Can it be?

It is happening! Slowly but surely good music is starting to hit the airwaves. Today I got a bit of a reassurance with two artists on different ends of the spectrum, both 100% hip-hop. Hailing from Rhymesayers Entertainment we have Toki Wright in one corner and coming from Interscope Records we have Wale. Rhymesayers is the biggest little record label around. Very few of their artists get major airtime on any radio stations, but they are the most widely known “underground” label. Atmosphere, Brother Ali, even Evidence (from Dilated Peoples) are all members of the Rhymesayers team. Then you have Interscope Records a mega label that shoves music down throats of our society. The problem with labels like Interscope is that many artists feel like they loose a lot of their personnel flair and ability to have control on how they want to create music. I am sure any major label would love to swoop on a group like the Cunninlynguists, but I think they are pretty happy being the kings of QN5.

Toki Wright is possibly the future of Rhymesayers. This guy is damn good and Rhymesayers knows it as they just released his music video to MTVU. MTVU is MTV’s new University channel that actual has a lot of up and coming quality artists on it, but nobody knows about it. Hopefully that will change. About a month ago I was fortunate enough to go to Brother Ali concert and Toki Wright was there as well. I showed up a tad late and missed his performance, but I got see just glimpse of him. This music video is raw and real and I absolutely think it is the best thing since sliced bread. To just pour your whole heart out on a track and leave it there to be judged takes a lot of courage. Toki Wright you are one brave brother. I haven’t time yet to type these lyrics but take a look at the video and be ready for more of Toki Wright in the near future.

Chorus

How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me make it through the day
How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me change my evil ways
How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me take off all these chains
Pleasure with the pain
How do I explain

Chorus

I'm a Devil's Advocate...
Miss Brown Skin
Light brown skin
Dark brown skin
We can link around 10
I said, I ain't got no lady
You ain'r got no man
Tell me what's the deal
What's the plan
You want to talk
Want to touch
Want to make love
Want to have sex
Want to fuck?
You want all of the above
But you want it with somebody
You can trust
Might as well face it
I'm addicted to love
Or is it lust
Trying to keep you in my grasp
In my clutch
When we split like a dutch afterwards
I wondered if we moved in a rush
Not waiting for the next bus
What they say,
Every 15 here comes another one
'bout to get in something that's troublesome
is a relationship possible
is it realistic or an obstacle
not for you
I'm on the phone
Said I need some time alone
When you gone
Wish I had you in my home
Said you've got a Jonz in your bones
Play D'angelo
Angie Stone told me
Come and get it while its warm
I called you back and said come on
Lets meet halfway
We can burn it til
We filling up the ashtray
And I've never been the one for betrayl
I've just got to find a way to say no
Devil's Advocate

Chorus

How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me make it through the day
How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me change my evil ways
How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me take off all these chains
Pleasure with the pain
How do I explain

Chorus

Sins of the father
Cast down upon the son
As the sun sits overcast
Beaming down upon us
Hand inside the gauntlet
With a hair trigger
Father figure
Views The Bible Channel
As he sips upon his liquor
Son watches father
Watching channel
As the hammer hits the anvil
And its thinning out the blade
I recollect the times I could of died
By suicide but stayed alive
Before I hit the 7th grade
I met a friend
Who jumped over the ledge
But someone grabbed her leg
Before the halo or the flames came overhead
I understood that all her tears were shed
And realized that I lived in denial
Later restless in my bed
Know the secrets some should never know
Deep inside I hold
Wishing I was never ever told
Praised by others
Telling me I'm bold
But I often wished my ears were shut
Mouth were taped
And eyes were closed
So

Chorus

How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me make it through the day
How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me change my evil ways
How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me take off all these chains
Pleasure with the pain
How do I explain

Chorus

The high rise is bigger
Than the skyscrapers in the distance
Living in a complex
Can be some complex
Section 8 'til we get it straight
I said, we gon make it big
Get up out here any day
(Repeat)

Chorus

How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me make it through the day
How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me change my evil ways
How do I explain
What is it I can say
That'll help me take off all these chains
Pleasure with the pain
How do I explain

Chorus

I’m not gonna hate on Wale for signing with Interscope at all. I just hope he keeps his identity and continues to pump out music like “the prescription.” The great thing is that there are artists out there slowly hopping into the game on major labels that actually have lyrical content. I know its pretty hard to believe. Cats like Lupe Fiasco, Kid Cudi, K’Naan, and now the latest addition Wale, all have signed with mega labels. So the reason I am so stoked is because this Wale kid is damn good, in fact all the artists I just listed are killer. So as I sit here and pray that he keeps his integrity take a listen to his track. I posted the lyrics below.

Lyrics Wale – Prescription

Simply out of this world by choice

The world’s too much for all of us to enjoy

I focus on the void and I fill it

Hoping the depressed don’t give in and give up

Some listeners give up your ears it’s your hero

From here on a heroin like high I give off

Live off my lullaby

They itching for a new breath here’s the calimine

And I refuse to camaflouge with other guys

You see my mind is the muse of their head nodding

I so got em as hypnosis of hip-hop

Cause when I talk they don’t just watch

I make em feel it the feelings are familiar

A rush of adrenaline you can pick up a building

You can become a killer if properly scripted

First one is free next time I will be billing ya

Here go your prescription

Don’t let the pain getcha

That’s why my lane will provide as

Pain killer a thane killer

16 of Percocet just let it chill yo

That little burn that you feel, feel good don’t it?

Just sit back and relax and say that….hey

And let the beat play

Close your eyes whoever uninspired

Pay me no mind I put Adderall in your eyes

Riddle them with Ritalin

Attention deficit niggas start listening

That what I’m giving them the drug that their brain need

Them niggas sick of hip-hop so they appointed me and I veined

But the IV was ill in me

Ignorance was drug of choice but they OD’D

Couldn’t alone leave them

I am the soul leader

The young soul that the OG’s still believe in

And if you’re not convinced keep on promoting them

I breathe life in the game they are Kevorkian

They promoting suicide but as soon as signs

I drew designs for consumer’s minds so in time

Do it for all y’all

Don’t got to wait long, just be patient

Please, please

Here go your prescription

See they say one has to know the past to last in the present

So I bask in the weather while the presence of these legends

Lend me they rappin to give gifts to my brethren

My nigga this is more than a vocal booth

This is my only truth this is my rising up

So you can ask Black Thought if I know my Roots

Shit before you ?uest my love for this

Just know we would play Q-Tip in the cue

Before you knew Tip and before you knew tip

I was tippin strippers properly to pussy poppin

So when ask me what I know about that

Ironically I’m asking you the same question

I am hip-hop

Past present and future

I can rap on some old Primo sound like the present

Make it seem like a sequel to the new me bitch

I’m wale the prescription