For Your Listening Pleasure
Jimi Hendrix – Band of Gypsys
With the recent news that some vintage Hendrix performances are set to be released, I thought I’d dig into the Till My Head Falls Off vaults and pull out one of those albums I haven’t listened to since… college perhaps? This is a great live album. Recorded soon after the Jimi Hendrix Experience broke up in 1969, Billy Cox joins Jimi on bass, with Buddy Miles on drums, and they bring the FUNK. Six songs, a lot of jamming, Jimi’s guitar wailing… it doesn’t get much groovier than this. Definitely give it a listen if you get the chance.
News to You
Snoop, Snoop, Snoop. What are we gonna do with you?
I guess we all knew when Big Snoop Dogg turned over a “new leaf” and gave up weed, it was only a matter of time before something controversial would pop up. Okay, something a bit more controversial than getting kicked off of the Muppets Christmas special. The master emcee’s latest run in with the law seems to be based on his participation with the controversial “Girls Gone Wild” folks — and a couple of these girls are suing Snoop, claiming that he offered them weed and/or ecstasy in exchange for going wild. From what I’ve read so far, it seems that GGW owner Joe Francis had all of his basis covered, posting signs outside of the party where the filming took place, stating that by entering, the girls “consent to the use of such film and your image in a commercial film product.” Whether or not the girls were asked their age, and if they were offered drugs, seem to be the factors that will decide this case, so I’ll do the smart thing here and shut up until the lawyers and courts figure this whole mess out.
But one thing this has brought up yet again is the impact on such actions by celebrities on their fans — especially the kids. You know the drill: the kids love/cherish/look up to rap stars, ballplayers, and other celebrities, and once these celebrities start showing lapses in judgement and poor behavior, it’s time to figure out the best way to shield the kids from it all. Just ask Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly, who I believe genuinely cares about the well being of the nation’s children, and is never shy about his feelings on hip hop and rap music. As much as I agree his intentions are good, however, I think his rants against Eminem, Snoop, etc., are off base — not to mention unfair to the hip hop artists that get pigeonholed into the “bad influences” category due to arguments like his.
Which leads me into…
Hip Hop vs. Rap, Part 1
I’ve been avoiding this topic for quite some time, but the latest Snoop Dogg news, as well as a recent editorial by the New York Daily News‘ Stanley Crouch on the negatives of gangsta rap made me go through my old emails. One message in particular — a letter I wrote to Bill O’Reilly back in August 2001 as a response to a segment on his TV show, as well as his column on the subject, that I think hits the nail on the head:
Bill —
I watch your show fairly regularly, agree with you on some points, and disagree on others. I’m part of the “hip-hop demographic” — white, suburban, 25 years old (a fan for 10+ years), and curious of cultures I’m not a part of. Hip hop music has helped me learn a great deal. That’s why I’m glad you focused your displeasure on “rap” music.
As emcee KRS-One says “rap is something you do, hip hop is something you live.” Rapping is, as far as I’m concerned, speaking over music. Most rappers don’t rhyme to show off how socially conscious they are, but merely to show off, to shock, and to entertain. While rap, like any art, reflects certain aspects of society, it is not the “end-all” of urban music culture, merely one form of it that is used by many — from a gangsta rap group like NWA to rap-rockers like Limp Biskit to rappers like Eminem that often use comedy to get their points across. Hip hop is a movement, a big part of our culture since the early eighties, and something I hope you look further into. It can be positive, Mr. O’Reilly, it can force the youth to think, to have an outlet to express themselves AS WELL as be exposed to aspects of their lives and our Society that they ought to take very seriously. Hip hop encompasses various artforms in urban life (including emceeing (the actual speaking over music), deejaying, b-boying (break-dancing) and graffiti art (a debate for another show, I’m sure). Rap is an action movie; hip hop is a documentary….
Listen to these albums, please, and then tell us what you think of the hip hop community, and why — yes, even some rappers feel that others don’t take enough responsibility in their lyrics — it needs to ALL be ingested in order to get a bigger picture of how some music that you seem to be unfairly grouping all together can actually help our children learn, grow and form characteristics that will help them find their own personal responsibility…. not responsibility mandated by any government.
Oh, and call SoundScan to find out how many kids listen to THESE as well:
— Mos Def, Black on Both Sides
— Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star
— Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions….
— KRS One – A Retrospective
— The Roots – Things Fall Apart
It’s not all bitches and guns and hoes, Mr. Bill. Thanks.
Best regards,
Matthew Michaels
Massapequa, NY
PS – I appreciate your use of the word “bitch” in your recent WorldNetDaily column on the subject. Words are simply words… if used in the appropriate situations, they all have a place and a significance. People ought not be judged for the words they say, but for what they mean by them, don’t you agree?
To be fair, my letter was written without tons of research, and the five albums I suggested he listen to were right off the top of my head. But I’m curious to hear what YOU have to say about a few things: (1) What would you consider the core difference between rap and hip hop? (2) What “essential hip hop albums” would you include on your list, if you were trying to convert a “non-believer” and show them the difference between the “action movie” and the “documentary”? (3) What did I leave out? I’m sure a “Hip Hop vs. Rap, Part 2” is in me, but I’d like to know what you think first.
And Now… Poll Results!
Speaking of “wanting to know what YOU think,” here are the results of my informal poll on “which band has the craziest fans?” — Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, the Dave Matthews Band, Phish or Radiohead?
BUT FIRST, let me just say that this poll was in no way meant to be a scientific study on fanaticism. I was simply dropping three bands that I’ve seen/am hoping to see in concert this year, along with two others that from my interaction with said fans, seem to attract a following of truly insane folks.
NOW, the results:
o Dave Matthews Band: 46.4%
o Phish: 18.0%
o Bruce Springsteen: 14.2%
o Pearl Jam: 14.2%
o Radiohead: 3.6%
o Other: 3.6% (includes Insane Clown Posse, KISS, Aerosmith, Tool, Allman Brothers, and others)
Some tidbits/analysis:
— The Web sites where this article was posted have more DMB fans than any of the other of the above bands. Also, many people emailed me saying that while they are huge DMB fans, they aren’t crazy at all, and they simply go to “Dave concerts” to chill, smoke, drink, and be merry, so “I don’t know why DMB’s even on the poll!” (see all of the votes for “Other”).
— Most Bruce Springsteen or Phish fans simply replied “Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce!!” or “Phiiiiiiiiiiiiish!!!”
— Radiohead fans are obviously too cool for polls. Hehe.
While most responses to the poll question didn’t get into much detail, Marouse had a few interesting observations that I’ll share with you HERE:
Pearl Jam – honestly, I never classified Pearl Jam fans in their own right. I just group them with the whole alt-rock grunge Seattle group. It’s all about the white hats and plaid.
Springsteen – these fans are nothing but fun-lovin, 40 something, bra swinging (oh yes, I saw it) females. You know they type, with a smoke in one hand, a Bud in the other. They just like singing along, and yelling ‘Bruuuuuuuuce’. They’re not crazy, they’re just from New Jersey.
Dave Matthews – I hate “Dave” fans. Namely because they say things like “man, I saw Dave last night.” They don’t know “Dave”, and there’s like a million other people in his self-named band. But whatever. My parents make fun of Dave Matthews fans. The typical DMB fan is in love with the music, and the words, and the atmosphere, and all that other crap, but in my opinion, Dave Matthews sings gibberish, and his music is alright, but not amazing.
Phish – the quintessential college band, the fans are too stoned to be fanatical. They’re more the mellow sort. It’s impossible to hate a Phish fan, b/c they love you.
Radiohead – these fans tend to be more along the philosophical/artistic/smart realm. They really stand by the band, and are willing to end friendships over any sort of argument involving Radiohead… Radiohead fans are quick with the big words, so if you’re going to battle, be prepared with thesaurus on hand.
Well, I may not have my thesaurus on me, but I know what I DO have!
Fun With Spellchecker!
Well, not too much to work with lately, but this one — while a stretch — made me both uncomfortable AND made me laugh. Kinda like a homophobe with a good sense of humor watching that “Queer Eye…” show.
What I typed: “Mos Def”
What Spellchecker suggested: “Moose Dew”
Ewww!
Until next time…
peace. love. moe.
– Matt
Till My Head Falls Off can be found weekly on 411 Music (old columns are archived in the pull-down menu below). Already hit everything on 411? You can find more from Matthew Michaels at moodspins and 1-42.
