A few days ago, I learned that it takes less than 3 Waka Flocka Flame or Gucci Mane songs played in a row for my thoughts toward the DJ to turn homicidal. Obviously, I am not blogging from prison, so I resisted my strong urge to grab a speaker and bludgeon to death the person responsible for playing those songs. I was at a good friend’s birthday get-together where a good percentage of the crowd there was younger than me, and they went to school in South Carolina. At first I chalked it up as “Leon, just accept that you’re too old to get anything worthwhile from listening to some guy who sounds angry AND retarded grumbling and groaning about going hard in the paint.”
Then, I had a hip-hop moment of clarity. I realized that I should not be too mad at the younger generation for liking wack rappers with really stupid names(although “Waka Flocka Flame” is a motherf*ckin DOOZY). My generation of hip-hop, the 90′s, is largely responsible for the fact that this guy has a thriving career. To everybody who has made fun of Muppet Show mumble-mouth-ass Waka Flocka, ask yourself: How many “No Limit” records did YOU buy in the 90′s? Them sh*ts weren’t going platinum by themselves, so I know a LOT of you all are just as guilty as I am! No Limit put out a new album damn near every week, most of which contained ONE good song, at best. They used the exact same formula that’s still working today: Hard beats and ignorant subject matter.
I’m not necessarily saying “ignorant” is always a bad thing, because sometimes I want that escape. I can’t afford to go to prison for f*cking someone up, so I’ll let C-Murder do it for me in a song(or, in his case, in real-life). The only time it sucks is when there is no balance, and “ignorant” is the only thing you hear, 50 times a day.
These sentiments go out twice as much for people who own “Silkk The Shocker” albums. The man was a HORRIBLE rapper, and a shining example of nepotism at it’s finest. If his brother weren’t Master P, the best thing he could have asked for out of life was to be Silkk the weed man, or Silkk the assistant manager at Rent-A-Center. If you have ever paid money for Silkk the Shocker music, please cut Soulja Boy some slack. You are in NO POSITION to judge!
So now that my Waka Flocka Flame Theory is complete, I have to agree with something rapper Jean Grae said on Twitter yesterday:
“If you’re really sick of the bullsh*t, then BE sick of the bullsh*t. Support the art, the ideas you believe in“
The only way that quality music will thrive is if we stand behind it and demand it, and most importantly, BUY IT, as opposed to letting the corporations force-feed us sub-par product via heavy rotation all day long. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s end this entry in the most appropriate manner possible; in song!
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I ,Sir, can be self-righteous as I never bought any albums from those mentioned. And I grew up in the South when Master P and co. were at the top of there game..
That said Jean is right.. if we don’t support the artist doing what we think is right.. then stop your whining and crying. That also means going out and seeking the truth not waiting for a news bulletin on CNN or BET that the Real is back.
Very true
I didn’t really phcuk with No Limit, I thought they were wack as he11 as well LMAO!!!
LOL that’s funny
You know what…I knew I was good and grown when i asked my young niece wth is a waka flocka flame?
Never did I think that crunk music would continue to spawn such idiocy.
Never did I think I would miss Too Short…at least I understood what he was saying.
I still ask that question! I was expecting to see Fozzie Bear from the Muppet Show or something.
Every time I hear his name I think Dhalsim is performing a super move and can hear the Street Fighter announcer guy say “Waka Flocka Flame! Dhalsim wins. Perfect!” But then I am just weird.
I JUST made a “Yoga Flame” joke on Saturday, so I’m with you! I was struggling to remember dude’s name from Street Fighter II. Thanks for reminding me that it’s Dhalsim!
At least No Limit had Mystikal. And to be fair, at least they attempted to rap, they just did it badly. And in the case of Silk, VERY BADLY!!!
Wacka Flocka doesn’t even try, and admits to not having a desire to try. That’s what’s most infuriating about him. He seems to have fallen ass backwards into stardom, and refuses to acknowledge what he’d have to do to stay relevant.
And when did some people even first hear about his ass? Not until AFTER his dumb-ass got shot! What a cliché!!!
Yeah, getting shot and/or dying is the best thing a rapper can do to increase record sales!
When I first heard of “Waka Flocka,” I thought it was a type of mythologica bird only seen in old Sinbad the Sailor movies.
When I first heard of “Plies,” I immediately thought exercise equipment.
Once I figured out they were names of rappers, I realized that at 26 curmudgeon.
*…I realized that at 26 I was a curmudgeon.
I feel you. When I wrote this, it was the beginning of the end for me: http://listentoleon.net/index.php/2007/08/18/den-superman-dat-hoe/
LMAO at this post, I believe I was at this same party, I totally agree with you that we need balance, I have some ignorant nigger music on my ipod but I balance with much more substantive music and I take the INM for what it is.
Yeah, balance is necessary! I wasn’t at that party long, because I was tired from being in VA earlier. Still, if you were there, then you know what I’m talking about in the entry.
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