Lobey The Villain

Growing up in the 90's we had access to KTV before cartoon network.

What you are

"You're not pretending to be anything that you are not. You know what the hood is like, you've spent time there, you've slaughtered animals, had your dick chopped off. You're fucking African."

Ray Barbee

Passion for Passion's sake.

"I have a Question"

I was chilling with some artists over the weekend and the subject came up. This song has been stuck in my head the whole weekend long. Just the question of what one is really hoping to gain out of all of this... Passion for passion! I completely understand and get that. I for one am not a man who can handle too much attention. But then I think again, with the things I wanna do and dig doing, recognition would be a big part of it. So where would the cut off be? Not that I'm saying: One day I'm gana be famous!! Rather, if I should gain success through my chosen paths, how would I handle it?

The dirty artists I was with quite impressed me with their take on the concept. What was even more endearing for me I think... was the sincererity behind the calculated arguments they made. Which is to say that their modesty lacked the false edge of most. When I say most, I mean people and not artists, cause that would be generalising. I'm gana be really basic and say, it was really impressive to see them toss aside their egos for what they excel at most. The fact that they could say, that they didn't really wanna be made famous for doing what thy loved doing. It probably sounds like I'm writing about every artist you've ever heard of and to some degree yeah. But it's always nice to have affirmation that real people, who wanna do real shit, not for the sake of others approval but because they really dig what they do, actually do exist. And although I was just there, drunk and hungover for the most part, it made appreciate people just that much more. I also just wanted the opportunity to share this song, I haven't heard it in so long.

I also went to Kool Out on Saturday and this What They Do played. Oh Hip Hop, tell us what to do just so you can do the opposite. I think The lyrics are quite suiting for this theme so I'm gana copy and paste.

"What They Do" The Roots
(feat. Raphael Saadiq)

[Chorus: Raphael Saadiq]
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...

[Verse One]
Yo, yo
Lost generation, fast paced nation
World population confront they frustration
The principles of true hip-hop have been forsaken
It's all contractual and about money makin
Pretend-to-be cats don't seem to know they limitation
Exact replication and false representation
You wanna be a man, then stand your own
To MC requires skills, I demand some shown
I let the frauds keep frontin
And roam like a celluar phone far from home
Givin crowds what they wantin
Offical hip-hop consumption, the 5th thumpin
Keepin ya party jumpin with an original somethin
Yo, I dedicate this to the one dimension-al
No imagination, excuse for perpetration
My man came over and said, "Yo we thought we heard you"
Joke's on you; you heard a bitin-ass crew but um..

[Chorus: Raphael Saadiq]
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...

[Verse Two]
Thin is the line that run between love and hatred
The game is ill-natured, it's nothing sacred
Aiyyo, it's funny when I see some rap niggaz due to make it
A few'll blow up, or go as far as they can take it
My nine to five, is just to hit ya get the party live
I'm Black Thought, used to rap for sport
Now the rhymes sayin rent payin life support
I take it very serious-ly, within this in-dustry
It's various crews that try to touch me
But I come with the beautiful things, and I bless the track plushly
Around the world crowds love me, from doin tours
Recepient of applause from all of you and yours
Creator of original sounds to send to stores
you take home, to absorb and sweat it out your pores
Now who can stop the music runnin through these veins
Infinitely go against the grain, that's why my motto's to..

[Chorus: Raphael Saadiq]
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...

[Verse Three]
Livin the life of limos and lights
Airplanes and trains, short days and long nights
Keyboards and mics, bass chords and drum kicks
And my mental thick to hit my head like brick
As I embark on a mission welcomin to the dark
When I first spark the arts, when the listenin start
Open your head wide, and let the Thought inside
My style fortified by all of Philadel-phi
I've dealt more stealth than all the wicked weal-thy
Mentality undetectable by the naked eye
Then I get paid when the record is played
To put it short "I want it made" like Ed, nuff said
Then after that, I'm puttin on my cousin Hamed
We let the ladies blend with the darkskin thoroughbred
and discover, my level is that of no other
And Roots crew reign offical and true while I'm continuin to..

[Chorus: Raphael Saadiq]
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do...
Never do....what they do, what they do, what they do..


I suppose those who've never tasted or haven't been having it will wanna wet their beaks at some point. (Gotta love the politics they always have a way of getting themselves into everything) Um... So yeah that's about it hey. Stack that cheese.

021-012

So I’ve basically taken a year off and not done anything with it and now the recall back home. It makes sense. I’ve been living in Cape Town on my parents money and haven’t done anything of value or made a concerted effort to sustain myself. Jay Mazz put it in perspective for me I’m just being a child. So here go, back home with a full fridge DSTV, and I’m probably going to go back to school. Design college quite possibly, Copywriting seems like something worthwhile to study. At least with that I’ll be able to generate some sort of income and be self sufficient. So another commitment, three years later I’ll be 27. The real question: Do I wanna come back to live in this city? It has everything that I’m into, but is it really conducive to my progression as a person, I don’t know. Plus there’s the whole hostile environment thing that my dad keeps reminding me of.

“Cape Town is not friendly for people like you boy.”

While I fully agree, I feel like it would be a cop out to just up and leave for simply that reason. Why should I allow that to make me leave. I think the real reason I’m contemplating not coming back is because I feel like a failure. Four years in this city and nothing to show for it. Maybe school will help me figure this shit out. Also maybe a change of scenery for the next couple of months will be dope and help me find perspective. Friendly familiar faces. Either way I’m checking out for some time.  Gratitude to all those who helped me along the way. Establishments, acquaintances and real friends alike. Biggups!To too many to mention, I wish you all a thousand years of success J

Peace.

Amazing

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