Pure Positivity

Stumbled on this joint super randomly. It resonated with me so I decided to transcribe it. Don't even know if this song is more of a metaphor or a story about someone in particular. Pretty confident if anyone hits this post they will enjoy this track. Paper and Coins - Jaq ft Cas Metah She the type when she has it she flash it But when the cash absent she act sick Ball caught enough to make you think she's half pit Not a crack addict money's a bad habit Long as her pockets are fat she fine Got a man got a plan called the grand design Her daddy was hustler momma was a dime She never had an option for this life of crime Started off selling soft on the block Got caught, got locked, got out and got back on D boys jockin em for first place Ohh well don't tell but I'm get that gold medal Man I got something worth more than earth lore A birth pure and that's word to your first born Just trust put the dope down He got more important worries than ge...

I've said it time and time again, Oddisee is nothing short of a renaissance man and I'll go into his album in a moment, but before that let me give you all a little update. Although I haven't posted in ages hip-hop still is the main force that motivates me on a daily basis. I most certainly haven't lost touch with what inspires me to be better. Not many of you know anything about me other than my small snippets of writings, but I have goals and aspirations to leave a lasting impact on society. In the past year I've fallen in love with the most amazing and intelligent woman on the face of this earth. She's beyond brilliant, gorgeous, and is a doctor who wants to dramatically help with global health. My insurance brokerage has grown substantially and I'm extremely blessed to be able practice business in an ethical manner helping my customers on a daily basis. This all being said when I started this blog I always had the idea of doing something far greater....

Had to put these lyrics up they are just to hot to contain. I've got more to say but need some time to digest. Lyrics: Cunninlynguists - Makes you Wanna Cry ft Sheisty Christ Ohh my Makes me wanna cry Listen I see crabs climbing to be free When dog eat dog is the royal decree Trust nobody Mayflower to Tipi Over the meak sand winds since BC You blame D.C. I blame life She blames Allah he blames Christ We put out bounties we pay that price For green backs we backstab and won't think twice It's more money more murder more homicide Over dollar bills free will creates Amistad I'm a slave hard to escape the cell And I ain't brave just because I moved to ATL Couldn't pay me well enough to sing your fairy tail The cherry that I'm smoking doesn't choke me like the very smell of life Raw and uncut Sex drugs and gun lust land of the unjust Ohh my Makes me wanna cry I see Men on chairs with suicidal tendencies and tears falling down Th...

And like the key open the door I twist the weed I bought because I don't know how to cope with shit.  - Earl Sweatshit  Some rappers are so fucking filthy they require a car wash quality cleanse to truly shine. Fortunately for Freddie, Madlib is the master of mop. He takes cutty classics and spit shines them into pure perfection. These two were made for one another. While this album isn't on the most positive tip it bangs. It bangs really really fucking hard.  Freddie Gibbs will be the first one to admit he's a product of his environment. Unlike poppy bullshit that plagues the radio, Gibbs spits street style sewage. His lyrics are drug infused and his blatant disregard for others is disgusting, however he's got copious amounts of wit. Like a bic lighter to a silver spoon he melts wax creating a freebase like high. My ears melt into a puddle of goo when I listen to these tracks and in the same vein as watching really raw R rated movie proceed with caution. This is...

Get Bramstoked off coke and fight day. A couple of years ago I lived in Oakland and while I've been there a number of times since I simply forgot how rugged those streets can be. My place was on 24th and MLK right on the crossroads. One side was poverty, crime, drugs, hookers, and graffiti the other; corporate headquarters, fine dining, and high rises. I walked 12 blocks on San Pablo avenue Saturday morning before 9 and what I saw was entirely different from anything I see where I currently live.  An elderly Asian man riding his bike on the sidewalk approaches a bus stop where two other men are smoking a blunt having a profanity laced conversation. The man on the bike hopes off and tries to pass but while stepping aside one of the men smoking yells, "Nigga why you on the fucking sidewalk you dumb fuck!" A block  later I hear a woman yelling at a stumbling man, "Mutha fucka you don't own my shit." At this point, while I'm not scared by any means, m...

If we never faced struggle in the bubble well that's a curse. My nerves stirred worse drinking numb numb juice to quench thirst. What they call it liquid courage for? When after it's over you're weaker than before I was 14 and lost beyond belief. My parents had recently split and I just started high school where I knew only 2 people. Puberty hit me rather late and I was the smallest freshman who's voice had barely cracked. I got tossed into garbage cans on a regular basis by the seniors and was somewhat terrified. The task of fitting in was insurmountable, but I found solace in hip-hop. At that impressionable age Blackalicious, Gangstarr and Living Legends were the ones that helped me get through some tough nights. A year or two later I remember hearing Silly Puddy and felt that song was written for me.  Grouch & Eligh became my mentor of sorts and it's amazing to think that I grew up with these guys in my headphones. Their struggles mirrored many of min...

Are you who you say you are of just a sliver of who you're supposed to be? - Grouch While there are number of deeper meanings to why Victor Frankenstein created a monster, the most straight forward of them all was doing so as a service to humanity. Upon completion of the task at hand Victor became repulsed by his creation. So disgusted with himself he went into a deep dark depression and spent every waking hours devoted to destroying what he created. In the past 40 years our world has (d)evolved immensely. We spend our time staring at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We've traded character for popularity, morale fortitude for money, and passion for instant gratification. A monster has been created. The internet was originally manufactured for two professors to communicate to one another and now it's used for so many more purposes. Just like everyone else I hear the beep on my phone and feel the itchy trigger finger to see who may have contacted me. This track is a test...

We got to find why's to change this shit... Blu & Exile create some seriously stellar tracks. You'll dig in, listen intently, and realize that you too will want more out of life. It's infectious, thought provoking, and somewhat chaotic. Blu spews truth laced with a tinge of depression which appears to be just a page out of his life. In just about every song he graces there's a sense of reflection and self evolution.  Coming from a father who's a pastor, Blu stays away from being even remotely close to preachy, and always gives a healthy slice of reality. I love his style, wit, and overall skill set. If you haven't enjoyed this track get ready for a great treat.  [Verse 1] Somebody wanted guidance, looked inside to find it You know them blind kids, money on their eyelids Kissing on the fly gyp-ship from the Egyptian islands Gems in the hymns said the chant The moon man grins, hair on my chin grows Hair on my chest burn Flare in my soul cold I can't sl...

When we decide to refuse our choices we loose our voices the light gets dimmer too If I take the weak route nothing ever differs so similar days ain't bad they're just simpler This is a great gem I recently re-found. It was buried deep in my library hidden among a million other top tracks. It's a simple song that makes it very clear that if you want to make a difference in your life you need to get up and make the change. There is no other way for you end the problems that continually haunt you unless you look them in the eye and slay them. It's easy to try and drown your problems away in a shot glass, but it's exceptionally difficult to face your problems head on. With the new year ahead of all of us take that one lingering problem head on and defeat it. Grow up and handle your problems and if you need help just look within...you'll be surprised how easy it is to find the answer. Lyrics: The Let Go - Similar Days Everyday's just the same now ai...

She's my sunshine but I'm catching melanoma I've always thought that Tunji was one of the more talented up and coming artists ready to hit the scene with a big bang. Unfortunately it appears he's put his mic aside to become an A&R for a record label and as far as I'm concerned more power to him. He just has that certain lyrical prowess that allows his skill set to outshine just about everyone when graces a track...that is unless Kno decides to bring his A game.  Kno's verse is beautiful mess. It depicts what it is to fall in love with a maniac depressive woman tying it altogether with a metaphor of a bumpy plane ride. I love this song and in particular his verse lends a helping hand to someone who's fallen down that same twisted path. Lyrics: Kno - Rhythm of the Rain (ft. Thee Tom Hardy & Tunji) Dancing to the rhythm of the rain How could I go wrong? I was ruling my mind I must have been blind Dancing to the rhythm of the rain How could I go...

Haven't posted in far too long and figured I'd toss on a track out that might have slipped past a couple people. Slug dedicates this ballad to the "hopeless" single mothers out there that will do whatever it takes to cope. It's in an inspirational song riddled with determination worthy of a momma bear protecting her cub. Enjoy. [VERSE: Slug] She got a condition of the heart - a heart condition So as a kid she had to adapt to smarter livin Not much room to rebel because of health No drugs, no booze, just kiss and tell Well known on the scene, jail bait queen Had the first baby, barely eighteen Father of the child was after one thing When the daughter came, the dad was unseen It don't matter, he ain't got a job So she had to go to work and leave the baby with her mom Second shift till the neck is stiff But she worked to build her own nest to live Soon after that baby's dad slash lazy bum with no cash He want to come over and crash He want to play his par...

Clever men in our violence, s ilence is when we shoot from the lip to quiet.  When we talk non-violence and stay silent when is suits.  Really it's all violence at the root. Like any music loving maniac I rotate my top 5 emcees as if they were wheels of steel. Shad always stays at #1. Music has this innate ability to find me at the right time and enlighten my mood. No one is able to keep me more focused than Shad. He's wise, kind, and jovial which are attributes stripped from most artists these days. His morale fortitude is unparalleled and it's so clearly seen in each and every track and every one of his albums. I can honestly say that if more people were like Shad this world would be a far better place. Do yourself a favor and listen to his new album - Flying Colors. Lyrics: Shad - Remember to Remember Yeah I forget so often God no wonder I feel lost When I forget where I came from Or how I get passed now we ain't young Can't play dumb the fun and game...

A lot of women love me but none can understand me. Every now and then you'll run across a track that just speaks to you. You're somewhat perplexed by the parallels between the prose and your present. I usually stumble upon these tracks in the most unexpected way and it gives me goosebumps as if it was tailor made to where I am at in life. You think to yourself this either some bizarre intervention or something randomly real and decide to soak in the message set forth. This track right here did that to me. Lyrics: Angel - Foreign Legion A beautiful day it was Vienna in the springtime Late morning writing songs in the sunshine Sitting on the bench with the pad and the pen Spilling out my thoughts it was Saturday in the park Kids playing I was contemplating destiny I looked up there was an Angel sitting next to me 21 or 22 years old and flawless Body of a goddess underneath but her dress was modest Eyes green sort of blue in the sun rays Started talking and I told...

In your life, you may see, that what they say is right, may not be. If your crew is called Collective Efforts you have but one choice when making music; to do so in a harmonious fashion. This particular track emphasis all that the group is about. It's quaint with smooth undertones of jazz and in sync octaves raining throughout. It has an uplifting message that's bound to alter even the most ornery of moods. For me is creates that desire within to push further and crave for more. That right there is the absolute most I can ask for a 5 minute ballad. So unleash that insatiable desire to succeed by tossing on some headphones and indulging in purity. Lyrics: Collective Efforts - This Far And I'm so glad What you glad about It's a beautiful day man (sure is) Sun shining (hell yeah) It's all nice all the folks out Cooling man (just chilling) Everything's going good And I'm so glad we made it this far I know my world ...

If I ever have a chance to make a change I will, and I ain't laying down my soul for gold or any forms of bills.  Johnson&Jonson, also known as Blu and Mainframe, team up and terrorize a 1969 cutty classic, "See and Don't See" by Marie Queenie Lyons. The original is a terribly depressing tale of a philandering fellow who shatters a love that once was. While the remake is not necessarily as harsh it still wreaks of that same pungent musk. Blu is a rappers rapper; he exudes confidence, maintains breath control, utilizes wit, and admonishes anything resembling radio. He's dope. The guy flows with a new age style while never forgetting the fundamentals. Call me crazy but he's the Billy Preston of rap. The sixth beetle if you will, and unlike his predecessor, capable of creating something from nothing. Johnson&Jonson - The Only Way Cut off the lights close the door Step on in Check it out The only way To make it out this jungle is to juggle jo...

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...

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...

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 ar...