Black Privilege

How can blacks have privilege over white superiors, when we recently achieved equal recognition of civil rights? The idea of black privilege is a vague and invalid concept. For the WHITE oppressors to instill this notion into society is illegitimate. CNN's article, "It's Time to Talk About Black Privilege," presents this idea to contradict the ideas of white privilege. This is the backbone of black privilege; it is used to justify minorities struggle to face white privilege. It is absurd however, that whites can conceive this idea if they are the majority, if they are the ones who succeeds over other races, if they have been the ones obsessed with conquering the world and being this super race.

Black privilege is created out of the concept that since blacks have been neglected in history, they are subjected to gaining more positions and rights than whites. Whites are criticizing the African-American race for having opportunities for them,  "Blacks can belong to clubs and organizations that cater specifically to their race, but there's no National Association for the Advancement of White People because such a group would be deemed racist." Those who claim this are not taking into consideration that these programs stem from blacks being underrepresented and not having equal services and opportunities for them. This is the root of the issue. It isn’t about competing to see which race has more privilege, it is the struggle to accept that whites have the ability since birth, to succeed in life over a black for the mere fact that there skin color is fairer.

The Listening by Little Brother Review

Influenced by the rhythmic sounds of classic 90’s hip hop, Little Brother superbly fine-tunes this era of music into a refurbished 2003 adaptation in their album, The Listening. The neo-soul infused album consists of elements that contributes to the groups name. The title Little Brother stems from the group being the little brother of the native tongue movement in hip-hop. The albums orientation is Little Brothers influences that musically shapes where the albums direction is. Think A Tribe Called Quest, Pete Rock and Black Star, sounds that single handedly took Hip Hop from dope boy beats to a diversified level of music, and channel that influence into Little Brothers Album. The Listening is a classic example of hip hop taking a contemporary rap toll. The exceptional intermingling of soulful chord progressions and hip hop drum loops achieved by the musical production of 9^th Wonder is however somewhat imitative of other rap group works of the same production level. What can be said nonetheless is 9^th Wonders ability to produce distinctive tracks on the album can make even the musically stubborn bob their heads with such releases as “Speed,” “Nighttime Maneuvers,” and “The Yo-Yo”. Undoubtedly both “Nighttime Maneuvers,” and “The Getup” are two tracks showcasing phenomenal beats complimenting the atmosphere and the thematics of the singles. Although 9th wonder cannot be accredited for the production of "The Getup", he definitely exhibits beat making skills on "Nighttime Maneuvers", honestly a favorite due to the ambiance and the nocturnal nature of the track produced by 9th. 

Lyrically the group provides a conventional flow akin to that of the great Rakim. With tracks  again like "Speed", Big Pooh provides a killer verse,  "I let me life shine in between these papers lines I write rhymes to incite minds Spending time on this pipeline, eighty-five North it's like mine, going eighty five to light minds," showing he is the more lyrical of the two MC's. Definitely one of the more bangers in the album demonstrating overtly sick rap ability. Phonte no doubt, drops dope lyrics and flow in his solo on "Nighttime Maneuvers". Not only did the captivating beat compliment Phonte's verse, his rap alone keeps him comparable to Big Pooh: "Aiyyo, it's the new fla-vour, the next step Phonte, the best kept secret since the AIDS cure (word)  I stay raw, whether they bootleg it or pay for it  Old school like Prince Dejour."

 Little Brother vocally adds to a unique style of rap some may say influenced Drakes style of hip-hop performance. Good examples of this would be “Make Me Hot,” and “The Way You Do It,” in which you see more vocal harmonics than rap flows. In good conscience, the more you go deeper into the Listening and fully hear the lyrical storytelling merged in with perfectly matching skits and sounds, the album is in full affect and the listener of The Listening, understands the impact of the records quality and purpose to expand the boundaries of the standard hip hop genre.

Rating 7/10: Good

"Make Me Hot"
"Nighttime Maneuvers"
"The Yo-Yo"

Mothership Connection- Parliament

What is the Mothership Connection? Throw some humor, flyness and a whole lot of cool mixed in with afro-futuristic thematics and a slice of outrageousness into a blender, pour it into cup and you have the answer. Parliament captures space for the ghetto. It delivers lively loops and unorthodox hooks before rap landed on earth. The Mothership Connection lays down your problems and thematically sends you into the cool, spaced-out side of your mind.

In case you haven't heard, Parliament-Funkadelic was the best thing grooving in there day. Originally starting as a doo-woop group in the 50's, there name rose to fame in the 70's cultivating a culture of zany and outlandish members. George Clinton, star child and head funk brother of Parliament orchestrated this album (and many others) along with his colorful band of musicians, singers and swingers. Clinton along with Parliament-Funkadelic before the Mothership Connection landed, utilizes a spectrum of genres synthesizing them into there own P-funk lifestyle. An unexpected blend of funk, psychedelic soul, psychedelic rock, funk rock, and disco come together to produce albums like: Chocolate City, The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein, Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome, and the  Motor Booty Affair. 

Clinton is no newbie at presenting socially concious lyrics through a playful space tone, as to not be too overly serious and sensitive on some civil justice issues. A cool and frisky yet conciously aware attitude plays as the undertone to the album. Instantly Clinton, sets an eccentric smooth atmosphere utilizing a groovy radio DJ to introduce the Mothership Connection. The album opens up with "Make My Funk the P-Funk" composed of glossy piano chords over a low moving kick drum pattern. The pure uncut funk is delivered in motion, switching from a hard funk groove to easy tempo melodies with the Radio Dj's vibrant and jazzy voiceover adding to the realism of the Mothership Connection having its own world and style to it taking from realism and thought combing it into one.

As the album progresses into Star Child, we see more of the outer space boogie that the album gives off. The ending to the track leads into a "Swing Down Chariot" hymn in the style of slow funk giving off that spacial vibe of the album. The album moves on with more serious yet hell of a lot of comedic lyricism in tracks like "Unfunky UFO", "Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication", and "Handcuffs". "Give Up the Funk" is more of raw groovy type of funk. Its sound is almost distinctive from the rest of the tracks conceptually, but the sonic makeup of the song is a strong boost to the like-ability and uniqueness of the album. 

Rate: 9

Macklemore again tackles breaking racial boundaries of hip-hop in his prequel to “White Privilege.” The song features multiple verses over various beat transitions akin to gospel and almost classic african-american associated sounds. His message is clear, instantly giving off this idea of white americans understanding their social privilege and not acting upon it. He brushes up some of the ideas presented in the first “White Privilege” track, however adds valuable opinions that reflects the social justice issues of contemporary america.

His intended multi-racial audience may have critical views of his message, claiming that he might be exploiting black culture issues for his own grammy benefits. Ironically, his production of the song vividly condescends white people for being instigators of oppression in America. This message can be a little too demeaning to whites rather than expressing views for equality of all races. Nevertheless Macklemore provides a vivid story painted by background vocals and skits to expressing his truth in America's social justice issues.

Amazon's Newest Competition is Marijuana

Marijuana has had a bad reputation. People only think of it as a drug influencing the young and damaging the old. Which is highly untrue. However, over recent years weed and other medicinal/recreational herbs have steadily changed in the public's and governments perspective. Its legalization in many states across America has opened new opportunities for wide spread consummation of the plant. We can even start to see marijuana's growth in the industry and market as it becomes easier to access. So easy in fact that a recent article shows marijuana's online distribution is legally more efficient then accessing it from your doctor. The effect to this is wider appeal to users as well as others who may have negative thoughts on weed consumption. There are already marijuana distributors locally like Kush Gods which allow the product to be sold in DC on wheels. 

The increase in marijuana being sold in America especially online where it can be shipped nationwide is quite frankly exciting. Moreover, this can be a huge step for the increase in marijuana being legalized in all states. It allows the economy to increase based on private industry marijuana distributors selling online. For the most part this all seems legit. Make an order online, place a payment and the plant shows up to your doorstep in the next few days. However, a huge downfall for buyers is trusting what is being sold to you through the mail. Factors such as ineffective marijuana, less weed than you asked for and also what the distributor may have mixed in with the plant are huge con factors. This can lead to distrust for the online marijuana industry. However, this breakthrough is just scratching the surface for ganja users. It can also be a product in the future that is sold on the global market. We’ll truly just have to wait and see just how effectively this online selling of herb plays out. This can either be good in a sense where more states open up to marijuana usage, or horribly bad where people might even be, drugged. But on the bright side, this breakthrough is a unique opportunity pushing America to change its perception on such a thing. 

Why'd They Stop the Funk?

If there is one thing that keeps people together, its music. The 20th century saw an increase in popular music and its rapid spread through radio and television. White America began to integrate the African-American sounds from the day such as ragtime, jazz, rhythm and blues and doo-wop. Motown allowed a large number of African-Americans to orchestrate music and create records which led to pioneering sounds in music that would influence later decades. It wasn't until the 1960's however where African-American soul music would soar. It was also during these times where a new genre would emerge from this era that would change the landscape of music culture and that was the Funk.

Most credit for the birth  of funk can be given to James Brown. The sound of funk was different then other genres at the time because the beat had a unique groove. Evidently, this sound was enjoyed and most identified with lower class urban African-Americans. Funk was also associated with the black power movements in the 60's and 70's as well which gave it a powerful image. This unique sound had transformed the 60's from the old soul, jazz and gospel sounds to a more Afrocentric upbeat style of culture.

As the Funk grew so did its style and sound. Bootsy Collins who was a bassist for James Brown separated from Brown and ultimately ended up in the Parliament-Funkadelic group with funk master George Clinton. This group which formed in the 70's revolutionized the genre and gave it an Afro-futuristic upgrade. George Clinton moved away from the traditional band uniform (suits and ties) and drew influence from rock and roll bands and there outrageous looks. The groove became deeper as Bootsy and George experimented with unique sounds in which they created, the P-funk.

By the late 1970's, funk culture was already at its full bloom. Stevie Wonder, the Jackson's, Earth, Wind and Fire and others helped put funk on the charts. However, there was a new movement which would both help and harm the funk. Hip-Hop and rap was emerging and already becoming a rapidly increasing sound well into the 80's. Early hip-hop artists like Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and Kurtis Blow utilized Funk and changed the vocal aspect of the sound giving it a hip new groove. Hip-Hop would carry funk well into the 90's with the help of a new sound called New Jack Swing. Well into the 90's, rap artist sampled old school records which would persevere the funk culture and sound. Dr. Dre, Tupac and other mainline rap artist would loop these records and provide a more modern hip-hop beat to the sample.

Heading into the 2000's however, funk saw less popularity in mainstream music as pop and rap transformed into its on sound. Gangster and thug rap was well taking over the hip-hop industry which led to a decline in the funkier sounds rap provided. Even today we hear less about the genre, but the music will still continue to influence and transform American pop culture.

Yeezy Yeezy Yeezy Just Jumped Over Jumpman

Kanye West: an architecture of music, creativity and style. His idealism has been however criticized for being overwhelmingly outlandish in the media and public's opinion. West latest YEEZY, collection has been critically acclaimed for being overpriced while supposedly appearing bland, unfashionable and unappealing to some eyes. The collection features faded tones reminiscent of fall colors with pieces that draw from styles ranging from military to high-end mixed in with rising trends in the fashion industry. A combination of clothing and shoes provide a diverse marketing strategy as West latest YEEZY footwear gaining recent attention also.                                                               Zooming past opinions and criticism is a much larger
picture in Kanye's approach to his collection. West was
only pushing the boundaries of the fashion industry which is exactly what the art is meant to do. Though some may think Kanye is way over his head, the collection itself may be observed as a catalyst for the progression and future of fashion. Here are just a few reasons why.

The Hip-Hop industry is continuously finding new outlets and approaches to there image. From full on track-suits to baggy fit clothing to fitted styles, Kanye is just another bridge in the progression of the Hip-Hop look. The YEEZY collection is the "New Hip Hop Look" essentially as it influences other brands to look for similar style trends they see within West's brand. It has already sparked a movement in which stores such as H&M and Zara have begun to shift towards these concepts that the YEEZY collection give off.

West brand also is one of those things that voices a generation. People will look back at these times and realize that the YEEZY collection contributed to the pop culture essence of our era, and we won't realize it until years away.