HOW DID WE GET FROM THE PYRAMIDS TO THE PROJECTS ?!: 7/3/05

July 06, 2005

MI...VIDA...LOCA

(L-R) MJ, Venice High School, circa 1992; JUSTO R.I.P. MURAL BY DEZ ONE (DJ KAY SLAY), HALL OF FAME 2005; THE STARGATE CONSPIRACY - Pyramids, Extraterrestrials, Aliens...oh my!

First of all I conducted almost a dozen phone interviews today, starting at 6:30 AM cali time, and over half-a-dozen yesterday. If you know someone else who's interviewed Afrika Bambaataa, Bun B, DJ EFN, DJ Drama, DJ Jelly, Mr. Marc, Stage One, Risky Business, two high-level corporate executives, an attorney, two documentary filmmakers, and an assortment of other DJs and artists in a 36-hour period while finding time to sleep and cook a delicious Mexican feast with turkey burritos, veggie tostadas, refried beans and spanish rice...HOLLA.

Then just when I thought I was done for the night, the phone rang with The Drama King on the other end, promising to call tomorrow early for an interview. It might not be a popular opinion, but Kay Slay is one of my favorite people. He's an INCREDIBLE graffiti artist, a legendary DJ, and he's one of those cats who's been in the streets enough to know that if you're gonna be the shit in the industry, you've gotta be an ASSHOLE. Dame Dash ain't got nothin' on Mr. Smack Yo' Favorite DJ. It's all love though, just look at the piece he did above for this years annual Graffiti Hall of Fame. And you thought he just made mixtapes!

I have more energy than ever before because I made it through the wilderness. I'm home! Being in Cali, even though I've only been back home to L.A. a couple of times since I got here, I realize how much love people have for me and how much they respect my hustle. My organic shine gets lost in NY, is too big for ATL or MN, but back home I see there's a good balance for me right now. I'm shining like a diamond in my own right, as I have for so many years running, and I have a secret weapon now - a man on my team who's an O.G. - O.G. in the streets, O.G. in Hip Hop, and just straight up Original and Gangsta - who respects me immensely and calls me his "classmate", who is just a sweetheart, invites me to come chill with him all over the country since he's always working, and who calls me numerous times throughout the day to check in and make sure I'm having a beautiful day. He's so dope, and as a unit WE are so fly, I'm not even going to write about it (anytime soon). That unity right now is the summmer breeze that makes me feel fine, blowing through the Jasmine in my mind.

Fruition is here. I've been asked to do voice-over for a feature film that'll be released in 2006, and I can't divulge too much, but it's definitely Hip Hop game to the fullest. I got an email from Hip Hop's legendary writer, Harry Allen, and he's read parts of the blog and likes it! Harry says, "Great blog. A lot of writing, and a lot of energy." Definitely keep an eye out for an interview between The Terrorist Journalist and The Media Assassin in the near future. And amidst all of my interviews and hustling, a journalist from the Sacramento Bee hit me up yesterday after reading my "Trillions and Trillions Sizzerved" post and she interviewed me for a news feature on McDonalds, Steve Stoute and the power of Hip Hop culture as a marketing tool.

Sometimes people ask me why I move around so much, or why I haven't put down roots, or why I never stay in one place. My family, who used to be so laid-back, cool, avant-garde, and anti-establishment, now only wants me to "settle down" into a nice, square, corporate job. My homeboy Chace Infinite told me the other day on the phone, "Miranda, the only reason why you ain't married is 'cause you've been spending too much time on your work, hustling your ass off." And I realize he's right. I have a couple more years in the game, and I'm going to make them count. And unlike one MJ, you won't see me in court. And unlike another MJ, you won't see me retire, then come back, then retire; although I'm sure I'll end up coaching. I left behind all the rest, so I could manifest and be the best.

TWO

Trillions and Trillions Sizzerved

Ronald McDonald & the Hamburgler Max and Relax at Hot Import Nights...>

* UPDATE, there will be no "PhatDonald's" - "Not only is it not true, I'm not in talks with them [McDonalds]. I'm a vegan! It goes against my principles. I don't eat anything that runs away from me. I'm going to have to issue a rebuttal about this." - Russell Simmons

I need some help. Just when I think that co-opting of Hip Hop, Rap and all things "urban" can't go any further, sink any lower, or become anymore ridiculous; I'm proven wrong. After using Doug E. Fresh in advertisements a couple years back, McDonalds marketing department is gunning for us with a nickel-plated burner once again...this time, they plan to make their uniforms "more hip". Even my mother no longer says this word...hip. Now, I'm not mad at Steve Stoute (get that money Steve! holla @ me if you need another consultant at Translation, I'm the best plus I guarantee fucking with me you'd never get hit in the head with a bottle again in life...)

"To spearhead the uniform project, the world's largest restaurant chain has hired Steve Stoute of New York-based brand imaging firm Translation, Whitman said. Stoute, a former record executive, is responsible for hooking up rapper Jay-Z with Reebok International Ltd. (NYSE:RBK - news) and has worked with McDonald's previously on its partnerships with performers Justin Timberlake and Destiny's Child. According to Stoute, talks are underway with some of the world's best-known clothing labels, including Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Sean John label, Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. (NYSE:RL - news), Giorgio Armani, hip hop mogul Russell Simmons' Phat Farm label, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (Nasdaq:AEOS - news), Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF - news), Rocawear, and Tommy Hilfiger."

I'd bet good money that Stoute will finalize negotiations and roll with Sean John, Phat Farm, or The Roc. Next thing you know, you'll walk into McDonalds one day soon and instead of muzak piped through tinny speakers, you'll hear a Hip Hop soundtrack coming through a state-of-the-art speaker system installed to maximize your Hip McDonald's Experience. Lord have mercy. But the motherfathers still won't make a damn veggie burger, or serve fruit juice anytime after breakfast. I know, "Mickey Dee's" isn't the spot for healthful eats...but at least sometime in the near future its employees will be rocking the fresh fly gear. Word to Ronald.

July 05, 2005

READ THE CLASSICS, VOL. 1 - K.M.D.'s Black Bastards

The classic unreleased 90's LP, (re)released circa 2000...>

Originally published in STRESS, NY's Illest Magazine, Issue 25
REWIND
KMD - BLACK BASTARDS
by Miranda Jane

"The first joint I appeared on was Gas Face, with a group called Third Bass, back in 1989. I remember that like it was yesterday. I did a verse on that song, and came up with the concept. It was good exposure, so it was Peace," explains Zev Love X of the infamous K.M.D.

As far back as many heads today can remember in their personal Hip Hop experience, there has been K.M.D. In the early days of groups that made it, such as Brand Nubian, and groups that didn't, like the UMCs, K.M.D. stands out as one of the most memorable of the early nineties. Those years were some of the first where rap and Hip Hop videos were widely viewed on shows like Yo! MTV Raps and BET's Rap City. In 1991, we watched "The Gas Face" and "Peachfuzz" over and over again, soaking up K.M.D.'s brand of humorous yet conscious Hip Hop. Although Prince Paul is often credited as the father of a style, it was K.M.D.'s use of samples from television and movies, and of carrying skits through an entire album that paved the way for The RZA and many others who utilize this format today.

Following the release of K.M.D.'s Mr. Hood with a string of succesful guest appearances elsewhere, everything was going well for Zev Love. Then the weight on his shoulders grew heavy, as he suffered from the music business trauma that hit him with a one-two punch. First, the untimely death of his physical brother Subroc (PBUH) and second, the decision by Elektra Records that the cover art of the album Black Bastards was too controversial for release. K.M.D. was subsequently dropped from Elektra Records in 1995.

Today, K.M.D. remains somewhat of an enigma to many - what exactly is Kausin Much Damage? "K.M.D. is whatever you feel," explains an older Zev Love X whose modern-day attribue is MF Doom. Metal Face, Mother Fucken, Mad Flowin, Microphone Fiend. In real life, Doom assumes many characters and identities throughout the day. Historically, Doom is a Hip Hop legend but many people don't realize that he is also Zev Love X of K.M.D. So who exactly is MF Doom? "Doom is really a description of myself, more personally. Of course, it is still a character, people gotta keep that in mind. Doom is part of me."

The year 2000 finds Doom with an underground sleeper hit in the form of Operation Doomsday (1999). And K.M.D. is alive and well - Black Bastards will finally be released this year on vinyl and CD. "Black Bastards, we came up with in 1992, right after we did the Mr. Hood album," explains Doom. "Black Bastards was me and Subroc. On the Mr. Hood album, K.M.D. was myself, Onyx the Birthstone Kid, and Subroc. On the new K.M.D. album it is me and my partner, (MF) Grimm." (**Editor's note - After Grimm's incarceration and the discontinuation of his business relationship with Doom after his release, a "new" K.M.D. project was recorded with Lil Sci and I.D. of Scienz of Life, along with Doom. I have not heard of a release date for this album, and I'm unaware of whether or not it was ever completed).

No matter what K.M.D. does in the present or future, all of the efforts are dedicated to Subroc. "He went back to the essence. God bless, in a car accident, in 1993. I feel him in my heart, like he's still right here. I can't touch him, but I can feel him." Subroc lives on through Black Bastards, the first single being Subroc's solo joint "It Sounded Like a Rock" b/w "Stop Smoking That Shit" which features Lord Sear and Kurious Jorge. For Doom, Subroc's work from 1991 and 1992 still holds water in today's rap game, "Subroc, he was a great producer and an ill MC. If you check the rhymes on the Black Bastards album, he got two joints on there that's retarded! Right now, from '92, he'd be eatin mad niggas."

Operation Doomsday is a clear indication of Doom's ability to produce and record cutting-edge Hip Hop music. "I always wanted to do something solo. I thought about doing the MF Doom album when we were making Black Bastards. Everything was self-produced, the music, even the artwork. (** Editors note - In fact, much of the artwork made famous by Doom, as well as his metal mask, are the work of Graffiti legend LORD SCOTCH 79th (X-MEN) who was King of many train lines in the early days of Graffiti and responsible for many of the dopest Hip Hop album covers and advertisements of the 90s and 00s.)

K.M.D. have remained independent. Doom is currently adding on to the roster of his own imprint, MetalFace Records, which includes K.M.D., MF Doom, MF Grimm, Kurious Jorge, and the M.I.C. (Monsta Island Czars). (** Editor's note - After releasing Grimm's critically-acclaimed LP, The Downfall of Iblys through MetalFace, as well as the Monsta Island Czars' first LP, Escape from Monsta Island, Doom no longer holds dominion over the music of Grimm, the M.I.C., nor Kurious. They're all a part of Grimm's company, Day by Day Entertainment, which is also an independent distributor of Hip Hop and Rock music.) Doom continues to work with all sorts of independent labels, both in the U.S. and abroad (MF Doom is more well known in countries like Australia, the UK, and Japan than in America). Black Bastards is coming to us from MetalFace/Readyrock Records, and both Doom and Grimm have upcoming singles on Brick/Landspeed Records. We can look forward to a second MF Doom creation in the near future, as well as a new album from K.M.D.

The addition of MF Grimm to the K.M.D. equation should equal lyrics of fury as Grimm is a seasoned battle rhymer who made it to the final round of the 1995 Battle for World Supremacy. Grimm was also featured on Kurious Jorge's A Constipated Monkey album, as well as Kool G. Rap's 4,5,6 LP. Paralyzed, blind and deaf from two attempts on his life, MF Grimm has shown and proven his sheer strength and tenacity by regaining his sight, hearing, and the use of his upper body. Although he currently rhymes from a wheelchair, the prognosis is good that he will stand and walk again soon. K.M.D. is an ever-metamorphasizing Hip Hop group proven to stand the tests of time and adversity. MF Doom will survive and beat the odds every time, because he has the unique ability to recreate himself during times of chaos, continuing to manifest Peace.

- Miranda Jane, 2000

Doom if you're still with us, come back to your family. You know who we are. Grimm, you've already exceeded the vision for Day by Day, and it's just begun. Love is Love.

July 04, 2005

INDEPENDENT'S DAY

INVENTOS::Hip Hop Cubano
AN INDEPENDENT FILM BY ELI JACOBS-FANTAUZZI

Since I've already been, at one time or another, a target of the fbi, cia, cointelpro, lapd, nypd, hip hop cops, and other dubious "governmental" agencies; I'm not shook about getting it said. You can barbeque and get drunk all day if you want, but while you're doing that there are soldiers killing innocent people in Iraq, RIGHT NOW. Plus they're torturing "prisoners of war" in Guantanamo. Not to mention that every time you drive by a park full of Mexicans in Los Angeles, you're looking at indigineous people who are celebrating "independence" on the very land that was stolen from them where they now come to make minimum wage - or to be the mayor.

Today, I celebrate Independents. The ones who are making it on their own. The ones who are making a difference. The ones who are bombing, bucking, and dismantling the system. As Ludacris would say, the 4th of July is just another "hoe-liday" so while you're eating your "whore-dourves" and downing that 7th glass of insert-name-of-alcoholic-beverage-here; YOU BETTER THINK. Come up with an idea of your own that'll get you on next year's list of Top 5 Indepdendents. You'll thank me for it.

1. HIEROGLYPHICS IMPERIUM - I remember hearing Casual and Tajai and 'em battling Saafir and Hobo Junction and 'em on The World Famous Wake Up Show. I was sitting with my best friend Stacy and Bilal Allah (who would go on to A&R Mary J. Blige's Share My World for MCA, and eventually form his own company, Enlight Entertainment) in our apartment in Oakland, CA listening to every word. Between being pummelled, if not beaten, on the air; nearly every member of Hiero would go from having a major label deal to having a pocket linted. Turns out, they were down, but not out. Hiero reformed like Voltron and, modelling themselves after rock bands and indie punk labels, they created their own company, their own entity, their own label. They focused on merch and touring, while steadily pumping out a quality selection of CDs, vinyl, DVDs, and songs. Instead of spending their money, they reinvested in themselves, and recently these brothas bought a large warehouse building in Oakland to house their empire. They have major distribution from Red Urban Music/Sony, and they make more $ per record sold than any multi-platinum artist on a major. Furthermore, they develop talent and sign other acts to the label. That's why they're #1 on my list of great indepedendents.

2. EVOLVE UNIVERSAL - This Los Angeles-based clothing company is the brainchild of one woman. We'll call her Evolve. Some call her Jenny. She's the hardest-working woman in the clothing business - what started with a couple of t-shirt designs has blossomed into the finest independent clothing company money can't buy. An artist with roots in Graffiti and fine arts, Evolve designs every image, graphic, t-shirt and piece herself, by herself. And while she recently did a fashion show with high-fashionista shop Fred Segal, her line remains grounded in reality. With messages of Peace, positivity, Knowledge, upliftment, and Itations, Evolve Universal is more than a piece of fabric; Evolve Universal is a way of life. I salute this independent woman who has stayed strong and kept her business going all of these years; while never sacrificing quality for quantity, or the real for the fake. A true independent.

3. INVENTOS: HIP HOP CUBANO - This independent film, created by Clenched Fist Productions and Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi, is a testament to independence. Who else but a Puerto Rican-Jew Hip Hop head from the Bay Area would travel to Ghana and Cuba, come back, and decide to make a film about Cuban Hip Hop? I'll let the words of the film speak for themselves...to quote one of the artists "We care about the world we are living in. We talk about how the rich are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer." To quote another, "a lot of people say we're crazy, that this isn't Cuban culture. It isn't Cuban culture, but it's African culture, understand? And we are all children, descendants, of Africa." Say word. Eli edited, executive-produced, produced and directed this amazing film. Please support him at Clenched Fist Productions. Viva Inventos, y Hip Hop Cubano.

4. R.E.A.C.H.IP HOP - Founded by DJ Kuttin Kandi, and with support from Afro-Puerto Rican Hip Hop activist Rosa Clemente, the Godfather of Hip Hop Afrika Bambaataa, and support from dozens of powerful, revolutionary individuals within Hip Hop, R.E.A.C.H. is where Hip Hop lives. Through rallies and a campaign of letter-writing, emails and phone calls to Clear Channel, the group single-handedly put Hot97 in hot water when the major-market-share NYC station broadcast racist and defamatory songs satirizing the Tsunami disaster. And according to their website, it wasn't that difficult to accomplish. "R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop (formerly known as the NYC Hip-Hop Coalition) is a diverse coalition of artists, activists, hip-hop historians and writers, educators, students, and parents within, and in alliance with, the greater hip-hop community. Our initial call to action was in late January 2005, when commercially owned Hot 97 aired its now infamous “Tsunami Song.” As other communities who were targeted by this incident began to speak out and organize against Hot 97, it became apparent that a crucial voice was missing in this public protest: the voice of the hip-hop community. Thus, with the help of a few hip-hop heads, artists, and community organizers, the Hip-Hop Coalition was born." I thank the members of the coalition for showing the world we have power over everything when we choose to exercise our independence.

5. MIRANDA JANE/PYRAMIDS 2 PROJECTS - I have to celebrate myself today, because I've survived the temptations of the music industry. I built myself up from a crack-selling college dropout to become an editor of three major magazines. I did it without a degree, and for the most part without the support of my family. And when I reached the "top" in my field, becoming associate editor of The Source magazine, I recognized it for the sham that it was and made a promise to myself and to Hip Hop that I would never again be governed or directed by the politics of devils. I may not have a million dollars in the bank, or a platinum or black credit card; but let's face it, when the shit goes down everything ya'll "rich" folks have in the bank will be confiscated and you'll wish you'd had the forethought to put up a little cash, or learn how to survive with nothing. I've seen, with my own eyes, my friends turn to enemies. I've witnessed individuals and entities "turn" from good to evil. I've battled the devil, style for style, and my B-Girlisms reigned supreme. I'm sure he'll be back for round two, and again, he'll walk away with his head down in defeat; while still I rise, walking with my head held high, the Angels of my three dead sons on my shoulders. Only on a day where true Independence is celebrated can you truly appreciate my mission; the mission to inform, educate, uplift, and elevate. Even if I'm not clocking major-label dollars, to the true and righteous, my poverty and my wisdom are making a whole lot of sense.

July 03, 2005

BOOK REVIEW: CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP (and interview with Jeff Chang)

Cover by Brent Rollins Design Explosion, with Photos by Henry Chalfant

Originally published in Verbalisms' Power Juice, this is an exclusive - the original, full-length version of the interview with author Jeff Chang! I highly recommend Can't Stop... to ALL readers, regardless of expertise on or interest in Hip Hop culture. It's simply an amazing read. This is the book I'd ask my own father, jazz musican Buell Neidlinger, to read if he cared enough to discover and understand MY culture, music, and life the way my generation is expected to understand the Jazz era. And don't miss the mixtape that comes with the book (depending on the retailer)...IT ROCKS.

And It Don't Stop: Documenting Hip-Hop's Power and History
by Miranda Jane

Jeff Chang is a powerhouse. He is a hip-hop activist, father, proud male feminist and author of the authoritative book Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation. Can’t Stop is a must-read—with an introduction by the legendary DJ Kool Herc, and chapters spanning from the history of Bronx street gangs all the way to Ice Cube’s "Death Certificate" LP—once you pick it up, you can’t stop reading and you won’t stop learning.

Miranda Jane: Can't Stop Won't Stop is one of the most comprehensive books on Hip Hop culture and history that has ever been written. When and how did you make the decision to take your interviews and historical research to th next level and put them out in nonfiction form?

Jeff Chang: I started thinking about the book when solesides ended in 1997. it was a way of working through all that i thought i had learned up to that point. back then it was going to be a book just about ice cube's death certificate. as time went on, i realized i had a much bigger story: the story about how the hip-hop generation emerged in this post-civil rights, globalized era.

Of all the interviews you conducted, which individual made the most significant impression on you and on the outcome of the book? Why? What particular quote from that person could sum it up?

So many people had such an indelible impact on me. i think meeting benjamin melendez and carlos suarez from the ghetto brothers brought a lot of things together. the 1971 gang peace treaty organized in the bronx still affects us today--in many ways, it made hip-hop possible. it's the ultimate example of a butterfly effect, something that happened amongst a small number of forgotten youths in an abandoned borough of the big city still touches us more than three decades later all around the world. yet you can't read about it in most "official" histories of new york city, let alone hip-hop. the thing that sticks to me about all of these bronx pioneers--from benjy and carlos through dj kool herc, afrika bambaataa, grandmaster flash, and others--is that they felt they *had* to do what they did. they weren't getting paid at first, they did it out of love and passion and a desire to live. dj kool herc says in the introduction, "it was something we did for fun." that's the beauty and power of hip-hop right there in seven words.

3.) How do you follow up a project like this? What's next for Jeff Chang? How/where can people learn more about what you're up to?

i'm working on an anthology on the aesthetics of hip-hop, a book that will be artist-centered and move beyond just rap music to look at how hip-hop has moved into performance arts, visual arts, literature, and all kinds of other forms. the next book is top secret but i'm beginning to think about it a little bit right now. i'm taking most of the summer off--though i'm still doing some appearances, and there's always hip-hop activist work to do--and then i'll be back out on the road a little bit in the fall. people can always catch up with me at my website, cantstopwontstop.com and check out my blog to see what i'm obsessing about at any given moment. i don't know if that's healthy, but that's what's up!

DVD REVIEW: Scratch::All the Way Live

It's All the Way Live...>

ALLHIPHOP.COM REVIEWS

SCRATCH::All the Way Live (DVD)
Artist: Various Artists
Title: SCRATCH::All the Way Live (DVD)
Rating: ****1/2/*****
Reviewed by: Isis the Alchemist

The original Jazzy Jay, legendary former member of The Soulsonic Force; renowned throughout the universe for his collection of wax over 500,000 pieces strong. The X-Ecutioners, the spin-off crew (no pun intended) formed from the original X-Men founded by DJ Steve Dee. Mix Master Mike, former Beastie Boys DJ. Z-Trip, a vinyl junkie known for juggling and party rocking. This was the lineup for the SCRATCH U.S. tour. All the Way Live (Scratch Recordings/Immortal), the DVD, takes the 95% of you who've never been on tour behind the scenes at Los Angeles' own House of Blues for a glimpse of these multi-talented DJs and turntablists in action.

Even if you saw the Scratch show when it was in your city, shit, even if you were ON the tour -- this is still one to watch, regardless. Comprised of concert footage intercut with behind-the-scenes shots and one-on-one interviews, plus never-before-seen glimpses into the lives and crates of these DJs, this flick lives up to its billing as "an all-star DJ spectacular". All the Way Live breaks down the inner workings of the turntablism scene for those who give a mad fuck; and documents live routines from Jazzy Jay, the X-Ecutioners, Z-Trip and Mix Master Mike for those who just want some action on the 1s and 2s.

For anyone who wants to learn how to cut, scratch, juggle, party rock, or transform from the best, All the Way Live could easily be utilized as a how-to guide for your DVD player, laptop or Playstation 2 system -- alongside two Technics 1200s, a pair of quality headphones, and a Rane mixer. Basically, there's something for everyone on the DVD, except those who want to see footage from a rap concert...Sorry, B, this ain't it. Strictly Hip-Hop from the DJ's perspective, all the way live, real raw deal. Immortal Records & Palm Pictures dropped it, ya'll should cop it then rock it; 'cause you just can't stop it.

I HEART LUTHER (REST IN PEACE)

Bless Luther Vandross's Life...>

Ever since I first fell in love with Stephan (Rest in Peace) I've been a huge fan of Luther. His voice is one of the few truly electric voices of the post-R&B generation. You know, not Teddy Pendergrass or Marvin Gaye or Al Green, just Luther. I was a fan of the jams like "Never too Much" but it was the slow jams of his like "Creepin'", "If Only For One Night" or "A House is Not a Home" that really got to me. And I always said I wanted to see him live.

I was in the surgical waiting room when the news announced the sad truth - that Luther Vandross had gone back to the essence. I broke down into tears for a moment, and sent blessings to him and to my friend in surgery. He was 54 years old.

Of all of Luther's contributions, one of my favorite songs of all time is a duet with Cheryl Lynn (even though she's a bitch who's anti-Hip Hop, she still has a pretty voice), "If This World Were Mine". Let's see how much I remember....

"If this world were mine, I would place at your feet, all that I own, you've been so good to me, if this world were mine...I'd give you each day, so sunny and new, and if you wanted to moonlight, I'd give you that too, if this world were mine."

Sometimes life takes sharp, devastating turns. It ain't no mystery, when Luther had that stroke and came back from it, he was on a path. He had something left to do. With the song and video "Dance With My Father Again," he made a name for himself among a whole new generation of music lovers, and he sent a message to his Pops. I know that today, Luther is getting the chance to dance with his father again.

Until we meet again, "Oh, my love, A thousand kisses from you is never too much, I just don't wanna stop, Oh, my love, A million days in your arms is never too much..."

VIDEO REVIEWS: Please Stop Re-Making Hip Hop Songs...PLEASE?!

Rims bigger than car...hmmmm...

My ongoing bout with insomnia has me watching videos on Yahoo! Music. For some reason.

Worst new song/video
"I Need Dubs" by Master P
If the rims-n-tires phenomenon weren't already ridiculous enough before this video...do you really need diamonds and other "precious" gems installed into the metal of your rims? Really? There are journalists broke in San Gabriel, P. Bottom line - I'm not happy when rappers take old songs and bastardize them. LL Cool J's "I Need Love" was the pinnacle of Hip Hop simping. To take such quasi-romance and update it with lyrics referencing twenty-inch rims and tires a/k/a "Dubs" should be a crime. Punishable by having a doll made in the rappers likeness, attired in an army suit, that says "uuuggghhhh" when you squeeze it. Oh, shit, that already happened to Percy Miller bleems ago. Oh well. Shit still sucks the big one. COLD WACK
Rating: 1/3*/*****

Best new song/video
"I Ain't Heard of That" by Slim Thug, Bun B and Pharrell "4Real" Williams
YES! I love the Neptunes sound. I love UGK. This is like a musical Reese's Peanut Butter cup. Two great tastes that taste great together. Houston and Virginia Beach, now you know you're in trouble. The visuals only serve to improve the enjoyment of the song. I love the split-screen action. Feelin Phrll's bling-grill. Pharrell look good. I heart Bun B. If you ain't screamin FREE PIMP C, then what is U saying? Slim Thug is my least favorite of the three, but he'll pass in a mad rush. Yes, they're talkin about how they don't pay for women to get their hair and nails did, and that they instead prefer to put women on the hoe stroll while they sip hot cocoa or sizzirrup somewhere until it's "bitch betta have my money time". Still, as guilty pleasures go, 4Real and Bun B rank high, high, high on the list. TASTY.
Rating: ****/*****

Groupie Luv/Hate

Another male groupie (sigh)...>

Okay I've been in the hospital again so I couldn't blog. My friend had a surgery, she's still in a lot of pain. Still can't find a good doctor who respects the Hippocratic oath and don't need his/her PhD revoked; to do the surgery she really needs to truly get better. What was that movie where Denzel hijacked the hospital staff at gunpoint to get the care his family deserved? I haven't yet brought a piece of steel into the hospital with us, but I have a very large boxcutter and I'm not afraid to brandish it. Fix her or get buck-fiftied, bitches!!

Anyways, I was (re)searching something and I came across some old comments I made on UrbanExpose. The topic was Urban Box Office's demise and the sub-topic was, as I like to call them, "groupies-with-pens". People were calling out the name Dream Hampton, and I was saying...well...this

"I'm certain I'll catch mad flack for this post, but fuck it, here goes nothing. I am SO FUCKING SICK of the double standard. I don't know Dream Hampton personally, but I have to give her props for being a female journalist in this shit - I know how hard it is. I am tired of hearing people talk shit about her, and other women, because of who it is rumoured that they may have slept with. Why is a woman a hoe if she sleeps with X amount of men, while if a man sleeps with X amount of women, he's given props and accolades? Fuck that, I know 'nuff male hoes. Furthermore, you don't see Foxy Brown getting reamed in the media for fucking Ron Isley, R. Kelly, Allen Iverson, AZ, Kurupt, and other assorted industry/music/sports figures. And finally, the only reason you don't hear about male journalists sleeping with female artists is that the majority of the boy writers are fat and/or ugly and/or old and/or white, and very few of them have any semblance of game about themselves. However, if as an example Elliot Wilson slept with Lil Kim, he would be given props, pats on the back, kudos, big ups, etc. - UNLESS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT HE ALSO ATE HER PUSSY. I'm done. The real, thinking people here know that this shit is a double standard and is mad tired. No more whispering in the hallways please. Keep it real. MJ"

Then I said this... "Well. First let me say this - it is not that we should defend Dream. I am simply using her as an example. Just like the Elliot Wilson/Lil Kim aside is not factual, just juxtaposing that possibility against the female journalist/male MC, DJ, Producer, etc. thing. Now "Lisa" I have never seen you apologize, and I accept your apology. However, I am heterosexual, and if I weren't so what? How would that skew my integrity or my standpoint at all? It would not. And if I were a lesbian, and I chose to have lesbian love with Lyte, or Latifah, or Missy, or any number of the rumoured-to-be-gay female artists out there - again I would be labeled a "hoe". The problem is not Dream Hampton. The problem is the treatment of women within the industry. I can't tell which came first - the chicken or the egg - did women become "groupies and whores" to get ahead in the industry, or did "groupies and hoes" push their way into jobs without the resumes to back them up? The point is it doesn't matter as long as there is this incredibly obvious lack of social equality. Men and women are not the same, I would be the last person to define equality as the two being identical. I'm just saying, CAN MYSELF AND MY SISTAS GET SOME MOTHAFUCKEN RESPECT UP IN THIS BITCH!?! Peace y'all. MJ"

In between the two, someone called me gay, someone else called me cute, someone else called me fat...the point is that these posts are ANCIENT, UE was crackin before I moved to NY the second time to work for Complex, which was in 2000. So nothing has changed about my politics or thoughts or rhetoric. Just thought I'd share. And Dream, if you're out there, I've still got your back. And to all the women out there, in the industry or not, get yours. People are going to hate on you, regardless. They're going to talk shit, regardless. Folks will call you names and downplay your worth, regardless. No matter what you do, especially if your work-product sells like hoecakes or makes a lot of money for your company or boss, don't worry - you will not receive credit, thanks, accolades, or the bare minimum of respect for your efforts. It's all just part of the joy of having ovaries, a uterus, and all that good stuff. And 99% of us wouldn't trade it for anything, well, maybe we'd trade the excruiciating menstrual cramps...

HATE ME NOW

MJ

p.s. A B-Boy invited me to be his guest at a jam out of town a couple of days ago, and I'm thinking of going. He said he hates having other B-Boys all up in his mix, but that he "Don't mind them seeing him whisper in my ear" the whole weekend. I am 100% sure he's never heard "the whisper song" and when he said what he said, it was the antithesis of that bullshit. Definitely a signpost on the path. God is great.

July 02, 2005

YOUR COMMENTS...ON BLAST!

RESPECT 2 ALL GHETTOBLASTERS

Yes, yes ya'll. The streets is talkin. Good shit.
First of all, re: Ying Yang, Stripper Rap and Hoe-Hop...

Fresh said...
The Ying Yang Twins just need to stop. They are always trying to justify their ignorance. And Free is sitting herself up and back. It's bad enough she was pretty wack on that Fighting Temptations song now she bragging about giving incredible head. I can't even look at her without thinking about how she put herself out there like that. I wonder if she's been kicking it with Khia down in Tampa.
7:37 AM

princess of the poem: Desdamona said...
damn. damn. damn. Miranda. Thank you for posting this. I can't stand this song and I am thankful that I have not had the misfortune of hearing these holla back tracks by the ladies. I have thought of doing a response track but honestly, I don't even know where to begin. The ying Yang Twins were recently in the Twin Cities for the "high school summer jam" They headlined. I don't understand what the hell is going on.At this point, if I were to write a response record it just might end up violent and I'm not trying to perpetuate that shit either. Besides, I can't even listen to the damn song long enough to even catch all the lyrics. Just when you think it can't get any worse....des
9:59 AM

MJ said...
Peace Des. I feel U. Especially about the violence. But that's the point, in essence, the song alludes to date-rape, or worse, club-rape. The song is on your MTV, BET, Clear Channel and Radio One, all day. The youth them are being pummeled with aural images of this shit, "walkin round the club with your thumb in your mouth, take your thumb out, put my dick in your mouth". WHAT!!??So the answer record, in my mind, is moreso to make a song, with the same beat, with women's voices, letting men know that we ARE NOT anxiously awaiting seeing their dick, but seeing their intelligence, respect, divinity, masculinity, chivalry, and love. U know?? It SHOULDN'T BE NASTY OR VIOLENT, the nasty bitches are already recording over that beat. It's not for the people who The Whisper Song is for, it's for the people the song has hurt and damaged. The truth shames the devil. - MJ

And the much-misunderstood MJ's House of Hoe Cakes/MF Doom/Stonesthrow/MadVillain post

Gangalino said...
I saw your post, I think on Adisa's site, talking about not being a groupie, and blah blah blah, and I'm not saying you are, but you know mfs that listen to this music tend to be around the streets, and that's why we connect with the stories rapped, and how things go down. So you have to know that niggas know how white girls get down with this scene, so I have to ask, if you're not a groupie, being a young white girl and all that, what were you doing "...waking up at one of the half-nice hotels they’ve still got downtown, on the top floor. There’s a fat, balding, older man asleep next to me, calling the hogs a/k/a snoring in a major way. He’s missing a couple of teeth, but he covers them with gold and ruby fronts in public."? You like fat, bald, toothless men? Word?There's nothing wrong w/ doing your thing, don't have to put any labels on it, but tell it like it is, no?
8:56 AM

I want to speak to this one in particular. At least this cat actually READ the piece in its entirety before he came out his face. And this is the point I'm trying to make exactly. I don't judge someone I'm in a relationship with by how they look. I put off Doom's advances for a LONG time before I ever got into a relationship with him. I was not FUCKING him, he and I were together. His wife used to call my house to speak with him. He and I have a relationship that no one can define. I was attracted to him because of his scientific intelligence. YA'LL are the ones who are attracted to him because he's an MC. And most of his groupies are men, so what does that say about you? At the end of the day, despite the bullshit and the bad business, and the fact that we're not in close touch, I still love Daniel Dumile because he's a brilliant mind, as I am. And it doesn't matter what ANYONE else has to say about it, I know he still loves me too. I am NOTORIOUS for telling it like it is, why you think I'm writing all this shit for no money? Get it. Get it. Get it. Money don't move me. Music does. The industry didn't make me. The streets did. I don't have a PhD. I'm still enrolled in the School of Life, studying the Book of Life e'day and writing my own plus lessons as I go along. Don't get it twisted, I'm not the groupie, and I'm not the hoe. Think about it. And ask yourself one question...How DID We Get From the Pyramids to the Projects??

p.s. Don't call me a white girl. That's mad insulting. Just 'cause I'm not blessed with as much melanin as some folks, shit, neither was Yellowman or Krondon or Malcolm X or Sean Paul. If you want to call me anything, call me a B-GIRL, and keep it movin'.

Live from Love Allah, Representin Poor People Everywhere,

MJ

July 01, 2005

Reverse Sexism, Mista-ogyny, and all that Ying Yang...

Screen shot from Jacki-O's "Fine" video. Not for the kiddies!

Stop! It's the m'fukken remix. Just found the lyrics for the 'Wait/The Whisper Song' remix and Jacki-O's verse is, well, interesting.

"[Jacki-O] I know you see me calling won't you answer your phone im trying to tell ya baby that im home all Alone im on queen size sheets and there made from silk and my mouth wide open cause im waiting for Milk shh just listen i want you to hear my kitten she goes purrr meow especially when you put her in Your mouth i got a big fat cat and she loves to purr cause she always hot so i shave the fur i got the Lollipop candy and i licked it im here with nothing on but some fish nets and im wetter than niagara Flicks on the plasma ohh i just pop the viagra stop what your doing and come get it ya stick ya fingerIn it now lick it what Wait til you see my clit (purr) Wait til you see my clit (hey boy) Wait til you see my clit You gon eat this pussy up Wait til you see my clit (purr) Wait til you see my clit (hey boy) Wait til you see my clit You gon eat this pussy up like Aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw Eat the pussy up, eat the pussy up (X29)"

Then there's some chicks named Spoil'd Rotten who've cut an "answer" to your boyz...download that and look at their photos (if you dare) right chea... Apparently there aren't too many variations on the hook's lyrics coming from the Strip-Hop rappers, Spoil'd Rotten's dirty version says "wait til you see my clit" while their clean version says "wait til you see my lips". Something in there as well about making the Twinz pay for it... There were rumours that this "answer record" came from Kelis, but they were unfounded. For posterity, check this blurb from SOHH.COM, "Free gets nasty with Twins. Free always warns 106 & Park Freestyle Friday contestants to abstain from cursing and using sexually explicit lyrics during battle, but she sure doesn't practice what she preaches on the Ying Yang Twins' "Wait"(Whisper Song) remix [listen: hi/lo]. On the track, which also features Busta Rhymes, Lil Scrappy and Missy Elliot, Free borrows the twin's whisper flow and blasts a hole into her PG-13 image when she offers, "I got a nice little … and my ass poke out / automatically I can ride a… no doubt/I'm known for getting all the haters mad / I can go slow but go crazy fast/ I give amazing head / Backside a little softer than a baby's ass / And that's wild soft / I let a rich ni99a hit it on his golf course.

Not to be outdone, West Palm Beach femcees, Spoil'd Rotten recently dropped their own solo version of the "Whisper Song." Mistaken by many (including SoHH.com) to be Kelis, the indie duo signed to Breakin' Bread Entertainment get XXX-rated with lines like, "If you want me to get in your bed / You can lick it while I grab on your dreads / If you like to fuck / Well I like to put my legs up / Let you lick all in my butt." Spoil'd Rotten switches up the Ying Yang's chorus by offering, "Wait till you taste my clit" moments before instructing to "Eat the pu$$y up." The hook is then followed with a series or orgasmic moans. Believe it or not, SR takes it up a few notches on the second verse. Building on the oral sex theme, one of them woman requests, "Just eat this cat like a dog / Don't stop till you hear me go awwww and oohhhh!."

So the problem is that none of the women recording these so-called "answer tracks" are NOT dissing the Twinz! They're co-signing the date-rape raps with their own brand of Hoe-Hop! I'm WAITING til I hear a real female MC drop some karma on they ass. Where ya'll at?

In other Ying Yang news, according to MTV, they'll be getting their own "reality" show wherein a stranger will become their roommate. This brings up a convo I had with my best friend in the wash-house the other day. If you HAD to get with one of the Ying Yang Twinz, HAD TO, like if you didn't you'd spontaneously combust or some shit - which one would you choose? We both chose the bald one.

I'm never too shocked by the outrageous things folks say to justify their dirty music and business, but this one really take a lot of cake... "People think that just because we speak about those women in that manner, it must mean that we disrespecting them. But how you look stripping to "Mary Had a Little Lamb?" - Kaine of the Ying Yang Twins, XXL, June 2005 (thanks to Crunk & Disorderly for that one, filed under the "Nigga Please" section)

Last thing, in the "shit happens" category, Eve's pissed off 'cause a "personal sex tape" of her and her ex-old man ended up online. I feel her, but I've also seen the flix of her "dancer" days and she was doing more than dancing with one of her fellow pole-swingers, like whoa. I mean with Heather Hunter and Gloria Velez making records, and former strippers Eve and Jacki-O rhyming, no wonder the wires are crossed when it comes to feminism and empowerment within Hip Hop.

EARLY

BRONXSTYLE + the blueprint

Alien Ness...So Fresh

"You got this record playing, just take time to listen to it." - B-Boy Alien Ness

"If you ain't doing what Alien Ness is doing, you ain't doing nothing." - Wyclef Jean of the Fugees

"The brother definitely proved to be out of this world." - Popmaster Fabel, Heirophysics/Rock Steady Crew

"Alien Ness is one of the illest b-boys out there." - Grand Wizard Theodore, Creator of the "Scratch"

"Alien represents real hip-hop and I am proud to know him. I hope he succeeds in every way." - Kurtis Blow

"The quintessential b-boy…it's in his soul." - Grandmaster Caz, Cold Crush Brothers

"He's numero uno…The original…b-boy killer." - Afrika Bambaattaa, Godfather of Hip Hop

"He came to break!" - Crazy Legs, Rock Steady Crew

The homegirl B-Girl Asia One (No Easy Props) hooked me up with a copy of the double DVD from Alien Ness, Bronxstyle/the blueprint. I just finished checking it out for the first time, and I'm floored (no pun intended). Since I shot some flix of Ness a few years back at the RSC Anniversary, he's been one of my favorite B-Boys to watch. But this shit is ridiculous!

First of all, for those who've never been to a B-Boy/B-Girl jam, Rocksteady Anniversary celebration, Universal Zulu Nation event, B-Boy Summit, Freestyle Session, etc. let me begin with some background on Ness. A B-Boy since 1982, he's been down with a number of crews over the years such as Electric Ave Rockers, Dance System 10, the NYC Breakers, B-Boys in Action/Bronx B-Boys/Boogie Down Productions, High Performance, Heirophysics, Rock Steady Crew, and the Universal Zulu Nation. He got a lot of his skills and foundation from two O.G. B-Boys, Buck 4 and Kuriaki, both of whom went back to the essence (God bless their lives). "Buck 4 used to tell me to practice slow," explains Ness on the how-to DVD, "and to think of different combinations and variations." In fact, Ness dedicates this to everyone he's learned from, including Buck 4, Kuriaki, Crazy Legs, Popmaster Fabel, Icey Ice, Mr. Wiggles, Sugar Pop, Melle Mel, Steelo, Sab, Wicket, Trac 2, and many more.

With footage from the Furious Styles Crew 10th Anniversary jam, demos from RSC Queen Jeskils, words from Mr. Freeze RSC, and mad demonstrations, explanations, breakdowns, and moves from Ness himself; one thing is clear - even newbies can learn to break with these DVDs and a whole lot of practice. Ness shows you how to toprock and go down, stressing that the best ways to learn are to run through drills (shown/broken down in the DVD), study old-school breakers, and use some common sense. It's the little things he explains, such as how to toprock on the balls of the feet - not to toprock flatfooted - that make these lessons golden.

In the mindstate of "each one teach one" intact, Ness pays homage to the B-Boys who taught him these moves so he can today teach others how to rock. Breaking down how to do the "Ness Glyde" he explains that the move he started from to create this new move was "The Float". In demonstrating the 4 Corners he explains that Crazy Legs taught him how to do it. The DVD gives inspiration to up-and-coming B-Boys and B-Girls as well, 'cause like Ness explains about coming up with his signature moves, "a majority of them were mistakes, or doing something I was trying to do by accident."

While most folks might not sit through a 2 DVD set about skills and steps, it's worth it to see the raw energy of the moves showcased here from dozens of B-Boys and B-Girls. And it's entertaining and comedic at times to listen to what Ness has to say about the dance..."Bottom line is, it's gonna work like Daniel-Son - wax on, wax off". Speed, leg steps, footwork, twists, bicycle pumps, figure 4 spins, swipes, windmills, chair freezes, baby freezes, transitions, poses, forms and flows - it's all here for the learning.

Check out a preview of Bronxstyle here and the blueprint here. To cop the videos visit B-Boy Summit Dot Com, or visit Alien Ness's site at B-Boy Alien Dot Com. And if you want to keep up with the B-Boy/B-Girl scene, subscribe to the Tools of War newsletter. That's what's up.

PEACE,
MJ

IT'S THAT F-WORD AGAIN

I Might As Well Tell U Who I Am...>

I wanted to post this brief question and answer session for ya'll. An educator by the name of Tracey Salisbury, who came all the way up to B-Girl Be from the University of North Carolina, is putting together an online course on Hip Hop for the fall semester. She's dedicated an entire section of the curriculum to Women and Hip Hop, and has her tech team putting together a "Hip Hop feminist/scholar" virtual roundtable as we speak! Her students will be able to click on each scholar's name, and in my case, they'll be linked to some of my online articles and editorials, as well as P2P. I love that she's doing this because she's one of the few people who acknowledges the Hip Hop scholars who DON'T have PhD's, as well as the ones reppin' Hip Hop for what it's worth within the "Ivory Tower". DOPE SHIT.

Without further pontification...

What is your view of hip-hop feminism?

I embody Hip Hop Feminism because of my politics, activism, and heritage. My Grandmother, Audrey Tuffli-Fuss, founded the first "ad-hoc" women's studies department at CSU Long Beach which eventually became one of the first women's studies departments at a University. I am a staunch activist when it comes to preserving Hip Hop culture, and as an editor and writer I've strived to portray artists and their work in a manner that is historically accurate. Hip Hop is my culture, my life, and my family. Within that culture there lurks a dichotomy and often a disconnect between Hip Hop and Rap, men and women, Commercialism and Consciousness, and even Black and white. As a woman who comes from a generations-long herstory of feminism, I am careful to include women in Hip Hop whenever and wherever possible in articles, book chapters, lectures, discussions, my blog, and even personal conversations. Women in Hip Hop are responsible for SO many "firsts" and half the Herstory will never be told. But for the other half, I've dedicated the better part of my life to Hip Hop, to feminism, and to supporting the growth and development of women within the Hip Hop sphere. I consider myself a wise woman warrior who's fighting a war against silence, misogyny, misrepresentation, sexism, rape, harassment, discrimination, and historical genocide. By any means necessary, through my words and actions, I support women who are working toward this common goal.

What is the greatest issue concerning women and hip-hop?

From my perspective, the greatest issue concerning women in Hip Hop is that misogyny and sexism are rampant throughout the music business and the business of music. Furthermore, this has been a problem for upwards of 20 years; so there is much work to be done to clean up the dirty history and misrepresentation. Images of women in Hip Hop have hit an all-time low, with the only slots available for female MCs falling under the category of Hoe-Hop and Stripper Rap. As women, we must financially support ALL female Hip Hop and Rap artists who do not fall into this "tender trap". Furthermore, we MUST NOT support those artists, male or female, who serve the other side and rhyme to reinforce stereotypes, perpetuate misogyny, and/or hoard wealth for themselves. By this I mean a total Girlcott of radio, TV, CDs, DVDs, films, and any other consumption where women refuse to spend their hard-earned cash supporting those who are against women, against Hip Hop culture, and against women in Hip Hop especially.

What is the future for women and hip-hop?

The future is brighter than ever from Women in Hip Hop. With ongoing movements encompassing the Spelman College Nelly Girlcott, Essence Magazine's Take Back the Music campaign, the Feminism in Hip Hop Conference at University of Chicago, B-Girl Be: A Summit For, By and About Women in Hip Hop in Minneapolis, and a rise in women in power at CNBC, MTV, and BET; change is in the wind. Feminism is the new F-word, and every woman knows somebody who knows something about it. Artists like Jean Grae, Mystic, Psalm One, Desdamona, Goapele, Misundastood, Rayna Shine, Jewel Brown, DJ Kuttin Kandi, The Anomolies, Earth Everest of Black Elephant, D-Lo, Invincible, and so many more may or may not consider themselves feminists; however they are creating the music and lifeforce to sway Hip Hop back to the days when we were Queens and Ladies, not bitches and hoes. Whenever any of these women picks up a mic, they inspire a younger generation of B-Girls on the rise to do the same. It will be these "fourth-wave" B-Girls and Hip Hop feminists to whom we'll pass the baton; and trust me when I say that they'll be rough, rugged and raw when it comes to respecting and protecting the legacy of Women in Hip Hop.

Peace,

Miranda Jane
http://pyramids2projects.blogspot.com/

Tired of Bloggin'

And another one down, and another one down...DAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

What the hell. There's not gonna be anymore Beats and Rants for awhile, apparently. I'm a little miffed about this.

To add salt to the already excruciatingly-painful wound left by EXO's departure from the game, now I'm reading that Lynne D. Johnson is taking the ever-more-popular hiatus as well.

At least these folks get it said. Jonramanica and Jazzy-Bo just leave us here withering away and occasionally feeding us crumbs.

Plus my two guilty pleasures, Cassidy AND young Gucci Mane (SO ICEY), are both possibly/probably headed up the river without a paddle toward the big house. FUCK ME!

Not only that, but Meshack's not publishing The Kronick no mo'; and Asia One has discontinued the annual B-Boy Summit events. Ironically, these ventures were both L.A. institutions and both lasted 10 years running. It's all good thoug, they both have big things going on; so always onward and upward. More on that later...

I can't make any promises, but I myself will make every attempt to keep this goin 'til the wheels fall off. After all, it's the only place I don't have to worry about some machete-happy editor-in-brief fucking up the program, right? Thank God for small favors.

MASH IT UP,

MJ

MUST...READ...NOW...Version 2.0

Pretty Enough to be a Guerilla...>

I'm going to go all over the place, so please try to keep up. There will be a test at the end, but it won't be biased toward rich white folks. Some of you need to get up to speed before we move on in the lesson plan, and those of you who remain behind in your reading WILL be terminated, posthaste. Can you keep up? At least TRY to make me lose my breath...

VIVENDI UNIVERSAL: INDUSTRIAL VAMPIRES
by M'Bwebe Aja Ishangi fka Jehvon Buckner
If you read Neely Fuller's, The United Independent Compensatory Code/System/Concept and Francess Cress Welsing's, The Isis Papers, you would be familiar with the 9 Areas of People Activity. Those areas consist of economics, education, entertainment, labor, law, politics, sex, religion and war. When studyin' global white supremacy — which is maintained by the Illuminati — we find they basically have it locked down. So that we didn't fall into the namin' the culprit "they" while never tellin' you WHO SPECIFICALLY, we did futher research and found that there is such a company that is in the final stages of virtually sewin' up many of the 9 Areas. The company's name is Vivendi Universal. Vivendi is the worldz largest record company, which ownz Uinversal Music Group and Universal Studios, as well as 51% in the European pay-TV provider, Canal. Among other thingz in other fieldz, they have sister divisionz in Vivendi Environment, which dealz in water, air, waste and soil; Vivendi Publishing — where they own over 800,000 copyrighted catalogz such as Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, Billie Holiday, Jackson5, Bob Marley, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes and the Temptationz; Vivendi Internet and Vivendi Telecom. Finish the assignment here.

A Weekend With the Five Percenters
by Michael Muhammad Knight
I arrived in Harlem on Friday, just in time for jumaa prayers at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz with the bulbous green dome. This mosque had once been the Nation of Islam’s Temple No. 7 but was now run by Warith Deen’s community. I checked my bag at the door and walked up a flight of stairs to the prayer hall. A brother gave me a plastic grocery bag for my shoes. I walked in right-foot-first to find security guards in suits and ties positioned throughout the mosque. One pointed to an open space in the back row so I went and did my sunna. When I sat down he came over and had me sit closer to the brother on my side. I looked around and found myself the only white guy but felt alright since we were all Sunni there, this was the Islam of Malik Shabazz. The imam’s khutbah was long and went all over the place, quoting not only from the Quran but also the New Testament and even Elijah Muhammad but most of the time he read directly from a Warith Deen speech. Doctrine-wise it was Sunni but he used old terms from the Nation of Islam like “trickster” and “grafted minds” without their racial connotations.
MORE

PIMP OR WIMP? Why Black Rappers Glorify the Pimp Mentality
by du ewa m. frazier
Pimp has become synonymous with the name rapper these days. Whether it's in a music video, on a television show appearance, or in their lyrics, rappers just can't get enough of likening themselves to being pimps. We know the word to mean a man who manages the daily work of a prostitute and takes a percentage (if not all) of her or several women's earnings. We've seen the original "Shaft", actress Pam Grier's movies featuring gritty street pimp characters or even read the racy, hard edged tales of street and pimp life in books by Donald Goines. We know who pimps are, or rather who they used to be: slick, greased down cats, wearing lavish, attention getting suits, shoes, hats and coats, to match their bigger than life egos. And of course we cannot forget about their unforgettable pimp mode of transportation: the Cadillac, or "Caddy" as some would call it. The men we've heard of as being pimps are notorious for woman beating, drug and alcohol abuse, run-ins with the law and hardened personalities who womanize and seem to be proud of their distasteful interactions with women. Pimpin ain't easy. Pimp life can't be easy, after all, it is illegal, a sort of non-career for hustlers who make a career out of street life dealing and womanizing. Pimping, however uneasy it is, has gotten very popular as in mainstream popular. So mainstream, that it's become entertainment, a stereotype of Black men, a joke. HBO did a documentary on the pimp lifestyle, profiling rapper Ice-T, with his friends who have been pimps for years and the seemingly happy women they pimp.
More pimpin'?

ISIS
Isis, though worshipped all over Egypt, was specially venerated in certain cities, and the following are among the most common of her titles: --"The great lady, the God-mother, lady of Re-a-nefer; Isis-Nebuut, lady of Sekhet; lady of Besitet; Isis in Per Pakht, the queen of Mesen; Isis of Ta-at-nehepet; Isis, dweller in Netru; Isis, lady of Hebet; Isis in P-she-Hert; Isis, lady of Khebt; Usert-Isis, giver of life, lady of Abaton, lady of Philae, lady of the countries of the south," etc. From a list of title of the goddess collected by Dr. Brugsch, it is clear that Isis was called Usert, in Thebes, Aat, in Heliopolis, Menkhet, in Memphis, God-Mother, in Coptos, Hert, in Letopolis; and "Hent," i.e., "Queen," in every nome; and another important list tells us that Isis was called Ament, in Thebes, Menhet, in Heliopolis, renpet, In Memphis, Sept, in Abydos, Hetet, in Behutet, Hurt, in Nekhen, Thenenet, in Hermonthis, Ant, in Dendera, Sesheta, in Hermopolis, Heqet, in Hibiu, Uatchit, in Hipponus, Mersekhen, in Herakleopolis, Renpet, in Crocodilopolis, Neb-tept, in Arsinoe, That, or Tchetut, in Aphroditopolis, and Shetat, in Bubastis. Among her general titles may be mentioned those of "the divine one, the only one, the greatest of the gods and goddesses, the queen of all gods, the female Ra, the female Horus, the eye of Ra, the crown of Ra-Heru, Sept, opener of the year, lady of the New Year, maker of the sunrise, lady of heaven, the light-giver of heaven, lady of the North Wind, queen of the earth, most mighty one, queen of the South and North, lady of the solid earth, lady of warmth and fire, benefactress of the Tuat, she who is greatly feared in the Tuat, the God-mother, the God-mother of Heru-ka-nekht, the mother of the Horus of gold, the lady of life, lady of green crops, the green goddess (Uatchet), lady of bread, lady of beer, lady of abundance, lady of joy and gladness, lady of love, the maker of kings, lady of the Great House, lady of the House of fire, the beautiful goddess, the lady of words of power, lady of the shuttle, daughter of Seb, daughter of Neb-er-tcher, the child of Nut, wife of Ra, wife of the lord of the abyss, wife of the lord of the Inundation, the creatrix of the Nile flood."
You know you want more.

Three Gems of Alchemical Initiation
Part 2: Sublimation of Ching, the Second Gem of Alchemy
By Lynn Osburn
The sublimation of ching is the second alchemical gemstone. When ching is sublimated through the inner circulation you can become aware of your subtle body. Chi circulates through the inner circulation. Ching can rise through the microcosmic orbit and enliven or activate the dormant subtle body. The subtle body is the complement of the gross (physical) body. When enlivened by the reverse flow of ching the dormant subtle body begins to develop. The old Taoist masters called this development of the immortal fetus.
Study up on it!

Black Gods of the Inner City
by Prince-A-Cuba
(Fall 1992 / Gnosis Magazine)
After centuries of slavery, lynchings, discriminations, miseducation, policebrutality, and poverty, it was not difficult for semiliterate Black migrantsin the Depression era to believe that the White man was a devil. What wasdifficult, after generations of being taught in schools, textbooks, and themedia that Black people were inferior and had no history of achievement beforeenslavement, was for them to see the divine nature in themselves. It was not for Black people to rehabilitate their view of Whites, but to raise their ownself-esteem. The doctrine of Black godhood responds to this need, and the Black gods of the inner city are symptomatic ot this effort.
Required reading...

The Cotton Club
Black-conscious hip-hop deals with an overwhelmingly white live audience
by Bakari Kitwana
Armed with messages of Black political resistance, Black pride, and opposition to militarization and corporatization, designed in part to counter the commercial hip-hop party-and-bullshit madness dumbing down the nation's youth, hip-hop's lyrical descendants of the "fight the power" golden era today are booking concerts in record numbers—far beyond anything imaginable by their predecessors. Problem is, they can hardly find a Black face in the audience. As the Coup (Pick a Bigger Gun), Zion-I (True and Livin'), and the Perceptionists (Black Dialogue) get set for a wave of touring to promote their new CDs this summer, the audience that will be looking back at them unmasks one of the most significant casualties of hip-hop's pop culture ascension: the shrinking Black concert audience for hardcore, political hip-hop.
"My audience has gone from being over 95 percent Black 10 years ago to over 95 percent white today," laments Boots Riley of the Coup, whose 1994 Genocide and Juice responded to Snoop Dogg's 1993 gangsta party anthem "Gin and Juice." "We jokingly refer to our tour as the Cotton Club," he says—a reference to the 1920s and '30s Harlem jazz spot where Black musicians played to whites-only audiences.
Finish it!

Hatshepsut
by David Bediz
Hatshepsut, as a female, had many obstacles to overcome. There was always a threat of revolt, especially as her bitter nephew came of age. Using propaganda and keen political skills, she deftly jumped each hurdle she faced. To quell the fears of her people, she became a "king" in all statuary and relief during her reign. She even dressed in the traditional garb of male rulers: the shendyt kilt, the nemes headdress with its uraeus and khat headcloth, and the false beard. Although there were no wars during her reign, she proved her sovereignty by ordering expeditions to the land of Punt, in present-day Somalia, in search of the ivory, animals, spices, gold and aromatic trees that Egyptians coveted. These expeditions are well documented in the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the walls of her temple. With these inscriptions are included incised representations of the journey, including humorous images of the Puntites and their queen, at whom the Egyptians no doubt looked while restraining a giggle; the queen has folds of fat hanging over her knees and elbows, her back is crooked and she has an aquiline nose. To the short, thin Egyptian she was probably quite a sight. Hatshepsut, in a final bid to be recognized as a legitimate queen, constructed a fabulous temple in the Valley of the Kings, of all places, by a tall plateau at Deir-el-Bahri, across the Nile from Thebes.
You guessed it...homework.

What, you thought "How'd We Get From the Pyramids to the Projects?" was some rhetorical shit, or me just being cute? Wrong again...learn about it.

P.S. Believe nothing. Question everything. Come up with answers. Don't believe e'thing you read; especially on the internets.

1

All Natural Beauty

100% Natural

I always get comments in the streets about how good I smell, how smooth my skin looks, and how I have such shiny, healthy hair. Those of you who know me know about the whole organic health food regime on my Mom's side of the family, it's been going on for four generations now. My homegirls know a few of my beauty secrets, and some of them are hip to a few of the products I use. But today, in an unprecedented act, I'm going to share all my secrets right here on Pyramids 2 Projects. Check it out... And to all my gentlemen readers, don't leave yet, read ahead and click on these links - your grandmother, mother, aunties, sisters, daughters, and Queens will thank you for it!

It's Da Balm! For real, that's what it's called. Perfect for dancers, skaters, walkers, runners, bikers, or anyone who has owie feet.
www.capoieragear.com

I'm the third generation of women in my family to use this pure Olive Oil soap. The best face soap, period.
www.kissmyface.com

Jasmine Petal Sea Salt Soak...relax in a hot bath and smell good doin' it.

www.africasgarden.com

The true test of a righteous person - do they wash up with Dr. Bronner's? Peppermint, Lavender, or Almond are the best!
www.drbronner.com

For the teeth, I like Tom's of Maine flouride-free toothpaste in Cinnamint. To keep my teeth white I sometimes brush with a paste of pure baking soda and just enough water to make it stick to the toothbrush.

www.lifesvigor.com (Tom's of Maine no longer sells direct from their site, www.tomsofmaine.com)

Another wonderful bar soap, Dudu Osun, the best of the Black soaps I've found.
www.afrikanrepublic.com

Try the Aloe Herbal Hair Wash with Ylang-Ylang & Vanilla scent.
www.ebenenaturals.com

Alba deep conditioner is thick, rich and leaves a delicious scent in your hair. I use a teeny, tiny bit as a leave-in.
www.houseofnutrition.com (don't know if Alba has a website of their own, also available at Whole Foods markets!)

I can't live without the Beeswax and Banana hand creme...it smells like yummy banana bread fresh from the oven
www.burtsbees.com (Also try the complexion soaps and the amazing citrus facial scrub)

The "Aries" scented butter smells SOOO good...but my favorite is the CitrousCin.
www.myemagine.com (I met this Sister at a street fair in Eagle Rock, and her products are TO DIE FOR. Try the Milk bar soap, which doubles as a shampoo!)

Anahita's Hair Butter is divine, Heavenly Spirit Body Butter works every time!
www.warmspirit.com

Khoret Amen Shea Butter Hair Smoothie! Sweet Almond Cookie Oil! Mmmmm...yummy
www.carolsdaughter.com

Delicious body scrubs in Ginger Sweet Coconut or Peppermint Dark Chocolate
www.inkylovesnature.com

I suggest Aura, Honeydew Melon, or Hibiscus. My signature blend is Chocolate Kiss, Orange Blossom, and Peppermint (Essential Oil) mixed together - three parts chocolate, two parts orange, to one part peppermint.
www.bodytimeproducts.com (this is the original Body Shop, however when the company in the UK started they got richer faster and so they changed the name to Body Time, located on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, CA)

Hella Good! What more can I say?
www.hellagoodproducts.com

Shea Butter is the best moisturizer I've found for hands, feet, lips, even hair. I custom-scent this butter with an oil or two from Body Time, and keep it moving...
www.nasabb.com

Before I cut off all my hair, I used this oil during the summer to prevent my hair from drying out. The scent is Tiare (Tahitian Gardenia) and it smells amazingly good. If you really want to go for the gusto, wear this scent along with the hair oil.
Monoi Tiare hair oil from http://mailorderhawaii.com and fabulous Hawaiin solid perfume from www.maliekauai.com

Try the CitrousCin (Orange and Cinnamon) in the sugar scrub. Um, er, uhh...it's "lickable" literally, edible. Now that's all natural!
www.myemagine.com

Now ladies, if someone sent you a gift basket with all of the above items inside, not on a special occasion or "holiday" but just because...how pampered would you be?!!

I almost forgot! Jane Carter Solution leave-in conditioning spray. It brings out the curls in my hair and it's not greasy at all. Thank you Jane!
www.thejanecartersolution.com

I've made my own sugar scrub with great success, the recipe is

1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup Bustelo fine-ground coffee (or other "Spanish" espresso)
1 tablespoon madagascar vanilla
1 orange (juice, pulp and outer peel)
1 1/2 cups Sugar in the Raw
1/2 cup Sage Honey
3 cinnamon sticks, crumbled
1/4 cup rock salt

Mix into a paste and use as a body scrub in the bath or shower. Keeps in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Add an essential oil such as Rosemary or Peppermint, or some grated fresh Ginger root, for a more invigorating scrub. I made that up when I was living in Brooklyn, but it worked wonders, and people say if you take a bath in coffee you'll come in to money.

I guess this all started with my Mother who made her own candles from scratch in different colors, scents, shapes and sizes. Check out this site for candle-making supplies, and this message board with tips on making homemade candles (and soap).

Check these techniques and tips from other women who get down the All Natural Way:

B-Girl Peppa

Funk Creative Diva

Yetunde Taiwo Rodriguez

Stephanie Rose Bird

Susie Parker Goins

Donna Maria

P.S. If you have any favorites to add on, post up in the comments or email me at mizmirandajane@yahoo.com

P.P.S. If you're reading this, and I shouted out your product, send me a lil gift basket or something, Please? Thank you.

HOW DID WE GET FROM THE PYRAMIDS TO THE PROJECTS ?!