By DJ Fusion

What’s good Planet Ill fam?

It’s that time in the week again to hit the masses with another installment of Indiesent Exposure.

This is the weekly music column where folks drop some FREE music downloads & information about quality artists from the independent music community that deserve more exposure and props for keeping their various genres lively & non-cookie cutter status .

Hopefully by each post, Planet Ill’s Indiesent Exposure will give your ears some temporary respite from some of the daily audio wackness, boredom and/or iCoonery that bombards the masses through the mainstream radio and TV airwaves’ definitions of Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Rock, Reggae, House, World Music, etc.

If you like what you hear & download (some joints of which will hopefully be new to folks), PLEASE support these artists as much as you can – hit up their websites, purchase some product, go to their shows, etc. At the end of the day, music artists need to eat like everyone else for putting in their work somewhere down the line.

To blast off this week’s Indiesent Exposure session, we’re digging in the singles files for some dope music that takes a walk on the Nu-Jazz , Hip-Hop, and Soul groove sides of things to jump off the weekend.

Please check out everything below from these talented artists and let the Planet Ill family know what you think. Enjoy!

Let’s get into it:

Ty feat. Sarina Leah & Shaun Escoffery – Emotions (Album Version) (Download)

Ty has been representing a high quality slice of the U.K.’s Hip-Hop and Spoken Word scene in a major way for over the past decade.

Since his first album Awkward on Big Dada Recordings in 2001, he’s been making a lot of moves throughout the years with numerous guest appearances (including work with folks like De La Soul, Estelle, Bahamadia and more), his own solo album projects (including 2004’s great Mercury Prize nominated Upwards album) and hitting the international tour circuit heavy from lounge spots to big festivals.

The single “Emotions” (dropping officially worldwide on March 15, 2010) is from his upcoming album dropping on BBE Records later this year, Special Kind of Fool.

Along with guest artists Sarina Leah & Shaun Escoffery, the track shows off Ty’s trademark laid back but engaging high energy flow along with a story telling style that literally takes you verse by verse through his feelings over various subjects beneath the surface “I feel _____” trains of thought.

The driving keyboards, synths and driving drums of “Emotions” soulful production foundation also makes this a fly track that’s tailor made ready for club or house party dancefloors all over (much less the remixes on deck from Daz-I-Kue, Dego & 2000Black & Wajeed).

Find out more about what’s good with Ty’s music, touring and other good things over at his official website at his official MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/TyMusic0.

Music Video: Ty – Some Kind of Fool EPK

THEESatisfaction – Moonday School (Intergalactic Church) (Download)

Seattle, Washington’s THEESatisfaction is both a creative and personal duo who’s unique mix of Neo-Soul, 90’s Hip-Hop vibes, Psychedelia and Electro beats shows another side of the female music divide.

In the recent years where any woman who rhymes either has to be a bootleg Black Barbie (no shots at Nicki Minaj) or essentially imitating a dude with a high pitched voice and similar subject matter, THEESatisfaction is a nice reminder that music associated with Hip-Hop can still be lively, diverse and FUN.

The track “Moonday School (Intergalactic Church)” comes from their latest mixtape project, THEESatisfaction Loves The Sa​-​Ra Creative Partners (which along with some other full length projects can be copped here).

Members THEE Stasia and Catherine Satisfaction rock off a lush Sa-Ra Creative Partners groove giving it up to the Higher Level for dope music, love, the universe and a lot of other good biz in the course of 2 and 1/2 minutes with nice MC and singer interplay between the two ladies.

Check out more of THEESatisfaction’s happenings on tour, their new music, videos and other goodies over at their official website at http://www.THEESatisfaction.com.

Music Video: THEESatisfaction – Sexy Girlfriend

Rahel – Hope (Download)

Rahel is a Nu-Jazz and Soul Music singer representing the U.K. (London to be specific) who’s song collaborations on recent album and touring with well-known and critically acclaimed independent music scene heads like Dudley Perkins, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Eric Lau have been making noise across worldwide the past few years.

The single “Hope” is from her latest collaboration with producer Mark de Clive-Lowe and is set for a future album release.

I’m really digging her strong, emotional vocals about where a relationship is going (and the reason to keep hope about it) over the hard piano and drum interplay from MdCL’s productions. This joint is definitely a good sign of things to come from Rahel in the future for her career and our ears as folks who dig on point Soul Music.

Find out more about what’s good with Rahel (pics, music, videos, etc.) over at her official MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/RahelOnline.

Music Video: Eric Lau feat. Rahel – Show Me (Live At BBC Maidi Vale on BBC 1Xtra Mistajam 2008)

Catch up on the all of Planet Ill’s Indiesent Expsoure article series & FREE music downloads at anytime – click here as well as checking out the links below to get details of the great Indie Music artists we’ve already covered!

DJ Fusion’s E-Mail: fuseboxradio@gmail.com

DJ Fusion is the creator and co-host/mix DJ of the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast (http://FuseBoxRadio.podomatic.com/ for the radio show archives) and the website BlackRadioIsBack.com, two areas trying to fight audio B.S. one day at a time…check folks out around either way when you can.

Also feel free to touch base with a sis on the Twitter Expressway at http://twitter.com/FuseBoxRadio.

If you dig the music vibe I’m on & want to download some free mixtapes from the FuseBox Radio/BlackRadioIsBack.com collective, hit up my constantly updated Bandcamp page over at http://FuseBoxRadioBroadcast.bandcamp.com.

By Fawn Renee

Trials and tribulations make you stronger. Those same elements power great albums, just ask Usher. His most popular album to date, and the second best-selling album of the last decade, the Grammy-award winning Confessions, was birthed from the drama between him and former TLC group member Chili. His musical style, tone, and content all shifted when he and married stylist and mother of his two children, Tameka Raymond. While Usher’s fifth studio album Here I Stand may have done well on the charts (largely due to the success of the debut single “Love In This Club,” the general consensus among fans and listeners was that the superstar had lost his edge.

In 2010, Usher has gotten rid of the baggage and is back with to his old self, gallivanting about town, seducing women, and topping the charts. Raymond vs. Raymond picks up where Confessions left off, with intermittent evidence of growth along the way, such as the album’s buzz single “Papers.”

“Papers” was released in late 2009, and garnered the dramatic reception that Raymond and the label were hoping for; the kind of drama that makes for good stories and even better songs. The single, loosely based on his troubled marriage with his soon to be ex-wife Tameka Raymond, however ballsy, shows the kind of growth the more mature audience fell in love with on Here I Stand, and allows the album to expand beyond a Confessions Pt. 2.

 “Guilty,” finds Usher pleading his case about why the two split. In the song he sings, “Your honor, she accused me of cheatin’. It was all in her thinkin’. She gonna believe what she wants to, so what the hell am I gonna do?” The track, produced by singer/songwriter Ester Dean, though fun, is about as elementary as Usher airing his dirty laundry in public, and definitely doesn’t provide any depth to the album. T.I.’s appearance on the track is a pleasant surprise, and it’s only saving grace.

The official first single, “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” met with critical success since its release in December 2009. Produced by Hip-Hop production duo The Runners, the song plays on the common Electra complex many women have with the men in their lives. A feature from Plies attempts to make the song more seductive than the lyrics imply, instead he almost interrupts the groove of the song with his boisterous southern twang and hood rat references.

The follow-up single, “Lil Freak,” featuring Lil Wayne protégé Nicki Minaj is of the more infectious songs on the album. Produced by ATL hit man Polow Da Don, the hook of the track heavily samples Stevie Wonder’s 1973 hit, “Living For The City.” The song itself is one of the more risqué songs on the album, and more in the vein of what fans have come to expect from the R&B crooner. Set in a nightclub, Usher tells the tale of orchestrating a threesome between two women. The pairing between him and Nicki Minaj is effortless and gives the song a life beyond Usher’s seductive falsetto.

The rumored debut international single to be released from Raymond vs. Raymond  is the Will.I.Am-produced “OMG;” one of the many songs on the album with cross-over appeal. That’s not surprising when you’re working with Will.I.Am, who has excelled at the art of crossing over musically in his own career. The song teeters between smooth R&B track and dance pop banger, yet succeeds in effectively mastering both.

Usher also teamed up with long-time Janet Jackson collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on three songs from the album, “Monstar,” “Okay,” and “Mars vs. Venus.” The latter is a sexy, slow jam, reminiscent of some of their best work with Jackson.  Here, Usher puts away his sex stick and turns on the romance as he sings “Pitch black, lost amidst the galaxy between the sheet, warmth that only you and I generate when we collide.” Jam and Lewis uncover a different side of Usher, proof that they still have it after all these years (tell Janet it’s not too late). Similarly, “There Goes My Baby,” showcases Usher’s ability to be sexy and seductive without being crass- growth. While the song hasn’t met with huge success on urban radio, it has amassed positive reviews from many of the older fans and listeners.

Other songs include the faux rave energy of “More” which currently has it at the center of a major NBA ad campaign, the seductive tip-toe airiness of “Okay,” and the slow rolling bounce of the Trickey Stewart produced “Pro Lover.”

There’s always light at the end of the tunnel, and Raymond vs. Raymond shines. While boasting sex appeal and edge, Usher still manages to be transparent and give listeners a closer look into his life, and this time there’s enough of him to go around. The songs with Jam and Lewis give him the mature backdrop necessary for him to begin to age gracefully rather than tastelessly and that’s a good thing. While all is not perfect, it is certainly a step in the right direction. Raymond Vs. Raymond offers both a glimpse of Usher’s possible future with a strong connection to the music his fans are familiar with.

3.75 out of 5

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By Malice Intended

Enter The Dragon (1973)

Lee (Bruce Lee) is a martial arts master who has been invited to participate in a tournament being held on the island paradise of Han (Shih Kien), a former student of Shaolin.  Han is under suspicion of drug trafficking and prostitution by The British ntelligence agency.  The Agency recruits Lee to help them expose and apprehend Han.  Also competing in the tournament are Williams (Jim Kelly) and Roper (John Saxon), who both find themselves drawn in to the action.

Enter The Dragon was Bruce Lee’s last movie before his untimely death.  It was also the first Martial Arts film produced by a major Hollywood studio. It cemented his legacy in the Western World.  Lee has since become an indelible icon in the annals of motion picture history.  His impact on both cinema and the martial arts cannot be understated.

Bruce Lee’s swagger has left an unmistakable impression on Hip-Hop.  He offered the racial minorities of the world a defiantly powerful champion at a time when such images were non existent on the silver screen.  Afeni Shakur has gone on record as saying that 2pac was a huge fan of Bruce.  Lalo Schifrin’s musical score has been sampled by the likes of Wu-Tang Clan and The Alkoholiks.  Enter The Dragon also jumpstarted the career of Jim Kelly, the official Martial Arts master of Black Exploitation.

The Education of Sonny Carson (1974) 

Sonny Carson (Rony Clanton) joins a street gang at a very young age.  After a brutal initiation, his life becomes a series of gang rumbles and other crimes which eventually land him in prison.  Upon release, he resolves to change his life for the better.

The Education of Sonny Carson is based on the autobiography of Brooklyn Activist Sonny Carson.  Director Michael Campus, working with a meager budget, crafts a film so gritty that it sometimes plays more like a documentary than a biopic.

The film was sampled heavily throughout Ghostface’s debut album Ironman.  Sonny Carson himself had a more direct connection to Hip-Hop:  He was the father of the late Lumumba Carson, Better known to rap fans as Professor X of X Clan.

The Usual Suspects

Five criminals of varying skills and prowess are find themselves being forced to work for the mysterious and powerful crime boss Keyser Soze.  When the job goes awry, U.S. Customs agent David Kunjun (Chazz Palminteri) pulls the seemingly ineffectual “Verbal” Kint (Kevin Spacey) in for questioning.  Verbal divulges information that may be the key to solving the mystery of Keyser Soze’s identity and whereabouts.

This mysterious crime tale revolves around a conceit that any rapper can appreciate: Keyser Soze’s violent reputation casts a shadow so large that even those who doubt his existence dare not question his gangster aloud.  The film presents Soze as an apparition.  He is never clearly shown, and his actual existence is not confirmed until the film’s final moments.

Fat Joe was the first to reference the fictional Hungarian crime lord in his verse for the classic posse cut “I Shot Ya”.  Jay-Z paid homage to the film in his video for “The City is Mine”.  Dialogue was sampled for the intro to “Assassination Day” on GhostFace’s album Ironman.

Black Ceasar (1973)

Tommy Gibbs (Fred Williamson) rises to power as Harlem’s most powerful gangster.  Starting out as a hit man for the mob, He eventually becomes autonomous from them.  The ruthless means by which he does so puts his empire at risk, as both his friends and his loved ones conspire against him.

Former football player Fred Williamson was one of the true visionaries of Black Exploitation.  He eventually took a prominent role behind the camera, going on to produce and direct his own features.  The influence of his onscreen persona can still be seen in contemporary black action heroes such as Micheal Jai White.

Black Ceasar is often referred to as the quintessential Fred Williamson film, offering one of the first ever images of a black gangster who openly defies his white counterparts.  James Brown provided the musical score for the film, which in turn provided some of the most well known samples in Rap music history.  The film itself has been referenced in songs by both Public Enemy and Big Daddy Kane.

PART 1

PART 2

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By Odeisel

Sometimes a rapper can be around for a while putting it down in relative obscurity until his skill becomes impossible to ignore. Elzhi is one such rapper. Planet Ill took in many shows last year in our quest to show you the real life.  We were blessed to see Slum Village about a week or two after Baatin’s death and Elzhi kicked a few freestyles that hipped me to him (yeah I got a late pass). Though I wasn’t too hyped from the stage show itself, when he went a capella, I knew that there was something there.

A few months later, we got sat down with legendary emcee Masta Ace, who has represented this music on a high level over many eras. We asked him who was the best rapper he had ever heard.  His response:

Masta Ace: I hate that question because it could change from day to day. He said Kane and I would agree with that, but just to throw another name into the pot, Elzhi from Slum Village is one of the best rappers that I ever heard spit because he bends your mind a little bit as an MC. He makes you think about rhyme combinations and ways of combining words that rhyme that you maybe didn’t even think about or cadences that you didn’t even think about.

He plays around with it and that’s what I like about him, because rappers like that stretch my imagination and make me try to get trickier and crazier with it. When I came out, all I wanted to do was show skill and make people bug their brains out, so I like dudes that get intricate with the patterns and he’s one of those guys.

That’s high praise from a rapper who has seen it all. I don’t think I could do him better justice. Needless to say, I had to get hip. Well Elzhi dropped his Leftovers mixtape and among the many ill tracks and one of the tasty morsels there was the track “Deep.” He now has a video.  Enjoy. You can borrow my late pass.

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By shelz.

Beat the Devils Tattoo is the 6^th album from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, a band known more for genre confusion and inconsistency than stellar releases. The crew has spent 5 albums trying to recapture the glory and accolade of their debut and have again shifted and shuffled style (and even members) in order to do so, but does it work?  Well, yes and no.

There are peaks and valleys, flashes of brilliance and then songs that seem to drone on forever.  It does appear that the elusive brass ring that accompanied their self-titled debut is still a bit out of reach.  However, what’s done well on this album is done very well.

The title song leads and the lyrics seem to express an acceptance of a loveless life, knowing that the sun is not going to come out tomorrow.  It’s about giving up daydreams, “opening your eyes and letting the demons run.” The lyrics are juxtaposed against a slow foundation that starts with a plodding thump and acoustic guitar but blossoms into haunting, layered vocals and distortion.  It immediately conjures a vision of a bluesy barefoot musician in blue grass land. It’s strong, robust and an effectual opener.

The band then amps up the rock influence as they defy hypocrisy and acknowledge not giving a shit about anything on “Conscience Killer.”  The song is an anthem for assholes everywhere who wear their obnoxiousness on their sleeves.

“Bad Blood” a generally meh track, tackles the resentment that sets in during the tail end of a relationship.  The repetitive chorus is less than enjoyable and the overwhelming distortion is distracting and makes the song hazy. However, the next song redeems them. “War Machine” is again top heavy on distortion as many of these songs are but the aural palette is more open, allowing the fogginess of the guitars to settle in to the songs crevices. The lyrics are cryptic but again express despair. 

As you can see a pattern is beginning to form.  Outside of “Sweet Feeling,” a naked, acoustic pop piece about lost love and “The Toll,” which has an old school country feel to it, most of the songs are heavy handed on the guitar tweaking atmospherics.  There is a dirge like feeling present in many of the selections, a once upon a midnight dreary pondering weak and weary sentiment that gives the album ominous weight.

The thoughtfulness of “Evol” reminds you of the one who got away as the band discusses not feeling love until she’s ready to walk out of the door. “Shadows Keeper” has a magnificently frenetic close for those who prefer their rock loud and abrasive.  However, the extremely noisy and monotonous close, “Half-State” is over 10 minutes long. Sigh.

This isn’t happy camper music.  However, it is perfect for that late night, dark room, woe is me session. The warp of the guitar riffs fills the empty spaces and adds to the murky sound that will envelope you as you wonder where you went wrong, in whatever it is you’re crying about. The vocals seem to linger in the backdrop as more of a whisper or a suggestion which actually might be a good thing considering some of the lyrics.

Beat the Devil’s Tattoo is a decent offering from BRMC if you like them in a tightly constructed frame.  The song assemblage and performance isn’t quite as wild as albums past though and there are sections of the LP where some of the songs sound too much alike and run together.  However, that doesn’t devalue the splendor of their gloominess, nor the fact that they have a better handle on somber than almost anyone else. So whenever you get tired of “Soldier of Love,” pick this up and let the sad times continue to roll.
3.25 out of 5

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By shelz

Welcome back folks.  We’re back with the good, the bad and the ugly of this week’s freestyles as the pen to pad (because we know dudes rarely come off the dome these days) to stolen track move keeps the Hip-Hop world spinning. So we are going to jump right in after a moment of silence for Jojo Simmons who just had his rap ass handed to him by his little brother Diggy.  I’m not sure if you caught the Digman’s freestyle over umm.. “Over,” but he just proved who inherited Dads gift of rhyme.

Just The Beginning

That brings us to The Bangz, a girl duo that’s making some noise out west. I’m not sure if they prove themselves with this song over Lil Wayne’s “Runnin.” However, it does prove that this track is manhandling everyone who uses it. There are points where the young lady hits the notes nicely, then other points, not so much.  Props to the J.u.s.t.i.c.e. League for crafting something so dope, it outshines everyone who tries their hand at it. Anyway, this is from The Bangz’ impending EP, Girl Riot.

The_Bangz-First_Girl_On_The_Moon_(Feat_Lil_Wayne)

No words for this one, lest I commence to stanning. Clay Davis is surgical with his mutherfukkin pen. Royce da 5′9″ also hits Drake’s new track and I think he knocked it into next week.

Over Freestyle

Now we have Red Café going over PLK’s “Beamer, Benz or Bentley” track.  I’m a bit disappointed that he didn’t change the title like..well everybody else.  However, that oversight does speak volumes about the general lack of creativity here. He gets cake, ask his hoe little Debbie.  Sigh. It’s short though, so don’t fret.  It will be over before you know it.

Red_Cafe-Beamer_Benz_Or_Bentley-2dope

Kelz Lite aka Trey Songz is back, this time over Gucci’s “Lemonade.” As usual, he doesn’t sound bad, he just sounds like someone else and now he’s sounding like someone else over someone else’s track.  I like this better than the original though, even though he doesn’t really say much of anything.

01 Lemonade (Remix)

Next is Twista over Aaliyah’s “One in a Million.”  This is from that new DJ Dibiase mixtape, Chi State of Mind.  One thing about Twista is he always sounds exactly the same.  Not that I’m complaining of course, just sayin. Funny how he runs out of words at the end, but he still does his thing though.

25 – One In A Million Bad Boy Radio Freestyle

Finally is GhostWridah over the Reflection Eternal, J. Cole, Mos Def and Jay Electronica crazy posse cut from last year, “Just Begun.” It used to take balls to attempt a freestyle over a track held in such high esteem by the Hip Hop community, but now we know anyone will throw some shitty lyrics over anything. That’s not the case here though.  Mr. Wridah handles the Hi-Tek creation well. You can find this on Last Rights Presents: The House Fire.  Enjoy.

GhostWridah-Just_Begun_Freestyle-2dope

All Lil Wayne jokes aside, a year behind bars doesn’t sound comforting to anyone.  Make it through.  Make it back and follow the rules once you do. Check Mr. Carter out below in happier, syrup filled days.  RIP Rap City. Peace.

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By A Negro And A Keyboard

I remember with almost photographic clarity the first time I heard 50 Cent’s, I Get Money, and contorted my face into a “Ni&&a, what the f**k?” expression when I heard that overtly-asinine line, Have a baby by me, baby, be a millionaire, I’ll write a check before the baby comes, who the hell cares?

As someone working with high-school students at that particular time, I also recollect how disgusted I was to hear one-too-many of these urban-influenced (‘hood) youth, walking around with that damn song blaring through their iPods, emphasizing that particular line as if they had enough money to get to school without a bus pass, let alone financially support any offspring. However, as it is with most commercial Hip-Hop, the song got played out, and it was on to the next one; Ayo Technology, to be exact, and I thought we might actually be in the clear.

However, I had underestimated the fact that the quote had developed a life of its own, becoming a new mantra for some of the more ignorant brothers and sisters in our community. What I didn’t underestimate though, was that the marketing machine known as Curtis Jackson had his ear (or at least the ears of his bodyguards and employees) to the streets, looking at some point to capitalize – big time.

So last year, it was no surprise for me to turn on the television, and see the video for the single, Baby By Me, featuring a very nasal and hat-wearing Neyo on the hook, and Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child, already notorious for negatively influencing young folks with the “I Need A Soldier” shenanigans of her former group. I will shamefully admit though, the song sounded good, and I did sing the hook a few times myself (yes, shame on the Negro, I know).

It was more evident to me than ever at that moment, that this song represented the major contradiction of many of our lives as minorities: the fact that all one needs to do is put words over a beat, and many of us are sure to immediately follow directions. The Cha-Cha Slide, Superman Dat Hoe, the Cupid Shuffle, and now, Have a Baby By Me, Baby.

I enter Exhibit A, current New York Jets Cornerback Antonio Cromartie. What better way of illustrating the incredulity of this get-rich-quick by means of a child concept by using the ultimate cliché: The black deadbeat professional athlete father? In the fine tradition of those coming before him (no pun intended), such as former NFLer Travis Henry (11 kids, 9 mothers) and NBAer Shawn Kemp (7 kids, 6 mothers), Cromartie has made major strides towards a run at the crown, already matching Kemp’s stats, yet trumping him by far, amazingly doing so by the tender age of 24. Equally surprising is the fact that these children reside across 5 different states, all aged 6 or younger. Apparently, his former team’s (San Diego Chargers) road trips must have been good times. The irony of this entire situation is that Cromartie’s wife (Terricka Carson from the TV show, Candy Girls) is not the mother of any of them (In fairness, I don’t believe that any of the children were conceived since their nuptials).

Cromartie came into the NFL in 2006, highly touted out of Florida State University, as a 1st round selection, garnering a 5-year, $12.5 Million contract. As is the common theme for almost every story that I write like this, he too comes fully equipped with the built-in sob story of “growing up in the projects” (So did Colin Powell). In only his second year, he far exceeded expectations by leading the NFL and setting a team record in interceptions (10), as well as setting the NFL record for the longest scoring play in history, returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown. His efforts for that season landed him a Pro Bowl selection. Things couldn’t be any better career-wise at that point.

This is around the time however, the baby-making appears to have gotten out of control. In the past three years alone, Cromartie was backhanded with five paternity suits, with the not-so-far-fetched possibly of more pending. As one would expect, these woes have affected his play on the field, only having 5 interceptions total for both the 2008 and 2009 seasons, a far cry from that magic sophomore year. I honestly wonder if it was the mental strain of the court cases or the obvious lack of protein that caused this man’s on-field demise? Someone better get that brother a Muscle Milk and fast.

Clearly fed up with Cromartie lack of production and personal trysts, the Chargers traded him to the Jets last week, who are clearly looking past these issues in hopes of getting him back to his 2007 form. Even more disgusting than Cromartie’s random childbearing, is the fact that the Jets have now enabled this brother to keep the party going by restructuring his contract and advancing him $500,000 with a stipulation that he pay off his back child support, so he can focus on football, when what he really needs to focus on is a vasectomy and long-distance parenting classes.

Also, while I know it is Women’s History Month, I refuse to let these sisters sit back and play innocent. While I clearly don’t know these women personally, and don’t personally mean to judge them, I do not consider it a stretch to say that 50’s words have crossed their minds once or twice as they were spreading their womanhood for this “celebrity”. I consulted a few females, and based upon their feedback, I think it is clear to say that the brother isn’t exactly wowing them in the looks department. In fact, if you really want to get a sense of the mindset of a few of his children’s mother’s check out their apparent cyber-beef about Cromartie’s fatherhood prowess over an Internet message board. Yeah, real classy sisters.

At the end of the day, we are all human, and as such, are susceptible to poor choices, but I find it absolutely deplorable that so many of our black celebrities have created such a shameful facade of unaccountability around matters of parenting. This type of BS only perpetuates an already sorrowful lack of actual fatherhood in inner-city communities, and reduces a father’s role in a child’s life to that of a monthly bill, like one pays their rent or Visa. Unlike Cromartie or any other professional athlete, 99.9% of those who carelessly father multiple children in this way will never have the economic ability to truly provide for those children, thus making them more likely to be on welfare than millionaires, as 50’s song denotes. Welcome to generational poverty.

Look on the bright side though: at least we had a hot 50 joint to diddy-bop to in the club.

Recklessly Yours,

A Negro and A Keyboard

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By shelz.

The not so shocking truth is that the female form, dressed or otherwise, has been used to sell everything that is up for purchase.  T&A has infiltrated the marketing schemes of all commodities from art to cars to food.  Even if the object for sale has nothing to do with women, T or A, she is shoved front and center to garner attention while the wonders of whatever product she is standing next to are extolled.

It’s a bait and switch for the psyche that obviously works and whatever works goes.  The more appealing the woman is, the better the chances are that you will stop what you are doing, drop your jaw and actually ponder running to the store to pick up whatever it is her body parts are hawking.

However, as we mosey deeper and deeper into all digitized everything and produce more powerful tools to create the perfect lady body (that God didn’t give most ladies), it raises a genuine question for those men who are peering from the outside in.  Is all this marketing madness giving young men, especially virgins, a not so realistic vision of what women are supposed to look like?

Ass is everywhere.  It’s in magazines, on billboards, on websites.  It’s inescapable, but most men who have been around the block or two (or at least next door) know a photoshopped booty when they see one.  They understand the average chick has physical flaws and those imperfections are whisked away by simple strokes of a mouse when her assets are splattered all over a magazine cover.  These poor young souls who haven’t seen ass except in HD however, are on their way to a really sad and unnecessary revelation.  Very few women look like that.

The funny thing is, when on the net, these virgin boys will pick a young lady apart for being human.  Her thighs are too big, her booty is too jiggly and her tatas hang too low.  Well, Andy Stitzer, I hate to break it to you, but the women in those sticky pages of your favorite magazine have been altered. Those photos are almost as much fantasy as they are reality and that same girl you believe to be a perfect ten probably isn’t, at least not for your high standards.

Now I’m not saying women like that don’t exist.  There are plenty of chicks out there who through a lucky roll of the genetic dice, plus a lot of self maintenance have been able to sort of photo shop themselves into that physical reality.  They are few and far between though and the chances of you running into her and then making her your gal even just for the night are pretty slim. Not saying that you aren’t great, but know the percentages are not in your favor.  So when that finally happens and you get to use a condom for more than water balloon toss, know that when that cutie strips down there may be a dimple or a stretch mark under there.  We would hate for you to ruin your first chance at nookie and blow the moment up like it was a scene from I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.

Fantasy has its place, but when roaming in reality’s realm you should probably try to think well.. realistically. No one is saying you aren’t entitled to your personal preferences.  Everyone is, but if your taste runs to the improbable or if your general experience with naked women is relegated to seeing them on a screen, in a book or on TV then you have to acquiesce to those who have encountered the fairer sex in 3D form and I’m sure most of them will tell you ole girl on page ten has had some work done. So hold your head and get ready, the dimple will not harm you, but the owner of it may if you act like you haven’t seen one before.

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By Odeisel

Dame Dash and friends have been creating more than a few waves with the coming of the 24 hour Karate School. While rap continues to drift closer to the business end than the artistic end of the spectrum, Dame has seemingly abandoned the recklessness that plagued his earlier run to the top for a more subdued approach that seems to be much more condusive to the temperment of familial growth.

One of the young up and comers associated with this next is Stalley. We at Planet Ill were first introduced to young Stalley last year at one of our many concerts. He was on the undercard of a larger show and to be honest we didn’t really know how to spell his name.  Well he’s gained enough momentum that eyes are on him and this is the latest salvo.

Ski is back at it, removing all reasonable doubt as to whether he can still bring heat behind the boards. The beat is tough with enough grit to knock speakers in both cars and cribs. Stalley rocks it effortlessly, managing a commanding presence without fighting for attention.

Really dope vid, high on creativity and energy (dig the girl who does the karate kick). Here’s to more rappers and creators getting the chance to be seen and bringing new ideas to the form. Enjoy.

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