Jaguar Wright: Self Love #tbt

This song has never stopped giving me chills.   The visceral response I receive from the lyrics alone demand I try to meet the expectations they suggest.  Does that sound crazy? Maybe....but if you can't talk to your music what do you really expect the songs to say to you?

"Caught up in a web of deception
From this $h!t I done learned new lesson
So what cha do, you keep on playing, you play on, playa..."

I need this song...and I think "need" is more important than "love".   We're all big boys and girls so I think it's alright if we agree to disagree.  But I've needed it back then when it was released and I think I need it now.  Maybe you do.  Maybe you don't.  Share it to the person you love cause they may need it too. 

"You work and work with no pay
You punch a clock but never end your day
You take vacation but your not playing
What we say by this time, here my friends, drink three
You cry, cry, revolution, but what you want is a solution
But you're more content with being a pollution
Jump in the motion, and ask the notion..."

Stay blessed.

From Jaguar Wright's LP Denials Delusions and Decisions

A Tribe Called Quest: We got the jazz/Buggin out

Raised in a single parent household, I've proudly said for years that A Tribe Called Quest raised me.  No hyperbole.  I was blessed with an older brother that liked the Native Tongue sound more than Gangster Rap and the rest is history or...me.  I listened to that A Low End Theory album like they were the gospel - psychics or prophets who gave me the blueprint on how to navigate Jamaica Queens.  So I listened ...figuratively and literally. Songs like "Excursions" and "Everything is fair" to "The Infamous Date Rape", I went to that album when I didn't think I had someone to talk to or learn from...

"Competition dem try fe come side way

But competition they must come straight way

Competition dem try fe come side way

But competition they must come straight way" -Phife "We got the Jazz"

I learned more from this album than any class in middle school, high school, or college.  So hearing Phife's passing was like hearing a family member die.  I've no intention to belittle his actual family members.  My condolences and I will forever keep you in my prayers.  Please know that your blood gave life all across the world.  In this case, a lil black boy that grew up in Queens.

"Me sweat another? I do my own thing

Strictly hardcore tracks, not a new jack swing" -Phife "We got the jazz"

I used to argue with my brothers all the time with who was better....Tip or Phife.  We flip flopped all the time.  Older I realize...it never mattered. They were perfect together.  N' Phife...well Phife IS Queens...Phife IS Knicks...Phife is...Phife is...sigh.  Phife is raw man...always will be.

"No shame in my game cause I'll always be the same

Styles upon styles upon styles is what I have

You wanna diss the Phifer but you still don't know the half

I sport New Balance sneakers to avoid a narrow path" -Phife "Buggin Out"

I stare at this post..hoping I say the right words...but...there are no words. A great man is resting in power.  N' it's felt all across the world.  We love you Phife.  It's not in the songs post but I'd like to share one of Hip Hop's best bars that was written by Phife from the song entitled "The Infamous Date Rape". 

“All of a sudden, her sugarwalls tumble down like Jericho

She's hotter than Meshach, Shadrach and Abendego” -Phife "The infamous date rape"

Rest in Power brother.

A Tribe Called Quest's official music video for 'Jazz (We've Got) Buggin' Out'. Click to listen to A Tribe Called Quest on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/TCQSpot?IQid=TCQBO As featured on The Anthology.

Michael Jackson: Workin' Day And Night

Hi.  In honor of last week I thought I'd play the song that came on my Ipod right when I was stressed that I didn't post any music.  Besides the serendipitous timing, it's the truth with how much I've been working but...aren't we all?  Exactly.  Enjoy a little King of Pop.  Expect some more "Off the Wall" and even some "Invincible" soon.

"You Got Me Workin' Day And Night
And I'll Be Workin'
From Sun Up To Midnight"

That bass-line though!