to where now I took it upon myself to be the voice of my area. Though we live in the ‘burbs, law enforcement is corrupt. We’ve lost 100% of our lost ones to the gun but no one speaks on it. Everybody’s trying to be like Future, rap on Auto-Tune, speak on lean, flexing, and running through bitches. His death hit home and it just really reinforced my objective, you know. What's really happening?<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Long live Q. So why did you guys decide against a concept for this tape?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: Well from the jump, we knew since last year we were going to release this compilation tape. We didn't have a concept for it because it’s simply just leaks from the vault. We intended nothing deeper than that.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Well we just had so many songs that weren’t going to land on any projects we decided to package them into one. So that's why there was no concept.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: How was it having your brother on a track alongside you?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: It's something that has always had a flow because our chemistry is so in sync from both knowing each other and how we tick, as well as being on tracks together since before pre-teen days.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: It’s dope because our differences and high standards as artists bring so much more to any track. He knows I’m going bring it and I know he will bring it. So it forces us to stay on our A game.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: As I'm sure you both know, I'm a major supporter and a huge fan. How many new fans are you looking to gain because of the release of<b><i> Nation Leakz</i></b>?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: Enough solid fans to the point where the momentum of our movement shifts from having to push vigorously on the daily with this tape, to anticipation and word of mouth has a more potent push of its own on the upcoming projects. It's about striking the right people.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: I don't have an aim of how many fans. I just go with the flow. I don't really like setting expectations because it’s a set up for disappointments a lot of times.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Let’s talk on the music from the tape a bit, OK? A track that I really vibe with is "<i>Scholarship Problems</i>" featuring the incomparable iBeast. Explain the process on this one from conception to recording.<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: iBeast sent us the beat and the hook for the track along with his verse. We wrote to it and recorded our verses for one of his <b><i>Cadillac Diaries </i></b>sessions but it didn't make the cut. So we asked him if we can place it on the Leakz. He replied, “Run it.” So here it is. If I am not mistaken I think it was intended to be on the #NewGA summer tape, which never came into being.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Basically it to originally his idea. He wrote to it, recorded a sample, sent to us and we wrote to it. And we met up and laid it down at South [Johansson’s] house. It didn't make it on <b><i>Cadillac Diaries</i></b>. I think he had other plans for it but I couldn't resist asking him if we could put it on <b><i>NL</i></b>. I just needed that vibe on there, you know? And it's certainly one of my favorites. iBeast is very creative and this track displays it.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Another track I find myself getting into has to be “<i>Dwayne James</i>” featuring production by Chase N. Cashe. Mind shedding a little light on that one for us?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: Basically, Blazzor wrote to the beat and asked me I wanted to get on it. I said hell yeah! This is one of the tracks we released early last year<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Me and Barz are surprised at the fact that this is most people's favorite! First off, it’s not an original track. It’s the instrumental from Dom Kennedy's <b><i>Yellow Album</i></b> ("<i>We Ball</i>" featuring Kendrick Lamar). I loved the beat, wrote some shit, recorded it, and asked Barz if he wanted to get on it. He laid his verse and the rest is history. I don't even like the track like that. (laughs)<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: The tracks on the tape strike me an extremely eclectic mix of subjects and production. How did you decide which tracks made it on the tape?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: We really just chose our favorites. It came down to the wire when I had to decide between two tracks because keeping them both would have lapsed eighty minutes. So I had to choose the one that feels lighter in spirit because I have enough dark tracks on there.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Well we added all the Leakz within the year span, and then we chose our individuals personally. My process was to show my versatility. That's what truly drove my decision making process.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Now, Barz...I want to talk to you about "<i>Perfectly Mistaken</i>". It's, in a word, dope. Same deal as before. Speak on it a bit.<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: The song is touching on how we can be so prideful in ourselves that we do not own up to our mistakes. On the other end of it we get too hard on ourselves for making mistakes, rather than moving forward with a healthy self-worth and pride. That song was the most fun to record out of all the tracks on the tape.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: OK, Blazzor...I am completely blown away by "<i>The Key</i>". It's surprising and really well put together. Speak on it for a second.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: I wrote it a capella. It was really a diary to self. Nothing more was expected. That was until I found a beat to match. (laughs). But it was basically an attempt to ground myself through my frustration of perceived limitation within myself. And eventually, at the end, I found the key to ease my restlessness. It’s like a literal meditation laid out for you to hear. This is the thought process I tend to have when I try to ease my frustrations in private.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: As always, I have to ask you: favorite track(s)? Least favorite?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: My favorite tracks are “<i>The Key</i>”, “<i>Scholarship Problems</i>”, “<i>Perfectly Mistaken</i>”, “<i>75</i>”, and “<i>Genius Genes</i>”. I don't have a least favorite.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: My favorite tracks are “<i>Scholarship Problems</i>”, “<i>Perfectly Mistaken</i>”, “<i>Trippin</i>”, “<i>75</i>”, and “<i>FlyMindReligion</i>”. My least favorite is everyone's favorite, “<i>Dwayne James</i>”. (laughs)<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: How does it feel to be being compared to Nas and J. Cole? I saw that today and I wanted to get you guys’ two cents.<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: I can understand that comparison on the level of content. It shows that we are living up to our potential more and more. But I respect the craft so much; I wouldn't dare say that I'm on their level skill wise yet.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: It's flattering but I don't feel like I'm near their level. But I like that because I know that the people know that we respect the craft and we are serious about it.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Not to go too deep into it but what’s next for you this year? I remember a mention of solo tapes.<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: This year I will be working on my solo along with some feature projects and a whole lot of visuals. Hopefully, I get the time to start working on my production game. That's what I really yearn to do.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Yeah, solos are on the agenda. It’s important to differentiate our individual selves through these solo tapes. Help people see the differences.<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: We're doing a lot of talking about you guys and your music. But who are you listening to? Are there writers who inspire you to dig deeper, be deeper?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: Right now, I'm listening to Starlito, Earl Sweatshirt, Kendrick Lamar, some Kevin Gates, and I'm getting into Tink. The first three artists I mentioned inspire me to be deeper. When I hear deep shit, it's a breath of fresh air to me while for others, it's "depressing."<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Lately I been on Earl Sweatshirt, Future, Curren$y, Starlito (my favorite), Nipsey, Cole, K. Dot. Lito and K. Dot inspires me to go deeper than any other artist can<br />
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<b>LUCIUS</b>: Thoughts on the next move for yourselves and the trajectory of the #NewGA?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: Our move right now is to keep working and attract the right pieces to get to the next level. We, #NewGA, are looking to add members that are serious about their craft, down for the team and down for the vision. <br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: We got a lot of plans laid out and you will witness it in due time.<br />
<br />
<b>LUCIUS</b>: Any last shout-outs and/or words of wisdom you want to drop on us?<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: I would like to shout out to Q's family, the Suggs and my homie AJ. As far as wisdom goes, I'm just in soaking game mode so I don't really have much to share with you except that, the only way to open up to wisdom is to accept that ultimately, you know nothing.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Shout out to you, #NewGA, St8OutDaDen and all else who support. You know who you are. Thank you.<br />
<br />
<b>LUCIUS</b>: Thank you once again for the interview. I’ll be keeping an eye out and an ear out for what comes next, brothers.<br />
<b>BARZ</b>: No problem, man. Any time.<br />
<b>BLAZZOR</b>: Glad to do it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-12255698922698640162015-04-10T18:45:00.000-07:002015-04-10T18:45:08.387-07:00Something ‘Honest’ - Flashback FridaysFor a while I have been singing the praises of MMG rapper and Massillon, Ohio born Stalley. Every time he puts out a project or he’s featured on a track I find myself hanging on his every word. When Lincoln Way Nights came out I was in love like no other. I couldn’t truthfully tell you how many times I listened to songs like “<i>Pound</i>”, “<i>330</i>”, and “<i>She Hates The Bass</i>”.<br />
<br />
Hearing him on “<i>Ten Jesus Pieces</i>”, “<i>MMG The World Is Ours</i>”, and other tracks made me into a fan of epic proportions. If you asked me right now, I could recite a verse from him right now.<br />
<br />
This love of both his lyrical content and his style led me to quick get his last mixtape <b><i>Honest Cowboy</i></b>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJONP0vXuOxy_oSWjf-Y2iWSUC5rj1HuP6WXS5VkvdZb84xrSk9cEUxmVL-ljiQ424qV24fTVQez5-wnfQY9FJbFd0R_5BAPo_3Z5yVqFFOTeiQx0_W54HUmhPjWh9EBDEIG1JRtw0Ug/s1600/00-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJONP0vXuOxy_oSWjf-Y2iWSUC5rj1HuP6WXS5VkvdZb84xrSk9cEUxmVL-ljiQ424qV24fTVQez5-wnfQY9FJbFd0R_5BAPo_3Z5yVqFFOTeiQx0_W54HUmhPjWh9EBDEIG1JRtw0Ug/s320/00-cover.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Honest Cowboy is just as beautifully rhymed as anything I’ve listened to from Stalley. In much the same way of any of my reviews, I fell in love with a few songs above the others. Allow me to share them with you.<br />
<br />
“<i>Swangin’</i>” is a favorite. It features Texas rapper (and Southern legend) Scarface and vocalist Joi Tiffany. Much as you’d expect from a Stalley tape this is another ode to riding slow in a beautiful vehicle through his neighborhood. The sights and sounds are laced through and it takes you on a journey that makes everything else melt away.<br />
<br />
“<i>Samson</i>” is a bombastic track with heavy bass and a slightly dark feel to it. I would liken it to something Kanye might have produced for one of his last two albums. Within the production you hear Stalley rap with a bit of braggadocio that plays well against everything.<br />
<br />
“<i>The Highest</i>” features Crystal Torres and is a smoker’s type of track. Crystal’s vocals trickle through the track and add a certain quality to that makes me think that s this song is being played the backdrop and everything you see should be green.<br />
<br />
“<i>NineteenEighty7</i>”, to me, feels like a freestyle battle or just lyrical acrobats. For that sort of thing you’d need an amazing lyricist with an amazing delivery. Enter ScHoolboy Q, playing a strong counterpoint to every one of Stalley’s verses. As I listen to it there is this undeniable feeling that I should be watching these two in a cypher or something.<br />
<br />
I would also suggest checking out tracks like “<i>Raise Your Weapons</i>”, “<i>Cup Inside A Cup</i>”, and “<i>A-Wax</i>”.<br />
<br />
Per usual, Stalley gives a strong performance with great lyricism and very good features. Honestly, it makes me wish and wonder for a full length studio album.<br />
<br />
But honest?<br />
<br />
He’s secretly given us his third with this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Written by Lucius Black</em><br />
<em></em><div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-47995262794327506092015-04-10T18:44:00.000-07:002015-04-10T18:44:09.876-07:00‘The Same’? Doubtful… - Flashback FridaysRecently I posted something on Facebook. Here’s the post:<br />
<br />
<b>Drake</b> - <i>Underground Kings</i><br />
<br />
This was just an innocuous little post about a favorite track from the Canadian rapper that everyone loves to mock. It lead to a rather interesting conversation. Here’s the conversation:<br />
<br />
<i>I'm getting back to my ways! *A line from the song, for those who don’t know*</i><br />
<i>December 2 at 9:02pm via mobile</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>That track has a decidedly Southern sound for a Canadian guy...</i><br />
<i>December 2 at 11:24pm via mobile </i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>That's why he had to pay homage with the title.</i><br />
<i>December 2 at 11:50pm via mobile </i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>Yup. That song makes you almost forget about all the soft jokes about him...</i><br />
<i>December 2 at 11:51pm via mobile </i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>Do you know what the Knights of the Round Table would say if they heard the "tough guys" of our day were poets that wear jewelry? Rappers like Drake and Cole are refreshing because they express something. That's what artists do. That studio gangster stuff is overrated (sets soap box on fire).</i><br />
<i>Yesterday at 7:07am via mobile </i><br />
<br />
This is so true when you really look at it. I appreciate Drake more for his certain skill at expressing something beyond fucking bitches, selling drugs, or making money.<br />
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<br />
<br />
It’s with that mentality I dive into Drake’s latest album <b><i>Nothing Was The Same</i></b>. As far as his studio albums go, this has to be my favorite at current. The list of features include artists like 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Jhené Aiko to name a few. So without further ado, let’s get into it.<br />
<br />
“<i>Started From The Bottom</i>” is mentioned here simply because the beat is so damn catchy. The track isn’t so much in a rags to riches story in the strictest sense of hip-hop. It lacks a darker, more introspective production. This track relates the experiences of Drake’s early life and his career beginnings in a more lighthearted way that we’ve seen from other rappers. It is a unique thing that I really like.<br />
<br />
“<i>Worst Behavior</i>” has become sort of an anthem for a generation, a lot like YOLO did when it was first said. This track has an interesting production. It’s a rather energetic sort of track that reminds me a bit of the film Hustle And Flow for the oddest reason.<br />
<br />
My favorite song is “<i>From Time</i>”. Featuring the beautiful and amazingly talented Jhené Aiko on the hook, this track is deeply introspective and rather understated. As with any song or artistry, it is open for interpretations. My understanding of it is that the track speaking of Drake looking for love and wondering if he’s already met her before. It’s probably a thought we may have all had from time to time.<br />
<br />
“<i>The Motion</i>” has an insanely catchy beat that sound synthesized but dark. Overall this song is about moving on and maybe growing up. Assisted by the vocals of Sampha, the track has a slightly haunting quality that I personal love.<br />
<br />
Also give a listen to “<i>Hold On, We’re Coming Home</i>”, “<i>All Me</i>”, and “<i>Come Thru</i>”.<br />
<br />
Drake is unique in the fact that his songs are emotionally driven as opposed to usually monetary based hip-hop and rap. Like his album title so perfectly states, nothing was the same. I’m thankful for that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Written by Lucius Black 2013</em><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-63957349287596584572015-04-10T18:43:00.002-07:002015-04-10T18:43:19.201-07:00More Or Less ‘Me Time’? - Flashback FridaysI have been a fan of Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz since he was Tity Boi and a part of hip-hop duo Playaz Circle. When he went solo through mixtapes and his debut studio album (still a favorite of mine, by the way), I was right there listening as loudly as anyone. I’m saying this preface the hard truth I must share right now.<br />
<br />
<b><i>B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time</i></b> is a pretty lackluster album, in my view. It’s good but nowhere near as good as the first.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
The sequel to the popular <i><b>Based On A T.R.U. Story</b></i> doesn’t seem to have the same sort of gravitas (probably not the word to use to describe to a 2 Chainz album but I’m using it) or inherent fun that its predecessor boasted. This isn’t to say it doesn’t have it’s moments.<br />
<br />
Here are few.<br />
<br />
“<i>Feds Watching</i>” is quite catchy when you listen to it. As a movie fanatic the production reminds me of 1980s Miami and Scarface. There’s a almost Latin groove in it that makes me feel as if maybe the word was mine. Plus I thoroughly love the feature of Pharrell and the ending where they speak in Jamaican Patois. All in all, a rather nice track.<br />
<br />
“<i>Beautiful Pain</i>” was intriguing because I had never heard 2 Chainz and Ma$e on a track before. Maybe this was what made me even go to this track. It’s a almost cool track with each rapper discussing things in their lives that could be seen as ‘beautiful pain’. I would also like to note that Ma$e’s flow on this track is damn near identical to the one he gave us on a track from the G.O.O.D. Music album <i><b>Cruel Summer</b></i>. The track’s called “<i>Higher</i>”, if you wanted to check it out.<br />
<br />
“<i>Black Unicorn</i>” is mostly murdered by the poetic stylings of the gorgeous Chrisette Michelle. To be completely honest, I couldn’t tell you exactly what 2 Chainz was rapping on here. At a quick listen I imagine this is an introspective track. That’s pretty much all I can tell you here.<br />
<br />
“<i>Netflix</i>” is probably my favorite mostly by default. I say this mostly because the lines of this track make me laugh so much that I like it. Here’s one line, the line where the song derives its name from:<br />
<br />
<i>I smoked a blunt for dinner, another blunt for breakfast</i><br />
<i>2 Chainz, got 'em staring at my necklace</i><br />
<i>Let's make a sex tape and put it on Netflix</i><br />
<i>Let's make a sex tape and put it on Netflix</i><br />
<br />
Fergie is the featured artist here. Her verse is rather good, despite the fact she’s not strictly a rapper. Take a look:<br />
<br />
<i>When I die, bury me inside the liquor store</i><br />
<i>Cause when I die, Fergie still gon' be gettin' dough</i><br />
<i>You do what you can, I do what you can't</i><br />
<i>You smoke that Bobby Brown, we on that Shabba Ranks</i><br />
<i>I got it, you want it, you want it, I got it</i><br />
<i>My girls go shopping, that ain't a mall, that's my closet</i><br />
<i>So copy, copy, all these bitches just copy</i><br />
<i>Honor student wit' double Ds, that ain't the bra, that's my ta-tas</i><br />
<br />
I won’t really suggest any tracks to you simply because I really didn’t like the rest of the project. It’s hard to type but that’s the feeling right now.<br />
<br />
Often they say rappers need to go back to their mixtapes to find what they had before going mainstream. This may be a good idea for 2 Chainz. I don’t hate the album but I certainly don’t love it.<br />
<br />
A little less me time, I think.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Written by Lucius Black 2013</em><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-73930567914334028082015-04-10T18:42:00.002-07:002015-04-10T18:42:12.476-07:00Ignorance To ‘Black Radio’ Flashback FridaysThey sometimes say that ignorance is bliss.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it is.<br />
<br />
In the case of Robert Glasper.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Before I had seen anything about his current album <b><i>Black Radio 2</i></b>, I knew nothing about the man. I knew even less about his hit CD that preceded this one, an effort that was called <i><b>Black Radio</b></i>. Based on the general reactions I had been reading about the first one I truly missed an amazing thing. Taking that into consideration I vehemently refused to miss out on <b><i>Black Radio 2</i></b>.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Black Radio 2</i></b> is an amazing jazz album with a cool groove that cannot matched. The featured artists are a cadre of unequaled talents. Let me show what I’m talking about.<br />
<br />
“<i> I Walk Alon</i>e” is a motivational anthem of sorts that can apply to anyone. With the smooth rhymes of Chicago rapper Common and Fall Out Boy front man Patrick Stump giving us a powerful hook, the song speaks of individuality and forging your own path as a person. This idea will often lead you to stand (or walk) alone towards that goal. Hence the title. As if to reinforce that ideal, the amazing Michael Eric Dyson says this:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“The irresistible appeal of Black individuality - where has all of that gone? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The very people who blazed our path to self-expression and pioneered a resolutely distinct and individual voice have too often succumbed to mind-numbing sameness and been seduced by simply repeating what we hear, what somebody else said or thought and not digging deep to learn what we think or what we feel, or what we believe </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now it is true that the genius of African culture is surely its repetition, but the key to such repetition was that new elements were added each go-round. Every round goes higher and higher. Something fresh popped off the page or jumped from a rhythm that had been recycled through the imagination of a writer or a musician. Each new installation bore the imprint of our unquenchable thirst to say something of our own, in our own way, in our own voice as best we could. The trends of the times be damned </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Thank God we've still got musicians and thinkers whose obsession with excellence and whose hunger for greatness remind us that we should all be unsatisfied with mimicking the popular, rather than mining the fertile veins of creativity that God placed deep inside each of us.”</blockquote>
<br />
“<i>What Are Doing</i>?” is a song that presents a point that many relationships need to address. Here the featured artist, the lovely Brandy, sings that in love speaking from the heart and saying exactly what we need and what we mean are infinitely important to the thriving of a relationship. If not, what exactly are we doing? The point is made over a drum heavy beat and it’s mad well.<br />
<br />
The song “<i>Calls</i>” is probably my favorite. It’s a beautiful love song sung by the equally beautiful Jill Scott. This song has Scott extolling the virtues of the man she loves and how he is always there to answer her calls, how he ‘don’t take no for an answer when it come to loving her’. When you really think about it, that’s a lot of what people want from love-someone who is always there when you call and has no limits within the way they love you.<br />
<br />
“<i>Trust</i>” features Marsha Ambrosius and it speaks of trust, oddly enough. The basic theme here is a woman sees a man she involved with retreating from her. In much the same way she would like nothing more than to run away herself because of past hurts but she is willing to try and trust again. All she wants is for him to do the same. This is yet another personal and highly relatable track.<br />
<br />
Other tracks to check out would be “<i>Worries</i>” featuring Dwele, “<i>You Own Me</i>” featuring Faith Evans, and “<i>Let It Ride</i>” featuring Norah Jones.<br />
<br />
As I review this amazing album I am reminded that my ignorance made me miss out on the first effort of this kind.<br />
<br />
It will never happen again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Written by Lucius Black 2013</em><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-45594169779770445602015-04-10T18:40:00.000-07:002015-04-10T18:40:28.632-07:00Thoughtful Excerpts…[2] Flashback FridaysIt’s rare that that I outsource my articles. Maybe it’s because I loved the sound of my own words. It could be wholly possible that I am really arrogant that way…<br />
<br />
…or not.<br />
<br />
Today I will be sharing an excerpt of an article I read on R. Kelly and his appeal. The insightful piece was again written by a young woman by the name of Christiana Mbakwe. Read and enjoy.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
But most of all, think about it.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: large;">WHY DOES ANYONE STILL THINK IT'S OK TO LISTEN TO R. KELLY?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b> <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b> R. Kelly is one of the most successful R&B artists of our time. He’s sold 54 million records globally, had a career that spans three decades and penned classic records that have provided the soundtrack for some of our best moments.<br />
<br />
But while folks were bumping and grinding to his hits, other things were going bump in the night.<br />
<br />
In 1994, R. Kelly married a 15-year-old girl named Aaliyah Haughton. The marriage was eventually annulled. They never addressed the union publicly and, consequently, it seemed like R&B folklore. Two years later R. Kelly was sued for $10 million by Tiffany “Tia” Hawkins.<br />
<br />
According to the lawsuit, Hawkins started having sex with R. Kelly when she was 15 and he was 24. After the "relationship" ended, Hawkins (then aged 18) slit her wrists in a suicide attempt. A friend of Hawkins alleged that she engaged in a threesome with Kelly and Hawkins while she was 16. The super star settled the lawsuit.<br />
<br />
In 2000, Barry Hankerson resigned as R. Kelly’s manager. In a letter to R. Kelly’s attorney, Hankerson states he believes Kelly needs psychiatric help due to his proclivity toward pursuing underage girls.<br />
<br />
In 2001, a young woman from Chicago named Tracy Sampson sued R. Kelly. In the lawsuit, it’s alleged she lost her virginity to Kelly at 17, was treated like a “sex object” and was pressured by Kelly into receiving oral sex from a girl she didn’t want to have sex with. He settled the lawsuit. The next year the singer was sued by another young woman from Chicago, named Patrice Jones. Jones estimated that she had sex with Kelly between 20 and 30 times before her 17th birthday. Jones states in her suit that R. Kelly impregnated her while she was underage and then arranged for one of his employees to take her to have an abortion. R. Kelly settled the lawsuit.<br />
<br />
In June 2002, R Kelly was indicted on child pornography charges on account of a widely circulated sex tape where he was seen urinating on a young woman. Following a controversial trial where neither Kelly nor his alleged victim took the stand, Kelly was acquitted. Although prosecutors could not definitively say when the tape was made (or if it was indeed the alleged victim), multiple family members state it’s the alleged victim. A friend of the alleged victim claimed the tape was created in the summer after eighth grade.<br />
<br />
You can read the rest of the article here: <a href="http://www.xojane.com/entertainment/why-i-wont-listen-to-r-kelly?utm_medium=facebook">R. Kelly</a><br />
<br />
For more thoughts, feelings, and words from this talented young woman here is her information.<br />
<br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Christiana1987">Christiana Mbakwe</a><br />
Tumblr: <a href="http://christianam.tumblr.com/">Christiana Mbakwe</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Written by Lucius Black 2013</em><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-81480289522860083082015-04-10T18:39:00.001-07:002015-04-10T18:40:51.702-07:00Thoughtful Excerpts…[1] - Flashback FridaysIt’s rare that that I outsource my articles. Maybe it’s because I loved the sound of my own words. It could be wholly possible that I am really arrogant that way…<br />
<br />
…or not.<br />
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Today I will be sharing an excerpt of an article I read on Kanye West. The insightful piece was written by a young woman by the name of Christiana Mbakwe. Read and enjoy.<br />
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But most of all, think about it.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My Thoughts On The Current Incarnation Of Mr. Kanye West</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofb51BBQAwM_uBhY5UC4clWBhoPQ1bfqlALJAHV4gVopC53_ET-uRG4DHPzRrztuStDa0ga-7i-8ua22CSB2oW_Nl34UQZUrHN64aCSJbiN9AW2l95aML_JmGPu9Xx4BQp4C9Uvlk9Q/s1600/Kanye-West.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofb51BBQAwM_uBhY5UC4clWBhoPQ1bfqlALJAHV4gVopC53_ET-uRG4DHPzRrztuStDa0ga-7i-8ua22CSB2oW_Nl34UQZUrHN64aCSJbiN9AW2l95aML_JmGPu9Xx4BQp4C9Uvlk9Q/s320/Kanye-West.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b> I have a few thoughts on Kanye’s recent press run, then I’ll leave you all to get on with your day. I think before we examine Kanye’s current state, it’s important to look at what he’s said in the past about himself.<br />
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"We ain’t retards the way teachers thought…Now tell my momma I belong in the slow class" The College Dropout, "We Don’t Care"<br />
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I remember watching a documentary and Kanye stating his school teachers believed he had a learning disability, whereas his mum said he was genius. Rather than accept the teacher’s diagnosis Donda West instilled in Kanye a level of self-belief that would even intimidate the supremely confident.<br />
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I think both Kanye’s mother and teachers were probably accurate in their appraisal. Kanye is a genius with a learning disability. Kanye displays savant like behaviour. For most of his life the presence of his mother, meant his deficiencies were tempered. When she passed away, his sole check and balance disappeared.<br />
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Critics have dismissed Kanye’s behaviour as that of an asshole. However the way Kanye persists in counter-intuitively breaking the social contract suggests to me he isn't an “asshole” but someone with an untreated condition. I don’t know enough about learning disabilities to speculate which, but a friend of mine who’s familiar with autism suggested he could be autistic. They pointed to Kanye’s reluctance to look people directly in the eye, tics that resemble outbursts, obsession with symmetry and order, and lack of emotional intelligence.<br />
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I’ve said for years I think that the car accident, fame, followed by the death of his mother and relationship could mean Kanye has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These life changing events occurred within close proximity to each other, and Kanye didn’t retreat from the public eye, he worked more. I’d like to underscore some of my points by stating I think Kanye is on drugs/drunk a lot. This is conjecture but I suspect I’m right (a bottle of Hennessey was his accomplice during the Taylor Swift incident) The presence of drugs/alcohol can’t be helping his mental state.<br />
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Soon after the death of his mother, Kanye begins dating Amber Rose, the diametric opposite of his ex Alexis Phifer, and the woman he loved the most - his mother. His music gets darker, his outbursts seem more sinister and after a series of public incidents where he behaved in an unbecoming manner he’s labelled an “asshole”<br />
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I think Kanye West is traumatised. Does he behave like an asshole because of the trauma? Or has the trauma exacerbated his pre-existing asshole tendencies? I can’t determine causality. Now Kanye’s with Kim Kardashian. A woman who’s unlikely to be a voice of dissent and reason at a phase in his life when he needs these things the most.<br />
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Kanye has a stable of issues. I think he’s unravelling. However an unravelling man is still capable of being insightful. Kanye’s saying a lot of insightful things. I think his intentions are murky but it doesn’t diminish the veracity of his claims.<br />
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What’s obvious to me is that Kanye isn’t a revolutionary. Revolutions are for the people by the people. They uproot and destroy old orders. Kanye isn’t a revolutionary. He’s a reformist. What he’s actually asking for is a reform of a biased framework, not for its destruction. Kanye’s a reformist not a revolutionary because revolution would mean he would lose his wealth. He doesn’t want that, he wants more. More wealth, more power, more recognition.<br />
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For more thoughts, feelings, and words from this talented young woman here is her information.<br />
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Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Christiana1987">Christiana Mbakwe</a><br />
Tumblr: <a href="http://christianam.tumblr.com/">Christiana Mbakwe</a><br />
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<em>Written by Lucius Black 2013</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-78749161284602832592015-04-07T11:42:00.002-07:002015-04-07T11:42:13.496-07:00New Issue of Royalty Magazine (Sneak Peek)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-35555242729787479982015-04-05T15:29:00.000-07:002015-04-05T15:29:48.375-07:00Hip Hop Radar (Week Of 3/29-4/4)<b>SCOTTY ATL</b> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>– <b><i>Traffic Jamz</i></b><br />
Scotty ATL (<a href="https://twitter.com/ScottyATL">@ScottyATL</a>) gives a cool Atlanta sound once again on<i><b> Traffic Jamz</b></i>, the nine (9) track EP that can be played from start to finish. With production by K.E. On The Track, DJ Toomp, and even Scotty ATL himself the tape is definitely worth a listen or two. A few features include Big K.R.I.T., B.o.B., and London Jae.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFWZghpraP8GK_n_YY-8euI18wO5U8oTjYZuwd4WS5uHoK4K81S4g3L097sTupOrGwhJ5uUkTLBmoDvQq5iZxPpgdgfJNTpoUxAmPbyqiqClHvwjYf9z-Qop30HBUVEPlcxEmWenECdE/s1600/00-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFWZghpraP8GK_n_YY-8euI18wO5U8oTjYZuwd4WS5uHoK4K81S4g3L097sTupOrGwhJ5uUkTLBmoDvQq5iZxPpgdgfJNTpoUxAmPbyqiqClHvwjYf9z-Qop30HBUVEPlcxEmWenECdE/s1600/00-cover.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>SUGGESTIONS</b>: “<i>Keith Sweat</i>”, “<i>The Hangover</i>”, “<i>Greatest Story Ever Told</i>”<br />
<b>RATING</b>: 5 of 5<br />
<b>DOWNLOAD HERE</b>: <a href="http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/33210/scotty-atl-traffic-jamz.html">Scotty ATL</a><br />
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<b>DUKE CONTRAIL</b> – <b><i>Still Pledging</i></b></div>
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Long Beach’s Duke Contrail (<a href="https://twitter.com/Duke_Contrail">@Duke_Contrail</a>) presents us with <b><i>Still Pledging</i></b>. It’s understated, akin to Kendrick Lamar at times. His smooth flow is engaging and tells an amazing story on each and every track. There is an almost hypnotic quality to both the production and the delivery. It’s certainly a tape to check for if you're into a more jazz infused sound.</div>
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<b>SUGGESTIONS</b>: “<i>Still Pledging</i>”, “<i>Sean Jamerson</i>”, “<i>Greatful Sinners</i>”</div>
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<b>RATING</b>: 5 of 5</div>
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<b>DOWNLOAD HERE</b>:<a href="http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/33390/duke-contrail-still-pledging.html"> Duke Contrail</a></div>
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<b>Chynna Chameleon</b> - <i><b>Split Personality</b></i></div>
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Another California resident, the complete opposite of the previous tape. Chynna Chameleon (<a href="https://twitter.com/ChynnaChameleon">@ChynnaChamaleon</a>) offers both amazing vocals and a strong flow that sounds like LA and the Bay area breathed life into her like a modern Pygmalion. This is evident throughout her tape <i><b>Split Personality</b></i>. Hosted by DJ Carisma (<a href="https://twitter.com/DJCarisma">@DJCarisma</a>), the tape as a whole is fun, hyped, and well put together. Expect great things from her.<br />
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<b>SUGGESTIONS</b>: “<i>I Got It Like That</i>”, “<i>Paper Doll</i>”, “<i>Pink Slip</i>”</div>
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<b>RATING</b>: 5 of 5</div>
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<b>DOWNLOAD HERE</b>: <a href="http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/32708/chynna-chameleon-split-personality.html">Chynna Chameleon</a></div>
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Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-21914003665807604152015-04-04T15:17:00.001-07:002015-04-04T15:17:16.250-07:00The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (Week Of 3/29-4/4)It’s back, ladies and gentlemen. Five things, five thoughts, five verdicts as determined by the man called Lucius Black. So...who here is ready for another installment of The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly?<br />
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<b>1. Azealia Banks</b>-I’m not personally a fan of her music. Things like that happen from time to time. But I respect her for simply being herself and being a Black woman who has a passion for what it is she does in life. The Bible says that one should lean not on their own understanding so I will borrow something my ever intelligent friend Jasmine said.<br />
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She [the homie Jasmine] says:<br />
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“<i>...She's still super immature (which is exactly what she should be at 23), but every time she's asked serious industry questions, she lights up like a Christmas tree. It's refreshing to see an artist take pride in their craft/culture so passionately.</i>”<br />
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No greater summary than that. Congrats on the Billboard cover. Gorgeous lady.<br />
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<b>VERDICT</b>: <b>GOOD</b><br />
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<b>2. J. Cole</b>-I apologize first for getting into the amazing <i><b>2014 Forest Hills Drive</b></i> album so late. But I got there and I’m thankful for it. Per his usual, Cole tells one great story after another. But what makes this album so unique is that there are <b><u>NO FEATURES</u></b>. Not a one. What makes it more unique is that he [Cole] is the first hip-hop a in twenty-five years to go platinum without any features. To put that in perspective...<br />
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...I’m twenty-seven. So the last time this occurred, I was two.<br />
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Wow. Cole world indeed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59NyGvyjBkXU9kkbAaNMJy3sX0eCiWhoRaoFYbqKT9bsenECTbNkb66_uR-Gib_KUZ5b2pc-PZ3w2xc5_THzJAI03YI6nXdw_ixXcyIhsEMcdtv32Twb0_TjGPQNXjEMcdZKu1hOPadk/s1600/11133744_1647308118846913_1417513027492634052_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59NyGvyjBkXU9kkbAaNMJy3sX0eCiWhoRaoFYbqKT9bsenECTbNkb66_uR-Gib_KUZ5b2pc-PZ3w2xc5_THzJAI03YI6nXdw_ixXcyIhsEMcdtv32Twb0_TjGPQNXjEMcdZKu1hOPadk/s1600/11133744_1647308118846913_1417513027492634052_n.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></div>
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<b>VERDICT</b>: <b>GOOD</b><br />
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<b>3. Manuela Arbelaez</b>-The name doesn't mean a thing to you. If you Google it, you’d have an association. For those who are just reading this and forgoing Google’s power, allow me to tell you about her: this is the model on The Price Is Right who accidentally revealed the price of the car during “Five Price Tags,” a game that involves correctly choosing a vehicle’s value among five over-sized tags.<br />
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Arbelaez accidentally unmasked the correct $21,960 price after the contestant’s first pick, even though the participant still had two more chances to guess.<br />
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"It was a brain fart," said Arbelaez. "I just zoned out. I literally did not see that coming. My body took over and reacted before my brain had a chance to stop it."<br />
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The goof brought Arbelaez to tears and sent “Price is Right” host Drew Carey into a giggle fit.<br />
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"Congratulations, Manuela just gave you a car," Carey told the contestant.<br />
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She kept her job.<br />
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I guess we all have those moments and this is a very public example of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyutHyKghRoWP3GgCfete4fiF4IjCdGzRSPcshVErTv30oonl1crGtW3xFDc-skqAPXU68UejOQAA0FJjbPvmArYcH-dc2qFVQmwmNZ2xVyb8Qn1lpRUn60XS57FFsoZKXKm7BdDJ1ezQ/s1600/Manuela-Arbelaez-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyutHyKghRoWP3GgCfete4fiF4IjCdGzRSPcshVErTv30oonl1crGtW3xFDc-skqAPXU68UejOQAA0FJjbPvmArYcH-dc2qFVQmwmNZ2xVyb8Qn1lpRUn60XS57FFsoZKXKm7BdDJ1ezQ/s1600/Manuela-Arbelaez-8.jpg" height="326" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>VERDICT</b>: <b>BAD</b> (<u>we all have those days</u>)<br />
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<b>4. Indiana’s Religious Freedom Law</b>-Damn it. I fucking told myself I wouldn't get drawn into this. I’m gonna hit this quick and go on about my business. One opinion to express.<br />
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The biggest problem: this law opens a dangerous door. The legislation could allow for businesses to discriminate against LGBT employees based on the claim of "religious reasons". Essentially this is masking hate as religious freedom. Sorta like a hateful Halloween, if you will. And from there it can only go bad...especially if they all decide to dress up like “Christians” that day.<br />
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<b>VERDICT</b>: <b>UGLY</b><br />
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<b>5. Wrestlemania 31</b>-It was fucking DOPE! If you didn't see it...sucks for you.<br />
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<b>VERDICT</b>: <b>GOOD</b> (I saw it), <b>BAD</b> (if you didn’t)Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-11103383600430466462015-04-03T20:46:00.000-07:002015-04-03T20:46:52.823-07:00'Motivational'<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
I have high hopes when I think on artists that I admire, respect, or truly rock with. It’s selfish or maybe unfair at times to put such pressure on these lyrical gangsters. But recently those high hopes have been soundly rewarded.</div>
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<u><b>iBeast</b></u> exceeded expectations by leaps and bounds.</div>
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I pretty much love everything that <b><u>Kamikaze Hendrix</u></b> does these days and all the days before.</div>
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<strike>But I’m not talking about them</strike>.</div>
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This one goes out to the<b> Fly Mind Poets</b>.</div>
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They have so far dropped three (3) singles from the upcoming compilation effort <i><b>#NationLeaks</b></i>. I have been wowed and utterly floored by the first two. Between the two tracks I find myself hemming and hawing, trying desperately to figure out which is the favorite. </div>
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Maybe after an hour or two, I had it figured.</div>
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I go between them both because both are excellent works of art.</div>
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Then they, to quote Barz here, <i>fucked the game up</i>. </div>
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This happened when they dropped the third single, “<i>Motivational Speakerz</i>”.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34agzqvnYcsm2_QFVQt2Ot3eMhrkXmr1X7u_SUxnp3p83MOOEGoZLA-qLvxhTGgLo4LEDWYNaq7oW3BUOLv46D5Oo8EWBN_GlPK28xKn_KsFE9i4Qst_p-KPwMTnakC0btmKinRj8DNI/s1600/10996482_1586658404907381_1234571682993006054_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34agzqvnYcsm2_QFVQt2Ot3eMhrkXmr1X7u_SUxnp3p83MOOEGoZLA-qLvxhTGgLo4LEDWYNaq7oW3BUOLv46D5Oo8EWBN_GlPK28xKn_KsFE9i4Qst_p-KPwMTnakC0btmKinRj8DNI/s1600/10996482_1586658404907381_1234571682993006054_n.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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Produced by Dynamic Arrangement, the track features the brothers doing what they do best: flow effortlessly over the beat. And what a beat it is. When I hear it it gives me an almost 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit vibe. Something about the repetition of that one refrain gives me a suspicion that this song would not be out of place in a video game. The rest is tight drums and and the keyboard playing counterpoint to everything.</div>
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Once more both Barz and Blazzor prove themselves masters of the metaphors. The title speaks to two things, much as the previous brilliance of “<i>ShoeBoxInTheClosetFlow</i>” and “<i>Genius Genes</i>” did.</div>
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First we are made to ponder those motivational speakers we all grew up knowing. Names like Dr. King, Malcolm X, and Maya Angelou to name a few people. That image is planted firmly in your mind as you listen and look at the single art.</div>
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Secondly, motivational speakers implies that speakers, sound, and real music has a motivation of its own. This motivation comes through the speakers.</div>
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<strike>OK, I lied</strike>. <u>Three things</u>.</div>
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The third is simply that the two thoughts combine to say that two men, motivational in their own right, can move the crowd to that particular sentiment through speakers and an uplifting message. It’s the most clever way of calling yourself the future without actually having to come out and say it.</div>
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And one thing these brother are is clever.</div>
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So as it stands now, this track is my favorite. I think the drop for <i><b>#NationLeaks</b></i> will undo that statement before long.</div>
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In the meantime, click the link below and get yourself motivated through speakers.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSi5w2TDNcc">"Motivational Speakerz"</a></div>
Lucius Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961160285517856064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-41416616752389411372015-04-03T17:49:00.001-07:002015-04-03T17:52:07.379-07:00Grammy Season - Flashback FridaysWith the Grammy Awards around the corner and the nominees announced, here’s a short list of the categories and the nominees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6eUars2BA0B-z0UrQv8hU3f5wG69MscTSfQorQg3HOSt60KHWgCjS8ySPyG8tA-5HF-AxIFF46mqKXg1PldDgokSqqaoYDlSdT5DwqYic5Mtx2f8EYmhH7MQnN0VNfvd7SEnft4l3A/s1600/1015599-grammy-award-617-409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6eUars2BA0B-z0UrQv8hU3f5wG69MscTSfQorQg3HOSt60KHWgCjS8ySPyG8tA-5HF-AxIFF46mqKXg1PldDgokSqqaoYDlSdT5DwqYic5Mtx2f8EYmhH7MQnN0VNfvd7SEnft4l3A/s320/1015599-grammy-award-617-409.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Click here for the complete list: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/music/la-et-ms-grammy-nominations-winners-list,0,27835.story#axzz2mr99UUzy">Complete Grammy List</a><br />
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<b>RECORD OF THE YEAR</b><br />
Get Lucky — Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams<br />
Radioactive — Imagine Dragons<br />
Royals — Lorde<br />
Locked Out Of Heaven — Bruno Mars<br />
Blurred Lines — Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell<br />
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<b>ALBUM OF THE YEAR</b><br />
The Blessed Unrest — Sara Bareilles<br />
Random Access Memories — Daft Punk<br />
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City — Kendrick Lamar<br />
The Heist — Macklemore & Ryan Lewis<br />
Red — Taylor Swift<br />
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<b>SONG OF THE YEAR</b><br />
Just Give Me A Reason — Jeff Bhasker, Pink & Nate Ruess, songwriters (Pink Featuring Nate Ruess)<br />
Locked Out Of Heaven — Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Bruno Mars)<br />
Roar — Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Katy Perry & Henry Walter, songwriters (Katy Perry)<br />
Royals — Joel Little & Ella Yelich O'Connor, songwriters (Lorde)<br />
Same Love —- Ben Haggerty, Mary Lambert & Ryan Lewis, songwriters (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Mary Lambert)<br />
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<b>BEST NEW ARTIST</b><br />
James Blake<br />
Kendrick Lamar<br />
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis<br />
Kacey Musgraves<br />
Ed Sheeran<br />
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<b>BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE</b><br />
Brave — Sara Bareilles<br />
Royals — Lorde<br />
When I Was Your Man — Bruno Mars<br />
Roar — Katy Perry<br />
Mirrors — Justin Timberlake<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE</b><br />
Get Lucky — Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams<br />
Just Give Me A Reason — Pink Featuring Nate Ruess<br />
Stay — Rihanna Featuring Mikky Ekko<br />
Blurred Lines — Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell<br />
Suit & Tie — Justin Timberlake & Jay Z<br />
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<b>BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM</b><br />
Paradise — Lana Del Rey<br />
Pure Heroine — Lorde<br />
Unorthodox Jukebox — Bruno Mars<br />
Blurred Lines — Robin Thicke<br />
The 20/20 Experience — The Complete Experience — Justin Timberlake<br />
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<b>BEST R&B PERFORMANCE</b><br />
Love And War — Tamar Braxton<br />
Best Of Me — Anthony Hamilton<br />
Nakamarra — Hiatus Kaiyote Featuring Q-Tip<br />
How Many Drinks? — Miguel Featuring Kendrick Lamar<br />
Something — Snarky Puppy with Lalah Hathaway<br />
Best Traditional R&B Performance<br />
Please Come Home — Gary Clark Jr.<br />
Get It Right — Fantasia<br />
Quiet Fire — Maysa<br />
Hey Laura — Gregory Porter<br />
Yesterday — Ryan Shaw<br />
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<b>BEST R&B SONG</b><br />
Best Of Me - Anthony Hamilton & Jairus Mozee, songwriters (Anthony Hamilton)<br />
Love And War - Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper, Jr., LaShawn Daniels & Makeba Riddick, songwriters (Tamar Braxton)<br />
Only One - PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring Stevie Wonder)<br />
Pusher Love Girl - James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (Justin Timberlake)<br />
Without Me - Fantasia Barrino, Missy Elliott, Al Sherrod Lambert, Harmony Samuels & Kyle Stewart, songwriters (Fantasia Featuring Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliot)<br />
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<b>BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM</b><br />
Love And War - Tamar Braxton<br />
Side Effects Of You - Fantasia<br />
One: In The Chamber - Salaam Remi<br />
Unapologetic - Rihanna<br />
New York: A Love Story - Mack Wilds<br />
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<b>BEST R&B ALBUM</b><br />
R&B Divas - Faith Evans<br />
Girl On Fire - Alicia Keys<br />
Love In The Future - John Legend<br />
Better - Chrisette Michele<br />
Three Kings - TGT<br />
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<b>BEST RAP PERFORMANCE</b><br />
Started From The Bottom - Drake<br />
Berzerk - Eminem<br />
Tom Ford - Jay Z<br />
Swimming Pools (Drank) - Kendrick Lamar<br />
Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz<br />
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<b>BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION</b><br />
Power Trip - J. Cole Featuring Miguel<br />
Part II (On The Run) - Jay Z Featuring Beyoncé<br />
Holy Grail - Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake<br />
Now Or Never - Kendrick Lamar Featuring Mary J. Blige<br />
Remember You - Wiz Khalifa Featuring The Weeknd<br />
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<b>BEST RAP SONG</b><br />
F*#in’ Problems - Tauheed Epps, Aubrey Graham, Kendrick Lamar, Rakim Mayers & Noah Shebib, songwriters (ASAP Rocky Featuring Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)<br />
Holy Grail - Shawn Carter, Terius Nash, J. Harmon, Timothy Mosley, Justin Timberlake & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl & Krist Novoselic, songwriters) (Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake)<br />
New Slaves - Christopher Breaux, Ben Bronfman, Mike Dean, Louis Johnson, Malik Jones, Elon Rutberg, Sakiya Sandifer, Che Smith, Kanye West & Cydell Young, songwriters (Anna Adamis & Gabor Presser, songwriters) (Kanye West)<br />
Started From The Bottom - W. Coleman, Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Bruno Sanfilippo, songwriter) (Drake)<br />
Thrift Shop - Ben Haggerty & Ryan Lewis, songwriters (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz)<br />
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<b>BEST RAP ALBUM</b><br />
Nothing Was The Same - Drake<br />
Magna Carta...Holy Grail - Jay Z<br />
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City - Kendrick Lamar<br />
The Heist - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis<br />
Yeezus - Kanye West<br />
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-written by Lucius Black for Street Thoughts/Royalty Magazine 2013Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-90743000586960052982015-04-03T17:48:00.000-07:002015-04-03T17:49:28.764-07:00‘Luxury’ Or Lies? - Flashback FridaysCan I be honest with my readers for a second?<br />
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B.o.B.’s album history, to me, is a bit on the sketchy side to me.<br />
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Allow me to elucidate.<br />
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With no preamble I can say that I loved his [B.o.B.’s] debut studio album<b><i> B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray</i></b> from the first moment I heard it. It was a juggernaut of an album that was piloted to greatness by singles such as “<i>Airplanes</i>”, “<i>Nothin’ On You</i>”, “<i>Bet I</i>”, “<i>Magic</i>”, and “<i>Don’t Let Me Fall</i>”. Even the tracks that weren’t released as singles had an inherent greatness to them.<br />
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For me, <b><i>Strange Clouds</i></b> was OK. I say this mostly because I was roundly irritated by the Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj features (“<i>Strange Clouds</i>” and “<i>Outta My Mind</i>”, respectively). I was very intrigued by the Morgan Freeman narrated “<i>Bombs Away</i>” and the Taylor Swift assisted “<i>Both Of Us</i>”. Aside from that, I mostly don’t listen to that album all that much.<br />
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This leads me to <i><b>Underground Luxury</b></i>. They say third time’s the charm. It was this proverb (or whatever it is) that made me venture to listen.<br />
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The first three tracks are generally well received by me.<br />
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“<i>All I Want</i>” is the introspections of a wealthy person who dreamed of having it all and now has the means to have just that. B.o.B. vocalizes and raps well about this subject. The production has a certain swelling value to it that I love. “<i>One Day</i>” is a piano driven track that seems to compliment the previous track. This time it takes more of a rags to riches tact. The aforementioned piano is the punctuation to the lines B.o.B. flows. “<i>Paper Route</i>” is more in line with a hip-hop track it has more of a heavy bass centered beat and more expletives. But it has all the unmistakable earmarks of a hustling anthem. The title gives us another way to say “the grind” or “the hustle”<br />
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I listened to more but I won’t talk about those songs.<br />
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What I will discuss is the track “<i>Throwback</i>”. There is a repetitive sample at the beginning that almost a chant or something akin to that. It’s a sexualized track, truthfully. But as with most tracks like it, it’s insanely catchy. This one features Chris Brown both rapping and singing. It’s definitely worth a listen.<br />
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“<i>Back Me U</i>p” is my current favorite. There is something almost entrancing about the beat on this one. I want to call it eerie but I think that may not be the best word for it. I love the rhyming on this one as well as the repeated refrain of each side ‘backing him up’. If I were to make this music video it would be dark and melodic, a lot like the song itself.<br />
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I would also suggest listening to “<i>Headband</i>”, “<i>Still In This Bitch</i>”, and “<i>John Doe</i>” to name a few.<br />
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I went into this review with no expectations. Leave it to B.o.B. to exceed those expectations and give a strong third effort that makes me place it with his debut and think on it fondly.<br />
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Great job.<br />
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-written by Lucius Black for Street Thoughts/Royalty Magazine 2013Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-62081588902687204842015-04-03T17:28:00.000-07:002015-04-03T17:49:36.397-07:00Still 'King' - Flashback FridaysConsistency is key.<br />
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Nowhere is this more true than is music. It’s the one thing an artists looks for as they continue to add to their catalog of music genius. Some cannot do it despite their best efforts to and others do well with this concept only to occasionally stumble. Those who do falter need only step away and try again.<br />
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Of many artists, Big K.R.I.T does this flawlessly.<br />
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I say this as I listen to his mixtape <b><i>King Remembered In Time</i></b>, the latest in a long line of monstrous albums and mixtapes.<br />
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Let’s get into it.<br />
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“<i>Purpose</i>” is probably one of the shortest songs on the tape. However, it is no less profound. As the title so rightly suggests the track takes a deep and profound look at what it is our purpose is. K.R.I.T. does this by talking about his own life as an example of sorts.<br />
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“<i>Shine On</i>” is equally strong track. I love how it starts and the quick change in the beat. K.R.I.T. fiercely raps here about shining on as a person through the hate and all deterrence. One of my favorite parts of this song would have to be the feature by Bun B. Usually Bun gives us that Texas pimp knowledge in a loud voice full of confidence and braggadocio. This verse is legendary but understated, short and sweet. <br />
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The next two songs I’m going to tell you about will have lines that need to be quoted.<br />
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“<i>REM</i>” was my surprise favorite. Here K.R.I.T. speaks frankly about his dreams, his music, and his experiences with fame. The first verse especially does it for me.<br />
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<i>In a room full of tight stairs</i><br />
<i>Was hell a few dreams or nightmares</i><br />
<i>I dare rap about my real life</i><br />
<i>Good Lord I gave my all but just don't feel right</i><br />
<i>Jigaboos are means to you, but never me</i><br />
<i>Black face, my black face could never be</i><br />
<i>Sambo, my camo say otherwise</i><br />
<i>That revolution of mind will never televise</i><br />
<i>One album I'm still kickin’</i><br />
<i>Def Jam I'm tell em I'm still whippin’</i><br />
<i>Tell ‘em I'm still winnin‘,</i><br />
<i>Tell ‘em I'm still in it</i><br />
<i>Make time, I drop a bomb</i><br />
<i>I swear I'm a kill niggas</i><br />
<i>No pause is needed, I swear I don't feel niggas</i><br />
<i>Snakes in my front yard, I swear I'm a deal with ‘em</i><br />
<i>I own the steel hitter</i><br />
<i>Pray that they still get it</i><br />
<i>I feel like I failed Jones, it's hard to live with it, my dreams</i><br />
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In much the same way, “<i>Meditate</i>” has some of the best lyrics. Yet the general theme of the song can be seen in the hook.<br />
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<i>I don't wanna hear what I've done wrong</i><br />
<i>I'll deal with my problems when I get home</i><br />
<i>I'm better off when I'm all alone</i><br />
<i>I know I said I'd stop but I'm not that strong</i><br />
<i>I just wanna meditate</i><br />
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The track speaks of drinking away problems or rather meditating over so many thoughts as you drink. The verses are crafted into a beautiful story of introspection, regrets, spirituality, and hope.<br />
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There are no suggestions because the whole mixtape is worth a listen.<br />
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And that’s where I end the review. K.R.I.T., still a king.<br />
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-written by Lucius Black for Street Thoughts/Royalty Magazine 2013</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-41138940017837609102015-04-03T17:27:00.003-07:002015-04-03T17:49:47.309-07:00And We… ‘Sail Out’ - Flashback FridaysTo me, Jhené Aiko was just an amazing voice I heard on three tracks I heard in 2013.<br />
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The first is Big Sean’s “<i>Beware</i>”. Her sweet and amazing vocals made me almost forget that Lil Wayne was also a featured artist on the track. This young woman is just that melodic. I also enjoyed her vocals alongside J. Cole on the bonus track “<i>Sparks Will Fly</i>”. The way she sang the hook seemed to increase the value of the track by at least ten points.<br />
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But the song where she really killed it was Drake’s “<i>From Time</i>”. If you haven’t heard that hook yet, let me bless you with it.<br />
<i><br /></i> <i>I love me, I love me enough for the both of us</i><br />
<i>That's why you trust me, I know you been through more than most of us</i><br />
<i>So what are you? What are you, what are you so afraid of?</i><br />
<i>Darling you, you give but you cannot take love</i><br />
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Armed with these songs as an idea of her I ventured into her EP <b><i>Sail Out</i></b>. It’s a seven song EP that is filled with both great features but amazing vocals.<br />
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“<i>The Vapors</i>” is a double entrendre at its absolute best. Throughout the song she compares a man to marijuana in an exceedingly clever way. As the song goes you are often wonder which she speaks of when she repeats the hook, a sultry inquiry that basically says this: can I hit it again? Vince Staples comes through with a strong verse that makes this song that much more worth the listen.<br />
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“<i>Bed Peace</i>” is a love song in probably the loosest meaning of the word. She [Aiko] speaks of making love to a guy and being left to her own devices, an idea that truly appeals to many if not all men. But the way she sings it makes it sound so beautiful that it seems like something perfect. Childish Gambino provides lyrical reinforcement and adds to the ideas that has been shared flawlessly.<br />
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“<i>The Worst</i>” is a break-up song with a rare twist. Most songs of the like speak ill of the guy in question without speaking of the most obvious truth of a break-up: sometimes you miss the guy (or girl in some cases). Before she gets to that point Aiko delivers a line that is telling and sure to be repeated by the female population for quite a while.<br />
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<i>Please don't take this personal</i><br />
<i>But you ain't shit</i><br />
<i>And you weren't special</i><br />
<i>‘Til I made you so</i><br />
<i>You better act like you know</i><br />
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The hook acknowledges that although she has no need for him, she still wants him. This is a dilemma that many people find themselves in, making this song so relatable.<br />
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“<i>Comfort Inn Ending (Freestyle)</i>” is my favorite track. This is a song of regrets and hindsight. In the song Aiko regrets her dealings with on particular guy she met. Her sweet voice belies the fact that she regrets having sex with the guy and laments hearing certain things she from a close friend. This one is an honest view of regretting a guy that you cannot get anywhere else.<br />
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The other three tracks are definitely worth listening to so check those out.<br />
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Jhené Aiko murders with this EP, seven songs that were so well crafted that I scarcely have the words to describe it. All I know is that I am anxious for her debut studio album next year.<br />
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-written by Lucius Black for Street Thoughts/Royalty Magazine 2013<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665822246886067066.post-84758197655131136132015-04-03T17:26:00.002-07:002015-04-03T17:49:57.713-07:00'Epilogue' - Flashback FridaysAs many of my readers know, I am a fan of Southern hip-hop. It's as much a part of my souk as soul food and Savannah, GA.<br />
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One of my favorite subgenres is Texas hip-hop. I thank my cousin for really putting me on. Granted I listened to the big names like Scarface and UGK. It was he that introduced me to Coota Bang and Lil Keke to name a few.<br />
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When I think of Texas, I think of UGK. Bun B, half of the duo, has been making great solo music before partner Pimp C was in prison and after his tragic death.<br />
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His latest album, <i><b>Trill OG: The Epilogue</b></i>, is another entry into an already impressive body of work.<br />
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The album is basically comprised of tracks left over from the recording sessions of the previous album, <b><i>Trill OG</i></b>. This album includes a plethora of features from artists including Big K.R.I.T., Lil' O, Pimp C, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Serani, Raekwon, Kobe, Royce da 5'9", C-Note, Big Hawk, Lil Boosie, E.S.G., Redman, Kirko Bangz, Devin the Dude, Trae tha Truth and Z-Ro.<br />
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“<i>Fire</i>” is a fun track in the fact that it has a decidedly Jamaican influence to it. You can even hear this in Bun B’s delivery. Dancehall artist Serani lends his vocals to the hook while rappers 2 Chainz and Rick Ross offer verses that are lyrically apropos to the track. As a fan or dancehall music and the culture I love that Bun B.<br />
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“<i>Gladiator</i>” is Bun B at his finest. It’s pure Southern, pure braggadocio. I love how he rhymes with such ferocity and fervor. It’s what you come to expect from him and I am thankful for it.<br />
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"<i>The Legendary DJ Screw</i>" is, for all intents and purposes, Texas hip-hip tribute to the late DJ Screw. For the unaffiliated, DJ Screw popularized not in only drinking lean (codeine based cough syrup) as well as chopped and screwed music, a staple of Texas hip-hop. The track is feature heavy with features from E.S.G., C-Note, Lil' O, Trae tha Truth, Z-Ro, and Big Hawk. A fitting tribute to a Southern legend.<br />
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While you are listening, I suggest that check out tracks like "<i>Off Top</i>", "<i>Cake</i>", and "<i>On One</i>".<br />
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All in all, it is another classic album from Bun B. I personally suggest playing this one loud in your car with a cup of your favorite legal (or illegal if you are feeling bold) beverage.<br />
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-written by Lucius Black for Street Thoughts/Royalty Magazine 2013Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0