I am not a rapper but here it goes:
I'm the flyest
Don't smoke weed and I still get the highest
The finest
No where else you can find this
Keep tryin'
and aint nobody else getting behind this
trust me don't try this
this star shines the brightest
[HOOK]
Oh baby you will never get me
Cuz I'm way to fly for you
with status way too high for you
and baby I will always be me
way too fly for you
with status way too high for you
Oh baby you must got me twisted
Thinking all this shit I've lifted
Was handed down or given
How glamorous I'm living
but you fail to understand
this was sculpted by my hands
thats why I'm so quick to brag
and even harder to bag
[HOOK]
So all my ladies with me
put your hands up if your with me
don't you settle down too quickly
or ever let a man make you feel pretty
you can do it all on your own
be independent girl your grown
be star of your show
and when he comes around let him know
[HOOK]
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
My creation: Pretty Girl
She was the most beautiful girl in my school
And she sat right across from me in my second grade class, Ms. Werner
Her, smile could brighten up even your darkest shadow
And her heart was so warm it felt like cupids arrow
hit you
every time you saw her the room would narrow
cuz there was no way you could miss her
cuz she was the most beautiful girl in my school
and she sat right across from me in our second grade class
her cinnamon skin smelled of warm cocoa butter
her long eyelashes liked to bat and flutter
and innocence was the purest depiction of her
her big brown eyes demanded attention
and when she spoke, it was soft, but every word had its intentions
not to mention
she was the most beautiful girl in my school
and she sat right across from me in our second grade class
the callouses on her hands and the fear behind her eyes
didn't set red flags to the suffering she disguised
the lies,
the torture,
the blame
its over
and now she wonders why she doesn't feel this good sober
she's numb
there's nothing going on in that head
she turns it off every time papi climbs into her bed
and starts to run his fingers up and down her legs
and as he kisses her shoulder
right before he bends her over
she thinks about the piece of her that will die today
you see
the most beautiful girl in my school
the girl who sat across from me in our second grade class
had been a woman since she was 5
deprived of a childhood, freedom and pride
choked and torn up on the inside
but she still smiled
he was her first and only
he was violent and controlling
and she was so scared and lonely
her insides begging "somebody hold me"
only
no one ever did
she needed a father figure but no one ever tried to fit
maybe that's why everyone thought she was just shy as a kid
and she'd try to admit it but who would believe her
she tried the counselors but all they did was deceive her
I feel her
did I ever tell you she was the most beautiful girl, I mean, woman in my school
and she sat right across from me in our second grade class,
and she always smiled
always.
Critique:
I wrote this poem as a kind of spur of the moment thing a couple of years ago. The story does not pertain to my actual life but I am sure that many others have gone through some sort of sexual harassment and molestation or know someone who has.
I have never actually critiqued my own work but here it goes:
I love this poem. It is one of the very few poems that I haven't touched since I wrote it. I don't remember what I went through when I wrote this poem but I really like the structure of this poem. I like the rhyming scheme that I used where I stuck to one word until I felt I exhausted it and then moved on to a new word for the next rhyming scheme.
I enjoy the circularity of the poem as well. The constant repetition of "she was the beautiful girl in my school and she sat right across from me in my second grade class" allows the reader to constantly envision this young girl full of innocence yet corrupted by her father.
If I were to go back into this poem I would probably add more lines in the area regarding her struggles of trying to admit it because I only mention counselors and I could mention more about how many girls and women are affected by such things and made it more inspirational for listeners who are going through similar tribulations.
And she sat right across from me in my second grade class, Ms. Werner
Her, smile could brighten up even your darkest shadow
And her heart was so warm it felt like cupids arrow
hit you
every time you saw her the room would narrow
cuz there was no way you could miss her
cuz she was the most beautiful girl in my school
and she sat right across from me in our second grade class
her cinnamon skin smelled of warm cocoa butter
her long eyelashes liked to bat and flutter
and innocence was the purest depiction of her
her big brown eyes demanded attention
and when she spoke, it was soft, but every word had its intentions
not to mention
she was the most beautiful girl in my school
and she sat right across from me in our second grade class
the callouses on her hands and the fear behind her eyes
didn't set red flags to the suffering she disguised
the lies,
the torture,
the blame
its over
and now she wonders why she doesn't feel this good sober
she's numb
there's nothing going on in that head
she turns it off every time papi climbs into her bed
and starts to run his fingers up and down her legs
and as he kisses her shoulder
right before he bends her over
she thinks about the piece of her that will die today
you see
the most beautiful girl in my school
the girl who sat across from me in our second grade class
had been a woman since she was 5
deprived of a childhood, freedom and pride
choked and torn up on the inside
but she still smiled
he was her first and only
he was violent and controlling
and she was so scared and lonely
her insides begging "somebody hold me"
only
no one ever did
she needed a father figure but no one ever tried to fit
maybe that's why everyone thought she was just shy as a kid
and she'd try to admit it but who would believe her
she tried the counselors but all they did was deceive her
I feel her
did I ever tell you she was the most beautiful girl, I mean, woman in my school
and she sat right across from me in our second grade class,
and she always smiled
always.
Critique:
I wrote this poem as a kind of spur of the moment thing a couple of years ago. The story does not pertain to my actual life but I am sure that many others have gone through some sort of sexual harassment and molestation or know someone who has.
I have never actually critiqued my own work but here it goes:
I love this poem. It is one of the very few poems that I haven't touched since I wrote it. I don't remember what I went through when I wrote this poem but I really like the structure of this poem. I like the rhyming scheme that I used where I stuck to one word until I felt I exhausted it and then moved on to a new word for the next rhyming scheme.
I enjoy the circularity of the poem as well. The constant repetition of "she was the beautiful girl in my school and she sat right across from me in my second grade class" allows the reader to constantly envision this young girl full of innocence yet corrupted by her father.
If I were to go back into this poem I would probably add more lines in the area regarding her struggles of trying to admit it because I only mention counselors and I could mention more about how many girls and women are affected by such things and made it more inspirational for listeners who are going through similar tribulations.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Hip Hop Reader Chapter 5
Chapter 5 'Represent': Race, Space, and Place in Rap Music by Murray Forman
I definitely found this article relatable. Though I am from a small, predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Queens, I grew up a lot of the time at a dance crew I was part of in Harlem. Growing up with my group of friends, I learned the meaning and the importance of territory and, basically as Forman said in a very academic and collegic way, everyone's "hood".
It is repped throughout the music industry constantly, rappers, singers and all types of artists incorporate aspects of their "hoods" into their songs, album covers and live performances. Nicki Minaj has mentioned several times that she is from Queens, the song "Where Brooklyn At?" clearly reps that borough, "Jenny from the Block" by Jennifer Lopez notes countless times that she is repping the Bronx.
I think it is important to have a place where one can always come back to. Having your own territory is always something powerful, it is the place that you know you will always have support and back. Many artists pay homage to the people of their territories because they know that those are the people who are keeping their career alive and thriving.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Hip Hop Reader Chapter 4
Chapter 4 pg 182 Should Ice Cube's Voice be Chilled?
This article touched a lot upon the degradation of others through the words in rap songs and how they can prevent society from prospering. The article talks about how Ice Cube spoke out recklessly regarding people he did not like and things in society he did not agree with.
The article critiques Cube's album entitled "Death Certificate" and how it is split into the two sides. The death side was about sex and guns and violence and the life side was all about politics. He writes lyrics that are deemed raw and uncensored were criticized publicly by activist groups, newspapers, radio stations and other MC's as well.
I think it is okay for Ice Cube to have written such raunchy lyrics that have the potential to stir controversy. That was what music was created for, to tell stories and send messages, like griots. On the contrary I believe it is wrong to criticize his lyrics because the White man did that all throughout history and suddenly you give a black man the power to do the same and it becomes an issue.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Criticism of Lupe Fiasco's "Words I never Said" Part II
This song is extremely political. Lupe refers to Obama and the governments reforms a few times throughout the song. He talks about the Gaza strip which is a known controversy in politics. He talks about budget cuts and education. He spits truth in his lyrics and especially about what he's feeling.
The video is also extremely thought provoking. All the people in the video have something that looks almost like a muzzle restraining them from their right to speak their mind. The atmosphere is gray and dark and lacks any form of hope. A woman is being dragged out by force and Lupe Fiasco later faces the same fate.
Lupe follows a usual rhyme scheme for some rappers. It seems as though he latches on to one word and rhymes with it for a few lines and moves on to a new word. It follows A, A, A, A, B, B, B... however he writes more than four lines that rhyme together.
The video is also extremely thought provoking. All the people in the video have something that looks almost like a muzzle restraining them from their right to speak their mind. The atmosphere is gray and dark and lacks any form of hope. A woman is being dragged out by force and Lupe Fiasco later faces the same fate.
Lupe follows a usual rhyme scheme for some rappers. It seems as though he latches on to one word and rhymes with it for a few lines and moves on to a new word. It follows A, A, A, A, B, B, B... however he writes more than four lines that rhyme together.
Criticism of Lupe Fiasco's "Words I never Said"x
"Words I Never Said"
(feat. Skylar Grey)
[Skylar Grey]
It’s so loud Inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said
I can’t take back the words I never said
[Lupe Fiasco]
I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bullshit
Just a poor excuse for you to use up all your bullets
How much money does it take to really make a full clip
9/11 building 7 did they really pull it
Uhh, And a bunch of other cover ups
Your childs future was the first to go with budget cuts
If you think that hurts then, wait here comes the uppercut
The school was garbage in the first place, that's on the up and up
Keep you at the bottom but tease you with the uppercrust
You get it then they move it so you never keeping up enough
If you turn on TV all you see’s a bunch of “what the fucks”
Dude is dating so and so blabbering bout such and such
And that ain't Jersey Shore, homie that's the news
And these the same people that supposed to be telling us the truth
Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist
Gaza strip was getting bombed, Obama didn’t say shit
That's why I ain't vote for him, next one either
I’ma part of the problem, my problem is I’m peaceful
And I believe in the people.
[Skylar Grey]
It’s so loud inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said
I can’t take back the words I never said
[Lupe Fiasco - Verse 2]
Now you can say it ain't our fault if we never heard it
But if we know better than we probably deserve it
Jihad is not a holy war, wheres that in the worship?
Murdering is not Islam!
And you are not observant
And you are not a muslim
Israel don’t take my side cause look how far you’ve pushed them
Walk with me into the ghetto, this where all the Kush went
Complain about the liquor store but what you drinking liquor for?
Complain about the gloom but when’d you pick a broom up?
Just listening to Pac ain't gone make it stop
A rebel in your thoughts, ain't gon make it halt
If you don’t become an actor you’ll never be a factor
Pills with million side effects
Take em when the pains felt
Wash them down with Diet soda!
Killin off your brain cells
Crooked banks around the World
Would gladly give a loan today
So if you ever miss a payment
They can take your home away!
[Skylar Grey]
It’s so loud inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said, never said
I can’t take back the words I never said
[Lupe Fiasco - Verse 3]
I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence
Fear is such a weak emotion that's why I despise it
We scared of almost everything, afraid to even tell the truth
So scared of what you think of me, I’m scared of even telling you
Sometimes I’m like the only person I feel safe to tell it to
I’m locked inside a cell in me, I know that there’s a jail in you
Consider this your bailing out, so take a breath, inhale a few
My screams is finally getting free, my thoughts is finally yelling through
[Skylar Grey]
It’s so loud Inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said
It’s so loud Inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said
I can’t take back the words I never said
[Lupe Fiasco]
I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bullshit
Just a poor excuse for you to use up all your bullets
How much money does it take to really make a full clip
9/11 building 7 did they really pull it
Uhh, And a bunch of other cover ups
Your childs future was the first to go with budget cuts
If you think that hurts then, wait here comes the uppercut
The school was garbage in the first place, that's on the up and up
Keep you at the bottom but tease you with the uppercrust
You get it then they move it so you never keeping up enough
If you turn on TV all you see’s a bunch of “what the fucks”
Dude is dating so and so blabbering bout such and such
And that ain't Jersey Shore, homie that's the news
And these the same people that supposed to be telling us the truth
Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist
Gaza strip was getting bombed, Obama didn’t say shit
That's why I ain't vote for him, next one either
I’ma part of the problem, my problem is I’m peaceful
And I believe in the people.
[Skylar Grey]
It’s so loud inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said
I can’t take back the words I never said
[Lupe Fiasco - Verse 2]
Now you can say it ain't our fault if we never heard it
But if we know better than we probably deserve it
Jihad is not a holy war, wheres that in the worship?
Murdering is not Islam!
And you are not observant
And you are not a muslim
Israel don’t take my side cause look how far you’ve pushed them
Walk with me into the ghetto, this where all the Kush went
Complain about the liquor store but what you drinking liquor for?
Complain about the gloom but when’d you pick a broom up?
Just listening to Pac ain't gone make it stop
A rebel in your thoughts, ain't gon make it halt
If you don’t become an actor you’ll never be a factor
Pills with million side effects
Take em when the pains felt
Wash them down with Diet soda!
Killin off your brain cells
Crooked banks around the World
Would gladly give a loan today
So if you ever miss a payment
They can take your home away!
[Skylar Grey]
It’s so loud inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said, never said
I can’t take back the words I never said
[Lupe Fiasco - Verse 3]
I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence
Fear is such a weak emotion that's why I despise it
We scared of almost everything, afraid to even tell the truth
So scared of what you think of me, I’m scared of even telling you
Sometimes I’m like the only person I feel safe to tell it to
I’m locked inside a cell in me, I know that there’s a jail in you
Consider this your bailing out, so take a breath, inhale a few
My screams is finally getting free, my thoughts is finally yelling through
[Skylar Grey]
It’s so loud Inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Book of Rhymes #5 "Truth Is" by Black Ice
So in essence, they still floodin the streets with the thugs, drugs and the killing
They just usin these record labels to do it
Takin our hearts off demos, puttin us in limos
tryin to fuck up divine direction
But, young black men have been trained to chase money
and pussy, so we fall victim to our own erection
And begin to convince ourselves we're on our way somewhere where we're not goin
But ignorance is bliss and niggaz love this so, niggaz take pride in not knowin
We not growin, nigga I give a fuck how slick you flowin
if you ain't showin nuttin to these kids or addin nuttin positive to the earth
Black Ice been destined to touch the world ever since I was born
To be real, fuck a record deal, God gives me what I'm worth
I love this poem and Black Ice is one of my favorite poets. He speaks out in this poem about how black people have been oppressed even through the music industry and how they are driven to "fucked up shit" because of what America tells you you can be.
Ice uses an A,B,C,B,D,B flow. Constantly going back to that one rhyming word in the beginning, direction-erection. Then he quickly changes over into an A,A,A,B,C,D,C flow. The quick changes in his flow is what separates him from other rappers, he is a spoken word artist and he proves that with the way his words are not enslaved by a beat or a certain rhyme scheme.
He is very straight forward with his words and knows exactly what sort of audience he targets. He brings his depictions to eye level and enlightens his listeners to the harsh realities of the black experience through a fast paced, loud pitched voice and flow.
They just usin these record labels to do it
Takin our hearts off demos, puttin us in limos
tryin to fuck up divine direction
But, young black men have been trained to chase money
and pussy, so we fall victim to our own erection
And begin to convince ourselves we're on our way somewhere where we're not goin
But ignorance is bliss and niggaz love this so, niggaz take pride in not knowin
We not growin, nigga I give a fuck how slick you flowin
if you ain't showin nuttin to these kids or addin nuttin positive to the earth
Black Ice been destined to touch the world ever since I was born
To be real, fuck a record deal, God gives me what I'm worth
I love this poem and Black Ice is one of my favorite poets. He speaks out in this poem about how black people have been oppressed even through the music industry and how they are driven to "fucked up shit" because of what America tells you you can be.
Ice uses an A,B,C,B,D,B flow. Constantly going back to that one rhyming word in the beginning, direction-erection. Then he quickly changes over into an A,A,A,B,C,D,C flow. The quick changes in his flow is what separates him from other rappers, he is a spoken word artist and he proves that with the way his words are not enslaved by a beat or a certain rhyme scheme.
He is very straight forward with his words and knows exactly what sort of audience he targets. He brings his depictions to eye level and enlightens his listeners to the harsh realities of the black experience through a fast paced, loud pitched voice and flow.
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