Thoughts on the Nigerian Hip-Hop Scene (part 1)
A couple of weeks ago I was pointed to Aba Boy’s brilliant post on the Nigerian hip-hop scene. He reminisces about Nigerian pop music in the 80s and compares it to the pop music of today, namely Nigerian Hip-Hop.
excerpt from: The Nigerian Hip-Hop scene - ababoy.blogspot.com
“Listening to some of our hip-hop ‘stars’ rapping in English (worst still - fake American twang) can sometimes turn into a very excruciating encounter. I am not trying to cut a critical remark just for its sake; the same will also apply to an American artist that decides to dive into the highlife scene. The artist will have to be very good to make it not sound like ‘crap’.
To cut a long story short, Nigerian hip-hop stars should ‘mc’ in either Pidgin English or their local language - cut the fake Yankee drawl. By doing this, some of them may perhaps achieve restricted crossover appeal, but more importantly they will essentially reduce the ability to make others cringe. Unfamiliar ‘artists’ picking fights with world-renowned superstars on planes in Nigeria wouldn’t really do the trick.
And the Videos….”
Aba Boy started out his post stating the difficulty he has keeping up with the music scene in Naija while based in Jand. Speaking from experience, it’s almost impossible to keep up with the Nigerian music scene while based abroad. The best material is often excluded from the trickle of CD/VCDs that make it to the boutique record stores or African food marts… leaving many of us to rely on the periodic shipments friends and relatives carry back by hand.
Everything Aba boy has said here is on point and for the most part is the rule rather than the exception, but don’t let these comments give you the impression that all Nigerian MCs are (for lack of a better word) wack. While Nigerian hip-hop may be in it’s infancy, the quality of some MCs clearly indicate otherwise.
There’s a lot more to discuss on this issue, but let’s save that for another entry.
For now, check out a Nigerian MC doing it right - Dr. Fresh on Osho Bam Bam!
Oya comment if you have something to say 
September 23rd, 2005 at 2:03 am
Totally agree with Ababoy, some of these nigerian artist of today are appalling, instead of concentrating on creating nice music, they spend too much time, trying to be “american” thereby spoiling the effect of the music and its painfull to listen to them.
Living in the western world, you tend to appreciate music from your country, the “uniqueness” its like a breathe of fresh air, especially when the Urban music scene in the west is so saturated with shit, it makes you feel proud to listen to them, like danfo drivers, totally loving tuface, its the ability of taking a western beat and “africanising” with broken english and whatever local language they are using, totally dope!
Oh well i hope that these new R&B bands in nigeria will learn that too much “american” in your song is not going to get you no where( when you damn sure know that you are nothing but a full blown nigerian!) but instead laughed at, but try making it, unique and enjoyable
September 23rd, 2005 at 2:53 am
I feel you man. the naija rappers are putting in work and must be accorded their due recognition.
on the african rap scene the Kenyan/Tanzanian/S.A axis are killing it. dope
love the wallpapers. please do some more. keep getting people asking me where I got them from.
October 1st, 2005 at 11:14 am
Naijajams - Excellent web site.
Thanks for dropping a plug of my blog on what I will call the best Nigerian music site I have seen so far - Yours. Exceptional Site.
My purpose wasn’t to come down hard on some of the hard working and totally real Nigerian MC’s out there, as Obifromsouthlondon (fellow 80’s kid) pointed out. But like Nneka said, distinctiveness is the feature that will take our hip-hop artists to the next level. Being mediocre imitations will never do the trick.
I love your site….
Aba Boy
UK
October 27th, 2005 at 12:18 pm
I complied with you all, is unfair by immitating order people instead of our style.But if they are doing it well still ok.All we need is meaning and good beat. for my own opinion. MY MY STUFf GO SHOW BY MARCH, I KNOW YOU WILL LIKE IT. Sidown de look
October 27th, 2005 at 2:24 pm
Meljingle, sounds good. Make una hit me up after you don record am finish.
November 10th, 2005 at 2:44 pm
wussup! i was born in washington, d.c. i am still nigerian. when i went to nigeria, i was glad to see that they were into hip hop. i l love hip hip. i was hoping that i could here some africanized rhymes. i was embarrassed when i heard them trying to sound american. then i saw this one video. i think it was the plantation boys. it was off da chain! they spoke pidgin, ibo, and something else. i give nigerian artists their props but i think they should represent. jamaicans here don’t try to sound american, and thats’ why everyone loves them because they do they own thing. i can’t wait til that one brave nigerian artist come out. i’ll be reping!
December 14th, 2005 at 3:49 am
Well to u my Nigerian reprentee i thank u all for representing african and nigerian as a whole .Each time i hear artist like Psquare i get intoxicated by their music the way they compose is absolutely out of this world .I enjoin them to keep it up. In those days i was one of those who realy hates NIgerian music but i came to a time when 2face Idibia came into reign and i have no option than for me to join the scene of Nigeria star artist …….. Keep it up my african artist am proud to be a NIgerian when i comes to Nigeria Music ……………….Am Gerald
December 27th, 2005 at 6:14 pm
hey wazzzuppppp u all, kin lo sele, hah haaha hhhh nnnnn..
ha, lets be real dis boys now adays are trying the make music that we like to hear thou you might want to turn the volume down, I think for you to judge or criticize them makes us egocentric for we do nothing at all to promote them, I will start off by saying it is true for you are at loss depending on your tribe for I am YORUBA and I have collecton that tickles me with boys mixing yoruba with english/pigeon/ibo/awusa e.t.c but you are right as to those that try too hard to rap like rugged man, but for those that have fun while they make music let them be, just a few list to wanna listen to (JJC & 419 & maintaina) anyways just dropping my 2 cents see ya later…..
January 8th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
hey wats up. i love the music. and keep it up. am so happy that nigeria is into the hippop thing. it is so kool. i love nigeria and i always will. tis my country i was born and raised there. the music is good. i love it so much. am waitin for the day u will collabo with 2face and jjc and rugged man and other ppl too. i will rate u guys a 10
February 1st, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Well, i totally agree with you Aba boy but i would have to be honest with you yeah!! We’ve got it in us but we find it hard to first, find ourselves instead of finding other traits/attitude. But, their a few artist and producers that i know that nigerian fans need to check out, never been heard of but have managed to diversify the style of music. Like one of the readers said we need to try promoting music in nigeria, and am speaking on behalf musicians,rappers,rnb artist and others.
Peace
Inferno City Recs.
February 12th, 2006 at 11:11 am
Being an artise myself I’m prompted 2 defend many nigerian artristes. even though i agree many artistes tend 2 overstress the accent i must say there are many who believe in speaking english the natural way they can without having 2 lapse in2 pidgin or some local language.sometimes i feel like passing across my message in a particular song in pure english. How does a new/upcoming artiste get reviewed on this site?
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:20 am
Can you pls send me the name and any info of the artist that did ‘JAGA JAGA’?
Thanks,
David
February 27th, 2006 at 11:11 am
I run a recording studio in the North and have to say that a large number of clients come in a try to sound like American rappers. They insist on swearing, rapping about guns etc. etc. and do it all in this weird ‘choppy’ fake American accent. At the end of any recording we have to go back and bleep out the swearing so it becomes playable on the radio stations.
Having said that we have a number of artists who we are working with who have international appeal and on that basis we have establised a record label. Having played samples for many people in Nigeria of the two female singers they almost all think that the artists are from UK or USA. They have relatively neutral accents. I took the music of the 4 artists to the UK where I played it for some industry professionals there and they said that what we had produced was as good as anything in the UKcharts. The music was played for someone from BBC Radio 1 last week and we got the same feedback.
Nigerian HipHop and R&B artists can make it internationally but like it or not it will be dificult in anything other than english. And that english has to be neutral or a natural and unerstandable english accent. Small phrases in broken english or a non-english language can pass through but more that that will be hard. I am not trying to say you cannot make it but…..
After all of that we are putting our efforts into breaking the artists locally whilst we prepare ourselves for the international market. Success in Nigeria will open doors elsewhere and the live show experience here is invaluable - its a tough and unforgiving scene!
The talent is here but it needs guidance. The industry is failing itself in that regard.
March 5th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
This is 2 David Vandy, da guy dat sang the song Jaga Jaga i think woz 2Face Idibia
March 5th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
EjeoDaMan Tozin & David Vandy… Jaga Jaga is by Eedris Abdulkareem:
here is a link to his official site: http://www.eedrisabdulkareem.com/
April 5th, 2006 at 8:40 pm
It’s simple, do you see Sean Paul, Damien Marley, or Beenie Man trying to sound like thier from New York or anywhere in America? In rap music it’s about having your own style and rapping about your life where you’re from. Although we can’t always understand what Sean Paul or Beenie Man saywe still love to hear their words. Rapping in Pidgin English or even native toungue isn’t going to put a damper on rap music in Nigeria or Africa if not help it. I know for a fact that when I heard 2face Idibia, Pa J, and Dr. Fresh rapping Pidgin, it was much better. I’m sure fans of hip hop would love to hear what we as Africans have been through, how we live , and what we have to say.
April 13th, 2006 at 6:46 am
I too much love Naija musics, Infact any time i listined to our musics I feel soo good i meant it’s so amazing but some the artists makes me feel disapointed.
However, Am 25 years old boy, and am talented for singing in a special way but i don’t have a better group to show up…. Please any body help! my telent is waisting out here. I promise i woun’t let you down.
Umu Naija keep it up…one love my people.
April 13th, 2006 at 6:50 am
Please Contact:
name: Aloy Mak
mobile: 234-8035416118, 234-8036135525
e-mail: makuof@yahoo.com
April 25th, 2006 at 9:35 am
what the hell is Nigerian Music?? is it that FELE nonsense?? Im sorry.. but I cant identity with his music.. cuz Im young and I dont speak Yoruba.. I have never heard Nigerian hip hop before,.. I can imagine how funny that would be.. like honestly.. i think Nigerians are FAKE.. like we try so hard to “act” westernize that we’re losing our roots.. like shyt.. America isn’t all what is cracked up to me.. I live in Canada.. and I would NEVER wanna move to the states ..even if I was offered a million dollars.. I just hope Nigeria in general would stop their nonsense.. and work on how to improve our own country.. rather than having everyone run off to some other country.. that other people worked hard to build!!
May 10th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Dr. Fresh is fresh. Poisonous lyrics, nice punches, awesome delivery. Keep doing your thang and can someone let me know how I can purchase his CD.
Peace
May 11th, 2006 at 3:53 am
yeah dr freah is ill,the homie is reppin it from kano to lagos.started his shit from the k -city round here. the home of eedris n naija rap self .though his cds r hard to come by due the underestimatin or lack of knowledge of his punchlines by hiz distributors.one lov ,naija we holdin it down .golden brickz for life
May 11th, 2006 at 4:17 am
any cat not givin naija jamz props should b examined in the head.even when the untouchable deathrow started,lisen to snoops doggystyle n dr dres chronic u will find out that som song are not clear.ethin gat a begginin n naija niggers tryin to hold it down even though there are mo wack lyricist thn real m.cs in the game . the law of nature will soon apply n it will b survival of the fittest.holla bac .k-city, golden bricks to the heart
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:20 pm
hey bernie, why don’t you pack your belongings and move back to nigeria, I wonder why you reside in canada when you should be back home “and work on how to improve our own country .. rather than having everyone run off to some other country.. that other people worked hard to build!!”
June 26th, 2006 at 9:11 am
You ppl should start realizing that hip hop and Rap music was originally invented by the blacks in US and so if we have to do it,we must do it like them.Ya’all piss me off! Am out!
June 26th, 2006 at 11:28 am
See,let me tell you guys something.You cannot gain international recognition when u start doing Hip Hop in the Local way-i mean using pidgin and vernacular in your songs.You can only gain fame nationally and not internationally.Take 4 instance,MTV do feature Mode9 in its musical shows,but have any of you seen 2shots or Big-lo on MTV? The answer is a capital NO! 2face gained international recognition with African Queen and not with the other songs he did,he used English accent in African Queen! It is hightime we start realizing that the level of our dream will determine our success.Afterall,nobody would want to remail a local star all thru their lives.Peace.
July 8th, 2006 at 7:56 am
WTF ppl
July 9th, 2006 at 6:19 am
I beg stop the colo mentality! Nobody understands Sean Paul or Beanie Man but the world still dey jam for dia music. Fela, Sunny Ade were known worldwide by their fans, Majek Fashek is known by his fans worldwide, Awilo is known by his fans, therefore with time the rest of naija musicians shall be known. MTV already gave us a station in Africa and the only way we fit rep na to be original. If that makes dem local stars…hey….as long as your own loves your music it is satisfactory!
July 12th, 2006 at 4:09 am
Nigerian Hip Hop is not getting the full scope of Hop Hop. I think you guys are missing out. Even here in America if you are from a certian area you listen to s certain style of Hip Hop. New York use to be the place, but west Coast tokk over. In the late 90s U. S. south is reighning supreme. I think I here a Nigerian with southern beats and a southern U. S. flow it would be tight
July 14th, 2006 at 5:43 am
Men,hit me with the latest in town luv ya.
July 15th, 2006 at 4:16 am
go to bet.com. It will have the latest. Right now that YUNG JOC, ITS GOING DOWN. FIELD MOB is hot and that new LIL JOHN, SNAP YOU FINGERS is the joint. If you want a list of songs to download off limwire i can write them down for you. If you have an e-mail address i can send you the videos. Africa stay up from Black Yankee in America.
July 31st, 2006 at 5:48 am
i’m happy to have come upon dis site.im a graduate student researching d nigerian hip-hop culture.wht do i think of d nigerian hip-hop scene–well, i think dt it’s a culture(i.e d nig hip-hop culture)that’s still evolving, still seeking originality.if it appears like our local artistes are aping foreign models,it’s certainly an inevitable development.it’s simply part of globalisation process.if we understand d dynamics of globalisation, esp in its synchretic manifestation and in how global experiences are localised thru creative interactions,then it should not be difficult for us to accept what’s happening on our hip-hop scene as positive and inevitable.
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:00 pm
1st the dude who says nigerian hip hop has to be in english should listen to 2face’s nfana song and 1st gaou (although not nigerian). those songs will let him kow its all about the music & rhythms, not language.
2nd the lunney who says he lives in canada but thinks the music would be shit should try listen to some of the songs b4 he passes judgement. call it what u want, hip hop or not, some of it is real good music.
August 3rd, 2006 at 12:54 pm
man we need a lot more flavor in the nigerina rap game and we are seeming to get it now coz sauce kid is a problem.. the kid got the yankee swaager, yankee accent, the flows, the charisma and he’s a cool lookin cat……. i think he is the future of african rap as a whole coz whoever has been runnin that title for the last couple of years hasnt made major moves……i see endorsements coming for sauce kid in the nearest future.. even the tattoo of naija boy on his arm, is a marketable thing, so why dont u think he can take naija rap to the next level? holla…….its naija’!
August 4th, 2006 at 6:40 am
raggae is originally Jamican,hip/rap is originally American,Afro-Beat is African or should i say Nigerian.
I think what Nigerian artist should is try as much as possible to sound and act original.There are lost of Mc out there how are off-d-hook.U ve tribes men,ruggedman,wiredmc,Black Face….the list goes on and on.The one thing that keeps them going is there originality.These forums also tells the level of awarness in Nigeria now,I will recommed that Nigerians artist should try and use this site to sampl opinions,,,them i so impressed by what i see and read on this site….yall keep posting….halla.
August 4th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
I AM RUFF MATO FROM LAGOS I JUST WANNA TELL U GUYS THAT I ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB COS U MAKE US FEE ALIVE WITH MUSIC
August 4th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
I just wanna tell u all that i love u guys u keep it up cos with music we are alive
August 6th, 2006 at 6:18 am
Im from the states and I stumbled on this site by accident. I saw the Sauce Kid Video, I was not impressed with the video at all. He is trying to be Westernized, People like me can tell the difference. Hes not from the west, He is imitating a Western flow and it shows. Reguardless if he live in the states before On a better note its good to see Nigerians trying to do their own thing. If Africans are going to be successful in this buisness they need to do someting in the Hip hop world no one has ever seen before. Like James said be original.
August 8th, 2006 at 12:32 am
the name nigeria drops a big and positive bomb. i reside in southern africa and it’s always”u are my africcan queen” and in ma heart i say, yeah that’s ma brother tuface. my neighbour down here also wished we could compile all the nigerian movie sound track into a music collection. i also envisage them doing it right on mtv base. in all i know we should do our own thing as i can’t imagine a zulu trying to speak ibo. but some of the naija artist have really immitated nicely. to me sauce kid feat. mike okri was a crunkd up hit. hip hop is african and no matter how we do it i think it should be acceptable ’cause its naturally in our genes.
August 16th, 2006 at 4:43 am
omo sauce kid wanna rap die…the guy is on fiyah… got nominations for best hiphop video at channel o awards and people are here misyanning.. na u sabi… when the guy drive pass u in a nice whip then u’ll lknow music is payin him! peace out y’all
August 17th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
omo sauce kid dey run things.. forget what you saying.. omo them show the making of the video for youtube.com form looking at the kind people wey dey carry camera…….u go know say them pay kishi nothin do u…….holla 4 sauce kid by the 25th of august……… http://www.channelo.co.za holla!
August 22nd, 2006 at 10:23 am
LET’S BE HONEST, ADMITIVE,AND REALISTIC IN NIGERIA WE VE’ARTIST WIT DIFFRENT TALENT BUT NO GOOD FANS TO SURPPORT OR HELP OUR MUSIC GROW DATS Y?LIKE D MUSIC IDUSTRIES IS ALOT OF MONEY BUT IF U DON’T VE DAT SURPORT OR MONEY TO MOVE IT FOWARD DEN WE GIVE UP THERE THE TALENT’DIED. WE NEED SOMEONE TO SUPPORT US.I LUV NIGERIAN I AM FROM THERE BUT I LIVE IN BELGIUM.2 FINGERS IN D AIR FOR ALL D GIRLS BOYS MEN WOMEN IN DAT HOOD LUV YA ALL.
August 22nd, 2006 at 10:04 pm
Cool Music, I love this site, keep it comming, thanks.
August 25th, 2006 at 11:54 am
lets vot for the kid sauce…. the guy is making us proud and making our country name shine…….even by jus the mere buzz of nomination.. i hope everyone ere has registered to the website and everyone has been voting on a daily basis..thats what it is about.. you know what da f it is..its naija!
September 4th, 2006 at 2:49 am
usp i like u guys men de go jo
September 20th, 2006 at 9:40 am
sounds like you guys have got your shit together. i’m feeling you.
na wa, for our boys who just dey follow follow. i have something for you though,
http://www.myspace.com/forhabitsake
September 25th, 2006 at 8:49 am
11 and Im a nigerian and proud to be one and yes i been to nigeria because i live in MD now and i like the music like styl plus, 2face, and much more and i dont like the comment bernie made it was rude and i was annoyed by it i cant let him talk about my country like that without me saying any thing but anyways im ok with the Nigerian music when they speak pigeon and especially the language that they may speak and yoruba which iam.
September 30th, 2006 at 11:23 pm
Thanks for the information, I needed a pick me up.
October 4th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Hello members and owner of the this website.i reallyappreciate what you guys have got out here but for an eye of critic i will love that you improve more on the colour of the website.Morestil you should try as much as possible to drop in some songs you can permit your visitors to download.Moreover it will be nice if you put more pictures and not only forcuss on artist from your country Nigeria you should try to diversify and put othere african artist and also those that perform well in the European scene.An also try to download inteviews from the artist you discuss with.Thats what i can say for now.I am a cameroonian and will be comming to Nigeriasoon and will love to meet animators over there so i can work with.I do a radio program in my country.A program based on youths and urban cuylture based mostly on RnB,Rap,HipHop etc evreything that concerns musicwise.Nevertheless big up to yall n keep it peace.ONE LOVE.Lol
October 6th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Yo mi brethrern. I love it when it is real. Naija for life, even when i live in Babylon. Afrom bia ni
October 6th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
highlight me
October 17th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Naija hip-hop for life! We are here to take over the world baby……watch out for “CIRO ENTERTAINMENT” coming soon. Uncle ciro
November 13th, 2006 at 11:11 am
yo we just keep criticizin tha mceez n errbody in tha game… what we need is support(not much fans in 9ja).. yeah we gat mad talent in hurr… mode9 not tha best lyricist in 9ja, i’ve heard better but they dont have tha opportunities coz there arent enough fans to support ‘em. n we dont need to rap in pur languages or pigeon english… u ever heard tha word versatilty? thats wot we have in 9ja
‘n for tha RnB…. we gat a real problem there… no originality(just a few r real) n tha ones that stick to broken lang dont have recognition in africa.
December 12th, 2006 at 5:07 am
i wanna join this site coz i just wanna make it in lfe please how can i become a good celebrity as a gospel music musician and actor (up coming)
January 14th, 2007 at 5:27 am
man i agree with wot u said. i live down east london nd its really sad and irritating wen u listen to nigerian artits trying to be american or british. the worst ones are p-square (tryin to be like usher, micheal jackson, wyclef e.t.c.)and eedris .a. no offence but if dey reduce the use of american accent and use pidgin english instead i think their music will sound better. i even argue with mi coz bout this but his like ,na wot do the audience want dem to if ppl like p-square do not have opportunities like tuface and all sorts of nigerian musicians now known around the world.but pls come to think of it tuface didnt use fake american accent it was just the fact that his video was good.
January 18th, 2007 at 6:58 am
truth be told, naija hiphop is really improvin’. we only need to sound more original like doin’ stuffs in pidgin english and our local languages same way dem fat joe do their thin in latino and dem beanie & sean paul do their thin’ in jamo. we got real mcs reppin’ naija like freestyle, lord of ajasa, 2shotz, mode9 (althou’ sounds american), ruggedman, mcs from ajegunle and other underground mcs doin’ their thin’ in their hoods. with skills like these and originality, i bet we’ll rule the hiphop world soon!
February 1st, 2007 at 10:50 am
i really think obiwon is d greatest musiciam has ever had from his biggest fan osaze
February 1st, 2007 at 9:59 pm
The reason Jamaicans have success in Hip Hop is because, KOOL HERC, labeled the father of Hip Hop is from Jamaica, bringing the Break Beats to New York (South Bronx). Jamaicans have always had a strong influence on Hip Hop. Nigerians, nah, never.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Im from the states and I stumbled on this site by accident. I saw the Sauce Kid Video, I was not impressed with the video at all. He is trying to be Westernized, People like me can tell the difference. Hes not from the west, He is imitating a Western flow and it shows. Reguardless if he live in the states before On a better note its good to see Nigerians trying to do their own thing. If Africans are going to be successful in this buisness they need to do someting in the Hip hop world no one has ever seen before. Like James said be original. i want you all to wait am see mine ablum that to let you know that nija is great
March 28th, 2007 at 5:04 am
I’m a black man from London, England and I’m also of Nigerian descent and I know alot about hip-hop/rap and it’s history. In reply to Black Yankee, yes Kool Herc (a Jamaican) did play an important role in developing hip-hop, but that is not neccesarily mean it’s a reason as to why Jamaicans are successful in hip-hop. If you must know, the so-called successful Jamaican rap artists being spoken about here are reggae/dancehall artists, NOT rappers, so read the replies properly bro. Sean Paul and Beenie Man are not what I call rappers. There are NOT too many successful rappers of Jamaican descent either, I can only name a few (Biggie, and Busta who else?). And also if you read the history of rap, DJ Kool Herc tried to play reggae to American crowd and they did not like it, so he switched his records to soul, funk etc (read Rap Attack by David Toop), so what Jamaican influence was there? None! And of course Nigeria has had an influence in hip-hop….African-American music (including rap) originates mainly from West Africa and Nigeria is in West Africa. The musical and oral tradition of the griot and verbal duelling (rap’s roots) had been well established in West African/Nigerian culture for centuries and handed down to their African-American descendants, who later turned the art into what we-call ‘toasting’ (which the Jamaicans copied), which was an early form of rap before all this hip-hop. The only real Jamaican influence on hip-hop was bringing in sound systems and turntables for block parties and that is it. Most of rap music’s roots and influence comes from West African and African-American musical traditions. Some American platinum rap artists in fact have Nigerian roots like Chamillionaire, Lil’O, Akinyele, and Jadakiss. Other famous American rappers have direct African roots like Styles P, Jean Grae (South Africa), Akon (Senegal), Lisa Left Eye Lopes (Cape Verde) and the execllent Papoose (Sierra Leone). So you are wrong my friend. If anything hip-hop/rap music, like most contemporary black music has it’s deepest roots and influences from BLACK AFRICA (including NIGERIA) and NOT Jamaica.
PS. Ask any knowledgable Nigerian or West African and they’ll tell you that RAPPING is an oral tradition in their culture (griots) and has been for centuries.
March 28th, 2007 at 5:13 am
By the way most of the successful rappers and MC’s in London where I live are also of Nigerian and West African descent. In the UK we have the grime music scene(a popular form of UK hip-hop) and most of it’s best artists are West African and Nigerian, like Dizzie Rascal, Lethal Bizzle, Skepta and the Mitchell Brothers. Many UK rappers are also Nigerian and West African. Black Twang one the earliest UK rappers to gain respect is Nigerian, and more UK rappers like Freddie Kruga (he’s Nigerian) and Ty (Nigerian) and Estelle (Senegal). In Europe, like France nearly all he best rappers are West African like MC Solaar (Senegal). Come on man, us Nigerians and West Africans have had the biggest influence in hip-hop/rap of everyone - WE AFRICANS CREATED IT!
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Dear (Hip Hop World)
I’m a rap lover of both local and foreign acts and like Fela’s son, I’m wondering - wondering about what’s going on between two hot rap stars currently on the Naija hip hop scene.These two seem to be throwing punch lines at each other (though without naming names). I wonder, could it be that that one is trying to teach the other a thing or two about the rap game, or is it just about getting to the number one spot by eliminating the competition. However, it’s for sure that it’s about to get ugly cos they’re spitting game at each other in peace or war.
From their albums, it’s almost obvious that one wants the other to simplify his rap to blend with Naija hip hop stereotypes, while the other wants the former to amplify his rap and break free the hype. In other words, it’s just another battle between Hardcore and Commercial.
Commercial’s saying … “Hey Hardcore, You spit some over-metaphorical- type-sh** that Naijarians just don’t understand (damn! are we that dull?) and Hardcore’s saying … “Yo! Commercial You’ve gone soft, and you’ve fallen off your initial rap stand” (but hey! It works for him)
Although both claim not to be willing to battle with the imaginary other (No names! Remember?), Commercial’s telling Hardcore to do away with the ‘yankie’ ebonics and switch Mode from abroad to abode, while Hardcore’s telling Commercial to use more Rugged lyrics and stop spitting candy bars like a hyped up rapstar.
Commercial’s saying … “Hey Hardcore, Your stuff’s not Naija enough ( I believe that opinion’s based on Hardcore’s previous album, cos the new one’s more Naija than his), and Hardcore’s saying …”Yo! Commercial,Your flow’s not tight enough” (He should understand that the flow’s for the dough, so it’s not personal, It’s strictly biz).
As long as it won’t get physical, I’m cool with this subtle lyrical duel between the two rap skools, and if rap’s an acronym for ‘Rhythm And Poetry’, I’d say that Commercial’s got more R than P and Hardcore? more P than R.
I believe Commercial would like to stay on top of his game and not fall victim of the Naija rap revolution he started. That is, by not fading off like the pseudo- rapper he eliminated from the rap scene to get to the spot he’s in.Maybe he should step up the ‘P’ in his R-A-P to ret more R-E-S-P-E-C-T or else the joke’ll eventually be on him. And maybe Hardcore could grab more fame if he steps up the ‘R’ in his rap game and ultimately turn more butter to cream.Maybe they should just do a collabo and we’ll all have a ball. But hey! I’m just another critic, what do I know about the rap game afterall.
Yours Sincerely
Ericssn
May 21st, 2007 at 10:23 am
Yeah my brother, we understand that you are talking about the two best rap artist’s in Nigeria,Ruggedman and Modenine.You have realy said it all.We have to do it the Naija way,we don’t have to do our rap like Americans .We have to do it with our language and most importantly to keep it real,just like Ruggedman has been doing it.That is why he remains the best hip hop artist in Nigeris
May 21st, 2007 at 11:41 am
My brotha, where have you come from whith such a melodious, harmonic, angelic, etc, etc,…..voice. Your number one song in The Bahamas right now African Queen is very very hot. The lyrics are heart throbbing. If a guy sings his woman a song like that, she means the world to him. Continue writing and publishing because right now you have the attention.
With love
number one fan,
Dominique
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Greetings.
This is my first post, and I’m impressed with a lot of the insightful comments on the Nigerian music scene.
I’m a 44-year old London-based Nigerian musician trying to finish off my debut album which, God willing, will be released late summer. I haven’t been back to Nigeria since 1994 (yeah, I know, long time!) so I’m not very familiar with what’s happening now. I hope to visit this summer. I was in a band called Projekt, who were active on the university scene and were regulars at the usual Lagos live music venues, particularly Tunde and Francis Kuboye’s(RIP) Museum Kitchen/Jazz 38, so I do have some experience of the old scene…
I will say that I’m disappointed that Nigeria hasnt produced any world-class acts since Fela, King Sunny Ade, Sade and Seal. These were/are all highly original artists. Their commercial music was balanced with artistic integrity - something which I’m afraid to say, is sorely lacking in the music from the new generation of artists. I totally agree with some of the comments highlighting how our artists generally tend to ape western acts. We should
always strive for individuality. We have a very rich culture. The irony is that a lot of western artists have weaved our ideas into their own music.
stay blessed.
May 31st, 2007 at 4:43 am
There’s more to music than simply accents. I do appreciate the “why are you sounding westernized” argument but I feel there is a bit of a harsh judgement going on here.
An artist’s development is no different from a child’s development! Like it or not, imitation plays a role in the path to evolution to one’s “final self”.
How many of you can say they didn’t (sub consciously or consciously) mimic the attitudes and manerisms of some “ebgons” while going thru their teen years!?!
It’s thru these “rehearsals” as I like to call them, that majority of people find their “voice” and their “swagger”. Of course there are those who start out off the beaten path. Though this can sometimes indicate originality, it does not guarantee truthful appreciation nor that your body of work will actually “say” something.
When rap was in it’s infancy in the states, the second generation artist looked to the pioneers for a basic foundation on which to build their own persona. It’s simply human. You can’t expect the naija scene to suddenly get everything right! Hell, there are so many getting it wrong in the hip-hop’s own motherland!!!!! It takes time and plenty rehearsals, some of which have to be shown to the public to assess it’s workability. If it’s not going down well you have two major choices - refine (improve the ability to rap with a yankee vocal hint/accent) or redefine (abandon ship and start all over, re-learning the craft of constructing verses and conveying messages in yoruba/ibo/hausa/pidgin and the various dialects).
What the likes of Sean Paul and Beenie man do did not start last night! It’s been decades in the making. There was a time when west indian artists didn’t sound like Sean Paul or Beenie - they simply sang in english, albeit with the noticable west indian tint in their voices.
As for Fela and King Sunny Ade, go and listen to the instrumentation that these guys lay down before eloping lyrics to the track - Heavy!! Fela’s band was revered the world over for the new sound it birthed. Same goes for King Sunny Ade’s.
I doubt these two would have the same clout if they were simply vocalists singing on some same-old-same-old instrumental! This is in no way triviliazing their lyrical prowess but it’s just to point out that you can’t compare an artist with a band that works synergetically with an artist who is simply a voice!
With a band, it’s the synergy of the members that is presented as a single product. Every member, and I mean every member, contributes towards the final “sound”! They may prove to be “disposable” in comparison to the head honcho but they still add to the whole.
Music is an artform first and foremost. The “rep-your-hood” attitude is a modern day thing. As much as I’m for it, I’m apprehensive that whilst seeking strong alliances with artists, we simply miss out on good music!
Are there rappers in naija that tow the yankee-rapping line that make you cringe? Oh yes! But ask yourself this - Are there yankee rappers that make you cringe thou they are rapping in their natural dialect/accent???
My point? this guys probably make us cringe simply because they don’t have the skill (not talent) as far as we’re concerned, to capture our attention and earn our appreciation.
So, to all those seeking their “voices”, don’t let the detractors intimidate you. They may have a point between the harsh words, but don’t let it scare you off pursuing your dreams!
To all those who feel they’ve found their “voices”, don’t let the fans gas you up. WHAT you say will always matter more than HOW you say it (to the average reasonable person, anyway) so don’t get complacent!
And to all who are passionate enough to write about it - stay passionate with patience.
Law
June 12th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Just came across this site while doing a search on google for Nigerian hip-hop music. I was born and raised in Nigeria, but I’ve been leaving in the states for about 11 years. I love different types of music.., hip-hop, reggae, country, rock, jazz, and music from “mother-land”. I was recently introduced to current Nigerian hip-hop music&artists which wasn’t common or even existed when i was back home, and i must say I AM NOT IMPRESSED with some of these artists, infact saying I’m appalled and dissappointed would be an understatement. I do love those artists that keep it real by incorporating their naija style in their music, either by speaking pidgin, their native language, or even normal nigerian English with no fake yankee accent, but those other “wannabe’s” that use “by-force” American accent to rap make me sick! Please, If I want to listen to American hip-hop let me hear real American hip-hop music. Leave the American style of hip-hop with their own natural accent for them, there’s no need to be copy-cats. Like some people say, you dont see Jamaicans or any other non-americans trying to sound american in their music even those who grew up in the U.S. My people please, we can try different styles of music, including hip-hop but please lets not completely throw away our culture, our own natural style, let’s keep it real!
July 10th, 2007 at 2:48 am
Yeah, i must tell you that these days we are taking music to another level. at least people from western world understand and enjoy it too. But you must represent where you are coming from that’s all . So, don’t blame some of them that want their stuff to be western. Like the way i’m doing my own stuff, i represent where i come from, mostly i’m firmly fixed with our govenment and how it will benefit the poor masses, not only for the rich.
HOPE YOU WOULD ENJOY THAT, IT’S ON THE WAY NOW TO HIT RADIUO STATIONS NEXT MONTH. meljingle@yahoo.com
July 10th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Yeah, i must tell you that these days we are taking music to another level. at least people from western world understand and enjoy it too. But you must represent where you are coming from that’s all . So, don’t blame some of them that want their stuff to be western. Like the way i’m doing my own stuff, i represent where i come from, mostly i’m firmly fixed with our govenment and how it will benefit the poor masses, not only for the rich.
HOPE YOU WOULD ENJOY THAT, IT’S ON THE WAY NOW TO HIT RADIO STATIONS NEXT MONTH. meljingle@yahoo.com
Leave a Reply
August 17th, 2007 at 4:27 am
i no get much to yarn, but down here in england…men, we dey feel y’all like shit, over and out.
August 18th, 2007 at 8:25 am
hi folks!!!!!
i believe in this life,,that there is no shortcourt to anyplace worth going..
if u are a hardcore artist or whateva,try to start from d scratch and always keep the game so tight.
Am a rapper based on eastern part of Nigeria Abia state and patially a producer,
stay kool to ya dreams….i dey feel u all…
you can reah me through ma id…08038038457
September 20th, 2007 at 5:36 am
I know what I have to say will offend alot of people here but you must understand two things 1. It is the Blunt truth 2. I couldn’t care less how you take it.
Lets Start with the Term “MUSIC BUSINESS” used to describe the industry in every country in every hemisphere. I don’t understand what can be so hard to understand about the concept of “Music and Business” going hand in hand. The Business is not more important than the business and Vice Versa. Someone here actually said something about how rapping exclusively in Pidgin or Native tongue would earn an individual “Crossover appeal” -scratches Head- How can not being understood lead to international acceptance??? The second thing that makes that statement redundant is the fact that regardless of how we try to deny it, (or how poorly some of us speak it.), “English” is still the national language of Nigeria. “WHY DO I SAY THAT?” U ask?: Well for starters the President and Nigerian Citizen number1 today and as far back as anyone of us can remember will always address his “Fellow Nigerians” in English (aaaah now U see where I’m going with this.). I’m not going to act like I don’t agree with most of you when you say all these Naija rappers shouldn’t be rapping with accents (true!!!) except I go one step further and say most of them have no business rapping at all. Anyone who can come up with 5grand for a studio session (recording mindless babble wether in English, pidgin, Ijaw or fake Australian Aborigine accent,…still mindless babble no matter how you cut it. Thats why I don’t get the complaint. it’s like saying the rubbish he rapped in English would be less rubbish if he rapped in Yoruba. If you feel that way then ur not a hip hop fan, ur a person constantly seeking Validation. I call what Nigerias “hip-hop” fans (and I use the term hip hop very very losely here.) are suffering from “Tuface Fever” because Tuface is truly a talented “artist” and in my opinion one of the only artists with a reative bone in his body. People forget he never finished school and produces his songs in the tongue he is most comfortable with to get his message accross. I have no doubt if TuFace actually furthered his education to..lets say a P.H.D Level (don’t Laugh!!!) He would not only make better music that would make what he does now sound like a donald duck shower session, but I bet you he would make it in English. Which Brings me to my last point: (STILL THINKING MUSIC & BUSINESS.) The greatest platform for promotion and success of Nigerian and African Music would be MTV BASE & CHANNEL “O”. Clearly people don’t realize that these channels are broadcast throughout Africa which makes “ALL OF AFRICA” the Rappers Target Market and Fan Base pool by default. If you rap in Your native tongue then you instantly turn ur back on a wider fan base which is bad for business. Before you Jump up and start screaming “EH!! EH!! Repping the essence of Naija through gbedu is more important than making money O!!!!” Lets not forget that part of the essence of Naija in Africa is it’s Dominance over the Rest of Africa (No offence to the non Nigerians in here, but it’s just the truth. Maybe you should apply for Nigerian Citizenship or our less advertised Nigerian Green Card. lol.). When I say dominance I don’t just mean someone saying I like “Rugged man more than I like MC whatever from Ivory Coast” I mean Nigeria should be able to put it’s dominance on display from mixing board, to sound booth, to stage, to Marketing,to planning,to foresight, to execution, to after party. I just expect a higher level of reasoning from those in the Nigerian Industry. If you can’t deliver excellence then please don’t enter studio and start shouting “UP NAIJA!!! UP NAIJA!!! UP NAIJA!!! On every last one of ur tracks trying to make the people love u for being Nigerian instead of loving you for being an artist. When was the last time you ever heard an american hit song played all over the world titled something like “America we hail thee, or I love U America, or America the Great?? Ironically the last worldwide hit from America with the word “America” in it was “American Idiot”. But in Nigeria?!! Jesus Lord of Mercy. It shows a lack of creativity, a cookie-cutting-whats-hot-now-follow-the-leader attitude from artists and all these are symptoms of Tuface Fever. (Big Shoutout to Big Lo and 2shots for Blessing us with the track “this is naija” for a second I thought this was IBIZA. (The term is sarcasm my friend.). Does anyone remember Junior&Pretty? yes? well then stop talking about pidgin rap as if it is something that started with MTVBASE, And Stop talking about hip hop like it’s something that started with Junior and Pretty. I know several Nigerians that listened to and practiced pure hip hop in Nigeria Long before Pastor Okotie’s Sister was a singer and Yvonne Shaka Shaka was runnin thangs. There are pure hip hop listeners in Nigeria who don’t give pidgin rap the time of day. Not because the rap is in pidgin but because the rap is rubbish. Do you think I listen to every American Accent on a beat? I don’t listen to Young Joc, I don’t even listen to 50cent how the hell will I now listen to Idris? Jagga Jagga? please I’m too old to start yanning Jagga jagga again ah ah are you serious? that was like 1989.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Nigerian smoothest hiphop artiste kaynay drenco Lp is now available on ITUNES STORES WORLDWIDE.FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW.GRAB A COPY AND SUPPORT HIPHOP IN NIGERIA
September 25th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
VICTOR:
I agree with a lot of your comments. Naturally, during the period of slavery most of the slaves did come from West Africa and ofcourse Africa is in us. Im the son of a slave from centuries ago in America and our music has evolutionized into Hip Hop. The elements of Hip Hop music are not African. Jazz, Blues, Rock N Roll, RnB and most importantly funk make up Hip Hop. These element were derived from the negro hymes, or spritual and turned secular. Ive listened to African Music and I do not see a lot of similarities between Hip Hop and African music. When I listen to African music and Carribean and South American music I hear a strong African presence. After all, outside Africa, Brazil has the largest population of people which are of African disporia, so maybe thats why. I would give credit to West Africa for Hip Hop because 400 years ago the inventors of popular American music came from there, but thats it, just a blood line. Hip Hop was born in America for black people around the world to express themsleves. I honostly think Africans are not good at creating rap music, but ive heard some African reggae artist like 2face thats not bad
September 25th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I feel rapper like mode nine.you know english is what we speak every where we go,i love english rappers. The fact that we are africa does not mean we don’t understand english that’s why i love mc’s like mode and OD.Like some of you said something on reping naija by speaking our language,do u know some people don’t understand yoroba but most naija mc’s uses yorobo or pigin english but do u know som of us nigerians don’t understand yorobo,so hw can u rich the world or the africans with stuff like that?
It ain’t right so we gat 2 use english terms so dat we can reach the world,or are they singing 4 them self alone?…………Like me i don’t sing 4 myself i sing 4 the world.it’s not easy but i will keep doing it till i stop breathing.
4rm kick
September 29th, 2007 at 11:25 am
I agree with you Black Yankee. I dont understand why you have replied in that way. I agreed and I have said exactly what you have just said! Rap/Hip-Hop music evloved mostly from contemporary African-American music forms like jazz, blues,funk, soul, r’n'b, rock n roll - I always maintained that fact. Via West Africa, I always said that African-Americans are the main originators of rap not Jamaicans - that was my main point. Kool Herc, a Jamaican, only mixed records in early hip-hop style but never rapped at all, plus he used African-American music to mix his records (eg James Brown) not reggae. What I did say was that the art of rapping - not the musical style or form, but the art itself actually originates from West Africa. The griots are West African travelling musicians that tell stories in rhyme to music beats. They also engage in verbal duels to avoid physical fights for entertainment. Their task is to inform others about the history and events in a certain area through this muisc style.The griots activities evolved into African-American oral traditions like toasting (storytelling rhymes) and the signifying and dozens games (verbal battles) - these traditions are rap’s direct ancestors, and they manifested in many earlier African-American music forms like the blues, jazz, etc. This is a hard fact you can research yourself. If you listen to West African Griot music and NOT traditional West African music you will see that there is similarity there with rap music with regards to the storytelling rhyme concept. West African music is not just one type of music, there are many types and variations - the griot music is one part that plays the role in West Africa the same way rap music plays it’s role in the USA. Yes you are right indeed. Rap music’s deepest roots are found in most contemporary African-American music inherited from it’s West African bloodline. I always agreed with you there.
**********************************************************
I agree with you on this point - the best rappers happen to be African-American rappers, and I myself mainly listen to American rap/hip-hop. But you are kinda wrong on one point. The West African hip-hop scene is probably the most thriving hip-hop scene anywhere outside of America. Senegal is one of the important rap meccas outside of the USA. Lagos, Johannesbug and other African cities have massive rap music scenes. The Caribbean, Brazil or any other black region cannot claim a rap music scene as thriving as West Africa’s. You probably wont know who these guys are as your American, but many of the best rappers in Europe & the UK happen to be of West African descent, like Blak Twang, Ty, Lethal Bizzle, Dizzie Rascal,Skepta (and I know this, I live there!) Africa itself produces good rappers like MC Solaar, Edris, Ruggedman, and many others. I’m saying they are as good as the ones from the USA (after all contemporary rap music originates from there!) I’m just saying there are many good African rappers and Africans can make really good rap music because they have a great deal of love for, and historical connections with the music artform. No offense Black Yankee, but most Americans do not really like whatever is not “American”, so it’s no surprise that African rap music would’nt really be to your liking! Only those who understand it, like the Africans themselves will like it. It’s just like when the African-Americans that did’nt like reggae back then, when Kool Herc tried to play it to the crowd. African rap wont really appeal to an American crowd because of many factors including language barriers and grammatical, and cultural differences. In any case, Americans have more than enough good rappers to listen to, plus the USA is the original home of rap music anyway, so why would an American wanna listen to African rap!? That’s probably the reason you are saying that.
One more thing, tell me Black Yankee, why do the Jamaicans always like to copy American hip-hop/rap songs and beats and sing over them reggae? I cant stand it when they do that! They really spoil it when they do that.
2face is rapper not a reggae artist by the way!
September 29th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Sorry BLACK YANKEE, I’m gonna make a correction for one sentence - I’m not saying African rappers are better than American ones or whatever I’m just saying that they do have good rappers on the Dark Continent, I’ve heard them and they sound good. I would say African-Americans have the strongest influence in rap muisc of anyone else - and they make the best rap music, not Jamaicans, Africans or Black british guys.
September 29th, 2007 at 11:50 am
One more thing though I must say BLACK YANKEE - I have noticed that West Africans living in Western nations do create good rap music. I’m not sure about Africans living in Africa because I dont really listen to African rap that much and I dont really hear any such artists as I live in the UK, so I can’t comment too much that, though from what I’ve seen some of it is good. I can say though that Africans living in Europe where I live are good at creating rap muisc, as I have said before many of the best Black rappers in the UK and Europe are of West African descent.
Do you like Chamillionaire? He is an American born to Nigerian parents
September 30th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Yes, Chamillionare is good, but he is Half Nigerian and Half American. I never heard of any UK Rap. I also hate it when Jamaicans sing over music. LL COOL J, FABULOUS, BIGGIE, BUSTA RHYMES, FOXIE BROWN are a few names that have strong roots West Indian roots. Slick Rick is the only British born rapper that made it in America. Miss Dynamite had moderate success and Monie Love way back when. Soul II Soul, Lisa Stansfield and Floetry are other notables. Chamillionare belongs to SWISHA HOUSE records, or he was, or he is just closely related with the artist of that label. Paul Wall, Michael Watts, Mike Jones and the late, but great DJ Screw are legends in that area. I went to college in Houston which is where Chamillionare is from. I grew up in the state of TEXAS, born in the New Orleans, Louisiana area, so im familiar with the rap scene in the southwest region of the U. S. From what I see off that 1 xtra radio station, British listen to a lot of commercial rap. My roomate is Nigerian, but he has been in America so long, he listens to a lot of the CRUNK. This type of rap is pretty much selling the most records in the US at this time. No one listens to the messages in rap music here anymore. People just want a heavy beat that sounds good in their tricked out rides or something that makes them go crazy in the clubs. My roomate is suppose to take me to Nigeria next year, so ill see what the scene is like when I visit.
October 1st, 2007 at 12:07 am
Victor:
While serving in the U. S. Navy ive been all over the world and witnessed the Hip Hop scene on a international level physically. Every country ive visited will contend that the hip hop scene in their country is the next best thing to hit the market. The same arguement you are making with West African Hip Hop. Here in America and around the world the Asians are ahead of Africans in the Hip Hop game and Japan and Singapore are on point, shocked me. They have a progressive scene, bar none. The Fillipino DJs in American and abroad are good. Outside the U. S. its hard to say which country would have the most influence. I love Brazilian music, samba and some calypso stuff from the Carribean. Ive heard traditional African music that I like. British Hip Hop, African Hip Hop, Asian Hip Hop, European Hip Hop. NAH, sorry, I just cant feel it, no authenticity. Personally, I ithink the Hip Hop scene belongs in America and America only. I think Africans would excel if they pushed more of their traditioal music. The days of the Beattles and The Rolling Stones comming to America and stealing Black Americans music is over. I can sympathize with an African person that relates, because their is a kinship, rather it be a strong, or weak one
October 1st, 2007 at 3:49 am
Well said Black Yankee! You seem like a real intelligent guy. However just to clear up a few things:
CHAMILLIONAIRE is of FULL-BLOODED Nigerian descent. I read it in XXL magazine, which states that BOTH of his parents are Nigerian immigrants and he was born in the USA sometime after they arrived there. He is a first generation Nigerian-American. I have the copy of it.
LL COOL J does have some West Indian (Barbados) roots, but it is only a small part from one of his grandparents, he is mostly African-American with roots in Alabama. FABULOUS is half Afro-Latino (Dominican) and half African-American. You were correct about the rest you mentioned.
I’m not sure if you know this, but there are some well-known or respect rappers with direct African roots. Styles P of The Lox (SOUTH AFRICAN mother), and PAPOOSE from Brooklyn was born in WEST AFRICA. AKON may not be a typical rapper, but he’s still a hip-hop artist and reps SENEGAL. Highly underrated NYC Female rapper JEAN GRAE is SOUTH AFRICAN.
However most of the biggest rappers in the USA and in the world are typical African-Americans with roots Down South, whether they are from cities and towns on the East or West Coast, in the MidWest, the North or the South itself. And yeah I kinda agree with with you on that point you made. I personally believe that the hip-hop/rap scene really does belong to the USA only, however because I love hip-hop/rap so much I would encourage it to grow in other countries. But if you remember the days in the States when everyone believed only New York and LA had a hold on the rap music industry? Remember when peeps where sayin that Down South rap was rubbish? Just because New York started hip-hop they believed they were the pacesetters, but now they eat their words because Down South rap is running the game right now! Ludacris says this - “Hip Hop aint dead it just lives in the South”. New York guys cant bear to see this happening so they hate on the South. So can you see how some people thought they were better because they started it, only to see the emulators surpass them?
I see African-Americans as unique black people because these guys were once Africans in America having to deal with alot hard times and shit, but still kept the spirit of Africa with them to be resourceful and innovative to create such a dynamic music and culture that many aspire to and is a world force and movement. It’s like Africans look across the Atlantic Ocean and feel proud at what their long lost brothers have achieved.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:29 am
Once again Black Yankee,
On the issue of African rap and hip-hop, I’m not too sure about that statement about Japan and Singapore being ahead of Africans. Those countries may have the better advanced musical technology and funding but it does not make them better artists or mean they have a better scene. I think you need to see and properly explore the African rap/hip hop scene first before you actually make a judgement. Africa is not a country it is a vast continent as you know and there are so many rap hotspots blowing up there now more than ever, and they have been established for many years now. You have huge and I mean HUGE rap scenes in Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa. I’m NOT saying that African rap is the best alternative to USA rap. I’m just saying Africa has such a huge, diverse, dynamic and vibrant rap scene that should not be underestimated. The Nigerian (Lagos) rap scene along with Senegal is huge and on fire - Nigerians and Senegalese take their rap/hiphop very seriously, they just seem to love it and connect with it so much. My main problem with African rap is the same problem I had, and still do with UK rap - is that some artists try to sound American or try create too much of an American flavour. However that is not always the case though and it is that trend is reducing these days.
I also agree with another thing you said - I really do believe Africans will go further by pushing their own traditional music. However traditional African music is already hugely popular in many mainland European countries and some parts of the USA with artists like Yousson N’Dour, Femi Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mazambo, Angelique Kidjo and others. But I believe it could go much further with more funding, exposure etc. There is so much potential out there in Africa right now it’s criminal to ignore it!
In the UK, there is a type rap music called GRIME. Grime rap music draws heavy influences from American gangsta rap and African-American slang admittedly, but it’s flavour and style is distinctly Black British. They way they sound when they rap is totally Black British. It is very popular in the UK right now and some other countries. It is not too well known in the USA although some artists like Dizzie Rascal have become acknowledged there. Most of the pioneers and best rap artists in grime music are of West African descent. When you put Africans in a Western nation they always seem to come out and start a musical revolution (just like African-Americans in the USA). Africans living in Western nations do make good rap music though because there are more resources and better technology available.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:43 am
One more thing to add Black Yankee - If you remember I said that after the USA, the African region probably had the biggest rap/hip-hop scene more than any other BLACK region in the world. I did’nt say the whole world, I meant in the Black World! Africa has a much bigger hip-hop rap scene than Brazil and South America, and it certainly has a bigger hip-hop rap scene than the West Indies, whose crowd seem to lean more to reggae, calypso and reggaeton. Rap/Hip-hop is repped in Africa to da fullest.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:10 pm
VICTOR
Here in the states the fillipino DJs have made a name for themselves. Nico, Chad Hugo and a Chinese Rapper Jin is known as one of the best battle MCs in the game. I think dancer named takahiro won the dance contest at apollo theatre in harlem. You made a statement about the birth of Hip Hop in New York and how at its genesis New Yorkers doubted Hip Hop could exist outside its city limits. Hip Hop was the only style of black music in America formed north of the Mason Dixon line. The elements that made Hip Hop came from the former confederate states of America and those dumb New Yokers forgot this. I mean they ripped James Brown off, stole every song he ever made. Where is James Brown from? The South and is one of the most southern, countriest brothers ive ever seen. For someone that lives in England you are very knowledgable. Here is a little story of what ive seen and where I was when Hip Hop evolutionized. My grandmother was born in 1908. My great, great grandmother was Native American and great, great grandfather a former slave. My grandmother would sing the negro spirituals to us as kids. My older aunts and uncles grew up during the Jazz and blues era. They would play everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Johnny Lee Hooker to one of my favorites the father of modern R&B Sam Cooke, which in my opinion has the greatest voice in the world, besides Ottis Redding. My mother was a lot younger than her Brothers and sister and my grandmother had her at a late age. She was into Motown and stax records. By the time I was born George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and Parliment was the hottest bands around, besides Disco and Teddy Pendegrass, but when I turned 8 years old in 1979, Sugarhill gang put Hip Hop on the map and a few years later Africa Baambata and the Soulsonic Force dropped Planet Rock. When I listen to Hip Hop reguardless of what part of America you are from, I hear these musicians and countless more.The Black and Hispanic nieghborhoods in the states were going crazy off this music. in 1986, I moved to upstate New York with my fatherand at this time I was a teenager I High school. I became a B BOY and was heavy on the scene. Back then Hip Hop didnt get airplay. It came on public radio stations once every friday and saturday late at night and I would stay awake pop a cassette tape in and record the Chuck chillout show. When we use to dance at school all the other races would here us play this music and beg us to let them have our tapes. Back then if you wouldve ever told me Hip Hop wouldve been the most popular music 20 years later, I wouldve look at you as if you crazy.My elders new Hip Hop would become gold. they went through this faze with Jazz, blues, Rock N Roll and funk and saw the music go global. The problem they had was groups and people like the Beattles and Elvis Presley get all the credit for art forms they stole. My mother said its just a matter of time before that happens to Hip Hop and when it does, Black Americans will then once again have to re-event themsleves, thats also been a history, the problem with Black Americans is we do not accept White pop culture and once a form becomes to commercial we weill abandoned it, I think we are the only race of people like that.
I saw Chamillionare on BET and he said he was half, so someone has their sources mixed up.
who are some of your favorite artist?
Im going to share with you things the art of stepping. Its centuries old here and as popular as ever since the inception of the dance. Look at them and tell me what you know about it. If you can post some Nigerian, or Black British culture we are not aware of in the US please copy and paste on your next post. enjoy, forgive me if I sound
Heres some video to back my arguemnts. you will be surprised to see who won the 2006 amateaur dance contest at the Apollo. You may have to cut and paste on the address bar above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJkVLwdJnjg
Jin at fightclub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQTk4yKaDnY
Black Fraternity, my frat Kappa Alpha Psi, What do black brits, or Nigerians know about stepping, this is suppose to besomething that came from west Africa, what do you think. That movie stomp the yard, what a waste
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyj4vYDntm8&mode=related&search=
i love AKAs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d15cAKtZQFM&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-8UyUbyFa8&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTkUHtiYnYE&mode=related&search=
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
BLACK YANKEE
Thanks for the compliment on my extensive knowledge regarding the subjects being discussed here. I must let you know that I’m a guy that does intensive research on anything that interests or fascinates me - in this case hip-hop/rap music and other Afro-lineal music forms. I must let you know that I do not argue a point or start a debate unless I have some form of backing evidence of what I’m trying to express or prove. But thanks anyway!
In relation to what you said about hip-hop/rap music being started from New York I’m gonna say this. I agreed with you on that point you made. I’m no fool and I done carried out my research. Most of the elements that made hip-hop/rap music what it is today are clearly and undoubtedly rooted in many of the various African-American music forms that emerged from the South. Jazz, blues, r’n'b, funk, soul, bebop, ragtime, toasts, dozens, woofin’ and pattin juba etc. XXL magazine called James Brown one of the “illest MCs” ever and it also stated, “that even Kool Herc looked up to him for influence and inspiration”. James Brown was definitely one of the early real godfathers of hip-hop/rap for sure. Kool Herc always said James Brown was his favourite artist and it was Brown that inspired him to spin records. On Nas’s track “Bridging the Gap”, he raps about how rap music is re-building the gap between the music forms that gave birth to it’s existence - jazz, blues, r’n'b, funk, soul etc. There was this black girl from the USA (Chicago) who I knew in London and she insisted to me that rap music was NOT invented by New Yorkers. She stated that “rap music had always existed in some earlier form verbal art in older African-American music forms that originated from the South”. I told her that she was dead right and I already knew this! Rapping is a direct descendant of the African-American toast tradition and other verbal arts like the dozens and signifying, most of which originated from the Southern USA (especially Louisiana) via West Africa. One famous African-Amrican toast was the one about “Stagger Lee”, probably one of the earliest rap songs, made in the early 20th century in the South. I’m definitely with you on that one bro, straight up.
Even if you look at the history of reggae music - that too originated from American jazz, blues, and r’n'b. Jamaicans used get radio waves from New Orleans and listen to alot African-American music. They began to make their own jazz and blues, etc which evolved into reggae. Like I said before, African-American music has it roots mostly into two places - the South first and West Africa before it.
Sam Cooke is a legend by the way and I love that song, “Change Gon’ Come”, it’s a shame the way he died being shot in suspicious circumstances by a black woman. I’ll check that stepping thing you shown me later and I’ll get back to you brother!
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:54 pm
By the way did Chamillionare really say he was only half-Nigerian on BET? If you read XXL Magazine on the Jan/Feb issue 2007 with Nas on the cover it says he was born to a pair of Nigerian immgrants who met at the University of Houston. I’ve read this in other places too. Check the link for more info oon this subject.
la times link
Do you where I can see a clip of BET interview of Chamillionaire you are talking about? I’d really be pleased if you could.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
One more thing BLACK YANKEE, I dont believe hip-hop/rap music actually originated in New York - I believe New York put various elements together to make it popular and push start the movement. But the elements that made hip-hop/rap music CLEARLY originate from the South, and any real disciple or serious student of hop/hop and rap would know that and not argue with it. Just ask brother James Brown in the afterlife!
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:39 pm
No, it started in S. Bronx, one of New Yorks 5 bouroughs, but not the ingredients. Here go some links that might answer you questions about chamillionares origin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamillionaire
http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-18564.0.html
http://www.bet.com
I agree with you on one thing black folks have been rapping way before Hip Hop evolved. Listen to the ealier R&B songs from such groups as the CHI-LITES, HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES, THE DELLS, THE TEMPTATIONS, THE DELFONICS ending with BOYS 2 MEN. When I was in School, we use talk about each others moma and roast each other just because, sometimes the end result would be a fight. Hip Hop culture did start in New York. Rapping is just one elelment. The Graffiti Artist, The B-Boys, DJs and Break Dancers came from the S. Bronx. Breakdancing really came from the Afro-Brazilians, us Americans hijacked it from them and modified it, I think they call it caporia, or something. The elements of Hip Hop were around for hundreds years, its just musical evolution.
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:54 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
Sorry you asked me who my favorite artists are? I’ll break it down like this:
My most favorite rap artists ever are: 2PAC, NAS, JAY-Z, 50 CENT, MOBB DEEP, THE WU-TANG, ICE CUBE, N.W.A., SNOOP DOGG, WARREN G, TRIBE CALLED QUEST.
Other faves of mine (not in any order) include: LUDACRIS, YOUNG JEEZY, CHAMILLIONAIRE, JADAKISS, STYLES P & D-BLOCK, LIL’WAYNE, BIG PUN, NOREGA (before all that commercial shit), BEANIE SIEGEL, CASSIDY, FREEWAY, THE GAME, CAMRON & DIPSET, JUVENILE, MIKE JONES, DEM FRANCHIZE BOYZ, PETEY PABLO, PEEDI CRAKK, PAPOOSE, T.I., TWISTA, MASTER P & NO LIMIT, PLIES, RICK ROSS, MAINO, just too many more to mention!…..yeah BONE THUGS aswell!
FEMALE RAPPERS I like are LIL’KIM, MISSY, EVITA, TRINA and REMI MA. I dont like FOXY BROWN and RAH DIGGA.
If this is of any interest I DON’T like BUSTA RHYMES, JAH RULE, NELLY, MASE, PUFFY and LL COOL J that much.
I HATE these guys - WYCLEF and THE FUGGES (except Lauryn Hill’s solo effort), BLACK EYED PEAS (especially that lil’ bitch Will iam, I think Fergie solo is alrite tho), weak MCs.
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:58 pm
My mistake Black Yankee, I agree hip-hop did start in New York in the South Bronx, but what I really meant was rapping! Rapping was not invented by New Yorkers that what I meant, yes I know rap is just one element of hip-hop, but not too many peeps know the difference! Well you and I have already both cleared that up!
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I know already that Chamillionare has Nigerian roots. It’s just that you’re telling me he said he was half on BET TV, when in an interview with XXL magazine he says both his parents are Nigerian. I wanna see that BET clip you are talking about. How can I see this?
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Have you heard of this rapper from the South named Soulja Boy, He has the number one CD in America. You can probably find that interview on bet.com in the 106th and Park section. I think he was on 106th and Park when he did the interview if my memorie serves me right.
Heres my evolution of Hip Hip, heres a dose of Soulbrother number one, James Brown.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=james+brown+night+train
This is rap going through the Big Bang Theory, the first rap song and the first hypeman, SOULPOWER!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzMdklbWDGw
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
CONTINUED FROM THE TOP VICTOR
P-FUNK, the West Cost really stole a lot from George Clinton and Bootsy Collins space Age Funk(DR DRE SOUND), Andre 300 of Outkast is just a wannabe George Clinton of 2K. Well Oukast sound has a strong space age funk to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_LRYezOfeo
Hip Hop when it had a message, Ladybug is still fine, im bringing the Afro and pick back in style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhtPfMZ6_oQ
I do not know why these 3 videos were the hottest videos of the year, especially Soulja Boy, I guess im just getting older.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQf5poAK4s0
fine women in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxjZM-d_ShI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZR-Ke_te9Q
this video, well, he sold a lo of records
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySbXw8AHlKM
Im going to exit with two fo your countrymen. I guess I do have to give England some credit, Slick Rick is a pioneer and one of my favorites, Snoop Dogg idol, which Snoop imitates him a lot and your own Nigerian American Chamillionare that brought Slick Rick out of retirement. This video is deep, very deep, Chamillionare wrecked it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQlgJQgoytk&mode=related&search=
Hit me up with UK numberone videos and Nigerian numberone videos
October 4th, 2007 at 6:02 am
BLACK YANKEE
Yeah I know about the huge influence George Clinton and the P-FUNK /Space Age FUNK artists had on the West Coast Rap scene. George Clinton was probably the West Coast counterpart to James Brown with regards to having an influence on rap and hip-hop music.
Thanks for the info on the BET Chamillionaire interview I’ll check that out later. I have not heard of SOULJA BOY but I’ll check him out if you say he’s that big. What do you think of that rapper called PLIES from Fort Myers, Florida? I think that song with him and T-PAIN calles “Shawty” is really good! That song is big in the USA right now too. Yeah Slick Rick was cool, and that song with Chamillionaire is quite good I like it. Here are some UK Stuff I’ll show you, this is UK hip-hop with British sounds and accents, and it’s got some of that GRIME stuff. Just go to YouTube and type in this artists and songs.
LETHAL BIZZLE - Forward/Pow (original video)
October 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I think you mean PILES, that song is doing OK, its a cool song. Right now, I was looking at the BET HIP HOP AWARDS preshow and a lot of stuff is going on between Chamillionare and Swisha House records, Paul Wall had his brother jumped in a club. Right now UGK/OUTKAST song, International Players is the hottest track, or the song I hear everyone playing . That song with Birdman and Lil Wayne is hot, Chamillionares Hip Hop police is a Hot track, but its so many. Its a show that comes on BET called 106th and Park,if you can download the most recent episodes you will see what im talking about. Im sure if you go to the BET website you can
October 4th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
That Lethal Bizzle is strickly something for the Euro, or African charts.
October 4th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
I just looked at BETs nomination for Hip Hop awards and the contestants are:
MIMS, HURRICANE CHRIS, DJ UNK and LIL BOOSIE just to name a few, my mistake it is PLIES
October 5th, 2007 at 3:07 am
That Lethal Bizzle song POW (Forward) was a massive hit back in 2004 and for a long time after that. It is song mainly for the the clubs, for the guys to wild out, whenever it’s played in a club, guys get pumped up with adrenaline start fighthing. Some US artists liked the beat so much, that they even made their own version of it (Busta, Lil’John and Bonecrusher). However I was not expecting you to like it immediately!. UK Grime rap is something you have to listen to properly before getting into it tho. I’ll send you a few other samples and see what you think, just need some time to select good ones.
I checked out the videos you sent me. SOULJA BOY is cool, and I like that LIL BOOSIE guy too. I like the songs and they should breathe some fresh air into the industry. It’s about time CHI-TOWN repped some more too!
Just to show you how closely I study rap music - I know it’s an old track now but I still love to the death! This 2002 track by FREEWAY, JAY-Z and BEANIE SIEGEL called “What We do”, which you must have heard before, I have been listening to it alot more closely and even tho I’ve listened to about 500 times I still pick up certain gemstone lyrics! Just look at my example I’ve shown you below, this is a bar from JAY-Z’s bit.
JAY-Z:
“Y’all don’t wanna witness shit/We squeeze hammers man/Bullets squeeze by you like Louisiana man”
What he actually meant was “bayou” instead of “by you”. Bayou is a Cajun word thats used ONLY in Louisiana to describe swamps, something which you already know. But I thought that was incredible as soon as I found out what he meant! The next one on the song is by Beanie Siegel when raps about redeeming your sins before you die check it out.
BEANIE SIEGEL:
“Son, you gotta get ya soul clean/Before they blow them horns like Coltrane”
I then suddenly realised he was talking about Johnny Coltrane the famous black jazz horn player! It’s just mind blowing stuff. Peeps who dont know these things wont be able to appreciate the genius that is expressed in rap lyrics man I tell you. If you havent heard the song before then type it into Youtube, listen to it and see what I’m talking about. I’m actually going to 50 Cent’s concert in London later next month, I’m not sure what you think of him…..
October 5th, 2007 at 6:19 am
BLACK YANKEE,
I just watched the Chamillionaire interview on 106th &Park BET on the rapbasement.com website. He was promoting his new album Ultimate Victory. Although he never spoke about his background. Was it an earlier interview? Because this one was made this year 2007
October 5th, 2007 at 9:56 am
By the way I’m feelin that guy BRISCO from Florida - he’s really good too. I’ve heard about this Nigerian-American rapper from Washington DC called WALE. I’d like to know have you heard of him and if you have is any any good? Because I’ve heard alot about him lately.
October 5th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Funny, I was born in Louisiana, lived with my grandmother on and off until I was 13, after that I stayed with my mother in Texas. Whats also funny is that me and my mother was talking about the history of the Cajuns, Cajun food and Creoles in Louisiana. It started from a conversation we were having about Beyonces name and how She had Creole features and a name that sounded Creole. Beyonce is from Houston, which is very close to Louisiana, so we suspected she had Creole Louisianan roots. We looked up her mothers biography and her mother is of Creole decent. Creole women are to die for, their beauty is intoxicating. Kind of off the subject, but its just ironic you mentioned Louisiana.
Most Americans over the age of 30, or Jazz fans usually know of artist like, Max Roach, Miles Davis Dizzie Gillespsie and John Coltrane is one of the most popular musicians in the history of the US. My favorite, like many around the world is the one and only Louis Armstrong, He did a lot for our music along with countless others. Rappers from Louisiana refer to Louisiana as the BOOT, because if you look at it on the map its shaped like a BOOT,
Washington DC is not known for its Hip Hop, its funny because the city demographics is like 80 percent black. Brisco from Florida, never heard of him.
Do you ever go to the Hip Hop forum on Yahoo Chats? You can physically chat with a lot of Hip Hop heads in there, most American, if not all.
One of the best raps ever written
Rappers stepping to me they want to get some
But I’m the Kane, so yo, you know the outcome
Another victory
They can’t get with me
So pick a BC date cause you’re history
I’m the authentic poet to get lyrical
For you to beat me, it’s gonna take a miracle
And, stepping to me, yo that’s the wrong move
So what you on, Hobbs, dope or dog food?
Competition I just devour
Like a pitbull against a Chihuahua
Cause when it comes to being dope, hot damn
I got it good, now let me tell you who I am
Check out these American radio stations on the web for song that are popular on the American streets that may never reach the UK
http://www.thugzone.com
Http://www.thenewx1023.com/
Check these stations out tell me what you think?
Baby boy da prince new track is hot
here is his video and pictures of beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana in the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUqK4cnBJ-E
I love Mannie Fresh beats, the best in the game to me, good video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJApSWjWD9Q
This is probably the hottest song at the moment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3PgZ9bqShc
October 7th, 2007 at 1:41 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Yeah I’m quite aware of Beyonce’s background. I did some research into her background before and I read that her mother’s maiden name was Beyonce and it’s a slightly Anglicized version of a Cajun/Creole French name. I also found out that her mother has ancestral roots in Louisiana.
Creoles where mostly known as free people of color back in the slavery days. Louisiana has a history of black and white interbreeding, more than other parts of the USA - the French and Spanish were more open to miscegnation. Creoles are a mix of Black African, French, Spanish and possibly Native American blood, which is why they have such a variety of features. It is not surprising that Creole woman are real good looking, with all that variety!
Once again that passage you just posted refers to Big Daddy Kane, and yeah for sure that guy was a rap legend for real - his style undoubtedly influenced many of todays rappers, like Jay-Z for instance. Mannie Fresh is an excellent beatsmith - especially from those Cash Money Days.
By the way that Chamillionaire interview on 106th and Park did’nt discuss his background, but anyway I’ll try and find another one if it exists.
I’ma now check out these tunes you shown me
October 7th, 2007 at 3:40 am
Well thats not totally true, all states had massive amounts racial interbreeding. It would be hard to make that case, but I would say Florida, The Africans and the Seminoles probably did the most interbreeding. I think my great, great was a Choctaw.
The Negro Seminoles would be a good read for you. The Cajuns were just whites (French) from Canada(Nova Scotia) that left there because England I believe took over their land. Louisiana, which was named after King Louis of France was the only French territory in North America once Nova Scotia was lost. When the French lost Louisiana, the Cajuns remained in the swamps and formed their own culture. I know Chamillionare is on the Source magazines front page, I wonder if he says it in this issue.
Here the new stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2WB8lRQS3M
Brothas spend tooo much money on their cars in the states, im guilty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st6nnieTCX8
oldie but goodie Florida A&M marching band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSJdOzPX_0w
Since you like Chi-town, Here is a song by DO OR DIE, big hit back in the day. They do be flowing on this sing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzwfyPLZHb8&mode=related&search=
This was a real big hit in the club bck in the day, houston was the shiiit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_089EURkNo
I just like the energy out of this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XBgXBvI8a0
two big artist from the lou
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YniDowiAHGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwt2Z3llAr0
Did you check out those station, I like the http://www.thugzone.com one
October 7th, 2007 at 7:54 am
BLACK YANKEE,
I’m aware that there was a lot of racial mixing all over the USA. The USA is in fact one of the most mixed-up racial countries in the world, due to it’s history of slavery and immigration of many different races. I just meant that in Louisiana it was very prevalent and more open. What made Louisiana unique is that the Creoles married and inter-bred amongst themsleves to create a distinct population, which is why you get many African-Americans with Louisiana origins that have very mixed features, like Beyonce for instance and that the guy, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.
Yeah I know alot about the Cajun history too, the British expelled the French from many parts of North America and forced them to settle in present-day Louisiana.
Louisiana has a strong historical and cultural connections with West Africa, so it’s no surprise that most of the best jazz, blues and all those types of musicians like Louis Armstrong emanated from that state. Many slaves imported there primarily came from Senegambia & Mali(Mandingo/Bambara tribes), the Congo-Angola (BaKongo tribes) and South-Western Nigeria (Yoruba/Nago tribes). These African ethnic groups have very rich, vibrant, diverse and strong musical traditions and cultures that were transformed over time by their American descendants into contemporary black American music. In New Orleans, the Congo slaves used to influence the local music scene there so much that a place in the city was called “Congo Square”. Congo people are known for their thumping, rhythmic and pulsating beats of the drum. Check out historian Gwendolyn Mildo Hall online at various websites for info on the cultural history of your black peoples in Louisiana, just type in her name on Google.
I have that issue of The Source. No Chamillionaire does’nt talk about his background, but he does talk about his background in the Jan/Feb 2007 issue of XXL Magazine. He states that he was born in the US to a pair of Nigerian immigrants, meaning both parents are Nigerian.
October 7th, 2007 at 9:44 am
I just done checked out your these links u gave me - yeah I’m feelin that Lil’ Troy song, it’s really good, smooth beats and a lil’ gangsta/hustla type flavour to it. I like the Pop Lock and Drop song and da ol’skool Chi-Town one. I heard the Young Jibbs one already, it’s a good song though.
Do you like these NY rappers called Maino and Uncle Murda? What do u think of Papoose?
October 7th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I’m gonna download that Lil Troy song, I really do like it man!
October 7th, 2007 at 10:40 am
There’s a song by Jay-Z featuring Scarface (Texas) and Beanie Siegel called “Guess Who’s Back” and in reckon Scarface just killed that track man, da lyrical flow, with that Down South Texas drawl just took my brain I’m not sure if you have heard it. It’s an old song tho, but a classic.
October 7th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I heard of Papoose, but I think he is bigger overseas, My other Nigerian hommie likes him a lot. I never heard of Maino and Uncle murda. I do like that swiss beats song Tops Down. That Lil Troy was a Club Bangor back in the day, they just wore it out and he never made another hit. Have you read up on the NEGRO SEMINOLES
This was a banger back a couple of years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ8Cpnjoggc
more soulja boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhUWRLh-6K0
Lil Flip was big on the scene, he kicked T. I. ass at a concert in Houston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUvcddVI6Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWZmjtSB0mM
slim Thug wrecked it for a minute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXaqG2yrYxY
The Model in this video needs to be my wife, man, a little R&B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A83DbFlF1Wo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DibZL6feso4
This was a tight cut by Twista, CHI-TOWN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnwxtpjNm6U
October 7th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
I found it for you, Chamillionares background, his father is from some area in Nigeria called OYO State and his mother is American. the link is attached below, scroll down to the biography section. Check out some of the music at the top I have for you. Just because he has half, dont stop liking him, JOKE.
Check it out
http://www.popstarsplus.com/music_chamillionaire.htm
October 8th, 2007 at 5:30 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Yeah I’ve read about the BLACK SEMINOLES before, I already know the story. They are the descendants of renegade, runaway African slaves that fled Britain’s USA slave-state colonies to join the Spanish forces fighting the British in a fierce battle for control of Florida, which was then a Spanish colony. Florida was one of Spain’s few territories in the USA at that point but with Britain expanding their USA land claims, war broke out between the two European powers in the 1760s. The Spanish made a public appeal to African slaves for help in fighting the British forces, promising their freedom from slavery in return. This encouraged many Africans slaves escaped from the British-ruled Southern colonies to Florida to help the Spanish, and many were sheltered by the local Native American tribes, of which the main ones in Florida were the SEMINOLES. Many of these runaway African slaves actually intermarried with the Seminoles and settled and assimilated within their communities, mostly as a means of permanently escaping slavery altogether. It was just as well that happened because the Spanish forces were defeated, they lost the war and the British gained Florida and added it to it’s other USA colonies. However, Florida would not be settled properly by the British or the later white American colonists for many years, so the African slaves who escaped there would live free amongst the Seminole Indians for a very long time, assimilating in their communities through inter-breeding and marriage. The descendants of this ethnic union are the BLACK SEMINOLES.
*Ironically the British would later ask African and African-American slaves to help them in their war with the rebel white American colonists, (with help from the French, who gained revenge for being kicked out of North America by the British earlier). The British also promised these slaves their freedom in return for their help in the war, and they too lost the war! However they did re-settle some black slaves in Canada and Sierra Leone (West Africa) to live in freedom as part of their promise. That is why the captial of Sierra Leone is called Freetown, because it was founded by some of these freed black American slaves returning back to Africa.
Yeah I’ve read that source about Chamillionaire before - I’ve seen and read that source of information on many websites (half Nigerian, half American), and trust me bro thats what I always believed until I read XXL magazine. Thats what confirmed my information was that fact that it was in XXL magazine. It states there that both his parents are Nigerian. He even says that his mother would try and raise him in a strict African way! A magazine interview is a more accurate I believe. But he was born in the USA, so of course he still is an American so relax! JUST JOKING! Check out the link for Chamillionare and you’ll see what I’m talking about:
link
Make sure you read it properly and you will see my point.
Maino and Uncle Murda are rappers from Brooklyn, NY. Maino has an excellent song with 50 cent called “What the Hood made me” and Uncle Murda has a song called Bullet. Just Youtube these guys, I’m not sure if you like that contemporary New York shit since they like to hate on the South!
I love that Down South shit, New York niggas should recognize that this is shit is hot!
October 8th, 2007 at 11:20 am
It doesnt Matter, no one is buying New York Hip Hop in America, that shiit played out a long time ago. Except for them, which I think they buy more southern shiit in New York than they do there own. Rappers like 50 cent, I hate, because he is tooo commercial. Even though Young Buck is from the South I hate him to for associating with G. unit.
I was just joking, If his parents are Nigerian, then he is Nigerian.
He grew up in Acres Home, dam the hood. I think his fiancee is Hispanic. Did you check out those radio stations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMFj0sWpIAI
This is hot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx2dVKVDM94
October 8th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
So what kind of movies do you like? Do you like Afro Amero movies? My naija boy hip me to a few of those nollywood movies. You Afro Amero movies have you seen.
Here are some blazing videos.
This is ya boy Plies, T-pain, Rick Ross and dj kalid, blazing joint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7PQqZTIUj4&mode=related&search=
Here is 106th and park top 10 videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzEQgUCSjMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6vk1y2d25k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WpLMikSY-s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6ZHdSVXqqY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DC4Rb9quKk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV7PFX_GOZA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woiAlFN-Fas
October 8th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
AH HAH! Sorry to go on about the issue of Chamillionaire - I just have one more thing to say! It is very ironic we have been talking about this subject because if you buy the current issue of XXL Magazine thats out now, (Oct 2007) with Kanye West on the front cover, there is an article on Chamillionare and it states about him: “the son of Nigerian immigrants who held multiple jobs”. I just bought the magazine today and read it. Well no more on that subject, the answer is here!
Yeah I agree with you man. It’s very true, nobody reallys buys that New York rap stuff no more, it does seem played out. I mean look at Mobb Deep - they were one of my classic favourites and one of NY’s very own rap gems. Their latest album flopped and it sounded like they just did’nt have that real street gusto no more, plus the beats were slack and unoriginal. I love Nas’s music to death, but I will admit his recent efforts have not really blown me away, his last two albums were very mediocre efforts that do his great talent no justice (the last song he did that I really liked was the 2004 single “Please have a moment of silence”) - Nas still remains one of my best rappers of all time though. NORE used to be a good rapper in his C-N-N days but now he’s on some reggaeton bullshit (no disrespect reggaeton is cool but not when a rapper goes down that road). The Wu Tang Clan, who were once my most listened to rap-group and probably the best rap group ever, are now pretty much a dying movement, since many of it’s artists are now alot older approaching middle age. Camron, Juelz Santana and all the other rappers from the Dipset movement were really good a couple of years back but they lack consistency - these artists have great hit singles (eg. Oh Boy, Hey Ma, Dipset Anthem, I Really Mean It, Birdcall), not so great albums! Jay-Z is semi-retired so he doesent make much stuff these days, his last album was good though. I think many of the other New York rappers right now are just either ok or average, with a few really good ones. That MIMS guy had a single “This Why I’m Hot”, which was a big hit recently, but to be honest with you I still did not really feel that song that much, I thought it was an overrated and very average track - plus he was a New York cat trying to sound like he was from Down South! That just didn’t go to well with me as far as reppin NY for your hood. New York just are not really doin it right now.
As for the 50 Cent issue you brought up, I kinda disagree with you there. I like 50 Cent alot and I believe he really is a good lyricist and makes real good songs. Plus he manages to be commercially successful and keep that hood and street authenticity at the same time. Yes I agree he is too commercial now, but he still does mix-tapes to cater for his fans that like his underground shit. However as for the rest of the other G-Unit guys like Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo their latest albums are not really doin well right now and they’d better come with new ideas or the G-Unit thing will fade away.
I’ma check these radio stations now!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
I watch alot of African-American movies and I’m a big fan of African-American cinema. I especially love those those “hood films” like Boyz in The Hood, Menace 2 Society, Clockers, Above the Rim, Juice, Fresh, Paid in Full, Gang Tapes, State Property, and some others I forgot to name. I like the typical African-American comedy and romantic films like, Friday (I like part 2), Barbershop, Dont be a Menace, The Playas Club, Woo, The Best Man, The Seat Filler, and Daddy’s Little Girls. As for more serious films of this genre, I liked Malcolm X, Amistad, Rosewood, Panther, American History X, On the Bus and Higher Learning.
Yeah I watch Nollywood films, but the good ones though! I make sure I watch the good ones and yeah you do get some real good ones. There are some Nigerian gangster movies that have been really cool! They don’t have the budget and technology like they do in the States but they can make good movies and they are getting alot better each time. Plus you get some fine ladies in these films!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
I still got that Lil’Troy song in ma head man! “Da fly way!”
October 8th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I agree with you on a lot of the stuff you say, I do like that new 50 cent song Ayo Technology, but Kanye is going to win that bet. My Nigerian friend is trying to be American to fast. He has been here for some years, but he is trying to denounce all his Nigerian culture. He hates soccer all a sudden, he wants to play American football and basketball. He tries to hide his accent with a southern drawl and all of a sudden he hates african women. I think those women in those films are tight. The boy is having an identity crisis.
This is a good game on at the moment Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. I need to come to England, I went there many years ago. My navy ship ported in Southhampton. I would love to visit Africa one dayas well. I mainly like the ole school rappers from New York. I do like Jay Z, Cassidy, Swiss Beatz. I liked Mobb Deep back in tha day.
My favorite Afro Amero movies are Love and Basketball, Drumline and some of those G movies, just too many.
my e-mail is coolblackdude30@yahoo.com, hit me up and we can go on the yahoo chats on the Hip Hop site and chat it up with some hip hop heads. Do you have messenger?
I use to wear that song out 10 years ago, so did the clubs. Man all the girls would get on the dance floor. Time flys
October 9th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Thats a bit wierd about what you have told me about your Nigerian friend. Yeah I agree alot of Nigerians in the USA assimilate very quickly into American culture and society, and yes Nigerians are heavily influenced by African-American culture. But most Nigerians abroad and at home are very proud of their heritage and culture so your friend falls into the minority of Nigerians who may act like that. I have some Nigerian cousins that live in Maryland State and they have assimilated to some extent but they still have a Nigerian-ness about them. Maybe your friend just loves American culture so much that he is blinded by his love and cant see his actions for what they are. But like I said Nigerians have always loved American culture more than any other foreign culture, so sometimes you may get Nigerians like him who act like that once they settle in the USA, but not too many do it to the extent he does!
As for African women - your boy really needs his head examined. If you go to Nigeria there are many beautiful women that look very similar to Afro-American women, you wont even know the difference. This especially true with Igbo girls (25-30 percent of Black Americans are of Nigerian, mostly Igbo descent via slave trade). African women got that booty and believe me when I say it! As Ludacris said “the best women reside in Africa and thats real”. Nah for real when u go to Africa u will see it for yourself
I was born and raised in London, England to Nigerian parents. My mother is actually half Nigerian and half Afro-American (Pennsylvania) but she was born in Nigeria. Her mother was Afro-American and her father was Nigerian. I been to the USA a few times and I do like going there.
Yeah I’ll hit you up on yahoo, mine is mafiosothug@yahoo.co.uk
October 9th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Just some, not Nigerians, but most Africans are proud if their culture. When we talk, I ask him do you like those naija stars, he says nah, he likes Megan Goode and Beyonce. He will say he is Nigerian, but if you play Soccer in America women will look at you like you gay, so I can see his reasons for denouncing the sport. Most Nigerians are good at American sports: Amoebie Okoye, Joseph Addai, Christian Okoye and london born Osi Umenyiora is really becomming a star and fast in America. So maybe he is looking up to these guys and all the success they are having here.
Have you heard of a Nigerian actor named Chiwetel Ejiofor? He is a london born Nigerian whose parents are Nigerian immigrants. He starred in Four Brothers and Inside Man with Denzel. He is in Denzels must see new gangsta movie “American Gangsta,” Heres the trailor.
http://hiphopruckus.blogspot.com/2007/06/movie-trailer-american-gangsta-starring.html
http://www.americangangster.net/
Looks funny
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809847807/video/3691134
Omarion in this one, man them ricans are bad
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/feelthenoise/
October 9th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
LOL thats real funny - I see why your friend acts like that! Gay for playin’ soccer! LOL. In England it’s the ultimate MAN’s game! You aint a man over here if you dont like soccer!
Yeah for sure man you do get alot of Nigerians that excel very well in American sports, Hakeem the Dream is probably the most famous. Basketball and American football especially. There are alot of guys of that either Nigerian or of Nigerian descent that are top players in the NBA and NFL. A Nigerian boxer called Samuel Peter was recently named the new WBC heavyweight champion in America.
Yeah I know who Chitwel Ejiofor is. He’s a good actor definintely, I like him. He’s also in Amistad, he plays the translator. There are many actors of Nigerian descent making waves in America right now. Do you watch a TV program called THE WIRE? I love that program, it’s about the mean streets of Baltimore and one the best shows ever! It’s so real, raw and powerful to watch. One of the key characters in the show called Chris Partlow, is of Nigerian descent. You also got that guy that played Adebisi from Oz, Carmen Ejogo, Sophie Okenodo, and Godfrey the comedian and many more.
As for some real nice naija flick chicks why dont you look up the name on Google Images for Lilian Bach - she’s real hot. Genevieve Naji is nice too. Man, when I was in Nigeria like 4 years ago I met this chick called Folake that looked just like Kelis -take my word she was even better looking than Kelis! One of the most beautiful sisters I had ever seen - big boobs, slim body, nice ass, smooth caramel skin and long curly brown natural hair, no weave! Also if you did’nt know Miss Nigeria was the FIRST and STILL IS the ONLY Black African woman to have won Miss World back in 2002.
October 10th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Cant mess with that Soccer, keep it over there. I saw Samuel Peter fight a washed up James Toney, not impressed. Ive seen some of those actresses you mentioned above, they are very beautiful. In the states brothas are on all those Latino girls, especially Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and South Americans, Vida Guererro is my dream wife. Im not gonna lie, those girls are hot asss hell. Afro-Latinos aint no freakin joke.
My home boy did go to High School here in Texas. American football in this state is a way of life. Theres a large Nigerian population in Texas, but an overall large African population in places like Virginia and Maryland. I think your countrymen in that area play soccer, but a lot I know that moved here young abondoned it. I cant blame them, I wouldve to. Im sorry that sport is gay asss helll he he.
Well maybe I will try to get over there next year and I would love to see England, ive been around the world, but never to Africa, that would be a great experience.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
LOL you really make me laugh man! Well look it’s an argument that will never be settled - Americans will never appreciate or accept soccer as the beautiful game it is in the way the British and others around the world do! And we will never understand why you Americans call a sport “football” when you ACTUALLY use your HANDS! American football is ok to play, but I just could’nt sit there and watch it on TV no way, a lil’ boring!
Damn you are right about Afro-Latino girls! I’ve witnessed this first hand because my cousin is from the Bronx, NYC and I stay there with him when I’m visiting New York. The Bronx is heavily Latino in many parts and most of and I saw so many seriosuly fine Latino ladies there, most of them of Puerto Rican and Dominican background. Yes bro those ladies are real hot and they just seem to have the whole package - pretty face, long flowing hair, nice body and real phat booty. Those ladies aint playin! I’m well aware of the trend amongst African-American chasing Latino women.
On another note, my cousin does tell me that the current black guy’s trend for going for Latin chicks causes alot of resentment from African-American women against Latino women, whom the former percieve the latter to be a threat to competition to get the black man’s attention.
I just got back from the USA at the end of August earlier this year and I had a good time man, I was visiting my cousins and family and goin out and about. Funnily enough while there, I dated a black woman from Detroit who has roots in Lake Trout, Louisiana - your home state. I’m actually trying to get to Cuba next year or somewhere like that for those Latino honeyz! I’d like to go Brazil, South Africa and Sweden also. Swedish ladies are real nice-looking and they LOVE black guys!
As an African-American it is only right you should visit Africa, it is the home of your ancestors after all. And yes I’m sure it would be a great experience.
October 11th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Well, It goes both ways, a lot of black women date latino men as well. We are linked with most Latinos culturally. Thats been going on for years, way before I was born. Blacks dont get along with Mexicans though. Basketball and Football you have to understand the rules, if you understand the rules to the game will make a lot of sense.
Roslyn Sanchez, the honey in Fabulous video is hot. she was in that movie with Nick Cannon “The Underclassmen” Eva Mendes is anotherone, she starred with Denzel in “Training Day, and Ice Cube and Mike Epps in “All About the Bejamins”, good movie. I see enough Cubans annd Dominicans in America, no need to visit there. go to Miami Florida, you will think you are in Cuba, or the Dominican Republic
October 11th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Back on on the sports tip. Hip Hop is great music and usually you can play great music to a great sport. So how can you be bored when you are getting entertained by the best of both worlds. Let me give you an example. Cant play music like this to a lame sport like Soccer.
See how Hip Hop culture and American sports culture mix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3iVNUFmYgg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXp3AxMehc
you can even play classical music to it and it sounds cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D908Zc0_oRs&NR=1
At first, I thought my Nigerian peep was just fronting, but then again maybe he was just denied great sports entertainment for half of his life. I feel him.
You can play that lame white music to Soccer. We bump that real G. Shiiit to basketball and football.
October 12th, 2007 at 2:58 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Yeah I would imagine alot of Black women do date Latino men aswell - I just think it is more the case with Black men and Latino women though. It is not really surprising though, because many Latinos have Black blood in their families anyway. A good example is my cousin from New York, he is actually half Black and half Latino himself - his father is Nigerian and his mother is Afro-Cuban. He lives in the Bronx, an area thats 60% Latino and 40% Black. He tells me about Black women’s resentment at Latino girls and how it’s well documented there. Then again I suppose it all depends on where in the USA you are, as it’s a real big country! Yeah Blacks are certainly culturally linked to Latinos, but more specifically to the Afro-Latinos for obvious reasons.The black population in Latin American countries are desecnded from slaves imported from West Africa, just like most of all the other African diaspora populations in the Western Hemisphere.
I’ve also heard alot about some of the extremely violent, racial conflict betweeen African-Americans and Mexicans in Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California going on recently. Snoop Dogg and Cypress-Hill even made a song about Black -Brown Unity not so long ago called “Vato”. I recently saw a programme where there was footage of a vicious prison gang fight in yard between African-American and Mexican male inmates with 3 men dead at the end, damn it was crazy man.
LOL I’m not even gonna go into this football vs soccer thing! I know and you know that Americans are the only peeps in this world that don’t think highly of soccer! Everybody else in the world loves and plays the game - it cant be that lame! As for music and soccer? Well I dont know what goes with what - but I KNOW soccer is a most beautiful game! LOL
One thing man I wanna ask you. I’m sure you heard of a rapper fron Queens, NYC called AKINYELE, he made that song about gettin’ head which was a hit back in 1996 called “Put It in Your Mouth”. Do you know whether he’s of Nigerian descent for sure? Because his name is as Nigerian as you can get. There is not too much info on his background, i just wanna know if you knew anything, thanks. Have you heard of a rapper called GODWON from your city of Houston, Texas? He supposed to be crushing many guys at rap battles on the local scene.
October 12th, 2007 at 8:30 am
As for Latina honeyz I like, I think Rosario Dawson is very pretty, and I’ve always loved Salma Hayek even tho she’s a lil’ old I think she’s hot! I fogort her name that Latino chick from Next Friday, she real nice too.
October 12th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Never heard of them, I grew up in Dallas, I went to college in Houston. I heard of a song called getting some head, but I think it was Shawna from “Disturbing The Peace.
I dont think these dudes are Nigerian, they dance to dam good, cant be Nigerian.
Krnumping like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3q7RU_Vwnk
October 12th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
LOL I just saw the clip why u hatin for! Yeah Nigerians have been doin that stuff for a long time since they were exposed to it - of course they are Nigerian cant you see that green and white flag and all the colors them boys be wearing? Of course Nigerians are good dancers they are West African man! You forgot where this stuff originates from? In Nigeria there are many native and tribal dances that can be likened to that krumping stuff - believe me those guys in the village would look at home on a South Bronx B-Boy street dance competition! I remember goin to Nigeria as a kid in the 80s and seein all the young guys doing all that break-dancin’ and body poppin’ stuff on da streets - it’s natural for Naija guys to be good at dancing, including krumping!
October 12th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Well, I saw the history of Krumping, I wont argue with you about that. At the same time ive seen a lot of African cats dance. Personally, im not a big fan of krumping. Growing up in the south our dance styles are different. That stuff came fro LA via Africa. those dudes were not bad. Did you see that movie “Drumline”I grew up watching the battle of the Bands (Afro Amero Colleges) and the traditional steps between black fraternities. Im a member of a black fraternity know ass Kappa Alpha Psi. Those are the only African dudes I ever seen dance that good. Western stlye, Ive seen the tribal dances. For all I know those couldve been Michighan state green.
Clip from that movie RIZE, you should watch it, download it if you can, I know you will enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0efEID-uCtE
2 clips form DRUMLINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXWlOjYA95g&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9mcY8_ibM4
RECOGNIZE!
October 13th, 2007 at 3:40 am
@ Black Yankee
I met Akinyele in Queens a while back and I asked him if he was Nigerian he said no but his moms was afrocentric and gave all the kids african names !
October 13th, 2007 at 6:20 am
BLACK YANKEE,
I suppose it all depends on what you see as good dancing. I believe that there are many excellent types of dancing from both Africans and African-Americans, just depends which one matches your taste - there are hundreds and thousands to choose from! I’ll tell you which one I like.
My favourite dance is the CRIP WALK, I just love that dance. It’s very popular with Nigerian guys. Thats the one African-American dance Nigerian cats like and are influenced by. What do u think of the Crip walk?
October 13th, 2007 at 6:21 am
Thanks for the info on Akinyele
October 13th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
The Crip walk is not a dance, I wouldnt do it because im not a Crip, I had cousins in LA who were Bloods. Crips Gang members have been doing it for years. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time you can get seriously hurt. The Clown walk came out when Dub C and Snoop, both of them are Crips and DR DRE Who is a Blood. In America dances come and go. The Clown walk, which was designed from the Crip and Blood walk so kids who were not gang affiliated would get hurt. In the late 90s Crip Walking was cool, but its kind of played out with West Coast Hip Hop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq9Ts8EeayU
Listen to this song by xibhit who is a Crip, he will explain what I was talking about the Crip walk
Documentary on Crips and Bloods
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HcD323FoOE&mode=related&search=
Bloods, Blood walking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MakEs_abw4
October 14th, 2007 at 5:48 am
BLACK YANKEE,
I’m aware that it’s a walk not a dance - but it has evolved into some dance forms which I really do like. I got a knowledge on Bloods and Crips, I watched quite alot of documentaries. I’ve even got the dvd “Gangbangin’ Fo Life” volumes. I’m not stupid I’d never do that stuff if was in LA or somewhere similar lol. I seen the Blood Video already before I like it - it goes like this “if you blood double up! if you blood double up!”.
Have you seen a dvd called “Hood 2 Hood Da Blockumentary”? it’s really good. It’s a dvd documentary about life in the black hoods of 26 different major cities in the USA. I’m sure you’ve seen stuff like this before but it’s real interesting for guys like me from another country. I thought New Orleans, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Detroit had the worst hoods filmed on the documentary.
October 15th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Nope, I didnt see the documentary, but I know a lot of them, some of which are family members. There is a dance called the clown walk. Kids do the clown walk because its not affiliated with the gangs, but is similar to the Crip and Blood walk. Ive been all over Compton, Watts and other places. After traveling around the world, I wouldnt really call them hoods. Black people, well people in America dont know how good they got it. Actually, those Cities you named have some of the most affluent black nieghborhoods ive ever seen and some of the worse in America. Its those one, or two sections of the city the that are bad by American standards, people believe represents the whole city, or black community. I hear rappers from California rap about Compton and East Long Beach, but how many of them rap about Baldwin Hills (Rich Black people)? Missouri city in the Houston area. I think the Crips been Crip walking for 30 years, it just went public in the 90s, or nationwide. It so many dances out there, I cant keep up. I like this cut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0dRdPMIokU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsoMVxtKlGM
October 15th, 2007 at 8:57 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Man, I dont what it is but we think the same things bro, I’ve always made that point - I believe African-Americans sometimes dont realise what they got. The talk in rap music about how hard it is in the hood, but then blacks in America have access to free education and facilities and there are jobs available, plus they have a working modern transport system and availability of cars. In Third World countries, people dont have housing projects they have shanty towns and half-functioning transport systems - 10 times worse! When I look at Compton I’m like “how can you call this a hood?” -these black people there live in houses and bungalows bigger than many houses in nice areas owned by white people in England! It is only when Americans like you travel around the world and see what it’s like with other parts of the world then you realise it’s not so bad for blacks in the US.
I am very aware that there is another side to Black America. I’m fully aware of the affulent black neighbourhoods you have in cities in places like Maryland, Alabama, Georgia, and the Midwest. In fact my Nigerian cousins that live in Maryland actually live the wealthiest black county in the United States - Prince George County. Prince George County has the largest median income of any US county with an African-American majority population.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Pop Culture, or Hip Hop Culture is the problem. The problem is that tooo many White kids have been emulating Black Americans for many years. Our dress code, mannerism, our style and its a billion dollar buisness. Now its not just in America anymore, I can go to Japan, Europe, South America and these people run up to me like im some kind of star. They ask me all these stupid questions about rap music, Hoods, singing ahh man, you name it. We go into the clubs and they want to out do us in everything. One of the problems is the youth is trying to live up to the stereotypes, well enough of them. What kills me is the kids that come from rich and upper middle class nieghborhoods that swear they are gangstas, that puzzles me.
I went to India and it made the 9th ward in New Orleans look like Beverley Hills. The problem with all Americans is they want to make that fast dollar by any means. Kanye West, his mother has her PHD and she is the dean of Chicago State Univeristy English program. He admits he came from a well to do family. the otherside get little attention, or at least for the moment.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:38 am
BLACK YANKEE,
You are so damn right man. The problem with most Americans, especially African-Americans, is that they want to gain money and wealth the fast way. Many blacks in the U.S. would rather try and get into sports and entertainment or if not that, they get invloved in crimes like drug-dealing or robbery to make fast money - alot of them simply see going to school and college as a waste of time. Try telling a young, deprived black kid in a U.S. ghetto to get education and a degree to take up a professional career, when he sees big-time guys in his hood hustling, piles of cash in hand and shining with iced out jewels, driving fast, kitted up cars and getting all the fine honeys. Plus the boasts and braggin of this lifestyle by rappers in Hip Hop does’nt help. The kid certainly aint gonna take no simple Burger King or KFC job! That kid will simply say “school and regular jobs are a waste of time, I’ma get out there hustle or jack someone, some way I’ma get mines”. What some of these black American kids got to realise is that it may take some time to reach levels of relative financial security or wealth - you need to study, work and grind your way to the top, most things dont come fast and easy.
Some other rappers I know that come from well to do family backgrouds include Nas and Ice Cube.
Without a doubt, African-American popular culture is one of the most influential cultural phenomenons of modern times. Word.
Yeah poverty in some parts of India is real bad - even worse than parts of Africa. Actually, half of the world’s starving children live in just three countries - India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, this is an official fact. Many people dont know this, they just think of Africa first.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Nigerians to share that same fast-money mentality these days - it was’nt always the case, back in the days they would get education, study work now it’s always been about gettin fast money for the past 18 years now
October 16th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Well thats sort of a myth about blacks only playing sports and entertainment. The media will push that element on the public. Yes, you will here about racist statements Kanye West made on the new, but yo will rarely here about Kenneth Chenault (CEO, AMERICAN EXPRESS) or DR Ben Carson, the Number Neurosurgeon in the world, we are forgetting about people like Dr Charles Drew and Benjamin Banneker. Inventors, that gets little credit. The Nigerian guy that invented the Internet. The media is our enemy. Its the media that portrays Africa as a primitive wilderness with black people still walking in the bush wth spears. A lot of people in America actually believes that. Right now our elders are attacking hip hop and rightfully so.
October 17th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Oh yeah I’m well aware that blacks are better than just sports and entertainment. I read Ebony magazine and others stuff to inform me of blacks doing well in many proffessional careers other than sports and entertainment. You have David L Stewart of Missouri and owner of WorldWide Technologies and the Nigerian-born Kase Lawal of Houston, who owns CAMAC Holdings - who both own the two largest and most wealthiest African-American owned companies in the USA. There is also many other African-Americans doing exceptionally well in the world of finance, banking, management, politics (Barak Obama and Condoleeza Rice), merchant trading, technology (Garret A Morgan - traffic light inventor), medicine (George Washington Carver), biotechnology, science (Henry Louis Gates and Dr Rick Kittles) and many other areas.
Yeah tell me about it. I know Americans think that about Africa. Don’t get me wrong, Africa has many problems with poverty and civil war in some parts but it’s not all that bad as it is made out to be. The media make sure they show you the worst of Africa on TV everytime an Africa-related story is displayed. All they show is kids with bony bodies and flies on their face, and worn-out poor adults or a very minority of native people who still live in a primitive manner. When the rapper Ludacris went to Nigeria and South Africa and was so amazed at what he saw. He said Africa was not as bad it was portrayed and there should be more good sides shown to the world about the place. South Africa actually has really developed parts that look like an Africanized version of the USA. Nigeria has some nice parts too. The rest of Africa has something to offer and I can say for sure it is not all gloom and doom because I’ve been there and seen it.
October 18th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
I like that video by Ludacrs, the one he made in Africa. name of the song is “Pimpin all over the World” with Bobby Valentino, I like his new album Some hot African broads in this video’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC6OEewvTTc
October 19th, 2007 at 3:46 am
props 2 nigerian rappers of the like mode,rugged,sauce,gino freeestlye,dark poet and a host of them.now we set 2 battle the whole of east and south africa 4 da stolen golden mic.it really belongs to us,the West.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:14 am
hi uncle it funto areu k
October 19th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
The reason why Ludacris made that video, was because he went to Africa and saw how many pretty chicks out there have that serious booty! Yeah it’s a cool video for sure. I think Buffy da Body is sooooo hot! She is my dream sex-buddy for sure man! Esther Baxter is seriously fine too. Meagan Good is just one of the prettiest ladies ever in the public eye right now. If I could roll all these ladies features into one chick I’d be married by now! LOL
October 19th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I just watched the BET hip hop awards, pretty predictable as usual. the international rapper award went to a guy named Kanna from London, have you heard of him?
I liked Megan Goode in that movie, “Biker Boys” and “Deliva US From Eva” she was hot in both those movies, but Melissa Ford is my dream girl.
Check out this site, its the official site for the 2007 BET Hip Hop awards.
http://www.bet.com/hha?cid=emby
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I think you are talking about Kano. Kano is one the current top UK rappers and is major artist on the GRIME rap music scene. He’s alrite I suppose but not one of my favourite UK artists tho. I’ll be hinest with you bro, GRIME music is only something that is generally really understood and liked by those familiar with black london street culture, however you have to be very open-minded and eclectic to appreciate it!
I’m not sure who Melissa Ford is, but I’ll check her out.
I like that Kanye West “Good Life” song I think that song is hot, with T-Pain on the joint once again (T-Pain is doing things right now!). I like that Lil’Boosie guy, I’m feelin his flow man.
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Melissa Ford is one of the hottest models on the scene. I feel you on the grime stuff, Im thinking about taking a trip to London in the near future, I think it would be an interesting trip. The problem with brothas like me from the south is we are into the beats, Heavy, low beats, not the lyrics as much as other people. We like to get crunked up and just go bizerk, we are wild. Man, when we use to hit those ports overseas, man we would rock the house, I mean turn it out. My boy would be on the ones and twos ripping the joint. Like those southern style DJs on the Southern Smoke mixtape. I dont think the world knew the that south is running shit. We had to fire the Asian DJ, playing all the weak ass New York and Cali shit. I was so impressed with some of the Hip Hop scene in Asia it blew me away, but they are not on our level. Maybe second behind the U. S., or third behind the Carribean.
Did you ever check out those radio stations?
Did you check out the BET Hip Hop Awards?
I like Lil Boosie whole click, Weebie and Fox are tight.
There are these mixtapes that comes out every year called “Southern Smoke” the Shit is pretty tight, I have 1 through 17. Me and my boys
drove up to Canada last weekend, A lot of Carribeans up there, had to listen to that dancehall shit. A lot of Nigerians and Ghanans are in Canada to, but I think they are on that Jamaican tip.
Had a good time about 95 percent of the girls were like from Asia, South America and the Carribean and then Africa. Man, beautiful girls, they just couldnt dance. Except for the Jamaican chicks ofcourse.
Im going to see if my boy can reserve a week end up there and Crunk it out.
Here ya boy FOXX, the dude that raps with Boosie PROMO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxVLLYpbVEM
Lil Scrappy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x2-AmY8FI8
Back in the day this song use to get niggas crunk, a fight was gaurenteed to break out once this joint pop on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC1lrvJGREk
I love this dude Bone Crusher, this was a big hit back in the day. Listen to the lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiZNPeJ3Ikc
It use to be hard to dance with girls to this song, or not get into a fight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-26bRZEedZg
I miss that Bay area stuff, time for E-4O to come out with some new stuff
I live this Jam he did with T-Pain and Kandi, a classic. I hear T-PAin is Nigerian.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-kVYrbYfJA
This one to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBRN2YLYzRU
October 24th, 2007 at 4:21 am
hey has anyone heard of that new nigerian rapper P-Shyn. Apparently the guy is the hottest mc in africa and has crazy skills. I’m not gonna lie, I visited his website and have to admit that his flow and tracks are pretty sick. he reps naija a lot though so I’m happy people like him aint forgotten his roots!!
October 24th, 2007 at 4:24 am
Yeah Ive heard of the kid and I got a few of his mixtapes and tracks. They play a lot of his songs over here in flourida and I was proud to be a nigerian after listening to him. Please get him posted on this site or something and chukwudi you could get him at
http://www.myspace.com/pshyn
http://www.pshyn.com
http://www.soundclick.com/pshyn
thats bout all i know.
October 24th, 2007 at 4:26 am
I heard one of his tracks being requested on the radio someday and I cant get the song of my head. I think it was get down or get it gurl or something….the guy is funny and has mad flow. I think he could be the best actually!!
October 24th, 2007 at 4:30 am
greetings to all my people…..aba boy make i hail you for this post, everybody dey give feedback and i go agree say many of the tins dey here correct. The only tin wey i go debate be say sauce kid na africas best rapper. If na anybody at all, i go gree with some of you guys say na P-Shyn take am. the guy no dey do primary one ryhmes na correct tins d guy dey talk. Keep am up sha!!!
October 24th, 2007 at 4:32 am
pshyn is definitely number 1. and if he reads this. I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN.
October 24th, 2007 at 4:33 am
A battle I want to see is P-Shyn verses sauce kid. To me P-Shyn will win it but the battle should be intense.
October 24th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
That must have been an interesting trip to Canada. Yeah I know Canada has alot of Caribbeans and alot of Africans too, it’s black community is shaped similarily to the UK’s black community. Believe it or not Canada’s black population is not that big - just over half a million, it’s like 25 times smaller than the USA’s.
HA HA you complained that you had listen to that dancehall shit! Yeah tell me about it that music just does my head in man! Some of it is alrite, but I really dont like listening to that stuff. When some dancehall-biased DJs in London clubs overdo it me and my boys get irriated and start crying for American hip-hop!
The Caribbean does’nt really have a big hip-hop scene - they’d rather listen to reggae, dancehall or reggaeton, so those types of music often predominate over American hip-hop. I’d say Asia, Africa and Europe have bigger hip-hop scenes than the Caribbean.
You really think Jamaican girls can dance? LOL
One question - what exactly did u mean about Nigerians and Ghanaians, on that Jamaican tip thing? I’m not sure what you meant by that, please explain more. From what I know most Africans prefer listening to American hip-hop and their own stuff rather than Jamaican reggae or dancehall music. Although some Africans do like that reggae/dancehall stuff, not too many.
I dont what you make of London Yankee, but we do get to hear alot of American hip-hop and we are well upto date! I’ve heard all of those songs you posted long time ago, but thanks anyway! Make sure you bring that Down South stuff across the border and blow Canada da f**k up!
PS Where did you get that info that T-PAIN is Nigerian? I’ve heard before he’s got African parents but not sure from where.
October 24th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnP8eFH-ZqE
Here is some african booty dancing that may go down well in a Down South Freaknik contest or booty-shakin’ competition!
October 24th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Canada only has a population of 25 million, so half a million is large in this case. I think the Carribeans over here are a lot different from the ones over there, especially the ones in the states. I live in the state of Washington, a city called Seattle, near Vancouver, Canada. It was a cool trip, or trips when we go.
Are you going to the American Football Gsme in London this weekend? You should, check out some real Football.
AH man, I got to hit you with that New Orleans bounce Music, straight in the Magnolia projects. These Broads are shaking that ass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9weK9_h7h4M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tLnYx7xbk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYZgp8vYsU8
Triggar MAn, A New Orleans legend
October 25th, 2007 at 3:32 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Did you see that African booty-shakin dance video? What did you think of it? African ladies can dance man, that shit is natural, not even jamaican girls can do it like that! Give them african ladies any tight beat and they can shake it and move to it! I’ve seen down south ladies do something similar tho.
Yeah I hear that about Canada - I just thought the black population was bigger than that, but I still feel it’s kinda small. Oh you live in Seattle? I heard that is a nice city, it’s no wonder why you drive to Canada, it’s real close! Why do you think the Caribbeans over there are different to the ones where you are?
No I’m not going as I’m working this weekend, but I would have liked to have seen it for the experience. It is actually sold-out, there are no more tickets left! Yeah real football is football where you actually use your feet! I would like to go to a live American football game one day though.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:42 am
I just seen the New Orleans bounce clips you showed me - yeah it looks tight! It looked interesting to also hear them talk about that music and the local scene. I’ve always liked down south stuff, even when a majority of hip-hop fans thought it was crap - I was always feelin it.
By the way - where do these booty-shakin bounce dances originate from? Because the way those New Orleans girls dance and booty shake is very similar to the way West African girls shake their booty and dance, just look at the clip I sent you. New Orleans has strong historical and cultural connections with West Africa.
October 25th, 2007 at 3:47 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kamiai6skfU
Here is another clip of african lady booty dancing - just look at the contours and movements!
October 25th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Ive been seeing that stuff all my life, I don’t know where it came from. I guess I have to agree with you on the West Africa connection, its the only answer that makes sense at the moment. The only people that thinks Rap music from the south sucks are East Coast Rappers and only a handful of them are surviving. Like Fat Joe said, why everyone mad at the South for. Go to a club in the U. S. all the music is southern Hip Hop, it makes you want to unleash and get buck wild.
Its amazing after 400 hundred years of lacks living in America a some of the traits were still passed down. Similarities, whites in America try to credit everything to Europe, Jazz Music, Rock N Roll, Now they are even trying to sabbatage Hip Hop as a white art form, but Maybe in a sense it all came from Africa.
My boy Pastor Troy and trilville
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3-kE1E_6mY
I need to put some crunk in their system in Canada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcDIGyQsaLE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1YpjLGNnw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFU5HhCjBlI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HS90_x_zYI
October 26th, 2007 at 6:30 am
BLACK YANKEE,
I’ve been seeing that stuff all my life too man. I remember growing up as a kid in 1980’s London going to those Nigerian parties seeing all the women dance and shake their big asses in a real rhythmic manner to the drumming beats of Nigerian traditional and contemporary music. Even my own mother would dance like that, and as a kid, I’d wonder what that was all about!
Yeah West Africa is the only answer that makes sense to that question.
I know what you mean bro. It’s really amazing, that the spirit and inspiration of these displaced African people can still preserve many traits in their descendants after 400 years of slavery, oppresion and struggle. Try as they might, white people can never take away the spirit and soul of the African. Fingerprints of Africa can be seen in most aspects of American culture for sure, most prominently in music and dance.
I remember when hip-hop/rap heads both here and Stateside where always paying homage to East Coast rappers. Especially in the UK, before everyone mostly only wanted to know about the East Coast rappers ( and some West Coast gangsta rappers for a short period). I was one of the first guys around in london to take a liking to Down South Rap. Everytime I played it or talked about Down South rappers other guys would really be interested. What’s happenin in London now? All these guys are now suckin on Down South dick. They love guys like Lil’ Wayne/Cash money, T.I., Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Chamillionaire etc. Now everybody in London checks for Down South stuff first - New York rappers that get mentioned here are only big names like Jay-Z, Nas, 50 Cent and P Diddy. Only commercial ones. The Down South rappers may not have the best lyrics - but they have real tight beats, and real tight flows to go along with them. I knew good music when I heard those Down South beats and then everyone followed! As Ludacris says: “HIP HOP AINT DEAD -IT LIVES IN THE SOUTH”.
Yeah I like Pastor Troy - I like that song “Vice Versa”, kinda old now about 3 years old but what an amazing track.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I was watching the NFL game in London, I was surprised so many people went to the game, The world cup in the U. S. wouldnt get half that many people, well it would, but most would be from some where else. Theres this Defensive End that plays for the New York Giants named Osi, man, I cant say his Nigerian last name, to difficult, but he was born in London to Nigerian immigrants, moved to the U. S. at an young age, so he didnt remember London. To make a long story short, I thought the Londoners would embrace one of their country man, but when they learned his parents were Nigerian, they dissed him. I was like WOW. Then he dissed London, I think he was just pissed off. He resaying I was just born here, my heart was never here.
Im listening to this station 1 xtra, its like one of your black stations in london. This station is whack. I know its something over there thats popping? Whats are some good stations over there thats cracking?
October 29th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Video Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUCff6WAho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2EM0h0DAqY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_QdmhU3KcY
October 30th, 2007 at 6:39 am
BLACK YANKEE,
The game was a real success man. I was working that day on the train station and I had to deal with massive crowds going to see the game. It was a total sell-out. There are so many expatriate Americans in London and you only really realise this on an event like this. There were many entusiastic British people who came to see it aswell. LOL come on Yankee, you know very well that the 1994 World Cup was a massive success in the USA! It is actually believed to be one of thes best World Cup’s ever. There were millions of Americans who attended and enjoyed aswell as people from elsewhere. As far as I remember it was a huge success. It’s just that the USA too vast a country and it would be too hard to win soccer over everyone there.
Yeah the thing is the British are kinda foolish like that. Yeah you can be born and raised in this country, but if you f**k up, say or do something or that they dont like they slaughter you - especially if you are British-born to foreign or ethnic minority parents. In Osi’s case it’s probably because he moved the States and became a US citizen and said he did’nt really feel the UK was his home. So the British felt he rejected them so they dissed him regardless of his status as a Londoner
The thing is Yankee, there are many radio DJ’s in London of Caribbean background who are really biased towards reggae and dancehall, so they keep playing alot of that shit. The African DJs tend to play more rap/hip-hop and they do it mostly in the clubs. The stations dont play hip-hop/rap as much as before. Also there is alot of black-on-black gun crime in London and these stupid, no-brain politicians and police believe rap music is to blame, so they put pressure for less rap music to be played. So these stations just play commercial stuff, and all the other pop music and that reggae and dancehall shit. So basically it’s real hip-hop/rap music fans like me who live here that suffer! However I thank the internet and downloading for saving me!
October 30th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Same thing here, but they cant stop it. I remember back in the 1990s when NWAs second album came out it and went double platinum, with no airplay and sold over 2 million copies. The problem is that 70 percent of white kids are the demographic thats today buying the music, so its a problem all of a sudden.
There was a world cup here in the 1990s? Where was I. I should come to London and fuck the game up. Dude, what kind of Hip Hop gear is popular over there, I like Akademics, but I mainly like clothes with a sense of history. I bought a Negro league baseball jacket for 450 American dollars. A New York Black Yankee Jacket, I just had to have it. I bought a Tuskegee Airman jacket and a Buffalo soldier jacket.
Check out some of this gear, whats tight to you
http://www.negroleagueshop.com/pd_new_york_black_yankees_team.cfm
http://www.negroleagueshop.com/cat_negro_league_jackets.cfm
Tuskeegee Airman shirt is tight
http://www.tonydeesnegroleague.com/catalog/item/955156/2162756.htm
http://www.tonydeesnegroleague.com/catalog/item/955159/4011197.htm#image_1
Some tight gear check it out
October 31st, 2007 at 4:00 am
BLACK YANKEE,
There still rap music radio stations here, but I dont bother with them. To be honest with you I dont realy listen to the radio that much these days, I just download all my music and listen to it from there. These radio stations are just not that great anymore here.
Oh my gosh you don’t remembet the USA 1994 World Cup? Damn where was you for real? You must have still been in the navy somewhere in a port in another country then, because there is no way you could have been in the USA and missed that! LOL come to London and f**k the game up? I dont think it’s a good idea - one thing you dont do with those white English boys if mess around with their soccer! They take it to heart and when their team loses they start wildin’out and get real crazy, especially when they drink all that beer.
Over here the hip-hop gear thats popular tends to be stuff like Roca-Wear, G-Unit, Ecko, and some Akademics stuff. The Diplomats stuff is quite popular here too. The big thing there though are Avirex jackets - alot of Black British guys wear them as standard procedure. I have an Avirex jacket myself. I’ve also got a nice Diplomats T-Shirt. Alot guys here also wear American football and baseball sports jackets too.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Nope, I was in the U. S. in 1994, I dont think most of America watched that junk, but the ones that did was still quite a lot, dont get me wrong, soccer is popular with a lot of people in America, but I dont think it was the toast of the town. If Basketball, or Football was on then trust, no one was watching the world cup.
I like the negro league gear because of the history, the Buffalo Soldier gear, which Bob Marley made a song and the Tuskegee airman. I dont think you are familiar with that part of Black American history, but that stuff is tight. I guess its like those naija cats in England wearing those green and white jackets.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:53 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Well then again you may be right man. Like I said the USA is so huge and vast a country that while something big maybe happening in many parts of the country, there’ll always be other parts of the country where nobody knows whats goin on. And you just proved my point! Whether it was the toast of the town I cannot say for sure, but what I do know is that is was very well-recieved, enjoyed by many Americans and it was a massive success.
Listen man, I think I need to explain something to you. I’m VERY familiar with many types of history especially BLACK AMERICAN HISTORY. I’m referred to by my friends as the black history man! Of course I know about the Buffalo Soldiers - they were black cavalry soldiers who fought for the U.S. Army in the Indian Wars campaigns of the 1870s to drive the Indian tribes westwards during the land grabs by the U.S. government. The Indians called the black soldiers “buffalo soldiers” because they thought their curyl hair resembled the curly hair of a buffalo’s.
November 1st, 2007 at 4:05 am
The Tuskgee Airmen, were I believe the first African-Americans to graduate from an air force academy and go into action in World War Two air bombing campaigns. Tuskgee was the name of the training school and it is located in Alabama. My grandfather was a World War Two Nigerian soldier, who fought in the British Colonial Army against the Germans and their French colonial allies in Africa. Man I done explained to you about the Seminoles and other stuff and you think I dont know these things? I’m not big-headed but I know alot bro!
Yeah I’m familiar with the negro league baseball story - that league was created so blacks who play their own baseball games. In those days African-Americans were not allowed to play with white baseball players. When baseball became intergrated with Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American to play in the major leagues, blacks began to dominate the game for a long time to come. Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record sometime after. Nowadays baseball is being dominated by many Latino players from Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. African-Americans tend to concentrate on stuff like basketball, football, boxing and athletics.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:54 pm
OK, OK, your in the right ballpark, but Tuskegee University is an all black college in Tuskegee, Alabama. The only all black college in the world that I can think of with a top notch Aeronautical program for black, well historically founded for blacks. My frat brother is a pilot in the Air Force, he went through their program That would be interesting history to read, Nigerians, or Africans in world war 2
We still have the best and most popular players in baseball as well, but we are abandoning it, the emergence of Asians is on the rise in that sport. A lot of Nigerians that come to America roughly in their early teens give up on sports like soccer and adopt basketball and football as their own. Ive seen some Nigerians that can really play Football, but not quite on the Afro Amero level, we are the best in the word. l always piss my Nigerian homie off when I say that stuff, I do it just to irritate him. We go at it for days. One time, I made him so mad, he wouldnt talk to me for a day. He makes comments on how Nigerians are the best athletes in the world. I say how many world cups have Nigerians won, oh god thats was it. Then he makes comments on how if Nigerians played American football as Afro Ameros, we wouldnt dominate it. The reason for that comment is because players like Christian Okoye, Amoebi, Okoye and Osi what ever his last name is are so dominant, or were dominant when they played, but when its all over and done thats my dog, its so easy to irritate Nigerians, I do it just to see what kind of reaction ill get from him and its always the same. Think he would know me by now
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:56 am
BLACK YANKEE,
I already had some idea and knowledge about the Tuskgee institute, but thanks for shedding more light on the facts, it was some useful information.
If you are interested in Nigerians and West Africans fighting in World War Two then there is plenty of information around to read up on it from, have a look online and in books. If you remember Africa was a major theatre of war during WW2. The British and the French had many colonies there, so they recruited many black African soldiers to fight in these campaigns. Most of these soldiers were West African and they fought in the battles to liberate parts Africa occupied by the Axis German and Italian forces. West African soldiers also fought against the Japanese in the jungles of Burma as part of the Far East WW2 campaigns. The British respected Nigerian and other West African soldiers and recognized them as tough, really good soldiers. West African soldiers also fought in World War 1.
Yeah alot black guys dont really see baseball as a primary sport, but I know you must still get many great and popular black players. I agree with you, I do believe that African-Americans have the best athletes in the world and it’s perfectly obvious as to why you guys are the best at American football and basketball. But think about what you and your Naija home are saying - the reason why you get so many Nigerians that are really good and do well in these American sports is because they and African-Americans are of the same black race and blood. So the reality is that one group is not really better than the other, or vice versa! It’s just that African-Americans are the dominant black group in the USA by far so they dominate most of the sports there. I must say though, Nigerians do make excellent sportspeople and athletes. Nigerian-born Francis Obikwelu got silver and nearly won the 2004 Olympic 100 meters gold, but was beaten by African-American Justin Gatlin - who was later done for doping! If the Nigerian government put more funding and investment in it’s athletes like the U.S. does it would certainly become a major force in that area, but it does not do so. However you still get many successful Nigerian athletes that go out there and excel despite these hindrances.
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:48 pm
I dont think the funding really matters, its starts in the back yard. For example, those Kenyans win that steeplechase event every year.
Everybody is on drugs in the Olympics, thats been going on for a while, but Justin Gatlin and Marian Jones got busted, that Canadian dude Donovan BAiley popped dirty and countless others.
November 4th, 2007 at 10:42 am
BLACK YANKEE,
I think funding and finances really do matter as far as Nigerians are concerned. Many Nigerians are just simply too money-orientated people, and for them to go out and really be motivated to do something, money is a top method of motivation. It may sound silly but most Nigerian athletes would do better if they were paid well and most of them would be proud to do well for Nigeria. However, the Nigerian Athletic Federadtion does not always reward or pay it’s athletes very well or as much is should do. So many Nigerian athletes tend to go abroad where they feel they get better treatment. Francis Obikwelu now reps for Portugal for instance. I think Kenyans are more into athletics for national pride reasons than Nigerians, so their motivation tends to be passion rather than paper! I’m not sayin all Nigerian athletes are like that, but a lot are.
I’m really looking forward to that 50 Cent concert on da 10th man!
November 4th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Plus the Kenyan government probably looks after it’s athletes alot more than the Nigerian governments does for it’s own.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Dam, I have to write a paper on Nigeria and Iran for my graduate studies. In America Black Americans, well most Americans just play a lot of sports for the love of the them. If you play Football(American), or BAsketball, run track and field, the incentive is being accepted by the “in” crowd, dateing the best of women and all that Jazz. The really good ones will get the scholarship to the Big colleges and then the cream of the crop in college will make the millions in the pro-level
I was listening to the BBC on the internet, 1 XTRA radio, or the black music station, it was pretty good, well the R N B station. 50 cent, nah, not me. I see they are playing that weak ass Soulja Boi out there? I do not see what all these kids like in that song, well its kind of getting old but still
November 7th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
For real are you writing a paper about Nigeria and Iran? Maybe I could help on the Nigeria part, it would’nt be no thing bro. Dont get me wrong alot of Nigerians do play sports for the love of it, Nigerians are very sports loving people - I’m just sayin that many Nigerian athletes are treated so bad in general by their own government that it does not help with motivation, money is a part of it but not all of it. Many Nigerian athletes simply just go and represent other countries if they feel that way. Only the really top Nigerian athletes get good treatment. However things are changing these days.
Yeah BBC I Xtra is ok. Yeah people over here are feelin that Soulja Boy too, I think he’s weak man. I’m not feelin that Soulja Boy stuff and yeah I agree with you man, I dont see what everybody see’s in him. I’m feelin that Lil’ Boosie song “Wipe Me Down”. Well I know how you feel about 50! LOL.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
VICTOR:
Here is my assignment, if you can give me all you Nigeria inputs and e-mail them to my yahoo account. Heres the assignmet.
This week, please post into the Discussion Board an essay which compares and contrasts political culture in Iran and Nigeria. Interestingly enough, both countries have had similar historical experiences, despite the geographic distance between them: the influence of Islam; the influence of British colonialism (or British ambition in Iran); the discovery of oil… That being said, there are tremendous differences between the two nations, especially in terms of how their internal political life is conducted.
Did your ever listen to that thugzone station, its goes hard.
What do you think about it? Soulja boy has a song called, “I got next” thats pretty tight, I like that song
thugzone.com
November 8th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
Yeah let me know what exactly you want to know specifically about Nigeria regarding your subject and I’ll compile an easy-to-read document on what it is you require, then send you it by e-mail.
As for thugstation I’ma check it out tomorrow, I’ve been doin alot of runnin around today! I just bought a Playstation 3 by the way, had to buy one that machine is just off the chain man. What do you think of that new film American Gangster by the way? Just to let you know I was dating an African-American girl from Chicago with roots in Mississippi last year, as she was in London for a lil’ while. She told me she was a part of the Gangster Disciples or she used to be it was kinda crazy man lol.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
I just listen to thugzone.com - this radio station is tight, just sounds like da sort of music I check for, I’ma start listening to this thanks bro
November 8th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I guess I have to write about the political economy of Nigeria, British colonialism and other things
That thugzone is tight
November 9th, 2007 at 7:21 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Ok I got your back on that, I’ll do u something now
November 25th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Wow, Victor and Black Yankee, it has been very informative and educational reading your posts back and forth. While I cannot claim your extensive knowledge on hip-hop (though great to see such knowledgable brothers on both sides of the pond!), I couldn’t help but laugh at the part of the debate where you discuss how well black women down south and in west africa move their bodies in similar ways. One of the big debates in hip-hop today is about the objectification and disrespect of black women. Interestingly enough, I never felt that from images in West Africa until I saw the Makopusa postings. Also, I happened to catch an old video of Fela Kuti’s on BETJ’s African Soul, and was shocked about how the booty winding was used in the same way (and also just how sexual explicit it was). Of course I already know about the direct connection between African-American/Afro-Caribean and West African culture, but I guess it’s a little sad when women become reduced to just their booties and thier breasts. God attached them to bodies and minds so that we can appreciate the whole package!
November 28th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
STELLA,
Thank you for reading our posts and recognizing the things that we have discussed and talked about. Black Yankee and I are smart, knowledgeable and intelligent brothers and the fact that we have discussed a lot here obviously is a testament to the fact that we are of a similar kind! By the way Stella where are you from, where do you live and what is your background? In replying to what you said earlier about hip-hop’s glamourising of booty-shakin and stuff being disrespectful to black women - yes indeed booty-shakin dances are an integral part of West African dance culture and musical traditions and are not normally used in a disrespectful way but in an artistic/musical way, as sexually explicit as t may look. It’s just that the American descendants of West Africans have used this exotic aspect of their musical culture and heritage to successfully commercialise, market and sell it as black sexuality in hip-hop fashion. However this unique form of black erotica inevitably does not go down too well with many black women, especially African-American women who feel their womanhood is being financially exploited and stripped of it’s dignity and integrity. I’m sure there are many black brothers out there who do appreciate that our sisters have minds aswell as sexy bodies! In hip-hop you have black men being exploited in that way too, it’s a two-way thing baby! Just look at the way all you ladies drool over the muscular, ripped black bodies of rappers and r’nb artists on stage perfoming and on pin-up posters like 50 Cent, Nelly, DMX, Ja Rule, LL Cool J, The Game, Akon, Ginuwine, D’Angelo, Usher, and all those guys.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Stella and Victor hello:
Victor, Where have you been hiding? Good to hear from you. Stella, glad you can join in. I enjoy different perspectives from people of African disporia who lives abroad and I learn something new each time Victor post .If you are looking at BETJ, then naturally you live here in the states. Maybe I should subscribe to BETJ, I only have BET and TV ONE. CWII, formely known as UPN might as well be classified as a channel for Black people. If you are of Nigerian decent Stella, I bet you live in the DC area, New York, Atalnta or Houston.
Stella
Did you see that special on BET about Hip Hop and The State of Black America roughly 4 to 5 months ago? These questions were brought up on the platform and heavily debated. the problem is when ever our culture goes main stream its a problem , back in the 70s and 80s when Hip Hop was strictly a black art form restricted from other communities it wasnt a big deal. Like Rock N Roll, Blues, Jazz and any other well known American music that was once classified as black music, as my uncle put it, whites called it nigger music was fine before it crossed over. Since 80 percent of all black music in America is supposedly being sold to non-blacks in the billions of dollars its a problem. The dancing, the message, the clothes, just the whole image of Hip Hop.
A few years ago I was talking to this White dude. Like most American youth he was really into our music. He said the most shocking thing, Hip Hop was not black music anymore. Its American music, so its not just black music anymore. My mind went into outerspace and for a minute or two, my brain was completly in a state of bewilderment. Well, I can go on until infinity, but to make a long story short, Hip Hop is so commercialized and maybe theirs a sense of jeliousy towards the music
November 29th, 2007 at 4:49 am
BLACK YANKEE,
I’m around man! I had been busy doing some things and I went abroad to mainland Europe recently, I went to Germany, the city of Munich in particular. I’m back now though. Munich is a very nice city man, it’s got alot of history, culture and classical architecture, very clean aswell. It’s the headquarters of the main German brand-name cars so they drive Mercedes and BMWs like it’s nothing out there man. I’m still doing your information compliation for your paper. I’m trying to find a way to put it together without overloading it with too much information.
BLACK YANKEE and STELLA,
Just wanna say that I always like to hear the views of African-Americans as I find what have to say interesting and Mr. Yankee here is one guy that gives solid, coherent views from a Stateside perspective and most of the stuff he says seems to make sense. I’m aware of the current situation of Hip hop right now and the way it’s in danger of being commercialized to the point where it loses it’s authenticity. I’ve also been frequently reading articles in hip hop magazines about the way current Hip Hop is portraying blacks as over-sexed, violent, savage, and clownish buffoons, with all this gun talk, gang culture, drug glamorisation and booty-worshipping. Plus this use of the word nigger in hip hop has come under close scrutiny aswell. I think sometimes people politicize hip hop culture a little too much, linking it to every aspect of black culture then saying how bad it is for our image. It’s just entertainment at the end of the day, and while it sometimes does carry out powerful political messages - Hip Hop is mostly entertainment for most part these days. The only problem with Hip-Hop right now I may well agree has to be looked at, is the use of the word nigger. It may well be used as the norm by whites and others if it’s fashionability is not curbed.
As for the white guy who says hip-hop aint black no more? Well he’s a punk for saying that. I’ve heard of white guys saying stuff like that before. A friend of mine told me once that his white room mate at university had stated that “Eminem is the best rapper ever.” My friend told me that this white guy never liked rap music when he first met him and as soon as she heard Eminem and saw that he was white he started liking rap/hip-hop. Now because Enimem is very talented, white and liked by hip-hop fans of all races it now gave him a platform to proclaim white domination of a purely black artform by saying Eminem is the best rapper - a white man gaiing that title. I just laughed when friend told me this man.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:52 am
sorry about that white guy is was telling you about I put ’she’ it’s actually a HE sorry!
November 29th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
This generation of kids in America are losing their sense of history and I feel sorry for a lot of them, the white kids aint no better(southern accent kicked in). I guess im getting old, I sound like my mother.
I never thought ill see the day different races called each other the “N” word, but its a true reality. I remember this one White dude that was real cool with black people thought he was exempt from being white because he was down witht the brothas. One day in my high school basketball gym he approached this black dude he knew and shouted, “WHATS UP NIGGA” next thing I knew some brotha that overheard him threw a basketball and hit him sqaure in the face. I dont think he ever used that word again in public.
Entertainment time:
Chris Brown messed this song up, I like Donny Hathaways version better. Singing in front of George Bush gay ass and that choir sucks. That chick from england named Corrine Bailey Rae, she sucks to, but they tried.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhj4iG1eexo&feature=related
This is how its suppose to be done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GirieYPzvZw
November 30th, 2007 at 7:37 am
BLACK YANKEE,
LOL - First for the way you dissed George Bush, Chris Brown and Corrine Bailey Rae, you just display a raw opinion thats brutal but also downright funny! Thats exactly my attitude and I can identify with that which is why I’m laughin! I’m not really a big fan of Chris Brown to tell you the truth, there is nothing special about his sound or style that distinguishes him from most other contemporary R’n'B artists. As for Corrine Bailey Rae, nah I’m not feeling her stuff either, they make a big deal about her in England, but I dont see what the fuss is about. I would even sweat it bro, they just be on that usual annual Christmas pop song bullshit. I saw the clips. Come on you know those Down South folk are the best gospel singers in da world, you dont need to show me that! lol
LOL - Secondly to that story about the white guy getting his face smashed in with basketball for saying “nigga”. That story is so funny, I can just picture it happening in some U.S. teen-race drama/comedy movie lol.
Yeah for real though alot these black kids in the U.S. need to realise the long-term repercussions of things like this may have on future generations. Yestreday, I was watching a reality police detective program called “First 48″ about murder investigations in U.S. cities during the first 48 hours of the murder occuring. This one was in Memphis, Tennessee about a triple shooting that left two black teenagers dead and one wounded. Two of them were brothers. The perpetrator was another black teenager aged 17, and the reason was something relatively petty, certainly no justification to shoot 3 people. I just looked at the photos of the dead boys on TV and thought to myself why? Why are African-Americans doing this to themselves man, especially at that age? This black-on-black gun crime is so rife in the States, that it aint just limited to thugs, drug dealers or gangsters. It happens here in London too, but not on the scale of any large U.S. city. I suppose people can look at other places like many African countries (e.g. Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, Congo) with black-on-black killings, where child soldiers are killing their own black people, but that type of thing happens in those places in times of war, and these places are all too often uncivilised and lawless. The U.S.A. is a Western civilised nation or so it should be and the way blacks kill themselves there for no real reason most of the time, just beggars belief. And yeah I listen to alot a violent hip-hop/rap music and I know it’s an expression of reality, but seeing programs like “First 48″ make you realise just how sad and painful this reality is.
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Man if I hear that song “shawte is a ten” one more time. im going to shoot my radio. I know that show “First 48″, Ive actually seen that particular show you are talking about. I think it was a Black female detective with Memphis PD working on that case. I think the media over sensationalize black on black crime, but it is a problem.
Im looking at all these reality TV shows, I must admit “The Flava of Love is Funny,” I love this Kimora Lee Simmond show, man, Russell Simmons is stupid for letting her go.
Dont worry about the Nigeria project, I already turned it in, but thanks.
Just bought that U. S. D. A cd, joint is tight
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=BC_PtGb0v-o
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=dCzotYPU8jE
December 2nd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
I hear that, and I do think the media sometimes over sensationalize the problem, because the same thing happens here with media coverage of black-on-black gun crime in London. But I suppose many whites get get killed by gun crime in the States but no one really calls or sees it as a “white on white” problem.
That “shawte is a ten” song, no I aint heard. I’ll check it out since it seems like they play so much where your at. I’ll look up this “Flava of Love” thing too, dont think I heard of that too. Listen up bro, I think you got it wrong - Kimora let Russell go! She left him for that muscle-bound Mandingo called Djimon Honsou, the Black African-born actor of AMISTAD, GLADIATOR, PHAT GIRLS and BLOOD DIAMOND. I’m sure Russell can get any real sexy chick he wants with all those stacks he’s got! But I gotta admit Kimora is uniquely beautiful, you dont find to many like her.
I just saw that film “American Gangster”, i quite liked it, some powerful performances and a good script. I knew a little bit about the story of Frank Lucas and his “Country Boys” crime organization before seeing the film. The track from the soundtrack by Jay-Z called the “Roc Boys” is amazing, and the video is just excellent! Nearly all the big name rappers are up in that bitch! I’m also feelin some r’n'b joints like that J Holiday song “Put you to Bed”, and “Crying out for Me” by Mario.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
she devorced Russell because he kept cheating on her, his infidelity drove her to file for devorce. Kimora Lee style if beauty is not rare, at lead not in America.That song by J. Holliday is gay, Mario is OK, but maybe im just getting old. I like the real stuff. You may Trey Songs.
Anthony Hamilton is one of my favorite singers, he did a song on the American Gangster soundtrack called, “Can you feel me”
You should download season one of BETs American Gangster from ITUNES. I kuv that show. Heres some real modern R n B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TytsUdNzv50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ErJKRd7hfQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1STrrKm99xU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkNI48BZ6aI
December 5th, 2007 at 6:51 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Oh really? I never knew it was for that reason. Yeah you could call Russell stupid for ruining his thing with such a very beautiful and stunning lady, but it’s just one of those weird experiences of being a man. Even if you get the most attractive lady of your dreams as your one woman you are STILL gonna cheat! Lol it’s weird like that with women, no matter which one you have you STILL gonna want another woman, because it’s a whole different experience. I just think we men aint made for one woman! LOL, ok it aint all true, but to some extent it is man.
LOL I think it’s your age. I dont even know old you are, I’m 28 by the way! That J Holiday song is a real hit with the ladies in england right now. I’ll check out the other stuff you mentioned.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Not sure if you heard this but that rapper from UGK called Pimp C was found dead in his hotel room yesterday, cause of death not known as of yet.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Singers today just cant sing, That white girl from England namde Joss Stone sounds better than a lot of Black R N B singers. PIMP C. Yeah I read it after I saw it here.
Well tribute to PIMP C:
I use to bump this cut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWG2m5WOqu8&feature=related
you gotta luv them classic American cars chopped up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWTkkatwmcg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlJeenvBKa8
I think DJ Screw died fron sipping on that sizzzzurp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O96z3udmE14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w3UblYw8fA&feature=related
boy im kickin back, layin in the shade, aint nobody trippin cause the money already made. My name is PIMP C, bitch, in the ghetto im a star, this is for those players that ride chopped their cars.
December 6th, 2007 at 9:24 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Yeah I know your age now, we aint too far apart, pretty much from the same generation lol. Yeah rest in peace PIMP C. Yeah I agree alot of rubbish singers out here. I think nelly furtdado’s last effort was real good, she had quite a few club shakers last year. I dont really like that new alicia keys song I must say. The Ne-Yo and Fabulous song is good, I like that one. That fabuolous song, “you dont faze me” is quite nice with t-pain on the joint. I cant stand that bitch-punk wyclef, I just wanna see the back of that fool. Lil Boosie and Lil Webbie are just da type of stuff that is keepin ma head bangin rite now!
December 6th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Have you played those songs for your homeboys? I went to that 1 xtra site and saw how all the girls were goimg crazy over Mario. Seems like he is bigger over there. I just like looking at Alicia Keyes, I will wax that ass. A lot of the singers I like, I dont think you heard of them. Its more street, ghetto,real American soul. I dont think these artist made it to England, you guys get a lot of that commercial stuff.Im sure you heard of these guys: Jagged Edge, my boy Jahiem, along with Anthony Hamilton are at the top of my list.
We were talking about gun violence and negative stereotypes, but i want to read this dudes book. He was on BETs 106th and Park.
Rocsi Puerto Rican but will get, she is hot
I was impressed with that white girl Joss Stone, she did her homework. I havent been listening to the radio, or watching BET. So im not sure what is hot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xz9DpBjwR0
December 8th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
BLACK YANKEE,
Yeah you are right the ladies over here do love Mario. I would have thought you guys in the States thought highly of him a bit more. I may have heard of some the singers you like, but I may not have heard all their music. I was feelin that Anthony Hamilton stuff, thanks for showing me his stuff, I’ma see what I can download. No you got it a lil’ wrong bro - only real heads in England know about the underground stuff, it’s just that rest of mainstream majority crowd dont know shit except commercial stuff. I got an idea of what you like - you stated Jahiem (I heard of him before), so my guess is that you like guys like Lateef, Tweet, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Teedra Moses, K-Ci and JoJo, LV, and all that type. Anthony Hamilton being from North Carolina is no surprise because so many great African-American musicians came or have come from there.
Alicia Keyes is a very pretty lady no doubt. I’m feeling Buffie da Bodie, and this model called Avonte, and also Esther Baxter. And Meagan Goode really does it for me, when it comes to a pretty face though believe that!
Which book are you talking about by the way? Whats the name and author of the book? I just bought a book yesterday called Fat Cat, 50 Cent and Queens Reign Supreme: The Rise of the Hip Hop Hustler. It’s about the intertwined, shady and turbulent relationship between the southeast Queens hip-hop scene, it’s rappers and the ruthless, violent drug organizations and street criminals that have been immortalised in rap songs. It talks about the Supreme Team, headed by Kenneth McGriff a powerful African-American crack-dealing organization from South Jamaica in Queens, New York City. The Supreme Team have been involved in the Queens rap scene and have been spoken of in legendary terms by many rappers. You should check it out, it’s GOOD.
Whos Rocsi Puerto Rican by the way?
December 8th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
If you saw that clip I posted above, Rocsi is a co-host on BETs 106th and Park, the most watched show on BET. Mario is big in America, but I dont know too many girls over here that reguards him as an sex symbol, well not on the level he is over there. Ive noticed a lot of rappers from here that are big over there may not have had as much success here in America. For example, I dont think UGK ever made it big outside the US, but in America they are legends in the rap world.
That book you have sounds interesting, its just so many of them from city to city. I do love Neo-Soul, with such headliners as Jill Scott, Conya Doss, Musiq Soulchild and those chicks from England named Floetry were hot at one moment. I grew up listening to Motown, the Philiadelphia sound, which premiered such artist as Teddy Pendegrass and groups like the O”Jays. Funk music was big in my youth, Bootsy Collins, Parliment and the Jackson 5. growing up in the Black American church and going to church a lot as a kid, I relate to music that has a strong gospel sound to it “negro hymess”. The music that was created by the West African slaves in America, that would influence and change music around the world 400 years later.
When I listen to J. Holliday, and a lot of these other artist, I feel disconnected and dont hear them singing, just talking over a beat.
Aretha Franklin, Gladys knight and Sam Cooke sang, as we say in the south. Todays musicians , uhh dont get me started, but I do like Mario
and some others. Most of the time I cut on or go to R&B stations that play classical R&B music, Stephanie Mills, and so on. Im 37, so im 9 years older than you.
STEPHANIE MILLS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrvQrYi7mGU
December 10th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
If you like Neo-Soul Black Yankee, what do you think of singers like Sade, and Seal? Have you heard of a black American neo-soul singer called Kem from Tennessee? I like all types of soul, not just the ones you get now in contemporary form. Sam Cooke was a legend there were many songs he sang that I liked. Yeah I liked all the 70s Motown stuff and all the soul, funk and r’n'b of the 80s. I particularly like the Isley Brothers, Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, The Jacksons, Kool and the Gang, Eugene Wilde and many others. I appreciate both contemporary and older, golden age, original stuff. Some peeps here have heard of UGK but once again only the real rap hip-hop heads in the UK would know and they don’t constitute a majority of the UK music fan community! lol. But on a serious level thats why it appears that people in the UK dont know much about underground USA stuff but there is a substantial minority here like myself that do. Nas came to perform in London, I was at the Nas concert there earlier this year and he was perfoming alot of his underground tracks. Nas was so surprised and stunned to see that most of London crowd could sing along to these underground tracks word for word. He was like “y’all know about this underground shit? damn thats real good, y’all know this stuff!” Nas actually had to stop and ask the question because he was so taken aback. We Londoners do our homework trust me!
Listen man, I’ve done alot of research, watched documentaries, and heard many samples about West African music - by just listening to it, you can just tell that this is the original ancestor of Black American music in it’s rawest form. Call-and-response a typical feature of Black American Gospel music, is a standard and staple practice in West African musical traditions. I was just listening to Habib Koite’ and Bamada a West African musician with a backed band from Mali and you can just feel the percussion drumming, infectious rhythms, and simmering vocals that just put you in another world. West African music is the raw uncut opium stuff, and Black American music is the refined, end product of heroin. Sorry to use narcotics as an example but in a way there’s an element of truth as these music forms can be addictive to the ears! The Yorubas of southwestern Nigeria are one of, if not the best percussion drummers in the world. Many well-known Yoruba drummers worked and played with major Black American jazz and blues musicians in the 1950s and 60s. Babatunde Olatunji, Tony Allen, and Fela Kuti are some Yoruba drummers and musicians who worked with Black American musicians like Charlie Parker, Dizzie Gillespie and John Coltrane. These two sets of musicians were so inspired and influenced by each other and shared their ideas all the time. If there is one thing America should thank West Africa for, is it’s immense legacy and contribution to American music as a whole. Black American music is basically the backbone of the majority of the American music culture as a whole.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I love Sade and Seal was big in the 90s, but they are I would class Sade as poppish Jazz and Seal as pop. Im looking at Snopp Dog reality show called “Father Hood”. The show is funny as hell, David Beckham is going guest appear next. Ever since he came to America, they are trying to make hom like a movie star, but no one watches soccer.
I checked that dude Kano out, his music is not bad. The song he did with Craig David is Ok, I wouldnt buy it, but not bad.
Lately, ive been listening to a lot of the blues, Muddy Waters Howlin Wolfe, Albert King, B. B. King, Willie Dixon. Man those White Birtish boys really took the blues back to England. I respect them, they give credit to where it is due unlike their White American peers. Man, I love the original guitar play.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:35 am
I see you like them. Sade and Seal are both of Nigerian descent, and Sade was born and raised in Nigeria during her childhood, while Seal was born in London to a Nigerian mother. I wouldn’t say Seal was pop, he is popular certainly, but his music is usually described as neo-soul. I just love that “Kiss from a Rose” song. Do you like Shirely Bassey, who sang the original “Diamonds are Forever” and the James Bond theme songs? She too is of Nigerian descent.
LOL man dont you know it! And dont think us British peoples are proud of David Beckham’s vain, attention-seeking antics along with his equally stupid wife Victoria. Most people here ridicule the fact that Beckham is trying to gain a high profile image out in the States - most of British people are aware that Americans are not big fans of soccer.
Yeah Kano is one of the current top UK rap/grime artists right now. There is a UK guy called Tinchy Stryder thats quite good aswell, but I’ll let you judge for yourself. If you dont understand black british slang or talk you may find it a lil weird, but just try and take it in! The track is called “something about your smile.” check it out below. Da chick singing in it is hot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDjM9zxEcpo
Yeah thats true white british guys really do appreciate and give credit to African-American music. The Beatles and all those guys do readily admit they took influences from many golden age African-American musicians. I was just reminiscing over the Wu-Tang Clan days of the early/mid 90s. I loved that Wu-Tang stuff man.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
That particular song is gay, if I drove around the hood playing some shit about a chicks smile, man I would lose mad cool points with the fellas. I pop into his other video “breakaway” it was straight. I guess I can honostly say Britain has a striving Hip Hop scene, better than what I expected, but hip hop music evolutionizes so fast, can youll keep up. I guess you Brits are gonna do another musical invasion in the U. S. its been forty years since the Beatles and all those dudes took America by storm in the 60s. Can you guys take another our art form and do it again? Uhhmmmmm, hell na. THE POETENTIAL IS THERE. Im actually impressed
My Nigerian homeboy thinks Nigerian hip hop is going to take the world by storm. I had to be honost with him. It pissed him off, but he knows when I give my opinions on a certain subject its how I really feel. I told him Naija films and Naija hip hop have two things in common. Niether one will go no where outside Nigeria beacause its horrible, he wouldnt talk to me for a week. When I tell him that traditional Nigerian music is great and unique, he changes the subjuect. He wants me to listen to that Nigerian hip hop shit. I can listen to horrible Hip Hop in the U. S. dont import it. he he. Im from sown south, do the beat has to be SLOW, Low, AND chopped and screwed, well that primarily a Texas thing, invented by the late DJ SCREW
Texas shit and Screw
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zuuV9YrFmX0&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FSmMoVf1j_8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DaHuFricoUs&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ki_xpMyXadw&feature=related
Sade is great and I new she was Nigerian and white. I didnt know Seal was Nigerian, but I dont see how you catergorize his music as neo-soul. I dont see how he and Erykah Badu have similar sounds. Seal is no where near the neo-soul genre.
I was listening to this station http://www.slackers.com and it had all the genres of music of American origin. I listened to blues, Old R&B, but I clicked on the funk music and I was listening to such artist as Bootsy Collins, James Brown, Con Funk Shun, PArlaimant and dam near every song had been sampled by a rap artist of today. I said to my self, if all I had to fo is steal all Bootsy Collins songs, drop the bass and rap over it to called a music genius, like a DR DRE, whom stole a lot of P-Funk songs and got rich, thin im in the wrong buisness
December 11th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Im really on this DJ Screw shit:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jRQ3cE-pRwU&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7BUvcddVI6Y&feature=related
I dont see how he went platinum.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2IAytqIf6PE&feature=related
December 12th, 2007 at 6:13 am
LOL forget that the song is about ladies, I just wanted to know if you liked it! By the way the lady sings about his smile not hers. Nah I dont see the British hip-hop guys doing a successful invasion of the States. But We certainly do have our own thriving hip-hop scene, and especially with the formation of grime music, we have actually and successfully developed our unique British sounding-style, rather than copying American styles like we used to. Grime music is to London, like chopped and screwed music is to Houston and da South. Actually grime artist Dizzie Rascal had a some critical success in the States with his first album “Boy in da corner”, the Americans quite liked his quintessential British street style. I’ve listened to many Seal songs and many of them do sound neo-soul, u need to listen to more of them - I’m not saying all of his songs are neo-soul, but his style does sometimes express that along with other genres that he expresses.
Well there is some good Nigerian hip-hop stuff. I was last in Nigeria in 2003 and some of the stuff I listened to was actually quite good. I’m not saying it will take the world by storm, but it was not bad at all. I suppose Nigerian hip-hop is more for their local market however. You have some guys like 2Face, Mode9, UGO, Plantashun Boyz, they were quite good. Like I said most Americans wont listen to other hip-hop/rap but their own - and Yankee you know this is true! LOL. Nigerians born or living in Western countries do tend to make really good hip-hop though, not sure why that is. You gotta remember at one point, people were saying Down South hip-hop was rubbish and now look whats goin on - it does take a while before people become more open to tastes. As for Nigerian films - lol, well at one point they were rubbish I admit, but now they are gettin really better. I have seen some very good ones, but to be honest with you I watch it for laughs not as serious stuff. A couple of Nigerian gangster films I saw were quite good, Naija film industry is definitely gettin better, for what it is being a Third World film industry, but it still needs massive improvement.
I know what chopped-and-screwed is, it’s from Houston. But I must say Yankee, as much I love that Down South stuff, alot of it is not good - alot of it can sound like clownish and re-gurgatated nonesense, people like Soulja Boy, Chingy, Lil John (except a few songs) and some others they just sound like idiots sometimes. But I like the way the South has made hip-hop more regional, it’s not just about New York all the time, or anymore for that matter. Yeah I’m fully aware of that sampling stuff - as you know rap/hip-hop’s music’s deepest roots lie in contemporary Afro-American music.
One thing man, is Jamaican dancehall actually popular in the States? I know they like it alot in New York and Miami (because you have many Caribbeans there), but what about the rest of the country? I dont really like it that much or listen to it, I think it’s pretty weak, but the DJs here in London sometimes overdo it some clubs. What do you think about it?
I got some more British stuff for you to check out man.
Here is some real south london grime shit, south london is poppin off with a lot black-on-black gun crime and teenage gangs right now this song just reflects that grimy south london attitude:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b06UljQO7yo
More Tinchy Stryder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQAJ5tahRNI
A guy called JME aka for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpLzYIgUojo
Some stuff Oxide Neutrino and So Solid, this track was tight in it’s time!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHUEP7jQPN8
TELL ME WHAT U THINK OF THEM BRO.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Some more stuff, from a guy called Wiley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBvhx_QBniI&feature=related
December 12th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
In the states we spend a fortune on our cars, especially our sound systems. The beats has to be slow and the bass has to be low so the BASS can carry. In Texas and Memphis them boys drink that syrup. I think thats how DJ Screw died, overdose. When I listen to grimem, everyone raps hyper, and the beats for the most part are lame. Do or Die, Das Effex and Bone Thugs and Harmony did all that junk in the 90s. Ive heard one song by Kano I like and the other dude had a decent cut, but in the club that shiit wont crunk nobody in the club. Im hearing one and two songs at a time. Accents are funny. Kano is the best ive heard.
Dance hall reggae has a following here, but like you said a lot of New Yorkers like that bull shit. Its probably more popular in England than it is here. Jamaicans here like Afro Amero music just as much as reggae.
Mims said he was going to bring New York back, but New York is dead, their looking for a savior.
I grew up on these dudes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdL8AKyPGBs&feature=related
my boy Tela, old school shit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCaiCkEF_E
This video make me laugh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKMcThPq_r4
I wonder if Plies wopped Trick Daddy ass, listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM3zqfnY9kc&NR=1
December 12th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
This video is real, manI see this alot in the court systems here. If you understand his southern accent, but this story is real
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFmzOtYHC1k&feature=related
December 13th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Ok man, I see where your comin from - being from the South, especially Houston I understand the type of beats and rappin you would be used to. The reason why everyone raps hyper in grime music is because the lyrical content of grime almost purely about street violence and beefs. Gang culture and gun crime has taken a grip on many young black guys in London in recent years, so the hyper beats and angry, fast rappin kinda reflects the mood of the streets. Also one has to actually know about black london street culture and slang to understand and appreciate grime music more - not too many people even in London can! Grime is mainly for young hyper-active guys and when grime hits da clubs they all start fightin! The police and authorities in London have clamped down hard on grime music in clubs b’cos they believe it causes so much gun violence, man they are fools.
You are correct Black Yankee. Dancehall reggae is alot more popular in England than it is where you are. Thats because the black population here has alot of Caribbeans, although their are slightly more black Africans in London. So what you get are many biased black DJs and club promoters of Caribbean descent who wanna always play that dancehall bullshit. The African DJs and club promoters play more U.S. rap/hip-hop, so it’s about trying to find the right clubs in London really. The reality is most black guys in London dont really like dancehall reggae, they prefer U.S. rap/hip-hop but the reggae DJs just like to play that stuff for the ladies, or b’cos they’re biased - they always try and win the guys over with their bullshit, the us london guys always end up complaining there aint enough US hip-hop/rap or grime!
Yeah I know this man, as much as they may not like to admit it, alot Jamaicans like Afro-American music even more so than their own.
Mims’s song “this is why i’m hot”, was a cool track for a quick minute but I dont think the track was anything groundbreaking, it was just alright. He’s lookin like a one hit wonder right now
New York needs to get it’s shit tight for real! I’ma listen to your tracks now
December 13th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Grime reminds me of American Hip Hop in the 90s, Do or Die and Twista guys like that. Even though they were from Chicago, they were big in the south. Do or Die signed with Rap A Lot, which was and may still be one of the largest Record Companies around. Thats just my opinion. Im looking at this movie called “Fresh” it about this street smart kid in New York. Pretty good
I like those British accents when they rap, thats unique.
Heres the top ten videos on BET:
Im starting to like this song, they play it so much
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyGRz4rW1QU
Chris Brown new joint, its not bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqumjziPTzk
You dissed Chingy, but I like this new joint with him and Amerie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cHLVrknfBk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG-5kUVAsbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-WZG-y2e9k
Next post im a holla at you about some books, One is called “Native Stranger” its about this Black American dude that goes to Africa and rights about his experience. I hear this book is very uplifting, I cant wait until it gets here
December 13th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Ah ha I hope now that you’ve studied grime a lil’ bit more closely you can appreciate it. I’m not expecting you to love it, just want you to take a lil’ time to understand it. Out of the videos I showed you please tell me which ones you liked in particular. What made grime so popular in the UK was the fact that it was a really, unique energetic style that had it’s own British sound - it was not about UK rappers trying to sound American anymore. The beats of grime music really suited the rapping style of British accents. Grime emerged in the early 2000s and is still an ongoing trend, despite constant attackes from law enforcement authorities.
Yeah I seen that film FRESH before - it’s a classic film. Is that the first time you’ve seen it? It stars Sean Nelson that actor from THE WOOD. It’s actually one of my favourite films alongside CLOCKERS? Have you seen CLOCKERS with Mekhi Phifer? It’s by Spike Lee, probably his best film, I love that film man it’s another golden classic, came out around the same year as FRESH. It made Mekhi Phifer a star.
I checked out your videos. I like that Candy, song real smooth summer joint. Still dont feel Chingy or Chris Brown (except his song Kiss Kiss).
I’m proper feeling that PLIES song, 100 YEARS. That song is BIG out here! I can feel what he saying man, and yeah I fully understand his southern accent. I know it’s real out there, I know how da brothas in the States get harsh sentences. I told you I liked PLIES before, I’m feelin his style for real. I’m gonna download that song soon as a matter of fact.
As for books, man I’m so deep into that book I told you about earlier. FAT CAT, 50 CENT and QUEENS REIGNS SUPREME: THE RISE OF THE HIP_HOP HUSTLER. You need to chek this stuff out, please read it, the real-life stories in there are serious. you will not, I repeat - you will NOT put it down! All real rap/hip-hop heads must read it, no joke. I’ll check out that NATIVE STRANGER book, I’ma look it up when I get the chance.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Its a Hip Hop book out called, “Cant Stop, Wont Stop. When I read it it kind of pissed me off. It was written by an Asian American writer named Jeff Chang and I really disagree with a lot his writings in the book. The problem is people of different races are looking for a reason to dilute hip hop and take away its black roots, like Rock N Roll for example. I mean I like the guy, and he is a scholar, but I just think he he has some of his facts wrong.
I saw that movie a while back and I own “Clockers” on dvd, but the best movie of all time is “Menace II Society” a cult classic, gets no better than that. You mentioned that movie “THE WOOD” short for Inglewood, CA. My ex-girlfriend is from Inglewood. Its a middle class black city where a lot of blacks in the Los Angeles area reside, Baldwin Hills is where the rich blacks reside. When I listen to Grime, I dont see anything that I havent seen before, I dont know how many points I can give the British Hip Hop scene for originality. In America there are so many different styles of Hip Hop. I havent listened to enough Grime to give it a yay, or a nay. But I liked the Kano cut with Craig David and that Breakaway joint by the other dude.
Heres the blog on Jeff Changs book
http://leehiphopshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=5568
December 14th, 2007 at 6:37 am
I heard of that book by Jeff Chang, but I aint read it tho. I know what you mean, it’s typical of non-blacks trying to take hip-hop away from it’s black roots. Maybe I need to read it to see how this Chang guy is talkin bullshit.
Oh yeah MENACE II SOCIETY is probably my favourite “hood movie” of all time, I will agree with you on that - that film took captivated me in a trance ever since I first saw, definitely the best movie of it’s kind. I heard Inglewood is a real nice black neighbourhood. By the way the director of that movie THE WOOD, is a Nigerian-American movie director called Rick Famuyiwa, he was born in Inglewood to Nigerian parents. He also directed the BROWN SUGA movie.
That Kano song with Craig David was not grime, but it’s cool tho. Yeah the Breakaway song is cool too. I’m not saying grime is anything unique in terms of content or technique - it’s importance for British rap/hip-hop was that UK rappers had their own type of gangsta rap where they did not have to try and rap in an American sound anymore. Grime sounded gangsta in a British street style, thats what made it unique.
That book I was talking about it’s by Ethan Brown, here’s some background info and reviews about it.
http://www.amazon.com/Queens-Reigns-Supreme-Cent-Hustler/dp/1400095239
review link 2
December 14th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Im not saying a lot of his facts are wrong, its just the way he interprets our cuture to the world. In that article I e-mailed you above is KRS1 response at the bottom. What did you think? I do like Jeff Chang and Oliver Wang
Ive read their articles in the source and I love Oliver Wangs website, but I guess to disagree is just a right we all have.
Heres the article he wrote in Foriegn Policy, feedback:
link
This is an interesting read to, You would really like this one.
http://www.nathanielturner.com/werealcoolkenyon.htm
December 14th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
I read the the Jeff Chang article, and I think I know what KRS-1 is getting at. But Jeff Chang doesnt seem to be really bothered by what KRS-1 says. I think Mr Chang is a lil misguided.
However I was more taken in by the last link you sent me about the black guy’s article on his audience with Oliver Wang. VERY INTERESTING. GET READY FOR MY RANT!!!!
This Oliver Wang guy cant be serious? If he is, then is he’s one real ignorant dumb-ass PUNK! Of course we blacks can own a culture! Think about it, when you see a white or maybe a black guy doing kung-fu, meditating, studyin shaolin - you wont really feel his authenticity in representing that culture because he’s not Chinese. If you saw a Chinese guy doing this you would feel the authenticity more - because you recognize and acknowledge the fact that this type of culture is authentically a Chinese thing with a Chinese feel, because it has it’s roots in China. The same goes for rap/hip-hop which is authentically an African-American cultural artform. It cannot be seen in any other way - rap music/hip-hop culture may certainly have embraced other racial groups as it’s practioners, but it does certainly not make it multi-cultural. It’s fanbase is multi-cultural but not the artform for most part. Rap music/hip-hop culture will ALWAYS remain a classical symbol and beacon of authentically BLACK contemporary popular culture. Yes it has been commercialized, yes it’s been exploited financially by whites, yes other non-black rappers (e.g. Eminem) have proved hugely successful - but it does not change the fact that rap music/hip-hop originated in black ghettos of the USA, has it’s deep roots in black musical traditions, or the fact that for many years now it has still been dominated by black artists. That Wang guy really needs to check himself man, for real. Having said that, I wont even take his views seriously - he’s clearly an intellectual who is cleverly trying to manipulate history and information to suit his own personal conclusions about the ethnic ownership of rap/hip-hop. And that stupid Michelle of Yellow Rage who said she is tired of people saying “rap/hip-hop is a Black thing” - ermm you silly woman IT IS A BLACK THING! Does she have a problem with that? If she does then she doesent need to be a part of it then! This isnt like the jazz days, or rock’n'roll days where all a white man had to do was learn how the black guys played instruments and copied them to the point of eclipsing them in the public eye (with help from racial bias of course). This is rap/hip-hop and you need a certain special set of skills, artistic talent, character, representation and authenticity to earn respect and acclaim of the hip-hop community - the artists, the fans, the audience, the whole industry. To be able to do this you have to be able understand and experience the world and enviroment that rap/hip-hop represents - the black ghettos of the USA. Ideally, but not essentially you’d have to be black or AT LEAST live in these areas to be able to live and relate to the rap/hip-hop experience. I would imagine not too many Asian-Americans would be seen casually strolling around in hoods like Compton, maybe the Magnolia Projects of New Orleans, brownstone housing projects Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn, NYC, or Cabrini-Green in Chicago! It’s more likely that those close enough to or actually living in that world enough to express the rap-hip-hop message with authenticity would be black people - because a majority of people living in these ghetto areas that spawn rap/hip-hop are BLACK PEOPLE, in addition to the fact that it was created by BLACK PEOPLE. Not to mention hip-hop dress styles were also started by BLACK PEOPLE (eg FUBU). So tell me Oliver Wang if that is not enough a bunch reasons for BLACK PEOPLE claiming ownership over rap/hip-hop then what else is? Man this Wang guy knows himself he’s talking bullshit - he just talks bullshit in a clever way, that only clever people like us can read what he’s trying to do.
I’m really feelin that PLIES song man. Did you read info about that book I told you about? I just finished it, what a rollercoaster of a read!
December 15th, 2007 at 12:46 am
Yes, I saw it, I guess living in America and actually being part of the culture physically, indirectly, its another sory that sound like all the rest, but I thin you would really be a big fan of this author named, Donald Goines, he is a legend and spawned all this stuff these rappers speak of today.
Here is Oliver Wangs reponse to Kenyon Farrows, We real cool.
Just read through it and it will pop up
http://www.o-dub.com/weblog/2004/11/hes-your-chinaman-jin-jin-everywhere.html
Well I guess in Oliver Wang defense and Michelle of Yellow Rage you should get a little more insight on them.
There are 2 sides to every story and she put the Jena 6 on her website, so she is alright with me. (Michelle Myers blog)
Heres is here blog page.
http://www.yellowrage.com/blog/
For two ethnic groups not to get along their is a lot of race mixing going on between us. Well click on to Michelle Myers story and readl, it kind of will enlighten you on her views in the earlier post.
http://www.halfkorean.com/halfkor.htm
A response to the article and a good one.
http://slanty.blogspot.com/2005/01/fred-ho-responds-to-kenyon-farrows.html
What do you think of the rebuttals
December 16th, 2007 at 7:09 am
I checked out the responses and I’ve only got to say this. I dont know if I make sense or how I’m sounding when I say this, but all I gotta say is - rap/hip-hop is something so quintessentially unique to black culture that no matter which other non-black ethnic group adopts it, it will never be seen as multi-cultural. It’s like classical/opera music - that will always be seen as something European, no matter how good a bunch of black classical/opera artists maybe at the music. Now I believe that it is good for rap/hip-hop to embrace other non-black ethnic audiences for it to continue to grow as a multi-cultural, global force for more worldwide acceptance - but I just dont see it happening to the extent that the artform will be seen as purerly multi-cultural and less Black-dominated. What needs to be understood here is that fact that it’s the very authenticity of the Blackness that is represented and expressed in rap/hip-hop is what attracts non-blacks to the artform in the first place. Yeah sure, you can get a handful of real good successful white or asian rappers (Eminem, Jin) but it’s not really gonna change the fact that it is the Black (African-American) aspect of rap/hip-hop that attracts the mostly non-black audiences for the commercial market, meaning rap/hip-hop will always be Black dominated for the forseeable future. Dont get me wrong, I understand their frustrations about the issue of culture ownership, but in my view thats the way the situation of rap/hip-hop will always be and it suits it to be that way.
Yeah I know, I head about that. Apparently there is a lot of racial mixing between Oriental Asians and African-Americans in the USA. I myself have relatives in the States that are half black and half Filipino. In England the racial mixing between black and white is far more common than it is in the USA.
December 16th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Michelle sounds like a real cool lady tho. She seems real intelligent and enlightened, I respect her what she expresses and represents so far.
December 16th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Well, many years ago a lot of Black Americans shared your same views with other musical artforms that originated in Black America. Blues, Rock N Roll and jazz were once Black music. During the times these genres appealed to a wide spectrums of audiences throughout the world. As years went by the face of the music changed and ive seen people with no iota of music history think the Beattles and Elvis Presley are the architects of Rock N Roll. We are on the outside looking in with our own music.
When I look at the way Black music was sabbataged in America in the past, I truly believe Hip Hop is on its way to being sabotaged. The only thing that keeps Hip Hop dominated by the Black community is the fact that the streets control the sound and anything else is just mere emulation and appropiation.
On your responses to the post, I agree with you one hundred pecent.
Denyce Lawton and Amerie are both Half Korean/Black
My son is half Asian and lives over there, Im going to visit the orient and kick it with him in a few weeks.
December 16th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
I’m glad you agree with my response one hundred percent, because it is ONLY the response I could think of that made sense! I hear what you are saying though - when you look at the history of the Blues, Jazz, Rock’n'Roll there is clearly a similar pattern of white people sabotaging the music forms and taking it’s true essense away from black people to claim it as their own. It is therefore understandable that one would think Rap/Hip-Hop would meet a similar fate someday. Especially with the way one excellent, extremely talented, and hugely commercially successful white rapper (and the only one so far in all honesty) called Eminem has been touted by many whites “as the best rapper in the ever”. So it does sometimes seem Rap/Hip-Hop is heading that way. BUT you have already stated the reason why I believe it is highly unlikely Rap/Hip-Hop will be sabotaged - as you said in your last post, Rap/Hip-Hop is from THE STREETS, the force that controls it’s evolution. The sound, the flavour, the style, the attitude, the mentality is all directly infuenced and inspired by the streets of the mostly deprived black ghettos of the United States of America’s major cities. It would be very hard to see any other racial group in America emulating the whole movement with the same kind of success - the ghetto experience and struggle of many blacks across America is very unique and authentic and it’s the main ingredient for what Rap/Hip-Hop represents and expresses. Not too many other ethnic groups in America can successfully emulate acheivements in the artform without that experience, and most non-black Americans do not have it. How many more Eminems have popped up since the first one? None! It just goes to show that even tho Rap/Hip-Hop is being sabotaged, it’s still only showing minor effects right now.
Yeah I’m aware of Amerie’s mix. Apparently Neyo has Chinese in him too. Unlike the USA where your Asian population is mostly Oriental from the Far East, most of the Asians we have in England originate from South Asian countries like India and Pakistan. They come from very clannish, tightly-knit strict families, with very particular values and customs, and they certainly do not racially mix with blacks at all. (Though many UK-born South Asian girls do have strong desires for black men and many do secretly date or sleep with black guys). We do have significant Oriental communities here in England, mostly Chinese and Filipino but not as much as the number of South Asians.
It’s very cool to hear you have a son. It is all more interesting to hear that he is half Asian and still lives back in Asia. What country is his other half? And which country is he living in now? I can see you having a real cool time on that trip! Nah I don’t have any kids myself right now, but I would like to have some when I’m ready at some point.
December 17th, 2007 at 12:52 am
We have S. Asians here in America, but a lot of them here go against their family wishes and date outside the box. Especially those that move here young, but our S. Asian population isnt as big as yours. We have a large Oriental population here on the West Coast. Along with a lot of Thai and Vietnamese.
I was stationed in Japan four 4 years, its a lot of Nigerians over there as well. A lot of them run a lot of clubs and Hip Hop clothing shops. Im not gonna lie, those Asian DJs kept it crunked over there. They have a thriving Hip Hop scene as well. The reason I put them ahead of Nigeria and England is because of a strong U. S. military presence, so they get all this stuff first hand.
I remember the first time I went to Singapore, we went to this club called Club Phreak on Sultan Muhammad Rd and the mojority of the people in there were Indians and Fillipinos. Man. I pulled a tight Indian chick. Bitch was bad, but then again I did that where ever I went.
In Australia the African dudes hated us there, they really wanted to fight us, shit was a trip. I think it was over them Aussie broads, man they could have them. I think they were Kenyan though.
December 17th, 2007 at 6:02 am
I’m well aware of the USA’s large Oriental population, especially on the West Coast, where you guys have tons of Chinese, Koreans, Flipino, Vietnamese etc. Ah, I see your son is half-Japanese then, very interesting. I have a couple of cousins that were born in Japan - their father was working there as a diplomat/ambassador in Tokyo at the time they were born. They can speak a lil’ Japanese too, but they both live in England now. Man, there are Nigerians in almost every region or corner of this world LOL! They even turn up in places where you dont expect to see them. I suppose maybe it’s simply because Nigeria has the largest population of any black nation in the world, combined with their adventurous nature. I will explain to you however, back in Nigeria they play all that crunk stuff aswell, alot of it in fact. The Nigerian DJs and club promoters here in England also play alot of that Down South/crunk stuff too.
Yeah tell me about it - those South Asian Indian girls are real lustful man! They do the same here, they go against their parents wishes and date outside their own race/culture. But most South Asian parents here would not mind if the guy in question is white - God forbid a black man however! But many Indian chicks here still do their thing with black guys but discreetly. I had one real smooth Indian chick myself, I’ve also had Middle Eastern/Iranian chicks too. I have not had an Oriental lady just yet I must say.
Those African dudes in Australia had to have been from Kenya or from other part Africa that does not include West Africa. One thing many Nigerian dudes dont do is fight over women - Nigerians are more concerned about making money than having disputes about women!
December 17th, 2007 at 6:07 am
I have a Playstation 3 and I’m playing this real game called Unchartered: Drakes Fortune. The game is heavy! (meaning tight in London!)
December 18th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Dam man I need to go to the movies, Denzel has a new movie called, “The Great Debaters” It looks real good, or I might see this movie with Chris Brown called, “This Chrismas” I do like that video with Jay Z.
I just saw this movie called, “Glory Road” Its a true story, this legendary Basketball coach named don Haskin was the first coach to recruit an all black team, as a result they won the nation championship, this is suppose to have been the reason Blacks in America has taken over sports, dam great movie.
http://www.thegreatdebatersmovie.com/
Ya boys Weebie and Lil Boosie have a new cut out here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jeJhOMd3y8
Like fat joe said, why everybody mad at the south for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLqlmYQmwI0
Kiddie shit, but I like it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK3uOWn-Eog
Has that dude THE DREAM made it out to England yet, they are wearing him out in the states.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:56 am
I dont believe this DREAM person has made it to England yet, as i aint heard of of him. I will check him out tho. That new Denzel movie, I gotta look that one up too, I love Denzel’s stuff. I thought “Training Day” was a masterpiece, he clearly deserved an Oscar for that. “Glory Road”, as for that one, damn it just goes to show that for alot of these U.S. black films I gotta import them, go to specialist shops or get them online, they dont all come out here.
Have you read the latest issue of Ebony Magazine yet? It has Michael Jackson on the front cover. There is are two very interesting articles, one about Michael Jackson himself and the other titled “The Africa You Don’t Know”. I would recommend you read this issue if you can get your hands on it.
It’s funny you mentioned Donald Goines a few posts earlier. The reason I’m saying this is because, that book I read and told you about “50 Cent, Fat Cat etc” - mentioned his name. The Supreme Team leader, Kenneth “Preme” McGriff read Goine’s books while he was imprisoned, and when he was released in the early 1990s he wanted to make a film based on Goines book “The Black Gangster”. Thats one of the reasons McGriff entered the hip-hop industry, but he never realised his dream, going to jail again recently. Only a soundtrack had been made for the idea.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:59 am
I like the Lil’Phat/Boosie?Webbie joint, but that Tyra B track is way too soft for me man! Not only is it kiddie stuff, it’s real marshmellow soft too! Yeah that Fat Joe/Lil Wayne joint “Make It Rain” is favourite track of mine. It was a massive club banger in London earlier this year 2007. Let me hit you up on some of my favourite rap videos:
I’m really feelin the Philly rap scene, they just got their own heavy style, so here is some of that Philly stuff, 2 joints from my man Free:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTmt93cVsAU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK3rVKcQbiM
This Diplomats and Lil Wayne joint was a street banger for 2006, this is what I call streets!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o4sXeu9qvM
And one more fave of mine, a joint with a message from an urban griot, da one and only Nas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sly1zhsfUe8
December 19th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
I use to read Donald Goines books back in the day, man powerful stuff. I think I read all his books, I have one here called, “Swam Nigga” I may get around to it one day. If you have ITUNES, you can download a lot of these movies. I downloaded POETIC JUSTIC, JUICE, JASONS LYRIC AND DRUMLINE off ITUNES.
You will find this article interesting about Donald Goines. You can easily order his books
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/goines.htm
They made one of his books into a movie starring DMX, “NEVER DIE ALONE”
Then you have H. RAPP BROWN, the Rapp part should give a lot of history away. He is a pioneer in the rapp game and influenced hip hop beginnings. So now you know where the term rap comes from.
I saw that Ebony magazine, I probably will buy it now. Michael Jackson, my favorite entertainer as a kid and look at him now, what a dam disgrace.
I had that album like 3 years ago from Freeway. That cut ALRIGHT was the best song on their and the THE ROOTS. Im not a big fan of the DIPLOMATS, but Jim JOnes had a few solo cuts I liked.
My favorite song by NAS is always going to be AINT HARD TO TELL, when it came out a trillion years ago, it just blew me away.
Beenie Seagal just dropped his new album, but the hottest cat from Philly is CASSIDY, no doubt, here he is rapping freestyle with Kanye West on BETs Rap City.
My man Cassidy is repping Philly cheese steak the best :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQT_dLF6JbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIZkpp9LkI4
SWIZZ BEATS TOP DPWN, LOVE THIS TRACK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHwAJZtTc2g&feature=related
CASSIDY with SWISS BEATS, im really feelin SWISS BEATS new album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebb08nDYuVE&feature=related
c:
December 20th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I’ve seen most of the movies you have talked about already. They are all cool flims, but JUICE was my favourite out of all the ones you mentioned. I’ve also seen that NEVER DIE ALONE film too, it was ok aswell.
As for Michael Jackson, yeah I loved his stuff as a kid too, I looked up to him alot. It’s just a shame he has all these insecurities and personal issues that he let get in the way of his career, and cause him to develop bizzare and eccentric acts. It’s just sad that all this combined with those trying to bring him down has led to his image deteriorating greatly. He is still a legend and always will be in the eyes of many.
As you know by now from our previous discussions, I’m a veteran student in the history of rap music. YES - you are correct, and I was already aware the fact that H RAP BROWN was the pioneer of the game, and the inventor of the term “RAP”. In fact “to rap” in African-American vernacular means to “discuss, debate or tell something.” I read about H Rap Brown many times before, he was from Baton Rouge Louisiana and his wordplay clearly is an immediate predecessor or modern rap as it is today.
I know the stuff I sent you is old, I was just showing you a few of my tastes. Yeah that NAS song IT AINT HARD TO TELL is also one of my favourite Nas songs - a classic track. I like CASSIDY, especially that joint called AM TO THE PM, that song just kills it. BEANIE SIEGEL is also one of my fave artists from Philly along with FREEWAY. I loved that Philly hip-hop film STATE PROPERTY - that movie was real good, i thought it would be an average typical generic hood movie, but I thought it was really good watching. I seen STATE PROPERTY 2, thats just as good too.
Have you read that Michael Jackson Ebony issue yet?
December 25th, 2007 at 5:18 am
By the way, merry christmas and a happy new year to you and your famz!
December 25th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
You to man, Im sittung here looking at Tyler Perrys movie, Daddys Little Girl”. Man, Tyler Perry are huge in the states. In the movie Daddys Little Girl, I think the dude co-starring with Gabriel Union sounds Nigerian American. His name is IDRIS ELBA. Sounds Nigerian. He is ghanan, but British born.
Man, that was a good as movie, join netflex and download it.
http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/idris-elba/270025/main
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0778661/
December 25th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Victor:
December 25th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
DADDY LITTLE GIRLS ? I done seen that film already man, quite a while ago back in spring earlier this year. It’s a very good film though, I enjoyed it, very good watching indeed. That guy IDRIS ELBA is Black British of West African descent, born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leonean father. He played the dark, Machavellian character of STRINGER BELL of THE WIRE. He now does most of his acting in the USA. That guy who plays CHRIS PARTLOWE, the notorious hitman in THE WIRE is a Nigerian-American actor called GBENGA AKINNABE. Yeah I heard of Tyler Perry before, he’s a comedian and film producer/director form what I know of him. Gabriel Union is very pretty man - she very much looks like a young Nigerian lady from the Igbo ethnic group, she has the features. Have you seen that film PAID IN FULL? You probably have, I’ve seen a while ago I love that film, it’s about the Richie Porter, Alpo story from Harlem, legendary stuff.
Have you read that Ebony issue yet?
December 26th, 2007 at 1:03 am
I didnt really like paid in full, but I was looking at the Original Gaangster series on BET and the did the bio on Little Melvin. He was the dude that inspired the series, The Wire”. I dont think you heard of Little Melvin, but he is up there with the Frank Lucases of the world.”
Ive watched at a lot of movies over the weekend. Im looking at this movie called, The Inkwell, its a great movie, I saw it when it first came out. When this is over im going to watch another Tyler Perry movie I heard was real good called, “Madeas Family Reunion”. Gabrielle Union always play those stuck up types, especially in that movie, “Deliva Us from Eva. My all time favorite movie is, “Drumline” but that movie is mainly for Black Americans, the battle of the bands between our HBCUs is a rich tradition. And, “Love and Basketball” is my second favorite movie, Sanaa Lathan is so hot, man I just love looking at her.
I havent read that Ebonu uet, I may pick it up tommorrow
December 26th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Make sure you pick up that Ebony issue. I recently heard a bit about Little Melvin, because my interest in THE WIRE runs real deep. He actually plays the black priest/reverend that works with community in the 3rd series.
I havent really seen “Drumline” properly but because you tak so much about it, I’ll check it out when I can lol.
Let me ask you, have you heard about the Nigerian criminal organzations that control alot of heroin distribution in major U.S. cities like Chicago? In the 1990s the Gangster Disciples formed alliance with Nigerian drug traffickers to control a large part of Chicago’s heroin trade - this lead to numerous drug wars between Black and Latin/Mexican gangs in Chicago. At one time Nigerian organizations controlled 70% of all imported heroin entering Chicago. This is because Nigerians have their own contacts in Thailand, Pakistan and Afghanistan where Asian heroin is produced. They ship it to Nigeria and store it there for importation to the USA to United States-based Nigerian groups who handle distribution.
I’ve been reading street books by this author called “Relentless Aaron”, from New York, he writes real good stuff.
December 26th, 2007 at 7:27 am
What do you think of that movie called “Snipes” or by it’s other name “Prolifik”? It has Nelly in it, it’s real good.
December 26th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Well, I have for you Melvin Williams story here. You can see all BET shows on their website. Man, this dude had an IQ of 170, a genius. Unfortunately, instead of him using it for good he used it for bad and infested Baltimore with drugs.
I was going to buy that Ebonyt issue, but its not for sell anymore. Ill find it for a friend.
Enjoy the story on Melvin Williams and let me know waht you think. Just wait fir that commecial to end then it gies into his bio.
http://www.bet.com/onblast/default.html?chan=3&id=1237&i=1&sub=&itype=e
http://www.bet.com/onblast/default.html?chan=3&id=1237&i=1&sub=&itype=e
December 27th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
You would really like this story, This is my favorite one on American Gangster. If I were you ill order it. Right click the chapters on the side when it repeats itself
http://www.bet.com/onblast/default.html?chan=3&id=1237&i=1&sub=&itype=e
December 28th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Thanks I watched it, it was very good watching. That piece on Melvin Williams was real interesting. It was interesting to see how he came up from gambling and numbers-running to drugs and the whole Baltimore underworld scene. If you like watching American Gangster, maybe you should watch the piece on Fat Cat Nichols if you can find it, that one is very good.
Have you heard or do you know about about the Nigerian heroin organizations and their allies the Gangster Disciples and the way they controlled nearly all of Chicago’s heroin trade from the late 1980s to the 1990s-2000s ?
December 28th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I saw the piece American Gangster did on Larry Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples. I cant recall if they noted the connections with the Nigerians, or not. I remember back in the nineties when they did a shakedown on the Gangsta Disciples, it was national news. The El Rookns, Black Stone Rangers and Gangsta Disciples been around a long time.
When my mother and father use to go to Chicago in the 60s and stay with their older brothers and sisters, they use to tell me how those gangs ran Chicago. My father moved to Chicago when he graduated from high school, but my mother wouldnt go. Chicago was suppose to be my original place of birth. Gabrini Green and the Robert Talyor projects were new and the world famous Halstead st. in Chicago is the area my father lived in, eeeeeh. I really hate Chicago, I was stationed there and for 2 months, and I hate the midwest period, along with the East Coast.
American Gangster comes on BET every week. I think Ive seen the whole first season except for Freeway Ricky Ross episode My cousins in Compton use to tell me stories about him when I was young, and how he was running Southern California. Im just waiting for them to get to the southern Kingpins. This dude name Billy Rae Maddox comes to mind.
Heres most of the first season right here. Click on the Gangsta of your choice and enjoy the show, he he
link
December 28th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I really like the one on Chicagos Jeff Fort, leader of the Blackstone Rangers and the Gangsta Discilples opponents in Chicgo. All that gang shit came from Chicago and spreaded like a Flu. The Black Guerilla Family (BGF) in the Jail Systems to. The Nuestra Familia, (Our Family) were allies with the BGF (Mexicans from the north, or Nortenos). Their Enemies are the Mexican Mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood, who are allies. MAn that was a good one
December 28th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Make sure you read this piece - it is about the connection between the Nigerians and the Gangster Disciples in Chicago. Scroll down to the Distribution Section of the page. The link is posted below. Tell me what you think of this when you read it:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs/652/heroin.htm
Yeah I’m not sure if you noticed but I’m very much into reading about organized crime and gangs. I was reading books on the Mafia, La Cosa Nostra from the age of 12. I know about that stuff inside out now. I’m actually now into reading about African-American and Latino gangs right this moment. I heard alot about Cabrini Green and the constant shoot-outs between Gangster Disciples and Vice Lords. They torn most of it down now I heard. Yeah I read a bit about Freeway Ricky Ross, he had is his name borrowed by that Florida rapper Rick Ross. Apparently Freeway was like a black version of George Jung. I’m gonna check this stuff out. I really think you should read about the story of Fat Cat, Pappy Mason, Kenneth McGriff and The Supreme Team and how they ran south-east Queens drug trade, New York and their involvement in the hip-hop industry. if you like all this stuff it’s very interesting. Here is a link to read a lil’ bit about them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Team
There is actually an American Gangster episode on the Fat Cat Nichols and the Supreme Team you should check that out too. I can tell you dont like the Midwest and the East Coast, especially New York lol! Don’t brothers from major cities up North refer to brothers from the South as country? Kinda silly when the majority of blacks in Northern cities have family roots in the South lol.
December 28th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
I suppose it’s just light-hearted banter lol
December 30th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
You might want to start with the prison gangs and how they work:
The (BGF) Black Guerrila Family
The Mexican Mafia (La Eme)
Nuestra Familia (Our family)
Aryan Brotherhood (ABs)
East Coast:
Spanish gangs
Nieta
Latin Kings
This would be a good start for you
BGF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Guerilla_Family
http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13092
http://allhiphop.com/forums/thread/17493119.aspx
December 30th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
CONTINUED:
That was interesting piece you sent me. I think a lot of those gangs in Chicago are known as either the Folk Nation, or the People NAtion and in the Prison they form alliances with other gangs because thay all have commom enemies. For example the Black Guerilla Family and The Nuestra Familia are allies against the Mexican Mafia and The Aryan Brotherhood. This would be an interesting read for you. Man its so many gangs over here I dont know where to begin or end
Mexican Mafia are enemies of all black street gangs and the Nuestra Familia Nortenos, or Mexicans from the North and the Folk and People nation gangs out of Chicago.
http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/profiles/surenos/
Nuestra familia , Nortenos
http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/nuestra_familia/nf_001.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuestra_Familia
http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/black_gangster_disciples/ab_001.htm
December 31st, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I have already heard about Latin Kings many times - their leader is that guy from Chicago, Luis Felipe and he’s in jail right now. I heard a little about Nietas and Black Guerilla family, so I will do more research on them. I’m familiar with the Mexican Mafia and Aryan Brotherhood, but it was cool that you showed me stuff about who’s allied with who, that was interesting.
Chicago really has it poppin’ off!
I’m glad you found that piece interesting. The relationship between the Nigerian and African-American gangs was an important factor in shaping the Chicago heroin market between the 1990s and early 2000s. Nigerians trusted African-Americans much more than they did Mexicans/Latinos (probably because of the fact that they are both black and share the same ancestry). Mexican black tar heroin was rubbish quality compared to the heroin imported by Nigerian drug traffickers. What made the Nigerian criminal organizations and their Gangster Disciple allies so powerful was that they had a much superior product - U.S.-based Nigerians imported heroin into Chicago from via transit nations directly from contacts in producer nations such as Thailand and Pakistan, meaning the heroin was much purer and of better quality. At the time almost all the best quality heroin Chicago was controlled and distributed wholesale by Nigerians and sold at retail level by their allies the Gangster Disciples/Folk Nation.
This was an incredibly powerful crime combine considering that Nigerian drug organizations at the time imported 35-40 percent of all heroin shipments entering the USA, coupled with the fact that the Gangster Disciples were one of Chicago’s largest and strongest black street gangs. This naturally led to violent drug wars with other gangs, especially Mexicans and other Latino groups who sold the much inferior black tar heroin and had much of their business taken away from them. The later introduction of better quality South American heroin by Colombians changed things. The Colombians used the Mexican and other Latino gangs to handle sales of their heroin and the Chicago heroin market became more levelled - the violent competition died down as a more vibrant, varied market allowed each group to all profit healthily on equal scales.
Nigerian drug trafficking organizations also have a significant presence in other U.S. cities like Newark (NJ), New York, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Baltimore and Washington DC. They deal mostly with heroin.
December 31st, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I think a lot of the gang activity has died down, Chicago was mainly known for gangs in the 60s and 70s, around the late 80s Los Angeles was out of control and the Bloods and Crips were the two premiere gangs. The Crips were in S. Central and the Bloods were formed in Compton. I think the set my cousins belonged to were the Piru Bloods. Cabrini Green and the Robert Taylor projects were knocked down and they are rebuilding the Southside. I was in Chicago around 2003. A lot has changed from what ive heard.
I found that article about about AFRICA it was a good story. I want to do what Chris Tucker did. They traced his roots back to Cameroon and Angola. He was 10 percent Native American and 7 percent European. Im really curious to see what my DNA would say.
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Thats kinda interestin - you had cousins in The Piru Bloods, I hope they are still alive man. That Bloods and Crip lifetsyle has a lifespan the equivalent of child soldier in Sierra Leone blood diamond wars. I knew this African-American girl from Chicago, she was a cool friend of mine, we dated a lil’bit and she told me that many of here family were Gangster Disciples. When I first met her, I mentioned them when I found out she was from Chicago, and she was so shocked I, from London knew about them! Lol.
Yeah that DNA stuff is interesting, it’s done by a company called AfricanAncestry.com. You say you family are mostly from Lousiana? If thats the case your African DNA would more be likely to draw from origins in either Senegal & Gambia (Mandingo Bambara peoples), Congo & Angola (BaKongo peoples) and Nigeria (Yoruba, Ibo peoples). Many slaves from these areas were specifically imported into French-ruled Louisiana during the 18th century. Your DNA admixture would also probably contain some Native American or European ancestry aswell due to slavery and the long presence of Africans in the USA.
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
My grandparents were from Mississippi, My fathers father, im not sure were hes from, but most of his family was in Chicago, I dont know how he ended up in Louisiana and my other grandfather is from Mississippi. My great Grandmother was a Chactaw Indian.
Unfortunately, one of my cousins is dead, he was killed. His brother almost beat this crip to death. We had to get him out of Compton because he was on their wanted list. this was back in the early nineties when that gang shit was out of control, but it has died down alot. Those Surenos are taking over and for the most part the black gangs have to combine to survive. Asian gangs are on the rise as well. In Northern California, Nortenos are and blacks are allies. But the is still a feude between bloods and crips.
in Northern California, you have them 415s
crips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxLbKT50Fs4
bloods
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MakEs_abw4&feature=related
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Well Mississippi was part of the huge Louisiana Territory in the eighteenth century, which was ruled by the French back then. The Louisiana Territory was made up of present-day Louisiana, the Midwest and most of the land west of the Mississippi River except the West Coast and South-West states. Most the the slaves in Mississippi came from other states especially Louisiana, up from the Natchez trail. Most slaves in Mississippi would have had African-born ancestors who most likely came through coastal port cities and towns in Louisiana and Georgia as they arrived on cargo ships, then later ending up in Mississppi.
Let me ask you, am I right in saying that many African-Americans native to Chicago and Los Angeles/California have roots in Mississippi? I’ve heard of so many that do. Many Chicago blacks have family roots in Mississippi and so do Los Angeles blacks. I’ll give you an example, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Brandy, Ray J, these people rep LA but all have famz from Mississippi. Then there are many blacks in Chicago that do too.
I agree with your point for sure on that - with the way those Mexican gangs are overwhelming Southern California, it makes sense for the African-American gangs like Bloods and Crips to combine to survive! I heard about Asian Oriental gangs alot too.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
In LA a most are from Louisiana and Texas and Mississippi, then maybe Arkansas, Tennessee and other states. In Chicago a lot are from Mississppi, Alabama and Lousiana. then Maybe Tennesee, Kentucky and other Southern states. When I lived with my father in Upstate New York seemed like everyone was from North Carilona, South Carolina and Virginia.
I recall reading history on Mississppi was once ruled by France, Spain then the United States. I dont think Mississippi was a big part of Frances expansion. I think the Panhandle was part of France for a while, but thats it.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Yeah thats true man - I found that alot of African-Americans native to New York City and surrounding states have family roots in North and South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. My cousin from New Jersey who is half Nigerian and half Afro-Amero was born in New York and his Afro-Amero side (moms) are originally from South Carolina.
Present-day Mississippi State was a part of the the French-ruled Louisiana Territory that covered a huge area west of the Mississippi River. The only place there where the French really settled and established themselves was in New Orleans and the rest of present-day Louisiana State. So all the other places in states such as Mississippi never really had much French historical and cultural influence, like say New Orleans. The French sold the Louisiana Territory to the USA and therefore Mississippi had minimal French influence.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Just going back to what you were saying about Bloods (Damus) and Crips needing to unite against those vicious Southern Californian Mexican Mafia gangs and racist white Nazi Lowriders - I’ma send you a joint that talks about the blacks there need to unite and get their real enemies. It’s a song by Outlawz and Dead Prez, I liked the video and the idea for it very much, check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxQKKH9II5g
You might have heard it before, but if you havent then you should see it, real fist-in-da-air strong stuff. You stated this earlier, and I’ve read about this myself - it seems there is serious violent and often murderous conflict between African-Americans and Mexicans in Southern California. I’ve been hearing and reading so much about it. I’ve learned this conflict is not simply limited to gang related issues - blacks and Mexicans are beating and killing each other in racial battles that include non-gang related elements. It’s real crazy man.
January 4th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I lived in Southern California for 4 years and its not entirely as bad as they are making it out to be. The media will over exaggerate any event. They make it sound like as soon as you roll into Compton, or drive down Crenshaw BLVd. Its just a bunch of Mexicans and Negros blazing each other. The number one killer of Mexicans gangs are rival Mexican gangs. The number one killer of Black gangs are other rival Black gangs. Yes, there has been conflicts between Blacks and Mexicans, but they are their own worse enemies.
They unite when they go to prison. Thats when the 13 and 14 really goes in affect. You may not understand what I mean by that, if you need help let me know.
January 5th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Well I hear what you are saying and I believe you to a large extent. However I checked some racist forums saw Hispanic (Mexican) and white neo-Nazi guys on there praising the fact that Mexicans gangs are shooting any kind of blacks on site that “tresspass” in Mexican/Latin hoods, and I’ve seen reports of blacks doing the same. I also saw a prison fight on a TV program between Mexican and African-American gang inmates that happened recently - it was real vicious and a few men were left dead. I’ve also read some statements by blacks themselves who speak of this “race war” and how it affects the African-American community in Southern California. Even Snoop Dogg and B-Real made that song called “Vato” which is about black vs brown conflict. There must be some kind of truth to this - no smoke without fire. But I do believe you for most part though.
January 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am
http://www.colorlines.com/article.php?ID=217
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/january2007/220107mexicangangs.htm
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51644
link
Well read these articles and pieces and tell me what you think of them. I think you will find them very interesting. There are some conflicting opinions too
January 5th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
This is a great read, hits it all on the nail. gotta read all of it. Even though its a racist site
http://www.stormfront.org/forum/showthread.php?p=3705465
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf8bCb-bfz4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrx5R_xOKs4
13 means Sureno, Mexican from Southern California. If you see a Mexican with 13 tattoed on his body, thats what it means. They are controlled by the Mexican Mafia. M is the 13th letter of the alphabet, or La EMEE. They are enemies of Black Gangs and Blacks and thats why you here about some of these confrontations, but Blacks are not the Surenos number one enemy.
Los Angeles is in Southern California, Snoop, Dr Dre, The Game are from Southern California. Southern California is the Breeding ground for Surenos, so thats why there is a conflict. Listen to the rappers from the Bay Area or Northern California its a different story. Listen to MAc Dre, E-40, Too Short and other Northern California rappers.
14 is for Mexicans from the North, or Norteno. The Nuestra Familia controls the North, and are allies with the Black Gangs, THEY ARE THE PRIMARY ENEMIES OF THE MEXICAN MAFIA,,along with the BGF, Its a onsite on kill relationship. They are allies with the Blacks. You should read the history on the NUESTRA FAMILIA AND MEXICAN MAFIA.
Its not that black and hispanics hate each other, The blacks that live in Southern California are surrounded by their enemies sur, or Souhern Mexicans. Blacks In Northern California dont have this problem.
You must also realize that the average White Person on this site never goes to these nieghborhoods. Compton is half Mexican now, South Central is Half Mexican, Even Inglewood is half Mexican. If the violence was the way the media portrays it then wouldnt everyone be dead. the honost to god truth is the everyday citizen, Mexican and Black in LA just wants to live a honost life and take care of their families.
That riot you are talking about was the one at the Super MAx Prison in Northern California called Peilican Bay, it was the blacks against the Southern Mexicans. Thats were the worse of the worse go. The shot callers of the Mexican Mafia, Nuestra Familia Black Guerilla Family and the Aryan Broherhood are inprisoned there. I dont know how effective it is but orders are still being passed down.
When I did my internship with the California Dept of coreections, I saw a lot of riots between Blacks And Surenos, Surenos and Nortenos. Surenos and Whites against Nortenos and Blacks. You might want to downlaod a tv series called, “Gangland” that comes on the history channel in the states, get the first season.
Good Story
Nortenos, they wear red,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmYyWaFBGv4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZKBhQLkJdc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZoF_yCKESQ&feature=related
read the comment at the bottom
Surenos, theyare blue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD37_ipfCHw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g001KpOA3k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIpOPaA4jB4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scy2irhG2ic&feature=related
read the comments below the videos, interesting as well
Even Mexican Hip Hop is better than Grime and Naija, ha ha ha ha. Im just messing with you. You know you my boy Vic
January 5th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
In away you have to understand the politics of the gang system. Did you understand my post
January 6th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I’m not sure is it to do with Culver City and Venice 13 or something? If not please go ahead and explain.
January 6th, 2008 at 11:45 am
or Venice and Culver City 14?
January 6th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I see you are really confused. Venice and Culver City are the better nieghborhoods and may have limited, if any gang activity.
Lets take the American Civil War. The North and the South was seperated by the Mason Dixon Line. Think of 13, which is South and 14, which is North in these terms. The Mason Dixon Line is in the area of Fresno. South of Fresno are the Surenos, 13, and North is the 14, Nortenos.
Los Angeles , San Diego are in the South, The Bay area, Sacramento is in the North. The Southern part of the state is 13, the Northern part of the states is 14.
It will take a lot of reading for you to understand a lot of the gang culture in the U. S.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:32 am
LOL damn I think I really was confused! And yeah there is alot for me to learn. I first became really interested in U.S. street gangs around 7 years ago, when I read about the alliance between the Nigerian criminal syndicates and the Gangster Disciples in that link I sent you. From then on I learned the basics of what it’s all about. I understand you now - really I do I’m glad you have shed more light on this matter.
So now I know it’s not really just a case of ordinary citizens killing each other in racial battles. It’s just that warring gang groups are so large, powerful and influential enough to cause so much havoc, murder and mayhem in these neighbourhoods that it makes it look like a race war - especially with the media (mostly white) being able to capitalise on it and make blacks and brown look real bad all together as a people, rather than just blaming the criminal gang elements.
LOL yeah I know you just playing, it’s all good!
By the way have you read up about The Supreme Team and their influence on and connections to the rap music industry?
January 7th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Actually I had a lil’ knowledge on this Nortenos vs Surenos rivalry from quite a while back - and guess where from? A video game! I have Playstation consoles and I loved the “Grand Theft Auto” series video games. I’m sure you must have heard of it it’s the best selling video game franchise of all time, or at least one of them. In “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” you play as an African-American gang member called CJ and you are part of a fictional gang in beef with another black gang (like Bloods and Crips). A large part of the game is set in a fictional state called San Andreas (supposed to be California) and your gang (who are black) have beef with Mexican gangs in Los Santos (Los Angeles) and you are allies with Mexican gangs in San Fierro (San Francisco). The San Fierro Mexicans hated the Los Santos Mexicans in the game. Los Santos is in the southern part of the map and San Fierro is to the north, just like the Surenos/Nortenos thing you talked about - I remember playing the game taking a note of all this stuff and thinking it was all new to me.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Interesting stuff man, those 2 articles about the racial prison system was good reading. I like those Norteno joints. You must have heard of this Mexican-American rapper from Los Angeles called CONEJO. I like his stuff man, he’s real hardcore and spit it as it happens on those crazy LA streets. He got this song called “Lets Ride” I really love that track. It was on the soundtrack to one of my favourite cop dramas THE SHIELD.
January 7th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Im in my late 30s, I dont even know how to play those games. When I lived in California, I lived near the San Andreas mountains right their on the San Andreas fault which runs South America straight throught Alaska splitting California and other Pacific states in half. There suppose to be a big earthqauke thats suppose to sink everything west of the fault in the ocean. So cities like LA and San Francisco will be done.
Here are some links that will help you with your research.
http://www.gangwatchers.org/gang-names.html
http://www.gangsorus.com/nuestrafam.htm
http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/mafia_mexican.htm
http://www.gangsorus.com/BGF.htm
January 7th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Trust me playing that game was like actually living gangbanger-style in south-central LA for real except that it was on TV. Thats the beauty of video games they allow to really live out your fantasies and not hurt anyone in real life!
January 8th, 2008 at 9:20 am
This Conejo guy by the way keeps goin on about the Harpys or something, some kind of Mexican gang in LA.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
its over 40,000 thousand gangs in LA alone. Theres a show that comes on the history channel, or the nation geograpgic channel called, Lockdown, navigate through the site and the pics.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/lockdown/
http://www.history.com/media.do?id=gangland_promos_image&action=clip
http://www.history.com/media.do?id=gangland_stacking&action=clip
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31210
January 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Snoop Dogg cracks me up, man im waching his show on E-TV, his video sensual seduction cracks me up each time I watch it
January 11th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I heard alot about Snoop Dogg’s show, supposed to be quite funny so my friends tell me. I’m just playing this video game on my Playstation 3 called CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE it’s heavy! You play two parts, one as an SAS trooper (UK) and the other as US Special Forces Marine (USA). You gotta to do these missions and fight against rebel armies in Russia, and Islamic extremist terrorists in the Middle East. Lots of guns, bullets, explosions and blood this is the shit! I know you dont play these things but I just had let it off ma chest lol.
All that gang stuff was real interesting man, you really helped me understand it properly. LA gang culture certainly accounted for 80 % of the influence of later and current gangsta rap music.
January 11th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Yea, man, most people in the U.S., well in the military play XBOX 360. I dont know how to play either. Madden Football is the most popular game. Helo was popular for a while.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I’m actually about to watch a reality TV program about a British journalist who goes to San Quentin prison to investigate and have a closer look at U.S. prison culture. It looks real interesting, wanna see how this looks!
Any new heavy joints over your side that I dont know about?
January 13th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Its so many of them, these shows come on every week. The new season of regular TV just started, its a show everypne watches called, “The Game,” right now its my favorite show.
Check it out, tell me what you think
http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video/the-game/full
January 14th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Do you watch the THE SHIELD? that TV program is one of my favourites, and the character Vic Mackey is just something else man! I just love the way the program displays real-life rawness, brutality and tension on those LA streets. That along with The Wire are among my favourite TV programs!
January 14th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Not really, I watched a couple of episodes when it was on the air. The Show, “The Wire” re-runs on BET. The new season of American Gangster is on BET as well. I just like the show, “The Game” because of the women, and good plots, Tia Mowry and here twin sister is striaght. Theres this show called, One on One, I like to. The Shield is Hollywood, very Hollywood. The Wire, I can realte to it, I see some realism in it.
January 14th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Nah I think you are a lil’ wrong about THE SHIELD being Hollywood. I can relate to THE WIRE more, but THE SHIELD looked like a very real depiction of LA street crime, violence and gang culture. If you watched all the episodes you would see alot of this - however yeah it did get a lil’ Hollywood gloss in some parts UI admit. But it is still an excellent program, and it captures the LA gang culture you talked about so much very well, the Black and Mexican gangs, all that stuff.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Those shows are kind of old, but not bad. I liked them when they first came out roughly 7 years ago. There are a lot of new shows, they may get to England a little late. CSI Miami is the show, CSI New York and CSI Las Vegas are ok, I guess its a matter of who you talk with.
Classic West Coast Cut, straight out of Pamona, CA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LmbykDh1xs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSC_aVJ56_k&NR=1
January 15th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Well we’ve had the CSI series in England for a while now on SKY TV, for the past 5 years at least. We have all the CSI’s - Miami, Vegas and more recently NY. If you have satellite dish-served SKY TV, you’ll get all da recent American stuff earlier than normal English TV. I have SKY, so I’m ok for gettin all that stuff earlier. The CSI series is cool, but it aint one of my favourites, I dont watch it that often. These are the ones I love the most in order: THE WIRE, THE SHIELD, THE SOPRANOS and LAW & ORDER. I like that new one called CALIFORNICATION with David Duchovny of The X-Files fame, that program is very good and funny too, hilarious stuff!
I did’nt like that one called SIX FEET UNDER, had all that nasty gay shit up in there, werent feelin that.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I look at a lot of the history channel and national geographic channel. We have BBC America, I watched a few shows on it, but I just cant get into British TV. This Nigerian British chick tried to get me to watch this show called, Footballers Wives. Naaah, we dont play soccer over despite the fact its suppose to be popular, well its popular in the suburbs, brothas dont play it. Most Africans that move to the states eventually abandone it. Its a show out called, WEEDS, everyone watches, its cool. I like Martin re-reuns and this show called One on One was cool to.
January 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I enjoyed reading what you wrote, you should give http://www.sudokulive.net a look for Sudoku puzzles.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I watch alot of the history and national geographic channels too. Aside from me being a good movie and TV drama series lover, I also watch alot of documentaries and real life-based TV programs. I’m very much into history, world/current affairs, society, some politics and nature. LOL I really dont know what she was thinking - it is clear to see you guys opinion on soccer! Footballer’s Wives was not really the best example of British TV she used either! To be honest, British TV has some good programs but it is something that you can only relate to if you live in the UK and experience and understand British culture/humour, it sounds strange but thats how I and most in general see it. Most Western nations have been overwhelmingly influenced and heavily saturated with American modern popular cultures for decades now, since post-WW2, so most American TV shows can easily find popularity in other countries. This is why most other English-speaking countries can relate to them, especially the UK where many American TV shows such as The Sopranos have been hugely successful. It does not however take away the fact that the USA does produce the finest TV series dramas - you only have to read the British papers and see the amount of critical acclaim and praise heaped on them! I certainly agree with that for sure.
Like I said before many Africans especially Nigerians, easily assimilate into the larger, long-established African-American population once they move to and settle in the States. This mayb explain why you have quite alot NBA and NFL players of Nigerian descent. In the UK and Europe most Nigerians and other Africans are dominating the soccer leagues. Most top teams in the UK now include African players, and many of the best soccer players in the UK and Europe are African - more so ever than before.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Im not big with Soccer, but all I know is the Brazilians, thats all they talk about as far as soccer is concerned. South America, but its just what I here, I just found out who the Beckham dude was. I liked the Sopranos when it first came out, then grew tired of it. The best Mafia movie of al time is, GOODFELLAS, then, THE DEPARTED. I was looking at a documentary on the 5 families of New York. ait was a good show, from Lucky Lucien on down to Gotti. Good stuff. Thers a couple of Nigerians making a little.
noise.
Aim looking at this show about Pelican Bay Super Max, interesting. These Prisoners thats on the camea got to be dead men walking. I think when I get out the Navy this year im going to apply with the California Dept of Corrections. They get paid good, but im not going in as a CO. I want to bea Parole Officer, or Correctional Counselor. A good friend of mine works for them we were stationed together in San Diego, CA. He is a Gang Coordinator with the Dept. He loves his jobs and the stories he tell me are wicked. Iprobably put my application in this summer.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Thats my field of expertise! I know everything about the Mafia/La Cosa Nostra from head to toe, I’ve extensively read about, researched and explored all areas of this subject, since the age of 12. I also have a big interest in Al Capone and his life story, if you havent read up on it you should, it’s very good! This partly explains my desire to go to Chicago! lol. The 5 families of New York City have since had their influence and power greatly diminished from the late 1980s and and 1990s onwards, due to massive R.IC.O. attacks from law enforcement. They still do exist, but I’m not sure whether or not they are still a major force in organized crime these days. My favourite Mafia movie is CASINO, but I love GOODFELLAS as a close second. MILLER’S CROSSING, ROAD TO PERDITION, THE GODFATHER II are also classic favourites of mine. THE DEPARTED was excellent stuff too man. I admit I did get a lil tired of THE SOPRANOS at one point, but I still love it tho.
What was that part about Nigerians making a lil noise? I’m not sure what you were referring to, please explain!
Go for it bro, I can see you doing something along those lines and I’m sure it will suit well as a career. You seem to have extensive knowledge of gang culture that would help in understanding these guys and being able to assist them on the road to reformation. I heard those type of prison-related jobs pay very well in California, and they seem like stable, secure jobs to be in. Put in that application and go for it!
January 17th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Well, Victor, you have a lot to learn about the Prison gangs and street gangs, the politics and so on. Remember, its 40,000 gang sets in The City of Angels alone, (City of Angels is the english translation for Los Angeles).
I did an internship with them back when I lived there. I worked with gang coordinators, saw the riots, saw the killings all first hand. I put an application in a while back, got the job offer, but I turned it down. My buddy took it. I have a close relaitive that works with the prison systemas well. It was interesting. those riots just come out of no where, unexpected. I saw prisoners get stabbed, beat to death by a method called, lock and sock. we had to life flight them from the prison. your knowledge is OK for an english chap, but you know less than the average American. but as always VICTOR, you my boy and ill teach the game.
January 17th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
LOL I’ll admit I dont really know the intricate details of Los Angeles prison/street gang culture and politics, but I do have a basic knowledge of what is what and who is against who. But it’s all good bro, teach me da game!
January 18th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Damn, you must have seen alot of deep shit. Well at least it makes you realise how much you should appreciate life.
January 19th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
All my friends from my child hood are dead in Jail, or just left the ghetto to escape all that bullshit. Most go to a Historically Black college, or join the military When I lived with my grandmother in Louisiana, it was always some shit popping off, I was glad when I moved to Texas with my mother. If it wasnt for my family and the pretty girls in that state, I would never return to that place.
Its easy to get caught up in that fast life in America and its tempting to a lot of these youths.
These songs have been around in America for a while, I wonder if they hit England yet
This video is so dam funny, but I like it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSS_DY_z-Dc
MAN, this has to be the song of the year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kf2QZm1aIw
tell me do you like this song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kf2QZm1aIw
January 20th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I’ve heard alot of bad stuff about Louisiana, especially New Orleans and I’ve also seen alot of it on DVDs such as “Hood 2 Hood”. The place just looks like a perpetual war zone; Guys and kids just runnin around with choppers, macs and infra-red firepower, it’s just all crazy. When I hear those No Limit and Cash Money guys rap I can hear it all in their lyrics about how serious it is. That song by Juvenile featuring Young Turk called “Welcome 2 Da Nolia” is a song that I really like, and it explains all that shit in real detail.
Dont get me wrong we get some real bad stuff in London too. In recent years there has been a massive rise in gun violence and gang culture amongst young black males in London and other UK major cities. I know many guys who been invloved in shit and many that have been killed. Three of my friends have been shot but all survived. In Nigeria, especially Lagos and other major cities gun crime and gang violence is severe a problem as it is in Louisiana and Southern California.
January 20th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I tried to watch the first one but it would’nt let me because or some malformed id or something like that. Yeah I heard Shorty Is A Ten before, you sent it to me earlier, it’s a cool song, one for da ladies for sure. Let me send you some recent UK stuff, you may not like it but at least you can see whats poppin here in da UK.
By a rap group called Street Politiks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhPKXMqF85M
Positive stuff from a rapper called Bashy, tellin all them London niggas to wise up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie64T1D51-8
January 20th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
To be hosnost New Orleans was a beautiful city, I havent been there since Katrina. Theres a large thriving middle class black community there. But the hoods there, woo. there going to tear them all down anyway. 9th ward, magnolia projects, all gone
heres that video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKz-RXSeIYA&feature=related
January 21st, 2008 at 6:44 am
Yeah I know. New Orleans is/was a beautiful city in terms of architecture and physical characterstics, it has that French and Latin-style colonial feel to it. It is no surprise to me it has a thriving, large black middle class - apparently 65 per cent of the population is African-American. When I said bad stuff I was more talkin about the hoods, like Magnolia and Calliope.
New Orleans is named after the city of Orleans in central France by the former French colonial rulers.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:47 am
Damn that Snoop Dogg video is funny man! LOL his persona just makes you crack up, funny stuff!
January 21st, 2008 at 10:21 am
Right now that snoop is a big hit. I
January 21st, 2008 at 10:51 am
Right now that snoop is a big hit. Its getting a lot of hits, to day is Marin Luther Kings birthday, Im looking at this movie called, “BOYCOTT, its pretty much about the emergence of the civil right movment and how Dr. Martin Luther King and Ralph Albernathy started the whole civil rights movie out of Montgomery, Alabama.
The British actress, Carmen Ejogo, displays a nice southern accent, shes a good acttress. Her name sounds Nigerian.
Heres the trailer, great movie
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0255851/
Im really digging this cut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrwiRbyGeWc
This is a pretty fly video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rASdJSQGoqE
I know you are a big gay holliday fan, heres his new video, well not new but latest, it may have came to England
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGV6lBx_03Q
Is Flo Rida and Sean Kingston big out there?
January 21st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
CINTINUED:
two of my favorite joints of all time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG405y51cVk
one of my other all time favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-syCdPYgQY
January 21st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Yeah Carmen Ejogo is a cool actress, and yes you are right, she is of Nigerian descent.
Gay Holiday? LOL man I’ve just roared with laughter!!!! Ha ha ha ha gay holiday, thats real cold man! LOL you really are one funny guy, you have a way of throwin’ disses bro! For real tho, I like that “Put you to Bed” track, it’s very soulful stuff, and it’s very big in England right now in da charts.
Sean Kingston only had created a lil’ buzz here in England back in mid 2007 with his last year summer hit called “Beautiful Girls”, but thats it so far. His fat punk-ass aint done nothing since tho - I dont like Sean Fatso Kingston at atll I think he’s weak.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Nah, Sean Kingston has a song out called, I will take you there. Im so sick of, but its a big hit. anf T-PAin and Flo-rida, florida, or what ever his name is have the number one joint in America caled LO. Those were some cool joints you sent me. That Camp Lo joint was my favorite back in the day, This is it what, Lucini.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkWRx_PyWzc
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 am
Yeah that Lucini track was also a classic track of mine too back in da day! I love that track, Camp Lo were definitely representatives of rap music’s golden age.
The J Holiday one and that one with the guy rappin and girls singing is really good, cool stuff there.
That Sean Kingston track just certifies the fact that he’s weak! That track is certainly one for the pop crowd, nah not for my ears thats for sure. He also looks like a an overweight faggot in da video, what a wasteman.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:32 am
Well here is another joint that was quite big here - these guys spent some time in the States and are based here, I think the track is quite cool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q_jsUO22Yg
A track from a guy called JME, more wise words:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygIp3WzvR0U
Track from Skepta of the Meridian Crew, serious hustlas from north London:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAOqyl5B3ew
Some classic So Solid stuff from the vault:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmQTjSPg5Vs
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 am
You may not like all this UK stuff or understand it, but at least you can see whats up! LOL
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
The first cut was cool, the other two dudes were gay. Those British accents sound so wimpy, man you dudes sound like punks he he he. I like the way the chicks talk over there though. In the club that shit aint making nobody bounce. Did the Slaves bring all the rhythm to the the Carribean, and the Americas. HE he he.
I thought I would hit you with this cut from GURU, brotha just make me want to throw on some Thaloenius Monk, Oscar Peterson, but I dint think you know about them cats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtsMUe26neE
Pharohe Monche goes hard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvevupLi6hk&feature=related
This song give me power, when I feel like giving up I just sY KEEP ON PUSHIN, motivational. This cut also take me back to the days of Curtis Mayfield, Aretha Franklin and the Black Panther movement. The punchlines to his metaphors are to American, so you may not understand some of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NwYSu5qMOA&feature=related
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:47 am
LOL you are funny man. The first cut you like are these guys called the In-Despensibles, two Nigerian artists who spent some time in the States but are now based here. The other two guys you dont like? LOL well it’s probably because you dont understand the British urban culture and sland, if you did, you’d be sayin different!……and one thing London brothas are not punks that is a severe misjudgement! What about the fourth one, let me know what you think of that.
Man, listen when I say this - I can understand all American rap music, I been listenin to it since aged 7!
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:55 am
I’d perosnally say the slaves brought all their best skills from Africa to America - because it’s American stuff that I listen to more!
All these songs you shown me, I got all of them or heard them already, but thanks anyway.
The second song I sent you was not supposed to sound hard, he was tellin all those other guys to wise up bu da way!
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:03 am
I was just messing with you about the rhythm stuff. Everything about our music is rooted with West African tradition. In a sense you can kind of say it all started in Africa, well its a fact it did.
Just some where since we arrived in America the music just transformed. I guess you have Africans from all over Africa in the fields trying to survive and mixing in other African influense together overtime the period of 400 years brought in a new sound.
the reason I said you may not underatand rap music is because in that.
Pharoahe Monche song, “Push” he says “ill move on the basline like Ginobli. I know you didnt understand the verse. You can explain, but I doubt it if you get it. I didnt say the verse exactly right but rewind it and tell me what he is saying
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Yo bro, I know you was messin’, I never meant my statement like that, I think you mis-read it. I meant that for me PERSONALLY I think all the slaves from Africa with the best musical skills were sent to the USA, as most of the African Diasporic music I listen to is Afro-Amero stuff. I listen to U.S. rap, r’n'b, soul, funk, jazz, blues, gospel - it’s African-American music that I feel more than Afro-Caribbean or Afro-Latino music thats what I meant.
Yeah for sure, I know and most people whith knowledge of music history know that most modern black music has direct African roots. With slavery, the Africans took what they could and made music wherever they landed.
Black American music for most part, is simply Africans and their descendants making music in America - with their own traditional and European/Western influences fused together, using modern musical, equipment and technology. For example, when African musicians in West Africa and the Congo began to use European instruments from colonial times to present day, their traditional music began to sound more like jazz and the blues.
If you remember some posts a while back I broke down some passages for you from bars spat by Jay-Z and Beanie Siegel on the track, “What We Do”. Not too many people would have understood those lines, and I fully understood and deciphered it.
I’ll try and see what Pharaohe Monch means, give me a minute!
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Referring to my earlier statement about African colonial music - In those days they called that type of music in Africa “highlife”.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Was Pharaohe talkin about movin’ on the beat like basketball player called Ginobli? If nit I give up! lol
January 28th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
It took you that long to figure it out, but if you watch basketball and is familiar with the way Ginoblis game, it would make the metaphor would make sense. I was looking at the latest episode of The Game, and it portrayed how Black American athletes are portryed in the media. Since we dominate sports, and a lot of television seems like we are always villified. Check out the show and tell me what you think. I dont think Blacks in England are as dominating in the media as we are with sports and other entertainment. do the ones that are a force go through this stuff?
Check out the show and tell me what you think.
But you are kind of wrong about wrong about Ginobli, you should start looking at NBA.COM. You have the Baskeball player stuff right, he is a basketball player.
http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video/the-game/full
January 31st, 2008 at 8:14 am
That link you sent me, it wont let me watch it, it’s only available to United States-based viewers. No I dont think Blacks in England dominate the media with regards to sport and entertainment as much as Blacks in America. Having said that we do dominate a large part of it, but not the majority, because our black population is not large enough to warrant such influence yet. Yeah blacks go through the same stuff in the media over here too - if a black sports star or entertainer messes up big time, the English press make sure it’s full-blown thing, and they also take time to state and stress his ethnic origin, regardless of the fact that he was born in England.
I went to the movies yesterday and saw this excellent movie called “No Counrty For Old Men”, by the Cohen Brothers. It’s already out in States, been so for a few months now. It’s really good, got this dark, murderous thriller type feel to it with a dash of dark humour. I love Cohen Brothers stuff, they made that gangster classic “Miller’s Crossing”.
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
9ja hip hop is kinda interestin,
am a hip hop lover who can produce and as well
engineer…just wanna thank u all for concern over
9ja hip hop industry,,…stay kool and keep lovin
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
A lot of important events are comming up, or just happened. The New York Giants just defeated the New England Patriots. One of the bigest upsets in NFL history.
This tuesday is SUPER TUESDAY, this political day will determine who will represent the our parties for the next President during the general election, I hope my boy Obama will make history and become the first black President in the United States.
New videos on MTVs sucker free
This video is hot, a lot of red in it, smell like BLOODS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWGRo1FqR-M
February 4th, 2008 at 6:31 am
MY COMMENT TODAY WILL BE TO REFLECT THE GENRE CALLED HIPHOP. HOW WE REVOLUTIONALIZED THE WAY YOUTHS SHOULD LIVE, ITS NOT JUST THE MUSIC, ITS A MOVEMENT AND UNTIL WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE WILL FOREVER CIRCLE IN IGNORANCE AND CONTRADICTION. IT RUNS IN US IN D HOOD, IN THE BOOF, IN THE DRESSING IN THE WAY WE LIVE, THE WAY WE RELATE, THE CULTURE BUILDING THE MIND OF GREAT ADULTS FOR THE FUTURE. HOW FAR WE’VE COME IS LIVING PROOF THAT EVEN THOGH WE MISUNDERSTOOD BY THE GOVT, PARENTS AND OLD FOLKS ALIKE WE STILL SOLDIRES AND SURVIVORS WORDS FROM THA LAST POET. U KNOW WE GOT AN ANTHEM
February 4th, 2008 at 10:33 am
BLACK YANKEE,
Are you on BlackPlanet.com at all? Do you have a profile on there? If so then send me the link. I have my profile on there and I’ma send you the link so you can check it out. Here is the link to my BlackPanet profile:
http://www.blackplanet.com/Official_General/
Hit it up and let me know what u think. Have you seen that movie “No Country For Old Men”? Damn if you havent then you must!
I really do hope Obama get this Democrat nomination, and ultimately the presidency and become the USA’s first EVER black president!
February 4th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
ESOSA
I was around when hip hop first begain. Its a movement that filtered down from other movement here in America. As you know during the 60s in America a lot was going on. The Civil rights Movement, the Black Panther Party. James Brown telling us to be black and proud. Today, it has changed, like always commercialism destroys a movement. Jazz, Rock N Roll, Blues its just a matter of time before Hip Hop is overcommercialized and nicked from its roots. The streets.
Victor im going to check it out, I had an account, im going to have to put one together
February 5th, 2008 at 8:10 am
No worries bro, just there for you to get a lil’ insight into the supreme mind and character of VICTOR and what he represents! I see that London-born Nigerian guy helped the New York Giants to Superbowl victory, he was in the English papers recently. No matter where in the world they are, Naija brothas are just doin what they do as usual - aimin’ high for da sky! Nh just jokin’ man. I heard it was a real upset.
Yeah you right in many ways about rap/hip-hop, but I’m sure it will remain authentically true to it’s roots and stay strong!
February 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Osi Ueminyora, that dude is a beast. He real good, along with Tuck and Jacobs. MAn, I went to your site, you English cats need some fashion tips he he. You guys are wimpy and talk like feminine.
Holla at me at VICTOR
February 8th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
LOL You can hardly see what I’m wearing in my pics man, so how can u say we need fashion tips? And where did you hear us talking on my website to come to that conclusion? LOL I know you have to be messin wid’ me! If you have a webpage then throw it over here bro.
You guys are da one needin fashion tips! Those over-sized baggy clothes-type image needs to be levelled down, it’s a bit too much! LOL
February 13th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Just watch the grammys, di you guys get it in England?
February 18th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Does anyone know the name of the artist and the title of the song that goes “gaou, oh oh, gaou, oh oh” ? Also, where can I get it or download it? I’ve been searching for this song forever.
March 16th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Victor where you been hiding? BEE, never heard of it. Here are a few new joints on the scene, well semi new, do you have any of that gay British stuff?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTOEV6f7jB4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_hYc6lYE4c
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:24 am
i think there is a huge difference between raping in pigeon ,raping in english and tryin to form yankee.if ull dont know some people no sabi rap 4 pigeon they sound betta wen using english.after all english na our language.why una no tell yaruadua make im speak pigeon 4presidential speech.4 instance there are some songs that fit pigeon while some fit english.example a party song which ur market target is nigeria,pigeon go fit am,but an inspirational song which u wan make the world undertsand na englsh go beta.the most important thing is that the song should be sweet.do wat works 4 u.nigerians we to de complain.be 4 we de complain seh our songs to de local 4 international market now its to janded.nija nanawaooh.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:19 am
As a nigerian based in london, i watch nija songs on d net daily,nija musicans are great guys like d-banj styl-plus olu-maintain(do u know dat tolu maintain featured in yahooze video) are great guys.P-SQUARE,why are u copying usher?they sang DO ME? how many people are they doing?FAZE composed his instrumentals on his own, d-banj composed his instrumentals on his own, styl-plus composed their instrumentals on their own,BUT p-square COPIED usher.p-square COMPOSE ur own innstrumentals.Peace Out.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:23 am
We need to work hard,we are not yet up to date.