Tag Archives: makaveli

Guns In America PT2


Posted by bloglife

(FROM CHICAGO TO SANDYHOOK)

What happened in Boston this Monday, lends credence to what I already suspected a long time ago… “SOME PEOPLE JUST WANT TO SEE THE WORLD BURN” to quote Batman’s butler from the movie the‘Dark Night’. Some have a specific reason, most don’t. So give them guns, or take them away, these same individuals will find away to inflict pain. Chicago, Ill became the focal point of the heated gun ownership/violence debate recently; Do to some very high-profile shootings. Hadiya Pendlton, is a name we all should never forget. Along with young Trayvon Martin and countless others, she was another “victim” to senseless gun violence. Basically, Some young knuckleheads ran through a park, shooting at rival gang members, and bullets struck her in the back taking her life. As always in these types of situations, it was later found out that she was not the intended target and the so-called “enemies” weren’t even in the park that day! SMH. Normally, this kind of story wouldn’t have made it out of the Chicago area, BUT… A little over a week prior to her demise, she along with her classmates, sang at our Presidents inauguration. To bring this all the way “home” for the Prez, the murder took place mere blocks away from Obama’s Chi-Town pad! I read a few articles, online, about the tragedy, and what annoyed me was the lack of compassion from the mainstream media. Mostly right-winged white-collar assholes who have an “ax to grind” with Barry, they almost insinuated that she brought this on her self, and Obama made it all possible with his “black-self”. The comments, left by people who will never be held accountable, were racist at best. I can’t help but want 10 minutes alone with these fools,but it’s not entirely their fault! We have to again ask our selves the tough questions, when these tragedies happen, like: Why are guns so easy to get in urban America? Why were these young black males running through the park shooting guns, instead of running through park shooting hoops or reading a book? What ever happened to the “fist-fight”? Where are the fathers AND mothers? Where are the OG’s? I could continue, but why? We already know the answers. So, do we just except the fact that this type of bullshit will continue to happen, no matter what we do?

Switching lanes for a minute, as a father of six wonderful spirits, I am forced to deal with the realities of the world we live in even more than before. My oldest son, Malik, 17 is at an age where he is experiencing all the ups and downs of life. Sex, drugs, peer pressure, violence are all things he has to encounter almost daily. He has to make potentially “life changing” choices that his mom and I cannot always be there to help him with. One of my goals as a parent is to make sure my children are never burdens on society, i.e. drug addicts, criminals, etc. I have had guns around my kids since they were little and taught them the power of a gun, more importantly though, the action or reason behind ever having to shoot one. I am hopeful that he never sees the gun as a way to resolve an issue. It is for protection reasons only. Each 1, teach 1…

I reside in Georgia and Georgia has some of the softest gun laws in the WORLD. A driver’s license, no felonies and a short wait, (3-7 days for a back round check) and you too can be a proud gun owner. Your weapon of choice cannot be concealed and loaded. Meaning, if you have a gun license, which by the way, is easier to obtain than a passport or business license, you must have it on your hip, like a real live cowboy! The south is famous for its Gun shows. At these events you can find predominantly older white males selling and buying all types of firearms from low caliber pistols to military styled automatic assault rifles. As with most things hidden from “us”, “we” eventually caught on to this and started showing up in droves. Now it’s being said that the gun shows maybe wiped out altogether in the not so distant future. “Can’t have those “blacks’ havin to many guns… shoot, they’ll kill each other than us! In my faux redneck voice. Dick Gregory, the brilliant comedian and activist said a few years ago that “black on black crime” is so high because people kill whom they live around. Statistically speaking he is correct. Whites kill more whites than any other race, yet and still it is made to seem that African-Americans are the ones with the problem. Jodi Arias, a white woman, is on trial as we speak fighting for her life after she stabbed (25 times, ouch!) SHOT, and cut the throat of her lover Travis Alexander. This woman obviously has some mental issues, to say the least. She’s claiming self defense and looks bat shit crazy whenever you see her on the news. I wonder though, is she anymore prone to violence than the two guys that allegedly murdered Hadiya on that rainy Chicago day in the park? Jodi Arias actually brought her gun legally a few days prior to the slaying. Who saw that coming? Her parents, in interrogation videos, actually seemed scared of their own daughter. She sliced and diced this young man and the gun she used was an after thought, it seems. Outlaw guns if you want, but your not stopping a nut like her once her fragile mental capacity breaks. I say all of this to surmise, “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people”, always have always will. Whether it’s a religious fanatic somewhere in the Middle East with a grenade and an M-16 or a scared homeowner using his .357 magnum to protect his family, humans kill humans…

The gun is just a means to an end.

SALUTE.

P.S. For all the loyal O-4-L.com followers I have decided to release my new “street album/mixtape” O.G. est.1992 hosted by Mike Epps x DJ BlackBillGates x DJ Xrated exclusively via o-4-L.com. For all my “smokers” 4:20pm Saturday you will be able to stream or download this classic before anyone else! Shhhhh… it’s a secret…


EDIDON – No Lights On (Official Video)


Posted by bloglife


The official video directed by James Wade from the hit single off the O.G EST.1992 mixtape.

No Lights On Available on iTunes – Purchase

Watch Now – Official Video


POLITICS AT LARGE


Posted by bloglife

(DEMOCRATS VS REPUBLICANS, AND “SHOULD YOU EVEN WASTE YOUR TIME VOTING?”)

In about 40 some odd days, America will either re-elect this countries only 1ST and only black president, or we will elect the first Mormon President. Either way it goes, somebody somewhere is going to be pissed! I guess you can tell this is not a “get out and vote” blog at all. I’m the pessimistic voter Obama spoke about in his wonderfully delivered DNC speech from Thursday night. Obama is probably the best speech giver in this countries history. He even out does Former President Clinton, who gave a noteworthy performance prior to his.

1st, Let’s go back a view weeks for a minute. I have an Uncle who we call “Bone-Daddy”. He is in his early 60’s but has always been cooler than the other side of the pillow. A black hippy of sorts, he spent most of his life working at well paying jobs and getting high, never seemed to be political until now. Bone Daddy is a HUGE Obama supporter. So passionate, he will debate you to no end about him. He asked me did I plan to vote, and was not pleased with my response. I told him no because I feel our voting system is flawed, seriously. The popular vote is not enough to elect one person over the other. We found this out the hard way back in 2000 when Bush Jr “stole” the election from Al Gore. He did not win the popular vote, but through some “miss-handling” of a large number of votes in Florida, a state where his little bother was the Governor, he was able to get enough Electoral voters to secure the White House. Everyone knew it was some b.s. But we were powerless to stop it.

Less than a year later we had 9-11 and all the madness that followed. I also told him “Politicians, in my opinion, are owned by special interest groups and lobbyist.” As soon as he/she takes dollar one in the form of campaign contributions, they become obligated. These days the greedy bankers are the ones picking the President and who ever is willing to do there bidding will get into office, again, in my opinion. After hearing that he pulled out his race card. “Well he’s a black man and I just like seeing “us” in the White House!” This is a common retort you will almost always hear from “us” when it gets down to the real issues regarding the president. He also said “Obama being in office will inspire children to believe they can be President!” Even the cats that I’ve spoken to always say “Imma vote cuz he black!” That’s absurd, dog. Remember we sold us in to Slavery a lot of the times during the slave trade… Older Blacks who lived through the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s really get emotional, because they fought for equal rights and voter rights and never imagined this happening. So I get it, I do. The “powers that be” gave you the perfect picture to latch on to. After 8 years of Bush, something drastic had to be done. In 2004 Obama was a virtual unknown when he spoke at that years DNC. Fast-forward, he is now running for re-election of this nations top office. He filled a void that we all felt after the Bush years. Him and his beautiful family are picture perfect for potential voters. America it self is a corporation and when any Corp is struggling, what do you do? Get rid of the old C.E.O and replace him with a new one. A better one, to get “you” the shareholders to believe again. After about an hour, my uncle reminded me why I never talk about Politics and religion with people. They get overly emotional and start to try to use opinion as fact, as he did. Look its all a big show, somewhat similar to sports, even the color schemes of each party, scream branding and marketing. Red, blue, crips, bloods, Giants, Patriots…

The trick is to get us to buy in to the hoax. Truthfully I wouldn’t mind Obama getting a second term. It’s better than our next President being a dude named Mitt. His campaign slogan is “Keep America, American” Sound familiar? Well if it does, its because the KKK used it back in the 20’s. And Mitt, I got news for you, if we really are going to keep “America, American” every immigrant needs to start packing and leave this to the indigenous people, the Native Americans.

I predicted Obama wouldn’t get a second term. I still stand by that. I think it’s pre-determined. I don’t think as many of us is going to vote this time around anyway. Niggaz is playin Madden and shit, Workin on they next Mix tape n shit. Really, who has time for this type of shit? “It aint gon change shit for me…” I feel yall. But Obama’s record of achievement is not bad, though! He got Bin Laden! *Winks* in an election year. Wrapped up real nice for us like a Kwanza gift. Malcolm (not me, X) told us to “believe half of what we see and none of what we hear.” Besides politicians in different states such as (Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas), mainly from the republican side are trying their hardest to disenfranchise millions of voters. Some of the legal battles Republicans are losing, but there are few still pending, especially in Florida, which has 27 electoral votes. The stakes are higher then ya man Wiz Khalifa! At the end of the day, things will only get better for you and me when we decide to change things. The power really is in our hands. Collectively we can move mountains, and it won’t matter who’s in office. So vote if you choose, and if I choose not to that’s my right as well. In 2008 I actually went to vote and was shocked when I was told that because I had never voted, I had to reapply. I basically had lost my right TO VOTE because I didn’t use it. So is it my right or not? Don’t give me something, say its mine, but…

SALUTE.


TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR


Posted by bloglife

People always ask me “what was 2pac like?” I usually tell em “We don’t have enough time to really do him any justice, So…” Then they usually give me a look like…”Whatever, asshole…” (LOL!) It’s not that I’m trying to be rude, but it’s such a broad question, that for me to really answer it, truthfully, I would have to break down a person that @ 25 had more layers to him than an onion! Had done more than most will do in a lifetime and did it in a span of about 5-7 years, roughly. Had and still does, influence generation after generation of rappers with this body of works. More than just some rapper, dude is a movement still in motion. Literally, has given birth to numerous careers, accidentally. Niggaz owe his moms, A revolutionary in her own right, racks on racks on racks… SO as we embark on his 41st birthday, of course the phone rings a little more this time of year. Promoters wanna book the typical “Happy Birthday 2pac bday bash parties/shows.” Journalist call to do the “In memory of Tupac interviews…etc” Dj’s will make mixtapes of his music for die hards to buy, even though they already have these songs. Fake friends of the man will spark up blunts and pour out liquor, all claiming love for their “nigga.” Ever the “prophet” he said this very thing would happen to him. He would say “When Nat Turner died, the slave masters feared him so much they chopped his body up into as many pieces as possible and sold him as soap and other house hold products! They gonna do me like that too!” Cats take bits and pieces of Pac everyday, whether its with a quote of some of his lyrics or a bogus project “dedicated” in his memory, or during some VH1 “Behind The Music” interview littered with inaccuracies and blatant lies. Quick question for some of these artist “If your so great, why cant you tell your story minus 2pac? Oh yea not much of a story then, huh?” Sad.

“STREETZ CAN’T LET EM GO!” I said this on the GMIX version of “2PAC BACK” we dropped a year ago. I was actually, somewhat incorrect, because the WORLD can’t AND hasn’t since that dreadful September 13th day we all despise. I’m always amazed when Pac’s name pops up in some new rappers rhymes, still to this day. The irony is that he didn’t fell appreciated, musically, right up until the day he passed. He worked like a cat tryin to get in the game instead of someone, who at the time, was King on top of the hill to many. Recently, Dr.Dre did a historic concert at Coachella that drew ohhs and ahhs worldwide, when he unveiled the 2pac hologram. The faux Pac came out arms swingin, thug walkin and talkin shit before a shocked and awed crowd. I was in the studio when my phone began blowing up about the event and had little interest in seeing it. Actually I still haven’t in it’s entirety, and probably never will. Not hatin 1 bit, but im not a fan of fake shit, and the older I get the less I am am willing to front to make other people feel good about themselves. But, I will say this, Dre took care of his biz ($$$) with Moms so at least, karmectically speaking, He did his thing. 16 years later he’s still snatching headlines and attention form the competition and I’m sure they love it. Yeah, they love it because he’s not here. He’s just the big mouth, naturally talented, tragic hero, who got taken out way to soon, but is no longer a problem for them. They’ll give him shoutouts and such, but it’s the empty kind. 16 years later, 23 years in the public eye, 25 years on earth, the peoples champ lives on. Thanks to YouTube, and the Internet in general, “the general, Makaveli” can be scene in HD, live in living color!
(2pac hologram eat ya heart out! Ha) Fuckin sucks celebrating the Born Day of a man that’s been gone for…16 years. The Irony, right? 41? Tupac will for ever be 25 to us, because he was snatched from the world in the beginning of his prime. The greatest? Top 5 dead or alive? Best rapper ever? Cut it out, it’s almost an insult to the man to even put him in these silly little back and forth debates. Son, was and is, beyond the rhetoric, in my opinion. Of course some will label me bias, and there could be some truth to that. Still you can’t argue with the numbers, haters. The impact is there, still. “Niggaz talk alotta shit but that’s after I’m gone….” You know the classic line from “Troublesome96” and how real as that? Everybody from Jimmy Henchman to Prodigy of Mobb Deep have foolishly stuffed their feet into their own mouths with mis-information and blatant lies. Not here to fight Pac’s battles I just call it like I see it…. But again, they must feel they can’t tell their own stories without mentioning the big homie. So yea I get it…

I was at the Tupac center, down in Stone Mountain Ga recently and proud to see a full scale school filled with vibrant young minds and spirits. You wanna know Pac? You gotta go there and fill his spirit looming all over the place. Pieces of his art and image scattered about amongst the smiles of the very children he championed. He was about the kids and not just the ones in his own family. Telling me on more than one ocaasion “Be the Father you never had…” Can’t begin to tell you what he taught me, because the truth is, we learned together. I’m still learning from him to this very day. To the fans, its’syall who lift his spirit up more and more everyday, so the glory really goes to yall. The die hards that wont take no for an answer when they say to me “I know he’s in Cuba somewhere smoking a fat ass Cohiba filled up with the loudest of the loud, chillin with Assata…” That would be the perfect ending to this story, wouldn’t it? Fortunately, the saga continues….

SALUTE

P.S. NEW SONG! “IT’S GON SHOW” PRODUCED BY ME AND @AKTUAL4EVER
#O4L

Listen Now – It’s Gon Show