"Stakes is High"
by De la Soul

Back like I never left. Long time no write. Well, I haven't been busy but got a case of writer's block. I have mad ideas but none completed. Hopefully I can post them soon. I think I'll soon change my name from infinite to Scatterbrain cause my thoughts are infinitely all over the place.

I was listening to the opening skit on the De la Soul's "Stakes is High" LP. It featured responses by a number of artists that remenisced on the first time they heard hip-hop. I vaguely remember the first time it was over 2 decades ago. I know it was the Sugar hill Gang but I can't recall where I hear it. But I do remember the effect of folks in the hood when "Critical Breakdown" by Ultramagnaetic MCs or "My Melody" by Rakim resonnated over the large radios that folks caried over their shoulders a long while prior to the ipod generation.

The truth is the stakes is high!!! The lyrics are so relevant to our present day.
"Yo, it's about love for cars, love for funds
Loving to love mad sex, loving to love guns
Love for opposite, love for fame and wealth
Love for the fact of no longer loving yourself, kid"

So many listeners are making comments that Hip-hop is dead. Yes and no. Some folks want to be challenged with better material. The ability to make the millions is not happening as quickly because the industry is overly saturated with DJs, MCs, VJs, Singers, photographers, producers, CDs, Mixtapes, DVDs, etc. So don't go blaming 50 Cent, Lil' Jon or Jay-Z for f***in up the game. They partially responsible but its time to open doors or part the seas like Moses for the true artists i.e. Lupe Fiasco. I wasn't a fan until I analyzed the lyrcics on Food and Liqour. Whew!! That boy got heat!! Until next time.