first off, i've come to the realization that i'm deeply nostalgic. i can't help it. just like the annoying grandparent who claims that the music of their youth was the epitome of genius, i believe that the crap my little brother is growing up on is laughable and lacking in all possible areas. that leaves me with a lot to complain about. warning: personal anecdote ahead. last night the person who is arguably my favorite emcee was in the very city that i reside (note: chicago) and i didn't even think of going. anyone who knows me understands that aceyalone is the equivalent of a rakim or krs to me (all you "real headz" out there, don't take offense, i simply love the man's music and i'm not diminishing the importance of either rakim or kris), but alas i thought nothing of not being there and why? because i'm sick of standing on my feet for hours while the main attraction decides to lamp a little longer. i'm tired of being forced into small spaces with other humans who feel the need to exert their "hiphopness" by way of yelling lyrics, elbow throwing, and/or just plain existing. i'm sick of running into people i've spent months avoiding simply because we like the same music. and i'm sick of the post-show treatment given exclusively to those loyal fans who frequent hip hop shows in support of the artist who very often gives a half-assed performance not worth the paper the ticket is printed upon. that's right, i'm "hating" and proud of it. i can neither remember the last time i went to a hip hop show that started on time, nor can i count the number of these shows that actually left me with a lingering sense of joy. in general hip hop shows suck and muthafuckas need to step up their game. point blank. until i can expect at least a peek of the headliner's shoe before the dawn comes a knocking, i'll listen to the cd. hell, it sounds better anyway (most of the time).

I just wanna give BET the finger for so many reasons that I really don't feel like elaborating. Their most recent move of firing Tavis Smiley is yet another example of why some of us are on doctor-prescribed substances and depend on them for sanity. Bobby Johnson is cool business-wise, but disgusts me as a human being and I hope he at least feels perpetual guilt over his role in furthering the derogatory media representation of black people. That's it.