Yea...I stopped the guy today at work and bought a book off him for 20 dollars. It only cost 15, but I wanted to make a contribution because he said all printing was out-of-pocket. ANyway, I had him sign it for me and I was glad to have it.

I was amazed and sobered by much of what I read. The book is entitled, "Journal of Hip Hop: Who controls Hip Hop" and focuses on the culture's roots and on the influence/exploitation by the media and society at large. This book is full of facts and I learned alot about underground artists I'd never heard of. For instance, I had no idea that Grafiti actually began on the streets on Philadelphia and not New York. I also learned a term called "commodity fetishism" which explains how marketing of products is peddled through rap and the influence of our generation (X).

I once asked Triple N, "How am I supposed to appreciate underground artists if they don't make themselves known somehow. I would never know they existed." Well, this book--or booklet, it's 112 pages--included a short section analyzing the lyrics of some underground artists.

After reading this book, I am inspired to increase my knowledge of hip hop, underground hip hop, and the true meaning of hip hop, which is expression and reality. I plan to change my name from Tha Q to something with more personal meaning and value. I also realized that I'm an underground emcee. And, by underground I don't mean that I don't sell alot (or any) record. I mean that my message and words are personal, they are real to me and could possibly result in me not becoming mainstream (selling out or selling millions of records by watering down my lyrics).


I once said, "Any underground emcee who says 'I don't sell millions because I'm underground" was a cop-out. I retract that at this time. I feel that any underground artist has an obligation to be true to themselves, and to make themselves known via a medium that doesn't compromise their message.

I am a rapper.PERIOD. I'm also gay.PERIOD. But, I'm also a black man in an American society that isn't too forgiving of my culture. That gives me a voice. That gives me a powerful avenue from which to launch my career in rap, if I choose to do so. The question is, am I willing to "keep it real" and sacrifice wealth? I seriously doubt mainstream America wants to hear about the life, times, and struggles of a gay black man. NO. Since that's the case, I will remain underground.


^^^^This book inspired all of that thinking in me. It provides a detailed section on the history of Grafiti and marketing in rap. It also features poems by urban artists and a section on the rise of Tupac Shakur. I think that was the fastest I've ever read 112 pages.



Suggestions:

For the Songs forum, can we actually divide it into 2 forums: UNDERGROUND RAP and Mainstream Rap?
I feel that that will help alot of us identifyour styles and culture better. In the Underground forum, artists may rap about real shit. There will be no "bling blingin" in the underground forum. However, in the mainstream forum, artists can drop and get critique on pop/club tracks to develop a style they want to market to the masses.


I think one thing in that book that stood out the most to me was a statement that Jay Z just may be the most successful artist of our time because he managed to give the fans what they want, and still maintain his street credibility. If you disagree with it, let's spark discussion.


Pz.


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Youtube Video for my song "CARRY ON"