I am drowning in TV shows! At this moment I am binging on the small screen. Netflix has made it all too easy with that little "Add" button. Seems like there should be more steps involved--verifications, ID checks--something to make the process less efficient and more of a nuisance.
Argh!
As it is, I am currently in the middle of:
1.) Homicide - Seasons 1 & 2
2.) Arrested Development - Season 2
Praise the Lord that "Last Comic Standing" has wrapped this season. I need a hobby, but I think that's what actually led me to this point in the first place.
Almost positive that by the end of next week, there will be a new show to add to this list.
Last evening, I had the pleasure of filling in for an actor who was unable to do an added performance for a show at the DC Black Theatre Festival. The play is called "Harlem 9/11," by Steve Langley. I was contacted and sent the script on Wednesday. No pressure, I could carry the script onstage with me. The director, my friend, Angelisa Gillyard, agreed to meet me at 3PM yesterday at the Atlas Performing Arts Center to go over all of my blocking, props, costume changes, etc. Curtain was at 8PM.
There was a show that was taking place at 6PM in the same space--a show that shall remain nameless. We knew this going in, no biggie.
So it was sometime after 5PM, and we were informed by Atlas staff that we had 20 more minutes in the space. We were a little over halfway through the script, working to get me up to speed.
No lie, about 10 minutes later, the doors of the theatre lab space burst open. The heavens parted! Lightning flashed across the Western Hemisphere! And in walked a lady--who shall remain nameless, because honestly I don't know her name. "I'm not trying to be a diva"--instant red flag--"but I need this space! I didn't get this space on time yesterday, and my characters were running all into each other! I apologize, but I need this space to focus," she railed as she trotted around the space.
?
? again.
*blink* *blink*
I was puzzled because I was the new guy. I was gauging Angelisa for a reaction, but she appeared to be counting down from 10. I wasn't going to move from the stage, until the director said to move. After a deep sigh, though, Angelisa told us to gather our things so that we could continue in the green room. (I do think I remember a moment of Angelisa going for her earrings to take them off, but then Jesus must've stepped into her heart).
Now, I didn't know who this lady was. If she were Patti Labelle, ReRe, Gladys Knight. . . or even Jasmine Guy, I would've bowed at her feet. Unless you are one of those names, however, then there is a way that your mother taught you to address people in situations like this. It's called "diplomacy." Angelisa is a VERY reasonable and approachable person. The drama queen could've simply slipped into the doors and pulled Angelisa to the side. She could've stated her case--politely--using some keywords like "please" and "appreciate." I guarantee she woud've received the same result, and no hard feelings.
As it was, when we got to the green room, the comedy of it all was revealed:
IT WAS A ONE-WOMAN SHOW!
How are your characters "running into each other"? Couldn't you have practiced in a bathroom stall? You're the only performer! Now you just sound crazy. Unnecessarily crazy.
Then I found out that on the previous evening, "Harlem 9/11's" tech rehearsal got extended significantly, because this lady was rather late. . . by an hour or two.
Yeah.
So the reason she didn't get into her space until late, and her characters were running into each other, was, of course. . .
Amidst all that is going on this week--Shakespeare audition, meeting, film screenings, haircut--I almost forgot that I have to move. Yes, I am moving from my apartment. The thing is, I'm only moving a few courtyards down. Still reppin' Mosby Landing, Vienna, VA, but my roommate just purchased a bigger unit, with 2.5 bathrooms, so he'll be renting the one where we currently reside.
The downside is that we're about 10 seconds further away from the main road--Rt. 123--so my commute to everywhere is going to increase by 10 seconds. In 6 car trips, that's a whole minute lost.
I've already claimed the half bathroom. I figure I can save time, by only taking a half shower. Brushing half my teeth. Using the bathroom, and washing only one hand.
My goal is to be completely moved out by Saturday afternoon, only because my roommate said the internet modem is going to be moved by then. I could stay in the current place until the end of the month, but who could survive a week without wi-fi?
Saturday, I found myself--with girlfriend riding shotgun--at the Columbia Heights Youth Center in the newly gentrified Columbia Heights area of NW DC. We arrived around 4PM. The DC Hip Hop Theatre Festival was in town, and Words Beats & Life was hosting this year's "Freshest of All Time", a b-boy/b-girl battle, that took place from 2pm - 8pm.
Fortunately, I carried my Flip video cam to document this experience, because as I walked around in this wide open gym space, filled with people respecting the original form of hip-hop, it hit me--What other art form has managed to bridge cultural gaps so effectively?
The self-absorption of today's mainstream hip-hop artists (possibly an unfair generalization) would almost make one forget the origins of hip-hop, and the goals of peace, unity and love. Sounds like a bunch o' hippie crap, but listen to some old Afrika Bambaataa. (I love hippies, by the way).
With so many fake rap gangstas getting all of the attention these days, claiming Blood, Crip, Folks, etc., someone not schooled in the entirety of hip-hop would get the impression that it's all about division and violence.
Anyway, as I stood among the hundreds of people in that youth center on Saturday, for hours, I stood among a vast number of Asians, African-Americans, Latinos, and Whites--many from each culture VERY skilled in the art of b-boyin'. They just wanted to dance. I saw people dancing with each other, sans prejudice. Just the normal posturing, but that's just a part of the culture.
All of these people vibing together in one room, in a neighborhood still battling with its own identity among rebuilding and gentrification. In a neighborhood, that still is the home to the occasional murder. I know this, because I see it on the news--NBC 4, Fox 5, ABC 7, CBS 9.
Where were those reporters on Saturday? All of that love, unity and peace and one room, and not 1 news camera.
Well, I had my camera. Here are a few clips from what I saw that day:
1. D.O.A. (Death of Autotune) – Jay-Z – The “god of rap” almost single-handedly shut down the auto-tune movement in hip-hop and r&b. Made famous in the 70s and 80s by Roger Troutman and ZAPP, auto-tune resurfaced in recent years, thanks to the efforts of producer, T-Pain. Highly criticized for its ability to make any talentless joe a hitmaker, auto-tune became a tool of controversy. I guess Jay was tired of its over-usage. Thus this single exploded onto the airwaves, right before he dropped his latest album, “Blueprint 3.”
2. House of Flying Daggers – Raekwon – this Wu-Tang heavy-hitter struck gold with his latest album, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II,” released on the same date as Jay-Z’s “Blueprint 3.” Much to everyone’s surprise, Raekwon started out-selling Jay-Z in online sales and downloads, plus this album brought Raekwon many accolades, which he lacked from a flurry of bad albums, released after the first “Only Built. . .” album. This song begins with Inspectah Deck, known for starting off a Wu song right. This track sort of brings that old Wu feeling back.
3. Medicine Ball – Eminem – After being on a hiatus for a few years, Eminem returned in 2009 with his album, “Relapse.” Though considered a miss by most critics and listeners, I was a fan. This song is an example of Em going to the extreme, however. In this song, I would say he even goes overboard, by heartlessly joking on the late Christopher Reeves. Love Em or Hate Em, he sure knows how to stir a big bowl of controversy.
4. Drop the World – Lil Wayne ft. Eminem – After so much success at his heels, Lil Wayne has been talking about putting out a rock album for a couple years. This is the first single from off that effort. While it still sounds very much grounded in the hip-hop world, there is an element of guitar and rebellious angst. And who better with which to team up than King Angst, Eminem. I dig the song, though, because I do feel, at times, like doing what they speak of in the hook.
5. I Wanna Rock – Snoop Dogg – Snoop outdoes himself with this hot single from his latest album. It’s a tribute to the Rob Base classic, “It Takes Two.” Snoop just smoothes it out with his West Coast vibe. The beat is hot. I definitely wanna rock right now.
6. I Wanna Rock Too – Skillz – The VA underground legend adds his own wit and lyricism to Snoop’s hit record. Just another testament to why his name is Skillz.
7. It’s That Wu-Sh*t – Method Man, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah – This album is barely a month old. Three of Wu Tang’s big wigs united recently to give hip-hop their version of the 3 Tenors. LOL! The world needs to always be reminded it’s about the Wu.
BONUS TRACKS (These are tracks that I may have overlooked when initially combing through songs for this anthology. They span the decades.)
8. Paid In Full (7 Minutes of Madness – The Coldcut Remix) – Eric B. & Rakim – I would’ve kicked myself if I didn’t include this in the anthology. This song and this group are legendary! Rakim revolutionized rhyming with his complex rhyme scheme. Before him, rappers were only rhyming at the ends of their lines. He brought about the idea of rhyming inside of lines, and it just sounded so sweet, back in the late 80s. This is one of the only songs—other than “Electric Relaxation”—that I have memorized.
9. Blue Cheese – The UMCs – To be honest, I’m not an expert on the UMCs. I used to love this song, and it is considered a classic. They were one of the firsts to represent Staten Island, before the Wu-Tang, circa 1991.
10. Ya Gotz To Chill – EPMD –Just like Eric B. & Rakim, I would’ve been remiss, if I failed to put an EPMD track in this anthology. This head-nodding classic was made “re-famous” in the Ice Cube film, “Barbershop.” However, EPMD was a hard-hitting duo who came out swinging in the late 80s, only to break-up in the mid-90s. The hip-hop community was heartbroken, but they left the world with many hits, including this one.
11. The Gas Face – 3rd Bass – This duo scored a hit with this diss-laden track, where they get to let off some steam at different world figures and pop culture icons of the time. The “gas face” became a bit of a dance craze, without the dance. Hip hop heads will still bring it up on occasions, as a joke. You have to see the music video to get an idea of what a “gas face” looks like. LOL! This song also caused a bit of a beef between 3rd Bass and Vanilla Ice AND MC Hammer.
12. I’ll Take Her – Ill Al Skratch ft. Brian McKnight – This is a hip-hop/R&B collaboration classic! Ill Al Skratch were short-lived rap group in the 90s—a 2-hit wonder (possibly 1-hit, depending on who you talk to), but this single was their major homerun. R&B crooner, Brian McKnight’s vocals are the main attraction.
13. Sittin’ on Chrome – Masta Ace, Inc. – Back in the mid-to-late 90s, Masta Ace hit it big with this bass-heavy summer jam. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of this song. I love love love this track. Another song designed strictly for riding around in your vehicle.
14. Sobb Story – Leaders of the New School – Back in the early 90s, this trio popped up on the scene, young and energetic. The obvious stand-out though was the very young, Busta Rhymes, who is still putting out hits to this day. This song is a fun story-telling track of people and their sob stories.
15. Jump – Kris Kross – I couldn’t leave out the contributions of kids to hip-hop. “Jump” is definitely a classic hit from this little Atlanta duo, founded by Jermaine Dupri. If you haven’t heard this song, you definitely lived under a rock.
16. Get Money (Remix) – Jr. Mafia ft. Notorious B.I.G. – The remix is just as hot as the original, in my opinion. I love them both, and now you have them both. Just a great dance/club song that encourages us all to acquire financial gain.
17. Five Minutes of Funk – Whodini – This legendary hip-hop group put out this early classic in 1984. It’s pure hip-hop that evokes the b-boy/b-girl inside.
18. Burn Hollywood Burn –Public Enemy ft. Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane – It gives me great pleasure to end this anthology with my favorite group of all-time, and their single that touched on an issue very close to me—the images of Blacks in Hollywood. A very poignant track with powerful lyrics. Really stirred my mind back in the day.
1. Grindin’ – The Clipse – In 2002, a new duo from VA hit the scene with this simple, yet super-infectious hip-hop beat, followed up by nasally street-laced lyrics. The Clipse, originally from NYC, lived most of their life in VA. Founded by super-producer, Pharrell Williams, these 2 are a solid rap duo. This song is classic, as far as I’m concerned. The beat is so hot!
2. 24s – T.I. – Another son of Atlanta, T.I. surfaced with an already solid underground following. He was known for his convincing street swagger and gun-talk. Fortunately, this single is mostly about rims. He and Ludacris had a brief battle, centering around who is the real “King of the South.” This song caught my attention, because the hook is catchy. It was T.I.’s introduction to the mainstream.
3. Pastor Skillz – Skillz – This track has had no commercial success, but Skillz shows his dedication to the legacy of original hip-hop with this humorous rap sketch, where he portrays a pastor chiding his congregation for being hypocrites. It’s very clever, and a lot of fun.
4. Jesus Walks – Kanye West –Herein enters Kanye West. . . and the world would never be the same. He made a song about Jesus Christ a pop/radio hit. Kanye does have a golden touch, regardless of how crass he can be. This song is hot!
5. Virgo – Nas ft. Ludacris and Doug E. Fresh – This is not a team that I would’ve thought up on my own, but I’m glad someone did. These 3 are linked by their zodiac sign. Thank God, because this track is crazy! Doug E. Fresh brings his legendary beat-boxing skills to support lyrical gods Nas and Ludacris. A track made in heaven.
6. Get Crunk – Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz – Again the Southern hip-hop/rap movement always leaves me conflicted. I was not a fan of the whole “crunk” movement that arose in the late 90s/early 2000s, but eventually warmed up to select songs and artists. Lil Jon is one of the legends of crunk. This track is a good example of this testosterone-driven genre of rap. It’s raunchy and aggressive.
7. Take It Easy – The Fugees – The short-lived, but legendary group, the Fugees, teased the world in 2004, by reuniting with the promise of an upcoming album. All we got was this single. Just a glimmer of their former glory. Lauryn Hill, we still await your return to sanity.
8. Get By – Talib Kweli – Hip-hop purist and ½ of the super underground group, Black Star, Talib Kweli cooked up this uber-inspirational anthem in 2002. It’s the type of song that wakes you up in the morning and gets you motivated to make it through the next 24 hours. I absolutely love it!
9. Mind on the Road – Rev. Run – After years away from the microphone, the legendary MC and ½ of pioneering group, Run-DMC, returned solo to the mic to prove that he still “got it.” Now a minister, Rev. Run still manages to remind the world on this track WHOSE HOUSE this is.
10. Just Like Me – DMC ft. Sarah McLachlan – The other ½ of the legendary Run-DMC, after many health battles, decided to embark on a solo project around the same time as Rev. Run. Teaming up with my favorite female vocalist, Sarah, he managed to eek out this radio-friendly tune. His health issues affect his voice directly, and it sounds like a struggle to hear him rap. Good thing Sarah’s sweet vocals are there to back him up.
11. Won’t Do – J. Dilla – The late, great super-producer and former member of Slum Village dropped this album around the time of his ill-timed death. This is a nice track and a great way to remember him. Just some real hip-hop.
12. Sittin’ Sidewayz – Paul Wall – In 2005, Houston, TX started to explode onto the rap scene. Though I was (and in many ways still am) a reluctant customer, I did take a liking to Paul Wall—the South’s White rapping sensation. This song is just the right song to have turned up on your car stereo. It’s all about riding and showing off your vehicle. The beat and hook are mean…in a good way.
13. Cupid’s Chokehold – Gym Class Heroes – Listening to these guys makes me feel old. They are definitely for the high school/college crowd, but their yesteryear stylings make me long for the early 90s, when fun rap groups, like Pharcyde, roamed the Earth. This is a cute-ish story about a doting young boy.
14. Black Republican – Nas ft. Jay-Z – After the intense battle that occurred years prior to this song, no one would’ve ever imagined that this would even be possible. Nas’s and Jay-Z’s reconciliation was a monumental moment in hip-hop. This song is a testament to that. They’re 2 of the greatest to have ever done it.
15. The Rhythm The Rebel –Hueman Prophets – Whoa! These guys should sound familiar. It’s our boy, Baye, and his partner, Jabari, on this stripped-down-to-the-djembe track. It’s simple genius. These guys are students, and in turn teachers, of hip-hop in its purest form. The world needs to know their name.
16. The Heart Gently Weeps – Wu Tang Clan ft. Erykah Badu – My boys returned to collaborate on another album in 2007. The Wu had undergone a lot of inner turmoil over this past decade, including the death of the Ol’ Dirty Bastard, plus Ghostface Killah going rogue. They managed to put aside their differences to put out this album. This single features the outside-of-the-box singer, Erykah Badu. It’s a remake of a Beatles’ hit. Replace “Heart” with “Guitar,” though.
17. Paper Planes – M.I.A. – Another hit for a female rapper! This song has been huge over the past couple of years. After appearing in “Pineapple Express” and “Slumdog Millionaire,” it was also sampled by T.I. for his single, “Swagga Like Us,” and remixed over and over again. It’s a very cool song, I think. Plus it’s kinda hot to hear an English female rapping.
18. 88 – Cool Kids – These guys have been described as the new Beastie Boys. I don’t know about that, but their hipster-type attitude and heavy-thumping tracks are hard for me to pass up. They found each other on MySpace, where they first achieved buzz some years ago. I dig their style.
19. I’m Innocent – Murs – This guy created buzz a couple of years ago. He exemplifies the everyday brotha, like me. He’s not a thug. He won’t rob you. He is vulnerable to being human and having an opinion. He’s a West Coast rapper without all of the gun-talk. He sometimes uses his voice for fun, and sometimes he gets political. This is a good track by him. You also may want to google him, just to check out his crazy hair.
20. Move – Q-Tip – The legendary leader of the much-missed A Tribe Called Quest put out a wonderful, and much-anticipated solo album, “The Renaissance,” back in 2008. This was a nice, danceable track that re-introduced this legend to the world.
1. Flava in Your Ear (Remix) – Craig Mack – I had to go back a few years, from where the last disc left off, because there were a couple songs that I’d forgotten to include in the last disc. This classic is the best remix, in my humble opinion, ever! It features Biggie Smalls, Rampage, LL Cool J, and Busta Rhymes. It is pure FIRE!
2. Vocab (Refugees Hip Hop Remix) – The Fugees – Too many people don’t realize that the Fugees actually had an album out before they scored with their CLASSIC 2nd album, “The Score.” This was a chill little track that I was a big fan of back in 1994.
3. Runnin’ - Notorious B.I.G. & 2Pac – This posthumous pairing of the 2 earthly rivals was something I believe people needed to hear. This song was released in 1998 after both had been killed in 2 separate incidents only months apart, from 1996 – 1997. A sad reminder of 2 lives gone too soon.
4. Respiration – Black Star featuring Common – Black Star is comprised of Mos Def and Talib Kweli who are now solo artists, but still very close compadres. Mos has gone on to become a very prolific and skilled actor. Chicago’s own poet/MC, Common, could’ve very well been considered a 3rd member of Black Star. This song is probably the most lyrically poetic hip-hop song that I’ve ever heard. It’s beautiful urban poetry. I’m a HUGE fan!
5. Back That Azz Up – Juvenile – By 1998, this is what hip hop had come to. LOL! Juvenile was another New Orleans rapper who emerged from the underground with an already huge following. This song catapulted him to commercial success, because it was an instant hit for the clubs. I begrudglingly nodded my head to it, while brooding about the state of my hip-hop music. LOL!
6. Get At Me Dog – DMX – Nowadays is known moreso for his troubles than his music, but in 1998, this guy exploded on the scene!!! This song was pure testosterone and energy. I loved it! Before the world knew it, I was proclaiming that he was going to be the next big thing. He was the first rapper to ever put out 2 albums in 1 year.
7. Hate Me Now – Nas ft. Puff Daddy – This signifies the time when Nas was considered “falling off.” He’d started to become too “pop,” and strayed far away from his Illmatic days. This song was from Nas’s 3rd album, It Was Written. . ., which many hip-hop heads consider when Nas was at his lowest. The original video for this song sparked controversy, because there was originally an image of Puff Daddy hanging on the cross. The whole video’s theme is crucifixion, which naturally caused an uproar.
8. My Name Is – Eminem – And then there was Eminem. . . THE END. LOL! When I first heard this song, I was in my car, stuck in traffic on I-66 near Falls Church, headed into DC. I thought the song was CRAZY. Quirky and hilarious! I loved it. I was soon shocked to find out that the artist was White. That sparked an immense curiosity. . . and I’ve been a fan since! Eminem shook up the world! Dr. Dre’s biggest find since Snoop Dogg.
9. Thelonius – Slum Village ft. Common –This song has no real significance in the hip-hop world at large. However, it is one of my all-time FAVORITE tracks ever. When I first heard of Slum Village, I thought they were some new gangsta rappers, because of their name, but when I first heard their album, “Fantastic, Vol. 2,” I was fascinated. These Detroit rappers’ style is like they are making it up as they go. It’s mischievous, witty, creative and free. On this track, the super-producer, J. Dilla/Jay-Dee steps from behind the beat machines and actually rhymes, bringing up the rear. He slays his verse with masterful, tongue-twisting wordplay. I would often rewind his verse over and over again. These guys knew how to play with a beat, almost in jazz-like fashion. Unfortunately, after this album, J. Dilla left the group to pursue a solo career and continue as a super-producer. His beats are untouchable. Not much longer after leaving the group, Dilla, who suffered with lupus, succumbed to the disease in 2006. The death shocked the hip-hop world. Still to this day, people have to stop and pay respect to Dilla for his contributions. And as if that wasn’t a big enough blow, fellow Slum Village member, Baatin, passed in July 2009. Two members, 3T and Elzhi—who joined after J. Dilla left--still carry the torch today. “Thelonius” is a great tribute to what used to be though.
10. Stan – Eminem – This song is just genius! One of the best written rap songs ever. Eminem paints a clear story of a celebrity stalker, bouncing back and forth, in and out of character. An eerie story told by a troubled genius. The Dido sample is just the icing on the cake.
11. Take a Walk – Masta Ace – Ace is a legend, by all means. He first surfaced in the early 90s with the legendary juice crew, on the Marley Marl produced track, “The Symphony,” a definite hip-hop classic. Over the years, Ace continues to put out albums underground, and his consistency and skill never dulls. He is sharp lyrically, and one of the most underrated rappers alive. This song is off one of the best albums of all time, “Disposable Arts.” Ace paints a picture with this song, like only Ace can.
12. Saturday (Oooh! Oooh!) – Ludacris – Ludacris is one of the best—if not THE best—rapper to come out of the South. His lyrics are lively and witty, as is his personality and most of his songs. He’s a bucket o’ fun, as is exemplified in this song.
13. Takeover – Jay-Z – By the time this song came out, the buzz about the Jay-Z/Nas beef was already hitting the airwaves. Two of NYC’s top MCs were embroiled in a rap battle that walked a thin line between business and personal. Jay-Z comes out swinging at Nas on this track, as well as another Queens artist, Prodigy (of Mobb Deep). Jay refers in the song to “you know who did you know what with you know who.” This refers to an actual incident where Nas’s “baby mama” (not Kelis) performed sexual acts on Jay-Z, back in the 90s. This should’ve brought Nas to his knees. . .
14. Ether – Nas - . . . but it didn’t. “Ether” was Nas’s rebuttal to “Takeover,” and by all accounts, THIS song made Nas the ultimate winner in the Jay/Nas beef. If anything, the hip-hop world owes Jay thanks for putting fire back in Nas’s dwindling flame. His attacks on Nas awoke the dragon! This album, “Stillmatic,” is definitely Nas’s 2nd best album of all time.
15. Hot In Herre – Nelly – It was not until this single dropped that I was anywhere near willing to pay any respects to Nelly, who pioneered the St. Louis hip-hop scene. When he first dropped in 2000, I was nowhere near a fan. I did not like Nelly, at all. This single broke me down though. It’s a great party song—a classic party song, if you ask me. They could play this song at an outdoor dance, in Alaska, in January, and people would have to strip down. The song makes you believe you’re burning up!
16. Work It – Missy Elliott – Missy in her infinite creativity made a hit record by taking the hook for her song and reversing it. It was so weird, yet so genius. . . and it made a big hit for her. Still to this day, I have no idea what she’s really saying, but will still try to sing it like I know what she is saying.
3.) Sanford & Son - Season 1
