Another Brother Gone.....

Wendell "Dip-Dab" Wright.   Sean Sessome.  Shawn "Mic Lord" Austin.  Lawrence "DJ Law" Brown.  When does the list stop?  I am fully aware that we all have to go one day, but THIS soon?  All I know for sure is that God has us covered through it all.  Otherwise, we wouldn't be here still existing as sane individuals.

When I got the call from Pavar (former morning show host, and Boodah sister), I did not know what to say or think.  I knew I had to be strong for her, but it took all that I had to do so.  My lady was right here with me, so God bless her for being my right arm, and shoulder to lean and cry on.  I think we were all patting ourselves on the back for getting through a rough three years of dealing with the passing of Mic Lord, and previously Dip Dab, when we were interrupted by yet another shock.  I'd just spoke with Law via text message on last Weds., since we are both fans of black music and all things related.  Therefore, if it isn't talking about the Soul Train reruns, our latest topic of conversation was about the new season of TV One's "Unsung."  And boy, did we get some great "LOLs" and "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAs" in regarding Teddy Pendergrass' episode.  Our connection was so innate that he didn't even have to ask IF I saw it, he just automatically referenced a particular segment of it.  That was how we got down.

We always found a way to work Mic Lord into our convo, as his spirit is so strong that it is the source of how we view things first in our own eyes, and then from his- and his ALWAYS brings uncontrollable laughter.  If you haven't heard already, Law was one of the most GIVING people on the face of this earth.....to a fault.  And funny enough, almost to his fault.  For instance, Law called the crew over to help organize his massive record collection in his garage, which was a huge task.  While in the process, there was an "abandoned" Technics 1200 turntable found in the fray.  I asked him about it, and he said there was something wrong with it (I forget exactly what), but that I could have it.  Well, another friend of ours who is the ultimate handyman took a look at it after we left and that turntable hasn't failed me yet to this day.  When I first told him that it was working good, it was a look of "dang!", but yet he was genuinely happy that I got something out of it.


We had a vision that we'd be the forefront of real hip-hop for the 757 area.  In the form of the Boodah Fam: Mac the Menace, Mic Lord, Lonnie B, and 450 (and various other extensions), we provided the soundscape for the music that would set the tone for the 757 while providing visual and auditory goals for the younger cats to aspire to reach.  While in the midst of this project, Law gave me his MPC 2000 and he bought another for himself.  As you can imagine, these gifts from him have SO much more meaning today, and will be cherished for a lifetime.

Before I left for L.A., Law insisted that I come over to the house to sit and vibe before I left.  He even had Angie, his wife who is his BEST friend, fix her famous "chili mac" for us.  We did nothing but watch Soul Train from the DVR, and talked about the state of music as we always do.  That, along with his surprise 40th birthday this past year were great moments that I was able to share before his physical left us.  I will cherish all of the times that I spent the night at the house just so we could sit up, listen to music, and talk like we were b-boys in the heart of 1986.

Law was the CONSUMMATE B-Boy.  I'd given him a pair of my Gazelle's at his 40th birthday, and he couldn't believe that I did that.  I wish I could've given you more, bro.....especially for all that you've given me.  Rock rock on, homie....

The "New" Hip-Hop...

Well, one month and 3,000 miles later....I have something to say.  I have tried to be open to the "new" hip-hop, but I've reached my tipping point.  Just as the so-called Tea Party continues to scream "WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK", we need to take our Hip-Hop back.  While I will agree that the "new" hip-hop is an extension of our Hip-Hop, there must be some divide.  You see, we have an obligation....as all elders do.  We must provide guidance.  This means that somewhere, we have dropped the ball and have allowed this new music to represent what our culture stands for.  And based on what they do, I don't want that to represent us (see picture above).  The masses think that we are all in tune with each other, and that is definitely not the case.  Don't get me wrong, I wish and want the best for the youth, as seen by my academic/education affiliations.  However, somewhere a new name should have been established for what they do now: __________________________ (you fill in the blank).  As powerful a tool that our culture can be, our expression can actually make the world a better place....at least, for us.  There is NO need for us to be associated with music that appears to set us back from all that we've worked so hard to achieve (remember Public Enemy?  The Jungle Brothers?).  And sure, we've made some mistakes along the way as is consistent with evolution.....but what good are they if you don't learn from them?

I am most disappointed by some of our so-called "leaders" of the culture that somehow find a way to approve, advocate, and validate what is happening.  I do understand, however, that it may be tough for them: they don't want to seem bitter, and don't want to (ultimately) stop their money from coming in.  I know that this is a sensitive issue, and I wish it was as simple as pulling these youngins to the side, tell them to pull their pants up, let them breathe, and sit them down and make them listen to Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Slick Rick, BDP, etc., while you hide their computers and remove all of their beat-making programs that have 808 drum kits in them.  Until then, I guess I'll be bitter- or better yet, I'll make a dope song about it.

The TRUTH About VA Producers.

Many say: "it's in the water."  And yes, maybe the water has something to do with it.  I mean, we ARE by TONS of water.  However, I tend to think that it lies in the fact that we were all influenced by band and/or bands.  Some of us played in churches, and many of us played in marching bands.  As a child, I recall some of my greatest moments being those Saturdays on which I knew we were attending a Norfolk State Football game.  While the game itself was interesting, it was the band that I was waiting on.  Doubly exciting were the days of their homecoming, when we got a chance to see the band early in the morning at the parade, and then again at the game.  After the game, we'd come home and ACT like we were the band....more specifically, the drum section.

In addition to the band influence, our parents were avid music fans.  They came up in a time when music was evolving.  That's why we are able to continuously appreciate those records that were defining moments in our childhood.  Personally, my father was (and remains) James Brown's biggest fan (dad played drums in the marching band, too).  Therefore, we went to the concerts, and I'd sit and listen to those records over and over again.  As I got older, it was revealed to me that I was pretty much the only other person that could touch his record collection- AS A CHILD!  Therefore, when sampling came around, I realized that I had the majority of the records being used in the house already.

My mother was a music major, and played instruments and sings as well.  Therefore, I couldn't escape the music bug, and wouldn't want to.  This household setting is not unfamiliar in this area.  You throw in a few uncles or parents who dj'ed as well, and there's your hip-hop child.  These like minds, or products of these environments here in the area have all crossed paths along the way, as we all bring these similar experiences to the table.  It can be heard that the focus continues to be on the DRUMS whenever you here something done by a producer from VA.

There's much more to be said about this topic, and rather than try and tackle it all in a few paragraphs.....I'll save some for later.  Maybe even a book.  I think it's worthy of it.

The ALMIGHTY Cassette.

Remember these?  Realistically, it wasn't that long ago since we stop using them.  From a producer's standpoint, we played beats for people on these, and we mixed down songs to ultimately put them on tape.  It's funny to think now that whoever we played beats for had to have the patience to sit through us fast-forwarding to the next track, or rewinding to hear something again.  Sure, some had hi-tech players that would actually "skip" to the next song, but they weren't in abundance. 

Do we just THROW them away?  Will we EVER be able to convert all of these digitally as we planned?  There is such a strong, deep (pause- pun intended), sentimental connection that we have with our cassettes.  With each one, we remember: 1) who we dubbed it from; 2) sitting in front of the radio while we recorded, and the work it took to pause.....making sure we kept the commercials out (oddly enough, I wish I kept more commercials for the sake of nostalgia).

This is yet another issue that plagues us.  There are things on some of these cassettes that only WE have, and it desperately needs to be preserved.  I still have BOXES upon BOXES of tapes left.  And as long as they keep calling mixes on CDs "mixtapes", they still have a place in our lives, and the right to be preserved.

(E-) Record digging & (Hard Drive) Space

Many know what I speak of here. The days of looming excitement surrounding an upcoming trip to Goodwill, flea markets, and old mom & pop stores in search of old records have gone the way of the dinosaur. In turn, tons of hard drive space is being consumed by .rar files-turned-folders that possess either: 1) things we haven't heard, or 2) gems that we have on vinyl but require a digital conversion. Nothing in this world can take the place of vinyl, and I pray that God blesses me with the space and time to create a world for my collection. I would absolutely love to thank all of those who have taken the time to convert these pieces, personally.....even with the skips, crackles, and pops.  However, I am now beginning to catalog all of these digital files, and that is a task in itself. I can only hope that I will be allowed that same luxury when it comes to the vinyl collection. As true b-boys, we have established an attachment to tons of things that take up lots of physical space.....while attempting to stay relevant by having a matching digital copy. Only WE are challenged with that. Another unique characteristic about our generation.

B-Boy Connects.

Music (and specifically for us: hip-hop) is the universal language. I realize that I've met SO many individuals by having hip-hop as the common thread.....even to the point where there are tons of people that I only know by their hip-hop moniker, or association with a particular group. Just another random observation about our generation.

THE Book.

Won't say much about it. Only that it continues to be a labor of love, and that it is coming soon. God knows what HE is doing.