Hip-hop, the scapegoat for violence, mistreatment of women and a host of other negative events, is once again coming under attack. This time, the blame is from law enforcement officials in Colorado Springs. Police there believe hip-hop music is the cause for the rise in murders in that area (Click here for the article).
Personally, I think this is BS and I am sick of hearing about people blaming hip-hop for the world's problems. A couple of people get shot outside of a club or after an altercation at a club, and one points the finger at the music they were listening to. You mean to tell me the fact that the guy was (or could have been) intoxicated, high, had a short temper, mad because every girl he tried to talk to basically played him off, has a criminal record, and/or is CRAZY has nothing to do with him killing someone? And how can you blame hip-hop for increased violence when it played no role in any of the violent killing sprees that happened at schools or in other certain areas?
This is BS!! How is an individual no longer held accountable for their actions but instead an entire culture is to blame? You want to put the blame on something how bout the news. All you hear/see on that is 10 mins of violence or other criminal acts, 6 mins of weather, 6 mins of sports, 2 mins of good news, and then commercials. Or how bout movies, you never hear anything about how violent movies are. But I guess I can see how law enforcement is looking at this situation...why blame one black person when you can blame thousands?
But that's enough about my opinion what do y'all think?
Monday, September 3, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
No thanks, I don't drink!
"No thanks, I don't drink!" This was the phrase I used everyday during my summer in the DC metro area. Yet, instead of just being left alone, I usually received a puzzling look and then was either bombarded by a lot of questions about my non-drinking habits or urged to drink. The questions I don't really mind, but the look...come on now. Don't give me no dumb look when I tell you I don't drink, like I just committed a crime or something. Last time I checked, drinking isn't good for your body and me not doing that should be a good thing, but i guess to some it isn't. After telling someone this, the main question they always asked was "Why don't you drink?" I'm no stranger to this question so I already have a prepared response for that, "I don't have a need to, why do you?" I have a harsher response, but that's only for those future alcoholics.
For all my non-drinkers out there, this is very important. If your ever asked the question, "Why?" answer it, but always end with why do you? They never have a good response for it. I no I no, its hard to find other non-drinkers out there and hard to find fun places to meet new people. It's a shame. It seems like there's nothing that people can do without involving alcohol. Companies have sponsored happy hours on and off the job, social groups have sponsored bar nights, can't go to a party without there being alcohol or drunk people, can't even go to a restaurant with friends without people buying drinks. Seems like the only place to possibly find non-drinkers is church. But we're out there. We're just very...very hard to find.
Now I don't knock anyone that drinks, about 95% of my friends drink, and I got mad love for my friends. But that's cool, do what you do I'm not gonna judge you, but please if I say I don't drink, don't look at me dumb, respect it and let's move on. But if you can give me a great reason on why to drink, I would love to hear it.
For all my non-drinkers out there, this is very important. If your ever asked the question, "Why?" answer it, but always end with why do you? They never have a good response for it. I no I no, its hard to find other non-drinkers out there and hard to find fun places to meet new people. It's a shame. It seems like there's nothing that people can do without involving alcohol. Companies have sponsored happy hours on and off the job, social groups have sponsored bar nights, can't go to a party without there being alcohol or drunk people, can't even go to a restaurant with friends without people buying drinks. Seems like the only place to possibly find non-drinkers is church. But we're out there. We're just very...very hard to find.
Now I don't knock anyone that drinks, about 95% of my friends drink, and I got mad love for my friends. But that's cool, do what you do I'm not gonna judge you, but please if I say I don't drink, don't look at me dumb, respect it and let's move on. But if you can give me a great reason on why to drink, I would love to hear it.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
Ok ladies, what is the big deal with receiving flowers? They die! Why would you want a gift that dies? These things were cute back in elementary and middle school when your "sweetheart" would give you some flowers that he picked from the ground during recess, but now, flowers are just pointless! Every gift has a meaning, and I would be very skeptical about receiving a gift that is going to die in a week or two. Maybe it's just me. If I give a female some flowers, that's like giving her a 2 week notice. I'm basically saying that we're going to have 2 weeks of romance and then...it's over. I mean, flowers are supposed to symbolize love or something like that right? So what does that say about your love...its only going to last a couple of weeks? I mean, if someone is sick and at a hospital, flowers have got to be the worst thing to give them. What are you trying to say "Here, I brought you some flowers that are going to die just like you!" They're just pointless. Men, give a gift that will last for longer than two weeks, not something that is going to give her an instant rush of joy, but then a few days later when they start to wilt, she ain't thinking bout them no more. Ladies, please don't make it a big deal if a guy refuses to buy you flowers. They may look pretty and make your friends envious, but they die...quickly!
Friday, August 3, 2007
Need a Hot 16? Pick One of These Guys
This year, a lot of artist have been killing tracks with their hot 16 bars on a song they were featured on our a remix. But who's the best artist delivering the illest bars...glad u asked! Here's my top 5.
*NOTE: This is not a list of my favorite artist, but a list of the artist that have spit the hottest 16 bars consistently on a track and/or are killing remixes for the year of 2007.*
1. R. Kelly - It's Me Snitches Remix, Make It Rain Remix...and a host of others too long to list
*NOTE: This is not a list of my favorite artist, but a list of the artist that have spit the hottest 16 bars consistently on a track and/or are killing remixes for the year of 2007.*
1. R. Kelly - It's Me Snitches Remix, Make It Rain Remix...and a host of others too long to list
- Need someone that will always deliver, add smooth R&B, but street, vocals and a grimey track, and make the tack successful with R&B listeners and ladies, you can only call one man...The R! Kelz has steadily delivered on every track, and can turn the worst song into a club banga with him on the remix! I mean come on now, the R stands for Re..Remix!
2. T- Pain - I'm a Flirt Remix, Same Girl Remix, Pop Lock and Drop it Remix, 2 Step Remix
- "When I pull up to the club all the shawty's be like...." yea you can finish that lyric yourself! Let's face, dude has been killing the '07 remixes. You can't go in a club without hearing a track featuring "Teddy Pend Her A** Down." Though overall, he is very weak lyrically, something bout them synthesized vocals just gets the party started!
3. Andre 3000 - Walk it Out Remix, International Player's Anthem
- "Walk it out like Usher, if ya say real talk I probably won't trust ya..." He murdered that first verse to DJ Unk's "Walk it Out Remix." Andre is know for doing his thing with Outkast but this year he's delivered some of the hottest 16 bars heard on a track. And his feature on UGK's International Players Anthem, two words...BA NANAS! This is definitely a go to guy if you want someone with great wordplay and vocabulary on your hip-hop track, but if you want to keep it gangsta on your record, then this next guy is who you want!
4. Lil Wayne - It's Me Snitches Remix, We're Taking Over, Make It Rain Remix...to name a few
- Personally, I don't like his albums (not talking about the mixtapes) and don't know what all the fuss is about with this guy, but he has been killing remixes and other tracks with hot 16's. '07 was Weezy F Baby's year, as you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing his voice, and he was crushing every track he was featured on. Now I would put Weezy higher, but the other guy's ahead of him killed it this year.
5. T.I. - I'm A Flirt Remix, We're Taking Over
- Now, I really don't think TIP is deserving of this list because on the real, he hasn't been spitting hot 16's. I mean, Weezy murdered him on "We're Taking Over", and T-Pain's verse was better than his on "I'm a Flirt." However, he is the self proclaimed Kind of the South, so it's kinda hard not to put him on the list.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Michael Vick: Innocent Until Proven Guilty...right?
On last Thursday, Mike Vick pleaded "not guilty" to the crime of dog fighting. He then issued a statement, through his lawyer that mentioned how he knows the crimes against him are "serious" and how he hopes to "clear his good name." Unfortunately, the way the media, companies, certain groups, and people are judging him, you would think the man has already been sentenced when in actuality, his court proceedings are months away. His endorsement deals have been frozen, the NFL has suspended him from training camp, his merchandise has been pulled from stores, and a vast majority of people have already tried him in their minds, and this all stems from allegations. Allegations! Allegations?! We're talking about allegations! Not the trial, not convictions...allegations!
This is an o to familiar thing for people (in general) to judge before one has been convicted of anything. Even Jesus Christ went through this. He was persecuted and judged by all types of people, and he NEVER committed a sin, EVER! Come on people. But, this is why I’m not surprised that Vick is receiving all this negative publicity and judgment. The sad thing is, is that you don't hear anything about how giving he is especially to his old Hampton Roads community. No, they don't want to publicize that. They might want to put that on local news for 5 secs, but that's about it. But that's ok, because on the real...MIKE VICK WILL WALK!
As of the time of this blog, there is no credible evidence against him besides the fact that he purchased the home. As of now, there is no video evidence against him, no pictures, just a document that speaks of his involvement. Of course this information came from his friends that turned their backs against Vick and accused him of involvement (probably thinking to get a lesser sentence). Then, the feds were able to get one of Vicks co-defendants to plead guilty so they can use him to testify against Vick. But that won't work. The only way Vick can lose is if there is visual evidence of him at the scene of the dogfights with the money (since they claim he funded it) AND a paper trial that leads to Vick financing everything. As of now, all they have against him is that he purchased the home, which does make him guilty of negligence. Even if they thought that this man was guilty and had great evidence against him, why is he free without even having a bail set? And why hasn’t his mug shot picture been released, since the media is so quick to put information like that out there?
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY...right?
This is an o to familiar thing for people (in general) to judge before one has been convicted of anything. Even Jesus Christ went through this. He was persecuted and judged by all types of people, and he NEVER committed a sin, EVER! Come on people. But, this is why I’m not surprised that Vick is receiving all this negative publicity and judgment. The sad thing is, is that you don't hear anything about how giving he is especially to his old Hampton Roads community. No, they don't want to publicize that. They might want to put that on local news for 5 secs, but that's about it. But that's ok, because on the real...MIKE VICK WILL WALK!
As of the time of this blog, there is no credible evidence against him besides the fact that he purchased the home. As of now, there is no video evidence against him, no pictures, just a document that speaks of his involvement. Of course this information came from his friends that turned their backs against Vick and accused him of involvement (probably thinking to get a lesser sentence). Then, the feds were able to get one of Vicks co-defendants to plead guilty so they can use him to testify against Vick. But that won't work. The only way Vick can lose is if there is visual evidence of him at the scene of the dogfights with the money (since they claim he funded it) AND a paper trial that leads to Vick financing everything. As of now, all they have against him is that he purchased the home, which does make him guilty of negligence. Even if they thought that this man was guilty and had great evidence against him, why is he free without even having a bail set? And why hasn’t his mug shot picture been released, since the media is so quick to put information like that out there?
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY...right?
Monday, July 30, 2007
No They Didn't: Part I
Now, I know I’m not the only one that has experienced the following situation. You’re walking, minding your own business, when you notice someone else walking in the opposite direction towards you. As ya'll start to get closer, you glance over at the person, make eye contact, and then politely say "Hi." What happens next is something that just ticks you off. The person, who makes eye contact with you, does either or all of the following:
1. Doesn't say "Hi"
2. Quickly turns their head in the opposite direction of you or down or
3. Looks you dead in the face without saying anything to you.
WTF! I don't know about ya'll but I hate when this happens and it happens all too often. Now, I no I’m not looking at them mean or anything, because I say "Hi" with a smile (and I have a nice smile might I add), but I don’t know, maybe the thought of a 6'3" black man saying "Hi" is threatening to some people. Sad thing is, it's not just white people that don't say "Hi" but black people too. Usually it's women but still, if someone is politely saying "Hi" to you, how hard is it to say something back, or at least smile? Just a couple of minutes ago, I was in this exact situation when I said "Hi" to a co-worker, and they said nothing back, just put their head down and walked on by me as if I didn't even exist. I was like "No this chick didn't..." Ok, now I can understand that sometimes, people talk softly, but come on ya'll. I know I’m not in this alone. On the real, I just feel like slapping the next person that does that to me, but that's not my style.
1. Doesn't say "Hi"
2. Quickly turns their head in the opposite direction of you or down or
3. Looks you dead in the face without saying anything to you.
WTF! I don't know about ya'll but I hate when this happens and it happens all too often. Now, I no I’m not looking at them mean or anything, because I say "Hi" with a smile (and I have a nice smile might I add), but I don’t know, maybe the thought of a 6'3" black man saying "Hi" is threatening to some people. Sad thing is, it's not just white people that don't say "Hi" but black people too. Usually it's women but still, if someone is politely saying "Hi" to you, how hard is it to say something back, or at least smile? Just a couple of minutes ago, I was in this exact situation when I said "Hi" to a co-worker, and they said nothing back, just put their head down and walked on by me as if I didn't even exist. I was like "No this chick didn't..." Ok, now I can understand that sometimes, people talk softly, but come on ya'll. I know I’m not in this alone. On the real, I just feel like slapping the next person that does that to me, but that's not my style.
Busch Gardens vs Six Flags (Md) vs Kings Dominion
Being from the Hampton Roads area, I am a frequent summer visitor of Busch Gardens. I have also frequented Kings Dominion a few times in the past year, but just recently, I had the..."pleasure" of visiting Six Flags America in Maryland. Wow, was that an experience. So, if you're in the VA area and looking for a theme park to check out, here are my views on the 3 of them (even though Six Flags is in Md.).
Bush Gardens
Smaller park out of the 3 but this is only because it doesn't have the water park included; however, this is the best park out of them all. Only 5 roller coasters (Griffon, Apollo’s Chariot, Alpengeist, Lochness Monster, Big Bad Wolf) but the first 3 are of top-notch quality. Don't like rides, BG offers various shows and performances to see, and also has a lot of restaurants and food choices. Not to mention the landscaping of this park is...beautiful! How the park is perfectly nestled in the woods provides a safe-haven from the sun, and makes it a perfect place just to walk around and enjoy yourself and family.
Kings Dominion
You want a lot of rides, a spot for the kids to have their fun and a water park, this is the place to go. KD offers 10+ rides complete with wooden rollercosters, but only 2 of them are worth the long lines and stand out from the rest (Drop Zone and Volcano). The park doesn't have the beauty that BG has (with all the trees and nature scene), few if any shows, but a lot of rides to choose from. This park is the top choice for teens and young people, and may be slightly higher than BG for the family just because it has the kid’s zone and water park in it. But in my opinion, BG is definitely a better choice.
Six Flags America (Md)
Wow! This park is completely different. On the real, don't go to this park if you are white, uncomfortable around a lot of black folk, racist, one of those clean freaks, have little patience, think negatively about everything, etc. This is the black amusement park of the world or at least the east coast. First off, the park is expensive, because the ticket price is higher than both BG and KD and parking cost $15. Now, this park does have a lot of rides and a water park. Unfortunately, from my only experience there, the rides are usually broken down, and only one of them is worth the wait (Superman). As for the condition of the park...DAMN! Let's just say they must have given the cleaning crew that Saturday off when I went. Overall, I wouldn't go to this park again even if it was free, but that's just me.
Top 5 Rides
1. Apollo’s Chariot - Busch Gardens
2. Drop Zone - Kings Dominion
3. Griffon (front row only) - Busch Gardens
4. Superman - Six Flags
5. Alpengeist- Busch Gardens
Bush Gardens
Smaller park out of the 3 but this is only because it doesn't have the water park included; however, this is the best park out of them all. Only 5 roller coasters (Griffon, Apollo’s Chariot, Alpengeist, Lochness Monster, Big Bad Wolf) but the first 3 are of top-notch quality. Don't like rides, BG offers various shows and performances to see, and also has a lot of restaurants and food choices. Not to mention the landscaping of this park is...beautiful! How the park is perfectly nestled in the woods provides a safe-haven from the sun, and makes it a perfect place just to walk around and enjoy yourself and family.
Kings Dominion
You want a lot of rides, a spot for the kids to have their fun and a water park, this is the place to go. KD offers 10+ rides complete with wooden rollercosters, but only 2 of them are worth the long lines and stand out from the rest (Drop Zone and Volcano). The park doesn't have the beauty that BG has (with all the trees and nature scene), few if any shows, but a lot of rides to choose from. This park is the top choice for teens and young people, and may be slightly higher than BG for the family just because it has the kid’s zone and water park in it. But in my opinion, BG is definitely a better choice.
Six Flags America (Md)
Wow! This park is completely different. On the real, don't go to this park if you are white, uncomfortable around a lot of black folk, racist, one of those clean freaks, have little patience, think negatively about everything, etc. This is the black amusement park of the world or at least the east coast. First off, the park is expensive, because the ticket price is higher than both BG and KD and parking cost $15. Now, this park does have a lot of rides and a water park. Unfortunately, from my only experience there, the rides are usually broken down, and only one of them is worth the wait (Superman). As for the condition of the park...DAMN! Let's just say they must have given the cleaning crew that Saturday off when I went. Overall, I wouldn't go to this park again even if it was free, but that's just me.
Top 5 Rides
1. Apollo’s Chariot - Busch Gardens
2. Drop Zone - Kings Dominion
3. Griffon (front row only) - Busch Gardens
4. Superman - Six Flags
5. Alpengeist- Busch Gardens
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