My Intro to Let You Know

“Time and time again see I be thinking about that future…” ~ Big Boi [“Myintrotoletyouknow,” Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik]

They say the first one is always the hardest so let’s get this one in the books. First, a little bit about me. I am 36 years old, from rural Georgia, and currently live in Washington, DC. I spent most of my days growing up playing video games, listening to hip hop, reading, writing, daydreaming, and hanging out with my very close family members–specifically my kid sister. My interests in math and science led me to pick up an engineering career and I currently work as a system engineer. I’m currently pursuing my Masters in Data Analytics. I guess I have a lot of friends, but I consider myself a loner. I promise to reveal more about myself as the blog progresses.

Okay and now onto the blog. My goal is to encourage more high-depth conversations pertaining to hip-hop lyricism. It bothers me that in 2018, hip-hop music is still not respected for its complexity and literary value. Okay, okay, I’ll be the first one to admit that some artists and songs warrant more lyrical analysis than others. But, I will say this: be prepared to have your definition of lyricism challenged. Being a Southerner, I have a wide range of hip hop taste: from Action Bronson to Missy Elliott to Z-Ro. As a result, expect analyses of works from artists not typically revered as lyricists. And, oh yeah, expect lots of Outkast references–they’re my favorite group.

As my knowledge of data analysis applications and tools increase, my hip-hop analyses will become more sophisticated and nuanced. My first couple of semesters of graduate school have been INTENSE and I look forward to sharing the experience with my readers. As a result, this blog will feature a combination of lyrical deep-dives, hip-hop opinion pieces, reviews, historical reflections, and personal anecdotes.

More information about me (including my contact info) can be found on the About tab. I want this to be a very interactive blog so feel free to comment and reach out to me directly.

~W. Mack

January 6, 2018 0

Hip-Hop CounterPoint: Gucci Mane can Rap, Part 1

“I’m a neighborhood philanthropist, I’m sellin bales of cannabis. Preachin like an evangelist, but I don’t f*** with amateurs.” ~ Gucci Mane [“St. Brick Intro,” The Return of the East Atlanta Santa]

First off, let’s get some basics straight. Radric Davis aka Guwop aka Mr. Zone 6 aka The East Atlanta Santa bka Gucci Mane can spit. Forget about the ice cream face tattoo, the reality-tv wedding show, the nonsensical illegalities and even the escaped murder charge. Gucci can rap his butt off.

In the South, particularly Georgia, Gucci is legend. Not a legend in the typical hip-hop way. Gucci does not have a distinct piece of work (i.e. Only Built for Cuban Linx or 400 Degreez) one can point to validate his lore. Hehas not forced individuals to question society and its structure like 2pac. His music has not crossed genres like Jay-Z. Gucci, rather, has served as an inspiration for his fanbase in the most unique way.

Gucci’s rap style can be best described as country chaos. He has a heavy Alabama meets Georgia accent. His bars, at times, flow and stick together like servings of molasses pouring from a mason jar. He has an admitted speech impediment that causes his rhymes to sound like mutters. He relies, heavily, on bar-interrupting ad-libs (i.e. “Burr,” “Wel-dam,” “GWOP,” etc.). He loves rhyming the same word with the same word. And on top of all of that…his subject matter is pretty much limited to trappin; spendin’ money on cars, women, and jewelry; stuntin’; and regulatin’ on his many haters and enemies.

And even with these abnormalities and limitations, I still contend Gucci is a damn good rapper. I present to you…

Exhibit A: “Posted at the Store”:

“Posted…” is the song that forced me to look at Gucci in a different way. While I had enjoyed Gucci Mane la Flare since his Black Tee/So Icy days, I saw him as a one-dimensional MC. A guy I can count on for some solid Trap Music bars and little else. But after hearing his verse on this song…I changed my stance. No diss to Yung Joc (it’s his song) or featured guest Yung Ralph, but Gucci slaughters this song beginning at 3:23.

“Well the cookie cutter cuts the butter, Studder like the Duh-Duh Man

I caught the baddest woman yet they say I’m drug laundering

Whether you’re smokin on a stem, or you’re smokin on a coke can

Still got your party packed, so gone and have your party man”

Those are the first FOUR BARS. And there is so much to digest. First the internal rhyming with cutter, cuts the, butter, Duh-Duh, and I’m-drug. Not only does he perform this effortlessly, but it also comes off NATURALLY. Gucci rolls these bars off like he’s really talking to someone outside of a storefront.

Next let’s discuss the imagery. Anyone can talk about selling drugs. Yet, he starts off with the tired—but made fresh—cooking metaphor for cooking crack. He then flips a reference to the late Bill Nun’s stuttering character in New Jack City (Duh Duh Man). He then uses ANOTHER metaphor explaining he is the one-top shop for your marijuana (stem) AND crack (coke can) vices. You still think Gucci can’t rap? Okay, maybe you’re still not sold. Check this out:

“Flat Shoals and Bouldercrest, so call me the Sun Valley Man

98 Caprice and it sounding like a marching band

See I’m packing just like Pakistan, got soldiers in Afghanistan

It’s Gucci Mane, the African and I’m a black Republican”

This is country braggadocio on steroids. First, he gives you some background of his local stomping grounds. The intersection of Flat Shoals and Bouldercrest roads is located in area of Southeast Atlanta called “Sun Valley.” After giving you a great simile to describe his car’s sound system, he informs you that his reach extends from East Atlanta all the way to the Middle East and Africa. All while giving you complex rhymes galore with Pakistan, Afghanistan, African, and Republican.

Okay, I’ve given you complex rhyme schemes, imagery, storytelling, but one of Gucci’s main talents is his ability to rhyme the beat. Listen to how perfectly Gucci rides the beat during these couple of bars:

“That’s my Alabama, Atlanta, ridin in my phantom purple

In my phantom purple, smoking green marij-uana”

Much props to the producer for stripping the drums for those two bars. Gucci doesn’t just ride a beat. He rides-slow-motion-in-his-98-Caprice-with-his-elbow-out-the-window to a beat. He makes a beat his.

Now…take everything I just told you and then digest this: Gucci freestyled that verse. Want proof? Check this out:

Dude is insane.

Now tell me that any regular rapper could do what this man just did. And this is only PART 1. If you’re still not a believer, wait patiently for Part 2 coming soon.

~W. Mack

January 6, 2018 2

Lyrical Breakdown: Cam’ron’s “Dead MFs”

“Go ‘head stupid n****s go f*** wit’ them chicks/I’m the third little piggy, Imma f*** wit’ them bricks” ~ Cam’ron [“Da ROC,” Come Home with Me]

I am admittedly a fan of substance and style. Every year or so I get excited about an emcee who is WAAAAAAY more style than substance. I spent two months, years ago, trying to digest as much Lil B as I could take. I am forever a fan of Juicy J. And my enjoyment of Gucci Mane is documented. Nevertheless, perhaps my guiltiest pleasure has been Dipset’s Cam’ron.

Cam’ron is not a great emcee. And he never has been. However, for a good time he was an OUTSTANDING rapper. Straight up, homie rarely makes sense. And I don’t mean in the Ghostface Killah way. I mean in the “dude really just said some complete bullsh#t” way. Nevertheless, few have been able to balance charisma and humor like Cameron Giles. And for a brief period from 2003 through 2006, Cam’ron and his Dipset crew could do little wrong. The Roc was crumbling. Wu-Tang was fading. And sure, G-Unit was still huge, but its 2 biggest stars, besides 50, were from Compton and Nashville. Meanwhile, the South was taking over. New York was in DIRE need of a crew to rally around. And Cam’ron was the leader of said crew.

Those days have since passed, mainly because too many of this group members incorporated his peculiar rap style…and internal feuding. However in his prime, I was a fan of Cam and his wacky lines. My favorite track was “Dead Motherf*ckas.” I believe it was originally going to make the Purple Haze album but due to extensive delays and bootlegging, it didn’t make the final cut. A real shame because it was a GREAT Cam’ron song. Enjoy the video below and some of my fave lines from the track:

“We’re all wearing links as I prepare a drink

Glare and think how I got the whole New York wearing pink

Girls, they stare and wink, As I flare the mink…”

I never was cool with that pink mess. Yeah, you may catch me with a button up with some pink in it. However, the whole wearing pink Nikes with pink laces and rocking a pink T….nah, cuz.

“Seen Paid in Full?, now I’m in the Blockbuster

Now I’m paid in full/still on the block, buster”

Bars like this make Cam who he is. Yeah, homie just rhymed words…with the same words, but cuz gets his DOUBLE double entendre on. Also, Paid in Full is friggin classic.

“I tell a b***h, straight up ‘get in the car’

I’m the sh** in the car; I’ll do like Alfred tho, sh** in your car

Pop a squat in the drop, take a drop in the drop

And while you’re droppin the top, I’m unlocking your locks….DAAAAAMN”

Yeah…I’m still do not understand Cam’s fascination with dropping a deuce in somebody’s car. The last lines make me believe this act is a diversion for a potential robbery but duuuude, how you gonna crap in my car???

“And the same brother that you knew,

Came thru in the Range same color as Yoo-Hoo/

Now you know..that’s the same color as doo-doo/

I’m the sh**!/Call me Pepe Le Pew Pew”

SECOND excrement reference in the same post!!

Yeah, the last bar is my favorite Cam line ever. I just want to imagine him saying these lines in the booth while some sound engineer and label rep are looking/listening on. No way did that engineer keep a straight face. No way did the producer not look over at the engineer and murmur “What the hell?? Why is he always talking about taking a dump??” In fact, I bet the label rep listened to this track and said “….no way is this track making the album. Pepe Le Pew??”

[Kanye Shrug]

KILLA!

~W. Mack

January 6, 2018 0