Pure Positivity

This song in particular really hammers home the underlying reason why I choose to allocate some of my spare time to this blog. Role models can show a sliver of hope in a world full of hurt. In verse 3 XV tells his story of an abusive father who tries to crush any and all ambition, luckily with no avail. To appreciate the power of music, and even more so than that, idolize those very artists who are capable of opening a door where pain can subside is a remarkable feat. I love the song, I love XV's ability to simply yet eloquently get his point across, and even more so than any of that I love the fact that having rappers to idolize got this man to where he is today. Lyrics: XV - Pictures on My Walls I can't breathe in this place thats filled with your sound Can't call a spade a spade in this town Dug a hole that I can't get out I can't figure it I can't figure it out Out Out It was a pinup The magazines were print up That made me pick the pen up That kept a ni...

Just when I thought I couldn't be more impressed with music I get slammed in the face with this album. Cunninlynguists comprise a good portion of my scarce posting around here, so I'd say thats a pretty good indicator of my almost unhealthy infatuation with these guys. They continually put out a great product and as a consummate consumer I'm rarely disappointed. I bought this album on pre-order, got it right when it came out, and still have yet to stop their lyrics from seeping directly into my brainwaves. It's a whirlwind of joy, harsh reality, and constant double entendre's. Regardless of their educational background all three of these members are extremely cultured and incredibly gifted in the art of rhyme. On the track "My Habit" Deacon and Natti show their fierce wit. With lyrics like, "protect my pride, my lioness mane" you will be sure to be wowed. I suggest everyone goes out and purchases this awesome LP. Lyrics: Cunninlynguists - My Habi...

There are songs out there that are perfectly capable of injecting perspective directly into your mindset. It takes one additional step to actually alter your thought process. The Herd are completely capable of showing a small sliver of what's needed to experience another's perspective. They are an introspective group that sound truly amazing. If you don't know of them I suggest you take a gander. Lyrics: The Herd - Can't Breathe I knew this girl who was drowning talented and pseudo She was bound to computers just to make her bread She would keep her head down though her feelings burned her To sit around in her bed gown and dream of Burma Alaska, Morocco, Peru and other places One day she must of up and packed her suitcases Leaving no traces but an overgrown yard Box full of bills and a trail of postcards He loves her and so he works like crazy To try and provide a life that is worthy of his lady Lately she has been saying that he is too often away She is resentful o...

Words can but tamely describe the importance of what men like Shadrach Kabango are for society. His lyrics are consistently forward thinking while keeping crosshairs aimed ever so accurately at their target; real change. Shad gently bashes his distaste for the current state of affairs, but don't get to thinking that he is doing so in a negative fashion. I've met this man and from what I can tell he doesn't live by the philosophy practice what I preach, but rather practice what I practice. Shad is the change he wishes to see in the world. This song is yet another display of why he, more so than any other artist, needs to be heard by the masses. Lyrics: Shad K & Dallas - Live Forever The time will come when we are all condemned for what we've done The time will come I say the times begun to pay for our crimes no time to run It's sundown these days are the final ones Looking dumbfounded staring in the eye of a gun And we all scared to die we all fear the Paul Be...

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...