“Now I can actually have it. So here I am.”

I once asked a co-worker in Florida what his problem with Hip-Hop music was.

His response is still scribbled in an old notebook:

It’s become a competition of extremes; whose life was the hardest, who was the poorest, who killed the most people, who has the biggest cars, who’s smarter than who, who’s dumber than who.[...] Everyone wants to be something, and not part of something. [...]It’s one of those things you become a part of, that doesn’t become a part of you. It would stunt my growth to listen to Hip-Hop at this age.

I gargled an answer that I never actually spat out, because I was busy committing what he said to memory, while transcribing it. In very many ways, he was right.

For most of you who grew up listening to the music, and somehow participated in the culture, there reaches a stage in your progression where you draw the line. Hip-Hop goes from being a pride to an embarrassment. You can no longer chill with the B-Boys because you’re too grown. Tagging trains and painting walls isn’t worthy sullying your rap sheet. There are no DJ’s that rhythmically scratch vinyl at ballroom dinners and ritzy restaurants, and “Oh my goodness Contra™! What is that ridiculously obscene blaring music you’re listening to?”

Oh, that? That’s just Hip-Hop. My childhood love, 3rd parent, the culture that brought me up. The hymns I graduated into after lullabies and alphabet songs, that used to double up as spirituals for modern day slaves and chants for revolution. The music that did occasionally cross the line, but still held it’s ground and remained justifiable as a source of pride. It is now nothing more than anthems of materialism, misogyny, narcotics and treachery performed by misguided delinquents with a bad choice of names, and topic matters.

None of which have anything to do with my grind every morning as I rush out the door pressing that last button through my sleeves. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. My old neighborhoods would be All-Stars if Ghetto and Slum Collector’s cards existed and I’m more than proud of that. I howl anytime anyone mentions any city that birthed or grew me. But frankly, I’m trying to elevate and lift up those hoods; take them back from those who’d rather they crash and burn so they could cop ‘em for cheap.

My theme song for this mission was and remains “If I Ruled The World” by Nasir and that lovely lady Lauryn that went loony. Thirteen years ago, Nas was a rebel to America and the type of man I wanted to be when I grew up. He still remains a reminder of what Hip-Hop should have evolved into.

As soon as I got to a stage where I was no longer dreaming, but trying to alter realities, I found myself in need of a new song. I still bumped “If I Ruled…” but more as a point of reference, to remember what my goal was.

That was until Nas and Marsha linked up to remake the track.

Frankly, it’s one of those songs where the content is greater than the actual composition. Not atypical of Mr. Jones. Covering everything from his success since the O.G version dropped, to the new President and the state of Hip Hop, Nas tries to resurrect his classic and make it relevant. Whether he succeeds or not, is the listeners’ choice.

Regardless, my sober self thanks Smirnoff for going forward with this Signature Mix initiative and making this track happen.

Cheers.

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Nas feat Marsha Ambrosius – If I Ruled The World ’09

Loosies

Statik Selektah Feat. Kali, Glasses Malone, Termanology – Rollin Down The Freeway.

Raekwon – Letter to B.I.G.

DJ Quik & Kurupt – F_ck Y’all

Juicy J Of Three 6 Mafia – 30 Inches

Lloyd Banks – The Raw

Joell Ortiz – T.R.O.Y.

Jay Rock – Gudda Music

Donny Goines Feat. Mistah F.A.B. – Street Poetry

Busta Rhymes Feat. Maino, Red Cafe, Uncle Murda, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Lil Cease, Billy Danze & Lil Fame – March 9th (Biggie Tribute)

Loosies