Opinion: The Game’s “love letter” to Eminem…

“When you was pretendin’ to be the white Royce da 5’9″” – The Game – ‘Black Slim Shady’

Jayceon Terrell Taylor aka “The Game” releases his new album today called the “Drillmatic – Heart Versus Mind” and his been steady releasing music since the early 2000s. His been rapper who has been long in the game. Had such a momentum and created a name on the mixtape-circuit that he had to be picked up by a major label. That just happened to be Dr. Dre’s Aftermath. Because of easier to roll out he got also put on Shady (Eminem’s record label) and 50 Cent’s G-Unit. So, the game was practically supported by three biggest stars and having the options of countless producers to make jams, which ended up in the Documentary. Everything since then is history…

Now in 2022 and with the longevity that is rare. The Game seems like his fishing for relevancy. His going back to the program of dissing and creating beef. That’s how he prolonged his stay and harden his fan-base with “G-G-G U-Not”. We know he dropped plenty of diss tracks and mixtapes targeting the G Unit at one point. So, we know that he can drop bars and be spiteful.

However, after listening to the “Black Slim Shady” the diss track against Eminem. The ten minute long with even a skit in the middle. Whatever that was the point of it is lost. It seems more like a fan lost his way and he don’t know how to admire a living legend. That’s why he tries to copy and use part of discography against Eminem. However, it is really soft and falls flat..

That he wants to do Saweetie and uses the diss to say this. Just shows how his all over the place and not consistent on the track. He maybe wanted another “300 Bars and Running” but this isn’t it. It sounds more like admiration and giving him props, than an actual diss. Like what does NFTs and Crypto got with Eminem and The Game collecting them? Good for him I suppose, but it’s not a diss that he has a digital wallet and are registered on the blockchain.

You had to go to the Third Verse for any words of resentment, but that’s more going after Eminem’s ethnicity and his associates. That’s being Royce or D12. The saying that Eminem wanting to be White Royce. Also proclaiming Big Sean or Sean Don as the biggest rapper in Detroit. That’s just trying to dismiss Eminem. While he like others also went after his daughter. Which he did with this line: “Dear Slim, Hailie’s with me and she’s unharmed for now (Dad, I’m really scared)” (The Game, 2022).

Certainly very little said or stated in this track is memorable or even disrespectful. To be a 10 minute long track, you would think there would several of bars that made you go “wow” or “did he really say that?”. Well, there is little of that, but instead getting the vibe that The Game made an unsolicited love letter to Eminem. He shows again how much he respects him and looks up to him. In such a manner that he copies and uses tropes of the old school Slim. He even made the sounds of a chain-saw, which we know Em did as well.

The Game ended with these lines: “Your fans want a rap god, well, fuck it, I’ma give him one

I came to put Slim in a box but he already live in one” (The Game, 2022).

His trying to be smart, but his sounding a like a fan who got wronged. He sounds like a man who admires and is looking up to Eminem. Plus a few side-shows, which I already mentioned and had nothing to do with Eminem.

For a man that had all the options, the biggest backers off the industry and ensured his rise to prominence. His now going after one of them to get relevancy. This is searching for a straw and going back to dissing like in G-U-Not Days. However, does days are long gone and it shows. The name-dropping machine cannot make it so entertaining as in the past.

This will get people talking and discussing The Game. It is making people react to a The Game record in 2022, but not for the reasons he wants them too. Seemingly he has lost it already and trying to catch it again. That’s why he went back to his old ways and trying to capitalize on it. There was a reason why I mentioned “300 bars and running” which could be seen as similar to the “Black Slim Shady”. The vast difference is the pin-point and the manner of which he addressed the beef.

That’s why The Game should look into himself and maybe wonder why he does this. Because, it isn’t making him look good. He wasted time in the booth and for the listener too. Peace.

Opinion: Will Snoop Dogg be able to revive the Death Row?

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. aka Snoop Dogg aka Uncle Snoop has acquired the legendary Hip Hop record label Death Row for an undisclosed amount. For a hot minute the Toy Company Hasbro owned it before selling to the Blackstone Group, which today is revealed has sold to the Hip Hop Legend, entrepreneur and actor Snoop Dogg, which is a unique day for anyone who follows or has interests in this.

Snoop has bought the label, which made him prominent and gave him a career in the first. The record label where he dropped albums, features and part-took in the G-Funk and Gangsta Rap era of the 1990s, which was dominated by Death Row. That’s because of its rooster of skilled MCs, Producers and genius marketing, which made the LPs, Singles and everything was selling.

The whole Death Row was smoking fire. All artists at some point became wealthy and could get good royalties. It was the place to be and to prosper. However, the whole premise of the gangster and thug life was also it’s downfall. As the co-founders split, court-cases, shady-business practices and the early demise and unresolved killing of Tupac Shakur has always followed the label. Therefore, it is special that Snoop buys it and possibly revives it.

As Daz Dillinger sued the label to get his ends. Dr. Dre left the label and started Aftermath. Crooked I was left behind and Kurupt had to return. There been so many stories and backstabbing, as the label lost relevance and others took it’s place in hip hop. However, the era and the classic albums lives on. The discography and the catalogue of the Record Label must be one of the unique assets and recordings, which will stand the test of time.

However, Snoop has big shoes to fill and have to market the label in new era. Which the labels and the record companies are fighting for revenue in new aspects, as the streaming and short-sighted fandoms quickly moves. The quickly produced and released tracks to stay relevant, as well as the social media push is more vital than ever. It is like another world since the first inception of Death Row.

Snoop has connections and is a beloved character now. Who can sell and be used in any sort of product. That’s why he has voiced over GPS Systems to be recently selling BIC Lighters. Therefore, you know his good at branding and selling his character at this point.

However, the Death Row to be revived… it need both the spirit of the past and also new breed of acts to be viable. That will be a refreshing thing. As the West-Coast needs a star on the horizon. Yes, Kendrick Lamar is the biggest name, but his not in the realm of Death Row. K.Dot is more in is his own lane and closer to J. Cole’s of the world. Nothing wrong with that, but that is the reality here. The Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) brought similarities to it, but not as successful as Death Row. However, who could think of getting into those levels of success and respectability…

Death Row doesn’t have to be big, but the ones remembering it. It was everywhere and the artists was everything. They were inspirational and was it. Not just some random blokes, but the rappers and MCs who inspired you to write and imagine their world.

Let’s hope Snoop Dogg will bring some of it back with the purchase of Death Row. He is seemingly the one and his team can bring the best out of it. There is a need for it.

Now am just waiting for THA ROW to return and hear new tales of that THUG LIFE. Peace.

The State of current day Hip Hop and my take on it!

Let’s be clear at one point, I had all the information and new the releases. I listen to all hot mixtapes coming out. I was on point. I knew what was happening with Big K.R.I.T. and Yo Gotti. I knew about the possible releases from Cash Money. I could get the needed information of the artists signed to T.I. and the ones who was on Aftermath. Even the ones that was prospects on Bad Boy. Now, I know squat and living well. My Hip Hop blog ‘As Silent as the Pope’ (ASAP08) is history and ended suddenly in 2008. Now, my pages had since than had a different focus and scope. More worldly as you may, but still some rare post about music. Because music moves all of us, but just as my blogs changes, I have changed with time. I have evolved and so has my scopes and what I narrate, when I write. Therefore, the musical drama, the contracts, the newbies and the Hip Hop Industry doesn’t fetch the same dynamic within me. I still listen to the tunes, but is not as connected as back in the day. When I used lots of times, listen to interviews and was on.

Therefore, this post is to prove my view from the outside. After being a keen follower 10 years ago. Still listening to albums, but not as connected as before. Because I am more political after years of studies, a bachelor degree and becoming mature. That is just life catching up and Alfamega never got over the snitching paradigm and loss of Grand Hustle contract, I suppose.

When we are at this stage and the changes. As many are irrelevant and the approach to the art-form I love has changed. That is natural, just as I have evolved, the art-form does too. The Hip Hop landscape wouldn’t be same as I left it. There has always been artist living on hot beats and trashy talk with no common sense. Don’t tell me ‘A Tribe Called Quest’ was lyrical masterminds, even if Q-Tip has enough skills to kill me in one-bar. Still. On the same manner ‘Fat Boys’ wasn’t brilliant either, but they we’re entertaining. Therefore, when I say certain types of music isn’t good now. That might be true, they are entertaining today, but will you pick a LP by Lil Pump in 10 years time? I doubt it. It is cool now to be listening to ‘Gucci Gang’, but in a decades time, I doubt it will get better like fine wine.

The proof that a project is good is that you have a feeling you can listen to the LP years after it was released and still be relevant. The production might be dated, but the elements, the lyrical mastering and the topics is as relevant today as when it was released. That is for me an important matter. That I can pick up an older LP and it will still be banging. It will still move me and question my own thinking on the matter. Even see something new in it. Why I say this is the modern-day bashing of Tupac Shakur. The legend, the hero and the man who brought THUG LIFE to the forefront.

Because of everyone saying they are like Tupac. I started listening to his albums again, and especially ‘The Don Killuminati: The 3 Day Theory’ and its has the firepower that some of the current music today is missing. That Phryme has it place, its the old-school vibe and quality bars from Royce Da 5’9″ but not the political motivation. That is more Lupe Fiasco and he is trying. I am still listening to Lasers, the Cool and the Food and Liquor Part 2. However, the miles behind good and relevant albums are hard. Not that the Jadakiss & Fabolous project isn’t good, it is brilliant, but it hasn’t enough edge.

There are enough artists, but their tracks doesn’t shine through and some of the big men who has been big. Don’t need the center stage, they can rest on their past victories. If that is the Wu Tang Clan that dropped a project. Certain songs there was banging, but not the whole thing. The most consistent projects in while from Young Jeezy dropped, the Pressure LP, but without a ‘I Luv It’, the public is not picking up on it. That is how today is, you need the swagger jacking singles to matter. Even if the projects are good and are on point.

I don’t know if I will listen to Phryme 2 in 5 years, but I am listening still now and then to the first release of Phryme. I am still listening to previous LPs of Jadakiss and mixtapes from Fabolous. They are not far in my music-player. I am not even on Spotify or Tidal or whatever streaming-service. Because I like listening to whole projects. I am old-school like that.

Because I am old-school, I am not a fan of biting, imitation and taking inspiration is cool, paying homage to the ones before is cultural appreciation. Like I was amazed when Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis had features of Grandmaster Caz, Melle Mel and Kool Moe Dee on their single ‘Downtown’. I had goosebumps before putting it on the first time. They didn’t have to this, but they decided to do it. That is what we need to see, because the new generation of music listeners doesn’t care.

This will be the same ignorant story of the time when Nelly had beef with KRS One. Where they both was claiming their place in the game and that Nelly was relevant and KRS was trying to eat of his plate. However, the point wasn’t there, but that Nelly should respect what KRS did to the game. Now, I am sure that Nelly feels like funny feature for many, as he is on Georgia Flordia Line ‘Cruise’ and isn’t the Head Honcho anymore. Other people has taken his place and Drake singing hook has taken over. That is just the way it is.

But the biting is taking to far for me. That is why I have a hard time listening to Cardi B and her kind. That is why anyone T-Paining and Future sort-of-rappers are to much for me. I had a hard enough time listening to Method Man and Jadakiss with a minute or two on Autotune. There has to make sense, Desiigner and the likes. Will be daft in the dustbin, there is enough talented MCs awaiting their spot and to drop something significant and meaningful. Then I don’t mean Logic or G-Easy, no they doesn’t entertain me even.

I just wonder when Biting was acceptable, when the copying and pasting, the ghostwriting levels was okay. There has always been that, but more for producers becoming rappers like Dr. Dre and the likes. Not the supposed to be hottest hot like Cardi. They we’re supposed to drop the bars and be the rawest MC. Now, I am sure anyone can lyrically defeat Cardi, because her team handle her bars and she just market her songs. If that is enough for this generation. I am sorry, I am not jumping on the bandwagon. I am not, even if liked the ghostwriting for Dr. Dre, there is fine line between them.

Not that I am big Nicki Minaj or Remy Ma. Both of them can spit and write their own bars. Even if the previous Terror Squad LP only had like three or four good songs. While Nicki has long time between hard-core bars and been radio friendly, not for the hip-hop crowd. That is understandable as the label and herself want a bigger crowd for herself. But they are both better at the craft than Cardi. Even if Cardi is the thing now. I am still not following. Maybe, because I am old-school in my mid-30s.

That is why I am not on Datpiff or even on HipHopDX, buying XXL every month or even looking a the Source. That is why I loose out, and suddenly guys like 21 Savage and others suddenly pops-up on the scene without any notice. Not that I buy into it the stick, but if a song is good. I check out more. But many falls through, because they are feature artists in my eyes like French Montana. Tell me one whole project you have loved, through and through, where he a stand-out artist? No, I thought so, he is no Pusha T or Cyhi Da Prince.

Let’s be clear, this is my rambling, as someone a bit of bounds. That used to be into it and listening closely. When people was waving to get Pimp C out of jail, when Houston was taking over. When Miami had prospects, more than just Trick Daddy. That was the time I was in, when Dip Set was still relevant and Cam’ron wasn’t just trolling 50 Cent. And when 50 Cent was gangster and not a TV Producer. Well, that was the days. Those days are numbered. However. I am not, I still follow, but from a narrow scope and randomly picking up LPs that sounds good and might have hope.

There will come new talent that will catch my ear and take my breathe away, but that is harder than before. Because I don’t need no to buy no LP like Cassidy’s ‘Split Personality’, that was a whack CD from a promising talent. Another one, that had deserved more credit is Saigon, whose delivered good LP’s, but very few has cared. There will always be like this, why I haven’t mentioned Nas or Jay-Z, well, they both should retire, maybe even Scarface, even if I respect all three. But this is game for yungin’s, but they should pay respect to the ones that opened the door in for them. That is lacking in our time.

J.Cole who dropped a project I will listen more to in coming days, paid respect to Nas and Jay-Z on his projects in the past. Waka Flacka Flame even dropped respect to the ones before him. It would be nice to the newbies doing the same, but there is less of it. Not biting their lines, but saying, I am dropping trap music because of T.I. and Three 6 Mafia. Juicy J is the reason why I make songs for Stip-Clubs. Let’s be honest, that is the little token of credit that the other artists deserves, the ones that built a career, surely Nelly would like some credit today for his Mid-West Rap-Game. But I haven’t heard any give him anything. It is just like KRS-One felt back in the day.

Well, this was my musical rant of the month and year 2018. I am out of the loop and its cool. But I still know this thing. I don’t care of the newbies doesn’t, but they should check the records, should listen to old-school and understand the craft. Not just think they can do everything because it is easy to upload and get social media crowds. Because, the people like doesn’t eat out of their hands and doesn’t pay for their LPs, unless it hopefully gets better like wine. If it doesn’t I have no reason to pick it up and bump it. I will just download, have one listen and let it go. Like I did to many Gorilla Zoe Mixtapes back in the day. You got to drop quality and show your value. I don’t care what Lil B or whatever whats his face, even ‘Tyler the Creator’ has lost his shock value, just like Lana Del Rey did.

Unless, your as foolish and dumb like Taylor Swift to cover ‘September’ of Earth, Wind and Fire. Than, I won’t care, because usually people aren’t that insensitive. But there is some who will take it further and not think of the consequences and the reactions to their raps. That Cardi copied Kodak Black, wasn’t cool, even if he gave credit and she got hit. But for me, that isn’t my thing. She should have her own style, but she is mixing it up and is proud of it. That is a disgrace for the art-form. But that is just me…. Peace.

T.I. – DOPE ft. Marsha Ambrosius (Youtube-Clip)

‘The Ecology’ VS ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ – Underrated VS Cultural Icon

It isn’t often I discuss music. Today I got to. Not because Kendrick Lamar dropped a new ‘Control’ verse. This post will be about Kendrick Lamar and Fashawn. Because them both have released albums recently…

First and foremost, I have liked them both as artist K-Dot and Fashawn. Listen to their mixtapes like Section#80 and Higher Learning. Also their great projects like ‘Boys Meets World’ and ‘Good Kid M.A.A.D. City’.

Second there happen a lot over the years. I don’t listen to as much of the dropped music. So this will be more my view of it. The recent lousy projects I have listened to were Kid Inks album and Tygas random project with Chris Brown. They we’re so boring… that I gave up them both after two listening. Let me tell you. I will listen to K.Dots and Fashawns albums for so long. They are both good projects. Still I have some feelings about them.

‘The Ecology’

Let me tell you. The style of Fashawn is so old-school way. Therefore Boys Meets World is like a Boom Bap paradise. The new album is up to day. You can feel the different producers of the tracks. That he has used time to build this one up. The only boring track Confess… is a weak ass of a song. That he wants to tell he is the best man a woman can get. Let me tell you Fashawn is better to explain how he feels about his past and his glories. The way that he lyrically can address the Fresno issues… That’s when he got you blasting the tracks into a blaze. I feel he is so underrated therefore I address him first.

‘To Pimp a Butterfly’

Now let me address Kendrick and his album. This one has been discussed and addressed by all the pundits between the moon and where there is no lights burning. So for me to go wild here would be unnecessary. Let’s say it doesn’t have the same amount of big hits as the first major release. He kind of follows the preaching society issues from Section#80 and the #HighPower agenda. Which is a good thing considering this form a Markie and major artist which is coming from TDE/Aftermath and not some indie label who gets 10K sold over 100 months. So this will be listened to and also make mark on the culture. He got a bigger reach then Fashawn. His star power is gigantic. Therefore he is now addressing that as well as social circumstances. Which is refreshing, he switches between flows and genres so that the listening experience isn’t boring and it grows on you. Get better with multiple listens.

Discussion:  

Fashawn I dig his album and it will be on rotation for a god damn long time. The Same will happen with K.Dot. They are both good. But as a hip hop head. I prefer Fashawn even if he don’t have as many flows and storytelling ways. I keeps it more to formula. That’s why until recently I listened mostly to DJ Premier and Royce Da 5’9” with ‘Phryme’. I am that kind of guy. I know that a few of you now expect KRS and the Juice Crew to jump into the screen and dance for you. If not BDP to drop another classic! Well, I am sorry that will not happen. Unless you’re drinking… or smoking some of Snoops righteous spliffs.

And at this point K.Dot can nearly drop any kind of project and be praised. Fashawn can do whatever and be under the radar. Nobody would mind. Therefore I have to root for the underdog. Not to undervalue the progress and the stature of K.Dot, but somebody has to love and enjoy the records of Fashawn. He has also prospered but in a slow way from the indie release until being signed by Nas.

I just wished that Fashawn would have a bigger crowed and honored the way he deserve. The same goes to Killer Mike and all the other lyricists that hasn’t gone platinum. But they gone another direction and doesn’t also ways max out. Nevertheless, as long as they drop quality product, people like me will pick it up and even pay for it.

Big up for K.Dot or Kendrick Lamar who has made it. And dropping great music. Its well deserved!

While I am talking music, where is Mos Def hiding?

Peace.

Samtiden/Morgenbladet – Skrivekonkurransen “Tegn i Tiden” og dette var mitt bidrag: “Hva er Samtiden?”.

Kjære skribent i “Tegn i Tiden”,

Nå har juryen landet på vinnerbidragene i konkurransen “Tegn i tiden”. Til sammen var det over 250 deltagere, og denne gledelig store pågangen gjør det ikke mulig for oss å svare alle personlig. Juryen har derfor laget tre kategorier med svar. Kategoriene gjelder 1) tekstene som trykkes, 2) tekster som kom til finalerunden og 3) tekster som i denne runden ikke ble vurdert som aktuelle.

Din tekst kom i kategori 2, og får juryens kommentar:

Juryen har bitt seg merke i din tekst og mener den har store kvaliteter. Den passerte ikke nåløyet for å komme på trykk (kun 14 tekster trykkes), men teksten kom til de siste finalerundene, fordi en eller flere av jurymedlemmene hadde satt en stemme på den. 

Takk for bidraget og vennlig hilsen juryen ved

Anna B. Jensen, Kari Spjeldnæs, Gunnar C. Aakvaag, Lena Lindgren og Marit K. Slotnæs.

Her er min tekst som jeg sendte inn: 

Hva er samtiden?

Hva er egentlig samtiden? Er den Ariana Grande? Er den Kim Kardashians utringende kjole på forsiden av VG? Er den en twitter beskjed fra Kofi Annan eller Facebook status oppdatering fra Fru Hansen i naboblokka?

Samtiden er kompleks fordi menneske er komplekse. Vi har ti fingre og ti tær. Vi spiser, vi driter og vi velger inni mellom dårlige ledere. Tiden vi lever i er en populistisk og tabloid virkelighet. Hvor virkligheten skal skje like kjapt som Nespresso maskinen, altså et tastetrykk fra du trykker til du får en vaniljesmakende cappuccino. Ting skal ikke ta tid. Fordi vi har egentlig ikke tid. Vi har ikke tid til våre egne barn – så vi sender dem alle i hop til barnehagen. Som vi nesten ikke har tid til å levere de i. Vi skal jo både trene, sende bilder av maten vi eter på facebook, gå på lange turer i fjellet, lese siste boken av Jo Nesbø på hytta og selvfølgelig selfie av SK2014.

Samtiden er demokrati eller kanskje en ny forståelse av demokrati rundt omkring i verden. Det er ikke lenger sett som at valg enten er rigget og opprettholder regimet, men reelle folkebevegelser svakt sammenbundte de enn er. Så støtter de tanken om et seriøst folkestyre – ikke lenger bare ett skinn-demokrati med en «big man» som er en regent og befolkningen som forfølges enten av trusler om politi på døren. Dette er med tanke på hva som skjedd i Tunisia, Egypt og konflikten i Syria. Selv om man har fortsatt standhaftige ledere i Zimbabwe, Demokratiske Republikken Kongo, Uganda, Ekvatorial-Guinea, Marokko, Algerie og Nord Korea som holder folk under kontroll og ikke har reelle demokratiske forhold. Så har vi bare et diktatur i Europa igjen for øyeblikket i Hviterussland. Selv om Putin holder Russland strengt bevoktet. Ungarn er det er usikkerhet rundt neste valg. Så har det forsatt slik at i denne samtiden har også gryvende konflikt i Ukraina som involverer Putins Russland, interne konflikter i Irak og Afganistan. Å slag i jevne mellomrom i Mogadishu i Somalia som har foregått siden fallet til Said Barre. Der African Unions tropper AMISOM har styrker og andre distrikter er tatt av nabolandet Kenya. Men i samtiden er ikke dette et stort diskusjonstema, unntatt hvis Somaliske pirater kidnapper sjøfolk fra en britisk seilbåt.

Samtiden er økologi, fair-trade og etiske tanker rundt hverdagen. Corporate Social Responsibility. Samtiden er Svane-merket. Velge for å vise vår personlighet. Hvis vi er skikkelig omtenksomme kjøper vi «geiter» eller «skolesekk til Dikembe i Zambia» fra Strømmestiftelsen eller Kirkens Nødhjelp i julegave til Onkel Fredrik. Samtiden er miljøvennlighet. Teslaer som kjører oftere ned Pilestredet enn Ferrarier. Nissan Leaf på ladestasjon ved McDonalds før ferja fra Sandvikvåg i Fitjar. Så miljøvennlige skal vi være at søppelet må minst være sortert i 3 bokser, pluss du må gå halv mil for å kvitte deg med vinflasker og hermetikkbokser. Den er så miljøvennlig at Fitjar og deler av Lista ser ut Søndre-Velje ikke fordi det har emigrert en haug dansker dit, men fordi det har kommet en drøss med nye vindmøller.

Samtiden er at enten så skal Ølet enten være en enkel pils på boks eller så skal være så avansert laget på det minst mulige mikrobryggeri som er gjemt i huttiheiti mellom Skråningen og Vika, der hvor det er flere sauer enn folk. Der ligger Mixy Mikrobryggeri og de lager både Weissbier og IPA med spesial humle fra Belgia. Kos å ha på hytta på Hvaler i båten og til steika etter jobb en torsdags-ettermiddag og husk å ta bilde av det. Da kan du legge det ut på Facebook! Samtiden er også økt forbruk av Vin. Vin er folkelig. Så folkelig at det kan ikke være en troverdig avis om den ikke har anmelding av de nyeste vinene som eksisterer på polet. Samtidig er det fortsatt forbudt å ha reklame for alkoholdige varer. Samtiden er som sagt kompleks.

Samtiden er streaming. Enten om det musikk der du lager lister på Spotify eller Wimp. Det er liten gjeng sære mennesker som forsatt kjøper Cder på Platekompaniet. Samtiden går «Back to the Future», enten kjøper du den spesielle platen som LP eller så laster du den ned på Itunes. Med introduksjonen av Smart telefonen. Fancy mobilen. Ipod døderen. Så går folk mindre rundt med to elektroniske dingser untatt de som trenger både Smart telefonen og nettbrettet på bussen. Samtiden er musikk høyt i ørepropper og hodetelefon i regnbuens farger gjerne som får bankkontoen til Dr.Dre eller 50 Cent høygravid. Dette er deres gullunge. Tilbake til Platekompaniet selger mest filmer og spill. Streaming av filmer og serier tar også over. Netflix. HBO Go. ViaPlay. TV2 Sumo. Filmer ellers selges i to format eller leies digitalt. Når var det sist du gikk på Mix og leiet en blockbuster? Nesten samtidig du kjøpte Mariah Carey kassett til jul til dama, sant? Alle de Amerikanske superheltene har sine egne filmer etter Disney kjøpte Marvel. Ikke nok at alle venter på at Sony skal ødelegge enda en helt fra deres univers i DC Comics, det pleier å skje med jevne mellomrom.

Samtiden er politisk korrekthet. Så politisk korrekt at hvis noen skriver sin personlige politiske mening så er de enten en catfish, Nigeriansk prins som lover deg en gave av sin formue om du sender 100 dollar via Western Union eller så er man rasist. Politisk korrekthet handler om hvordan man argumentere og hva som er fokusert i argumentene. Det er «jeg» eller «samfunnskostnader». Vi er enten ett tenkende individ som har retten til ting i samfunnet eller så er vi en samfunnskostnad som samfunnet må slippe. Vi har gått fra et samfunn som er stolt av å ha røkere til å gjemme den tobakken i kassen. Fordi å se sigarettpakker er  både skadelig og kan påvirke deg til å plukke en ti pakkning Lucky Strike.

Samtiden er helsefokusert. Så helsefokusert at favorittbrusen er Pepsi Max. Sukkerfri. All brus skal hvis noen får sin våte drøm bruke Stevia enn sukker, selv om vi enda ikke vet alle effektene ved dette. Samtiden er så helsefokusert at det er like mange treningsstudioer som det er blomsterbutikker i mange nabolag, av å til flere. Det er så mange at flere kjeder slår seg sammen. Samtiden er så helsefokusert at vi har fått folk oppmerksomhet rundt palmeolje, sukkerinnhold og fett. Så vi tror at de samme produktene er bedre for oss om de har rapsolje, smaks-forsterker, søtningsmiddler og kanskje mer karbohydrater. Sunn miks? Samtiden er så helsefokusert at alle som selger klær eller går på den røde løperen er enten en mannelig six-pack eller kvinnene er tynne med store rumper, pupper, botox, fete lepper og mest mulig hud. Hennes & Mauritz reklamer på veggen ser ut som sommeren er her hele året. Etter på byttes plakaten til tilbud på Stratos. Samtiden er helsebevisst. At Melk er dyrere en Cola. Vi tror vi helsebevisste fordi nøkkelhull på Grandiosa, Fjordland og visse pastaer. Venter på flere nøkkelhullet merker på Maarud chips, Vørterøl og Freia sjokolade. Fordi samtiden er så helsebevisste.

Samtiden er selvsentrert. Det skal være en perfekt fasade. På facebook, hagen, bilen, familiebilder, ferier og huset. Alt skal være for oss. Ikke for andre for oss. Hvis vi gjør det for andre er fordi vi gjør det egentlig for oss. For å bygge videre på vår egen identitet. Image. Bilder blir tatt for snapper på Snap chat og blir vekke før de blir husket. Eller så ligger det på Instagram for å flest mulig til å like de. Du er på twitter for å si din korte mening for å vise hva du selv tenker og gjerne legge denne som status på Facebook samtidig. Samtiden er selvsentrert. Sånn at vi har blogger for å vise oss selv fram eller bli et produkt for kommersielle aktører å sikre hits på sidene, enn å skrive for å forandre. Samtiden er så selvsentrert at vi kan ikke plukke opp pærer i butikken som ikke ser korrekte ut. Samtiden er Tinder, en liten app som viser en aktuell person – enten så sveiver du over å sier at du liker eller går andre veien å ikke-liker. Å noen personer lurer hvorfor gentleman og manerer er vekke. Når man ikke har skrytebilde eller perfekt SK2014. Så er det vanskelig å bli trukket ut i 10 sekunds sjansespillet på Tinder. Det er lengesiden man lånte vekk jakken til en kvinne som frøys på vei hjem fra byen på trikken.

Samtiden er så hurtig og skiftende. Den skifter og bøyer seg så kjapt. Innen null tid så er mobilen tom for batteri. Samtiden er vikariater. Det vil si at det mer vanlig å komme inn som ansatt via vikariat i enten det private eller i de statelige institusjoner. Samtiden er effektiviseringer og sammenslåinger. Høyres og FRPs drømmer om at Levanger kommune skal dobbles i størrelse for kanskje en gang i framtiden slås i sammen med Frosta, Leksvik, Indreøy, Verdal, Steinkjer og Verran. Om det i realiteten blir billig som partiene ønsker, er vel mer en drøm, og forteller litt om den komplekse samtiden.

Samtiden er å velge og ha valg. Ikke man tenker over det, men man tar valg hele tiden. Man hører ikke på en radio kanal. Du kan velge mellom 20 forskjellige. Den ene spiller techno, andre gammal rock og den tredje har radioresepsjonen. TV kanaler er det nok av. Vi kan egentlig alltid se på tv. Fordi om vi vil og har kjøpt tilgang kan vi streame kanalene på enten på tven, ipaden eller mobilen. Du kan se Al-Jazeera, Discorvery Channel og Animal Channel, eller NRK og TV2. Handler bare om penger og anledning. Så man snakker om ikke om at alle ser det samme lenger. Selv om noen aviser tror at alle ser på Breaking Bad og Games Of Thrones. Det stemmer, mange ser på disse, akkurat som mange så på The Wire. Samtiden ser på varierte program etter som smak og image. Noe som gjør at vi kan diskutere med venner om hva vi kaller for guilty-pleasure. For noen er dette Two and Half Men, andre er dette Two Broke Girls. Samtiden er å velge. Tidligere hadde man ikke dette. Man måtte enten følge programmet, ha samme boksen med tilgang. Du kunne ikke se Champions League i opptak på hytta. Den gikk klokken 2000 på TV3 og du måtte høre på kommentarene til Jan Åge Fjørtoft om hvordan Ballack er den beste tyske spissen noen sinne.

Samtiden er forsatt frykten for det ukjente. Frykten for å bli kjent med naboen eller snakke med fremmende på bussen, toget eller t-banen. Samtiden er frykten for Ebola, Aids eller Seksuelt Overførbart Infeksjoner(SOI), ikke at det er noe nytt. Samtiden er at legene ikke skal ha samvittighet i navnet for likestilling. De skal bare lyde jentene som skal ha sex uforsiktig og deretter ha abort. Samtiden er likestilling på et nivå som gjør mannen til liten. Så liten at jenter får fordeler av å gå inn på mannsdominerte områder, men om man gjør det omvendte så blir man møtt med enorm stigma. Derfor døde det ganske fort hend når det var diskusjon om det var korrekt med lengre permisjon for menn. Eller om menn kunne ha førsteretten på barn etter skilsmisse. Dette er ikke tema i samtiden.

Samtiden er kompleks. Så kompleks at denne teksten gir bare et grunnlag for hva som spesielt i den tiden vi er en del av. Om man sitter og browser på smart-telefonen enn å bruke tid på lese den skikkelig. Eller leser nøye igjennom denne i fredags eller helge-avis. Det er tydelig om du tenker over eller bare se over og tenker. Ja, denne karen kan ha forstått noe, eller ikke har forstått noen ting. Om Malala har gjort nok for Fredsprisen, om Obama hadde gjort nok og om EU hadde rett til sin, er spørsmål mange av oss i samtiden vil stille spørsmål til. Får vi svaret det tviler jeg på. Bare at Jagland kan komme i avisene med et lurt smil og ikke snakke om bygge det norske hus. Samtiden er kompleks. Så komplisert at det er mer elektronikk i bilen enn i smart-telefonen. Dermed kan veldig få mekke på sin nye Golf. Den må betale en ekstra formue på verkstedet med en gang en bolt inni motoren blir løs. Samtiden er kompleks. Ingenting av det jeg har skrevet til deg her bli sett på som fakta. Siden det er slik jeg ser virkeligheten. Du vil ikke se virkeligheten likt som meg. Fordi slik jeg ser den som kompleks kan du sitte på andre siden med en skjerm og se den som en lettfattelig virkelighet. Hvor kravene virker enklere. Der du legger ut bildene ved middagsbordet og vinen å smiler med venner. Mens jeg grubler over hvorfor du gjør det.

Samtiden er tiden vi lever i. Den er slik den er fordi vi har gjort den slik eller fordi andre har gjort det mulig for å bli slik. Så om du ikke tid til å levere ungen i barnehagen før jobben er fordi du laget en ny liste i Spotify til bilen. Ikke fordi Spotify sa at du måtte lage en liste for å spille i bilen. Samtiden er tiden vi lever. Fordi vi født inn til å være en del av denne tiden og oppleve den som den er. Uansett om vi ønsker det eller ikke. Så må vi bare leve i den og bruke de egenskapene tiden vår har og være tilstede og være til glede for de menneskene som vi deler denne tiden med. Peace.

Tyrese and Dr.Dre celebrate Beats sold to Apple Inc.

This video was posted two weeks ago, but now the report of 3 billion buyout of Beats is finally established. So now its true, Dr. Dre is getting his payoff of the company he started with Jimmy Iovine. The now former Interscope boss. So now it’s time to celebrate Dr. Dre and now we certainly know why! We’ll never see the day of light of the famous – never coming out album: ‘Detox’!

Here is the BBC article:

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27613243

Peace!

Money and Madness!

In a day where we saw the monster of money winning its second title at Ethiad Stadium. It’s more stories of money and power brewing in the world. We have Dr. Dre and Jimmy Lovine’s company of Beat Elecontrics apparently sold to Apple Inc for a blistering 3,2 billion dollars and making the mighty doctor the first Hip Hop billionaire! Somewhere is Jay Z and Diddy (Puff Daddy aka P.Diddy aka Sean Combs) crying or wondering why they didn’t start selling lavish headphones.

I could have discussed the matters of Fiancial Fair Play of UEFA and their so called fine on Manchester City. In that same matter I could been discussing the issues of Sepp Blatter asking or nodding his head towards the headboard and complying for a new term as leader of the governing football establishment FIFA. No, I am not talking about either. The fall of United and Moyes ousting is not worth mention, though the proposed new signings and use of money will make the Glazers a bit unhappy in New York. At the same time not discussing the power of Roman in Chelsea where Diego Costa supposed to be at next season.

No I will talk about something which isn’t about money madness of the Premier League or Champions League, even if one of that competitions is over, the other one has yet a final to be held the 24^th of May at Lisbon. But, still I can tell that is not where my mind is. Not even the flabbergasting last night show called Eurovision. Where the Hungary should have won since that was the best song in my opinion… However, the theme of the song wasn’t really Eurovision like, which was more the San Marino, UK or Swedes. Secondly after reading both national and international press – seems like the Poles and their breast got votes from drunk European men on the continent. Even though the national Eurovision councils and voting agents gave points to the half-man half-woman, That made the half and half a winner, though the rise of the phoenix (by some reports in the international press: the penis) would get the nod of and actually win in the shin ding in Copenhagen. Russia and Ukraine showed their true hearts to each other, then the usual 8, 10 or 12 points to each other.

It’s here the money and madness will be discussed. Referendum votes in the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk regions happen today, and those who voted, is reported to vote for separation from Kiev and the Ukraine state. Something that isn’t surprising for anybody. Vladimir Putin has just recently been in the new region of Crimea. Which for a few months ago was a piece of the federation of Ukraine and had a military and navy base rented to Russia so they had a well, and Ice free navy base, because the ones on the Kola Peninsula isn’t open for a few months of the year. So they need that to have a secure one all year around. Putin just secured the needed base and now own the area. No matter what Europe does or thinks. It’s doesn’t hit him, because well, the sanctions they have showed to the Russian leaders is scrap metal and dozen loads of waste of time and orders.

When Europe is still in the verge of economic recovery and need the big spenders of oligarch money. London and the City would be hurting like a baby who lost their lollipop and then the baby would cry. The Russian gas and money is so needed. Like Manchester City would be lost in the wildness without the Dubai Oil money.

The way it looks like for me. EU and USA is having their hands tied. They have the powers in their hands, but their washing their hands and at the same time trying to make their hands dirty. That is wretched tale that the beard of the recent winner of Eurovision wouldn’t even cut off.

We are here in situation where Russia and Putin has the upper hand and is carving up new territory for the federation. In Ukraine is there it has been mighty and important battles for Russia. It’s a saying: When Kiev sneezes Moscow get a cough. So after the fall of Yanukovych the friend and former president of Ukraine who himself ran to Putin’s Russia. It’s the actions of the former government and the fall of the weak institutions of Ukraine that is unleashing the opportunities of the separatist in Luhansk and Donetsk. These elections are not legally correct after the 92 constitution of Ukraine. So even if the turnout is massive and by expected reports are all for the mighty mother Russia. My bad it’s for independence from the Nazis of Kiev and the democratic European loving rebels of Ukraine. Which is the bad seed if you listening to the rhetoric of the Russian media and master Putin.

We all know there are other actors and other carrots at stake. The dancing Slavic poles from yesterday even know that. Ukraine and the main in the hamster-wheel know that. The interim government in Kiev knows that Moscow knows this. Even if them all is saying something else. And nobody is telling anybody what the else is. We all know that this is for the long term and securing ruling and master of their own backyard. Putin is having the upper hand. Ukraine has the weak but halting support from the rest of the world. Sadly like Goodluck Johnatan has from the rest of the world in finding the 200 missing schoolgirls who is nowhere to be found so USA and UK are sending hostage specialist to help the Nigerians and their effort to find them. Also the rumors of sending them over to the border to Cameroon and sell them. Sounds just like what a group of men who bombs public areas all over Nigeria could do.

The same helplessness must the interim government of Ukraine feel. They haven’t a single shot to go with full force against Russia. It will be run so hard over that the roadrunner would smack their ass before the first bullet gets to say “hello”.

While Putin and Russia can play cool and see the pawns move. Piece by piece getting all bicycles and town of certain parts of Ukraine, if not the whole thing – why not? He has already had one slice, why not the whole pizza and that to go? Please!

So what is next? The money and the madness is already action. The kings has set up shop and playing their pawns. The next move will be interesting but if he is not swallowing the areas of Luhansk and Donetsk. They can either become annexed like Crimea or they will have the stories of the Abkazia(Georgia), Transnistrina(Moldavia) and the Nagoro-Karabhk(Azerbaijan) republics.

What do you think, will the EU and USA really react like grown men or crybabies to the actions of Russia? Will Russia take more territories in their backyard, since they haven’t really paid much for Crimea? What is the next move from either party now that Manchester City, the Poles have washed cloths on stage and Putin has taken a ride in the new Russian territory? Will Obama have another fascinating anecdote in a speech about the rich Russian culture or will he send a transformers -car to Moscow?

Peace!

Mack the more – Grammy’s 2014 (mine kommentar til tragedien)

Ikke ofte gidder jeg å kommentere eller skrive om Grammys eller Oscar utdelinger. De er så betente og politiske at det halve kunne ha vært nok! Idag gjør jeg en liten helomvending. Ikke fordi det er overraskende hvem som vant i de fleste delene av Hip Hop sjangeren på Grammy’s 2014. Det var forventet når du så på de utvalgte låtene og album.

Best Performance – “That’s right, O Kay Kay!”

Jeg er langt fra fan av disse som vant 3 av 4 Grammyer. At Macklemore & Ryan Lewis vant for Beste Performance foran Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Swimming Pool’ er uforståelig. Ikke minst også låtene Eminem’s ‘Bezerk’ som viser råheten til Em, produksjon av Rick Rubin og gjennomtenkthet med inspirasjon fra Beastie Boys! Uforståelig, at Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ‘Thrift Shop’ blir ansett som en bedre låt! Det er bare helt banalt. ‘Thrift Shop’ har sin greie og den slo sabla godt an, men alle vet at det var bedre ifjor? Til å med de som tildelte prisen vet dette innerst inne.

Beste Rap-låt: “Fuck You Pay Me”

At Macklemore & Ryan Lewis vant over disse sangene er også uforståelig. Coup d’etat er det blitt! Drake ble som også i forrige Beste Perfomance nominert med ‘Started from the Bottom’. Ikke at jeg er fan av Drake heller, selv denne låten synes jeg faktisk er god! Den viser talentet til Drake. En annen låt som laget til Asap Rocky – ‘Fucking Problems’ som også er med 2Chainz, Drake og Kendrick Lamar. Denne låten er også slagferdig og en god radiolåt. Den var også utslagsgivnde igjennom for Asap Rocky! Jay-Z ‘Holy Grail’ og Kanye West ‘ New Slaves’ var også nominert. Disse viser bare enda mer hvor feil det var å gi Grammyen til Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ‘Thrift Shop’.

Beste Rap-Album: “Lost Ones”

Her er den siste og mest tragiske som skjedde på Grammy’s 2014 at Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – ‘The Heist’vant for beste Rap-Album! Noe så tragisk. Tragikomisk. Urovekkende og helt feil! Drake var også nominert her med albumet: ‘Nothing Was The Same’. Som var bedre album enn debuten. Så fortjent kunne dette ha vært og det mer enn Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Drake var bare ikke hvit nok, selv om han var tidligere en skuespiller fra Toronto. Jay-Z med ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ måtte også falle, dette er mer forståelig. Hadde ikke forventet dette albumet på listen. Derimot så forventet jeg at Kanye West og ‘Yeezus’ skulle være der! Ikke at jeg kjøpte albummet, men at det var spesielt for musikkåret 2013. Det var den definitivt. Det mest sjokkerende var at Kendrick Lamar og ‘Good Kid M.A.A.D City’ – GKMC er en klassiker. Er sikker på at sammenligne album om ti år vil Kendricks debut album på TDE/Aftermath/Interscope med Dr.Dre bak spakene. Det er helt utrolig at dette albumet ikke vant en Grammy!

Unnlatte album og låter: “Forgot about Dre”. 

At J.Cole både album ‘Born Sinner’ og låtene ‘Crooked Smile’ ft TLC og ‘Power Trip’ ft Miguel. Burde ha vært med på de tre listene. Pusha T en del av Clipse som gav ut sin første solo skulle lett ha overskygget flere av de nominerte album – dette med tanke på hvor bra albumet ‘My Name Is My Name’. Låtene ‘Sweet Serenade’ ft Chris Brown og ’30 Acres’ ft The Dream. Skulle let vært med på nominasjonslisten til Grammy! Bubba Sparxx kom ut med nytt album i året som var ‘Pain Management’. Der han gikk tilbake til røttene, men med independent realese istedenfor stort plateselskap ble utgivelsen forbi i stillhet. Selv om den selvskreven for min del. Også Cory Mo sitt album ‘Take it or Leave it’ burde ha vært med og låten ‘Hold up’. Chamillionaire med ‘Reignfall’ burde ha vært blant låtene som skulle ha vært nominert. Kanskje også sammen med DJ Khaled sin låt – ‘Never Surrender’. Talib Kweli’s album ‘Gravitas’ burde også heller gjemmes vekk. Man kan vel ikke forvente annet.

Takk for meg. Peace.

Hva har Big Sean og 50 Cent til felles?

Man, kan tenke seg at de har en masse til felles. De er begge to store rappere på store plateselskap som har fått stor hjelp av større stjerner før dem. 50 Cent fikk hjelp av Eminem og Dr.Dre. Big Sean ble en del av Kanye West’s GOOD Music plateselskap. Derav har begge tjent på deres affiliering med store «helter» i hiphop verden. Men, det er ikke dette jeg skal vise til idag. Heller ikke om de har vært i hop med samme video-vixen, det kan ha skjedd, men har ingen anelse om eller bryr meg om. Derimot synes jeg det er gøy å se på disse to musikkvideoene! Om du kjenner igjen huset og bassenget! De har filmet på samme sted i LA. Fantastisk fun fact ikke sant!

Først viser jeg Big Sean:

Nå den nyeste singelen fra 50 Cent:

Hvis jeg er uheldig så tar jeg feil, uansett ser det sabla likt ut på begge videoene. Noe en person som meg legger merke til. Uansett, kos deg med singlene. Big Sean snart kommer ut i 2013 med ‘Hall of Fame’, 50 Cent kommer ut med ‘Street King Immortal’ i 2013. 2013 it is!