The Infamous "N-Word"

Strictly for My N.I.G.G.A.Z.  Shame on a Nigga.  Live Nigga Rap.  Sucka Nigga.  Niggas Bleed.  The Day the Niggaz Took Over.  Ain’t No Nigga.  I could keep going, but I think you get the picture.  There is no way you could be a fan of hip-hop music and not be all too familiar with the infamous “n-word.”  Whether you personally approve or not, in hip-hop the n-word is one of the main personal descriptors used in our dialect, similar in context to the words “mate” in Australia or “bloke” in England.  Unfortunately, the reasons that the n-word became so deeply infused in the language of hip-hop are not the most positive, as we are all aware that the term has a bleak and sensitive history attached to it.  If you are over 45 years old, you probably have distinctly different connotations flare up when you read or hear the word than if you are in your 20s or 30s.  If you are not black (and not racist), even if you are a hip hop head, just reading those opening lines I wrote might have made you a little uncomfortable.  Certainly the tension and controversy over the n-word is still alive.  The perspectives of Phonte and 9^th Wonder as well as Peter Rosenberg in the above interview clip accurately describe where I believe we stand with the word on a whole in today’s society – it doesn’t make people cringe as much as it once did because most realize that the influence of hip hop has offered a new context for it, but that doesn’t mean it’s open season for every non-black person to use the n-word at will.  I have non-black friends that are true hip hop fans and respect the culture but understand the pejorative nature of the n-word, therefore try not to use it.  But honestly, in most contexts that are hip-hop related, I don’t think I would really trip if they did.  That’s just me being straight up.  On the other hand, I’ve met others who tend to equate hip-hop with what’s cool or trendy, and when they’ve tried to use the n-word, it came off as a mockery and an attempt to showboat.  That type of shit will get you stomped out where I’m from, and I’ve never been cool with it in that context.  It’s a fine line to walk, but for enlightened and perceptive individuals it shouldn’t be that hard to accept.  The sound of the n-word will always ring with racism to some folk, and I understand why.  When I hear it the first thought I have is of my homies.  What are we to do about that discrepancy?  Open dialogue is the best way to make sure everyone is staying on the same page, because everyone doesn’t have to feel exactly the same about the issue as long as everyone is being respected.

I flipped my own version of A Tribe Called Quest’s joint called “Sucka Nigga 2011”, with regard to the same topic in today’s context, and the overall power and importance of being careful and respectful with one’s language.  Check it out below: 

Big K.R.I.T.

It’s been a long time…I should’na left you…

I feel like I’ve been away from my blog fam for an eternity! Lord knows I’ve had a lot of music and music biz on my mind, but between school, work and working on my own music, I just haven’t had the time to share. But I am not gone! Over the past couple of months I’ve heard from a lot of people who let me know they read and enjoy my blog, so I want everyone to know the love is appreciated and I haven’t quit. Keep checking with me!

There has been too much going on to give a detailed re-cap. March was chock full of hip hop ups and downs – Lupe’s fiasco named Lasers and the ongoing debate about it/him, tragically losing one of our beloved OGs, Nate Dogg, Prodigy’s release from the pen (Did anybody notice? Sorry, I get nostalgic when reminded of the classic hip-hop duos and groups), and let’s not forget about that A-Roy EP that dropped…(shameless plug… http://a-roy.bandcamp.com/).  But I will go out on a limb and say the best was indeed saved for last – on March 28, Big K.R.I.T. unveiled his newest batch of free music, Return of 4Eva. Some may have felt K.R.I.T. couldn’t produce another LP of high quality rhymes AND beats from top to bottom like he did on K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, but hip-hoppers, he held us down yet again – if you haven’t heard it, the album is a complete banger, in the truest sense of southern-style hip hop.

To top off my week long Big K.R.I.T. high, I got the chance to catch his performance out at Trees in Deep Ellum last night. I thought I had grown out of the “getting crunk” phase that all southern hip hop enthusiasts go through at some point, but K.R.I.T. brought that shit right back out of me. I was sweating, bouncing and hollering like we did when I was 16 and Lil’ Jon was popping. And that's what I love about K.R.I.T. - he represents the hip hop culture of the south honestly but doesn't sacrifice lyrical content in the process.  K.R.I.T. is truly a combination of all the great acts from the south – Outkast, 8Ball &MJG, Scarface, Three 6 Mafia & UGK rolled into one…with a lil’ Devin the Dude sprinkled on the top for good measure. And his stage show was incredible – the way he rocked the crowd through the power of his words AND his energy is a rare gift only a few MCs are blessed with. Most folk who were bouncing wildly and throwing ‘bows also knew all the words to every song, which lets me know K.R.I.T. has a movement going, not just banging beats or a temporary trend. I should also mention that the other acts were dope as hell too – Freddie Gibbs, Smoke DZA, A.Dd+ and a few others all wrecked the stage and kept the crowd hype as well. Trees was packed to the max, and for a $15 price tag, I couldn’t have asked for more from an underground hip hop show. Real talk though, people, if you’re not messing with Big K.R.I.T. yet, you are missing out - check the young brotha' out here: ----> http://returnof4eva.com/.