Forever Missed...

I’m so glad I was born in the eighties and grew up in the 90’s! I had a chance to listen to the music of two of the best and most meaningful artists of all time, Kurt Cobain and Tupac Shakur. I think about this new Generation and I feel bad for them. They don’t have a voice for their generation, a voice to express their frustration, a voice to state their case, a voice to articulate what they are too scared to say without being ostracized by those that have it all together.

To me Kurt and Pac were the heart and soul of the 90’s. Even though they were from completely different worlds they had so much in common. They both came from single parent households, they both had a turbulent adolescence, they were both homeless at one point, they were both super talented, their voices were full of pain that bled out through their music, they both became the greatest in their respective genres, they both spoke from the perspective of the misunderstood, the frustrated, the depressed, the borderline insane, they were both extremely talented, extremely successful, and they both died in their 20’s.

I could picture them meeting each other, being awkward at first having come from different walks of life but talking, realizing that they were similar souls and deciding to have a beer as they relive their turbulent lives through nostalgic stories and poetic memories about their lives. That meeting would have been the stuff of legends.

The thing about Kurt and Pac is that they made those that were misunderstood, depressed, disliked, and different feel as if somebody was writing symphonies set to their everyday lives. The young and misunderstood of generations X and Y found artists that weren’t just making music but were creating vivid portrayal of the lives of countless teens and young adults by admitting that they were different when everybody wanted to follow the flock. They were themselves in a world where everybody is trying to be anybody else but who they actually are. They showed us beauty in imperfection, reason in misunderstanding, and unity in being disenfranchised. They spoke volumes that continue even years after they have been gone and will continue through those that understood them because they understood us… because they understood me…

My 2pac Greatest Hits!

I am creating my own version of 2pac's Greatest hits considering the fact that theactual greatest hits album wasn't as good as it should have been. I’m shooting for 2 songs per album and 3 or 4 per double album (of which there are 4). I’m not doing his newer stuff since I don’t like the fake collaborations with less than apt rappers (i.e. 50 cent, Eminem or Nas, etc.) Feel Free to tell me what you think in terms of elimination if you are into Pac. I seriously think this will be the best 2pac greatest hits album EVER!

**Albums with two or less selections are not to be voted upon.**

2PN:
Part Time Mutha

S4MN:
Holla If Ya Hear Me
Souljah's Revenge
I Get Around
Keep Ya Head Up

TL:V1:
Pour Out A Little Liquor

MATW:
So Many Tears
Temptations
Outlaw
Lord Knows

AEOM D1:
California Love
Tradin' War Stories
AEOM D2:
Can't C Me
Shorty Wanna Be A Thug
Picture Me Rollin'
All Eyez On Me

M:TDK:
Bomb First (My Second Reply)
Blasphemy
Hold Ya Head
Life Of An Outlaw

RUSD D1:
Hellrazor
Definition Of A Thug Nigga
RUSD D2
I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto
Only Fear Of Death

SIR:
Still I Rise
As The World Turns
High Speed
Teardrops And Closed Caskets

UTEOTD1:
Ballad Of A Dead Soulja
Good Life
UTEOT D2:
When Thugz Cry
Runnin On E

BD D1:
When We Ride On Our Enemies
Late Night
BD D2:
Fame
Who Do U Believe In?

Non –album:
Never Had a Friend Like Me
God Bless The Dead
Initiated

2Pac... ALIVE?

No Not really.

But apparently TMZ took these pics of a Makaveli Look-alike in new Orleans a couple of weeks ago. I'm not gonna lie, when I heard this story my heart jumped for a second at the possibility that the greatest rapper of all time could still be alive but i highly doubted it. and upon scanning the pictures I realized that it sure wasn't him. still looking forward to the movie though, they better release it soon!

R.I.P. Makaveli The Don!

2PAC MOVIE!!!

LOS ANGELES - Film production company Morgan Creek is in a legal turf war with the estate of Tupac Shakur.

The Rick Nicita-topped production house has sued Amaru Entertainment, the company run by Afeni Shakur, the late rapper’s mother and executor, alleging in a Los Angeles Superior Court filing that the company has backed out of an agreement to sell his life rights for a film adaptation.

Negotiations between Morgan Creek and Amaru began in November for life rights that would form the basis of the untitled project....
...Life rights and collaboration with an executor are not always necessary with a public figure like Shakur, though they would be essential if the filmmakers hope to include music, as they would in this case.

the rest of the article is HERE.

Do you realize what this means? It means that there have been recent talks about a 2Pac movie! I have been waiting for this since 1996 when Makaveli passed away. I am super excited about this possibility. If it really comes outI swear I will watch it 8 times!!! lol

25 random...

You know the rules: Write your own 25 random things. Pass it along! – Lets see if I can even do 25 of these

1) Depending on what type of mood I am in I will either be the loudest, craziest person you know… or the most quiet and guarded.

2) My favorite author is John Steinbeck

3) I have many pet peeves which would include slow drivers, conceded people, people that snap their fingers at me, whistle at me, loud chewers, bossy people, people that don’t keep in touch, people that hang up on me, nails tapping on a table, etc. lol

4) I once won a penmanship contest in 5th grade… but my handwriting never improved after that :(

5) My teams are the Niners and the Lakers!

6) I started writing rap at the age of 15, that developed into poetry, I stopped writing for a few years and now only write once in a while.

7) I used to drive very fast especially around the time that Fast & The furious came out. I also used to race in my sisters car (before I had a car), lol.

8) I used to be the biggest Makaveli (2pac) fan you will ever meet. In fact you ask me any question about him and I know the answer. lol

9) I can’t sit still, I have to be out and about!

10) I can’t wait to get the New Bruce Springsteen album, the new Fray Album, the two tongues album, and Nick And Norah’s Infinite playlist! lol

11) I haven’t been fishing in years but I want to go ASAP.

12) I fear no beer… oh sorry I meant bear, lol.

13) I am very bad with friendships. I think I care too much… or not enough, lol

14) I have a bucket list… with about 15 items on it. I want to add more onto it and get started on fulfilling them

15) This is my year…

16) I hate my job…. Well, I hate my work environment.

17) I think a short sleeve of tattoos on a girl is the hottest thing ever!

18) I over analyze EVERYTHING!

19) I think I’m too much of a gentleman and a nice guy… I should be more like the old me…lol!

20) I used to be able to climb a chain link fence in a matter of seconds… now I cant do it at all, lol.

21) My favorite color is brown.

22) I used to have my nose pierced… thought about getting my lip pierced for a while… and then realized I’m too old to have any piercings, lol

23) I love one tree Hill.

24) Something about driving calms me down.

25) I used to have a decent singing voice… now its all gone !

Covenant Relationships

El presidente: Are you with me…?
Advisor: …To The death!
– Once Upon a Time In Mexico

Turkey Creek Jack Johnson: Why you doin' this, Doc?
Doc Holliday: Because Wyatt Earp is my friend.
Turkey Creek Jack Johnson: Friend? Hell, I got lots of friends.
Doc Holliday: ...I don't.
- Tombstone

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

I'm down for you so ride with me
My enemies your enemies
Cause you ain't ever had a friend like me…
- 2Pac

Last night I went to my Disciples class and learned/confirmed all kinds of cool stuff about friendship. They talked about how Christian friendships should be the standard for all other relationships but that now in days that isn’t true. The church has accepted the cut-throat, back-stabbing, everybody for themselves attitude when it comes to friendship. This is not the original design of Christian friendships, they are supposed to be covenant relationships in which you propel others to the level that God has for them and they do the same for you. Friendship in general should be a serious subject, sealed by covenant promise and agreement.

They talked about what a covenant was and how historically (biblical times) covenants were made by sacrificing an animal by cutting it in half. Both parties agreeing to the covenant would actually walk bear-footed between the two halves of the animal stepping in the blood and the agreement was that is the agreement was broken, may the breaker’s blood spill like that of the animal! Serious stuff, right?

Then they went on to show the relationship of David and Jonathan in the bible and how they loved each other as themselves and Jonathan basically gave up the crown and gave it to David. They spoke about how this is a godly thing because God’s purpose was for David to get the crown and Jesus to arise from his lineage, and how that could not have happened unless Jonathan was willing to be a covenant relationship keeping friend.

This all begs the question: what happened to this belief of covenant friendship or “True friendship” as I like to call it. Given it may be a tad too serious to say that the bull and the blood and all of that would be acceptable in a friendship now in days.lol. But what happened to people pledging friendship to each other as seen in the quotes above? Is it really too much to ask for loyalty, truth, faithfulness, help, etc. Have we really become so shallow and self-seeking about everything including friendship that we would rather not put in the work to be friends like this to each other anymore? I honestly believe that there aren’t that many “true” friends in this world. Praise God for those that are.

In the Late night....

"...Last night...Last night Changed it all,
it's in the late night...!" - 2Pac

Interesting night tonight. Found out a few things.

1. I'm getting an English Bulldog! - You have no idea how long I've wanted a bulldog! I might get one tomorrow! I am so damn excited! I already have a name for her and everything. I'll post a pic of her when I get her!

2. Family issues. Wierd new family incident! Stuff I never thought would happen. my old "religious" uncle left his church and apparently is now going to another church. something I NEVER imagined happening.

3. My first "official" ex - girlfriend called my moms house to say hi. unfortunately she didn't leave a number, I would have loved to talk to her. Apparenlty she had a kid (5 months old, praise God she's not 8 or 9, lol) and is married. She talked to my mom and asked about me. I guess she just wanted to say hi. I really hope she cals again.

Well anyway, that's it 4 me. you folks have a great night.

Review: Punk Goes Crunk!

**1/2

I must admit hearing white kids try to rap, "Crunk" music, and the mere title could be deterring factors when looking at the album cover for Punk Goes Crunk. Nonetheless, one should look past this stereotype, especially if you are a fan of both rock and rap. The track selection is better than the title of the album leads to believe. Only two of the songs are actual "Crunk" songs. The rest of which are decent covers to groups ranging from Arrested Development to the Late Great 2Pac "Makaveli" Shakur.

After the initial crunk song, the album launches on a journey through various hip-hop classics. The best choice these album producers made was to Put Say Anything's cover to ol dirty's "Got your money" at the beginning of the album. This sets the tone for the rest of the album, which is both funny (men in black- Forever the sickest kids), and at times disappointing (Nuthin' but a "G" Thang" - The Escape Frame).

Nonetheless The album does have it's milestones such as 2Pac's "California Love" by My American Heart, "Gin and Juice" by Hot Rod Circuit and the surprisingly well done cover to a song that should be on "punk goes pop 2," All Time Low's "Umbrella."

Best song of the album undisputedly goes to The Devil Wears Prada who did a hardcore/screamo version to the dirty south classic, "Still Fly." The song keeps the original sound during the chorus but rocks out the verse with a blood curdling screams.

But, unless you are a huge fan of both hip-hop as well as rap (and if you don't mind a few cuss words), You might not enjoy this colorful cover album as much as Fearless Records intended. It is however a creative direction to take on behalf of the "Punk Goes..." series.

California in the Summer

"Oh oh California in the summer, oh oh and my hair is growing long, Heck yea we can live like this!" - Jack's Mannequin, Holiday from Real.

This morning I woke up...late as always, lol. I got dressed and when i walked outside it was nasty sunny! Then I got in the car half asleep, started driving and little did I realize that the radio was set to 101.1, the oldies station. They decided to play Show and tell by Al Wilson, One of those super smooth late 60's to early seventies jams and at that point, I was groovin'! I started bobbing my head and actually enjoying the sunlight. As I drove along I thought, "God, I love California." It really is such a gorgeous state. Sure it gets Hotter than hell out here in the summertime, but once you get used to that it's fine, lol.

When I was a kid and I used to cruise a lot with the homies, we always used to play the classic summer rap songs like, "California Love" (of course, cause 2Pac was the man), "Summer Madness" by Cool N the gang, "I love cali in the summer time" by young Roscoe, and even "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince." We would cruise all day until the sun set and then cruise some more. Those were awesome times.

California is heavenly during the summer time. Its a perfect time to take a cruise and if you have the time, even take a road trip. Explore this great land and realize all that Cali has to offer. I love this land, it is my heart! Now after writing all this I can only hope that being locked in the office for the next few hours won't ruin my perfect Northern California day, lol.