KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR MUSIC

June 17th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

People have been using music to keep historical records forever. They write songs about the things going on around them, and those songs are taught to their children. They pass them on to their children, who inturn create new music about how things have changed.

So KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR MUSIC.

As much as it pains me to say it, most of our current history is caught on CDS, Mixed Tapes, and battle raps on corners. It’s amazing to watch a young MC put his pain and achievement in a rap.

I don’t care what he is rapping about. I don’t care if it’s gun play, selling drugs, or women. Keep it on wax. Imagine a world where young black men used their words to solve issues instead of guns.

I don’t think the government could justify arresting young black men for throwing ideas and word play around. It’s alot easier to get the ones that shoot people, rob people, or sell drugs in real life.

The books that are published by us these days don’t get alot of attention. It’s not because white people are holding us down, it’s because we don’t spend money on books. Instead we buy the Cd, or download songs onto our Ipod.

Now I do the same, the difference? I utilize the public library. The problem with the library is you don’t find the opinions of those around you. I’m not talking about the college graduate, or the made it rich athlete.

I’m talking about the young men that turn into these…….

They may not know they are using similes, metaphors, iambic pentameter, and such, but they use it all. They display intellegence, quick thinking and response, and more than anything, hope, a future, a way out.

Not just in music. In thought. In sharing experinces, lessons, and humility. You know it’s nothing worse than losing a battle rap, but to have the courage to stand there and do it anyway. Take that swag into a job interview, mix it with correct english, and you got employeed men than can take care of their families.

Don’t try to restrict the message. We can pick out those that have no substance. They might get a one hit wonder, but we’re not going to spend money on those who aren’t real with us.

Now having said all that. I would like to offer a challenge to all hip hop’ers. Let’s see a message. Not what you have, or about those who tried to stop you. Tell us about how hard you worked to acheive your success.

What did you have to give up? What sacrifices did you make? What lessons did you have to learn more than once? Why can’t I do it, if you can?

And for the Hip Hop’ers that are up and coming, I ask, What is the first thing you’re going to buy? Will you spend all your money, before you have guaranteed long term success? Will you reinvest, and it doesn’t have to be alot, back into the communities that supported you, or will you spend it on women or men that wouldn’t have paid you a bit of attention when you were broke?

What about health insurance, retirement, and high yield savings accounts? Now I know you think those issues wouldn’t make a good song. That’s the thing. Our young ones are so smart, they can flip it into a song. How many different ways have you heard someone describe shooting in a song? Too many, but they always find new ways to do it.

Tupac said he wouldn’t be the one that changed the world, but he would spark the brain of the one who would. Listen to Tupac. He rapped about guns, drugs, sexual irresponsibility, but he is one of my favorite rappers. He talks about loving black woman and treating them right, he talks about how he won his murder trial because he was right, and he talks about how we hold each other down.

I’m waiting for that brain to come alive and to have his or her voice heard. That person is out there. And I’m waiting to hear it.

Hating On Master P: Backlash From Congressional Appearance

June 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

In September, I didn’t have my website. I was moving into my new house on the day Master P, David Banner, and Dr. Michael Dyson spoke in front of Congress in the name on hip-hop.

I actually stopped packing and took a seat to watch. I thought it was excellent. Punch for punch, our voice was heard. It would’ve recieved more attention if those at the top of the game were there, but I give mad props to David Banner and Master P for showing up.

We complain and complain that we can’t get any help. Some of our artist make millions complaining. Here was their chance to make a footprint, where were they. If they couldn’t have spoken, they could have shown up and supported the voices and words that were heard.

Instead, they come out and bash Master P. He’s turning on us. He’s uppity now that he has some money. I heard it from everywhere.

What did he say that was so wrong.

Oh my God. It’s important that we understand our people need healthcare.

Oh, No. He grew up and learned lessons taught to him by life.

How dare he say we need more black faces behind the scence fighting for us?

I don’t blalme Master P for making some money and realizing the ghetto isn’t the only place on Earth. I don’t blame him for realizing that money makes the world go round, and though our songs make millions, or brand makes billions. I respect him for having the courage to say the unpopular thing.

I agree with David Banner and Master P. Our songs do influence our communities, and I hate artist that only dipict woman as sexual toys. But there are women out there that respond to that.

There are artist that are pure lyricist. They speak of guns, drugs, sex and hos, but they also speak of love for their brothers, our inablity to be stopped, respect for women that deserve it, and a swag that will carry you through any situation. They are complex and that’s how it should be.

Though we’re black, there is a large range of our likes and dislikes. Real rappers don’t dance. That’s my opinion. Pop stars dance, but there is a place in hip-hop for Soulja Boy and the rest. I don’t hate, but I don’t support either.

Except for raps Number 1 Clown, name an artist at the top that isn’t diverse. The top sellers have songs targeted to different groups because they understand we are diverse.

The backlash on Master P is uncalled for. We have to be the ones that stand up and take what belongs to us. If you think one day we’re going to wake up ruling the world without a fight you are delusional. It takes our voices of tracks, it takes our products in stores, it takes our command behind the scences, but more than anything, it takes us understanding WE HAVE TO DO IT.

We are doing it. We’re owning our own labels and getting top positions in long established music companies. Don’t you think we see that just as much as we see the bling? We know we’d rather have Jay-Z’s money instead of what’s his name’s temporary funds.

It takes us all. Those who want to tell what’s going on right now, we need you. Those that have been through it and made it out, we need you. Those that make offensive songs that make us argue, we need you. Only then will the complete picture be painted.

David Banner: Interview after Congress

June 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I don’t listen to David Banner as an artist, but as a black man using his word wisely, I WILL LISTEN.

You will find multiple blogs on the Congressional Hip-Hop meeting. It is important to realize we have to voice our problems in front of the movers and shakers of the government.

That’s right. Our music is fine the way it is. There are artist that don’t help our cause, but you can go to any bookstore and find stories written by people long forgotten.

I can disagree when David Banner says ‘It’s Just a Song’. It’s not. It’s our words. Our stories, from our point of view. I don’t want to hear only positive music. That is not the way the world is. I think we have enough problems deluding ourselves that racism can stop us from accomplishing anything.

My brothers that ran the streets, knew what they were doing. They knew it wasn’t right and that’s why they started rapping. Give us credit enough to know when our artist sings about their struggle, they overcame. That’s the point that’s missing.

You Won’t Get My Money

May 21st, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I was overjoyed watching the 07 BET Music Awards. Katt Williams was great. I loved how he highlighted all the positives happening in our communities. I loved it, but my favorite moment came from legendary Hip Hop’er.

MC Lyte said “Know who is making music for you.” I jumped off my couch and began jumping around yelling and screaming her praises. All she had to say was “Ludacris” and I would’ve created the new MC Lyte Fanclub with a tattoo on my forehead.

Now I know he isn’t the only one, nor is he the worst. Ludacris just happens to cause the most drama in my house. My beau was a huge Ludacris fan when we met. I listened and since we were in that new stage of a relationship, I didn’t rant and rave. I even went and bought him’Chicken and Beer.” I wanted to surprise him so I put it in the car.

That was it. I lost it. It was the worst kind to. You know from “Anger Management” when Jack Nicholson kept pressing Adam Sandler. I was there. Every song was about a ho. Now I’m not sensitive. I know there are whores, tricks, and the rest, but every song.

I instantly formed an opinion of Ludacris. He doesn’t want my money. He isn’t making music for me and the women like me that show respect for ourselves. I bet he was payed alot of attention at school, because no girls would give him any play.

Then my dude confirmed my thoughts. He informed me Ludacris grew up in Fairfax, and he was a total goober. He had seen pictures. He began back pedaling when I began laughing and throwing insults Luda’s way. Now that could have been someone making up an I know him story, but I believe it. No man that has been touched by a real woman could make an entire album without a single nice thing to say.

Now I’m going to stop downin Ludacris, he making money and I’m far from a hater. I just know who’s making music for me. So I’ll buy my favs the day they come out and I’ll teach my daughter what to look for.

Inspiration, a message, a slammin beat, and an artist that considered you as target. Those of you that refuse to see women as more than a wet spot, you get no love, no airplay on my radio, and especially no money.

BET INTERVIEW WITH T.I.

May 20th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I pumped T.I. vs T.I.P for two months straight. I admired how he showed his inner struggles throughout the CD. I thought to myself, a rapper with swag and self awareness. He had been in trouble with the law before, but we all go through shit.

Upon hearing he had been arrested before the 2007 BET AWARDS, I was disappointed. Not because another rapper was in trouble, not because T.I. happened to be one of my favorite artist, but because every radio station was talking about how “the man” was doing him wrong.

They should just let T.I. go. They always want to bring down a black man with some money. Grow up and get real. They’re not trying to catch you because you have money. They are trying to catch you because you’re buying guns. You know those things that are wiping out our younger generation.

I haven’t listened to T.I. since. I refuse, and with the lack of good artist, it isn’t easy. I was waiting for something. Something that would allow me to listen to him again with out shouting stupid at the radio.

Posted on BET.COM, an interview with T.I.

T.I. started the interview by accepting responsibility for his decisions. He didn’t rant and rave about how he is a victim, instead he was humble and blessed for making it through his troubles.

When asked why the constant run ins with the law, the Atlanta rapper was lost for words. He finally decided his inability to let go of things in his past played a major role. He had to learn to control his alter ego, T.I.P.

“You’re missing the point.”

That was his response to anyone who thought he was cool for having multiple guns in his home. T.I. wanted them to take focus on the things he lost, in all about $10 million. He lost his endorsement deal with GMC and a couple movie roles he had lined up, not to mention his reputation for the future.

“Nothing’s cool about going to jail for longer than you’ve been alive.” T.I. was reflective in this moment.

Looking forward, T.I. sees nothing but a bright future ahead. He stated his music has always been about happenings in society, and now guns and drugs won’t be as prevalent in his songs, as they are no longer prevalent in his life.

T.I. then had a sit down with some of his fans. Before accepting questions, T.I. gave the teens some advice.

First, live and learn. Nobody expects you to be perfect, but you have to learn from your mistakes.

Second, things that mean the world to you right now, won’t matter in 10 years. Don’t let the mistakes of you’re past define the person you become.

Last, don’t get in a permanant situations because of a short temper.

The last thing he said had to be the best. His biggest obstacle in his life was himself. He had a hard time reprogramming himself from street life into normal society.

T.I. is facing a year in jail, but his optimism wouldn’t show it. He was happy he would be home for the birth of his 6th child, a boy, and have time to get his affairs in order before beginning his sentence.

So today, I pull up my T.I. playlist from my IPOD, and I flow along with the KING OF THE SOUTH. I don’t shout at the radio. I smile. I’m happy I wasn’t wrong rating him a complete artist.

They pushed up the release day for the new CD. I can’t wait to see what lessons he learned and how he applies them to his music.

Beyonce “LISTEN”

May 18th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

When DREAMGIRLS was released Christmas Day 2006, I wasn’t in a rush to go and see it. I decided to wait for the DVD release. When that came out, I still didn’t rent it. It took a broken down train and hot bus to force me to watch it. A story for another day.

EDDIE MURPHY was brilliant as “Thunder Early”. Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul. How could you not love that? JENNIFER HUDSON, former AMERICAN IDOL winner, played the diva, Effie, and did a hell of a job at it. Her vocals gave heart and soul to the movie. JAMIE FOX played Curtis Taylor Jr., a strong willed producer with a by any mean neccessary philosphy.

My comments come on Deena, played by BEYONCE KNOWLES. I know the purpose of her character was to stand in the backround and she did a wonderful job of that. Her little concerts were cute, she was beautiful in her photo shoot, but she exploded in “Listen”.

Her awakening towards the ending was beautiful, and made me watch the movie over and over again. I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything, and my opinion, she was the one not listening.

When he refused to let her have a child, she wasn’t listening. When she had to sneak to talk about her future, she wasn’t listening. It wasn’t until he got bold enough to say it out right she got the message.

Take lesson in this. If at night you lay in bed and think about all the shit pushed on you by those who claim to love you, listen. If your constantly repeating your feelings on the same subject, listen. If there is something empty inside you and that person had no desire to fill it, listen.

When your words fall on deaf ears, a million words should be flying towards you. Don’t wait until they get bold enough to say it. “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.” MAYA ANGELO. Refer to my blog “TWO HEARTS”.

More than listening to what the other person is saying, listen to what your tellling yourself. If you’re trying to keep someone when that person is hurting you, listen to yourself. Would you give that advice to your best friend? Keep someone that’s no good for you.

Instead of expecting someone else to listen, do a little listening yourself.