WHEN REALITY HITS THE ROAD

There are so many things going on in the world today that I just wanted to touch base with the masses that are out of touch.

In The White House
Republican and Democrats are in a heated (media) feud about whether the War In Iraq was a good or bad idea. The GOP wants to “stay the course” at all cost, and those Republicans that don’t necessarily feel that way will never openly admit it because the president may cut them out of Bush’s living Will. Democrats want the U.S. troops in Iraq to come back home and that is a simple, can’t miss campaign strategy. After all, losing another election to a Bush family member would be like losing a Spelling Bee to Magic Johnson, Mike Tyson, and Bobby Brown.

Here is the reality: oil is the most precious, treasured and valued commodity in the world. For those keeping score at home coffee (grains) is #2. So, whether you are a Republican or Democrat, if you live in the Super Powered, United States and you don’t control the oil… how long do you think it would take the rest of world to draw the conclusion that you are not really a Super Power? Maybe the rest of the world will start to feel that the USA just has the loudest bark. Hmm. Like it or not, taking over Iraq was necessary to keep the world’s perception of the U.S.

The New South
I recently visited the renovated Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta. It is a welcomed alternative to the trendy, overcrowded Buckhead section of the ATL. Atlantic Station is a gumbo mix of all of Atlanta Urban lifestyle (Little Five Points, Lenox, Midtown, with a slight hint of NY’s So-Ho). There is a Fox TV Sports Bar & Grill (ala the ESPN Zone), there is a 16-screen movie theatre with premium seating. There is a host of trendy shopping options, with a neatly planted Washington Mutual Bank seated adjacent to the walking distance plaza. There is a Publix supermarket in the center of the quadrangle everything a young, hip, mover or shaker could ever want.

Here’s the reality: The Lofts in Atlanta Station start at $450k and they are 80% filled and the first model won’t be ready until April 2006. The income range on the application starts at $125,000 and up. If you make less than that, you need to take your broke ass back to Decatur, with the rest of your Honda Civic driving residents.
You need a check for $17,000 to reserve more than a five minute consultation and the funds have to be available or that will be the most expensive conversation you ever have. Unless you are R. Kelly’s attorney. But I digress.

Music
The heartbeat of the soul. The few times I’m trapped in a car and forced to listen to radio (black radio in particular), I want to slit my wrist. I was listening to D4’s Laffy Taffy, which had to be birthed by a child predator. This might be the most ignorant, incompetent, insidious and insane song wax has ever produced. The seemingly innocent (albeit stupid) lyrics is laced with subtle contradictions that most parents will overlook or are too tired to figure out. Yet, your 12-18 is probably sliding on some pole, dancing in clear heels to this beat.

Here’s the reality: If something isn’t done about urban contemporary music, white people won’t have to waste their time, energy or ink thinking of a conspiracy to control the black youth’s mind. What am I saying this is already a reality.

1 Love,
Ray Lewis

Hip Hop History

The New York City streets and entertainment wires are a blaze, with the (all but official) word that Queens Bridge’s NAS is inking a deal that will team him with the Brooklyn’s beast, Jay-Z. Wow!!

From all the not-so published reports, it seems that New York’s lyrical foes have put an end to the stage wars and have teamed-up for a greater purpose. The industry and consumers will truly benefit from this one. This might sound odd, but I enjoyed the lyrical beef between Hov and Esco; just as long as it stayed in the studio -- which thankfully they were able to do.

However, when these two legends of the game battled on the mic it tended to ignite low-level, studio thugs, like: .50, The Game, DMX, Young Geezy and some of today’s GED rap artists to take their matters (whatever those are) to the streets. When that approach is taken, the beef usually escalates into an all-out blood bath or real life wars. Sometimes I wish .50 Cent would just learn to rap or simply shoot himself. Fifty can certainly bank on the fact that they’ll never be an educational statue bearing his resemblance.

The union between NAS and Jay has inspired me to start a war (of sorts). I am going to attempt to do the impossible and list the top ten Hip Hop artists of all time. My criterion is substance; staying power (or shelve life), originality, wit, content, relevance, charm, flow, music, versatility, and of course, execution.

I have excluded groups... and I want to give an honorable mention to Lauryn Hill for a variety of reasons [most of which I could never admit aloud).
Here it goes:

10. Eminem
If he were black from the Brooklyn, you probably would only be scratching your head because his not higher on this list – and he should be. Additionally, just ask anyone on the list below would they dare step in the booth with him – we now know Jay shouldn’t have.

9. Lupe Fiasco
He is the only glimmer of hope if the youth has any incentive to carry the Hip Hop torch. Unfortunately (for him) the clock started ticking while he was in elementary school – now he’s tasked to school the elementary.

8. Chuck D
The Hip Hop version of CNN before it ever was. I’m not sure where I’d be without his vital vinyl lessons.

7. Common
I’m willing to overlook his last frisbee and pray his career is not taking him towards his stage name – and he starts representing what made his name on the stage.

6. Talib Kweli
While he heralds for Cincinnati his inner city blues and incredible IQ swag reminds one of a mix of Miles Davis and Cornel West – and that’s a real treat no matter where you reside.

5. Black Thought
The wordplay King and the official voice of the legendary Hip Hop band The Roots – his name probably says it all.

4. Mos Def
The epitome of culture and his debut LP Black on Both Sides is a lesson in Black History, which is the birthplace of all others.

3. KRS-One
The prince of the projects and probably the most politically astute emcee they'll ever be. The teacher the school system hates to love.


2. NAS
The ultimate compliment is the fact that he reminds you of #1. Nas is the only rap artist to spit a flow backwards and still have you press rewind. His only downfall is there is no competition for him to slay.


1. Rakim
The undisputed King of the mic. If you made a similar list and didn't start here there is a good chance that you have a Kenny G CD in your collection.



1 love,
Ray Lewis