Tell Me About Your First Time Getting Laid

            My passion has always been music. I was always the kid wearing headphones in inappropriate places. In high school I would cut into the pockets of my sweatshirts so I could weave my headphones through the holes and into my ears, throw my hood over my head then listen as the unsuspecting teacher went on with their lesson plan.

       While the other teenagers were dating and fondling each other, I was at home with my newest “AFI” or “No Use or a Name” album. I never successfully conquered a musical instrument, but I’ve always known that I want the theme of music to punctuate my life plans.

         Recently I found my self in a post-graduation funk. The thoughts and intentions were there, but motivation lagged far behind. I’ve always told myself that even if I don’t know exactly what direction I want to go, I gotta just keep putting one foot in front of the other; walking blind is going to get me further than not walking at all. So after two months I found some motivation – enough to get me to start writing again, while also granting me the right to not get so damn down on myself if I don’t write for a day or two. I’ve been opinion writing, more about concepts and commonly misunderstood knowledge, than music. And while I think this is far more productive than doing nothing at all, I do need to get on with it; move on from this creative middle ground.

So, I need to get back onboard with blog writing again. Even if I’m not going to be published in a paper or magazine, I need to write like I’m going to. My lack of ideas tends to keep me from accomplishing anything, but I was reluctant to let that happen again. So a few weeks back into writing again, I’m pretty sure I know somewhere to officially start. It will take work, maybe a little embarrassment and some brain power, but I need to accomplish my goals.

            I would like to stay local with my writing. I think if I can write about topics that people can relate to, I’ll have the most success. If I do this on a local scale, locals will be able to relate to the stories about people from this area. I’m going to interview local musicians, and possibly artists in general. My hold up on this idea has always been the angle I’m going to take in these interviews. I don’t want to ask basic questions, “Where did you come up with the band name?” “What made you get started in the music industry?... etc. Today I decided I want to ask interviewees questions about their “firsts.” What was you’re your first show like? Firstdance? First time having sex? Concert? I’m excited.

Nuthin But a G Thang Baby

Hip hop in its self isn’t just a type of music; it’s a culture, a way of life if you will. When I was a kid I would shit talk on rap music like I actually had valid opinions…I didn’t.              First off, rap music and hip-hop are not one in the same. Hip-hop stemmed from the deindustrialization of the late 70’s. No money in the projects, kids found ways to have fun and even though they didn’t know it at the time, they started a revolution. The Puerto Ricans and black inner city youth of the South Bronx and Harlem gave way to a new wave of art, creation and controversy.  My reality dictates that rap music is synonymous with uber masculine personalities and some sort of “I gotta prove myself” mentality. And when I was young, I picked up on these underlying themes, and it turned me off. It made me feel uneasy… Somehow, even when I was a kid in 6th grade with my Rage against the Machine backpack patch, I understood the difference between for profit entertainment and art. I always searched out the art within music.  I’ve been called a hipster and been asked why I can’t just stop complaining about the incessant loop of music played on the radio. I’ve always found my life lessons through music…through hip-hop.  I had this idea that rap and this abstract view of what I thought hip-hop was, was the reality. I gave it a good ol once over, thought I was an exemplary critic on the art of rap music. I was 12… and my reference point was the blinged-out thugs on MTV, rocking gold chains, surrounded by a flock of scantly-clad, tits with heads. There was no respect. None.              Women are objects that dance on the laps of rap-gods. They are property to be oogled and fondled. Even back in the early nineties, before women outwardly exposed themselves on TV, women were objectified. Remember Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s hit, “Nuthin’ but a G thang?” That poor girl. You know which one I’m talking about, the one who walks right into being sprayed with shaken up malt liquor. Whne i was young, rap music presonified the objectification of women and glamorized drug use... so not cool. When I realized it could encompass so much more, I was changed, like literally...as a person.