2008
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Everything is Story
If someone were to give me a test of my life, I think I would fail it. I can’t remember a lot of things that I probably should be able to. I’m often surprised when family members recall an event. I have to get them to explain in further. Sometimes this helps and I remember…
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A Brief History of Hip-Hop – Rap Gets Political
Read The Introduction, Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 In the late 1980s, we saw a shift in the lyrical content of rap songs. This new style is referred to as political rap. The emcees started to talk about real life issues. Chuck D, of the legendary group Public Enemy once referred to rap music as “the Black people’s CNN.” His…
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A Brief History of Hip-Hop – Part 7 Break Dancing
Read The Introduction, Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 In 1962 James Brown recorded his historic Live at the Appolo. His sound and performance really introduced a new form of dancing. In 1969 he recorded two songs that have had quite a lasting influence on hip hop culture; Sex Machine and Funky Drummer. His records emphasized the break down, the part…
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Don’t trust this blogger!
I’ve just been spammed in my comments. Someone sent me two links and when I clicked on either of them I got a pop-up window saying that my computer is infected. I think that this blogger is just selling software but I do not know. I’ve deleted the comment and thought I should give you…
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Come to Grips
People look, search, inventconceal, hide, denyflaunt, show, tryany excuse, chance, or opportunitythey get, or come toI say this like I’m detached, separate, alone, but I’m one, twojust a number in a cacophonous crowdOne moment trying to hide, blend in, disappearThe next shouting loud,“I’m here!”“See me!”“Take notice!”cause I noticed you My search is understated becauseI believe…
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Album Spotlight # 6
Word…Life by O.C. The year is 1994. I faithfully tune into the Mastermind Street Jam on Energy 108 every Saturday afternoon from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. It’s about the only time that real hip-hop music makes it to the commercial airwaves in Hamilton. The show is a blessing and I take full advantage of it.…
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A+ Forget it! A’s are a Thing of the Past!
Earlier this year, I wrote an entry about the differences between coaching and teaching. I wished that teaching could be more like coaching in some aspects. I now see that there are too many differences between the two jobs. First off is the commitment. If students want to join a team or learn a sport,…
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Helping Cut Waste at Hotels
When I stayed at a hotel last week for the teaching conference, I really enjoyed my room. One of the first things I noticed was the card placed on the bed. It read that they change the bedding every second day in order to conserve energy. You could hang the card on the door if…
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Blame The Art
There was violence beforeThere was jewelry before ithip-hop did nothing but reportthe reality we saw everywhere so, Blame the Art You’re outside the cultureso point your fingerit’s the easiest thing to doBlame the Art It makes you feel goodit gives you a targetbut you will never obliterate it.You know it too,that’s why youBlame the Art…
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Need Something to Blame, Why Not Hip-hop?
A speaker at last week’s teaching conference blamed the erosion of values on “Chuck E. Cheese” and “hip-hop culture.” Those were his exact words. Now I know that he was trying to make a point and while I agree with him that values do seem to be falling by the wayside, I can’t concede these…