Pure Positivity

Mighty Mos Def said it best, "Why does one straw break the camels back? Here's the secret, the million other straws underneath it." In the culture of Hip-Hop there is a paradigm shift going down. While Lil Wayne experiences seizures (probably from excessive codeine usage) and Nicky Minaj trots around like a trollop not fit for the slums of Kandahar, legitimate artists are emerging. They're shining lights on the fact that excessive materialism, drug use, violence, persecution, and sexism are not productive parts of society. Emcees are getting features on their albums from influential people like Dr. Cornell West (Brother Ali) and Maya Angelou (Kendrick Lamar). They're are openly rapping about the disgusting hate towards homosexuality (Murs & Macklemore). Even the catholic church and their rampant cover up of pedophilia isn't safe (Lupe Fiasco). The cherry on this sundae is the fact that all these artists have recently topped the charts on iTunes. Right

Bodies decorated with tattoos and chains trying to put armor between you and pain. How many hip-hop artists can rip a Jake One beat, smash mics with Freeway, make Carson Daily a legit fan, and get Dr. Cornell West to close out a track? Brother Ali just dropped one hell of an uplifting album. While others whine about the country railing down the road to perdition, Brother Ali brings a sense of realism to the table. We are a country founded on the fundamentals of lifting oneself up by ones bootstraps, but what happens when those bootstraps are weathered? That's the premise of the album. What to do when you're bootstraps can't afford another tug... Lyrics: Brother Ali - Only Life I Know It's my life Yeah the only one that I'll ever know Feeling extra low Please let me go Oh... Lord... No... It's my life Yeah the only one that I'll ever know And it stress me so God bless my soul Oh... Lord... No... Whether it's the projects or tr

I'm making shit you relate to, worry and celebrate to, that make you wanna  do better than just make do. Shortly after dropping my mixtape and album of the year Oddisee decides to give me one more remarkable treat. It's a confection sweet like stevia; all natural and guilt free. His flow parallels a calm creek quickly shifting to white water rapids only to ease up to that perfect portrait. It's an unprecedented balance of camel cool minus the naive bravado. With Oddisee you always know you're going to get a quality track destined to be stuck on repeat. Lyrics: Oddisee - From Largo With Love Representing from Largo It's Odd yo Hey yo Keep going I'm back at it like I ain't just drop a classic I think talent is habitual a habit I contract it With residuals to match it I'm a cactus in the desert So when other start to perish I flourish where it's difficult Weird to imagine my ?Awankin? to mash shit I do my best between the power and

If I was gay I would think Hip-Hop hates me When will people understand that there is  no such thing as normal. Different is what makes humanity so incredibly awesome. Discrimination is just so deeply rooted in the US that it will take a significant amount of time for things to fast forward in a direction of nobility. Our tenure as white men has been pretty raw: We've pillaged the Natives, enslaved African Americans, turned Chinese into indentured servants, refused to give women the right to vote, created Jim Crow laws, put Japanese in internment camps, ostracized Muslims; and then when we look at this hindsight a rather foul feeling overwhelms the senses. It's troubling that with all we've been through we continue to make the same mistake. Gay used to mean high spirited and now it's used as an insult. What the fuck is going on? In 1982 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five released The Message which quickly became a catalyst for a movement. It was a new era in

Sometimes you got these problems on your mind. And people will tell your sorrow, you'll be fine. But I don't believe that, you see that's a way of being lazy. If you want it got to get it, if confronted and you quit it, then you're nothing but a victim in a system that we living but forgiven if you want to start again. If you follow this blog in any way, shape, or form you'll notice that Oddisee has really been on my radar as of late. After dropping Odd Renditions he busted out his first official album People Hear What They See . Each track has it's own provocative, and even more so than that, proactive stance that keeps me yearning for more. Oddisee's cavalier D.C. style puts things perfectly into perspective. I love the quote I have listed above and feel it really represents what it takes to succeed. In fact the whole track elaborates on the fundamentals of ambition and what led this amazing artist to where he is today. Lyrics: Oddisee - Let it Go I

It's like we gave up before we started. At the age of 6 this song still shows an all too shocking reality. I continue to write post after post about my distaste for what passes as music on the airwaves. Will this ever change? Are we going to continue to dumb down our music to level of incontinence. I can see it now, the next big hit titled, "Shit Yourself." There are artists out there with a sense of dexterity that choose not to regurgitate hollow words. Instead they pepper their tracks with bits of wisdom meant for consumption by deprived ears. Real emcees need to get the dap they deserve. It's inexplicably one of the most perplexing problems I've run across. I'm not demanding the end of poppy music rather a small influx of tracks like this to hit the masses. Any ideas? Lyrics: Sivion - So Perfect Yeah you think you’re so special You’re so complete now Nah listen I got seven ways to love you You can find me on a park bench cooling while I spark t

These cats drink champagne then toast death and pain. Like slaves on a ship talking about who got the flyest chain.  Ask a true hip-hop head to name their top 5 albums and chances are you'll get "Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star" on that list. Their recent work may be a bit diluted, but back in the late 90's and early 2000's these guys both were untouchable. You know this rings true when one of the comments on youtube states, "He dropped one of the most significant & deepest lines in hip hop history on this song." I whole heartily agree with that statement.  Lyrics: Talib Kweli - Africa Dream (talking) If you can talk you can sing If you can walk you can dance That's an old proverb from Zimbabwe You know what I mean If you can talk you can sing If you can walk you can dance Yeah, and the trumpet is blown  Yeah, alright, C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon  Alright, Wooh! (talking) Yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, one more time Yo, a

I never see stars on a red rug, if I want to see stars I just look above. I've been wanting to post on Big K.R.I.T. for sometime now, just haven't had the spark needed to do so. Much like other artists I respect greatly, he's a producer/emcee who's talent level is on par with some of the greats. Many compare him to the late Pimp C, but I've got a different stance. K.R.I.T.'s got an undefinable grit and charisma that presses listeners to really muddle that Mississippi music. Already dropping 3 stellar mixtapes without a label backed project to date it feels like I've stolen some of the greatest albums to come out of south since Atliens. On this track he toils with introspective thoughts on death, love, religion, and success. It's one of his deeper songs that hits home the feeling of being lost while trying to move forward. I've certainly been here before and a song like this can be cathartic in a time in need, so put those headphones on and delve in

Rarely do I wait impatiently like a child on Christmas Eve, but after hearing the first leaked track I knew this 4 song EP would be something special. To me Oddisee is the genome for hip-hop. With top notch lyrics only exacerbated by production worthy of a royal seal, he consistently generates music that embodies the virtues of an art form that's currently tarnished. But don't be dissuaded by a little rust, with artists like Oddisee that tarnish quickly becomes a priceless patina. I'll let him hammer it home with a verse I feel personalizes my point. See it's all about exchange it ain't all about the fame I'm living upper middle class and people hardly know my name Cause the dollars that I gain ain't at the course of rotting brains I'm from a time that's been forgotten where the scholars entertain Download the EP:  Free Download Link   Lyrics: Oddisee - The Gold is Mine So get yourself fixed up I'll take you out around town I s

Often a rendition of a classic is done so with a lack of sensitivity required to even dignify the remix. None of this holds true when a renascence man takes the reigns. Oddisee is much more than an artist, he's a genius of production with an extensive lexicon when it comes to musical notes.  Another worthy note is the incredible music video to accompany this remix. I've noticed the amount views for this video has greatly increased in the past week and am happy that Oddisee is getting a taste of the recognition he so justly deserves. Overall I love his take on this track and look forward to hearing the other 3 songs on the upcoming EP, "Odd Renditions." Lyrics: Oddisee - Ain't That Peculiar Remix Marvin Gaye: Honey you do me wrong but still I'm crazy bout you Stay away too long and I can't do without you You tell me lies that should be obvious to me But I'm so much in love with you baby till I don't want to see Ain't that peculiar a

Action Bronson is just down right nasty. Spewing nothing worthy of a child's ears his filthy style has that certain shock factor to it. The other day I was told that my writings could be seen as a bit preachy, and I can dig that. I do however recognize talent for what it is and these gutter infused syllables are an ode to the predecessors (Wu-Tang). Bronsolini has some serious skills, so if you're like me and need to acquiesce to his raw raps you'll find yourself pleasantly rewarded.  Before you dig in for a healthy helping I'd like to break down a couple of his more obscure lines.  "Running through the maze like I'm Willie" - A nod to Willie Mays and incredible play on words. "You know the fuzzy light green, call it Dunlop. Flows nuns twat." - His flow is really that tight, just like a nuns twat.  Lyrics: Action Bronson - Not Enough Words produced by Statik Selektah [Verse 1] Book a ticket to the tropics cause I’m through w

Big ups to 89.3 the current for introducing me to this track. I'd never heard of Mally prior to a couple of days ago, but now have this live joint on heavy rotation. K Raydio, the woman who sings the chorus, is absolutely fantastic, her voice is just so...undeniably clear. This is another great track illustrating the importance of music on an individuals life. It feels good, has a killer beat, quality lyrics, and that delicious chorus. Enjoy.     Lyrics: Mally - Good One ft. K Raydio You should sit back and enjoy the ride Bright lights in my face I feel super high Do or die I'm pressed to keep doing heat Do it speak fluent its fly just read through it Everyday out the door want more The allure got em sure Let em all in finick in the aurora Whole life Friday a good glass pour up I live off the ground everyday is a soar up This real rap is what I'm branding all day Anyway God said I'm gonna have a big quarter Feel like the prez when you're facing the

Nearly 12 years ago I distinctly remember watching some mentally handicapped kids being ridiculed by 4 bullies. Slurs were being hurled viciously like cannonballs, and while I felt bad, I chose to watch rather then get involved. Right at the moment my best friend and near coolest kid in the school immediately threw himself into the fray. Due to him being a jock and exceptionally popular I thought he was going to join the epitaphs, but instead what happened changed my life. Tony got in the faces of the bully's and told them if they want to pick on someone it should be him. With a protective rage in his eyes he said, "Back the fuck away before I kick your asses." That was it, the situation was diffused immediately and my respect for Tony grew immensely. He went over to the mentally handicapped kids and gave them all a hug. They knew him by name and said thanks. Astonished as ever, I said, "Tony, that really was awesome!" His response was, ""Those kids

Sometimes in life you'll smack directly into a wall. Every effort you put forth feels like a failed attempt and your natural response is to give up. The darkness of night begins to take over as you rationalize every reason for your lack of success. As you decide to concede to your ambition you'll spiral into a whirlwind of failure. You'll question every step you made and ponder if you ever had what it takes to make it.  This is the exact time when you find out who you are. As you're engulfed by the darkness remember that stars shine brightest at this very moment. Look within and grab that last little shred of confidence you possess. Don't be naive, don't be cocky, instead pull your chin off your chest, look up, toss your headphones on, and embody this track.  Lyrics: Cunninlynguists - Stars Shine Brightest (In the Darkness of Night)  [Natti] You can only see the stars when it’s Don Cheadle black when the chips are down who dips and who reacts? fold

On February 26th 2012 Trayvon Martin was gunned down by an over zealous neighborhood watch named Andrew Zimmerman. For nearly two months Zimmerman, hidden in secret, evaded any sort of retribution for his actions. Finally on April 11th 2012 Zimmerman was arrested and charged with second degree murder. Many questions swirl my head with regards to this case, but the overwhelming one is that we are far from social equality. If I had been the 17 year old boy shot down I assure you Zimmerman would be arrested the moment police arrived on scene. He would be stuck in jail with little to no chance of bail and only have one avenue to freedom; a not guilty verdict. So I ask, would any of this come to light if the media didn't cover the story so ferociously? Lyrics: Nicolay & Kay - The Gunshot ft. Chip Yu They can't contribute and they loaded Pull the trigger gun exploded as the mamma noticed Mamma stood still mamma frozen She hoping the gunshot she see Crying for the gunsh

Self explanatory... Lyrics: Murs - Gods gone crazy 2012 the Mayan disaster Keep one eye on your government the other on your pastor Religious folks live in fear of the rapture Me I'm just thinking about what's going to happen after Do we begin a new chapter Do I get to face off with God like Castor Will he answer all my questions Fully take my suggestions The reverend said never question have faith A man without faith is worthy of god's hate But if god feels emotion is he safe to trust And if god does hate then does he hate us So much pain and suffering  So many people struggling but still have love for him  A miracle in and of itself Living in poverty the spiritual wealth It's hard not to be amazed by that  So do you live your life on faith or based on fact Was god watching when they shot my homie dead In front of the church in the back of his head With that said I'm still alive making bread So I'm guessing its

Back in 2003 I went to a show at record shop that had the Grouch and Eligh playing, the opener was a group I'd never heard of before called The Procussions. Their style was unique and something I was far from use to. After the show I did a little research on them and in all honesty kind of forget about them. Then in 2006 when Constance by Mr. J Mederios came out a flashback of the concert popped in my mind. Immediately back on my radar I had a new found respect for this extremely talented front man of the group. Again with time, an out of sight out of mind type of mentality became of Mr. J. Now in 2012 I have no reason to ever neglect this artist again. With powerful prose like, "Silencing the religious who vandalize the themes using violence and find forgiveness..." and teaming up with one of my favorites in Shad, this is one hell of a lethal combination. Download this incredible freebie. http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2012/03/05/mr-j-medeiros-pale-blue-dot-rmx-f-shad/

Here we have an artist that pushes passion to a Lewis and Clark like state. E-dubble never ceases to amaze the hip-hop aficionado in me. His devout desire to continually search for truth within is astonishing. While battling the disgusting doubt that we as humans have in ourselves, e-dubble displays the importance of accomplishing even the most trivial tasks. Like a conquistador sent on a quest for discovery he pillages the tender callouses of self wealth and societal status. "what's important overall, no withdrawl we don't regret pushing forward even though this life sucks sometimes fucking with this noose I promise I can get it untied you made it outta bed, task one, crossed off step 2, show them that you ain't gone be a rag doll stand up, backbone, strong enough to break falls ref is tryna make ammends look at all those late calls" It's funny I read these lyrics and don't feel the intensity. But you put those headphones on, crank that vol

Hip-Hop is an outlet and Pep Love grew up utilizing it. I can spend hours trying to elaborate on the importance of this genre, but instead I'll let the pro explain; "They did it for the kids on the block, instead of banging they was hanging out doing that up rock flow rock. Hip-Hop was there when nobody else cared..." "My astute pursuit wasn't about loot. To boot I studied the game from root to fruit. People gathered in flocks, hip hop had the block locked and had us thinking out of the box. The time we were living in it was a testament..." I've said it multiple times before and I'll proudly say it again. Hip-Hop is as much of a religion as anything else. Just like many religions things get convoluted with time, but the the true roots were about bettering oneself. This art form stemmed from a very pure place, whether it be discussing the importance of uplifting a community from poverty, or fostering creative thought, it wasn't originally intend

Grieves throws down a chorus that rings true. There will always be people in life who will try to mold you into something, as if you're some pliable Gumbi designed for their own bizarre manifestation of who you are. The reality is this, you be who you want to be, embrace that individuality and change at little to no costs. Grieves is exceptionally successful in his own right and has an incredible statement for those who feel the need to change him, "You gotta be out your mind thinking I would give a damn about the flaws that you find, cause I'm human and never had a problem with that and it's a shame that you think that I would stop." Keep that in mind and instead of arguing just smile for the blade. Lyrics: Grieves - Smile for the Blade Smile for the blade, everybodys watching, Everybodys always got something to say They wanna put you into pieces, lie and make you believe it, Limit you from succeeding, Then take away your fate, Smile for the blade everybodys

There is certain element of charm and wit that is essential to seduction. Now Brother Ali is no Cyrano de Bergerac, but with this track he embodies the essence of being suave. Watching the video really showcases his abilities to transform into a modern day Don Draper. It's a great song to be released right around Valentines day. And the ending, ohh man, is that one hell of an outro. To finally coax this beauty only to walk away. For Ali , all that matters is flexing that very particular set of skills without even having to capitalize on it. Lyrics: Brother Ali Shine On ft. Nikki Jean I had seen you when the hosted seated you In a station of mine still I'm taking my time Made sure the homie got seized made up my mind Through a napkin over my sleeve straightened my tie Mind if I humble you through the fold of your menu Couture all up against you, oh lord How could I convince you I just met you And I'm instantly listening to your instrumental Poor me I poured wat