For an evening of party hopping on the horizon, a dress was exactly what the night was calling for.  Now Los Angeles hasn’t been plagued with 26 inches of snow (DC / MD peeps – enjoy staying in and watching those guilty pleasure movies I described yesterday) but we’re still feeling a chill (DC / MD peeps – apologies that the chill I’m describing is that of 60 degrees…).  So, a dress with some sort of sleeve action was going to be necessary.  This is what I decided on.

Day 70 - Before

Long sleeved, check!  Huge, gaping holes on the seam along the waist, check!  (You really need to see the close-up on this puppy – pic below)

Hangin' on by a few threads...

A long 70s paisley-ish fabric, check!  Some serious stitching that needed to be done to change this from scrap fabric to party dress, check!  Here we go…

First thing’s first, I pinned together the big holes along the waist and ran it through my sewing machine.  Those holes had to get fixed stat as the dress was really just hanging on by a few pieces of non-torn thread.  Next, I cut the skirt to the length I wanted it to be at and then hemmed the bottom.  I took in the sleeves, torso and skirt area to tighten it up and lastly I grabbed some of the extra fabric that was cut off and made it into a little sash to wrap around my waist.  It actually looked worse than it was, but because that paisley-ish fabric was killer I knew I had to try to get it to work.  So, guess what friends, I channeled some inner Tim Gunn guidance and did.

Adding some tights, calf boots, a big, faux rhinestoned ring this dress was birthday party ready!   Now, I tried it on first with this little cape from my closet…

Day 70 - After (playing superhero)

…however the mustard in the cape and in the skirt kinda made me feel like Silk Specter from Watchmen, just sans the leotard and the gloves…tonight.

Silk Specter, the real superhero

So, off went the cape and my dress was good and ready for the evening at hand.

Day 70 - After

My new, short, non-full of holes dress was fab.  It danced a little, had a few cocktails, stood under some heat lamps and even sung along to a little bit of Biggie Smalls.  This dress had places to be and people to say happy birthday to.  Clearly it takes its’ job very seriously.

Day 70 - After (Full length)

I never grew up with servants or housekeepers or nannies or drivers or any of those things. Coming from an immigrant musician family who lived in the Philadelphia suburbs pretty much meant that I took care of picking up my own crap—or my parents did when they couldn’t take how infrequently I picked up said crap.

Fast-forward to life in Paris and I’m learning first-hand all about the discreet charms of the bourgeoisie. (Yes, that’s an inside joke.) ”Cleaning ladies” (the PC American term) or “maids” (what everyone calls them in non-PC France) are par for the course for nearly every household. Whether they come once or a few times a week, maid service is fairly affordable, so again, almost everybody has it.

Two years ago, it was a novelty that made me feel a little weird (though thrilled that I didn’t have to clean up constantly.) I was really embarrassed to tell the maid what she should do; who was I to order her around? Now, the novelty has become a necessity and I’m better about giving orders, though still not completely comfortable with it. My maid has also become a de facto nanny, as she’s a young woman in her 20s who loves babies and adores my Dae.

Now whether it’s because I didn’t grow up with household help or because I grew up in the meritocracy that’s America, I just can’t see people as “the help.” Once, when I was in India and staying at a friend’s house, I was given my own servant. Seriously. My friend’s mom insisted I call my servant at any hour if I needed the littlest thing. He would bring me my meals and stand there until I finally realized one day that I had to dismiss him or else he’d wait to see if I needed something else. At the end of my trip, I bought him a Polo shirt as a thank you gift—to the amusement and chagrin of my hosts. “Now all the other servants will want Polo shirts, too,” they only half-jokingly griped.

Today, I asked the maid/nanny to come for a walk with me and the baby. It was a fairly nice day in Paris and I thought it would be good for all of us to go out and get some air. We ran errands and I found myself asking about her life, her dreams, her problems and so on. Needless to say, her life isn’t easy; in fact, far from ideal. She told me about her isolation here in France, her troubles with her boyfriend (who she moved here with), the lack of fun and socializing in her life. The girl has no friends. We stopped in Starbucks where I got us both Chai tea lattes (her first) and some sweet treats. It was nice and I know it was special for her because when she left, she told me that it was the first time she felt like she was having a real Paris life.

It made me sad.

First, because it stinks that she’s an attractive, sweet young woman who comes from a poor country that would pay her far less as an accountant (what she studied in school) than what she makes cleaning houses here. Second, because life clearly isn’t a lot of fun for her. Third, because she has romantic problems, which always tugs on my heartstrings. Fourth, because a simple stop at Starbucks could make her so happy. And fifth, because I don’t know if I can really be a friend to her since I’m her employer.

I know that there are boundaries that should be maintained, especially since she’s also helping to care for my daughter—wouldn’t it be weird if we became friends and yet I still had to tell her to vacuum and iron? At the same time, it’s hard for me not to care about a person who’s helping take care of my family and who I see nearly every day.

So what am I supposed to do? (Strangely enough, there was an article in the NYTimes today about how to talk to one’s nanny. Not super-relevant to my bourgeois problem, but close.) I wonder, too, if my own loneliness as an American transplant makes me predisposed to helping her and/or pursuing a friendship. I mean, if this were New York City, with all my friends and overflowing lifestyle, would I even think twice about the cleaning lady’s business?

Anyway, I guess Biggie had it right.

Within the music industry, there are many mishaps that occur that remain unsolved and rather questionable.

Since the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G., there has been little to no concrete evidence of leads towards the capture of the gunmen that shot down both rappers.

Launching the series “Famous Crime Scenes” VH1 looks to play examiner as the show will take an inside look by analyzing their murders.

Premiering February 12, the show will debut with Tupac as it will go back to that fateful day on the Vegas Strip and provide reenactments of the events that occurred.

Also, the show is expected to feature witnesses, investigators, 911 calls along with forensic evidence specialists that will dig deeper into each respective case.

The show will also examine the deaths of Anna Nicole Smith, John Lennon, Micheal Jackson and more.

Now, with the premise of the show being put out there, will there be a chance for the murders of the two rap starts to finally have their cases closed or is this just another form of exploitation with no hopes of finding those responsible for the shootings?

lobster bibs!

this lovely photo of mom & dad was taken on our last family trip to LA.  dad decided he wasn’t going to shave his whiskers- not a good idea if you want to avoid being mistaken for a homeless person (TRUE STORY.) 

in just three days i will be going (going) back (back) to cali (cali).  thank god, because i need a break from this winter weather!  unfortunately it won’t be bathing suit season yet but at least it will be balmy–it better be balmy!

Brandon and I can prove it:

1. A rambling pant sagger from Germany was paying at the register when his phone went off. Of course, it was the one and only, Germany’s sweetheart- Biggie Smalls. I think the song was Big Poppa. Fitting.

2. This 30-something-year-old white guy had a west side shirt on…and baggy pants…and spiky hair. Fitting for someone who feels like making their kids want to kill themselves.

3. The cashier, a white and older female, insisted on showing off her newly acquired skill of throwing gang signs she saw on some 30-something year old white guys shirts…infront of a window, next to a Popeye’s Chicken. Don’t call me racist, asshole, everyone in there was black minus the exaggeratedly skinny blonde girl in boots, fucker.

VH-1 will be the next outlet to take a stab and try and solve the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.

Launching their new half-hour series “Famous Crime Scene” on Friday, February 12^th at 9 p.m., the first episode will take an in-depth look at the murders of Pac and Biggie which are still unsolved.

The additional six episodes will investigate the untimely deaths of Biggie Smalls, John Lennon, Anna Nicole Smith, Selena, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson.

Taking a different approach to the cases, VH-1 reveals while news accounts tell only part of the story, the network  has rounded up the witnesses and investigators who were there to give viewers the intimate details from the initial 911 call to the investigators’ final determination to help piece together what really happened.

Using expert interviews and true-to-life reenactments, as well as advanced computer graphics, viewers will witness full recreations of these historic events.  They’ll tour virtual crime scenes searching for clues and learn the science behind the investigators’ findings: ballistics, fingerprints, DNA evidence, toxicology, profiling and more.

Hip-Hop Wired also previously spoke with an O.G. who detailed that the murders of Tupac and Biggie  was in fact gang related and had no ties to the East Coast / West Coast beef.  Click here and peep the story.

VH1 is taking an in depth look at the deaths of some of the most beloved entertainers ever in its new series ‘Famous Crime Scenes’

The first episode will focus on the unsolved murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. The additional six episodes will investigate the untimely deaths of Biggie Smalls, John Lennon, Anna Nicole Smith, Selena, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson.

While news accounts tell only part of the story, VH1 has rounded up the witnesses and investigators who were there to give viewers the intimate details from the initial 911 call to the investigators’ final determination to help piece together what really happened. Using expert interviews and true-to-life reenactments, as well as advanced computer graphics, viewers will witness full recreations of these historic events. They’ll tour virtual crime scenes searching for clues and learn the science behind the investigators’ findings: ballistics, fingerprints, DNA evidence, toxicology, profiling and more.

‘Famous Crime Scenes’ premiers Friday February 12 at 9pm.

Sources: VH1

It’s extremely tough to determine a clear top tier group of any artists in any genre.  What is the reason for this?  Well, in reality music quality is all perspective.  One’s view of who is “good” and “bad” is nothing more then personal preference.  In some situations it might appear exceedingly obvious that one artist is better then another.  For example a credited mainstream musician verses a middle school singer.  However, to say that mainstream artist is “better” would merely be an opinion.  There is no proof is determining a hierarchy of musicians.  In a sport such as basketball separating “the greats” from “the not so greats” is an easier process.  Obviously Michael Jordan is a better player then some no name guard who rarely played.  One could argue that best selling albums and musical awards of an individual artist can be used as a means to separate talent.  Although this is true, factual feats do not provide a strong enough bass in determining “the best”.  So without further ado, Smooth Thought will present its list of the top ten solo Hip Hop artists of all time.

For starters, here is a list of the top ten best selling Hip Hop albums of all time in the United States, excluding R&B. It will be interesting to see how the artists who produced these albums fit into Smooth Thought’s top list.  (Artist followed by album)

1.  Boyz II Men – II

2.  Kid Rock – Devil Without A Cause

3.  OutKast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

4.  MC Hammer – Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em

5.  The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death

6.  Eminem – The Eminem Show

7.  Tupac Shakur – All Eyez On Me

8.  Will Smith- Big Willie Style

9.  Tupac Shakur- Greatest Hits

10.  Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Here is a short list of those who just missed the cut. (In descending order)

Aesop Rock, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Mos Def

10. Immortal Technique

Immortal Technique is linguistically the most skilled Hip Hop artist.  His use of words transcends any notion that could otherwise phase his position as a great.  His focus on politics and other relevant issues is refreshing in a Hip Hop world predominately centered on sex, drugs, and violence.  He has great story telling ability and simultaneously possesses a smooth flow.  There is not much not to love about Immortal Technique.  As the colloquial saying goes, He keeps it real.

9. AZ

AZ will forever be painted in the backdrop of Nas’ legacy.  The talented MC never truly found his way into the mainstream venue nor did he find his way into the hearts of most Hip Hop listeners.  He is an incredible talent however, and his overlooked nature factors into his greatness.  AZ has produced quality hits, albums, and complications throughout his career. He is known most notably for his appearance in Nas’ first album, but his best work lies within his solo career.  AZ combines “hard core gangster” with a unique smoothness.  He is well deserving of a top ten spot.

8. Big L

If the Hip Hop world doled out a comedic award, Big L would not be an unexpected recipient.  Big L captures his audience with his humor and extremely unique tone.  He  might have the most distinguishable voice in Hip Hop to those who know of him.  Although Big L’s persona was centered on the “gangster streets” which within he resided, it didn’t stop him from being lyrically creative and intelligent.  His career was sadly cut short in the late 90’s when he was murdered.  It’s debatable whether this contributed to or against his success.  What is known is that his lyrical ability and humor is second to none.  Big L is an original New York rap legend.

7. J Dilla

J Dilla’s life was also unexpectedly cut short after a well-fought battle with Lupus.  Although he died almost 4 years ago, his beats continue to resonate and set the standard for today’s aspiring producers. Jay Dee produced several critically acclaimed albums, which led to his nomination for a Grammy.  He is considered in many eyes to be the best producer and beat maker ever.  J Dilla was a truly gifted individual who understood how to make phenomenal music.  His beats are intricately woven, almost mastered to perfection.  Not enough can be said about the greatness of this Detroit legend.

6. Eminem

Eminem has significantly worsened under the test of time.  He has become more pop star then rap star and seemingly hundred percent cash oriented.  This just proves how great he once was.  Although his last several albums have been horrid, his first four were pure gems, good enough to allow him into the discussion of top ten solo artists.  Eminem burst onto the global scene in the late 90’s and has not looked back since.  He will forever be categorized as “the white rapper”.  Before his days of butt pop, Eminem spit fire.  His evident anger fueled beautifully malicious raps often involving his personal life.  His “I don’t give a fuck” attitude allowed him to consistently create genuine works of art that could often be humorous.  Eminem, regardless of recent poor decisions in creationism, is in a category by himself.

5. Jay-Z

When discussing financial success in the Hip Hop world, Jay-Z’s name immediately comes to mind.  Although he hasn’t always been the best musician, he has always proven to be a top inventor in his field.  Jay-Z has been the main contributor to the direction of mainstream Hip Hop in the 2000’s era.  There’s something to be said for that.  Even in the previous decade he saw initial success with the release of his first album, Reasonable Doubt.  Many consider this to still be his best work.  Jay-Z has had the rare fortune of being able to produce quality material in the face of a mainstream audience.  His albums are appealing to both the masses and Hip Hop listeners who don’t usually enjoy the mainstream taste.  Jay-Z is no lyrical talent, but his overall style with a combination of excellent production has allowed him legendary success.

4. Nas

Nas’ legacy is derived from his solo debut, Illmatic.  Illmatic took the Hip Hop world by storm and to this day is considered one of the greatest albums of all time.  It was a tough act to follow.  Nas never found the ideal footing into the Hip Hop market he desired and was constantly placed in the backdrop of Jay-Z’s success.  All this was for the better.  Over the last two decades Nas has dished out a long-winded collection of classics.  Although no album will ever match Illmatic, Nas’ more recent endeavors speak volumes to his motivation and talent.  His material, although less well known then his rival Jay-Z’s, is better.  Nas has a deep understanding of what a solid Hip Hop song should be and it shows.  His flow, lyrical ability, and message combine to propel him into a top five Hip Hop artist.

3. Talib Kweli

To be blunt, Talib Kweli is without a doubt the most talented Hip Hop artist ever to live.  Unfortunately for him two guys, one named Christopher Wallace and the other named Tupac Shakur, decided to pick the same profession.  Talib has the uncanny ability to produce perfection.  Seemingly every song that the man makes is purified and mistake ridden.  Kweli delivers the smoothest style any artist has to offer.  His lyrics are often riddled with word play and deeper meaning.  Talib touches on political occurrences and other issues he deems important.  Although his songs serve a greater purpose, the audience is not given the feeling it’s being boggled down by political propaganda.  Kweli’s songs flow purely though one’s eardrums like a soft bending creek.  The beats incorporated with his songs never lack intensity nor do they drain his soft voice.  His persona maintains the same smooth ability his music possesses.  He has upheld a decently well renowned career, while preserving his genuine style.  There is no question Talib Kweli is already one of the greatest artists of all time.

2. Tupac Shakur

Tupac has to be considered as one of the greats in Hip Hop.  Although other artists might be more deserving of this position if the requirements were based purely on talent, Shakur contributed more to Hip Hop then any other artist.  Without his rivalry with Biggie Smalls and more importantly the music that he created, there is no telling where Hip Hop would be at this point.  Tupac is the original.  Although he didn’t invent rap, he invented what we now recognize as rap.  His style was far ahead of it’s time.  One must remember that the early 90’s did not provide as much technical support as is available now.  One must also remember he pioneered the Hip Hop game.  An original will always be more deserving than his or her successors.  That is Tupac’s story.  His music was good, his message was great, and what he represented is what has pushed him into the discussion of “Hip Hop God”.

1. The Notorious B.I.G.

Biggie Smalls reigns King.  There is no denying he is a revolutionary genius.  Unlike Tupac however, Biggie provided something better.  The Notorious B.I.G. provided phenomenal music.  To this day Biggie’s unique flow remains unmatched.  He had it all.  He could be humorous and completely serious.  He could talk about genuine issues and he could talk about “getting money”.  What brought his persona full circle was the rawness in it all.  Everything about him reeked of “real”.  Biggie was no fake.  His style was purely heavenly cake.  Now add a pioneer to this mixture, and you get one tasty bake.

Thanks for the read.

Comments appreciated!

PS

Tune in next week for Smooth Thought’s top ten Hip Hop groups of all time.

It’s hard to admit it now but I used to heart P. Diddy.   I thought he was the coolest person in the world.  I know.  How lame was I?  But it’s true and I’m all about admitting my faults.  It’s easy when you don’t have a lot of them.

 I loved myself some Diddy for many reasons.

First of all, I’m a sucker for an underdog makes good story and Diddy definitely started out as an underdog.  Raised in a Harlem housing project by his mom because his dad, who apparently was pals with Frank Lucas, the famous NY drug lord who brought cocaine into the US via soldiers caskets and was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the bio pic, American Gangster, was shot and killed in his car outside a party.  His mom kicked ass to do right by Diddy on her own, and she did a fine job sending him to Catholic school and then on to Howard University for college.  Combs is only a year older than me and when he was at Howard so was one of my best friends.  I never met him but I always imagined that if Pat Noel and I had run into Diddy, we would have instantly been friends. 

So, anyhow, underdog Diddy, pulls himself out of poverty and becomes this super successful record producer and artist.  An American dream come true.  I loved it. 

And then there was his close friendship with Biggie which I thought seemed legit, not like some of the fake friendships you see in Hollywood, and well, everywhere.  Diddy and Biggie seemed to really care for one another.  And in the whole East Coast/West Coast rap war, I’m from Maryland so as talented as Tupac was, I had to side with the East.  Plus compared to Suge Knight, Diddy was a kitten.  Big Red, the character based on Suge in The Five Heartbeats (which by the way is an awesome movie), still gives me nightmares.  People with no conscious are the scariest people of all.  And I am 100% sure that Biggie AND Tupac were either both killed by Suge Knight OR are living on an island together with Elvis.  No doubt about it.  But anyhow, sorry for the tangent, my point was that on the East, Diddy was a pretty big deal and I bought into his fabulousness as much if not more than anyone.

 I cried when Diddy and Faith Evans (who by the way is a million times cooler than Lil Kim) and Sting sang “I’ll be missing you” at the 1997 VMA awards. 

I thought Farnsworth (I refuse to call him Fonzworth) Bentley was cool when he was hanging around Diddy and dancing with his umbrella in the Outkast videos.  I shook my tailfeathers with Diddy and Nelly and Murphy Lee.  And I passed the Courvoisier to Diddy, Busta Rhymes and Pharrell.  I thought the love between Diddy and J. Lo would last forever.  Yes, Diddy cast a spell on the world and I had no problem falling under it but like most good things, it had to come to an end.

Slowly, the image I had of Diddy began to taint.  He made up that lame slogan for the 2004 US presidential election, “Vote or Die”.  What does that even mean?  It was idiotic. 

And then he took over “Making the Band” which just introduced the world to that nasty Aubrey O’Day from his failed band Danity Kane.  Making skanky people like that famous was something none of us needed to be subjected to.  

Then he was quoted at the Concert for Diana as saying that he felt a connection to Lady Di because she was royalty in her country just as he is royalty in his.  Did I miss the part when someone crowned Diddy King of America? 

And then finally, a friend of mine in NY told me a story about how he and Diddy worked out at the same gym and Diddy would troll the gym trying to get people to play pick up basketball with him and then cry when he got beat.  Apparently none of the regular gym patrons wanted to play with him because he was such a sore loser.  Image shattered.

So I wasn’t a fan anymore but I wasn’t embarrassed about my past love of Diddy.  Until  yesterday, when I learned that Diddy had an extravagant birthday party for his son, Justin, over the weekend that was filmed for MTV’s worst show ever, My Super Sweet Sixteen.  A show that makes stars out of spoiled brats who yell at their parents and throw tantrums when the diamonds on their tiaras aren’t big enough.  It makes Jersey Shore look worthy of PBS. 

And what did young Justin get for his birthday besides a rocking televised party?  A sports car called a Maybach that is apparently worth $360, 000!  For a car.  For a sixteen year old.  Now, I am not one to tell people how to spend their money but there is a recession going on in this country right now.  There are people without food or homes or jobs.  Oh, and there’s also that little problem in Haiti.  You know, where the whole county was demolished by an earthquake and no one knows how it’s ever going to be rebuilt?  And while all this suffering is going on, Diddy is out there yelling “Look at me!  I’m rich! I use money to wipe my ass!”.  Unbelievable.

Like so many boys from my past, I can’t believe I ever gave that fool a second look.

Notez episode 1: da $equel

Notez From Tha Underground

So I’ve figured out a way to revive my podcast: turn it into a video, upload it on Podomatic, and embed it here. The quality (sic) of these new podcasts won’t be very good because I have to use Windows Movie Maker instead of Garageband. Movie Maker is alright, but I don’t quite know how to apply irritating voice effects on my very clever monologues. *sigh*, it was all so easy before my piece of shit Macbook just stopped working.

Anyway, this will most likely be a weekly occurrence if anyone is interested. I usually just say some stupid shit, pick 5 or 6 songs, and publish the podcast. Sometimes I have content themes, sometimes I don’t. Actually, I usually don’t, but sometimes it doesn’t make sense to mix Wu-Tang, The Beatles, and Radiohead despite them being my favourite bands of all time. Either way, “shit is off tha hook.” I used quotations because Gucci Mane actually listened to my podcast and sent that to me in an email.  Also, this means that my ever popular “song of the day” posts will stop, as I am essentially fitting 4 or 5 songs of the day in my podcast anyway.

Alright, this one actually has a theme: “east coast hip-hop that I really like and that you may or may not like”

Tracklist:

1. Last Donut of the Night - J Dilla
2. The What - Notorious B.I.G. feat. Method Man
3. Put It On - Big L
4. Full Clip - Gang Starr
5. House of Flying Daggers - Raekwon
6. Time: Donut of the Heart - J Dilla

PS: I mention that J Dilla is from Chicago, he isn’t. He’s actually from Detroit, Michigan. Close enough.

Snoop hit up the East coast boss for a remix verse for his single “I Wanna Rock” and boy did Jay deliver.  The last line is sure to keep the heads talking.

It’s been over ten years since the East Coast/ West Coast feud turned Hip-Hop upside down.  And while Puffy got rich, Suge went broke and the game lost two legends, Hip-Hop Wired just spoke to a Compton insider who shed a little more light on the situation and some back room deals that according to him lead to the ordeal.

Speaking in anonymity, the West Coast O.G. stated:

“Initially when the East Coast/ West Coast beef started, Puffy and more or less Bad Boy… some of the big wigs from Bad Boy came out to California and they were performing at one of the shows out here.  It was one of those concerts when they were out here and the whole East Coast vs. West Coast beef was going on. When they got out here they recruited these dudes from the South Side Crips and a couple other local Crip sets to go out there and to come to the concert.

So they all go to the concert and they get backstage access.  So after using their backstage access they hooked up with the big wigs and they met them back at a hotel and the after party. So after they met them at the after party, they called some of the big wigs up and they were asking them how  much they were gonna charge them (the Southside Crips) to take out Death Row.

So they came to some kind of agreement.  It was something like $20-thousand a chain.  For every Death Row chain they snatched, they wanted like $20-thousand.

Also they said it was like a contract on Death Row’s head because there was already a beef with Suge Knight running the West Coast industry and the Southside dudes wanted in and wanted to unlock the market out here.

So they made a deal.  There was all kind of war fare out here on the streets.  Baby Lane (Orlando Anderson/ Pac’s alleged killer) had actually snatched that Death Row chain and that’s why Pac had snapped when he seen him with it on.  Baby Lane had previously snatched that chain from some cat at Lakewood Mall.

And when they seen him with the chain on… all them Blood niggas… all the dudes who wore Death Row chains were all Bloods.  They all was from Inglewood Family and from The Mob and part of Death Row.  They was all Suge’s people who rushed him.

After they seen them with that chain that night and beat his ass… they ended up retaliating and killing Tupac… BUT THAT WAS THE SAME NIGGAS THAT KILLED TUPAC.  It wasn’t nobody different… same niggas that he snatched the chain from. The niggas peoples was some hard core Compton motherfuckers.  So they ended up killing that nigga.

So after that happened they wanted that money.   They raised the ante. Now you guys paying us $20-thousand for a chain.  Fuck it.  We got rid of your biggest nemesis so we want whatever you guys owe us.

So then they (Bad Boy) didn’t pay up and was like we didn’t tell ya’ll to do that.  Biggie and them was trying to handle it the democratic way by not paying them up at first because it looked real-real suspicious and shit to move that kind of money so they tried to not be affiliated with that and just let is simmer.

Baby Lane

So Baby Lane and them was still beefing with the Mob and the Inglewood family so them niggas still on the streets even after they won that settlement with Death Row for like $3-million dollars for that beat down.  Death Row settled out of court with that nigga and he was still in the hood serving dope and shit.

They say that he (Baby Lane) owed some Bloods some money and they saw him at the car wash where they served chronic at and that’s when the Bloods got him. They ended up shooting him right there and they say it was over some money and then I heard later it was The Mob that ended up getting that nigga after slipping up there.

They had a big ass shoot out, it was all over the news back in the day. He shot a couple of people and they shot him.  The feud continued and after he (Baby Lane) got smoked, the FEDS  or somebody…they was watching his uncle who they say is the dude that ran it…the whole ordeal when they smoked Tupac.

He was like the baller of the whole family.  His name is Keefy Dee.  He’s locked up now.  They said the FEDS were on him so tough they just got him for conspiracy.  They couldn’t get him for the murder or nothing like that.  I’m not sure if he’s out or not after that.

After all that shit went down and Pac was smoked… in the meanwhile niggas still wanted their money from Bad Boy.  But Bad Boy didn’t pay up. And Bad Boy probably was going to pay up but the Crips didn’t have no time for that.

So they end up smoking Biggie when he came back out here. It wasn’t nobody else that smoked him.   Everybody got a conspiracy theory but it was just some niggas he was fucking with. Compton niggas ain’t no joke.

They wanted the money, I don’t think Biggie and them ever paid up and that’s why Biggie got smoked.

Nigga said something in his flow when I think back:

“Columbians tried to do me in, I ain’t paid them yet.” He was probably talking about the Compton niggas trying to do him in and he ain’t paid them yet.”

After shedding more light on the murders of Pac and Biggie, The O.G. stressed that it was never a coastal beef but some real live “street shit.”   He also said that it was a lesson people still haven’t learned from as many MCs believe their own character in their rhymes knowing damn well they would fold under the pressure of real killers and gangsters.

Solid point as most fools believe the hype until hot lead tears through their ass. Biggie’s words still ring true today as so called “gangsta rappers” refuse to listen.  But…You’re nobody till somebody kills you!!!

best live performance i’ve seen of theirs.

Happy New Year America! It feels great to be alive, and have the opportunity to continue to bless you guys with a great & informative blog. It’s a new year. New projects on deck, and even opportunities for me to learn & experience new things. So from me to you I want to say thank you for letting me into your world.

Chucks list of New Years particulars.

Aight now *pulls of medical gloves*

I have something that I wanted to discuss a week ago, but I wanted to wait for the smoke clear to gather some more facts.

What the Fuck is Wrong with Gilbert Arenas?

If you have slept under a rock, or you don’t have a T.V in your home (because I know some people who don’t) you probably haven’t heard that the NBA has indefinitely suspended Washington Wizards Guard Gilbert Arenas for violating its gun policy. You can check the full story here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4802267&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_4802267

Now before I give @gilbertarenas (who’s twitter page is suspended) the business (wait on it…) let me  say that I actually like the guy. He is a talented athlete and I was glad to see him finally start to get back to all-star status in the league. To become the (Hibachi) we all know and love. So when I heard the news that he had guns in his locker room I was shocked. I mean did we not learn anything from Plaxico Burgess? It just baffles me how the lack of good judgment escapes our black athletes.I can understand what his reason are for not having guns in his home. But there were other options that he could have taken to make sure that his children didn’t have access to his guns. Arenas originally said he brought four guns to the Verizon Center because he wanted them out of his house after his daughter was born. Ok! I feel him on that but, dude, that’s why they invented safes with locks on them (Home Depot?).

Why would you bring them to your locker? I know D.C is rough but damn, son! If you felt like you needed protection why not hire security to hold you down (@bodyguardbeats). Did Shaq have you that shook that you need to keep 4 guns in your locker? I’m just saying, if you needed help I could have called Day-Day & Craig, (or da cousins..) and they could have held you down. But I digress! I’m not judging the brother because I am a parent and I understand that your children’s safety is a priority, but you should never jeopardize your job and how you make your living.

The NBA is not the hood nor the park. I don’t care if the guns weren’t loaded; there is no place for that in any sport. You had to know that there was going to be a severe punishment handed down by David Stern. And that is the least of his worries, even though his guns were legally registered in VA, he violated the law by carrying those same guns over state lines into D.C (where they are now considered unregistered). Gilbert claimed that he did not know that he had to have them registered and I believe him, but ignorance of the law is no excuse for you to break the law (damn I just sounded like a DA.) the sad fact is that most people who carry guns don’t even know the their own state’s gun laws. So Gilbert may be facing criminal charges as well. This not the first time he has had an incident with guns. Arenas has been suspended once before because of a gun-related matter. He sat out Washington’s season opener in 2004 because he failed to keep up proper registration of a handgun while living in California in 2003 and playing for the Golden State Warriors.

My dad always told me as a child that “The lessons that you learn the most in life, are the one’s that you pay for” (thanks, Dad!) and I hate to say it but this will cost Gilbert. As it stands with each game he misses, Arenas, who turned 28 on Wednesday, will lose about $147,200 of the $16.2 million he will earn this season in the second of a six-year, $111 million contract. As of Wednesday he had $9,429,505.41 remaining for this season. And he has no one to blame but himself. Keeping it real has forced David Stern’s hand by making gestures like this.

C’mon son you making gun gestures in a pre-game warm up during the Sixer’s game. What did you think would happen?

David Stern says:

“Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game,” Stern said. “Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA.”

I hope Gilbert can learn from his mistakes, and make better decisions in the future. He has a lot to overcome and I am rooting for him, because he is actually a dude who made a poor choice.(Let he who is without fault, throw the first stone…or something like that..)

Now the thing that has gotten me tight is some of the crazy comments that I have heard from people lately about this situation. I have heard that “There is nothing wrong for him bringing guns to the locker room”, (ignorant) and “If you can bring a gun to the park, then you should be alright to bring them to the stadium” (ignorant-er).

But this is the comment that had me tight “ Basketball is a game for the hood & the park, it’s a hood sport” (ignorant-est).

WTF is that about? I played basketball in High School, College, Semi-Pro tournaments, and even had a chance to go over seas before I tore ligaments in my ankle. I love basketball, and yes I’m from the hood. I never thought that bringing guns to the park was ever cool. Do you know how many people get killed in parks over foolish shit? I’ve never seen a gun improve a jump shot. There is way to much violence out here and it’s bad enough that in the black community places more value on sports than on education. Where you ask young kids who they inspire to be like and you hear, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, & Dwayne Wade. We all know kids mimic what they see & hear on TV. We all know Jay-Z said in the song where I’m from “I’m from where they crossover & clap boards, lost Jehovah in place or Rap Lords” or like Biggie Said “ You either got a wicked jump shot or you selling crack rock” There is already the perception out there that NBA is a league of thugs & hoodlums. This incident doesn’t help that.

So now, as Black people, we restrict our aspirations for better financial opportunities and freedom to sports and music as an escape vehicle from the hood. AND we associate the same type of violence pledging the inner city environment WITH the very activity they are using to escape from the violence!

Think about that for a moment.

I suggest “black athletes” work with life coaches to help them make decisions with their newfound money and fame. Someone needs to teach these young people better decision-making skills to keep the out of the negative limelight and out of jail. Its 2010 people wake up, we so have to do better.

For more relevant banter and life discussions be sure to tune in to the “Soap Box Chronicles” on www.blogtalkradio.com/soapboxchronicles. Our debut show airs Wednesday 1/20/10 @ 11pm.

Until next time America,

Young M. Clayton

Now this piece that I’m working with today needed a whole lotta help, if you ask me.  I loved it because it was a silk dress that I scored for a buck.  It was too good to turn down and it was the most perfect shade of blue.  Sigh…  However it had big sleeves, was a little too long and was big not just around the torso, but everywhere.  It totally reminded me of a shirt dress, or one of those tragic 80s silk shirts I’d grab from my dad’s closet (sorry Dad!!) to wear as a kid as I danced to “Walk Like an Egyptian” in the kitchen.

Day 44 - Before

I took in the sleeves, and tightened up the rest of the dress while cutting off about half of the skirt.  It looked like a completely different piece upon completion – giving it a little bit of shape was all that I needed to do to transform it from blech to beauteous.

I took my newly created dress and rolled up the sleeves, added my favorite vintage belt (with a killer gold frog clasp, PS) that I scored at Buffalo Exchange last year, threw on some opaque patterned tights and kicks (black boots tonight) and I was golden!!

Day 44 - After (along with some picture crashers)

The perfect ensemble to rock out to Biggie Smalls, Nelly jams from early 2000, and a little bit of Warren G to celebrate and regulate EK’s birthday.

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“this song reminds me of the past thats why i uploaded this music video, enjoy” 

“(Fuck all you hoes) Get a grip motherfucker.

Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me
I’d never amount to nothin’, to all the people that lived above the
buildings that I was hustlin’ in front of that called the police on
me when I was just tryin’ to make some money to feed my daughters,
and all the niggaz in the struggle, you know what I’m sayin’?

Uh-ha, it’s all good baby bay-bee, uh

[Verse One:]

It was all a dream
I used to read Word Up magazine
Salt’n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin’ pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock ’til my tape popped
Smokin’ weed and bamboo, sippin’ on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember Rappin’ Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
Now I’m in the limelight ’cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I’m blowin’ up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood
It’s all good

Uh, and if you don’t know, now you know, nigga, uh

[Chorus:]

You know very well who you are
Don’t let em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a go, but not that many
’cause you’re the only one I’ll give you good and plenty

[Verse Two:]

I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach
And I’m far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way
The Moet and Alize keep me pissy
Girls used to diss me
Now they write letters ’cause they miss me
I never thought it could happen, this rappin’ stuff
I was too used to packin’ gats and stuff
Now honies play me close like butter played toast
From the Mississippi down to the east coast
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
Livin’ life without fear
Puttin’ 5 karats in my baby girl’s ears
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool ’cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it’s still all good

Uh…and if you don’t know, now you know, nigga

[Verse Three:]

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
When I was dead broke, man I couldn’t picture this
50 inch screen, money green leather sofa
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
Phone bill about two G’s flat
No need to worry, my accountant handles that
And my whole crew is loungin’
Celebratin’ every day, no more public housin’
Thinkin’ back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac’ with minks on her back
And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in The Source
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay
Uh, damn right I like the life I live
‘Cause I went from negative to positive
And it’s all…

(It’s all good)”

“Let Em Know”

As of late, rapper Foxy Brown has been featured in the spotlight rarely, but anytime her name has come up, it has apparently carried a negative connotation to it as it was spoken from the mouths of others.

Rumors of her having relations with other rappers such as AZ and even marrying Rick Ross have only provided fuel for the Don Diva to kick in the door and sound off on everyone that had something to say about her.

Back on her Brooklyn bullsh*t, the rapper starts off 2010 looking to address all the speculation with the release of the track “Let Em Know”.

The track also finds Brown addressing those that had a hand in killing Biggie Smalls, known to Hip Hop as The Notorious B.I.G.

Showing love to her stomping grounds, she also enlisted the help of Lil Fame from M.O.P. to give the assist for the cut.

With Nicki Minaj already leading the pack and Trina starting to make noise again, it might be time to open up and give some elbow room because Foxy Brown is on her way back.

Talvid, in case you haven’t figured it out, is a white Jewish entity. Yet that mustn’t preclude Talvid from getting down and listening to some real classic hip-hop. Stuff like: 2Pac, Boogie Down Productions, Biggie Smalls, and 2 Live Crew’s early stuff. The problem is, that growing up deeply immersed in white Jew culture, the lyrics of most rap tunes tend to go right over Talvid’s Phish themed yarmulke. To fix this problem, I downloaded the RapLyricTranslator2000 app for my iGoogle. First experiment, I ran some of the lyrics from The Notorious B.I.G.’s anthemic Big Poppa that gave me some trouble through the RLT2000, and this is what came out.

[To familiarize yourself with the track, click here.

Just kidding, here it is, swearsies.]

Notorious B.I.G: Allow me to lace these lyrical duches in your bushes

RLT2000: Would it be cool if I tried to weave boondoggle into your pubes?

Notorious B.I.G: Who rock grooves and make moves with all the mommies

RLT2000: People who are groovy and have a penchant for single mothers

Notorious B.I.G: Mad question askin, blunt passin, music blastin

RLT2000: We’re playing that game ‘20 questions’, passing around Altoids and watching funny clips on my iPhone app

Notorious B.I.G: But I just can’t quit

RLT2000: It’s too early to go home, my mom will think I’m a virgin (I am)

Notorious B.I.G: Believe me sweety I got enough to feed the needy

RLT2000: Seriously, I have so many pickles if you want some. Got ‘em at Costco

Notorious B.I.G: No need to be greedy I got mad friends with Benz’s

RLT2000: Hey, enough with the pickles, bro. Some of my friends drive Tercels

Notorious B.I.G: C-notes by the layers, true fuckin players

RLT2000: Hilroy and Fivestar, best notebooks EVER

Notorious B.I.G: tell your friends jump in the GS3, I got the chronic by the tree

RLT2000: Tell your friends I got a PS3, and I have a chronic wheeze

Portrait of Talvid after first listening to 2Pac's "All Eyez on Me". Age, 11.