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Saturday, October 3, 2009
AN OLD XXL INTERVIEW BUT I LOVE THIS WOMAN!
On Her Earliest Hip-Hop Memories
Roxanne Shante was very “hood,” and because I grew up in the hood I felt as if she was speaking for all the little brown girls with hopes and dreams who came from pretty much nothing. Me and my girls would stand in the mirror with our hip-hop gear and outrageous hair and pretend we were them! As I grew older, hip-hop grew with me. As apart of my curriculum at Howard University, I had to study African American music, which prompted my love for jazz music. My relationship with The Native Tongues grew out of my appreciation for jazz, because that’s when I first started hearing jazz music infused with hip hop. I was madly in love with A Tribe Called Quest, The Brand Nubians and The Jungle Brothers.
On Her Favorite Artists
Biggie will always have a place in my heart and music collection even though his life was cut so short. For me, he was the voice of the East Coast hood, and I know if he were alive today I would have all of his albums. Love me some Roots ’cause they are just grown and sexy and they use a live band. Talib Kweli and Mos Def, because they are smart, lyrical geniuses. If you two should happen to be reading this, my soul needs another Black Star collabo! J Dilla, rest in peace. His ear for music was incredible. Common—another lyrical genius. Nasty Nas is just brilliant. Lil Wayne ’cause he can flow to the sound of a washing machine and make it hot! Kanye West because he takes risks. Mary J. Bleezy is my number one soul sister in R&B. She totally deconstructed and rebuilt herself in the public eye through her music and is still going strong. Her music has always spoken deeply to my soul. I often used so many of her songs to help me get where I needed to be emotionally in my work. Dwele, Raheem Devaughn, Musiq Soulchild, their sounds are so grown and sexy because they sing about love and life, not bumping and grinding. I don’t see nothing wrong with a little bump and grind. I just don’t need a whole album about it.
On Why She Loves Hip-Hop
It’s art! It’s poetry! People tried to hate on it back in the day saying it was just a phase, but it is here to stay. With each generation, hip-hop finds a new sound and a new life. People also said it was noise, but guess what? This noise sells a lot of product all over the globe in commercial spots, so hip-hop gets the last laugh.
On Her Favorite Movie Role
That would have to be Talk To Me. Working with Don Cheadle was a dream come true. He is the most talented male actor of our time. I think Vernelle, my character, showcased my range. She was some of everything a human can be. Of course the story was beautifully written and directed. Until then, I had never seen a love (friendship, that is) between two Black men on the big screen.
On Her Favorite Hood Movie
I know I’m not supposed to say that Baby Boy is my all time favorite hood movie, but I have to tell you, Baby Boy is my all time favorite movie. I can’t help it and I must tell the truth.
"WU-TANG DISPUTES ROYALTIES WITH GHOSTFACE" BY MR. R. TICULATE AT FUTUREOFRAPMUSIC.BLOGSPOT.COM
The iconic hip hop collective, the Wu Tang Clan, has completely changed the way rap artists approach the music business. Nine individually talented artists grouped together to become a rap super power. However, as likely to happen to any band of musicians or groups of recording artists, problems are bound to arise.
In 2005, a lawsuit had been filed by original Wu Tang Clan member Ghostface Killa, claiming that he did not receive music publishing royalties on early studio albums released by the group. The suit was filed against Wu Tang Clan Productions, owned and operated by the group's legendary super producer the RZA.
This is a recurring problem in the rap music business. Artists and producers work together, with no prior discussions to royalty shares. After much success is achieved by their music, disputes inevitably arise.
Remarkably, surviving members of the group still create and produce music together, and are still committed to the international brand that they have built. For instance group member Raekwon recently released the follow up to his street classic album "Only Built For Cuban Linx, Pt 2" which features many of the Wu Tang Members including RZA, Ghostface Killah, Methodman and Inspectah Deck.
How do we take proper measures to prevent a dispute such as this one from even arising in the first place? GET IT IN WRITING ! You've heard me write about this numerous times, always get your agreements in a tangible written form. Have you ever became involved in a dispute such as this one ?
"PRETTY WHEN YOU CRY," BY TRICIA J. TAYLOR
Pushing the length of your hair back and out of your face,
Watching streams of tears fight to fall at a frenzied pace,
Pain seeps through the brave gasps you take.
A fight to hold back screams,
Both of us in fetal position, holding on to love gone like crack fiends,
Sucking at the air looking for the love they say blooms in spring breeze,
Eyes to the sky looking for who's hearing our lovelorn pleas.
If we love each other, how can this be the end?
How can a love lost become just a friend?
How can forever be just these years?
And what happened to the love that erased all my fears?
Is this the same place I used to call my home?
How can this be now we're both alone?
Twelve seasons come and gone, met us together,
Like the strongest of oaks, we've lasted all weather,
So why now, what once so strong is light as a feather?
And here while you try to brush away my tears you forget,
That we've both changed from the day we first met,
And less than a blessing, both filled with regret.
We fought like wolves caught under a full moon,
And prayed that the waning of the signs came soon.
Year after year resolutions brought butterflies from cocoons.
I used to believe that love conquered all,
But this is proof that even love can't make a short man tall,
And no miracles can be made without rainfall.
Rainfall was one thing, we sat trapped in a thunderstorm,
Swirling in a hurricane running on hearts torn,
Amidst a disaster of which no good could be born.
Hearts broken. Tears dried.
Burns earned from all we tried
Gripping each other, this the last time
And through it all You're Still Pretty When You Cry.
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