What's going on? I'm Claudio Cabrera, Co-Editor for Yoraps.com and you can peep this weekly summary every Friday at the site. I'm posting it here cause it's the board to be at in terms of online sites.
http://yoraps.com/news.php?subaction..._from=&ucat=1&
Who is Claudio Cabrera in a nutshell? The man who can call up George E. Curry and Michael Bloomberg to conversate and assist Rap City host Mad Linx in his day-to-day activities. FYI: I also placed 3rd in the IPA Awards in NY City for the Best Article on a Racial, Social, or Immigration issue. If you have an incarcerated friend or family member in New York State, it's definitely a must read. Link:
http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=2489
This section will provide you with my thoughts on issues going on across the globe along with my take on the Hip-Hop news of the week. You have other sites on the net and columnists who do the same thing except that they don’t insert news outside of the genre that may be relevant to our readers. Just because we’re a Hip-Hop site, it doesn’t mean that’s all we’re educated on.
“More than Music”
50 Shots. If you haven’t heard about it yet, NY city cops unloaded 50 shots on two unarmed black men killing one last weekend. Their excuse, they thought they saw one of the men reach into their waist like they had a gun. Look, I know the inner city is where the most crime goes on and there are a lot of black males incarcerated in this country, but cops need to be taught to disassociate “black” with “crime.” Perception is a major problem and people who have the right to walk around with a gun in their pocket every day should be better trained. 50 shots is unjustifiable in any circumstance. The events have brought national attention to the joke of a police force that is the “NYPD.” 9-11 did for the NYPD what it’s doing for that crook Mayor Giuliani’s presidential run. Their both facades and I’m hoping “America’s Mayor” doesn’t becomes “America’s President.” I’m hoping...
More about 50...but this time “Cent.” So, 50 Cent calls Oprah an “Oreo” in one of those uppity magazines. He says Oprah doesn’t speak to black women any more, but more to middle aged white women. Why do I tend to agree? You just need to look at the studio audience.
I let the dust settle before I put my two cents on this whole Kramer situation. I’ve seen a bunch of blogs and people contributing hours on time to the former “Seinfeld” star, but I won’t. Bottom line: I wish everyone was more like Kramer. Why apologize for your true feelings? If your racist, say it loud and proud. Don’t be scared. It’s like Mel Gibson. He releases a blatant anti-semitic movie and swears on his life that he doesn’t dislike Jews. Next thing you know, he’s getting pulled over and saying Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world. Political correctness needs to end now.
Did you see the previews for that “Real World” episode where the white gay dude says “Their’s a ni**er trying to kill me.” I’ve been guilty of watching a show where 7 people do nothing. After this, you won’t catch me watching this garbage. MTV purposely puts these people together knowing there will be friction to get ratings. They’re not trying to change the white Christian dude into a non-racist, they want him to be as discriminatory as possible.
By the way, the N word has just been on a roll lately. It’s time to stop using the word even if it may be too late. All this is getting out of hand.
Affirmative Action. Did anyone notice how it got shut down in Michigan a few weeks ago and their was barely any press on it. If you don’t pay attention, it’s going to be shut down very soon in a city near you and the media will do their best not to cover it extensively.
Ok, this is definitely going to ruffle some feathers. But what's the big deal with Barack Obama? The next big thing hasn't done anything but give a good speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. The only reason he has a remote shot at the White House is because whites love Obama cause he isn't “black” like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. Not black in terms of race, but because he's not pro-black and out there picketing, etc. Another reason is cause he’s light skin which means he's non-threatening and if you disagree with that stance you’re a fool. Another thing, I've seen him and his constituents up close and spoken to people in his camp and you'd be hard pressed to see a “brother” or “sister” on his team. If he becomes President, great. But I bet you great speeches and all, if he had a little more melanin, he'd have no shot. Plus, Tupac said it best: "I know it seems heaven sent, but we ain't ready for a black President."
Close to 50 percent of Black and Latino men in NY have no jobs. That means 1 in every 2 brothers or hermanos you see are either on the block or have their own record label. In the illustrious words of Goodie Mob and Kast: "Git up, Git out, and get something!
HOVA is a humanitarian now and with all that money, I’d expect him to be. One of the best lines Jay’s dropped this past year didn’t even get on a track, it’s what he said when he was in Africa on how “We Americans don’t live in the hood, we live good compared to 3rd world countries.” Of course we do Mr. Carter, but don’t act like living in the ghetto is fun. We may not be without proper sanitation and water, but struggle lives in the inner cities of America. Watch what you say Jay, you really starting to sound like a “Black Republican.”
“Music for life”
Thug Motivation 102 - The Inspiration...Mr. Jeezy drops his 2nd album on December 12th. When I spoke with Jeezy a few months back in an interview, I realized that he’s not a lyricist, but a motivational speaker. I decided to stop criticizing him for his lyrics and just hear the music out. For example, CNN couldn’t rhyme for their lives, but came from the era where all “Queens” rappers got the best beats in New York City and production wise, those CNN albums were a problem. So, I’m listening to his new LP and it just sucked flat out. The production was bad and the only thing I’ll say is that Jeezy is expanding his subject matter and that’s a positive. It’s more grown than the 1st, but not better. Sort of like the Black Album and Kingdom Come.
Speaking of CNN, they’re reuniting. Thank God. The Reggaeton **** wasn’t working Nore.
Ghostface...One of my favorite artists ever has dropped an album (More Fish) so horrible it’s up there with “Bulletproof Wallets.” What ever happened to the Supreme Clientele days?
First it was platinum, then 850,000, down to 708,000, and finally we got a set answer from the most reliable source of them all, Billboard.com which set Jay-Z’s opening week at 680,000 units sold. “Kingdom Come” (check my review by the way if you haven’t on the site) is Jay’s largest opening week ever and the chart-topper of the year to date. I believe we can all agree in unison that if there was no leak, he probably would’ve done a million first week. Now, the fact that the LP was out close to two weeks before it’s release on the net and it sold close to 700,000 shows me that a lot of fans didn't buy it and some didn't because they were disappointed with it including me. Is Jay-Z better lyrically at 36 than 99% of the industry? Yes. But, it’s still time to go. Let the youth do their thing even if they don’t look promising. If you don’t give them a chance, we will never know.
Nas...Oh, I love talking about this guy because he has so many diehard fans. The man used to be my favorite rapper in the “Illmatic and It was Written” days, but ever since then he’s been a lost soul. “Stillmatic” a classic? You must be kidding me. “God’s Son” was better all around. The whole point of this. I wouldn’t be shocked if Nas drops a dud. But in reality, all that really matters is if “Hip Hop is Dead” is better than “Kingdom Come” because that’s all people will talk about. Real Talk.
The 50 barrage continues. 50 gets on the radio and says Game can’t make a hook for his life. I agree, even though I can’t stand 50 and I like Game’s album. There’s no chorus on “One Blood” other than a guy screaming and the one on “Let’s Ride” sounds like something 50 would put on a mixtape track. Unless Game stops name dropping and all this talking about people from G-Unit to Vida Guerra (or Vida Guerrera as he says), I can’t see Game doing his thing 2 or 3 more albums in. As for 50, the G-Unit ship is sinking quick. Mobb Deep, Banks, and Yayo ain't going to keep it afloat.
One man that can is Young Buck. He's like the southern version of 50 because he talks recklessly.
XXL is known to do this whole “Milk Carton Missing Rapper” thing. I’m going to flip it sort of. Profile a rapper who doesn’t get his just due from the Hip-Hop community and media. Ice Cube. The greatest West coast artist of all time. That includes Mr. Shakur if you want to consider him from the West. Now, if you want to argue between Cube and Shakur or Snoop or Dre, even Game we can. All I’m going to say is: “Amerikka’s Most Wanted,” “Death Certificate,” and “Predator.” Pac was notorious for dropping garbage albums other than “Me Against the World” and “All Eyez on Me.” Dre has 2 classics, Snoop 1, Game 0. Plus, Ice Cube shuts them all down lyrically so you can’t really argue with me.
Song of the week: It was tough to make a call between Weezy’s “Cry Out” and that new Nas joint with Game, but I picked Wayne. The Nas track is clearly better, but “Cry Out” finally convinced me that Weezy is a star because I was putting him down for a while. Plus, that “Show Me What You Got” remix was something vicious.
Finally, I got to thank Kai for the opportunity to disperse my thoughts to people across the world along with the weekly news. I hope your family can get through this tough time. A big shout out to my sister (feel better) and the homey J.A.M.E.S. Watts for taking his time to think of a title that would suit Mr. Cabrera perfectly.
Underground mixtape of the week: Myspace.com/thegameneedsjames
Music at it's best.
If you want to send me any suggestions, comments, hate mail, or death threats you can reach me at
nhmgmt@gmail.com or just drop a comment on the page.
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My thoughts on Sean Bell's murder, Obama, Kramer, etc..
