A Poem I Wrote for Class.

My history as a writer

Pause.

Where would I even begin?

Pause.

A Haiku

Behind those headphones
Words, hooks, drums; and she whispers
I’ll always love Y.O.U

My First UC Berkeley A <3

Prompt: Pick a detail and see how it changes the way you read the work.
Grade: A/A- [English 45C]

“All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.” – Oscar Wilde, preface, The Picture of Dorian Gray

A Wilde Warning

Two Poems I Wrote

One is about Raisins; did it for an exercise in my writing workshop. I liked it, so up it goes on the blog.

dried, shriveled sweetness, born in California sun,
a purple seedling, dancing on, caressing with the tongue,
rough, though melting, with each successive bite
chew
chew
chew
each drop of nectar tasted
until skin
until none

On: Iraq

Pretty happy with what I turned in for my Middle East class, considering that I did it all in a day.

Prompt: How has oil affected the political developments in the Middle East? How has economics and oil affected the relationships between countries of the region with the West? Briefly describe the U.S. relationship with at least one oil producing country in the region.

Hit the jump to read the essay.

I Don’t Have Time For a Long Blog Post. Here’s Something To Tide You Over.

Excerpt from a book I’m hoping to write someday, but maybe not publish. Hit the jump to read it.

Album Review: Wale – Attention Deficit

Out of the “Freshman Class”, I never thought of Wale as anything more than a slightly above average MC. A C+ student, if you will, while Crooked I and Blu stood at the top of the curve. It’s not like I didn’t pay attention to Mr. Folarin’s work. Back to the Feature was decent, but the appeal of the mixtape was having a diverse array of collaborations. Could he actually craft an entire album? I had my doubts. But after listening to Attention Deficit? Let’s just say I might have to re-evaluate my position.

Album Review: CYNE – Water For Mars

Previous Editions:
1. Slaughterhouse – Slaughterhouse
2. Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
3. Royce Da 5’9″ – Street Hop

Imagine Blu’s 2007 debut Below The Heavens as a starting point. Blend it with Blue Sky Black Death tinged production. Mix well. Add a dash of chemistry, along the lines of Binary Star/Blackstar (That’s alot of B’s, I know). Add copious, copious amounts of flow. What do you get?

Water for Mars.

Album Review: Royce Da 5’9″ – Street Hop.

Detroit hip-hop. Those three words immediately call to mind one of the most controversial rappers of all time.. But the 313 is home to many other quality hip-hop figures. Proof, J Dilla, and Royce Da 5’9″ immediately spring to mind. Yet, the Detroit scene outside of Eminem remains largely unknown to mainstream hip-hop heads. Too bad. Royce and Proof are two talented rappers in their own right, and J Dilla’s beats are well loved by rappers on both coasts. Quietly, Royce has put together a solid stream of mixtapes and albums throughout his career, most notably within the last year and a half – The Bar Exams 1 and 2, collaborative album with Slaughterhouse are all solid efforts.

His latest effort, Street Hop, is a bit of a mixed bag.

So You Want to Understand Hip-Hop? – Ten Albums Essential to the Genre

In no particular order

1) Nas – Illmatic

Why? This album is considered timeless. Illmatic is generally talked about as the best hip-hop album of all time. It is a prime example of lyrical excellency (not necessarily of substance, but in terms of pure lyrical excellency), done over the spectacular, ear-pleasing production of DJ Premier, Large Professor, Q-Tip, and Pete Rock.

2) Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the 36 Chambers

Why? Wu-Tang’s importance to hip-hop is their claim to fame as hip-hop’s first supergroup. They took the world by storm with 9 guys (R.I.P. O.D.B) that could truly rhyme, and this debut showcases the gritty, hardcore side of hip-hop, the side that comes with self-expression from the inner city youth.

3) Dr. Dre – The Chronic

Why? Dr. Dre’s Chronic was a sonic revolution, ushering in the era known as G-Funk. This album showcases the instrumental, sonic part of hip-hop, and is the perfect album to chill out to. Or listen to when high, if that’s your thing.

4) Blackstar – Blackstar

Why? The duo of Mos Def and Talib Kweli joined forces to create one of the best groups in hip-hop (leaving the world eager to hear their second collaborative effort). Their importance is exemplifying the message, the self-expressive themes in this genre of music. Alot of people mistake hip-hop for being about bitches, or materialism, but in this album, you will find none of that. They are great lyricists, rhyming about political issues and social consciousness, with complete chemistry.

5) Deltron 3030 – Deltron 3030

Why? Deltron 3030 was my last choice, because it showcases the facet of hip-hop that I fell in love with. Hip-hop is incredibly alluring to me, because it is built on poetry, something that is only limited by our own creativity. This album stands as one of the highest marks of hip-hop concepts; it is a story about Deltron 3030 living in a post-apocalyptic world where corporations run society. Deltron 3030 is one of the best examples of the untapped creativity in hip-hop, and is masterfully done over Dan the Automator’s beats from the first track.

6) Eric B and Rakim – Paid in Full

Why? I believe this album may sound dated to most. It is Rakim’s (arguably the best MC ever) debut album, and on Paid in Full, he showcased many of the skills that other rappers would imitate one day. Rakim shocked the world with his internal rhymes, multis, and lyrical power on this album..certainly not to the point that we’re used to now, but I’ve included it on basis of historical relevance. Without Rakim, we wouldn’t have Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, or anyone like that.

7) Outkast – ATLiens

Why? Outkast, to their credit, have dropped TWO of the finest albums ever released in this genre. I have selected the one that some people might feel is WORSE, but because of it’s absolutely funky, experimental, outside of the box nature, it had to go in. Andre 3000 is one of the smoothest flowing rappers, and the duo have alot of chemistry together. It’s less conceptual than say, a Deltron 3030, or A Long Hot Summer, but I believe that its importance relating to the funky, soulful aspect of hip-hop cannot be ignored.

8) Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation Of Millions to Hold Us Back

Why? More than likely, you’ve heard of Public Enemy. This album is regarded as a masterpiece, and is even the highest placing hip-hop album on Rolling Stones’ Top 500. But why, does it warrant listening to any new fan? While the Bomb Squad’s production is INSANE for its time (late 80s – I still bump Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos), the reason I’ve chosen it is for Chuck D’s politically influenced lyrics, which represent the self-expressive, desire for social change in rap, that many fail to see.

9) Big L – Lifestylez ov Da Poor and Dangerous

Why? Big L was a master at his craft. Unfortunately, before he could showcase much more depth as an artist, he was tragically gunned down on the block of his mother’s house. What I have selected this album for, is because it is the perfect encapsulation of the BATTLING aspect of hip-hop. Loaded with humorous, hilarious punchlines, Big L will always be remembered as one of the best battle rappers in rap (and his storytelling wasn’t bad either.)

10) Eminem – The Slim Shady LP

Why? This last choice may have people up in arms. But Eminem really is the figure that brought hip-hop to the American forefront, by taking incredibly personal things, and turning them into emotionally charged masterpieces. Black OR white, not many people are as skilled as Marshall Mathers. So, I chose this last album for the emotional aspect, the ability to connect with people.