The Dumb Are Mostly Intrigued By The Drum

Vibe application questions cont'd..

5. What’s your biggest gripe about hip-hop today?

In the words of the Wu-Tang lyricist Masta Killa, “The dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum.” A good chunk of the music being streamed over the radio lack the quality lyrical content Rap was once known for. While Rap veterans such as NaS and Common and new entrants to the game Kanye West and Papoose continue to uphold the original values of Hip Hop being skill, delivery and content, radio waves still remain heavily polluted by overly sexed, gimmick filled tracks. You know Hip Hop has gone astray when BET turns away videos by legendaries A Tribe Called Quest and the up coming Little Brother because their music is “too intelligent.” From the ground breaking flow of Rakim to the whispers, whistles and snaps of today’s chart hits Hip Hop has been steadily spirally downward bringing disappointment to true Hip Hop heads and eventual boredom to radio junkies.

Just Like Music

so to apply to be a Vibe Campus Reporter They ask 'What's On your Playlist?"..seeing as how I have a million different playlists per mood and genre I made a more "well rounded" 20 song one...and all the songs, if not already, will be on the playlist which takes a sec to load so be patient.


1. Ressurection - Common
I list ressurection under classics. You can tell when the song was made not only by the style of the beat but of Common's flow. Its very on tempo, hyped and b-boyish. Like I could so see Common in his bboy stance like 'ain't scared of no n****!' Plus I love the line.."you at got my back and we don't get no thicker"..I don't know why..just do.

2. Due Process Ft. Talib Kweli, Rubix - Lone Catalysts
Love this song! The beat alone puts you in this serene mode and the flows are hard enough that you don't get too caught up in the track yet soft enough that they don't butcher the feel of the beat. And you know you loved kweli's verses..."I go on like ectera." I can't say I'm a big fan of Lone Catalysts becasue I don't really have anything on my ipod by them but I'm gonna try to look into em....Am I the only one who thinks Rubix lightweight resembles Mos Def?

3. Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations
The Temptations are too too classic but you know that after seeing the big white kid in Remember the Titans belt that song out in that one scene made it universal. Its a shame you can't find music with as much passion on the radio today.

4. La Negre Tiene Tumbao - Celia Cruz
Celia is the QUEEN of salsa I swear she just makes hit after hit. I especially like this song becasue shes talking about a Black girl with a booty and I thought it was too funny for that because English speakers have no idea, as with Spanish class graduates.

5. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - Marvin Gaye
I have the anthology vinyls from my father so I would always listen to this song but I never really gave a good listen until I read Makes Me Wanna Holler-Nathan McCall and the author makes many references to it, including the title. When you listen to the lyrics you can't help but wonder why 99% of what he's saying still holds true today.

6. Untitled (How Does It Feel) - D'Angelo
Now I know I wasn't the only one who ran up to the tv during this video tryna see if I could somehow look down. Boi was buck naked singin his heart out and everybody loved it. He made a gap and a high pitched voice sexy, please believe! D'Angelo has unmatched talent by r&b newbies yet where is he now? Last I heard he got with Angie Stone and later got into a drug incident.-sigh-

7. The Big Payback - James Brown
Love the bass and the guitar in this song. My father would put this on and start dancin like James while singing..if you could call it that, the lyrics all off beat and off key and I still loved it. And the cracks you'd get on the record player from the vinyl being aged since the 70s gave it that "instant vintage" feel.

8. Electric Relaxation - A Tribe Called Quest
9. Danger - Erykah Badu
10. Is This Love - Bob Marley & The Wailers
11. N.Y. State of Mind, Pt. 2 - NaS
12. Legal - Clifford Sylvain
13. Days Of Our Lives Ft. Common - De La Soul
14. Thieves In The Night - Black Star
15. At Last - Etta James
16. Meet The Parents - Jay-Z
17. Real Black Girl (Revolutionary Love) - Dead Prez
18. Do You Remember - Jill Scott
19. Triumph - Wu-Tang Clan
20. A Pimp's Dream - Dwele