RADIO KILLA

I know most people keep themselves hooked up to the ipod or mp3 majority of the week and maybe even a cool cd that's not scratched. But take an hour off from that and listen to the radio a few times. It may be painful to listen but just endure. I feel bad because I listen to it, and I understand they have to play the most popular songs. But I honestly don't think that stuff is radio worthy.

I believe since we are the people care about the state of hip hop and the urban culture, we shouldn't play music that embarrasses the listeners. I'm definitely not the biggest fan of radio music but when I turn it on and hear "Becky", it's a problem. We all know there is no clean/radio version of the song "Every Girl". Even the most popular songs in America are best played at parties and events. It's no way I can ride with my nephew while the radio is playing "You're A Jerk". I guess Dead Prez had the right idea when they named their mixtape Turn Off the Radio.
     


   HIP HOP PRIDE              
  Everyday I see or hear something that shows how hip hop has influence the rest of the world. Whether it is music, conversation, movies, or just plain attitude, hip hop plays a role. Every time I witness this I get excited for the bright future of hip hop. It can be a lesson to all of us on how quality work and persistence cannot be over looked. Although hip hop still has a way to go; we can all look at it from its humble beginnings and find something to be proud of. Even if we only looked at hip hop economically, we see numbers that would never have been considered a decade ago. Rappers have become more diverse in making cake. 50 Cent signed a contract selling Vitamin Water for Coca Cola for $100 million. Diddy owns a record label, makes vodka, and has two hit shows on MTV. He gross $35 million on the books in 2008. Tupac has been dead for ten years and is still earning several millions. Like Jay-z said "Men lie, women lie, but numbers don't."  

SO, YOU A ROCK STAR NOW??
Hey rock star, have you listened to the latest Led Zepplin, Metallica, Bruce Springstein, Blink 182, or Cold Play albums. No, of course not that is because you were too busy coppin' the chain that attaches from your belt to your wallet. Then you absolutely had to get the extra small shirt and jeans to match. Don'tworry; I did not expect you to actually know much information about the real rock n' roll culture. But if you want to imitate a certain group of people don't imitate the imitators. I find it funny that it took rappers this long to realize that it's the rockers who are really living the high life.
If hip hop is going to take anything from the rock culture and their fashion it should be (that's what it seems to be); but, it does not matter what you wear. Rappers can be rockstars in their own zone without taking it to the rock type of music. Just get a fan base that you can do a stadium concert for or something in that nature. Everybody loves rockers because they make good music for the fans (who enjoy their music) and they care about the people (who enjoy there music). It is more about being your liberated self than the flash. It is not a best dress contest and I have never seen a rock star "make it rain". Maybe if you do a ton of drugs, pretend you can sing and wear tight clothes you are almost like a rock star, good luck posers!

What is REAL?
Yes, it's the word you use and hear every day. I'm almost sure everyone in America will admit to "keepin' it real." Truthfully, how many of you know what it really means or really know how to keep it real? The phrase is so mainstream and prevalent in society now; it was bound to get overused and become watered down. Just to be in the right direction, Urban News Ware House is going to help you put together an understanding for being "real" and to keeping it real. First of all, the more a person protests how "real" they are the less we should believe they're anything close to it. A person who keeps it real is sure of themselves and how their actions affect all situations. People who keep it real are the most consistent individuals you can meet. He or she will not talk about their friends behind their back and if so, they will confess to it immediately. Real people do not live on "Fantasy Island" because they are very aware of the realities of life. The two most important characteristics of a real person are: truthfulness and honesty. Being honest is the core principle to keeping it real. Also when you keep it real people come to here you speak the truth on any and every subject. Incorporate these into your days and you will be on your way to becoming a legitimate real person.


ONE MIC – ONE MESSAGE
                I often times wonder how artist feel when they get the recognition they have worked so hard for. It has to be satisfying when people want to know: What's on your mind? What do you have to say? What are you going to present us? That can be hard to live up to. I guess that is why we the fans appreciate the professionals who do it and take it serious. In the process of taking their craft serious do artist asks themselves what kind of reaction will take place after they present their work, or is it mostly about the check?
               
I congratulate all platinum artists because in the process of their creativity they have attracted a large fan base. With that being said I ask the people; "What would you say or present to the public if a million people were expecting something from you?" That can be a lot to take into consideration. But not too much for a professional platinum selling artist who has the ability to make a major mark on pop culture. Maybe we the fans should have some type of request list or a list of demands of topics we want addressed to the professional platinum artist we care so much about

              ARE ANY GANGSTERS ON TV?                

I was watching TV the other day and saw a group of so-call tough guys calling themselves gangsters. My first observation was that although they called themselves tough guys, they also had manicured hands, arched eyebrows, and perfect skin- no homo. These guys were acting like they were fighters, gamblers, killers, and drug dealers. My thought was, how can you be all of these things if you have a camera following you everywhere you go? I guess there ain't any gangsters on TV!                
Juelz Santana was rapping on one of his songs and mentioned that "this gangster shit must be televised". As much as that may have fitted perfectly in the verse it made me think about how we put lonely people, poor people, rich White women all on TV. But I have not seen any convincing gangsters on TV, maybe the Bush administration but that's it. With that being sad how many gangsters do you know are willing to televise all their actions to the world?  

               SLANG ON- SLANG OFF               
 
It is almost impossible to go a day without talking to people using slang or people doing the same to you. It has become so normal that adults talk to children using slang on the regular, instead of the opposite. I have no problem with slang users because I am one of them. My question for others is do you have an off switch for your slang? I hope you do, because I would appreciate if you can use your off switch when talking to the impressionable and often confused babies of the world. When I saw a man talking to his daughter about our Black president, I was disappointed about it; because he didn't do it with his slang switch off. I do not even know for sure if the little girl understood what he was saying because I barely did.                

We all use slang and I'm not ashamed of it. I was impressed when I heard Obama speak during the campaign about all the critics. He said with "You know sometimes you just got to brush yo shoulders off ." When the lady asked him something in the crowd he said "Nah, I'm straight". Even our popular president turn his slang switch off when giving an Inauguration speech or address to Congress. I suggest we all take more consideration for our slang switch.

Principles of M.O.B  

Most fans of rap music cannot listen to an entire rap album without hearing some reference to the phrase "money over bitches". 

Money over everything (M.O.E) is also one of the others that get rep'd. Personally, I'm all about being on top of your finances. But is M.O.B a cliché, a lifestyle, or just something to say to get everybody going? I would not be giving this a whole lot of attention if every rapper did not say it on the album. Then backdoor it with a song about buying a female cars, Louis Vuitton, and any other thing she desires, regardless the price. Baby and Lil Wayne of Cash Money.

Records say "It ain't tricking if you got it". So when does  M.O.B apply in real life? I assume it can be applied when a single male is at his prime, with sufficient income; and is continuously approached by women who want him for how much he's worth- "gold diggers". Maybe even for, those guys who enjoy buying gifts for their special lady to impress her but it only puts him in more debt. To those fellas I say take heed to M.O.B. For the average male who is just trying to make it and is down for being the breadwinner and provider for his girl, just disregard the idea of M.O.B until the appropriate situation.

               Hip Hop Phases                

Most rap fans have seen all their favorite artist go through gradual stages in their career. The artist careers are sometimes short and sweet, and others long and enduring for the times. With most artist we see and believe are here to stay seem to have the introduction phase. Then, if they are good, we ask- can they give us more? As that plays out and they deliver we naturally expect more. We the fans can be very observing and demanding also.

This week I listened to the Kanye West mixtape "Martin Louie The King". Since I am a fan of Kanye and believe he is one of the better rappers out today. I wondered how true is the Jay-z statement that "fame is the strongest drug known to man." We have all seen Kanye grow from the new kid from the Chi to back to back hits, and even through depressing times of loss. Lately, I wonder if I'm being to concerned about his behavior on suspicious interviews about his sexuality to the  overuse of the vocalizer. I am pleased at the mixtape for giving us a glimpse of Kanye the rapper that Ienjoyed in the past years. I do not know how long "Martin Louie The King" will last but I am interested to see what comes next.  

J. NATT'S VIEW