Monday, April 16 2007
C-Rayz Blog Vol.1 "Hip Hop Is Dead?"



To quote The Great AceLover a.k.a. Ace Gutta. OH HELL NO!!!! If this was true I'm sure the world would fall into utter chaos and violence. I Thank The Energy of The Creator for creation of HipHop every day. My life would be various scenes from the movie 300 without Hip Hop Music. I have provided for myself and other loved ones for the last 10 years off of this culture.It has been an AMAZING Journey and has ultimately given my life much more than a personal meaning. MindDitect.

Now, I have always stuck by Nas from day one. He is one of the permanent energies in the current field of creation. Throughout the ridicule and growth he is still my brother. His latest offering's title has me and everyone very interested as usual. Which is exactly why he named it "HIP-HOP IS DEAD" The title invokes a plethora of emotions.
For that.....once again, he is Genius by mistake. Most great thinkers are. Perfection is seldom planned. From my own experiences of writing great songs and naming or not naming an Lp a certain Title....I don't think it was a purposed set plan. I believe his mind and pen were guided by his next level of creativity that comes with growth as a great artist. You do something weird, extreme or life threatening/creating. The Title "HIPHOP IS DEAD" was/is a subconscious quetion/statement that Nas and many others have had or presently have on their minds. Nas often speaks his personal emotions to the public as well as saturates his music in them. It's a good look. It is a mistake. That's why it is perfect. Like Frankenstein & Akido. Think about it.

Tonight I watched "Manhunter" starring William Peterson. "Manhunter" is the 1986 movie that first introduced the world to a cunning serial killer named Hannibal Lecter
(The original spelling is Lecktor).Near the end a sick serial killer named "The Tooth Fairy" is about to savagely kill his Blind girlfriend with a glass shard. To drive her other oversensitive senses crazy he turns the stereo up full blast and begans to play this crazy song while dancing around her and I'm like "Oh Shit...that's the sample for Hip-Hop is dead (as well as Thiefs Theme)" come to find out the song is "In A Gadda Da Vida" by Iron Butterfly. I've heard it many times but it was just something about it that sounded different while watching "The Tooth Fairy" dance around with this glass shard in his bloody hand. This song sparked much energy in the 70's that fueled much revolutionry action in those years just as HipHop has done since the early 80's.

I found it really ironic the Nas would choose this soundtrack produced by Salaam Remi & Will I am as the canvas to paint "HIPHOP IS DEAD" (as well as "Thiefs Theme)
This is also one of the Longest songs ever. Period. Also very popular to a lot of people. Especially people who were/are very fond of Woodstock and incense.

I didn't know this fact about this song which I find very interesting Did you?
Do you know where the saying "Once In a Blue Moon" comes from?
Do you know why water is wet?
Do you know what causes an Avalanche?
Do you know how many teeth are in your mouth personally? (Before you count them shortly)
My point? Don't be afraid to say. "I don't know" that is the worst form of ignorance ever becuase it prevents you from being receptive to gain NEW KNOWLEDGE.

Moving on.....
Growing up in "THE HOOD" and when I say HOOD I mean one of The 5 boroughs in N.Y.C. as a Black Youth in the 80's. Musically the climate was a Melanin Map of Moods. Your ears were molded by older peers and family. You were not turned on to Great Rock, Disco or Pop music unless your parents were into that sound or someone put you onto it.
Based on the above personal statement. Most of my peers and I grew up on James Brown (L.I.P.) Classic Soul, Disco, Funk, Jazz and other particularly Black music written and performed by Black People. As an adult I do wish I had been put on to more Rock & "Daisy Age" tunes. I'm sure as a result I would be more of a Musician and have more space in my ears.
Speaking of Musicians. Public Schools in New York had a very small percentage of Schools that taught children to play instruments. The Schools where learning an instrument had been deemed a requirement course were almost non existent.
On the other hand 86% of my friends from the West/MidWest Coast HAD to play instraments as a School requirement. Most of them who are mostly "white" also grew up on Rock Music and "Daisy Age" flavor in two-parent households.
"Soul Music" was everywhere just becuase it was so fresh you couldn't hate on it even though racism was in Full Effect in SOME places. As a result they heard MORE music....before Hip Hop became a way of life globally.

Globally speaking. Most Classic HipHop beats and Classic Songs are very strong drum orientated on some Africa vibe.
Drums are primitive. So is Hip-Hop. It is Caveman fire. It was born out of necessity. We needed HipHop in The Bronx when poverty was hitting hard. The Bronx was dilapidated and filthy. The low self esteem was peaking at the time.
HipHop gave everyone in The Bronx an Identity to be proud of. Out of Love and Pride. That's what Hip-Hop was/is.
HipHop includes a piece of every style of music.
It is the only form the has unified sound & people Worldwide. Hip hop has mutated and spread all over the Globe.
It is now the most important thing in the world on many levels. If we did not have it. I do believe the world would be in Total Chaos.
The most powerful language barrier breaker ever is HipHop.
Although it is being exploited mainly to keep corporations rich. Hip hop cannot be dried out by the Bloodsuckers of the poor. Those who created and live it are Immortal.
It is the Snake Swallowing it's own tail. Regenerative and Infinite. Chuch! Hallelujua Holla Back! What's Good?
That's What's up! Yadi-Imean! True Story! All Day!
Already! Biyaaaahhh!
All that shit is Hip-Hop.
Something born out of something lesser made greater. Like A Worldwide Culture out of The English Language. Hip hop has made a lot of people rich.
In spirit, in mentality and in pocket for sure. It is the most powerful force in the globe as we know it.

This being the first time I have expressed any view on the title of my brother Nas latest I do feel strong about my study as I have done
The 1. (Knowledge)
The 2. (Wisdom)
The 3. (Understanding)
to the point I have developed a solid hypothesis.
"HIPHOP IS DEAD" is a challenge to Nas and everyone who says they love this culture.
It is a challenge for them to break the stereotypes and creative catastrophe that is getting kids killed and men locked up for Bingo numbers. A challenge to really shape the world with this artistic culture. A challenge to say "Ok my ego is full". A challenge to make different music like Nas' last album that I still don't grasp fully....
I don't dislike the album.
But....
I don't like it yet.
BRILLIANT!!!!
I don't love(understanding) it fully yet.
But....
I don't hate(confusion) it at all.

I used to believe the saying "Ain't nuthin new under the Sun" but shit...when you look around it and out past the Horizon you will find that The Light is But a Shade of The Dark.

Knowledge is Born out of Ignorance. Embrace you stupidity. Cuz if you believe Hip-Hop is dead.....
Thank you for inspiring the longevity.

-Ravipops

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