Another music blog post. Sue me!

First of all, this isn't another blog talking about how hip hop us dead, music sucks, blah...blah...blah. Quite the opposite, actually.

These days - during the digital age - it's easier than ever to get a record deal. You can hop on fruity loops, make a catchy beat and a dance, toss that shit up on Myspace or YouTube, get some attention, and you're almost guaranteed to get a deal. Or you can be the ultimate hustler, say your name over and over on records, give out your real phone number and your almost guaranteed to get a deal. Or you can make up a random beef with a random successful rapper, put out a street video on YouTube and you're almost guaranteed to get a deal. The actual music has become secondary. But this doesn't lead to less quality music...just more shitty music. Here are the REAL problems, though:


1. We are lazy
I consider the golden era of rap to be 1994 -2004. During that time, countless 'damn good' to 'classic' albums were released. Let's take a random time frame from that period; summer 1996 - summer 1997. Jay-z dropped 'Reasonable Doubt'. Nas dropped 'It Was Written'. Outkast dropped 'ATLiens'. Big dropped 'Life After Death'. 2pac dropped 'The Don Killuminati: The Seven Day Theory'. And those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Back then, there was a different power player releasing a quality album each and every Tuesday.

And truth be told, things aren't that much different these days.

There is still plenty of quality music being released in 2009. The names may not be as recognizable, and we may have to look a little harder, but it's out there. Part of the problem is that, as consumers, we've gotten lazy - spoiled by years of an over abundance of hot shit. We don't want to take the time to weed through the Soljia Boys, D4Ls and Gucci Manes to get to the Killer Mikes, J.Coles and Joe Buddens. So what do we do instead? We bitch and whine that there isn't any good music out there. And what happens when we finally DO get off our ass and find the quality hip hop we're looking for?


2. We don't support good music
Picture this: You go in to work tomorrow and your boss calls you in his office. He tells you that you will no longer be getting paid for your services. Would you keep that job? If so, would you still work as hard at your job and continue to produce the same quality day in and day out? Well that's the message that we send to artists whose music we like when we download their music, as opposed to buying it. We tell them that they can put their blood, sweat, tears and labels money into a project, and the consumers (their FANS, no doubt!) will undercut them at every turn by stealing that music. So why would they continue to put such effort into making that music? They wouldn't. This results on two things:

A) Some artists compromise their art in an order to make up those funds. They start seeing that as long as you make simple club records and records geared toward women, they will actually SELL some records. So you see Sheek making 'Hood Love' and T.I. telling women 'You can have whatever you like!'. Good records? Yes. But also uncharacteristic of the artists.

Or

B) Artists start to generate income outside of music. We've been begging Dre 3000 to feed us with a solo rap cd. But as a man with a family, bills and activity above the brain stem, why would he lock in for six months, spend thousands on studio time, make an album, release it and have his 'fans' download it for free, as opposed to coughing up $12? Especially when he can shake hands with a Hollywood big shot and get a $2 million check to do a movie. Financially, music seems to be a less than viable option. We need to make it profitable for artists again.

And when I say 'we', what I really mean is 'you'. Because I support my favorite artists (for the most part). I BOUGHT Jay's Blueprint 3. I BOUGHT Slaughterhouse. I BOUGHT Killer Mike's 'I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind 2'. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have the right to complain. See proof below:

3. Marketing departments from music labels are very good at what they do
They're so good that they routinely convince us what artists we should like. Don't get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with commercial music. My favorite rapper is Jay-z, for Pete.s sake. Can't get much more commercial than that. But my point is that there is music and artists out there other than what you hear on the radio. For example, I'm pretty sure there is a good portion of the population that have never heard a Killer Mike record other than 'Adidas' or 'Akshon'. And have never heard a Joe Budden record besides 'Pump it Up'. But these are two of the most skilled, intelligent, hungry MC's doing it today. But you probably wouldn't know it, just judging of those singles. Now, they have gone the indy route and are consistently dropping quality music. But you won't see them on 106 and Park. Their records will never get a million spins a week on radio. And unless you actually WANT to know when they have shit dropping, they could release an album without you ever knowing.

My point?

Stop letting labels tell you who you should like and actually open your ears, let the music speak for itself, and make up your own mind. And don't let the fact that major labels aren't behind a certain artist cause you to not get behind them either. Quality is quality, whether it comes from your favorite super star rapper who has 3 million fans and always goes plat, or from the dude that only has a hardcore fan base of 200,000 who fuck with him regardless, but isn't on a major label.

That's pretty much it.

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY

It's best you stop screwing around homey and gimme mine/or get cooked in front of ya girl like y'all in Beni Han

'Nigga, please!'

DISCLAIMER: It's 2am, I have been writing on my latest script for 3 hours and I'm starving. This blog post will most likely jump all over the place. Continue at your own risk.

Here are a few things that a lot of you may not know about me:

-I'm a English Major

-I am a hip hop head

-I am a writer

That means that I have a unique relationship with words. Not just the string of letters that make up a word. But the actual meanings and interpretations behind those words. This blog is about a word that seems to be the source of much angst and confrontation.

...NIGGA!

This blog has been in the works for like 2 months, but over the last 2 weeks, a couple of things have happened that almost FORCED me to write it. But I'll get to that later.

My mother once told me when I was younger that I shouldn't argue with white people about matters of race because it would be impossible for them to understand my position. I've come to realize that truer words were never spoken. Don't get me wrong, I am ALWAYS up for a passionate discussion about the topic. But I've learned how to recognize when a healthy, passionate discussion is heading towards an argument, and that's when I usually humbly bow out.

Why does this matter?

Because I've recently made the choice to stop using that word around white people, altogether. The reason for this is because I have determined that there are a good number of white people who don't seem to understand that it is not OK for them to say the word - in any context - regardless of who you hear say it. In fact, I have a declaration to make, right here and now, to all my white friends and future family members. There's no interpretation needed, no reading between the lines. It's very black and white. Ready? Here goes:

I can say that word all I want. You, on the other hand, cannot!

Sounds hypocritical, right? It is...very much so. No doubt about it. It's about as clear and cut a double-standard as you will ever find. But, it is one of those things that just IS. Yes, there are reasons behind it. But to be 100% honest, me going into them in any amount of detail would just come off as ignorant, self-indulgent or me having a sense of entitlement. None of which are true; but seeing as I have traveled down that road before, I don't think I'm gonna go down it again. Now by no means do I consider myself a revolutionary, a Sharpton-esque type of guy. In fact, I despise those types of people. I'm a big believer in calling a spade a spade when it comes to discrimination and racism, but not in seeking out angles and avenues to turn any sort of injustice into the second coming of Jim Crow. But what I can't really stomach is white people using that pesky word around me. I have no problem asking a stranger who uses that word what makes the think it's okay to do so. And here is the bottom line: If you say it, and I ask you politely what makes you think it's okay to do so, and you flippantly tell me 'Because you say it!' or 'It's all good, I say it around all my black friends. They don't mind!', there is a pretty decent chance that I will punch you in the face. Or we will get into a discussion that will lead to a place that neither one of us wants to end up. And who wants that? Certainly not me. So, to keep that from happening, I'm no longer going to use it around white people. That's that. Moving on.

Now comes tricky part: using the around others of the same race.

Most black people identify with one of two schools of thought:

a) The word should not be used at all, by anyone, as it is disrespectful to all black people, our ancestors and there sacrifices, and there is nothing good that can come of it.

or

b) Both the word itself and the meaning and connotations are different than it they were in generations past and that there is nothing wrong with using the word.

I identify with both, if that makes any sense. I guess if I was forced to hop of the fence, I'd say that I'm more of a B'er. As I said before, I use the word all the time. And I will continue to do so. Why? Because I am very comfortable using the word and know when how to censor myself when the situation warrants. However, I can certainly understand the point of view of anyone who identifies with A. Some of my best friends fall in line with that viewpoint, and who am I to disrespect that? But it seems that us B'ers don't get the same respect from the A crowd. Here's an example:

I recently used the word when commenting to a friend on a certain social networking site that shall go unnamed. One of their female family member's decided to crusade for all that was right and pure in the world and proceeded to tell me not only that they did not understand why I felt the need to use that word, but that my use of the word personally offended her.

You are offended by my use of the word? Not a problem. One of my life mottos is 'Pride and ego destroy great men'. I had no problem humbling myself and apologizing for offending her by using the word in mixed company. But not for the obvious reasons. In no way to do I feel the need to defend my use of the word itself. I apologized because I respect the person who I made the comment to and, by proxy, I respect his family.

But she decided to take it a step further and indirectly refer to me as a moron, attack my character, wonder out loud of I was 'too stupid to find some other noun to use' and stated that anyone who wanted to comment that the word was OK to use would be 'verbally assaulted'.

This is the part that I have a problem with.

I don't want to toot my own horn, but I am very articulate, well-read and beyond intelligent. I am college educated (somewhat...yikes!) and have a mastery over the English language that is well above average. Remember when our grade school teachers told us that the kids who used curse words were the ones who weren't smart enough to think of any other words to use? Well, that was a FUCKING myth! I defy anyone to listen to my usage of four letter words and equate that with my IQ score. You'd be in for quite a surprise. Don't let the sloppy blog, tattoos and potty mouth fool you, people.

My son is crying...be right back!

Ok. False alarm. Back to business.

Now, the person who made those comments seems very intelligent and seems to have a good head on her shoulders and a good heart. Is there a reason she could not have respected my word choice as my own, let her feelings be known and move on...the way that I did? Am I subject to indirect verbal assault, character assassination and petty name calling if my word choice does not fall in line with the next person? Something about that doesn't seem right.

If she is reading this, which is quite possible, please don't take it as some sort of attack. Clearly..it's not. If you are as sharp as you seem, you should be able to tell that I wouldn't throw shots at you, even though we have never even met in person. Just my curiosity getting the best of me. Feel free to comment.

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

I told her all about how we been living a lie/ and that they'd love to see us all to go to prison or die/ like 'baby, look at how they show us on the tv screen!'/but all she ever wants me to do is to unzip her jeans.

-J.Cole, 'Lights, Please'

The Writing of 'HR' - Vol. 4

Act one? In the can! Written, polished and put aside. It paged out a little longer than I expected, but that's good news. The way it's looking, the final script will page out at 95 - 105 pages, which is right where it should be.

Now comes the hard part: Act 2!

It's easy to stumble in act two, getting lost in your story and the happenings. There are so many things that have to happen to make the story work and make the characters seem real and layered, that quite frankly it hurts my head just thinking about. Especially in a script like mine; a small, character driven, coming of age story.

However, I ready for the challenge.

Time to stop using this blog entry as a procrastination tool and get down to business. Onward and upward!

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/I'm hungry like I never ate/set a table up with knives, forks and spoons, I'm bout to get a plate/all these weak dummies lookin' at me like a pepper steak!

-Joell Ortiz, 'Sound Off'

The Writing of 'HR' - Vol. 3

I'm back again boys and girls. A month after my last update. How are things going on my magnum opus? Read on!

I've got act one pretty much done. I'm supposed to be finishing of the last couple pages right now, but I was having trouble with how to approach a particular scene, so I decided to take a break and hit this blog thingy.

Seems to be constructed pretty solidly. When the first act is done - as opposed to moving on the act 2, like I usually do - I think I may print it out, read it over a few times and tighten it up. Just trying some different approaches from how I usually write.

That's pretty much it. Im excited to get act one 'on the can', so to speak. Hopefully it's as good as I think it is.

But either way...you guys will hear all about it!

HIP HP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

Rule had a run/ A couple movie parts. T.I. literally wanted to shoot up the charts

Jay-Z, 'A Star is Born'

MrYoungGun's plan to fix this country in 8 easy steps. Well...easy-ish!

Hello, World. I don't really need much of a preamble for this one. I got to talking to my barber about healthcare and why it's so fucked up. That conversation was basically the conception of this blog. Here we go:

How to fix this country in 8 easy steps:

1. CLOSE THE EDUCATION GAP:

For years now, we have allowed our public schools to slide down the slippery slope of mediocrity. Classes are too big. Teachers are not paid enough and most of them don't have the training that they need. The standards have been set too low. And no on has really addressed the problem. The real problem. The first part of the problem is that parents don't understand the role that school plays in their children's educational development and the role that they themselves play in their children's educational development. The first thing that us parents have to understand is that while it is the job of the public education system to educate our children, it is NOT the job of public education system to instill in them DESIRE learn. Guess who's shoulders that falls on?

If you send your 5 year old to kindergarten, and he does not know his ABC's, you have never read to him nor at least attempted to teach him to read, have not spent time with him doing the smallest thing like having him count the number of grapes that his is given to snack on each afternoon...if you have abandoned him to the electronic babysitter known as television, if you have not at least tried to instill in him the fact that there is an entire world out there beyond what he sees before his eyes, if you have not instilled in him the idea that there is a history that took place before him and a future that will go on after him, than you have set him up for failure. Simple as that. (Yes, I know that was one big run-on sentence. Yes, I know the irony of that fact). As parents, our job - before our sons and daughters ever step foot in a classroom - is to instill in our children the desire to learn. And...we...are...failing...

Beyond that, our children do not spend enough time in school. That is a large part of the reason that our children have fallen so far behind the rest of the world in terms of education. A friend of mine taught English in China for 3 years. Some of his students moved to America and attended high school here. They would email him regularly, telling him how easy the work, how they are excelling in every subject, how even after homework from advanced placement college-level courses, the still had more free time on their hands than they ever have before. Now why was that the case? Because when you are coming from a country where they place a real priority on education, a country where if you are not trilingual, you are falling behind, a country where you are in school from 7am - 7pm, six days a week with no summer break, going to school from 8am - 3pm, , then five days a week is a walk in the park. Our children need to spend more time in school and they need to get more out of the time that they spend there. This business about being allowed to drop out of school at 16? What type of shit is that? Everyone needs a high school education. Period. I'm so sure of this fact, that rather than try to defend it, I'm just going to move on to my next point.

Our children need to be held to a higher standard and more stringent graduation requirements. I am 26. If you are within 4 years of me, then I guarantee that you know at least one person who you graduated high school with who could barely read. Had no idea what a square root was. Had no idea what a thesis statement was. The sad part about that - and the part that people never want to acknowledge - is that it is not her fault. We let her slide by without this basic knowledge. He have socially promoted her into a world that does not offer social promotions. I have another friend who is a teacher in Florida. As of two weeks a go, she was no longer allowed to grade based on punctuation, sentence structure, spelling and capitalization. As long as she can follow the student's train of thought, then that is what matters. Are you fucking kidding me? I know a certain person, who shall remain nameless, who is unable to get a decent job. They are unable to get a decent job because their resume is a piece of shit. Misspelled words, punctuation and spelling off, etc. Now, why do you think this person thinks it's no big deal to submit a resume that is in that condition? That's right! She was allowed to slide by without having ever been held to the standard of 'Maybe, just maybe, this will be important later on in life, so you have to learn it now'. If you want to see a true depiction of the methods used to academically cripple our kids, watch season 4 of 'The Wire'.

2. UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE:

Yes, I said it. No, I'm not a socialist. We are one of the only prosperous, developed countries in the world without health for all citizens. I mean real, substantial healthcare, paid for by the government. If the government does not look out for the well-being of it's citizens, than I think we need to rethink what this county stands for. Now, I know there are some young thundercats out there who don't think that they need insurance. Hell, I was one of those young thundercats not too long ago. But as I stated, it is the job of the government to look out for the well being of the people. And that means, to a certain extent, protecting the people from themselves. And yes, I know how expensive universal healthcare is. However, later on this blog, there is a section about balancing the budget and getting rid of the national deficit, along with several other changes that would more than pay for healthcare for every man, woman and child in The United States.

Free healthcare for all citizens. Say it with me, people.

3. ENACT A MINIMUM MARRIAGE AGE:

There are a lot of issues within this country that stem, directly or indirectly, from the breakup of the American family. Our children suffer, our economy suffers, etc. One of the ways to prevent this is to enact a minimum marriage age. If you want me to be 100% honest, I think that minimum age should be 25. But in the interest of being at least a LITTLE realistic, let's go with 21.

Truthfully, at 18 or 19, you don't have the skills needed to make a marriage work. And if you do, you are one in a million. You are not mature enough to make an informed decision about rather or not you can truly spend the rest of your natural life with another person. You know why? Because at that age, you do not even know who 'YOU' are. And even if you do, the person that you are now is not the same person that you will be at 25. Will your spouse seem as desirable to you then? You to them? Hmmm. I know it seems that this may not be as important so some of the other things on this list as far as getting this country back in shape, but in my opinion, it is one of the most vital. Over the last few year, the divorce rate has fluctuated between 48% and 53%. That is half! Half the couples who get married end up divorced. Children separated from one of their parents. Stay-at-home moms and dad's forced to begin life again by diving into a horrible job market. Divorce settlements eating away at savings accounts. Child support payments crippling dad for the next however many years. Etc, Etc.

And no, I am not saying that there would be no such thing as divorce with a minimum age requirement for marriage. But if you have a brain in your head - even if that brain was nurtured by the public education system that I bashed earlier - then you realize that enacting a minimum marriage age in this country would go a long way towards curbing the problems that cause divorce. Or not. Who knows?

4. A MAJOR OVERHAUL OVER THE POLITICAL PROCESS ON REGARDS TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

First of all, the term of the president should be lengthened from 4 years to 5 years. Lengthening the term would allow the president another year to fully explore the validity of any policies that are put into place. Too often, our presidents pass laws and policies that by design, yield the bulk of their effectiveness on the back end, years after being put into play. Lengthening the presidential term to 5 years gives those policies a fighting chance, as way to determine whether they are effective or not. Second, it would make my next point an easier pill to swallow...

Do away with the incumbent, limiting presidents to one term in office. One of the main reasons that no real progress ever gets made, and one of the main reasons that you see so few politicians - presidents in general - stick to their word, is because instead of doing what is best for the people, they are doing what is best for them...in their re-election campaign. A man who knows that he is not eligible for re-election is a man who is free to carry out the acts that he feels are best for the country. No more passing laws that favor the XYZ industry because the XYZ industry has contributed $100 million to your re-election campaign. No more passing laws that alienate one group of people, for fear of pissing of a second larger group of people. Which brings me to my next point. Campaign contributions should only be allowed to come from individual donors, totaling no more than $50,000, and from organizations and business grossing less than $1 million a year. No more pork-barrel politics. We like our politicians clean and ready to do the will of the people. Not spineless bastards who are constantly bending over for a couple of dollars.

In line with that, the president of the United States should not be paid for his services. Not a single dime. Room and board is fine, damnit. And I know that the president's salary is not that much - somewhere in the neighborhood of $400,000/year. But it is the principle. A stipend for life after your out of office? Sure. Being paid for being the president? Negative! Also, can someone please explain to me why we still have an electoral college? The electoral college system has crippled our economy, crippled out children academically, crippled our economy and has us fighting two wars, neither one of which we can 'win', in the traditional sense of the word. How did the electoral college process manage to do all that? By allowing that one fella to move into the White House, even after losing the popular vote. One man, one vote, majority rule! No more electoral college.

5. THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

No, Renyea, I DON'T smoke. But let's be honest. Do any of you know anyone who does not smoke because it is illegal? Me either. The fact that marijuana is illegal in this country, but cigarettes and liquor are not is totally baffling to me. Lung cancer and alcohol related fatalities kill more people every WEEK in this country that marijuana related fatalities in a year. Legalize it, Uncle Sam. If you make marijuana legal, guess what you get in return? Billions of dollars in sales tax. Billions of dollars saved by not having to enforce useless, antiquated laws. Billions of dollars saved by not having to shuffle people through the legal system. The American economy would thank you. Think you would find something to spend that money on?

6. GET RID OF THE NATIONAL DEFICIT AND BALANCE THE BUDGET

How? With a ten year period of funding cuts to federally funded programs and a multinational debt forgiveness program.

For years we have lived beyond out means, funneling money into places that didn't need it. That is part of what got us in trouble. Now, we seem to think that we can get out of that trouble by putting a band-aid on the problem. Negative. Tightening of the belt. That is what will fix this problem. Doing more with less? That'd be great. But more realistically, doing less with less! That means funding cuts to most federally funded programs. The national park system? Funding cuts! Arts programs? Funding cuts! Medical research that is not geared towards the preservation of life? Funding cuts? Deep space exploration? Funding cuts! If that means closing down tourism an all National Parks, shutting down most of Nasa, putting a hold on research geared towards allowing paraplegic's to walk again, then so be it. But there has to be somebody that is willing to make those tough call. That is the price of leadership. You cannot please everybody. And when you try to, you shortchange everybody.

The amount of money that we owe to other countries is ungodly. But, the tricky part is that the reverse if true as well. A debt forgiveness policy adopted by the 25 richest nations in the world would go a long way towards not only rebuilding the worldwide economy, but building up relations with some of the countries that we have traditionally considered enemies. Whether it be money, food stores, relief supplies, military aide, etc..forgive and forget.

7. RETHINK BOTH OUR FOREIGN POLICY AND OUR MILITARY POLICY

For some reason, we seem to think that it is out job to play junior high school principal to the rest of the world. We feel the need to put our nose in affairs that we have no stake in and nothing to do with. Affairs that have been boiling for centuries. We want to ensure peace in the Middle East. We want to send aid to Tsunami victims. We want to open out borders to those who want to come to this country and live that American Dream that they hear some much about. We want to ensure that Israel and Palestine play nice with each other. And please do not think that I am saying that we are wrong for doing any of these things. But my question is...at what cost? At what point do we go into self-preservation mode and ensure that WE are in good shape stretching out arms out to embrace the world?

The reason that we have been able to do some of the things that we have is because most of the world still looks to us as an example. But that didn't just happen for no reason. That type of admiration developed because the foundation of this country was solid and the ideals that were advertised were the ideals that would be found here, for the most part. But if we keep going the way we are going, the world will soon realize that it has been worshipping a false God. And when that happens...who will step in an protect us?

How simple is this: A quick pullout of Iraq and Afghanistan. And when I say quick, I mean within a year. $12 billion a month, and thousands of American lives. at some point you have to ask 'Do the ends justify the means?' Answer? Fuck no! S.H. is DEAD. His political party is in shambles. There have been democratic elections. Successful ones! Train the military. Train the state police and other investigative ad peace keeping branches, then leave! That's it.

8. SERIOUSLY INVEST IN ALTERNATE FORMS OF FUEL

We live on a planet. That planet is called Earth. And man, is it dirty! The carbon footprint of the United States is HUGE compared to out population. Now, no means do I consider myself a tree-hugger, but even I can admit that we have a problem. For generations, we have consumed natural resources at an alarming rate. For some reason, we never gave any thought to what would happen when those resources run out. One way to not have to work about killing Earth or depleting out resources? Develop alternative resources. Wind...solar...hydro...ethanol...it's all out there. In addition to that, doing so would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which would go along way towards giving us some leverage when coming back to the negotiating table in regards to foreign policy. Hell, alternate forms of fuel and the exploration oil fields in Alaska and the Gulf Of Mexico could probably do away with out dependance on foreign oil all together.

That is pretty much it. Let me just say before I wrap up that I know some of my logic is a bit flawed. But the point is if somebody doesn't have this conversation, all is lost.

Also, let me say that I wanted to dedicate a lot more time and energy into several of these ideas, particularly the reformation of the political process and healthcare, but it's 2am, I'm tired and my son is waking up right now, expecting some food.

Far be it from me to disappoint him.

HIP HIP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

I'm the one that wanna Spear Brittany/ Give Pink some black, put it near her kidneys

-Crooked I

(How enlightening!)

The writing of 'HR' - Vol. 2

Welcome back.

So here's the deal...even though I've written a few screenplays at
this point, I still like to play around with different methods and
habits. For example:

1. I usually create a fairly detailed outline before I type 'fade in'.
A brief description of each and every scene that I need to write. With
this project, I'm kinda just compiling a list of things and ideas that
need to be explored in each act. How I'll convey those thoughts and
feelings and thematic ideas through my characters is something that
I'll just let develop on it's own through the course if writing.

2. I usually write very methodically. 'Methodically' being a euphemism
for 'slowly'. This time, I think I'm gonna write the first draft hard
and fast. Within a month, if possible.

At this point, I've got most of the story down in my head and a
general direction of how I want things to go. Within a week, I should
be ready to actually start writing. Hopefully, once I get started I
won't be able to stop. I'm pretty excited about the prospect of what
this script can be.

Until next time...

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:
Nowadays everybody wanna be a rapper/ about two years ago everybody
was a trapper/ obviously money us what everybodys after/ tell me
what's going on, I could really use some answers
-Generation Lost, B.O.B

The writing of 'HR' - Vol. 1

Hello out there. So I got a crazy idea the other day. It was 4am and I was working on this new script idea that I've been kicking around in my head for a while. Then, like a Mack truck, an idea hit me: A blog series chronicling the writing of this next script - from idea to finished first draft.

This intrigues me for a couple of reasons. A) When I'm battling writer's block, which happens more often than I'd like, I can walk away from the script, jot down a blog entry about the whole thing and automatically feel like less of a loser for not being able to summon my muse at will. B) When I'm a big shot Hollywood scribe, one of my slavishly devoted film geek fans can dig this puppy up and run wild with it. C) I can look back on this year from now and see just how completely ass backwards my process was back in the 'early years'. I thought about just starting an entirely separate blog for this, but to be quite honest, I'm a lazy bastard. So I'll just be peppering this new theme throughout this blog. The MrYoungGun Chronicles is already a hodgepodge of different thoughts, themes, emotions and rants anyway, right? Right!

I won't really go into specifics of the particular details of the script. Not because I'm some paranoid ego-manias, scared someone will steal my ideas, but because I've discovered that talking about an idea too much kind of takes the air out of it, flattens it and automatically gives it less merit. But when I'm done I might let a select few read it, so that you may heap praises upon me. (Kidding! Or am I?!?) I think that's it. So...here we go:

Like 8 or 9 months ago, one of my best friends told me about this short story that her had been writing. It was very...ambitious. Just to give you an idea of what I mean by that, it involved French aristocracy, gamers, American street gangs, political undertones and young woman who was VERY handy with a couple of Glock 17 pistols. It was a lot to take in, but I immediately latched on to one particular element of that story that interested me. As always, he gave me free reign to steal the idea and run with it. So I jotted that little kernel of an idea down in my 'ideas' file (every respectable writer should have one) and totally forgot about.

But the strangest thing happened to me while I was at work the other day. There I am at my desk, listening to a podcast, when suddenly that little puzzle piece of an idea popped in my head, along with all of the potential directions that I could take it. I immediately jotted down a few notes and went back to work. That was about 2 weeks ago. Since then, I've basically just been letting the idea marinate in my head, telling me what it wants to become. It seems to want to become a small, dark, intimate coming-of-age script. I've got the basic structure down, and the characters have revealed themselves to me, and I'm kind of working out the story arc now. Things are falling into place nicely.

I'm excited about this idea. Of course, I'm excited about EVERY idea that I have, so we'll see if this puppy has as much staying power as I think it does. Also, I've decided not to write an outline for this one. Well, not as extensive and outline as I usually write. I usually write a 2-4 page outline, with every scene numbered, and a pretty detailed description of what happens in each scene. But what I've discovered is that I find myself just writing to get to the next scene on the outline, as opposed to taking in the lay of the land and allowing the story to have free reign. It may wok out better, it may blow up in my face. Either way, I'll find out.

To be continued...

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

I always said what the fuck I felt/ go ahead and spit that murder I wrote/I ain't never cared 'bout hat you felt/Fuck you, nigga! I know I'm dope!

-Kanye West, 'Go Hard'

Child of Hip Hop

I can remember it like it was yesterday. My momma, my sister and I
went to Candler Road flee market. I stopped at the first bootleg music
stand, excited to cop my first piece of music with my own money.
Before this, it was shit that I borrowed from friends and shit that I
recorded off the radio. Dude was having a 2 for $10 sale so I browsed
around, looking for one thing in particular...and whatever else
tickled my fancy. I left an hour later with Goodie MOB's Soul Food and
Too Short's Gettin' It. Cassette tapes, of course.

I was eleven years old then. Fifteen years later and there are few
things I look forward to more than hopping in the Impala, shooting
over to Best Buy and copping that new Jay-Z or that new Outkast or
that new Nas. I've got an ongoing love affair with hip hop. And I
don't see it ending anytime soon. No matter how old I get. My tastes
may change. But not my love of the artform. And here's why...

Through hip hop, I've made a lot of friends. Good friends. Close
friends. Whenever I'm riding high off of something I've accomplished,
feeling myself too much, my nigga Jay-Z comes along and reminds me
that 'success is like lust...it's good to the touch...it's good for
the moment...but it's never enough'. When this kid Doug that I went to
school with was pushing my buttons, my man Styles reminded me to 'show
him ya gentleman first. If he don't respect that, then show him ya
gangsta!'. When I'm procrastinating on shit I know I need to get done,
Pimp lets me know that 'one day ya here, next day ya gone'. So I get
busy building my legacy.

Hip hop speaks to me; and I speak back.

A few weeks ago when m Michael Jackson died, I saw a lot of people on
television crying. Apparently they we so touched by Michael Jackson's
music that they felt that their lives would never be the same. Me? It
took me by surprise at first. But a few hours later, I was over it. In
fact I was irritated that coverage of his death seemed to be on every
channel that I turned to. I was 13 when Tupac got shot the second
time. I remember coming home from basketball practice everyday, and
turning on the news, sure I'd see that he had come out of his coma. I
figured it was only a matter of time before he was back to his old
self and making records a out how 'real niggas don't die!'. When he
died, it fucked me up for a while. I had lost a friend; someone I
could lean on when times were tough. Michael Jackson might have been
the 'King of Pop' but Pac affected me on deeper level. The power of
hip hop.

No other artform is more taylor-made for people like me. People who
came from little or nothing. Underdogs who are determined to make
something of themselves. The love affair has been burning hot for a
long time. And it won't be cooling off anytime soon.

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY

I'm in my 20's so a new Nas joint used to give me the chills!
-Joell Ortiz, 'This is hip hop'

Test to see if mobile blogging works

From my iPhone to infinity!!!!!

Been a while.

Hello world. Haven't blogged in a minute. And, boy, has a lot happened. I guess the most obvious would be the birth of my son, Aj. Long story short, my better half woke up with crazy strong contractions at about 2am on June 8th. 27 hours, 3 shifts of nurses, 2 midwives, 3 failed epidurals and 3 anesthesiologists (did I spell that right, Brenna?) later, my son was born. 7 lbs, 3 oz's, 19 inches. It was quite a sobering experience. One that I will never forget. My son is lying right next to me on the couch, and I am realizing that he is simultaneously my greatest accomplishment and my biggest challenge. That's all I'll say about that.

I guess the next biggest thing that has happened in my life is the fact that I got a promotion and a raise at work. First of all, let me express how much I love my job. It is literally the only job that I have ever had that i enjoy getting up and going to everyday. The importance of that facet cannot be understated. When I started at Apple last May, I decided that I would put my all into the job and see where it took me. What I'm getting in return is a stable career (at least until I sell a screenplay!) and a sense of accomplishment everyday when I get off that I have never had before. I'm excited about my future at Apple. That's all I'll say about that.

I am also rediculously excited about my upcoming trip to Atlanta at the end of the year. I haven't been home since 2005 and I can imagine how much the city has changed since then. Also, I'm excited to introduce KT to Atlanta, as she has never been. I keep telling her that she'll find it...interesting. She doesn't really understand what I mean. But she'll get it when we touch down. I've been trying to coordinate a get-together with all my boys. Hopefully, they can all make it to Atlanta and we can see each other. I have a feeling it probably won't happen again, with most of us getting married, having kids, buying houses, etc. We'll see. I'm excited to see if any of them have stepped their Monopoly game. Cause as I recall, I still have the crown on my head!  That's all I'll say about that.

I haven't been able to write a word in a month. I haven't really gotten myself on any real schedule as far as work, writing taking care of my house and taking care of my son. I've learned the hard way that something has to give. And it looks like that thing will have to be...sleep. I've been experimenting with getting some writing done while I am up in the middle of the night feeding Aj and trying to get him back to sleep (like I am right now). IT's looking promising. But we'll see how it turns out. That's all I'll say about that.

That's pretty much it, people. Until next time...

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY

Bang bang, nigga let's get it on/ I've always been a monster but it's worse now that my son's been born

-Sheek

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090404/ap_on_re_us/one_man_s_apology

I know the article is loooooong, but please take a few minutes to read through it.

Is anyone else as unmoved by this as I am?

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

Don't give the black man food, or the red man liquor/red man fool, black man nigga!

Lupe Fiasco, American Terrorist

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/21/boy.homicide/index.html

As I write this, the 11 year-old kid who committed this crime is sitting in jail. Not juvenile, not youth authority and not a detention center...JAIL! He is being tried as an adult. Does anyone reading this think that that is right?

Before you answer, read a little further:

-In our country, we have deemed 11 year olds not mature enough to decide rationally whether or not they want to have sex. So we arrest and imprison the adults who 'victimize' them.

-In our country, we have deemed 11 year olds not mature enough to decide rationally whether or not they want to fight, and possibly die, to defend our freedoms. So we forbid them from joining the military.

-In our country, we have deemed 11 year olds not mature enough to get behind the wheel of a car and drive. So we make them wait five more years before they get a driver's license. 

-In our country, we have deemed 11 year olds not mature enough to responsibly ingest alcohol. So we have made it illegal for them to do so.

But apparently, 11 year-olds are mature enough to be imprisoned for the rest of their lives for a crime that they commit. I think that is a bit ridiculous. 

I am not saying that is was not a heinous crime. I am not saying that this kid should be set free without some sort of punishment. I think they should have professionals evaluate whether or not he is mentally stable. If he is, he needs to put into a facility and rehabilitated, educated and monitered until he is 18 or 21. At which time, his record should be expunged or sealed and he can go on about his life.

This kid is obviously not an adult, so he should not be tried as an adult in a court of law.

Let's be reasonable people!

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

It's as easy as cake/simple as 'Whistling Dixie'/as I'm waving a pistol/ at 60 Christians against me/go to war with Mormon's/take a bath with the Catholics/in holy water/no wonder they try to hold me under longer

Renegade

-Eminem

OMG! Am I one of THOSE people now?

I used to laugh at THOSE people. Now I totally get it! I apologize to all you quasi-upper-crust, over-caffinated yuppies. I was wrong.

POP QUIZ, HOTSHOT!!!

Here I am, working on this re-write that seems to be taking FOREVER. I decide to take a break. That's when I realize where I am. Here's skinny:

-It smells like French roast coffee, chocolate and cinnamon.

-I see two middle-aged women sipping coffee and having a conversation in Russian (probably about me, my slightly tilted fitted hat, black thermal and black shelltoe adidas!)

-There is a young couple on the couch across from me who just wrapped up a thrilling game of chess.

-To me left, there are 3 teenage Asian girls working on there homework. (One looks like she is on the verge of collapse, but she probably needs at least a 'C' on her next Chemistry test to have a chance of not having to take the class over, so she is pushing through it like a soldier).

-50's-era Rock and Roll, Bobby Darin or Buddy Holly, plays softly on the speakers.

Where am I?

Starbucks! And I am loving every minute of it! Oh, and PLEASE, just walk on by when you see me. Because I'm WAY to Hollywood to speak to you! =)

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

First I snatched the streets/then I snatched the charts/First I grabbed they ears/now I have they hearts

Jay-Z, 'Let Me Down'

Stop spending my money on BULLSHIT!

Okay, so this past weekend I was watching the news and they were talking about the first bailout that was issued to the banks and financial institutions. Now by no means am I an expert on politics or financial matters, but the whole thing seems very unorganized to me. I didn't see any checks and balances in place to make sure that these entities didn't abuse the money that they borrowed. 

This morning, I came across this:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090204/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bailout_executive_pay

Something like that never crossed my mind. But what better way to make sure that these companies are doing everything they can to make sure that this doesn't happen again and are using the gift that the American people gave them wisely, than to put a cap on the salaries of the men in charge of those companies?

Is it enough? Nope

Will it be effective? Who knows?!

But it least someone is sending them a message that, 'Hey, we've got our eyes on you, Mr. Executive!'

That is all.

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

I guess it's gon' be what it's gon' be/but there is one thing y'all gotta hear/I'ma tell you like george Bush told me/'Fuck y'all niggas! I'm outta here!

Kanye West 

-Go Hard

...on the former President, 'W'.

Picture this:

A Formula 1 race is coming to your city. They are holding a sweepstakes to give one local driver a chance to enter their own car into the race and race alongside the pro's. Your friends try to persuade you to enter the sweepstakes. You do. Lo and behold, you beat the odds and are chosen to be in the race! The big day of the race arrives and you line your 1997 Honda Civic hatchback next to the finely tuned Formula 1 cars. The gun goes off and the other cars dash away from the start line, leaving you and your 110-horse power, rear wheel drive Honda sitting there, amazed at their speed. Needless to say that you lose - embarrassingly. After the race, all of the friends who convinced you to enter the race and mad at you. They feel like you let them down because you didn't win the race. 

Sounds silly? A bit ridiculous, even?

That's essentially what we have done with our former President, George W. Bush. We elected a man who was ill-equipped to handle the demands of the presidency and expected him to lead us into prosperity. We elected a C-student, former alcoholic, owner of two failed companies and a man who lost the popular vote but still won the election. A man who did not have the tools to get the job done. Then, we got upset when he lead us into darkness.

We entered the 1997 Honda Civic that is George W. Bush, into the Formula 1 race the is the Presidency of the most powerful nation in the world, then got mad when he fucked up.

It's not his fault, people. He did the best he could with his limited intelligence and narrow world view. The problem comes in the fact that his best was woefully inadequate. He failed in his execution, not in his effort. He may be an incompetent, insensitive, delusional, elitist war monger, but he honestly believed that the decisions that he made were the best ones for America. And that's the sad part. 

Would you continue to talk shit about a retarded kid who pissed on the floor?

Would you continue to talk shit about the blind kid on your basketball team who couldn't hit a free throw?

I didn't think so.

It's time to lay off the last president, people. Just be thankful that he is gone, waive goodbye and let's move on to Mr. Obama.

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

The comment Kanye made was damn near right/Bush hate poor people, be 'em black or white

'That's Life', Killer Mike

Divorce

I am a product of divorce. Chances are that you are too

According to the story I was told, my father just woke up one morning and decided that he no longer wanted to be married. I say 'According to the story I  was told...', because I haven't heard his side of the story. I don't think that our rekindled relationship is at a point where such questions are appropriate. That sounds very plausible though. It seems like something he would do.

Over half of the marriages in this country end up like this. But why? Why can't couples seem to stay married these days. I think I have the answers people. Gather round:

#1 WHAT'S THE RUSH?

When you marry a person, things are never the same. Everything that they do effects you. And everything that you do effects them. You will have to put up with each others bullshit(unless you're a runner. More on that later). You will likely have to put your heads together and determine the best way to raise a child. Don't you think that you should take the time to get to know that person? Their likes, dislikes, fears, hopes, dreams and ambitions. Whether or not the fold under pressure and meet it head-on. If they are reckless with money or frugal. If they are all about family or all about themselves. Whether or not thy are the jealous type or not. There is no way you can gather that information in 6 month. Or even a year. That is the type of information that you can only get after at LEAST 2 years. I believe that if people would just slow down and make sure that they are compatible  with their mate, there would be far less divorces in this country. That is not to say that there is no hope out there for all you 6-month wonder couples out there and that you are headed for divorce court. Only that you would have improved your chances of success by waiting.

#2 PEOPLE DON'T TAKE MARRIAGE SERIOUSLY

In a country where millions of people tune in to watch 'Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire?', 'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette', we have turned marriage from a sacred institution into a commodity. A good. Something with little value. Here's the truth: If you don't have children, your marriage should be your number one priority. Nit your career, or your hobbies or your Sunday night basketball league. Your marriage! That's not to say that you shouldn't do any of those things. But hopefully you are with a person who realizes that just because you can't go to that event that they want you to go to because you are working late or because of that championship basketball game, that that doesn't mean that it is more important than your marriage. How do you know if you have a person like that? See #1!

#3 PEOPLE RUN AWAY WHEN TIMES GET HARD

I said earlier that we have turned marriage into a good. And like any good, if it's broken or not working the way we expect, we just return it or exchange it for another. How about we have some patience and see if we can repair it? No one is perfect. People make mistakes. But the key is working past it and moving on, not giving up and throwing in the towel. For some reason, people have gotten into their heads that marriage is easy. That you get married and it's smooth sailing after that. Nothing could be further for the truth. Marriage is a full-time job. And when it gets tough, you put in your mouthpiece and come out swinging. 

I'm not an expert by any means. Just my thoughts, people.

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

without the braids/I'm the closest thing to O'dog

Coming soon - video blog!

The YoungGun Chronicles - part 1

Stay tuned people!

Confessions of a predator

Basketball is my first love, always has been. Compared to my peers, I got a late start playing the sport and I can remember not being very good at it. I was always more athletic than the next kid - running faster and jumping higher - but it took a while for my skill level to catch up. 

But once it did...the kid was a PROBLEM on the court. 

My greatest pleasure used to be having a basketball in my hands, knowing that the defender in front of me was at my mercy. The pressure wasn't on me to score, it was on him to stop me form scoring. If he was bigger and slower, I'd take him to the perimeter, shake and bake and head straight for the rim. If he was shorter and quicker, I'd yell 'Mouse in the house!', post him up and use my height advantage. I got very adept at dissecting defenders like that smelly frog in 9th grade biology. On defense, I liked to roam around near the rim and block shots. I have put the fear of Brandon in more than a few ballplayers, took a couple youngsters under my wing, had some epic on-court battles and dunked on more than my fair share of people.

The first time I injured my knee was during gym class in 11th grade. Me and a close friend were in the middle of one of those epic battles that I spoke of in the above paragraph, taking turns abusing each other. I got passed him and laid the ball in off the glass to win the game, but I came down awkwardly and screamed like a little girl. My ACL was torn. If you play sports, basketball especially, you are cringing right now. Because you know that that is the one injury that you DO NOT want. I knew immediately that since I didn't have insurance, and since it wasn't life threatening, that I wouldn't be able to go to the doctor and get the surgery I needed. 

Since then, I have injured  both knees a total of about 7 times. The most amazing part about all those injuries is that I still was able to keep 70% of my athleticism. I could still run fast and jump high; maybe not to the level that I could before the injuries, but enough that when I walked into  a gym, people had to respect me.

Until the last injury...

I always knew that since I never got treatment for any of my injuries, there would come a time when my luck would run out. The last time I injured my knee, which was about 7 or 8 months ago, a strange thing happened. It didn't get better on it's own. Imagine that! Now, I can jump nearly as high as I used to. My lateral movement is pathetic. My reaction time has slowed to a crawl. And my first step is laughable.

I am no longer the predator on the court that I used to be. Now, I'm the prey. Those same ball players who wouldn't dare get out of pocket and run their mouth for fear that they would be my next victim, are now able to do to me what I once did to them. m

So I don't play any more. I'm choosing to go out like the 1998 Mike Jordan, hitting that pull-up jumper over Russell to win the championship. Not like the 2003 Mike Jordan, hanging on just a bit too long; long enough to see the young gladiators come at the throne. Does it suck? Yeah. But for the most part, I'm okay with it. That's how it is supposed to happen: the hunter becomes the hunted, the teacher becomes the pupil. I mean, I wish that it wouldn't have happened at 25 years old, but it's OK. I had a good run. Like I said, I have abused my fair share of ball players and my name still rings out when people mention the top ball players in this city.

And that's enough for me. Rumble, young man, rumble!

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

These young boys comin' up/ and they aiming for my neck/ but truth be told/I just take it as a sign of respect

-Me

The Realest Shit We Ever Wrote!

Usually I'm the soldier who never blows his composure.

Even though I have the weight of the whole world on my shoulder.

I ain't never supposed to show it and my girl ain't supposed to know it.

And I ain't never supposed to trip, stumble, fall or blow it.

And I've been able to to handle this persona of a man who

could carry a heavy load and still set an example.

I win my battle everyday but sometimes it feels like I lost it.

Because I carry around a secret...even SUPERMAN gets exhausted!

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me yo ear drums/it was a beautiful day off in the neighborhood/ yellows and greens and blues and browns and greys and hues that ooze beneath dilapidated wood

--Dre 3000, Black Ice