Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Russell Simmons’ Letter To Kanye West
It’s been a pretty hectic week for Kanye West. And yesterday, Russell Simmons retreated to his site and penned a letter in support for Mr. West. As always, Uncle Rush knows best.
Dear Kanye,
"I have early recollections of Damon Dash calling me and forcing me to put you on Def Poetry Jam. I knew your record, “Through The Wire”, but I didn’t know much more. When you took the stage on Def Poetry Jam that night, and spit those genuine, heartfelt words, I witnessed your specialness that Damon had emphatically told me about.
From that moment on, you became a poet who has inspired the poets. I have proudly watched your career since then, and in case someone has missed the obvious, you are making a historical impact on music. Your life story took a tough turn with the passing of your mother. Although we grieved with you, we never really knew how much pain you were in. We witnessed your moment at the MTV Music Awards and many of us dismissed it as, “oh that is just Kanye being Kanye.” The hard part of all of this, is that we have all had moments in our lives that have been challenging, painful and hard to overcome, however most of us just hide our emotions and never deal with that inner-struggle that we face on a daily basis. As an artist, Kanye, you have always looked inside for your inspiration…always exuding emotions that are in us, but that we never expose. That is what artistry is about…to look inside for what is unique. With your journey towards a higher level of consciousness, a journey that we all are on, you have shown through your art a commitment to greatness.
The thirty minute film you most recently made was beyond brilliant. Brilliance is not a word that can even begin to describe your ability to paint vibrant, vivacious, colorful yet muted paintings of poetry, music, costume, art, design and most important, passion. The passion you put into your new album is why I stayed up all those nights in the early 80′s trying to get DJs and radio stations to play our records. I knew this day would come. Actually, maybe I didn’t know, but I really, really hoped it would. I didn’t work this hard when I was your age to watch the culture go the wrong way. And you, my friend, just took us to another level. I am simply in awe.
With this power, as you know, comes great responsibility. I am saying nothing you haven’t heard before. When you spoke about President Bush during the Katrina telethon, it was not the particulars of your words that mattered, it was the essence of a feeling of the insensitivity towards our communities that many of us have felt for far too long. It was the image of the President, our President, the President of the United States Of America, peering out the window of an airplane, as the people on the ground were drowning, that hurt us the most. For centuries, our people have relentlessly tread water as hard as they could to stay afloat, and here we were, literally drowning, and it felt like the President was insensitive. There is no need to apologize, Kanye. You spoke from your heart and that is all we will ever ask from you. Don’t be afraid of the press, as your art is your blueprint, thanks to Jay-Z, your big brother, we will always carry our destiny in our own hands. You are are an artist whose art is masterful. You are a servant to this world who no matter how hard it gets, keeps on giving. Giving gifts that inspire us, challenge us and motivate us to be better family and friends.
Keep on, Kanye. Keep on. We love you. We cherish you. And we will always have your back."
-Russell Simmons
Friday, November 12, 2010
Chrisette Michele & Rick Ross beef....?
At last night’s taping of the Soul Train Awards in Atlanta, Rick Ross was nominated for Best Hip Hop Song and scheduled to perform “Aston Martin Music” with Chrisette Michele. But when Ross loss to Eminem in the category, he left the ceremony before hitting the stage. Obviously upset, Chrisette turned to her blog and questioned Rozay’s actions. The Awards air November 28th on BET and Centric at 9PM.
"If this is the way hip hop is then I denounce it.
This is not about ego. This is about what I can bring to the world. My life is for the people. I live to give.
It’s my desire to bring life and freedom light and love everywhere I go. Upward mobility in the brown skinned community.
Who stands off at an award show because they don’t win? An award is winning at being as “stuck in a category” as possible.
Congratulations to all the trophy holders who won at being the most like every one else. I could have sworn hip hop was on the come up. But apparently rapping is about venting, bashing, chauvinistic pigging, and EGO. Not cool. Don’t LET me start rapping. (album in stores november 30th)
If this is the way hip hop is then I denounce it. This is not about ego. This is about what I can bring to the world. My life is for the people. I live to give. It’s my desire to bring life and freedom light and love everywhere I go. Upward mobility in the brown skinned community.
Who stands off at an award show because they don’t win? An award is winning at being as “stuck in a category” as possible. Congratulations to all the trophy holders who won at being the most like every one else. I could have sworn hip hop was on the come up. But apparently rapping is about venting, bashing, chauvinistic pigging, and EGO. Not cool. Don’t LET me start rapping. (album in stores november 30th)
They say…I’m ecclectic. I’m underrated. I’m different. Well If I win an award it’s because I paved a way. Every award I’ve won was new in it’s category. You know why? Because I’m amazing at being my damn self.
Grammy – best alternative R&B song Centric award – Soul Approved Etc. Have u even heard of those categories? Nope. But guess what? You ain’t never seen another me. And u never will. No ego here. Why? Because it’s none needed. My award is waking up every morning and CAKING off of what I believe in by the grace of God.
LET FREEDOM REIGN – in stores NOVEMBER 30th. Go pick that up. Maybe I’ll call my 4th album “winners : just like every body else” maybe not.
I pray with every song I sing Im singing from the bottom of my heart. If all we want is an award for telling our truths, then we really have no true reason. This isn’t a competition. This is a stage for self expression and I’m grateful for the opportunity to live on it. I’d sing even if nobody sang along.
-from the bottom of my disappointed heart. Hip Hop… Man up. I wanted to be supportive but I can’t understand you. I believed in you… But apparently you’re so high you can’t even see what the world needs.
Is all hip hop like that? Absolutely not! But some of it certainly is. Let me spit a few bars. I’m not that kinda hip hop. I rep hip hop too. But not that kinda ego trippin foolery.
Chrisette Michele – the girl on that Aston Martin Music record…
Spread love."
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Kanye West - Blame Game (feat. John Legend & Chris Rock) x Kanye West - Devil in a New Dress feat. Rick Ross
Devil In A New Dress
Blame Game
remember where you heard'em 1st!!
Monday, November 1, 2010
'SMH' LOCAL Baltimore Artist --> Bossman disses Wale...
*looks up*
....
*looks down*
Shaking my MUTHAFUCKIN head...
Yeah, thats the nigga who dissed Wale...
on the "No Hands" beat...
and left Roscoe Dash on the hook....
+ has some dude TALKING shit
via a trash ass echo effect...
I'm sad to say that I'm from Baltimore "musically" etc. but i shall no longer rep or claim too much of the music here.. never really have.. but whatever.... it is what it is... i'm not too surprised...
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