Lupe

Fiascogate has gotten completely out of hand.

He said, he didn’t say. Everyone commenting. Mentions of lawsuits. Slander. Libel. Defamation of character.

Jeez Louise.

Outside of what’s already been stated by more eloquent & accredited folks…

1.) The older statesmen of Hip-Hop have to understand that there’s a generational gap in Hip-Hop. Somewhere, there’s a kid just as Hip-Hop as anyone else. And that kid has never heard “The Message.” It’s possible and that kid shouldn’t be stoned out of the community simply because of that. Everybody did not grow up listening to Hip-Hop in the park or hearing Stretch & Bobbito or Frankie Crocker spin the hits.

2.) Young Hipper-Hoppers might do themselves a favor grab some older mixes like Flex’s mix from July 4th and be slightly familiar with some of the dusties these 35 year olds spazz out over. Just like I’ve made it my duty to become acquainted with Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke because my dad swears they’re the truth, you have to reach back and listen to see why Big Daddy Kane and others even get honored by VH1.

3.) Lupe prolly should’ve pulled a Marion Jones, admitted his guilt and reversed his statement while backpedaling. To take it a step further, he could’ve had the cameras follow him to the stores while he bought all the whole Tribe discography on disc. Even the crappy Anthology disc.

While others bash & espouse their beliefs as the gospel, the TSS Crew figured instead of damning the dark, we’d spark a match by shining light on a few albums Lupe might have also ignored during his comeupance on the Westside of Chicago’s mean streets. We like Lupe & we feel it’s our duty to be a help, not hindrance.

So we got together, put together a few albums we figured he may/may not have listened to…and developed our odds system regarding it.

A Tribe Called Quest – Low End Theory

20:1

Considering that he hasn’t listened to Midnight…, then I’m guessing he hasn’t heard the precursor and the one that opened critics eyes to how dope these boys truly were. Previous to Low End, the were just members of the Native Tongues who did that funny song about a wallet. Once Low End dropped, people started taking notice.

The Jungle Brothers – Done By The Forces Of Nature

150:1

If son hasn’t listened to Tribe, I’m taking bets that the more eccentric JBz didn’t make it across his radar either.

Anything out of the Ultramagnetic MCs catalog (Minus Tim Dog’s Penicillin on Wax)

Off bet

Anyone who fucked with this bet would have to be the village idiot who’d buy some oceanfront property in Arizona. If a newb were to dare give anything out this group’s material a listen, they should most likely start at Critical Beatdown…because that’s about as close to “normal” as they get…but we love them anyways.

Gerrado – Mo Ritmó

1:2

Since Lil’ Lu finds that Hammer is more appealing than Tribe, he probably was fascinated by Hammer’s Latino counterpart too. Who needs “Award Tour” when you got “Rico Suave,” complete with a video featuring taco meat on his chest!

P.S. – Hammer’s blogging now.

Nas- It Was Written

1:1

Dude said this album was 17 Mics. Surely, he’s listened to it.

Kid Frost – Hispanic Causing Panic

1:2

West Side has it’s fair share of Hispanics and since Lupe’s “street influenced”…

The Beatnuts – The Beatnuts

10:1

Hip-Hop enough for purists and hardcorrific enough for the hard rocks. Cats from the South Side of Chi put me on to this joint.

Goodie Mob – Still Standing

15:1

Obviously a steady diet of gangsta rap molds young’ns into a skateboardin’, thought-provokin’ lyricist so my money’s on Lupe passed on Goodie Mob’s sophomore truimph. Note to Lupe: “Beautiful Skin” came waaaaaay before “Sunshine.”

Odds on Dave Chappelle kicking his fucking ass

3:1

How’s this matter? Not sure. There’s just something that says Dave’s a heavy Tribe fan who is appalled by all of this.