The Rinsing of Hip-Hop – Can It Survive Without The Herb?
It’s 1990, Erlangen, Germany. I’m in a limo with my black-and-white, striped Adidas gleaming like a pearl-coated set of piano keys, and I’m chilling with some iconic hip-hop artists. We were on the way to a club called Marilyn’s to cop some hashish. They needed a hundred dollar piece and my friend told them that I could find it for them. Well, I did it, and we instantly became best friends once the potent smoke hit their lungs. When I got out of that limo, I had a permanent joker smile for months. Fast forward to 2008. I’m sitting on the couch at some recording studio in Orlando, FL; the producer is cramped up in the soundproof room, hot boxing with the artist. I started seeing double and caught the munchies as I caught a whiff of the potent kush smoke they let escape from the room. As I watched, I started to wonder, “What would hip-hop be like without the mood-altering herb?”

The mind-bending flower was glorified by West Coast rappers Snoop Dogg and Cypress Hill, and East Coast rappers like Red Man, Method Man and the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan. It’s still the main ingredient that puts an artist in a creative realm, with all their golden eggs, and helps produce hits. It’s widely used in the industry, somewhat like having a cup of coffee to jump-start the day or, in this case, the session.

It’s so old now though, I mean really, you can’t rap or write without being high? Wow! What a crutch. I have been at clubs where rap artists will be performing, and when in the VIP section it’s like B.Y.O.W. along with a gas mask. You better be holding some good icky sticky wicky, kush, bubble thrax, or ooooowie or else your stay in VIP will be cut short and you’ll be ejected like a baseball player arguing with the umpire.
Its use is so blatant, you can see it at every video shoot, every concert, and every movie set that has artist-turned-actors – it’s everywhere. Should we just accept that it’s part of the hip-hop culture? Or can we rinse hip-hop and clean up the image that stains the youth and influences the fans?

This music culture has an abundant amount of different ingredients that represent hip-hop, so will it lose its edge if it’s a cleaner, clear minded, more polished entity? The hip-hop community wants to be referred to in an equal, non-condescending way, yet they are the biggest blunt smoking, pill popping, bottle gulping, woman jumping and not to mention drug dealing, bail bond junkies in the entertainment arena. I mean really, it might be for the better: we can start using big words in our interviews instead of the third grade grammar we’ve been spoon feeding you all. Plus, how stupid will you look claiming you’re so talented and so rich but you’re still getting arrested for drug-related incidents? Then you wonder why you’re doing a gazillion hours of community service for free.

I challenge the industry to clean up its act and try doing it sober and clear minded. There are some hip-hop artists out there that do just that, and have been very successful and critically acclaimed for their clean, positive image. They have also been offered bigger and better opportunities, especially when they’ve outgrown their fitted cap and turned 40. Like Nas said, “Imagine smoking weed in the streets without cops harassing.” Well it’s 2009. Imagine hearing a song, going to a concert, or even seeing a video without the herb and all that accompanies it. What would hip-hop be like? Maybe you won’t be shelved for three years after signing your life away to these record label executives because you’re higher than a kite, tore up on four pills with your pimp cup filled with Henny talking about, “Yeahhhhh! I’m rich bitch!”

Rinsing hip-hop of its blemishes will definitely lift the level of respect it’s given. It will also tidy up the smoky image that just doesn’t look cute anymore and leaves everyone in VIP talking in your face saying, “Yo dawg! We’re going to hook up fo sho to do some biz,” with that dragon breath kicking you in the face like Bruce Lee. Maybe we will get a new form of hip-hop with the content being positive, uplifting, and with a purpose in its delivery, its image, and lyrics. This way it can change and influence our youth and fans, bringing them to an elevated plateau in which they’re really doing something. Or you can be that artist wearing the big, fat, 17-pound bling-bling of a chain around your neck, bottle popping in the back of a limo, money raining on the million dollar set of your video shoot with your rented Lamborghini. That’s supposed to tell us what? That you’re the man? That you’re saving the world? That you’ve helped in the fight against terrorism? Or that you sent food to a Third World country that has millions starving? Or that you helped in finding a cure for AIDS, cancer, or Alzheimer’s, or helped to promote a bill in Congress that will benefit your people?

Imagine hip-hop without the “ooowie” effect. If you’re not living what you’re kicking, then be real and make a difference. Be that artist that employs a cleaner, positive, drug-free image and has content that can actually influence in a positive, trendsetting way. We now have a brother from another mother in the White House, so we know that “All is possible if you really want change.” So, can hip-hop survive without the herb? I think it can.

Words John Sankitts, Jr. – jon@goatmag.com

Skateboarding has gained an undeniable presence in hip-hop. How do you feel you’ve contributed to that success?

I think by just staying true to who I was.  I’m a big music fan.  I grew up in a household that was big on hip-hop.  So I just kept my same attitude, my same upbringing.  So I think it just went hand-in-hand, because I still looked like the normal, typical kid out the neighborhood, but I just skateboard, you know?

How does it feel to participate in a sport that is dominated by white skaters (in a commercial sense)?

What’s so crazy about that, dude, is like, that’s the first thing I ever did.  I always tell people when I interview like, that was the first community I ever went around and was actually accepted.  I played football and basketball and all that stuff in high school, but I was smaller then, so I wasn’t accepted.  It was like “Oh you ain’t fast enough” or “Oh you ain’t got enough weight.” I came into the situation with dirty shoes on, dirty threads and everybody was just like “Hey, let’s skate.”  It wasn’t nothin’ like, “Oh, this dude look outta the ordinary.” It was real cool.

How do you view African-Americans in skating?

Dude, they’re talented man.  It’s a lot of young dudes that’s under me that are African-American that are sponsored by a couple of companies that I’m on, and those dudes, the way they progressed, man, it’s amazing.  Like when I go back to my neighborhood in Long Beach, I see the kids in the neighborhood skating, and … it’s crazy.  Because, like, I’ll say, “Yo, let me see a kickflip,” and they kickflip and I’m like “Damn!”  It’s definitely growing at a rapid speed.  It’s amazing to go back and see stuff like that – kids going in the right direction and at the same time its cool. So many girls call me sexy now just off the simple fact that I skate, you know? [laughs] It’s crazy … kids love it because it makes you feel good about yourself.  You’re not, like, abandoned with the situation, like when I came through.  Now you can wear it like a badge of honor.  You got your little board, and you do what you do and people accept it.  That’s an overall blessing.

Do you think that Team Ice Cream had a major role in commercial skating?

Oh, heck yeah man, hands down. To this day, I always thank Pharrell. I just saw him just a few days ago, actually. And I appreciate that dude, because he was the one that helped us bring the situation we had to a bigger and better plateau.  It was only like respected in the white communities, like the commercial side of things – not the inner cities and the kids that really do it.  So he helped broadcast our talents in a way that would have our community accept it and be down for it.  Like, “Damn!  They travel, and they got chains and this and that.” It’s crazy because it appeals to our people and paints that picture.  That’s why, to this day, I always say I love that dude to death.  He’s like my big brother and I respect everything he’s done for us.  And he caught a lot of bullshit behind it and he kept with it.  And that shows his dedication to it.  A lot of people in the skate community were hating on him and hating on me throughout the situation because it was like “What’s going on?” We caught a lot of wrap behind it.  Like, when the video came out and people saw it, the press stuff and everything, and they accepted it, [I was] like “Whoa, I didn’t know it was that real.”  It was monumental.  It was fun … it was really fun.

Did your environment play a major role in your decision to skate?

Not for the better side of it. Long story short – growing up, I used to have to hide my board at my friend’s house and put my skate shoes in my backpack when I went through my neighborhood.  Because, like, all my brothers gangbanged and all that crazy stuff, so I guess the fact that I wanted to skate made our community look weak.  I don’t know what the fuck it was, but them niggas used to always be on me when they saw me with a board … It’s crazy though, man, because now when I go home, those same dudes that were going hard on me go out there and buy my board and my shoes and they skate, so it’s a blessing.  I’ve been shot behind it and all that crazy stuff.  But I’m here, and I’m blessed.  And everything’s smooth.

Do you have a moment that you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?

Yeah … [laughing]. I tripped out because I’m in the Vibe magazine with Obama.  That shit was like … I didn’t even know.  I was on the Baker Tour in Alabama.  I was at 7-11 and the Vibe cover had him on there, and I picked it up and I was flipping through it, and they had me in there talking about how I was one of the main supporters that helped push [Barack Obama].  I’m like “Damn!” because that’s crazy, just to even have your name next to Barack Obama’s.  I mean, that shit blew my grandma back!  My grandma, she’s a big fan of his, and she was like “Damn, boy!”  I mean, I don’t know … they asked me a quote and I spray painted his name on my board so when I skate I look down at it and I get more inspiration.  Anytime I feel like I can’t do something, I just look down at my board and see “Obama,” then I go hard. But it tripped me out because … to be in there and speak on that man’s behalf … that was crazy.

What’s your signature move?
Mostly “fakie” tricks … I like switching up the grinds, too.

Talk a little bit about [your rap group/brand] Fly Society and the upcoming projects.

Yeah! The Fly Society thing is going well; we’ve got a couple of offers on the table, so hopefully we seal one of these deals. We’re looking to push the album out like next year – summer. Around the same time as my shoe [release] because my shoe comes out on Supra in March of next year, so we’re trying to keep it around that.  We have the clothing line that we did – Fly Society Apparel through Kr3w Clothing – my other clothing line.  It’ll be out spring of ’09.  And that’s it. I mean, the music and all that has been good and we’ve been staying busy and focused.

Who are the other members of Fly Society?
Well, it’s actually like a whole big movement. It’s the skateboarding, the rapping, the fashion … it’s just ripped and mixed and it’s like all one world. There’s a lot of us.

What is your signature style of dress?
I only wear the stuff I’m endorsed by. But, like, I don’t wear my clothes big, I keep them slim.  Nice and neat, because I don’t like baggy clothes.  I hate looking down at my jeans and seeing them shits just drooping all over my shoes … when I’m skating. That shit is just not cool.  That’s not me.  I just keep it really basic, clean. That’s it.  But I see everybody dressing like skaters, rockin’ Supras and stuff, that’s crazy. That’s powerful.

What is one time in your career that you reinvented yourself?
Yeah, from my childhood to growing up and getting sponsored.  Like when I first got sponsored, I didn’t take it seriously.  I was still hanging around and being a knucklehead, because I got sponsored in like 9th grade.  I was just making a couple of dollars and I bought a few clothes and started acting a fool.  But then, you know I got shot, right?  So after that, it made me wise up a lot.  But before, I was so bad! I was bad … I was a terrible little-ass dude from Long Beach.  I was just a fuckin’ knucklehead.  A bad little peasy-head motherfucker man. But then I got around Pharrell and those guys, and they showed me how to straighten up my business and stuff in a dope manner.

Who are your picks for the top 5 greatest athletes of all time?
Michael Jordan, David Beckham … that dude is the boss. Kobe, Ken Griffey, Jr.  Growing up, I used to love the Ken Griffey shoes, man.  I never got a pair and I wanted them SO bad! My mom was not messing with it. Oh! Bruce Lee.  I know he ain’t no athlete, but Bruce Lee is a fucking G, too, man. That dude was … whoo!

Is there anything you’d like for the readers to know?
Yeah, don’t forget to check out Sk8site.com. Go there and check out the latest footage of us just kickin’ it, hanging out, doing everyday stuff and just skating.

Interviewed by: Jonnine Yarbrough – jyarbrough@goatmag.com

For the fans of 30 teams all across the world, this disappointment was all too real. But for the devoted (and some bandwagon) fans of the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, their countless hours of faith have paid off. The wish of every NFL fan has been granted to these fortunate few. So, for the rest who have no stock in either of the teams playing, will you watch?

Most would say that the Super Bowl is a must-see for any football fan, and to miss it would be considered a capital crime. After all, it’s not just about supporting the team, right? It’s the love of the game that makes football fans tune in year after year. And who can forget the halftime show, or even the million dollar commercial spots that are the hot topic around the water cooler on Monday morning? To enthusiasts, Super Bowl Sunday is like Christmas.

For some, though, the Super Bowl is only as good as the teams that are in it. Unless you’re a Patriots fan, many of the Super Bowls have been replays (that is, until the Giants came along with the Cinderella Story of the century). Just because two underdog teams have managed to somehow defeat all opponents in their conference doesn’t guarantee a good game. They’re underdogs for a reason. But if the teams have been playing with a little extra umph during the season, viewers may be pleasantly surprised.

So, with the news of the Steelers-Cards matchup, many fans feel that these are teams that, perhaps, may not put on a good show. The Super Bowl is being hosted in Tampa this year, which is right down the road from my Orlando location. Somehow, though, I am not as excited as I would have been if the Giants, or even the Eagles, were playing. A Pittsburgh vs. Arizona matchup seems to leave something to be desired. Besides, come February 1st, what else will there be to do? I guess I’ll be planted in front of the flat-screen watching Super Bowl XLIII to see how it unfolds. I’ll watch, but whoever wins, I won’t be happy about it.

For Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett, the Yankees paid a combined total of about $423.5 million. Now, it seems, for many, that the fact that the Yankees have $400 million available to grab up any and everyone who becomes available is extremely unfair. As a fan of the Boys in Blue, my perception of the situation might be a bit lop-sided when I say that those in favor of the cap are probably die-hard fans of teams that don’t ever make it very far in the season.

However, I am not so brainwashed that I cannot sympathize with these people. I understand the sting of repetitive defeat, as I also happen to root for the Giants (don’t get me started) and the Knicks. So the idea of being able to possibly prevent any further heartache by forbidding “more fortunate” teams from creating a monopoly would be a consideration.

I can see where people with less fortunate teams would think that a salary cap would be a quick fix, however, what many fans fail to realize is that a salary cap is more complex than simply cutting off the spending amount of teams.

Firstly, a salary cap would, essentially, remove money from players’ pockets and put it in the pockets of the team owners. How many players would agree to that?

Second, the ability to purchase players doesn’t ensure a winning team, as the Yankees learned in 2000. Also, the Mets, who have the 3rd highest payroll, still can’t seem to buy their way to a Championship.
If it weren’t for the Yankees and their luxury taxes, these other teams wouldn’t have a leg to stand on as far as team salaries.

Face it, MLB needs the Yankees. The Yanks are the international poster team for baseball.
My suggestion – instead of putting all your energy into whining about what the Yankees, Angels and Red Sox are doing, pay more attention to teams like the A’s and the Twins, who have mastered the art of stretching their dollar and utilizing the draft. I mean, look how far Tampa Bay made it with a fresh team!

Bottom line, there are pros and cons to implementing a salary cap. Money can buy a team, but money can’t buy guarantees; you either have it or you don’t.

by: Jonnine Yarbrough

Other highlights from this year include 50 Cent, Big Boi, Cassie, Keri Hilson, Missy Elliott (who had a hit with “Ching-a-Ling” nearly a year ago…), Jadakiss, The-Dream and Bus-A-Bus himself – all artists who released a single only to lose speed in the end. Like I said, I realize that so much of the industry relies on perfect timing and I’m not advocating rushing out a sloppy, unfinished product, but c’mon … The reality is that often times an artist ends up losing their momentum and steam. How you gonna drop a hot song and then not follow up? People get tired of hearing that a release date has been pushed back, yet again, and whatever promotion you have done up to that point is pretty much wasted. Fans are confused by multiple “lead” singles, some that are actually “promotional” singles or “buzz” singles, or whatever they’re called nowadays. Which one gets a video and the full promotional treatment? How does this help an artist stay in the news and stay popular? Beats me. In this reality of leaked albums, file sharing, DRM-free music (now including the juggernaut known as iTunes Plus), artists need to stay on top of things more than ever. They would be wise to learn a lesson from someone like Beyoncé, who came and dropped two monster singles, kept up the promotion with appearances, scorching videos and killer performances and released her album about a month later to some serious success.

So don’t pull a Nicole Scherzinger (who went straight back to The Pussycat Dolls), Lindsay Lohan (who knows what’s happening there), or an Eve (did she shake that “Tambourine” too hard?) and get your album shelved indefinitely, because people will soon be like “Yo, whatever happened to (fill in the blank)…”

by: Rene Perez

Ok lets be real how much more of this crutch will the hip-hop industry really use. For instance Carrie Underwood is a multiplatinum selling artist and she doesn’t have Auto-Tunes pushing her record sales, plus she sounds awesome live. That’s what makes a real artist, having no gimmicks or crutches. When Aretha Franklin sang she did it with a mic and some great vocals. If you say you’re a genius and you use all kind of gadgets to make your record, then you’re the total opposite when you’re performing at a venue that doesn’t have Auto-Tunes or Melodyne to aid your act. Look if you’re not a singer  and I mean a real singer please hang up the gloves and stick to rapping, don’t get hurt that only singers can turn rappers.

Auto-Tunes is great for the Deacon at the church who can’t sing and you have to cover your ears when he’s giving his solo song testimony. If you can’t perform live or make a record without crutches then get out of the business before you’re the next parody on SNL or the biggest YouTube video hit.

by: Jon Jon Da Don