UPDATE! Dear Killer Mike, Can I Get a Late Pass? (aka I Friggin’ LOVE R.A.P. Music)

Dear Killer Mike,

Can you write me a late pass? You see, I have been aware of your existence via Dungeon Family tracks for quite some time now, but it wasn’t until my neighbor specifically suggested that I listen to R.A.P. Music a few weeks ago, that I became a hardcore fan. Like, seriously. In these past few weeks, I’ve become a stan.

So much of a stan, that I want you to make a video for “Southern Fried” just so I can say the line “So mothafucka, he still fly.” I need to say that line on camera in a video. I friggin’ love that track and that line.

What I really adore about you and that album though is that you are country as fuck in an unapologetic way and smart and fly and fun. I love the way you talk about your wife in “Southern Fried” and I give so many salutes for you quoting JJ Fad AND being on some grammar shit in the same verse on “Go.”

And the title track??? Maaaaaan, listen. That’s on a few of my iPod playlists. My favorite track changes from day to day, but “Reagan” is always in first or second. Gotta love the smart shit.

In your Pitchfork interview last year, you brought up one of my favorite Nikki Giovanni poems, “Seduction.” I swear if I were a male rapper from the South, I’d be you. Intellectually, we are kindred spirits.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I dig your stuff and I’ll be wading through all your other albums to get a nice bird’s eye view of your maturation as an artist and as a person. For now, I need a late pass for R.A.P. Music. Is that possible?

Smooches!

Love,

Demetria Irwin

P.S.- I’m @Love_Is_Dope on Twitter and Instagram.

UPDATE: I tweeted Killer Mike the link to this blog post and here is his awesome response:

I am genuinely moved by your words.No such thing as late. It was the universe in its timing.I So appreciate you @love_is_dope.Thank u.

— Killer Mike (@KillerMikeGTO) March 18, 2013

 

Good Morning, Sunshine

http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x1vy4u
Salt N Pepa – Expression by jpdc11

One of my favorite Salt n’ Pepa songs and a great way to start your morning. Enjoy!

 

Good Morning, Sunshine

Mwuah!

 

Good Reads Around the Web

That’s me folks! Brown skin lady! (Shout out to Black Star)

I made Afrobella my homepage a long time ago. I love that site to fabulous, itty bitty, well-moisturized pieces.  Well, this week, the site offered up a real treat with a post about the history of natural hair for African American women. The post includes amazing pictures of beautiful 19th century women who fashioned their hair in all types of interesting ways. All the women seemed to be so fashion forward as well. Could you imagine the weight of just being a black woman in America in those days and then add to that the desire to be fierce? Woah. Like any woman, I had (and have) my issues with body image (My chicken legs!), but one thing I love about me is that I LOVE the physical traits that mark me as being of African descent. The full lips, the hair, the wide nose…I’ve always appreciated those things about myself. For those who share those same traits, I hope you love them too! For those with different features, love that ish!

*****

Salon wants to know if there is a use for the abundance of bad writing.  The American Book Review compiled a list of “bad” books that included titles you know and love such as The Great Gatsby. (Personally, I find Fitzgerald’s imagery to be scrumptious.) I’m pretty good at picking up books that contain at least decent writing. I can count on one hand how many books I have bought and left unfinished. That said, I don’t think I would read something that I KNOW is full of horrible writing just for the sake of reading it. I’ll stick to fawning over Toni Morrison’s every genius-laden word.

*****

This is a gripping New York Times piece about a small city an hour north of Manhattan called Newburgh. It’s plagued with gangs and violence. Make sure you take a gander at the slideshow pictures. Some of those pictures look like some sleepy, dilapidated town in rural Mississippi. If there’s a kid in your life who needs help (any kind of help) and you can assist, please do so.

 

Good Morning, Sunshine

“From the Womb to the Boom” is my favorite piece from Amanda Diva. It’s on the wall in my dining room.

 

The Cost of Good Music

According to a story over on VIBE‘s website, legendary rap crew Public Enemy is asking fans to fund their next album.  The group has partnered with a website called SellaBand that will help them connect with fans who are willing to pay at least $25 towards the $250,000 they need to make a new album. I just checked PE’s page today (October 7) and they have already brought in 5 percent of their total goal after only about 24 hours.

It’s an interesting concept. We complain about the crap that’s on the radio all the time and sip wine in cute downtown Brooklyn condos as we bemoan how evil record execs are and how we really just want good music. Well, would you put your money where your mouth is? A lot of us show support by buying legal downloads and going to concerts, but would you fund studio time?  For me, it would definitely depend on the artist and the circumstances.  How about you? Under any circumstances, would you help fund the making of an artist’s album in this way?

 

Good Morning, Sunshine

Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
~Frank Sinatra, My Way~

I’d rather be honored in life than be “honored” in death for spreading death. ~CNN~

Is there a “Worst Parents In The World” title? If so, this Detroit couple should definitely get it. They burned one child, killed the other child and tried to cremate him on a bbq grill then lied about him still being alive so they could continue to collect welfare payments. No words.  I need a “Why did you have children?” category. ~Detroit Free Press~

What happens when your child chooses to drop out of college? Here’s one woman’s view. ~The Root~

According to this study, the number one song to play at funerals is Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” Clearly, this study was not conducted in the hood because if it was it would have been Bone Thugs n Harmony “Crossroads.” You know it’s the truth! ~Yahoo~

 

That Was My Jam!:” Your Mom’s In My Business” K-Solo

Okay, this is a bit random, but I loved this song back in the day! I remember when it came out, I thought K-Solo was kinda “edgy” because he made a song about somebody’s mama. LOL But the song is so extra respectful. Have you actually listened to the words? He’s talking about going to his girl’s family bbq and taking her and her mom to the movies and trying to talk to her dad. Ahhhhh, the good old days of hip hop. Oh and note the funky fresh airbrushed blue jean jacket. LOL

Enjoy.

 

Good Morning, Sunshine

He thought, and said, “I’m tryin’ to get my life together”
Went home to his lady, these were his confessions
“Baby you a blessin’ and my best friend”

~Common, Faithful~

AIG will undoubted get a verbal thrashing on Capitol Hill today about those bonuses. ~CNN~

Internet addiction (especially of the mobile variety) has become a big issue in jury trials. Recently, a federal judge discovered that nine of 12 jurors in his courtroom had been doing “internet research” on their phones.  It’s like a reflex to Google everything these days, so I can see how it would be difficult for a juror to resist the urge to look something up or clarify something. Still wrong though. ~New York Times~

New York Magazine’s love affair with First Lady Michelle Obama. ~NY Mag~

Remember back when the only endorsements rappers could get were for 40 ounces? Here are a few hilarious/sad videos to jog your memory. ~All Hip Hop~

This book sounds really interesting. It’s a work of fiction called “The Book of the Unknown” and it’s a collection of tales/fables that utilizes Jewish saints.  It’s nothing stuffy though (according to this review). The reviewer describes it as “The Princess Bride” without the gloss. ~Salon~

 

Good Morning, Sunshine

Cause baby love, my baby love
Been missing ya, miss kissing ya
Instead of breaking up
Lets do some kissing and making up

~Diana Ross and the Supremes, Baby Love~

Where are our electric cars? ~New York Times~

Octomom now says that maybe it wasn’t a great idea to add eight more kids to the six she already has. ~CNN~

This is an interesting piece about a  new book on 19th century French anarchy and the introduction of modern day terrorism. ~Salon~

Here’s a well-written editorial about politics and hip hop.  If you are up on Detroit emcees, you’ll appreciate the mention of Invincible. She’s dope. ~All Hip Hop~