[Snoop]
Still Snoop Dogg and D-R-E (Guess who's back)
Still, still doing that shit, right?

Translated:

It is I the one known as Snoop Dogg and my colleague Andre whom I refer to by his common name Dre,

who do you think has come back with a new rap music album.

Are you still doing musical numbers?

Original:

[Dr. Dre]
Oh for sure, check me out
It's still Dre Day, A.K.
Before I chrome the lot, can't keep it home a lot
'cause when I frequent the spots that I'm known to rock
You hear the bass from the trunk when I'm on the block
Ladies, they pay homage, but haters say Dre fell off
How? My last album was "The Chronic"
They want to know if he still got it
They say rap's changed, they want to know how I feel about it

Translated:

Oh yes I am still creating rhythmic beats and than poetically talking,

And it is still my day,

Before I kill all that have doubted my poetic abilities, I have to say I cannot sat at home

Because when I go to spots were I am known to relax at

And you hear bass vibrations from the trunk of my car when I am on your street

Women give sexual favors, but those who do not like me say I have lost my ability to rap.

How? My last album entitled “The Chronic” was released many years ago

They want to know if I can still perform my poetic stylings

They say my genre of music has changed and they want to know what my opinions on the matter are.

Original:

[Snoop - singing]
If you ain't up on pace

Translated:

If you have neglected to stay up on the current trends.

Original:

Dr. Dre is the name, I'm ahead of my game
Still, puffing my leafs, still with the beats
Still not loving police (Uh huh)
Still rock my khakis with a cuff and a crease
Still got love for the streets, repping 213
Still the beat bangs, still doing my thang
Since I left, ain't too much changed, still

Translated

My name is Andre Romelle Young although I go by my stage name “Dr. Dre” and I am prevailing in the “rap” industry

I am still smoking the illicit drug marijuana and still creating rhythms

I still do not like law enforcement

I still where khaki pants with a crease in them

I still love the streets of where I am from, Compton California

Original:

[Snoop Dogg]
I'm representing for them gangsters all across the world
Still hitting them corners in them low low's girl

Translated:

I am a representative for all of the organized crime members all around the world.

I still cut corners in a lowered Cadillac which causes my car to scrape against the curb.

Original:

[Dr. Dre]
Still taking my time to perfect the beat
And I still got love for the streets, it's the D-R-E

Translated:

I still spend time making up rhythms I deem to be perfect.

Again I would like to say I love the inner cities and the way you spell my alias is D-R-E

Original:

[Dr. Dre]

Since the last time you heard from me I lost some friends
Well, hell, me and Snoop, we dipping again
Kept my ear to the streets, signed Eminem
He's triple platinum, doing 50 a week
Still, I stay close to the heat
And even when I was close to defeat, I rose to my feet
My life is like a soundtrack I wrote to the beat
Treat my rap like Cali weed, I smoke till I sleep
Wake up in the A.M., compose a beat
I bring the fire till you're soaking in your seat
It's not a fluke, it's been tried, I'm the troop
It's "Turn Out the Lights" from the World Class Wreckin' Cru
I'm still at it, After-mathematic
In the home of drivebys and ak-matics
Swap meets, sticky green, and bad traffic
I dip through then I get skin, D-R-E

Translated:

Since the last time I made a record I lost contact with some of my associates.

But hey, me and my colleague and fellow poet Snoop are creating a new song

I listened to the local rap scene and offered a record deal to a rapper Eminem

He is very successful

But I am still close to the rap movement

Whenever I am in a difficult situation I rise up to the challenge

My life is like a song in which I write in a rhythmic manner

I treat my poems like marijuana I burn them, and than inhale it until I become intoxicated and fall asleep.

Than the following morning I compose a rhythm

I will bring excitement until you release your urine

I am not a one time show I am a soldier.

It is a hit from a great rap group.

I would like to say again I am still composing beats and rhymes

In the city of Los Angeles, where drive bys and automatic rifles gained popularity

Swap meets, Marijuana, and a traffic problem,

But I go through it and than have intercourse, D-R-E

Original:

[Chorus]
It ain't nothing but more hot shit
Another classic CD for y'all to vibe with
Whether you're cooling on a corner with your fly bitch
Laid back in the shack, play this track
I'm representing for the gangsters all across the world
(Still hitting them corners in them low low's girl)
I'll break your neck, damn near put your face in your lap
Try to be the king but the ace is back

Translated:

It is nothing but another great album.

A great album for which you can dance to.

Whether your relaxing on a corner with your female partner

Or have intercourse with said partner while listening to this song

I am a representative for all of the organized crime members all around the world.

I still cut corners in a after factory modified lowered Cadillac which causes my car to scrape against the curb.

I will fracture your neck, and put your face into your lap.

You cannot compete with me as I am the equivalent of the Ace in a card game which is usually a high card of which you can win your card game with.

Original:

[Snoop - singing]
So if you ain't up on thangs

Translated:

If you have neglected to stay up on the current trends.

Original:

[Dr. Dre]
Dr. Dre be the name still running the game
Still got it wrapped like a mummy
Still ain't tripping, love to see young blacks get money
Spend time out the hood, take they moms out the hood
Hit my boys off with jobs, no more living hard
Barbeques every day, driving fancy cars
Still gonna' get mine regardless

Translated:

Again my name is Dr. Dre although I do not hold a doctorate, and I am still the most powerful figure on the rap scene.

I have control of the rap industry

I am not lying, I like to see young African Americans produce profit

I spend some time in lower class areas, and have sex with women

I talk to residents of said neighborhood about having jobs and no longer having to commit crimes to make money

We roast meat over a open fire, and drive expensive cars.

But I am going to get mine no matter what stands in my way.

Original:

[Snoop]

Like that, right back up in ya
'95 plus four pennies
Add that shit up, D-R-E right back on top of thangs
Smoke some with your dog
No stress, no seeds, no stems, no sticks!
Some of that real sticky icky
A little weed, put it in the air
For you's a fool D.R.

Translated:

That was good

The year is 1999

If you add everything previously stated my colleuege Andre Romelle Young or Dr. Dre said he is at the fulcrum of his career.

I smoke marijuana with him.

My marijuana is good marijuana

Really good marijuana

I am going to smoke marijuana and blow it in the air

You are a good friend and colleague of mine Andre, and that is why we must smoke marijuana.

Source

Afrika Bambaataa Asim was born in Harlem on April 17^th, 1957. Or maybe he was born June 17^th of the same year, possibly even on April 10^th of 1960. A sure birth date is one of the many mysteries surrounding Bam’s enigmatic persona, but one thing that is widely known is his role in the birth of hip-hop, as one of the first true D.J.s along with Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash.

The mysterious nature of Bam extends only to questions about him, while information about his music and his founding of the Zulu Nation is widespread. Whenever an interviewer asks Bam his age he simply replies: “We never speak of my age” and moves on to the next topic. In fact, even Bam’s real name is a mystery. Biographies have mistakenly said Bam was born as Kevin Donovan, but Donovan was in fact another D.J. who lived in the Bronx at the same time as Bam. What is known is how Bam did get his new name. He was greatly influenced after watching the movie “Zulu” and took the name Afrika Bambaataa Asim which means “Affectionate Leader”. It is a descriptive name which fits Bam’s personality to a tee.

Bam uses his mysteriousness to draw interest and ultimately support for the Zulu Nation. One of his favorite stories to tell is that of the original Afrika Bambaataa: “…the original Bambaataa was a late-nineteenth-century Zululand leader who led an anti-tax revolt against the British colonial authority in South Africa. This Bambaataa was not above using mystical means to inspire his people. After calling on them to abandon the signs and objects of European culture – except for their guns – he told them a resurrected witch doctor had given him a potion that made him bulletproof. He drank it, then stood before a firing squad and commanded them to shoot. ‘But when the smoke cleared there stood Bambaataa, smiling and unhurt,’ … ‘The explanation? Blank cartridges’”. Similarly, Bam uses his larger than life aura to awe and inspire those who follow him, making him all the more influential.    

            Bam’s nature as a leader was realized at a young age. He was born in Harlem and moved to the South Bronx. He joined the gang the Savage Seven and quickly became a leader. The gang grew rapidly and was renamed the Black Spades, and as the numbers grew so did Bam’s influence within. However, Bam was never one for violence, instead finding an outlet in music, playing for parties wherever he could. He was nicknamed “Master of Records” for his seemingly limitless knowledge of albums, which was important for early D.J.s since they did not have technology to assist in putting beats together. Bam would instead have to pick albums and play them on a turntable, knowing in his head which sounds would mesh well rather than being able to use a program to mix songs like many D.J.s today do. While the traditional image of gangs in New York involved turf wars and much violence, Bam instead crossed boundaries using his skills as an entertainer. Jayson “Jazzy Jay” Byas was quoted as saying: “When he walked through the projects, he was like the godfather walking through Little Italy”.

            Bam would hold house parties regardless of what gang’s territory the house was in, and he made sure that the members of his gang were there not to start trouble, but eject anyone who was. Descriptions of Bam’s parties are rampant, often describing Bam leading a group of fifty or more down the street to a house in another gang’s territory. Despite what could easily become a hostile situation between rival gangs, everyone enjoyed Bam’s music so much that differences were put aside to simply enjoy the party. Where Bam led people followed. Even after leaving the gang life behind Bam still had a crew in the Zulu Nation. D.J. battles were commonplace in clubs and parks, where two D.J.s would set up their sound systems and play against each other. Bam’s crew would gather around his turntable as Bam pumped up his volume, using his skills to draw the crowd away from his opponent’s turntable and over to his.

            Bam left the Black Spades in 1974 to start the musically based youth organization called the Zulu Nation. The Zulu Nation was formed with 15 ideals, all focusing around knowledge and faith. It is this organization that brought Bam much of his fame, and the Zulu Nation quickly evolved to become closer to a religion than a youth group. The Zulu Nation encourages its followers to think about issues beyond what might be portrayed in the media, as he believes at this point in time most historical writings, such as the bible, have been altered and must be rewritten. Instead of following these religious texts, Bam encourages his followers to think for themselves and present themselves as thoughtful individuals creating their own ideas. It is also taught that all others should be treated with respect, as one would want others to treat them. These simple guidelines set up by Bam are followed by many, as they simply encourage people to think and treat others well, good advice for anybody to follow.

            While Bam is widely known for his founding of the Zulu Nation, his music is what enabled him to become known well enough to have an impact. He was inspired by James Brown, appreciating the way Brown would send political and social messages through his music, such as in the song “Say it Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”. Bam decided to use his music to break down the barriers between races. In an interview, Bam is quoted as saying: “Hip Hop means the whole culture of the movement... when you talk about rap...Rap is part of the hip hop culture...The emceeing... is part of the hip hop culture. The dressing, the languages are all part of the hip hop culture. The break dancing the b-boys, b-girls ...how you act, walk, look, talk, are all part of hip hop culture... and the music is colorless... Hip Hop music is made from black, brown, yellow, red, white... whatever music that gives you the grunt... that funk.. That groove or that beat... It's all part of hip hop...” This success allowed Bam to also become the first hip-hop artist to actually do a duet with James Brown, rather than just sampling Brown’s music.

            The first and possibly most influential run in with desegregation that Bam had was in 1971. He started attending Stevenson High, a predominantly white school that had been ordered to desegregate by the courts. This led to violence between white and black gangs, but Bam persevered as a voice of calm, using house parties as he had before to calm down his gang, and made it through high school. While this may not have been a completely successful integration of blacks and whites, it showed that Bam was able to face racial prejudice and diversity, and it was a precursor of what was to come. Ten years later, Bam was part of a desegregation of a different kind.

            By 1981, Bam had begun playing his music in many predominantly white clubs. The people in these clubs had little exposure to hip-hop, which had just been made recently and was heard primarily in black neighborhoods. Bam brought this style to the clubs, mixing it with the electronic genre to create a new sound that people went crazy for. Bam became famous for breaking barriers, not focusing on what styles of music went with which people, but rather focusing on making music. While Bam had only one major hit with “Planet Rock” his musical influence became well known not only for the sound, but for the ideas behind the music.

            Sound was still a large part of what made Bam well known. He was one of the first real D.J.s, his main addition to the art being his use of technology to create the “Electro Funk” style. In “Planet Rock” Bam mixed in heavy electronic drums and other synthesized instruments to create a new sound and genre. “Planet Rock” is a precursor to later forms of music, such as House music or Techno, the new music that has become popular in clubs. The majority of Bam’s music uses electronic beats heavily, with the beeping and pounding of synthesized instruments setting the rhythm of the song, and vocals feeling almost secondary.

            Bam has been involved in many bands throughout his career, and has opened the door into the music industry for many artists. Some of these artists include the R&B group New Edition, Maurice Starr and the Jonzun Crew, Tashan, and Bernard Fowler of the Peech Boys. Bam has continued to make new albums at least every other year, although they have not received much publicity. Most importantly, Bam continues to use his music to travel to various countries and spread the message of the Zulu Nation, giving advice on how to live a peaceful life. Bam is and forever shall be the “Affectionate Leader”.

That is hip hop now. Instead of trying to bring truth, enlightenment, and fresh creativity to the listeners, it seems we are just trying to be the baddest man so we can get all the club hoes. When did what the they think become so important? I thought we as a hip hop culture had an issue with the unfaithful money scheming type of female. Why all of a sudden do so many songs appeal to and congratulate this type of person now? I tell you why, cause hip hop has gone pop. Just like high school, that slut may have been a slut, but she certainly was popular. And that seems to be all that matters right now. I mean listen to the radio waves. Look at the videos. Why is everyone so preoccupied with being gangsters? Gangsters of what? You now even have rappers who really had a good life and upbringing, but hide it like its shameful or something. Even worse you have people who cant really rap or rock a crowd (or have any musical or artistic talent) who get booqoo publicity just because of their past life. What is really going on?

Yes I remember when "hard core street life" and "thuggin" and "gangsterism" entered the game. But I also remembered that even the hardest coldest pimp g brought some talent with him. NWA dropped some classical tracks and worthy lyrical content. 2Pac may have thugged us out, but he was a poet, so extremely passionate, and if you really remember, Pac was on a revolutionary type vybe. He wasnt thuggin just to thug. Or just to stunt and highside on everybody who wasnt a thug. As a matter of fact T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. was an acronym for something deeper than being out in the streets. Nobody remembers that today though. It seems successful hip hop artist today seem to think the whole point is to be the most financially successful hip hop artist with the flyest material things. They seem to have forgotten that they are role models and they are some of the cultures leaders in raisng the youth and reforming the culture of its people. Im saddened when I see young suburban teens give up on sports and academics in hopes of living a street life. Its difficult to watch young ladies give away whats truly beautiful about themselves trying to be the "baddest hoe" in the club. But if our most succesful members of our culture are condoning and promoting this behavior for the simple fact that it makes money we will see the end of hip hop, cause it will pop. But sadly I feel hip hop has flip flopped and sold out. And the worst part is that it has sold out for so much money, that the real hip hoppers probrably will never get a chance to but it back.

While this is probably the most identifiable area of rap, it is by no means the only one. Like any other big group of music, rap has its own sub genres, all of which sound very different to one another. So, without further ado, let's take a butcher's hook at some of them.

Reggaeton

Just as gangsta rap is traditionally associated with the black community, Reggaeton is a form of Hip-hop that's traditionally associated with the Hispanic populace. Most reggaeton artists are Latino, and the preferred language of the genre is Spanish rather than English. Right off the bat this makes for an interesting sound as Spanish is so much more pleasant to listen to that English.

Unlike gangsta rap, reggaeton is mainly sung rather rapped, but rapping is not uncommon within the genre itself. Many songs combine the two, creating a counterpoint style of structure which is both pleasant and interesting to listen to. Many reggaeton artists do however keep the typical ‘gangsta' or ‘street' image, so often associated with rap and hip-hop.

Perhaps the biggest difference in style between reggaeton and gangsta rap lies in the lyrics. This is a shame, because I don't speak Spanish (English is hard enough), I don't get the full force of the art. Where gangsta rap focuses a lot on self promotion, the mean streets, drugs, guns and hookers, reggaeton explores a very different area. Common themes include love stories, and real life problems that many ordinary people, not just rich musicians, face in their day to day lives. That's not to say that there's none of the gangsta elements in reggaeton lyrics, there are plenty of songs which explore this area of life if that's what you're interested in. As Reggaeton is so heavily associated with, and performed by Hispanic and Latino artists, the genre has also become a flagship for the ideas of racism and cultural identity, much like gangsta rap in inner city areas.

If you are interested in reggaeton, here are some artists you can check out, the names are hyperlinked to an example youtube video:

• Don Omar (Closer to hip-hop than rap)
• Wisin & Yandel (blends rap and singing)
• Ivy Queen (Similar to Don Omar, a female artist)

Oh, and if you have GTA IV, tune into the radio station ‘San Juan Sounds', that's all Reggaeton!

Nerdcore

Also known as ‘geeksta rap'. A lot of people have heard nerdcore without realizing it, and many are actually fans. There's somewhat of a debate as to what constitutes nerdcore, some argue that any track which focuses primarily on traditionally geeky subjects (computers, D&D stuff like that) qualifies. Some people say that nerdcore is any music that gains popularity in the geek community. Still more people claim that only rap and DJ'ing that focus on geek culture count. Wherever you draw the line, there's one certain thing that pretty much everything that gets lumped into the geek core category has in common- it's all about the Pentiums baby.

Nerdcore's musical and lyrical style usually parody that of gansta rap, often to the point of parodying specific songs. Just take the lyrics of any gangsta rap you want and replace the guns with laptops, the drugs with videogames and the hoes with computer code. One big nerdcore artist is Weird Al Yankovich, who's made a career out of parodying everyone from Nirvana to Chamillionaire.

Nerdcore is about more than parody though (though it's probably how it started). Many artists create their own original tracks. Other artists focus on the musical side of the genre, creating techno and trance style tracks, often made up of parts from videogames.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that nerdcore is just remixes and rehashes of other people's work and styles, done by lonely geeks in their spare time. Artists like MC Lars and Optimus Rhyme, are big name artists in their own right.

The most common themes in Nerdcore are common aspects of geek life; office jobs, computers and whatever ‘geeky' hobbies the artist has. Obviously, these would make for pretty boring music so nerdcore is often satirical to entertain its listeners.

Artist who you can check out:

• MC Lars (Popular back in 2006, made it into the British charts)
• Optimus Rhyme (A more chilled out ‘cool' band. Think the Fugees)
• MC Frontalot (One of the flagship artists of the genre)

Metalcore/Rap Metal/Nu Metal

Probably the best known sub genre of hip hop, yet also the most hated, probably due to the fact fans of metal and fans of rap are supposed to hate each other. Metalcore blends the heavy, powerful sounds of metal with rap. The way this is done can vary wildly, Linkin Park for example used rap primarily as the verse structure with singing as the chorus in their first album, hybrid theory, but switched to mashing the two up in their next album Meteora (I'm not counting reanimation). By the third album the rap element had diminished considerably. But this isn't a review of them, just an example of how it can be done.

Slipknot have maintained a fairly consist style, the highly distorted heavy backing of instruments against lyrics delivered in the traditional rap style. They vary things, but not greatly. The formula works and produces some interesting listening.

With other artists, the influence is a lot more subtle. Nu metal is a genre that draws on a lot on hip hop, specifically rap for its sounds without actually copying for it. For example, Disturbed's lead singer David Draiman delivers extremely fast rhythmic lyrics, a lot like many rappers. Many of the rhythms and beats are also vaguely reminiscent of hip hop, just with a much faster tempo.

Metalcore lyrics tend to draw a lot more heavily on the metal side of the music rather than the rap side. Lyrics include the destruction of the world, sticking it to the man, teenage angst and all other things wholesome and rated for the family.

Notable artists:

• Papa Roach (Primarily focus on rap. Shame that's the clean version of the song, but it was that or am AMV)
• Slipknot (Heavy metal rap. Not for your grandparents to listen to. Unless one's a closet metal fan like my grandma)
• Lamb of God (A personal favorite. Like slipknot but more legible).

Well, I hope I've showed you rap and hip hop can be more than just bitches and ho's. If you're interested then just search youtube for various different languages within the genre. You'd be amazed how different it all is.

If you are a fan of both hip hop and heavy music, this is a good choice for you. Hardcore is one of the oldest genres of hip hop, it contains a heavier beat compare to some other hip hop genres ,some of the oldest rappers such as Kool G Rap and LL Cool J are famous for their hardcore rap songs.

Gangsta (Gangster) Rap

Gangsta rap is one of the biggest rap genres, this is also one of the oldest genre of hip hop, started during the old school time, groups such as N.W.A. is famous for their Gangsta rap, in the 1990s, gangsta rap became even more famous, some of the best rappers such as 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. are famous for their Gangsta raps. Gangsta rap became less popular after the East and West coast rivalry but is still of the popular genres of hip hop and can't be missed.

Pop Rap

Pop rap (also known as Hip pop) is a hip hop genre based on pop and hip hop, it is one of the popular genres right now, rappers such as Kanye West, Nelly and groups such as Black eyed peas are popular for their pop rap songs.

Rapcore

Rapcore( also known as Rap rock) is a mix of alternative rock music and hip hop, rap rock provides a heavy beat and is the right choice for you if you like both rock and rap. Some of the famous rap rock groups are Linkin Park, Beastie Boys and Faith no more.

Crunk

If you like sing a rap song powerfully, Crunk is the right genre for you, Crunk songs usually provide very loud rapping noise, some of Crunk rappers are Lil' Jon and Soulja Boy.

You have rising local R&B artist Phynix and his album, “Friday the 13th.” The Murfreesboro native and local R&B troubadour discusses his philosophies on the death of R&B, how little help Young Buck is to the local urban scene and how he plans to scare up album sales.

One Google search of the name Phynix would lead you to believe that he had decided to name himself after the Greek mythology of the great bird that rose from the ashes and ascended into heaven, but just below the surface there is a deeper meaning for explaining Phynix the name, the artist and the man.

“My grandfather passed away in 2000 and the last week he was alive I dreamed he had passed. I remember in the dream I went to visit the grave sight and I walked by it.

When I looked at the headstone there was all this funny writing on it, and I saw the word Phynix. I don't know what it means, but it said P-H-Y-N-I-X. Since then, I felt something was telling me to use it,” Phynix declares.

However, with the likes of Rio, Damien Horne and Darnell Levine ripping up the local Nashville urban music scene, Phynix is going to need more than just a cool name, and he ponders just one question: What does he have to do to get put on?

“I'm hoping this album will get my foot in the door… I want it to bring attention to me. Nationally, I just want one person to hear the single, hear the concept and appreciate the music,” said Phynix.

In terms of being different Phynix believes he has plenty to offer, unlike the neo-soul sounds of Shannon Sanders or the improvisational style of Darnell Levine, Phynix has made an album that he believes can be embraced by all types of listeners and doesn't feel the need to outclass Shannon Sanders or any other well-known local artist.

“You can't beat it. It is what it is… Shannon Sanders is a genius. The mentality of trying to do that same thing and get above him, I think is the wrong road. I do completely different music than Shannon Sanders, I'm a different performer, and I'm a totally different animal. For the most part, people say Shannon Sanders has done more for R&B than anybody around here, but I'm not going to say he's the last hope,” Phynix contends.

“My audience is 15-25 year old females, guys too. (The album) is danceable, it's for young people. I mean, its not concentrated urban music. I'm a commercial artist, my image is commercial, we were being commercially minded when we made the album. 

It's for everybody, Blacks, Whites, Asians, males, females, straight people, and gay people. Even illegal immigrants can feel good about bumpin' this album,” Phynix explains.

Phynix hopes his fans agree with his opinion of the album so that he'll have the opportunity to fulfill his vision of releasing an album a year going forward, all on Friday the 13th. For Phynix, making sure future albums are possible means flooding the marketplace with live performances to show that the product on the album is the same product that fans see on the stage.

“If an artist can perform he or she will stay alive a lot longer than someone who can't. That's my main theory… you can sing the best in the studio, you can be the best singer in the world, but if you can't put together a solid consistent show you're going to die off,” Phynix points out.

He continues to say, “I try to do show after show after show. I want to show myself to death! While (I'm doing shows) I'll be starting to record a second album…”

However, given the current state of R&B, Phynix has his concerns about whether or not an R&B album without the addition of a Hip-Hop cameo can sell in this day and time.

“(In a sense) R&B is dead,because people are more concerned about what you can dance to, ring tones, what you can download. People want it right now. We're an on demand society.

Nobody wants to hear, oh my girl left… they want to go to the club, so if you're not making a “Low Low” or a song like “Cyclone” or something that's not bangin' in the clubs a lot of people won't give it a ear. I mean I remember R. Kelly in 93'-94', or Boyz II Men when people (related) to the lyrics, instead of saying, “Let's fast forward through the slow stuff and get to the fast stuff.” It's in that sense that R&B is dead,” Phynix suggests.

He continues by arguing that, “ Even Jodeci fell into the changing market. I won't say that they killed it (R&B), but if that album (“The Show, The After party, The Hotel”) had been like the others (“Forever My Lady, Diary of a Mad Band”), just maybe, the market would be different. DeVante (Swing) was one of the best producers in the game; I'm not sure why they felt they needed to change.”

Not since the rise and success of Shannon Sanders has the Nashville urban music scene enjoyed the attention of a nationally recognizable R&B artist. Today, Nashville's biggest urban star is G-Unit rapper Young Buck, but Phynix points out that urban artists that receive national attention, like Young Buck aren't necessarily concerned with uplifting their hometown music scene.

“Most white people think rap and R&B coincide, but it's two separate worlds. The way things work in R&B and the way things work in rap are different, but because it's Black music there are similarities. What Young Buck has done for Nashville… all he's done is make it easier for rappers.

(Maybe) It helped people from considering Nashville so white and country. I say that's the only thing Young Buck has done. He hasn't had any showcases for artists here; he hasn't done anything to help Nashville music or R&B. This is not a stab at Young Buck, but yelling “Tenn-a-key, Tenn-a-key” on records doesn't really do anything for us,” criticizes Phynix.

If one thing has been made clear, it's that stigmas, celebrity and uniformity will not fly in the face of Phynix. Much like that old Greek mythology, this Phynix is determined to rise from the ashes, and soar to greatness above the clouds.

Fans can by Phynix's album “Friday the 13th” at www.myspace.com/darkphynix on Snocaps. His next show is July 6th at The Place. It's a “Love Noise” event and there will be updated performance info on his Myspace.

.

 

Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, associated with many members of the Black Panther Party, an organization that wanted to feed school kids breakfast and earn civil rights for African Americans. She dropped out of high school, partied with North Carolina gang members, then moved to Brooklyn. After having an affair with one of Malcolm X's bodyguards, she became political. When the mostly white United Federation of Teachers went on strike in 1968, she crossed the picket line and taught the children herself. Then she joined a New York chapter of the Black Panther Party and fell in love with an organizer named Lumumba. They were married, but she was arrested for conspiring to set off a race war. She was pregnant, and made bail, then told her husband that it wasn't his child. He immediately divorced her. Her bail was revoked and she was sent to a women's prison. By the time of Tupac's birth, she had already defended herself in court and been acquitted on 156 counts. Living in the Bronx, she found steady work as a paralegal and tried to raise her son to respect the value of an education.

Tupac Amaru Shakur was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 16, 1971. His first name means shining serpent, and Shakur is Arabic for “thankful to God.” His real born name is Lesane Parish Crooks. He was the son of political activist Alice Fay Williams, also known as Afeni Shakur.

Everyone called him the “Black Prince,” even from childhood. His mom had no answer when he'd ask about his dad. Tupac says, “She just told me "I don"t know who your daddy is.'”

When he was two, his sister, Sekyiwa, was born. Her father, Mutulu, was also a Black Panther. A few months before her birth, he was sentenced to 60 years in prison for a fatal armored car robbery.

No matter where they moved- the Bronx, Harlem, homeless shelters- Tupac was always upset. “I remember crying all the time,” he says. “My major thing growing up was I couldn't fit in. Because I was from everywhere. I didn't have no buddies that I grew up with.”

Tupac moved to Baltimore, Maryland at a young age. In 1986, at age 15, he fell into rap and began writing lyrics. He enrolled in the illustrious Baltimore School for the Arts, where he studied acting and ballet, and finally felt “in touch” with himself. There he left a lasting impression and showed tremendous potential.

In 1988, he quit school to move with his family to Oakland, California. He was 17. There he began to “hang with the wrong crowd.” Over the next few years Tupac lived on the streets and began hustling. Eventually, in the late 80s, he met Shock-G. They teamed up with other Oakland-based rappers to create Digital Underground, a rap/funk music group. Tupac was also involved in other music groups over time.

During his music career, Tupac used several aliases as well. The most known ones are MC New York, 2Pac, and Makaveli (The Don).

In 1992, Tupac broke free from Digital Underground and made his solo debut with the album “2Pacalypse Now,” which was a huge success and went gold.

The blunt and explicit lyrics from “2Pacalypse Now” also earned criticisms from moral watchdogs, and Vice President Dan Quayle attacked the album while he was running for re-election. Many politicians believed that Tupac's music was a bad influence on society. Many others, however, favored his songs because of the belief that they actually had meaning; he wrote about things that were important to him.

That same year, Tupac's talent landed him a role in the violent motion picture “Juice.” Over the course of one year, Tupac's profile rose substantially, based as much on his run-ins with the law as his music. In fact, many believe that his legal issues only made him famous. In 1992, he was arrested for being involved in a fight that culminated with a stray bullet killing a six-year-old. The charges against him were later dismissed.

Tupac released his second album, “Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.,” in 1993. It was an even bigger success, and became a platinum album. “Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.” peaked at number four on the R&B charts and launched the Top Ten R&B hit singles “I Get Around” and “Keep Ya Head Up.” The highlight of Tupac's acting career also came that year, when he starred in “Poetic Justice” with Janet Jackson. The role made Tupac a household name, while also showing the world that music was not his only talent. That same year Tupac was also filming the movie “Menace II Society” when he assaulted director Allen Hughes. He received 15 days in jail in early 1994.

In 1994, Tupac rivaled Snoop Dogg as the most controversial figure in rap, spending as much time in prison as he did in the recording studio. In the middle of a role in the movie “Above the Rim” and the release of the platinum album “Me Against the World,” Tupac's rising career faced other problems. He was brought up on sexual assault charges by a woman he met at a club. Just one day before he was found guilty, he was shot five times while in a recording studio in New York in November of 1994. The shooting was classified as a robbery, as thieves made off with $40,000.00 worth of his jewelry. However, Tupac later accused East-coast rappers including Sean “Puffy” Combs and The Notorious B.I.G. of setting him up.

On February 7, 1995 Tupac was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for sexual assault charges. During his prison time, Tupac's new album “Me Against the World” spent four weeks at number one on the charts, making Tupac the first artist to enjoy a number one record while serving a prison sentence. The song “Dear Mama” illustrated that Tupac was capable of sensitivity as well as violence. He spent eight months in prison until Death Row Records producer Suge Knight paid his $1.4 million bail and also signed him to Death Row Records.

After his release from prison, Tupac released his Death Row Debut “All Eyez on Me,” in the spring of 1996. The record, as well as its single, “California Love,” confirmed his superstar status, and has currently sold more than six million copies. The record also features other Death Row members Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. During the time he became Death Row's most valuable rapper, Tupac also starred in two more films, “Gridlock'd” and “Bullet.”

On September 7, 1996, Tupac and Suge Knight left the Mike Tyson/Bruce Seldon fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. As they were leaving the hotel, Tupac got into a fight with an unnamed young black man. Tupac and Knight left in Knight's car. A white Cadillac with four people inside pulled up next to them at an intersection and one person opened fire. Tupac was hit four times, and Suge escaped with only minor injuries. Tupac was taken to the University Medical Center.

On Friday, September 13, 1996, Tupac died after six days in critical condition. Tupac Shakur was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m., and his body was later cremated. He was 25 years old. There are many theories surrounding Tupac's death; however there is a suspicion that it could have been the rivalry between the West-coast and East-coast rappers. At the time of his murder in September 1996, there were indications that Tupac was considering leaving Death Row, and maybe even rap, behind.

It has been suggested that the fight Tupac was involved in as he left the MGM Grand was the cause of the drive-by shooting. It has also been suggested that Knight's ties to the mob and to gangs were the reason. Another theory is that the Notorious B.I.G. arranged the shooting as retaliation for Tupac's comments that he slept with Biggie's wife, Faith Evans.

Many people believed that Tupac's death would end the much-hyped East-coast/West-coast hip-hop rivalry and decrease black-on-black violence.

However, six months after Tupac's death, the Notorious B.I.G. was murdered under similar circumstances.

Though his death was a shock to his fans and the music company, Tupac himself often said he expected he'd die by the sword before he reached 30.

As Tupac's notoriety increased in the wake of his death, a series of posthumous releases followed, among them: “Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory” (issued under the alias Makaveli in 1996), “R U Still Down? (Remember Me”) (1997), “Still I Rise” (1999), “Until the End of Time” (2001), and “Better Dayz” (2002).

Tupac questioned, devoted, and wrestled with God in his lyrics. Even his titles, “Only God Can Judge Me” and “I Wonder if Heaven Got a Ghetto,” Tupac touched on divinity. He asked, “will God forgive me for all the dirt a nigga did to feed his kids,” on the song “Picture Me Rolling.” Tupac seemed to be testing divine forgiveness, but he was sincere about the realization that God's word justifies “thug life” behavior. He says, “you make a pact with God, and ask him to forgive you and move on, because sometimes you get put in the path to kill … I feel I'm in cool standing with God” (211).

According to Tupac's rationale, since he was not doing wrong toward the innocent, God's grace would fall upon him. He said, “now I've got to accept it like a man and go to God if I get killed,” but, “for many thugs, God is the great accomplice to a violent lifestyle” (211). Tupac realized God's awareness of such violent situations. In “White Man's World,” Tupac said, “God bless me please / making all my enemies bleed” (203). He was touching on Psalms by requesting what Dyson describes as, “divine favor and retribution” (203). Tupac also displayed divine projections in his videos. His song “I Ain't Mad at Cha” was made into a video packed with religious imagery. Tupac was assassinated in the video that incorporated the Pearly Gates, dead black legends, and angels. His mother assumed that it was her son's way of making peace with God.

Tupac was prophetic in a modern sense. From his youth, he was interested in spiritual matters. Tupac's early mentor, Leila Steinberg, says, “he studied every spiritual teacher you could imagine” (204). Steinberg also realizes that Tupac often questioned organized religion, concentrating more on spiritual reality. According to Dyson, “Tupac truly felt that he and others could help transform the world” (205). Like ancient Jewish prophets, Shakur proclaimed the word of God in the form of criticism against the injustices of society. According to The Mystica, classical literary prophets placed more emphasis on the importance of ethical monotheism rather than the performance of the cult and foretelling the future. Prophets are said to show deep concern and love the poor and needy. Tupac did just that.

Steinberg recalls Shakur's idea about the privilege to explore spiritual truth. “If you are a poor person in the ghetto with no money, how can you expound on life? So it's very racist to have the luxury of exploiting your humanness, because when you're in the hood, you don't get to ponder because you're trying to eat” (206). Tupac also suggested remedies for spiritual malaise that represented the experiences of the oppressed. By his own admission, “Tupac was "bitter" about the poverty he was reared in, but only later, through his lyrics, did the world discover just how much he had really suffered. That suffering led him to deepen his understanding of spirituality and of God” (207).

Shakur was revolutionary in his demand for social reform, most notably in the black community. Rapper Big Tray Dee says that Tupac, “had a lot of things on his mind that he addressed through his songs. And I knew he was a real spiritual person, maybe not as far as proclaiming it, but you can hear it in his songs, in his art. He is looking for an answer, trying to find it with his people, through his music” (207). Whether he realized it or not, Shakur developed into an urban poet, telling the truth about poor black life on the streets.

Tupac's view of God as liberator allowed him to anticipate his worldly death. “The readiness to die is characteristic of thug theology, as much because of the intensity of the suffering they observe and endure as the belief that they have squared themselves with God” (212). It is similar to the perspective of African-American slaves, who awaited the heavenly kingdom as an escape from the oppression they experienced on Earth. Tupac trusted in God, but was also discontented during a substantial part of his life. Rapper Mos Def noticed, “Pac was one of the most valuable Americans of his generation, but he was also one of the most flawed and conflicted and really unhappy persons as well” (212). Shakur sensed that his time on Earth would be short, and he was not content in this world. Jail time was even more disheartening for Tupac. He said, “jail killed my spirit, it wore me out. I'm tired now. I don't know if I'm making any difference” (215).

As a child, Tupac thought prison time would educate him even more about the everyday struggle of blacks. Unfortunately, the penitentiary only taught Shakur that he could not change everyone. Jada Pinkett Smith, a childhood friend of Shakur, says of the prison sentence, “I think a part of Pac just died right there, and then he just sold his soul. I mean, the one thing about Pac is that he thought he could work around God and work around the devil. He really thought he had some tricks up his sleeves” (216). Following his jail stint, Tupac began rapping about his experience on the street. He wanted the people to be aware of his condition, similar to that of many minorities stuck in poverty. It wasn't his prison sentence that made Shakur upset at society, it just provoked his cause.

Tupac's music was his salvation, creating an opportunity to express revolutionary ideas to the people. I have always been interested in prophetic actions similar to the workings of Tupac Shakur. Those who are voiceless in the state of oppression deserve to be represented. Tupac provided an outlet for his impoverished brethren. I am impressed with Shakur's intentions during his Earthly existence. Reading Michael Dyson's article only reinforced my passion toward the issue.

This debut album of Misael Rosado Rivera AKA Master MC is a stereo thumping, club bumping masterpiece in the making.

This CD surpasses your average Reggaeton compilation in more ways than one. Instead of lyrics Master MC gives you stories; instead of recycled beats, with this CD you get unique mixes with a distinct sound, vibe and pace. And lastly instead of your average retail album, you get a refined work of art that any CD collection would be lost without.

Master MC has raw talent and a trigger finger for writing that cannot be denied.

A native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, MC has been spitting rhymes and mixing beats since he was a child. He prides himself in being a bilingual lyricist, rapper and producer; a skill that is rare in the industry.

Drawing inspiration from his personal life experiences; his heart, soul and love for music shines through in every verse of every track of this highly anticipated album.

The Missing Element also features a range of producers, some of which include; Skalante, Renovales, Kino Digital, The Missing Link, O'Neil Da HitMan and Master MC himself. The tracks Estoy Caliente and Story of My Life are addictive and definitely have the makings to be surefire hits.

Master MC has participated in a number of projects, compilations and appearances. Most notably, he participated in two compilations- Lowrider Super Show 2002 and the Lowrider Legends Tour 2003; both of these were for the music label Thump Records, which was distributed by Universal.

In 2006, he signed a ringtone deal with the company The Nickels Group, Inc.

MC is also credited for performing on the show Pegate Al Corillo -a television show based in Puerto Rico. His songs have been played by DJ Felipe Duran on Mix 107.7 FM and on the House radio station Galaxia 1380 AM by DJ Sixto One.

Currently, MC is back in the studio working on tracks for his sophomore album, due out sometime next year. Master MC is a man on a mission. His ultimate goal is to expand his music across the globe. He also hopes to eventually crossover to English Hip-Hop and make his mark there.

Samples of this album, as well as purchasing information, can be found at this website.

Just like any element; Master MC is a phenomenon with a fundamental nature that can't be broken down into a simpler substance by any means