HipHop Dojo

Welcome to the Dojo! Hip-Hop is the philosophy by which I live, and the energy which I model my life around. Daily album rates, suggestions welcome.

[hiphopdojo]

Album of the Day: Behind the Front, by the Black Eyed Peas. Yes ladies and gentlemen, there was a time before Fergie for the Black Eyed Peas. And honestly, I’m inclined to believe they were better this way. Sure, without Fergie we wouldn’t have gotten so many excellent BEP songs that we’ve all blasted on repeat...  but this album contains more hip-hop than nearly any of the groups other albums. What I really appreciate about this album is that this is before Will.i.am ditched apl.de.ap and Taboo, and they get a ton of great spotlight here.

8/10

[shakeitoffs]

“We’re not gonna teach low self esteem and hate to our kids. We’re gonna teach our kids that they can be something, we’re gonna teach our kids that they can stand up for themselves, we’re gonna teach our kids to believe in themselves.

Kanye West in his acceptance speech for the Video Vanguard Award at the 2015 MTV VMAs (via shakeitoffs)

[hiphopdojo]

The truth must dazzle gradually, or every man be blind.

Emily Dickinson 

[hiphopdojo]

Album of the Day: Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell, by Jedi Mind Tricks.  JMT’s third album (2006), this is one of my personal all-times. A good mix of the expected hardcore raps, and some truly beautiful, heartfelt music. Produced, masterfully, by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, the beats and lyrics are matched excellently in every song. Every song is standout, to me, but the song most people would pick is Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story. 

10/10

[libertymaniacs]

Scenes from Ferguson.

[illuminology]

stuff you see in movies

[hiphopdojo]

Album of the Day: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, by Outkast. No hip-hop conversation is complete without discussing the legendary duo that is Big Boi and Andre 3000. This album, which was released in 1994, offers funky music and incredible lyricism... So yeah just a ton of Outkast written all over this joint. The ONLY thing that I can hold against this album, is that this is from the time where Big Boi was essentially Andre’s sidekick because his skills were weak compared to Andre’s. 

10/10

[hiphopdojo]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gucMNBXQXsE)

Little known fact, Cee-Lo Green was to be the third member of Outkast. Here’s a remix of the Outkast song “Git Up, Git Out” which features Cee-Lo rapping. 

[hiphopdojo]

EDIT

Cee-Lo didn’t become the third member because Big Boi and Andre felt that their bond was too tight to let a third person in the group. 

source: http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/big-boi-says-cee-lo-green-was-almost-a-part-of-outkast-news.3725.html

[hiphopdojo]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gucMNBXQXsE)

Little known fact, Cee-Lo Green was to be the third member of Outkast. Here’s a remix of the Outkast song “Git Up, Git Out” which features Cee-Lo rapping. 

[hiphopdojo]

Ever heard of the rap group 2 Shade Deep? No? HELL NO you haven’t! Before Outkast was Outkast, they went by the name 2 Shade Deep.

[straightouttacomptonmovie-blog]

Check out the new poster for Straight Outta Compton. The World’s Most Dangerous Group hits theaters on August 14.

[hiphopconvosdotcom]

Straight Outta Compton is a MUST SEE!!  I literally just stepped in from the movie theater and had to write a post immediately!

The energy in the theater was palpable, and the inspiration I feel right now is indescribable.  I just witnessed a true testimony of strength, will, courage, and incredible artistry.  What I’m most inspired by is the resilience of Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.  They were set back time and time again, and they always came back swinging and on top.

Aside from the inspiration, this movie left me with two main thoughts that everyone can apply to their lives.

1.  Anything’s possible.  If they can make it out of the circumstances they endured, then ANYBODY can make it out of ANYWHERE.  No excuses. 

2.  True artistry will catapult you to the moon.  It’s interesting that those in the story who made money their main focus pretty much ended up back where they started, with not too much to show for their journey.  However, Cube and Dre always put their love for the art first, and look where they are now.  They were fueled by more than just the money.  In fact, they both left money on the table for the sake of peace of mind and higher pursuits.  They chased their dreams, and the money chased them.

Everyone needs to get to the theater to see this ASAP.  I may even have to make a second visit myself.  It will definitely be in my dvd collection as soon as it hits the stores.  I’ll have an endless supply of inspiration at my fingertips for life. 

[questblazer]

[hiphopdojo]

[hiphopdojo]

A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.

Unknown(?)

[wakeup-and-learnsomething]

[deprogrammingthelattice]

This is the internal struggle I had with a lot of family and friends. My grievance always revolved around, ‘why do you let legality guide you instead of what you believe is right or wrong?'  this was long long before I even found out about the deliberate war on consciousness.  'Sheeplehood’ always bothered the crap out of me, but could never identify or vocalize it.  When you wake up to the fact that the whole world is mad, everything starts to make sense, then the inner conflict and self-hatred ends.

[hiphopdojo]

Always let this be a part of your ethical system/thought process. The law isn’t always right, ethically or logically, so we must learn to question, and transcend the social constructs of government. Keep woke America. 

[hiphopdojo]

Fun Wu Tang Fact

The song B.I.B.L.E. (basic instructions before leaving earth), on GZA’s album Liquid Swords, doesn’t host a single verse by GZA. Both verses are written and performed by Killah Priest. The song is also featured on Killah Priest’s album Heavy Mental, which came out three years after Liquid Swords. 

[hiphopdojo]

Album of the Day: Regulate... G Funk Era Part II, by Warren G. Hellloooooo G-Funk!! Where have you been all these years? This release has been slept on a little too much, even by me. It’s release had like no publicity and I think that’s sinful. This funky set offers some classic sounding Warren G, with a good range of features (especially for such a short album), and Nate Dogg. Yes! They pulled together some old, unreleased Nate Dogg vocals, and threw them all over this album! While it’s certainly refreshing to hear Nate’s butter-smooth voice, I can’t help but feel disappointed at the lack of real crooning on his part. The only other negative thing I can find is the common malady of music: lack of variety. 

7/10

[hiphopdojo]

I don't believe that life and death have partnership. I don't believe that we HAVE to die. I believe that we make ourselves die.

RZA