New York City, Home of the Spoiled Brat

Get back on your square NY...

I've lived in NYC all of my 29 years on this planet. I've seen many things in this city, from people pulling out guns, to the Mayor of the city strolling into an office. I've seen Ethan Hawk on the street just saying what's up as I've also seen my fare share of free concerts. The later is what I would like to focus on for this entry.

My first concert that I can remember was a Big Daddy Kane show for my family the Five Percenters (as some would call the Nation of Gods and Earths). This show was for the annual "Show and Prove". At about age 10 I saw Kane rock songs like "Warm It Up Kane" and "Smooth Operator" for free. This was in his prime! I've also seen Wu Tang perform a block down from my apartment in the projects of Brownsville as a kid. This was another freebie. 

As I got older the concerts only got more prominent with me seeing the Roots numerous times, Stevie Wonder on stage with Doug E Fresh on beat box, and Nas live in Central Park for free performing Eye For an Eye with Mobb Deep. It's really hard to grow up in this environment and not get a lil spoiled. I've been in parties with Q-tip walking behind me and I just keep it moving. NY gets you used to this sort of thing. It also gets you bored of the greatness that is NY. People are unaware of the greatness that walks these streets everyday. Whole movements (who says that anymore, I know) are started and skipped over from Fulton St. to Dyckman. 

I recently went to a Q-Tip show at the highline ballroom. Other up and coming artists like Pac Div and the Cool Kids were also on the bill. When Q-tip got on the crowd seemed to be on their third cup of tea and devoid of all energy. Tip had to ask a few times "are yall awake?!?!" and I felt him. I actually love this dudes album and was happy to pay my couple of dollars to get in and see this show. His energy was on tilt for the whole show, going through songs like the single Gettin Up, Verses From The Abstract, Award Tour and Let's Ride. I was going crazy on some songs while I looked around to see people just standing and head nodding. Hell even Mos Def was in attendance walking through the crowd trying to get some energy going. The current world of hipster doofus cats fully embody this spoiled mentality I'm speaking of. 

A few days later I was fortunate to arrive in the beautiful city of Chicago which happen to be the last stop for Q-Tip's promo tour. Seeing his show out there was a different experience. The crowd was fully into the performance even with the terrible sound man. The audience in Chi-town was able to enjoy themselves at the show and give it up for a talented performer. Here in NYC we are worried about being seen and not appearing to look too much like a fan (heaven forbid). Maybe these are just signs of a changing of the guard. I acknowledge that there is always a passing of the baton whether one wants to or not in this large city, however if you pay for a show...act like it. I think sometimes we need to just stop and take in what we have in this wonderful city. Don't let the rat race run you out of breath. 

Bush Plays Duck Duck Goose, Sort of

While running his farewell tour ( don't know who the opening act is) President Bush made a stop in Iraq. The purpose was to give an overall assessment to the work he has initialized in the troubled land. Well apparently there was one photographer who wanted to make his own voice heard. This Iraqi journalist decided to keep it extra funky with the lame duck U.S. President and toss a shoe or two at his Domer Simpson. Even more hilarious than Bush having to dodge a few loafers, is his discussion to follow trying to make lite of the whole incident. ENJOY!

CREW DEEP

The party flyer

Team Green (minus Mahdi and Dashaun, next time brothers!!)

Gabe, Just (looking extra twizzy,lol) O and me
Brent Rollins (One of the nastiest Art Directors in the game), I don't see this dude often but we go back since I first started going out to L.A. doing Rap Pages Magazine in the 90's. You seen his recent work through Ego Trip's books: Big Book of Racism and Book of Rap Lists. Act like ya know!!

To finally get a pic of this is big. Ziran, O Doggs, Kenny and myself.

Josh and Spencer Showing some love.

Dude got the only illmatic face.

Now Ziran is chillin.

Posted up

Met up with the rest of the team, me, O, Dontay, George and Los.

Good to see more heads up in there - me, Dean, Ari and Sergio

Todd and Mary P showing some love.

We got together with the man of the hour: Me, Scott, Los and O

Ahh yes makin moves, Rhandy and Spencer IN4M crew

Kenny and friend posted up.

We all decided to roll through to show Scott some love at his XMas 10 Deep party. This was indeed a rare occassion, to get all of us together in one place. Unfortunately we dont have a group picture due to circumstances but none the less a memorable event. The 10 Deep x-mas party is something that we all look forward to going just because we get to see heads (some we don't care for and some we do) we havent seen for a long time. Shit, especially when we all get to have a good time together. Scott and the rest of team we all thank you for the party because we surely enjoyed ourselves.

DOPE NOT HYPE

Looking for a quick hit of some dope??? Look no further than the UK dopeboys "Audio Bullys" For the past 6 years, they've been creating their own brand of sonic dope and their latest video "DOPE FIEND" is a little bit of visual dope for that ass. No further explanation is needed. DOPE NOT HYPE. IT'S DOPE, DOPE!!!!