Post-Racial America's Next Top Model

T.Y.-to-the-argh uhh, I still don't get the "love" part of the love/hate relationship some of my friends have with her. As problematic and as many issues this clip brings up, Tyra has once again left me starring at my computer screen, disturbed to the point of laughing, unable to articulate anything but "wow...WOW"!

If you don't have that much time to waste just watch the first minute and then jump to 6:00 and see what the Asian sista comes up with...



And if you have a lot of time to waste read this not-so-on-point article by the LA Times' representative of mixed raced residents of Hawai'i. Where do they find these people? Oh yeah, LA.

-Tadillac

Mighty Mos, Cornel West, & The Boogeymen

Colonialism, Imperialism, Terrorism: What's the difference? "Every empire we know use the sword." Mighty Mos and Cornel drops it on Real Time with Bill Maher. Biggups to the homie Manal for sharing this with us.

And I'm loving the new album "The Ecstatic." One of the few new albums on constant rotation for me this summer. Mos Def - "Casa Bey" - The Ecstatic - 6.9.09

-Chris G.

The Celebration Continues...

RING!

LAKERS,
Chris G.

Don't Wish To Be A Baller, Become One With This DVD

My Testimonial:

After using this DVD, I grew one more foot in a matter of 2 days! I went back to my YMCA and showed the coach that I was more than just equipments coach! Thanks Leroy Smith!

-Chris G.

A Peaceful Riot Gets 8.5 out of 10

Looks like Fatgums X Bambu are getting some dope reviews! Remember to keep voting for Bam's video (previous post)!

Lakers,

Chris G.

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Please check it out:

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_06_peacefulriot.html

Fatgums X Bambu :: A Peaceful Riot Going On :: Beatrock as reviewed by Patrick Taylor

On this ten-song EP, Bay Area DJ Fatgums and L.A. rapper Bambu answer the question, how do you make hip hop that isn't commercial, doesn't pander to violence and misogyny, but isn't boring? They start things off with "Peddlin' Music," in which Bambu raps about trying to make it as a rapper in L.A., dealing with open mics, angry bosses, shitty day jobs, and, for Fatgums, med school, "trying to stay focused when he opens that textbook." "We peddle music on the side to hopefully make rent," Bambu admits, but he doesn't sound down. Part of that is due to the soulful strings and funky drums that Fatgums layers in the background. They may be broke, but they are still celebrating, and on "Good Clothes" Bambu raps about the joys of finding good clothes on sale.

On "Strapped," Bambu takes on the subject of gun ownership. This is a tricky subject for rappers who get lumped in with the backpack or conscious scene. Talib Kweli got a mess of shit for his "Gun Music" from fans who felt that the underground should be a safe haven from the violence of mainstream rap. As Bambu makes it clear, the problem isn't that simple. Over a Biggie Smalls sample and swaggering horns, Bambu raps about coming strapped both literally and lyrically:

"I do not condone the killing of our own But I do condone defending yourself from the pigs, home Ask Kaisha Miller who her killer was, you'll see Riverside PD shot til she did not breathe 12 shots hit her point blank right in her chest"

The Biggie sample is no accident, since the late rapper was shot to death. Bambu continues the discussion on "Gunslinger I," describing his gun collection, but clarifying: "I am not advocating what a bullet might bring/I done lost two cousins three homies one uncle/From the little tiny pellets that fly out a gun muzzle." Bambu grew up surrounded by gang culture, and was part of that life before decided to start focusing his energy on more positive pursuits. The song both acknowledges the need to bear arms, and laments the fact that so many people are quick to pull the trigger over nothing. "Remember," he advises, "Fight for your family and change/Stop killing over nothing more than 'What'd you say?'" That song is followed by "Gunslinger II." Fatgums provides a mournful spaghetti western beat for Bambu to spit a tale of his 12-year-old nephew beaten by police. Fatgums cuts in just about every "fuck the police" line in hip hop history, ending with audio footage of Oscar Grant being shot by police on New Year's Day.

Bambu's thoughts on police and guns and violence are much more complicated and intelligent than what I'm used to hearing from the media, much less rappers. He comes from a world where pacifism isn't an option, and where violence is as likely to come from the police as it is from the drug dealers and gang bangers. Bambu has a gritty toughness rounded in intelligence and insight, so he avoids the trap of coming off as either a dumb thug or an intellectual with no real life experience. He applies the same insight to relationships on "Listen," which talks about the need for both partners in a relationship to listen to one another in order to avoid conflict and misunderstanding. The album ends with a eulogy to a dead friend, "Black Smile," which includes phone messages to the deceased. Bambu's rhymes are heartfelt and heartbreaking, and the song stands up with Ice Cube's "Dead Homiez" or UGK's "One Day You're Here, Then You're Gone." Throughout every song on the album, Bambu's never comes off as preachy, and he doesn't drop any awkward or clunky rhymes. He never sacrifieces the music for the message, and he manages to make his message sound good.

Bambu gets a lot of help from Fatgums, who is the perfect partner on this album. A point of reference would be 9th Wonder's work with Murs and Little Brother; both producers know their soul, and are able to spin samples into colorful, banging beats. Fatgums created the beats here while on leave from med school, and as much as I hope that he will be able to finish school and become a doctor, I'd also like him to keep making beats. He's too good on the decks to completely abandon them, even if it is to help people.

"A Peaceful Riot" finds common ground between feel-good, old school worshipping West Coast backpack rap and sun-and-gun drenched L.A. gangsta rap. Bambu tackles big issues without resorting to oversimplification or cliche, and Fatgums keeps it cooking with his soulful beats. This EP is one of the best I've heard this year, and I hope that the duo keep peddling their music.

Music Vibes: 8.5 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 8.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8.5 of 10

Originally posted: June 2, 2009 source: http://www.rapreviews.com/

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By the way, did anyone catch Conan at the last Laker game?

Conan's kickin it off right as the new Tonight Show host.

Oooh... This ish SLAPS!

I think commercials are one of the few things getting better on TV. -Chris G.

Filipinos: The More you know PSA

my boy patrick epino's good deed for the year... check out patrick's upcoming feature mr. sadman -tadillac

our second black president

you thought obama was the first? nah son! i had to repost this clip that pro brown put up a long time ago. everytime obama holds a presidential press conference i'm gonna think of this skit...

-tadillac

Oh Daaaaaang! Hero of the Week

"this is a farewell ... you dog!" that's supposedly what reporter muntahar al-zaidi said right before he threw both of his shoes at bush's grill! thats right, dude went "eddie murphy's momma"* on that ass! that's what you get for showing up for a "suprise" visit to iraq, dumb muafuckah. read more about it here. *if you didn't get that reference please, please, please watch this:

Watch more IFILM videos on AOL Video

-tadillac

B. to the L. I.

in response to e.t.'s last post: andy samberg is the only reason why i was glad to get my uc santa cruz diploma in the mail this week..okay, maybe huey p. newton and bell hooks too. slug life! -tadillac

OUST GMA! Reeeeeeeemiiiiix!

here's a remix of the video we projected in front of the Sheraton LAX during our rally against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's scheduled visit to Los Angeles on November 21, 2008.. featuring "Let's Call It Off (Girl Talk Remix)" by Peter, Bjorn & John. download here! -ET

More News From Santa Cruz...

...no for real though, andy samberg is a true uc santa cruz sluggo. you think he's exaggerating? alternative! ???? * call it hollywood if you want but i'd take my superficial smog over self-righteous appropriation any day. ever been to a place where the level of privilege is so high it's considered oppressive? welcome to the cruz! *the bud is good though. -tadillac

Whooo! Terry Tate's Back Baby!

russ notified me that terry tate has returned to help obama win tomorrow's election. reebok originally produced six episodes/commercials of "terry tate: office linebacker" as an ad campaign back in '02. if you have a meat-head sense humor like me, you might find these pretty entertaining. DON"T FORGET TO VOTE TOMORROW! if you think you've seen this clip of palin before, just keep on watching till the end: here's the original episode: -tadillac

Commercial of the Month

-Tadillac

Man, Yall Are Fucked Up...

I saw these on the news today. Makes me wanna rethink about being in Mass Movement... :( Get your fuckin' lazy ass out of bed and vote. -Chris G.

The Chinese Magic Johnson

What's up with it, four people that read this blog. It's been a minute since I last posted. I've been in mourning since the Lakers loss the championship but I'm slowly coming to terms with it. Speaking of the Lakers, the team picked up China's Sun Yue. My homie says that she saw him playing in China and that Sun is the Chinese Magic Johnson. He's 6-9 but can play everything from point to power. Can't wait to see him as a Laker. And although I love what Pau Gasol has done for the Lakers last year, after that racist ass picture with Spain, I'd like to see his ass get knocked out by Sun Yue. -Chris G. ...Ooh! I gotta share this. My high school teacher and lifelong mentor & friend, Leibs, sent me this the other day. The republicans should use this for their campaign. It sure did swing my vote. "Shawty swing my way..."

Sarah Palin and The Daily Show

cindy just sent me this clip of jon stewart putting the republicans new gender card on blast. honestly, i don't really watch the daily show but now that i gots FREE CABLE at my new apartment i might be tuning in more! -tadillac

Some Dumb Sh*t for Hump Day

tadillac

For All You Warrior Fans...

to combine the subjects of the last two posts, here's a lil something for all you warrior fans (wadup kori!) to help you get through the heartbreak of baron leaving your asses...let it burn y'all: -tadillac

The Boondocks Season 2 on DVD

since i don't have cable nor do i really watch tv these days, i've been waiting for the second season of the boondocks to come out on dvd. before i could even netflix n' burn, cindy came thru and copped the dvd set for me (thanks cindy!). i didn't really follow the comic strip that much because reading was involved, but once roger put me on to the first season of the animated series, i instantly became a huge fan. similar to chappelle's show, the boondocks is one of the only tv shows that is hella funny, the beats slap hard and most importantly is on-point with its critical social and political analysis. i've only watch the first of three discs but so far i haven't been disappointed. i mean what other show could get charlie murphy, samuel l. jackson, snoop, ghostface, and kat williams? check out the "Thank You for Not Snitching" episode: -tadillac