Lyrical Exercise

No, this post isn’t about Hov.  It’s about another artist who is well-known but widely under-appreciated.  I’m talking of course about Lupe Fiasco.  In arguments about who I think is best in the rap game right now, Lupe consistently ends up in my top five, and before The Cool was released, I always caught a lot of flak for it.  People always brought up the fact that he was still relatively new and hadn’t fully proved himself.  I, on the other hand, felt as though Lupe had demonstrated his lyrical superiority on his mixtapes and on Food & Liquor.

One set of lines from the Failure off of the mixtape Fahrenheit 1/15: The Truth Is Among Us always stick out in my head, but usually get missed by the casual listener (double entendres are in parenthesis):

I stack my paper and throw off my cents (sense)

This is top flow (floor)

Better look out below

Pennies from heaven is the same as a semi from the second

And I reign (rain) supreme

Turn your umbrellas upside down

Did you even catch the change (change like money) in theme?

Okay, so this isn’t the deepest thing Lupe’s ever said, but the wordplay is ridiculous.  Lets take a look at what Lupe was actually saying.

The first line is saying that when he gets money, he doesn’t really know how to act with it (I throw off my sense, my good sense, my good judgment), and at the same time, he’s saying he throws away the loose change.

The next line tells us how high up he is (at the top floor; we can assume it is a high building, like a skyscraper, that he is referencing).  Also, he is bragging that he is a good rapper (top flow).

Next line he makes a reference to the idea that a penny (or any small object) tossed from the top of the Empire State building would hit the ground with the force of a bullet fired from a gun at close range (same as a semi from the second, semi referencing a semi-automatic weapon).  This goes back to him tossing the change from the top floor.

In the next line he talks about how he is the ruler, the king, maybe even god of the rap game (he references himself as L-U-P-Emperor earlier in this verse).  This is also a reference back to the pennies from heaven, raining down.  He sends pennies raining down, as he reigns from heaven (I don’t think he meant to sound as blasphemous I did just now).

The next two lines go together.  You turn your umbrella upside down to catch the rain.  But the rain is pennies (change).  So did you even catch the change is like did you catch the pennies in the umbrella.  But obviously by this point he’s not talking about the money anymore, and is asking if you caught the change in theme, from fictional money raining down to him being the most lyrically gifted rapper.

Lupe really spazzed on the whole track, that was just one example.  So as if that wasn’t enough, Lupe decided to do it AGAIN on Pressure from Food & Liquor.  I think it would take too long to break it down, but once again, he’s wordplay is CRAZY!  Every line is a metaphor.  Listen closely (if you haven’t before) and you’ll start to see more and more connections forming.

And just so you don’t think I’m lying, here is both Pressure and Failure for you’re listening enjoyment.

-L.A. Forrester

Pressure ft. Jay-Z

Failure

New Home Page!

Only a couple weeks in and Kool Kids Inc. already has a new home page!  Hopefully the new layout will make it easier to find all of the kool kontent we have available.  In addition to the new home page, we’ve also included an “Update Archive” where you can see every post ever made in Kool Kids history!  Tell us what you think!

From White Tees and Adidas to Button Up’s and Bow-Ties

Prior to matriculating at Morehouse College, I can honestly admit to myself that I was a Homophobic person. After successfully completing six wonderful semesters, and creating lifelong friendships with heterosexuals, bisexuals, and homosexuals I can claim that opening up to diversity is the key to establishing an enlightened state of mind. Some of us are very judgmental, and sometimes ignore “content of character” and would rather acknowledge somebody’s race, complexion, clothing or sexuality as a means of judgment. Prejudice was a major problem for African-American people throughout the Civil Rights Movement, and now it’s almost like we have made it a problem for ourselves now. We always judge each other!

On July 9^th 2006, I can recall being draped out in the hood uniform, a white tee, some trash bag jeans, a fitted (my ghetto crown) and some low top white on white Adidas top ten’s. It was the summer time and I was fly as usual! Later on that night, I was chilling with some of my friends from the neighborhood in my boy’s car until… Bang Bang Bang!!! Shots starting flying we all ducked, and then I came up with a bullet lodged in my left check! The shot was not meant for me, but because of my “hood uniform”, I was mistaken for everyone else that looked like me and was forced to succumb to the shots. During that summer I got a second chance at life and thought to myself, how can I make sure this never happens to me again? Eventually the epiphany came, and I began to understand what my parents were telling me for the longest time. I needed to switch my clothing style up, to separate myself amongst my peers.

Since this incident, my style has changed to preppy, sometimes I switch it up, but bow-ties (the ones that are physically tied, not the cheesy pre-tied ones you get from Mr. Tux) , ascots (with the pen), corduroys, collared shirts, boat shoes, loafers, suspenders, sweaters, asshole socks, and even the fitted jeans have all been adopted by my new style. Ironically, when I venture home for a break from my rigorous studies some of my peers, not Civil Rights Movement babies, but 80’s babies, judge me off my appearance not knowing shit about where I come from, and what I do. I’m seen as a homo (honesty box comments to prove it). How does style correlate with sexuality?

As humans, we have let our prejudice feelings metastasize throughout the world. Lets live in harmony and not be judgmental towards each other. If we notice some injustice, lets fight like we would for our family to correct what’s wrong. John F. Kennedy said, “You never know what it’s like to walk in another man’s shoes, until you try them on and take steps.” Lets step forward and eradicate Hate, and create universal love for all.

-Michael Williams

Hidden Gems

Listening to old music and rediscovering old classics might be even more fun than listening to them when they were brand new. Actually, I know that’s the case.  The time passed allows you to compare it with releases that came after it and you can better appreciate what the artists’ were able to accomplish.

I recently had a 4+ hour ride from Atlanta to Savannah and that left me ample time for listening to old albums that I haven’t played as often. Two such albums are actually hidden gems that most people either love or have never listened to. I’m talking about The Neptunes Present… Clones and Timbaland Presents Shock Value.

I’m not even gonna try to go back and breakdown these albums track for track, but let me say this, these albums have ridiculous production value, and for good reason. I think few would argue that The Neptunes and Timbaland are in the top 5 producers in the game right now, and maybe even of all time (you can at the very least make an argument for such a claim).

Each album features a diverse range of styles from hardcore rap to hip-hop anthems to R & B slow love songs, to punk rock, etc… And since these are both major producer compilations, both albums feature an impressive roster of heavy-hitters in terms of artists. Clones has Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Clipse, Kelis, the late Dirt McGirt, N.O.R.E., and even more artists not mentioned. Shock Value features the likes of Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliot, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Fallout Boy, One Republic, and Elton John, among others.

Song for song, both albums are easy to listen to from start to finish (although Clones‘ Rock offerings do seem slightly out of place when juxtaposed with the rest of the hip-hop influenced tracks on the album, so it’s possible your mileage may vary). It’s very surprising to me that these albums aren’t better known. The only thing I can think of is that since they are compilation albums, unless you know the producers, both of these managed to fly under the radar for the most part.

Pick both of these up if you haven’t already, especially if you like other work by The Neptunes and Tibmo. If you’ve had the chance to listen to either of these, let us know what you think about ‘em.

-L.A. Forrester

Morehouse Spelman Homecoming 2008

The Most Anticipated Homecoming of the Year

in Association with Kool Kids Inc. Blog Presents:

This amazing homecoming comes to you in a series of images and a very small caption to accompany it. Remember that the definition of mirage “is a naturally-occurring optical phenomenon, in which light rays are bent to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky. The word comes to English via the French mirage, from the Latin mirare, meaning ‘to look at, to wonder at’. This is the same root as for mirror and to admire. Like a mirror, a mirage shows images of things which are elsewhere.” So used these images to live our homecoming with us. The theme of the year was used from a Vegas style paradigm, and every event was named accordingly to extravagant occasions in Las Vegas.

DAY 1: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2008

VEGAS NAME: “FULL HOUSE”

ACTUAL EVENT: OPENING SERVICE

DAY 2: MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 2008

VEGAS NAME: “21″

ACTUAL EVENT: FASHION SHOW

DAY 3: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, 2008

VEGAS NAME: “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”

ACTUAL EVENT: NEOSOUL CONCERT (FT. DWELE)

DAY 4: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 2008

VEGAS NAME: “STRATOSPHERE”

ACTUAL EVENT: HIP-HOP CONCERT (FT. YOUNG JEEZY)

Due to the "Recession", we couldn't afford Lupe Fiasco so we got the next best thing; Young Jezzy

Jeezy: "Ya'll kids need to go out and Vote for Barack Obama" Morehouse Student: "I'm voting for John McCain" Jeezy: "You better shut that shit up and Barack the Vote, niggah"

DAY 5: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, 2008

VEGAS NAME: “ROULETTE”

ACTUAL EVENT: SPELMAN CORONATION AND PRETTY NASTY PARTY

Miss Spelman College 2008: Francesca Gibson (SC '09)

Mr. Blue and White: Jason Robinson (MC '09)

[NOTE: PRETTY NASTY IMAGES CANNOT BE SHOWN]

DAY 6: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 2008

VEGAS NAME: “SIN CITY”

ACTUAL EVENT: CORONATION BALL

Our Royal Court: (from left to right) Isata Yansaneh (First Attendant), Joi Jackson (Ms. Maroon and White), April Curry (2nd Attendant). Aren't they just so gorgeous?

DAY 7: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 2008

VEGAS NAME: “ALL IN”

ACTUAL EVENT: TAILGATE AND FOOTBALL GAME

Hanging with some Bostonians- Ms. Cassidi Igram (OBHS '05, SC '09)

Heres our brother Ashe's sister Ms. Paige Cook (SC '10) at Jazzmans Cafe

Our Big Brothers were back in town, Mr. Sean Daughtery (MC '93, MIT '96)...

...and our other big brother Mr. Moses Landrum I.V. (MC '08, Harvard '11)

Michael and I had to take a picture with Dr. Franklin (MC '75, Current President of Morehouse College)...

...and Mrs. Franklin (First Lady) at the Football game.

On the football field during the halftime show

Halftime with Ms. Joi Jackson (SC '09, Ms. Maroon and White 2008)

Steve Harvey with one of his frat brothers at the Greek Step Show

Mr. Harvey and daughter Morgan (SC '09)

WINNERS OF THE HOMECOMING 2008 GREEK STEP SHOW: KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRAT. INC

DAY 8: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2008

VEGAS NAME: “WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS”

ACTUAL EVENT: CLOSING SERVICE

-Omar Mohamed Abdillahi

Images are a collection of photos taken during Homecoming 2008 by close friends of Omar Abdillahi.

This Is How We Chill From ‘93 Til

Its Monday and my last homecoming as an undergrad has come to an end.

As I try to evaluated and organize my life

and look to make some moves for the next stage of development,

I’ve come across a road block filled with memories

so I sit and reminisce of the good old times.

What ever happened to being free spirits and running around without a worry in mind,

or sight. No responsibilities, decisions, or even voting to do. Just to live life.

As a child I ran around a lot just because that is what kids did,

then as a teen I was still chasing but now it was dreams,

but now as a novice adult I stop running and seek God for directions

So I prayed and prayed and finally I saw a book that might help.

I’m a big fan of Dr. Ben Carson, and I collect a lot of his books.

I came across his “Think Big” book and went to the back and read:

T= Talent (Recognize it as gifts)

H= Honesty (Be honest and hope for good things)

I= Insight (Have insight from other people and books)

N= Nice  (Be nice to all people)

K= Knowledge (Recognize it as the key to living)

B= Books (Read them actively)

I= In-depth knowledge  (Develop in-depth learning skills)

G= God (Never get too big for Him)

I hope this helps you as you might be making the same transition in life as I am.

-Omar M. Abdillahi