Distant Relatives : Album Review

Peace to all the knowledge seekers out there! Shout out to all the scholars! Y'all ignorant folks can listen too, I don't discriminate.. Before I start this review, I wanna go on the record and say I intentionally gave myself a year before doing so because I knew the impact of this album would take a while to sink in. *exhales!* .. With that said, here we are. Knee deep in hiphop as he's ever been, legendary MC -Nas returns to yet again make history. This time he travels with the family ( Yes I mean family, that whole marley tribe is on the album son! ) of late, pardon me-Great Revolutionary reggae riddim rocka Bob "light one up fa me" Marley himself. The results are at least monumental.. The journey starts with "As we enter" as the QB Kid and Junior Gong trade bars ala' Rae & Ghost or even Run DMC. To me, the idea was to show just how close the "Patios" and the rap-star cadence are actually related. I personally call them first cousins.
Now that the adrenaline's pumpin and the tone's set, today's agenda can now be addressed. "Tribal War" is a layered history lesson wrapped in hope of that history NOT being repeated. Self hate, in-fighting, prejudice and bigotry all play a role on the stage and one can only pray we learn to transform these cultural characteristics in the future.. ( Every man deserves to earn /every child deserves to learn ) . The lyricism at this point is already staggering and it only picks up from here. In 2010, it's difficult to define the motivation behind an album of this magnitude, as evidenced by watching the struggles both Nas and Damien went through to bring this album into fruition. I mention the year for the example that in a time where most of the music being made is so formulaic and predictable, the need for this kind of project is at the same time extremely needed and shunned respectively. Labels didn't know how to promote it. The streets wasn't / isn't exactly ready for it. Neither man ever a stranger to going against the grain, the work ethic behind the music is a no-brainer for those who stand for more than just the glitz of the entertainment business. Its amazing how easy each song relates to everyday life on both homefronts without missing a beat. Both "Leaders" and " Promised Land" are shimmering examples. From Malcom X to the Jena 6 - we get a thorough examining of what it takes to be a voice of the people. Many seem to forget you have to live as one first. Just as poignant, "Friends" looks into the complex nature of what we call friendship. Are those in your circle there because they care, or do they just pretend to care because they're in your circle? Yeah Son! This is Grown Folk Music ya heard!...The production throughout the album tells the whole story in itself. Before you even hear Esco utter those words " The Master/The Masses " , the instrumentation yells out loud "We will have Victory, pressure will only make brighter diamonds". Despair becomes Dis-Spear indeed. The album's highlight comes in the form of "In his own words" . Regardless of your color,race,creed,etc. The lesson is that the core of all our beliefs are the same, only the opinions on how the story should be told differ. Some songs need not be broken down, as you need to hear them to grasp the impact. "Nahmean" is a wild ride through the jungle while "Patience" mocks the western philosophy so prevalent today in the minds of America's people. " some of the smartest dummies/can't read the language of Egyptian Mummies. Throw a flag on the moon/but can't find food for the starving tummies. Pay no mind to the youth, cuz it's not like the future depends on it/ but save the animals in the zoo," Ah de chimpanzees dem a make big money! " ...yes indeed HipHop needs more of these gems. After sitting for a year pondering, it finally hit me! ( I knew it back then tho lol ) The bar is yet again raised. There is a limitless potential for more artists to tap into if only they are groomed with the will to do so. Hiphop at it's core was designed to cross genres. The only rule was keep it true and this album serves as a newly crafted measuring stick of truth. No more evidence is needed once Lil Wayne spits " Last night I sat the future at the feet of my son!" My only gripe with the album is that "Road to Zion" wasn't thrown in the pot as a bonus ( idk I'm greedy lmao ). But, all jokes aside, if you have yet to hear this masterpiece, put your assumptions and tunnel vision aside. Those who are like me, you know what it's like- you play it in your system every night!

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Call and Response - Frank Mcqueen

1. MSG: You came up as a rapper, what inspired your transition into an author?
FM: Money and maturity, at the time rap wasn't working so....onto the next grind!

2. MSG: What is your relationship with hiphop today? Love, hate or indifference?
FM: It will always be in my heart. i may not like alot of the music out today but i still and will always love it as an art form regardless.

3. MSG: If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
FM: I would've recognized my highest potential earlier.

4. MSG: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned concerning your artistry?
FM: Its hard work, 24 hour a day grind. alotta politics, networking. Even as your own boss, you still have to answer to your public!

5. MSG: Do you see yourself still active on the music side of things in five years?
FM: Yea, no doubt. Ultimately even if i don't rap, i'd like to keep my ear to the streets. Get my management thing on but regardless, i'll always be a listener.

6. MSG: There's a glass on the table, is it half full or empty?
FM: The Glass always half full man, gotta remain optimistic.we up against enough negativity. Gotta squeeze some positivity in there sumwhere!

7. MSG: anything you wanna add for the readers?
FM: Do what you can in life. Do what makes you happy but, make sure you can see that as a reality. When you can see that, put ALL your time into it and make it happen..

Frank Mcqueen's first book is available online and the streets Now!

Check out "Red Devil" on Amazon.com here















Also available  Black n Nobel ( Broad and Erie ) , Zavelle ( Broad and Oxford ave. )
or online at www.commonfolkinc.com

MaxxSteelTheGOD presents....Re-Evolution ( April 1st, 2011 )

April 1st,2011 marked Philly MC/Producer and Independant label " A-MillyonIdeazEnt™ " owner's first worldwide distributed Album courtesy of a freshly inked distribution deal with Island DefJam Music Group. The album features the breakout single "Peechez" starring soul crooner Chad Anthony as well as the gem "The Day I Became GOD" featuring Wu-Tang ( Royal Fam )'s Timbo King. Contributions also come from artists " Dres of ( BlackSheep ), Wise Intelligent of ( Poor Righteous Teachers ), Mrs. Betty's Son, Ms. Wise, Amun Miraaj and more...

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Call and Response - Popa Wu

1. MSG: You have been with the Wu since the very beginning , did you always know the generals would soon be known worldwide?
PW: Yes Indeed

2. MSG: You are most recognized for dropping jewels throughout the Clan's albums, have you ever at some point been a MC yourself? If so let me hear a lil sumthin ( just kiddin lol )
PW: I Always Been A MC Rather It's Rappin Or Building On The Truth

3. MSG: The 36 Chambers School Of Emceein is underway, what do you feel is the most important element needed by a student to make it through all the tests?
PW: Jus B Ur Self @ Win Every Battle

4. MSG: In your own words, who was Ason Unique aka the ol Dirty Chinese restaraunt to you?
PW: He Was The True @ ( Live-ing God )

5. MSG: What's an average day like for popa Wu?
PW: Teaching The Babies The Truth, That Wat Make My Day .

6. MSG: There's a glass on the table, is it half full or empty?
PW: Its Full...

7. MSG: Anything wise words you would like to leave us with?
PW: Think 5 Times B4 U Speak

MSG: Peace to the GOD, and thanks for your time!
PW: Peace @ Luv....
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNspJQuoMzs
CHECK BACK IN WITH US NEXT WEDNESDAY AS WE WELCOME ANOTHER NINJA INTO THE CIPHER!

Call and Response - Don Henry

 Welcome back yall! another day, another call and response. Don Henry is a great friend of mine. We used to work with each other at Philly international Airport. I have had the honor to perform at one of his youth football games ( don't worry i kept it clean for the youngins lol ) He's an overall force in his community, a tireless business man and commited father. Give us a thousand more Dons and the hood will began to sparkle again! His team Dynasty dragons have won championships across state lines as well as home. Saying i'm proud of my young brother is an understatement. I see greatness!

1. MSG: How long have you been coaching The Dynasty Dragons?
DH: I have been coaching dynasty dragons for 6 yrs this is my 7th,  2011.

2. MSG: Did you ever aspire to play Pro Football yourself?

DH: I sure did. You couldn't tell me I wasn't going to the league, it was all I dreamed about since I was about 6 yrs old. I played semi pro for 12 yrs. I still dream. Its not playing though its coaching now, at its apex.

3. MSG: You do a lot of community outreach work, what is the most gratifying part of the job?
DH: The most gratification I get is respect from the youth. They recognize that they have to perform to a high standard on and off the field, when you have one of the players talk to you about personal issues it shows they trust you. That is gratifying.

4: MSG: What kind of impact do you see men such as yourself having on the lives of the kids that sign up for your programs?
DH: The impact we have is great because the youth of today need a lot of attention to keep them occupied in a positive manner. Structure, work ethic, accountability and love, these are all life skills they need to perform at a high level whatever it is they want do or become, we feed the need saving lives through sports.

5. MSG: How do you manage your homelife with your professional? Any tips for the readers?
DH: It's hard because its so demanding. When you have a Passion for something it works itself out because Passion can't be thwarted in any kind of way. True family and friends know your working towards something great and they want you to succeed so they usually understand. It's very tricky, problems occur when family and friends don't want to understand what the fire inside is all about. Sometimes you have to be selfish to become great.

6. MSG: If you could switch careers for ONE day, what would u pick?
DH: I would say a professional football player , playing in the superbowl.... or Hugh Hefner.

7. MSG: What's your final thought? The world's listening...
DH: My final thought is - Time is too short to put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Go get it! your gonna get beat up knocked down laughed at but, at the end of the day you showed the heart of warrior and kept fighting until you won. Remember- " hard work defeats talent when talent dosent work hard. " Who you wit! dragons all day. Peace.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO, CHECK OUT DON'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE BELOW!
DYNASTY DRAGONS YOUTH ORGANIZATION: http://www.leaguelineup.com/calendar.asp?cmenuid=3&url=dynastydragons&sid=838435935

Call and Response - Twinn Loco

1. MSG: When did you fall in love with hiphop?

TL: When I first heard 2Pac's music... as soon as I heard the track Pain I was hooked, everything I knew as music became amplified. The production complimented 2Pac perfectly and I had the track on repeat - it was from here I picked up numerous 2Pac albums and became a big fan of his music. Listening to the different 2Pac albums I became familiar with the artists that he worked with, from here I started listening to music like Shock G, Snoop and Dre and all the other affiliated artists and digging in to this music just lead me on a journey discovering new artists right up until this day.

2. MSG: I also see, you're a songwriter, will you be putting out some of your own music in the future?

TL: That's always been something that I have considered. I am a creative person at heart, creativity is what keeps me sane - it's a release from any other stress that people bring to your life. Just knowing exactly how I will contribute with my own music is what is holding me back right now, I am still trying to figure out the platform on which to perform - but when I do discover that platform, there will be no holding me back. This is why I chose to become a songwriter on a deeper level, to ghostwrite for other artists... it allowed me to continue to pen my thoughts to the pad and be creative, I just take every day as it comes and if today is the day that I create my own music then that's what it will be.

3. MSG: Do you feel the media is too harsh on the content of today's hiphop music or are they justified?

TL: To be honest with you, the media will always hold hip hop and the artists in a light which makes us as a culture look bad. They have done it to 2Pac and his music claiming that he promoted a thug lifestyle which was detremental to the youth - now that alone gives me reassurance that the general media have no clue what they are talking about when it comes to hip hop, of all artists... 2Pac creating a bad image for the youth? he did more for the youth than any pop artist, r&b artist you will see. To answer your question more direct, the media is not justified in what they say, they like to run with a story and blow it out of proportion. Of course you will get the occasional hip hop artist that will create a bad image for hip hop but that's what it will be... these type of people are everywhere and that's why the rest of the hip hop culture needs to continue to run our own PR campaign showing the positive side of hip hop.

4. MSG: As a member of the Wu Tang Djs, how do you feel about the wu-competition aka the "36 Chambers School of emceeing?

TL: The Wu-Tang Clan are a great contribution to hip hop, so anything they are affiliated with or associated with will bring positive results. The competition is a great opportunity for all involved and could open some doors for that lucky individual and change their life... who knows what the future holds.

5. MSG: Where do you see yourself artwise, in the next 5/10 years?

TL: I take every day as it arrives. Each day brings new challenges, opportunities and blessings for me so my vision in 5-10 years could be far from what I imagine today. However, I do have a general plan for my life of course and in the next 5-10 years I will be comfortable and stable in my finances, lifestyle etc... 2011 will be a year which I believe will set this off, we have so many great things planned for this year, I honestly believe that. I also have ambitions with my writing, as an artist or even to begin acting... there are so many aspects of life that I still have to discover.

 6. MSG: I Live Hiphop is a great website and is generally catered to grassroots forms of hiphop, was that intentional when you started? If so, why?
TL: Thanks, it's great when people recognise the hard work of everyone involved with the website. Really, I had no intentions when I created "I Live Hip Hop". I mean it started out as a facebook group just to express our love for hip hop and the numbers really picked up and people enjoyed what we were doing. As the numbers continued to grow I recognised we had a loyal audience and decided to take this opportunity to create the website for I Live Hip Hop and even further show our love for the culture and the artists involved. The fans and our staff make I Live Hip Hop the success that it is, so thanks to all our fans and the I Live Hip Hop family... Marco A. Martinez, Unk Funk, Nuff Said, Shawn E. Baker, Ryan Buley, Pamela Taylor, Poetic Slave and SamPaul.

7. MSG: The Glass in front of you is half full or empty?

TL: Always half full. I fully believe that the type of outlook you have on life will be the type of life you lead and hence thats the reason why I always look at life from a positive view... in fact, im often told that I am too positive about everything and it can irritate people but that's life, a positive person is probably a better person to associate yourself with than a negative person so I also look to network with like minded people.

Get to Know Twinn Loco personally, shout out to the entire UK

http://www.ilivehiphop.net/ 

Twitter: @TwinnLoco @WuTangDjs

Call and Response - Mrs. Betty's Son

1. MSG: What is your Official title in the world of Poetry ?
MBS: the street poet, but im so much more cant doubt the fact i got layers,we up.

2. MSG: Do you have a favorite piece of work in your collection?
MBS: NAW TOO PROLIFIC TO CHOOSE ONE, MY NEXT PIECE MY BEST PIECE

3. MSG: We recently lost Gil Scott heron, Describe him to me... One word
MBS: GREAT

4. MSG: Who is your favorite writer ? Its Ok to say yourself.
MBS: NAS .....HE GAVE A STREET POET LIKE MYSELF INSPIRATION TO GO FOR IT AND WE DESERVE TO BE HEARD.

5. MSG: What's next on the menu for u?
MBS: MRS BETTY'S SON THE DVD: PIECE OF A MAN ( UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL )

6. MSG: There's a glass on the table, half full or empty?
MBS: KEEP IT A HUNDRED, ITS A HALF A GLASS.

7. MSG: Any last words?
MBS: WE UP!

Watch Mrs Betty's Son in Action!

Shyster aka Mrs Betty's Son also
hosts the weekly open mic event "Jus Words" . See him live every thursday, 9Pm-1Am
Dowling's Palace 1310 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, Pa, 19121 ( 8 Years running strong! )