Moment of Truth

This is not a Throwback. It just happens to be Thursday.  And my heart is heavy with the loss of yet another legend.  Keith "GURU" Elam is gone from this earth.  From Hip-Hop.  From us.  When I heard the news, I just sat back in my chair and read the words repeatedly, trying to ingest and process what I was seeing.  I knew he was not well.  When I first wrote about his coma scare a month ago, I was hedging my bets and hoping for the best in terms of his recovery.  To hear that he passed away as a result of cancer hit home for me.  Read: Not close to home.  It hit home.  Having lost my own mother to the same affliction, I can tell you that no amount of knowing can emotionally prep you for the loss; no matter how eventual you make it out to be in your head.

I grew up with Guru.  Granted, I might not have literally come up with him, but I listened to enough Gang Starr coming up to be sincerely shocked and saddened by his death.  1989.  Manifest.  1991. Check the Technique. These songs reached me in a way that most didn't.  You see, I grew up in a household that emanated  jazz from the floorboards and walls.  What I heard from them was pure music that just happened to be Hip-Hop.  The combination of Guru's lyrical talent and DJ Premier's signature beats was like nothing that ever came before it.  And on the real, there's been nothing like it ever since.  Think about it.  You know a Primo track when you hear one- but none of them sound similar.  No small feat.  As far as Guru, you'd be hard pressed to find an emcee with such a monotone voice that kept you riveted on his rhymes- and he did it for the most part using little profanity, if any.  How many rappers can you say that about?  His vocabulary, eloquence and capacity for knowledge could damn near fill the Grand Canyon.

When I was in Chicago a while back, I caught Monie Love's  backspin show on Sirius Satellite.  She spoke about his illness and kept it a hundred about not knowing all the details but wished him the best.  She said she spoke to Premier about his being kept in the dark about Guru and his health.  And this is why I love Monie.  She asked the burning question that I feel most true heads were asking.  Who the hell is Solar and what gives him the right to stage his own lock-out from Guru? When I read the alleged final letter that was penned, singling out Premier to not do any tributes- it just didn't sit well with me.   I don't care how much dude defends it.  Who knows?  Only Primo and Guru really know what caused their fallout and perhaps Solar is just an innocent party trying to do right by a dearly departed friend.  But at the end of the day, I'm looking at this new jack like ' Who the eff is you?'  To keep family and friends at bay hardly seems like a noble act to me.  But that's just my opinion.  I know this much- and Mr. Cee echoed my sentiments surrounding this on his show this past Tuesday: Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot love someone and mourn for them how you see fit.  It is your birthright to feel a loss and express that in a manner which is conducive to healing.

Love and respect to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal. You still shine. Bright. One Love.

Now, Who's Gonna Take the Weight?

Strapped but lovable...and Unforgettable

Apache is gone. I don't know where to start. I'm still in shock, really. One of the most slept on emcees to ever do it has been confirmed dead today. I'll say this much; his calm voice and laid back delivery stood out. The way he broke down the kind of woman he wanted at his side will forever be the Tough Girl anthem for those who lived it. When it first dropped, This Bug bumped that joint as if it was written for yours truly. Finally there was a song that heralded someone other than the "girly girls". From the Newports to the bandanna tied around my curls, he hit the nail on the head. Always known to be the firecracker of my crew, Gangsta Bitch seemed to come along and solidify an entire persona and lifestyle for females such as myself. It takes a distinguished individual to speak pleasantly about what most would consider unpleasant. He spoke with a respect and clipped adoration about a woman who was just as thorough as he was- but no less a lady. He painted a perfect picture. I felt him on that.

Now, I won't front like I kept up with Apache's career when I didn't. Like too many real emcees in the game for that time, he fell by the wayside. But true heads never forgot him. He is part of the Golden Era of Hip-Hop that cultivated legends sixteen bars at a time. It's because of him I saw myself grow from a rough-around-the edges, always ready for whatever, box cutter toting little girl to a mature young lady who learned how to put the L down and pick her battles. And to this day, when I hear that song- the gangsta bitch in me smiles and shakes her head at a precious and priceless time gone by. It remains one of my all time favorites. Apache will be missed. My respects and condolences go out to his family, friends and The Flavor Unit. I know we heard him say that He Ain't Shit, but nothing was further from the truth. 'Pour a little bit out for the brother that ain't here.'

This Magic Moment

pi⋅o⋅neer- one who is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or progress

In the unwritten dictionary of Hip-Hop, if you look up the above definition, you are sure to find a picture of Mr. Magic himself along with a long list of his contributions to this thing we call Hip-Hop. Yes, the sun has set on one of the greats but I will not shed a tear in sadness. I'd rather give thanks for the door that he kicked wide open. You'd have to be from a certain era to understand how profound his life and achievements were. Rap Attack on WBLS was the first show designed with strictly Hip-Hop in mind. He repped it. He spun it. We tuned in eagerly...and we were not disappointed.

I came to New York in 1984 and fell instantly in love with what was known then as Rap music. And on the real- that is ONLY because of Mr. Magic. Saturday nights were not complete without listening to that show. If you were around back then you will clearly understand what Magic meant to Hip Hop. I am personally acquainted with heads who still have countless original tapes of his...because they recognized that what was happening was an important movement in music and culture. That was the pinnacle. It deserved preservation. It is because of Magic and his accomplishments on radio that a blog like Dope Beats and Door Knockas even exists, truthfully. I feel the loss and I'm not the only one.

This statement was released by DJ Premier shortly after the news of his death started to spread:

"I WANT TO SEND OUT THE UTMOST RESPECT AND CONDOLENCES TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN RIVAS—-aka MR. MAGIC

HE PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING OF A HEART ATTACK…..

TRUE HIP HOP HEADS KNOW THAT HIS HISTORY IS SO LONG
DUE TO HIM BEING THE FIRST RAP MIXSHOW TO EVER BE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO ON NEW YORK’S WBLS–(107.5) WITH MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY IN 1982-1984…….THEN WENT ON TO WHBI IN OCTOBER OF 1984 AND THEN
BACK TO WBLS in 1985 and WDAS in Philly SIMULTANEOUSLY

HE PAVED THE WAY FOR ALL RADIO STATIONS THAT EVER DID MIXSHOWS AND ALSO SPARKED THE CAREER OF BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS DUE TO THE DISS HE SHOWED WHEN THEY CAME TO SHOP THEIR DEMO TO HIM AND WAS TURNED AWAY WHICH THEN SPARKED “SOUTH BRONX” AND “THE BRIDGE IS OVER”…….

HE WAS KNOWN FOR HIS DIRECT AND SARCASTIC ATTITUDE ON THE AIR AND EVERY ARTIST WANTED HIS APPROVAL WHEN IT CAME TO BREAKING NEW RECORDS……..HE EVEN HAD SONGS DEDICATED TO HIM BY THE LEGENDARY WHODINI–(”MR. MAGIC’S WAND”) WHICH WAS SURPRISINGLY PRODUCED BY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS THOMAS DOLBY…….

SHOUTS OUT TO MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY FOR THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON THIS……

REST IN PEACE MR. MAGIC"

ma·gi·cian-one who performs magic for entertainment or diversion; one whose formidable skill or art seems to be magical

Across the board, Mr. Magic holds his place in two very significant eras in Hip Hop.  The True Skool and the Golden Era.  I'm blessed enough to say that I was there for both.  He put everything on line because he believed in the music. He was fired and re-hired because he would not back down.  He knew what the people wanted and he delivered.  When his show came on, all of New York stopped what they were doing and tuned in. We all fell under the spell of Mr. Magic. We still feel his essence because he provided the soundtrack to our lives.  He brought with him unforgettable emcees and timeless classics. He was a true magician in one sense because we couldn't believe our ears and in another sense as well.  Because even with his sudden disappearance from us; he will continue to inspire awe with his wizardry.

Fantastic Indeed...

Dude was cool. A bit strange though. Weird, if you may. An enigma even. Now that I reflect on it I could sense that his spirit was exhausted or maybe frustrated like he was over his Earth visit and ready for the next chamber. Even then his days were numbered. But aren't all of ours. Bless Baatin! - via Facebook

There's always one in the group. The one who is different. Just slightly off center. They can't help but stand out. When I heard about Baatin from Slum Village passing away, I immediately thought of my favorite line of his from Fall In Love. "F*ck this rap sh*t. I listen to classical." It seemed to embody how removed he was from all things worldly or tangible. He had a Hip-Hop soul... and his wasn't for sale. It's most apparent in the video for Tainted. It saddens me that he battled with demons of a mental sort. But I've always said that most genius is touched with a bit of madness. I truly believe those who appear troubled or unstable simply operate on a different frequency than most of us. I remember learning that he left SV to concentrate on getting healthier- and in the interim the group wasn't the same without him. They were missing something. His eccentric and honest delivery, his trademark turban, his refusal to assimilate to the industry bullshit. Without him, Slum Village became average to me. To first lose J Dilla and then Baatin must be an incredible loss to the remaining group members. My heart goes out to them. A loss in the Hop Hop world is felt tremendously because of how important true contributions are. Like the GZA said, "This language is so captivating...When we lose a rap n*gga, the news is devastating." The beginning quote is by one of my old childhood friends who had the honor of working with Baatin some years ago. It was so genuine that I had to repost it. None of us are promised another day here and I don't believe our work is done when the spirit goes back to the essence. It's just that it can no longer be housed in the body when it's time to move on. Perhaps Baatin knew just when that new journey was to begin in another world. At least he left the earthlings with some incredible music. I'll miss him.


Ay, it's like a ritual
You been invited. Let the mortal body stimulate the place
With the grace, nevertheless, I stress
Let the music put a smile on your face
As for the ritual, when it comes to spiritual excellence
You know I always leave you with the taste.
I know you like it hard to the core.
That's what you ask for, you achin' for the best
Hurtin' like a sore. It's like a ritual.
Conversation with the Most High make you wanna cry.
I wonder why, you wanna get to paradise
But that itty bitty part of you don't wanna die.
So pay attention to my word, cuz it's the truth.
Meditation ease the mind, and brings the youth
It's like a verse you could never read out of a book.
Droppin' the line in your mind like a fish hook.
Word is birth, yo I do it till the break of day
Pay attention to your art, never go astray.
Word is bond. - Thelonious by Common ft. Slum Village