Magic Johnson's video is pretty great too. I still watch these if I want to get hype before going to play basketball.
Watch these inspiring videos and have a great day!
Peace.
Showing posts with label Dope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dope. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Just Because
As a child, my favorite VHS tape was NBA Superstars 2. It contained highlights of the NBA's top players of the day with a great song to complement the plays. Featuring Magic Johnson, Centers of the NBA, Dominique Wilkins, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and more, my brothers and I watched this tape religiously. I woke up this morning with Patti Labelle's song on the MJ vid stuck in my head. So here it is . . .
Magic Johnson's video is pretty great too. I still watch these if I want to get hype before going to play basketball.
Watch these inspiring videos and have a great day!
Peace.
Magic Johnson's video is pretty great too. I still watch these if I want to get hype before going to play basketball.
Watch these inspiring videos and have a great day!
Peace.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Everyday is Black History
Here at Brothers, we've been slacking. I have been meaning to post something about the month of February and its significance but there's one problem. The reality is that we should be celebrating black history every day. If you're a person who is truly black and proud, Black History permeates each and every single second of every day of your life.
Black History is something you have to live and understand your importance and position in culture. In a country where black men are murdered and imprisoned at alarming rates, we must all remember our ancestors that were enslaved, tortured, persecuted, and humiliated in order to improve our own lives. While shopping at Barnes & Noble, I discovered this gem of a book with hundreds of quotations from Black people. I read from it every day.
Black History is something you have to live and understand your importance and position in culture. In a country where black men are murdered and imprisoned at alarming rates, we must all remember our ancestors that were enslaved, tortured, persecuted, and humiliated in order to improve our own lives. While shopping at Barnes & Noble, I discovered this gem of a book with hundreds of quotations from Black people. I read from it every day.
The video below shares some enlightening sentiments from Detroit Red aka Malcolm X. I leave you with some words of advice via the great El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz!
"In the ghettoes the white man has built for us, he has forced us not to aspire to greater things, but to view life as survival."
Peace and Love
K. Plattinum
Monday, January 19, 2015
Off The Top Freestyle w/KiD CuDi
Here at Brothers we are always fans of dope music and freestyles. This vintage off the top Cudder freestyle over some unreleased 88 Keys production will certainly have you bobbing your head. Enjoy!
Friday, December 5, 2014
A Day in the Life
Intro
Amidst the Eric Garners, Trayvon Martins, Mike Browns, and countless others, America still has no idea what the life of a black male consists of. White supremacy has pervaded every level of society all over the world and it has systematically made us enemies in the subconscious of everyone, including our own people. That being said, black males must learn and understand how the world views them in each and every possible situation that can occur in a given day. Read on and I will detail the daily interactions I experience as a young, educated black male living in America.
Growing up with four older brothers, I have been conscious of how society views me for as long as I can remember. I credit my parents, home life, personal experiences, and propensity for reading black literature, for helping me to see the world the way it is. Unfortunately, the bulk of young black men don't have a strong support system of brothers AND/OR a father figure to teach them how to navigate the proverbial cloud of white supremacy. This causes a lack of knowledge that is essential to the SURVIVAL of black males in this country.
The Package
These days, I wear whatever clothes I want because I enjoy comfort while out running errands and whatnot. Whether it's a tee shirt, polo shirt, jeans, khakis, or shorts, I make sure that my clothes fit properly and my pants aren't sagging. Why? Because if you look unkempt as a black male, people think you're a criminal. Each day I have to be careful about the package that I present in public because otherwise, people will assume I'm just another "robbing, stealing, killing nigger."
I walk with a purpose, keep my head held high and I speak to all people using proper english because that's how I was raised. I walk with my head up because I enjoy seeing the reactions of white folks and others when this skinny black guy is walking down the street. Rarely do I see another black man during my ventures and if I do, they always get a hello or nod of recognition. Others however, stare at the ground, clutch their purses tighter, walk faster, and my personal favorite, refuse to acknowledge your presence. I see the looks and I know what they're thinking based on their facial and physical demeanor. And these are just the cases of strangers whom I don't know and will never get to know.
These are just the little things that happen everyday that I notice. There are always the store associates that follow me around the store, policeman shining their flashlights in my face whilst riding my bike home at night, the elementary school teacher that told me I'd never amount to anything, getting arrested and the cops letting my white friend go home free while me and two black dudes are sent off to jail, and the list goes on. . .
This is America
I don't let these things affect me anymore, because I expect it to happen. This is America, a country founded on the backs of free labor and white supremacy. They brought our ancestors here against their will, and now they don't want us here and will continue to kill and imprison us at every chance they get. So black men, know that white supremacy exists and we are at the bottom of their hierarchy.
It's our job to survive and support our families, so don't even give them the opportunity to say they were "defending themselves" because as we know, it always ends with an acquittal or lack of indictment, and a dead black man.
Brothers
In order to get a better understanding of self, I urge my brothers to read the books of the past by black male authors. Their stories are just as relevant today, if not more so. We have to get an appreciation for what they went through in order to find your path and figure out how you can make a positive impact. Some must reads include: Native Son by Richard Wright, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X & Alex Haley just to name a few.
It's not about hating white people, it's about loving yourself and your people. We define the culture. Know that you have worth!! Black is Beautiful!!
"The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less." - Eldridge Cleaver, Soul on Ice
Peace
K. Plattinum
Amidst the Eric Garners, Trayvon Martins, Mike Browns, and countless others, America still has no idea what the life of a black male consists of. White supremacy has pervaded every level of society all over the world and it has systematically made us enemies in the subconscious of everyone, including our own people. That being said, black males must learn and understand how the world views them in each and every possible situation that can occur in a given day. Read on and I will detail the daily interactions I experience as a young, educated black male living in America.
Growing up with four older brothers, I have been conscious of how society views me for as long as I can remember. I credit my parents, home life, personal experiences, and propensity for reading black literature, for helping me to see the world the way it is. Unfortunately, the bulk of young black men don't have a strong support system of brothers AND/OR a father figure to teach them how to navigate the proverbial cloud of white supremacy. This causes a lack of knowledge that is essential to the SURVIVAL of black males in this country.
The Package
These days, I wear whatever clothes I want because I enjoy comfort while out running errands and whatnot. Whether it's a tee shirt, polo shirt, jeans, khakis, or shorts, I make sure that my clothes fit properly and my pants aren't sagging. Why? Because if you look unkempt as a black male, people think you're a criminal. Each day I have to be careful about the package that I present in public because otherwise, people will assume I'm just another "robbing, stealing, killing nigger."
I walk with a purpose, keep my head held high and I speak to all people using proper english because that's how I was raised. I walk with my head up because I enjoy seeing the reactions of white folks and others when this skinny black guy is walking down the street. Rarely do I see another black man during my ventures and if I do, they always get a hello or nod of recognition. Others however, stare at the ground, clutch their purses tighter, walk faster, and my personal favorite, refuse to acknowledge your presence. I see the looks and I know what they're thinking based on their facial and physical demeanor. And these are just the cases of strangers whom I don't know and will never get to know.
These are just the little things that happen everyday that I notice. There are always the store associates that follow me around the store, policeman shining their flashlights in my face whilst riding my bike home at night, the elementary school teacher that told me I'd never amount to anything, getting arrested and the cops letting my white friend go home free while me and two black dudes are sent off to jail, and the list goes on. . .
This is America
I don't let these things affect me anymore, because I expect it to happen. This is America, a country founded on the backs of free labor and white supremacy. They brought our ancestors here against their will, and now they don't want us here and will continue to kill and imprison us at every chance they get. So black men, know that white supremacy exists and we are at the bottom of their hierarchy.
It's our job to survive and support our families, so don't even give them the opportunity to say they were "defending themselves" because as we know, it always ends with an acquittal or lack of indictment, and a dead black man.
Brothers
In order to get a better understanding of self, I urge my brothers to read the books of the past by black male authors. Their stories are just as relevant today, if not more so. We have to get an appreciation for what they went through in order to find your path and figure out how you can make a positive impact. Some must reads include: Native Son by Richard Wright, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X & Alex Haley just to name a few.
It's not about hating white people, it's about loving yourself and your people. We define the culture. Know that you have worth!! Black is Beautiful!!
"The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less." - Eldridge Cleaver, Soul on Ice
Peace
K. Plattinum
Monday, June 2, 2014
RetroHash Album Review
Early Beginnings
Asher Roth's sophomore LP came out in late April, so I've had about a month to listen to it thoroughly. This much anticipated release shows lots of growth from Roth since his 2008 party anthem I Love College and Asleep in the Bread Aisle, his debut album. Since then, Asher has released a bevy of mixtapes and an EP with Virginia rapper/producer Nottz, which has only boosted his lyrical and song making abilities. This earlier Asher Roth and Kid Cudi freestyle shows both artists exceptional skills when it comes to controlling the mic.
Mixtapes
Seared Foie Gras with Quince & Cranberry shows Roth freestyling over a number of classic productions including The Diplomats' I'm Ready and Cam'Ron's Down. Pabst & Jazz has Asher taking a unique approach by flowing over heavily jazz inspired production via Chuck Inglish, Blended Babies, and others. These two tapes are my personal favorites and RetroHash contains the best elements from both works.
RetroHash Favorites
Parties at the Disco starts this album with a smooth sound and Ash singing about feeling wishful and partying at the disco. Dude brings the Blended Babies (they produced the majority of the album) back for another sick track with flawless worldplay also featuring Curren$y. Spitta and Roth talk about being that dude in an industry where most people compromise themselves. The album continues with hippy-like dance tracks Tangerine Girl and Pull It until my favorite song, Fast Life featuring Vic Mensa. On this song, we hear Asher talk about getting caught up in the fast life and the troubles of trying to grow up too quickly. Last of the Flohicans has Asher putting his lyricism on display with three great verses (just listen to them). Be Right has Major Myjah on the hook where Asher spits about keys to finding happiness in life.
Summary
RetroHash finishes up as quickly as it starts - it's only 10 songs and 41 minutes long. I may not have done the album justice with my analysis. However, each song contains musical elements and lyrics that show Roth's growth as an artist. Get your copy asap!
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon
Last night Kid Cudi, a huge favorite here at Brothers delivered his fourth studio album. It's always good to have some great music in rotation.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Dopeness
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