"And who cares if we survive
the only time they notice a nigga is when he's clutchin' on a fo'-five"
2Pac is the most intense rapper I've ever heard. Em is into it, but he's just angry or funny. Outkast are fast but it's speed and not emotion. Kurupt, Xzibit, Killer Mike, Royce da 5'9" and the like have some gems, but it's a rise to stardom (not superstardom) that you feel and not a life unfolding. Dre's better off as a producer than as a rapper. Snoop's still doing his job as a pimp and a recreational abuser. Nas is really good, but he keeps the last door to his mind locked. Jay-Z is garbage but fun to listen to. 50 Cent is talent, but not emotion. Then you get guys like Talib Kweli and Rahzel who are fantastic artists, but the personalities they show just aren't as complex. 2Pac is everything. He's happy, sad, in love, pissed off, jealous, crazy, friendly, loyal, reminiscent, everything. You walk through his mind on each track with his patented flow. A lot of other rappers don't drop their heart and soul...
Maybe it's easier when you're already dead.
What sparked this? I picked up Better Dayz today (along with a couple of older OLP albums that I've been meaning to buy for at least two years). But it reminded me why 2Pac was so good. In his second post humous release (and a double-album), he does it up again--thanks to mother Afeni's and Suge Knight's production. A few remixes of old favorites like "My Block" and a lot of previously unreleased material. I have to say I find the second CD easier listening, but I'm inclined to say that the first one is much more 2Pac and it'll probably grow on me whereas the second one will lose it's fine-beat lustre after several hundred plays.
"Livin life is but a dream
Hard times is all we see
Every block is kinda mean
But on my block we still play"
I drove up to and down from Boston today to return some library books, deposit some checks and get immunized for Hep A. I managed 3 hour 15 minute trips both ways through some really bizarre situations. My observations:
1. T&LC people should all be shot. With Cabbies. Or they should just have their cars impounded--one or the other, you decide.
2. Truckers know what's up.
3. People are really, really, really dumb. I thank God everyday that more people aren't driving stick on top of being unable to drive automatics.
4. State Troopers need to drive a variety of cars if they want to catch me (knocking on every piece of wood in my house).
5. How do you flip a sedan with no one around?
6. Every person in Connecticut is a state trooper.
7. It should be legal to ram people doing 55 in the left lane.
8. Those kids that used to cut the lunch line in second grade still do it, only with SUVs.
9. I-95 should be the US's Autobahn.
10. The Mass Pike toll of two dollars, sixty-five cents, and a partridge in a pear tree is not nice when you don't have anyone to get the toll money together for you. Just jack it up to 3 dollars--maybe it'll speed up the Big Dig.
Having your parents speak to you about their Last Will & Testament makes for a mood-killer.
Linkin Park and Metallica on Saturday. I was preparing for the worst, but from what reviews are saying, Metallica's really laying off the post-1992 stuff. That's the best news ever. Linkin Park will blow away the crowd, Fred Durst will be a mediocre opening act that no one can stand, Mudvayne will get really angry, the Deftones will energize and scream. Should be an experience. In Philly. I will be lucky to come out of the pit with only a few broken bones.
As for tomorrow night, we roll (to the spot) and rock (it out). Let me know if you want to be a part of the carnage we wreak on Manhattan Island tomorrow.
the only time they notice a nigga is when he's clutchin' on a fo'-five"
2Pac is the most intense rapper I've ever heard. Em is into it, but he's just angry or funny. Outkast are fast but it's speed and not emotion. Kurupt, Xzibit, Killer Mike, Royce da 5'9" and the like have some gems, but it's a rise to stardom (not superstardom) that you feel and not a life unfolding. Dre's better off as a producer than as a rapper. Snoop's still doing his job as a pimp and a recreational abuser. Nas is really good, but he keeps the last door to his mind locked. Jay-Z is garbage but fun to listen to. 50 Cent is talent, but not emotion. Then you get guys like Talib Kweli and Rahzel who are fantastic artists, but the personalities they show just aren't as complex. 2Pac is everything. He's happy, sad, in love, pissed off, jealous, crazy, friendly, loyal, reminiscent, everything. You walk through his mind on each track with his patented flow. A lot of other rappers don't drop their heart and soul...
Maybe it's easier when you're already dead.
What sparked this? I picked up Better Dayz today (along with a couple of older OLP albums that I've been meaning to buy for at least two years). But it reminded me why 2Pac was so good. In his second post humous release (and a double-album), he does it up again--thanks to mother Afeni's and Suge Knight's production. A few remixes of old favorites like "My Block" and a lot of previously unreleased material. I have to say I find the second CD easier listening, but I'm inclined to say that the first one is much more 2Pac and it'll probably grow on me whereas the second one will lose it's fine-beat lustre after several hundred plays.
"Livin life is but a dream
Hard times is all we see
Every block is kinda mean
But on my block we still play"
I drove up to and down from Boston today to return some library books, deposit some checks and get immunized for Hep A. I managed 3 hour 15 minute trips both ways through some really bizarre situations. My observations:
1. T&LC people should all be shot. With Cabbies. Or they should just have their cars impounded--one or the other, you decide.
2. Truckers know what's up.
3. People are really, really, really dumb. I thank God everyday that more people aren't driving stick on top of being unable to drive automatics.
4. State Troopers need to drive a variety of cars if they want to catch me (knocking on every piece of wood in my house).
5. How do you flip a sedan with no one around?
6. Every person in Connecticut is a state trooper.
7. It should be legal to ram people doing 55 in the left lane.
8. Those kids that used to cut the lunch line in second grade still do it, only with SUVs.
9. I-95 should be the US's Autobahn.
10. The Mass Pike toll of two dollars, sixty-five cents, and a partridge in a pear tree is not nice when you don't have anyone to get the toll money together for you. Just jack it up to 3 dollars--maybe it'll speed up the Big Dig.
Having your parents speak to you about their Last Will & Testament makes for a mood-killer.
Linkin Park and Metallica on Saturday. I was preparing for the worst, but from what reviews are saying, Metallica's really laying off the post-1992 stuff. That's the best news ever. Linkin Park will blow away the crowd, Fred Durst will be a mediocre opening act that no one can stand, Mudvayne will get really angry, the Deftones will energize and scream. Should be an experience. In Philly. I will be lucky to come out of the pit with only a few broken bones.
As for tomorrow night, we roll (to the spot) and rock (it out). Let me know if you want to be a part of the carnage we wreak on Manhattan Island tomorrow.
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