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Showing 1 of 4 conversations about:
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jan 26, 2019
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Thanks for the new artist. Sadly, I wasn't a fan overall. While not a negative per se, he comes off as amateurish. Maybe that's my fault as going in I was expecting more blues/folk and this was definitely more acoustic + something else. Not bad, just not my cup of tea. I saw the pic and thought, blues?! Sadly, I ended up listening to some Gary Clark Jr. and Keb Mo to scratch that itch for more modern blues artists.
Jan 26, 2019
Megazine
544
Jan 28, 2019
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jaydunndidditThanks for your honesty. It definitely sounds like it's a required taste. At first I didn't like the music, but when I gave Ondara another shot with my 58X I was sucked right in. Folk may not be the best description, but I do hear a slight resemblance from Indi-folk which I'm a big fan of. Also @jaydunndiddit, you put me on Nina Simone and using the 58X/6XX, really shows the passion she puts into her music. I ended up falling in love with "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", (covered on the Kill Bill Soundtrack), "Do What You Gotta Do" (Kanye West samples), and "Sinnerman". @RayF It's hard for me as well to find new good music that I love. When I do, it takes me hours on Apple Music, sampling all the latest singles, albums or future album release - how I found J. S Ondara. Thanks for giving it a shot, it's the only way we will find new music.
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Jan 28, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jan 28, 2019
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MegazineNina Simone is one of my absolute favorite artist. If you have a chance to watch any of her old videos, you can really see her aura while she's playing piano and singing. It's breathtaking, to put it bluntly. Also if you're aware of her backstory, it gives even more power and pain behind her lyrics. She had quite the rough life and that spills out of her music quite a bit. When I looked up the artist, in his bio they stated folk, blues and indie. I like the former two quite a bit but was diamayed when I didn't get much of a blues vibe. Looking again on Google, it says he is folk-rock. Nothing wrong with that, just not really my jam. To be honest, I was a bit bored while listening to him. Nothing really jumped out at me and left a lingering impression. More in the vein of modern blues/rock/folk, check out Hanni El Khatib, Brother Dege, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Uncle Daddy, Thundercat, Raphael Saadiq & Rob "fonksta" Bacon are in my normal shuffle. If you haven't heard of them, check them out.
Jan 28, 2019
RayF
22214
Jan 29, 2019
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MegazineYou're so right, and frankly, it's so hard, I've semi-given up due to the effort vs disappoint ratio. But every now and then, something, or someone (like you) comes a long and renews my faith--and then all the waiting seems worth while ;-)
Jan 29, 2019
Megazine
544
Jan 30, 2019
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RayFI don't know about you but I grew up with Hip-hop as my main daily spins, and hearing how it sounds today is upsetting. I'm in my 30's, and we didn't have it so great with the gangsta-rap, violence, and blithering women, but my experience growing up we had great story telling: Nas-Sekou Story/Live Now; Lupe Fiasco's The Cool album (positive/fun/culture-gap rap); lyrical onslaught from Ghostface, Jadakiss, Wu-tang, Naught by Nature, Eminem in his prime (8-Mile), Pig Pun... I can go on. I understand the older generations leave hip-hop behind just like those before us, but boy is todays genre so simplifies and dumb downed. The last MC I really enjoyed was Jay Electronica who was co-signed by P-Diddy, Nas and Jay-Z. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lrVO3pPDP4
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Jan 30, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jan 30, 2019
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MegazineAs someone that grew up with Hip Hop too, it's just shifted. All the best acts are indie and now we have a lot more female MCs coming up as well. Just don't listen to the radio as 95% of it is mainstream garbage. Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Big Sean, Run The Jewels, The Roots, Childish Gambino, Big K.R.I.T., Anderson .Paak, GoldLink, Jalen Santoy, SABA, Chance the Rapper, The Internet, D.R.A.M., Joey Bada$$, Vic Mensa, etc. All great artists with highly varying backgrounds but one thing they all have in common is keeping their lyrics highly personal and showing growth and maturity with each new track released. Kendrick Lamar is my favorite and even won a Pulitzer for his lyricism amongst many others. One of his albums is also an opera, broken down into acts and told through the eyes of various characters. I am probably a bit biased as my grandfather raised my on the blues, soul, funk, and jazz so seeing those elements resurging in some of these modern artists brings me joy. Just stay away from Drake, DJ Khaled, Post Malone, etc. as that shit is not representative of the genre as a whole and I think many miss that point. Real Hip Hop lives just not in the mainstream except for a few exceptions. Also in general, I recommend https://genius.com for lyrics and annotations as I find it gives context to sometimes confusing passages and you get a much stronger understanding of that artist and their style.
Jan 30, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jan 30, 2019
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MegazineAlso since you've probably heard this song, Swimming Pools by Kendrick Lamar, I think it's a good example of the mainstream turning this into a club song when the words of the song talk about peer pressure, alcoholism, growing up in Compton and the poor decisions that led to the death of someone's brother: https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-swimming-pools-drank-lyrics.
Jan 30, 2019
Megazine
544
Jan 30, 2019
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jaydunndidditI'm biased myself but more in terms of hardcore lyricism. Although Kendrick Lamar helped contribute with keeping "lyrics" an important factor for the mainstream, he still not on par with what we had in the past. I think I'm just getting older, so these new artist who are todays modern lyricist, just don't hold a candle to what we had a decade or two ago. From your list, Black Thought stands out, and is arguably the best in there. I do enjoy Run the Jewels 3 but not for the lyrics. I'm talking about 36 Chambers, Illmatic, Rakim "The Punisher" where he drags metaphors through an entire verse; diss records where two bars disses a whole record label "Rip the freeway, shoot through Memphis, with Moneybags/ Stop at Philly order cheese stakes and eat Beans fast (Rocafella Records)--Nas; Treach "Joke the Joker"; Ghostface Supreme Clientele, Black Thought...I missed those days, but I don't see lyrics ever coming back, only in the form of what we have today.
Jan 30, 2019
RayF
22214
Jan 30, 2019
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MegazineI've heard similar sentiments from others familiar with the genre. To tell you the god's truth I have never listened to any strain/segment/version of anything even remotely or distantly related to rap or hiphop (gone out of my way to avoid it at every step)--I absolutely abhor it. Of course when I mention that to people, particularly those of the demographic it's aimed at, they often become defensive and assume I'm making summary judgements about the artists and the audience and I suppose to some extent I am. We all have our own point of reference when it comes to music (and culture, and language). From my position (and as a person not of your generation), hip-hop and rap (I make no distinction) are as foreign a form of music (culture and language) as any Asian or Middle Eastern music might be to "American" ears. True enough, I speak the same language Western hip--hop performers speak (meaning I understand the lyrics), but only peripherally--I don't actually speak in the same way, think in the same way. I'm referring here to certain vocabulary and misogynistic references, that I find pretty damn off-putting to say the least. No doubt being as unfamiliar with that form of music in general, prevents me from being familiar with variant branches that aren't so stereotypical as those I've mentioned, but even beyond that, primarily in fact, I just don't like the beat. Two notes into it and I know what's coming and I'm out of there as fast I can push a button, or flip a switch. The thought of listening to endless rhyming as a platform for a story telling has always struck me as a little limiting. That combined with the sound of sub sonic base notes and the rattling body panels of the car next to me at the traffic light makes me want to...be somewhere else fast. The sort of visceral reaction I'm describing by the way, isn't reserved for hip-hop or even music of your generation exclusively--I react almost the same way to Polka Music, Be-Bop, Andrew Lloyd Webber and to a lesser extent Rodgers and Hammerstein. All my loss, I'm sure ;- ) When I hear some say "I grew up with hip hop" I feel especially sad for them. To never have known harmony or melody, the incredible variation of instruments in a band or orchestra and the range of sounds they can make, (vs. scratching a record on a turntable?) to never know the names of actual musicians (in a band) playing the music (as opposed to just the vocalist) suggests a relationship leaning more towards personality/celebrity rather than musicianship or ability. You may think I'm set in my ways--to old get the music you're referring to--and that's entirely possible, but I recall a time when Disco was all the rage and and it was damn near as impossible to get away from then, as hip-hop is today. Well I'm here to tell you, I survived Disco, and I intend to survive hip-hop too (the good lord will'n ;- ). And just as I'm sure no one today is sing'n "That's the way, uh-huh uh-huh I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh…" in the shower every morning (with a straight face), I'm equally sure no one will be singing (?) "I got bitches in the living room gettin it on and, they ain't leavin til six in the mornin (six in the mornin) So what you wanna do, sheeeit I got a pocket full of rubbers and my homeboys do too So turn off the lights and close the doors", ten years from now either! At least, not with a straight face, they won't !
Jan 30, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jan 30, 2019
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MegazineTrue, that is one facet that has changed from the old days. But honestly, I don't miss it. I'm glad to see these young artist channeling all that pent up energy and frustration into something positive for their music. For me, being able to hear an artist's pain, sorrow, happiness, anxiety, etc. plays a big role into how much I enjoy them. If that shit doesn't move my soul, then it just isn't for me, musical ability be damned. Especially when you see how many play instruments while doing lead vocals and writing all their own music. The new generation has a lot to show for and it sucks asshats like Drake ruin the image of what is is otherwise a genre of music that's growing up and proving what real Hip-Hop is. And of course, Eminem is always gonna be his typical self and just released a diss track because MGK just won't go away and keeps running his mouth. Hell, his latest album was basically one big diss to everyone that talked shit about him. And we can't forget that beef between Meek and Drake and Pusha T and Drake, ad nauseum. I think it just isn't talked about in the mainstream like it used to be (RIP old school MTV/VH1). Also, this is one of my fave new female MC's who was found by the great Black Thought: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivR988qCPik. He does a track with her here too. If you keep up with them, NPR Tiny Desk gets a TON of great performances of all genres. I've found quite a few new bands and artists through them. And also this is a major fave as Yo-Yo Ma is a beast on the cello and that man can move me to tears with his level of skill and playing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uiUHvET_jg. Not Hip-Hop, but damn is it so good. Sorry to flood this thread with links but there is so much goodness out there that I just have to share to a fellow hip-hop aficionado: And this is a must watch because I never knew T-Pain could actually sing (without autotune) and holy shit does he have a voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIjXUg1s5gc. You can definitely tell he grew up singing in the church choir. Other favorites over the years I still watch pretty regularly: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ferZnZ0_rSM Tank and the Bangas (live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKzobTCIRDw FKJ & Masego (studio) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC8CH0Z3L54 The Roots feat Bilal (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB4oFu4BtQ8 H.E.R. (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxxcEzM8r-4 Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVJjmyFfuts Jorja Smith (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXrlhebkpIQ Sampha (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnIu25lXXY8 Raphael Saadiq & Rob Bacon (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu9QH71YKQw Thundercat (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhVgbZdMdb0 Rakim (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU0_cYjm8HE The Internet (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6j49uzPugA D.R.A.M. - (live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwjN3UCBW14 Lianne LaHavas (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HUV5a7MgS4 Erykah Badu (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cfmEgpOOZk Corinne Bailey Rae (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h--fvyPu5e4 Noname (live) -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K58JYXhb4YA John Legend (live) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onQLAEEeta8 Sorry for the flood of videos but I really think you'd dig them. Been meaning to make a thread for sharing myself as I'm always down for finding something new and cool that can touch my soul. Happy listening!
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Jan 30, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jan 30, 2019
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RayFRay, you say a lot of wild shit around here but this is just ignorant nonsense and you know it. Having an opinion is fine but you have relegated a culture (as that what Hip Hop is and represents) to a series of ridiculous stereotypes. When you say, "I'm referring here to certain vocabulary and misogynistic references, that I find pretty damn off-putting to say the least." As if we don't have that in a lot of classic rock. Or most rock. Or metal. Or jazz. Or blues. Or quite literally every other genre of music. And let's not forget about the Beatles and their high level of misogyny (the worst lyrics in the songs): "Run For Your Life" Rubber Soul, 1965 = “I’d rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man.”

"Getting Better" Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967 = “I used to be cruel to my woman, I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved.”

"Maxwell’s Silver Hammer" Abbey Road, 1969 = “Bang clang Maxwell’s silver hammer came down upon her head/Bang clang Maxwell’s silver hammer made sure that she was dead.”

"I’ll Get You" She Loves You (B-side), 1963 = “You might as well resign yourself to me.” Ah, veiled threats, outright violence, obsession, being controlling, all from the Beatles who's market was little girls. Funny, how they get a pass and people sing these lyrics with a smile and see nothing wrong. And let's not get started on classic rock. It seems as if we could sum up your entire "experience" as a long list of stereotypes and your willful and woeful ignorance on the matter. The slight at not calling each and every one of these individuals an artist, even though they can play multiple instruments, sing, produce, AND write their own lyrics is quite blunty, pretty deplorable of you. And in hopes that you read and educate yourself, Hip Hop is quite clearly defined as a culture and IS NOT the same thing as rap: https://www.britannica.com/art/hip-hop and https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-hip-hop-1925-to-now-2857353 and https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hip-hop-is-born-at-a-birthday-party-in-the-bronx. It's not as if I am concerned about you enjoying hip hop or rap, but you can at least get the story straight and not spit on a culture that's different than yours instead of flinging horrible stereotypes. I don't always agree with your shenanigans, but you don't strike me as an idiot who lives in a bubble.
Jan 30, 2019
RayF
22214
Jan 31, 2019
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jaydunndidditYup, as I mentioned--it's an opinion that tends to get folks all feisty and defensive, no way around it. Are there some nuances of hip-hop that are lost on me because I'm not into it? No doubt about it, but that applies to a lot of stuff I'm not into including Deer Hunting, the Republican Party, Polka Bands and Brussel Sprouts. Now I could spend all day apologizing to you, and all the deer hunt'n, Brussel Sprout eat'n, Polka music list'n damn Republicans who frequent this site, whom I've also offended with my personal views--but I'm not.

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Jan 31, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Jan 31, 2019
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RayFNever asked for an apology, nor stated anything about nuances, nor care that you don't like or enjoy hip hop. Nothing to get feisty about but you slandered an entire culture with a bunch of stereotypes. Just a lot of the pot calling the kettle black. That's your generation for us.
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(Edited)
Jan 31, 2019
RayF
22214
Jan 31, 2019
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jaydunndidditCulture? We don-need-no-es-stink'n Culture!!!

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Jan 31, 2019
GunsOfBrixton
911
Feb 1, 2019
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RayFYou're off to a good start...
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Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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GunsOfBrixtonCouldn't you just combine all those groups into one, and call it the "silly, easily offended, pre-thirties club"? I mean, couldn't we at least try to be just a little more inclusive, hmm?
Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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RayF"Oh boo-hoo, that mean man doesn't think my taste in music equates to culture! Spare me, you self-righteous little twerp; pull up your hoodie and get over yourself.
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Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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GunsOfBrixtonDon't recall, did I mention hip-hop sucks?
Feb 1, 2019
rastus
1391
Feb 1, 2019
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GunsOfBrixtonThanks for leaving the Brussels sprouts out of this...
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Feb 1, 2019
rastus
1391
Feb 1, 2019
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Remember the factoid we learned from the Clinton days; dry cleaning does not remove DNA...
Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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jaydunndidditAlmost sounds like you're saying he didn't live up the preconceived stereotype imagine you had in mind for a black guy in an old-looking photo wearing hat and playing an acoustic guitar? What's the matter--not Robert Johnson or Honeyboy Edwards enough for you?
Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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rastus
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Feb 1, 2019
rastus
1391
Feb 1, 2019
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RayFI know... fav Mills Brothers, Basin Street Blues... they are the Kings of Harmony... goes well with sprouting...
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Feb 1, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 1, 2019
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RayFI love your false equivalence. Spoken like a true member of the MAGA cult. Build that wall! Lock her up! I'm not racist, it's just, like, my opinion, man! I guess I'd rather be self-righteous than an ignorant, pompous ass who lives in a xenophobic bubble. And again, a description for his music background states, folk/rock/blues/indie. But hey, I don't expect those of your ilk to actually read. Too easy to be a lazy potato and hurl stereotypes I suppose. It happens with age, no worries. This generation has learned to forgive and let live, after all :)
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Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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jaydunndidditOh! This generation is it? Where have I heard that tired old cliche? Oh wait, don't tell me--"you won't get fooled again?" Is that what you mean? My suggestion is read more closely, jump to fewer conclusions/delusions, and mos' def, listen to better music. That, and: "don't try to ddddig what we all sssay!"
Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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rastusWow--was previously unfamiliar with that! Thanks for bringing it to my attention ;- ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNOBrUITV4A
Feb 1, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 1, 2019
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RayFWell, you lost me after dinging polka you degenerate. No one talks about Weird Al that way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJILK3NxSM. Amazing what you consider "good music." But, I'm sure you cut your teeth on the three kings, Charles Mingus, Buddy Guy, Son House, Lightnin Hopkins, Leadbelly, Ray Charles, etc., or grew up in the deep south during Jim Crow and its after effects. You know, due to your abundance of culture and all. But hey, I guess you would so readily assume my age over a few random posts over the internet. I get it Ray, you're edgy and cool. But, you're still a turd that clings to overtly racist stereotypes. (What did you mentioning hoodies have to do with anything?). I expect nothing less from the greatest generation, after all :)
Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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jaydunndidditNo particular assumptions about age, per se. I've been relying on the level of maturity you've displayed throughout our conversation (the two don't always go hand in hand). Same is true of Race and Culture--don't confuse the two, makes you sound...easily-lead. Mean time give the years some time to kick-in; it's a rush!
Feb 1, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 1, 2019
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RayFAgain, the pot calling the kettle black. I think you have that schtick downpact from how you carry yourself in this community in general. Nothing like you old timers to impress upon the "younger" generation with your infinite wisdom. God forbid I express my opinion like yourself without hurling baseless accusations, passive racism, and cultural stereotypes as "opinion," o lordy me, Ray!
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Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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jaydunndidditLook, here's the deal: you think a form of mass-market, commercialized music (possibly the MOST ever, commercialized form of music) some how equates to a Culture. Well, maybe they're sing'n your song and you're feeling it? Well buddy, Charley Manson thought somebody was sing'n his song too. Personally I think you're full of shit for falling for the hype, but that's your choice. Every Saturday, nice ladies knock on my door and tell me all about what they think is the way and the light too. They're just as full of shit as you are (although I try to refrain from pointing that out as plainly to them). The problem with looking for your culture in a song, a sweatshirt or a book, is that you're liable to find it. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I'm reminded of the thought Jack Nicholson once expressed so eloquently: "Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked-up here."
Feb 1, 2019
rastus
1391
Feb 1, 2019
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RayFHad not seen that particular performance, thanks! A beautiful song about experiences in love,, on a street full of bordellos;) First heard them hitchhiking, cruising in an old Mercedes, in ‘77’, it was instantaneous.
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Feb 1, 2019
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 1, 2019
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RayFSimmer down, grandpa. If you were able to quit being so obstinate and actually use your brain and read, you would at least stop throwing around false equivalences. The simple fact is, you're flat out wrong. Thank God we have actual historians that put ink to paper and have published sources that have tracked Hip Hop since it's inception. Since reading comprehension seems to be out of grasp with your ilk, here's the definition of Hip Hop per Brittanica: "Although widely considered a synonym for rap music, the term hip-hop refers to a complex culture comprising four elements." " Hip-hop, cultural movement that attained widespread popularity in the 1980s and ’90s; also, the backing music for rap, the musical style incorporating rhythmic and/or rhyming speech that became the movement’s most lasting and influential art form." But, you know, thanks for trying to interject your xenophobia into a matter you apparently know nothing about. Ignorance at its finest from, "the greatest generation." And while it's ok to have an opinion, it's rather messed up to relegate your ignorance to a culture that, by your own admission, know nothing about. As they say, "Did you know it's actually possible to say 'I don't know enough about this to have an opinion?'" 🤔 Stay classy, Ray.
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Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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rastusOh--you young people and your vinyl! Kidding--I see you're a true aficionado. I'm going to have to search around for more of their stuff.
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Feb 1, 2019
RayF
22214
Feb 1, 2019
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jaydunndidditOh art form is it now?! Look kid, it doesn't matter to me whether you get you culture out of spray can or a beer can, the question you should be asking yourself is who put in there and why? What you're referring to as culture is the same crap a bunch of rich white people used to convince a bunch of poor white people to vote for your pal trump. That bunch has books and history they like to thump and pound too (got a fairly popular TV station as well) and their faithful believe every damn word as the gospel. And guess what they call it? Their culture! So you got yours, they got theirs, and just about everyone else on god's green earth got one too. Been that way for a long time--lots of little groups with their very own cultures, all competing with one another over who's is better, righter, stronger, and more enlightened. That's the way the guys who put it in little cans like it--keeps us all divisible, and most importantly, manageable! Like I say, it's been that way for a long time--guess it's gonna stay that way a while longer, what with it being so popular and all with you young folks these days? Well, more power to 'ya! Me, I never could find a damn culture that fit me right--guess I just couldn't get past those first four letters? By the way, did I ever mention:
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(Edited)
Feb 1, 2019
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