Recommended Reading

BLACK MEN: Obsolete, Single, Dangerous?

By Haki R. Madhubuti

Why do many people prefer to "LOOK" good as opposed to "LIVING" good?

I Ponder this:

When was the last time I had a good conversation I took something meaningful away from?

Why does it seem like muthafuckaz these days will spend 10 hours talkin' about bullshit like Gucci, Coogi, Juicy Couture, Louis, Marc Ecko, etc. but shy away from truly intellectual topics. or maybe it's just me. It's possible that only I notice this. I hope not. Try talking about community change and reevaluating our economic spending habits. Ha-Ha. Chances are your friend will look at you stupid. Like "what?, I'm talking about the new Sean Jean..." lol "I can't be thinkin' about global warming..." I gotta be on point for this weekend too. But I dress well and I'm blessed no to have to try so hard. I don't worry or talk about it, I just look good. Yes. I'm an arrogant fuck! Sue me. I just don't think it takes a days worth of airtime to discuss fashion. Oh, unless fashion is your business. Is it? Do you work in the fashion industry? NO! Shut the fuck up about it then. You are a consumer. You buy shit; and more shit. But let me ask you: Is there anybody home? or do you identify yourself by what you are wearing this weekend? Is there anything on you mind worth exploring? Can you carry a conversation that has nothing to do with clothing? I challenge you to try. I welcome it. How can we be better parents to our children? How can we live more healthy lives? Do we really need yet another reality show? Is there anything intellectually stimulating on television? or is "E!" it? What's really going on in Iraq? What's the real news story? What really happened? Are you voting for Hillary or Barack? or that other republican fuck? Whichever, let's talk about it.

Get at me!

G.

direct all comments, questions and suggestions to: truecontraband@gmail.com

also, check out: www.ginoblackmusic.com

Recommended Reading

Sun Tzu - "The Art of War"

Music Recommendations...Conscious Hip-Hop

"Desire" by Pharoahe Monch

This is simultaneously the most slept on and utterly amazing hip-hop CD in a while. The lyrics are socially and politically charged with potent production to match. Pharoahe Monch has created a seemingly effortless masterpiece. This is Fire!

The Source? Nigga Please...

On a recent trip, I arrived to the airport late and missed my return flight. With two hours to kill, I purchased the latest issue of The Source (No. 222, June 2008). For those of you who don't keep up with music, The Source has been hip-hop's bible for 20 years and I've read it for most of those years. I compose music and I've run an independent label and recording studio for nearly a decade so I like to keep up on what's good. I read a decent article on Gnarls Barkley and a pretty good interview with, hip hop band, The Roots. Then I stumble upon a horrible piece of shit column called "Real Talk". Oh my God! This month's "Real Talk" is an interview with an idiot who calls himself Max B. He's a member of a collective called Dipset. Max B was recently shot twice by assailants. Sorry. During this stupid-ass interview he goes on to tell his tale about the shooting. Personally, I'm thinkin' "Who gives a fuck?", but I'm stranded at the airport so I read on. This fuckin idiot talks about the trappings of being a would-be-rapper, fame, fortune, the streets, etc. What stops me cold is during his bullshit story about him being shot, is that while on Long Island at a Range Rover dealership, he got hit once in the arm and once in his side. Quote: "...So I grabs my man up and we get up out of there. I left my bitch though. Fuck it though. M.O.B."

-intentional pause-

Wooosah!

Ok. For for those that don't know, M.O.B. stands for "Money Over Bitches". Street slang if you will. Now the fact that he said "bitch" isn't what bothers me. What bothered me was that he supposedly rescued his male friend and left the female friend behind. That's gay as fuck!!!! What kind of a man leaves his woman but saves his boyfriend? And all the while, Max B is telling his story very proudly. He thinks this adds to his street cred. Nigga Please. Once again. That's gay as fuck! Really homo!

In my humble opinion, The Source is promoting the following bullshit: The black man loves his nigga more than his woman. What's worse is that it implies so many things about us.

1. Black woman gets abandoned to fend for herself. That's ok.

2. Black man isn't strong enough to fend for himself. Must be ok.

3. We black men hate our woman so much that we leave her to potentially die.

That's just three that immediately came to mind. I believe, The Source, which is recently being published by new owners, has lost it's street credibility. This Max B, muthafucka thinks he's a man. No real man leaves his "bitch"(girlfriend) to die while saving his "nigga"(boyfriend). It speaks volumes to our place as heads of our households and as fathers and husbands in our community. A man takes care of his woman. Max B believes his statements to be very manly and "hard" and "keepin' it real". The Source thinks it makes for good exploitative journalism. I think it's a fuckin' shame.

Tell me what you think

G.

send all questions, comments and feedback to: truecontraband@gmail.com

also, check out: http://www.ginoblackmusic.com/

Gino Black Music

Music Recommendations...Listen to this record.

Will.i.am - "Songs About Girls"
Brilliant.

Music Recommendations...for your listening pleasure.

The Dream - "Love/Hate"
Think: Jodeci meets Prince. This is one of the best contemporary R&B records of the year!

Dead Souls Pt.1

Do you live among the dead? No, not near a cemetery... Do you live in the suburbs? I do. I've noticed lately that in our great race to keep up with the Jones' and acquire the best monetary treasures, we are dying. Americans, of all shades and colors, are dying. The things we own, end up owning us. We damn near kill ourselves to get to work. If you happen to live in a major city, like me, you see it everyday. Think about it. We speed at 75-80 miles per hour, while weaving in and out of each others' lanes often colliding. You've seen it happen. Why? We can't afford to be late! We work longer hours than in this country's history. Most of us are barely getting by, but that doesn't stop us from showing our new vehicle off to our jealous neighbor. Their envy drips like sweat, right? Of course it does. You may be 2 pay checks away from bankruptcy, but you love to front like all of your shit is together. You love to start shit with others just to feel alive. You get off on it. Why? Get something goin' on in YOUR life. Get it poppin'...

I'll come back to this.

G.

little boxes on a hill side....lol

Something Provocative

Lately, I've been thinking about something provocative. I need to do, be apart of and promote something provocative. I want something to stimulate my mind. I'm sick and tired of all the fluff on television, radio and the like. It's all the same regurgitated nonsense. I want something to get my blood pumping and I'm hoping there's a few thinkers out there who feel the same. I've been looking, searching and seeking out an outlet and/or forum for some good old fashioned real talk. Real talk about life, love, film, music, politics, religion and whatever other provocative subjects that come up. I want to talk about all of the fun stuff and some of the things that are considered taboo in certain circles of pleasant day to day conversations. I couldn't find anything real that I could feel, so I created True Contraband. With this blog, I'll give you my random thoughts, many rants and ravings on a regular basis and I want you throw some back at me. We'll mix it up and chop it up. We'll talk about topics that intrigue us, piss us off and turn us on. We'll also discuss topics that make us laugh or even those that make us cry. I'm attempting to bridge the gap between different races, lifestyles, and economic status through healthy dialog in an open forum. I'll begin this digital odyssey with a few posts and then I want you to dive right in. Let's get it going. Tell me what you think. Tell me how you feel. Tell me you have an opinion.

G.