Better than Me?

I was watching the movie "Notorious" the day it came out and I remembered a scene where Pac and Big were talking at a pool hall about some kid that Pac met. Pac (the character) stated that the kid came up to him and said that he wanted to grow up to be just like him. Pac then turned around and told Big that he told the kid that he shouldn't grow up to me like him but better than him. Okay pause that scene, let's talk about that for a moment. Granted, Pac was an enigma simply because he was a living contradiction. One moment he's talking about Brenda's Gotta Baby then the next song is I Get Around. However, this is not the first time we've all heard one of our heros in the hip hop game tell us to grow up and be better than them. Now I KNOW he didn't mean lyrically, but meant to become a better person. Here's my thing, if a kid came up to Jim Jones at one of his community service events in Harlem and told Jones that he wanted to grow up to be just like him, I'm pretty sure Jones would say the exact same thing. If they feel as though that the people that they influence the most shouldn't be like them and that they shouldn't act like them or have their tendencies, then why do they continue to act the same. If I felt that I had to tell a kid to not grow up to be like me, to be better themselves, in a sense, then how do I view myself? And that's one thing I think no one is every asking them after the fact. I'm not here to preach because I would tell a kid the same thing in the aspect of lyrically, but I have two degrees, a job, and I grind, so I pretty much would want them to follow the same path. It just always bothered me that artists would tell their young fans this but not with an explanation. So pretty much my Ha-Stylien Emcees, tell ya fans what's really good. If you do tell them to become better than you, atleast give an explanation as to why so they won't feel awkward about it. Also, if you FEEL as though you have to say that, then maybe you need to look yourself in the mirror.

As always

One Luv
&
DEUCE

Do Your Own

I've looked at all the old music videos of Michael Jackson and realized that this man has set many many trends. From the jackets that Lupe Fiasco wears, the belts that Jim Jones rock, and the hats that you see Mos Def wearing. Even the moves that Lloyd, Justin Timberlake, Omarion, Mario and even Marques Houston perform every night. He has inspired artists such as Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Missy Elliott and countless others. What this man's legacy has brought is something that no one will ever be able to immulate. Its crazy how now I see where the sneaks with the fat tongues, the velcro and studded belts, the vest with the white tees and the suites with the sleeves rolled up came from. The only thing that Michael didn't invent was the fitted hat. But then again, how could you with your hair constantly being wet from giving once-in-a-lifetime performances all the time. I just wanted to take the time out to thank Michael Jackson for not only his constribution to style, innovation, and music, but also to man kind. Michael has done a LOT of philanthropy work in his time and has really been one of the few to really make a difference. I tip my hat to him, and I'm glad to have lived to see what amazing truly is.