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"Keep My Name Outcho Mouth!" -Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Soon we’ll find out who is the real revolutionaries . . . ‘cause I don’t want my people to be tricked by mercenaries.” –Bob Marley, Zimbabwe

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Given that today is the day of recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, I felt this the proper time to discuss a disturbing phenomenon that has become quite prevalent in hip-hop and r&b. That phenomenon is musical artists’ practice of making direct comparisons between themselves and Martin Luther King, Jr. and other late, great civil rights leaders. It’s happening more than a little bit, and if you haven’t noticed it, then you haven’t been listening…

[if you don’t see the rest of the post below, click the title to continue]

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on lupe and other issues . . .

The day before yesterday Lupe dropped a Thanksgiving Day mixtape entitled Enemy of the State (A Love Story). He reportedly released this body of work in response to MTV’s snub of omitting him from the 2009 Top MCs In The Game List AND from the Honorable Mention List. *Here’s the official list, by the way:
1. Jay-Z
2. Lil Wayne
3. Drake
4. Kanye West
5. Rick Ross
6. Gucci Mane
7. Young Jeezy
8. Fabolous
9. 50 Cent
10. Raekwon

When I first heard this I thought . . . “WHO CARES what MTV thinks, Lupe?? Taking steps in response to anything that an illegitimate entity does compromises your own legitimacy.” But then I read the ENTIRE interview, which has been abridged by most of the blogs that are making him out to be some type of attention hog. Here’s his statement about why he wants to make the list:

“For me, another part was ‘I gotta make that list because the kids have to see that you don’t have to do this to be successful.’ If you look at it and 90% of it is negative, it’s like we gotta have something positive on the list. That’s not taking shots at anybody. All those people are my homeboys, but if we come down to the nitty gritty and what’s effecting the streets, you got kids getting beat to death in the streets. You really have to take the responsibility to step up and be like, ‘I have to show my success. I have to work this hard. I have to be to be looked at as this top ranked dude and top ranked Emcee. It’s not because I want the glory and fame, but so kids can have a different role model or choice of role model.’ If we’re excluded from that, the top pop culture thing for Hip Hop is devoid of anything positive, oh naw, we got to go to work…”

After reading that, I saw where he was coming from, and I agreed. Anyway, we all know Lupe deserved a spot on that list over Rick Ross or Young Jeezy, but whatever. What do we expect from MTV? Gucci Mane?? Yeah, ok.

About the mixtape – It’s only 10 songs, three of which I already had from a few months ago. Either way, there are some really really good joints on there, and he definitely showcases his prowess. I’ve been convinced since this song–which for some reason never made it to any of his albums (click title and it will play). Lupe (Unreleased)

But here’s a jewel from the mixtape (click and it’ll play): All the Way Turnt Up

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i got my t-shirt!! . . .

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Finally got the t-shirt I had ordered from Substance. Was so happy I took some pictures in it (wrinkles and all) and even changed my header. Support this brother (www.substanceone.com). His stuff is dope. All of his shirts and jackets have thought-provoking sayings on them.

Obviously this pic shows the shirt in its untouched/unaltered state. Of course, the next time you see it it’ll be something different. Now off to my date with my sewing machine.

One love, but strength in numbers. All day. Stay up!

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to answer the question . . .

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so a few people have come to me about the song ‘Slow Down’ asking specifically about the line where I say something that’s seemingly against the wearing of Mac eyeshadow and fake eyelashes. To be clear, I don’t have a problem with Mac eyeshadow (nor do I have a problem with the I-phone [another thing that’s mentioned in the song]). What I’m speaking against in the song is that having to always buy something new– that “Mac got a new color, I gotta go get it!” mentality … that thinking that we NEED these THINGS (or things in general) to be good enough . . . to feel worthy of life when LIFE is a gift that all of us are here to enjoy and thrive in regardless of what material possessions we have or how [out]dated they may be. So that’s what the song is speaking on.

I hope that clears up any confusion. If not, that’s cool too. I tried. Peace always.

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light graffiti . . .

I’ve been really into light graffiti since last winter (admiring it, not doing it). I’ve compiled my favorite photos below. To make your own, you just need a camera with a slow shutter speed, a tripod, and a flashlight (unless you want to be like Lichfaktor and create full out light shows in which case you need some of those lightee thingies they used to give out at concerts and carnivals).

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Who needs spray paint when you have light? It’s also a good way to “go green”, if we must tag (as no fumes go out into the atmosphere).

Also, this next one (obviously) isn’t graffiti, but I am amazed by it just the same so I’m including it . .
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lightdress

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sapphire's PUSH is being made into a movie

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Push by Sapphire is one of my absolute favorite novels. Now it has been transformed into a film called Precious. This makes me nervous because movies usually do books no justice and taint your view of the story.

Apparently, Sapphire had the same reservations. Not sure how I feel about this. I guess I need some time to let it marinate in my mind.

I will say that I’m glad Sapphire is getting the recognition she deserves for writing such an amazing book. I still don’t think I’m going to go see the film, though. I’ll probably just spend that time rediscovering the book (since it’s been about eight years since I last read it).

Anyway, here’s a good article I found about the book.

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