Remembering Nipsey Hussle

by with 5 Comments CultureFeatured

One of the biggest stories of 2019… 

On Sunday, March 31, 2019, Ermias Davidson Asghedom aka Nipsey Hussle, was unfortunately shot six times in front of his clothing store, Marathon Clothing, in Los Angeles, California. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. 

For millions of fans who were familiar with his music, he was more than just a rapper. He was an entrepreneur, business owner, real estate investor, community philanthropist, a husband, a father, and an inspiration to millions of inner-city youth in his Crenshaw neighborhood and other hoods throughout the country. 

Celebrities, rappers, athletes, and other prominent figures took to Twitter to pay their respect and show love for the slain 33-year-old Nipsey. But the majority of people mourning will never be one of the latter, instead, just everyday people who respected his music and mission to make a difference for so many people. The pain is real and he will be missed, forever. 

Here’s what some of them had to say… 

“Man, real tears! I can’t remember the last time I cried this much… smh… I’ve been going to LA since I was 4-years-old… hella different from Detroit, but it was all love. I listened to his music faithfully… every day for the past 10 years. This shit hurts.” – A. Murray, Detroit, MI

“I wasn’t intimately familiar with Nipsey’s artwork as a rapper but I was introduced to his work as an activist and change agent for good a few years ago. We shared similar visions and values so I am saddened to hear of his life being senselessly snuffed out. I am hopeful that the outpouring of grief will drive us to collectively continue his mission.” – Soulful Silverback, NYC

“It seems he was a man ahead of his time. Take away the rapper Nipsey… let’s speak on the influence of the man named Ermias Asghedom. He used his outlet… as well as his knowledge to teach and help us as people do better and build our self-worth. To me, he is now a leader that left us too soon but will always be honored and never forgotten. We’re going to keep your Victory Lap and legacy going until the end because we as the people have to protect the ones that stand for bettering the Black community and the culture of Hip-Hop as a whole.” – L. Benzo, NYC

“We will feel this loss forever. Hussle was a man who practiced what he preached and led his life with honor and respect. He’s planted many seeds along his life and now that he’s gone, it’s up to us to water them and help them grow. Work harder, give more and never forget where you came from. Rest easy Nipsey!” – Center Left HR, Washington, DC

“Nipsey brought an element to rap music that was missing. His energy, swagger, ability to educate and heart was something that isn’t present in today’s music. He made sure you knew where he was from and how he wanted to educate his community on economic empowerment. Gone way too soon but will never be forgotten. This generation’s Tupac Shakur.” – J. Malone, Detroit, MI

“It appears the more “woke” you are and the more you chose to do for the people and not the man, the greater the threat you are to them and bigger the target you become.”  – Professional Athlete, Southeast

“Nipsey’s death is tragic and unexpected. He was a dope artist and more importantly a young Black entrepreneur who was giving back to his community. Many people do not understand how difficult it is to be successful, be a father, and stay alive as a young Black man, particularly those of us from low-income high-crime areas. Nipsey has now become yet another alarming statistic in the midst of success and fatherhood and all I can do as a young Black father and entrepreneur myself is pray and continue to make positive strides and influence those I encounter with the same values. This is a cold world and unfortunately, this “change” we all hope for is very far away when you consider the fact that this incident happened right outside of his own neighborhood business. Sad reality that we all have to swallow.” – J. Hampton, Atlanta, GA

“Nipsey was a once in a generation type artist, but not for his pure lyricism or superior metaphoric wordsmith. Nipsey spoke to the people in ways many legends never could. He spoke to the millennial hip-hop enthusiast that grew up in between the Golden Era and Trap Era of hip-hop. I personally met and discovered Nipsey during his first NYC promo run for his first mixtape in 2008 and I immediately became enamored with his maturity and authenticity. His early rhymes took you on a West Coast journey, placing you in his Lincoln Towncar riding through the streets of Compton. As his music and career grew, I personally felt as a fan that I grew alongside him. Both being born in 85′. I listened to his music less feeling like a super fan but more like a distant peer. Motivating me to go harder, creating my own lanes but embracing vulnerability to acknowledging the many trials and tribulations life brings. These raw emotions most artists cannot tap into. We didn’t just lose a rapper, we lost a new generational leader of hip-hop ready to take the torch and run our marathon.” – D. Faulkner, NYC 

“The Loss of Nipsey Hussle is a huge blow to the Hip-Hop culture. I didn’t know him. I never met him. I loved his music. I loved his message of independence, sustainability, and economic empowerment for HIS community. My condolences to his family, children and loved ones. We lost a true warrior on 3/31/19. May his legacy inspire greatness in each of us. Long live Neighborhood Nip aka Nipsey Hussle born Ermias Asghedom.” – S.B. Webb, Atlanta, GA 

“Success, in a different light. That’s who Nipsey was to me. Finally a version of success that was attainable. Finally a form of success that looked like us, belonged to us, and that talked like us, and that really made a difference. That’s why Nipsey’s death hurts so many of us. He didn’t lose who he was or his principles. He knew success wasn’t his, but of his community. His work provided opportunity to overcome the bad around him, the drugs, the gangs, the violence. He worked to build the community back up even though it was handed it to him broken. For this man to be killed in front of what he built makes it seem like once again the dream of success was close but not achievable and out of reach.” – Center Single Mom, Washington, DC

“It’s difficult losing young Black men who are perfect messengers regarding the positive influences we need in African-American culture. As a young Black man who often speaks to teens about transitioning into adulthood, it’s not easy to get through, so when you have those messengers taken from us before their full impact can be felt, it’s devastating. Hopefully, Nipsey’s words are felt far and wide and folks take it to heart. We need more influential African-Americans in our communities showing what success can and should look like.” – M. Taylor, Detroit, MI 

“Although I was very familiar with Nipsey Hussle, I didn’t know the extent of his knowledge, intellect, and service until recently. Since his death, I have been consumed with getting to know more about him beyond music. There aren’t too many artists who inspire me to be a better human. Tupac was one of them and now Nipsey is on that list. I truly believe he was here on an assignment and fulfilled it. We will be better because he was here.” – E. Williams, Memphis, TN
“I have been following this young man’s music since he started. I’m definitely a fan of West Coast music so of course, you would hear about this young dude from Crenshaw. I thought he might be related to Snoop by blood but they’re related by Cuz (60’s). Funny how the greats have similar blessings with similar fates although some are still with us. I don’t believe in conspiracies but I also don’t believe in coincidence. Either way, we’ve lost a Great Young Man who was for us and mobilizing our people in his community and beyond. He should be memorized as the great man that he lived to be. #RIPNIP” – C. Major, Detroit, MI

This article was originally published on 1 April 2019.

What did Nipsey’s music and life mean to you? Share with us by commenting below or emailing us at info@box5351.temp.domains.

(Pros in Area Codes) Outside of DC and Houston, Did the World Series Matter?

by with No Comment FeaturedSports

I’m dating myself, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who remembers the Ludacris hit “Area Codes” featuring the late Nate Dogg. Ludacris raps about having women in different cities shouting them out not by their name or city, but by area code. 

The song was an instant hit, but the part that was special for each listener is when Ludacris dropped your area code or area codes you actually knew. (Remember, this song was released in 2001 before incoming phone calls displayed the area code of the caller’s city.)  

It’s been a long time since the single Area Codes was on the billboard charts, similar to another major hit from back in the day that hasn’t seen much love recently. 

And that hit… is literally about hitting… Baseball. 

Yes… in case you live in Washington, DC or Houston, Texas (202 and 713 respectfully) you probably didn’t care much about the classic 7 game World Series that took place between the Washington Nationals… excuse me… the WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS Washington Nationals (yes I’m still a DC sports fan while living in Texas) and the Houston Astros. 

That’s because like Luda’s Area Codes only being special for area codes you know… the once number #1 sport in America has now been reduced to a regional game. Meaning you’re likely only watching baseball if your team is playing, but not much else. 

Which is a shame, because baseball was still very popular around the time “Area Codes” was on the radio. The likes of Derek Jeter and Barry Bonds were household names equal to their NBA and NFL counterparts.

Not anymore. 

Spotify ain’t checking for Ludacris anymore and people aren’t checking for baseball either. 

Baseball for the foreseeable future will continue to distance itself from specifically younger non-white viewers. A trend that says more about the increasing cultural divide between generations and demographics. 

In victorious Washington D.C., viewership was the highest for any MLB telecast since 1998. However, the Game 7 World Series clincher marked the lowest-rated and least-watched Game 7 of the Fall Classic on record. The previous marks were the Giants-Royals in 2014. 

Outside the big markets/teams (Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers), MLB will continue to be the greatest example of an American pro sports league with exciting game 7’s… that somehow find themselves competing with meaningless NBA scuffles… in November. 

If MLB wants to improve their viewership and ratings, maybe they should try to appeal to younger generations and more demographics. If they don’t want to, then I guess they’ll continue to do what they’re doing. 

Similar Read: Candy Corn Sports… What Happened to Baseball?

Jus Lyke Compton (Athletes And Colorism)

by with No Comment FeaturedSports

Remember the classic 1992 Dj Quick record “Jus Lyke Compton”? If you don’t, it’s a classic cut from the LA rapper where he talks about how many places in the country have adopted a part of the LA culture. 

I recently heard the song, and it had me thinking about how influential Black athletes are throughout the world, and how their cultural impact has and can cause true positive change. 

Since Jackie Robinson step foot on the first integrated baseball field in 1947, Black athletes in America have used their platform to raise awareness for equality… for not only Black Americans, but other marginalized groups as well. 

In fact, dozens of Black American athletes have used their platform and fame to initiate change… from James Harden hosting youth basketball camps in Houston to Lebron’s charter school in Ohio.

Black athletes throughout the world have followed their lead to do the same. I recently visited the Dominican Republic and saw this firsthand. 

James Harden is not only hosting basketball camps in Houston and Compton… but also in the Caribbean. 

Speaking of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic’s contribution to global racism, like most majority non-White nations, is colorism. Colorism, which I’ll refer to as a pillar of racism, is a form of prejudice or discrimination usually by members of the same race based solely on complexion. Complexion, or someone’s skin tone, is used to establish a cultural standard of beauty… and the darker you are the worse the discrimination. 

For decades, the majority Black and Brown darker-skinned Dominican’s were seen as a peg below and inferior to their lighter-skinned countrymen, who were also the minority.

And then came baseball. 

From the likes of Pedro Martinez to David Ortiz, darker-skinned Dominican’s became such huge Baseball stars that they helped strip away deeply rooted colorism in their country. 

Sounds familiar? Just Lyke Compton… or how the Black male athlete in the United States has become the standard in sports?

We might not see another athlete like Kaepernick use their career as a sacrifice to initiate change for a while; but, Black and Brown athletes from Lebron and his charter school to Manny Pacquiao being an elected Senator in the Philippines have been using their fame and influence to benefit others for a while.

And for the shut up and dribble crowd, athletes are going to continue to use their influence and social media platforms to not only restructure contracts, but to restructure society as well so that the playing field is equal… for everyone, regardless of their race, complexion, or socioeconomic status.  

Spike Lee’s Oscar… A Different Perspective

by with One Comment CultureFeatured

Spike Lee and Lessons From Drake…

Spike Lee finally won an Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards. Long time coming and well deserved. His film, BlacKkKlannsman, landed three nominations and Best Adapted Screenplay proved to be the winner. I must admit, I was somewhat shocked to see his jubilant reaction to winning his first Oscar. Maybe Barbra Streisand’s introduction, and Samuel L. Jackson, who appeared in some of Lee’s first movies, presenting the actual award contributed to the adulation and overflowing of emotions that overcame him when he realized he had won. But after watching him celebrate, dance, and jump-hug Sam Jackson, I couldn’t help but think about Drake’s acceptance speech at the Grammy’s just weeks previous when he won for Best Rap Song…

“If there’s people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain, in the snow, spending their hard earned money to buy tickets to come to your shows, you don’t need this right here, I promise you that. You already won.” – Drake 

“You don’t need this right here… you already won.”

Of course, he was referring to his Grammy award. Whether he won or lost, it’s safe to say Drake was going to be ok. His message to up and coming artists was that you essentially don’t need this award, or any award for that matter, to validate your success or greatness… you’ve already won. When you factor in valid critiques of racism regarding Hollywood’s unwillingness to recognize African-American artists on stage and talent in front of and behind the camera, Drake’s comments truly hit home. Ironically, his mic was cut shortly thereafter and we couldn’t hear the rest of this speech.

So while I’m happy for Spike, deep down I wish he would’ve given a similar speech as Drake and kept his composure. As someone who’s been very outspoken about social justice, institutional racism and equity in Hollywood, his reaction screamed finally accepted… recognition that I belong. Such a response gives too much power to the Academy and institution which has failed over and over to recognize his talent and the talent of others who look like him. Why not take a Drake approach… because before people were coming out in the rain and spending their hard earned money to see Drake, they were doing it for Spike. 

Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, He Got Game, Inside Man, Love and Basketball… the list is long.

Spike has been winning for a long time… whether he knows it or not. We’re not here to judge Spike, but future Spike Lee’s of all ages, races, and cultures, watched his acceptance speech. We just hope they realize their greatness and power long before receiving an award that might not come for 30 years… 30 years after their fans have already recognized their talent and deemed them great. 

Music’s Influence On My Generation

by with One Comment Gen Z

For many teenagers like myself, music is a major part of our lives. We listen to it often, when we’re completing assignments, walking in the school hallway, or just for entertainment. There are sometimes heated debates among friends over who should be crowned the best. Who’s the most skilled rapper? Which singer has the greatest voice? Which album topped all of the others in terms of content this year? On social media, we follow our favorite music artists and have an insight into their lives and characters. With the heavy infiltration of music culture, it can definitely have some sort of influence.

Most celebrities post much of their lives on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat for the world to view. Huge mansions, new expensive cars like Porsches, Lamborghinis, and things such as Gucci jackets and belts, designer dresses, handbags, diamond-covered Rolex watches, and gigantic chains are on display. Well-known rappers like Lil Pump and the Migos are great examples of endorsing a materialistic lifestyle, perhaps without recognizing it. Quavo says in the Migo’s Walk It Talk It track, “Get your respect in diamonds ( ice, ice, ice, ice), I bought a Plain Jane Rollie,” a Rollie being a Rolex. The implication of this line seems to be the more material things you possess, the more people will like you. Of course, there are some of us, like me, which this life doesn’t appeal to. However, there are many of my peers who aspire to own luxury cars like Rolls-Royces and wear expensive brands like Balenciaga’s and Versace, simply because many artists mention them often in songs or wear them. They may even be after social acceptance and praise.

It is difficult for one to say that music doesn’t impact us even in small ways. When we hear our favorite song, we want to dance and sing along. For some of us, the content of lyrics has no effect. But for others, it does have an effect… in much more noticeable ways.

Do you agree? If so, how can we change this? 

Want to respond or share your perspective? Please leave a comment or subscribe and register to write.

Black Skinhead

by with No Comment CultureFeaturedRace RelationsTrump Administration

“For over 15 years, Kanye West’s success is a testament to his undeniable musical talent. That success has also been coupled with his infamous opinions, thoughts and boisterous public acts. Ironically, his most recent opinions, thoughts, and public acts have pushed his career to the point of irreparable harm.”

Kanye West, my favorite rapper of all time, is a Black skinhead.

Kanye West’s 2013 Yeezus album contained a track entitled “Black Skinhead.” At the song’s release, Kanye West had just started dating Kim Kardishan. The song is a clap back against those who are anti-interracial relationships and against racism as a whole. Despite the strong message on “Black Skinhead” and other tracks on Yeezus, many casual Kanye fans were left confused and questioning not just his music, but his mental state. Fans couldn’t get past the loud rap metal sound, random stoppages of songs and direction, and the general unorthodox flow of the album.

My thoughts are twofold. I thought of the “Black Skinhead”  track, while concluding thoughts on Kanye’s recent trip to the oval office. A meeting he appeared wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, a hat as of late that seems to be permanently attached to his head, to show admiration and support for President Trump.

First, the term “skinhead”. Skinhead is a term most generally associated with a faction of White power. Young and angry white men from the rural South and Midwest. The term “Skinhead” actually originated in England in the late 1960s. It was used to describe those who were anti-establishment, anti-conservatism, anti-government. While using influences of both the music and culture of Jamaica in conjunction with strong political stances, they became the founders of the punk rock movement that would take place in the late 1970s. The term was soon hijacked by racial extremists who spun the anti-movement into one being anti all non-White Christian people.

My second examination is of the music of Kanye West. A music that had millions amazed by his samples, his catchy song lyrics, and rap music not infused with the typical telling of violence and drugs. Yet, Kanye’s music was the anti-drugs and violence rap, rather conscious rap with a designer made outfit with 800-dollar sunglasses. However, recent albums and songs have left people confused and wishing for the artist of former years to return to his glorious form.

Enter Trump meeting.

During the meeting with Trump last week, Kanye brought up some valid points. He talked about former crime boss and now community reformer Larry Hoover’s prison sentence, he warned Black voters to not have an unwavering allegiance to the Democrat party, and spoke on the prison pipeline effect on the Black community.

The problem with anything Kanye might say going forward is his message has been hijacked… by Kanye West himself. As with the White power skinheads using the term skinheads, the original meaning of the term being the anthesis of what White power skinheads stand for, Kanye’s love for all things MAGA creates an immediate dismissal of his stances. None of his stances with true value are in line with MAGA, in fact, MAGA is the enemy of Kanye’s message.

Kanye, my favorite rapper of all time, is a Black skinhead.

Like white power skinheads who spew nothing but the purest formula of baseless opinions there is, Kanye’s messages are void of actual substance and facts. They’re a collection of issues with strong feelings attached to them, yet his thought process of said issues are concluded using a process void of truth and experience. Much like a skinhead.

Kanye’s antics have alienated his fanbase beyond disappointment, but utter sorrow and shame for him. He’s increasingly being shunned from everyone… from fans to fellow rappers, athletes, and celebrities in general.  Wishful thinking has led me to think like a fan of a sports team hoping their team makes the playoffs and holding out until being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, I still hold out hope that Kanye is merely trolling us. A hope I fear reality doesn’t want anything to do with.