Drake & Kendrick Lamar: You Changed!!!!

Drake and Kendrick Lamar are two rappers that I was listening to before they got BIG, so to speak.  Its been bugging me for sometime now that I'm noticing the changes in their content and persona, now that they've signed on to major record labels with Drake at Cash Money and Lamar at Aftermath.  When Drake first came out he was much more earthy and sensitive and his content was much more "girl friendly", which is what initially attracted me to him.  Kendrick also seemed to be more of a conscious rapper before he teamed up with Dr. Dre to produce his recent musical efforts.

In my humble opinion, Drake signing with Cash Money may have skyrocketed him to super stardom and gained him millions of fans throughout the world, but as far as his musical content, I think it might be the worse decision he ever made.  When Drake was set to go pro (sign on to a major label) there was a bidding war between all of the top labels so he pretty much had the ability to pick and choose who he would officially start his professional career with.  Many artists are not as privileged to be at the center of a bidding war and able to decisively choose the right fit for what they are seeking to accomplish in their musical career.  When I initially heard that Drake had chosen to sign with Cash Money I was weary of what it might mean for his image and sound.  Well, so far, Drake has gone from the sensitive, introspective and seemingly "harmless" Jewish boy from Canada to a bottle slinging, gun toting, entourage accompanying, tough guy that threatens other rappers and dares them to throw rocks at the Cash Money throne. *sigh*

Kendrick Lamar was also a unique and artistic rapper that seemed to shun record industry standards with musical content and artistry that dared to be different and dare I say it, conscious.  If you know the West Coast music industry well, you are well aware that it is very rare to see an artist come from the West Coast that is not a gangsta from Compton or Watts and/or a blood or crip.  Its almost as if Snoop Dogg branded our side to damnation, as record labels refuse to produce any artists that do not fit this stagnant gangsta/thug prototype.  At first, Kendrick was a breath of fresh air, and he still is, but I am wondering just how much Dr. Dre's influence will deter him from his roots of uniqueness.  At first Lamar was beckoning ladies to tear down their masks in "No Makeup" off his "Section 80" mixtape, where he proclaimed:

Damn girl, why so much?
You bout to blow your cover when you cover up
Don’t you know your imperfections
Is a wonderful blessing
From heaven, is where you got it from
I love your smile
You can do it without style
From your lips, all the way to your eyebrows
It’s the beauty in her
But when the makeup occur
I don’t see it, all I see is a blur

Now, I hear Lamar taking on the bad boy/playa role with lyrics like:

My nigga said he wanna fly out to get him some
3ws only for a three day run
Bitch, take the muthaf--king panties off you ain't no nun, shit
I be living in the sky every time i ride by them hoes

The lyrics above are from his debut single, "The Recipe" featuring Dr. Dre where he explains the top 3 reasons why people come to Los Angeles/Cali, which are "women, weed and weather".  This tone of lyrics is a far cry from the newcomer that once talked about the trials and tribulations of growing up in the hood, political activism, the importance of being yourself, etc. etc.  I am in no way saying that Lamar has done a complete 180 on his former views and lyrical content, but one can only wonder if his inner voice will be watered down to package him for the Hip Hop community the way that only Dr. Dre can.

Please don't get me wrong because I still love these two dudes' music and I salute their artistic capabilities.  I just hope that in selling their music through a major label distributor that they don't sell their souls.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you noticed that once independent artists sign onto major record labels that their creative control has diminished?
Have you heard the differences in lyrical content from before Drake and Kendrick Lamar were signed to majors?
Are you no longer a fan of Drake's after he signed with Cash Money Records?
Do you see a change in Kendrick Lamar's lyrical content?

No Justice, No Peace: The Tragic Murder of Trayvon Martin

It seems that ever so often, amid everyday occurrences of black on black shootings, killings, rapes and murders that an extreme occurrence of a racial incident reaches the front pages of our newspapers and news shows, and forces us to take a conscious look at our country, our society, and the justice system that governs it.  I usually don't write on politics because it is such a touchy and divisive subject, but my heart would not let me let this opportunity pass to spread awareness of such a heinous an unlawful crime.

On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin, a 17-year old Junior at Michael Krop Senior High School, was fatally shot when walking home from the 7-Eleven in the gated community where his father's girlfriend lived in Sanford, Florida.  Trayvon was identified to 911 as a suspicious character by George Zimmerman, the local neighborhood watchman.  Zimmerman contacted the authorities and described a young suspicious male walking through the community, whom he said was walking slowly in the rain with his hand in his waistband.

Ignoring the 911 Operator's instruction to wait on the authorities before approaching the young man, Zimmerman took matters into his own hands and followed Trayvon.  What Zimmerman didnt know was Trayvon was on the phone, in the rain, talking to his longtime girlfriend (whose identity is being withheld) who was describing the entire incident to her over his cell phone.  The girlfriend has been reported as describing the incident as Trayvon stating that the man was following him. She instructed him to run, but Trayvon refused.  Very shortly thereafter, the girlfriend heard Zimmerman over the line, questioning the young man about what he was doing there and Trayvon inquiring why the man was following him.

The rest of the story is very blurry as the girlfriend describes what sounded like Trayvon being pushed, the call going dead and later, Trayvon was pronounced dead, gone forever, never to speak to his girlfriend or family again.  Sanford authorities have neglected to charge Zimmerman with any crime as they have accepted his explanation of self defense, yet, Zimmerman had no right to approach the young man in the first place.  More tidbits of information are slowly being leaked as to the actions of the authorities after the shooting.  The young man was categorized as a "John Doe" with the authorities saying they had no way of identifying his family, even though the family had filed a missing person's report shortly after his disappearance and the fact that his cell phone was on him which would give clues to his identity.

The thought of a young black male laying in the coroner's office, categorized as a "John Doe" while his parents had already filed a missing person's report, as well as the fact that the victim's cell phone was clearly on him at the incident are mind boggling.  The way in which the Sanford Police authorities have handled the case and tried to brush it under the rug is criminal.

It was not until the parents of Martin hired an attorney to bring this case to the light of American consciousness that the system has been forced to reopen the case for a grand jury investigation.  News outlets, blogs, Twitter and Facebook have been bombarded with articles, photos and updates on the evidence of the case.  The family set up an online petition on Change.org that has garnered over 850,000 signatures urging authorities to charge Zimmerman with the unlawful murder of Trayvon Martin.

Ever since hearing about this tragic story I cannot wake up in the morning without thinking about Trayvon Martin and his tragic death.  Yet another black male killed at the hands of a racist white man and I am just tired.  Someone recently mentioned why do black folks get mad when a white man kills a black man and dont get outraged at the black on black crime that occurs in our neighborhoods everyday.  Well, I am appalled by both occurrences, everyday, however, the difference is that the black men that kill other black men go to jail everyday, yet on the contrary, it seems as though the white men who kill black people seem to go free in this country.  Now that, I do have a problem with.

It is time for us to stand up for our children and protect them and not let them be victim's to this hateful and unequal justice system.  I am tired of our young black men dying at the hands of a white judge or Police Officer who would like nothing more than to execute them or put them in jail, regardless of their innocence.  When will we as a people fight the system and show them that we hold the power in this country and will NOT ALLOW another young black man to die at the hands of a racist white man.

I hate to make things about race, but the facts are the facts.  The fact is that Trayvon was not a suspicious character, but a young man who had a future.  Racial profiling in this country will never stop, but there needs to be standards put in place to protect the innocent American citizens from unlawful searches and seizures or suspicions, just because they are black or brown.  It angers me when I hear people say there is nothing to fight for in this country.  That we should just take what they give us because we dont have any real power.  I'm glad our ancestors didnt think like that because we'd probably still be unable to vote and exercise our civil liberties if they used that type of mentality and reasoning.  The 850K + are exercising their rights, their power and their voice.

The day we do not have to fight for freedom will never come.  Freedom is not free.  It is a civil right, but must be regulated and monitored by all, not just the government.  Lets stop waiting for tragedies like this to understand where the real fight is and keep our priorities focused on every front, whether it be the legal system, education, health care, or housing.

Although Trayvon Martin was killed for no reason, his death does not have to be in vein.  I pray that the grand jury finds this man guilty of murder and he becomes a strong message, to the world and to the racist white men or racist men/women of any race, that you will not get away with killing one of ours.

SIGN THE PETITION
http://www.change.org/petitions/prosecute-the-killer-of-our-son-17-year-old-trayvon-martin

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Feel free to express your opinions on the case, findings, the Sanford Florida Police Department, District Attorney, etc.