The True Definition Of An Overnight Celebrity.
Anybody from Philly/Suburbs of Philly knows how long Meek been in the game.
Probably since the age of like 15 years old. I still remember when I was in middle school, listening to him via youtube/dvds doing freestyles in front of a camera - just straight bars. Meek always had this hunger for rap. I am glad he made it to mainstream. He put Philly back on the map (Post-StatePropertyEra). Nothing is stopping Meek.
“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.” - Bob Marley
In regards to my future, I live by the quote. I am not on a quest/searching for love but once it falls in my lap & God says THIS IS THE ONE. . . then I will know exactly what B.Marley was saying & feel EXACTLY what he was depicting.
If I had a dollar for every time
somebody (without the same hair texture as mine) asked if they could “touch” my
hair, I would probably be a millionaire. They are so astonished that you sat in
a salon for 5 hours getting micros, they marvel over the fact that you can wash
your hair once every two weeks, they are befuddled when seeing braids that lay
right against your scalp (cornrolls) and they are baffled after finding out
that “that” isn’t your real hair. African American women have textures that many
other races cannot achieve successfully. Our hair is the most versatile and we
have so many hairstyles to demonstrate it.
Our hair separates us from any
other race, placed on this earth. Whether it is very long or short, as a race
we should appreciate and enjoy the hair that God has given us. It’s a shame
because I know many men & women who are so insecure when it comes to their
own god given hair. Now don’t get me wrong, I love weave as well. But I don’t use
that “artificial hair” as a crutch to my beauty. Anybody can be beautiful with
any amount of hair on their head. Society has poisoned peoples’ minds into
thinking the longer the hair, the more beautiful you are. It is a shame because
I have actually seen men pick women with weaves over natural hair because they
simply don’t like “black” hair. They would rather pay for their women’s sew in
weaves every month, instead enjoying their god sent hair follicles. I mean,
look at the African American actors, actresses, models, singers, rappers,
artists, etc. How many times have you seen these famous women with kinks &
natural curls? I believe society wants African Americans to not embrace their
afro or tightly coiled coifs. We should love our natural kinks & curls on
your head.
In the musical School Daze,
directed by Spike Lee, there was a rivalry between the “lighter skin blacks” vs
the “darker skin blacks”. There was an actual scene where the ladies performed a
song entitled, GOOD OR BAD HAIR. Spike Lee was not only entertaining the
audience when he chose this song, he was actually letting society know what
goes on in African American world (referring to hair – stereotypes). Till this
very day, I have seen & experienced men being shocked, once they found out
an ebony complexion sister has a long, flowing mane and a fairer skin sister
has short curly hair. There has always been this indirect hate towards the dark
vs light complexion amongst African Americans and I believe it is very ridiculous.
Society has set the belief that the darker you are, the more chances that Goody
fine tooth rat tail comb will break.
An artist by the name of India Arie
released a track in the 2000s by the name of “I Am Not My Hair”. This song
exuded dry humor and the admiration of hair types. It also explained as to how
your hair should define who you are and what you stand for. This was a very
powerful song.
Whether you are black, white, tan,
yellow, red, etc. we should all embrace our hair that was placed on our head
& enjoy each and every follicle.
"Look, just remember how that winning taste. Just in case, a nigga never see that thrill again."
When Wale dropped "Eleven One Eleven Theory" mixtape, it didn't get enough respect it should have deserved, nor did he really advertise it. I guess that was because he was already in MMG and the SelfMade album was out. I came across this track called Varsity Blues and fell in love with it INSTANTLY. It made you look at the "other side" of sports. This Sports Industry can become very political and over these few years, we have seen it with the NFL & NBA lockout. When we turn on the t.v. and we are watching the games whether it is (pre-season, finals, playoffs, Superbowl, etc) we get so in tuned with the thrill of the game. If your team loses, you bitch, cry, make excuses, yell, become broke, etc. If your team wins, you are on twitter and facebook talking smack, collecting money from bets, checking your brackets, looking for your next trade in fantasy football, etc.
We need to appreciate all of the players in the sports industry - whether it is (basketball, football, ice hockey, baseball, etc) because these people put their LIFE on the line. Not for fame, fortune, etc. But for the strong passion they have for their sport. It is not easy and once you are sucked into these big leagues, its a totally different world. People are watching your every move. You have to be this perfect, unstoppable, unbreakable SUPERHUMAN. When the lights go on and its gametime, these athletes are playing with their hearts. I can stand here today (as a NewEngland Patriots fan) and say, I truly believed that the Giants wanted that Superbowl Ring more than we do. Not only because our plays were weak but if you want something (i.e. superbowl ring), you will give it ALL YOU GOT.
In this Sports Industry, not only do they play dirty but these people "behind the scenes" will tarnish your image if you make a mistake. In the "Varsity Blues" track, Wale talks about ENJOYING THAT MOMENT (i.e. winning the champ, gettin drafted, traded to a new team) because once you are injured or placed in a sticky illegal situation, they view you as the scumb of the earth. Its either you are PERFECT or you are not. No grey areas (with a few exceptions).
Derek Rose torn his ACL, now he is out of the season.
Eric LeGrand (Rutgers Univ) was paralyzed from the neck down during a game.
Reggie Bush & USC Scandal, they took his Heisman trophy from him.
Michael Vick & his dog fights.
Tiger Woods & his affairs.
So quickly, these athletes become non-factors to the corporate world of Sports. Once you are injured or caught in a sticky situation, that's it.
Song: Varsity Blues
Album: Eleven One Eleven Theory
ESCOBAR is back and putting NewYork back on the map. The NewYork we all fell in love in the 90s. To be honest, not that many rappers from UP NORTH have been holding it down in the hiphop-rap genre. You have a selected few (Loso, Jadakiss, FrenchMontana, etc) but they are just dropping mixtapes. Nas is coming out with the "Life Is Good" album and ready to kill the *HIPSTER* rap scene. Im ready for it! I hope you are, as well.
"How you say my love in Spanish? (Mi Amor) How you say my love in "thug"? (Can I hit raw?)"
When it comes to hip hop/rap & society, many people USUALLY don't think of romance, butterflies, poems, pillow talk, picnics in the park, or even a SIMPLE RELATIONSHIP between a man & woman. Hip Hop/Rap has that "guttah/gully", grimy, money over b******, fxck ya feelings, only need MONEY- type of reputation. You would hear more tracks about "the love of money" than "the love of my significant other".
This is what makes "love" hip hop songs so rare and beautiful. I'm talking about "REAL, AUTHENTIC, NO FACADE" type of love hip hop songs. No mainstream - soulja boy "kiss me thru the phone" track for the "ladies" type of love. I'm talking about a real ass nigga pouring his heart out on a track because he ACTUALLY been through the up's & down's with love. Its very easy for a rapper to slap a few bars together and produce a song for "the ladies" so he can extend his fanbase. But for a hiphop/rap artist to put his pride and ego to the side and leave his heart & feelings on a ill track. . . . than you have found a true artist. In fact, all of my favorite hip hop artists have been listed as "favorite" simply because they can decipher the true meaning of love. Hearing a guy expressing his feelings is hard to come by yet AWESOME" but to hear a hip hop artist pour his heart on a track and not give a fuck about society's assumptions. . . . .impeccable.
