Wise Words, Ways, & Actions

"Lyrics of Fury" - Eric B. & Rakim

Peace,

By it's very nature, Hip Hop is an art form that continuously looks back for ammunition to go forward. From musical samples to fashion to actual lyrics (aka biting), Hip Hop has been known to grab from it's past. Every 5-7 years, you see an "Old School Revival" of sorts where songs are recycled for the new generation's conspicuous consumption. While on one hand, it can be seen as the death of creativity, in certain instances, it can serve as the base for younger audiences to learn about the world that proceeded them.

One example is the infatuation with Black & Latino crime lords of the mid 80'- early 90's. When youth hear names life Alpo, Rich Porter, the JBM, and Wayne Porter in their favorite rapper's songs, it can give you a chance to explain to them the reality of the Crack Era, and the political environment that created it. Because many of our youth have a dangerously short attention span, we have to utilize all possible means to transfer information that can help them understand the past, present, and future. By showing them the recurring tragedies that plague our communities, we can give them a framework to identify their role in changing our communities.

Another positive example is the platform and exposure given to "positive" Hip Hop artists of the music "Golden Era". Approx. 2 weeks ago, Cedric Muhammad of Black Electorate conducted an in-depth interview with Wise Intelligent of the group Poor Righteous Teachers. After that interview, I saw a number of articles and interviews regarding not only PRT, b.u.t. other groups from that era as well. In this day of Hip Hop having very little substance (on both the "underground" and "mainstream" level), a level of awareness and consciousness is needed. Additionally, it's imperative the the Hip Hop community produce thought leaders and not only artist that shy away from principled activity and stances based on their fear of being blackballed. While I don't put the responsibility solely on the artist, I do expect to see the logical extension to the rhetoric that many "positive" artists kick. If we're going to look back, let's look back and ensure that we grow from out past.

The making of a martyr

"Welcome To Jamrock" - Damian Marley

Peace,

Yesterday (May 19) was Al-Hajj Malik Shabazz's birthday. If still physically alive, he would have turned 80 yesterday. First things first, I don't call him Malcolm X because that's not the name he went by at the time of his death, and to me it would be disrespect to call him other than what he went by after his conversion to orthodox Islam. Malik Shabazz looms as a special and distinctive figure all over the world because so many people take aspects of his life and then claim him as their own. For example, Black Nationalists use him as an example of self-determination, The Nation Of Islam uses him as an example of the life-changing teachings of Elijah Muhammad, Socialists use him as a mascot for the international socialist revolution, and Muslims see him as a representative of the power of Al-Islam.

One of the reasons that he represents so many things to so many people is that he underwent a number of changes throughout his life. Towards the end of his life, he developed a complex outlook that found him challenging many of his former perspectives and acknowledging that he still had a ways to go as far as defining the best way to obtain Freedom, Justice, and Equality for oppressed peoples across the world. One of the more interesting things was his retaining of the name Shabazz even though that name was a hallmark of the NOI. Like many others who were killed before their time (MLK, Allah, Fred Hampton), we will never know where they were headed as far as their perspectives and viewpoints. To me, the best way to preserve his legacy is to see him as a man who was brave enough to challenge his views in order to grow.

If you're Black, get back! If you're Brown, stay down!

"Hail The King" - Fanton Mojah

Peace,

Today's Mathematics is Knowledge Cipher all being born to Knowledge. When in any cipher, it is imperative to have the Knowledge of what's taking place in that Cipher, and also to know what Knowledge is driving the Cipher. For example, if you happen to find yourself on my blog, you should be aware of what I blog about, as well as the fact that my worldview is based on the Culture of the Nation of Gods and Earths. When you're not aware of what's taking place around you, you can become a slave to your environment.

Over the past few weeks, there's been reports of Black - Brown discords in Los Angeles Area High Schools. The resulting riots led to the banning of white t - shirts and large belt buckles in the high schools(Just as an aside, how do you ban white tees as a "gang symbol"? What's next, blue denim?). Just last week, reports surfaced of a plot by Mexican gang members to kill 500 - 1000 Black men. While this report was found to be false, thousands of Black youth stayed home from school. On a larger level, these events have the ability to effect the May 17 mayoral election, where Antonio Villaraigosa is running to become the 1st Latino mayor of the countries' 2nd largest city.

To me, this rupture represents a general lack of understanding of the social and political situation by both sides. To be sure, Blacks and Latino have some different issues, b.u.t. for the most part, both suffer from similar maladies in our society. The truly progressive among us must make sure that we build bridges to create greater understanding amongst each other. On a historical, political, and social level, we have much more in common than we do not. One need look no further than the late 60's ( i.e.Black Panthers, Brown Berets, Young Lords) to see a time when original people had a sophisticated understanding of their respective conditions and were able to come together to build for a common cause of Freedom, Justice, and Equality.

Only when we look beyond each other to see the real issues will we grow beyond petty territorial beefs and squabbles. When you see the link between original people, a consciousness emerges that allows you you to elevate to your highest equality. On a individual as well as a collective level, we need to apply that each and every day, in each and every way.

Show & Prove pt. 1

"The Color Purple" - Saigon


Peace,

This month's Source Magazine has an article of the 40th anniversary of the NGE. It also features a editorial by the new EIC Fahiym, who was a member of the NGE in the late 80's. To me, the article and accompanying editorial serve as a reminder of the effect that the NGE has has on the Black Community, Hip-Hop, and by extension, youth culture over the last 20 years. While the Source has been going through some deep issues lately (See the Sexual discrimination and harassment charges levied against them by former female employees), it's important that they would take time to acknowledge our influence on Hip Hop culture. You can see the effect when devout Muslims call Rakim "The God". While it's obvious that they don't see him as such, the fact that they use the term to acknowledge him speaks volumes. Thousands of young people all over the world can trace their introduction to consciousness to the NGE through either personal interaction or music from a NGE member (Rakim, PRT, Wu-Tang) or an influenced artist (Nas, AZ, The Roots). You can also see our influence in many rappers who call themselves "God" (Jay-Z, The Lox, Lil Wayne).

One of the reasons that you see a resurgence in the discussion about the NGE is that many writers and editors who came of age during the late 80's to mid 90's are now in a position to discuss the elements that had such an effect on their lives. As my brother C'BS Alife Allah (www.allahsfivepercent.blogspot.com) mentioned in one of his entries on "God - Hop", even Kool Herc (Considered by many to be one of the fathers of Hip Hop) has acknowledged that by the Gods providing security, many of the parties of the mid to late 70's were able to go off without a hitch.

There is also an increased academic interest in the NGE from a sociological perspective trying to identify the reason(s) why the NGE is still around and flourishing when many other groups and movements from the Civil Rights/Black Power era are no longer in existence. Only recently have we begun to get the respect we deserve in academic circles as a culture and not some "proto-Islamic" sect. Time will tell how historians acknowledge who we are, b.u.t. it's looking better.

Pretty Ricky & Hip - Hop's Feminization

"Find A Way" - Dwele

Peace,

This is a bit of an departure from some of my other entries, b.u.t. what's up with the lack of beards amongst men on TV? It seems that all the Black men on television are as clean - faced as a newborn child. Now I'm probably biased because I'm originally from Philadelphia where Orthodox Islam is so deeply embedded into the culture of the city that even youth who are not Muslim have long beards, b.u.t. you can't really find original men on television who have hair on their faces.

Part of the problem is that many of the stars in contemporary are in their late 20's - mid 30's, b.u.t. have to keep a teenage fan base, so they try to look 25 forever. The best example is Dr. Dre. Exactly how old is this guy? He's been in Hip Hop for almost 20 years and he didn't look like a spring chicken when he did "Turn out the lights." In turn, the kids mimic what they see, and try to outdo each other in being "pretty boys". Many of the young dudes today have bigger earrings than the girls!

Coming out of the Black Power Era, many Black men wore beards as a symbol of their manhood and culture. While it goes without saying that manhood is defined by more than your physical appearance, it is connected in some way. Many of the athletes and entertainers of the 70's were proud to wear beards and hairstyles that distinguished them as men. Additionally, in many cultures, a beard indicates wisdom, learning, and good stature in their community. While I acknowledge that we are a diverse people and represent ourselves in many ways, it would be good for the youth to see a balance in the media.