Category Archives: Real-life Black Folks
Racism, Hatred, & Algernod Washington
For the record, I don’t think Plies sucks at all. No euphemism. In my book, he goes in the chapter entitled ‘Guilty Pleasures,’ along side 7-8 dudes who I don’t listen to in public for fear of backpack attack. (Like Slim Thug or Cage.) Last thing I need is a mob of rap renegades accosting me for my taste in bad music, like I don’t have grown-up problems that need all my attention. See, Hip Hop cats are usually dead serious in their fandom. & if you’re not in agreement, or at least a muted compliance, you might get beat into a coma by skateboards & wallet chains. But that’s neither here nor there, especially since 19 year old strength generally fails in comparison to adult experience. Which is why they all carry guns, I guess.
Anywho, Plies has a video circulating for a song called ‘Why U Hate Me.’ Upon watching, the viewer will immediately notice it isn’t a traditional “dirty south” rap cat video. & by that I mean there aren’t any scantily clad parrish rats, no gaudy car jewelry, & no requisite group photos that look more like a holding cell reunion than a gaggle of weed carriers. As a matter fact, the refreshing visuals of the clip are only rivaled by the song’s surprising content.
‘Why U Hate Me’ & ‘Plies’ in the same sentence should conjure images of magnanomous amounts of nigganometry, proudly broadcast for the world to see. On the contrary, however, the song (which is really more of a less adamant variation of spoken-word poetry) is literally asking why do so many people/places/things seem to be leary of Black folks. It’s a legitimate question, & the fact that I know Plies isn’t an ignorant man (much like Lil Jon Chappelle) gives the song’s socio-political undertone that much more girth, if you smell my cologne.
Really though, the last nigga on Earth that I’d expect civil commentary from is a guy who penned the classic line, “If I die tonight, bury me in the ‘hood. With all my jewelry on, make sho’ I’m lookin’ good,” end quote. Not for nothing, but these days, a rapper’s has to earn my respect. Up until now, the only distinction Plies had from any other rapper, regardless of region or market, was his name. Now, not so much. Salute Plies for having the ballsack to really keep it really real, for real. Watch the video, & see for yourself.
Plies
Why U Hate Me?
[WATCH VIDEO HERE]
When Did Rappers Become So Important?
Drake is being interviewed today by Katie Couric, on Ustream. She’s the same lady that interviewed Dwayne Carter when he spit such timeless jewels as, he’s “a gangsta,” & how book-learning does nothing for him, even though he’s college educated, or something to that effect. At the time when Wayne did that interview, he was at the height his success. Or so that’s how it seemed at the time. Even the hate-mongers & negative nellies (no relation to the rapper) had to admit that his Carter III album was a tremendous success. Personally, I buy bootlegs, but I still bought it, if that counts for anything. I wouldn’t say it was stellar or extraordinary, but I don’t often use those types of words to describe much, anyway. I listened to it more than once, though.
So now, on what I can only assume is the network’s attempt to rekindle the same scenario of rappers embarrassing themselves more than normal, Drake, Lil Wayne’s main weed carrying artist, is scheduled to follow in his bossman’s footsteps. Will he say dumb things, as well? Absolutely. That’s his main job requirement. Plus, he undoubtedly has some stuff to get off of his little beige chest, & where else to do it but God knows how many floors above the city? Where NO rappers can get to him? & by the time they can, he would’ve had at least a week’s head start on any necessary back-peddling & sneak-apologizing, if you smell my cologne. I’m not sure if being half-jewish plays any part in his career movements, but kudos to him for thinking 2 steps ahead on a consistent basis.
Thing is, though, why Drake? No shots whatsoever, & perhaps if I were gay or vaginal or a teenager I’d have a differing opinion, but there’s a veritable ton of Black guys worthy of air time, who do way more than dance jigs & make songs about ‘tang & young money. She could’ve interviewed my dad, to learn how he raised 2 sons in Los Angeles who’ve never been in a gang, shot, or arrested. Surely that’s more interesting than talk of Hip Hop beef or whether or not Drake would rather play Barack Obama or Will Smith in biopic. At least, to me it would. But like I said, most of his fans want to have his baby(s), even though they’re probably “babies” themselves. Nonetheless, I’d imagine that Katie Couric would be on some Larry King meets Sally Jesse Raphael shit by now, as opposed to Access Hollywood cutting-room throwaways. No dice, though. She’s hanging with young, rich Black kids, as if they have something else to say than what’s already being said on the radio. Daily. If she weren’t wealthy herself, that would be considered suspicious behavior.
Don’t get me wrong; Drake being on television is nothing more than a live-action billboard for himself, & his label, & Birdman’s pocketbook, but really though, if he wasn’t on Ustream today, would that make or break him? No. & that’s why, if I were head bag holder in his crew, I would’ve told him, ever so politely, to watch his mouth. Not that he should care how people hear or what people think, but with great power comes great responsibility or whatever. Power is his, already, if he’s on tv. What he does with said power is on him, I’m just a writer.
I’m not going to start with the requisite “We Gotta Do Better” chant, because I have real things to waste energy on, like complaining about the rain & rolling [REDACTED]. However, I will say that the ambient stream of consciousness sure is getting dull these days.
I blame skinny jeans & cocaine.
