Kahlil Gibran - "Life without liberty is like a body without spirit."

~~~

Rhymefest and MJ. This guy is... intriguing. And I'm not talking about Michael:



Nas



~~~

TRUE LOVE CAN DRIVE A MAN CRAZY:

As it so happens, I’ve been buried under a huge rock over the past few years. I’ve come to find out that people rarely go out on “dates” these days - unless it’s staged in a 26 minute segment and is paid for by a cable network. Please don’t tell me that bringing flowers to the doorstep is tired. Please don’t tell me that the word ‘date’ is outdated. Great Caesar’s ghost, I am going to lose my cool if we’re not ‘going steady’ anymore.

Where would this world be without dating? Would we be in shambles as a society who yearns for companionship at all cost? Damn, I must’ve been under the Rock of Gibraltar, because we’ve already arrived in Shamblesville, with a population of… hmm, how many (ham)burgers has McDonald’s sold in its existence? The population is in that ballpark.

You just can’t fathom how often I had to sit down with someone who was having issues in their “ready-made” relationship. Yes, ready-made. You know, the type of relationship that is already cooked, but just needs to be reheated to enjoy? You can also call it the know-as-you-go plan; for example, nine months into your relationship, you find out that your not-so-better half has a middle name. Eureka!

Ready-made relationships are the direct effect of our society’s lost interest in conducting Thorough Dating Habits (TDH). I’d like to walk you through some examples in the form of going to the grocery store.

Someone who conducts Thorough Dating Habits would analyze their kitchen's inventory. As they come across an empty bottle of syrup or in need of new pots and pans, they’d write it down on their list of things to buy. After compiling their list, they head for their store of choice, check off their list as they fill up their cart and leave the store satisfied in knowing that they’ve either picked up everything from their list, or may have to go to another store to fulfill their goal. Once they get home, all items are put in their proper place, their current situation is analyzed, and then they build from there.

Those who specialize in ready-made relationships think about what they would like for dinner, and instead of going through kitchen inventory, they just head for the store. Once at the store, they grab what they believe is needed. During their search for spaghetti sauce, they’re sidetracked by a new curling iron or video game. Once they have the sidetracked item in their possession, busting their budget in the process, they put back a few things from the cart. When they get home, items are placed on the floor to crack open the sidetracked item first.

By the time dinner comes around and spaghetti is on the brain, they realize that they don’t have enough sauce because it was put back and have three boxes of noodles too many. I guess they’ll just deal with what they have.

Before explaining why conducting Thorough Dating Habits is so important, I’d like to clear up the meaning for each status that we hold as an individual and as a part of something special (in proper order).

· When you’re ‘Single’, you have no obligations to anyone. You are able to talk or go out with whomever, whenever you please. You’re availability has no limits and fun is just a party away.

· When you’re ‘Dating’, you have no obligations to anyone. You’re testing the waters, going out with different prospects, and feeling out your connection with that person(s). Your availability is limited, but you’re in the game.

· When you’re ‘Involved’, you now have an obligation (exclusive). Your connection has grown to an exclusive level. Your availability is now limited. At this stage, indulging yourself in others is labeled as cheating.

· When you’re ‘Married’, your religion and/or the law binds your love. You’re with the person that you will spend the rest of your life with (hopefully). Marriage is a total commitment. At this stage, indulging yourself in others is labeled as infidelity/adultery.

· We can’t forget the latest term ‘Separated’. This is the time period between the verbal ending of a marriage and the completed paperwork of a divorce. Being “separated” is the new “single,” and unsuspecting “daters” and “true singles” are paying the cost for it.

Now that we have your status manual out of the way, let’s bring our focus back to the dating process.

TDH can be looked at as an interviewing process. With each date in the books, you have tangible information to process. How did he/she present themselves? How did he/she smell? What do you agree/disagree on? Do you share the same mental timeline (as in maturity level)? Depending on the place you’ve chosen for the date, you can also see how they interact with others; playing miniature golf, spades or singing karaoke, you’re able to see if he/she has a fiery temper, if they are confident, a good sport or down right arrogant.

And what is an interview without a Q&A? TDH can help you to weed out the riff raff through direct questioning. Welcome to the hot seat, where connections can be made or broken before another bowl of fresh bread hits the table. Test your compatibility by asking your date some basic questions. Do you have a child or children, and if yes, are they all by the same person? Do you smoke? So how long have you been working for Bad Boy? Do you have a five-year plan in place?

Direct questioning can be processed immediately or at the end of the date. The secret to effective questioning is not settling for an answer that doesn’t suit your game plan. For example, if you’re a non-smoker who is looking for a non-smoker, yet you find out from the nicotine scent in their coat that your date smokes, you move on. People often make the mistake of accepting others for a fault that you can’t stomach, which becomes viral and spreads into other facets of the relationship -- a huge mistake. Yes, I know, no one person is perfect. But that doesn’t mean that you must accept the unacceptable to obtain the race to nowhere (that’s a ready-made relationship trait).

I’m not here to say that reinforcing the art of dating will save the world. What I am saying is that it will make a difference - if not for us (the walking confused), then for generations to come. I ask you, if you’re a macaroni and cheese lover, which one would you rather devour: the Easy-Mac that only takes two-and-a-half minutes to cook, or the baked version where preparation alone takes an hour plus?

The sad truth is that most of us place more preparation in how we look before we leave the house than the people we choose to shack up with. Believe me when I tell you that our next generation is watching, our nieces and nephews are watching and our children are watching. So you’re not just lying to yourself after you’ve made a mistake in calculation.

There are some things that you can’t change after the fact, but what you can do is not be afraid to sit down with the child who looks up to you and tell them that you’ve failed in some way; and that you don’t want for he or she to follow in your footsteps. Remember, at the end of the day, the more that we accept mediocrity, the more mainstream mediocrity will become.

First Date pointers from The Socialite

--Dress conservatively and tastefully for the occasion and within your means. If you only have one high-end outfit in your closet, save it. It’s ok to average out your attire and look. Otherwise, you’ll be buying a new outfit for each date that follows.

--Meet at a neutral place that you’re familiar and comfortable with. You should save picking up or being picked up until you have a set trust in your date’s character. There’s nothing like having an unexpected guest on your porch when you get home from work; especially someone who you’ve come to loathe.

--Have your game plan in place. Use direct questioning to your advantage.

--Never settle. Whatever your standards may be, stick to them.

--Stay Strong and Motivated

Next time, The Socialite has had all he could stand, and can’t stand(s) no more! And you’ll be the first to figure out why.

http://allhiphop.com/stories/lifestylehealth/archive/2008/01/03/19081570.aspx

~~~

word up to Steve Borowiec!

http://www.stevenborowiec.blogspot.com/

Mindbender has been doing his thing in Toronto’s hip hop community as an emcee for around a decade now. People in the city will recognize him as the guy having the most fun at every hip hop oriented party or show. His years of work give him an interesting perspective as an independent artist in a competitive Canadian marketplace. Mindbender stopped by the Newspaper office recently to share stories and thoughts on his work, Toronto and the state of hip hop.

Mindbender isn't the type of emcee that rhymes about an arrest record or brushes with death. I asked him what he thinks about how important it is these days for rappers to have 'street cred' in order to sell. He said that, to him, "Real art is credibility. It's always been overrated, the amount of street cred you need in hip hop. When 50 Cent came out people were saying stuff like ‘you ain't a rapper unless you've been shot nine times’ and stuff like that. Like, fuck that! When Pac first got shot I was sad, like really sad. I wasn't like 'oh that makes him twice as cool now; I can't wait until he gets shot again'. If some nerdy little geek at a computer can sit back and create some brilliant art then that's just as hip hop to me."

For whatever reason, hip hop in Canada has yet to realize the potential that many see in it. Canada is a country with many talented people, but few Canadian artists have found mainstream success. Mindbender attributes it to the fact that “There's no infrastructure in this country, none. There's nothing to support the independent artists. Most can barely maintain in this climate.”

It’s well known how the internet and downloading have made it harder to succeed in the music business. The internet has meant that there are now more artists and fewer people buying records. Besides just impacting sales, the entire way music is made and distributed is now different. The industry now focuses on artists that can make a ring tone that will be hot for a month or two instead of an album that will be great for generations. I asked Mindbender how he feels technology has affected not just the commercial side of the industry but the art itself. He feels like “technology has helped advance things because stuff moves so much faster now. I used to get stuff set in the mail to me and it would take a week to get there. Nowadays people can send things back and forth instantly."

While it has been beneficial in some ways, the internet has also sucked much of the magic out of music and "devalues the appreciation people have for it. The concept of the release date is a pipe dream these days. Technology has destroyed plenty of industries, but it's the way of the world.”

No one really knows what’s in the future for the music industry, but Mindbender will be a part of it regardless. He and many others hope that hip hop can return to the quality form of music and cultural commentary it once was. “I think people just dumb themselves down and in general, intellectualism in hip hop is frowned upon. I mean, we say it every year, but hopefully next year will be better.”

~~~

New Left to-do List, from Adbusters #70

1. Throw away the elbow patched blazer.
2. Turn off the Daily show.
3. Dismantle the soap box (and the television set).
4. Quit thinking you're better because you shop at Target instead of Wal Mart.
5. Peel the clever bumper stickers off your car and express yourself through actions.
6. Stop giving money to NPR, instead invest in renewable energies.
7. Trade in your Subaru for a bus pass.
8. Protect the environment the same way you protect your Simon and Garfunkel records.
9. Hold yourself accountable so you can do the same to others.
10. Stop being afraid of being called Anti-Semitic and help the Palestinians.
11. Tell your neighbour, the volunteer soldier, that he is not a hero, but a perpetrator.
12. Stop being a victim and get off your complacent, rhetoric-clogged ass and do something.

~~~

Rhymefest comes up again, and Lupe Fiasco is his target. Innnnteresting....

from www.okayplayer.com

"Then, here is the blog that I wrote to address it:

Don't Let Your Arrogance Fuel Your Ignorance (SUPPORT BARACK!)

Recently, a prominent Hip-Hop website asked an artist who they supported in the 2008 presidential primaries. Shockingly, their response was Hillary Clinton. Now, I'm not one to judge a person's political, religious or [even] artistic views; however, the reasons that this artist gave were so fucking erroneous and outrageous that it compels me to speak out, even if only to give fans the right information so that we are not following uninformed-ass rappers down the hole of 'abstract nothingness.'

First of all, the facts:
Barack Obama has stated he is not opposed to military action against Iran if they were persistent in their ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons; weapons being the operative word. However, he also states that as president, he plans to talk to Iran without preconditions about certain assurances in the context of them showing some good faith, as well. Barack Obama stated "I think it is important for us to send a signal that we are not hell-bent on regime change, just for the sake of regime change, but expect changes in behavior. And there are both carrots and there are sticks available to them for those changes in behavior." This clearly does not describe the agenda of a candidate who supports 'the bombing of Iran and all that stuff.'

I would be very interested to know if this particular artist even knows what Hillary Clinton's position is pertaining to military action against Iran; and, no, I'm not giving him the answer.

Barack Obama being the only Black senator from Illinois automatically gives me a sense of pride and appreciation for his journey. Of course, for America to be flipped on its axis with a qualified woman president would be a significant milestone in this chapter of our country's history. But, I fail to see how a qualified Black man as president wouldn't be just as significant a milestone. Please, to all artists who dare to speak on political issues in this election: understand that Barack Obama won the Iowa caucus by inspiring more young people and women to vote than any previous presidential candidate. How could it not be impressive to see the new Bobby Kennedy of our day in the White House?

In the words of Gabriel when he revealed the Holy Qur'an to the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the cave: "READ." Please do not let your arrogance be the fuel for your ignorance.

Peace,
Fest a/k/a EL CHE

===============

[b]< STRONG>[/b]

Now, the following discussion is what took place on the Okayplayer message boards between myself and Lupe on his thread entitled "And furthermore nigga!!!!..." after someone on Okaplayer said "Damn Lupe, you going to respond to Rhymefest's post?" Lupe responded with the following:
not in public...thats wack...I'll call him tomorrow...

...unless we devise a sinister under the table plot to faux battle each other furiously over the topic via youtube only to bring more attention to our projects then take the ill gotten booty and buy Phantoms with it that we will then proceed to drive in the homemade videos made of the diss records also to be debuted on youtube...

Then, I decided to respond to him. Here it goes:

Rhymefest:
I'm responding to your post because you don't have my number.

Please fam...don't let some of these people on the boards get the situation twisted for you. I'm not dissing or coming at you on any level. In fact, I love the song "Go Go Gadget Flow" off of your new album, and I encourage everyone to purchase The Cool. Chitown is on the rise! However, Barack Obama also lives in Chicago, and at the very least we have to not put out information that is wrong or can be misconstrued by people on the outside OR the fans that love, listen, and follow what we say.

As a brother, all I'm asking you to do is tell the people that you really don't know what Barack Obama's position is on Iran, or at least not when you did the SOHH interview.

In my original post, I did not mention your name or the actual source of the interview. Just to let you know, my mission is not to down you, but to big up Barack Obama.

If you or anyone else supports any other candidates such as Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, or whomever---I think that those are all fine candidates; I just find it irresponsible to tell untruths about any of them.

Lupe, please tell the people Barack Obama does NOT support bombing Iran.

Lupe:
In Response To Fest...

Have no fear...the misconstruding bias that exists in the OKP doesn't affect me to the point of turning on my people in a negative way...even when my people are the ones misconstruding it...

let me first reinforce my stance on national politics and the American System based on a mispractice and abomination of true democracy...

i have no faith in it...never have, never will...a mindset instilled at a very young age by a pro-active, Black Panther party promoting, revolutionary father and a very intellectual damn near anarchist mother with more than enough facts to back it up...

I've been around politics and politicians my whole life...got the baby pictures with The Honorable Harold Washington to prove it...Recently i was just honored alongside Hillary Clinton as one of shining stars of Cook County (if u didnt know she from around the way as well)...I know and have seen what this system is capable of both good and bad...some of my peeps are state reps and the such...if that even means anything to the point

I say this to let you know first off I'm educated in the process...so much so that I dont agree with it..more importantly I wasnt out to slander Obama...If it was misinformation that I received then I apologize on behalf of the source but like I said I am still going back to recheck the validity of the source...if that is not his stance now then so be it...my opinion of Hillary being in Office over Obama is merely because she is a woman and I believe the act of a woman leading the strongest nation in the world will have unforeseen side effects and may act as a catalyst for change the world over more so than that of a black man...is that a fact? NO...does it even really matter? NO...they both still tow the line and champion the ideals of their respective party...which is flawed in its nature (The Party Line that is)...For Example...Continuing the fruitless and very illegal and very oppressive and very repressive also very very expensive "War On Terror" was one of the first things off his lips @ the Iowa victory speech FACT!!!...Just like all the candidates would've said if they would have won...I say this because they are all the same...Race has nothing to do with it...see Condelezza Rice & Colin Powell (or any of the other black leaders in Africa that continue to rape and pillage the motherland and its people just like the white british & dutch did)...its about Justice and Equality and I dont hear Justice and Equality from any of these canidates that are on the forefront...not even Hillary...I'm not impressed...Im not impressed like i was impressed by Malcolm or Martin or continue to be impressed by Chomsky or Cornel West...I dont hear true Social Equality...I hear traditional American Democracy & retorhic (i dont think I spelled that right) which is my brother nothing but bullshit...

in closing I think that if I said all that in response to SOHH it might have been clearer that Lupe Fiasco doesnt even support the system as a whole so what he thinks of the candidates who are running to head it up isnt even relevant...maybe I'm wrong..maybe it will be the start of a renaissance that will change the face of the world and we will be blessed with Social Utopia or maybe my nigga got the blessing of the Iluminatti and is just meant to bring us one step closer to having a chip in our fucking heads...either way I'm good..as long as there is the word of Allah (SWT) and the leadership of his prophets that will always reign supreme...

Men build castles of sand even when rain is sure to come...

Blessings and Godspeed in your struggles for truth...

Salaam...

I'm still callin too!!! hahaha

Rhymefest:
First of all...

All praise IS due to God, and I thank God that we're able to have this type of dialogue ESPECIALLY in hip hop. However, I was not born into a political revolutionary family like you. My father was a crackhead alcoholic. My mother was 15 years old when I was born. I was raised around gang members. So personally, when I hear Barack Obama speak about hope and its audacity, that is a message that I can relate to.

Being raised on the Southside of Chicago under the conditions that many of us are subject to, I haven't had the opportunity to become desensitized to the political and social ramifications of a Black president. My brother, it does mean something. I don't believe that Barack Obama is the 'same ol' same'. Did you know that in a recent poll 69% of whites think it's possible for a Black president, while only 47% of Blacks thought it was? This suggests to me that our cynicism and disbelief will surely be the death of us.

I believe in Allah and all of his prophets. However, I believe God also sends messengers in the form of parents, community leaders, and yes---politicians. Barack Obama speaks against lobbyists and their influence on the political system and candidates. Did you know that his campaign was funded not by lobbyists with corporate agendas, but by individuals like you and I? Considering the millions that he has raised, a lot of individuals believe in the audacity of his hope.

Lupe, this can be a great moment for us; even though I know you don't have my number, I will still expect your call, LOL.

It seems to me as if you're not sure if change can or cannot happen. Our recent successes, and Barack's recent success in Iowa, is proof that with faith all things are possible.

Lupe:
I admire your audacity in the face of your plights. My faith is where its supposed to be...with the Lord...

trust my opinoins are molded not alone by political thought and high discourse around the house...but also by niggaz getting shot in my hallway, hookers turning tricks in the stairways we played in and finding heroin needles while playing football in the front yard...crooked cops and crooked aldermans with a different gang on every block...that would be the westside my friend...it happened to all of us...so i look for beacons of hope as well and where I see it is not in the face of a politician in this day and age...Sadly and Happily I see it where it's always been...in the face of the people!!!...as far as US who keep US back and are among the cynics and undesireables i wonder what the cleasing process is for US?...Ovens, Internment, re-education on the glorious mechanics of the system or how about Gauntanimo or what about censorship or just a good level of ignoring??? or quarantine them to the worst parts of town give them a shitty education and an econmomy based on narcotics, welfare and minimum wage and let them kill themselves in wars over obtaining luxury goods?...how do u handle your own kind who dont believe in what u beleve?...I guess we dont count cuz we dont vote becuz we dont believe in the hollow promises of liars and a system that has shitted on us for over 400 years using principles that our precious politicians and canidates still hold dear to this very day...a contract of social equality written by slaveowners...that deserves so many "fuck outta here's" it aint even funny...

I pray for change...and change will come...i dont know in what form...is it Obama? maybe...

God gave us the ability to have faith...He also gave us a brain...i like to use mine together sometimes...

Salaam...

< STRONG>

STAY PLUGGED!"

~~~

100 THINGS WE DIDN'T KNOW LAST YEAR:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/2008/01/100_things_we_didnt_know_last_3.shtml

97. There have been at least two children given the name "Superman" in the UK since 1984.

HA HA!!

Read the rest of them... they are hilarious!


~~~
I saw Necro last night. PRETTY NUTS! 3 sets of breasts were shows, and one pale little ass. 10 girls went nuts to dance to 'Who's Your Daddy' and forced fellatio was simulated at least 5 times. He did Pre-fix For Death, which I just found out has a video!! It was a straight up and down affair, but it was fun. The girls in the mosh pit were hilarious, sneaking around, throwing cheap shots and sometimes getting smashed up something fierce. I saw some extreme comedy, and some mildly brutal violence too, it was grimy. Necro is a softie under that thick stomach and those doe-y eyes, he's not as evil as his image suggests. It was really good to see, he knows how to make the kids go nuts... but go nuts safely, LOL. And yeah, it was like 99% wild, unshaven suburban (or poor) white guys, ha ha. Still, a good time was had by all. Peace to REMG and the other cool cats I saw there, big up the homie who bought me a beer and peace to Tim and Sarah.

Necro: Pre-Fix For Death, woo hoo!



and the icing on the cake before I take the weekend "off" (to record... cause I found the NEW MC in me! Mindbender 2008 is emerging, and it's the FUTURE of NOW! I will have to kill you now cause I've said too much, LOL. But nah, wait til you hear the new ish! Enjoy this in the meantime: )

Nas and Busta Rhymes live in New York City. When Gods Meet:



one love!