"..had to tell my son 'cut that bullshit off' them ain't videos that's physcological warfare" - Phnote of Little Brother

  Lupe Fiasco - Bitch Bad

When Nas released I think I can, there were a few over-educated Hip-Hop journalists that viewed it as oversimplified and not lyrical enough. They felt as if, the last verse in particular, were addressing things that were common knowledge, and doing so in a non-complex manner. I felt as though they all completely missed the boat, and feel that many will do the same with this Lupe song.

Lupe employs a simple delivery and calculatedly non-verbose piece of work here in an effort to not have his point missed. I say to my students all of the time when they are writing, "Who is your target audience? And why isn't your tone, voice, and language a reflection of that"?

It is clear that is not a problem for Lupe. From Dumb it Down and American Terrorist, to S.L.R and that shitty song featuring Trey Songz Out of my Head , it is clear that Lupe is intentional when weather he is writing up, or down, so to speak.

I do however hope that he only employs this style and tone occasionaly as he could run the risk of beging to sound like KRS-One eventually did, sanctimomius and preachy.

I am sure however that will not be the case.

The bottom line here is that Wasalu has put together a great story that illustrates a number of issues here. First, the lack of understanding on how to raise a child. I am a die hard hip hop head, and I have a full understanding on what within the genre I can and can't let my daughter listen to, bottom line. Like Saigon once said:

"I listen to rap to but wouldn't let my kid listen to that 

Cuz if my kid listen to that, then it's a wrap

Nikkaz replaced wisdom with materialism

I get on the beat and preach about imperialism..."

Next the fact that these images and sounds are not only impacting young girls, but boys too!
Lastly, the obvious lack of overall thoughtfulness of some of the rappers who are putting out music these days.

Since his first album Lu has been transparent about his feelings about the word bitch and and it's useage in the genre.

"Now I ain't tryna be the greatest
I used to hate hip-hop... yup, because the women degraded
But Too $hort made me laugh, like a hypocrite I played it
A hypocrite I stated, though I only recited half
Omittin the word "bitch," cursin I wouldn't say it
Me and Dog couldn't relate, til a bitch I dated
Forgive my favorite word for hers and hers alike
But I learnt it from a song I heard and sorta liked" - Lupe Hurt Me Soul from Food & Liquor

I happen to love the way Lu goes the extra route and shows what happens when that little confused boy and misguided girl both grow to be teens/young adults and have to learn how to interact with each other.

"Simple ain't it, but complicated."

"...I got a story to tell" - the Notorious B.I.G.

Ain't nothing like an interesting, gripping storyteller in hip-hop. Now when I say story, I don't mean simply someone describing some shit that happened-- I mean someone who has a mastery of plot, climax, characters, suspense and/or humor (the type of shit my fifth graders struggle with). Anyone can merely describe an event but it takes a true wordsmith to construct a compelling narrative.

I remember at this Ghostface show homey came out and sat down in an old wooden chair, talked out the lyrics to a song with no music behind it and had cats going beserk! A good story is a good story.

Although it is just a verse, and not a full song, Ghost's verse on Impossible is one of, if not the most compelling narratives on wax.

Call an ambulance, Jamie been shot, word to Kimmy
Don't go Son, nigga you my motherfuckin heart
Stay still Son, don't move, just think about Keeba
She'll be three in January, your young God needs you
The ambulance is taking too long
Everybody get the fuck back, excuse me bitch, gimme your jack
One, seven one eight, nine one one, low battery, damn
Blood comin out his mouth, he bleedin badly
Nahhh Jamie, don't start that shit
Keep your head up, if you escape hell we gettin fucked up
When we was eight, we went to Bat Day to see the Yanks
In Sixty-Nine, his father and mines, they robbed banks
He pointed to the charm on his neck
With his last bit of energy left, told me rock it with respect
I opened it, seen the God holdin his kids
Photogenic, tears just burst out my wig
Plus he dropped one, oh shit, here come his Old Earth
With no shoes on, screamin holdin her breasts with a gown on
She fell and then lightly touched his jaw, kissed him
Rubbed his hair, turned around the ambulance was there
Plus the blue coats, Officer Lough, took it as a joke
Weeks ago he strip-searched the God and gave him back his coke
Bitches yellin, Beenie Man swung on Helen
In the back of a cop car, dirty Tasha tellin
But suddenly a chill came through it was weird
Felt like my man, was cast out my heaven now we share
Laid on the stretcher, blood on his Wally's like ketchup
Deep like the full assassination with a sketch of it
It can't be, from Yoo-hoo's to Lee's
Second grade humped the teachers, about to leave
Finally this closed chapter, comes to an end
He was announced, pronounced dead, y'all, at twelve ten

Here are a few other songs with with strong and interesting narratives.

I got a story to tell - The Notorious B.I.G.
Blaze a 50 - Nas
3 Sides to a Story - Joe Budden
Nikkas Bleed - The Notorious B.I.G.
Childrens Story - Slick Rick
Da Art of Story Tellin pt. 2- Outkast ft. Slick Rick
Real Nikkas Do Real Things - The Notorious B.IG.
Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
Fetus (Belly-Button Window Unreleased) - Nas
Beauty Jackson - Ghostface Killah