Born Sean Carter, one of Hip Hop's greatest has more AKAs than a HBCU.
"I called myself a brainiac, and y'all all lamed out. Didn't really feel me, until the next joint came out."
So what does Culture Over Everything mean? Well, to me, it means just what it says. You get out of it what you will. What it means to me is that my whole existence is in service of God the Father, and in reverence of Hip Hop. I can't describe it because it accurately embodies me. I love boom bap and some pop rap. I love lyricism in my heart, but still can wild out to some Wacka when I'm on the right potions. I sat in front of the TV learning how to break, watching Krush Groove as a kid, but could still get my Dougie on. Hell, I knew the Doug E. when Doug E. was DOIN' it. I'm a Reagan baby. Early 80's Hip Hop gets play, alongside your Wiz Khalifas and your Big Seans. I'm a representer of the Zulu Nation as well as getting my Jet Life on. But let me tell you.
Hip Hop is ALL forms of music. Rock. Jazz. Soul. Gospel. Even country. Hip Hop is the most diverse music genre. So much so that it no longer is simply a genre. It's a culture. My biggest issue with blogs is that once they get popular, they are forced to pump nonsense that the writers don't want to give light to, just to push advertising. As an advertising major, I completely understand. But, sorry, I don't agree. This is MY joint. If you want that garbage, that Black on Black war stories, that major weight moving nonsense, if you're here for those lies the industry will tell you in order to continue commerce, stop reading right now. You're in the wrong place. I will show you the full spectrum of our culture. I'm not here to downgrade the mainstream rap, however, because I do enjoy some of it. I'm here to put you up on the BEST of ALL our culture, from a young brother's perspective.
I think that truly is the best part of Hip Hop. You can love Tupac and still love "Tupac Back." There is so much conflict in Hip Hop. Can't smile. Can't sell out. Can't like this artist because this artist is beefing with that one. I'm not going to pontificate on the state of Hip Hop yet, but this is just an intro to let you know. Culture Over Everything is my personal voice, apart from the WordToEm website we are currently re-designing.
So we will definitely be seeing a lot more of each other, until we get our collective up and running, I'll be dropping knowledge, good music, and sometimes, some barbershop bullsh*t going on over here. If you have something to add, please do. While I do see some comments being of the stupid variety, Hip Hop is a culture that holds knowledge and thirsts for truth. I know the irony of that comment, considering most rappers are lying/snitching on record, but we'll handle that all in due time.
With the state of the economy, the state of the nation, where people don't believe in this leadership of our country or even our whole entire system, Hip Hop is the way we express ourselves; anger, sadness, rage, happiness, love, knowledge and wisdom are all on exhibit in everything we rhyme, the beats we make, the moves we dance, so on. Hip Hop is the pulse of our being. Besides God and family, it's my true love. So I'm leaving you with a song that embodies just that. Joell Ortiz is 1/4 of the Slaughterhouse machine, one of the best hip hop groups ever combined, talent wise. Check the method from the aptly titled video "Hip Hop," of his album The Brick: Bodega Chronicles.
Peace!!
-James O.K.
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