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cyarskj1899 · 1 year

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I sing this all the time. Michigan winters especially Detroit,Michigan winters ain’t no joke

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NEWSClassified documents at Pence's home, too, his lawyer says

WWJ NEWSRADIO 950NEWSLOCAL

"It's So Cold in the D" turns 15 — the truth behind the accidental Detroit anthem we can't stop singing

By WWJ Newsroom

January 20, 20234:56 pm

DETROIT (WWJ) -- When it comes to Detroit artists who have made an impact on music and culture, there are truly too many to name.

But there’s one local rapper that Metro Detroiters quote regularly — especially during the winter months — who has never really gotten her due.

We’re talking about T-Baby, who had a massive viral hit 15 years ago this month with her now-iconic song, “It’s So Cold in the D.”

And if you tell us you didn’t just sing the hook as you read that — we don’t believe you.

The unbelievably catchy and quotable song was originally penned as a tribute to T-Baby’s late friend Mason Graham, who was fatally shot while trying to break up a fight at Universal Coney Island on Detroit’s east side in 2006.

The music video, was made with a shoe-string budget of just $300, hit YouTube in January of 2008, and went on to rack up an impressive 11 million views.

NOTE: VIDEO CONTAINS PROFANITY

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In the years that followed, variations of the “It’s So Cold in the D” catchphrase have been included in tracks such as Eminem’s “Detroit vs. Everybody” and Big Sean’s “Story by Snoop Lion,” and the song has been performed in-concert by the likes of New Kids on the Block and Usher during tour stops in Detroit.

"It's So Cold in the D" received new life in 2011 when it was included in an episode of MTV’s “Beavis and Butthead” reboot, and the resurgence later resulted in a 2015 remix of the song (though nothing beats the original.)

NOTE: VIDEO CONTAINS PROFANITY

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But even with all of its popularity, T-Baby says she received so much online hate after releasing the tribute — which she intended to be a commentary on violence in the city — she took an extended hiatus from YouTube and music to avoid the negativity.

Additionally, the rapper and artist, who grew up Latonya Myles on Detroit’s east side, has never really been given much in the way of compensation or credit for her original song.

Most artists who perform or reference it do so without permission, and despite holding a copyright on the “It’s So Cold in the D” phrase, it often appears on t-shirts, mugs and even candles with little to no money going back to T-Baby.

Though she has continued to have a social media presence and create music through the years, T-Baby says she still keeps mainly to herself, and doesn’t put a lot of trust in others.

But regardless of how people feel about the song itself, T-Baby created something that most artists have a difficult time achieving: staying power.

The song is now used on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, meaning a whole new generation is discovering the viral hit.

In another 15 years, you can bet that on a freezing winter day, Detroiters will still be turning to one another and uttering the phrase, “It’s so cold in the D.”

But if we don't start to give T-Baby the credit she deserves right now...well, there's really nothing colder than that.

From traffic island to the heartbeat of the Motor City – did Campus Martius save Downtown Detroit?

It's So Cold in the D

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thelensofyashunews · 2 months

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1Up Tee Has a Message For the Young Folks in His New Video Single

Detroit's 1Up Tee makes music with a message, providing life lessons for navigating our social media-poisoned world. Daring the audience to look below the surface, Tee shares "Young N****s," a powerful new single and music video.

Blessed with a beat by Von Classic, "Young N****s" harkens back to 80s R&B, with smooth Fender Rhodes piano to go with thumping Michigan-style 808s–it's an instrumental that illustrates a potential bridge for the generational divide that inspired the song. Tee sends a message to the moral police who judge without fully understanding the circumstances that make young Black men do what they do: "They don't know you tryna get back from your brother passing/They don't know if you don't slide, your brother gonna look at you backwards/They don't know...the sh*t we go through on a daily basis/They only know from Instagram and what the pages sayin'," spits 1Up Tee. Directed by Laka of renowned Chicago collective No More Heroes, the video finds Tee performing in Chicago's Water Tower Plaza, putting the focus on his profound lyrics.

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"Young N****s" is the latest step in the Westside Detroit rapper's impressive rise in recent months. Inspired by local rappers by Babyface Ray and Payroll Giovanni, Tee started rapping when he was a teenager, writing about the things he observed in his hometown, and eventually teaming up with close friend D Hen 1UP to release the mixtape Y.N.A. in 2022. 1Up Tee capitalized on his hometown momentum with the single "Accountability," released in 2022, framed as a conversation between two sides of himself–one side lamenting his lack of success so far, and the other side telling him to shape up and get to work. Late last year, Tee's profile began to cross out of the Great Lakes region and make waves nationwide: the catalyst was "Good Karma (Freestyle)," an examination about why bad things happen to real ones, which became a viral On The Radar performance and generated over 4 million on-demand streams. He kept the karma going with January's "Lose Lose," which earned attention from Pitchfork, racking up over 1.8 million streams in its first six weeks.

With influential tastemakers like Pitchfork, On The Radar, and Spotify's Fresh Finds in his corner, along with strong co-signs from from Meek Mill, athletes like Damian Lillard and Marshawn Lynch, and fellow Detroiters including Babyface Ray, Dej Loaf, and BabyTron, 1Up Tee is ready to become the next rapper from the Motor City to become a breakout star. Stay tuned for much more.

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afr0-thunder · 9 months

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[TRIPPIN (Chicago Edition)]

ADDED NOTE: Was not short as intended. My bad

#TheInnovators

It doesn’t necessarily anger me. Somewhat, but not as badly as it would for others to take this in.

I will never forgive the world for overusing, misusing and taking credit for my city and it’s natives’ culture. Chicago is responsible for most of what is referred to as “Gen-Z language”, majority of today’s popular terms, phrases, trends, fashion styles, looks, aesthetics and more. I won’t dive deep because I intended on this being as short as possible. We sometimes don’t even notice the impact of being America’s 3rd largest city because of how quickly what we start internally, travels. We are so focused on our individuality, that we don’t even bat an eye to it.

I am more so upset by the use of our struggles and influence. Example: Music (Hip-Hop). I’ll start with Kanye West. He had launched an entire wave of artists claiming nativity (being “from”) cities they weren’t born in. He took credit for popularizing an artist (Chief Keef), which we popularized ourselves, which got him noticed in the first place. Keef, was pioneering a wave that gave notice to our city’s struggle of gang violence, drug abuse and the on-going Police-African American feud. All issues were instigated and amplified by our aggressors, the police and/or white people (caucasians).

Kanye is known for making use of our city’s rappers musical talents to notarize his own career.

Twista - Fast Rapping/Lyrical Talent.

Lupe Fiasco - Lyricism/Intelligence.

Chief Keef - Drill/Gangs/Drug Abuse.

The first to launch the producer to rapper portion of his career, the second to place himself back in the spotlight only to bash a native (Soulja Boy Tell’em), last to do the same while he was struggling post-Swift incident and to measure up to rising talent. He even used Chance The Rapper to relaunch it again. An artist who popularized Apple Music and made it where many artists now get paid for the company’s generated revenue. Still, while being an Atlanta native

His city has a similar issue with surrounding Georgia cities/suburbs claiming to be Atlanta natives as well.

The drill music issue only frustrates me due to others believing we’re the influencers. The artists here are just depicting their daily lives through creative artistry. Also, adding most of these gangs were created for reasons not related to organized crime and our most problematic gangs were created by migrating southerners (non-Chicagoans). All of whom are dead or imprisoned. The real issue is others misunderstanding. Florida (state), California (State), New York (state), Memphis, Detroit, Saint Louis, Atlanta, etc… glorified this genre for money, but mostly notoriety (clout) without paying homage or recognizing the real issue and making it known. It has even reached to the United Kingdom. I don’t support the slaying of African Americans within our own race, but I also don’t feel bad for others misinterpreting, disrespecting our struggle and thus losing their friends, family or lives. Homicides exist everywhere in the U.S., but not in music. Now we have the worst reputation nationwide (crime wise) and it’s not even as terrible here, in comparison to others, due to the issue being addressed. It had purpose. It also seems as if this is a new issue. Homicides have been occurring here since Al Capone lived here (early 1900s). Which contradicts the idea that it is a minority issue, as well.

I don’t feel bad for Kanye struggling with dating. He is wealthy and others do not frown upon him because of this. This allows him to date interracially at free will and as a southerner, “Chicagoan” and California resident, he should have known that it is uncommon in all those places due to them being strategically segregated. Also, racism is something all three of those places struggles with greatly due to lack of integration. He neglects all listed struggles while having a major mainstream influence due to this city’s rappers.

[In short, we don’t want attention for these things like others. We would just like for others to recognize that we opened a significant amount of doors for others while having the name of the world’s most influential and prolific city’s tarnished in pursuit of others’ success. You will never be as successful as us in the long run, but for now. I felt I need to speak on these issues…to myself. Fear what you don’t know.]

If you think Chicago hasn’t given every city in the world everything they have and will continue to introduce everything they will aspire for. You are TRIPPIN.

- MH (2023)

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goboymusic · 1 year

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We’re about to enter an era where #AI will produce music that’s on par with anything a human can make. It’ll be interesting to see if people prefer to consume #AIgenerated music over human-made music. My guess is no, as we tend to look to one another for inspiration, emotional resonance, hope, empathy, etc, rather than robots, but who knows. Are we going to prefer having a beer and shooting the shit with #ChatGPT over another human? Are we going to prefer listening to a robot talk / sing about depression, love, sex, etc when we know they haven’t experienced it? Probably not. My guess is that it’ll result in some popular “music as a utility” services that do things like auto-generate a soundtrack to your daily life, and it’ll result in some services where you can enter ideas like “what if My Humps was performed by Nirvana” or “what if Chop Suey was performed by The Beatles” and the AI will generate it. I’ll definitely mess around with those. That sounds really fun.

”The #Rochester #Police” was a filler song. An upcoming release required a specific, self-imposed number of tracks, and it was one track short, so this song was tossed together over the course of a few days.

For the record, I am not necessarily against police. I don’t like it when musicians get political, so I won’t choose to be on either side of that fence. All that I’ll say is that this song was made when I was a brash teenager, and my opinions have changed as I’ve aged.

Some of the lyrics were inspired by a video of Zach Johnson from @iseestarsmusic freestyle rapping in the parking lot of a venue that he had just performed in. That band and its members had a big impact on me as a teenager, being a successful young musical group in Metro Detroit. In reflection, I’d describe them as a group of young prodigies at the time. Lightning in a bottle.

The lyrics and song title are inspired by a few run-ins that I had with cops in my hometown. Being a mischievous teenager, my mischief finally went too far, and I landed in some hot water. Trespassing, disturbing the peace, hindering, that kind of stuff. No felonies, but an assortment of four or five or six misdemeanors. Those issues slowed my output during the tail end of GoBoy 1.

The lofi vocal effect was a necessity. Without it, the vocals weren’t working in my opinion.

The vocal skipping effect is clearly inspired by “Stay Fly” by @three6mafia.

I remember listening to “The Rochester Police” in the car with a friend before releasing it and him telling me that he couldn’t understand the lyrics. Rather than altering the mix to make the vocals more understandable, I released it and moved on. Sometimes, for mental / creative health, it’s best to throw in the towel and move on to the next project.

“The Rochester Police” was part of an album titled “Drop Out University,” which makes me cringe so hard my face looks like a raisin. I went through a phase where I thought higher education was socioeconomic insurance, rather than a place to learn, as you could learn a majority of educational topics on the internet. I regret it, alright?!? (excerpts from posts 14 and 18)

Drop Out University consisted of songs 18-22, in addition to remastered versions of “Emily” and each song of the N3RD EP (songs 10-15) (excerpts from post 18).

Following this song, there would be a five month gap in releases, three of which were spent making a music video for “Throwback (Song 23).” More on that in post 23.

#GoBoy #Rochester #Police #22

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garudabluffs · 1 year

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College stars’ name and image deals vs. the health of athletic departments

Mar 15, 2023

"Bruce Schoenfeld, book author and frequent contributor to The New York Times magazine, recently wrote about the effect of NIL deals on how athletic departments are funded. He joined “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal to talk about the future of funding college athletics and the problem confronting many athletic directors.

The following is an edited transcript of their conversation."

READ MORE https://www.marketplace.org/2023/03/15/college-stars-name-and-image-deals-vs-the-health-of-athletic-departments/

Jalen Rose tries to set record straight on Fab Five March 11, 2023

"Rose, in case you read this column to feel old, just turned 50 years old in January. And while his tenure at Michigan was filled with success — two consecutive trips to the NCAA championship game (1992, ‘93) – it was also clouded with controversy because of apparent illegal cash gifts given to prominent members of the Fab Five, including Rose, by Detroit businessman Ed Martin."

“When you look back at the journey, it was disappointing how we were vilified,” Rose told the Globe. “I know where it came from. It came from a place where a majority of the people covering us didn’t look like us, didn’t relate to us, and aren’t where we’re from. As hip-hop turns 50, that’s my metric that reminds me how mainstream America has changed so much because in the early ‘90s when we were listening to rap in the locker room by the people that I just described. We were considered hoodlums and thugs."

“At that time, and it really didn’t start changing until the 2000s, multiple media members used those terms on TV and in print to describe players in the NBA and the NFL, in particular. And some of these personalities still exist in high-profile positions.”

“Now, when you look at music and rap music and the people who were making it go double platinum were the same parents that didn’t want their kids wearing long shorts, black shoes, and black socks,” Rose said. “And did not appreciate at the time what the Fab Five was bringing to the table. That cultural dynamic played out via a person like Ed Martin."

Ed Martin dies - The Michigan Daily

"Martin pleaded guilty [in May] to conspiracy to launder money, the former auto worker told federal prosecutors he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent $616,000 to the four Michigan players while they still were amateurs."

— Ed Martin, who admitted he gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to former Michigan basketball players while they were in high school and college, has died, a federal prosecutor confirmed Saturday.

Fab Five scandal doesn't tell full story of Ed Martin: 'He helped everybody' DETROIT (AP) 04/30/2018

"Even casual sports fans know the CliffsNotes version: When five high school All-American superstars join forces in Ann Arbor, they become the richest freshman haul in NCAA hoops history."

"By becoming NCAA championship finalists as both freshmen and sophomores, the Fab Five obliterated the age-old basketball gospel that a team can’t win with five newcomer starters. And with their baggy shorts and black socks, they revolutionized basketball’s dress code. Overnight they reduced snug uniforms to laughable fashion relics.

Of course, the college basketball world had been transformed into a multi-billion-dollar cash machine long before King, Rose, Jackson, Webber and Howard ever took to a court together. Nevertheless, the impact of the prized quintet penetrated deep into the NCAA’s bottom line. It took merely one game for the collegiate sports industry to recognize just how lucrative the Fab Five could become."

"The Fab Five’s first year, 1991, also marked the beginning of a seven-year, $1 billion mega-deal between CBS and the NCAA that gave the network the rights to broadcast every game in the tournament. The agreement, announced in 1989, poured nearly $143 million a year into the NCAA’s coffers — nearly triple the size of the previous contract. The NCAA’s own magazine, Champion, described the deal as “stunning” and a “game-changer.”

Just as significant was the fact that 1991 also marked the start of a new compensation system for tournament entrants that found each college or university earning more money for each postseason victory. By 1995, with college hoops now in the midst of a TV ratings explosion, the NCAA and CBS were negotiating a contract extension through the 2002 tournament that was worth $1.725 billion."

"Even as freshmen in 1991, they may have been young, but they were nothing if not street smart. Each of them knew what it was like to be coveted, to have seemingly mature adults swoon over them. Their rare gifts on the hardwood sparked outlandish promises even as their intimidating bald heads and black game socks took off in popularity. Jimmy King says the look was the Fab Five’s nod to the Black Power sentiment that infused hip-hop culture during that period. Young but not naive, they understood the attention, power and revenue their brand could generate. But they also were painfully aware of how the same NCAA system that used their talents to turn athletic directors and TV execs into millionaires ensured that they could never receive a dime of those riches."

READ MORE https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/04/30/fab-five-ed-martin-booster-book/548714002/

#University of Michigan basketball 1992-'93

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fmhiphop · 1 year

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Lil Yachty Gives the Scoop on the Newest Episode of Rap Radar

For fans who are wild for Lil Yachty and like to learn more about hip-hop culture and its top contributors, the newest episode of Rap Radar is just for you. Lil Yachty: The Pattern Lil Yachty. Image Source: Courtesy of Interval Presents Lil Yachty's unmistakable flavor, style, and undefinable artistry have set him head and shoulders above the rest. He doesn't fit into any mold. And that is because he is the mold. Although many have tried to confine him to a box, he remains one artist who fits in none. Yachty continues to ride the wave of singularity by chiseling his masterpieces out of what moves him from genre to genre. As Vulture notes, the work varies greatly in style and quality, but being difficult to pin down also allows him to make unusual plays." However, Yachty doesn't merely make the plays. He masters them. Yachty's works have contained elements of Detroit style, southern trap, psychedelic rock, and pop. All the elements come together as a definitive signature of the artist marking him as a dynamo. But according to the Daily Trojan, he is much more; he is a "Brand," a label with which the artist entirely agrees. According to The Trojan, Yachty verified this in an issue of the New York Times. The artist told the Times, "I'm not a rapper but an artist. And I'm more than an artist. I'm a brand." Lil Yachty on Rap Radar Fans of the artist will get the unique opportunity to listen in on a conversation with Rap Radar hosts Brian "B. Dot" Miller and Elliot Wilson. Today February 23, Rap Radar is hosting Yachty to discuss his creativity, his life, and his newest work, "Let's Start Here," a release defined as an unexpected pivot in style. https://youtu.be/emifTOXOnZ0 "Let's Start Here" "Let's Start Here," Yachty's fifth studio album, dropped on January 27. Read the full article

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floodtheweb · 1 year

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Vince Ash, ZayTheDon "Life’s a Gamble"

Produced BY Mia JayC and FreshDuzIt

In 1986 Rakim spit one of rap’s most timeless and unforgettable lines, “it ain’t where you’re from it’s where you’re at.” When where you’re at is Hammond, Indiana, a nondescript town near Chicago which boasts a population of approximately 76,000, crowds don’t respond to a hometown shout out with the same intensity as they did when say Notorious B.I.G. would call out “where the Brooklyn at?” For Vince Ash, being from the 219 is a badge of honor, and as someone who hails from Indianapolis, an unassailable sense of pride fills my heart when he mentions his Hoosier heritage.

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Hip-hop has since come to a point where cities like Detroit, Kansas City and even smaller markets like Flint, Michigan have been branded with idiosyncratic landscape portrayed by artists like Eminem, Tech N9ne and The Dayton Family. The listener experience for me was a visceral journey. Like seeing Avatar in 3D, it created the sense of their Rust Belt surroundings the same way Nas or Wu-Tang Clan made me feel like I knew every grimy crevice in New York. At just over 15 minutes running time, Vince Ash’s latest album “Against all measures vol.1” does the same. On songs like “Life is a gamble ” in particular puts a Rust Belt twist on daily life.

#VINCE ASH #GARY RAP #GARY IN HIPHOP #INDIANA HIPHOP FLOODTHEWEB #Vince Ash #ZayTheDon - Life’s a Gamble [Official Music Video]#Youtube

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rcmndedlisten · 2 years

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Channel Tres - “6AM”

Snuck into the details behind Channel Tres’ forthcoming album, Real Cultural Shit, is that he’s now made it to the major leagues with his fusion of Detroit dance house and Compton rap in releasing the effort as a joint effort between his roots of Godmode Music and new label home, RCA Records. There’s been plenty of fresh energy leading up to the release so far with the early singles “Acid In My Blood”, “Ganzfeld Experiment”, the not-a-Depeche-Mode-cover track “Just Can’t Get Enough”, and more recently, the low-lit highlight “No Limit”. “6AM” is a colorful dopamine rush for the dance floor, however, and a reminder that it isn’t too early to get the party started -- or too late for that matter for to end one as Tres grinds through the daily grind in a flashbulb banger that gives you that much needed boost to see the day through to the moments wide awake you deserve.

Directed by: Tajana Williams

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Channel Tres’ ”6AM” single is available now on Godmode Music / RCA Records.

#new music #channel tres #godmode music #rca records

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therappundit · 4 years

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Best of the 1st Half: 2020′s Best Rap Projects (*so far*)...

“I’ve had, the halftime of my life...!”

*record scratch*

2020, WHAT THE F**K. 😳

Ohhh what a first half it has been. If 2020 ended today, it would still be one of the most historic years in a century...and NOT in a pleasant way. Years from now 2020 will be studied for the long-term damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential breaking point (hopefully??) of this country’s ignorance to systematic racism and the need for a complete overhaul of our police departments, and of course, whatever the hell comes from the November Presidential election....and, not to mention whatever additional ‘tbd’ chaos rings in the second half of ‘20 that we haven’t even heard about yet!? These are trying times, folks.

My whole life, I have tried to use humor and entertainment to help me with processing high levels of stress and anxiety. This year, that process has felt more daunting than usual. I am writing less and less, and often find Twitter to be too dark of a place for me to navigate. It’s anything but a fulfilling “escape”. Still, I am constantly inspired by all of the new music that fills my headspace during life’s precious little moments, and it really keeps me grounded in the day to day.

At the end of 2019, I wrote the below in one of my posts. It took me back to a special feeling that I had, at a moment when the future seemed more like an opportunity, rather than a worrisome question mark. I’m going to work towards finding that place again, and I wanted to re-share this because it speaks to how the love of any art can be a healthy reminder of what we have to be thankful for in our daily lives:

“Regardless of how you feel about this list, I hope that you visit (or re-visit) any one of these pieces of strong work and find the same level of enjoyment that I did. I loved so much rap music this year and I could not be more excited about what the future holds. On a personal note, in 2019 I found myself even more in love with my wife, feeling luckier than I have in a long time, more satisfied with my hobbies and passions, and above all else, more in awe of my child (and anyone that ever raised a child) than ever before. I became a father for the first time in 2019, so as my baby daughter continues to fill my heart, I am beginning to wonder what she will think of her father’s love for this art form that has brought him so much joy over the years…I suppose time will tell.”

This list is long, because I think the talent that went into these projects is worth your time (and I put a lot of thought into creating this list as well...I do not work in the industry or know anyone that does, and I do not have any real platform - I just do this because I love the music).

If you are an artist on this list, I want to thank you, because you helped me stay positive and focused on a brighter future that I hope will soon come to us all...because everyone has been through something this year, and we deserve better. So salute to you and many, many others. 🙏🙏🙏

- THE Rap Pundit

The “Rules” for my list of the Best Projects of Q1-Q2 2020:

- the album/mixtape/EP/project/whatever you want to call it had to be released this year, by June 26, 2020

- the project must have at least 6 songs

- these rankings are a combination of my own personal preference, my take on overall quality of the project (whether it speaks deeply to my sensibilities or not), and how the final product compares to other work from the artists’ peers that occupy the same lane/‘sub-genre’ of rap music

So here we go 👀...

1. The Price of Tea in China by Boldy James and The Alchemist

Sometimes the greatest albums are not the most ambitious or flashy, they are remembered based off the strength of artistic chemistry and execution. Basketball fans know the beauty of a perfectly timed chest pass to a teammate streaking towards the basket can be more impressive than a behind the back pass that’s simply done for the sake of showing everyone that you can do a fancy pass. Staying with that theme, The Price of Tea in China is The Alchemist doing his best John Stockton impression, serving to Boldy James’ Karl Malone, and by album’s end you realize that Boldy scored a quiet 40 points while making this rap shit look like an easy lay-up.

TPOTIC finds Boldy sprinkling every ounce of his Detroit seasoning into Al’s pot to yield one of the most Mobb Deep-esque collaboration albums since Mobb Deep was dropping albums. In turn, this project is not only Boldy’s greatest work, but it serves as a re-introduction of a veteran MC that is suddenly more relevant than ever. Much like what Freddie Gibbs and Madlib did with 2019′s Bandana, this project is a great lesson on what MC and Producer chemistry can sound like when both parties are 100% on the same page when it comes to message, tone, and aesthetic goals.

It would make sense that Boldy James would fall into the Griselda fold, because much like Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher, he comes from a city with a rich rap music scene that still struggles to reach the level of exposure that the NYCs, L.A.’s, Chicago's and Atlanta’s have basked in for so long. He writes from a place of “been there, done that”, showing a rich attention to detail that separates his street tales from that of his peers in the same way someone telling a story second or third hand can’t match the level of detail that an eye witness has saved in the memory bank. Boldy has survived both real world and music business challenges to rise from the ashes of “hey whatever happened to so & so, he was about to blow” conversations to reach a new peak in his mid-30′s. He deserved this suite of incredible Alchemist soundscapes (Al is deep in his bag here, delivering some of his most low-key impressive instrumentals in years), and like his super-producer buddy, Boldy is looking down at us from atop an already prolific 2020 at its’ midpoint.

I’m not sure anyone can match the chemistry that Prodigy and Mobb Deep had with The Alchemist, but in 2020, The Price of Tea in China delivers some of the most brutally subdued, occasionally humorous, stripped down rap records since P was throwing TV’s at us like he had nothing left to lose. If The Price of Tea in China isn’t holding the championship at year’s end, it still deserves to be mentioned as an impressive work by one of the strongest title-worthy unions running the pick and roll in the genre today.

2. Àdá Irin by Navy Blue

Okay let’s be honest: the “sub-genre” that is often referred to as lo-fi rap music (whether you consider it an actual lane or not, I know you know what I’m talking about...which I suppose proves its’ existence, right?), is beginning to suffer from the same affliction that all other sub-genres tend to suffer from once the word is out that this is “the thing” that the kids find trendy right now. A lot of folks in this lane sound *exactly* the same to the average listener. I’m not even the average listener, and I often feel that way. The irony that comes with being part of the sound that’s supposed to be bucking the mainstream clone machine turning into a mini-clone machine itself, means that the window is in danger of closing to avoid over-saturation of the artists that are already thriving between the gravelly, whisper-welcoming walls of Soundcloud URLs and Bandcamp EPs being slid to their heady fanbase with zero promotion. So with that all being said...why give Navy Blue a chance?

Navy Blue lacks the name recognition of many of his peers (for now), but he has now been thriving in the lo-fi pocket for some time as both a MC and producer, a young artist that’s closely connected to the lane’s most famous figureheads (Earl Sweatshirt, and to some extent, Mach-Hommy), as well as less heralded trailblazers like MIKE and the whole sLUms collective. Sure you can check out Navy’s Soundcloud page to get a taste of his work, but with this Àdá Irin album, we don’t just hear raw snippets of a freshly discovered unsigned talent. With this album we hear Navy as a self-assured solo artist, capable of sharing an inspirational song with the likes of Ka and sounding like every bit of the veteran next to the iconic soft-spoken lyricist. This is a very, very impressive debut full length album that showcases the best that the (sub)genre has to offer: some experimentation, jazzy loops, the diary-like intimacy of words that sit like dust on an old basement book shelf, and the raw emotions that come from working through love, pain and loss in real time. In 2020 there may be nothing completely new under the sun, but it’s the aesthetic choices that Navy Blue makes with every verse and every instrumental that make Àdá Irin feel like a perfect balance of beauty and sadness. If you want to dip a toe in this water but you’re not sure you can get into the mumblecore-ish world of MIKE, MAVI, Medhane or Earl’s work from the past two years, this Navy Blue album might actually be the perfect intro.

3. A Written Testimony by Jay Electronica (featuring JAY-Z)

Not a lot of positive breaking news in 2020...but when Jay Electronica surprised Twitter with a few cryptic Tweets back in February, implying that he was dropping an album (and Jay-Z would likely be involved), the rap game was set ablaze with excitement, skepticism, disbelief, and hope (albeit with some measured caution there as well).

This is something that fans, and arguably the entire rap world, had been clamoring for for a decade, many long since moving on believing that Jay Elec’s debut album had gone the way of Detox, sharing “1a & 1b” status as the most eagerly anticipated projects none of us seriously expected to hear.

Then it dropped....and then it went. In a Twitter-run rap world, quality is too often measured by how long a piece of art stays within the “trending” mix, as opposed to...well, whether or not it’s actually good! The truth is, A Written Testimony is not just good, it’s very, very good, and while it’s not the “Illmatic 2″ that some may have been expecting, realistically it’s superior to what I imagined a new project from such a reclusive artist would sound like in 2020. If you at least try to table the expectations laid out when “Exhibit C” came out in 2009...I think you will find a project (it’s up to you whether or not you want to count this a “solo debut” or not, but at this point, it’s new Jay Electronica - can we just leave it at that??) stacked with memorable moments, quotable gems throughout, stellar production (this is one of the best produced projects of 2020 by far, not sure how/why this piece of the puzzle would receive anything less than acclaim), and some moments of questionable preaching made more palatable by a strong overall voice and package.

Jay Electronica raps with conviction throughout, and while the project feels brief, it lasts long enough to be more than a quick feeling, even if many feel that it’s not long enough to feel like a full album. If "Exhibit C" was the teaser then this is the redband trailer, flashing enough skill and details to resonate for far longer than its’ duration. Much has been said about the heavy hand of JAY-Z on most of the project’s 7 tracks, but let’s be clear, this is not Watch The Throne 2 (even though at points, it may feel like something along those lines). Yes, in impressive fashion, Hov comes through riding shotgun to show a deeper shade of one of his more complex dimensions, with many of his rhymes begging for dissection with every bar. However, AWT features a JAY-Z that’s rapping through Jay Electronica’s lens, not by any means where 4:44 or Everything Is Love left off. This is definitely a Jay Electronica album. AWT dives in and out of Jay Electronica’s beliefs in broad strokes that appear and disappear rather quickly, but even when certain verses raise more questions than provide answers, every song still has at least a handful of the gripping words that remind us of what made Jay Elec-Hanukkah sound like the chosen one in the first place (his tussle with writer’s block and hesitation to put out any art make for some of the projects most engaging moments).

If A Written Testimony is the last Jay Electronica album we ever here - which I truly hope it is not the case - it is still a memorable piece of work. So if you were one of the folks that moved on from it after the “surprise” of Jay finally dropping a project subsided, I hope you change that stance and revisit it once again.

4. Descendants of Cain by Ka

“Quiet and frigid disposition, growin' up in the cold / Surprised I ain't get high from what I was low enough to behold / Like when Pops shot at the neighbor's shop, put one in his head / He knew how he grew me, threw me the gun, a hundred, and fled / Didn't play, 'fore po' arose dispose of exhibit A / I was raised to age a few years in a day / If not elite, didn't eat if you didn't pray / As much as I heal, had to deal, all my scars are here to stay / Our senseis spent days peddling / Our heroes sold heroin.” - Ka, “Patron Saints”

He makes it seem almost too easy. If the writing wasn't so gripping, you might not even revisit it. Ka’s Descendants of Cain arrived with little fanfare, except for the collective awe of his humble but religiously devoted fan-base. The religious devotion is an important piece here, as Cain adds to Ka’s quietly impressive discography another strong album that leans on classic scribes as inspiration to spin poignant metaphors on Brooklyn street philosophy.

This time, the classic work is the Christian Bible, and Ka being the brilliant MC/poet that he is, seems to have little trouble working with the medium to preach without sounding preachy, and wax familiar-sounding nostalgia over wax that sounds as dusty as it feels fresh, rich, and urgent. Producing much of the album himself, along with a few trusted collaborators, the album’s strength is in its’ density, as each song feels like it requires a pause to unpack every bar...and to be honest, that’s exactly the type of attention this work deserves. If you missed this one in the first half of 2020′s feverish dump of new releases, you need to remedy that immediately.

5. Pray for Paris by Westside Gunn

If The Alchemist is the overall rap music MVP for his many contributions to 2020 thus far, Westside Gunn may deserve at least a few honorable mentions. From becoming the ambassador of Buffalo New York to stepping up as an ambassador of the underground rap resurgence, I don’t think any other rap artist has done more to run with the torch that Roc Marciano has been waving for a damn decade than the Griselda mastermind. If you happened to hear Gunn name-dropping to Peter Rosenberg on Rosenberg’s long-standing Real Late show on Hot 97, you know exactly what I mean. Shouting-out close allies and lesser known peers alike, Gunn’s presence proudly announced the underground movement’s invasion of the highly known New York City radio station. It felt like ECW invading WWE’s Monday Night Raw all over again. Of course Gunn’s voice was met with more ears than usual during that interview, since that appearance came hot off the heels of the release of his much discussed side project turned full-blown album, Pray for Paris.

By now most fervent rap fans know the story behind the album (a project that miraculously arrived to completion while Gunn was suffering from the affects of coronavirus), but for many Pray for Paris is the introduction to the story of Griselda Records and the world that they revel in. If Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher are responsible for the Griselda team’s grittiest street tales, Westside Gunn’s success leans on his ability to blur the line between all-too-real violence and cartoon violence, splattered with elite luxury references and shout-outs for his fellow wrestling addicts. The song titles are merely scattered trains of thoughts that may or may not have anything directly to do with a song’s actual meaning, it’s like naming your child ‘brunch in Williamsburg’ just because it was the last meal you happened to have that day. An audience brought up on Lil Wayne as the God MC may be completely lost at the appeal, but audiences brought up on Wu, DOOM and Sean Price know exactly what vibe Westisde Gunn is going for.

At times Gunn can come across as more of a talent curator than a stand alone MC, so if this is the album that takes Gunn to the next level as a rap star, it would make him the most unselfish rap star to come along in some time. A rapper doesn’t jump on an Alchemist produced track with the likes of Freddie Gibbs and Roc Marciano and expect to leave with anything but the Bronze medal. The same can be said for his chopped and screwed contribution to “Claiborne Kick”, which clearly belongs to Boldy James. That’s not to say that Gunn’s verse is a weak moment on any of the joints on Paris, but the fact that he consistently surrounds himself with high caliber writers confirms that he is well aware that the quality of the final product will be determined by the team involved, not just the artists’ name on the album cover.

For someone that considers himself more of an artist than a rapper, he continues to paint intriguing collages with every album, featuring him at the center of an ever-expanding portrait of MCs, producers, singers, designers, and dancers. Pray for Paris is a typical Griselda project that also happens to sport the potential of something larger than most of their fanbase ever imagined. Yes we get the dark backdrops, elite underground production, and quotables throughout, but we also get a few additional shades, as Gunn dabbles with a “beauty and the beast” dynamic that cleanly pairs his violent imagery with fashionista pomp and circumstance (which no doubt helped draw the likes of Wale and Tyler, the Creator to this project). But t’s all less of a solo album to push a mainstream solo career forward, and much more of a cannonball through the mainstream wall, just to allow some sunlight to shine on his people...and his city, for that matter - because best believe, Paris may be the inspiration behind the project but Buffalo, New York is still with him every step of the way.

6. Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist

A highly enjoyable surprise drop from two-thirds of the potent combination that gave us the fan favorite project that was Fetti (shout-out to Curren$y, though), Alfredo feels like the perfect treat to hold us over during these trying times. It feels rushed, but simultaneously sharp and activated. It has the feeling of a controlled experiment that was slapped together in separate rooms, rather than carefully curated by multiple artists hunched over the same mixer for days on end. Alfredo is more of a display of two power hitters putting on an impressive showing at a Home Run Derby, rather than the collaboration that has been slowly simmering for years...but that’s also part of the fun, because it feels like Al & Fredo (eh?) were just as excited to release it as we all were to hear it.

Neither party is reinventing the wheel here, but if you are going to have a rapper and a producer connect for an album of great rapping over great beats, you would be hard pressed to find a more natural pairing than these two. The Alchemist delivers with samples that channel the speakeasy jazz of an old piano, and Freddie is simply the king of hard-rap soul right now, so he excels on every song. There are moments of darkness, moments of hope, and moments of self reflection (Gibbs is a logical choice to swing haymakers back at cops abusing their power), all delivered by Freddie at a break-neck speed over Al's significantly less urgent production....as if Gibbs frantically spilled his guts to his buddy over the phone while Al was kickin’ back with a joint saying “uh-huh...yup, I hear ya man.” The final result is an effective one, if not a quick teaser of what a lengthier amount of collaboration time between the two might sound like. It should also be said that the guest verses on this album (especially those from Tyler, The Creator and Conway) took this album up a few spots on this ‘best of’ list. Alfredo is easily one of the strongest surprises of 2020.

7. Reasonable Drought by Stove God Cook$ and Roc Marciano

There is a tradition in the rap music biz that newer/younger artists are often shepherded along by more seasoned artists in order to insure that the less experienced artist is blessed with the built-in audience that comes with a co-sign. It doesn’t always work, but typically the initiation comes with a solid musical foundation on a debut project accompanied by a greener MC still finding his/her way. Not the case with Stove God Cook$, he is perhaps the most unexpectedly fresh MC to be cut from classic rap cloth since Griselda & Mach-Hommy began to build cult-like followings.

While Reasonable Drought (and seriously, how bold of a title is that for a debut!?) is blessed by the impressive production and mentorship of underground rap icon Roc Marciano, it truly is the lesser known MC himself that captures the imagination right from the get-go. When I say that in my life time, I cannot recall such a strong debut performance by a MC that I have heard virtually no work from prior to his 2019 emergence, with the help of minimal publicity/ad budget (if any? Cook$ was barely on social media until *after* his album had already been released) on his way to dropping an album with zero features...then you should take my recommendation very seriously. Fresh style, some of the most rewind-worthy quotables in recent memory (an Uncle Buck reference!? Bow down, people), and a new following built exclusively on the word of mouth of equal-minded folks that were blown away by a project many copped on a passing whim... it’s clear that this moment could be the beginning of an amazing, fascinating career.

Similar to Roc Marciano before him, Cook$ possesses a rare flare with his wordplay and delivery that makes even the ugliest tales of coke dealing and disrespectful criminal activity sound like the colorful exploits of a post-Blaxploitation hero. He delivers every bar with the uber-specific word choice of Roc, but the outgoing swag of a Max B. The man that has people that never touched cocaine in their life singing that they’re “smelling like a brick right now”, is smelling like a winner in 2020 and beyond.

8. Battle Scar Decorated by Monday Night & Henny L.O.

Last call to board the Mutant Academy bandwagon!

I have been saying that this deep underground collective of MCs & producers has been low key having a banner year all year long, and scrolling through this list you can see exactly what I mean. Henny L.O. is too good to be slotted as just a battle rapper, while Monday Night is far too strong of a presence to be considered a mere associate of the core Mutant team. When you think of Mutant Academy and their respective affiliated acts, think of them as a gathering of solo artists that happen to make dope rap music together, but all parties involved are capable of standing on their own two. I think that’s what consistently impresses me about their projects...hat, and the lack of filler material.

Along with a deep Rolodex of mostly under-the-radar talent, the hunger and confidence of a thriving Richmond, Viriginia rap scene is present on every track of Battle Scar Decorated. Much like many of my favorite albums of 2020, there is no reinventing of the wheel here, the triumph is in the execution. Monday & Henny tag in and out, each with the confidence that they have spit the best verse on the song before they have even finished. It’s that level of ability combined with a shocking amount of production talent that makes Battle Scar Decorated essential listening to anyone that wants to be reminded of a vibe that hasn’t been in abundance in the underground rap scene since L.A. in the late 90′s. It wouldn’t be fair to talk about how much I enjoyed this project without including the great producers involved, so a big s/o to: Sycho Sid, C.R.I.S.T.E.N, James Couch, Savvy, Heather Grey, and Ewonne.

9. Eastern Medicine, Western Illness by Preservation

Accompanied by a who’s who of underground hip-hop’s finest (Roc Marciano, Mach-Hommy, Your Old Droog, Quelle Chris, Nickelus F, Tree, Navy Blue, Billy Woods, Ka *and more* - I mean seriously!?), Preservation has assembled an impressively cohesive compilation album both sonically and thematically.

Incorporating record samples from his travels in China, Eastern Medicine, Western Illness feels born in simplicity even though it is anything but a casual collection of dope verses over tightly wound production. A quietly gifted producer, Preservation knows how to squeeze the best out of his guests without shouting the results through the speakers, the choices are more subtle but yield a high impact and replay value. Listening to the project feels more like listening to a secret, unreleased project, because it’s hard to believe that this much talent would gift this much high caliber writing to a compilation of songs...although that was not uncommon in the 90′s and early 00′s (ah, I’m showing my old age again). Perhaps that’s a testament to Preservation’s vision, a DJ/producer with a relatively small catalog built on curated quality (see his fantastic 2015 collaboration with Ka on Days With Dr. Yen Lo). Eastern Medicine has enough talent involved that it could have been a worthy listen even if it was just as a hodgepodge of donated loosies, so the fact that the final product is so much more than that makes it an album that warrants a great deal of more attention.

10. The Allegory by Royce Da 5′9″

No accomplished lyricist makes life harder on himself than Royce Da 5′9″. Be it his tendency to cram personal observations and disclosures in and around his punchlines, or experimenting production wise, the Detroit veteran is intent on finding new ways to approach fine wine music, tossing more complex offerings into his catalog over the past few years. Things are no different with The Allegory.

Not only did Royce once again pen an album that speaks to his ability to cope with his own past and present, he inserts himself in the producer chair as well, addressing the trials and tribulations of the increasingly problematic world around him, over backdrops crafted by only his hand a a few trusted peers. The effect is mostly successful, with the production exceeding the expectations of many (myself included), while the writing is at times both thought-provoking and in need of further exploration on Royce’s part. The guest features range from effective to scene stealing (not because Royce ‘s verse is outshined, but there are moments where it seems as if the guest is better suited over Royce’s own production than he is). If you’re Royce Da 5′9″ and you release an album titled The Allegory, no one should expect a simple quick fix of bars over easily digestible instrumentals. The highs come in abundance, and while the lows come in small trip-ups and the occasional skit that the listener probably could have done without, you get the sense that with some editing and further focus of his lofty goals, his sermons could have been sharpened into a more effective analysis of many of his topics (the music business, being black in America, history, conspiracy theories), resulting in an incredible album instead of a very good one. Nevertheless, it is all worth the ride to hear the latest work from one of rap music’s most gifted MC’s from the past decade. If The Allegory isn’t a home-run, it’s at the very least a strong base hit.

Top 50 (all belong in the Top 10-25, but...there’s only 25 spots in the Top 25, soooo):

11. Cold Water by Medhane

12. Shrines by Armand Hammer

13. Bag Talk by yungmorpheus & Pink Siifu

14. Try Again by ovrkast.

15. RTJ4 by Run The Jewels

16. Noise Kandy 4 by Rome Streetz

17. Innocent Country 2 by Quelle Chris

18. Weight of the World by MIKE

19. Sages by Henny L.O. & Ohbliv

20. Milestones by Skyzoo

21. Carpe Noctem by Big Ghost Ltd

22. Lake Water by SeKwence

23. At the End of the Day. by Fly Anakin

24. Sole Food by Deniro Farrar

25. The Oracle 3 by Grafh

26. The Blue Tape by Tree

27. lo&behold by lojii

28. Infinite Wisdom by Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon

29. FULL CIRCLE by Medhane

30. UNLOCKED by Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats

31. The Throwaways by The Opioid Era

32. Anyways by Young Nudy

33. PTSD (Deluxe) by G Herbo

34. Holly Favored by Monday Night & Foisey

35. THE GOAT by Polo G

36. Demon & Mufasa by Yhung T.O. & DaBoii

37. The Face of Jason by ANKHLEJOHN

38. My Turn by Lil Baby

39. No One Mourns the Wicked by Conway & Big Ghost Ltd.

40. Two4one by Jay Worthy

41. Free Drakeo by Drakeo

42. Alone Time by YL

43. Assata by CV$ a.k.a. Con$piracy & Teller Bank$

44. Thug Tear by Big Kashuna O.G. & Monday Night

45. Ways and Means by Rasheed Chappell & 38 Spesh

46. IMMORTALKOMBAT by Al Divino & Estee Nack

47. Young & Turnt 2 by 42 Dugg

48. Sleeper Effect by Sleep Sinatra

49. Juno by Che Noir & 38 Spesh

50. LULU by Conway & The Alchemist

THE REST OF THE BEST (all belong in the Top 50 releases of 2020, but..what can I say, blame 2020 for being such a stacked year for music/events I guess):

Black Schemata by yungmorpheus, The Smartest by Tee Grizzley, Polly by the Powder Keg by Chuck Chan & Pad Scientist, High Off Life by Future, Gotham City Album by Plex Diamonds, Memphis Massacre 2 by Duke Deuce, Poetic Substance by RIM & Vinyl Villain, Styles David: Ghost Your Enthusiasm by Styles P, MF Bloo by Bloo & Spanish Ran, LSD by The Leonard Simpson Duo & Guilty Simpson, Funeral by Lil Wayne, RAW UNKNOWN by Spectacular Diagnostics, Nezzie’s Star by Eddie Kaine, ShrapKnel (self-titled), The Bluest Note by Skyzoo & Dumbo Station, WUNNA by Gunna, Get Money Teach Babies by Heist Life & Spanish Ran, Open Casket by Killer Kane, 6 Rings by Yung Mal, The Beauty of It by Eto, Meet The Woo 2 by Pop Smoke, Fresh Air by UFO Fev & Statik Selektah, Vito by Vince Ash, GRIMM & EViL by GRiMM Doza, RUDEBWOY by CJ Fly, Rocket to Nebula by Killah Priest, EVERYTHING by Kota the Friend, NO Blade of Grass by V Don, Eternal Atake by Lil Uzi Vert, I’m My Brother’s Keeper by Yella Beezy & Trapboy Freddy, Carhartt Champions by Tree Mason, Viral Viral! by Dunbar, Rowhouse Whispers by Ray West & Zilla Rocca, Magneto Was Right #4 by Raz Fresco, DUMP LIFE by Tha God Fahim, Jay NiCE & Left Lane Didon, Burn One, Tap In, Zone Out by Dot Demo, FNTG: From Niggaz to Godz by Squeegie O, PANAGNL4E, Vol. 2 by Los and Nutty, Death 2 All Haterz 2 by Rigz & Symph, Thank You For Using GTL by Drakeo & JoogSzn, Adjust to the Game by Larry June, Martyr’s Prayer by Elcamino & 38 Spesh, BETTER by Deante’ Hitchcock, Attack of the Future Shocked, Flesh Covered, Meatbags of the 85 by $ilkMoney, No Cosign Just Cocaine 3 by Ty Farris, Hear No Equal by Chuuwee, MSYKM by Tsu Surf, Your Birthday’s Cancelled by Iron Wigs, Spring Clean by Curren$y & Fuse, Arctic Plus Degrees (The Sun Don’t Chill Allah) by Planet Asia & DirtyDiggs, Psychological Cheat Sheet by Vic Spencer, Glass 2.0 by Meyhem Lauren & Harry Fraud, Trust the Chain by Planet Asia & 38 Spesh, Director’s Cut (Scene Two) by Ransom & Nicholas Craven, and Son Of A Gun by Key Glock.

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vonfromdapook · 4 years

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BLOG #1 - N.W.A

N.W.A (Niggaz wit Attitudes) was an American hip hop group from Compton,California. N.W.A consisted of Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren. N.W.A group was the earliest and most significant controversial figures of the ‘gangsta rap’ subgenre. The West coast group was considered one of the greatest and most influential groups in hip hop history. N.W.A influenced Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, the Game, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and many more.

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N.W.A was active from 1987 to 1991. During their time, the group endured great controversy due to their explicit lyrics. Furthermore, some people felt that N.W.A glorified drugs and crime. As a result, N.W.A was then banned from many mainstream American radio stations. Parents, most likely, white parents did not want their children listening to the group’s music because they felt that N.W.A was poisoning their children's minds. However, the groups’ intention was to not glorify the negative behavior. The groups’ intention was to just express what goes on in their daily lives. Which at that time was negative. Drugs, gangs, and crime were not the only negative behaviors occurring around the West Coast group. N.W.A had to face racism and excessive policing as well. These brutal experiences with policing caused N.W.A to start creating political music. N.W.A, specifically, Ice Cube was also influenced by Grandmaster Flash and his song “The Message”. Lastly, N.W.A saw their music as less of ‘gangsta rap’ and more as ‘reality rap’.

In 1988, N.W.A released their debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton. N.W.A’s first album reflected the rising anger of the urban youth. The first song, Straight Outta Compton, introduced the group members. Then the group had a song called “Fuck Tha Police”. “Fuck Tha Police” protested police brutality and racial profiling. The song was a turning point in the group’s career. The brutal truth and explicit lyrics of “Fuck tha Police” caused a grand amount of controversy and attention to the group. With the fear of retaliation, nation-wide police made sure the group would not perform that song. In 1989, in Detroit, the group rebelled against the police and promoter by performing “Fuck tha Police”. The police then crashed the concert, threw fireworks on the stage and arrested the group. This performance was a great influence to the group’s success.

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N.W.A was truly the 90s’ Black Panther with a mix of Malcolm X. The group wore primarily black clothing. The black clothing represented the rebellious black culture. The group wore gangsta clothes in order to relate to their fans and market. Even though N.W.A may have handled racism, police brutality, racial profiling differently than most. However, they were the eye openers to what happened in California and the rest of the world. Niggaz wit Attitude would not take anymore injustice as long as they would stand. N.W.A made sure their fans and others watching were aware of their movement.

#nwa #black music #black excellence #hip hop #afromusicology #ice cube #90shiphop #straght outta compton

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purplesurveys · 4 years

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651

To start, what's your name? Robyn, which if you’ve been following me for a while you know by now. Have you ever taken lessons for anything? I took ballet and swimming lessons as a kid. What's your favorite band's name? Paramore! Who is your last sent text to? My girlfriend. I sent her a semi-panicked text asking her to check Messnger for a semi-urgent emergency. I say sex; You say: The Pitch Perfect song just played in my head lmao.

What's your favorite flavor of Gatorade? Hngh, I don’t have great memories of Gatorade as it was all my mom made me drink when I was 4, when my stomach seemed to break everyday and I had to go to the toilet every few hours. I can’t even smell them to this day. Have you ever eaten Frosted Mini Wheats? I’ve never had them. Do you know what a capo is? Yes, but I still had to Google it to make sure my guess was right haha. Do you go running regularly? Noooo I hate running, even though I used to do track in grade school. I was good at it but I didn’t particularly enjoy it, so I eventually stopped practicing. What high school/college do you attend? I only reveal my grade/high school from time to time on here and tonight won’t be one of those times, but I go to university in UP Diliman.

Is myspace addicting to you? Whoa there, hi ancient survey. Have you ever made a hemp necklace? I’ve bought them, but I’ve never made one. I’m pretty sure I’ve never made any kind of necklace as it is. What does your bikini look like? I have several bikinis... Do you drink the milk after you finish cereal or just leave it in the bowl? I drink it, and then I suffer shortly after hahahaha. Do you listen to a lot of rap? Mmm no, rap is not my thing at all. I do have a weird attachment to 2015–2016 hip-hop/rap i.e. Drake’s Views, Rihanna’s Anti, and Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo, but that is pretty much the extent of my rap listenership lmao. Are you single, in a relationship, or crushing? I am in a relationship but also crushing within said relationship :))))))) Have you ever worn glitter eyeliner? I don’t think I have. Has anyone ever called you a hippie? Never. What jewelry do you wear regularly? I don’t usually wear jewelry anymore. Do you Google things to avoid seeming clueless? Yup, better to be safe than sound confidently dumb. Did you have any unread texts this morning? Yes but it was only a text notification from my service provider letting me know that my mom put in load for my number. The Beatles: timeless or tacky? Timeless. I never liked them, but I’d be genuinely baffled by anyone who calls them tacky :/ Have you ever been involved in strength training? OMG yes this was my PE elective last semester! It was called weight training but I guess it’s pretty much the same thing. Walking into it I thought we were gonna go straight to lifting weights, but really, it covered the strength training that went behind being able to lift weights. So we did core exercises, arm exercises, back exercises, etc etc. By the end of the sem I was able to deadlift 70 lbs, a far cry from the measly 20 lbs deadlift I did at the start of the sem. How many bases have you covered? This is such a high school question lol. Someone texts you; Who do you assume it is? Gabie. Who is the last person you kissed? Also her. Do you smoke bud? Nope. Have you ever been to a pottery painting store? Nope. But I have been to a jar factory where I was taught how to do pottery!!! It’s always been my dream to touch wet clay ever since seeing it on kid’s shows and I was so excited to try it out. I was never one to volunteer for hands-on stuff like it, but pottery was always an exception so yeah, my usually shy self was thrown out the window and I gave it a shot. Here’s how it turned out!

Are bonfires common with you and your friends? No, not really. Mainly because none of us know how to properly start one, and it’s tooooo hot in the city to hold bonfires as a bonding thing. If you're really quiet, what is probably the reason? It can be anything lmao. I’m naturally quiet so I could be content, seething, thinking about food, or just plain ol’ I-don’t-feel-like-opening-my-mouth-to-talk-right-now. Does age really matter in a relationship? To me it does. What does your boyfriend/girlfriend call you? We have pet names but that’s for only us to know. Do you have a new cell phone or a brick still? I have a new-ish cellphone. It was new at the time I got it, but now it’s getting a liiiiiittle outdated considering it’s a little over two years old. When is the last time you said "whatever"? This afternoon maybe. Gab and I were arguing and I may have muttered it out unconscously. Were you born in the nineties? I was but I definitely could not call myself a 90s kid even if I tried. Does acoustic guitar sound pretty or annoying? It sounds pretty, as do most music, but it’s never been my preferred sound. It feels too intimate for my liking, and I prefer having a lot of elements present in the songs I listen to. How much does the last person you kissed mean to you? A little cheesy when I say it, but more than my own life. Do you use lotion? Sometimes. It’s not part of my daily routine, though. How often do you sleep in? I don’t really get the chance to because my weekdays start at 10 AM. At most, I’d get to do it during the weekends. If you had one day left to live, who would you say goodbye to? My girlfriend, my family, select friends, and the most painful goodbye to my dog. What's your favorite alcoholic drink? Zombie, a Long Island Iced Tea, or just straight-up Cuervo. Do you know what Rasta is? Yes. Have you ever used a sewing machine? Yes, we had to use them in Grade 6, which I hated. Like I said in past surveys, I never did submit anything for that class. Is hairspray a staple in your morning routine? It is not, and I have not had someone use hairspray on me for more than a decade now. Do you believe in teenage love? I went through it, so yes. When is your favorite TV show on regularly? I don’t follow shows like that anymore. I just wait for complete seasons to drop on Netflix. If I said "Mary Jane" would you know what that's code for? Any adult and even most teenagers probably would, my dude. Do you have posters up in your room? I have frames, not posters. I used to have posters until my mom took them down. Have you ever sat on the roof of your house? Technically yeah. We have a rooftop. Are Ticonderoga pencils your favorite? I’ve literally never heard of that. Would you ever wear a maxi dress? Sure! I love maxi dresses. Are you considered "mainstream"? In most contexts, yes. I embrace it though; there’s enough mainstream interest-shaming that exists as it is. Have you ever flown/driven more than 3 hours away for your sport? No. Are you a myspace whore? No? Can you do a back handspring? Nope. Are you a virgin? No. What time of day were you born? A little after nine in the evening. Have you ever been pressured to drink? Yes. That’s what got me into drinking in the first place. It was Kaira’s 18th and they had drinks at their place, and all my friends were drinking regardless if they were still 17 or already 18. I felt left out, so I took my first sip of margarita and ended up liking it. Do you like the Detroit Redwings? I have no idea who they are. Does anyone call you baby? Yes. Who is your favorite person to waste time with? Gabieeeeeeee always. Are you happy with the way your life's going? Some things could pull through right now to make it better. Do you want any tattoos? I’m not desperate to get any at this exact moment but I have design plans should they come up. Okay last one; Did you enjoy this survey? Sure, it was random enough for me to enjoy.

#survey #surveys

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momentsinsong · 5 years

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Moments In Song No. 022 - Ola

“Moments In Song” asks people one simple question, “What are you listening to?” For every installment we ask someone to make a playlist of 10 songs they’re listening to, whether it be something new they stumbled upon, or a song they’ve always loved, and explain the story behind their choices. We aim to show that no matter where we come from, what we do, or what we look like, music has the ability to bring us together.

With a playlist full of emotions, Ola talks to us about favorite hard hitting songs, how his father and brother introduced him to new music, and gives us a crash course on African Music.

Listen to Ola’s playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.

Words and photos by Julian.

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Can you tell me about the thought process behind picking these 10 songs?

So like, just things I listen to everyday on my ride to work. I throw on my long playlist, and these are the songs that always hit extra hard. Like “Runaway” is my favorite song ever. “They Don’t Really Care About Us” is like the first song I memorized as a kid so it’s a hard hitting song. And “Tricky Bailey,” I remember when we crafted that in the Denny’s the day after a party (laughs). It things like that that inspired this playlist.

How difficult was it to pick 10 songs? Did they come easy to you, or did you have to take some time to think and pick the 10 you wanted?

I started with like fifty (laughs).

Fifty?!

And then I had to narrow it down. Because there’s a lot of songs that I listen to daily that I like that should’ve hit this list, but you have to take out the stuff that people may not understand, or won’t make sense. You have to take out the stuff that’s not on Apple Music (laughs). And then you have to find a good set that really speaks of who you are. You should be able to know that is the shit that Ola listens to when you pull this up.

What would you say this playlist explains about you?

It shows a bit of my style and what I like. It shows my mood and the different facets of myself. It’s not just always super rap, it’s not always super trap either. You can be lyrical, but you can be experimental, you can have fun and you can be sad. And it’s all cool.

What songs on your playlist would you say fit that experimental lane?

I mean for it’s time “Runaway” was considered experimental because Kanye was crying on autotune and nobody had really done that before. The joint with SAINt JHN is experimental because you can’t really put it in a lane. It’s not a rap song, it’s not R&B, it’s one of those little pop techno type because of how the beat goes. “Xanax Damage” is Future playing with the trap banger and being more emotional, which I don’t think a lot of people are big fans of but I love that shit. Emotional Future is the best.

I know from just knowing you as a person, Kanye and Future are two of your favorites. What about them make them your favorites?

Because the make music that makes you feel. It’s all their rawest emotions, for better or for worse. Even when Future says things that are considered disrespectful, it’s how he feels raw and he doesn’t apologize for that. I appreciate that in artists. Same thing with Kanye, storming the stage to take that mic from Taylor Swift, it’s unapologetic, it’s raw. It’s ok to feel feelings. Everybody only talks about feelings when you’re winning. It’s ok when it sucks. If you’re not happy with yourself it’s ok to talk about how you’re not happy with yourself. It’s an emotion. That’s what I like about them, they’re very raw about their feelings.

Also just be knowing you, I’m surprised I didn’t see any Fela Kuti on the playlist. I know he’s one of your favorites. Did you have any songs from him that didn’t make it on here?

I did but the problem is, how am I gonna fit a 32 minute song…(laughs) because I don’t like the way they do his singles. Some of the songs progress very interestingly, like from the way the bass comes in, some songs have 2 basses in them, one will abruptly come in when he calls for it, so it’s hard to fit those 20 minute, 14 minute, 35 minute long songs.

Are they really that long?

Yeah. One of my favorites is like 36 minutes long.

What’s is called?

O.D.O.O. (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake). He used to call it African Classical Music.

I don’t know much about him and his music, but are most of his songs live performance recordings? Is that why they’re so long?

Yeah a good amount of them. There’s “Just Like That” which I think was done in Detroit. The Berlin show was live and that was recorded into an album. There’s one he played Glastonbury in the UK too that became an album as well. A lot if it is live instruments, a live band. If any song would have made it, probably “Zombie” would’ve been the easiest to fit in because it’s very common so people would catch it faster. And it’s not too long, it’s about 12, 14 minutes.

I feel like with Future and Kanye, those are artists you listened to because of the time period you grew up. How’d you pick up on Fela, who’s an older act before your time?

My dad is an older guy, so he listens to older music. So I would listen to his music when he would drop me off to school, my older too he’s a music head and listens to a lot of older acts. When you start getting older, you start to look for things you like, so I started searching on YouTube and found one of his songs. That lead to clips of his concerts where he would say things that would resonate with me outside of the music. From his view on Africa, Black nationalism, how you should love your blackness, all of that. It was from there that he became my guy. I even wrote my college applications on him. He’s the man. Rest in peace to a real one.

Building off of that, when did you start finding the music and artists you wanted to listen to, and developing your taste.

When my brother first visited after we moved here, When I was a kid he would always play music and I would always remember songs and have it stuck in my head. There’s this one Micheal Jackson song actually, and not a lot of people know this but Michael Jackson is one of my favorites. He has this one song “Whatever Happens” and the only reason I remember it to this day is because I used to steal that CD out of his room and play it every night before I went to sleep. It’s little things like that that helped me pick what I like. And then from there you get YouTube, Limewire, all that good stuff, word of mouth with your friends too. Shout out to my boys who got me hip to Gucci when I was younger in High School. That’s how you start developing what you like. And then the sound evolves. I like Gucci, that’s why I like Future, because Gucci was the first trap god. And it goes from there, from Future you have a little bit of Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, you have different sounds. You branch off from one mumble to multiple mumbles.

Would you say your brother and dad are two big influences as far as where you get your music from?

Hell yeah. I still remember I stole a CD from my dad in 2011 when I went back home for the summer. I still have it to this day even though I don’t have anything to play it on.

What CD?

It’s Fuji Music in Nigeria. It’s this old CD from like 1987. It’s almost religious music but not really, in the sense that it started from religion. He’s talking about some foul shit because he can talk about foul shit, but another musician died so he’s talking about how we was a great guy and how everyone should remember him. He also talked about the politics at the time, and how the military was in charge of everything. And it’s all in Yoruba, so it’s how I remember my language as well.

Who’s the artist?

Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.

Wow that’s a mouthful. Is Fuji Music a genre of music?

Correct. That’s why what they call “Afrobeats” today I personally don’t like calling it Afrobeats, because it’s not pure Afrobeats. The original Afrobeats is Fela’s music, and from Fela’s music there’s Juju music, there’s Fuji music, there’s music from the North, and also Highlife music, which are all subgenres of everything. So this new Afrobeats they’re playing is like taking bits and pieces for everything from above. When you call it Afrobeats it takes away from the original Afrobeats which is Fela’s lane, and it also kills everybody else’s music because when you Google Afrobeats once you get past the new guys, the first thing that comes up is Fela. You never really hear about the other ones.

So you’re saying Fuji Music is a branch of the original Afrobeat stuff? A subgenre?

It’s not even a subgenre. It developed around the same time almost. It just never blew up.

Oh so it ran parallel to Afrobeat?

Correct. It just never blew like it should.

Are you saying what people call Afrobeats now is more similar to Fuji Music?

It’s like a combination of all three. I don’t necessarily want to say it’s closer because it’s the same effect. The call, the rhythm. Sometimes there’s a lot of instruments in the background. Fuji has a certain style. You’re just talking shit sometimes. They all have it in them too. It’s not necessarily devoted to one lane like they call it. Afrobeat was the one to blow up first, so that’s why the name was sticking and that’s why it’s easier to call everything that’s come after Afrobeat. Fuji never really escaped the borders, because it’s also tied to the language. If you don’t understand the language you’ll never be able to understand the songs.

Are there any current Afrobeats artists that match the original sound of Afrobeat?

Yeah Fela’s sons still play. Like 2 of his sons play. Even his grandons play.There’s also a few bands that sound like his stuff. There’s a band in America, Antibalas, that sounds like the original Afrobeat with the big band feel. You have different horns, the basses, everything coming into it. There’s a few of them out there. But everything’s gone pop. Everything that they call Afrobeats I’d rather call it Afro-pop music. Because it’s popular music. It’s taking from everybody. Not just even Nigrean Afrobeats, but they’re taking things from other countries in West Africa. The French speakers for example, Southern African music is coming into it now. It’s only a matter of time till we take from East Africa.

Yeah I feel that. I feel like the same thing could be said for some Reggaeton now. A lot of it is heavily pop influenced, and has some electronic sounds in it. You got like DJ Snake making songs with J. Balvin and calling it Reggaeton now.

And that doesn’t make it bad because some of the music is fire.

Yeah definitely.

Let’s just not kid ourselves on what we’re calling it. There’s nothing wrong with Pop music, Pop music is fine. It’s not a derogatory term.

What would you want people to take away from this playlist?

Future is the best rapper of all time.

Ok (Laughs).

But nah seriously, music is cool. Music has different feels to it. There’s happy songs here that have you going. There’s sad songs. That song “Descent” at the end, when I get married I’m gonna play that joint when my wife is walking up to me and I will cry real tears. That is one of the most beautiful songs of my life. Music is feels and it's cool.

Connect with Ola:

https://twitter.com/doflamxngo

https://www.instagram.com/doflamxngo/

Connect with Moments In Song:

https://www.instagram.com/momentsinsong/

https://twitter.com/moments_in_song

https://tinyurl.com/MISAppleMusic

https://tinyurl.com/MISSpotify

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yukipage · 6 years

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Curiosity and Distress

Blue Lips, Blue Veins: Part 1

Characters: Connor (Detroit: Become Human)/Reader, Lieutenant Hank Anderson.

Summary: When the android sent from CyberLife arrives at the police station, you are instantly curious about him. As you endeavor to learn more about him, he discovers your unorthodox fear.

Author's Note: I have a couple of ideas for continuing this, but only if people like it enough. This was me taking a simple idea and running with it. I do share the Reader's fear, but not quite to the extent that is expressed here. Anyway, enjoy! :) *edit* I guess you guys really like this, and I've got more to say in the story, so I'm making this a series! Look out for more coming soon.

Hank’s new partner peaked your curiosity. After all, it wasn’t every day that an android was allowed to participate in solving critical investigations. Your daily paperwork had been interrupted this morning when Connor arrived, asking around for Lieutenant Anderson. Awkwardly, you had introduced yourself and directed him to Hank’s desk, which was situated directly across from yours. The android sent by CyberLife then proceeded to ignore you as he sat in an available chair, absentmindedly tossing a coin around. The tricks he did boggled your mind and proved to be more than enough of a distraction for you. Then, Hank had arrived and all hell broke loose.

You felt sorry for both parties as Hank berated the android he was forced to work with. When they finally left, you returned to writing up the reports assigned to you. Despite their absence, the two of them were stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

Now that it’s later, more and more people are packing up and going home. You volunteered to put in the extra hours needed to add the finishing touches on your paperwork. It’s mind-numbingly tedious. However, you are instantly glad that you stayed when Connor walks into the station. He nods politely at you before sitting down in his designated chair and closing his eyes. You squint at him. Did he fall asleep? Can androids even sleep? You sigh and begin to spin around in your wheely chair, musing over some of the thoughts that have been plaguing your mind since the deviant cases started racking up. Androids are treated terribly by most of your society. It sucks; even if they don’t feel anything, they still should be treated with decency. And, despite what you’ve been told all your life, the cases suggest that androids do have emotions, that they are sentient and feel empathy. You don’t know what to make of it.

Breaking from your reverie, you look at Connor again. He still hasn't moved. What is going on? Hesitantly, you stand up and walk over to him. He remains perfectly motionless. You edge your way in front of him and wave your hand in front of his face. “Er, Connor? You there?” you ask. No dice. Scooting backwards, you hoist yourself on top of his desk and stare at him, legs dangling over the side and arms crossed. You have to admit, his is pretty cute. You wince and mentally chide yourself. Don’t end up liking a guy who might not even be capable of reciprocating your feelings. Still, you guess it can’t hurt to look. You lean forward until your face is nearly a foot away from his.

Connor’s eyes pop open. Yelping, you flinch backwards and fall off of Connor’s desk. You hit the floor with a thud. He gazes down at you and blinks in surprise. “Officer, what are you doing on the floor?”

You are frozen in place. “Um, well… you see…” Your face grows redder and redder with every passing moment as you scramble to come up with something to say. “You looked like you were asleep, so I was… er… checking on you. When you opened your eyes, you scared me. I, uh, I fell. As you can see.”

“I was not asleep, merely making a report to CyberLife and running a self diagnostic,” he articulates with a faint hint of amusement in his voice. Standing, he reaches down and helps you off of the floor.

“Thanks,” you say sheepishly, rubbing the back of your neck.

“You’re welcome.” Connor turns on his heel and quickly walks to the exit, leaving you in the dust.

Before you can stop yourself, you run after him. “Hey, wait!” you call. “Wait up!” You skid to a halt in front of him.

He cocks his head at you. “Yes?”

“Where are you going?” you inquire hastily.

“I just received word of another incident that could possibly involve deviant activity. So, I’m going to locate Lieutenant Anderson and accompany him to the crime scene.”

“Oh! I know where his house is. And I know the bars where he likes to hang out.”

“So do I. It’s in his profile,” Connor states matter-of-factly.

“Yes, but I could drive you there. If you wanted me to, that is...” you mumble, trailing off. For a few moments, Connor’s LED whirrs yellow on the side of his head. It then changes back to blue.

“Alright,” he concedes. “Your vehicle will get us there faster than public transportation.” You cheer internally as you lead Connor to your car. You start it up, pull out of the parking lot, and head towards Hank’s house. The two of you sit in silence for a couple of uncomfortable minutes until, surprisingly, Connor speaks. “May I ask you a question, Officer?”

“Uh, sure. But you don’t have to call me that. Most people call me Blue.”

“That is an unusual nickname.”

You smile ruefully. “Well, when you get a bucket of paint dumped on you your first day on the job, you might get an ‘unusual nickname’ too. It’s a long story, don’t ask. I like it, anyways. So what’s your question?”

“Why were you so adamant about driving me to find the Lieutenant?”

“Well,” you say, sighing. “To tell you the truth, I find you extremely interesting. It’s so cool you’re an android detective, like something from a book! Chauffeuring you seemed way better than finishing my paperwork. Also, I know Hank. He needs all of the moral support he can get when you do eventually find him. He doesn’t really like androids, if you haven’t noticed.”

“He has made that very clear. Do you know why that is?”

“Yeah, but I’d rather not say. It’s not for me to tell.” You stop at a red light and wait, tapping your fingers on the steering wheel. Rain pours from the overcast sky, drumming a tattoo on the roof of your car. Turning the corner, you drive through a neighborhood. The houses are nothing fancy, a little run down if you’re being brutally honest. The trees and grass, though, are a nice break from the concrete jungle of Detroit.

Stopping in front of a house, you park the car. “This is it,” you say, gesturing to the faint glow in the windows of the dwelling. “And it looks like he’s home.” Both of you step out into the rain. You pull your hood over your head in an attempt to shield yourself from the cascading water. Needless to say, it doesn’t work very well, so you hurry to the safety and comfort of Hank’s porch. Connor raises a finger and rings the doorbell. He opens his mouth to call out, but you cut him off. “Hank! It’s me, Blue. I know you’re in there.” You hear nothing from inside the house. “Sorry,” you whisper to Connor. “I think he may be more inclined to open the door if he thinks I’m the only one here. Hank!” you once again yell, and rap your knuckles on the door loudly. A sinking feeling pulls at the pit of your stomach. You try the knob, then back away from the door. “Something’s wrong.” You step into the yard and search the ground. “He has a spare key under a rock somewhere,” you explain breathlessly.

“Here, I see it.” Connor overturns a large stone adorned with peeling green paint that was hiding in the shadows and picks up a brass key. He unlocks the door and turns the knob. The pair of you step inside the house and Connor closes the door behind you, shutting out the dreary weather. You gasp. Hank is lying, either passed out or dead, on the kitchen floor with a spilled bottle of whiskey and a gun next to him. You start forward, then something else immediately draws your attention. A giant Saint Bernard reclining in the living room lifts his head up at your entry.

You swear under your breath and slowly inch away. “Oh no, I forgot about him.” You hold your hands up disarmingly. “Easy, Sumo, easy. Just stay there,” you croon in the calmest tone you can muster. The dog lets out an booming bark and bounds towards you. Without another word, you take off down the hallway. You rush into the first door that’s open, slam it shut, and lean against it, chest heaving. You exhale loudly and rub your shaking hands through your hair. That was a tad overdramatic. Even still, you really did not want to go back there. Cracking open the door, you warily peer out, but you can’t quite see the kitchen or the android. “Connor, you ok?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Lieutenant Anderson is as well, just inebriated and unconscious. The dog isn’t going to hurt anyone; you can come out now,” Connor replies.

“Uh, no thanks. I’m good in here.” The door slowly creaks shut. You can hear Connor waking up Hank and his drunken howling, eliciting a giggle from you. His swearing and slurred speech gets louder as he passes by your door. Silence, then the sound of the shower running and Hank hollering. You cover your mouth with your hands to stifle a laugh.

A couple of minutes pass, then there’s a knock at the door. Connor’s muffled voice comes through. “Blue, can I come in?” You open up and move out of the way to let him pass, making sure to secure the door afterwards. He walks over to the closet and pulls out one of Hank’s “suits.” Turning back around, he looks at you quizzically. “Why are you still in here?”

You scuff the carpet with your foot self-consciously. “It’s because… I’mafraidofdogs,” you mumble.

Connor cocks his head. “What’s that? I didn’t catch that.”

“I’m afraid of dogs, ok?” you clarify irately. “I don’t like being around them. I mean, they’re adorable in theory and from afar, but I just don’t like to get close.”

Connor nods. “Ah, I see. Well, Sumo is sitting quietly in the kitchen, so I don’t think he’ll bother you if you come out to sit in the living room. Come on.” He waves you out the door. You cautiously follow him, glancing in the bathroom to see Hank hunched over the toilet. You grimace as he vomits. Connor drops off his clothes and shuts the door to give him some privacy, at Hank’s assurance that he won’t take long.

You bravely march into the living room and curl up in the seat furthest away from Sumo. You don’t take your eyes off the dog. Connor pokes around in the kitchen for a bit, then focuses his attention on you. Once again, you can see his yellow LED spinning. He approaches you. “Being afraid of a passive animal is illogical. It may even interfere with your duties in the future. You should try to face your fear.”

You rapidly shake you head. “No way. I’m not getting near him.”

Connor grabs your hand. Your eyes widen as he pulls you off the couch. “This is for your own good.” He begins to lead you to the source of your fear.

“No no no no no,” you frantically cry. “Connor, let go!” You try to break free from his grasp, but he has a solid hold on you. When you realize that resistance is futile, you resign yourself to your fate and allow Connor to lug you into the kitchen. The pair of you halt in front of the furry creature. Your muscles become rigid, and you instinctively clutch Connor’s arm. Sumo raises his head. He whines softly, tail thumping and tongue hanging out of his mouth. With you still clinging to him, Connor kneels on the tile. Gently, he detaches one of your trembling hands from his arm and places it on Sumo’s back, his hand covering yours. You feel the dog’s silky fur underneath your fingers and steadily, you begin to stroke him. Some of the tension leaves your body.

Connor notices your heart rate decreasing and pulls back. “See? This isn’t so bad.” You see him smiling slightly at you.

“No, no it’s not.” You grin back at him and shake your head in wonder. How could this caring person ever be called a machine? Connor may not believe it himself, but he maybe really does have feelings. And if he does, this deviant hunter specially designed by CyberLife, then all androids do. A seed of belief begins to take root in your heart.

Your thoughts are interrupted by a slurp as the Saint Bernard licks your wrist. “Ewww.” you shake the slobber off of you. “Sumo, that was gross.” Connor starts to get up. You seize his hand and look him in the eyes. “Hey, thank you for this.”

“It’s no problem, Blue.”

“No really. Thank you. I would’ve never been able do this without you.” You realize how intensely you’re staring at him and look away, blushing. You release him. Man, he really is cute. This android better have feelings, you think jokingly to yourself as you continue to pet Sumo.

#detroit become human #connor x reader #connor rk800 #hank anderson #fanfiction #writing #yuki's fics #series #blbv fic #dbh #dbh connor #dbh hank

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strangetrashbagellover-blog · 5 years

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Things you should know about me

. I'm a geek and a tomboy that enjoys memes animation Anything to do with theater

. I love anything that has something to do with horror

. I love the color green

.Sideshow Mel on The Simpsons has always been adorable to me and he always will

. my favorite music is rap swing electric and rock

. I also spend most of my days drawing playing on my phone or watching Netflix or firestick

. I hate fornite with a burning passion (because it has a cringey fanbase)

. I love action , angst, comedy, fantasy, Tragedy, and horror fanfictions (and i really really love sickfic)

.I'm a Simpsons fanatic

. The fandoms I'm in is Happy tree Freinds, Detroit become human, Steven universe, Don't hug me I'm scared, Stranger things, It, Amazing world of gumball, Eddsworld , Team fortress, Overwatch, Villianous, Hazbin hotel, Camp camp, and Southpark

I'm obsessed with Detroit become human, Team fortress, and Southpark

My favorite Simpsons characters is Sideshow Mel, Krusty the Clown, Ned Flanders, Apu, Wendell Borton, and Ralph Wiggums

My favorite Youtubers are Coryxkenshin, Jacksepticeye, Bertman, Daily dose of internet, and Cryaotic

One of the people I'm fallowing is I- am-too-sick Thenutcracker and thebbros (because i love their post very much)

I make tons of Aus and Ocs

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blackpowerqueen-blog · 6 years

Text

What it means to the be a BLACK WOMEN in America ... from the perspective of a young Black woman!

Tupac himself said it best in his song Keep Your Head Up, “I wonder why we take from our women. Why we rape our women, do we hate our women? I think it's time to kill for our women.Time to heal our women, be real to our women. And if we don't we'll have a race of babies that will hate the ladies, that make the babies.” It is evident that this no true protection for Black women in America. This is clear when we hear modern-day rap music explicitly describing our bodies, when it became OK to rape us, OK to kill us and OK to leave us defenseless. If you look at the history of Black women who have died, you begin to notice a pattern. Details slowly come out about the story and a short shared disgust from the Black community arises as another Black woman are left vulnerable and defenseless to her own community. Black women are often faced with the “well, if she didn’t…” phrase. Sandra Bland has became a victim of this phrase. Sandra Bland, a black women who was stopped by a Hispanic officer and supposedly committed suicide in her jail cell. Details about her death slowly appeared on the media, piece-by-piece. Her death was not heavily publicized like Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner or Jordan Davis. I, myself, am still uncertain about what happened. I often heard, “If Sandra Bland wasn’t talking back to the police officer, she would be alive today.” Justice for her death did not occur because her story didn’t hold the attention of the Black community, specifically Black males. Since the Black community did not protest or riot for her, like they did for the Black males who were dying, justification for her death was able to slip through the cracks. This same mentality applies to the death of Aiyana Jones, a seven year old, who was sleeping in her Detroit home when she was shot by a police officer. A number of questions still remain unanswered. The police officer was not charged with murder, rather the focus was shifted to the Black man who the police was really after that night and the new law that prevents reality TV show producers to come alongside police officers.

I argue that Black women lose their Black bodies when Black men don’t fight for them. There are a motley of factors that divide the Black community: the rich and the poor, drugs, skin tone and the male and female epidemic. All in all, as a Black community gender, Black male and female, should not divide us. As a group, we are minorities therefore, anything that affects one affects another in our community. This is why Black women have fought for the advancement of the Black community as whole, rather than just themselves. Black men need to do the same. A figurative statement is always stated when talking about Black women, “Black women are the last on the totem pole.” In other words, Black women are considered the bottom of the economic and social ladder. Historically, Black women were the last group of minorities to gain their rights, including the right to vote. Today, to be Black and a women in society is two minorities that make you the bottom of the bottom. A black woman is expected to be smutty with her words and promiscuous with her actions. She has a caricature that suggests she’s nothing more than a loud-mouthed, small-minded woman that has nothing to offer besides her “sass” and “aggression.” It seems as if no one cares too much about our black women until it’s too late. This is surprising when Black women have always been the backbone of many men and their initiatives. An example of this is the Civil Rights Movement. Although, Martin and many of his male colleagues are the face of the movement, it was women who organized the meetings in the churches and marches. Also, women were home raising the children and providing meals to the men who were at the forefront. Black women are the main ones fighting for Black men and protesting in honor of Black Lives Matter. Black women are strong and deserve to be supported when an outsider tries to deteriorate and destroy them. If Black men were to reciprocate the nutrients that Black women supply to them on a daily basis, Black women would be protected. On behalf of the Black women community, Black men please wake up and begin to adamant about the lives of Black women. Fight for us, like we fight for you. “So will the real men get up, I know you're fed up ladies, but keep your head up!”

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