I Really Don't Know If The Assassination Attempt On Donald Trump Was Staged Or Not, But I Do Know That

I really don't know if the Assassination attempt on Donald Trump was Staged or not, but I Do Know that he's getting A LOT of Free Press out of it.

-Just Sayin'

Talk about a September 2 Remember!

I've seen MANY Come & Go in My Life, but I can't remember a Time when We lost SO MANY Icons at once.

I bid a fond Farewell & a heartfelt Rest In Peace 2:

James Earl Jones

Frankie Beverly

Tito Jackson

Kris Kristofferson

Dikembe Mutumbo

Pete Rose

Thanx 4 EVERYTHING!

-Well Done Gentleman!

The 2024 Presidential Election: Heads- They Win, Tails- We Lose

The Democratic National Convention hasn't started yet, but Kamala Harris has literally been anointed as the DNC Nominee for POTUS. Mainstream Media is already asking her about her choice for a Running Mate. 44,000 Black Women, 20,000 Black Men & upwards of 200,000 White Women have gone on Zoom Calls to raise Millions & lend their support to Kamala. Even White Men have jumped on the 'Harris for President' bandwagon. Her Campaign is barely off the ground, but she has already raised Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for her Campaign War Chest. The Media is reporting this as 'Inspirational', but I find it kind of scary. Political & Corporate Elites have commandeered the Election Process, & very few seem to care. NO ONE was discussing Kamala Harris as a Presidential Candidate, but suddenly she's a Rock Star; complete w/ Rappers twerking & Democratic Shills crying On Camera.

Donald Trump recently attended the National Association of Black Journalists' Convention & DIDN'T do well. I personally think that it was a missed opportunity for Both Sides. Black Journalists had an opportunity to ferret out Trump's SPECIFIC POLICY for Black America, & he had an opportunity to 'Sell the Soap' to undecided Black Voters. BOTH SIDES engaged in a 'Pissing Contest' that did NOTHING for Black America. Some NABJ Members have put out pieces critical of the appearance of Fox New's Harris Faulkner on the 3 Woman Panel, saying that she shouldn't have been there. THIS is a problem. If Black Journalists are supposed to reflect the multiple ideologies of Black Americans, why is it a problem for Harris to represent that segment of the Collective? Rachel Scott had Every Right to address Donald Trump the way she did, but I thought it was untimely, unproductive, & unprofessional to make it her Opening Comment. We ALL KNOW that Trump is a Megalomaniac; how about getting him talking first, before unsheathing the knives?

Donald Trump tripped over his Ego several times at the NABJ Convention. While his Supporters say he 'didn't take The Bait', his reply to Rachel Scott says otherwise. Trump is so used to speaking to his Base, that he didn't think about WHO he was talking to. His reaction was unsophisticated, condescending, & borderline juvenile. His response, was a salvo of bombasity that played into the hands of the Democratic Machine. Among the cringe worthy comments made were:

He said that he was 'The Best President for Black Americans since Abraham Lincoln', which is comical.

He said that J.D. Vance is meaningless as a VP Choice.

He fumbled the question of Qualified Immunity in the aftermath of Sonya Massey's Murder. Sean Grayson is THE POSTER CHILD for ending unquestioned Immunity for Police Officers behaving badly.

He also failed to score points w/ the audience when he questioned Kamala Harris' Ethnicity- is she 'Indian' or 'Black'? Facing an Organization that boasts about having Roland Martin & April Ryan among their Members should've been a warning to stay away from That Conversation w/ That Crowd.

Again, I think that this was a missed opportunity for Both Sides. From what I understand, Donald Trump was the 1st GOP Candidate to speak at this Convention in Years. I think a little Grace, Courtesy, & Professionalism would've bore more fruit. The NABJ revealed themselves more as a cadre of Democratic Shills, than a Group of Objective Reporters. Why was Harris Faulkner singled out? Attorneys literally go to war in Courtrooms, but We see how Prosecutors & Defense Teams can go out for drinks in the aftermath; why is This not The Case w/ these Journalists? How does their singlemindedness benefit the Black American Collective? Are they 'Black First', or Democrats First'?

Donald Trump's Achilles Heel, is his mouth. I have said before that Trump is a literal 'King of Off Color Comments'. He's been doing this for over 40Yrs, so I don't expect him to stop. If he keeps sabotaging himself, Kamala Harris has a very good chance of winning. Kamala Harris' Achilles Heel, is her disingenuity. She has as many personas as Drake. She takes on the identity of her Audience:

She's 'Black' in front of Black American Audiences

She's 'Asian' in front of Asian Audiences

She's 'Caucasian' in front of White Audiences

She's the 'Child of Immigrants' in front of Immigrant Audiences

Kamala takes on the persona of each audience, & tells them what they want to hear in their particular vernacular. Sometimes there are contradictions in her Messinging from one audience to another, so she has been accused of flip- flopping. If Kamala can't find a way to be more genuine & consistent; particularly in her Style & Messinging when addressing audiences, her Honeymoon Period may move to a Period of Hard Questions. Both Candidates have their weak spots, but while Trump has made some pretty cringe worthy comments, Kamala has an actual History of Bad Policies. If attention shifts away from 'Who LOOKS Bad' to 'Who's BEEN Bad', Trump has a very good chance of winning.

Kamala Harris started her ride to the National Stage as the '1st South Asian American' in the U.S. Senate. Before that, she was an 'Asian' District Attorney & Attorney General. She's been on several platforms over The Years; touting her South Indian Heritage, Culture, & Upbringing. Her 'Blackness' didn't come into play, until she decided to Run for POTUS. Donald Trump probably thought that he could repeat Talking Points circulating in The Black Community, but he chose the wrong Audience. I don't agree w/ a lot Trump's rhetoric, but I do agree w/ his questioning Kamala's transformation into a 'Black Woman of Asian Descent'. This would've worked like a charm 30Yrs ago, but Indigenous Black Americans are delineating from the Diaspora & focusing on Our specific Lineage Group. As I said during her 1st Run for POTUS: Kamala Harris' 'Black Experience', is as an Elite & a Prosecutor... People like Karine Jean Pierre, Joy Reid & Stephen A Smith are descendants of Immigrants; they DON'T have the Cultural Experience to define Blackness in America. At best, they're [conveniently] Situational about their 'Blackness'. FBA Family calls THIS- 'Tether Behavior'.

It's comical to watch Van Jones & Sunny Hostin cape so hard for Kamala Harris. Sunny went as far as citing the 'One Drop Rule' to substantiate Kamala's 'Blackness'... This got Me thinking: A Legion of Black Celebrities & Politicians have defended her [perceived] Blackness, but has ANYONE actually heard Kamala SAY that she was Black? I've heard her proudly say that she was 'South Indian' on many occasions. I've heard her use terms like 'We, Us, & Ours' when addressing Black Audiences; but I NEVER heard Kamala Harris say that she was Black, or Afro Caribbean for that matter. I don't understand why Blackfolk are supposed to be excited about a CosPlayer that hasn't presented ANY POLICY, other than 'Reproductive Justice'. Her Campaign Website offers more Paraphernalia than Policy Initiatives. I question the motives of the Democratic Party. They're telling American Citizens that Donald Trump WILL become a Dictator, if Elected; but The DNC just installed a Presidential Candidate w/o a single Primary- What should We call That?

We shouldn't be surprised by the actions of The Democratic Party. The DNC has already admitted & Members Of Congress, like Rep. Adam Smith of Washington State have arrogantly repeated that:

The DNC (like The RNC) is a Corporation

As such, they have a Right to Select ANY CANDIDATE THEY CHOOSE

They're NOT obligated to transfer ANY Campaign Donations to the Candidate that Donors chose to support

Primaries are a recent Phenomenon; The DNC doesn't need a Populace Vote to make their Selection.

I can't help but ask: What's the difference between MAGA Republicans & The Democratic Party? The Biden-Harris Administration has ushered in several Policies that can be seen as Authoritarian. Our Right to Free Speech & Right of Expression are currently under attack. College Students & their Supporters took to The Streets, in Protest of Israel's 'Campaign of Genocide' in Gaza; but Democrats not only ignored the Protestors, they arrested many of them & threatened their Jobs & Educational Future at the Universities they attended. Colleges & Universities are currently being threatened w/ loss of Federal Grants, if they acquiesce to Student demands for BDS Policy against University Investments in Israel. The Democrats that attended Benjamin Netanyahu's 'Congressional Address' applauded his rhetoric. Kamala Harris herself promised Netanyahu $38B in Aid over the next 10Yrs. Some Media Outlets focused on the supposed 'Dressing Down' that Harris gave Netanyahu, but Talk is Cheap! Action speaks LOUDER than Words.

Kamala's lack of Policy Measures tell Me that she already has her Policies at Work. She's the other half of the 'Biden- Harris Administration'. Joe Biden said that she was in The Room when he was making Policy, & that she was On Board. Taking that into consideration, can We expect More of The Same from a 'Harris Administration'? Will she keep the current Cabinet Members in their Role? Her lack of specificity only raises more questions. Donald Trump doesn't get a Free Pass; he allowed Project 2025 rhetoric to continue, until it became too detrimental. We already know that BOTH PARTIES have flawed Candidates, but I see another pattern developing; I first noticed it during the 2016 Presidential Race. Whenever Hillary Rodham Clinton reached a 7 point lead or better, some skeleton from her closet would fall out & she would drop in The Polls. On the Other Side, whenever Donald Trump reached a 7 point lead or better, he would say something Off Color that would cause his Poll numbers to drop. This back & forth went on until Trump's 'Grab 'em by the p-' remark.

I see the same thing happening w/ the 2024 Presidential Election. Donald Trump's Political & Social Capital was on the Rise following the Assassination Attempt. He was Riding High into the Republican National Convention; meanwhile, Joe Biden was in Hot Water & Kamala Harris was an afterthought. Trump began talking about Unifying The Nation, & started to sound somewhat 'Presidential'... Then he chooses J.D. Vance as his Running Mate & foregoes ANY talk of Unification; instead he gave a 90min Speech that was equal parts unnecessary & cringe worthy. He inexplicably stopped his Own Momentum, just as Kamala Harris was being positioned to run against him. I foresee Kamala's Honeymoon Period coming to an end Sooner than Later. She has yet to give an Interview, & the Shills are getting antsy. She's currently riding a Wave manufactured by Corporate Donors, Black Boule, & Carpetbagger Colonists in Blackface. At some point she WILL have to Stand on her Own. Inconsequential Slogans like: 'What can Be, Unburdened by What has Been' will only take her so far- she will need to bring Substance to The Table.

I understand & appreciate how the current State of Affairs affects ALL Americans; especially those living Paycheck to Paycheck. That said, My Politics is BLACK FIRST, so I focus more on 'What's in it for Us'. From a Indigenous Black Perspective, I don't see ANY CANDIDATE for POTUS looking out for Our Interests. NONE of them support a Lineage Based Multigenerational Reparations Plan that will make Cash Payments to American Descendants Of Chattel Slavery. The CBC certainly doesn't have Our Back; several of their Members recently attended a 'Caribbean Americans for Kamala' Rally. It's pretty clear that Our 'Cousins' are looking out for their Own Interests. We FINALLY understand that We have to do The Same... The Best advice that I can offer The Family, is Register to Vote! Vote your conscience, even if that means 'Riding The Couch', but make sure you're on the Voter Roll for your District. The Powers that Be will have an accounting of how many Voters are available, & how many of those Votes they collected. We can make a Real Statement during This Election Season!

Black America was ignored for over 3Yrs, but suddenly We've become a Commodity during the last 6 months of the Biden-Harris Administration. They have provided legislation for EVERYONE BUT US. Illegal Immigrants are currently getting resources meant for Us, then some! Meanwhile, Democrats & their Shills have bombarded Us w/ the Doom & Gloom associated w/ 'Project 2025'. They think We have Short Memories & can't see that this Heritage Foundation 'Wish List' is nothing New:

Newt Gingrich called it- 'The Contract w/ America'

George W. Bush called it-'The Project for a New American Century'

Project 2025 is a Case of: New Name, Same Old Agenda. Democrats have been using Fear Tactics against Us since The Daughters of The Confederacy wore hoods to scare Our Children, & the Ku Klux Klan ran w/ The Concept. If Dems were SO CONCERNED about Our Welfare, they would arm Us w/ legislation, like an Anti-Black Hate Crime Law. The Truth is, The Democratic Party has a History of doing more Harm to Us, than Good. People seem to forget that Dems were the 'Segregation Party' (Dixiecrats) that lynched Our Ancestors & sanctioned the LOOTING of Our Towns, Farmland & Property. The GOP for the most part, watched Our Oppression in silence, but they have made their Position CLEAR over the last 60Yrs. No matter WHO wins in November, We will lose... Can't think of a Better Time to make a Statement.

-Just Sayin'

Safe 2 say that P. Diddler should've stayed OUT of America... I half expected him 2 join Russell Simmons in Indonesia.

Yet another example showing how 'Rap Moguls' have DOLLARS, but not much SENSE. Why do U need 1,000 bottles of baby oil & lubricant My Dude?!

-Just Sayin'

Jamaal Bowman: The Cost of being 'Off Code'

Jamaal Bowman IS the Canary in the Coal Mine for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). His Primary defeat to [Race Baiter] George Latimer sends a CLEAR MESSAGE to the rest of the CBC, that they need to pay more attention to Black Specific Issues. For decades, they rode into Office on Black Votes; only to ignore their Constituents & champion White Liberal Causes. The CBC's 'Mission Statement' is a slap in the face of Black America. While the Asian & Latinx Caucus single out their intent to represent their Ethnic Group, The CBC focuses on 'People of Color' & 'The Disadvantaged' (Marginalized). Black Americans are Socially Liberal, so We didn't clap back at this commitment to 'Coalitions'. The Problem, is The CBC's commitment to these Coalitions OVER Black Specific Issues.

Jamaal Bowman stands out. He's a Member of those Progressive Democrats, known as 'The Squad'. They collectively hold a Narrow Majority in Congress, but This group has been exposed as being toothless on hot button Progressive Issues like: 'Medicare for All', Raising the National Minimum Wage, Supporting Railroad Workers, & a 'Human Infrastructure Bill'. Bowman has been a strong voice in this Group. Like ALL Black Progressives, Bowman towed the Democratic Line over the legitimate needs of Black Americans. LGBTQ..., Asian, Ashkenazi, & Latinx American concerns take precedence over their Own Constituents. This has been The Case for decades. It's not just a Progressive issue, Many of these Black Members of Congress choose other groups over the Blackfolk that put them in Office.

It's ironic that The Congressional Black Caucus has collectively lent their Support to Israel FOR YEARS, but are now being 'Primaried' by AIPAC for demanding a Cease Fire in Gaza. Jamaal Bowman is not alone, Many CBC Members face an AIPAC Backed Challenger this Year. Like his Congressional Peers, Bowman ignored the Grassroots in his District throughout his Tenure, claiming that 'he's alone in Congress & doesn't have The Power'; but somehow expected them to rally behind him, in an effort to defeat the Big Bad AIPAC Boogeyman. His Bronx Rally w/ Bernie Sanders & Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (AOC), was an embarrassing Event that exposed the decline of the Progressive Party. The Writing was On the Wall for all 3 Politicians. Bernie was cliche & hypocritical, AOC was overactive & loud, Jamaal was plastic & ineffective. The Turnout was Unbelievably Low.

AIPAC is known for having Deep Pockets, so their investment of roughly $25 Million to defeat Jamaal Bowman is not surprising. It's clear that his critique of Israel's Actions in Gaza motivated AIPAC to 'Primary' him. Aside from AOC, I didn't see much support coming from the rest of The Squad. It's Nina Turner all over again. I question the solidarity of Black Progressives, but The CBC didn't back Bowman either. Jim Clyburn, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee & Hakeem Jeffries were silent; then again, ALL are beholden to AIPAC for Campaign Funds. WHAT is The CBC's Agenda? Their lack of solidarity & support for each other, is as scary as their support of The Democratic Agenda. They have THE SAME 'Shark Tank Mentality' as their White Congressional Peers

Bowman's defeat can be attributed to AIPAC, but the lack of Black Voter Turnout stands out. Mainstream Media may downplay it, but The Democratic Party has to be concerned; Black Democrats in Office should be WORRIED! Before the Vote, Jamaal Bowman was given a Fighter's Chance, despite Redistricting- due to his 'Ethnic Demographic Advantage'. The Fact that he lost by Double Digits speaks volumes. I have said more than once, that Black Politicians need to Draft & Present a Black Agenda to their Constituents. Their disregard for Black Voters is Coming Home to Roost. Bowman, like many other Black Members of Congress have been curt & disrespectful towards their Constituents when critiqued. Blackfolk are talking about Reparations, & NOT taking No for an Answer... I think The CBC better get to work before it's too late.

-Just Sayin'

HipHop's 50th Anniversary: What 'Culture' are We talking about?

I was in Elementary School back on Aug. 11th 1973. My family left The Bronx, but I spent a lot of time w/ my 'big cousins' in the Harlem River Houses. My cousin Mona babysat my brother & I, taking Us everywhere w/ her; including dates. I remember Mona taking Us to 'The Summer Of Soul Concert' in Harlem, & I remember going to a few of those Park Jams in Bronxdale & in Soundview. I think We saw more of King Mario than Kool Herc & Coke La Rock. My oldest brother formally introduced me to HipHop in the Spring of 1977 (b4 the Blackout). I remember coming home from School to find his Crew set up in Our Dining Room.

I got my 1st look from the 'Other Side of The Rope', & I was hooked! I wasn't a Rapper (yet), or a Break Dancer, but I had an ear for music. Like a lot of Old School Deejays (& under My brother's tutelage) I cut My teeth on Component Sets & BSR Turntables; rocking Line In switches b4 getting a [real] Mixer... I bought My own DJ Set in 1984 (B2s), & mastered my Craft as a Street DJ, & later in a few NYC Clubs. Most DJs are disciples of [Grand Master] Flash or [Grand Wizard] Theodore; I was more of a disciple of Jazzy Jay & Cut Master DC. We All have Our Unique Features, but EVERYONE went back to School when Jazzy Jeff introduced the 'Transformer Cut', back in 1986. Like a lot of DJs disenchanted w/ 'Gangsta Rap', I split time w/ HipHop's Twin Sister- House Music.

I say all of this, to qualify myself as a 'bonafide Shorty' of 1st Generation HipHop, & a full fledged Member of The New School Era. My point, is to say that 'In The Beginning', there was just The Culture. It didn't have a formal name- but it was being done ALL OVER NYC. I associate the '1520 Sedgwick Avenue' Story of HipHop w/ Afrika Bambaataa; he's The First Person that I remember telling this Story. Disco King Mario predated Kool Herc by years. Herc copied Mario's Style- down to his equipment! King Mario wasn't alone, Pete 'DJ' Jones & Frankie Crocker were dueling On The Radio (WWRL vs WBLS), while DJ Flowers, DJ Spotlight, DJ Smokey, DJ Hollywood, The Disco Twins, & a number of Club DJs were also mixing it up.

A major argument is whether Disco is connected to HipHop. The Cats up in The Bronx say HELL NO, while the rest of NYC says HELL YES! People need to understand that when We talk about 'Disco', we don't mean 'The Sound' or Studio 54; We mean 'The Disco Fever', 'Harlem World', 'Sugar Hill', & 'The Factory'. The DJs that spun @ these Clubs molded the format that HipHop DJs still follow Today. Kool Herc is credited w/ The 'Merry Go Round'- his mix of Break Beats, but he wasn't the only DJ mixing Breaks or James Brown songs. The Black Spades that were interviewed, speak on King Mario spinning 'Soul Power' & how they chanted 'Spade Power'- as early as 1971. This creates a schism between Bronxdale & Soundview.

Black Americans say HipHop started in Bronxdale, as late as 1971. West Indians; Jamaican- Americans in particular, say it started on Aug. 11th, 1973. Puerto Ricans [Nuyoricans/ Puerto Rocks] say it started between 1975 & 1977, when Afrika Bambaataa incorporated Latino Breakers into 'his' HipHop scene. While there is debate over When & Where in The Bronx it started, EVERYONE AGREES that HipHop was created to Stop Gang Violence. The Culture involves individual expression through Graffiti, B- Boy Style of Dress, & Dance, Spoken Word, & the ability to keep The Party going non-stop. The Original Gangs splintered into Crews that now 'battled' each other w/ Turntables & Mics, on the Dance floor, & w/ Spray Paint Cans (Bombing).

The vernacular of HipHop is based in The Nation Of Islam & The Nation of Gods & Earths, so it's big on Black Power, Black Excellence, & The Traditional Black Family. Both Organizations are Pan Afrikan in their Philosophy, so The Black Diaspora is represented. The same is true w/ The Zulu Nation. Before the rise of The Nation of Latin Kings & Queens, you would find Latino Zulu Kings & Queens- it was All Love! Afrika Bambaataa coined HipHop's 'Mission Statement' of: "Peace, Unity, Love, & Having Fun!", in a song w/ James Brown by the same Name. He also defined the existing '5 Elements' as the fundamentals of HipHop Culture. The Zulu Nation were the unofficial Ambassadors of HipHop; first taking it Downtown, & later taking it Globally... No One questioned Bambaataa's actions.

As We celebrate 50Yrs of HipHop, Afrika Bambaataa's Legacy is tarnished @ best. He has been Radio Silent, since allegations of Child Molestation rose against him 7Yrs ago. Every Move that Bambaataa made is being questioned- Was it a good move for HipHop to go Downtown to SoHo? Did it open the door to the current 'isms' that plague The Culture? It was a Black Specific art form, but it opened itself up to integration w/ Sexual Deviants, Drug Abusers, & White Record Executives. In retrospect, We can see what lured Bam Downtown. I'm curious- is the current manifestation of 'The Culture' Bambaataa's intended goal? It goes against his language, but it's in line w/ his actions.

In the wake of Afrika Bambaataa's 'Fall from Grace', people began questioning his narrative of HipHop. Original B- Boys are still walking The Streets, so it wasn't hard to fact check. DJ Phase has spoke on many Youtube videos under 'The Culture', where he breaks down the Foundation of what became HipHop. According to DJ Phase, HipHop was born on June 7th, 1971- in the Bronxdale Houses. He said that it wasn't organized; Mario simply set up on the grass & spun records. Later that Summer, in July- DJ Phase said that they were more organized w/ more sound & records, so THAT was when Brothers got serious about what they were doing. Disco King Mario did a series of Jams that culminated in the legendary 'Rosedale Park' Jam, that lit up The Bronx & inspired future pioneers.

There is a lot of controversy today concerning the Origins of HipHop. Jason Black, of 'The Black Authority' had the best comment on the subject: "Success has many Fathers, but Failure is an Orphan". As We question the running narrative of HipHop's birth, We also have to question WHO gets Credit for WHAT. No One questions the contributions of Jamaicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Haitians, & Panamanians to The Culture, but the claims being made by Busta Rhymes, Pete Rock, Fat Joe, & John Leguizamo are disrespectful. Busta & Pete Rock assert that Jamaican Culture DIRECTLY INFLUENCED HipHop; Busta says 90%. He goes on to say that Kool Herc brought the Sound System & Jamaican 'Toasting' or 'Ranking' to the Bronx Youth. Puerto Ricans weren't really prominent in HipHop b4 'Beat Street' & the 'Break Dance Movies', but Fat Joe & John Leguizamo say Puerto Rico contributed 50% to The Culture... They ALL sound ridiculous.

In an effort to get ahead of King Mario predating Kool Herc, people have gone as far as saying that Disco King Mario is [half] Puerto Rican. When it was proven that Mario came from North Carolina, a Story came out that his family migrated to (Jim Crow) North Carolina back in 1912. Mario's Sister says they aren't Puerto Rican- They're North Carolinian & 'Country'... His Mother just liked the name Mario. This effort to remove Black Americans from a Black American genre is confusing. Making a contribution 'to', or an innovation 'of' something, doesn't make one 'The Originator' of it. DJ Phase made a point to elaborate on The Energy behind HipHop, & what inspired it. Our Family from The Diaspora mostly arrived after The Civil Rights Movement; They really don't know what AmeriKKKa was like before 1970.

Contrary to what Busta Rhymes, Pete Rock, or Fat Joe may say, HipHop begins w/ The Black Spades. As a boy in Harlem, I remember how revered The Black Spades were. They were respected, but I didn't understand why... Before The Black Spades, Blackfolk in The Bronx were being victimized by Whitefolk; 'Authur Avenue' Italians, in particular. According to The Black Spades, they couldn't go ANYWHERE w/o being attacked, so they organized & struck back. The Black Spades- essentially Black Teens, didn't just beat those Racists back; they opened up The Bronx for EVERY Black Person, giving them The Right of Autonomy. That Energy or Spirit of Revolution was celebrated in Song & Dance, & King Mario was The Conductor.

Kool Herc got to see King Mario & The Black Spades at 'The Tunnel'. He heard the Breaks & saw how the Black Spades reacted- He heard the chants of 'Spade Power!' Herc himself said that he analyzed what 'they were doing' & came up w/ The Merry Go Round. That, is an innovation. Herc never said that he introduced Toasting to those Baby Spades; in fact, Herc admitted trying to play Jamaican Music, but The Crowd didn't take to it. If Busta & Pete Rock were right, We should have some Reggae among familiar Beat Beats. All of these Cats talk about 'Culture', but they just sound ignorant. A 'Culture' is defined as: 'The sum total of Social Life'. If West Indian (i.e. Jamaican) and/or Latinx (i.e. Puerto Rican) Culture plays such a major role in HipHop, why did ALL of them adopt Black American Social Mores? Kool Herc admitted that he was clowned when he arrived in The Bronx; he thought Cowboy Boots were cool.

If we're going to run w/ the: 'Kool Herc is The Father of HipHop' Story, Coke La Rock should @ least be mentioned. He is credited w/ being The First Emcee. He was Herc's Partner. Busta & a literal Legion of Yardies want to coronate Herc as 'King of HipHop', but it was Coke La Rock that transformed 'Clive' into 'Kool Herc'. Clive DIDN'T KNOW THE CULTURE. Coke La Rock took him down to 125th Street, showed him what to buy, & how to sport it. Somehow, Coke La Rock was written out of the narrative. Again, Bambaataa started this. Another issue w/ Herc being hailed as 'The Father' of HipHop, is how easily he Bowed Down to U- Roy. Herc referred to him as 'his King'. Big Respect to U- Roy, I- Roy & ALL the Pioneers of Ska, Reggae, Lover's Rock, Dub Poetry, & Dancehall! That said, Black Americans BOW TO NO ONE! This is a Problem.

When We talk about Culture, HipHop embodies The Spirit of Revolution. Lay it out on the Black American Timeline, & it's a natural transition; from Work Songs, to Ragtime, to Jazz, to Rhythm & Blues, to Soul & Funk, to HipHop. It's the tireless spirit of Black Liberation in AmeriKKKa. Where does Jamaican or Puerto Rican 'Culture' fit in? They were 'Lovers, not Fighters'. We were Angry! What were they angry about? They were in America- Everything was 'Irie'! When DJ Phase was asked about this [Kool Herc] narrative, he cut to The Chase & said that this narrative gives Whitefolk a 'lane of claim' to Our Culture. It was Too Black, Too Strong, but it's been watered down. When We raise Our Heads, We will see that the people claiming ownership of Our Culture, are the same people representing Us in Government. They are the ones allowing Benign Neglect to continue & contesting Our Right to receive [Lineage Based] Reparations. They also represent Us 'On Screen', but they rarely depict Us in a dignified manner; We're either Ghetto, or Cowards.

While We're on the subject of 'Culture', let's point out how the level of deviance & violence has risen w/ the number of Jamaican & Puerto Rican Rappers. Boogie Down Productions gets Full Credit for setting off the 9mm talk. Just- Ice's 'The Original Gangster of Hip Hop' was just plain Raw... Also, B- Girls didn't dress like or behave like Dancehall Girls; compare Shante, Sweet Tee, & Latifah to Lil Kim, Nikki Minaj, & Cardi B. White Record Executives, like Lyor Cohen, have rerouted HipHop's 'messaging' to target Suburban Whitefolk eager to hear about 'Ghetto Life'. Today's Artists have been set up lovely by those who came before them, but I wonder if the New Jacks know The History? Do they know what it took for Us to maintain this? Cats had to show restraint, because Authorities were just waiting for Us to mess up. U can literally count the # of times U heard the N- Word b4 NWA... Do they know Themfolks tried to shut Us down in 1982; leading to the 'New School/ Hardcore Era' that started in 1983- 1984 w/ Run-DMC, T- La Rock & Jazzy Jay, & LL Cool J?

Truth be told, The Park Jams faded out by 1986- 1987. The Crack Wars began to make large gatherings dangerous. The 1st Crack Dealers (in My Hood) were The Dreads, who sold out of Weed Spots. The 'Rude Boys' weren't concerned w/ 'protocol', so things got Hot pretty quickly.... I understand that there is an effort to make HipHop EVERYONE'S genre, but it isn't; not anymore than Motown or Bebop. The World is welcome to enjoy HipHop, but make No Mistake- it's a Black American genre that just happens to be globally appreciated & adopted by many. That said, notions of people like Kool Herc, or Eminem being the 'Father' or 'King' diminish the effect that those 'Baby Spades' had on The Original Concept. We can appreciate their contributions, but HipHop Culture is bigger than them. It has a purpose, & it's NOT making Non Indigenous Blackfolk wealthy.

It was a youthful expression of Black Power & Creativity, but outside forces have turned it into a Golden Goose that only benefits White Record Execs & their Proxies. We treated Her like a Debutant, but She has been reduced to a Crack Whore that EVERYONE can get a piece of. Young Family has to go back to The Root. A Race War is looming, & i'm not sure that their music is up to task. Most of today's Artists are more concerned w/ their 30 pieces of silver, than The Culture it represents. Cats like Busta & Fat Joe aren't concerned, they're taking the money & running. Fat Joe wasn't even a Rapper back in The Day, he was a Stick up Kid; so he's always been about the 'Vic'. Immortal Technique & Big Pun R The Real Deal... HipHop has become symbolic of Black American Courtesy- We say: "have some", & Our 'guest' proceeds to help themselves to Everything. NO ONE is allowed to be more than a Guest in the genres of Jamaican & Latinx Music, so why do they expect ownership in Black American Music?

When We talk about HipHop Culture, We need to remove All the noise in The Room. ANYONE making a claim to Our Culture should be Checked quickly. This 'Back to School Party' Story doesn't make sense! It's supposed to be inspirational, but it's narrated like just another Party. What's so special about it? What exactly motivated Herc's Sister to have this Party, several weeks before School started? How does this 'Party' spark a Movement? Compare it w/ HipHop being a Celebration of Black Youth in The Bronx [dramatically] winning their fight against White Supremacy & their Right of Autonomy- An UNAPOLOGETIC DISPLAY of Black Power. There was a REASON why NYPD left Mario & the Black Spades Deejays alone. When they were 'Jamming', The Black Spades weren't beating down White Racists... No disrespect, but Immigrant Family weren't Here, so they don't know what sparked this Movement.

The Original Concept of HipHop is rooted in stopping Gang Violence. It was a creative alternative to the death & destruction that We brought on each other. The current version of it is so far removed, it's almost unrecognizable. Today's manifestation is literally a Death Cult that offers little to no benefit to The Artist. White Executives seem convinced that it's only about Beats & Rhymes, but the Crap being presented is vulgar & cookie cutter; which defies HipHop's demand for Originality. After 50+Yrs, it's apparent that HipHop is best represented when it's Culturally connected to the Experience of Black American Life. EVERYONE ELSE is a House Guest & should behave accordingly.