Only Adding To Our Legend

Black Thoughts

Make black history every day, I don't need a month - Kanye West

With February coming to an end it marks the end of another Black History Month. In what has become more of a faux honorary holiday, it seems like Black History Month has just become routine to many, including many African-Americans. As everyone is aware of the struggles black people have gone through in this country, the question is in 2012 is a month dedicated to black history really necessary?

Stemming from the early days of slavery to as recent as the 1960s African-Americans have been the most oppressed people in the short history of America. After enduring everything from Jim Crow laws to separate but ~~equal~~ policies black people have been through years and years of irreversible damage. With leader such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X paving the way in martyrdom for equal rights it would seem like in the years since their deaths that the African-American people would follow their example and move up the ranks in society. In reality, the truth is black people have remained stagnent. With no real leadership (looking at you Jesse and Al) and misguided priorities, black people have gone ten steps backwards, and by the looks of things it doesn't look like that wil change anytime soon. Instead of building a better community, we find ourselves more intrigued with who's the newest signee of Maybach Music. Instead of sharing with our brothers and sisters you see young people killing each other over overpriced shoes. Instead of uniting together to improve our lives, we have people fighting over the color of the shirt they wear and dying over blocks that have been there before them, and will still be there after them. We care more about appearing rich rather than accumulating real wealth. When we finally have an opportunity to have some representation on a world stage in the form of a black president, we use it as an excuse to sag our pants. With this state of mind true change doesn't seem plausible in the near future.

So as I think to myself all the time if we even deserve a whole month dedicated to history that we don't acknowledge, I still believe Black History Month is a necessary part of the year. I still find it amazing that it took me until my third year of college to learn any type of African-American history besides MLK, Malcolm X, and the "guy who did his thing with peanut butter". It's a vital part of American history, and of the many things I'd change about the public school system is more education focuses on black history. When I went to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan last year I thought to myself that everyone should visit at least one. Then it dawned to me that the majority of people probably wouldn't even know that it's located downtown. Maybe if I could get Big Sean to perform there then people might realize one of the hidden gems located in the heart of Detroit. Black history is American history, and as important as past events are it is equally important to keep making history. My personal hope is that maybe that change Sam Cooke was talking about can finally come, and the African-American community can fully appreciate the amazing feats that those before them accomplished.

What's a Mob to a King?

Last night's 61st annual NBA All Star wrapped up a weekend that was lackluster at best, but resulted in one of the best games in recent memory. As the East staged a Lebron-led comeback in the 4th quarter, a costly turnover in the final seconds sealed the victory for the West. Kevin Durant added to his mantle collection by winning the MVP award with 36 points.

Now, before I go into all the problems of All Star Weekend I have to talk about how great this game was. In the 1st quarter both conferences put on a show that put every dunk contest of the past ten years to shame. Led by Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin, almost all of these dunks would have earned a 50 in Saturday's contest; especially this dunk by the King. The 2nd quarter showed how much the game has evolved with point guards Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose stealing the show. It's amazing how point guards are considered some of the best dunkers in the league now. The second half of the game was dominated by the many records that were broken. Both Durant and Lebron were knocking on Wilt Chamberlain's all time single game All Star scoring record as they both racked up 36 points, just six points away from Mr. 10,000's 42 point mark. Dwyane Wade recorded the game's third triple double, joining Michael Jordan and Lebron James as the only players to do so. The greatest record broken was Kobe Bryant passing Michael Jordan's all time All Star scoring record. The Black Mamba even did the MJ travel as he passed His Airness. In the 4th quarter Lebron James single handedly brought the East Squad back by hitting nine straight, including six 3's as the Eastern Conference got within one point. As amazing as the actual game was, it almost doesn't make up for how bad the rest of the weekend was.

After that fiasco that was the dunk contest (with four people you have never heard of), I could honestly care less if they cancelled it. It's a shame when the D-League dunk contest it better than the NBA's. One of my personal solutions is to invite players from outside the NBA to participate such as Kenny Dobbs, Air Up There, and James White. Those three together would be a hell of a show, but we all know what needs to happen. LEBRON JAMES IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN BRING THE DUNK CONTEST BACK. Last night I found myself agreeing with Reggie Miller for the first time when he said the league has to do something to make Lebron do it. It's unfair to the fans and the game for Lebron James to never participate in a dunk contest. When asked what would make him change his mind, he responded that if the prize was $1 million he may reconsider. Now, as much as I defend Lebron there's no way I can defend that. It shouldn't be about the money, it should be about the fans and showcasing your talent. Lebron is the best dunker since Vince Carter, and it still amazes me how he has not done it just once.

The 2012 All Star Game in Orlando was both a success and a failure at the same time. The game will go down as one of the best ever, but all most people will remember is the decline of the dunk contest. It used to be about superstars coming up with the most creative dunks, now it has transitioned into who can ride a motorcycle into the arena or strapping an eye-cam to you. As talented as other dunkers such as Westbrook, Rose, and John Wall are, the King has to get off his throne and bring the excitement back into All Star Weekend. Whether he likes it or not, he's the face of the league, and all of the burdens are on his shoulders. While no one has there hopes up, we can only dream that Lebron will finally step up and save the dunk contest. If he doesn't it may go down as one of the greatest tragedies in sports.

Highlights and box score of the game can be found on here.

Say What's Real

I can't rap about being broke and selling drugs no more, 'cause I'm not broke and I'm not selling drugs no more - The Notorious B.I.G.

Just recently rapper Rick Ross was named the hottest MC in the game according to MTV, with little dispute from the masses. In the past two years Ross has not only risen to the top of the rap game with singles such as "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" and "MC Hammer", but has also made one of the strongest label stables with his Maybach Music Group with fellow rappers Wale, Meek Mill, ~~Pill~~, and Stalley. As there's nothing wrong with Rozay being the hottest rapper out, the deeper issue lies in what he represents. Ross, who claims to have been a central figure in the Miami drug game, has always stood his ground in his authenticity. Even after pictures surfaced of him as a correctional officer in 2008, he continued to make music depicting his drug dealer past, in which fans still supported him. So the question that still remains is if being real is really necessary or even believable in rap music today?

Hip hop has always defined itself with trends; rather it be gangsta rap, conscious hip hop, or trap music. Recently a new wave of rap stars have brought a more positive vibe into music, straying away from gangsta personas their predecessors developed. Some of the leaders of this new movement have never led street lives, and don't pretend to either. Big Sean kept a 3.7 GPA before graduating from Detroit's Cass Tech High School. J. Cole (who was excluded from the hottest MC list) received his bachelor's degree from St. John's University. Wale (who had been called the white/black rapper before signing to Rick Ross' MMG label) boasts that "I never spent a minute up in the streets" from the title track from his 2011 release Ambition. YMCMB rapper Drake recently said in a Complex interview that you have a better chance finding girls than thugs at his concerts. Drake, who has been known to be brutally honest in his music, received major backlash for claiming that he may catch a body one day in his single "Headlines". Even one of the most respected artists of the decade Kanye West stated in his first album that his style is more spoken word, rather than coke and birds. With that being said, all of these rappers were ranked lower than Rick Ross.

When it comes down to it, when keeping it real two things must be done. Either you have to fake it until you're exposed, or you have to keep it real when real life happens. In 2007 when indictments were made against the Black Mafia Family drug ring kingpins Big Meech and Southwest T pled guilty and were sentenced to more than 30 years. Rapper Bleu DaVinci chose to remain loyal and go down with the BMF ship and received 5 years. Young Jeezy, who affiliated himself with Big Meech and BMF, distanced himself from the gang during the indictments. This led to Bleu DaVinci questoining his realness in a recent interview. Now who knows if Jeezy really did the things he says he did in his lyrics, but everyone saw how he turned the real switch off when the heat was turned up. It seems like a lot of rappers turn the real switch on in the studio, then turn it off when the police come around.

Now first let me say that I haven't watched MTV in more than five years, and there's no way in hell I'm going to let them have a say in anything hip hop related. As much as I hate MTV, they do have right with Rick Ross at the top. Now you can't possibly believe that Ross was selling cocaine with a cartel connect while working as a correctional officer, but you can believe that Rick Ross is one of the most talented rappers out right now who knows how to entertain. Ross knows what sells, and he knows how to make good music that makes a lot of money. The rap game is similar to reality television now. Yes, VH1 could make a series showcasing how elegant wives of basketball players interact with each other, which would probably consists of them just staying at home most of the time. As exciting as that sounds, VH1 can make the highest rated show by showing B-list players' ex-girlfriends fighting every week. So as with everything, the dollar has the last say. Everyone wants to be entertained when they listen to music, and unfortunately fiction sells more than talent.

The Greatest Love of All

I have nothing if I don't have you - Whitney Houston

Late last night news broke that legendary singer Whitney Houston had died. She was at a Beverly Hills Hilton hotel getting ready to attend Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party when her lifeless body was found. Early reports say that she was found head-first in the bathtub when a hairdresser came in to check on her after an hour of waiting for her to exit. Houston's passing concludes the tragedy that her life had become as fame, fortune, and drug use destroyed one of the most beautiful and talented woman the world has ever seen.

Whitney Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey where she first started singing in the church choir. She was discovered by Clive Davis as a teen after she began performing in night clubs with her mother. She began singing backup vocals with stars such as Chaka Khan and Jermaine Jackson before releasing her self titled debut album in 1985. With classics like "Saving All My Love for You" and "Greatest Love of All" Whitney became an instant star. By the end of the 1980s Houston was the biggest name in the world next to Michael Jackson. As she would enter the 1990s the decade would prove to be the best and worst of her life.

In the early 90s Whitney began dating New Edition bad boy Bobby Brown, against many of her friends' warnings. The two were married in 1992 and eventually had a daughter together. Later in that same year Houston would star in The Bodyguard alongside Kevin Coster, which began a successful acting career. The movie's soundtrack (yes, when movies actually had soundtracks that mattered) became one of the best selling albums ever, and spawned the Dolly Parton remake "I Will Always Love You". The song stayed on top of the Billboard charts for 14 weeks. It seemed destined that Whitney would go on to become one of the biggest female entertainers of all time.

By the late 90s Whitney's career, and more importantly her life, began to spiral out of control. There had been rumors of drug use within Whitney's and Bobby's marriage. Houston was accused of erratic behavior, and her voice and live performances suffered. After signing a $100 million record contract (the biggest in history) Houston performed at Michael Jackson's 30th anniversary concert, where concerns about her appearance resurfaced. Whitney's personal problems became public when her and Bobby became filming their reality show Being Bobby Brown. Viewers were watching the downfall of Whitney "hell to the no" Houston every week on their television.

In recent years it seemed like Whitney was beginning to make a comeback. She divorced Bobby Brown, and had not made any crazy appearances. Her last album I Look To You reached number 1 on the Billboard charts, showing that the icon still had the voice. Whitney was looking and sounding good, and it looked like this new image was here to stay before Don Lemon broke the news to all of us last night on CNN. In a sad and ironic twist, Whitney was on her way to see Clive Davis, the same man who discovered her more than thirty years ago.

With her unfortunate passing, it's important to remember the music. Like Michael Jackson, we all grew up on Whitney Houston. At every bbq in the Summer a few Whitney joints were necessary to make it right. Her music touched everyone. Even the thugs get up and dance when they hear "How Will I Know?". Through all her personal problems we'll always remember the voice. She had that voice that made you feel good inside, and when you heard it you knew exactly who it was. Even though she hasn't been relavent in the last ten years, whenever a new singer's voice is compared it's always to Whitney Houston, and it's never as good as she would sing it. Whitney's death is just another example who the evils of life can grab a hold of anyone, no matter who rich or famous you are. So today just turn on a Whitney song and just reminisce. We probably will never hear a voice so pure and strong, and with so much soul. It's a shame that our biggest stars seem to always have the biggest problems also, but I guess that's just life. So today is for Whitney, and we will always love you.

Whitney Houston

August 9, 1963 ~ February 11, 2012

I Do, I Do, I Do

Last night after a late drive gravity assisted touchdown, the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLVI. With their second win in four years, the G-Men once again relied on a heroic catch to save the game and eventually get them the W. After all the confetti settled the real story being talked about was Eli Manning. In a sports world where championships mean everything, many sports analysts began to question if Eli is one of the best to ever play the game.

Now as much as I hate Eli Manning (for no reason other than he looks like he has down syndrome most of the time), I'll be the first to admit that this win does put him in the elite class of current quarterbacks. Winning one Super Bowl is hard, winning two is harder, and winning both against Tom Brady is nearly impossible. By all accounts Eli should be the best quarterback in the league.

Here's where I differ from most people. RINGS DON'T EQUAL GREATNESS. All I ever hear in sports is that championships equals greatness, and it's just not true. As long as these are still team sports, one player's status on championships that they don't win by themselves. We all know it takes a good team, and usually another superstar to win championships. In the NBA Michael had Scottie, Magic had the whole Showtime squad, and Bird had a Hall of Fame Celtics team. Even with one of the best players to ever touch the rock, Kobe Bryant has never won a championship without Shaq or Pau Gasol. In fact, in the years between the two Kobe didn't make the playoffs and was eliminated in the first round after not showing up in a game 7. Really, the one player to almost win a ring by himself is the man everyone loves to hate Allen Iverson, who almost won it all with this group of bums.

The worst part about the ring factor is that it takes away from truly appreciating great players while they are here. LeBron James is one of the most amazing basketball players in history, and yet every morning I have to hear Skip Bayless hate on him. There's only one trophy per season, and winning takes time. You can see that with former MVP's Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett, who won in the later part of their careers. With that being said, there will always be great players who weren't in the right situation to win a ring.

Going back to Eli Manning, there's no one on Earth who will say that the kid can't play. It's obvious by how we leads his teams to wins. At the same time, you can't place him above some other players. If someone came up to me and said Eli is better than his brother Peyton just because he has one more ring I'd get the baby powder out and slap them. In a case like this, Eli just had a better opportunity to win. I'll even argue that Eli isn't better than Tom Brady, even though he's beaten him twice in the Super Bowl. Now don't get it confused and think that rings are meaningless, that's why you play the game. All I'm saying is championships have to be taken in context. If rings are everything then Robert Horry is better than Michael Jordan, and Barry Sanders is one of the worst half backs to ever run the ball. With that being said, I think it's time to start measuring legacies by how good a player actually was, and not by how much their team won.

Black Thoughts

What's a Mob to a King?

Say What's Real

The Greatest Love of All

I Do, I Do, I Do

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