Better Than Average

My Generations Motown...Def Jam's 25th Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:42:00 +0000

25 years ago I saw a movie that forever changed my life...

I won't say that watching Krush Groove was the moment that I "fell in love with hip-hop" as quoted in the film Brown Sugar, but after watching it I knew that I wanted to be part of a growing movement called Hip-Hop.

Shortly thereafter I started to save whatever money I could to eventually buy my 1st set of turntables and a mixer from Radio Shack. Every week I would walk to Sound Warehouse or Sunshine Records and Tapes to buy the newest 12" single.

More often than not, the logo on that 12" piece of vinyl was a clever combination of a turntable tone arm and the words "DEF JAM".

Now, I know I may sound old when I say this but people involved in the game now-a-days need to learn the history behind Hip-Hop. A few years ago while standing in line at the bookstore on Houston's TSU's campus I overheard a young woman telling her friend about seeing Krush Groove the previous night. When the friend asked her what the plot of the film was she replied "It's a movie about Diddy or something like that." I was so dissapointed.

So for those of you who don't know, Krush Groove is a movie of Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin and their early days starting Def Jam Records and Rush management. So many superstars had cameos in this movie including Russell and Rick themselves. Ironically the classic soundtrack wasn't even released on Def Jam but rather Warner Brothers. However they have subsequently provided the soundtrack to the past 25 years of everything else. They have been the home or parent company to so many of the biggest names in not only Hip-Hop but RnB as well.

Names like:

LL Cool J

Jay-Z Nas

Beastie Boys

Musiqsoulchild

Foxy Brown

Redman & Method Man

Public Enemy

Ja Rule

and many, many others

Once I decided to start rhyming ontop of DJ'ing I modeled my style after one the MC's who at the time was one of the youngest in the game...The G.O.A.T.: LL Cool J. His performance in Krush Groove was in my opinion the best scene of the movie.

Did you see the late great Jam Master Jay get gangsta and start to bust a cap in LL's ass?!!? Classic!

In 1992 Russell made history again by giving the world the gift of laughter in the form of Def Comedy Jam. Of course that is the show that launched the careers of several comedy superstars like:

Chris Rock

Dave Chappelle

Cedric the Entertainer

Steve Harvey

the late great Bernie Mac

Chris Tucker

D.L. Hughley

Bruce Bruce

Bill Bellamy

and DOZENS of others.

Check out this classic clip:

Then 10 years after the premiere of Def Comedy, Russell brought the amazing Def Poetry Jam to the public eye and lifted the recognition and respect for urban poets to unprecedented levels. In addition to (at the time) lesser known poets like:

Black Ice

Big Poppa E

Staceyann Chin

NIkki Giovanni

Mighty Mike McGeee

several noted celebrities also appeared on Def Poetry Jam like

Jamie Foxx

Erykah Badu

Black Thought

George Clinton

David Banner

and too many others to name.

Check out Rev. Run do his thing on DPJ with a tribute to the late great, my idol and his friend JMJ!

Like I said earlier, whether you're an artist, DJ or just a lover of Hip-Hop, you must learn the history and lesson #1 is recognizing the influence that Def Jam Records had in truly defining not just the music industry but a whole culture. A culture where everyone

dresses

talks

watches

buys

eats

breathes

and lives

Hip-Hop!

Special thanks to

Def Jam, Russell Simmons Rick Rubin and even Lyor Cohen

on behalf of those who love Hip-Hop,

we thank you for your vision and efforts 25 years ago!

To my readers:

Make sure you leave your comments below on who your favorite Def Jam artist is or favorite song. Or how about your favorite Def Poetry Moment or favorite Def Comedy comedian?

Don't forget to give me props if you're feeling my blog!

Hit me up on www.twitter.com/wydeopen for blog suggestions!

Thanks for coming out! God Bless You! Good Night!

<method="post" action="http://www.imeem.com/embedsearch/" style="margin:0;padding:0;">

Best of Def Jams past 25 years

"He was my Dad." She told me. "He Got killed."

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:07:00 +0000

Earlier this year the popular HBO show The Wire aired it's final episode. But for me the drama isn't over just because it isn't aired on television.

Tuesday night, after getting in from a long day at work and school, I walked in and received a message to call my brother L-Bo. Apparently, one of his homeboys had been killed. I returned the call to learn that the Quincy Henderson a.k.a. "Q", a mutual friend of me and brother (although closer to L than me) had been involved in a fist-fight and then shot and killed in a park 2 blocks away from the projects where L and I lived in the early 90's.

I immediately made a phone call to my boss, Rev. Leon Kelly, who is the executive director of Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives to see if he had any knowledge of or more importantly, any info in regards to the specifics of the shooting. You may remember I wrote about him back in May when one of the OG's here in Denver got killed. Because of Reverend Kelly's rapport with the community at large, it's very common that when violence occurs here, especially Black or Hispanic related, "Rev" as he's known, is one of the 1st people called by victims, families, police and the media. However, in this case, he hadn't heard anything about this incident until I called him.

It wasn't until the next day that I learned what happened.

Another very good friend of mine actually saw everything 1st hand that transpired and came to talk to me and Rev. Kelly for guidance. My friend was in a very bad place; between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

To truly understand his predicament, I have to tell you a short side story.

My friend, John Doe (his name for the sake of this story) is an OG from his hood/gang. He and a handful of others from the same housing projects and high school back in the 80's began their particular set. So for that reason, 20 years later, he is looked upon with both respect and disdain from a lot of people.

For a while I was one of those people who didn't have a lot of love for JD.

That's because I was just like him but from a different gang and from time to time our respective hoods would clash. Usually at events like the "let-out" after a club or some of you may remember my blog in June about the drama that usually followed the annual Juneteenth celebrations here in Denver.

But as years passed and I outlived and outgrew my connections and devotion to my neighborhood fraternity, I began to know JD and other rivals as actual people instead of enemies. Over the course of some years, he and I ate together, drank and smoked together, served time together and became very good friends in no small part to Rev. Kelly and his Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives program intervening in our lives.

That's why he came to us when Quincy got killed the other night. He needed advice and wisdom.

Word had gotten out to the police that he was a witness to the shooting so the rolled through the hood streets looking for JD.

Of course, word got back around the hood that the police were looking for him and the "snitch" rumors started to circulate.

JD is no snitch. He's no punk either. In fact he's the antithesis to what a lot of people assume. JD had been absent in his children's lives for so many years due to poor decisions which led to prison terms. Since then he has become a caring father who has taken major risks by visiting his kids in a neighborhood that is high crime and notorious for gang violence and drugs. Because of this, the police, his parole officer and the system have repeatedly harassed him for being in the area and have gone so far as attempt to violate his parole.

I have personally witnessed this man pull his younger G's to the side and lecture them on the lifestyle that they are choosing to live. He's let them know where the choices they are making are going to lead. He's showed them his bullet scared body. He has shown them that he has turned his life around. All of this in an attempt to be a better father for his children and role model for the young ones that potentially are following in his footsteps. He wants the hood to be safer for all of our kids.

But as the saying goes, "no good deed goes unpunished."

JD had a parole revocation hearing today because of all of the "police contact" he's had in the past 3 1/2 years. Again, remember, his kids live in the hood and the cops know JD because he's a 20+ year veteran of the game. All it takes is for him to be walking from the bus-stop to the house and an officer sees him for him to be in "violation". They know he's an easy mark to fill their monthly quotas and an even easier way to solve a murder.

Let me tell you, the politics of Capitol Hill D.C. don't have 1/2 the tension that the politics of Park Hill, D.C. (Denver, CO) have.

The DA & Homicide detectives working the case and his parole officer are threatening him with up 5 years penitentiary time for a possible parole violation if he doesn't cooperate with the investigation. Someone has leaked his name out into the hood of the killer as being an informant. The family of the victim has heard that JD was involved and are looking for him.

I told you, it all sounds like an episode of the Wire huh?

The only thing is, I can't just turn the television off or change the channel when my one-time-enemy-now-very-close-friend breaks down and cries on my shoulder because he's scared of dying and or losing his kids to another prison term.

By-the-way, I haven't even mentioned that Quincy's 9 year old daughter attends the after-school program that I coordinate. Yes, I had to look in that little girls eyes yesterday and hold back my tears when she asked me did I know "Quincy Henderson"

"Yes, I did." I replied to her.

"He was my Dad." She told me.

"He got killed."

Dumbstruck, I stared at her with a blank look in my eyes as my mind raced to find the appropriate response.

There wasn't one.

All I could do was just give a hug her and hold her hand as I walked her to the classroom she goes for homework.

For information on the rally, or if you have information on the shooting - call 303-521-7211.

For information on Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives and the after-school program - call 303-893-4264.

Keep your Hearts....

- WydeOpen

Way Down in the Hole - The Blind Boys of Alabama

Ike's Rap - He Kept Our Ears and Eyes: WydeOpen (A Tribute!)

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:27:00 +0000

Most anybody over the age of even 20 knows at least some of the lyrics to the classic theme song written by the now late and always great Isaac Hayes for the movie Shaft.

If you're older than 30 chances are you might even remember that movie and other films that belonged to a genre called "blaxploitation" which were films which primarlly stared black actors and were scored my black musicians like Isaac Hayes. Some would argue that the film Shaft was the film to introduce "blaxploitation" to the public whereas others believe that Sweet Back's Baadassssss Song put the genre on the map. Irregardless, I don't think there is any man more closely associated with the rhythm of the movies themselves and of Black people than Ike.

Many times you hear people throw around titles like pioneer and godfather of such and such but Isaac Hayes truly was years ago what artists today wanna-be. Without the funk sound that Ike created by blending strings and horns and drums and complete orchestras, there would be no G-Funk sound that samples heavily from his compositions in theory and in many cases literally. If you get a chance check out the playlist that I've compiled on Imeem now playing on my main page. (Or click here for the pop-out player)

But the man didn't just stop with scoreing the music of the movies that spoke to us in the 70's he actually stared in a couple also. Take time to view the theatrical trailers for 2 movies that Isaac Hayes was featured in as well as providing the soundtrack for back in 1974.

<p<object width="425" height="344">

Now as I stated at the begining of this article, if you're over 30 you most likely would be familiar with the work that made Isaac famous but the thing that I truly admire about him was his ability to stay relevant even to a whole new generation of kids who know nothing about the world in what I call B.C. era (Before Crack) a.k.a. the 70's and early 80's. He managed to do this even after going through some difficult financial times loosing his home, much of his personal property, and the rights to all future royalties earned from the music he'd written, performed, and produced.

In 1988, Isaac spoofed the very genre of films that helped him gain his fame by playing a character named Hammer in the movie "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka!" He played a variety of different roles during the next several years like in CB-4 and several television series.

Then in 1995 Mr. Hayes reintroduced himself to the world when he released 2 well received albums just before springboarding back into major fame by playing the voice of Chef on the popular animated series South Park. Staying true to his great sense of humor and his musical roots Isaac "Chef" Hayes recorded a song for the South Park soundtrack titled "Chocolate Salty Balls (p.s. I Love You!)" which received some international radio airplay in 1999 and reached number-one on the UK singles chart.

Chocolate Salty Balls - Southpark

Please join me and share your condolences, comments, thoughts and favorite Isaac "Ike" Hayes moments and songs in the comments section below. R.I.P. Soul Brother! AWARDS: .

Year	Award	Result	Category	Film, album, or song
1972	Academy Award	Nominated	Best Music, Original Dramatic Score	Shaft
1972	Academy Award	Won	Best Music, Original Song (For the song "Theme from Shaft")	Shaft
1972	BAFTA Award	Nominated	Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music	Shaft
1998	BMI Film & TV Award	Won	BMI TV Music Award	Soul Man (Shared with David Porter)
1972	Golden Globe Award	Nominated	Best Original Song (For the song "Theme from Shaft")	Shaft
1972	Golden Globe Award	Won	Best Original Score	Shaft
1972	Grammy Award^[29]	Won	Best Instrumental Arrangement (For the song "Theme from Shaft", arranged with Johnny Allen)	Shaft
1972			Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special	Shaft
1973			Best Pop Instrumental Performance By An Arranger, Composer, Orchestra and/or Choral Leader	Black Moses
1999	NAACP Image Award	Nominated	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series	South Park
2006	Screen Actors Guild Award	Nominated	Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture	Hustle & Flow (Shared with cast)

Walk on By - Issac Hayes

I Ain't Scared of You Muthafukkas!

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:22:00 +0000

My 1st professional taste of the entertainment industry was about 13 years ago when I was presented the opportunity to help a friend of my mother promote a comedy show here in Denver. The headliner was a fairly new but up-and-coming comedian by the name of...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Mac!

So obviously, I'm more than a bit saddened by the news of his recent passing. I honestly don't know how to put in words how much of a loss the entertainment industry has suffered. If you take a look at the man's filmography you can't help but to at least crack a smile when you reflect on some of the spectacular roles and charaters Bernie brought to life on the big and small screen over the course of his career.

When I 1st got hip to him was of course back in the Def Jam Comedy days when he schooled a brother on how to "get some" when the wifey was still sleep.

"You gotsta stir it like coffee...stir it like muthafukkin' coffee!"

Then Bernie's portrayal of Rev. Clevland in the hood classic Friday was un-muthafucckin'-forgettable!

How many times have you asked your smokin' partna for "a lil sumthin' for your cataracts?" LMMFOA!

There are so many catchphrases and one-liners that Bernie introduced in his many films that often times he turned a small role in the most memorable of the entire movie.

Jangle Leg-Jangle Leg!

I'll be the 1st to admit that I thought it was a bit presumptuous of Bernie, Steve, Ced and DL to claim the title of the "Original Kings of Comedy" when so many others like Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx and Eddie Murphy opened the door for them to be able to take in the box office revenues that they did. However, there is no denying that Bernie's routine was in my opinion the funniest set of the night. How many of you started callin' cats "summab!tch"? or saying you gonna bust a mutha%#&@$!a "to the white meat" after seeing that DVD?

And damn, the truth that he spit about family when he introduced us to his sister's "chiltren" was literally side-splittinin' funny! My sister to this day has me ROTFLMMFAO when she imitates Bernie mocking the "homoshexual" one with....

"Him downstairs."

That sh!t right there. Of course that opened the door for him to introduce us to the hilariously funny award winning Bernie Mac Show which debuted at the #1 spot!

Thankfully after Fox regrettably canceled the show Bernie continued to bless us with his comedic skills in box office smashes like Guess Who and Ocean's 11, 12 and my favorite of the series 13 where he introduces the world of casino gambling to Dominos!

My condolences go out the Mac family. I hope you find peace in knowing that in a world and time full of drugs, sex, and war, Bernie made it possible for us all to laugh to keep from crying.

Please be my guest and share your condolences, comments, thoughts and favorite B. Mac moments in the comments section below.

Awards

Emmy Awards

2003 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series The Bernie Mac Show Nominated

2002 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series The Bernie Mac Show Nominated

Golden Globe Awards

2004 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy/Musical Series The Bernie Mac Show Nominated

2003 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy/Musical Series The Bernie Mac Show Nominated

NAACP Image Awards

Year Category Show Result

2007 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series The Bernie Mac Show Nominated

2006 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series The Bernie Mac Show Winner

2005 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series The Bernie Mac Show Winner

2004 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series The Bernie Mac Show Winner

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Head of State Nominated

2002 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series The Bernie Mac Show Winner

2001 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series The Bernie Mac Show Nominated

Life Ev'ry Voice and Sing

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:44:00 +0000

Lift Every Voice and Sing -

Recently my city, my home, made national news broadcasts due to a jazz singer named Rene Marie singing at the "annual state of the city address" by mayor John Hickenlooper. She was hired on to sing the Star Spangled Banner more commonly referred to as the National Anthem written by Francis Scott Key.

She took what some call a very liberal artistic license in her rendition of the song by replacing the traditional lyrics with the lyrics to what's been called the "Black National Anthem" titled Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing. The response was explosive to say the least.

Racial tensions have risen to levels that I haven't seen since the "not guilty" verdict for OJ. I've seen some of the most heated racial divisive comments in the local newspapers websites by readers, bloggers and commentators.

City council president Michael Hancock, who introduced Marie and emceed the event said his office has received numerous angry e-mails and phone calls. Even the mayor himself has been quoted as calling Marie's performance a "distraction" and said he was disappointed.

For her part, Rene said she was inspired to sing Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing honoring the fact that in August Sen. Barack Obama's will attend the Democratic National Convention to accept his party's presidential nomination here in the Mile High City.

Growing up, in a Black church no less, I heard and sang Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing hundreds of times. I was even taught that the reason that the song has come to be known as the Black National Anthem is because at one point it was the official choice of anthem for the United States until it was discovered that it was penned by a Black man, James Weldon Johnson in 1900. I have little to backup this allegation other than the fact that the current national anthem wasn't officially made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931.

If you take a moment and review the lyrics, you wonder why such a wonderfully scripted song wouldn't have been the obvious choice of an anthem or theme for America and it's citizens spirit.

Lift every voice and sing,

'Til earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the listening skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

Let us march on 'til victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,

Bitter the chast'ning rod,

Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;

Yet with a steady beat,

Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,

We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,

Out from the gloomy past,

'Til now we stand at last

Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,

God of our silent tears,

Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who has by Thy might

Led us into the light,

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,

Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;

Shadowed beneath Thy hand,

May we forever stand,

True to our God,

True to our native land.

I personally do not sing the Star Spangled Banner nor do I recite the pledge of allegiance.

Not that I'm unpatriotic.

There is no country that I'd rather live in and I do enjoy the liberties that are my God given right as an American.

However, I don't believe in the hypocrisy that both the anthem and the pledge put forth.

"Liberty and Justice for all" is not a reality and "...the land of the free and the home of the brave" is a fallacy.

You so crazy!

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:49:00 +0000

There are people in this world who you can mention by 1st name and everyone knows who you're talking about.

Martin is one of them. Or Marty-Mar if you need further clarification.

Sh!t, his hit TV show practically made FOX a reputable television station!

I've been a fan of Martin ever since he played Maurice Warfield, a bus-boy working for Shirley on What's Happening Now. Then I became a huge fan when he stared as the stank breath DJ Bilal in House Party 1 and 2.
Then Russell Simmons did the best thing anyone could have for not just Black comedy but comedy period.
Def Comedy Jam hosted by none-other-than Martin Lawrence!
(Y'all can thank me later for the classic episode I'm dropping on you here!)

By then the world had started to take notice and Martin was rapidly becoming a rising star. Bad Boys was a hilarious movie despite a horrible script because of the energetic and outrageous performance that Martin brought to the set.

He brought the heat again in the side-splitting sequel. The following is one of my favorite scenes from ....

Martin then showcased his comedic and acting skills via playing 2 lead roles in the hit movie Big Mama's House and the equally successful sequel Big Mama's House 2.

Martin grabbed the headlines in the mid-90's for a couple of "bizarre" incidents fueled mainly by drug usage. He was banned from Saturday Night Live after delivering a "crude" monologue. During the filming of the movie "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" he reportedly had a violent outburst on the set and began taking drugs. He became increasingly erratic and was arrested after he reportedly brandished a pistol and screamed at tourists on Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles. He was arrested for carrying a loaded gun in his suitcase at the Burbank Airport and then arrested again after allegedly assaulting a man in a Hollywood nightclub.
During August 1999, Lawrence went into a three-day coma after collapsing from heat exhaustion while jogging in 100-degree heat with several layers of heavy clothing. He recovered in the hospital from near death and running a body temperature of a seemingly impossible 107 F (41.7 C), his breathing assisted by a respirator.

Despite the negative press Martin re-established his stardom in 1999 by sharing the marque is Eddie Murphy in one of my all time favorite movies: Life!

Now Martin is a bone-a-fide Hollywood major player as represented in the hit Def Jam Comedy-like show his production company Runtelldat airs on Starz. Martin Lawrence presents 1st Amendment Stand Up is one of the funniest, most hilarious shows on TV now-a-days. As proof, check out the following clip.

As further proof of how much of a comedy icon Martin Lawrence has become please take a few minutes to review the accolades that he's received since begining his career.
Awards and nominations

* Blockbuster Entertainment Award
o nominated with Eddie Murphy for Favorite Comedy Team (2000) for the movie Life
o nominated for Favorite Actor (2001) for the movie Big Momma's House
* NAACP Image Award
o won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1995) for the series Martin
o won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1996) for the series Martin
o nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1997) for the series Martin
* Kids' Choice Award
o nominated for Favorite Television Actor (1995) for the series Martin
o nominated for Favorite Television Actor (1996) for the series Martin
o nominated for Favorite Movie Actor (2001) for the movie Big Momma's House
* MTV Movie Award
o nominated with Will Smith for Best On-Screen Duo (1996) for the movie Bad Boys
o nominated for the movie Big Momma's House
o nominated with Will Smith for Best On-Screen Team (2003) for the movie Bad Boys II
* ShoWest - Male Star of Tomorrow (1995)
* Teen Choice Award - nominated for Wipeout Scene of the Summer (2000) for the movie Big Momma's House
* BET Comedy Award - Icon Comedy Award (2005)

Also check the following link (courtesy of IMDB.com) to review his entire filmography to see other great movies that I failed to mention.

That's Why I Be Like Fukk Snoop Dogg

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:26:00 +0000

Remember that scene in the movie Friday where Craig asks Smokey why he does like Hector? And Smokey recalls that hilarious story of smoking what he thought was weed with Hector and his homeboys but it turned out to to be sherm? Then he ended up in Debo's chicken coop and nobody could get him out except his mama? After Smokey finished his story he signed off with the line: That's why I be like "FUKK! HECTOR!"Well, that's the theory behind what most likely become a monthy edition of my blogs, grougp and radio show. Once a month (or more often as I deem nesecerry) I will explain to you "Why I be like %#&@$!....." I can't say that every installment will be a person that any of you readers will even know but most of the time you'll know who the hell I'm talking about without question. So without futher delay, let me tell you why "I be like FUKK Snoop Dogg!"

I just finished watching VH1's Hip Hop Honors. It's a great show that pays homage to some of the pioneers of what is now more than a passing phase as it was predicted to be and has evolved into an American Cultural phenomenon. Many props must be given to many well deserving artists who for many years went unrecognized for their contributions. Snoop is not one of them.

Snoop at one point was a refreshing breath of fresh air with a unique and an unbelievble spitfire lyrical style. That day passed as soon as Dr. Dre and D.O.C. left Death Row. Post-Dre, the best skill and talent Snoop has shown is as an actor. No, not as a Hollywood actor because his bit roles in Baby Boy and Training Day were no better than any of his starring roles in B movies made by No Limit and other second tier movie houses. But Snoop has been a great actor who has played the role of OG, Hardcore, Shot calling California Crip. He plays the role of street savvy pimp with a stable full of women willing to submit to his every whim becasue his game is sold and not told.

Truth of the matter is; Snoop was a low level street drug dealer and gangsta. He was never a baller nor a shot caller on 2-1 Street or anywhere else in Long Beach. He had a bit of street cred when Dre discovered him because he did some time in the County Jail and didn't snitch.

So with that being said, kudos go to Calvin for not breaking at least one of the codes of the streets he is so quick to claim his pedigree from. However, I have to raise my pimphand to convict and sentence him for breaking law #1 of the hood, street and music...Always keep it real.

Many will argue that Snoop and all other rappers who brag extensively that their music are no different from the scripts that Hollywood produces and therefore they shouldn't be expected to promote anything above the violent, drug selling, ho-pimpin' lyrics that are obviously very lucruative subject matter. The difference is, Denzel plays an actor Alonzo in training day then after the movie is shot edited and released to the public, he is Denzel. There is a clear distinction between the character and the actor and both of their respective actions. Snoop on the other hand puts a consertive effort to let you know that he IS OG. Snoop Dogg from L.B.C. all day every day cuzz! He wants you to believe that he is the biggest certified pimp next to Bishop Magic Don Juan this side of Chi-town.

Because Snoop is financially sucessful and because he's a media icon, he is a role model. He can say he's not but I can call myself white, neiter statement is true. It is what it is. With the power that comes from his incredible influence on 100's of 1000's of kids who listen to his music and watch his videos and are willing to follow his every word, Snoop has a great deal of responsiblity to make sure that he keeps it real with these kids.

I'm not even saying that he has to be all "Just say no!" or do anti-gang related public service messages because ultimately raising a responsible youth falls in the hands of the parents and or gaurdians. However, Snoop needs to stop putting out this false image of Crippin' lifestyle as being getting high, getting laid and getting paid everyday like it's easy. The REALITY of gang life is Death and jail. Homies are rarely true. Girls are rarely around and money is rarely easy. Being a Crip is not what Snoop is. He is not a gangbanger and has never been one to put in work like what he's telling these kids to do.

1000's of young girls are allowing themselves to be violated and turned out in a business that has been trivialized and glamourized. They have the misconception that a nigga who is disrespecting them and pimpin them is someone to be admired because that's what this super rich rapper Snoop Dogg said he did to get where he is today. That's just not the case.

Young Calvin created a a character that was extremely marketable which made him extremely wealthy. Unfortunately, the cost to be the boss was paid by impressionable young people who didn't have the priviledge of having repsonsible parents to teach them the difference between REALITY and Doggsh!t.

And that's what's pissing me off and that's why I be like FUKK Snoop Dogg!

Who Knew Wonder Woman Sister Was A Sista?

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:17:00 +0000

I've been a huge comic book fan ever since I was 6 or 7 years old (about the time they only cost $.35) and got my copy of issue of the X-Men. I don't remember who they fought in that issue but damn! I was hooked!

Over the years I got involved in the intrique plots and relationships of the occupants of the Marvel Universe. Yeah, although I watched the SuperFriends and I liked Superman and Batman from DC Comics but everyone knows...

The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine would have kicked their asses!

But of all the characters in comic books, I always was excited to see issues that had Black characters either as the star or the co-star of thier own series like the Black Panther and Power Man did.

I would read a comic book even if the character had a strong supporting role like James Rhodes, as played by Terrance Howard in this years Iron Man movie. Hell, I would root for the villian sometimes if he or she was Black...like Wonder Woman's sister! Yep..who knew she had a Black sister named Nu'Bia.

Black people have for the most part always been represented fairly in comic books from the

1st known published Black comic hero, the cowboy Lobo who would leave the calling card of a gold coin imprinted with the images of a wolf and the letter "L" on the foreheads of the bad guys he defeated. Since then, Black people from the Falcon to the ultra bad-as$ Apocalypse who supposely is immortal, have done well throughout the pages of the comic industry.

Spawn was wildly popular in the 90's having "spawned" a major motion picture and toyline.

An Iron Man sequel has been set for April 2010. A Marvel spokesman says the sequel envisions Robert Downey Jr reprising his title role. I'm hoping that Terrance Howard will have the chance to remind the world how fly his black and white War Machine armor was during the time he filled the boots for an alcholic Tony Starks. There are talks about a Captain America movie. Nick Cassavetes (Alpha Dog, The Notebook) is rumored to direct the project . I'm thinking they may want to cast President Barak Obama for the lead!

Now I know there are some who wonder what I meant by the title...Well damn it, I'm a DJ so l love to sample. That's a line from one of my favorite hip-hop artist.

Can anyone name that tune? Extra points for naming the artisit.

To The White People Mad About Obama....It Could've Been Worse

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:04:00 +0000

It could've been Mike...

If you liked that click here for a special surprise. You're gonna trip when you see who's playing the 1st Black President way back in the 70's...

Look for Robin Williams, John Witherspoon, Marsha Warfield, Tim Reid, and Sandra Bernhard in this classic...

Make sure you give me props if you at least cracked a smile!

And if you didn't....
Get a fricking sense of humor!

Already All Ready..

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:02:00 +0000

It's been a few months since my ex and I broke up and I guess I'm finally getting over it.

The fact of the matter is

at times I feel extremely lonely.

Or at least horny. (just keeping it real.)

I have a thirst that Sprite just isn't gonna quench.

But keeping it real (still) I don't want to be involved with anyone just yet.

I've started on a path that I feel I must travel alone in order to get through the journey and to my final destination.

Once I arrive then my Queen,

my soulmate,

my friend,

my lover

will be there already.

Arms, Heart, Soul and maybe even more

WydeOpen.

She'll be there already.

And she'll be all ready.

I suspect she'll be there already all ready because she's been by my side the entire time.

Biding her time.

Holding my heart,

Reading my soul,

Studying my mind.

She'll know what to feed me

when even I don't know what it is I crave.

I know it's a helluva position to put someone in

and trust, I would put her in helluva positions reminicent of submission holds

and I wouldn't want to have to fill those shoes.

That's why I want her so much.

Because if the woman does exisit

who can satisfy my outrageous expectations

and quench my thirst

I know she'll be worth all the work that I put into myself and that mission that I've finally completed.

and she'll be there waiting for me at my journeys end...

already

all ready

Arms, heart, soul and maybe more....

WydeOpen!

girlfriend

I Think Hilary Clinton Is My Baby Mama...

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:59:00 +0000

History was made tonight!

Senator Barak Obama was the 1st Black man to be nominated to be President of the United States!

and Hilary Clinton and John McCain tried their best to minimize this historical achievement.

Let me begin this by stating I mean no disrespect to any woman who reads my following words. Those who have read my previous blogs no that I LOVE women from my mother to my daughter to many of you who have shown me love and support here on BlackPlanet.

I also mean no disrespect to Hilary Clinton based off of the fact that she is a woman.

Let me make this clear though...

I HAVE NO RESPECT for her though.

I resent her for her as much as I resent any conniving, scheming, manipulating politician.

She has shown no respect to the reality of the situation and how her behavior continues to divide the Democratic Party and lessens the chances for the CLEAR FRONTRUNNER Barak Obama.

I have nothing but contempt for her because of her attempted power play today. She has put Barak Obama in an awkward position by pretty much demanding the Vice President position. Instead of conceeding gracefully and begining the reuniting process that the Democratic Party and Obama to be able to win in November she basically called for her "18 million supporters" to petition for her to get on the ticket.

This to me is like the blackmail that millions of scorned women do to their ex's and soon to be ex's.

"If you don't do such and such...you can't see your kids!"

That to me is the definition of a B!TCH!

I found out recently that it's customary for the nominee of whatever party to assist the loser with satisfying whatever campaign debt may exisit. We all know that the Hilary campaign is deep in the red so I'm sure that she's looking to be bailed out by the impressive money machine that is the Obama campaign.

(By-the-way, his success at fund-raising versus her failure should be clue #1 that she isn't ready to run the country.)

And honestlyI find it quite offensive that she has the audacity to still be running a campaign that primarily operates on donations of her supporters when people are struggling to fill their gas tanks and put food on the table!

I feel like Hilary is one of my ex's for real. You know that feeling when you just wish that person would just fall off the face of the earth? But they keep calling you trying to "work it out". Ugh!!

And speaking of UGH...John McCain...

One thing I can say about the man is he does know how to fight. He's exploiting the weakness in the Democratic Party lines to his advantage.

I know I've said this before but with the economy in the state that it is...why the fukk is McCain NOT talking about what his plan is to get us out of the hole that GW has dug us in?

And why the hell is he being so damn nice to Hilary and her supporters now? (That was rhetorical by-the-way.)

I'm not one to play the race card but it seems like Hil and John are partners in Spades... if you know what I mean.

I'm gonna wrap this up by making an appeal to everyone...

Visit Hilary Clinton's website and let her know she needs to let it go. Urge her to help the Democrats stop the Republican destruction of the United States and the slaughter of our young soldiers.

(Instrumental) Roc Boys (And The Winner Is...) - Jay-Z

Heart: WydeOpen Part II

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:56:00 +0000

I asked the question what does it take to get your hearts WydeOpen and dozens of you all responded.
I should've anticipated that the question be turned back on me. LOL!
I'm going to begin my response with a warning that was passed on to me by one of the OG's...
NEVER ASK A QUESTION THAT YOU REALLY DON'T WANT THE ANSWER TO...

So if you really want to know what gets WydeOpen's heart....WydeOpen -
Read on.

1st off. I love women! I LOVE WOMEN!
Mentally?
I want a woman who is able to stimulate my mind. No pun intended, but she must be open-minded and a seeker of wisdom. I am a very non-traditionalist in my religious beliefs and enjoy discussions and dialoges about who I am and who we are as beings in this universe. My mind is open the unlimited possibilities that exisist for me in this realm and beyond. I need my lover to be the same way.

Emotionally?
Well, I won't pretend. At times I'm very emotionally greedy. I love to be loved. I love to be pampered and treated like a king. I give respect freely so I expect it in return. You know that song "I Love Me Some Him" by Toni Braxton? I want a woman who loves me like that.
I'm a moody bastard at times, especially when I'm deep in thought. I want a woman who is secure enough in herself to know that her self-worth is not determined by my state of mind. Bottom line:Happiness is a personal choice. I cannot make anyone but myself happy. I am not and will not be responsible for her happiness.

Physically?
The only time I have a preference in light or dark is when I'm eating chicken.
I don't usually date outside my race only because relationships are difficult enough without adding cultural differences and biasis to the equation. There really isn't any one particular feature that I'm more attracted to over another. I like a pretty smile. I like pretty eyes. Big breasts are a turn-on but so are small ones. I love a cute lil a$s that I can just cup in my hands! I prefer the more petite, thin, smaller size but I have no problem with bigger women but they MUST take care of themselves! I cannot stress that point enough. Serena Williams or (maybe even Oprah) would be the perfect example of what I'm talking about. For that matter, even if she's a smaller woman, she's got to take care of her body or I won't. I am 5'10 on a good day so I prefer shorter women. I would'nt go as far to call it "lil man complex" I don't like the awkward feeling of looking up to kiss my girl. lol

Sexually?
I'm a freak! I know a lot of people say that but I've called a lot of women out and have pulled their cards. There really isn't anything that I won't do unless it involves another dikk. I am in no way homo/bi-sexual. I love women. I LOVE women..I LOVE WOMEN. I am very comfortable with my sexuallity and body so I need a woman who is the same way. I am very spontaneous, passionate and romantic and I express all of that in my sex life.

Financially?
How do I address this topic? Hmmmmm? I guess this pretty much sums up my ideal woman. For someone to get my heart WydeOpen she would have to know what the meaning of commitment is. She has to be committed not to me but to the relationship. She doesn't give up and walk out at the 1st hint of things getting a bit uncomfortable or even if we're down to our last dime. If I'm the one taking care of us financially, then please, please have dinner ready for me when I come home to a clean house! If I wasn't the one working I would do the same for you. I have no problem spending money on and spoiling my women but remember I like to be treated like a King so please, treat me to a movie sometimes or a Whopper every now and again.

So that's my wants and needs in a nutshell.
Again, I'm not really accepting applications right now but if you feel that you're Better Than Average... LOL!

Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me - U.T.F.O.

Heart: WydeOpen

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:54:00 +0000

Now everyone who knows me knows that I'm not looking for love at the present moment but I've gotten a lot of love from a lot of people since I've started writing my blogs here on BP.
A lot of women say that my way with words my "Openess" or ability and willingness to express myself is...

sexy and attractive!

So that's gotten me to thinking...
What else do women look for in a man?
What qualities pull a woman to the opposite sex like steel to a magnet?
What drives ladies crazy and makes a man irresistable?
Of course I expect you to be WydeOpen with your answers so don't be shy.
I want to hear what you want from your man
Mentally?
Emotionally?
Physically?
Sexually?
Financially?

For the fellas....
The same questions go for you.
What are you looking for in/from women?

For both sexes...Tell me, if you're single what would it take to get your heart

WydeOpen?
I Wanna Know - Joe

Hit and Run In Connecticut...What Would You Do?

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:51:00 +0000

I've witnessed some bad car accidents in my lifetime.
Once while I was sitting on the bus stop minding my own business I saw a car run through a red light and hit the tire of a monster truck (the tire practically exploded) then careen out of control into oncoming traffic and hit an elderly lady driver head-on!
As I recall, I didn't hesitate a second before running out to assist the lady who got hit.

Then there was the time that my ex and I were driving down the street when we barely escaped getting hit by another car which had ran a red light. While we weren't hit, another vehicle was struck broadside and pushed into the bus stop on a adjacent corner. Unfortunately, there were people sitting there at that moment and one lady's legs were pinned between the concrete barrier of the bus stop and the vehicle which was slammed against her.

The only hesitation that I remember on my part was having to circle the block to get back to where the accident happened.

I watch the above video in disgust as people actually drive away and walk by this elderly man as he lay paralyzed after being BLASTED by a vehicle at high speed!

I'm just wondering what would make people so unconcerned and uncaring? Whoppi Goldberg theorized that people might have assumed that it was a prank like what you would see on Punk'd and were scared of being embarassed. But does that excuse their non-action? I don't believe so.
I just hope that I'm never crossing the street in Connecticut!

When does a Black man turn into a nigg3r?

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:50:00 +0000

As soon as he leaves the room.

What do you call a nigg3r! with a Harvard education?
nigg3r.

These are just a couple of the several dozen jokes posted on a website I found while researching information for this article. I chose to post them because they are so relevant to current events that it's not even funny. (No pun intended.)

I was sent a link to a very interesting blog today. The meat of the article was the whispers of the word assassination before and after Barack Obama secured the Democratic Party's nomination to be the President of the United States.

Assassination: the targeted killing of a high-profile person.

As ridiculous as that may sound to some, let me remind you that it was literally only 40 years ago that this country witnessed not 1 but 2 assassinations.

April 4, 1968 - Martin Luther King, Jr.who was one of the pivotal leaders of the American civil rights movement.
June 6, 1968 - Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy also called RFK, who was the United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and a US Senator from New York from 1965. He was also known for his significant contribution to the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

I realize that many who read my blogs probablly weren't even alive when either of these events took place but chances are your parents or grandparents were. That means that you're only a generation removed from this country's racial tension boiling point.

I know that everyone says that race shouldn't matter anymore 40 years later...and I agree.
It shouldn't.
But it does.

I mean, the racist attitudes may not be as apparent and the prejugdice may not be as blatent as it was in 1968, but 2 generations of political correctness does not completely remove the thoughts and opinions that were formed over 200 years.

For that matter, it was only 143 years ago that the 13th amendment was adopted on December 6, 1865, when Georgia ratified the amendment. It was declared, in a proclamation of Secretary of State William Henry Seward, dated December 18, 1865, to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-seven of the then thirty-six states.
Although it was ratified by the necessary three-quarters of the states within a year of its proposal, its most recent ratification occurred in 1995 in Mississippi, which was the last of the thirty-six states in existence in 1865 to ratify it.
Yes, you read that correctly...1995!

So that brings us to current day attitude about race...

In 1992, a former marketing director for the Major League Baseball team the Cincinatti Reds, stated in a deposition for a former employee who was suing the team that he'd heard the teams then owner Marge Schott refer to then-Reds outfielders Eric Davis and Dave Parker as "million-dollar nig,gers." Tim Sabo, whose position was "team controller," alleged that his 1991 firing was due to testifying against her in another lawsuit brought against Schott by several limited partners and because he opposed the unwritten policy of not hiring blacks.

Even more recently, thanks to the internet and YouTube the reality of how some (and I do emphisize some) white people really feel about Blacks is exposed.

Just within the past couple of years celebrities Dog the Bounty Hunter and Micheal Richards of Sienfield fame revealed just how easily the word nigg3r rolls off of their tongues.

The beautiful thing about America is that everyone here is entitled to voice their opinion without fear of political reprisal or retribution no matter how ignorant, misguided or misinformed it may be.
I just hope and pray people decide to make their opinions heard through the power of their ballot

and not the bullet of a gun.

Run %#&@$!, %#&@$! - Skrewdriver

BTA Friend or Lover?

noreply@blogger.com (WydeOpen) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:34:00 +0000

This song is appropriate