Words From

WORDS FROM HALLWAY- PREDICTIONS

wordsfrom — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:27:19 +0000

Hi,

So as I’m sitting here wondering what the fuck to do with my life, it still seems that I’m in a good place. My name is Way and I’m 1/2 of a urban innitiative to clean up the internet called illRoots.com. I’m from the East Coast, Maryland to be exact. As you would expect I’m representing the the DMV, but a part that really has no voice yet, that being the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Where I’m from its Nascar country, open fields, and several hard-working yet still diminishing middle class families.

Okay enough about the past. To all those who think that you need to own a computer to make yourself known on the internet, your wrong. I’ve never really owned a computer my whole life, and still don’t actually. Yet for some odd reason I help run a site that is extremely popular in the online community. Although I tackle the thought everyday of the contrast and comparisons of the digital world to the actual world, I feel like I have a nice balance. If you are an artist that is looking for buzz online, let me far warn you, YOU STILL HAVE TO HUSTLE IN THE REAL WORLD. While the internet is a great tool I find myself going out to shows and only seeing a handful of these rappers that hit me up online. While I assure you I sit through and read every email, it gets rather monotonous hearing about such great online reviews on your material and then your live show is like watching paint dry. Now that I’m done ranting onto the talent. Being that I run across so much talent that just sits in my inbox I have to make known people who I feel will dynamically change the world in the next 6 months. Here is a few:

Mike Maven – While working with my great friend 6th Sense, he put me onto this guy Mike Maven. At first you hear some slower songs and hear instantly a John Mayer comparison or even classic country stuff. Then you hear his more Hip-Hop and Pop type tracks and I get a sense that he can flip flop from just about any lane that he wants, combine this with the musical stylings of the next great producer to hit your ipod in 6th Sense and you’ve got a hit.

Phil Nash – We put out this guys tape with the incomparable Mick Boogie and just the overall lyrical prowess is reminiscent of the rhyme schemes of Rakim. You add his work with the legendary Jazzy Jeff and its almost a no brainer. As I move forward you will notice that each artist I mention has both talent and a team behind him/her.

Freebass808 – I first met Suede and Juice back at the iStandard jumpoff in New York, I would pull people to this dope little cut away and interview them, from Esso to Torae, and then I interviewed Freebass. Needless to say the combination of the beats that Juice makes and the smooth flow of Suede, you are almost hypnotized into putting this thing on repeat everytime.

Carter – So present day, I’m out in Cali after a trip to Hawaii (shouts to the whole island of Oahu) and as I’m coming to the West Coast for the first time to start this management company with my partner in crime James Banuelos. He shows me some of this guy Carter’s music. I’ve been kind of familiar with his work from the Hundreds but it gets much deeper. If you want to compare anyone to be the Bun B of our time I’m betting my money on this guy. Within the next few months you will see why.

Quest – This guy is a regular on illRoots now and Jermaine Dupri recently chose him over several rappers to win the Tag Survival of the Freshest contest. This kid is beyond talented, I’ve gone from a doubter to believer and now I see the hype. He is from Miami but he has a lyrical sense and stage presence that I purely love.

Pro’Verb – Pro is a close friend but he’s made significant strides in the past year to get his name to more prevalent online. The DMV is saturated full of talent but depth and lyrics as well as off the top, I don’t see anyone better in the DC Area.

So thats just a few people that I seem to have grown fond of in the past few months, as well over at illRoots we are a family. Once your in, your in. The one thing that I see online is that people simply do a one and done with an artist. I try to embrace a solid number of artists and help them build their brand as much as possible. So currently I”m in LA making a dream a reality and pushing my friends into the limelight.

Goodbye,
HLLWY

WORDS FROM CHUCK INGLISH- I MISS CDS

wordsfrom — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:22:31 +0000

So.. while jamming to a song my dear friend Jade and I are working on.. a couple of us started talking about how great CDs used to be.. going to get one from the record store.. putting it in the cd player, looking at the insert, reading the lyrics, taping the bonus poster to your locker.. bedroom wall.. or where ever you taped shit up at. The whole experience was banannas.. but somewhere down the line people started clowning the CD. Music stores closed, album sales tanked, everyone put their faith in the online music supermarket…. Personally im so smitten by my childhood, i havent gotten over the fact that certain things are over. Rap city, Tower Records, the fact MTV doesnt play a Video anymore… and most importantly holding the music i bought and being able to collect it.. so i can stunt on niggas with my overzealous music collection. Now i gotta put my ipod on shuffle at someone elses crib to put kids on game, or i gottta open my laptop up everywhere i go. I remember when kids i went to high school with would have CD folders the size of dictionaries.. the shit would be in alphabetical order, the cover art would be on the front of every disk, and if you took something out, you had to put it back or get delt with. I miss the days where we would own the music we bought….. i mean.. thats if you buy music (not hating if you dont) some shit is just weak and you want to hear it .. just to see how weak it is. I feel you.. trust me.

I’m not writing this to bitch.. that was just the prequel to the sequal (sorry Martin… i had to borrow that)
I just want to know whats next.. who will develop the new “CD” the new musical format. what do you want to buy from the stores from your favorite band or…are you satisfied with what you have?

For the record, I love all you guys.. we appreciate the support more than you know.. We are 92% done with “When Fish Ride Bicycles”and it sounds like silver back gorillas playing full contact beach volleyball. (yeah.. forreal)
right now we are working on “Gone Fishing” the pre record with Don Cannon AND! plotting, planning, and putting togther a super tour with The Cool Kids and “friends” (not gonna speak on the details yet) .. but your favorite rappers new favorite rapper might have signed on to be apart of the livest event since the Olympics.. word to Mike Phelps (keep ur head up cuz..)

The Cool Kids

WORDS FROM KESH- IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME

wordsfrom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:56:28 +0000

I SHOULDN’T HAVE LEFT YOU.

I haven’t been blogging because i have been making some decisions about my life….

I’ve decided to quit djin.
I’ve moved to New York for good.
I will be taking 1 year off from Fashion.
I will be dedicating this year to photography and art.

…. That’s it.

if you could climb inside my head and swim in my sea thoughts then you will understand why i have made these decisions…

But you can’t and only i alone know why things have to change.

I will continue to write on my blog as it’s something i enjoy. (plus the amount of e-mail complaints about my absence was ridiculous!)

So please take a seat, put your feet up and watch the rollercoaster that one would call…

THE ADVENTURES OF KESH.

WORDS FROM ANTOINE- FAILUREPHOBIC

wordsfrom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:44:38 +0000

Phobia, as defined as Merriam-Webster, is an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation. My BIGGEST phobia? Failure. I can feel at home at night, alone, in a graveyard. I can stare a clown in its face. I can stomach standing at ridiculous heights, even though I’d rather not. But I can do it, because it isn’t a phobia. But failure is a completely different story.
The mere thought of failure keeps me up at night. Stressing. Sweating. Sick. Scared. Shaking. I know I sound like a strung-out fiend, but in a sense, I am. The only thing is, my drug is my accomplishments. Only they can fight of my phobia, and keep it at bay for another day. Like all other fiends, my dosage needs to increase over time. My craving grows to gigantic proportions, and become difficult to quell. So, its on to bigger + better accomplishments. And there lies the problem. What is the next thing? What is going to keep me from being a failure? I’m starting to feel queasy again….

WORDS FROM KATT- ONCE UPON A TIME

wordsfrom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:30:53 +0000

Once upon a time…

Damn I use to love stories that started like that, “Once upon a time there was a Princess named (insert name here)

Greetings! What the fuck do people say in their first entry? Where do I even begin… Thanks thick eye brows aka Steve for letting me lay down and place all my thoughts out here for the world to see.

Let me introduce myself. That female you see right above is I. My name is Kathy. Some of you might know me and some of you may not. You might be one of the thousand(s) of my friends on my myspace page. Some might know me as the “Asian girl” who worked at Bape or saw me running around with the Lemar & Dauley crew. *side note: Miss you guys!* If you’re still lost or clueless… oh well. You’ll find out soon enough.

I remember the days when my parents told me, “Kathy, stop trying to be older then what you are because one day you’re going to wish you were a kid again.” At that time, I thought it was a bull shit. Who doesn’t want to be older? When you’re old you don’t have to listen to your parents or teachers. But it wasn’t until recently that I believed in their advice. If I can turn back the hands of time I would be a kid again. I remember the days when I use to play dodge ball, jump rope & play booty tag. While sipping on Capri Sun and 50 cent sodas. Life was so much easier back then wasn’t it?

Graduation is in May and I feel a lot of stress coming my way. Grad school? Full time job? A new place to live? My answer: YES to all of the choices above. Everyone keeps telling me to wait and stop planning so far ahead. You know what I say? “FUCK YOU and mind YOURS!” I can’t be comfortable with living for tomorrow if I do not know how to prepare for tomorrow. I feel like all of these decisions will map out my life or at least a good few years of my life post college.

But on a lighter note, I love Crumbs Bakery and I have a craving for Pad Thai from Sea. I know cupcakes and Pad Thai don’t “go together” but hey that what I want. Crumbs is so addicting. For anyone who hasn’t tried their famous cupcakes please do so. My favorite one is on 8th & Broadway. Whatever you do, do not go to the Crumbs down by Wall Street their cupcakes taste a big box of old flour.

oh yeah PS. I know I don’t like typing in full sentences. This isn’t a college paper.

WORDS FROM RONI- LIFE, “THE HUSTLE” AND NYC

wordsfrom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:22:51 +0000

Which Way is Up !?!?! Nevermind, that I’m fresh of a few beers and ill Kush. I’m really tryna figure shit out. That’s the current mindstate of the kid right now. I’m usually on some “We gon make it shit” word to Jadakiss. Currently though, shit just aint what it seem. To say shit was all good just week ago is an understatement. I guess it’s really just a testament of the love hate relationship with not just NYC but Life and “The Hustle” as a whole.

I love Life, The Hustle and NYC along with everything that they all offer. Hate them sometimes because with all three, you are constantly reminded about never getting complacement or comfortable. Which don’t get me wrong is a good thing to constantly get reminded of. Life, “The Hustle” and NYC are one in the same. No? I mean you can look at new job, opportunity, relationship or whatever as getting put on wit a new connect/hustle if you will. Once shit is finalized and you in your new situation its like counting your stacks up and going to see papi. You’ve arrived, your in the game, you made it. Shit is great, you hit the streets wit your new “product” and its all love.

You feelin’ yourself and the “streets” is feelin’ you! So you continue to “re-up” and do what you what do. But then what? What happens when things between you and the “connect” start getting shaky? The ticket on the product went up and you gotta make more wit less if you will. I’ll tell you what the fuck you do. You hustle that much harder! Not to sound cliché but you gotta hustle that much harder! Mad kids talk about that shit but only a chosen few really get it in like that.

This is what separates everybody at the end of the day in Life, “The Hustle” and NYC. This joint is the epitome of survival of the fittest and that’s why I love this fucking place. You can sit around and pop shit and bottles about how this year is yours (how many kids said that this new year?) yada, yada, yada. But the reality of it all is, if you don’t “Hustle” not only in Life but in this city, even if you live in West Bubblefuck USA, your ASS is out. Gotta stay on your shit. This is just a reminder for not only myself but to others. Stay on your shit and don’t ever think Life b.k.a. “the Hustle” a.k.a New York City is sweet. If you do, to take a page outta Craig Mack’s book, “You wont be around next year.!” Words from the Ruffian. Peace

WORDS FROM BLIZ MIL- IT’S LATE AND I NEED GRUB EDITION

wordsfrom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:05:25 +0000

The “It’s Late and I Need a Grub Edition”
January 30, 2009
1:38am

Shit is beyond crazy these days. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and the strife some people are feeling due to the economy. Fuck. My heart goes out to any and everyone that reads this and knows of or is directly affected by this recession…nah…depression. I got enough shit one my cerebral. For one, I just got off of an hour and a half long conference call that began at 11pm EST. I’m working on a huge initiative involving the Graffiti Research Lab and my day gig, The Ebeling Group…All I can really say is that I am involved in producing/marketing a project that involves physical disabilites and graffiti. It’s mind blowing to say the least and if even one person benefits from my hard work, then I’m satisfied.

While I was on the call I was thinking about the love people put into the shit that they do. You can’t buy passion yo. You just can’t. It’s like when you get a waiter or waitress that does everything right from the time you sit your happy-to-eat ass in the seat. He or she doesn’t miss a beat to the point where you can feel that they love what they do. It’s palpable. Passion fills a room like a Dilla track – it’s warm, bouncing and vibrant and there’s a melody to passion that just moves rhythmically across all those that come in contact with a truly passionate muthafucka. I respect all those who get down for their crowns at all costs and don’t act like a dick while doing so.

Hmmm…let me see what else is on my mind. Yo fuck Twitter. Actually no, fuck people who run to the internet to talk shit about someone else and refuse to speak directly to them about whatever issue(s) they might have. How lame is that? STOP acting like you’re on top of the fuckin’ world and realize that you’re just as much a mess as the next person. Here is some Innanet speak for ya silly ass…GTFOHWYBA. If you didn’t do what you did for a living you’d simply be known as “so and so’s roommate.” Play your part and stop abusing your status in the game. Thank you, Management. Fuck outta here.

What next? Mel shot a pic I need for my new apartment…The Black Thought joint in the smoke-filled room, while he’s on stage. I need that image in hi-res, my nig. It’ll look gravy on one of my new walls in the crib.

The Lakers are about to be back in the Chip Round in ’09 and they have the best team in basketball from player 1-8. Speaking of the NBA, Jameer Nelson is a reserve in the All-Star game this year! Shout out to PA. Good shit. The Eagles…damn…damn…DAMN! On some Florida Evans shit. Those gotdamned Eagles!!!!

I might need to get a new cell phone carrier. Anyone know how to get a dude out of a contract, let me know real quick. I’m wit Flea Mobile. ‘Nuff said.

I’m still salty that The Wire is over. That shit was so layered, so gritty. I will say that True Blood is on point and for all those hating on it, just wait ‘til a sex scene comes on. You gonna grip ya girl up EARLY. Oh and the storyline is righteous too.

I’m sick right now and I hope I don’t hurl on the train in the morning. Shit I hope I don’t hurl now looking at Chris Webbers ugly ass suit.

On that note I really need to take my ass to sleep but I’m about to work on this treatment.

Bliz

WORDS FROM EMAN- MY TURN

wordsfrom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:50:33 +0000

I guess this is where it starts… just keep writing and something along the lines of genius will just come across the screen something buried deep in my subconscious that I never knew I had inside of me. Something like the world and the earth are not exactly the same things. The earth is the planet itself with its geographical locations I suppose, and the world well we cant really say there is just one world can we?? The earth is filled with various worlds: my world, his world, her would, and their world. We are individuals with our own worlds, each nonpareil and never the same, living amongst each other.. and even if our worlds overlap its only for that moment because at the end of the day we are each in our own world, in our own thoughts.

Something like that…

Maybe I should keep writing, maybe then ill drop some more words… something about how when you have walked on egg shells all your life, you eventually learn to walk with caution everywhere among everyone… and you start to apologize habitually, and you become aware of others feelings and esteems before your own and in that same aspect apologize again even when it wasn’t your place to apologize. with that being said you realize that others take your kindness for weakness. I am an Aquarius so by nature I strive to be independent. Though I have the support of my world, I count on myself and im finally starting to fly over the egg shells rather than walk. Learning that in the end all I have is me and I am the only one who knows what makes me happy. Walking on egg shells wasn’t the life for me, so im finally making a change to that, Some how they will always be there so by learning to fly im never an inconvenience to those who laid them there.. im just finding another path for myself.

WORDS FROM KINGPIN KEL- THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE

wordsfrom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:45:17 +0000

‘Persistence Overcomes Resistance.’

So I see Saint runnin’ the streets twice in the last month, and BOTH times he asked me about my “Words from..” entry. The 2nd time was at ILL Party at The Delancey. I was hosting and to make a long story short I promised him the my entry before the end of the weak. Being an ABSOLUTE man of my word I got to writing and thought about my favorite topic…

PERSISTENCE.

There are a HUNDRED reasons NOT to do something. People will find an excuse to take the blame OFF of themselves for ANYTHING. “I’m too tired, its too cold, its too late…” etc..etc. We’re ALL Human, and we ALL do it. We like to put the blame on things like Luck, Fate & Destiny, which are three things that DO NOT exist, but are subject to matters of ones own opinion. Me personally, I don’t believe in the aforementioned and Its in my own personal opinion that they make a person lazy. Lets take for example a person who is planning on losing weight. Do you think Luck, will be the reason he/she loses or doesn’t lose the intended weight goal? Or is it one’s hard work, their determination, their desire, and their commitment to losing the weight that will be the integral roles in this particular situation? Lets take a look at another example. A person loses a $100 bill, it fell out of their pocket/wallet/purse. They would rather blame “Bad Luck” than to hold themselves accountable or blame their carelessness for that lost $100 . On the flipside, the person who finds that $100 is considered “Lucky”? NO they looked on the floor at the right time, and right place, perfect timing if you will. A man makes his own luck.

My point is this. If you TRULY want something, go and get it. Its as simple as that. Success, why do you think Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles and countless others have written books on it? Because it is EASY. People think there is some science to success when essentially, it lies within YOU to become successful. The motivational books and speakers are around to A) possibly guide you if you are confused in what area of life you would like to be a success in and B) to get YOUR MONEY!! Like I mentioned, people LOVE to make excuses for their laziness, but ANYTHING can be accomplished as long as you are determined, focused and, PERSISTENT. The formula is simple, Think about what you want to attain/accomplish, and then put all your efforts into making it happen. If you quit for whatever reason, than you didn’t want it bad enough, plain and simple.

I am crystal clear on my purpose in life. It involves uplifting the Hip Hop culture, uplifting our community, and giving back to a life that I’ve gained so much from, but “I realize I cant help the poor if I’m one of them…” So until then, I’m focused on 1 thing at a time, and right now, I’ve got dollar signs in my eyes. Think of a Puerto Rican P. Diddy (with a conscience). I’m a BORN LEADER, walk with me…

Word to the Tattoo across my back…

“From one point to another, a mans reach should exceed his grasp…”

Shout out to the Whole GFC, My dude Mickey, Congrats my dude..MAD EXCITED for you..Steve-O How come we never met yet??..Saint You got this fam.

Peace&Positivity
KingPin Kel

WORDS FROM THE BLACK SUNN- THIS IS DEDICATED…TO YOU

wordsfrom — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:40:00 +0000

“Universal dance, a vivid play with words in ya brain,
You’re enticed into a trance.
Put the dream on hold, a just expression of your soul,
But it’s a real being that we’ll never know
Truth is, you’re mind is a metaphor
I want to like but it is…
A being that spews rhetoric, you feign delicate,
With malicious intent, ARE YOU REALLY HEAVEN SENT?
Are you…the answer?…are you my companion?…

Then why did you abandon?

I spew abrasive statements, I despise apparent fakeness…

Words deep…Maybe too cryptic.

But I speak real shit…As real as cold steel gripped, ripped from the hip, aimed steady and intent…
to crush the flesh wicked, you need common sense…think about it…

Or a cruel miscarriage…the culmination of our life’s plans, destroyed…

I will never understand…

Before I perish, my essence beneath the earth’s sands,
And the words I speak, dissipate with my breath
I want to inherit, your knowledge & your reasoning,
I want to resurrect what little love’s left
Just to give me a feeling..like you really still care

But maybe my pleas are falling on deaf ears…”

http://www.myspace.com/theblacksunn1