"Coming Straight from the Boon Docks"
-EPMD

I heard this term the first time "Boondocks" from an old EPMD album. Origination was unknown to me but it's used to basically describe the displacement with the center of Hip-hop which was generally: Bronx, Uptown, Queens and Brooklyn. Both Erick and Parish came from a middle class family in Brentwood,Long Island. Almost similar to the two brothers, Riley and Huey, removed from the urban life (in Detroit) to stay with their grandfather in a rural Maryland.

A friend of mine recommended that I peep the DVD collection of the Boondocks Season 1. I have read a couple of strips here and there. I found it somewhat amusing but I was never a huge fan. I had no idea what to expect from the show nonetheless the uncensored version. I must say that the show walks a very fine line between educational and just plain [n]igorance. Yup! I added the "N" intentionally. I will not get in a long drawn conversation about the "N" word but if I had a dime for each time I heard it on that or even The Chapelle Show. I can quote "I'M RICH B$$*#!!!"

Really I hate that word. I cringe when I go to concerts with a very mixed crowd and to hear the artist say "Where all my n...... at??!?!" Or even to hear the audience sing a song flooded with it. (Pardon my Oprah moment. Let me focus on the DVD)

I do think Aaron McGruder is a genius of sort. He used the vehicle of comedy to address socio-economic and politcal issues that plague the African-American culture. McGruder is fearless in that he dabbles in all the taboos while including different points of view represented by the different characters in the show. The exception is there isn't a permanent female perspective. (Click here to get more information about the characters.) Basically this show draws A LOT of controversy. More so than comedies like the Jeffersons, Good Times, In Living Color or The Chappelle Show combined. [my personal opinion] Bill Cosby must be tight!!!

I guess my fear is the exposure of ignorance will be extracted and not the real message that he intended on giving. I like the fact that the show demonstrates a behavior and provides a solution. It may not be the best but one nonetheless. The audience MUST have an open mind to gather all the messages. The message is never outrightly (is that a word?) obvious and requires vision through a needle's eye. Best results use the third eye. (the nogin)

DEFINITELY NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN!!!! They may find somethings hilarious but those same things that make us crack a smile are the things that should make us sad or upset.

"Live at the Barbeque"
-Main Source

This weekend was a my first gig/outing being a [music] selector for my homeboy's barbeque. I am not a DJ!! Not yet. More like a DJ in training. Daniel-san tryin' to snatch the pebble from Mr. Miyagi or did he wash his car? (Whatever!). Man, what a learning experience. I got what I put in. I didn't get to practice much. Especially with equipment that I used. Since my class (Scratch Academy) I've been using vinyl. Big transition from CD turntables!! (I prefer vinyl now!!) I worked for days to get my music together but I neglected to work on the playlist.(muy importante) I figured I would just remember it. Well a lot went wrong. It rained for a portion of the day so I figured that I could get out of it but it cleared up when I got there. I set up my equipment a day early except I wanted to use Serato Scratch Live since I had a plethora of music on my laptop. The day of the BBQ I spent most of the day looking for CD that would allow me to play the music from the computer. I never found it so I had to head over to Guitar Center before the BBQ to buy another one. I showed up so late. I should have hooked up the laptop a day earlier too. I interupted the sounds by trying to hook up Serato while the music was
playing. Lot of feedback and pauses. Not good. After I got it working the software was buggin out. Well its possible I didn't know how to use it properly with the CD turntables. Worst, I couldn't remember my playlist. I blacked out! Thank God for the Ipod 'cause that saved most of the day. The amp for the speakers kept going out once the volume exceeded the max too. At least that wasn't my fault cause that wasn't my amp. I did get to play but it was so sucky!! I was getting some heckling from a guest. I got a lot of people making requests. I was sweating buckets. VERY OVERWHELMING!! The host helped me out for most of the night. He was pretty #$%@ good considering he had little experience too.

All in all I learned a lot. Hopefully I can be better for the next party. I still had a good time. The food was MMMMM good. The ribs were phenominal and the jerk chicken was hotter than a groupie in the artist's bedroom. My boy, Pablo, got twisted again!! You can't take him anywhere they serve liquor. (umm AAA!! lol) I just know that there was a cup in his hand the whole night. His tolerance must be getting up there.

"Me and Kweli Close like Bethlehem and Nazareth"
quote from "Definition" by Mos Def and Kweli is Black Starr

I wanted to focus on duos in my blog because often we focus on the talent of only one individual but it was the combination that makes them awesome. (sorry could think of another word.) I orginally wanted to create a list but I hate prioritizing cause its often too debatable.

Field Mob: I slept on these two cats for years. I only liked "Sick of being lonely" but I figured that since they were down with Ludacris' Disturbing the Peace (and I think Luda is dopest) I should give these guys a chance. Now I am wondering what else have I missed. Lyrically its sharp as a Ginsu (really deadly sharp knife). The word play is sick. Production should have more fire. The Jazze Pha tunes are getting played to me.

The Clipse: I wasn't crazy about the beat on the first single but it grew on me hard. The album was much better although the content was pretty much the same. Lyrically it is so nuts. "Call me subwoofer cause I pump bass like that jack". WHEW WEE!! (sounds on a DJ Clue tape.) I hope they can keep the momentum on the next LP.

Nice & Smooth: Two opposites based on flow but they were the ish in the 90's. Template for all other duos. The entire catalog is classic. I can rap it up in one word. DWYCK!!. Those of you who don't know that's why ITunes exists. Step your game up. Too bad they went solo and was never heard again. Word is Smooth B is a Janitor in the Bronx.

EPMD: Erick and Parrish Made Dollars for many years. I can write a book on these dudes. They are pioneers beyond limits. Erick Sermon is one of the greatest music minds in hip-hop era right next to Premier and Dre. They are trend setters and and the mold for groups like Mobb Deep, Gangstarr.

Mobb Deep: Queen's Finest. (no brokeback!). "Been in the game for years made me an animal." The second album is classic beyond classic. "Shook Ones" is an anthem. "Survival of the Fittest"....an anthem as well. Although they have not been as successful as Jay-Z but they should. Havoc on production and Prodigy on the mic something got to give. Years in this industry does wear one down but these dudes kept their heads afloat though they could have easily and quickly disappeared. 50 [Cent] smart move [signing them to G-Unit records] but put some promotions so they can see some paper.

M.O.P.: I was never a fan of the first single, "How About Some Hardcore". But "Rugged Never Smooth" was my ish. Although they have never seen a gold or platinum plaque. they have platinum respect from all artists and fans. even enough for 50 to steal them from Roc-a-fella. Ante up, B#$%#!!

Smif-n-Wessun: aka Cocoa Brovas (wack name btw) I like Tek and Steele a lot because they flow tighter than Jay-z's lips droppin dime on his coke connects. I especially liked the fact that they would go back in forth in cuts like "Let's Get it On". First album is classic.

Capone-n-Noreaga: I was never a fan of "War Report" (I know I will get some hate for that.) I think lyrically they are not as superior as any of these I mentioned but they have a cult fan-base similar to Dip-Set. They have some success as solo artists but together they are the ish. I became a fan when [Ca]pone came home. "Blood Money part 3" sealed the deal for me. "Reunion" the album was the nail in the coffin.

Pete Rock & CL Smooth: Unlike his rhymes Pete's beats where off the chain. They were a new version of GangStarrr. CL held the group down lyrically. As a duo it was a force to be reckon. too bad they could not resolve their issues. CL's new single is fire.

Salt-n-Pepa: Fresh from getting a VH1 Hip-hop honnors award last year, these ladies paved the way for all ladies in Hip-hop. THey have sold more records then most of their male counterparts. Lyrically they may not be the illest but often the subject matter had more range than Jay-z could ever have if he repeated his career three times. They almost got excluded because the Spinderella picked up the mic a few times. Shout Herbie!!

Kid-n-Play: There party songs were hot during 90's. Although its as if they never existed but they sold millions of records with the assistance of genius Herbie "lovebug" Azor. They had it all: cartoons, comic books, and movie deals. I guess when the hightop fades got played out so did they.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince: During the early 90's Will Smith and Jeffery Townsend had a stage show like no other. It was basically as if Will was Jeff's hype man. Nonetheless they worked hard on their craft and have the album to prove it, "He's the DJ, I'm the rapper."

Meth and Red: THey are not a real duo but How High and the Rockwilda is the ish. The collaborations on were sick on each others repective solo albums but came a little short on their debut release. Although it is very unlikely that another album will spawn up. I still look forward to hear them go back and forth.

Ghostface Killah and Raekwon: Another non-tradional duo but "Iron man" and "Built for Cuban links" were classics LPs. their colaborrations went well. Although I thought in the beginning Tony Starks(ghost) rhymes skills was as impressive as U-god's it really stepped up thus getting the Phife Award, most improved emceee out of no where.

Black Starr: Fate brought them together but although it was an experiment gone right -its a gift and a curse. They each have well-respected solo careers Mos def and Talib Kweli but everyone is still waiting for another album. Each of them are cast in the shadow of black Starr and are expectd to perform together every where.

Run-DMC: Pioneers to the end. Sold millions. Broke all kinds of records. DMC's voice was the craziest before the loss. They have made themselves Kings forever. RIP JMJ. I like the show Run's House too.

Outkast- My favorite group. They have pushed the envelope each release and get better each time. Lyrically they are the most respected in the south. them boyz is ICE COLD!!!

BeatNuts: I was not a fan of them but I had friends that worked at Relativitly Records that used to be me over the head with that and Fat Joe. They are on my list because when Al-Tariq left it was the produciton that kept them in the spotlight. They have a lot of underground classics and they repped the Latinos hard.

Dogg Pound: Daz and Kurupt are the illest from the west!! I am extra excited that they have reunited because on the days on Death Row they were killing ish. I know age and separation did play its toll. However we still have the early releases to show how wicked they were. Despite their weak debut album.

Gangstarr: Refreshing to the utmost. Their contributions can and will never be compared to any other. I was not a fan about GURU's monotone style but it was clear and precise just like DJ Premier's skills on the 1 & 2. Production wise awesome.

I wanted to name a few more but the crossed the line some how of duos: Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slum Village, A tribe called quest, Jungle Brothers, BDP, 3rd Bass, Brand Nubians, Kool G. Rap & Polo .


OOOO!!! I almost forgot!!
Black Sheep: This was my favorite album on the planet "Wolf in sheeps Clothing" the skits, the orginality, the flow and on that note,"I'll dig you later"

"I said later, man!!"

"I need a Beat!!"
by LL Cool J

Kanye gets much love for producing banging songs. Well, back in the days that was your job, to produce a song that would bring the label money. So many people produced and don't get credit for their work: Fat Joe, Nas, Busta, Big Daddy Kane, Tribe called Quest, just to name a few. There's so much hype around production now that its become a very lucrative business. I have listed my top 15 in order so hate all you want my list is the real deal.

1) Marley Marl: He is the father of it all. Pure Genius. He is the Kool Herc of production. I think any of the people below will atest that Marley was their influence growing up. Rakim Allah mentioned it in a verse "Marley Marl synthesized, I memorized". Marley was the producer for all the Juice Crew and some for Uptown Records before Andre Harrel was Pres and before Puff could wipe his own nose.
Heavy D, Biz Markie, Kool G Rap. Big Daddy Kane, Shante, MC Shan just to name a few. Regardless of his beef with MC Shan, LL Cool J recognized Marley's talent and recruited him to do the entire allbum of Mama Said Knock You Out.
Peep "the Bridge" by MC Shan, "Dropping Science" by Craig G, "The Symphony"

2) Teddy Riley: I am not sure about all his history but he fathered the era called the "New Jack Swing" which crossed over into the R&B world. There are rumors that he jacked Marley. Regardless he worked with Guy, Today, Heavy D, Big Daddy Kane, Aaron Hall, Wrecks-n- Effect, Al B Sure, Bobby Brown and Father MC. His style incoroporated a lot of keyboard work. He eventually mentored Pharrell who also is on my list.
Peep "Just Got Paid" by Johny Kemp or "My Perogative" by Bobby Brown.

3) DJ Premier: I know some are freaking out by my order. Primo is back! He produced for almost every hip-hop artist in the industry BIG, Nas, Jay, Kane, Gangstarr, M.O.P, AZ. Mainstream, Underground, or R&B he has done it all. He is pure unadulterated genius. If cats copy your style then you are the master. Primo mastered the art of chopping samples to recreate new music. He is #3 because no one would know who M.O.P. and Group Home were if not for his classic beats, he used beats on a basic nobodies (no offense). I would love to see his record collection.
Peep "Living Proof" by Group Home or "Ain't No Other Man" by Christina Aguillera

4) Dr. Dre: Dre's drum patterns are sick. Track that you bump in the truck. Althought there are so many rumors that he has ghost producers such as Yella, Scott Storch, Melman. Regardless they may or may not been around for his entire discography. Doggystyle, the Chronic and 2000. All of them are the ultimately produced albums. Dre is a real perfectionist so technically he should be #3 but takes so long to put out material it limits the world to see his genius at work. With that said Busta's "The Big Bang" album is so tight because of Dre's productuion.
Peep "The Next Episode" by Dre, "Fast Lane" by Bilal, "The Set-Up" by Obie Trice "Heat", "In the Club" by 50 Cent, "Deep Cover" by Snoop Dogg

5) Jay Dee: My friends will be shocked that I gave Dilla his just due. But I have been a been a fan since the Pharcyde "Running" and "Drop" on Labcabincalifornia. He is the only one that does not have a distinct sound. Pete Rock is horns. Dre is drums. You can't spot a Dilla beat cause he pushes the envelope further than anyone in production. He is by far the most creative and innovative. He produced to his last days in the hospital bed. DEDICATION!!! He was a serious crate digger for samples. I remember hearing "Get Dis Money" on Slum Village and was open. The energy that he brings to Common, The Roots, A tribe Called Quest and Slum Village will be forever missed.

6) Timbaland: Originally he tried to produce for Jodeci but was rejected. over the past 10 years, Tim has made mega superstars out of Ginuwine, Missy Elliot, Aaliyah, Bubba Sparxx, Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, Magoo and Petey Pablo. Although there are some hot stuff that slipped the cracks like Kiley Dean and Ms. Jade, Brandy. He laced all of them including big name acts with some real fire without really having to do any sampling. Tim's is very keyboard heavy in his work which makes it a bit distinctive. He is so talented that he has retired from Hip-hop to produce for Nelly Furtado. He is the master for all the clones out there.
Peep "Dirt off your shoulder" by Jay-Z "Deliverance" by Bubba Sparxx

7) RZA: Well I let the god have the god number. The architect for everything Wu.(Well in the past) The abbott of Wu-Tang empire. He has produced for almost all 60 different artist that were seeds of this mighty empire before the ROC changed the game. His sampling selections is just sick. He must go thru at least 30 records a day. There is no way to describe his style but eclectic. He can flip any sample to somethign ill. All the debut album's of Wu-Tang, Raekwon, Ghostface, Method Man, RZa, GZa, was mostly single handedly produced by Bobby Digital aka Prince Rakeem aka RZA. Meth said it best "RZA,Razor sharp!!!
Peep "Daytona 500" by Ghostface or "La Rhumba" by RZA.

8) Erick Sermon: Next to Marley Marl, no one else has put in the amount of time in the industry focused on making music. His production can be found on Redman, Keith Murray, EPMD, DasEfx, Illegal and numerous projects. Very much like RZA, Erick handled most of the production for all the artists mentioned. He too was creative with sample manpulation.
Peep "The Most Beatifullest Thing" by Keith Murray, "Like Music" AND "Hot" by Erick Sermon.

9) Pete Rock: In the 90's he was the Kanye of our time. His production was sick. However my only beef is that his style was too similar to his mentor/protege Large Professor of Main Source. The difference was Pete used horn-based samples. LP used piano-based samples. PR's beats became more popular probably because of his relation to Heavy D. He was the sounds for the new cats in the early 90's. Grand Puba, Public Enemy, AZ, Nas have reached out for his production.
Peep "The World is Yours" by Nas or "Mecca and the Soul Brother" by Pete Rock and CL Smooth.

10) Neptunes: They have have come a long way from producing R&B songs for SWV to top singles for Busta or Jay-Z. Its hard to determine what sparked their success. I do know that Nore's "SuperThug" was a recylced track off MC Lyte's 7 and 7 album. Superthug did open the doors to produce for him to work with artist like ODB, Jay-Z and many more. A sign of their success is the ability to make new artsits. Clipse and Kelis would not exist without their production. I like the fact that he collaborated some of his production with Kanye and Timbaland on Pharrell's debut album. (at least the stuff that I perceive will be on it.)

10) D-Dot: I would've played him by not mentioning him. But when the "new jack swing" era collapesd at Uptown/MCA, Derick and Puff Daddy took their sound and style and created Bad Boy Records. Derick along with Ron Lawrence and Stevie J formed the Hitmen which is responsible for a huge portion of the hip-hop dance records of he late 90's and early 2000. "Benjamins" by Diddy, "Hypnotized" by Big, "Money Power Respect" by the LOX. Technically this goes to all the cats involved although D-Dot gets credit for the singles with major rotation. Personally I am not a huge fan but without him, Kanye West the ghost producer, may not have gone had a start.

11) Swizz Beatz: The guy is a problem!!! I mean lately since his returned he's been on fire. Swizz is a one man team that originally didn't sample to make music but now dabbles a bit to complete the song. His drum patterns are really sharp and heavy. Bass is priority on his sound. I think he strives on making music that damaging the speakers. But he uses a lot of keyboards and different sounds to enhance the production on a tune. Whether gritty and grimey or just soulful Swizz is that dude. ask X! ask Angie Stone! I am a HUGE fan.
Peep "Party Up" or "Get it on the Floor" by DMX "Touch it" by Busta Rhymes. "I'm a Hustla" by Cassidy.

12) Track Masters: Poke and Tone are the biggest producers of today, well the most expensive. TM worked with all the major players in Hip-hop and R&B from Nas to Micheal Jackson to Jay-Z to R. Kelly. But I think the most success was with Jay-Z. They may not be the most respected, possibly because they sampled really heavy with no manipulation. I can't really compare them to any of the producers mentioned above but they picked the right/popular records to sample. They have worked on both Jay-Z and R. Kelly's collaboration record. Worked with Dr. Dre for the Firm album. Those projects didn't do as well as they projected. 50 Cent was one of the artists that they intended to release but that project was plagued with drama. Although its said they have retired, I don't believe it.
Peep "Juicy" by Notorius BIG or "Best of me Remix" by Mya.

13) Just Blaze: He is young cat that even Erick Sermon wanted for his production skills. Just has produced some of the hottest songs for Jay-Z, Usher and many others. I think this dude has potential to be the Dr. Dre of the near future. His vision and range is sick. He samples, uses keyboards. he is the Man!!! He is like Dre, Premier, Kanye West and Neptunes rolled in one dude.
Peep "Safe 2 Say (incredible)" by Fat Joe, "Throwback" by Usher , "I Really Mean it" by Cam'ron, "React" by Erick Sermon. "Fire" Joe Budden, "Dear Summer" by Jay-Z

14) Kanye West: 'Ye is actually my favorite producer. "the new edition of Pete Rock." He is the most soulful producer right next to Just Blaze but not everything he has done is gold. He walks that thin line of success. Although his solo albums are the bomb but he is highly overated at times. A lot of the things he has done has been done already like the speeded samples were done by Alchemist. He does have a soulful sound which makes "You Don't Know My Name" feel like an old tune. He is heavily into using old soul samples but not restricted to it like "Lucifer" on Jay's the Black Album or "We are the Champions" on the Paid in Full Soundtrack. Kanye is over confident about his sound but the trouble is it doesn't work for all artists. which is why he is overated. I do like the fact that his confidence makes him an over achiever which was evident in Common's BE, West's Late Registeration, and John Legends' Get Lifted. His major competitor is himself trying to out do what he did the last time. His weakness is his selection of artists in his team other than Common the other cats don't hold a candle next to even 'Ye. Bunch of nobodies if you ask me.
Peep "Get by" Talib Kweli, "They Say" by Common "Brown Sugar" by Mos Def. "Selfish" by Slum Vilalge. "slow Jams" and "Overnight celebrity" for Twista, "Stand Up" by Ludacris

15) Alchemist: This was a hard decision. I originally had Scott Storch because he had that sound that kinda forced DJ's to play his song ever since "Lean Back". ALC should not be on this list for the amount of times he overbooked music to more than one artist. Regardless his sound is worth fighting for. What I like about him is he creates music for all cats across the board from headliners (50 cent) to underground come-up nuckas (AZ,Dilate Peoples, no offense). Now he's the official DJ for Eminem replacing Green Lantern. (dumb move on their part Green is sick too). There is more access to learn from Em, Dre, Denaun Porter or Sha Money XL. However he's in a bind to produce for cats 50 [cent] has beef with. Sad. His sample selection is nutso. He is a true talent with an ear that will give Kanye the run for his money.
Peep "Bangers"- the Alchemist, "Back Again" by Dilated Peoples, "We Gone Make it"by Jadakiss, "Book of Rhymes" and " MasterMind" by Nas, "Keep it Thoro" by Prodigy, "wet Wipes" by Cam'ron.

Honorable mention to the runner ups: Scott Storch, Clinton Sparks, Green Lantern, Mannie Fresh, Rockwilder (where've u been?), Cool & Dre (heating up), Havok, Lil Jon, BeatMinerz, Heat Makers,Jazze pha, Eminem, Wyclef and Jerry Wonder, Rodney Jerkins, Needlz, and boys on the come-up Bridge, BlackJay and Paul Onion.

"Don't worry if I write rhymes I write checks"
-P. Diddy in "Bad Boy 4 Life"

Ghostwriting is such an epidemic in the [hip-hop] game these days. I can't believe that Gillie da Kid is the Ghost Writer for Lil'Wayne. Well apparently, that is what he is telling any media that is willing to expose it (or him). That's sad, Wayne is supposed to be the "truth", a "beast" quoted by B.G. This is embarrassing to say the least. I hope this is a publicity stunt to give Gillie his "10 minutes" [of fame].

Ghostwriting is the biggest taboo in hip-hop. Right next to "down-low" rappers.(but that's for another day). There are teams of people that just write for folks like Shaquille O' Neal, Trina, [Lil'] Kim, Foxy [Brown], LL [Cool J], Will Smith, Diddy, Ja [Rule], Charlie Baltimore, [Dr.] Dre and the list is crazy long.

I can't knock anyone's hustle (the writer). If that is the way you make a living. By all means, Get that gwap!!! But be intelligent. Get credit!! If you own your publishing you are one step ahead of the game. If you get credit for it you're two steps ahead. I usually read the inserts on the CD to get an idea of sample sources, publishing, engineers, studios, producers, and writers. Unfortunately only a select few get credit. The rest get hush money. But what draws the line of value. What if your verse is on the hottest song out. Bottom line: get credit.

For example, Diamond (of Diggin in the Crates aka DITC) produced a song for The Fugees Score and was credited for it. He continues to recieve royalty checks for each CD sold till this day. Anyone credited for writing or producing on that CD gets royalties Rah Digga, Young Zee including unknowns like Omega. Jay-Z wrote the last song on the Space Jam CD which sold well over 9 million copies. Cee-lo Green cakes off on Santana's Supernatural.

What does Styles P, Skillz or Sauce Money get for writing for Diddy? The Shaft!! (no brokeback!!) (BTW Black Thought of the Roots is writing for Diddy's next release.) Eventally they got paid but no royalties. (Diddy, the Paper gangsta.)
Smitty got paid for writing for Will Smith. Rhymefest shared a Grammy award for "Jesus Walks" but no info on the "moula". At the same time both don't receive the noriety as their check writers.

It is infuriating when there are artist/ghost writers that have 10 times more skills, end up selling 10 times less than the artists that they wrote for. I once heard a version of "Queen B#$$#" with Notorious BIG spitting the entire song with all the tones and variations. Apparently he wanted Lil' Kim to repeat all of rhymes exactly as he did it. Best believe that is the exact song on Kim's 1st release,

Honestly, I'm disgusted by the idea of ghost writing only because hip-hop is supposed to be about authenticity. I am listening to YOUR interpretation of street life, YOUR accounts or stories. I want to hear YOUR talent. Delivery and presentation does maka a huge difference in sales but #$#@@.

"Keep it Real" they all say however most the artists in the industry wear cubic zirconia-laced jewlery. Its all about the Benjamin, baby. With that said. all Ghost writers all over the world get your paper, right. Get your credit that way u receive residual income and not that one time $50K that you spent on a watch.

Peace to all real writers those mentioned and those that will never get credit ever in this lifetime.
Shawn Pen, Skillz, Blake C, BT, Cam'ron, 50 cent, Common, Killa Mike, Ice Cube, Big L, Trick Daddy, Chamillionaire, Peter Gunz & Lord Tariq.

"It's all about the Benjamins, baby"
-except from Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Diddy whatever his name is.

It's like Dr. Dre leaving Death Row all over again. A man creates a company from the nothing but the sweat on his brow and walks away?!?! Dre was considered crazy back then. He must have lost $300 million but as resourceful as he is, he created AfterMath and left Suge Knight high and dry. AfterMath grossed so much with the success of Eminem and 50 Cent that Dre doesn't have to record for another decade. (Dre, just finish one more.)

However, this right here is absolute madness.... chaos.....Anarchy. Busta Rhymes was right. The last days must be coming. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet must have gotten the memo that only billionaires get. (Sorry Oprah. You're up there but not close enough.) Something fishy is going down. All the floods in NYC area is getting me petro. If he walked away from half his wealth it would still be admirable but $33 billion to charity. and another donation of the same amount by Warren Buffet. Come one?!? "Where is the Love??", BEP singing the background. If I were to get .0001% of that I can get a nice................ down payment for a BMW 745. okay I think I need a little more.

I got to do something new.
"Trying to make a dollar out of what makes sense," said by Mos Def.

"Friends. How many of us have them? THe ones you can depend on."
Quoted from Whodini's Friends

I'm not talking 'bout the long list of strangers on your hi-5 or myspace page. I'm talkin' 'bout the ones that got your back when the ish goes down. The ones that are happy for you when good things happen for you. I've been struggling with this word for years lately. In school, I knew a lot of people. I always introduced folks as, "this is my friend,......"

What's wrong with that, huh? Jesus addressed people as "brother", "friend" or "neighbor".

Apparently whomever I was dating had a problem because I called everyone my friend. I never took it as literal as they did but now I find myself questioning myself lately. Was she right? She would complain, "You call them your friend but are they really looking out for you?" For the most part there was some truth in what she said. My family is not excluded.

Sometimes women's intuition is on point. (I said SOMETIMES!!)

Friendships to me is like a train ride. Some people get onboard. Some people leave cause its their stop. Sometimes its just your top. Friends lie, cheat, steal and create a whole lot of pain. we wouldn't address them as friend but they can be doing all this behind your back. some friends are honest, helpful and giving and bring great deal good. Those are the ones we should keep in our company. shameful thing is we keep those triflin @$$ people in our lives regardless.

Unfortunately things can never be the same forever. We all evolve. I have problems with understanding that sometimes. I don't want my friend to move or get married because it will change the dynamics of our friendship. My ignorance makes it a slow process for me to understand that it strengthens our friendship or even easier to find the snakes in the grass.

This is the most difficult blog to write. I am a complex individaul. I ride between the thin line of friend and @$$hole. Neither of us will be here forever. Death has hit me a couple times this year. I would hate that I never tell my folks/peeps how I feel.

To all the ladies that have been in my life I thank you for helping me to be the man I am today, regardless of what sent us different directions.

I love all my REAL friends. They know who they are. They better know who they are. I make it obvious. :-)

THIS SHOULD BE MY LAST PERSONAL BLOG!! Back to the regularly schedule programming.