RESPECT THE FOUNDATION

I coulda sworn it was a month since I had posted in here again. Well, anyways, with being held inside of a box aka my workplace 30-40 hours a week, most of the day being spent out of the house, heading from one place to another, mostly work, only getting a couple of hours of sleep a day, it begins to take a serious toll on your body and your ways of thinking. Which led me to believe that I need a soundtrack to this abysmal way of living.

The one thing that I get tired of the most being an avid listener of hip-hop and rap, is when others wine, complain, bitch, cry, and moan about the way that something it is, because of the business suits that control 99% of what we hear anyways. It sometimes, now more than ever, makes me sickened that I am apart of this scene, because a lot of the people are stuck in this damp, dark cardboard box, and pretty much have no intention of stepping out, until somebody (ANYBODY) decides to bring them sunshine.

I been told...TO MY FACE...that they don't like "old school" hip-hop, because the lyrics or the flows were too "basic"...I seriously thought to myself "lemme get the fuck out this car and jump off of the highway"..."it would be a beautiful death'(c) Kanye West, but I kept my composure and explained to dude, it is all about respecting the foundation. If it's you, I'm talking about....sorry.



So as of late, I have decided to go back to those times, where everything was so simple. My iTunes/iPod is filled with mostly 80s-90s hip hop, containing many emcees/groups that I wrote off in the beginning of this life journey of mines, because it was "too underground" or "too commercial". As you can see youth played a role in this, and it is ironic that I am on the receiving end of those comments today.



The usual suspects from the east are there (Wu-Tang, Nas, Jay-Z, Gang Starr, Boot Camp Clik, Biggie, Big Pun) the west (Dre, 2Pac, Snoop, Cube) the south (Outkast, Scarface, UGK, Goodie Mob) the midwest (Bone Thugs, Twista, Common) the conscious (Fugees, Tribe, Brand Nubian, Roots, De La) the underground faves (anything from Rawkus, DOOM)....



Of course I added a few post-millennium faves (Kanye, Wayne, T.I.). The bottom line is this, that comparing now to then, like around 2003-04, my entire musical palette has changed entirely. Instead of styles, I got styles inside of styles. And I honestly like it that way. Plus, the numerous influences that make up my music listening nowadays, have changed the way that I write, the things that I write about, and how it is reflected through my vocal musings.



I believe that as a hip-hop artist and as a hip-hop head...it's a responsibility if you will, to not settle. It's a responsiblity to dig deeper into your craft. Something that I have done in the last six years of my life. I could not SETTLE for everything that I had. I wanted to know more and I felt I had to. Although, the music that I came up on, that I grew up with, will forever hold more weight, but...now that I know more and have listened to more, I have become more open-minded towards everything, and maybe in life as well.

Now I know, some people have their own lanes, some people have their own style, and the music they make and/or listen to will be a reflection of that. That is understandable, I can respect that. But don't come around on the internet, or go up to people's faces saying "we need to change the face of hip-hop music" or preach about "real hip-hop music" when there is no clear definition of what REAL hip-hop music, let alone there being nothing wrong with it from the beginning. That was a price I paid in the beginning and I looked stupid because of it.

So, if you normally see me, being a little bit of a snob, don't take it personal. It is mostly because a lot of what I've seen from people, fans and artists alike have been a tad bit hypocritical, but hey, we all ain't perfect. So the moral of this rant, for everyone and myself included...is to simply...PRACTICE WHAT THE FUCK YOU PREACH!!!!

HYPE PERFORMANCE

B-Boying is still alive ladies and gentlemen!!! This was recorded by yours truly at UW-Milwaukee for the Hype dance show. It is amazing that we can have a blizzard outside and people can still pack a room and make for a exciting evening. More videos coming from this night.

DEFTONES- "YOU'VE SEEN THE BUTCHER"

This is what happens when you gather a bunch of chicks together during their time of the month....lol....but in all seriousness, I was so-so about the track at first, 'cause I pretty much played "Diamond Eyes" on my iPod to the edge of death. But...I saw the video last week....on MTV2 (when they play videos).....and man.....is this not one of the sexiest videos ever....if you don't have the Diamond Eyes album (legal or illegal)....cop it!

DIGGY SIMMONS- SHOOK ONES (FREESTYLE)

Diggy Simmons- {Shook Ones Freestyle} from philthegod. on Vimeo.

This seems to be everyone's favorite beat to rhyme on...give it a rest!!!! But I give respect where respect is due...and this kid is the TRUTH....keep your eyes on the Preemo cameos.

KANYE WEST- "ALL OF THE LIGHTS" (FEATURING GODDAMN NEAR EVERYBODY) [MASH-UP VIDEO]

With everything that I have heard over the last couple of days, how this maybe Kanye's BEST album, how this is an instant classic, with Rolling Stone giving it the 5-star rating, Nodima (fellow rateyourmusic.com reviewer) going from giving it 4 1/2 stars to 5 stars...I was skeptical...to whether this was all just hype...you know post-Taylor Swift, I often question the motives of entertainment media nowadays, when it comes to Kanye. But...I gotta say...I am definitely convinced...and this song (that I thought was gonna crash and burn) is so epic, so many sounds and so many voices clashing that it is a collage of nothing but pure beauty...

I know it sounds like I'm bullshitting 'cause I been on my Kanye fix for the last couple of months, but I think this goes to show, that we NEED artists such as him in this God-forsaken, copy/paste, been there done that art that we call modern music. Who do you know is willing to put it ALL on the line, other than a few other rappers..(perhaps Jay, maybe Em, definitely Wayne, Drake wants to, Cudi, Nicki, etc. tries to)....let's face it....NOBODY....................NOBODY!!!!!!

....is doing what the fuck this dude is doing right now. Milwaukee artists, take notes, and push that envelope, and quit jockin' off what others have done before you.

Kanye West - All Of The Lights [mash-up video] from 5846 Productions on Vimeo.

THE PLAYLIST 11-16-10

MF DOOM- "DOOMSDAY"

I listened to this on the bus ride home from work yesterday. Hearing "Doomsday" reminded me of two things. One, Operation: Doomsday, truly did inspire a lot of these rappers (me included) to buy a $5 computer recording mic from Radio Shack and make an album with the crappiest sound quality. The other, being that I don't think people truly realize or appreciate that DOOM can drop some "notable quotables" sometimes...

"Shook niggas turn witness/Real men's mind their own business"

.....Plus...the Sade sample/interpolation is just.....*MUAH* MANIFIQUE!...I think its spelled right....lol.




SADE- "FEEL NO PAIN"

You would think...because "Kiss Of Life" is sampled...this would be the song that's next in this playlist....BUT IT AIN'T...I had this on repeat for so long a couple weeks ago...because of both the lyrics, I'm pretty sure...speak volumes and relate to so many people, enduring these problems today...and the video...probably one of the most seductive and sexiest visuals that a lot of these Auto-Tuned prostitutes, wish they can replicate today.




BRANDY- "BABY"

This song came up next in my playlist, and it just took me back when my sister played the SHIT out of Brandy's debut. Same time I'm sure when Moesha first came on the air, and the poofed out ski jackets were seen everywhere I went. I don't know why I feel so nostalgic for then and apathetic for today's R&B scene (most of it anyways). Maybe I'm just over this skank contest I been seeing lately...that and most of them are going electro (blame David Guetta).

DILLA ARTWORK

So I had ran upon this on Okayplayer's message board and realized this was fucking amazing. Obvious answer yes, however, I think back to two years ago when I had a profile on DeviantArt and how I was on a major roll with my ideas and the execution of those ideas and how in the blink of an eye, it just......STOPPED. And then I always have these pictures forming in my brain, from the color of the image to the stories behind them, and somehow they just stay there....in my brain....

I don't know if it is perhaps, writing has taken over my life so much compared to what sketching did, but I just need to find that inspiration again, where my pencil or pen are not creating words but images. Despite the fact that I feel my words paint pictures already...

Now, that I'm on the subject w/Dilla. I think it's time to bump some Fantastic, Vol. 2 and some Donuts to get me through the day.

THE PLAYLIST (9-29-10)

These were songs that were constantly getting rotation in my iPod yesterday and prompted any inspiration or creativity, or even deep thinking....



DJ SHADOW- "MIDNIGHT IN A PERFECT WORLD"

The whole Endtroducing album I had always slept on (me being on Dilla's nuts when Donuts came out). But listening to this yesterday, just put me in a melancholy mindstate.



JAY-Z- "ALLURE"

I religiously bumped the Black Album back when CD players were still in style and always felt that this song was always underrated as fuck. But with all the other top-notch productions on there, I could see why. Plus, this Neptunes beat is smoothed out to death.



KENDRICK LAMAR- "THE HEART PT. 2" (FT. DASH SNOW)

I never really paid any attention to this guy until recently. The first track of his (O)verly (D)edicated album/mixtape, has him spazzing on a mellow beat until he can't no more and coughs on his own "spit". Check him out, when you get the chance.

THIS LONG ASS ABSENCE PROVES ONE THING....

I need to step up my blog game.

The last two and a half months, I have kept a low profile from damn near everything. Dealing with a death in the family, going through writer's block, being forced to take a semester off of school, and having mentally imblanced ex-girlfriends with crimson red hair, freckles, and a thirst for everything 180 Proof, stalk you every minute of almost every day...not to mention my growing frustration with this "rap game" that I participate in.

So, that has led me to feel as if though I need to change the pace a little bit. For the last several months, despite all the things that I have done, the people I've seen, something was missing. I didn't feel like myself. I felt that I started making music, for all the wrong reasons, stuff that I use to be somewhat against. That's moreso, 'cause rap was more than just music, I've had memories that link to the music that I had got into at the time, being young, going through college, meeting new people, experiencing new things, that before, I would be afraid to put myself in those situations. Writing and music helped me get through troubling times in my life, from failed relationships, to dealing with anger, to accepting death. I don't regret ever getting noticed or wish I can take it back at all, however for me, while some see it as a business, I see it as an art.

With these last couple months, I have been trying to sort out and do a little cleansing of the thought process. Every step I take from here on out, is gonna be for my own benefit, in bringing back most of the DIY ethics that made me what I am. Quite frankly, I would say...that it is about time, that I bring some of the Madhatter back into Mad Static, where it is not me going to the past, but bringing him along into the future.

So I will keep you posted, hopefully daily, with these random ass thoughts of mine. Let's just hope I don't relapse into another leave of absence because of some stupid shit.

WAX POETIC: 2PAC- "TRAPPED"

Everytime I hear this track...it reminds me of the hood I'm trapped in.

THE INFLUENCE: DIGABLE PLANETS' "BLOWOUT COMB"

Blowout Comb, the sophomore effort from Digable Planets, is an album that I have had for over the last several years, thanks to a friend of mines. The reoccuring issue though, is that I have always ignored it for some odd reason. Then when it came time around to finally listen to it, it just did NOT have the impact that I would have wished for it to have. Perhaps at the time, and me still being so close-minded in regards to what I listen to, it was just too mellow for my liking. Then just recently, over the last two days, I decided to give this another listen and this time listen to the songs more thoroughly.

For the last few years that I have had this album, I have always wondered to myself as to whether or not there has always been some sort of subliminal message in Blowout Comb, because this is Afro-centric to the core. Also, you can take into account, that I have never listened to the Reachin' album as well.

A couple of days listening to this album, I have realized that this is just plain smoothed the fuck OUT!!! The experimentation of the live instruments (see A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Jazzmatazz) provides grooves that simply calms the soul and the vocals of Ladybug Mecca and Butterfly are more lush and subdued, instead of the loud and confrontational deliveries that more hardcore hip-hop provides. Even if you are lost in the overall message of these songs, the bottom line is, everything just comes together, allowing a more comforting and laid-back listening. I feel that for this album, I spent way too much of my time overanalyzing it and trying to dumb it down, where I feel I should have done the entire time is just letting it be what it be. For it being the time it is, as I am writing this review, with temperatures high, people out and about, this is the perfect album for that relaxation I yearn for in this stressful world I reside in.

Favorites: The May 4th Movement, Black Ego, Dog It, Jettin', The Art of Easing, 9th Wonder, For Corners

THE INFLUENCE: WU TANG'S 36 CHAMBERS

There are only a few perfect albums in the rap game, One of those for me are Illmatic , the other is Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers from the Wu-Tang Clan. I have been one of those people that have said that the Wu are known for having the best intros in the game. "Bring Da Ruckus" is no different with the infamous "I'll let you try my Wu-Tang style" sample with RZA defiantly screaming "BRING DA MOTHERFUCKIN' RUCKUS!!!" while Ghostface Killah kicks the album off commanding us to "catch the blast of a hype verse" and declaring he "blows up spots like Waco, Texas".

The standout elements of 36 Chambers are RZA's innovative, rough, and rugged production, creating that dark and murky soundscape tied together by Kung-Fu samples, hilarious skits, and soulful piano loops. It is almost as if you are trapped in the deepest darkest alleyways or sewers of the Shaolin.

This is of course the peak of where the Wu bring all of their individual styles to the forefront and deliver every single time. Whether it be Raekwon's grimy storytelling, Method Man's charisma, GZA's complex wordplay, Ghostface's "don't give a fuck" attitude, or ODB teetering the line between animated and manical, everything comes together for better or for worse.

From the boom-thump, boom-thump of "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" to the neck-snapping "Protect Ya Neck" and of course in the middle is the timeless cut known as "C.R.E.A.M.".

Skipping one track on this album would mean that you would be missing out on something special. When I started out digging into the Wu's catalog, I took the bitch way and started with their greatest hits. The irony is that most of the songs that I was feelin' the most, ended up on the 36 Chambers album. But it is safe to say that 36 Chambers is a landmark for East Coast Hip Hop and what became the catalyst for a legendary run of classics, that I have yet to see ANYONE duplicate. I feel as if though I discover something new when I go back to this album, something that I don't get nowadays from this newly harvested crop of rappers. Like that saying goes before "Can It Be All So Simple"...."Everybody's talkin' 'bout the good 'ol days"....maybe then, I would've learned then....wait for it....wait for it.....WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NUTHIN' TA FUCK WIT!!!!!!!....WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NUTHIN' TA FUCK WIT!!!!!!!!

Favorites: "Bring Da Ruckus", "Can It Be All So Simple", "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'", "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit", "C.R.E.A.M.", "Protect Ya Neck"

http://rateyourmusic.com/~madstatic414

PLACE YOUR CAPTION HERE.....

I'm not even gonna try and defend myself in this case...Ill let you ponder whatever it is you think I was doing or looking at and that'll be that. lol. Man....I ain't ever safe from cameras.

MAD STATIC - "UNTHINKABLE"

The story behind this is simple. I had got into a serious argument with an ex-girlfriend of mines. Someone who is seriously intent on making my life hell and has tried over and over to come back into my life and build communication with me. I simply ain't havin' that. To me...what's done is done, not in ALL cases, but the thing is..she is someone that I don't necessarily see myself having any kind of communication or bond with, because nothing extended out of a physical connection. Sorry...but its true.

So I wrote this right after the conversation was over. Took about a couple of minutes. Then I went to sleep, woke up, and I recorded it. The quality could use work (the hissing in the background) but its definitely a step up then all of the other stuff that I recorded at home. It's gonna improve as I go along.

So for right now...here it is.

JAY-Z AT ROCK AM RING!!!!

This is why no other rapper with the exception of Kanye or Eminem will ever be obn the same level of Jay-Z. What other rapper do you know can rock a crowd like the one at Rock Am Ring in Germany....a primarily rock festival at that? First Coachella, now this....IT'S THE ROC!!!!

TYPE O NEGATIVE LIVES.....

I believe it was two months ago where Peter Steele the lead singer of Type O Negative had passed away from heart failure. I had found out about a couple of weeks ago however. These two songs have been in my head for the last 24 to 48 hours and suddenly became instant inspiration for this song I am writing for "AWAKENING PT. 1".

Since to me putting up album versions of songs are becoming so last year...I decided to put up live versions of these songs.

The one up above is for "Christian Woman" off their debut album Bloody Kisses.

The one below is "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend" (a strip club classic imo) off the follow-up "October Rust".

R.I.P. PAUL GRAY

This is just a completely and terribly sad day for metalheads such as myself. After realizing a couple days ago that Pete Steele (Type O Negative) passed a month ago, The Rev (Avenged Sevenfold) a couple months before, and now this. My condolences go to all the members of Slipknot and Paul's family, friends, fans and everyone affected by this. My experience in seeing Slipknot live a couple of years ago, remains in my memories to this day. Thank you Paul for everything you contributed to the world of heavy metal music. You will definitely be missed!

AS I SEARCH FOR CLARITY.....

That's basically what it is...me looking for clarity in this shady ass rap game created. So...these last few days, I have been wondering, exactly where it is that I want to go for the process of "AWAKENING". Then of course that led to me figuring out as to where I am in general...with life...then that led back to where I am with rap. Quite frankly...I am FUCKING BORED WITH HIP HOP!!!

Which has kind of led me back to not only listening to more rock music than rap music, but also with doing more Spoken Word and Poetry for the last couple of sets at the Miramar Theatre, but it is more so that Spoken Word is the best way for me to organize my thoughts in ways that I cannot do with rap and hip hop right now.

I think that my feature set this past Wednesday further instilled the ideas in my head that I feel the need to be "different". Now there is a difference between "different" and just being flat-out crazy (which I guess you can say that is me as well).

But more so, I look at the scene here in Milwaukee and I am always thinking to myself, what are these artists that I am not doing...or what is it that I can do to increase my fanbase or for the masses to hear my music...but then again, I started to wonder...am I making music for them...or for myself? I would like to believe that people will just gravitate to my shit within a matter of moments, all because in my mind, do I believe that I am the best at what I do. It's not arrogance, it's me being confident in my abilities. However, it is only when I am making music simply for the short-lived satisfaction of my peers and listeners does my music and my message becomes stagnated and flat-out bland.

So instead of rushing "AWAKENING" and risking feeling unfulfilled with what it could be, I instead plan to go and do "SUMMER SOULSTICE #3". Where I will allow myself to just put my thoughts out there...in a way, that doesn't necessarily help or hurt "AWAKENING"...Let's say it's more an appetizer before the full coarse meal.

So...rappers....be forewarned....for I am about to murder you on your own shit.

MAD STATIC- A LOT OF SHIT HAS HAPPENED (GANG STARR TRIBUTE)

"PASS TIME"

The first thing that comes to mind
As I often try to pass time is how come I ain't signed?
What is it that other "artists" possess
That allows them to surpass actual talent to make them the best?
It's funny when people see me as a rapper
And under the false pretenses and sudden perceptions
That the colors that I am dressed in
Represents the sets that I am reppin'
Or how in one's mind, a diamond-studded Jesus piece
Is a symbol of achievement and wealth
When the chain that drapes me defines
that I'm a slave to the grind
While my poetic and prolific lyrics engraved in rhyme
Give new meaning to the ink
every time history is written
In quotables that I pass down like family heirlooms
Trying to carry on tradition every time a pen is in my hand
It's like the torch is in good hands
but the road to the finish line feels longer and longer
And the stress gets stronger and stronger
And it's real clear I have no idea to where it is
I'm actually trying to go....

It's a path less taken these days
Wondering when that opportunity is going to fulfill
Hoping, praying on bended knee, with folded hands
and squinting eyes, envisioning new sights
new places, and new people
But the moment I open them, I come to only know
that I was dreaming....

And so I stick to this pen and pad
In one day in twisting and turning my dreams
into realizations kicking the habit of fantasizing
to the background...

'Cause only at the forefront do I allow my dreams
to manifest, to where in my mind I am a star
and you all gather around me trying to form constellations

To where I'm the king summoning the next wack rapper
to the guillotines...

Off with their heads and swag....fags...

See it's just another example of me reciting words
that formulate sentences that are meant to demonstrate
the creativity that this so-called art form has lacked in
the last decade, unless the title of your work are as follows...

WRITTEN IN BLOOD 1, 2, AND 3....and maybe the Blueprint....and..
maybe the College Dropout...and maybe Get Rich or Die Tryin'...
YOU KNOW WHAT THE FUCK IM TRYNA SAY.....

So here I lay...in my train of thought...
While Hi-Tek provides the backdrops for Talib Kweli
to kick those eternal reflections....and the first
thing...that comes to mind...as I'm tryna pass time...
....is that if I ain't signed.....
...then what can I say in my rhymes...
that ya'll haven't heard already????....

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MIRAMAR LAST WEEK

Super Ego Freestyle



JOURNEYMAN




This is one of many videos taken from last week at the Miramar Theatre for Grassroots Wednesdays...look for more to come later today.

REMEMBERING GURU

This doesn't need an explanation.....

MISSION STATEMENT

Okay....I'm gonna make this short and simple...and let the rest of the posts speak for themselves...basically what this is right JEAH...is a blog that I decided to keep during the process of my 4th official project/mixtape/album (7th overall) entitled "AWAKENING" (tentatively titled that for the moment)....

I don't necessarily do a lot of blogging anymore, basically because I decided to write my thoughts out rather than type them...but I figured, there's no other way that I would rather share the things that I do, discover, or put up for your own enjoyment than make this the personal one stop shop for everything that is me and the details/happenings on the making of this project.

Might put up songs/verses, post lyrics, put up pictures, make video blogs, display footage from performances or just plain fuckin' around, but this is where it is going to be...since I hardly trust MySpace anymore.....

All leading up to AWAKENING coming out in late July or Early to Mid August...I'm working as hard as I can for this project to pick up where WRITTEN IN BLOOD 3 left off....

The blog will be updated and perfected on a daily basis, so bear with me....other than that....

THIS IS WHAT IT ISSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

It's gonna be one hell of a summer.