I'm a Beast

I don't know how many of you have heard about the whole Lebron and Vogue controversy. Basically, there have been many raised eyebrows and complete chastisement towards Vogue for their latest cover, featuring superstar athlete Lebron James holding supermodel Gisele Bundchen. The problem is that some feel as though the way the basketball star was depicted was racially charged. They feel as though he was made out to look like the monstrous King Kong rescuing this blonde-haired, fair-skinned woman.

I don't know, by looking at it, I can definitely see the whole beastly ape similarity. Plus, I know that the editors over at Vogue knew exactly what they were doing by picking that particular photo, out of many other photos, to be the cover. Yet, then again, Lebron is a beast, and I say that with complete respect.

Hmmm, it can go either way for me. What do you think?

Public Service Announcement

ATTENTION!

There has been an alarming, drastic increase in 'thirstiness' over these past few days. If you, or anyone that you know, start to get that thirsty feeling, you need to handle it immediately! There's no need for thirsty boys & girls in the world; it makes my life a lot harder.

Cop you a Sprite to obey your thirst kid.

You do the hokie pokie 'til you turn your life around

If you haven't heard it by now, here's some new Outkast for you. This shit is crazy. If you don't feel it, then I'm not feeling you! haha I'm just kidding.

No, but seriously.

Royal Flush- Outkast ft. Raekwon

Now do it for the Ladies

Here's some new music for my hot mamas when you're out in the club, doing your thing!

Christine K.- I got a Boyfriend



K-young- Do it



Danity Kane ft. Missy- Bad Girl



And I don't know about you, but I'm starting to believe that Diddy's brainwashing techniques combined with MTV's overpublicizing methods actually work, because I'm planning on copping this Danity Kane album...even thinking about getting that Day 26.
Wow.

New PAC-DIV!!!

You know I had to show my boys some love, especially since they represent the best coast, aka the WestCoast! This is the latest track & video from Pacific Division.I saw it a few days ago, and it stuck. So if you haven't heard/seen it by now, here you go! You're welcome!



Just a year ago you fell in love with the flow. Now you just like the Rap Game, in love with the dough

Get to Know: H.O.P.E.

In the world of Hip-Hop, the words hustlin' and grindin' are terms thrown around freely. Every up-and-coming rapper says they're 'doing their thing' or however they'd like to phrase it, all in the hopes of taking the throne and becoming the 'best rapper alive.' Yeah...a lot of them talk a big game. However, Compton native, H.O.P.E., can actually talk the talk, but with the skills to back it up. With a drive and determination that's simply unrivaled by his peers, and with an effortless 'leading man' capability, this guy is already on the track to becoming bigger than big. The 21-year-old, born Marquis Wright, sat down with The B.B. Rose Scenario and gave us an honest peek into the person behind the mic:



B.B. Rose: So the last time we talked, you were working on a few new tracks for your new album, and things were pretty 'stressful.' That was a couple weeks ago, so how's everything with that coming along now?

Right now everything is just how they should be, you know? All the stress comes from the fact that you're taking something that’s YOU and making it everyone else’s. It’s not the business that stresses me, it’s more so the creative side. But the project is coming along great; just imagine what I’mma say next.

Is it true that you're also working on a new mixtape?

‘Mixtape’ is a tainted name to me. 'Street Album'. That’s what the last one [“Fresh Hell”] was, so the same applies to this next one. I’m big on titles and names. I don’t even consider myself a ‘rapper’ a lot of the times. It’s embarrassing. Why would I put myself in the same category as a lot of these other dudes? It’s all low quality, so I titled this next project "Follow The Leader".

Right...so you obviously consider yourself a 'leader.' What qualifies you to be one? And what qualities are other up-and-comers lacking?

You tell me. Everyone raps, right? There’s over a million rappers in the city alone. And this is just L.A. Now multiply that. A lot of these other guys are just great mimics. Take that and put a backwards hat on them and there you go, "Rapper". But creatively, in my opinion, no one is doing it for me, with the exceptions of LITE and CIRE. Most of everyone else sucks if you ask me. Some of them get passes because I’m cool with them, but most of them are just bad rappers in general. But in their head they’re tight, they’re cutting edge. In my opinion, these other guys listen too much if you ask me.

True...so you've been apart of the indie Fresh 2 Def label basically since it began. Do you feel as though f2d has what it takes to get you to the level you want to eventually reach in the industry?

Yes, and we will. We have good chemistry over here. It’s a family.

The fact that f2d is a family is something you're quite vocal about, even made a song about it. But isn't it true that an artist recently left the label because of you getting 'better treatment' and being more favored than other artists on the label?

Okay, the REAL questions huh (Laugh). No, our roster is still the same unless you know something I don’t know. We’re all young, and some of us are more advanced than others, some have a more direct approach than others. But the support is still there. "Better treatment" sounds like jealousy, and we have none of that over here.

I feel you...so lets take a step back to your last street album 'Fresh Hell.'Your 'The Life' track has to be one of the most open and honest songs ever. In it, you talk about so much, and there's even talks of abortion....can you further explain what that's about and is that story personal to you?

Well that song just happened. At the time, I was given the beat, and when I heard it, all these feelings came to mind. I honestly went through at least seven different verses before I chose those three. They all needed to fit. First verse was about both a girl and how us rappers romanticize Hip-Hop and the "Game". That was the last verse I came up with actually. But the last one, of course, was the most heart felt one. Someone I knew just had an abortion and, I don’t know if you know what they do, but that shit is bonkers. So I wanted to tell that side of the story from my perspective. The anguish-- the hurt of such a hard decision. It makes you appreciate shit a little more.

I wrote that in the dark by the way (Laugh).

Yeah, well it definitely struck a chord. So, let's get personal. What was your childhood like?

Regular. I fell in love with everything as a kid, as a kid should.

Hold on, let me ask you a question. You heard ‘Fresh Hell’, it’s pretty advanced right? What do YOU think of it?

(Laugh) Ok...well yeah, I think it's pretty advanced. There’s some great beat selections...and lyrically, I feel like it's quite amazing.

Well thank you; I aim to please.

(Laugh) I'm sure you do. But back to what I was saying...so you had a 'regular' childhood. How was your relationship with your family?

Regular. Mom and Dad type stuff. Brothers, sisters, and cousins, and some more shit.

So you do have a good relationship with your pops?

We’re good.

Just good? Last time we spoke, you didn't know where he was...

He's alive. We're good.

We speak through people

I see...how long has your relationship been that way?

We’re still on good terms. I’m grown now. I’m on my own.

You're grown now...and in the past year or so, you've gotten into a bit of 'grown' trouble with the law. Can you tell me about that?

Well, I’m on probation now. I'll be all right. I went out my mind briefly but I’m back. When you jeopardize your freedom by your own doing, it makes you take a step back. I was right in the middle of recording ‘Fresh Hell’ too. And that place kills anything you have in you. But I'm straight now.

“That place” being jail, right?

CCU/Jail. We'll just call it "Jail"

Well, I guess you aren’t a great rapper until you have your run in with the law...

I guess so.

So 'Follow the Leader' is your new project...how do you think it will top 'Fresh Hell'?

‘Fresh Hell’ has nothing to do with this next project. ‘Follow the Leader’ is something new. New producers, new rhymes, and a new sound. I’ve been feeling stale since the last one came out. Plus, in my opinion, that void needs to be filled right now as far as us regionally. Some of these other guys misrepresent the city in so many ways it’s crazy.

Speaking of your sound...even though you represent Compton, when people hear you, they don't get that typical 'westcoast' style from you. Why do you think that is? And was that a deliberate decision on your part?

That’s funny, Kurupt is from Philly, and he's the most "westcoast" sounding MC out there to me. Snoop's whole family is from Mississippi and Pac was from everywhere. As a fan, the guys I listened to may come out from time to time too.
I’m big on ‘Blueprint’ and Pac.

Pac was the first rapper that caught my attention creatively.

So would you say that you’re heavily influenced by Pac?

Yes. Being a Compton kid, hell yeah.

I feel you...earlier when you said you're “big on Blueprint,” you were talking about the Hov album, right?

Yep. That’s the one that did it for me. Made me wanna rap. The people that knew me for rapping knew I was the best then. But hearing those 15 songs was the biggest inspiration boost ever.

I definitely feel you on that...but you were careful to say you're big on Blueprint instead of being big on Jay. Which is funny to me since some say you have a way with words like Jay. So how do you feel about him as an artist?

Jay is a great artist. He has the best musical catalogue in Hip-Hop, bar none. He has a dope mind.

Definitely...in a recent interview you did over at Urbansteez, you said that “hip-hop has conditioned its fans to have tunnel vision.” Further break that down for me.

Yeah it has. Like, I used to listen to both Big and Pac. I listen to Big and Nas. But now, Clipse fans don’t listen to Wayne, Jadakiss fans don’t listen to 50. It’s all different now. Everything is so segregated. Like, you even said I don’t sound like a traditional Cali rapper. I don’t know, most people feel it though. It’s hard to describe. And it’s been going on for so long now, that it’s normal. The fun is almost being taken out of the music kinda.

Yeah it is...but hopefully you're here to bring it back. What's your overall mission in this 'rap game'?

Good Music and Conquering All.

That was good...You have anything else you want to say?

I’m the best.



To hear some of H.O.P.E.'s music, to find out about upcoming shows, or to find out how to get a copy of his last mixtape, Fresh Hell, visit his MySpace page at: myspace.com/hopeizf2d.

So what does it taste like?

Today as I was cleaning up around the house, I rediscovered Kelis' "Tasty" album. My goodness, I had forgotten for a second just how much I loved it. In my opinion, it's her best album....completely trumps 'Kelis Was Here' by the way. I don't know, everything about it just worked...right down to the cover. I still can't believe it's been 5 years since it was released. I was definitely in middle school, not really knowing what the hell my 'milkshake' was, but was completely sure it brought all the boys to the yard.



So here are a few of my key favorite tracks which helped make this record such a classic. Sorry for the 30 second crap. Imeem is a bee-yotch:



And besides...pretty much anything Star Trak puts its label on is bound to be pure gold.

Throwback Moment

Talk about the ULTIMATE act of frontin'...

Got everything in my MAMA'S name

Tsk Tsk Tsk


And look at Lil' Wayne's cameo before he was the mind-controlling, all-powerful 'Weezy F. Baby' that we know today. Seriously...what kind of exclusive crack did he create and put in his music that's got everybody hooked?

A Fashionable Love

So my good friend Nerd (the devilishly handsome guy kinda seen above between Killa & I) e-mailed me this picture of Alexis & Kanye because he "thought I'd like it." Well, he was right! Thanks Nerd!



My goodness, they are the epitome of fashion, perfected.





By the way, I believe this black leather jacket Alexis is wearing is actually mine.


What a perfect mesh of great style & great music. Kinda reminds me of what my future will be like haha...but with me heading my own empire, of course.

Betsey Johnson: Fall 2008 collection

If you didn't know, Betsey Johnson is one of my favorite lines (yeah, that's what I'm on). So here is a quick overview of this season's new collection, highlighting a few of my favorite pieces.

Those who really know me should know that I'm really on this very 70's, Jackie Burkhart-inspired look.

These whimsical, short cut dresses are perfecto!




And I am definitely ON these one pieces!



This one piece short set, minus the little red riding hood bear fur cape.


And this is just heavenly....the fit, the flare...just everything! Can you please get this for me? Pretty please?


And this gun sweater is to die for (no pun intended)

Starting Something New

So, as many of you already know or have sort of picked up on, I'm a very music oriented person. In some way, everything revolves around a certain song to me. So, I decided to start this "Song of the Day" feature here on the blog. Each song I post will definitely reflect a certain mood and/or tone that I'm going through on that particular day OR, just an overall theme I'm feeling. And with that said, here we go.

Song of the Day:

She's like a caged bird...

Isn't it funny how sometimes you don't even know how to explain what you're feeling? Be it that the emotions are far too great & scattered, or that you just don't have the strength in you to find the right words.

But then, there's always that one song, written by someone you don't even know or probably will never know, that perfectly sums up everything you feel. And it does it with such ease, and probably better than you ever could have...right down to the very last note.



"Just let her fly...for the whole world to see."

Throwback Moment

When I woke up this morning, this was the first song that popped in my head.
Why you ask?
I have no idea.
Just sit back and enjoy.

The visual effects in this video are amazing by the way haha

The Maybach is bananas...Peel back

This is a track off of Rick Ross' latest album 'Trilla.'

'Maybach Music'- Rick Ross ft. Jay-Z




I bullet proof the Maybach
Got a killer's intuition
Holding on that mac-11,
Makaveli's premonition
Waiting on my Suge Knight
One nation under God
Since I chose a thug's life
Guess I gotta play my part...

There's some things your money can't buy, like heaven in the sky..even a better ride.

What I'm Groovin' to...

I heard this song a couple days ago, and it stuck. Yes, it's cheesy, but sometimes cheesy works for me.

'Check Your Coat'- O'Neal McKnight ft. Greg Nice




And of course, when Snoop and Pharrell get together, it's bound to be a hit. This is off of Snoop's latest album 'Ego Trippin.' Blame it on my LBC roots ya'll!

'Sets Up'- Snoop D O Double G

What the heck is going on?

I swear I thought I was listening to my iPod just now because just a few minutes after they played Kid Sis, 'Black Mags' comes on.

Looks like Power 106 is jumping on board now.




Big ups to the Cool Kids!

"Got her toes done up...

And her finger nails matching."


So, for some reason, I was just listening to Power 106, and they were playing new music. When lo and behold, they play 'Pro Nails.'
I find that so funny since I was listening to that track since last Summer. But it's still my shit! Lol!





Big ups to Kid Sister! Do your thang ma!

Great Idea #1

Fellas...

Today, why don't you try something new? Like, no longer frontin'.
I know, I know....that may seem like an outrageous request for some of you, but I promise you can do it.

Just start in small steps rather than jumping right in.
For instance, stop frontin' for about 5 minutes.
Then, gradually increase the time span until...hooray!, you're front-free.

Trust me, you'll feel a lot better and less stressed when you give up that bogus, frontin' lifestyle. The world would be a much better place.

She's just a fry short of a Happy Meal, if you know what I'm saying...

Fact: This woman's name is Billie Jean Jackson.

Fact: She was arrested for trespassing at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.

Fact: She claims that the King of Pop is her husband.




Fact: This bitch is crazy.

Mark my words...

"I promise Mama, I'mma do it, 'cause I know I put you through it.
And I just want you to sit around with your friends at a dinner table and say my baby's famous and I knew it."



And ain't nothing to it.


Big things to come for your girl.
Stay tuned kids.


Oh yeah...
Been hearing rumors of an exclusive one-on-one interview with Los Angeles based rapper H.O.P.E.?
Maybe they're not rumors after all.
Stay tuned!

I've been gone for a minute...

Now I'm back with the jump off.

Yes, yes ya'll, I know it's been a minute since I've posted on here.
But hey, it's midterms season. Shouldn't you be studying?
Anyway, I do sincerely apologize to you all...and to make it up to you, I thought I'd give you a few treats to look at...so you can see what I've been up to these past few days.
Enjoy!













You're welcome.

Don't trip, I know what's up...

Just a little FYI in regards to my last post!

The only reason why Lauryn Hill wasn't in the contest is because she is, in my opinion, the best female MC of all time. So there's absolutely no way of comparing her rhymes to any other female because she's just on an entirely different level. This was one of the points brought up during the debate I had with my friends. Clearly, if Lauryn was apart of the contest, it'd be an easy decision. But, since Kim & Fox are more "gritty" and "raw" than the more lyrical, more witty, and more gifted Lauryn, we decided to compare the best verses of the two. So, don't trip everyone, believe that I know what's up. I know that Ms. Hill shits on Foxy and Kim even on her worst day.

The homegirl Tiffany brought it back to "The Score" with one of Lauryn's sickest verses:

Zealots (The Fugees: Lauryn's verse)

Behold, as my odes, manifold on your rhymes
Two mc's can't occupy the same space at the same time.
It's against the laws of physics.
So weep as your sweet dreams break up like eurythmics
Rap rejects my tape deck, ejects projectile
Whether jew or gentile
I rank top percentile,
Many styles,
More powerful than gamma rays
My grammar pays,
Like carlos sanatana plays
Black magic woman
So while you fuming, i'm consuming
Mango juice under polaris,
You're just embarrassed
Cause it's your "last tango in paris"
And even after all my logic and my theory,
I add a muthafucker so you ignorant niggas hear me.
And you remember take notes,
As i sow my rap otas
And for you biting zealots, here's a quote.

And the homie Andre is feelin' "Freedom Time."
It happens to be way too entirely long to post, so I'll just put up an excerpt:

Freedom Time (Lauryn Hill)

There's no escapin' when
Your whole philosophy is paper thin
In vanity
The wide road is insanity
Could it be all of humanity?
Picture that
Scripture that
The origin of man's heart is black
How can we show up for
An invisible war
Preoccupied with a shadow, makin' love with a whore
Achin' in sores
Babylon, the great mystery
Mother of human history
System of social sorcery
Our present condition
Needs serious recognition
Where there's no repentance there can be no remission

"Nah I ain't gay, this ain't no lesbo flow..."

So the other day, the topic of which female MC has the best verse of all time came up. And today, the argument came up again. So after careful deliberation, we settled on 2 verses...Foxy on 'Ain't No Nigga' and Lil' Kim on 'Get Money.' Man, these ladies did come off hard on these songs, so it was hard for me to choose. I'm still going back & forth as I'm listening to both these ladies spit. But as of now, I'd say that Kim has a slight edge. Damn, you guys decide for yourselves:


Ain't No Nigga (Jay-Z ft. Foxy Brown):

What up boo just keep me laced in the illa snakes
bank rolls and shit, back rubs in the french tubs
Mackin this bitch, wifey nigga
so when you flip that coke
remember them days you was dead broke
but now your style and I raised you
basically made you into a don
flippin weight..heroin and shit
you know my pussy is all that
thats why I get bagets 5 carats and all that
From Dolce Gabana to H Vendell I'm ringin bells
so who the playa, I still keep you in the illest gators
Tailor made so we can lay up in the shade reminiscin
on how I fuck the best and shit
specially when Im sippin Baileys
dont give a fuck about how you move with them other mamis
I push da Z, eating shrimp scampi with rocks larger than life
Fuck them Reebok broads, you made it known who your wife was
I got you frontin in Armani sweaters
before this rap shit
when you was in levers and bullshit berattas
and E classes with mo in the glasses
shows in Cali wit all the flavor suede Bally's
now all your mens' up in your benz's
high post, I swear you be killin me
playin inside my pubic hairs
I never worry bout them other chicks
cuz you proved who was your wiz
when you was spinnin that bitch
I took a little when you was up north
your comisary stay pilin
how you livin large on the island
all them collects have me vex
but when you come home
knew I was comin off wit half of dem checks
now we on the rise
your diamond mami wit the slanted eyes
holdin this grip cocked the green and shit
Fucks no, I see half the dough
Made you into a star, pushin hundred thousand dollar cars


Get Money (Junior MAFIA ft. Lil' Kim):

Niggaz.. betta grab a seat
Grab on your dick as this bitch gets deep
Deeper than the pussy of a bitch six feet

Stiff dicks feel sweet in this little petite
Young bitch from the street, guaranteed to stay down
Used to bring work outta town on Greyhound
Now I'm Billboard bound, niggaz press to hit it
Play me like a chicken, thinkin I'm pressed to get it
Rather do the killin than the stick up jooks
Rather count a million while you eat my pussy
Push me to the limit get my feelings in it
Get me open while I'm cummin down your throat
Then, you wanna be my main squeeze nigga
Don'tcha?, you wanna lick between my knees nigga
Don'tcha wanna see me whippin your 3 down the Ave.
Blow up spots on bitches because I'm mad
Break up affairs lick shots in the air
You get vexed, and start swingin everywhere
Me shifty?Now you wanna pistol whip me
Pull out your nine, while I cock on mine
Now what nigga?I ain't got time for this
So what nigga?I'm not trynna hear that shit
Now you wanna buy me diamonds and Armani suits
Adia Vinadini and Chanel lime boots
Things that make up, for all the games and the lies
Hallmark cards, sayin, 'I apologize'
Is you wit me?How could you ever decieve me
But payback's a bitch motherfucker, believe me
Naw I ain't gay this aint no lesbo flow
Just a lil somethin, to let you motherfuckers know