"Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, lookin like a fool with your pants on the ground..."

Sometimes, there are things that I just don’t understand.

I know that when there’s something you just can’t understand or come to terms with then you have to be comfortable enough with yourself to look away and not let it bother you, but it’s definitely something of a different circumstance watching this situation develop.

In short, it seems like ignorance is evolving. Maybe it’ll change for the better, but right now, it seems like it is in more places than normal, and embodied by more people than normal. The best examples of this all lie in the now-rotating rap music on the radio.

Firstly, you have Soulja Boy. He was famous originally for making a dance and then being put on by Mr. Collipark (who was hot at the time for making beats for southern acts such as The Ying Yang Twins, David Banner, Bubba Sparxxx, etc). He then took that popularity, platformed into other new dances, and literally became one of the first rap artists to use the internet aggressively to market himself.

The problem with him is that he was a kid at the time, but as time progressed, his kidlike mentality (and rhyme schemes) stayed the same. It actually seems like he acts WORSE and raps WORSE than he used to, which is not flattering at all if you consider anyone can write his raps for him.

Then there’s Lil B, who’s been doing the same thing through marketing himself through videos online. He’s supposedly down with Soulja Boy (that should be reason enough to understand the mention), and has the “other” side of the internet in a frenzy by all of the colorful phrases he says and calls himself, which include (but not limited to):

• “Pretty b***h.”
• “Base God”
• “Grand Chef”
• “Handsome”
• “Lesbian”

…and has completely offended Christians with his phrase/song/video recorded in a church with the hook saying:

“H**s on my d**k ‘cuz I look like Jesus…”

His reasoning behind this is that he’s based, which means essentially he can do whatever he wants to do. For some reason, people rock with this as well, although it’s been proven time and time again that Lil B is actually lyrically competent.

Then there’s Waka Flocka Flame, who we STILL don’t exactly know what his name means. His songs are highly energetic, but lacks in every other category, from cohesiveness to lyrical content to… well, just listen to a song of his and tell me what you get out of it.

All three of these acts have seemed to embody the evolution of ignorance in some way, whether it’s Soulja Boy choosing to not mature as opposed to advancing his career and his mindstate, Lil B actually being a promising rapper and choosing to NOT pursue that avenue in favor of more insane credentials, or Waka Flocka just… being Waka Flocka, it seems as if they’re comfortable where they are as opposed to advancing and evolving into something better.

That takes me to the real problem… They don’t have to.

People that actually listen to their music as a whole and say that they love it genuinely scare me. It proves to me that for some youth, there is really no hope. I’m not 100 percent old-school with my hip-hop preferences, but at least the music I listen to make sense. If I play Krunk music (I know I spelled it with a K, because that’s how Lil Jon originally spelled it before his “Crunk Juice” LP), most of the lyrics are going to be revolving the concept of getting’ Krunk. If I listen to gangster music, I know to expect “drugs and/or gangs”, to quote Riley Freeman of the Boondocks.

I listen to them, and there’s no subject matter. Whatever pops into their head, they’re saying it, and people are okay with that for some reason. I really just can’t understand it.

Truthfully, at the end of the day, you really do have to respect their work ethic because they’re everywhere, and they seem to constantly be honing their craft. The problem with that is that their craft oozes moments that make you feel like you’re destroying your own brain cells as you dumb down to listen to it. Nowaways, you can’t even run from it or cut it off, because they’re everywhere. From the radio, to television, to internet, and, most importantly, Google (which is a completely different entity from the rest of the internet, LOL), there seems to be no escape.

Steel yourself; the ignorance is coming for you soon….

K1ng Eljay

Still the best picture. Ever.

I said I wasn’t going to do it, but if you’ve been watching all of this happen on Twitter, you’d understand this is the ONLY exception. I’m not doing this to summarize the arguments between Lupe Fiasco and his ex-producer Prolyfic, or to tell you who I think are right or wrong, or even take a side in this whole situation. I know a lot of people expect me to side with a particular side because of the history of recent posts that date back to early this year. I’m not going to do that.

They both have tumbled so far down my list of respectable people it’s sad. It takes a lot to make me completely not want anything to do with someone, but BOTH of them are getting ridiculously close. But enough about my personal feelings on them, because everyone pretty much knows my “potty-or-get-off-the-toilet” stance on Lupe and his musical endeavors.

But this…

How far exactly have we fallen as a society to the point people feel like its okay to not address problems head-on? I’ve been watching this situation, and these two people were FRIENDS. They worked together, and they know each other, so you can’t tell me that Twitter was the only way for them to handle their personal issues. Even if they did lose each other’s numbers, you seriously expect me to believe they fell out to the point where their friend circle split in half and they couldn’t secure a number from someone else?

Let’s go further. Even if that was the case, you still expect me to believe this was the best way to handle the situation? On Twitter, in front of the remaining fan base you have left (for both parties involved, not just Lupe)? Because you couldn’t Direct Message each other all of that, right? Because tweeting about someone but not “at” them (we call that #subtweeting, the art of tweeting subliminally about someone, but not mentioning them by their Twitter name) is a good look, right? Because suddenly showing your anger to the world is a good look, right?

Because having that one moment where you contradict EVERYTHING your fan base believes is worth it, right?

Love Always Shines Everytime. Remember to Smile. Lasers.

Sometimes, I just wish all of this never happened.

Those tweets from earlier Lupe sent at ____ are direct contradictions to that motto he’s been pushing like crazy. Isn’t it funny how some people can seem so conscious but then when pushed, revert 15 years to when they were a kid and immature… but I digress…

You should be able to talk to someone about a situation, regardless of if it’s about money, or music, or just a difference of opinion. Perfect example; one of the last Lupe posts I put up didn’t sit too well with some of his fans. One particular fan (@Koko_Koture, formerly known as @Mean_Vicious) went on to say that they hated me and now every single time I try to ask this person why, I get no response. If it’s ever to the point where a person’s unable to handle or discuss the situation head-on and the reasoning isn’t motivated by fear, then that shows a critical character flaw that needs to be addressed, quickly.

The bottom line is that this situation was handled completely wrong. Yes, I feel as if Prolyfic was a little wrong for how he just decided to open a can on Lupe (as a sidenote, maybe he thought that was the only way to reach him was to call him out in public?), but it’s even more wrong for Lupe to respond the way he did to Pro and to NahRight.com for supposedly “banning” him from the site (which they DIDN’T; someone gave homie bad intel). So now Lupe has to deal with the fallout that he’s about to feel from this situation…

All of this could’ve been avoided if they would’ve just talked it out, out of view of the public eye. If they would’ve just handled it face to face, or even over the phone, the outcome would’ve been better and 15,000 + fans (the source being @RichAzure’s petition) wouldn’t have to suddenly wonder about the integrity of the artist they’ve thrown their support behind.

At the end of the day, there are no winners behind this. Forget whatever Rule of Power you want to apply and forget whatever semi-dope lyric Lupe might say to try and make this not a big deal; they both could’ve saved face by just addressing the situation head on. Not in slick lyrics, not on Twitter, but in voice-to-voice conversation. They should’ve handled it like grown-ups, not in the disrespectful way it was handled…

I guess there’s a reason his rap name’s “Fiasco?” And I thought the Lil’ Kim / Nicki Minaj catfight was bad; this whole situation is just….

Wow.

So a couple of days ago, I got to see the birth of the Lasers Petition that’s now being circulated around the internet. The purpose of the petition is supposedly to present the signatures to Atlantic Records to force them to release Lupe Fiasco’s third studio album, which has supposedly been done for a very long time.

Regardless of what Law of Power I saw used to make this thing spawn (ha. Inside info for the win), or how many times the originator could self-inflict his cause by trying to take down the first petition due to typographical errors and poor wording, and then decide to run with the original petition by saying other people wrote it, and then decide to finally just take all the credit for it (the back-and-forth wasn’t a good look), the momentum still somewhat stayed. It was enough to make Elliott Wilson take notice enough to comment via Twitter and to make The Big Homie (pause) post it on RapRadar.com.
Someone even told me it was posted at The Source’s website as well, but no one really reads The Source right now because of the fallout from the Benzino incident. Such a shame, but I digress…

This whole petition started by Rich (@RichAzure) has garnered a lot of reaction from several different groups of people. The Stans are saying it’s a bad idea because “Lupe SAYS to be patient.” The people who don’t really care are laughing and saying that Lupe’s fanbase is getting carried away.

Then there’s the group that want to see this thing gain steam to see the truth about what’s going on. Everything concerning this done album has been veiled and concealed to the point NO ONE can confirm if this album is even done except Lupe and Atlantic Records (which is rumored that he had to redo it twice because of the material).

To top ALL of this off, Lupe’s [ex]producer Prolyfic FINALLY opens up and completely rips him to shreds on Twitter (linked here) about his priorities and his way of handling things.

All of this proves to me a few things…

Firstly…

His fans have NO reason to support him at the moment because of his past actions.

They want music, so he puts out a sampler (aka the “Enemy of the State” mixtape) that he says he made in a day, but then cancels the second part to it because someone leaked his “single” that wasn’t really that good to begin with. So basically, it seems like he panics because of the lukewarm reception it got from everyone else besides the Stans/Lasers, and then to make matters worse, decides to go a completely different route and start SINGING and making rock mixtapes.

Which still aren’t that great…

Just in case you think I'm making this up...

Secondly…

The hate towards Atlantic Records has to stop now. Demanding “Lasers” is cool, and signing a petition is the best way to do it if you’re going that route, but it seems like control is more in Lupe’s hand than we think. You can’t blame Atlantic if they want the old Lupe and say “We’re not releasing your stuff until you get it right.” That’s business, and truthfully, that’s what the fans want as well.

I want the third LP to be amazing. I want it to flow just like the first two albums did. And if that album that’s “allegedly” done is released RIGHT NOW, I feel that everyone would be disappointed because of the mind space Lupe is in at the moment.

Thirdly…

There is WAY MORE to this story than we know. Whenever your producer decides to go against all rules of etiquette and put you on blast because he doesn’t know how else to get through to you, something is drastically wrong. The perception that die-hard Lasers have of Lupe is similar to one that Christians have of Jesus Christ (smh), and Atlantic Records are the people nailing him to the cross in their head, so to speak. So essentially, the way that Prolyfic spoke out against Lupe is akin to Jesus being called a hypocrite by Peter, who was arguably his closest disciple.

In short, people are going to FLIP OUT. They will not know how to handle the fact that this man is actually more normal than us, and has flaws like us. The difference between us and him is that some of us actually try to work through our flaws, and he seems to be stuck in his willingly. Whether its fear like Prolyfic said, or whether it’s just Lupe being a jerk, or whether it’s something else.

I’ll put it this way. A lot of celebrities and entertainers are jerks. Whether they have bad habits, bad friends, or bad choices that make them that way, most of them fall into that category. The redeeming factor about the entertainment industry is that if entertainers consistently entertain, whether its music, movies, or writing, then people tend to forget about the entertainer being a jerk. It all comes back to doing what the fans want, and in this case, it’s music…

The bottom line is that the timer is officially on for Lupe. He’s been called out, in a couple of days the shakeup from this petition and from Prolyfic’s comments are going to circulate and be all over the internet. XXL bloggers will probably have a field day with it. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.

And it won’t get better unless Lupe stops acting how he’s acting now, and finally owns up to his fans to give them the music they’ve EARNED by sticking with him through all of his unnecessary drama. This is literally the last call for Lupe. If he doesn’t answer, he’s going to lose more than just fans…

I’m not writing on this dude anymore until he drops a song or a single or something, because there’s no point if something doesn’t change.

K1ng Eljay

Here's to hoping some of these words from his friend will finally register home with Lupe...

Here we go again. It’s not me this time… it’s his producer. Recently, Prolyfic finally opened up and thoroughly went in on Lupe Fiasco about every problem he’s had over the last couple of years. Here’s his words, unedited and uncensored from his Twitter account at Twitter.com/Prolyfthegift...

~~~

- RT @TheLupENDBlog #WeWantLasers Petition to Atlantic Records http://bit.ly/9JOyOf < REALLY!?!?!? that’s what we on now @LupeFiasco?

- Some folks might want to turn their head, bcuz I have some choice words for this whole #WeWantLazers “movement” & @LupeFiasco as an artist about 2 hours ago via web

- Ok FIRST off I really like @LupeFiasco as an artist.. I enjoy listenin to his music.. when it’s available to listen to… that being said… about 2 hours ago via web

- This nigga @LupeFiasco really be on some scared of failure as shit… He is his own worst enemy… and he’s fucking up ROYALLY about 2 hours ago via web

- I mean where do I begin? how does Such a talented individual like @LupeFiasco become such a utter disappointment? And it’s his own doing about 2 hours ago via web

- 1st u penalize ur fans for WANTING ur music..u make a short mixtape.. then when ur material gets leaked u throw a temper tantrum @LupeFiasco about 2 hours ago via web

- What kind of artist PENALIZES fans for someone leaking they music?!?! you should be happy people WANT your music @LupeFiasco about 2 hours ago via web

- In a state where everyone is rising to success by giving away free music (Drake, Wayne, Gucci Etc.) @LupeFiasco chooses to hoard his music about 2 hours ago via web

- Which results in what? People forgetting about you! which is why @LupeFiasco did not make ANY lists of ANYTHING! When he should be top 3 about 2 hours ago via web

- Ain’t no release date on #WeWantLazers cuz ain’t NO FUCKING HITS on it! cuz @LupeFiasco REFUSES to makes hits.. not that he cant.. he wont! about 2 hours ago via web

- it’s like u forgot what got u here in the first damn place! u was set up to be “The One” not a reflection of what ur name means @LupeFiasco about 2 hours ago via web

- There is NO reason why u shouldn’t be mentioned in the same conversations as Drake or wayne etc… Ppl say “who?” when u mention @LupeFiasco about 2 hours ago via web

- & why do they do that? cuz @LupeFiasco is to damn scared to fail! he lacks the HEART to take a risk! So he’s had a careeer of playin it safe about 2 hours ago via web

- So @LupeFiasco figure he’ll appease this crowd.. u know that crowd over there.. they’ll ALWAYS love him, and he won’t have to feel pressured about 2 hours ago via web

- A fan of @LupeFiasco’s says: “if he really got w/some great songwriters, producers, & explored all his options he could make a dope album about 2 hours ago via web

Just in case you think I'm making this up...

- But @LupeFiasco is not gonna do that… he’d rather throw temper tantrums and toss complaints about making “what the industry wants” about 2 hours ago via web

- But @LupeFiasco’s fans DO NOT want to hear all that crap man.. all they want is the music.. fuck what you talkin bout dude.. do yo job about 2 hours ago via web

- Jim Johnson didn’t want to waste a HIT on @LupeFiasco bcuz he INTENTIONALLY associates himself wit Losin..I mean Lazing..Loser Lazer #Shrugs about 2 hours ago via web

- An to be truthfully honest.. If @LupeFiasco every made the “Great American Rap Album” or whatever, it will probably be his best album ever! about 2 hours ago via web

– As a old former friend.. I’m disappointed.. as a current fan.. i’m disappointed.. enuff is enuff.. get off the bullshit @LupeFiasco about 2 hours ago via web

- I knew the moment @LupeFiasco let them ppl over at #OKP embrace him.. I knew it was over..his music changed & he placed a ceiling on himself about 2 hours ago via web

- All that Japanese Cartoon shit is cool or whatever but DAWG that’s not what Chilly put you here to do @LupeFiasco And you KNOW that! about 2 hours ago via web

- How you go from being endorsed by Jay-z, to basically no public affiliation whatsoever?!?!? @LupeFiasco You spose to be killin it G about 1 hour ago via web

- Lyrically ain’t nobody touching this nigga @LupeFiasco but who cares? cuz nobody know! cuz he only caters to a select SMALL crowd of ppl about 1 hour ago via web

- @LupeFiasco’s Fans wouldn’t have to DEMAND a release on #Wewantlazers if he made the folks at the label WANT to put the machine behind it about 1 hour ago via web

- It’s all politics & bullshit… NO.. The folks at atlantic records do not want to put money behind all that emo weirdo bullshit @LupeFiasco about 1 hour ago via web

- do that shit on ur own time..give the FANS some fuckin music to listen to.. put out some mixtapes..BE ACTIVE & u’ll be on a list @LupeFiasco about 1 hour ago via web

- Mixtape #Weezy Meant something.. Mixtape @LupeFiasco Meant something..so why is Weezy UP HERE, and lupe down there? Lack of supply to demand about 1 hour ago via web

- Alot of people lives, situations, & freedom went into the development of @LupeFiasco it’s a damn shame to watch what he’s doing with it about 1 hour ago via web

- I mean canceling a mixtape bcuz some one leaked your music has GOT to be 1 of the dumbest reasons to deprive fans of something @LupeFiasco about 1 hour ago via web

- Why put yourself in position to have fans..that support u.. if u gonna treat them like shit? it’s not THEY fault ur music leaked @LupeFiasco about 1 hour ago via web

- Everytime I have a conversation about @LupeFiasco it always go exactly the SAME “man dude is so good, wtf is wrong with him? why ain’t he..” about 1 hour ago via web

- At the end of the day dude.. PUT OUT SOME MUSIC.. keep ur BUZZ up.. appease the fans AND THE LABELS or ur gonna get dropped @LupeFiasco about 1 hour ago via web

- You ain’t making no #Hits You go to #neptunes to PURPOSELY get throw away beats.. You ain’t putting no music out.. wtf you doin? @LupeFiasco about 1 hour ago via web

- They gon start lookin at you like you dead weight @LupeFiasco then what? YOU HAVE TO DELIVER homie!! it’s just that simple about 1 hour ago via web

- Cuz right now @LupeFiasco looking like a Loser.. I mean Lazer.. I mean Loser.. I mean #Wewantlazers O_o about 1 hour ago via web

- How does a person that’s bred to be a winner.. become a #Lazer? @LupeFiasco this ain’t you dude..fuck them clothes fuck that rebellion shit about 1 hour ago via web

- When @LupeFiasco 1st started buzzin at the labels ppl was comparin #FNF to like the new BadBoy or Rocafella.. Would u be able to tell today? about 1 hour ago via web

- Does @LupeFiasco’s music/Brand/Marketing/Promotion/or #Wewantlazers “Movement” come anywhere close to resembling those powerhouses? about 1 hour ago via web

- There’s no reason why it shouldn’t tho… He has the talent.. he HAD the funding.. he had the labels.. and he HAD the cosign @LupeFiasco 44 minutes ago via web

- He also HAD the music..once upon a time..this new shit.. I can’t listen to it.. it’s not for the masses..I dont know who its for @LupeFiasco 42 minutes ago via web

- Why do I care so much? Bcuz I know exactly what went into building @LupeFiasco to be where he is today.. & beyond all that.. I’m still a fan 40 minutes ago via web

- And to sit here and watch all this unfold.. personal bias of Wasalu aside.. is just a damn catastrophe.. it’s ironically a @LupeFiasco 38 minutes ago via web

- But it seem like the more ppl that sit by the camp fire waitin for @LupeFiasco to do, the less he does & more appalled he seems at the idea 34 minutes ago via web

- So the real question is: Why the fuck you here then? @LupeFiasco Just go away if you don’t want the pressures of pleasing ppl.. 32 minutes ago via web

- And if u gon be here.. BE HERE!! get off the high school reject Wasalu shit and get back on the writing for the black album @LupeFiasco shit 30 minutes ago via web

- Call up GBall get in the attic and finish that mixtape.. put that shit out.. call up P and tell him u want a hit record @LupeFiasco 26 minutes ago via web

- Call up Soundtrakk.. get in the lab & GO SEE HIM.. that nigga got some cold ass beats waiting for you but you never hear them @LupeFiasco 25 minutes ago via web

- Call up Mr. Jones and tell him you BACK on yo Westside of chicago “Failure” shit & let to Craig Calman Know @LupeFiasco 22 minutes ago via web

- Get ya fucking thumb out ya ass and be the Artist we all stood behind you KNOWING you could be @LupeFiasco 20 minutes ago via web

- And once it finally sink in to you & you get back where u SHOULD be.. I want you to apologize to your fans for making them wait @LupeFiasco 19 minutes ago via web

- Blood, Sweat, And Tears went in to you @LupeFiasco the least you could do is play the part you was selected to play. 17 minutes ago via web

- I think I’ll set down off my #SoapBox now..Know that my intentions 2 @LupeFiasco were not fueled by malice but of disappointment & confusion     9 minutes ago  via web

~~~

What do you think? I know what I think…new post soon…

"Dude! We got replaced?!"

For those unfamiliar, this is the informal weekly recap of all the things that stuck out to me the last week.  Here we go.

Why Change A Good Thing?

A lot of times, I believe that people have the tendency to try to fix something that wasn’t necessarily broken. I think it happened with the Detroit Pistons with trading Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson. I believe it’s happening right now with the advertisements for 3D-TV (because HD-TV is awesome, seriously). Then, of course, there’s the FreeCreditReport.com band search.

I personally like the first band. I don’t mean the first band in the competition, I mean the original band that I can quote songs from, because they made new commercials every few weeks. They were consistent, and consistently funny and clever, so it wasn’t a problem for me to sometimes want to quote them.

Remember that last line. I’m coming back to that.

I just think the first band deserves their spot, and every other band that I’ve seen so far looks lame. I don’t see why they can’t let the other band just do their thing. Sometimes, it’s better enough to just leave well alone.

I had a quick cameo in the movie after the credits, during the theater clean-up. Be on the lookout for that.

The Beginning…

I don’t really know how to start this one, so I’ll just say it. Inception was one of the best movies I’ve seen in the last few years, and arguably, it’s one of my favorite movies of all time. That last statement is pending until I see it again and/or buy the DVD the day of release. It takes a lot to break into the “Epic Movie” category that I have set up, which includes “Coming to America” and “The Dark Knight” and a couple of other movies as well. If Christopher Nolan keeps delivering like this, it’s reasonable to see him becoming one of the “Legendary” movie producers of our generation.

His movies are so deep, thoughtful, and thought-provoking at times, to the point it just screams “Quotable!” without actually getting on Twitter and saying “Quote me.”

Remember that last line. I’m coming back to that, too.

I’m excited to see what’s next for Nolan. He’s going to win my money for the next two movies he releases based on his name alone.  Truthfully.

Archive of Ether…

Ok, another tape came out of Mel Gibson over the last week, bringing the total up to six damaging tapes against him. As BAD as the other tapes were (I only listened through two of them, admittedly), this one seems to be the worst. If you don’t know, there’s a custody battle for Mel Gibson and Oksana ‘s daughter, and on this sixth tape, it seems like Mel admits to hitting both her and his daughter, stating “No one will believe you, so f**k you.”

"No Mel, keep talking..."

Oh boy.

I seriously didn’t think it could get any worse. This is the only thing that could knock Justin Bieber off the trending topics of Twitter for two weeks. This story’s beginning to spiral FURTHER south than most people thought possible. I don’t think there’s no coming back now for Mel, and it’s completely his fault.

Wow, man. Just…wow.

Quotables…

First and foremost, I’m a fan. I don’t care if you don’t believe me, but I can show you a twitpic of both album covers in my cd wallet in my car, because I thoroughly enjoy the man’s music. It would be unlike me however to hold my tongue on a topic because I was scared of what people might say, or even because of who that person is. So I’m not going to. I believe people should be held accountable for their actions. It’s only fair.

If you follow me on Twitter, you’d know I have this love/hate relationship with a lot of different hip-hop artists. Well, last night, one of these artists decided to initiate a barrage of his quotes after DJ Busy quoted an old NBA Live song with his lyrics in it (“Catch my I’m ballin, catch me like Spalding”). Of course, then my timeline filled with all these different people quoting songs from his first two CDs that he’s dropped.

This wouldn’t be an issue, but it’s the same quotes that were initiated about a week ago with the same results. And also, the week before that.

Ok, so here’s my thing about that. I’m not going to go the route of saying he’s urging his fans to quote him in order to make his head bigger, because I can’t back that up completely.Truthfully, I think quoting your favorite artist is dope…but I think it’s even doper if the artists act like they appreciated it. You have other artists that retweet comments and show love to a higher percentage of fans than this particular person, and because of the fact they actually seem to appreciate it, the fans show more love. It’s like a cycle.

I feel that if you want to be a leader of a movement, or a trendsetter, or whatever other superlative, you have to learn to give respect when it’s due. You also have to learn to be consistent with whatever service it is you give to the entertainment industry, whether it’s movies, credit commercials, or music-filled albums of the same caliber as your previous work, and not a rock alternative with one good song on it.

I’m just tired of people stringing other people along. You can’t hold a fan responsible for not being loyal if you’re not loyal with the release of your music, whether it’s free or not. The album might be out of your hands, but how many times have we seen other artists make a couple of songs just to keep their fans anxious for more? If Lupe can make a mixtape in a day, then I know this is a possibility. Just something to prove that he actually does care about his fans.

Then maybe more fans would get on board with pressuring his record company…

That’s just my opinion on it.

That’s it for this week.

K1ng Eljay

“Ode To Ye” (Uncut)

“Ode To Ye” (Edited)

Here’s the review and interview again if you missed them the first time.

“Ode To Ye” (Review)

“Round Table Conversations: PropaYne“

K1ng Eljay

Ever had your brain delightfully scrambled? You want to?

I recently got the chance to see the new Christopher Nolan directed epic film, “Inception.” It took the director over ten years (allegedly) to write, and I decided to check it out. Here’s five reasons I think you should check it too.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio Doesn’t Use an Accent

If you’re familiar with Leo’s last handful of films, you’d know that he’s never been a great one with accents. Case in point; in “Blood Diamond” (another GREAT film, if you haven’t seen it) he’s an African, but his accent’s Australian. It threw me off at first. Then people died (a lot), and I forgot about it, but I digress.

In this movie however, the fact that there’s not a crappy accent… It’s amazing. I didn’t expect to make it throughout the whole movie without hearing Leonardo forget where he was and flip into one, but somehow he was able to do it, and his acting during the movie completely reeled me in.

Actually, everyone’s acting was superb. Usually, there’s one weak actor in every movie, but here with “Inception”, there was no glaring flaw. Each character had their moment which made you smile and realize they belonged in this movie. Each person played their part well. Each person made this movie what it is; which is essentially a movie with no bad accents from DiCaprio.

2. Things Explode

For a thriller/drama, this movie had a lot of action in it. The movie’s high points were long, sustained, and so thoroughly well-done (thank you for not saying ‘That’s what she said’) to the point after the scene ended you realized you were just caught in an action scene. This effectively happens at the beginning of the movie, and the intense, engaging moments never really stop. At the very least, it had at least three times more action than “The Last Airbender.”

As a sidenote, I believe this movie holds the record for longest slow-motion car accident.

Ever.

Christopher Nolan will probably be slated to tell my life story sometime around 2020. I plan to make it stretch into a trilogy.

3. It’s Like A Burrito…

It’s rare when a movie is able to go deep enough into itself to the point you’re sold on the idea. The Burrito Effect works here.

If you don’t know, this is something I just made up as I was ordering at Moe’s with a friend after the movie, but it makes sense. Imagine eating a burrito that’s full of ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and other random assorted goodness that you personally enjoy. In each bite, you might have different ingredients, but it all leads back to the fact that you’re mouth deep in a burrito.

Pause.

The same can be said for “Inception.” The movie has several different elements compounded by the many different layers that progress the movie, and that’s the madness/genius of it. It knows what it sets out to do, and it never lets up in accomplishing that goal.

In short, it will either thrill you or give you a headache.

Or possibly cure cancer.

4. There Are Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Expect the unexpected in this movie. From trains on highways, to 47-minute car crashes, this movie is chocked full of original unpredictability. This unpredictability will continue to happen and things will ironically continue to spin this way until it all falls into place at the end of the movie (or not).

Read the last sentence again after you see the movie to see what I did there.

5. There’s An Ode To *NSync!

Ok, not really, but there IS a fight scene in the movie that channels the *NSync “Box Dance Scene” from their music video “Bye Bye Bye.” I know the chase scene in that video was crappy and overdramatic, but remember the out-of-place dance scene where it seemed gravity kept pulling them up/south/left/west? There’s an epic scene in the movie that somewhat mirrors that concept, but as epic as it is, I only could wonder what would happen if the scene involved people that knew Kung Fu…

And yes, I just mentioned *NSYNC. They were dope and they made an impression on me as a kid. Don’t judge me.

Bottom Line:

The movie is deceptively clever. I would almost say the whole movie is set up as a thriller that abandons its original purpose to mess with its viewers, but does so in such an ingenious way to the point you can do NOTHING but applaud at how you just got played.

Or did you get played? I guess it depends on how you interpret those last five seconds of the movie.

Christopher Nolan’s outdone himself with this movie. It was well worth the movie tickets and at LEAST 17 times better than “The Last Airbender.” “Inception” was so good that it actually made me feel justified for buying nachos from the concession stand for $6.25, which was at least $5.25 too much for stale nachos and melted, lukewarm cheese.I can’t wait until the movie theater posts a dollar menu, or as I like to call them, a “Recession Menu.” It’ll make me almost as happy as “Inception” did.

Almost.

I plan to let Christopher Nolan make my life into a movie one day, with free creative licensing. Be on the lookout for that.

Until then, definitely go see this movie in theaters.

K1ng Eljay

Props to PropaYne for taking a little while to answer my questions. Much respect.

“Round Table Conversations” is the interviewing section of K1ngEljay.com. Basically put, when I interview people, it will be labeled as this. There’s another dimension to this idea, but that will be revealed a little later. I don’t plan on doing this weekly, but as the opportunity arises, I plan to do more and more…

It’s rare when you’re able to talk to a musician and get inside their head to see what they’re thinking, and I had a chance to shoot some questions at PropaYne concerning his last project, “Ode To Ye”, his relationship with a few people instrumental in his musical/personal life, and his reaction to Kanye’s stage crashing of Taylor Swift. I had to ask, lol.

Check out the interview, and follow Pro at Twitter.com/SirPeezy.

~~~

For the people that don’t know, explain your name and the whole Echelon Republic movement.

Well, my name is propaYne. I came up with it when I was around thirteen years old regrettably. Echelon Republic is the group of artists (of any kind) producers, management, etc. I guess you can say it’s a young production team but it’s basically a family trying to make some beautiful music, haha.

How long have you been rapping?

I have been rapping since I was seven years old in the second grade.

What made you decide that rapping was the job you wanted to pursue?

When I met my manager Dino (Rhymestyle) I really decided I didn’t want to do anything else. It all of the sudden seemed possible you know?

How’d you meet Rhymestyle? How important is that relationship to your music?

Back in like February of 2008 I dropped my first ever mixtape, “The Arrival” when I was still in a group with a couple of my best friends and Rhymestyle actually found me. I remember he kept emailing me and IM’ing me about wanting to work with me and manage me but I kept ignoring him for some odd reason that I can’t remember (laughs).

I eventually responded once and we talked for hours and not only did he agree to start managing me, but he actually became one of my best friends and is one of my best friends to this day. I can’t say that I wouldn’t be anything without him, but I wouldn’t be who I am today without him. He’s like my big brother, he doesn’t allow me to screw up and even when I do he still has my back. I send him more music then I send anyone else. He hears everything I make. The worst songs to the best songs. If he ever wanted to embarrass me he could do it pretty easy (laughs).

I’m trying to get him to DJ and produce though! He’d be a beast if that side of him woke up, ha! Thats my brother though.

"I used to be the biggest Eminem stan. I knew every lyric, every underground freestyle, I knew any and everything Eminem."

I’m assuming that Kanye is pretty high up on your list, so why is Kanye one of your favorite rappers?

Ha! I guess I can say my mother forced his music into my life. I used to be the biggest Eminem stan. I knew every lyric, every underground freestyle, I knew any and everything Eminem. She hated that, haha. So around 2004, she started giving me Kanye songs and eventually “College Dropout” [Kanye’s first album] to listen to. I’ve been a Ye fan ever since. I was young like 11, 12, so it feels like I’ve grown up listening to him. I relate to his music so much more than a lot of rappers. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love Lupe and Hov but Kanye says things in his songs that I’ve actually experienced, I can directly relate sometimes.

What’s your favorite lyric from ‘Yeezy?

“Let up the suicide doors, this is my life homie, you decide yours.” [From Kanye's "Can't Tell Me Nothin'"]

That line means a lot to me. When people always try to stop you from doing what you want to do, stop you from taking risks that you need to take in life, etc, thats the perfect response right there.

On to your last project. What was the concept behind the project “Ode to ‘Ye?”

Honestly there was no concept. I came across a great album full of restrung Kanye songs and I listened through all of them and was like “….ok I’m writing to these.” The lyrics never take long for me to come up with because it’s all how I feel, how I think, etc. So it really just happened.

Who was behind the production of “Ode to ‘Ye?”

The production came from an album done by the “Vitamin String Quartet”. There were other songs on the album like “Hey Mama” and “Gold Digger” that I didn’t use though.

What made you decide to use string production on the seven tracks instead of recreating the whole song altogether?

You know, it’s funny you ask that, because I was talking to S-Preme after I finished it and he was saying how he wished there were orchestral drums on it. I was tempted to throw them on there but I figured the “no drum” route would be more unique and different then what everyone else was doing and would expect.

And you were correct, it definitely stands out more because of that. You took more of a narrative tone, more so than I’ve heard from you recently. What made you decide to approach those songs that way?

Well since my last release (besides “Project Sixteen”) I’ve been explaining things in my life differently through my music. I tell things as I see them, more than a bird’s eye view for the listener. It’s more first-person. So, for example, I’ll say things that I actually thought during the situation, including the ignorant or politically incorrect thoughts because it brings out a stronger perspective of what I’m trying to express. So on “Ode To Ye” I kind of wanted to see how people would feel about that before I went in and did it from here on out.

Like in my version “All Falls Down” [“Playa”] I say a line like “to be her man you had to have the body of a god, on some Zeus and sh*t, n***a I weigh like 140 out this b**tch, lower them standards a bit?” It’s…arrogant, but that’s exactly how I felt. Same time, the narrative tone allows me to tell jokes more, ahahaha.

"...I'll say things that I actually thought during the situation, including the ignorant or politically incorrect thoughts because it brings out a stronger perspective of what I'm trying to express."

True or false: it took 7 hours to write/make/mix all 7 songs? What was the motivation there?

True! Half of it was the fact that I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face when listening to the stringed versions of the songs ahaha. The other thing was, I had tons to talk about. Its summer time, I just finished my Junior year in High School and I haven’t released a full, respectable project since July 2009 [“The Experience”, pictured left] so there was so much build-up. Also I already had my next mixtape “When In Rome” already recorded and done for the most part, and there was a lot I didn’t get to say.

You mention on one of the songs a story about you hearing Jay-Z for the first time on hot 97. Tell me that story, for those that don’t know it.

Me, my mother, and my sister were driving up to Boston to visit family one summer when I was like eight years old. It was around 10 PM and [Funkmaster] Flex was interviewing Jay. I can’t remember what he was promoting or why he was there but Jay was still in prime mode around that time. So I’ve heard Jay on the radio of course but being that young, I didn’t grow up trying to learn the names of rappers or athletes, I just wanted to play all the time (laughs).

So it was quiet in the car because my mom was listening and that’s when I asked who that was and she told me it was Jay-Z and that he is the greatest. Then I told her I was going to be better than him and that’s actually when she first found out that I rapped.

Your mom was instrumental with your adaptation into hip-hop. What’s the relationship with her now that you’re rapping? And… how does she feel about the profanity? Lol.

My mother loves the fact that I rap. She hates the profanity though. She actually doesn’t listen to my music. I guess it’s like growing up with your little sister and seeing her in school with a boy, like “ehh I don’t even wanna care..” lol.

My father listens to everything I make though. He hates the N word so much, there’s songs that I just can’t show him. He is actually the reason why I stopped making YouTube videos with profanity and cussing on my blog, Twitter, etc. Out of respect for him, I felt like I should act as an ambassador for my parents and present myself in a more respectable manner. My mother is going to be the one I bring around to the documentaries and award shows one day, lol…God willing!

What’s next for you?

Well I plan to drop my next mixtape, “When In Rome” before the summer is out and I’m working on a completely original EP titled EDON that I want to drop on my 18th birthday which will be Feb. 4th. Hopefully these projects I’m working on build a lil’ bit of buzz for me haha. I’m just trying to catch up with all these other artists out here doing their thing and make some really great quality music.

As a bonus, and since we’re on the topic of Kanye, I have to ask what was your reaction to the Taylor Swift incident?

Ha! I was fist pumping and cheering when I saw Ye get on the stage! I mean it was wrong of course, but it definitely was taken out of hand by the media. If Chris Martin [Coldplay’s lead singer] or someone got on stage and did that it would’ve been a completely different turn out. That’s just what I believe. I just feel like all the bad things that have happened in Kanye’s career have only made him that much better as an artist so it’s like promising a good Christmas musically, hahaha.

Kanye’s known for being resilient, so I’m definitely excited too. And since you mentioned him earlier, what’s the relationship with you and S-Preme? I know you’re linked through Dino, but it seems your bond has evolved into something else, so how’s that?

Actually, we’re not linked though Dino. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away (lol) the first Amajanese Mixtape came out and Preme did like, what, three tracks for it? It’s funny because my dad heard the tape before I did and I was on it, and I remember him telling me that he liked Preme’s songs on there so I checked it out and I told Sean [LupEND blogsite founder SeanTheRobot] like “Mann I have to do a song with him, you got his contact?” So he eventually hooked it up and I put Dino onto him.

S-Preme and I are very alike and very different at the same time. Dino would always say “YOU GUYS NEED TO HAVE A FRIENDSHIP LIKE WALE AND KID CUDI.” Lol. It’s very hate/love, I won’t lie. There’s tons of personal tension between us just for the mere fact that at one point we barely talked at all while people kept bringing our names up together and trying to attract the same side of the magnet. Thats my homie though. He bullies with good reason ahaha.

You also have to realize that we’re both rappers and let’s not hide behind the fact that rappers are thirsty and selfish. More than anything he inspires me. Come to think of it, this may be a lil’ wrong to say, but, it used to be like whenever he dropped a new song or a new project, it’s like I automatically hate it, just because I know people are going to like it better then they like my stuff (laughs). That’s just me being a competitor though. My mind is always in the race. I guess you can say it’s like a Jay and Ye thing just with a tad bit more hostility, LOL. Whenever I make a move he makes a move that blocks mine out (laughs).

It’s all love though. As artists we have to learn to stick together. Not just me and him, but all young upcoming artists. Crowd screams are more powerful than a single one.

Any last words you want to tell people?

You know what… I rarely get a chance to tell the people what I feel people should know because in music, a lot of it is sh*t-talk and people don’t take it serious anyway. But I just want to say, I love music. I feel like I have the strongest passion for the art of music and growing up trying to get big and famous off rapping you begin to realize that it isn’t the labels you want to make music for. It isn’t radio you try to make music for. You need to make music for the people because in the end, they are the only ones that will care. The people take care of you through thick and thin if you take care of them. So…people…thank you, that’s to people of the past and people of the future.

When In Rome, we don’t do as the Romans, we change the Roman…

(If you missed it, check out the review + download link  for his project, “Ode To Ye” here)

PropaYne should've dressed up as the Kanye Bear. That would've been dope. Well, maybe next time.

The ideas separately are ingenious. On one end, you have the Vitamin String Quartet remixing assorted Kanye West productions with string instrumentals. On the other end, you have this young, lyrically gifted MC. Put them together, and in theory, you have a knockout of a project in the making right? Well, PropaYne’s prepared a nice mixtape/EP to honor one of his favorite rappers and to announce that he does this way better than some people might give him credit for.

Myself included.

The Good:

There is something soothing about the sound of the Vitamin String Quartet remixing these instrumentals (to the point that if you have the chance to get it, I’d highly recommend it), but it’s even more amazing how confident Pro is when he raps over each one.  The lyrical content is there, and it’s more interesting because of how takes on what he calls a “first person narrative” to allow him to be himself in his lyrics, whether that was politically correct or not. All jokes aside, you learn a lot about PropaYne in a little amount of time, which is always a good thing if it’s pulled off correctly. Lucky for us, he pulls this off without never sacrificing lyrics or confidence.

There’s also times where he’d finish his rhymes and just let the instrumental ride…which I’ve always personally been a fan of on songs.

The Bad:

There’s a couple of spots on the EP that contains him singing, and it’s not exactly his strong point. I’m hoping in the future if he decides to sing, he harmonizes more instead of taking lead, lol. The EP is also only 7 songs, and it somehow seems even shorter than that. However, there’s nothing else that can hold this project at fault besides the fact that there is a little profanity on the EP, but nothing unlike the other projects I’ve reviewed. I’m interested to see what he would do with the other songs he didn’t use (Gold Digger, etc)…

Bottom Line:

This is a project that does give its “Ode” to Ye, but simultaneously it’s one of those eye-opening moments for those who’ve listened to PropaYne’s music, and for those who haven’t heard of him. If you’re familiar with him, you’re going to realize that he’s doing nothing but getting better and is lightyears ahead of other rappers in his age bracket (under 18…!). If this is your first time listening, I think you’ll find yourself surprised at the quality of the sound and the lyrics, as well as the confidence.

You should check this out.

Eljay’s Favorites:

• Playa (All Falls Down)
• Man (Touch The Sky)
• Heard ‘Em Tell Me (Heard Em Say)
• Stronger feat. JEllis

Download PropaYne’s “Ode To Ye” here

Looks like somebody was a little emotional in Cleveland...

Cleveland Rocks!

When it rains, it definitely pours, and since LeBron jilted the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat, the drama has been almost non-stop and instantaneous. As soon as LeBron made his decision (via “The Decision”, his one hour TV drama that was one of the highest-viewed cable event of the year with right under 10 million viewers behind an episode of iCarly…I swear I didn’t make that up), Dan Gilbert lashed out with a letter that a lot of Cleveland fans supported, but really just showed how immature he was. The letter couldn’t speak for itself, however, because for some reason Jesse Jackson felt like he needed to speak on the situation…

The Rev’s stepped in and offered his comments on the situation, saying that Dan and Cleveland are treating LeBron as if he’s a runaway slave. He probably said more too, but I stopped reading because two things instantly come to mind, although Cleveland are all acting way to emotional over being rejected by LeBron (seriously. We burnin’ jerseys now? We’re KKK-influenced? Cleveland’s way too emotional).

Firstly, I’m pretty sure there’s some other things Jesse could be focusing on, like the whole Oscar Grant situation that’s going on right now. Secondly, it doesn’t matter if Jesse’s right or wrong, because most black people are irritated with him in general because for SOME REASON, media thinks that when he or Al Sharpton speak, they represent all Black people, and that’s just not the case at all.

It sucks that Jesse said that, but if you actually look at the analogy, he might’ve been on to something. If he views LeBron as a cash cow, and his cash cow just left him, then technically speaking, that analogy could have more truth in it than it seems, as politically incorrect and out of line as it was to say. Even if he was on to something, he could’ve illustrated his point without reverting back to slavery lingo. The delivery is just as important as the message.

It’s A Nightmare…

The Dream is going to go on the “Idiot” list alongside Bow Wow (for screwing up the Ciara situation; He had her when she actually had hips), Eric Benet (messed up with Halle Berry), and I’m sure there’s someone else that can be a third, so I’ll leave the slot open and just mark it tentative. But let’s talk about The Dream and Christina Milian for a second…

This isn’t a gossip website by any means of the term, and I wouldn’t mention that Dream left his recently married/baby-mother Christina Milian to be with his personal assistant and her close friend, which was recently discovered due to tabloids finding Dream with the said homewrecker on a beach with two handfuls of “rear” without a point to it….and basically, my point is that he’s an idiot.

He’s already had a situation with Nivea and left her with three kids, and now he leaves Milian with a child as well? He needs to get his priorities checked, especially since he left Christina Milian, who’s one of the more naturally beautiful women in the industry. I’ve always thought she was beautiful, and it doesn’t get better than her from the looks standpoint, truthfully. That being said, Dream’s an idiot for letting that go, and he’s a lame for the way it came out in public, especially since they’re still married. Here’s hoping that his album finally sells so he can pay that child support. If the NaS and Kelis situation is an indication of anything, then the final total is going to be Biblical.

Is it ironic his last movie was named "Edge of Darkness?"

The Definition of Ether.

If you ever wanted a definite example of an “ether”, it will probably never get more perfect than this. Mel Gibson’s issues with his ex-significant other, Oksana Grigorieva, have officially spilled over into the public. When the story first broke, no one really thought too much about it. I even thought it was a shame that Mel could say all of that and not get penalized in some way. Turns out, I spoke way too soon. Pay attention to what happened next…

Osana Grigorieva pulled an O.G. move by recording one of Mel’s rants and somehow the tape ends up plastered all over the internet unedited and uncut. It is arguably the rawest form of ether I’ve witnessed since Eminem’s “Warning” to Mariah Carey. Essentially, Mel’s anger completely dug himself into a huge career hole, and quite possibly his own business grave.

When Chris Brown had his situation, I knew it would be hard (pause), but I didn’t doubt he’d be able to work his way back. The same for Kanye’s moment with Taylor Swift and even Don Imus’ whole “Happy Headed Ho” situation. Mel Gibson however… it could be over for him.

(Note: as I’m posting this, a FOURTH tape was released of him ranting…wow…wave goodbye, BraveHeart)

Random Thoughts…

Rush Limbaugh’s a special kind of idiot, especially when he speaks on politics… I think it’s funny how people praise others that break the law flawlessly. I guess that’s the case with the BareFoot Bandit. He was flawless for two years, but it only takes one mistake to mess up. Google him for his exploits, but it’s pretty epic. Regardless, it’s kind of sad that this is the type of thing it takes to become famous nowadays…How does Chris Berman get his voice to go so high when doing SportsCenter highlights? That’s a level of insanity I can’t imagine… Lindsay Lohan’s trying not to go to jail, but-

Actually, this is getting its own section.

Seriously, Lohan?

Lindsay’s trying not to go to jail. So what else is new? Well, if Lindsay does go to jail, she’s trying to secure a post-jail interview for a million dollars to tell her story.

Let me get this straight… Lindsay’s trying to avoid jail time because she feels like she doesn’t deserve to go, although she had several chances to do right and literally partied those chances away, and if she deservingly goes to jail for not handling her legal responsibilities, she wants to schedule a post-jail interview to make money off of it as if it’s an actual crime she committed? It would be different if she got caught with a gun (Lil’ Wayne) or guns (T.I.) or a sniper rifle in the trunk of a blue Chevy Caprice (John Allen Muhammed), but it’s solely HER fault that she’s going to jail. Even if she did go to jail, it’s a celebrity skid, it’s literally 90 days, which realistically would get cut down to anywhere between 30 – 45 days.

Of course, all it takes is one night to be violated in jail, but Lindsay parties extreme anyway, so it shouldn’t be too much more different, I would think? I might be wrong. The sad part about all of this is that some media outlet is going to buy that interview if she gets the publicity charge.

That’s good for a week, right? Later.

K1ng Eljay