ENCORE!!!!

Okay I first want to congradulate the 3rd Generation of the Hip Hop Theatre Class for doing such an amazing job yesterday!! SHIT WAS FIRE!!!!! (Latasha: it was great GUUUYYYYYSSSSSS) Anyway lol. I really thought everyone pulled their shit together and delivered everything very well. The atmosphere was LIVE and I know that I enjoyed watching it all together even though I knew all the acts very well. I'm kind of mad that its all over, I would actually like to do another show!! ENCORE PLEASE!!!! but that's impossible lol. But we did end on a good note. :) cool beans

THE RELEASE!!!

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!! I really can't believe how fast this semester went. I mean one minute I'm sitting in class tryin to figure out how to even speak with out messing up or getting nervous and now....I'm in one of the hottest Hip Hop Theatre shows at Lehigh. It's been a crazy journey, but I've learned so much about my classmates as well as myself. I'm really greatful that I have this opportunity to shine in front of my friends and FAMILY. Yes my mom and dad are coming to support. Don't know how they'll react to some of the choice words that I use .buuuuuuuuuut it'll be allllll good cause the pieces I spit are hot anyway sooo they'll just look past it lol. I'm so axious to get out there and preform in front of all those people!! Which I can feel is going to be a packed house, but like the say "the more the merrier" :). This class has be a huge impact on my life and I'm so sad that it's ending. At least I get to go out with a BANG!!!!! WHOOP WHOOP

And he gets the Girl

I posted this video for a couple reasons. 1) Lupe Fiasco is one of my favorite hip hop artist to date 2) The creative talent that went into this video is GENIUS! Its a fly video!

ReD

Red
It’s an element for it can’t be broken down any further
Because it’s considered one of our primary colors.
But how can one color mean so many things?
It can be lovely but at the same time
frightening
Add the word rum at the end,
now flip it
And you notice that a life will never
breathe again.
The red silk petals formed on a dangerous foundation
is for love
But yet those same petals show respect for those
resting up above
The color is mistakenly spilled on our streets
But it yet it helps a weak heart
continue to beat
In some streets red can’t even mix with blue
But when shown together with the color white
it proves that to be untrue
On that piece of fabric it represents unity, community, and opportunity
This color was drained from a pure source way back then
And now it’s used to wash away all our sins
It flows inconspicuously through our veins
Not knowing that at any moment it can be the cause of undying pain
Slowly it stains the lips of a seductress and then
Stains the collard of that pure white French cuffed shirt.
Red, one color with many secrets.

Little boy gettin down with the get down lol

My 1st FIGHT!

Okay so everybody...well almost everybody has been in a fight sometime in their lives..and it's usuallly during the youngin days like elementary/middle school. Anyway I was in the 7th or 8th grade when I had my 1st fight.

So let the story begin

I was just chillin fuckin around during gym

talkin it up with my "friends" girls who

I talk to on and off again.

Then something was said and

next thing I knew I was turning my head

"Excuse me, were you talking me"

She rolls her eyes and smiles at me

"Bitch I will cut you!"

okay I really didn't say that

but I wanted too...

Not really. But I did stare her down

not talking to anyone and not looking around

I said something to her, but I forgot

and then she told me to "shut the fuck up."

My eyes grew wide and my mouth

started goin

I don't remember exactly what I was sayin

Next thing I remember gym class ended

I wanted to knock this chick out, but I didn't

want to get suspended.

Then my "friend" said

"just do it in the back"

No cameras, no teachers, and that was

a true fact

So we walk through the green double doors

and it all begins

girls talkin left and right just

straight instigatin

I began to get mad and pushed her hard

towards the wall

She pushed me back and then we start

to brawl

I grabbed her hair & she grabbed mine

I punched her in the head and she punched mine

It all then ended within a blink of an eye

We stood there

then I ball up my fist and hit her

one more time.

I turn around and walked out the door

not feeling anything not wanting more

It just ended and that was it.

Thinking about it I realize that was

some dumb shit.

There was no reason just straight peer pressure

Girls egging you on, it just makes you feel tougher

I do wish I can take it all back

but I can't so I'll just have to live with that

My 1st fight and I don't even know if I won.

O well I dont' really care anymore cause

it's already been done.

-CM-

IM BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK.....Yea I have to admitt I've been goone for MINUTE!! But now I'm BACK with the Jump off!!!

haha aight So I just wanted to address my progress in Hip Hop Theatre "ACT LIKE YOU KNOW'

Before I came into this class public speaking was NO BUENO!! I couldnt' say two fuckin lines with out either A) saying "um" B) speaking too fast <-- biggest problem C) stuttering over my words D) pausing maaad long after I messed up & E) the number one issue was getting NERVOUS!

I would always try to go last in a volunteering/sharing situation so that mostly time would run out or something and then I wouldn't have to go lol. BUUUUUUUUUUUUT after being in this class that has all really taken a 360.

I've learned to slow down when I'm speaking, because in anything that you say you're trying to deliver a message and no one can understand that message if you're speaking too fast. So I have been working on that by repeating things I write and taking my time when I'm talking to people. So slowing down my speech allowed me to also over come my stuttering and saying um. Now I do get nervous but if I had to put a number on it with 10 being the MOST nervous....I'm definitely at a 3 real talk. I actually feel comfortable being on stage or in the spot light...hmmm nah I actually really really like it lol. I dont' mind being the first to share in class or anything...and I dont' mind being vocal. It's fun! hahaha

Well yea so that's the progress I've made in this class and I know I'm only going to get better..whoop whoop.

Hip Hop & Women

Charrell Mack hasn't been in the hip hop game for long, but she's made it known that she is here to stay! Mack has been seen at mini hip hop showings, spoken word events and other venues and has made a huge impact at each and every one of those places. Being a woman in this game has not, and I repeat, has not held her down one bit. She goes hard and doesn't let anyone stand in her way, which is why she has come so far so fast. The works of Charrell are always significant to what is going on in the world today. She speaks the truth in a way that our generation can learn from. She's not here to become the biggest super star, although that is a bonus to her, but she's more so here to be heard. Charrell wants people to hear the message she's trying to get out, for her words are more powerful than money.

This particular piece is a recent one and it's my first time hearing it. As you can see she is speaking about how men in the hip hop industry treat women. She makes vaild points especially her emphasis on how women are also sisters & mothers. I can understand her frustration in the video because I am tired as well of men rappers exploiting women and degrading us like we're nothing but some prize. Her points were strong and valid and the last few lines had me, "The next time you need a Bitch to hold you down/Don't look at me/Just take your ass straight to the dog pound." truth be told.

I really hope everyone especially men really take the time to listen to what Charrell has to say because this isn't a joke. Hip Hop today is getting away with too much shit, and it's time that someone acknowledges those loop holes and closes them. What Charrell is doing, I believe, will not get ignored because women have come to far already to be heard and Charrell is just another woman soldier lending a voice to help fight this sexist war. I do believe she will make a huge impact in hip hop this year and many years to come. Charrell Mack is our generation and her voice will be heard a lot more so watch out.

The Hottest Show I've been to THE SEVEN

I really don't know where to begin with this show, but I can tell you one thing it was something I've never seen before. So I went to Temple U. and met up with my best friend to see the Hip Hop Theatre show "The Seven". Prior to going inside I was expecting a huge auditorium similar to that of Zoellner, but I was 100% WRONG! lol. The spot where the show took place was similar to the Black Box but a little bigger. I felt like I was apart of the show because actors were everywhere. They really engaged the audience in a way that no show I've ever been to has done. From the jump I was sold with the show. The 3 main characters were great! The father, Tydeus, of the two sons, Eteocles and Polynices was a mix between a pimp and James Brown. He showed up with a nice fro and huge sideburns to match, along with a red one piece bell-bottom suit that was lined with zebra strips and he had on the gold platform shoes to complete his phunky fresh outfit. His character was crazy and I swear he said nigga about 200 times through the show..."Save me lil nigga!!" I can't get that line out of my head. The story behind the play was a greek tradegy in where two tight nit brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, were both in line to become King, but the issue was was that only one could be King. So they decided to each rule for a year a piece and Eteocles took the first year, while Polynices left to the forest. Then the father turned the bothers against eachother and blah say blah....but what was hot was the performance of each part because the show was one big concert to say the least. Each line that was spoken wasn't a line but rather a bar or verse. Like when Eteocles became King first they portrayed it as him being a huge rap star, he had on his platinum chains, diamond earrings, fly outfits and even the dearing fans. The interaction between characters was also hot because it was again spoken like rap song. Every character had their own style of rap especially The Seven. Like Capaneous for instant, was one of the Seven and his character was like that of a hardcore, thugged out gangsta. He can out in all black, baggy jeans, dark shades, oversized hoody, bandana scarf around the mouth and a hand gun tucked inside his waste band. It was hilarious. And so his rap was so dope and I was just about how bad ass he was and the one line I remember was, "I'll punch Zeus in the head/ I'm so bad ass I got medusa in the bed." Like every line from every song was hot and you actually forget almost that this play is a greek tradegy. The rest of heros from the Seven were very interesting and there was this sick beat boxer that portrayed the sound of The Seven coming, like that whole its the end of the world back ground music. One of my favorite parts of the play was the fight scence. I thought the scence was going to be about fake blows to the face and all that jazz, but nope the fight scence was like a dance battle. A member from Eteocles side would step out and then a member from Polynices side would as well then they'd go at. To say the least it was hot.
I would have to say the entire and I mean entire show from beginning to intermission to the end was GREAT! I included the intermission because it was as if the show didn't stop for some of the actors grab the audience on stage and they had dance offs, the electric slide going and everything, it was like a party. I would also like to mention the faboulus DJ, Dishona Tatuem, who I think made the show flow so well, and she was probably my favorite. She was the narrator for the entire play and her delievery wasn't boring like that of a Morgan Freedom, narrtor, {no offense, he's a cool dude} but she spoke every line with convection and attitude. Her swagger was flawless for she knew how to say each line and said it so well and comfortably. Not to mention girl can sing!!

The overall show was again a huge success and if I could I'd definitely go again. Attending Hip Hop Theatre plays just became my "thing," and I do hope to attend more.

One Name

Relly, Relli Rell, Charrelly, Relisih, C-Mack, MissMack, Miss Merry Mack and even Cheryl
I never thought my name could have so many names
Is each one different or do they all mean the same
I mean I answer to each one when someone calls it
I turn my attention and even smile a bit
It's just a nick name and doesn't phase me
There just nick names for they don't define me
It's not Relly Rell getting an A on the test
It's not C-Mack long jumping further than the rest
Charrelly isn't being noticed for her talent with art
& MissMack isn't the name that's goin gto help me start....

My career of my dreams that I hold close to my heart
All those names may be me, but
They do not represent, portray, or even complete me
I'll use the name my mother gave me 20 years back
November 9th, 1988
My name is Charrell Mack

I'm Just Sayin....

Okay so I just so happened to be a victim of Laryngitis. And the timing sucks lol cause I always look forward to participating in class and Tuesday was a fun day with the Ducky Fuzz/Fuzzy Duck game and the great disscussion off of Tara's presentation. So I'm just going to say my piece now.

Sooooooo Mr. Soulja Boy Tell Em'. Okay I personally don't think he's a great rapper at all. I mean I can't sit here and completly "hate" him b/c I did fall into his trap of the infamous superman dance and up until she got a donk...buuut the bird walk and kiss me threw the phone ish...yeaaaa i'm tired of him now I feel that that whole phase he created is getting old & needs to end to be honest, but with the industry now he's still gonna be around {sadly} Anyway we got into a huge disscussion about him in class with people saying how he's not an authentic rapper b/c you can't see him next to Nas or Jay-Z all he does is rap about nonsense blah blah blah. I did agree with that until I believe it was Kashi who said that isnt' what he's doing the definition of Hip Hop aka reinventing and so on and so forth. So what I mean my views of Soulja Boy doesn't change b/c I still think he's whack as a rapper, but according to what he's putting out there for people to hear he's not trying to be the next Nas or Jay-Z because he knows he can't. So that level isn't even a consideration for him {at least I hope not}. He's sticking to what he knows which so happens to be a 3 phrase verse repeated over and over a party beat. He's successful in it so he's gonna continue doing it. I mean if you're going to be making money off it and you love it then why stop. Also if you don't like him don't bump him on your Itunes...I'm just sayin

Then we have Bow Wow...whoooooo I think he's a poser trying to be something he's not. I was in love with him when I was younger, but I was naive not knowing any better lol. I mean he was living the good life since he was 4 and made it a point that he doesn't need to cuss or be vulgar in his lyrics....buuut now that he's older he has parental advisory stickers on his album...hmmm someone is trying to fit in....I'm just sayin

The word BITCH!

Man do I wish I was able to talk lol....So someone said that women like to be called Bitches, hoes, skeezers, ect.....really? If any woman thinks that being called a four legged ANIMAL that is trained to OBEY their master as a good thing then you obviously have some SERIOUS issues...like you need to see someone....and then there's the issue with "o if a girl calls another girl a bitch then why can't a guy" blah blah blah....look we all know that when a girl calls another girl a bitch it's cause they did something wrong like betrayal or something...but a guy means it as in you're my friend/girl...naaah just call me Charrell and leave it at that.....I'm just sayin..... thank you..
I mean we can get into a loooooong discussion about the word, buuut I said my piece about it for now....

The degrading of women in music videos. Has it changed? I do believe it has changed from the past. The industry is taking action on the way women are portrayed on the screen. From the video Tip Drill...I'd post the video but I'm good everyone has seen it and if you haven't youtube it.....and then you have 50 cent's I like the way she do it video http://youtube.com/watch?v=g6Xiy5EXXgY&feature=related and the women aren't half naked or showin goodies and shit {when they lyrics say differently}...it's actually toned down a lot to me personally...and if the song was released during Tip Drill {2004) the video would be completely different. I do remember when 50 premiered the video he said that there are rules now to what can be shown in a music video and that they can't have women exploited in the ways they were....So I do believe actions are being taken, but again it won't fully disappear in my opinoin because as we all know "Sex sells".....

I'm just sayin...

What if there was no Hip Hop?

Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Hip Hop

Hip Hop is everywhere! It's in schools, movies, radio, books, clothes, magazines, ect... But what if Hip Hop never existed.

What would you do? How would you act? How would you dress? The influence Hip Hop has on the world we live in is enormous. It has impacted my life in so many ways more so as a way to release stress and to find comfort. Everytime I draw I listen to sounds of Lupe, Jay-z and others, it helps me focus and keeps me relaxed. So without it I doubt I'd be drawing like I do now because I'll get distracted to do other things like watch TV, which melts my brain cells enough {lol}. It also helps me focus when I do school work because I hate silence.

So tell me your thoughts on what Life would be like for you without Hip Hop.

SALT-N-PEPA

In the 1970’s Hip Hop became a huge fad starting in Bronx, New York and only grew bigger from there. You had MC’s such as Slick Rick, Melle Mel, LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim, Afrika Bambaataa and so many more. As great as it was hip hop was becoming a male dominated industry and the only role women played was the sexy piece of eye candy. That all changed when female MC’s such as Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Salt n Pepa and others came onto the scene and gave the rap game a much needed change.
Before all of the hype and four successful albums Salt, formally known as Cheryl James, and Pepa, Sandy Denton, were working at Sears. Then Herby “Luv Bug” Azor, Salts boyfriend at the time and later manager, gave the girls that jump to stardom. The first record out was Showstopper, an answer to Dougie E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s The Show. This record was also how the duo received the name Salt n Pepa.
“Right now I’m gonna show you how it’s suppose to be
Cuz we, the Salt and Pepa MC’s”
Hot, Cool & Vicious was the duo’s first major album with 3 singles that made some noise throughout the music mainstream. Then Push it, a remix to Tramp, hit the radio waves and Salt n Pepa was being heard everywhere. The joint even became one of the first rap records to be nominated for a Grammy.

Salt n Pepa later added DJ Spinderalla to the group and the three women became a stronger force within the Hip Hop game. They were sexy and strong and didn’t fall into the stereo of women just being sexual objects. Pepa says in an interview with Arsenio Hall, “You don’t have to look hard to come across hard.” These women spit fire in every verse gaining the respect of men in and outside the Hip Hop industry.

So over the Years the three began to release hit after hit leading up to their 4th album Very Necessary in 1993 where the hit “Whatta Man” feat. En Vogue bumped through the speakers of millions as it became a top chart hit. The path of Salt n Pepa will forever be imprinted in throughout Hip Hop; allowing other female rappers to step in the same steps and beyond.

Surgery

Let’s be the core that makes our world spin
We’re in a war with each other a war that we can’t even win
We can’t win this if we continue to fight one another
Let’s be the next Run’s House and become a family a sister a brother
The world has been shot, stab, and some parts are deprived of food
We all know the many symptoms it has for it’s nothing new
Our world is crying as it’s slowly dying

Our world is in the ER under critical condition
We are the Doctors and healing is our only mission
We need to use the anesthetic to keep our planet at peace
The sharp scalpel will help us cut through the dangerous part of our streets
Using the scissors to cut out the poverty, violence, and hate
The gaze helps wipe up the leaks like drugs, guns, and rape
We need to use the microscope to make sure everything looks clean
Now all we have to do is sew it up at the seem
Wait one stitch defiantly isn’t going to be enough

We need everyone to band together to make sure the stitches are strong and tough
Drastic changes aren’t going to happen right away
This world is going to have to undergo more work everyday
We’re just going to have to be patient and take our time
Cause I know we all refuse to just let our world die
We’re the only Doctors that can help save this particular life
So let’s get ready with the next surgery, Doctor please pass the knife
-CM-

The Message

A child was born, with no state of mind
Blind to the ways of mankind
God is smiling on you but hes frowning too
Cause only God knows what you go through
You grow in the ghetto, living second rate
And your eyes will sing a song of deep hate
The places you play and where you stay
Looks like one great big alley way
Youll admire all the number book takers
Thugs, pimps, pushers and the big money makers
Driving big cars, spending twenties and tens
And you wanna grow up to be just like them
Smugglers, scrambles, burglars, gamblers
Pickpockets, peddlers and even pan-handlers
You say Im cool, Im no fool
But then you wind up dropping out of high school
Now youre unemployed, all null n void
Walking around like youre pretty boy floyd
Turned stickup kid, look what you done did
Got send up for a eight year bid
Now your man is took and youre a may tag
Spend the next two years as an undercover fag
Being used and abused, and served like hell
Till one day you was find hung dead in a cell
It was plain to see that your life was lost
You was cold and your body swung back and forth
But now your eyes sing the sad sad song
Of how you lived so fast and died so young

*Exhales*
Whooo that's a lot and I love how the hardest verse is the only verse that I continue to recite randomly!