"His Joint Is Prob'ly Skinny, My Man's Kinda Large"

Song: Tell Her
Artist: Dom. Kennedy
Mixtape: Creme De La Creme

So, apparently Baddass Poets roll in threes, (okay mebbe twos)

LaVarr B. (or Varr Varr as he is more affectionately called) is a Chicago Native who has traveled far and near. He's picked up a very distinct style of poetry and as some would describe it "it's cold." His rhymes are more complex than most, using internal rhyme and creating a non-traditional rhythm to offset a boring meter that can oftentimes compromise a poem's value. So without further adieu I give you, a man who makes the rhymes bend to his will, LaVarr B.

part 1 of somethin'

“I can’t die”…that’s what I told him.

Life is hard but I gotta keep on pressin’...gotta send a message, teach a lesson, that even though you stressin’, this is worth doin’. This is worth pursuin’ and for the right person this is worth losin’. I mean givin’. But more importantly, its worth livin’.

“It is to be, in Time”….that’s what he told me.

Give me a second…thoughts racin’, heart is pacin. I need a minute for recollection. An hour for the statement. No matter if it’s a day or a night…I can’t afford to be complacent. For months I let sight, mind and body keep me stationed. I don’t have time for Time to be. An eternity for me is like a milli-second…still a second chance for me to steal a second. I reckon Time is supposed to get me closer to my goals but I told him “Not even eternity could bring closure to my soul”.

part 2 of nothin'...perspectives

“In order to survive…gotta learn to live with these regrets”

cause the sex was worthless and at her best she was perfect and at her worst she was worth it and then you hurt it…or hurt her…and you fill the void created by these regrets with more sex so more or less more stress, you were blessed…and now you’re just a mess…and now begins the test. The loneliness is killin’ you…and you cant even feel it…in fact you cant feel shit so now you just conceal it. how can you heal it?

“The closest of friends when we first started…”

but I grew apart as the trouble grew. And now I have this new life with new life. And with this new life comes new strife and I don’t know if I’ll handle that right. I keep hurting my mother and im too ashamed to face my brothers… and how can I keep another when I cant keep myself? I can’t even keep in touch. But I can’t keep this up. Hopefully my brothers will forgive me and my mother will live to see the day when I see what they see. Hopefully we can be what we used to be.

Snaps.

"This is the sound of throwin pennies on the ground."

Song: Pennies
Artist: The Cool Kids
Album: When Kids Ride Bicycles

The cool kids - Pennies
Uploaded by le-pere-de-colombe

I like this video alot, I know there's a 2k version but it makes me wanna have a seizure. Mikey Rock's shirt is FRESH.

I haven't really elaborated on my love of The Cool Kids. That's right I said it, LOVE. I'm not into Gangsta Rap on the 24/7, trust and believe, when I'm in the mood for it, it goes hard. However, I like to chill out and relax to hip-hop, but that doesn't always mean I want to listen to Talib. The first song I heard from them was One, Two. I listened to the first 4 seconds of it, and banished it to the darkest corners of my iPod where Celine Dion and MC Hammer rest.

I mean, I think it was just because I wasn't ready for it. Then I downloaded Bassment Party by complete happenstance and I loved it. I put it on all my friend's iPod's and the Blog Playlist. It's just real "but get bent before you come, cause for that liquor I'll be chargin." I just went through that shit last night. Chuck Inglish makes all the beats, (like Double 0 from Kidz in the Hall but this is completely different)

as Chyna would say: "I Fucks withe The Cool Kids"

"I hate hearing stories about who you've been with"

Song: Brand New
Artist: Drake

Mixtape: So Far Gone (download link)

OMG...It Goes There

Okay so I've been refusing to comment on this mixtape for a while. I'm a hardcore degrassi fan, My friend Roni and I used to recap the episodes verbatim. I'm all for the golden age of Degrassi, when Craig was cheating on Ashley and hooking up with Manny, and Jimmy could walk! Basically, I stopped watching the show when Aubrey Grahm's fine ass was condemed to a wheelchair. So Jimmy get's paralyzed but Spinner stays on the damn show?! Ughh sickening.

So for all those non-hardcore fans (pshh) Jimmy AKA Aubrey Grahm AKA Drake can Rap and Sing. Like f'reals. He had some blow off single like last year with Trey Songz that I watched with the sound off. However, this mixtape is much more refined...and he know's he can't even rap about the mean streets of Degrassi so there's no frontin' on the Gangsta side. I like that...however, he will always be Aubrey to me...Sexy ass Aubrey.

Okay, so anyways I was listening to one song off his new mixtape called Brand New Oh Em Geezy. I thought it was Trey Songz, and got really excited, cause I love myself some Trey, but no it turned out to be Aubrey Grahm serenading me, with his fine ass. It's definitely on repeat. I just love that he Sings AND Raps..and it's not even corny either. All I can say is thank god he didn't get into that trap of a Disney contract a la Raven.

Props to Dion for coercing me into downloading this.

Grab yo' Boo for this one

"The results of a woman who fell short of the glory and was caught by a man who stood nearer"

Poem: Father Figure
Artist: Jonathan Collins
Book: Coming Soon!

I'm excited about this one, cause I actually know the kid. I kinda had to beg him to put this on here, but f'real's he's a beast. Hopefully he'll thank me when he blows up, you know gotta credit the little people.

Who Is Jonathan: Jonathan is a soon-to-be 20 year old writer of poetry. While dabbling in a bit of spoken word in 2007, his endeavors into the written style have served him well. Integrating the complexities of his faith and his views in today's society, his poems are never able to be read through once. He hails from Tennessee, although he currently rests his head at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. His procured "southern style" is very pronounced, yet his message is universal.

Why You Should Love Him: Honestly, after reading his stuff, you have to sit back and think, and pick your own brain. Sometimes, you won't get it right away, but when you do you can't help but sit and be like "Damn." Okay this seems like a lot of hype but I think it's the truth. His poetic rhythm is tight, unlike my failed attempts into poetry, his flow is definitely one that should be heard. Also a plus, his stuff is raw and unrefined...sometimes you can tell when something has been proofed so many times, the author's original intention was lost. Yeah, not here, I feel like it adds even more to the poetry than taking anything away from it. While a great read, when read out loud the experience grows even more.

No more writing from me...here are 2 of his poems.

Father Figure
I know my daddy loves me but sometimes it gets hard
cause i find myself thinking about my life and the way things have gone.
My mama always told me he loved me but those words sometimes seemed derranged
Where were you at all of my basketball games?
Where were you when I took my 1st steps?
Where will you be when I take my last breath?
It's hard being the only one that knows that this so-called functional family is dysunctional
There's just these certain times when I feel uncomfortable
knowing that this daddy who's never there is judging me
makes me wonder how he has this custody.
It's either that or every Sunday he brainwashes my mama to think
that she MUST bring me to him to begin the week.
So there I sit, Me and his many other kids
me,contemplating suicide just to see if I died
would he know that I once lived.
Then I go back to a so called home and see a product of fornication in the mirror
the results of a woman who fell short of the glory and was caught by a man who stood nearer
to lucifer but wasnt necessarily the devil's advocate, better yet the opposite.
He was a man that tried harder, but the harder thing to understand
was that although he was of valor, he was still merely a man.
And he can't handle such a disaster as when the boy he raised finds out that he's a bastard
with wounds from confusion and thoughts of destruction
toward a family that hides its dysfunction.
Then I take a step back into the tragedy that some of us simpy call reality
and see the totality of my father and begin to understand the purpose behind his abnormality
I begin to realize that he was always with me at heart, although a visual presence I cant embark
but today ill start to understand the method that he chose to have me raised.
ill see that that man who raised me is not just an imposter,but the one chosen to implement my daddy's ways.
I realize that I have to be trusting, but I just wish he could come and hug me
but he's no longer physically here among me...yet
I know my daddy loves me...
I know my daddy loves me...
I know my Lord loves me...

09/28/07

The Invisible Man
to be invisible is to not be seen
maybe this is the power of dreams
i mean it only makes sense since senses cant intervene
between the blinding power of a veil and an optical supreme
now once again I am not seen and neither is my impatience
because they feel my fire and desire as strong as they hear my cadence
they smell the blood sweat and tears that conjours to form my fragrance
they taste the sweet and sour blend of my misleading misbehavior
and they dont even have faith that I am here, as they do their Savior
but have no fear ill save ya
do you and all alike a favor
so when Things Fall Apart ill Catch 22, lives
and go back for their neighbors
i will halt leaning towers
barricade deadly showers
I will untangle the twisting winds
and subside the infernos, hell's closest of kin
but you wont see my flesh wounds made at the hands of the fire
nor hear my cries coming out of that deadly spiral
nor taste the salt from the ocean water forming waves so tidal
or feel the muscle anguish and pain from raising a builidng skyward
because your eyes have not seen what has happened right before them
since the lids closed dream of the things that bring me torture
but thats the price of saving the day
and no one would know until i gave it away
that maybe that is the power of dreams
to be invisible is to not be seen

12/8/08


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

"She Covers Her Eyes and Hides Behind Enemy Lines"

Song: Save Him
Artist: Justin Nozuka
Album: Holly

So I came back from Burger Night with The Kid and Salem I love those two. They make simple nights great nights. Salem and I came back to Hillman to kick it back and relax, and she put on some music that hit my Soul. Justin Nozuka, Mmmm...you will like this.

Who Is Justin Nozuka: He's a chill kinda guy, and a cutie patootie hailing from Canada. Check it. He's only 20 years old! He's a cousin to Kevin Bacon by marriage so he's connected a few degrees less than everybody else. (Three Maybe) He's half Japanese and Half American...Just like Dean Caine, so you know he brings the swexy. His debut Album "Holly" is out, and it's really good. He's recently gotten some exposure from a Scott Baio commercial on VH1, with his song "After Tonight"

Why You Should Love Him:He's the perfect chill out music, like I know I said this about Jason Mraz, but no Justin Nozuka is the truth. His vocal abilities and stage presence aren't on the same level, but his music is worthwile. If you close your eyes and listen to his music, I SWEAR you'll hear the ocean. One thing I like about his album, is that I don't have to go find the Accoustic version of everything, because it's so stripped down and pure on the album. I would say he's a mix between Jason and Jack Johnson, for some reason I feel guilty making that comparison, because I feel like he has his own niche. Oh it's stay in bed music too, maybe like wake up with your boo music.

My personal Favorite song is Save Him.... Check it out on the Playlist --->
Check the Download Link up Top.

"Cause She's My Dope Girl"

Song: Dope Girl
Artist: Donnis
Album: Leaders of the New Cool (Mixtape) (DOWNLOAD!!!)

Who Is Donnis: Donnis is a little shortie from Atlanta who's not afraid to show an affinity for Vespas, but hasn't gotten too hype(beast) to wear a white tee and a basic fitted. He was recently featured on Mic Boogie and DJ Treats' mixtape, Leaders of the New Cool, with his song Dope Girl. You might have heard of it, I featured it on the blog about a month ago, and made everyone who I ride with in the car listen to it. It's a get-hype song that is a far cry from Soulja Boy mess because it makes sense and it's fun. I swear this song is like the 2009 version of "Around the Way Girl." (and I mean that in a good way)

"She knows that you can see it, she you boys enjoy it/she knowin that she dope, and she know you wanna snort it"

Why You Should Love Him: His lyrics make sense and they're fun and light, it's bubble gum rap that's nicely packaged and not too sugary. (*ahem* Jibbs) He raps about stuff he knows, being a teenager, gettin at girls, ridin around with nothin' to do. He's never gonna be a heavy rapper, that's just not him, and personally during the recession I don't need any body droppin' music. Lemme just reminsice about passing notes in high school and bein' dope. He's a true country boy with that flashy mentality that's ready made for Atlanta. His flow is pretty good, it isn't perfect but it's definitely practiced, although on some songs he does leave you wanting. On other songs he DEVLIVERS, like the songs Ghetto Blaster and L.O.V.E. All he needs is a famous singer on one of his catchy hooks and it's over...I predict it. Coming to a market friday near you.

Extra Bonus: His production is MEAN! DJ Benzi is effing ridiculous. It's a bunch of electro bass mixed with some great great drums (lemme stop acting like I know what I'm talking about here) but I'm telling you, if you could get these beats even without him rapping on them you'd be happy.

Link It Up:
Party Works (song) (Listen, and then if you like hit CMD/CTRL+S to download)
One (Song) (Same Directions)
Donnis' Website
Creme De La Creme: The Mixtape. .....yeah I know it's old blah blah blah (lotsa good stuff on it though)

"I give and give and I lay it all down "

Song: Did I Fool Ya?
Artist: Jason Mraz
Album: Live at Java Joes (Download!!!)
Who Is Jason Mraz: Jason Mraz is a 31 year old (who can get it) vocalist who specializes in an alternative mix of folk music and rock. He's from Mechanicsville, Virginia and he proudly claims his redneck status. At most of his performaces you can find him sans shoes, I like to compare him to Dave Matthews Band in a sense that he's just so original and the music is so universal, although he doesn't quite have that kind of exposure...yet. His following is quite astounding, consisting of teenaged beach bums to residents of Laura Spelman. (shoutout to the roomie)

Why You Should Love Him: Besides perfecting the genre of "stay in bed music" Jason Mraz is the real deal, his voice is so pure and beautiful and he sometimes dabbles in a bit of comic rap which is suprisingly funny. Most of his lyrics don't make sense until the 10th time you hear them, but there is actually a cohesive thought throughout all of his songs. I actually prefer to listen to his live recordings than his studio albums and it seems he also prefers it too. Jason and his management fully support the bootleging of all his live performances which is great for his reputation, because:

1. People love free shit,

2. It establishes his credibility as an artist when you hear how great he sounds with just a mic and no auto tuner.

Extra Bonuses: His percussionist, Toca is the truth. Talk about a beast on some congo drums and his harmonies, LEGIT!. The fun part about his shows is that they have full dialouge on the stage full of jokes and illegal references.

He Performs At Last and Sleep All Day