So I'm exhausted and have a sore throat. Whatever. It's not going to stop me from sharing a few tracks with you. There's not much else exciting going on in rap today, except some Roots Rising Down footage (yawn), a Busta Rhymes mixtape I haven't listened to yet and a list of the Top 40 hip-hop blogs. Surprise, surprise, we ain't on it.

But anyway, you're here for music.

• MJG - Shades off This Might Be The Day. Everything about this is great, bump this in your iPod while taking a stroll this afternoon. Be sure to bring the shades.
• David Banner f. Chris Brown - Get Like Me. David Banner needs to drop an album in short order.
• Curren$y - The Takeover. Yeah, the Hot Spitter is only alright, but this jam is catchy. Off the very mediocre mixtape Higher than 30,000 Feet.

I'm going back into hibernation until noon.

I couldn't not post this. And yes, I just used a double-negative. You haters on the East Coast are already out chopping shit up, but lucky for me I get to put this boy in the CD player when I ride out--nice soundtrack for the evening.

Cop it at Mix Tape Torrent, of course. They always have the fire, and if you aren't on their RSS feed you're fast-fuckin-asleep.

One of Cali's finest, The Grouch, is returning on April 8th with a new disc, Show You The World. I've been down with the the Living Legends crew and their affiliates for nearly a decade--they are giants in Bay Area hip-hop history, and Grouch helped lay the foundation. Dude has been producing for everyone in the Bay that matters, and for a long-ass time now.

I had a chance to peep the new album, and it's fire. Definitely getting some votes for best of 2008. Grouch blends lyrical sensibility with a hyphy aesthetic that is just magic, something I haven't heard since Zion I and DJ Shadow's most recent efforts (which were panned by hip-hop pundits). It's not all Rick Rock or anything; it's fun without being overpowering, and maintains diversity throughout.

There's a lot of accumulated wisdom on the disc, with Murs, Bicasso an others showing up for some features. I can't recommend it enough.

The blogs are full of hater-fodder this week. You're gonna love it.

Leading off is the full version (albeit clean) of Lil Wayne's newest Carter III track, "A Millie." This shit is absolutely fire. Fools who have been hating on his subpar guest spots need to keep in mind that Weezy has just been playing around--The Carter III isn't a joke. Get ready. Other new tracks floating around are "Done It" and "I". Apparently there's also a new mix, The Drought is Over 5, but I ain't located it yet. Hook me up.

... and speaking of dope new tracks, get a load of Big Boi, Andre 3000 and Raekwon on "Royal Flush". This track is obviously the cure for your work week. Blaze one and take a trip back to the mid-90s with me--I'm loving this shit.

One of my favorite Stones Throw artists, Guilty Simpson, has a a new video, "Get Riches" making its way around the better educated blogs out there. Guilty is the man, I been loving him for years and the forthcoming disc, Ode to the Ghetto isn't to be missed.

Your Favorite Blog is reporting on what they call a "Soulja Boy assassination attempt." Man, get the fuck outta here! The kid (a 12-year-old) threw a rock at Soulja Boy's bus, it's not like this was some premeditated coup.

Game made the cover of Mass Appeal and it's dope. He's starting up the hype machine for this summer's L.A.X. (which may go head-to-head with Carter III). Check out "Big Dreams" to see what's going on in the studio with the West Coast's most blooded. (And the remix with Ya Boy.)

Bun B is also on his grind for II Trill, showing up in a FADER TV interview and on the cover of XLR8R. It's aieet, but can't compare to the time Fader chopped it up with Rick Ross.

If you didn't already know, Fat Joe lost. Other big losers of the week: DMX inks a movie deal and Suge Knight is doing the reality TV tip. Can't make it up.

It's still hyphy in the bay, as Lil Jon and E-40 prove on the new "Turf Drop." Plenty of yelling, thizzing and shaking-dreadlocks to go around.

Saigon comes out of hiding for an interview, but to be honest I don't really give a fuck--I want the album. He blew the buzz that his Clinton Sparks mixtape generated--is there any way his album will live up to the hype? Other unsung stars interviewed: Wiz Khalifa at DJ Booth.

Finally, RIP Eazy-E. It's been a while, but depending on which blog you ask, Eric's been dead for 13 years, or wait--was that 11 years? It's true, there are few fact-checkers employed in the raposphere.

Moral of the story? Ode to the Ghetto, Carter III, L.A.X. and II Trill are on the way. Summer's looking beautiful, and this week's round of hip-hop singles are banging. Let's hope things are on an upswing, because the latter half of 2008 was garbage, son.

So that's that. It's Friday, and hopefully wherever you're at the skies are clear and Spring has come. I'll sign off by leaving you with this thought: Whatever's Good is the most text-heavy hip-hop blog on the Internet. Bet that.

Update: to clarify, I'm not hating. I love AZ. I'm just so incredibly disappointed with Undeniable. Definitely one of the biggest let downs (for me) this year. I was unimpressed with the singles, even though I posted them here, but I held out hope that the album would pick up the slack. I was wrong!

Other let downs in 2008: The Eleventh Hour. Sorry, Del. We waited seven years for that?

I don't know The Rub. I have never heard of The Rub. And this is a damn shame, because it turns out that they have mp3's of "The History of Hip-Hop" which means lots and lots of classic songs from as far back as '79, all free. That is amazing. I love the internet.

So head over and educate the hell out of yourselves this evening. It won't disappoint.

Ok, it might disappoint a little, because it's a continuous tracks which means no fast forwarding, and because the downloads are slow. But, still, well, well worth your time.

Those of you not on the west coast may want to skip this post, but I couldn't resist mentioning this concert gem: GZA will be performing at the Independent in SF (I'm heading up there tonight, in fact), with Blue Scholars--but that's not all! He's performing the classic album Liquid Swords in its entirety. If you can't make it for the March 31st show, don't fret, he's doing a second date on April 1st as well.

Tickets to the first show are sold out, but for $25 bucks you can snag some floorspace for an April Fool's Day performance. I've never actually seen any individual Wu members on tour, but the last time I saw the entire Clan in action was an absolute delight. Also, full album performances like this are relatively rare. If anyone goes, let me know what's good.

I have to admit, I haven't been following Atmosphere much lately, but Ant & Slug are prepping a new album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, and hitting the road in support of the disc.
I've seen them a few times in concert, and though Slug tends to step up on a soap box from time to time, when he's not lecturing the audience dude knows how to put on a show. Looks like they're doing two nights in SF, so I may head up.

04.22 Chicago, IL The Metro
04.23 Chicago, IL The Metro
04.24 Toronto, ON Opera House
04.26 Boston, MA The Roxy
04.27 New York, NY Webster Hall
04.29 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
05.02 Austin, TX Emo's
05.03 Austin, TX Emo's
05.05 Phoenix, AZ Marquis Theater
05.06 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theatre
05.07 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theatre
05.08 San Francisco, CA The Regency
05.09 San Francisco, CA The Regency
05.12 Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
05.13 Seattle, WA Showbox
05.14 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
05.16 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
05.17 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
05.18 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre

I'll be interested to hear the disc when it drops. When these two are in the studio, they tend to produce. Here's one track sent my way via Rhymesayers:

Atmosphere - Shoulda Known (zShare)

Sounds familiar, no?

Okay so my Google Reader tells me Nicki Minaj dropped this on MixtapeTorrent last July, but that's kinda when school starts so whatever. I'm actually kinda glad I didn't catch it until recently--I'm a courier and until recently the weather wouldn't have been warm enough. Windows down, gettin my hustle on, etc etc.

If you don't remember her on Can't Stop Won't Stop from Wayne's Drought 3 there might not be any help for your taste. Or alternately, possibly your memory. But she's on her own here with the same Brooklyn accent as Lil Kim and a clever, updated aerobic wit somewhere between Weezy, Missy Elliot and Lil Mama. She's smart and she's quick and it's not the universal thematic eruption of Diamond's Bitch Music, but it don't think it's supposed to be.* It's jokey and chatty and conversational, she's personal without telling you about herself--in the same way that Wayne is--instead she lets her talent, skill, and delivery as an artist and MC demonstrate. Nicki Minaj is doing something else, and I'm not sure what it is yet. Keep an eye on her.

JAMZ:

Diamond, La La La

Nicki Minaj, Whatchu Know Bout Me
Nicki Minaj, Dreams '07

_______________
*However, the tape dropped in part under Big Mike, one of the same DJs. I know nothing about him but evidently he reps for some cool broads.

The sun is shining and my bracket is still looking good. The nice thing about living in the west is that you can wake up late without missing any hoops action--unfortunately, without a television, I was stuck at a neighborhood sports bar. So much for simple living.

Hip-hop related madness going on this week: 50 Cent attends Fat Joe's "funeral." I caught this little flick last night on the tail end of a bender, but Curtis was clearly more loopy than I: the tears--and intro--are just so over the top, I can hardly believe he did it. I fucking love it. Plus, 50's commentary on Elephant in the Room is pretty much entirely on point. Joe lost, and will keep losing. His best bet is to shut up and and be a G-Unit punching bag until Curtis & Co. get bored.

Dizze Rascal dropped a video for "Where Da G's," featuring Bun B. Too bad it's about 10 months too late. Maths + English been out now for a good while, I'm wishing the UK kid could have hit us with the video back when he dropped the record. Wonder if this has anything to do with the forthcoming II Trill? (Answer: yes, obviously. Bun B also did the AOL 16 bars bit a few days ago.)

Wale got signed.

Lil Wayne is everywhere online this month. Gearing up for The Carter III, no advances! There's a Tim Westwood freestyle and interview, a bit of UK heckling, and snippets of another new Carter III track, "A Millie." There's also this Semtex TV interview (also here and here and here). Judging by all this, I'd say that he's finally going to get a studio album out. I can't wait.

Del is also out and about, freestyling and generally staying active in support of The Eleventh Hour--his first album in about seven years or so.

If dough is what you got, a broke Scott Storch is selling his yacht. It's probably a dud of a boat anyway.

Panda Toes has a glowing review of David Banner at SXSW. I was lucky enough to see dude tear it up once a few years back, and I can attest: he's phenomenal on stage, and if you have a chance, check him out. His studio work has dropped off lately, but he's a natural performer. As Panda Toes gushes, he put on the "most mind-numbingly awesome set in the history of music." That's saying a lot.

The Tanya Morgan is a Rap Group mixtape has dropped. I have yet to bump it, so lemme know what's good.

And with that, it's back to the madness. Go K-State. Midwest represent.

To the people who read us: sorry it's been so long since a Throwback Thursday. And sorry it's restarting with Usher. But, man, remember Usher? And what happened to hiphop-r&b fusion? Kanye and T-Pain--or even, say, Pharrell and Snoop Dogg on Drop It Like It's Hot--just don't hit me like Usher and Lil Jon. There's something too fused in the former, something too cool. And it's not that those aren't great tracks, it's just that It's a fine line--one Timberlake and Timbaland finessed perfectly with Future Sex/Love Sounds--but that kind of awareness in collaboration is rare.

Usher was collaboration for the sake of entertainment. He was the all singing all dancing all acting triple threat. And now we've got Chris Brown? That's great, but it doesn't change the fact that he's younger than me and I'm probably just never going to think he's cooler than me. And I'm so young Usher's a throwback. But really: What happened to wool caps? What happened to dance routines? Choreography? Videos like movie musicals? Say what you will about his music: Usher could dance your socks off and still play the lead in a romantic comedy. Chris Brown is our Fred Astaire and Fred Astaire's cool too. But Usher's like Gene Kelly and I totally miss that.

I bet you had forgotten about the lamppost humping too. SHAME.

...this is still a decent jam. Maybe I'll post a translation or something--but it would probably be unnecessary. Peep this, the Teriyaki Boyz with "ZOCK ON!"

J-Music is great, but it won't ever crossover. I love that not only is Busta on this track, but his old-ass gets down into a six-step toward the end! What's up, breakers? As fun as this is, ultimately Pharrell is just trying a bit too hard. That, combined with a lame group name, ensures that the Teriyaki Boyz will probably be a big hit.

Teriyaki Boyz, man. That's great. May as well start a rap group out here in Cali and call it the Ketchup Kidz or some such nonsense. Gotta love condiments.

Before they rocked SXSW today we had a chance to chat with Kidz In The Hall about their upcoming album, the Chicago scene, and, of course, booty.

When does the album come out?
Double-O: It comes out May 13th. The In Crowd: The Greatest Story Ever Told On Earth, In Life, and In Space. The short title is The In Crowd.

Why should geniuses get love?
Double-O: Hmmm, Naledge should answer that.

Naledge: Why do geniuses get love? I suppose because they are able to outsmart everybody. That's attractive. Power is attractive. Knowledge is attractive. And it just so happens to be my moniker so it's fitting, it's very fitting. Geniuses normally have great sex drives, so that's another reason I suppose. Actually I admit it, I'm a genius and I have a pretty great sex drive. You know, all that pent-up intelligence has to come out, you know. I'm creative, creativity is important if you want to keep it interesting.

So what's your relationship status?
Naledge: I mean, I don't have a ring on my finger but, you know, I do what I do when I can do it.

Double-O: I am an international man of leisure! That's really all. I mean, that's all I got right now. I mean, definitely, you know. Single.

Continue reading Kidz In The Hall Interview: "I'll probably be writing raps when I'm 70.".

Who wanna lick the rapper? Seriously, how much fun is Weezy having in this fucking video? I was skeptical when I first heard the song--I mean, the vocoders are still going on after Bad Ass Grasshopper--but truth be told, I'm addicted to it now. Wayne haters, don't argue with me, argue with the following:

This is going to be a mega-hit. Think ringtones and remixes. Think club single of the year. This is one of those historic marking posts in a career--it's so absolutely over-the-top as to be unforgettable. Weezy's energy is just ridiculous--and he knows it!--but the guitar part takes things to an entirely new level. What the fuck is going on here, and does anyone care?

Also: single black glove on the right hand? This is classic.

Guess who's performing in Monterey this week? Can you say: beeeyotch!? That's right, short dog will be in town. Nothing like seeing a Bay Area legend on his own turf. I know I'll be in the house--after all, it is spring break and I have nothing to do but see shows.

One of my favorite artists, J-Zone, has a short article up entitled "5 Things That Killed Hip-Hop." I suggest you peep it. J-Zone is one of the funniest dudes in the game, and his second album, Pimps Don't Pay Taxes was an absolute masterpiece. If you don't know, seriously just go and buy it. Props to Crate Kings for the hookup.

Baltimore stand up: The Wire may be over, but hip-hop in Murderland USA is just starting. Pitchfork reviews Food For Animal's new disc, Belly, and has mostly good things to say. Definitely worth peeping. '"Shhhy" will make you lose it like a 14-year-old at a Rage Against the Machine show. ' Also in new in Baltimore hip-hop is Darkroom f. Ogun, "Money Talk." Their disc, Hamsterdam: The Album drops May 27th! Shit is hot.

There's R. Kelly and Ne-yo beef. No, really: there's R. Kelly and Ne-Yo beef. Get 'em, Kels!

Akrobatik and Chuck D did a song together. They're both pretty cool.

There's some more new AZ tracks off Undeniable, "Go Getta" and "No Superstar." I'm so ready for this thing to leak, and speaking of forthcoming albums, Nah Right has an updated II Trill tracklist. People are hyping this thing, but Bun B just isn't much of a solo artist--the fact is, his best joints are when he shows up as a feature, or when he's on a duo with the Pimp. Let's hope he breaks his slump with this CD. (And while we're on UGK, check out The Big Bun B Post over at Nah Right)

Tony Silver obit in the NY Times. From the article: "New York’s lavish, brilliantly colored graffiti was a kind of urban heraldry that from the 1970s onward symbolized the city to the rest of the world. It leapt boldly from spray cans onto walls, bridges and — in what practitioners considered their crowning glory — the outsides of subway cars. Some observers saw it as a dazzling form of public expression, others as an unsightly public nuisance." Probably should put a little more emphasis on that "unsightly nuisance" part. Style Wars is 90 percent of the reason people came to recognize graf as being legitimate in-and-of itself. Prior to that--and even still today--people are unwilling to acknowledge it. Medium often trumps message, fools.

UK Grime is on the come-up, yet again, as Fader takes time-out to interview Dexplicit--but will it the scene ever gain legitimacy with American rap audiences? I sure hope so, but really doubt it. Even Dizzee has barely crossed over, and he did a track with UGK.

"Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It (Remix), with Nas and Scarface. Just, wow.

The haters are out in force on Lil Weezy, with a spoof condom ad. Peep it for laughs, but if you're interested in rap music, peep Wayne performing in Europe and then listen to a snippet of his new single, Lollipop, which starts--almost immediately--with a "no homo." This song is hilarious.

Other shit that dropped this week: RA The Rugged Man's American Low Life mixtape, a new RZA single off Digi Snax, and a Bun B & Lupe fiasco track.

Kanye West is complete idiot.

Finally, Jayceon is out of jail. Burn one for me, homie. Nothing like an 8 day bid, heh.

... And no, I'm not touching the G-Unit/Fat Joe nonsense. It's ridiculous and I'm sure both camps are happy as fuck that the blogs are dancing all around it. How many posts has Nah Right and IllRoots put up on it this week? It's such a joke. So much hype, and all over some mediocre rappers. Sometimes the hip-hop blogs are no better than gossip columns. Star Magazine? US Weekly, anyone? Where's the music at? Real talk.

(If you're looking for the mix that drops today, though, I will link you to it. Elephant in the Sand is worth peeping just for the cover art)

I think I speak for the rest of my bloggers when I say: fuckin' midterms.

But in real news it seems like Tha Charter III may not be rap's Chinese Democracy after all! See, there's a video that's going to premiere and everything! I am totally not holding my breath, but hey, Lil Wayne:

What happens when you take all the stars out of the traditional Miami-DJ Khaled-Rick Ross rap equation? You're left with this, Ace Gutta--the most forgettable MC ever--and his digital handycam. See below:

This is hands down T-Pain's worst performance on a chorus ever. Besides being borderline unlistenable, it's completely ridiculous. You need your cashflow? Put your hands in the air? I'm confused. But T isn't alone in his dismal effort; the Runners came up empty handed with a bottom-of-the-bin beat. I wonder how long this one's been on the shelf.

Rick Ross is terrifying. I'm used to seeing him speeding around on big yachts in Ultra-HD; getting him here on some guy's Sony is reminiscent of the Blair Witch Project--it just makes him too real. Before this he always existed as something of a fictional character, just hanging out in Florida doing studio rap about blow and partying from dusk till dawn. Now, I see that he is indeed a real person, and sort of like a grizzly.

I'm underwhelmed by Rick Ross' performance skills. I recognize that this video actually has concert footage, but I'm suspicious. Would it actually be any good? When thought about in concrete terms, a Rick Ross show could possibly be the most boring event on Earth. I've never attended but I did once see 8-Ball do a set, and I can tell you that it was labored.

DJ Khaled looks a lot like Emlilo Estevez in this one. Also, could he do one video without jumping around like a moron? We the best.

Anyway, all this is to say that Ace Gutta has no career ahead of him. I'll never understand why videos like this make it on to the major blogs. It's really just ridiculous. Shit's getting real derivative down in Miami.

Update: Forgot to mention that I honestly laughed out loud at this. DJ Khaled reminds me of a bad actor from mid 90s Nickelodean. Like, he would do well hosting "Double Dare" or "Wild 'n' Crazy Kids!"

If you're looking for real beats, see here.

I love Rhymefest. He's not someone I can listen to every week or anything, but going back to CD every now and then is like remembering a favorite book. Despite his Kanye ties, I think the dude is clever, smart and not overly preachy while still political.

He is also ridiculous. I mean, the dude did a cover of "Build Me Up Buttercup" with ODB that is one of the most amazing things ever. And it seems like he is letting the ridiculous take over as I just found out he has a new mixtape out that is based around, of all things, Michael Jackson.

Needless to say, it is insane. It is also infinity listenable. I dig Mark Ronson, and he produced it, so the beats are enjoyable, the spits good and the concept...something. It does expose a major flaw of Rhymefest, which is that despite his large personality, his flow is a little flat and his beats tend to run together, but the fact that this sort of madness is the mixtape makes me excited for his sophomore release.

Does anyone else feel like we're just twiddling out thumbs until spring comes and every album anticipated album comes out? April is gonna be off the chain.

Man in the Mirror (Thanks to Wale)

School is upon me, but the end of the week holds Living Legends live in Santa Cruz and Immortal Technique in San Fran.

Re-Up Gang interviewed over at OnSmash, and new audio, "You Ain't A Killer," at FADER. Peter Rosenberg also got an exclusive. The Clipse and company are stepping up lately, 2008 looking lovely. (Also on the Re-Up blog.)

Nah Right is keeping the dead prez/Evergreen College story alive with a new video from the Hip-Hop Congress. Additional info here and at XXL. It looks like the Hip-Hop Congress is dropping a fundraiser CD for the Thurston County Sheriff's Office. Not sure what to make of that one, but I'm not buying it. Ironically enough, dead prez will be on the comp. Never thought I'd see the day stic and M-1 signed off on fundraiser for the cops.

... Out of nowhere come Redman and Method Man with a brand new track. "Broken Language 2008" is definitely decent, and--I'm hoping--a signal for a future album. Been missing these two together for a minute.

Miss Info covers Juvenile's recent tragedy, which has made the mainstream media as well. I wonder what the talking heads will have to say about rap and gun violence. I'm sure it wont be pretty.

Weezy haters everywhere are latching onto some alleged Aliyah biting. Meh, whatever. Weezy's catalog speaks for itself, this kind of shit proves nothing. Jay-Z bit, Em bit. Everyone bit. There's just not enough words anyway, real talk.

Game goes to jail. Not the first time homie has been taken in on camera, peep the classic scene in Stop Snitchin', Stop Lyin' if you ain't know.

Panda Toes has Dude 'N Nem vs. Wiz Khalifa vs. Alice Deejay and also some new Justice, "D.V.N.O."

Del the Funkee Homosapien is ready to drop the Eleventh Hour (been working on it for too long), and some more audio has come out. Props to illRoots.

Finally, your favorite hipster rappers go at it, verse for verse: Naledge vs. Mickey Factz.

Everyone's favorite revolutionary of rap is coming west for a quick tour.
I've never actually seen Immortal Technique myself, but if his shows have even a hint of the same passion that characterize his recordings, I imagine that they aren't to be missed. Looks like he'll be in SF, so I may head up and peep game.

March 7 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern
March 8 - Los Angeles, CA - Oasis Locations
March 9 - San Francisco, CA - The Filmore
March 12 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
March 13 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
March 14 - Denver, CO - Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
March 15 -Aspen, CO - Belly Up Tavern
March 16 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre

Along for the ride are Poison Pen (Stronghold!!) and DJ G.I. Joe. Looks like Tech is prepping to drop The 3rd World with DJ Green Lantern sometime soon, so expect new material on this tour.

Wale ripped mics to a packed Club Mighty in San Francisco on Friday. Dude seemed happy to be there, and raced through a quick set including "Nike Boots" and the wonderful Justice mix, "Wale D.A.N.C.E." I'm not sure that he ever stopped smiling, and it felt much more like a dance party than a traditional hip-hop show. The man still seems to be a bit struck by all the sudden attention he's got--from blogs to Rolling Stone and XXL, everyone want to say that they called him the next big thing. Despite the hyper-hype, he had poise and held it together well on stage.

Wale put down a couple of frees, even digging deep for some 2Pac over which to flow. He dissed ringtone rap, gave love to Bay Area hyphy and spent a few bars discussing Eli, the Giants and Tom Brady's Super Bowl self-destruction. In the end, however, his set was a bit too short, maybe only 45 minutes.

I hear that there will be photos from this thing up on the Fader blog later today. So peep that, since I didn't bring a camera. And since we're talking about Wale, his track with Bun B, "Go Mode," finally made it to the blogs without a cease and desist notice.

Update: Fader blogs the show, with photos.

Got issue 34 of Stop Smiling in the mail this weekend, a 3-cover Jazz edition. I read every issue these people put out cover to cover like a poetry journal so I assure you, it's always worth picking up.

From Alex Abramovich's interview with Nas's father, Olu Dara also a lifer for the music:

AA: The Civil War was happening in 1619 and it's never stopped happening.

OD: Yeah. It shows you what happens with a young country started by everybody being out of pocket--the Europeans and the Africans, the Native Americans, everybody was on a wheel, moving around to places not knowing where they were and not knowing who they are. The country's like that now. It's a new country, what, 500 years old? It's a new country started by people who had no education.

AA: By illiterates--everyone was illiterate, all the whites were illiterate too.

OD: You're right--everyone. But everybody is different. Look at the black community. There are all kinds of denominations of churches, religions, hues, economic status. It's the same for white folks and everybody else. But if you grow up in a world where people delineate, "We are this and they are that," you're overlooking the idea that we are all humans. That's the one thing. We're doing the same thing, we're looking for the same shit. Everybody is trying to get something to eat, a decent place to live, a good education--all human beings are basically the same. It's just that I think we are lesser species than all other living things.

Growing up in the woods in Mississippi you could see that. I loved to stay around the animals, insects, plants and all kinds of beautiful stuff. Inderstanding how fortunate human beings are. As a kid I used to think, "Wow, we're fortunate. Peach trees are growing, fruit treas, everything is growing. We could survive by not even planting if we don'ts want to." Everything is here but the human being has some type of inferiority about who he is, unlike other living things. He's combative because one person has a better pair of shoes. But we are not superior to anything. We're somewhere way down the line. We're afraid to make correct decisions. I think when the human beings ceased to grunt and make noises like animals and started speaking that's when the trouble started. When the first guy started speaking, he probably said to somebody else, "What did you call me? What did you say about me? What?" Language to me is the enemy.

If you know me, you know I couldn't agree more.

If that didn't sell you here's another gem--an excerpt from Arthur Taylor's Notes and Tones: Musician to Musician Interviews--from Miles Davis in 1968:

AT: What interests you besides music and boxing?

MD: Nothing other than music and girls. Let's see, what else? Drummers, bass players, money, slaves, white folks.

Jazz haters, if that ain't gangsta, I don't know what is.