How many times must I feel like my remote is the “Action” a Director shouts to start a movie, narrated by sensationalizing some aspect of the Gangster lifestyle?  Henry Hill’s story made a classic GoodFellas movie; Al Capone’s story made a classic movie with The Untouchables, as well as a great inspiration of Tony Montana’s story in the classic movie Scarface (1983); I will even go so far as to say that Frank Lucas’ story made a great American Gangster movie, but at what point do we step away from what the media has sensationalized and glammed up for us in order to see what’s going on behind the scenes? 

Written by Nicole Camack bka K-Mack

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Nigger or Nigga, what’s the difference?  Nah, really?

Before I begin, please allow me to say, this is not my attempt to intellectualize the use of the N-word.  I personally think that’s an oxymoron in itself.  Instead I’m more interested in obtaining clarity in our usage of the word by asking how do we intelligently make an argument that nigga differentiates from nigger?  Nigger or nigga, I ask, “What’s the difference”?   

Written by Cornell Dews

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“I’m So Hood!”

I love DJ Khaled’s song titled, “I’m So Hood!”  For the past few weeks, I’ve listened to it while in my vehicle at least three times a day.  And need I say that it was played at a very high decibel.  I shared my affection with the song to a friend of mine and he asked, “How could you like such a song?”  I pondered the question for a moment and then asked myself “why shouldn’t I like it?”  It then donned on me, from his perspective, he obviously interpreted the song as one glamorizing the negativity which has a stranglehold on our community.  However, that was not my interpretation at all. 

Written by Cornell Dews
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Lil Wayne
‘Gossip’
The Carter III
3.5/5

By Samir Siddiqui

“Haven’t I been good to you?” asks Lil’ Wayne by way of the excellent sample employed on his latest offering ‘Gossip’. Ironically enough, hip-hop should be asking the very same question to Wayne, as it seems like lately, every big-wig in hip-hop has had Wayne on top of their favorite artists list, and he hasn’t exactly been dropping classic albums for the past two years. Still, the brash confidence and desire can  clearly be seen when Wayne puts effort into delivering a performance like the one seen at this month’s BET Hip-Hop Awards. It’s not the moment-of-the-year that some make it out to be, but Wayne kills with the flow overtop an absolutely banging production, southern bass, sped-up backup vocals, heart-monitor beeps and all. Sure, the various corny punchlines are still there, but some standout bars make up for them, “And if I’m wrong, there is no right!…You don’t have to pick me to win the title fight, but I’ma wear the championship belt so tight!  Lil Wayne wants to make it crystal clear that he is hip-hop, and that he’s very much alive. This isn’t a bad start to proving that.

Lil Wayne- Gossip (Live Performance- Clean)

 http://www.zshare.net/audio/4288089fd7dbd2/

Feel free to leave your thoughts on the song/performance

HIP-HOP VS. HIP-HOP – (Part 2)
 
Some say Hip-Hop is Dead, some say it’s definitely not, some say it doesn’t matter, let it go.  Nonetheless, everyone feels strongly in whatever their stance is.  Whatever side you stand firmly on, the first step in uniting as a Hip-Hop Community may just be to understand each other’s opinions.  I gave you Part 1: The Prosecution: “Hip-Hop is Dead”, so now I flip the script completely with Part 2: The Defense: “Hip-Hop is Alive”.  You be the judge…
Disclaimer: If extreme and poignant statements typically cause discomfort, once again, consider this your warning.

Written By Nicole Camack aka K-Mack

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HIP-HOP VS. HIP-HOP 

It’s debated time and time again.  Is Hip-Hop dead?  If so, how and when did she die?  If not, how can you explain the change?  What does all of this mean going forward?  Legends have died, music and trends have come and gone, and all along, the way in which Hip-Hop is defined has become more and more blurred.  Can Hip-Hop be shoved into some late night video or does that deflower all that is Hip-Hop?  Is it even that serious?  Maybe we just haven’t been asking the right questions.  I elaborately present to you the first side of two extreme arguments: 
(PROSECUTION) “Hip-Hop is Dead” vs. (DEFENSE) “Hip-Hop is Alive”.  YOU be the judge …
 Disclaimer: If extreme and poignant statements typically cause discomfort, consider this your warning.

Written By Nicole Camack aka K-Mack

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With all the debates surrounding the impact of Hip Hop, one has to wonder if people really remember were hip hop came from. The following are excerpts of lyrics which derive from an era when Hip Hop was considered to be positive, political, or at the least extremely versatile. Please take a moment to analyze them.

“Well, today’s topic, self destruction
It really ain’t the rap audience that’s buggin”
– KRS ONE, Self Destruction

Written by Nika AKA Whateva…
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