Pure Positivity

Back about 6 years ago Toby and Tunji created a group called Inverse. I remember when they first started up I was going to college down in Pomona and they were also at a university in the same town. When they were absolutely unheard of they hit up my on my now defunct myspace page. Their album "So Far The Collection" was something I felt deserved much praise. If I remember correctly Tunji had concert for one of the Claremont McKenna Colleges where he had both the Cunninlynguists and Cee Lo preform. I think it's actually because of his introduction that the ballad "Caved In" was created. At any rate he formed a friendship that has begun to blossom. This track is produced by Kno and even though it's a couple of years old it's a real gem. I've heard via the rumor mill that Tunji is soon to release an album on Qn5. Hopefully rumors become reality. Lyrics: Still Rising - Tunji We on our way to the top and still rising We on our way to the top and still ri...

360 is completely capable of pimping the problems of being a player. In one song he sums up the dilemmas associated with boasting about how many women he's slept with, while ever so ironically immortalizing that very reputation. Even in the face of heartbreak you got to give the guy credit for having some serious swagger. I'm a huge fan of the beat, hook, chorus and of course his ability to dismiss a problem that so many men idolize. I don't foresee him getting a whole lot of empathy from his listeners, but I can dig where he is coming from. As I've learned on my own too much of anything can end up being, well... just too much. Overall a great song with some serious lyrical banter. Lyrics: 360 - Boys Like You I mean it I mean it I ain't trying to play around I need it I need it you can probably see it You'll probably think I'm gonna rip your heart to pieces Get you in the sheets and hit it up and leave it Believe it believe me you are gonna say my reputatio...

Martin Luther King Jr. is a legend. In some sense he reminds of a seasoned boxer who absolutely refuses to loose. Before a winning fighter can even entertain entering a ring he must diligently prepare a strategic plan to take down his opponent. Meanwhile he trains beyond what he thought his body was capable of doing. Pushing himself to this limit creates a certain type of mental toughness, one that can't be shook. Then, just when he feels as if there no way he will ever be defeated, he enters the ring. As he looks into his opponents blood thirsty eyes an overwhelming sense of fear enters the body and that uncrackable toughness shows a hairline fracture. Unless you're the best. At one point in time Mike Tyson was truly unbeatable. Here is an excellent quote from him: While I'm in the dressing room five minutes before I come out, I'm breaking my gloves down, I'm pushing the leather to the back of my gloves, so my knuckle could pierce through. When I come out I have su...

One of the most difficult things in my life is to set attainable concrete goals. It can be almost death defying at times, but I think these kinds of struggles are what human beings are supposed to go through. Whether dealing with a difficult situation or becoming a man right before your own very eyes; we grow up, we learn, we educate and we become things that we would never imagine. So what is the purpose of all this? Who knows? Gift of Gab has a pretty unique take on what pushes him to strive for the best. Lyrics: Blackalicious - This Craft [Chorus] This Craft, this beat, this rhyme, this vibe This style, they say music gives new life From a source inside that is forever flowin' This stage, this mic, this crowd, this show This life, I've been given a gift tonight And for that, I vow to be a vessel [Gift of Gab - Verse One] I didn't have to be, given the gift to rip I'll never master me, I know that it's from Him or Her or It, dimensions that sit Waitin' to sift...

Royce has always trotted the line between commercial success and underground phenom. Very fitting for an artist who appears to be rather juxtaposed on the content of his music. He goes from spewing lyrical taunts to excessively thought provoking material from track to track. In terms of wordplay Royce has mastered the ability at a level befitting of royalty. I've always been amused tuning into the struggle he portrays in many of his songs. In "Shake This" he depicts the events in his life that ultimately resulted in jail followed by reemerging as an artist and person. This song proves that people can move forward after a tragic event, take that lingering pain and push towards a more positive lifestyle. DJ Premier lends his services to this joint to ensure that production is perfect. Enjoy. Lyrics: Royce Da 5'9" - Shake This Being enlightened is no longer enough You must apply Being willing is no longer acceptable You must do Make it count Nanana Nanana I gott...

There is no track that will ever be able to challenge the importance of this song to me. It now has been over 10 years since this ballad was originally released and for some reason it still resonates with me ever so deeply. I can repeat every lyric of this song flawlessly because it's more of mantra for me than anything else. Amp Live (the producer of this beat and member of Zion I) is flawless in his production. The beat is bananas and creates the perfect ensemble for this legendary track. The reality is there are no adjectives worthy of describing this track and I lack the creative writing ability to ev er serve this song any shot of real justice. Lets just say it's an appreciation song for more than meets the eye. Lyrics: Zion I & Grouch - Silly Puddy Zion I intro: Lord gimme what I need gimme what I need. Gimme what I need gimme what I need. Lord gimme what I need gimme what I need. [Zion I] Dear Lord you show me the best of times You show me the worst of times Confusio...

Struggle builds character and if there is one artist that personifies that expression his name is Macklemore. Back in 2005 he broke out into the scene with, "The Language Of My World" which in my opinion is an instant classic. If you listen to that cd it's clear that he was toying with his love for drugs. Roughly 4 years later he made a breakthrough on multiple levels. A more refined and refreshed sober Macklemore hit the scene running. This song shows just a sliver of what happened during his 4 year stint. Macklemore has done countless mixtapes, remixes and cameos only to solidify his desire to be a thought provoking revolutionary artist. If you like this song download the EP for free with this link Lyrics: Macklemore - Life is a Cinema I don't know why But it's like I can't stay quiet This is my voice I can't let it die inside me See I'll be scared if there wasn't a riot Pushin and pullin, grabbin some hair, Pukin and fuckin up the sidewalk This ...