Hip-Hop Blasphemy

Lupe Fiasco spit in “Hurt me Soul”:

I had a ghetto boy bop, a Jay-Z boycott
‘Cause he said that he never prayed to God, he prayed to Gotti
I’m thinkin godly, God guard me from the ungodly
But by my 30th watchin of “Streets is Watchin”
I was back to givin props again and that was botherin

Hip-hop has always been able to shock your ears into submission. Across generations people have listened to the gun-slaying, the revolutionary poetry, the secular music that is hip-hop and questioned its morality. The point though, is that people are still listening.

The verse Lupe is referring to is from D’evils, a song Jay-Z wrote in 1996. It can be summed up in the line: “It gets dangerous, money and power is changin’ us/ And now we’re lethal, infected with D’Evils.” Jay is expressing the struggle between the fast life and God. One is gratifying and the other morality right. Today hip-hop audiences are facing a similar conflict but this time between what is art and what is evil.

This generation has survived excessive and overt sexual references, a hypervalued drug culture, and a flush of illuminati fever. But now with Keri Hilson going from flaunting her attractiveness to popping her assets and Kanye West leaving his walk with Jesus to become a “monster” there’s much to fear.

Pause on that. Kanye West spread zombified, exposed and decapitated women across his video. Something about this is unquestionably awry, even without the Illuminati rumors.

I am not one to speak on one’s soul. I don’t agree with every hip-hop artists choices any more than I want to shake my rump on national television, but I can’t judge them as people from in front of a television. We won’t know if Kanye West and Jay-Z are Illuminati or follow the devil or don’t believe in Christ until they say it. Nor will we truly understand their intentions in performing “d’evils” without being in their mind.

The question is, how will we as listeners react to it? Many preach that hip-hop is fundamentally evil and must be kept out of earshot. On the other hand some will call songs like “monster” art and say it should be taken as just that. But I suspect that most of us will continue to stumble along, afraid to listen, but unable to stop at the same time.

Happy New Year

Happy New Years Eve to everyone, and in less than a few hours Happy New Year! When the ball drops we will be ushering in not only a new year, but a new decade.

I normally hate resolutions, but I started to write a few things down. Things I wanted to do for myself to grow. Especially considering my graduation date is set: May 7, 2011!

I thought about all the writing I ought to be doing. All the lyrics, poems, and short stories that I haven’t given myself the time to read.

I thought about all the books that I haven’t read. As an English major I could never say I’ve stopped reading, but I don’t read for myself anymore. That’s another thing I wanted to get back.

My biggest resolution was figuring out what the heck I want to do with my life. As an amateur blogger-singer-photographer-novelist-dog walker I can’t plan beyond graduation. I’m gonna get there though!

So anyways, after I duly committed myself to daily writing and monthly reading, and strenuous career soul-searching, I started to think about life.

You know, the stuff that gets you down. The fact this semester is guaranteed to be one of my most difficult. I have my capstone, as well as another 400 level course, a new position as first vice president, in addition to my roles as historian, parliamentarian and secretary of NPHC. I have to find a job and apply for a job, not knowing exactly where to start but that I need money in my pocket. As well as try to enjoy life without a car for the next couple months. Whew!

So, I got just a little stressed. I didn’t even factor my new resolutions into that equation. So I paused on that.

What is something I need most in 2011?

…

…

…

God.

In short, my “goal” for 2011 is to pray everyday. Pray 50x a day if I need to. But if I plan to get through it all with my sanity, the best thing I can do for myself is pray.

Let Go. Let God.

Stick to the Fight When You’re Hardest Hit

These words were on my heart today. If you’re greek you know where they’re from. If not, there’s still something to be understood. There’s always something beautiful at the end of a difficult time. So even though the temperature dropped, inches of snow are accumulating outside my window, and finals week is coming, I’m loving this December.

Let me tell you first of all, that I would not even be in this state of mind were it not for the strength of God. Positive attitudes are definitely things to be thankful for. A couple years ago I would have probably said a few crude words realizing that to get from point A to point C I had get my feet cold and wet.

Change your perception! Snow means a beautiful white coat on nature, winter break, and best of all Christmas. Not feeling it yet? Snow means the possibility of snow days and the perfect excuse to keep your butt at home and do all the things you wouldn’t do if you were running across the world. That’s the type of stuff I’m on.

Speaking of adversity: let’s talk about those MAC Champs! Miami University went from 1-11 to the winners of the Mid-American Conference! If you stopped believing in our team, just be glad they could believe in themselves. It’s a beautiful example of “don’t quit”. And what a way to end the semester!

Last but not least, I would like to congratulate the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on 104 years! Every December 4th their legacy grows a year stronger. They’re the first and oldest historically black greek-letter organization and they have had their share of obstacles. Yet at this time of year you can’t help but celebrate the fact they’re still holding a strong, respected presence on campuses across the nation.

With these things said, don’t let the upcoming winter season get you down. Wintertime may seem like the darkest time of the year (literally and figuratively), but it’s a blessing in disguise. All those things pressing you down are few and far between when you consider the reward that is surely to come.

Sex Sells, but Does it Leave a Mark?

Trey Songz admitted that he uses generic sexual tracks to sell albums. Here is one bloggers response:

Trey Songz Explains Sexual Direction Of His Music

I’d have to agree with his last statement.

Social Networking?

Tagged, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, AIM, Skype…I’ve been on them all. The motive: to stay connected. If you don’t have your own alter ego listed on one of these sights you’re out the loop. Supposedly…

Sitting back skimming my twitter timeline  I read about the latest in current events from my followers (which ain’t that much). And I noticed just a few things that irk me. Before you read it, don’t get all fussy. Because I’m probably guilty of every single thing. Ha.

Trending topics. I used to love them. They’re fun, stimulate the mind, and can usually end up in a good laugh. Even then though, I did it out of excessive boredom. Read a book, dang.

Getting caught up. Twitter is a death trap for a million and one reasons. Nearly all my friends can recall getting pissed off because someone they wanted to talk to would rather post to twitter. The joke is ubertwitter goes through the same device as a phone call. And then there are the people who tell on themselves. I don’t cheat…but you just retweeted someone saying you did….And the shaking my head begins.

Business. After I talked to a lawyer and found out all ways people can get your information and use it against you I don’t want to put half the things that come to mind on twitter. The words permanent, public record send a chill down my spine. I saw someone tweet about the secret service….did you know the secret service prolly saw that. Just a thought.

Alter egos. Why is it the people you talk to everyday suddenly wave their balls on the internet? The ****-talking, the sex-talking, or even worse, the depressed tweets. The way people talk on twitter sometimes makes you wonder if they are who they seem in person. Why are you acting like Princess Di in person and Lil’ Kim on the internet? #guilty #workingonit

Twitter as a whole. You have to wonder why it’s so attractive for people to log onto a site and see what their closest friends (and their farthest acquaintances are doing). It’s nice to check in and know how your sister is doing. But why do we care that this person likes the lakers, and that person is doing their hair, and that jack is tweeting jane? I guess the answer to that question doesn’t matter. We just do.

But all these things made me wonder if social networking is just the illusion of a relationship. How are you building networks with people if you’re not building genuine relationships with them? I do not think twitter is the devil. There are some people I have truly learned more about and would like to get to know better because of twitter. But that doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen on twitter.

Do you remember the days when we walked outside and met people. And really had a conversation and hung out. Or when you personally contacted someone to get an update. Now you just look at somebody’s tweets and think you know who they are. The reality is: you have no idea.

Babies for Dummies

Over the past week I’ve done a bit of babysitting. And it’s the first time I actually feel like I understand babies, just a little. All were under one year old, barely crawling, nowhere near speaking. Therefore, spending time with them has definitely been a learning experience.

I love babies. That was my first realization when I saw three month old Anthony. He looked at me with his big brown eyes and I was gone. As we stared at each other I felt us building an unspoken, unconditional relationship. For a second, I understood why so many of my peers are having babies….In the next, I recalled why I won’t be having any children for at least another eight years.

Oh, he cried. And he cried. And screamed. And wailed. Either way it was pain. And when he cried at eight in the morning on my “chill saturday” I just about lost it. Sometimes he wants milk, sometimes he wants to be held, sometimes he wants to sit down. Sometimes he’s simply tired, but he’s not telling you anything. Just wailing. Kudos for freely expressing yourself.

I have yet to experience the dreaded wee-wee attack, but I guess Anthony likes me enough not to pee on me. However, too many women have changed the diaper too soon. And I wonder what makes it worth it.

Maybe its the way he smiles spontaneously when you laugh. Or how peaceful he looks when you’ve found the perfect toy to entertain him with. Or how beautiful he is when he FINALLY goes to sleep.  My favorite thing about Anthony is how he holds on to my fingers when he’s sleep. It’s as if I’m making him comfortable just by being there.

No two babies are the same. Just like adults, they have a variety of personalities. One baby will mean mug you, and the other will smile every time they see you. But babies could instruct the world. They’re boundless. Without fear, mistrust, or spite, but holding the greatest capacity to love.

I still have much to learn about babies, but one thing I do know: they’re a blessing.