I thought I'd get Snoop's thought on the State Of The Union Address.
Click on the picture of Gizzogle for the results.

"When you see me in the street solider, salute me!"

Foli Tricks
I have become more and more interested in politics in the last few years. I bore all my friends with political talk until I'm blue in the face or they tell me to shut the hell up and put the needle on the record. I don't want to bore you either, but sometimes you have to press pause on the IPod and read the newspaper.

As you know, Son of a Bush delivered his State Of The Union speech a few days ago. I watched most of it (maybe 90%, a new record for me) and was amazed. The division between the Dems and Republicans was very visible. At times it looked like the parting of the Red Sea. Bush looked like he was ready to give the Dems a reaming in front of America. He didn't get in that azz as bad as I thought he would, but it was a sight to see.

One of the things that got my attention (and several boos from Barack's side) was the President's statements on Social Security Reform. I could try to translate what this means to you, but you might as well hear it from the Bush’s mouth.

Taken from C-Span.com

"The system, however, on its current path, is headed toward bankruptcy. And so we must join together to strengthen and save Social Security." "So here is the result: Thirteen years from now, in 2018, Social Security will be paying out more than it takes in. And every year afterward will bring a new shortfall, bigger than the year before.

For example, in the year 2027, the government will somehow have to come up with an extra $200 billion to keep the system afloat -- and by 2033, the annual shortfall would be more than $300 billion. By the year 2042, the entire system would be exhausted and bankrupt. If steps are not taken to avert that outcome, the only solutions would be dramatically higher taxes, massive new borrowing, or sudden and severe cuts in Social Security benefits or other government programs.

Fixing Social Security permanently will require an open, candid review of the options. Some have suggested limiting benefits for wealthy retirees. Former Congressman Tim Penny has raised the possibility of indexing benefits to prices rather than wages. During the 1990s, my predecessor, President Clinton, spoke of increasing the retirement age. Former Senator John Breaux suggested discouraging early collection of Social Security benefits. The late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan recommended changing the way benefits are calculated. All these ideas are on the table. I know that none of these reforms would be easy.

But we have to move ahead with courage and honesty, because our children's retirement security is more important than partisan politics. (Applause.)

I will work with members of Congress to find the most effective combination of reforms. I will listen to anyone who has a good idea to offer. (Applause.)

We must, however, be guided by some basic principles. We must make Social Security permanently sound, not leave that task for another day. We must not jeopardize our economic strength by increasing payroll taxes. We must ensure that lower-income Americans get the help they need to have dignity and peace of mind in their retirement. We must guarantee there is no change for those now retired or nearing retirement.

And we must take care that any changes in the system are gradual, so younger workers have years to prepare and plan for their future. As we fix Social Security, we also have the responsibility to make the system a better deal for younger workers. And the best way to reach that goal is through voluntary personal retirement accounts. (Applause.)

Here is how the idea works. Right now, a set portion of the money you earn is taken out of your paycheck to pay for the Social Security benefits of today's retirees. If you're a younger worker, I believe you should be able to set aside part of that money in your own retirement account, so you can build a nest egg for your own future.

Here's why the personal accounts are a better deal. Your money will grow, over time, at a greater rate than anything the current system can deliver -- and your account will provide money for retirement over and above the check you will receive from Social Security. In addition, you'll be able to pass along the money that accumulates in your personal account, if you wish, to your children and -- or grandchildren. And best of all, the money in the account is yours, and the government can never take it away. (Applause.) " Bold type mine.

The question remains. What the hell is he talking about? Private savings accounts that the government can NEVER seize? It all sound too good and I don't trust that m*th@f*ck@r (For all I know he’s the guy who set me up and had my buddy Angel Fernandez killed …sorry, Montana moment). So I did what all good Democrats do...Fact Checked it.

Here is the breakdown from FactCheck.org.

Bush made Social Security the centerpiece of his Feb. 3 State of the Union address. He gave more details of how he proposes to change the system -- but left out facts that don't help his case.

Social Security "Headed Toward Bankruptcy?"

The President painted a dire picture of Social Security's finances: Bush: The system, however, on its current path, is headed toward bankruptcy . And so we must join together to strengthen and save Social Security. "Bankruptcy" is a scary term that Democrats have used too, when it suited them, but it could easily give the wrong idea. Nobody is predicting that Social Security will go out of business the way a bankrupt business does. It would continue to pay benefits -- just not as many.

The President was a little more specific about that later in his address, while repeating the word "bankrupt": Bush: By the year 2042, the entire system would be exhausted and bankrupt . If steps are not taken to avert that outcome, the only solutions would be dramatically higher taxes, massive new borrowing, or sudden and severe cuts in Social Security benefits or other government programs. But how severe would those benefit cuts be?

In fact there are two official projections -- one by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and a somewhat less pessimistic projection by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The President referred to the SSA projection, which calculates that the system's trust fund will be depleted in 2042. After that, the system would have legal authority to pay only 73 percent of currently promised benefits -- and that figure would decline each year after, reaching 68 percent in the year 2075.

So there is the other side. I will need time to digest all this and give my 2 cents. Just wanted to share that with you party people.

A couple of days ago, I proclaimed it to be EPMD day here at Canhead. I didn't go overboard with the links but I did forget to put one major link. The Hit Squad is back on the road, doing it for the real hip-hop heads. So are Nervous Records.

The one time home of underground NY hip-hop, the company is back in action, ready to make history again with the new crop of hungry emcees. (Hey Mr. Weiss, don't forget about the house music!)

Check the link for more on the story.

"The Rape Over" Mos Def
(click image for song link)

"Accordian"-MadVillian
(click image for song link)

"Break of Dawn"-MadVillian
(click image for song link)

DVD

New DVD "The MC (Why We Do It)

Movies

Wu approved movie Ong Bak..heard the premier was off the meter!

It's a club banger!

You got to love how hip hop is dominating the entire music industry right now. Sure R&B has some input too, but since R&B is basically hip-hop now, it all adds up to love.All the Grammy talk these days ends up focusing on hip-hop.

I caught the “Charlie Rose Show” last night. His guests were Kanye West , Mimi Valdes, Jon Pareles and Doug Bord. I had to re-hook the television outs to the mixer and missed the Kanye interview, but I did manage to record this roundtable discussion. Quote of the day: “Club banger? What’s a club banger?”

All in all, good show. Check the link for the 2nd part of the interview which has the round table discussion and the quote of the day.
http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0F841LL3MWMAM0V756PBDO0KCF

You should have heard the Kanye interview; I will try to catch it if they replay it. Among other things, Kanye admits to never shooting a gun in his life, and that he does in his songs because he thought it made him sound cool.

He also refers to “Jesus Walks” as a subliminal trick, referring to the second line that goes like to radio programmers radio who say you can rap about anything other than Jesus and how that was planned to make radio programmers play the song. I’m sure this interview will fan the flames of the ghostwriting debate. He goes on to say “I put a lot of punch lines in songs, to gets your attention, like in “Jesus Walks” and “I used to sit there and umm come up with lines to help people out.”

WMHT Monday night 11:30pm/Tues. 1:30pm

Stereo Synthesis Selections

The Grammy's are coming! And guess who's going?

It Never Rains (or snows) in Southern California—they tell me—
I’m going. ..going…back…back…to Cali..Cali…
California….knows how to party….(repeat once)

Ok, let me not hype this up more than necessary because nothing is etched in stone yet, but it looks like it's a G-O for your boy. One of my patnas from waaaaaaaaaayy back lives in "L.A. L.A. big city of dreams" and has been telling me to get my lazy azz out there for a long while now. He has a business proposition for me.

Without putting "my business in the street" (like I haven't done that before), I'll just say that this sounds like a pretty good idea. Plus he might be able to scoop up a couple of tickets to the big show next Sunday night. I'd go just for the vacation, but the chance to catch up with an old friend, talk business, and star gaze at the Grammy's is just too much for me to pass up. If we don't get in the Grammy's, f’ it. You know how the after parties are. Mind you, I don't really care much for the Grammy's. But it's LA. Do I need an excuse to go to LA?

I'll keep you posted.
-----------------------------------------
News

~A moment of silence for the passing of a great man
~Another moment of silence of the passing of an American Institution.

~Say What? ~

"Yao Ming" -Use it instead of yanowImean? (Hashim is the first one I heard say it)
ex. CanheadRecords.blogspot.com is the sh!t, yaoming?"

~~Triple Play~~

"Carnival Town"-Norah Jones


"Another Star"-Stevie Wonder


"Harder, Better, Faster, Strong"-Daft Punk

~MP3 Review~

"Dance Monkey" Sage Francis
This is a busy next level track from Mr. Francis. The album is out now. I'm trying to get a copy to review for ya.(vinyl please Hilary...one copy is fine but Q really needs 2) Make sure you check him out when he comes through your town. It looks like the enitre label is hitting the road this month so try and catch a show. This track "Dance Monkey" is pretty ill. Fans of his should not be disappointed, but he might get a few new heads with beats like this one. I'll let you kow when I hear the CD but click that MP3 up there and tell them I sent you.

Late Record Review

The Game-The Documentary CD
I didn’t want to review this at first. Only because every fool and their momma has something to say about duke. But I gotta speak my peace. This is a tight CD. Yeah, it’s not the classic that they are hyping it to be, but on the other hand, it is one of the hottest albums out in 2004 (that’s right, it deserves to be in the 2004 list, since we all heard half of the album online a little after Jive Turkey Day.) Game has a nice flow, but it could be a little tighter at times. I know many of you, haters and non-haters alike, will try to blast my opinion on this matter. But I am one of those who will give a emcee a pass if he has a decent flow and is just getting in the game. No unnecessary hate from El Q (not when I’m going…going..back..back..to Cali..Cali in a week)

First off, the intro is aiight. I am one of the few who like album skits. (Remember Pun’s MacinthebackoftheAc ? Hell even Pharcyde did it up with “Quins’ on his way” only to get the whole idea jacked and crunked up by Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz on “Weed Man”) This one is quick. The bangers are "Church For Thugs", “Higher”, “No More Fun and Games”, "Start From Scratch" w/ Marsha of Floetry, “Hate It Or Love It” w/ 50 and “Running” w/ Tony Yaro (Hi Tek)and the radio cuts. The thing that kills this CD is the collabos. “We Aint” and “Like Father, Like Son” would have been totally off the meter if it wasn’t for Slim and Mr. Rah Rah Rhymes. “Don’t Need Your Love” w/ Faith is typical radio shhh, but this joint does nothing for me. "Don't Worry" w/ Mary is cool but still feels kind of off point, yaoming?

Regardless, Game does stand out from the rest of the Aftermath crew. I wasn't on point in FYE and picked up the CD without the DVD. So now I have to go buy that joint again. (Look on my sales on E-Bay, I’ll dump off the CD only copy for mad cheap) The CD flows pretty smooth for the most part, with only a few fast forward joints. Cop that.

Heres a few links on the kid.
The Game aims to revive West Coast rap
Rapper the Game Is Player of the Week
BIG DAVE MIXTAPE-NIGGAS FOR LIFE-EAZY E & GAME
Aftermath site

~~Mixtape Review
DJ Kay Slay-“2005 Live” Hosted by Papoose and Jim Jones.

Tight! Kay Slay does his thing as Jim Jones and Papoose hold him down. Papoose is a problem, check out that crazy freestyle on Track 17. “Terrorizing everything!” Jim Jones reps Dip Set and flips sh!t on with Papoose on the first freestyle. Cd also has new heat from Geto Boys, Game, 50, Remy Ma, JR Writer, freestyles from Canibus, Hell Rell and Styles P.. “2005 Live” also has that joint by Juelz “Ya’ll Done Fucked Up” and “The Whole Hood” by Bun B. Kay Slay brings lots of fire as usual.

Sports:

Don't cry kid. Deep down we all knew the outcome.Come on, Stevie saw NE taking Philly last night. I can't talk sh!t about it because I HAD TO WORK LAST NIGHT! Its a small thing really. You know, the whole LA thing this weekend..... So I didn't see a thing. But I knew it. I told you.

Yo E, you lucky I didnt bet you last night. I would not have let you off the hook with a little 5 dollar bet either.(Dude wanted to bet against me and Frat that TO would score a touchdown. Easy money.)

So that's that. It's over. Let the Madden tournaments begin!

PS-Un4tuneknitlee, I am da king of typos, so if yo see 1...holla.

Houston, we have a problem

Breaking News


Ladies and Gentleman, I really hate to use profanity in this blog. But what the f--- is wrong with Houston? Somebody please help him. Seriously, help the man before it's too late. I don't want to hear another record, McDonalds jingle, or nothing from him until he has had serious therapy. My prayers are with you Houston.

Links below....
Singer says devil made him gouge eye out
Singer Houston hurts eye after suicide try
R&B Singer Houston Gouges Eye Out After Apparent Suicide Attempt

~MIND YOUR BUSINESS!~

Speaking of entertainers with alleged sucicide attempts, I herby proclaim this to be EPMD day here at Canhead. You are commanded to follow the links below and get your EPMD on. (Peace Sonja) I want more info on the Rakim-EPMD beef Na was talking about on "UBR", I slept on that back in then.

http://www.defjam.com/artists/epmd/frameset.html

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:4tkxu3x5andk

http://www.rollingstone.com/artist/_/id/4209?rnd=1107553123500&has-player=true&version=6.0.8.1024

http://endorph.sevcom.com/pmd.html

http://www.mtv.com/bands/archive/e/epmdfeature99.jhtml

In the spirit of EPMD day, I present to you the lyrics to one of my favorite EPMD songs. I could relate to this song, and felt their pain when "E Double had to push while Emdee steered". Sure they have bigger hits, like the club monster "Headbanger", the slick "You're A Customer", or the OG classic "You Gots To Chill". This song seperates the men from the boys. If you know the song I'm talking about just by the hint I gave, you are hip-hop in the flesh. Your ghetto pass is renewed for another 400 years.(message!)

Enough with the chit-chat. Let the song lyric jacking begin.

Artist: EPMD
Album: Unfinished Business
Song: Please Listen to My Demo
Typed by: OHHLA Webmaster DJ Flash

[Dub] Yo whassup P?
[PMD] Yo nuttin man just coolin kick back in the studio wit DJ Scratch
and my man Frank B, reminiscin about how we was tryin to shop
our demo and everybody was dishin, youknowhatI'msayin?
[Dub] Yo P tell em whassup man

Verse One: Parrish Smith
We was coolin in my car one day you see
Clockin a double nickel on the L-I E
When it dawned on us that it was, ten o'clock
Turned on the tunes to hear the DJ's rock
The hands got to clappin, the fingers got to snappin
E and I was coolin, with his mans, he was snappin
In and out of fantasies on how large we can get
Coolin in rocks and Benzes with the ground effect kits
I wanted black, E was on the two-tone
Stupid boomin system with the hands-free phone
The dream gets better and I would like to go on
but I was brought back to reality by a toot of a horn
Smoke everywhere, oh just what we needed
On the way to shop our demo and the car overheated
Feelin real low, low enough to die
Holdin up traffic, on the FDR drive
We had to play ourselves, in the fresh dipped gear
E Double had to push while MD steered
There went our dreams, to cruise in golden limos
And all we kept sayin was please listen to my demo

Please listen to my demo (3X)
Please-please-please-ple-please listen to my demo

Verse Two: Erick Sermon
In the year eighty-seven when we first took off
when I jumped to P-6-8 and broke North
Walkin the big city streets of Manhattan
Buildings, whole nine yards, so enchantin
Thinkin if we got a chance, we could rock it
Funky fresh demo tape in my pocket
We was walkin, and got dissed twice today
Then we stopped at 1974 Broadway
We walked in with grins on our chins
And P had juice from Mr. Virgo Simms
He played the tape and we started to laugh
Played ?if it was sock? and they swoop and backstab
People start to smile inside we buckwhylin
Sayin this all started back from freestylin
They liked it, and they were very kind
But me and P was like, "Yo E, where do we sign?"
Went in the backroom, things was luvy duvy
Met Ron Resnick, and his partner Juggy
Things was cool, as I remembered
We signed the dotted line, now we Fresh Record members
Had dreams, of fancy cars and limos
And I wanted was somebody, to listen to my demo

Please listen to my demo (3X)
Please-please-please-ple-please listen to my demo
Please listen to my demo (2X)

And the rest is history.

Corrections and F--- Ups

Sorry, I slipped up in last post. It's “Opie and Anthony”, not Andy as I had written. (Guess I was thinking about Amos and Andy, happens all the time)
I should have posted the following links at the end of the last post to…You really should click on them.
~Quote from last post
Next post: I give my two cents on the Michelle Malkin piece in the New York Post on Michaeal Jackson and Snoop Dogg. Love the way she ties the two together so neatly. "It racism, that's what it is!" You should check it out so you'll know what I'm rambling on about.

“I may even address the whole BET thing and why some white folks really get upset that there is a channel called BET.

Well, my reaction to Malkin piece will have to wait until another post. I am getting backlogged with stuff. I’m working on a Blogcritic.org approved T.I.CD review for ya, The Drama Karma story is about to get another chapter, and I think the time for me to school you on house music is long overdue. So next week should be greasy grimey good-good. Stay tuned.

~~~Note to webpage designers at Vibe.com. Is it really necessary to have 2 pop-ups for your homepage? People have pop-up stoppers for a reason. From one Q to another Q, show a little love player. Kill one of the pop-ups. (Keep the one with Alicia Keys. lose the other one)
Don't expect to see posts from me until Monday, maybe Tuesday. Why? Because tomorrow is

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!!! Don't bother me while the game is on please. See ya!

Shock Jocks...They All Sound The Same To Me

Black to the future: date:::about 10 hours after hearing the “Tsunami Song”::::::

It’s 6:30 in the morning. The snow isn’t P-Funk style just yet, (you know, not just knee deep) but it’s getting there. After I fight for 20 minutes with the ice covering my hooptie, I get in and pull off into the winter mess. I reach for the on switch on the radio and what it’s the first thing I hear early this morning? Some freak on the radio talking about “nigger this and nigger that.” Do I take offense to this strong use of words so early in the day? Nah, not really. I actually expect it. See, my radio is preset to hear the words of wisdom from the self proclaimed “King of All Media” Mr. Howard Stern.

I’m a NYC area transplant, and the only morning show strong enough to get my attention this early is Stern’s. (Sorry TJMS, I check ya’ll out to) When I was living downstate, I listened to the home of hip hop and r&b, back when the original haters were terrorizing New York. I don’t really take offense to very offensive morning show programming. In this regard I am probably just like the rest of my races status in America, a minority. I know there are millions of you who can’t stand the mere thought of Howard Stern, and any of the copy-cat shock jocks that have flooded morning radio. There are times when I turn the show off, not really in disgust. It’s more like when you’re drinking and you know you’ve had enough. Recently, hip-hop morning shows have been a hot bed for controversy. The main issue is the use of offensive and racially insensitive material. Granted the material in question is just that. But the question it raises to me at least is this.

Ethnic jokes have been the staple of American comedy forever. It’s no wonder. Since comedy is basically a way of exaggerating our reality to find humor in it, and racism is an ugly blemish on our all of our combined cultures, it seemed inevitable that the two collide. This is not in any way trying to excuse this. My intent is more to examine the issue of racially charged humor and how long it has been a part of American culture. Some of our favorite comedians perfected it, and all races have their form of it. While there seems to be a serious increase in the use of it, especially in the morning show markets, it is not something new. I’m sure there is someone who may be better versed in the subject. But from my perspective, looking at the entire mess from about 50 feet (respectable non threatening distance) it seems that the matter needs to be addressed by all. The references are endless.

Early American films took great liberties in how they depicted members of other races. It wasn’t uncommon for Italian actors to play Native Americans, Europeans or any other race. The Charlie Chan franchise alone should make Americans shake their heads. Many of our classic films use racial humor or stereotypes. The Marx Brothers used to thumb their noses at the establishment of the day. They also exaggerated their own cultural stereotypes in a way that entertained and made a commentary, if not at first recognized or even intended.
Stepin Fetchit was the original sell out, paving the way to Hollywood for thousands of minority actors by playing the role of a dumb slow witted Black man. At the movies, “The Godfather” depicted an entire Italian family as murderous criminals. “Scarface” shows the Cuban bad guy murdering his way to the top. John Wayne movies were full of stereotypes and general hatred towards Native Americans, Asians, and any one else who got in his way.

Archie Bunker ruled television and spawned a Black counter part to appease the growing African American fans, in the form of George Jefferson. In both “The Jeffersons” and “All In The Family”, many of the half hour shows ended up with some lesson on racial acceptance and what happens when people let their prejudices guide them. “Sanford and Son” (my favorite)brought their form of racial equality to America and again they were embraced. Fred Sanford was from the old school, and he didn’t care who knew it. He was leery of the police, his Latino neighbors, and even his own race, as he would express his displeasure with his son’s stereotypically shady friend Rollo constantly. Again, many shows would end with a lesson in acceptance of those of another color.

“Welcome Back Kotter” was basically a “Rainbow Coalition” of high school aged kids in a all black neighborhood, during a time when we all didn’t get along. The traded light jokes about each others and learned to get along as one. (Thanks Mr. Ko-tteeer!)

Fast forward to our day and we have two runners up in “The African American Ethnic Humor Sitcom Of All Time” awards. “The Chapelle Show "and the classic “In Living Color” duke it out for favorite off color show in the hood. And with good reason, the shows are sharp, quick witted and afraid of nothing; well maybe Dave is more fearless that Keenan was. Both show are hailed as great by some, and hated by others. But they are prime examples of the American tradition of using race for humor and its constant use.

Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, George Carlin, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle, Margaret Cho, Jamie Foxx, Howard Stern, Opie and Andy, Star and Buc Wild, Ms Jones and the Hot97 crew are all guilty of the same crime: the use of ethnic humor. So are all the above mentioned, critically acclaimed actors, writers, directors and comedians. And so are we. We are all guilty of it. We will always be guilty of it. Any time you look at someone of another race and think ANYTHING prejudicial about them and even think about giggling or making a smart remark, you’ve just joined the ranks of ethnic joke user. The question is, where do we draw the line? If it’s ok to fire the Hot 97 morning show crew, does that mean that we start to fire everyone else? Most will say it is a free speech issue, which it is. But I think there is a deeper issue below that isn’t being addressed.

This is a form of comedy that can be therapeutic, when done properly. It doesn’t have to be cruel, or hateful to be effective. It can be a way of addressing things that have been said about other races and cultures and show how they are similar to others. If comedy is a tool to help us laugh at some of our unflattering characteristics, what form of comedy is more appropriate than ethnic humor? But the trend is to go to the extreme, push the envelope and be as outrageous as possible. This is where the problems begin.

There will always be someone who is offended by an off color joke, as there should be. But every joke isn’t worthy of the execution squad. Punishment maybe, but the guillotine may be too severe a punishment for the crime. It's a thin line between something being a truly funny joke and the same joke sounding like a slur or insult. All incidents are unique and need to be examined, but let’s try not to lose our heads or sense of humor either.

Here are a few links on the subject, if you’re still interested.

Asian Media Watch

Ethnic Humor byRuth Schwartz

Hillary Has History of Racial Gaffes

Why stereotypes are never just innocent fun

Challenge prejudice by not tolerating ethnic jokes

Next post: I give my two cents on the Michelle Malkin piece in the New York Post on Michaeal Jackson and Snoop Dogg. Love the way she ties the two together so neatly. "It racism, that's what it is!" You should check it out so you'll know what I'm rambling on about. I may even address the whole BET thing and why some white folks really get upset that there is a channel called BET.(I think they meant the emphasis to be on Entertainment rather than Black, but that's just me)

Cheers mate~

:::YAWN:::Is it Monday already?

What’s happening?
I have some regular post coming up this week. I think I’m done with the whole John Wayne series. There are 2 more post on the subject, but I think you get the point. I’m working on what I feel will be my masterpiece, think of it as the hip-hop related blog post version of “Why” by Jada. Stay tuned! Until then, here’s a little sumthin’, sumthing for ya to keep you busy.
My real life schedule is killing me, thus the limited posts. More tomorrow I swear!

News
Iraq Vote Bloodied by Attacks; 22 Killed
Interesting article on Ecstasy being used to treat cancer.

Mental Food
PBS article on the Lost Tribes of Israel

Entertainment
Prefix Magazine
D-Nice Blog!

Games
Poker
https://www.pokerroom.com/home/
Ashlee Simpson lip synch game
http://www.liquidgeneration.com/games/ashlee_dance.asp
Canyon Glider
http://fullscreengames.com/canyonglider.html


Window Shopping
Must have!!!

The Technics SL-DZ1200 Direct-Drive Digital Turntable
Other must haves
http://www.digitalgravel.com/itemdetails.cfm?prod=3887&cat=1&vndr=all
http://www.digitalgravel.com/itemdetails.cfm?prod=4409&cat=1&vndr=all
http://www.digitalgravel.com/itemdetails.cfm?prod=4580&cat=1&vndr=all
http://www.digitalgravel.com/itemdetails.cfm?prod=5198&cat=6&vndr=1008

Quote of the Day
“What right does Congress have to go around making laws just because they deem it necessary? “-Marion Barry

Things That Make You Go...What The F*@#!!

~I wonder if KRS gets mad everytime he hears someone says "One" ? ( he dissed Nelly for less.)
~Who is your daddy and what does he do?
~It was in bad taste, but how can Stern get away with a fine, while Lukewarm 97FM "suspends" the entire morning show?
~Speaking of which, didn't Miss Jones do her research and listen to Robin"If Thomas Jefferson had heard us, he probably would have said, 'We shouldn't have free speech.' " Quivers and learn how to be a fence sitting shock jock without losing her great work benefits?
~What is the sample behind that damn John Legend song saying? Sounds like "Throw your hands in the air....dont F' around" The song is annoying enough with low vocal samples messing with this ex-studio engineer's head.
~Isn't weird how Lil' Kim can look hot in one post plastic surgery picture and not in another one? (Cue the aforementioned god awful John Legend track)
~Isn't the desecration of Iraq's historical sites by our armed forces a sign of The Great Tribulation? If so, shouldn't we be scared sh!tless right about now?
~If McNabb and the Eagle do the damn thing, will Rush Limbaugh take back all that crap he was talking last year and admit to the world he is nothing but a pill popping, pervy, punk who doesn't know what he's talking about!
~Do you think 50 Cent mania will still be strong enough to help Tony Yayo when(if) his album ever comes out?
~Who will be the first rapper that Irv Gotti signs when(if) he goes to jail?
~Why does Nia Long make my chest hurt everytime I see her?(Same goes for "Las Vegas" star Marsha Thomason....daammnn!)

Lettuce.....Go!

What’s happening!

It’s Friday and Fridays are only good for web-slinging! In case you don’t follow the Canhead vocab to tough, “web-slinging” is what I call surfing the net. I never surfed before, and Spider-Man is..well, the Man! So in Canhead land, we call it web-slinging. Got it? Good. “Lettuce……..go!” (let’s see if your OG enough to know what TV show I stole that last quote from.)

Tons of stuff online these days, I can’t keep up. Here are a few stories out there that are keeping me from doing more productive things online. Give in to the peep pressure and abandon your work for a second and travel the net with your homie-stromie El Q Tha Griz8! Buckle up for safety kids.

~Def Poetry Plugged In is tonight!

~~Tons of articles on the Hot97 story floating around cyber space. Here are few link that I haven’t posted before that cover it.
http://www.whudat.com/homepage.html

~Here is a interesting essay on hip-hop and Islam. A little dated but a decent read nonetheless.
http://comp.uark.edu/~tsweden/5per.html

~Speaking of Islam, here is the odd Bible quote of the day.
I get these from “Can These be the Words of God?”. I am not Islamic. I am baptized as a Christian and believe some of the Christian doctrines. I got love of Islam too, so you can see how it can get confusing sometimes. A lot of good and bad points are in both religions but the leaders of the countries that each religion represents uses said religions as weapons and tools of propaganda. Because of that, I exercise my civil rights and boycott going to church on Sunday. Well, not really, but it sounds better than I’m too lazy to get up that early on a Sunday.

Bible Verse of the Day
Exodus 21:7-11 (New International Version)

If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as menservants do. 8 If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself, [a] he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her. 9 If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. 11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

Now compare that to this one, a mere 6 verses down:

Exodus 21:17 (New International Version)
17 "Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.

So if I was a female, chillin’ in Egypt, being oppressed by Pharaoh Monch and his pyramid building schemes, I would be up sh!t creek without a paddle, in a leaky raft if my broke azz dad wanted to sell my fine young behind! To add insult to injury, if I cursed his azz out for putting my booty on E-Bay (Egyptian Booty Auction Ya’ll!) I’d be beheaded or worse, stoned to death! (Not in the backstage with Capelton and Elephant Man at the Bob Marley festival in Miami way either!) I gotta stop picking on the Old Testament. It’s too easy and makes me look like a blasphemous apostate. Ohh well, I think Jesus (and Mohammad) still love me.

~Whoa….Jennifer Johns!
http://www.jenniferjohns.com/home.html

~Ok, what is up with this mofo. First of all, being one of the few brothers in the NHL, you can’t afford to make to many mistakes. But when you pull a stunt like this, to say it like my man Will Drayton say, “I can’t do nothing for you, man!” Damn cuz!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1975106


~I meant to post this link a while ago. X-Factor Video is a producer and distributor of some of stunt DVDs and they have some clips of their movies. If your into sport bikes, roadbikes, motocross, import cars, quads, snowmobile or watercraft, you'll find tons of great DVD titles here.

~To even out the racial tension going on the airwaves and internet these days, I give you this fine site!

~Saw this on Tofu Hut…words from the enemy!
http://www.stormfront.org/forum/showthread.php?t=168804

~Bubblewrap
http://www.nonstop.lv/files/bubblewrap.swf

~Freaky Friday's Oldie but Goodie MP3 Pick Of The Day aka The Long Music Title
"Knock On Wood" Wilson Pickett
Reminds me of home. Mama had a BIG crush on Wilson Pickett back in the diz-ay. Thankful, he never did a show in Clarksville, TN. and stole her away from my pops. (She didn't hear about the concert in Nashville!)

I'm out. In closing I like to say to all the hip-hop "shock jock" radio DJs out there.
SPREAD LOVE DUKE! Or shut the hell up and learn how to mix! You're F'ing it up for everyone. Act like you know(how to act that is.)

One Ya' Self before you catch Two!

The Devil In Miss Jones

Hot97 is knee deep in another scandal. The station is fast on it was to being so last month, with their consistently bad morning show programming and poor judgment. Recently, the station aired a parody song entitled “The Tsunami Song” during their morning show, hosted by Miss Jones, which mocked the tsunami victims. Many were outraged at the station’s insensitivity but it didn’t stop there.

Taken from Hiphopmusic.com

“On this tape you hear them introducing the "Tsunami Song," then Miss Jones and co-host Todd Lynn launching into an abusive tirade against Miss Info when she voices her objection to it. Miss Jones finally tells Info she's only complaining because "you feel superior, probably because you're Asian."

Then, after Miss Info has said the song is offensive to Asians, co-host Todd Lynn informs her: "I'm gonna start shooting Asians." Yes, he really says that. It's at 3:37 on the mp3. “

Sine then, several things have happened. Miss Jones has been suspended from Hot97, Jin made a Hot 97 dis record, and a petition is circling around the internet. As I am in the Cap City of Albany, I didn’t hear this firsthand, but the story and mp3s are everywhere! I suggest you go to the source and read all the info yourself. Check out Jay Smooth, (damn, 2 mentions in a week). There are two viewpoints to everything, as Byron Crawford shows here!

Hot 97 issued a press release in regards to the “Tsunami Song”. Wanna read it, here it goes! (Forgive me, I’ve been watching “In Living Color”, look for my review soon!)

NEW YORK, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Miss Jones and the HOT 97 Morning team have been indefinitely suspended for the airing of a song that made light of a catastrophic event, as well as for comments made at the time the song was aired. Earlier this week, Miss Jones said on the air: "I apologize to all who have been offended by my poor decision to go along with playing that insulting(to say the least) Tsunami song. I should have known better and I didn't. So I'm sorry and hopefully we can move forward from this, or I can move forward from this being a better hostess, because I am better than that, and I know better than that -- and you deserve better radio than that."

While Miss Jones has apologized on the air, in the media and on the HOT 97 website, station management felt that stronger action was necessary to demonstrate the severity of the situation. Emmis Radio and Hot 97 will not tolerate such derogatory and racially insensitive content. This incident in no way reflects the spirit of HOT 97. The station has a long-time and well-known reputation for communityinvolvement and support. Emmis Radio President Rick Cummings said, "What happened is morally and socially indefensible. All involved, myself included, are ashamed and deeply sorry. I know the members of the morning show are truly contrite. They know their actions here are inexcusable."

SOURCE WQHT-FM

Personally, I think the song is foul, but I am a black man who listens to Howard Stern (who all other morning jocks try to imitate) so I may not be a good person to ask an opinion. Nothing really bothers me, and I don’t have time for the rest of the world’s hang-ups, I’m too busy with my own thanks. I will say this much. Getting mad at Hot97 for this song is like getting mad at the clouds when it rains. This is an offensive song true, but have you listen to most of Hot97’s play list? If this is the first time you’ve been offended listening to Hot97, then you must be loosing your hearing or something. As a hip-hop head, I am offended by what songs they consider to be hip-hop, but that's another issue.

They have kept it really real on the annoying b.s. broadcasting tip for a long while now. Don’t get me started with hip-hop lyrics these days, emcees with an 8 bar multi-syllable verse that doesn’t really say anything, the ongoing Tupac-B.I.G. cloning, or the hypocrisy in the industry. If you’re going to be mad at Hot97 for anything, be mad at them for continuing to water down the culture by promoting thoughts and perceptions that are not “gangsta” or “hip-hop” in anyway, shape, or form. These fools don’t even really contribute to hip-hop music, and that’s bad because they are DJS! (boring talk over, pause-play djs, not Q-Bert, Jam Master Jay, Mix Master Mike, Grandmaster Flash, real type type dj’s)


Who else remembers the time when Star and Bucwild (also in the news this month for racially offensive material) played that clip after Aaliyah died? They couldn’t even finish the show before EVERYONE in hip-hop started calling them telling them to fall back. Jay-Z wasn’t happy about it. Neither was Ms. Jones. She got into a argument with Star and Buck and I think she left the show that day. Fast forward a few years, Jonzee is running things, and what does she do? She blast Ms. Info on air, starts talking a little too much, and draws the entire world's attention on herself and her Hot97 crew in downtown Manhattan.

HOT 97 TSUNAMIS SONG = ANOTHER BLACK EYE FOR THE TEAM KIDS!

Check the links, sign the petition, make a Hot97 dis mp3, and show the world hip-hop is not dead. What other form of music has it’s fans demonstrating and petitioning against their own when they step out of line and go to far? Hip Hop Rules!

http://www.petitiononline.com/endhate/petition.html

http://www.indiaexpress.com/news/world/20050126-0.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/274679p-235203c.html

http://cbsnewyork.com/topstories/topstoriesny_story_025160857.html

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/nyc-nytsun254125015jan25,0,2022540.story?coll=nyc-manheadlines-tv

Respect The Badge Punk!

It’s snowing like mad, and I am holding it down here at work. In case I didn’t tell you what it is I do to pay the bills, well put it like this.
I’m something like the police. Respect the badge, punk! Top Flight Craig!
If you still don’t get it, here’s my final hint. I know my job sucks, it’s a good thing I have a music making, blog writing super hero alter ego to combat the evils of reality. Anyway, one of my partners was smart and refused to drive to work in this mess, so here I am. I will post the follow up to the John Wayne articles tomorrow and review some of the CDs I bought over the weekend. Thanks to everyone who has emailed and showed loved. Thanks for the input, look for your name on my blog list soon! So this post is basically mindless web slinging stuff. Enjoy.

Quotes of the day
"My job is to, like, think beyond the immediate." -George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., April 21, 2004

"You've done a nice job decorating the White House." —Pop star Jessica Simpson, upon being introduced to Interior Secretary Gale Norton while touring the White House

Dumb Joke Of The Day
Why did Ron Artest leave the game early?
So he could beat the crowd
(Don’t front, your giggling now, right?)

Video
Some classic material from Dave.

Links
~Link to the PBS Special…I may have to do some research on this myself.
http://www.pbs.org/unforgivableblackness/

~Hip Hop Music.com has been one of my favorite website for a while now. They are one of the tightest sites out, giving a balanced overview of hip-hop, politics, and anything important to the hip hop culture. You need to check them out. Their coverage on the Hot97 tsunami incident is excellent. (That song is foul. I will comment more on this later)
But I am feeling their audio page right about now. It’s loaded with archived sets by Jay Smooth, Monk One, DJ Spinna, DJ 3D, and special sets by DJ Babu, Chairman Mao, and Easy Mo Bee. Check them out daily, ya heard!

~Over at Loosie.com they have a column with House of Pain’s Everlast. Hey, you think when he wrote “Jump Around” he was telling us what he would do with his musical styles for the rest of his career? B.D. should have asked him that.

~All true hip-hop heads pay respect to the man! “Rap Wars” is what’s really real!

~Rick's Picks Phat Beets.

And finally, this girl has a really hot ass! (Cue "On Fire" by Lloyd Banks)

Peace!

Due Process Is A Bullet Part 2

“The Searchers” had blatantly racist scenes and dialogue. Wayne’s character seems to be blood thirsty, driven to find his captured niece from a band of rogue Comanche.

He views the Indians as ruthless and will kill them without a second thought. Although he is the most vocal of the group, his co-stars all seem to understand his view and attitudes, even if they don’t share all of them. He is driven to find his captured niece Debbie, who was kidnapped by marauding Comanches. Only thing is, he plans on killing Debbie once he finds her. She has been used by the “Comanche buck” as he says, so she doesn’t deserve to live. He also has a mysterious past, he is a ex- Confederate soldiers who never reveals how he rescued Martin Pawley or how he knows so much about Comanche and speaks their language.

The amazing thing about this particular Wayne vehicle is how much it alone influenced cinema and pop culture. In his review of the movie, Roger Ebert explains the reach of “The Seachers” influence. He says “Ethan's quest inspired a plot line in George Lucas' ''Star Wars.'' It's at the center of Martin Scorsese's ''Taxi Driver,'' written by Paul Schrader, who used it again in his own ''Hard Core.'' The hero in each of the Schrader screenplays is a loner driven to violence and madness by his mission to rescue a young white woman who has become the sexual prey of those seen as subhuman. Harry Dean Stanton's search for Nastassja Kinski in Wim Wenders' ''Paris, Texas'' is a reworking of the Ford story. Even Ethan's famous line ''That'll be the day'' inspired a song by Buddy Holly.” (Ebert, Roger Chicago Sun Times 11/2001)

During the early 1940’s, he was seen as hostile to Asians. America was at war with Japan, and the sentiment in America on a whole was the same as Wayne’s. He is seen as racist and still remains the hero of his movies.

One of these movies is “Sands Of Iwo Jima” The racist attitudes of the country during this time were clearly reflected in “Iwo Jima”. The tension between America and Japan resulted in movies that depicted America’s animosity toward our wartime enemy. The movie almost comes off as a war time pep rally on film, with the American’s fighting incredible odds and surviving.
It is interesting that Wayne plays basically the same character in this movie as in some of his earlier films. In “The Searchers” he plays sort of mystery man, with a definite military past. He continues to play the solider in “Iwo Jima” and several other movies.
John Wayne triva bit: ... The final scene of "The Searchers" was ad-libbed by Wayne as homage to good friend and fellow actor Harry Carey who had recently died. As Wayne stands in the doorway he grabs his right arms and stands there for a minute. This was Carey's signature stance. Thus the above picture.

Due process is a bullet! Part 1

I decided to view several movies staring John Wayne. I thought he would be a good actor to examine, as he stared in hundreds of movies. I didn’t realize how much his career influenced American culture. John Wayne is the perfect example of a star echoing the mood and viewpoint of our country as a whole. Following his career, you can get a very good idea of how the average middle age White male though about himself, his country and the world.

John Wayne’s movies and characters showcase contemporary American thoughts and attitudes during the time that they were made. Sometimes these attitudes were very racist. Although we were required to view three movies, I found myself viewing much more than that. My research turned up several movies that I wanted to screen for this paper, as they were noted as fine examples of the transition of racial and political attitudes in America from the 1930s clear up to the 1960s.

When examining the ideological concerns and values of the wider culture of the time period that the John Wayne represents, we see a man who seems to be molded to symbolize the image of the American male. Early on in his career, Wayne is the tough cowboy that stands firm on his beliefs or the military leader who is willing to kill and die for his country and its virtue.

His example of how to be an American helped John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as he learned how to speak English by watching Wayne's movies. (Willis, Gary “John Wayne's America”) Waynes is the image first thought of when you mention the word “cowboy” as he practically perfected the role. His portrayal of the American cowboy and his tough nature is one that foreign leaders have said that our leaders copy.

Wayne played the role of the no nonsense, tough as nails Tom Doniphon in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”. This was a interesting movie as it featured him and another big star at the time, James Stewart. Stewart plays U.S. senator Ransom Stoddard, the lawyer who moves into a lawless town. The two form a friendship and help steer their lawless town to order by facing the town bad guy Liberty Valance.

To further complicate matters, Wayne has made plans to marry the town sweetie Hallie, played by Vera Mills. He just hasn’t told her yet. When Stewart arrives, Hallie soon falls for him, much to the displeasure of Wayne, who almost kills himself by setting his house on fire in a drunken rage. Wayne’s character is a bit grumpy to his black servant Pompey, but it is clear that Wayne depends on him, up to his death. This movie isn’t nearly as racist as some of the other movies John Wayne would go on to play.

~to be continued~

Additional links on the subject:
http://www.xeromag.com/v2i2ed.html

http://www.salon.com/july97/wayne2970711.html

Jheri curl drippin on Ronald Reagan's shoes

What’s up ya’ll,
~So I didn’t go to Washington DC for the inauguration like I wanted. I realized last week that I could not get the day off. So I’m here trying not to spend money today. It’s gonna get ugly tho’ as lunch time is here and I’m starving! (Maintain Q, spend NO money!)
~The Drama experiment (see post below) is off to a great start as I have already been hit with a few emails regarding the subject. This could be interesting.
~Shouts to Wonder Woman at Jamz 96.3 for the fire mix-set today (She let Method Man curse twice on “All I Need” play…cool! Lots of O.G. material today, EPMD, LOTUG, En Vogue ) Blog up to everyone at Jamz actually, I’m always just shouting her out but I got love for the whole crew, Biz, Bear Sr. and Jr., and of course the man Walt Baby Luv (that’s right) and anyone I forgot!
~Maybe I’ll drop a little science later, I have tons of c-rap to do. I did come across a few links for you.(Q can’t come to the party empty handed.)
~Music News
California's Latest Sound: 'Hyphy' (See you soon K-Beatz!!)
~Videos
“Take Me Home”-Terror Squad
“Let’s Get Blown”-Snoop Dogg w/ Pharrell (love that house!)
“What They Gon Do”-Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz w/ Lil Scrappy
~Audio-
“Knuck If You Buck” remix- Crime Mob Ft. Gangsta Boo, Daz & J.Dupri-off DJ Smallz S.S.# 12 mixtape
“Shot Down” remix- 50 Cent w/ DMX & Styles P-DJ Kep remix
“Rising to the Top” -Game Tight - Agallah, Sean Price
Ludacris Interview on Hot 99.5 FM
~Shopping
Obie Trice’s couch on Ebay.
Q.Rock639’s 12"s,CDs and movies on Ebay.
~Quotes of the day
“The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost.”
Gilbert K. Chesterton

“The dream of Huey Newton that's what I'm livin through
The dream of Eric Wright, that's what I'm givin you
Who walked through the White House without a business suit
Compton had jheri curl drippin on Ronald Reagan's shoes”
The Game aka Chuck Taylor