It’s the never-ending discussion. Who are the greatest rappers of ALL time?
Most hip hop heads will talk influence, lyrics, sales, flow, success and more, to convince others why their top rappers should be at the top of the list.
I was elated to talk about my Top 3 rappers of all time on Revolt TV. DJ Damage, television host and on-air personality on Real 92.3, moderated the conversation between me and TV Executive, Pat Charles.
Watch as we discuss the difference between a rapper and a MC, and tell who we think are the greatest rappers of all time!
I reached out to a Baltimore native who has been on the streets protesting and asking for justice in the case surrounding Freddy Gray. (Update:The six officers were charge with homicide.)
He has been on various news outlets including CNN to ensure that rival gangs are not rioting and making a truce to harm police officers. Instead, they’re uniting and trying to make a change. Listen to our interview below where we discuss the current scene in Baltimore, his response to people suggesting members of the street organizations are hypocrites, and what happens next. I also found out he has a single called, “Where Were You” so we touch on that as well.
It seems too often we are losing our Black men and women to a police officer’s hands, or gun, these days. I’m saddened every time I hear of another case. There is Eric Garner. Tamir Rice. Ezell Ford. Michael Brown. Sean Bell. Oscar Grant. And the list goes on.
The latest case surrounds Freddy Gray who suffered spinal injuries after being held in police custody. He died soon after. Since then, people have taken their frustrations to the streets of Baltimore. The images on some television and social media networks portray us in a negative light because they show the rioters instead of the peaceful protestors. They claim gang members are uniting to “take-out law enforcement officers.” Well some of the Bloods and Crips got together and talked to a reporter to shed light on what’s really going on. Watch the video below.
I scroll through my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram timelines during these tragic incidents, and I’m taken aback at some of the commentary. There are two sides. Some people understand the rioting while others don’t. Rioting is not right, but I understand it. People are angry. ANGRY!!! Outsiders are more upset over the rioting than the murder. We’re losing our brothers and sisters daily. Losing a life is much different than vandalism. The latter isn’t right, but it can be fixed.
And while we’re speaking on gangs, let’s talk. While we’re speaking about Black men, let’s talk.
On another side of my timeline, I see people who say, “Well Blacks kill Blacks all of the time.” Hmm. So does that justify a police officer killing a Black man or woman? I get what you’re saying. You think we can’t get upset because we’re killing each other. I see. But, you do know that if a Black man kills another that the killer will get punished, right? The issue is, some policemen are getting away with murder. They get suspended. They’re on paid leave. And they’re still alive.
I’m not condoning gang violence or rioting, but I also don’t condone police brutality. America, wake up!
What are your thoughts?
“If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” – Malcolm X
Like, a caramel, butterscotch, toffee complexion, but some people still refer to me as a light skin girl. Whatever, it’s all good.
It seems to me that when “Dark Girls” came out everyone was cool and understanding, but once word got out that “Light Girls” would air then there was a problem, as if light girls don’t have their own struggles. I watched the “Light Girls” documentary and identified with some of the commentary, and was taken aback by some of the things the guys had to say. (I think that segment could have been left out completely.) In all, I understand that colorism still exists, BUT…we’re all Brown girls, facing a lot of similar struggles in society. Remember, we are still Black.
Since my mother is a lighter shade, she wrote a poem about “Light Girls.”. Read it below and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
“PREJUDICES”
Here I Go Again
Hearin’ Comments ‘Bout My Light Skin
This Is How I Was Born
My Complexion That I Adorn
Why Do You Think My Dad Is White
‘Cause My Birth Certificate Says I’m Bright?
You’re Showin’ Your Stupidity
I Love The Way That God Made Me
If You Don’t – Then You Have The Problem
Check Your Ways And Try To Solve Them
Are You Hatin’ Your Own Race
Or Not Satisfied With Your Own Face?
Leave Me Be – I’ve Had Enough
With All The Prejudice And Stuff
Can’t We All Just Get Along
Instead Of Pointin’ Out What’s Wrong
Our God Is Wise And Colorful
He Created Us Different And Each Wonderful
Red and Yellow, Black or White
We’re All Precious In His Sight
Blondes, Brunettes, Blue Eyes Or Brown
Long Hair, Short Hair, Skinny Or Round
Tall Or Short, Straight Or Gay
One Is No Better Is What I Say!
It’s Hard Enough To Accept Ones Self
Buildin’ Our Own Image Is All That’s Left
No Need To Be On The Defense
Towards People Who Keep Thinking This Nonsense
The World Can Be A Better Place To Live
If You Choose To Live Life Being Positive
If We Just Followed God’s Golden Rule
“Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You”
Thank You Jesus
Hip Hop Legend Snoop D-O-Double-G has been under fire lately with his latest Instagram posts. It all started on Sunday when he reposted a meme about hip pop (no typo) artist, Iggy Azalea. The photo reads “Iggy With No Make Up.” Some people laughed. Some people said he was being disrespectful. But he didn’t post anymore about the Aussie rapper until she got offended and tweeted that Snoop was being “such an as* for no reason.”
Afterwards, Snoop started posting countless memes and instavideos geared towards the “fancy” rapper. (Since then, Snoop has apologized after T.I. gave him a call)
This is my thing: There is no room for sensitive rappers. There are certain elements that make up hip hop culture, including the MC. Rappers have egos and always try to claim the title as the “best rapper alive” and some beefs develop in the process. But then what happens? There’s usually something called a rap BATTLE! Roxanne Shante was 14-years-old when she freestyled over a dope beat to call out some other rappers. She even proved she could hold her own in this male-dominated industry when she responded to KRS-One in her 1987 track, “Have a Nice Day.” So beef has nothing to do with race, age or gender.
It’s about hip hop.
Snoop was merely joking and if you scroll through his Instagram feed you would see that he contantly post silly photos. In no way am I defending him on his language towards Iggy, but I do believe there are certain requirements that come with being a hip hop artist. I wish Iggy would have clapped back to show everyone why she’s worthy of the six American Music Award nominations, or why she deserved the BET: Who Blew Up Award from the Hip Hop Awards. But people have speculated that she doesn’t write her own rhymes, and perhaps that’s the reason she didn’t respond. Hmmm…
You have to show and prove in hip hop. “First thing’s first…I’m the realest.” The realest what? Rapper? Prove it! Snoop Dogg obviously had no chill when it came to Iggy, and I doubt real hip hop heads have any chill with her after this incident.
What do you think about this rap “beef”? Do you think hip hop is changing? What do you think of Snoop’s actions? How about Iggy as a rapper?
#OntheRunHBO was trending worldwide last night as millions watched Beyoncé and Jay-Z get all lovey dovey on stage. I had a few thoughts while watching the show.
1) The way Beyoncé can just drop it down to the floor and pick it up with no problems? Yea, I’m jealous. (And by “it” I mean her arse.) Like, there would definitely be a struggle there if it was me. I might actually stay down for a minute just to catch my breath and my balance! tuh!
2) Can I get the coffee or energy drink that Beyoncé sips because her energy is crazy! This lady gives 100% in every performance. I wanted to stop and breathe for her!
3) I need to workout. I mean, Beyoncé is older than me, has a baby, and she’s all fit and stuff. I need to get my sh*t together.
4) Which brings me to this point. I miss my dance team days. This lady inspires me to start dancing again. Maybe I will take up a pole dancing class or Zumba. That should do the trick. Driver roll up the partition pleeeeeeeeease!!!!!!!! 😉
5) Ok, WHO is Beyoncé talking about in the song, “Resentment” because she gets teary-eyed every time she performs the record as though she’s reliving that moment. Is it really Bad girl Rih like everyone suggested before? Fill me in! She sang, “I gotta look at her in her eyes and see she’s had half of me. She ain’t even half of me!” Damn! I wanted to yell, “IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY Bey!!!!!!!!!!!” But I think she’s cool now.
6) Beyoncé got a little hood in her. The way she was mean muggin, giving stank faces, throwing up 3rd Ward like it’s her set. Yea… good girl gone bad, or nah? Get it, Gangsta Bey! I’m not even mad.
7) I think I was a rapper in my past life. I forgot how many hits Jay-Z has!!! Every time he performed I hopped off of my couch, put on my East Coast accent and started rhyming like I was a part of his crew! Jiggaaaa!!!! You would think Jay and I had some collabos or something! All I needed was a gold chain, timbs, puffy coat, beanie…ok, I’ll stop.
8) Jay and Bey are drunk in love. I know they’re professionals, and it could be an act, BUT I think these two are still in love despite the divorce rumors. The spark in their eyes, the kisses…ahhh. Love is in the air. At the end of the show, Beyonce said: “It’s been an honor. I’m your biggest fan. I love you so much. Give it up for Mr. Carter.” She had tears in her eyes! He responded: “I wanna say it’s been an honor and a pleasure to share the stage with you. I couldn’t dream of anything else than being in a stadium with the woman I love, who I believe is the greatest entertainer of our time. Make some noise for Beyonce! Thank you Paris, France for a beautiful night! We will never forget this!” Aw! Watch one of their performances below!
**Beyoncé and Jay-Z perform Drunk in Love.**
9) Ok, my eyes started sweating a little bit when they showed a montage of Blue Ivy on the big screen during their last performance. AHHHHHHHHH! Like, I wanted a Blue Ivy. A husband and a baby. Then the show was over and I snapped back to reality REAL quick, but it was cute for the moment!
10) And last but not least… WHERE MY RING AT?!!!!!! She always says that during her “Single Ladies” performance but it really has me wondering. Hmm…where….is my ring?!!!
