Entertainment
Explained how J. Cole failed the culture
On Sunday in Fayetteville, North Carolina, rapper Jermaine Cole took the stage at the Dreamville Festival to specific his regret at disparaging K-Dot’s catalog in “7 Minute Drill,” where Cole raps:
J. Cole “7 Minutes of Exercise”
“That’s one part of this shit that makes me feel like the most crappy thing I’ve ever done in my fucking life” – Cole he told the audience. “So I felt conflicted because I was like, bro, I don’t even feel like that. And I know that’s not something a lot of people want to hear.”
Cole’s heartfelt public apology sent Black Twitter into a frenzy with memes, jokes, and even discourse on mental health and self-care. While the mea culpa for doing something that “offends (his) spirit” and “disturbs (his) peace” was an admirable act of contrition and self-reflection, Cole was right about one thing: it wasn’t about what many people wanted it to be hear.
One of the privileges of writing for a black audience is that I don’t have to explain what I mean when I say my youngest sister has always been “sensitive.” I’ve never really heard the definition of feeling “somehow,” but I know what it means. Every black child is born with the ability to distinguish “white people’s business” from “adult business.” For many people, Cole’s actions not only undermined one of the founding principles of hip-hop, but broke one of the unwritten rules that govern disparate Black communities across America:
You need to get your licking back.
Getting your lick back is a God-given right. It is as important as life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Reciprocating licking has little to do with violence or revenge; it’s about competition, honesty and, above all, never giving up. This fundamental principle is one of the pillars on which black culture and art are built. Baking or “playing the tens” is just a verbal form of getting the lick back. The improvisational guitar and saxophone solos that define American music evolved from “cutting competitions” — when black jazz and blues musicians fought one another during a performance. Even moving to the beat can turn into a contest. You cannot just tap dance in the face of Bill Bojangles Robinson or play Alpha Train at a Que party and expect no response. They get their licks back.
Perhaps nothing embodies this doctrine higher than a culture that comes with every pre-existing type of black art and black creativity. Whether it’s breakdancing, emceeing, DJing, or graffiti, every element of hip-hop involves some type of competitive response. Positioning is a basic condition of hip-hop culture. The art form relies on the concept of opposition, real or imagined. Therefore, “I’m great at rapping” was the thesis of 86.4% of old rap music. That’s why there are not any hits about reliable cars, medium-strength marijuana and cheap jewelry. That’s why Drake invited J. Cole to perform on the single “First-person shooter” to answer the question: “Who is GOAT? … It’s just (Drake) and Cole.” This cultural need for competitive excellence is also why Cole stated:
J. Cole on “first-person shooter”
This wasn’t what Kendrick Lamar wanted to listen to.
Like Cole, Kendrick Lamar is understood for creating emotionally sensitive, unapologetically black rap music that touches on topics of politics, spirituality and mental health. But despite the Grammys, Pulitzers and other Caucasian accolades showered on Lamar from outside the culture, on occasion he transforms into “Kung Fu Kenny,” the undisputed master of verbal combat. He has already said that he has nothing but love and respect for his peers, but he “he thinks hip-hop is a sportThe only difference between the more contemplative poet and his bold alter ego is that Kung Fu Kenny does not tolerate even the insinuation that anyone lives in the same sublime atmosphere as him.
For Lamar, Drake and Jermaine to put him on their level was an insult. The light-skinned duo’s intention was irrelevant. He just followed the rules. So Kendrick Lamar had no choice but to fulfill his duty to hip-hop by upholding the standards and practices of a culture in which he is deeply rooted. Lamar picked up a feature on ‘Future’ and ‘Metro Boomin’Yes” address the problem.
“These niggas talk all the time,” he began. “Don’t take the coffin out of your mouth, I’m too paranoid to make threats.” What followed was a verse filled with somewhat obscure references that true hip-hop fans would immediately recognize. He quoted rap pioneer Melle MelAndre 3000 flute i Click members of E-40 and B-Legit. After dropping song and album titles, Lamar left no ambiguity: “Motherf–k the Big Three. Nigga, it’s just me.
He got his licking back.
In an era where rap music is often indistinguishable from pop music, true hip-hop fans were delighted to witness the exchange between respected creators of their beloved art. It was like LeBron challenging Giannis to a one-on-one game at Rucker Park. Not since Nas and Jay-Z’s cultural battle have we seen two artists at the cultural avant-garde engage in the most fundamental form. And like “Ether” vs. “Takeover,” the winner debate was less necessary than the artistic competition. While nobody doubts the excellence of either artist, all this “beef” was only about who was the best.
It was hip-hop at its best.
But there may be a difference between rap and hip-hop. One is the product of a capitalist music industry built by white people for the specific purpose of commodifying black art. The second is a culture that has rules that govern the standards and practices of those participating. A mural artist may paint over one other artist’s work. But in hip-hop, crossing out one other graffiti author’s tag is taken into account a misdemeanor. While Beyoncé’s fans love her reinterpretation of “Jolene,” if the hip-hop artist did the same, she could possibly be accused of “biting” Dolly Parton. Worse yet, they could saddle Bey with one in all the most offensive labels of all – loser MC.
While some, including my colleague Touré, rightly praise J. Cole for prioritizing mental health and maintaining personal ethical standards, hip-hop purists are mistaken to wonder, “What part of the game is this?” Unlike people whose Spotify playlist includes Post Malone and Ice Spice, as you want to to imagine, I have never met a single soul who’s into J. Cole. They were simply disenchanted to see a rivalry that promised to be a watershed moment in hip-hop vanish into thin air. They are not any different than individuals who need to return to the era when NFL players could decapitate opponents on the field. They just need to add an old fashioned twist to all the songs about taking Percocet and going to weekly therapy sessions. Part of the disappointment comes from the knowledge that hip-hop is evolving, perhaps in a very good direction.
But what rapper doesn’t want his lick back?
Perhaps the only loser in all of that is the hip-hop purist. We “heads” feel the same as the boxing fans who watched Tyson bite Evander Holyfield on the ear. nobody wanted it, the risk that this conflict would end in bloodshed was very small); they desired to see two champions fight for the title. J. Cole has the right to apologize. His fans even have a right to feel slighted that he mainly confessed to his opponent.
If there’s one shiny side to this whole controversy, it’s J. Cole to Kendrick Lamar. While it could have disenchanted hip-hop fans who love watching friendly competition, individuals who enjoy the occasional good rap song can enjoy the remainder of the music that does not make them “feel bad spiritually.” His apology could seem to have broken one in all the fundamental tenets of his craft, but that does not make him a coward or a traitor. For those that doubt Cole’s commitment to the culture, rest assured that his spirit will not be stirred as he boldly raps about violence and Black women. Despite all the things, .
So much drama on the street, I feel like the beef is random
Lots of murders, turn into Thor, gotta keep the hammer
Cause the weather gets worse, shots are fired at the innocent,
the neighbors still do not know who sent them the shit, it’s like secret Santa
I’m here, reaching for a better frequency, I’m going to do it
Relax in the presidential suites or sleep in cabins on the beach
Sketching on 1000’s of sheets of paper, I hit weirdos in tandems
Catch them after which throw them in a cab like East Atlanta
How does it feel to see the flyest bitch and know he can land her?
Every word I say on beats will certainly fuel the fandom.– J. Cole on “Stickz N Stonez”
Although some people (For example, Mos Defa) I doubt Drake is even a component of hip-hop, for the sake of culture I hope he gets his licks back. Even if it doesn’t occur, we are able to ensure of 1 thing:
Drake feels it someway.
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The post How J. Cole Disappointed the Culture, Explained appeared first on TheGrio.
Internet sensation Funny Marco is rising within the comedy world at a rapid pace, regardless that fans and guests of the Kansas City native are never quite sure whether he’s serious or joking.
His “Open thoughts” on YouTube incorporates thousands and thousands of views of interviews with celebrities who sit next to him as he asks them silly questions designed to annoy them, often leading to a storm. From Nicki Minaj to Kevin Hart, from Chris Brown to DaBaby, the comedian and talk show host has a knack for getting under people’s skin and making viewers laugh in the method.
That’s why Netflix invited him to host a special promotion for the upcoming Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, which can be broadcast continue to exist the streaming service tonight at 8 p.m.
The just over a minute long interstitial was uploaded to the Still Watching Netflix YouTube channel on Wednesday, November 13. He placed 31-year-old Marco and Tyson sitting on a couch and talking to one another.
The interviewer holds the microphone in his lap as Pride of Brownsville lounges, wearing black and with a fluorescent green logo that reads “LF*Go…Energy in a Pouch.”
“So, for a million dollars, would you like to take the punch or go to sleep?” Marco asks the previous heavyweight champion.
“I don’t know. I have no idea,” Tyson says calmly.
A couple of moments pass and Marco looks around nervously and says, “Mmm… I’m a little scared.”
He then asks Tyson in regards to the pigeon Paul gave him while the 2 sat face-to-face during an interview with rapper-turned-podcaster Cam’Ron.
– Will you explain in regards to the pigeons? Marco asked.
“What do you want to know about them?” – Tyson replied.
“When he sent you the pigeons, was it a good gift?”
Without hesitation, Tyson replied, “It was a beautiful gift, but the pigeon was probably infected with a disease.”
The next query was about what Tyson wanted to do first after winning the fight, and the previous World Boxing Association champion replied that he was eating “ice cream.”
When the short interview was over, Marco asked, “Can I hug you after the fight?”
Not too enthusiastic about it, Tyson said, “Maybe. I will pass it on.” Marco then joked that he was a great fighter himself and said, “If you need some tips from me, I’m 11 and 0 or I’ve lost two fights. … Is there something you want to ask me?”
Tyson suddenly said, “No. Nice to meet you” and held out his hand to shake hers. After a few shakes, he says, “Be careful.”
The handshake lasted for a moment after which Tyson said, “Please let go of my hand.”
Nervously, Marco says, “Okay,” but doesn’t seem to realize the conversation is over. Tyson then says, “Please stand up,” to which Marco responds, “OK,” and stands up.
When the morning TV with juices common clip from the interview, many followers joined in on the joke, laughing at how Tyson appeared to beat him at the top.
“Stop playing with this man before you end up beaten and bruised,” one person wrote. Another person said: “Old Tyson would knock his glasses off.”
A 3rd comment read: “You cannot play with everyone. He’s the one person I would not play this game with.”
“I’ve never seen anyone get up so quickly,” another person joked.
One comment read: “You can’t do it right away you killer bro, dangerous job.”
Most viewers didn’t realize that this was Funny Marco’s usual interview format.
One person added: “It’s all staged.”
This funny skit was also promoted on Funny Marco and Netflix Instagram accounts.
Although Tyson is terrible within the ring, he has shown over time that he has a funny side, often playing tough with comedians.
The boxer shocked people when he told his story in Great White style. a Broadway show”Undisputed Truth” was a success not just for its raw honesty, but additionally for its unexpected comedic moment as Tyson shared wild, unfiltered stories from his life.
He then gained a brand new audience by hosting his own podcast, Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, where he is thought for making guests and listeners laugh together with his blunt observations and unpredictable comments, often turning heavy topics into emotional moments. laughter.
Tyson even had an animated series on Cartoon Network called “Mike Tyson Mysteries” that ran for 4 seasons, softening his image and finding ways to get laughs from viewers as he and his pigeons jumped into various Scooby Doo-like capers.
One of the places you’ll be able to see Tyson is on “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
As the fighter shared funny anecdotes, viewers could see him as each relatable and funny. Despite his tough guy image, Tyson’s humorousness allowed fans to connect with him in recent ways, showcasing his unexpected wit and charm.
Maybe that is why so many persons are rooting for him to beat Paul.
In early November 2024, a video of University of South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer appeared online. After South Carolina’s 44-20 victory over Texas A&M University, Coach Beamer decided to take this step have his players serenade his wife in the locker room on her birthday. And what song were his players shouting with enthusiasm at the highest of their lungs? None apart from singer Fantasia’s 2006 hit “When I See U,” a song that topped the R&B charts way back in 2007 but seems to be primary in the hearts and minds of individuals all over the world this 12 months of ours sir two thousand twenty 4.
To quote Kanye West: “Like SWAY?”
How did a song that was a hit before America had its first black president develop into wildly popular almost twenty years later? Well, the apparent answer is social media, especially TikTok. In fact, a straightforward seek for “Fantasia When I See You” on the platform brings up over 24 million videos. TWENTY-FOUR MILLION. There are videos of basketball players sing a song and folks join in their houses do covers. There they’re presenters AND dances. People have converted their very own versions. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Even though social media has decided that “When I See U” needs to get all its flowers and glory, what’s it about this song that makes adults, children, and perhaps even animals sing (and/or scream) the words on top of their lyrics? lungs?
Watch a video of the football team serenading the coach’s wife. The coach has heard this song enough times to know that his players find it irresistible. The coach knew they liked it a lot that if he played it out of nowhere, enough of his players wouldn’t only know the words, but would fully participate in sharing it with the world – and his wife. But have a look at this joy; as soon because the musicians heard those opening chords, they took flight. I do not know if Coach Beamer’s wife knows this song, however it doesn’t matter. Everyone in this room did it.
And everyone knows it, because “When I See U” is an undeniable hit. It’s jam. It’s sunny on your wedding day. He’s a cop who shows up in court to contest a speeding ticket. It’s finding an additional helping of fries in your bag if you only ordered one. This is gorgeous. It gets stuck and Fantasia gets stuck on it. “When I See U” is a song about nervously falling in love with someone. That’s lovable. It’s about infatuation. It’s a contemporary version of The Temptations “It’s Just My Imagination (Running With Me)” definitely certainly one of the best songs of all time. This is one other song whose opening chords make everyone who knows it lose their mind and switch into Temptations for a number of minutes.
When I hear Fantazja singing together with her incredibly beautiful, one-of-a-kind voice, I get excited. The song is an ideal mixture of beats, rhymes and life. It’s hip-hop in the shape of R&B with a beat that rappers like Fabolous used to turn into monster rap jams.
Also, let’s analyze this quickly: who DIDN’T feel like hearing the lyrics to this song? Who hasn’t caught your eye yet, that one who captures all of your attention and you would like to talk to them, but you are afraid to do it? For me, it was three out of 4 years of school. And true story, we’re all probably that person to another person too. We’ve been there and done that. That’s the plot of many romantic comedies in three minutes and thirty-six seconds, and who doesn’t love romantic comedies? (If someone doesn’t love them, tell me never to talk to these people again.) I’m married and I like the thought of ”new love” in moves I’ve watched 100 times.
Most importantly, “When I See U” is just incredibly fun to sing. There are some songs which can be perfect for karaoke. What comes to mind is “Return of The Mack”, anything by Luther Vandross, “We Are Never Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift, the SWV catalog, etc. “When I See U” by Fantazja is unquestionably in the highest ten of this list. And because so many individuals know these words, it really works well for big Black gatherings like churches, live shows, family reunions, funerals, and cookouts.
There’s really no bad time to play this song. One evening, for some reason, a bunch of individuals visited me, and the music person put on “When I See U” and everybody, young and old, sang the words in unison and joyfully. (No matter if you read this sentence, it is going to be true; there are ALWAYS people in my house.)
I do not know who decided that the 2020s needed a hit Fantasia as much because the 2000s, but that person is a national hero. In a world filled with chaos, I’m glad we’ve got Fantazja, her voice and music, which make things somewhat higher.
“When I see you” today, “When I see you” tomorrow, “When I see you” ceaselessly.
Entertainment
Donald Trump’s jealous obsession with Baron’s son’s height sparks outrage days after Melania avoids his kisses
Donald Trump could also be just a little jealous of his son, Barron Trump; a minimum of that is what some fans online think.
Trump has much to have a good time as he recently won the 2024 presidential race, which is able to see him serve a second term on January 20. However, in the course of the campaign, rumors of a grudge against his son Barron began to grow.
Fans began to note Trump’s obsession with his son’s height after: clip his interview with Moms For America went viral in December 2023. When asked how Melania was doing, Trump wasted no time gushing about his wife’s capabilities as a mother before talking about his then-17-year-old son’s physique.
“(Melania is) great. He’s doing an important job with my son, who’s a implausible guy,” Trump began. – He’s a superb tall guy too. Very tall.
When asked about Baron’s height, Trump brightened up. “I’d say 6’8″. So he’s up there, right.
“It’s very telling that the first thing Donald mentions about Barron is his height, as there are reports that Donald Trump resents Barron for being taller than him” – user X he tweeted.
“She talks about him like he’s a rival,” one other person he replied.
Another X user he stated“I heard Trump has nothing to do with him because he hates anyone taller than him. You notice that he needed to say his name in a sentence to recollect it.
Trump has apparently been obsessed with his son’s height these days, too. In June, during a press tour, Trump visited Fox & Friends, where he was asked how his family was coping with the news that he had been found guilty on 34 felony counts related to paying adult film star Stormy Daniels to influence the end result of the 2016 election r. When asked in regards to the well-being of his youngest son, Trump replied: “He is amazing. He is tallhandsome guy. He is a excellent student. He applies to universities and goes all over the place… He’s a really smart guy. It’s very tall guy… He’s cool. I’m telling you, he’s pretty cool.
“This is what jealousy looks like” he wrote one user X in response to the interview clip.
Later that month, Trump spoke with Logan Paul and Mike Majlak on the “Impaulsive” podcast, where he discusses his 18-year-old son’s height. Almost immediately he mentioned his son’s height.
“I even have a stupendous boy, Barron, who loves Mike Tyson. He’s an enormous boy,” he said he said before sharing that his son is taller than average. “And I could not get him to play basketball or football. He can be a superb athlete. But he’s 6 feet 9 inches. Handsome guy. He is tall, there isn’t a doubt about it.
“I say, ‘Barron,'” he continued. “I don’t want to take a picture next to you.”
According to journalist Michael Wolff, this isn’t any different than when Trump has an issue with people taller than him. Wolff spoke to MSNBC in 2023 to debate his book “Siege: Trump Under Fire” and within the interview touched on Trump’s obsession with growth.
He said: “He is jealous of everyone’s height. He never allows himself to be photographed with anyone taller than himself. Height is one of his techniques. He uses his height and remember that Donald Trump is a very big man.”
But as a substitute of supposedly hating his son’s physique, Donald may have to point out him just a little gratitude for helping him get a superb chunk of the “bro votes” in his presidential run.
“Brother vote” refers to getting votes from a selected demographic of men, typically those within the young millennial and Gen Z age groups.
According to Time warehouseAs Donald’s team was strategizing in regards to the various podcasts he should appear on, Donald told his 27-year-old GOP consultant, Alex Bruesewitz, to take the list of podcasts Bruesewitz desired to feature and discuss it with Barron.
Barron pointed to Adin Ross, a streamer who works with celebrities to live stream video games.
The former reality star’s appearance on Ross’ Live garnered over 2.7 million views.
It was only up from there. As the race was winding down, Donald appeared on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. This video itself is lower than a month old, but has over 50 million views.
Fans aren’t entirely buying the proven fact that Donald was seriously concerned about Barron’s height. One person put“He looks like a proud father to me. A twisted reporting story.
Other he wrote“He’s just a proud father. The media must always read something negative.”
A 3rd shares similar sentiments he said“It looks like he’s just pleased with his son! Here’s the media doing it again…
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