Grab Bag Fridays (On Thursday): Inscription On The Sarcophagus
(1 Cent): I Need Better Reading Comprehension
Yes, I am aware today is Thursday ... that today should be Pet Peeve Day ... that today's article should be tomorrow. This week only (hopefully), we will have Grab Bag on Thursday and Pet Peeve tomorrow on Friday. Hey, give me a break ... I don't have any editors ....
We had a blistering two comments/questions this week. Hey, beggars can't be choosers (unless you're that one bum from Philly who wanted more change from my empty pocket or Meg Griffin):
Q: "HCP - What would you regard as your favorite or most essential "old skool" rap/hip-hop album? Since I ain't all that old, I'll define "old skool" as anything pre-1995. What say you??" -- ax9
HCP: This is a loaded question. I'll have to start my answer with a little rambling .... I'm going to highlight the "your favorite or most essential" old school Rap/Hip Hop album part of the question because one can debate what the "real" essential, best, most prolific, most influential album was of all time. Also, I'm going to define "favorite" and "most essential" as the album that converted me to Hip Hop in general. Lastly, I'll define "old skool" circa 1995, since that's about the same time I started buying CD's (and not just getting my Hip Hop fix via radio, MTV, or BET).
With that said, I would have to say my favorite and most essential old skool Rap/Hip Hop album is Harlem World by Ma$e. Although this LP dropped in 1997, it is almost a decade from now and by my standards, is classified as old school enough.
Harlem World was produced by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs (aka Puffy, P. Diddy, Diddy) and his Bad Boy Records. My reasons for this being my favorite, vintage Hip Hop CD are:
1) Ma$e himself: he was (is?) one of the smoothest rappers out there ... he also was an enigma with the paradoxical humble flashiness to him lyrically.
2) Array of songs: this album had beats for the streets, for the clubs, to chill with, and even a comedic track ("Jealous Guy" where he and Diddy try -- and I emphasis try -- to sing like R&B cats). Just a wide variety of tracks to please the masses.
3) The list of guest appearances: sometimes too many guests can make your album weak, but I think Ma$e had a good balance, especially since they were big names ... with rappers such as DMX, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Diddy, The Lox, 8Ball and MJG ... and R&B singers 112 and Total ... it added to the auditory ambiance ... instead of no namers, like Lil' Phonebook or Young Oldie.
4) The producers: three producers that stood out to help make a couple of songs and mix some beats were Diddy, The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo), and Jermaine Dupri. You can't go wrong with that.
5) Test of time: there are still songs today that are played from this album on the radio, as classic old school joints, such as "Feels So Good" and "Lookin' At Me" ... if after 10 years your songs still bump, then you're the man.
Just for fun, my top five songs on this album are: "Lookin' At Me" (Featuring Diddy, produced by The Neptunes), "Cheat On You" (Featuring Jay-Z & Lil' Cease, produced by Jermaine Dupri), "What You Want" (Featuring Total), "Wanna Hurt Ma$e", and "Jealous Guy" (Featuring 112 & Diddy).
Q: "Hey now... don't be playin' the race game! The "Red Demon" is NOT in reference to Native Americans at all but to those who would demonize others. Such a one as say a lawyer trying to get some quick cash playing the race card on behalf of the Native Americans. ---For one example--- This lawyer would be a wolf in sheep's clothing saying that he feels their pain and starts opening otherwise long ago healed wounds in order to "help the oppressed" when in all actuality all the wolf wants is their money. The very same type that wants to demonize people like Columbus. Columbus was celebrated for being the one with enough balls to say that there is more out there than sea monsters and the edge of the world. --At least enough balls to pirate Galileo's theories from centuries before-- He's celebrated for being like the shrewd businessman --and pirating theories and ideas-- and being able to convince enough of the right people to set out on a dangerous voyage to discover a new land. Unfortunately he may have been too much like the shrewd (unscrupulous) businessman in that he wanted to take advantage of those peoples that he "discovered" 250 years after the Vikings had already built towns in the New England area that were destroyed by these same peoples. --What's a run-on sentence?--
So, in short, celebrate not the man but the idea: The idea that this land would someday be the first true trying ground for freedom. The idea that peoples of different backgrounds can live together in peace and harmony and not try to kill each other off because of stupid, null, and pathetically inconsequential differences. The idea that some day... pause for dramatic effect... some day, this newly "discovered" land will become........ CUBA!!!-----Don't be hatin'!!!----- -- Crash N. Burnett
HCP: Uhh ... I don't really know what to do with this. **For those readers who have no idea what this is talking about, it was last week's Pet Peeve Thurdsay topic and last week's Grab Bag Friday comment** I'll try to break it down the best I can. When you said "white demon" and Columbus ... it does, at least it did to me, referred to White peeps in general. With that, when you said "red demon" and Native American, methought you were just keeping with the theme. I'll quote what you said in it's entirety:
"Actually... I do remember getting Columbus day off of school oh so long ago... I think the native americans kind of ruined it though. Something about Colulmbus being a crazy, cruel, white deamon or something... I won't say anymore... the red deamon might come after me with their evil lawsuits and political correctness..."
So, I read "Native Americans" ... then said natives saying Columbus was a "crazy, cruel, White demon" ... then you won't say anymore because the "red demon" might go after you. From that paragraph, I didn't make the connection that "red demon" was meaning "those who would demonize others." My bad.
Aaaaaand, that's the end of that chapter.
(2 Cent): Where's The Line?
Last week, I was watching The Daily Show and Jon Stewart's special guest was the underrated comedian Norm McDonald. During the quasi-dialectic and banter, Norm brings up, as he called, the "then tragic" death of Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin. Then, what proceeds is Norm making joke after joke about how and why the Croc Hunter passed away, as Jon begged him to stop making him laugh at the subject. Even the audience was trying to hold back laughter, or at least initially made an "ohhhhh" sound. I personally found myself laughing, not so much at the comedic material, but at Norm having no reservations about making fun of the death. I suppose I can point to some of my laughter of watching Jon try not to laugh.
(If you haven't seen it, here's the link ... don't worry kids, the bad words are "bleeped" out for your listening pleasure): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyIZW_TBjIg
This brings me to some moral questions: is it bad, evil, misguided, or wrong to laugh at the irony of something as tragic as death -- or the circumstance of the death? Is it just too soon? Will it be okay to joke about this in a year? Never? Am I a sick mo-fo for laughing? How come I don't feel bad for laughing? Is it twisted that, in my head, I had thought of an analogous happenstance of death? (For you sickos out there, I thought it would be parallel to having someone named The Tiger Dominator getting bit in the neck, near the ear lobe, by a domesticated, declawed hamster and dying). Do I officially qualify for Hell now?
I could write a 10 page thesis answering all the said questions, but will settle for this: I believe comedy helps some people cope with tragic circumstances (which is why some comedians describe themselves as "dark"). I'm still debating on whether or not it was too soon to start joking about it ... I guess as long as the Irwin family wasn't in the same room it's okay? Also, I suppose everyone has a different tolerance level or acceptance level of making comedy out of tragedies. You can't please everyone. Lastly, for me, basically anything is fair game for a laugh -- excluding sacrilege because, well, then you're just asking for trouble. I don't know if I would've gone where Norm went, but then again, that's why he's a relatively famous comedian and I'm a relative nobody from Nowheresville.
(1/2 Cent): Boo-ya, Grandma ... Boo-ya!
More random thoughts from my wondering mind ....
-- My song of the month: "Smack That" by Akon featuring Eminem
-- What is the point of a re-grand opening? Does that mean your store sucked so bad since the first real opening, you had to re-emphasize to the public that you exist?
-- If someone askes me in broken English if I speak Spanish ... and I say very, very little ... then they rattle off something in Spanish going about 134,249 miles per hour ... do I have the right to backhand them? That's a universal gesture for "slow down," right?
-- Is it me, or does it make you less cool to carry around a gallon of water with you all over the gym? That's it. I'm carrying those 5 gallon Alhambra jugs around with me ... just in case my camel gets parched while I'm doing my leg press.
So, click back tomorrow for Thursdays Pet Peeve (on Friday). Write any and everything to HCP2007@gmail.com. It's been a long week ....
HCP
Yes, I am aware today is Thursday ... that today should be Pet Peeve Day ... that today's article should be tomorrow. This week only (hopefully), we will have Grab Bag on Thursday and Pet Peeve tomorrow on Friday. Hey, give me a break ... I don't have any editors ....
We had a blistering two comments/questions this week. Hey, beggars can't be choosers (unless you're that one bum from Philly who wanted more change from my empty pocket or Meg Griffin):
Q: "HCP - What would you regard as your favorite or most essential "old skool" rap/hip-hop album? Since I ain't all that old, I'll define "old skool" as anything pre-1995. What say you??" -- ax9
HCP: This is a loaded question. I'll have to start my answer with a little rambling .... I'm going to highlight the "your favorite or most essential" old school Rap/Hip Hop album part of the question because one can debate what the "real" essential, best, most prolific, most influential album was of all time. Also, I'm going to define "favorite" and "most essential" as the album that converted me to Hip Hop in general. Lastly, I'll define "old skool" circa 1995, since that's about the same time I started buying CD's (and not just getting my Hip Hop fix via radio, MTV, or BET).
With that said, I would have to say my favorite and most essential old skool Rap/Hip Hop album is Harlem World by Ma$e. Although this LP dropped in 1997, it is almost a decade from now and by my standards, is classified as old school enough.
Harlem World was produced by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs (aka Puffy, P. Diddy, Diddy) and his Bad Boy Records. My reasons for this being my favorite, vintage Hip Hop CD are:
1) Ma$e himself: he was (is?) one of the smoothest rappers out there ... he also was an enigma with the paradoxical humble flashiness to him lyrically.
2) Array of songs: this album had beats for the streets, for the clubs, to chill with, and even a comedic track ("Jealous Guy" where he and Diddy try -- and I emphasis try -- to sing like R&B cats). Just a wide variety of tracks to please the masses.
3) The list of guest appearances: sometimes too many guests can make your album weak, but I think Ma$e had a good balance, especially since they were big names ... with rappers such as DMX, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Diddy, The Lox, 8Ball and MJG ... and R&B singers 112 and Total ... it added to the auditory ambiance ... instead of no namers, like Lil' Phonebook or Young Oldie.
4) The producers: three producers that stood out to help make a couple of songs and mix some beats were Diddy, The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo), and Jermaine Dupri. You can't go wrong with that.
5) Test of time: there are still songs today that are played from this album on the radio, as classic old school joints, such as "Feels So Good" and "Lookin' At Me" ... if after 10 years your songs still bump, then you're the man.
Just for fun, my top five songs on this album are: "Lookin' At Me" (Featuring Diddy, produced by The Neptunes), "Cheat On You" (Featuring Jay-Z & Lil' Cease, produced by Jermaine Dupri), "What You Want" (Featuring Total), "Wanna Hurt Ma$e", and "Jealous Guy" (Featuring 112 & Diddy).
Q: "Hey now... don't be playin' the race game! The "Red Demon" is NOT in reference to Native Americans at all but to those who would demonize others. Such a one as say a lawyer trying to get some quick cash playing the race card on behalf of the Native Americans. ---For one example--- This lawyer would be a wolf in sheep's clothing saying that he feels their pain and starts opening otherwise long ago healed wounds in order to "help the oppressed" when in all actuality all the wolf wants is their money. The very same type that wants to demonize people like Columbus. Columbus was celebrated for being the one with enough balls to say that there is more out there than sea monsters and the edge of the world. --At least enough balls to pirate Galileo's theories from centuries before-- He's celebrated for being like the shrewd businessman --and pirating theories and ideas-- and being able to convince enough of the right people to set out on a dangerous voyage to discover a new land. Unfortunately he may have been too much like the shrewd (unscrupulous) businessman in that he wanted to take advantage of those peoples that he "discovered" 250 years after the Vikings had already built towns in the New England area that were destroyed by these same peoples. --What's a run-on sentence?--
So, in short, celebrate not the man but the idea: The idea that this land would someday be the first true trying ground for freedom. The idea that peoples of different backgrounds can live together in peace and harmony and not try to kill each other off because of stupid, null, and pathetically inconsequential differences. The idea that some day... pause for dramatic effect... some day, this newly "discovered" land will become........ CUBA!!!-----Don't be hatin'!!!----- -- Crash N. Burnett
HCP: Uhh ... I don't really know what to do with this. **For those readers who have no idea what this is talking about, it was last week's Pet Peeve Thurdsay topic and last week's Grab Bag Friday comment** I'll try to break it down the best I can. When you said "white demon" and Columbus ... it does, at least it did to me, referred to White peeps in general. With that, when you said "red demon" and Native American, methought you were just keeping with the theme. I'll quote what you said in it's entirety:
"Actually... I do remember getting Columbus day off of school oh so long ago... I think the native americans kind of ruined it though. Something about Colulmbus being a crazy, cruel, white deamon or something... I won't say anymore... the red deamon might come after me with their evil lawsuits and political correctness..."
So, I read "Native Americans" ... then said natives saying Columbus was a "crazy, cruel, White demon" ... then you won't say anymore because the "red demon" might go after you. From that paragraph, I didn't make the connection that "red demon" was meaning "those who would demonize others." My bad.
Aaaaaand, that's the end of that chapter.
(2 Cent): Where's The Line?
Last week, I was watching The Daily Show and Jon Stewart's special guest was the underrated comedian Norm McDonald. During the quasi-dialectic and banter, Norm brings up, as he called, the "then tragic" death of Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin. Then, what proceeds is Norm making joke after joke about how and why the Croc Hunter passed away, as Jon begged him to stop making him laugh at the subject. Even the audience was trying to hold back laughter, or at least initially made an "ohhhhh" sound. I personally found myself laughing, not so much at the comedic material, but at Norm having no reservations about making fun of the death. I suppose I can point to some of my laughter of watching Jon try not to laugh.
(If you haven't seen it, here's the link ... don't worry kids, the bad words are "bleeped" out for your listening pleasure): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyIZW_TBjIg
This brings me to some moral questions: is it bad, evil, misguided, or wrong to laugh at the irony of something as tragic as death -- or the circumstance of the death? Is it just too soon? Will it be okay to joke about this in a year? Never? Am I a sick mo-fo for laughing? How come I don't feel bad for laughing? Is it twisted that, in my head, I had thought of an analogous happenstance of death? (For you sickos out there, I thought it would be parallel to having someone named The Tiger Dominator getting bit in the neck, near the ear lobe, by a domesticated, declawed hamster and dying). Do I officially qualify for Hell now?
I could write a 10 page thesis answering all the said questions, but will settle for this: I believe comedy helps some people cope with tragic circumstances (which is why some comedians describe themselves as "dark"). I'm still debating on whether or not it was too soon to start joking about it ... I guess as long as the Irwin family wasn't in the same room it's okay? Also, I suppose everyone has a different tolerance level or acceptance level of making comedy out of tragedies. You can't please everyone. Lastly, for me, basically anything is fair game for a laugh -- excluding sacrilege because, well, then you're just asking for trouble. I don't know if I would've gone where Norm went, but then again, that's why he's a relatively famous comedian and I'm a relative nobody from Nowheresville.
(1/2 Cent): Boo-ya, Grandma ... Boo-ya!
More random thoughts from my wondering mind ....
-- My song of the month: "Smack That" by Akon featuring Eminem
-- What is the point of a re-grand opening? Does that mean your store sucked so bad since the first real opening, you had to re-emphasize to the public that you exist?
-- If someone askes me in broken English if I speak Spanish ... and I say very, very little ... then they rattle off something in Spanish going about 134,249 miles per hour ... do I have the right to backhand them? That's a universal gesture for "slow down," right?
-- Is it me, or does it make you less cool to carry around a gallon of water with you all over the gym? That's it. I'm carrying those 5 gallon Alhambra jugs around with me ... just in case my camel gets parched while I'm doing my leg press.
So, click back tomorrow for Thursdays Pet Peeve (on Friday). Write any and everything to HCP2007@gmail.com. It's been a long week ....
HCP
posted by HCP @ 2:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home