So I'm at work when I noticed something disturbingly odd about everyone's (the employees) seating arrangements: they sit in cubicles with their seats facing a corner. What's the purpose of that? I thought...so then I began to think...and eventually it all made sense. Personally, I view work, or any sort of supplanting, intellect-deadening job as a mode of slavishness. Anything that stifles genius and forces people into a state of dependency is, in my opinion, sinister. And given my present thought process, I came to my own conclusion about this whole sit-in-the-corner seating arrangement in the workplace: back in the day when you misbehaved you were either, probably, spanked, punished, or...you sat in the corner. And what was the purpose behind sitting in the corner? To think about what you did -- correct? Remarkably, this same disciplinary measure, has become a beneficent practice in the workplace: Keep the people in corners so that they can think -- think about their families, their bills; lose hope (almost) but not so much that they kill themselves, but become inured to the system and dependent upon it. That's the purpose of the corner, so that you keep coming back to work! All the time spent in the same cubicle, facing the same corner, will have you stuck in a job until infinity, shattering dreams and thrawting all plans and personal agendas! So today, people, recognize the corner's detriment to your existential lives, and turn away before it's too late! ...Go!

Through our many discourses, my friends and I have always encountered, particularly, the topic of "love" with some need: Love, already, is difficult matter to discuss, let alone trying to indetify whether its natural or learned. And personally, based on personal experiences and observances, I believe love is a natural/learned emotion, a borderline disciplinary emotion, that instructs one to "commit" to someone or something. And just like any natural emotion or behavior, it can be tweaked, meaning: one has the ability to love or not love. Just like someone has the ability to fight or not fight; get mad or not get mad; cry or not cry.

Love isn't like a thief in the night and just enwraps you suddenly and dialates your pupils leaving you partially blind from the realness of a situation. Love is an emotion -- a power -- that we all have the ability to exhibit towards one another, towards something, or even, a more passionate kind of love, directed towards a special someone -- a mate. Love isn't necessarily a "level" to be reached, inasmuch as it's a "choice" to be made. Of course it be foolish to "love" someone (Love in the traditional, ideal fashion) upon meeting them, but overtime, maybe; after several dates, countless exchanges, and glimpses of a future, that could be, with that particular person, one may make the responsible, conscious decision to "love" another person, wholeheartedly and passionately. See...love is too big of a deal to just be some divine impartation on behalf of the universe and other ethereal ideas. Free will is still something to account for: Love, just like with any other emotion has an according action to follow. What we must learn though is how to control our actions and direct them accordingly and to the right people. Emotions warrant careful calculation because if not, in the case of "love" -- you'll be looking for love in all the wrong places...and expressing it to all the wrong people.

I once thought that the feeling of uncontrollable fatigue after a meal was a paradigm among the black culture. People have referred to this as "Nigger-itis" or "ethnic fatigue" for centuries. The stereo typical hour lunch outing being completed with a 15 minute power nap was a sight that employers have seen for quite some time. It has become so common it's written into your contract when you’re hired, "Anything more than 15 minutes "itis-time" is docked from your pay". It turns out there actually a scientific reason for all of this and its not exclusive to members of the darker nations, we just don’t hide it as well. Apparently, large amounts of blood are diverted away from muscles to the bowel to aid digestion. This would make it unwise for us to try and run and as a defense we feel like resting. Hunger keeps us awake, while sleep aids the digestive process. This is probably the most useful information I’ll ever write.

Strait comedy!

Christianity is the monotheistic doctrine of the New testament though the word of Jesus Christ. Originally a Jewish sect in the mid-first century, Christianity evolved into a dominant religion in the Roman Empire. Christianity also was responsible for shaping the foundation of Western civilization starting in the 4th Cen. Now...in 313 Constantine issued the Edict of Milan that proclaimed religions toleration throughout the Byzantium empire which heavily propelled the Christian faith. This essentially in my understanding,is the forceful indoctrination of a faith onto the people, and a direct contradiction in the "separation in church and state" that reverberates with fervor throughout the Western world today. Its pretty clear that the separation of church and state is non existent. Not with politicians campaigning in churches, using certain Christian beliefs sway a vote one way or the other. Not with for years people having to put there hand on the bible and swear to God they are telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

It is understood and no secret that Christianity was used for social control but not necessarily in nefarious manner, because in some fashion, there has to be order. But now, a group of people in the 4th Century who may have been poor, uneducated, so on and so forth are dedicating their lives to solely getting into heaven. With the advancement of humans mentally, physically, and emotionally, is buying into an ancient "story" hindering your ability to reach your human potential? Does it make sense to live under laws that were applicable centuries ago, in completely different context? Just my thoughts...not necessarily my beliefs....

Black Thought, Talib Kweli, & John Forte Jr. from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

Video Courtesy of Nahright.com

Andre and I have had a few posts that have acknowledged president Obama for his success so on and so forth. I purposely have been somewhat objective and left and any thoughts about coercion and corruption out of my writing on any level because that isn’t the purpose of this anthology. The Obama Deception video is rather interesting. It not so much a conspiracy theory as it is factually based information by individuals who pay close attention to detail...Assuming this video is 100% accurate, how do you feel about you government now?

As you know we support L.A. Based artist Blu. Here's a video from 2006...Blue Collar Worker. The soung touches on being a broke artist with a regular blue collar job, which is the case for most artists. It's just uncool to talk about such truths.

Krs One spits a freestyle about true democracy founded in 508 B.C. Athens by Klisthenis and the end of this "true" democracy in 322 B.C. with the conquering of Athens by Alexander of Macedon. Apparently we havent seen democracy since.

Here's some positive, encouraging music for all those out there working a 9-to-5: Consequence's "Job Song" should be a morning "hymn" for every aspiring entrepreneur, rapper, DJ, musician, writer, dancer, designer...whatever, that's currently working, solely, as a means to an end. Though we shouldn't despise small beginnings, let's always remain antagonistic to the systematizing measures of the "industry", and mindful of our dreams and ultimate goals.


Remember: Sometimes you have to "starve" yourself, just to stay hungry.

New single from the L.A. compilation album Curly Tops and Nautica Jackets

L.A.U.S.D ft. Blu & Miss Jack Davey- I Feel.

Get song here: Download

Pic Courtesy of Nahright.com

Remember the first time you heard Jay-Z's "Do it Again (Put ya hands up)" off the volume three album? I know...you went nuts......"Rocafella....you know what this is...we giving ya’ll 5 seconds to put your drink down and report to the dance floor immediately...all the bustas we givin ya’ll 5 seconds to get close to an exit..its bout to get real ugly in here....5 seconds is up....lets GO!!! BEAT DROPS!! Bananas!!...Then you went home and asked you moms for 10 bucks to go cop it at Sam Goodie. You brought it home, put it in your portable CD player and you were spazzing because the album was so hot. But none of your friends had the album. Just you. So they couldn't hear the real heat like "Snoopy Track" feat Juvenile or "It's Hot"(Some Like it Hot). All your boys were still bumping the "radio single" when you had all the gems. You felt like Hov made that track just for you and no one else. You were 1 up on everyone. You were exclusive. Then maybe 6 months later one of your boys comes to you and says.."Yo man, you heard that 'Snoopy Track" on the Vol.3 album.?..it's crazy."" For some reason...all this does is piss you off!!...thoroughly!!!..and you reply.."You idiot, i heard that song months ago!!!"...your so mad because the little musical leverage you had was now gone. You personal euphoria stripped away and stomped on because your lame friend decided to buy the album on sale 6 months later and tell you about somthing you already knew waaaaay before they did.Don't you hate when that happens??

In the last couple of years, the eyes and ears of American music fans have turned in awe toward New Orleans, Louisiana, to witness the transformation of the previously unspectacular rapper Dwayne Carter. We watched as he released thousands of songs and hundreds of mixtapes, appeared on everyone’s songs and videos, and sold millions of records.

They say every person has their opposite, the yin to one’s yang…Je’Ri Allah, known more commonly as Jay Electronica, also hails from New Orleans, and has built a buzz by NOT releasing material, by NOT appearing in public, and by being an enigma in general, in contrast to Wayne.

For a solid year, there was one real profile on him on the whole internet, and about 15 songs. The most prominent of the songs was unquestionably the 15 minute epic “song” Eternal Sunshine, recorded over Jon Brion’s soundtrack to the movie of the same name, separated into 3 verses with 2 interludes in the form of monologues by Erykah Badu (who he now shares a newborn baby girl with) and Just Blaze. He raps with a strange pacing, slow but controlled, pausing for effect often. His rhymes are filled with references to various literature, religions, art, history, and sciences. He covers philosophical ground and existential dilemma without the forced nature of a Canibus or the deliberate reasoning of a Lupe Fiasco…when he does it, it’s almost casual. Conspiracy theories, stories of betrayal, religious miracles, and moral quandaries are all fair game on any given track.

While in 2007 he was known mostly by other underground heads in Detroit, he is now a player to watch in the rap game, known by everyone from the Detroit battle rappers to Nas, who commissioned him to produce the intro on his last CD, to P. Diddy. He is signed to Erykah Badu’s record label, as a flagship artist. He has toured with Nas and Talib Kweli, but has yet to hint at any official releases. His hype has reached a fever pitch recently, with the release of the random single Exhibit A, produced by Just Blaze, which was in my opinion the best rap song in 2008. Will he ever be mainstream? I don’t care. I just want more songs, and an album. The ridiculous skills he possesses on the mic need to be displayed more, and it will be tragic if no projects ever come to fruition. Either way, just keep a (third) eye out for him in 2009. P.S. He’s the nicest rapper out of New Orleans.

Check out http://3sidez.blogspot.com/
VERY DOPE

It's hard to imagine that, right now, anybody is doing well. Sure there are those out there that are sitting comfortably on capital gains and revolving, lofty pay checks -- but what about those of us who have no investments, are paid minimum wage, work part-time, and just live simple middle-class lives: is it possible that there are those, like us, doing well in this extraordinarily stressful economic time? ...sure. These people are the ones that held back when friends and others leapt into poor, frivolous "investments" such as partying, or shopping, or even eating out; these people are the ones that lived modestly before the economy hit rock bottom and didn't splurge unnecessarily; these people are the ones that sowed during the "good times" so that they were able to have during the "bad times." Plainly: You reap what you sow. It's not that people all over America are just simply "losing" money now -- a lot of them lost it even before they had it!: bad debts, poor investments; living the "good life" on "so-so" income: all these unhealthy and unwise spending habits have led to many of the struggles that Americans are experiencing right now. Had they been "sowing" and saving beforehand, I'm pretty sure they would have been better off and living comfortably now. Should we feel bad for these people? ...of course. Because it's sad to know that they did not know this "profitable" proverb earlier on.

A word to the wise: Sow. For you shall reap abundantly in due season.

All Jamaicans smoke weed, all Mexicans sell oranges and cut grass, all Jews are cheap accountants and lawyers, all Middle Eastern people blow shit up, all Irish people are alcoholics, all Italians are in the mob, all Chinese people are mathematicians, all Cubans swam to America, Asians are all good in the martial arts, All black people play some sport and eat fried chicken, all Asians own a convenient store in the hood, Athletes are dumb, all Africans have shot someone by age 10.

It is this ignorance that keeps the world divided. Once we rid ourselves of the indoctrination of the "stereotype", we will realize that the next man is just like you and it was complete fear that kept us from seeing it.

This post really doesn't have shit to do with anything but if you don't have a Blackberry or a Macbook, your just behind the times. So sorry. Please excuse my ignorance.

With the recent success of brother Barack and the subsequent victory of the Pittsburg Steelers in the SuperBowl (being coached and lead by brother Mike Tomlin) earlier this year...being Black, right now, has never felt so empowering. It may be a reach, but think about it: sports, like politics, is equally and inherently racist, and in extraordinary fashion, a Black man became the president of the United States; and yet, in another extraordinary fashion, a Black head coach wins the Super Bowl becoming icons in their respective "arenas."

Now, sports has always been a disturbingly, singular reality for most Black young men in America, but now when you think of "Black" you can connote not only sinewy, ball-dribbling, slam dunking bodies on the basketball court or incendiary, elusive, unstoppable, running-backs on the football field -- but also: Politics, and President ...and Possibility ...and "Yes" ...and Opportunity! All these once seemingly foreign terms when talking about Blacks has become -- even in this premier occurence -- the status quo. Black people have a "heritage" to uphold now: if its not going to be that of Dr. King , ...or even that of Rosa Parks, ... or maybe even that of Gandhi... It should be that of President Barack Obama -- a vestige of progress, and success, and even "mission accomplishment" in Black America.

*Picture courtesy of pro.corbis.com

2009 brought monumental events, the biggest being the election of the first black or mixed president into the White House. Turns out brother Barack, lucky number 7 and not number 1. The First president of United States that was of color was none other than Thomas Jefferson. He was then followed by Andrew Jackson, Abe Lincoln, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Why has this monumental truth gone unknown for generations? These men denounced their black heritage and went as far as to destroy any document that made these facts known. Why don’t you know this? Ask your 10th grade US History teacher.

There's a great article written by a friend of mine on his blog that goes into much deeper detail about the cultural background of these men.

Click here for the article

"I am thankful for what I have been through because it has given me the courage to fight the war on traditional thinking." Kanye West said this during his performance on VH1 Storytellers after singing "Flashing Lights". Traditional thinking is what causes the masses to be social pacifists and follow as opposed to lead. Traditional thinking is based on rationality in which most of our thought processes lie, but Kanye like many other icons tend to think light years outside the box and embody the courage to walk down a different path and march to the beat of a different drummer. People who dazzle us with their personal genius make it look as natural as breathing but face the internal battle of trying to fit in by standing out, a path asymmetrical to normality. Most people want to fit in. why are we afraid to stand out and think differently?Are we afraid of the ridicule of others? Are we afraid of failure?.....or are we afraid of success and the responsibility that comes along with it?

Currency

a. Something that is used as a medium of exchange; money.

b. A continued, uninterrupted course or flow like that of a stream...

This may sound corny. but...I subscribe to Rev Run's Daily Words of Wisdom (WHAT!? Say something!) Seriously though, I enjoy them -- I find his 'words of wisdom' to be very thought-provoking and meaningful, most of which I've even applied to my own life --and believe me, they've been helpful. Today I want to share an small excerpt from one of his "words" that I received earlier this week:

Money is at it's best when it's moving.... Not accumulating.... That is why it's called currency... It's supposed to flow in currents..... A wise man once said... “Rich people are not ALWAYS happy people..

How timely: How true is that right now, in America? -- money is supposed to flow...not STACK! Everybody talks about "saving money for a rainy day", but right now in America we are exeperiencing a monsoon and no one is spending! Saving now means nothing if you're not going to spend later: These big-time execs with their insatiable, voracious, money-hungry nature have sucked the economy dry, and furthermore, we on the ground level of this economy have ceased spending altogether: we've practically dammed up our own economy. There's no cash flow! I understand people having their trepidations with the economy, but the money has to go back in order for it to come out. Hoarding it up is only going to prolong our state and belabor the recuperation of our own, once copious, American Econ-river. I'll admit it: Fat Joe was right: we need to 'make it rain'.

I am truly convinced that Chris Brown is Kurt Russell's "doppelganger": Have you guys read the police report from the night he (Chris) beat up Rihanna??? Supposedly this brawl between Chris and Rihanna-- the punching, the head slams, the bites, the scratches, the suplexes, the DDTs, and "Stone Cold stunners" -- all went down inside the car....while he was driving! That is some Quentin Tarantino, "Death Proof" type shit! Does anybody remember that movie? ...it came out in 2007 ...it was part of a double-feature, the other movie being "Planet Terror" ...anybody remember? Anyway, the movie featured Kurt Russell, Rose McGowan, Rosario Dawson, Zoe Bell, Tracie Thomas, Vaness Ferlito, and some other people: in the movie Kurt Russell played "Stuntman Mike" who is this crazed stuntman who stalks two seperate sets of young woman and uses his "death proof" car to execute his sinister plans. If you've ever seen it you probably remember the first victim, played by Rose McGowan, whose head was smashed into the dash board as Stuntman Mike abruptly stopped his car after traveling at incendiary speeds, or even the head on collision he purposefully had with the first set of young ladies which sent their bodies (and body parts) flying from their car. And Kurt Russell walks away without a scratch on him -- death proof, baby! In the end, the other set of girls end up having the last laugh -- for their car too is "death proof" -- and get the best of Kurt...and end up killng him in the end.

Now, after reading this police report, whenever I think of Chris Brown I will always think of "Stuntman Mike" and his "death proof" car. Let's just hope, for Chris' sake, that the car was "jail proof" too. Check out the report :here

If you’re like me, then you sometimes like to listen to music while reading; if so, then the next time you are reading, or even just listening to your music please take a moment to consider your play list. What are you listening to? How would you describe your play list: is it vivacious, is it “crunk”, is it “hood”, is it “punkish”, is it conscious, does have any substance - is it empty, does it have any meaning or morale? I personally am scrupulous about the type of music people listen to because I believe that people "march to a beat" and that beat stems from their music tastes. Now, I’m no judge of music sophistication but it’s safe to say that the conscientiousness of music, particularly Hip Hop, has drastically waned in the past several years.

May I ask a question: What the hell are we listening to these days?!? There’s a difference between a trumpet and a party horn: party horns are festive instruments normal for a party, nonchalant, celebratory atmosphere; on the other hand, a trumpet was once a sign of war, an indicator to charge the enemy, a tune of seriousness. So now I pose another question: what is our battle cry in this war - this war on injustice, on terrorism, on inequality, on greed, and corruption? Who is our trumpeter in music against these issues that we face today in America?

Sir Francis Bacon once said: "Knowledge is Power." Right now in the early 21st century of America that statement has probably never been more appropriate. I am a firm believer in the power of knowledge: the more you know, the more you grow; and the more you know the more you should show what you know: TEACH THE PEOPLE, I say. Not necessarily in the classroom but...even on a 'soapbox' if you have to. DO NOT CONCEAL THE TRUTH.

Ari Gold from HBO's Entourage has got to one of the most memorable TV characters in recent time. (Although his character is based loosely on prominent American talent agent Ariel "Ari" Emanuel) His anti-gay, cultural , and gender epithets make for the bedrock of satirical genius on which the show stands. Here are some of his most noteworthy quotes. Enjoy.

1) Lloyd: "Are you hiding something from me Ari?" Ari: "Only my cock and my asshole Lloyd."

2) Ari: "I want you to pass this message along to Dana. Tell her that I still have the pictures from Cancun, tell her that I’m gonna start a website. I will take a full page ad out in the L.A. Times advertising it. Tell her it will be called imahollywoodexecutivewhore.com and that no password or fee will be required. Tell her I Want A Fucking Call Back!"

3) Ari Gold: "Listen to me, Lloyd. Do you want to make it in this business or fold shirts at a Chinese Laundromat? Pledge."

4) Lloyd: "What’s wrong?”Ari: "Has so much cum squirt in those eyes you can’t see what’s right in front of your face? Amanda Daniels takes that job, Vince is fucked and I’m fucked. Which means we’re all fucked. And we’re fucked in the way you like to get fucked not fucked in the way normal people like to get fucked."

5) Ari: "Listen, Lloyd, I want you to put all my files, folders, binders, *everything* into a box! If you find a used condom, an executioner's mask, and a fucking spike paddle, don't think, just pack that bitch! Chop suey!"

6) (Ari shows Lloyd the dust on his finger) Lloyd: "The cleaning staff’s on strike, you know that". Ari: "They strike, you work. You’re Asian; you’re supposed to be a neat freak. Go get a rag............ Go Lloyd, go. I want every desk sterile enough for you to get trained on."

So...the Bible: It's celebrity over the years has exploded, surprisingly, making it an integral element to American pop-culture. But is it possible that the Bible's ubiquity and spreading the Gospel has backfired for the Bible making it an easy target for stark repudiations and blasphemy? Think about it: We don't casually argue the viability of, let's say, Paul Revere vs. Israel Bissel, or even, whether golf is truly a Black activity considering how a Black man invented the golf tee; but the Bible on the other hand has been a revolving topic, pedestaled by believers and unbelievers over the polemic whether Jesus Christ was real, if God is alive, Heaven and Hell, and even the preciseness of current events that are said to be predicted and outlined by the Bible--hundreds of years ago! Such reports and proclamations (even if they are from a book) are certainly going to arouse the emotions of people all over, and let's face it--some "authors" are just ahead of their time and will never find their contemporaries; nonetheless, the Bible has been puffed up in such a way that it's modernity and credibility is questionable. Is it safe to say that now, in the early 21st Century, that the Bible has lost it's novelty and the only way for it to regain it is by....keepin' it on the hush?

I once believed that Reggaeton was the only form of music that was displaced from African-America culture--stemming from Reggae and Dancehall music influences. But this just in: Salsa is too. Apparently Salsa is an African (and European) inspired dance style that was espoused by Spanish-speaking people in the Carribean. Who would have thought that we were the originators of this "love dance" flavored with self-expression, grace, and ambiguity: for instance, the "Boogaloo"--a type of Latin dance and music--is a fusion of doo-wop, blues, R&B--music tastes which Latin Americans shared--with mambo. I'm convinced that being Black is cool; it's just that--what makes us and everything about us, or at least everything that was about us, so advantageous to everybody else?

Kanye West delivered a powerful performance on VH1's Storytellers, performing a combination of songs from his last two albums The Graduation and 808's and Heartbreak. The show consisted of "unplugged" versions of the studio productions coupled with poignant monologues by Kanye in-between each record. There's a dope article about Kanye on 3 Sidez to a Story, a blog geared toward the uniquely insightful understanding of Hip Hop music. Click here for more.

Download: Kayne West Live From VH1

Spike Lee is undoubtedly one of the greatest directors Hollywood has seen, exclusively for his vividly poetic portrayal of black life in the late 80s and early 90s. Not only is Lee able to give us holistic insight on racial tension, family feuds, and social injustices, he gives the characters in these movies such dope names!..Ossie Davis played The Good Reverend Doctor Purify in Jungle Fever, and was referred to as such throughout the whole film...no abbreviations. Also in Jungle Fever, Wesley Snipes played Flipper and Samuel L. Jackson played Gator. There was also a cameo appearance by Charlie Murphy whose character was called Livin' Large. In Lee's Do the Right Thing, Spike play Mookie, Bill Nunn played the infamous Radio Raheem, Giancarlo Esposito played Buggin' Out (you had to love he and Mookie's hand shake),Samuel L. Jackson played Mr. Senor Love Daddy, and Robin Harris (Father from House Party) played Sweet Dick Willy. You just gotta love it. The characters from these movies are timeless.

Talib Kweli has been one of the few underground artist that have been able to bridge the gap from mainstream to underground for quite some time now. He has dropped multiple highly regarded albums such as, Quality, the Black Star album with Mos Def, Reflection Eternal with Cincinnati producer Hi-Tek, and most recently Ear Drum. He has confirmed that he will be dropping a second Reflection Eternal album this year, along with a collabo album with a group called Idle Worship consisting of him and two other artist, Res and Graph Nobel a Canadian artist. I have anticipated with much angst for some time now another collaboration between Kweli and Hi-Tek. Glad to see it is finally going to pan out.