Now is Not the Time to Be Niggas

Yo, Black people. Did you hear about the Black man that was hanged back on December 3, 2010? Chances are, you didn't. Read up on it here.

That's sadly not even the topic of this post. Getting straight to the point, as people, we are living in fucked up times. As Black people, we are contributing to our own fucked up times, considering our history in this country, about which, as a Black person, you should at LEAST know a tiny fact. Thinking critically about where we've come from, things are not perfect by a long shot, but shit is MUCH better for us as Black people than it was 60 years ago. I mean, we can vote (though we don't), we can ride in the front of the bus (though we don't do that, either), hell, we can even drink out of the same water fountain as white people now. I mean, on the surface Dr. Martin Luther King's dream has come true. Digging deeper, if King were alive today, he'd still have a lot to fight for, only this time, the fight would be WITH Black people and not FOR Black people.

I say this to say, Black people, we are fuckin' up.

A friend and coworker of mine, as well as fellow Emerging Black Male Leader (shouts to Public Allies!!) put me up on a profile picture someone posted to their Facebook profile on June 19, 2010. It was a picture of what looks to be a Facebook status or note containing the text of a letter placed on the bed of a young Black male incarcerated in a Chicago jail. Check it out here:

Now, as a Black male myself, one would probably expect me to be upset at the over usage of the word "nigger" or the repeated threats of raping Black women, or some other nonsense that we as people should expect from someone identifying themselves as a Ku Klux Klan follower or member. But quite frankly, I was more upset at the responses the picture got from other Black people. One read: "this is sum bullshit! wtf kinda ish is this? just ignorant for no damn reason at all....". Another read : " hell mtf naw that shit is not even were it at foe real man i would be they ass".

Has history not taught us anything, Black people? Have Dr. King's practices (of which I'm seriously beginning to question if most Black people in this day and age are even aware) not taught us anything? Such responses, of outrage and retaliating threats, are just what the powers that be want from us. I mean, where are we in life when our first response is to beat somebody's ass when we get mad, despite the fact we can't even spell beat without giving it real thought? Dr. King practices were ALWAYS, under any and all circumstances nonviolent, and with shit like this happening in today's society, I for one feel that his road is the way to go. Now is not the time to be niggas, Black people. It is not the time to act like the mindless, vicious savages we are far too often portrayed as in today's society. Now is the time to act like we got some sense.

The first step in overcoming a problem is admitting you have one. Black people, there is absolutely nothing to be mad about in that letter. It's all true. We ARE killing future Black doctors, lawyers, and businessmen that "They" won't have to compete with. We ARE doing a great job at eliminating our own race. You can be petty and fret about them using the word nigger, but let's be real, that's a word that, whether we're aware of it or not, is STILL being used today, and will NEVER stop being used to degrade us as a people. There will always be ignorant and evil people in this world as long as there are people. Get the fuck over it. What we need to do is admit that we are fuckin' up, if we ever plan on being serious about overcoming. I fully understand that accepting accountability is something a lot of people, no matter the race, struggle with, but as I said, now is not the time to be niggas and continue blaming others for things being the way they are. It is the time to look in the mirror and decide whether or not you're comfortable with who you see. It is the time to look on your block and decide whether or not you're comfortable with what you see happening.

Since King was killed, I think we as a people have spent too much time waiting for another leader to come and save us. We all thought President Obama was going to be the be all, end all to our problems, totally neglecting the fact that he first had to clean up the mess that the last idiot left. Right now, I feel it's time for us as a people to admit that things are the way they are because of us, and realize that only WE can change them. Unless that happens, we will continue on this downward spiral that we're on now, until the future predicted in that letter becomes reality. Wake up, Black folk. Please.

~Trufe

Music of Tha Moment: J-Storm

So, I don't usually do this shameless self-promotion thing, but in addition to blogging and being a poet, I also rap. I think I'm kinda good at it, too, but that's neither here nor there.

Long story short, I go by the name of J-Storm, and I represent We Are Legend Ent. Word on the street is, We Are Legend Ent. is dropping a mixtape THIS Friday, September 3, and J-Storm is dropping a mixtape NEXT Friday, September 10. Legend has it, that Chicago does a very poor job at supporting its artists, ESPECIALLY its rap artists. Let's break that cycle, shall we?

In addition to plugging my own music, I'll also be using this blog to plug the music of my peers who I feel deserve recognition for the music they make. Starting with my mans I.B. Fokuz (@ibfokuz) and his new video "I Got You". Go check it out, if the mood so fits.

But yeah, I'mma keep this short and sweet; the label's mixtape drops this Friday, the solo mixtape drops next Friday, and in the meantime, if you have the time, you can follow us on Twitter, @WeAreLegendEnt and @JStormThaTrufe, as well as "like" us on Facebook by searching We Are Legend Ent. and/or J-Storm. 'Til the next time, my fellow trufe seekers.

~Trufe

Video of Tha Moment: "Champagne Life"

So, peep game. I was watching 106 and Park earlier, trying not to fall asleep due to the fact that I be up WAY too late to be working a 9-to-5, and I caught view of the World Premier of Ne-Yo's new video, "Champagne Life".

As a big Ne-Yo fan myself, I been bumpin' the single on my iPod for about 2-3 weeks. The song itself is a hot song, and gettin' straight to the point, so is MOST of the video.

One thing I appreciate about Ne-Yo is the fact that he's a performer in what's becoming an industry full of strictly studio artists. So naturally, Ne-Yo does his thing with his usual crisp dance moves and fly ass suits, and the female dancers add that sexy aspect to the video without being raunchy and doing some ass-popping all up and down the pole. They usually be up in that place goin', pop pop pop, pop pop pop.

Sorry, got off subject.

Anywho, there is one MAJOR gripe I had with the video: what in the BLUE HELL was the point of all that ish that happened in the first three and a half minutes of the video?! It starts off with Ne-Yo and Columbus Short, both portraying supernatural characters of some sort in the back of a Maybach, talking about some shit that happened in the not-too-distant past. What they were talking about, I'm not too sure of, thanks to Short's Morpheus-like accent. Then, the scene shifts to four years earlier, and shows Ne-Yo as a garbage man along with two other garbage men meeting with Short's character under a bridge somewhere, where Short tells them how to use some undisclosed powers which they gained in an undisclosed manner. Short gives them three rules, the last of which being not to fall in love. THEN, the scene shifts to one year later (and I'm sure some people will be confused as to whether it meant one year after the four-year flashback [which it does] or one year after the initial scene), and the actual music video begins.

Um... wtf?

I'm glad Ne-Yo would like to do more acting, I'm just not sure why he chose to act out THAT scene in THIS video. I'm not sure why I just explained all of that, when you yourselves can just watch all of that below, but hey, Ne-Yo shows us with this video that sometimes, we just do shit. Enjoy.

And if you're reading this via Facebook, or if for some reason, the page cuts off half of the embedded video (like it does on my screen), just click this link, and watch the ish on YouTube. Enjizzoy!

Hehe, I said "jizz".

~Trufe

When Will "With Liberty and Justice for All" Actually Mean Something In This Country?

I couldn't only blog about LeBron on what will hopefully one day be an important day in American history. So, if y'all been under a rock lately, been too caught up in the LeBron hooplah, or somehow didn't notice my header on my last post (if all three of those things happened to you, God help you), allow me to restate. Oscar Grant was an innocent, unarmed, and prostrate (not prostate, prostrate, young'ns. It means submissively prone. Grant, specifically, was face down and handcuffed) man, killed on New Year's day 2009 following an incident on a packed train coming from San Francisco to Oakland. He was apparently "resisting arrest, and was subsequently shot in the back and killed.

Keep in mind, the shit was caught on tape via cell phone by a passenger on the train who chose to not be identified. Now, one would assume that with such outstanding evidence, the officer, Johannes Mehserle would be immediately charged with murder, right? Only in a perfect world, my fellow trufe seekers. Not only did the trail and sentencing take over a year to complete, but the killer was found guilty for involuntary manslaughter. It may be just me, but I fail to see the involuntary-ness in this situation. Grant was unarmed, face down and handcuffed. Officer Mehserle had a gun in his hand, and voluntarily pulled the trigger. Grant was MURDERED. INTENTIONALLY. ON CAMERA.

Remember how the sentencing for the beating of Rodney King sparked riots in Watts back in 1992? Anybody else feel history getting ready to repeat himself sometime soon? And as long as justice continues to be absent from this country, shit like this will continue to happen. Sad day to be an American. Sad, sad day.

~Trufe

The Post About LeBron James (Insert More Clever Title Here)

Allow me to begin this post by paying my respects to Oscar Grant, who was killed New Years day 2009 by an Oakland police officer. Grant was unarmed. His killer was charged with involuntary manslaughter earlier today. When will "with liberty and justice for all" actually mean something in this country?

As a loyal Chicago Bulls fan, who is still tryna adjust to twelve years of non-championship basketball after experiencing six years of it, lemme just say I'm mad as hell right now.

Not because LeBron James signing with the Miami Heat means at the very least a thirteenth year of non-championship basketball for my Bulls. Not because LeBron signing with Miami means Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will most likely not be dethroned as the reigning NBA champions. But moreso because as a LeBron fan, it seems like he doesn't WANT to win.

I personally feel that the Chicago Bulls were the best option for LeBron James; y'kno, if he wants to win a championship RIGHT NOW. If that's not what he wants, and he wants to play for a city where he can play with another superstar and party every weekend, I understand. But, let's look at the squads. Miami has Michael Beasley, the #2 pick in the 2008 NBA draft (#1 was Chicago's Derrick Rose). The young man has talent, but let's be real, he hasn't had the impact people expected just yet. He hasn't even had the impact D-Rose has had so far, and with Chris Bosh coming to town, this will likely mean Beasley going back to the bench, unless they have CB4 playing the 5 (that's center, for those of you who ain't up on your b-ball lingo). Mario Chalmers will be the Ron Harper of this team. All that means is he's the point guard who will rarely have the ball; which, if you know basketball, is oxymoronic. And does that team even have a bench?

The Bulls on the other hand, have what it takes to win a championship RIGHT NOW. After only two seasons, Derrick Rose is already talked about as one of the best point guards and team leaders in the NBA; right up there with Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams, and Chris Paul. Joakim Noah is a tremendous rebounder, but the most valuable trait he brings to the game is his energy; you can't coach that. He also knows how to win, winning two straight NCAA championships with the Florida Gators. You can't coach that, either. Also, with young players like Taj Gibson and Luol Deng (hopefully he gets his head outta his ass soon and plays ball like he did a couple of years ago), and of course the acquisition of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer (who wrecked shop in Utah along with Deron Williams), the Bulls have the supporting cast to allow 'Bron to win his first title RIGHT NOW. Quite honestly, why he signed with Miami, especially after their starting center Jermaine O'Neal signed with the Boston Celtics, baffles me at this point.

Putting the focus back on LeBron, for the past couple of years, everybody has been debating on who's better between Kobe and LeBron. I think from a talent standpoint, LeBron takes it hands down; he's just a better athlete. But at the end of the day, this game is about WINNING, and that's what Kobe has been doing over the course of his career, which is (sadly) why he wins this debate as of right now. And because of that, I personally don't think if Kobe was placed in LeBron's shoes, he would have signed with Miami. LeBron needs to win the 2011 title, and Miami doesn't look to be the best team for him to do that. With Kobe's age starting to show, he'll be too old for anyone to even care about this debate in the next couple of years and by that time, Kobe will have taken it; second three-peat or no second three-peat.

I'm not saying I'm a Kobe fan by any stretch of imagination, but the man only focuses on one thing; winning. At the end of the day, LeBron is still the better athlete, I won't ever deny that, but I believe Kobe would've made the choice that would put him in the best position to win a championship RIGHT NOW. I don't think many people feel LeBron did that tonight.

I'm not tryna jump down his throat for doing what HE wanted to do, I'm just sayin'. Not that it matters, but LeBron let a lotta Chicagoans, New Yorkers, and lastly, people who wanna see him win a championship RIGHT NOW (and dethrone Kobe while doing so) down. That is all.

~Trufe

Song of tha Moment

So, long, long ago, tha "Song of the Moment" used to be a widget on the side of this here page. But ever since Imeem was bought by MySpace (remember that site?), I've been struggling to find a website that will allow me to easily embed songs to my profile, and as of late, I ain't even been trying. I still wanna give my fellow Trufe seekers a taste of what I listen to, though, because I'm arrogant like that, and not only think that people actually care about what I listen to, but actually should listen to it as well. Which explains this post, and any in the future that will be like it.

So, in my last post, I said that "Take Care of Me" by The-Dream from his latest album, Love King, was one of THE best songs he's ever created thus far. That, like most of my album reviews, was stated after only listening to the selected album or song only once. But, after listening to "Take Care of Me" REPEATEDLY over this last week, I'd like to change that statement. It's not one of the best songs The-Dream has ever created. It's THE best song he's created so far in his career. Not only is it as close to masterfully composed as you're gonna get in today's music industry, it's outta the ordinary for ANY of today's artists, ESPECIALLY The-Dream. No snaps, no "AYYYYY!"s, no talk about sex, no unnecessary cuss words, just great, great music. That is all. Enjoy.

~Trufe

Hood Reviews: Love King

So, I recently realized I like reading my old blog posts before I post a new one. Fuck y'all, don't judge me.
I peeped two other posts, one speaking about my anticipation for The-Dream's sophomore album, Love vs. Money, and the journey it took to get me to become a fan of his, and one was the actual short review of the album. If you ain't never peeped either of those, long story short, I'm an actual Dream fan. I think I did a good job of not letting my being a huge fan of Eminem sway my review of Recovery, and I'll try this time as well.
So, The-Dream's first two albums, Love Hate, and Love vs. Money were both met with generally positive critical reviews, a rarity for urban music nowadays. The third installment to the Love saga, Love King was met with slightly less positive, but still positive reviews. I credit that to the repetitiveness of The-Dream's music so far. As a fan, I hate to admit it, but Love King ain't nothing anyone who's heard the first two albums ain't already heard. It's just, in my opinion, better.
I personally feel like, as an artist, if you gone insist on making music on the same topics repeatedly, the least you can do is do it better than you did the last time. The-Dream does that on this album. There are a few exceptions where The-Dream hits new topics of course, such as "Make Up Bag (featuring T.I.)", which focuses on how having money can save a relationship (kids, don't try that at home, especially if you broke), and "Nikki Part 2" and "Florida University", which are spiteful songs toward an ex (Florida University is code for "fuck you", hence the repetition of "FU" over the hook). Besides that, the make-up of the album is the same; club song, sex song(s), love song, Prince-inspired song, and an abundance of smooth transitions from track to track in some areas.
Love King also comes as a Deluxe Version, featuring six more tracks. I personally feel the perfect length for an album is 14-16 songs, especially for R&B, so the 18 tracks is a bit much for me, but hey, in the words of Gucci Mane, I "got a real short attention span. GUCCI!" That does not mean the extra tracks aren't good, though; I feel "Take Care of Me" is one of THE best tracks The American Dream has made thus far.
Overall, like I said, you won't find anything you haven't heard from The-Dream before with this album. He just finds better ways to carry out the same formula, so, it's still great music you should prolly give a listen to. Notable tracks: "Sex Intelligent", "Sex Intelligent Remix", "Yamaha", "Turnt Out", and "Take Care of Me" if you listenin' to the Deluxe Version. Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5.
~Trufe