Supastion Blog #1 (29th May, 07)

What's going on world! It feels good to have an outlet to voice my thoughts & opinions on anything I please. Thanks to Certified Hip Hop for having enough balls and being the first site to give me a platform to personally speak my mind. Don't worry I won't start a war with anyone... you are affiliated with at least! I'm not one of those dudes who writes those corny 'Heavy D was greater than KRS' shock-driven blogs just for the purpose of getting people all riled up. Anyway, enough with the inaugural speech... let's start the show!

First off, I want to speak on something that alot of artists fail to mention out of a fear of losing their fans. We are going to talk about Fan Etiquette because I have met one too many people who have crossed that line. Now Im aware that there are an endless amount of rappers/DJs/producers/singers (hereby referred to as artist) who are notorious for being jackasses and assholes but lets just be real its not ALWAYS the artists fault. Some people deserve the response they get based on how they approach other people. Ive seen the god, bad, and ugly while touring and being around established artists. These are my opinions and the gripes of other cats close to me (who I wont name) that have had some weird encounters. Lets break it down

The Introduction

Now lets take into consideration that if you meet an artist at a show or any type of music event then theres a 75% chance that either you or the artist is going to be a lil twisted (intoxicated, high, or whatever). That already sets the tone for something to go wrong.

[RULE #1] is to make the convo as short and sweet as possible. Even though a person appears to be smiling, humble, and grateful this mufucka is not trying to spend an hour talking to you about the 4 elements of hip hop or his fallout with his producer or label. He/she might not say this to you but they are thinking it. Here are some things to avoid doing

[A] Never ask them to go to your car or your house to listen to your beats/songs. There is nothing more irritating than that shit. Slide them a CD and let them judge whether its as good as you say it is. Dont go promoting your shit like its the illest thing since DJ Premier on the Group Home debut because you have just raised their expectations to high. OH MAN pleeeeease dont give them a beat CD full of beats that already taken. Whats the point? Sure you really think you can make another beat just liked the one they picked but that shit aint gonna happen homie. And please drop that lil outspoken attitude youve acquired while using the internet when you try to talk business with them. For example, dont go up to Jay-Z saying that you got beats that are better than Just Blaze! Though you see it as a confident sales pitch you just threw an uppercut at someone he works with. Be professional

[B] You want me to cipher with you and the Gods? I just did a show {line courtesy of Common}. I mean really an established artist (hell even newcomers) who just finished a paid performance in front of a crowd really doesnt want to rap with you and your homies

[C] Dont go putting your arms around people and pulling on them like youve been knowing them for years. And FELLAS, please dont EVER ask someone to sign anything on your body because that shit is Richard Simmons-type gay.

[D] These god-forsaken camera phones! Get a real camera, fam! That drives me up the wall when someone comes with their camera phone trying to take a picture together in a smoke-filled, dark ass club with neon lights all over. First they hand the camera to the their drunk friend who has taken at least 4 or 5 photos trying to get a normal looking shot. Weeks later, they send you the picture on Myspace with you dripping in sweat looking confused as shit while they are smiling from ear to ear cause you were cool enough to take a picture.

Take a Hint!

[Rule #2]

Now some dudes clearly arent Einsteins when it comes to taking hints so thats usually where the artist starts acting like dickheads to them. Dap him up, speak your peace, get your cd/record signed (if you are into that), and K.I.M. Now if the artist is talking to a female (who doesnt appear to be getting raped, beaten, or tortured) then UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do you interrupt him. Ive seen how some fans dont give a damn about that broad you are trying to smash because this is there one big opportunity to meet <_insert_popular_rapper_here_>. This rule applies to journalists, DJs (wanting drops), and those persistent ass we trying to get you on a track son rappers/producers. After a show, there is NOTHING more important to him than getting that broad back to his hotel. The artist has paid dues and been jerked by plenty of labels & managers just to get to the point where any woman would want to sleep with him because of his reputation in music let the man have his moment!

Things to avoid:

[A] Dude, I thought you were married? Dont go reminding him that he is married, engaged, or has a SO. For one, that is none of your cotdayum business and secondly, if the man wants to commit adultery then damn it let him book his own fire & brimstone ticket to hell (getting my jerry falwell on!). Ive heard people say that they lost respect for artists because they were trying to pull groupies after the show. The fuck does it matter to youreally?

[B] Introducing your decent-looking girlfriend to the artist that you love so much can be a BAD move. As the great Alexyss K. Tylor stated, we are predators. I remember being on tour with this one artist who ended up smashing his biggest fans girlfriend. The fan introduced his girlfriend to the rapper and then invited him to chill with both of them. Somehow, the fan told his lady to drop him off at home and then give his favorite rapper a ride back to the hotel enough said. Dummy move!!! And since we are on the subject

[C] Ladies, ladies, ladies Please realize that while there are some artists who appreciate and respect the fact that you are a lady that truly appreciates good music, there are others who see you as nothing more than easy targets! If you are going to chill with an artist AFTER the show then please refer back to the beginning of Rule #2 (after a show, there is nothing more important than getting that broad back to his hotel). And YES, even that guy who made the song about loving beautiful black women and respecting his queens is trying to tear your back out if he is given the opportunity. Take hints and dead it from the jump if you are not trying to be the jumpoff he remembers everytime someone mentions your city (ATL - aaah, the thick sista with the angels tattooed on her ass cheeks, LA - oooh, the asian jawn with the blonde hair, Boston - hell yeah, the bad ass white jawn with the good job).

Okay Dont Overdo It!

[A] Now I know people can get a little too excited when they finally hear some music that doesnt sound as god awful as some of the songs in the current hip hop Top 10. But please, dont make people hate artists before they even have a chance to hear them for themselves. Overyhyping someones music is the quickest way to kill off your somebodys buzz and chances at being heard. Ive seen it happen oh so many times and its not a pretty site. For example, if you are trying to put somebody on to lets say Saigon you cant go around promoting him as this nigga is better than Rakim, Kane, and G Rap combined. Now with that alone, you have already cast the dude into overrated land without anyone even listening. First off, you just pissed off a bunch of people who might actually like Rakim, Kane, and G Raps music because you are shooting for captain of the cheerleading squad. Then, you just raised the bar high as fuck and now people are expecting to hear the 2^nd coming of Jesus on a rap song. Great job at promoting and spreading the word!

[B] What is really the point of you arguing with someone or insulting them because they dont like the same music that you like? A discussion is one thing but an all-out argument over your personal tastes is dumber than Sade auditioning for a heavy metal band. If I like Jay-Z and you like Dipset does that make me or you better at judging quality hip hop? I see and hear this shit all the time especially on message boards. Only fucking homos like Gay-Z! - says Trainwreck75. I wish all of you Dipshit fans would die in your sleep! - argue xxBrooklynBadBoyxx. Fam, is it REALLY that serious? At the end of the day, NONE of these artists truly care that you are out there holding down your Stan-status for them. As my uncle would say, neither one of em is putting any money in your pocket!. You dont have to go to war for em and convince the world that they are stupid for sleeping on the same music you like. Now that is very obsessive, cuz!

I think Ive said enough in the first blog. Just my outlook on a few things. I will be back shortly to get some stuff off my chest. Stay tuned my good people!!!

Peace Supastition aka Mista Boombox

www.supastition.com

www.myspace.com/supastition