A.D.: You know what? I just want to tell you that when I see you, I don’t see color. I actually don’t see any color anywhere in the world at all. Just want you to know that before we get into this conversation. But I do want you to know that I think it’s marvelous how articulate you are. Okay. That’s all. How about some racism?
Blake: Thanks, sir. I echo those same sentiments in regards to you. In response to your racism question, yes, how about some racism? Wait, is it going to be that new age, passive-aggressive racism or that old-school, in-your-face, stewed-to-perfection racism? It matters, you know?
A: Yes, it does. Thank you for asking for clarification. I prefer the old-school brand, with signs and songs, with ‘Separate But Equal’ sounding like a good deal, but everyone understanding that it means those who dictate the separation are really just letting you know your place. That brand of racism is the kind I want. The kind that makes you aware of your blackness…or lack thereof. Speaking of which, how aware are you of your blackness in your everyday life (in the presence of black and non-black people)? I ask you that to get to the more pressing question: Do you ever find yourself altering your behavior for the purpose of making yourself seem “safer” for other people who are very apparently aware of your blackness?
B: I agree. That brand of racism eliminates a lot of unnecessary uncertainty. It lets you know exactly where people stand. It’s certainly better than walking on eggshells or pretending like racism doesn’t exist. Everyone’s aware of it but it’s almost as if it’s taboo now. I’d much rather know that someone thinks less of me because of my skin color than to not know, befriend that person, and find out later. I’m very aware of my blackness though. In a perfect world, there would be no reason to have to maintain that awareness but time and time again, it’s been made painfully obvious that it does, in fact, matter. On top of that, I’m a fairly towering individual. Pair that along with my skin color and I’m sure I fit the description of a person who’s up to no good. There are times when I’m forced to muster a smile when approaching non-blacks just to communicate to that person that I pose no threat or I mean no harm. And this only came about from having to witness the reactions I received when I didn’t “caution” that person that I was indeed “safe”. Extremely sad state of affairs but it’s the hand I was dealt. I’m sure you can relate. Do you have any similar experiences?
A: When I was in college I was told by a mentor to “wear a tie every day, regardless of what your co-workers wear.” This mentor so happened to be a black man who wore a tie every day. He never really attached race to the advice, but over the years I have come to discover that there are racial implications to that—appearance is important, and a big part of my appearance is the color of my skin. That is a fact that cannot be denied. I think that we all have an awareness of ourselves from situation to situation, and I know that I act accordingly—intentionally making an effort to show through outward gestures—a smile, small-talk, etc.—that I’m not a menacing person. But I have times where I forget that I’m not at work and I don’t have a tie on—I’m wearing a hoodie, and people’s reactions are strange (in my eyes), and I’m reminded of what I must look like to them, whatever that means (and I’m sure it means a lot). I don’t really let it bother me, though. What it makes me realize, though, is that if I can forget about it, what about the kids who never learn that they may be treated differently because of the color of their skin, and even more so because of the color of their skin combined with the way they dress? Is this a conversation you think parents need to be having with their children? And is this a conversation that should only be occurring in black homes? And even more, is it necessary for the parents of a non-black child to have to tell their child that not only can you not judge a kid based on his skin color, his choice of clothing should be of no consequence as well?
B: This is definitely a conversation that parents need to have with their children, so long as the message isn’t put forth in a way that would lead to the child looking for or anticipating discrimination. Responsibly informing your children is much better than pretending like these issues are nonexistent. Simply hoping that your children never have to experience such a situation is a terrible approach. In a perfect world, this conversation would occur in black AND non-black homes, but that would first require the parents to address and acknowledge these issues themselves. And judging by society today, we haven’t even gotten to that point yet, let alone passing it along to our children. Parents can teach their children life lessons and rights & wrongs until they’re blue in the face, but children are more likely to replicate the actions of their parents, not just their words alone. It honestly has the potential to be a difficult fix. There’s a whole culture that needs changing. And that brings me to this question. Regarding discrimination and racism, do you ever realistically see it going away completely? And if that’s possible, what steps are needed to accomplish that? Should our end goal be to eradicate entirely or simply minimize?
A: Racism and discrimination will not go away. So long as there are differences between people, people will treat people differently because of them. What’s important, I think, is awareness of difference, acknowledgment of difference, acceptance of difference, and ultimately proficiency in understanding that these differences make us better, not worse. I say awareness, acknowledgment, acceptance and proficiency because I think that we are told a lot to teach tolerance, and tolerance is what has gotten us to where we are. We are taught to put up with one another despite our disdain or dislike…and we hardly ever get past tolerance. Once something happens, such as the case with Trayvon Martin, where race is easily attached to the crime (or cause[s] thereof), all that tolerance goes out the window, and we seem to start back at square one. If we have awareness, acknowledgment, acceptance and proficiency (or striving toward proficiency in understanding our differences), then we can have all that you mention above, and not have to worry much about the issues that are currently only spoken about in hushed tones amongst people who are speaking to others they feel believe the same as they do about all things pertaining to race. But that’s in a perfect world. For now, I guess we have to deal with the brand of racism we have, right?
B: Correct, because this world isn’t perfect and it never will be. Plus, there will always be people who label every unfortunate situation involving themselves and another race as racist, whether it truly is or not. I’m sure there’s a black person somewhere ready to accuse Microsoft of racism because the dictionary in Microsoft Word doesn’t recognize “Trayvon” as a real word. These type of people really exist. So, steps need to be taken on both sides before we see any substantial results in society. Until then, Black people will just keep being _______ who eat _______ & __________ and don’t ____. White people will continue being ________ who ______-____ their ____ and can’t ____ or _____. Asian people will continue being ______ who ____ their ____, love ___________ and can’t _____. And Mexican people will continue being _____ who are ____, smell like _____ & ____, and are probably here _________.
Monday, March 26, 2012
...about the Life and Legacy of The Notorious B.I.G.
A.D.: Canibus, I think, summed up lots of people's thoughts in "Second Round K.O." describing BIG with the line, "The Greatest Rapper of All-Time died on March 9th..." Well, It's been 15 years. The first question is (1) Do you think Canibus had it correct, and the second question is (2) If Canibus was correct does it still hold true?
Blake: Canibus hit the nail on the head when he spit that line. At the time, I believe the general consensus was that BIG was the greatest doing it. So I believe he was correct but I'm not too sure if that's still the case today. People will always let him hold that honorary title if for no other reason than the fact that he's gone and it's seemingly the ‘Hip-Hop’ thing to do. It's a bit hard for me to give him that title just off potential alone though. His two albums were both very ill but you can't wear the 'Greatest Rapper of All-Time' crown forever off the merit of just two studio albums.
A: Well, I don’t know if I agree with Canibus’ assessment, but I guess if he was saying it to make a point, I can ride with it…and it was an ill line in an ill song. But I do agree with the fact that there wasn’t an opportunity for BIG to ‘defend’ the crown even if he did have it, which brings on the question (with no disrespect to ‘the late great veteran’) Who would you call the GOAT right now, if not BIG?
B: I’ll preface my next statement by clarifying that I absolutely despise GOAT rankings & titles in any competitive arena, whether it’s Hip-Hop or sports, because it’s too hard of a title to justify. But for the sake of the argument, I don’t see how you can give this title to any emcee other than Jay-Z. His résumé is pretty impressive. He has classic albums, countless classic songs, impeccable flow, superior pen game, longevity, maintained respectability while achieving mainstream success, an all-time classic battle under his belt, among many other things. And he has Beyoncé. Sure, BIG had Faith Evans but Jay is CLEARLY the victor in that battle. BIG was great, and an all-time great, but his résumé simply pales in comparison. You’ve already made it clear that you don’t agree with Canibus’ assessment, so if not BIG, who would you give that GOAT title to?
A: Man, I should have known that question was going to come back to haunt me. I always like to say that I’m more a fan of songs than any particular artist, because there is no artist that I simply ride with all the way. There are some that are more consistent than others. I also know that we said we wouldn’t bring this man into this conversation seeing as how the occasion is March 9th and not September 13th, but if I had to give the title to someone based on the aforementioned parameters (flow, albums, pen skill, songs, longevity, respectability…and even consorts [not to be confused with concerts]), I would have to go with Tupac Shakur. I’ll have to say that “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory” is an album that I still have in heavy rotation. And a certified classic in my opinion. Tupac was also the only rapper that both convinced me to act recklessly AND read a book (the FIRST book I’d read without it being assigned). I can’t say he was as gifted an emcee as BIG, or even Jay, but if I’m naming the GOAT, I don’t see the argument against Pac. But like I said, this is BIG’s day, and we will leave Pac out of it.
What is your favorite Biggie song? And I don’t want the ‘why’ of the song, I want a memory of yours associated with the song. Like what were you doing in life when you listened to that and thought, “This guy is nice on the mic.”?
B: “I gots to talk. I gotta tell what I feel. I gotta talk about my life as I see it! …Biggie!”
I shouldn’t even have to say what my favorite Biggie song is after that. The classic Mad Rapper skit at the beginning, the aggression from BIG, the classic beat from Premier! Like… seriously?! Who samples “I Put A Spell On You”? And makes it sound that ill? But I remember vividly wondering what all the hype was about regarding “Life After Death”, so I traded a classmate my copy of “It Was Written” for his copy of “Life After Death”. Well, I definitely found out how dope the album was and “Kick In The Door” just always stood out to me. I had no idea who he was talking to or about at the time but I just remember feeling like he felt every single word he rapped. I wanted to lyrically diss the nearest emcee after hearing that song. I didn’t even want my “It Was Written” album back after that. I felt the song so much that I chose to perform it with a friend in our school’s lip-syncing showcase … unedited and everything. Why they didn’t screen the songs beforehand, I have no clue. Needless to say, our song was cut short and they moved onto the next act expeditiously. But this is still one of my favorite BIG joints of all time, up to this very day. With that being said, Dilla I’ll need you to answer that same question. Also, do you think his albums/songs have aged well? Do they still hold up well next to today’s Hip Hop music?
A: Hilarious that your school had a lip-syncing contest. I will say that mine would have to have been “One More Chance/Stay With Me (Remix)” and it was primarily because of the sample, but also because of his lyrics. There are so many of his songs that I listen to now that still hold up, but that track there was the perfect illustration of BIG’s appeal. He was able to maintain all of his Hip-Hop sensibilities while appealing to women and simultaneously appealing to the masses. It just makes me remember when Hip-Hop seemed like a community. I know there were beefs and such, but look at that video and see the wide range of artists…remember the time period when it was released. I was wanting to be like Method Man back then, I loved Nas, too. Tupac as well. I was listening to 8 Ball & MJG, but BIG had the dopest song out, and it was on the radio, TV and in people’s cars. And he said, “once she grin I’m in—game begins”…you believed that he believed what he was saying. He was “black and ugly as ever”…but the persona, the wit, the rhymes—they all worked. I remember not being a fan, sitting there in front of the television watching the video. Back in those days video shows showed videos. Rappers were like real deal heroes (or villains if they didn't like your favorite rapper) to kids like me. I wanted to hate, but I couldn't--at least not on that song. He was nice.
B: Nice. That’s one of the most cameo-heavy videos that I can remember. I always remember wondering as a kid why the lady singing needed one more chance though. What did she do that Biggie was so apprehensive about letting go? Oh well, classic song nevertheless. It’s just a shame that we’ll never know how much of an impact he could/would have had. What would be different? Would he have continued to release such stellar albums? Would Nas & Jay-Z have even had a New York crown to battle over? Would Diddy have tried to put him on a joint with Day 26 and/or Danity Kane on the hook?
A: Well, Hip-Hop told me that every girl, no matter who she was, had to beg for one more chance after the last chance she had, even if she’d done nothing wrong. That’s some real world manhood training there!!
But if BIG was still around? That’s the big “what if?” I look at it like this: BIG was King because he said it and nobody disputed it. Wu-Tang was the Greatest because they said it, and nobody disproved them. Diddy—Diddy was a cheerleader, a sidekick. In the grand hierarchy, I imagine him as a jester. You don’t let a jester decide a King’s legacy. When the throne is empty people scramble to make it their own. There would have been no such fiasco had BIG not been murdered. There would also have been no Shyne or Guerrilla Black. No hate to Diddy, but I think he did as much a disservice to BIG’s legacy as anyone with his cheesecake affinity, name changes, TV show, rap career and overall existence post ’97. Hip-Hop is definitely worse off with BIG gone, and to quote Royce the 5’9”…“everybody claimin’ they best and head the throne since BIG gone. If you ask me, they Dead Wrong.” Hip-Hop misses that kind of greatness.
Blake: Canibus hit the nail on the head when he spit that line. At the time, I believe the general consensus was that BIG was the greatest doing it. So I believe he was correct but I'm not too sure if that's still the case today. People will always let him hold that honorary title if for no other reason than the fact that he's gone and it's seemingly the ‘Hip-Hop’ thing to do. It's a bit hard for me to give him that title just off potential alone though. His two albums were both very ill but you can't wear the 'Greatest Rapper of All-Time' crown forever off the merit of just two studio albums.
A: Well, I don’t know if I agree with Canibus’ assessment, but I guess if he was saying it to make a point, I can ride with it…and it was an ill line in an ill song. But I do agree with the fact that there wasn’t an opportunity for BIG to ‘defend’ the crown even if he did have it, which brings on the question (with no disrespect to ‘the late great veteran’) Who would you call the GOAT right now, if not BIG?
B: I’ll preface my next statement by clarifying that I absolutely despise GOAT rankings & titles in any competitive arena, whether it’s Hip-Hop or sports, because it’s too hard of a title to justify. But for the sake of the argument, I don’t see how you can give this title to any emcee other than Jay-Z. His résumé is pretty impressive. He has classic albums, countless classic songs, impeccable flow, superior pen game, longevity, maintained respectability while achieving mainstream success, an all-time classic battle under his belt, among many other things. And he has Beyoncé. Sure, BIG had Faith Evans but Jay is CLEARLY the victor in that battle. BIG was great, and an all-time great, but his résumé simply pales in comparison. You’ve already made it clear that you don’t agree with Canibus’ assessment, so if not BIG, who would you give that GOAT title to?
A: Man, I should have known that question was going to come back to haunt me. I always like to say that I’m more a fan of songs than any particular artist, because there is no artist that I simply ride with all the way. There are some that are more consistent than others. I also know that we said we wouldn’t bring this man into this conversation seeing as how the occasion is March 9th and not September 13th, but if I had to give the title to someone based on the aforementioned parameters (flow, albums, pen skill, songs, longevity, respectability…and even consorts [not to be confused with concerts]), I would have to go with Tupac Shakur. I’ll have to say that “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory” is an album that I still have in heavy rotation. And a certified classic in my opinion. Tupac was also the only rapper that both convinced me to act recklessly AND read a book (the FIRST book I’d read without it being assigned). I can’t say he was as gifted an emcee as BIG, or even Jay, but if I’m naming the GOAT, I don’t see the argument against Pac. But like I said, this is BIG’s day, and we will leave Pac out of it.
What is your favorite Biggie song? And I don’t want the ‘why’ of the song, I want a memory of yours associated with the song. Like what were you doing in life when you listened to that and thought, “This guy is nice on the mic.”?
B: “I gots to talk. I gotta tell what I feel. I gotta talk about my life as I see it! …Biggie!”
I shouldn’t even have to say what my favorite Biggie song is after that. The classic Mad Rapper skit at the beginning, the aggression from BIG, the classic beat from Premier! Like… seriously?! Who samples “I Put A Spell On You”? And makes it sound that ill? But I remember vividly wondering what all the hype was about regarding “Life After Death”, so I traded a classmate my copy of “It Was Written” for his copy of “Life After Death”. Well, I definitely found out how dope the album was and “Kick In The Door” just always stood out to me. I had no idea who he was talking to or about at the time but I just remember feeling like he felt every single word he rapped. I wanted to lyrically diss the nearest emcee after hearing that song. I didn’t even want my “It Was Written” album back after that. I felt the song so much that I chose to perform it with a friend in our school’s lip-syncing showcase … unedited and everything. Why they didn’t screen the songs beforehand, I have no clue. Needless to say, our song was cut short and they moved onto the next act expeditiously. But this is still one of my favorite BIG joints of all time, up to this very day. With that being said, Dilla I’ll need you to answer that same question. Also, do you think his albums/songs have aged well? Do they still hold up well next to today’s Hip Hop music?
A: Hilarious that your school had a lip-syncing contest. I will say that mine would have to have been “One More Chance/Stay With Me (Remix)” and it was primarily because of the sample, but also because of his lyrics. There are so many of his songs that I listen to now that still hold up, but that track there was the perfect illustration of BIG’s appeal. He was able to maintain all of his Hip-Hop sensibilities while appealing to women and simultaneously appealing to the masses. It just makes me remember when Hip-Hop seemed like a community. I know there were beefs and such, but look at that video and see the wide range of artists…remember the time period when it was released. I was wanting to be like Method Man back then, I loved Nas, too. Tupac as well. I was listening to 8 Ball & MJG, but BIG had the dopest song out, and it was on the radio, TV and in people’s cars. And he said, “once she grin I’m in—game begins”…you believed that he believed what he was saying. He was “black and ugly as ever”…but the persona, the wit, the rhymes—they all worked. I remember not being a fan, sitting there in front of the television watching the video. Back in those days video shows showed videos. Rappers were like real deal heroes (or villains if they didn't like your favorite rapper) to kids like me. I wanted to hate, but I couldn't--at least not on that song. He was nice.
B: Nice. That’s one of the most cameo-heavy videos that I can remember. I always remember wondering as a kid why the lady singing needed one more chance though. What did she do that Biggie was so apprehensive about letting go? Oh well, classic song nevertheless. It’s just a shame that we’ll never know how much of an impact he could/would have had. What would be different? Would he have continued to release such stellar albums? Would Nas & Jay-Z have even had a New York crown to battle over? Would Diddy have tried to put him on a joint with Day 26 and/or Danity Kane on the hook?
A: Well, Hip-Hop told me that every girl, no matter who she was, had to beg for one more chance after the last chance she had, even if she’d done nothing wrong. That’s some real world manhood training there!!
But if BIG was still around? That’s the big “what if?” I look at it like this: BIG was King because he said it and nobody disputed it. Wu-Tang was the Greatest because they said it, and nobody disproved them. Diddy—Diddy was a cheerleader, a sidekick. In the grand hierarchy, I imagine him as a jester. You don’t let a jester decide a King’s legacy. When the throne is empty people scramble to make it their own. There would have been no such fiasco had BIG not been murdered. There would also have been no Shyne or Guerrilla Black. No hate to Diddy, but I think he did as much a disservice to BIG’s legacy as anyone with his cheesecake affinity, name changes, TV show, rap career and overall existence post ’97. Hip-Hop is definitely worse off with BIG gone, and to quote Royce the 5’9”…“everybody claimin’ they best and head the throne since BIG gone. If you ask me, they Dead Wrong.” Hip-Hop misses that kind of greatness.
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