Another year older and what did I get? Not much of anything, except a new batch of regrets.

Every year, I seem to learn something new. But for some reason, this year was a little different than the past few. This year, I woke up and felt like I was 30. That’s not to say I felt like all of life’s lessons had been learned or some great mystery had finally been solved. Basically, I woke up and felt like all the childish things that had defined the last decade of my life were no longer acceptable. As I got dressed, I reflected on some of the shit, for lack of a better word, that has been going on in my life recently. And, despite my recent dreary disposition towards life, I felt pretty good. I wonder why that is…

I’ve seen a lot of people come and go in my life over the past few years. Most of them, were meaningless. Well, not meaningless, everybody has a purpose and a meaning in your life. Maybe what I’m trying to say is that most of them didn’t come across as individuals with a great deal of staying power. But there are a few, a precious few, who came along and had a profound effect on my little corner of the world in some very unique ways. And I thought, hoped and prayed that they would be around forever because I had really found myself depending on them for different things. But now, they’re gone and it feels a little lonely. And that loneliness is magnified by the fact that my world feels like a bit of a fish bowl nowadays.

But, I gotta move on. Hopefully, some of the people that have departed my world will find their way back in it. Not because I want them back, well partially because I want them back. But, there are a couple that I really need. I’m not too sure how I’ll carry on without them. Hell, I’m not too sure how I’ve managed to keep my shit together this long without them. It’s hard to lose your source of happiness and then try to be happy. Nothing seems right right now. Even the sunniest day feels cloudy. But, I guess that’s just life though.

Last time, I posed the question “Who’s the best rapper to ever bless a mic?” I didn’t really get a whole lot of answers, but I feel like I sparked some interesting conversations. But now, I want to know who’s in your top ten when it comes to rap/hip-hop groups. Once again, MTV gave me a base to jump off. And it goes a little something like this:

10. UGK

9. The Fugees

8. Salt ‘N Pepa

7. EPMD

6. A Tribe Called Quest

5. Wu-Tang Clan

4. OutKast

3. Public Enemy

2. N.W.A.

1. Run-DMC

http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2007/groups/

Just like MTV’s list of Greatest Rappers of All Time, I was feeling this one a bunch! And once again, I feel like they fucked up when it came to the Top 5. But, for the most part, they got the list right this time! I still got some honorable mentions, but not as many this time. So here we go:

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Dead Prez, UGK, EPMD, St. Lunatics, Goodie Mob, De La Soul, Three 6 Mafia, The Roots, The Sugarhill Gang, The Geto Boys and 2 Live Crew

I told you my list of honorable mentions was shorter this time! These groups get an honorable mention for pretty much the same reasons as on my list of greatest rappers. So let’s get to my top ten:

10. The Beastie Boys – These cats was wild as hell! They made great party music. But they kinda lost that fun spirit as they got older.

9. The Fugees – It was kinda hard for me to see this group near the bottom of MTV’s list and it was even harder for to place them this low on my own. But I have a reason. They broke extremely too fast! They dropped one mainstream album (there is another Fugees album that predates The Score, just don’t ask what the name of it is). But I’m a huge fan of their music and I love the way they blended different styles to make their own music. And this group also produced 2 huge stars in the music industry: Lauryn Hill (who also flamed out after one amazing album) and Wyclef Jean.

8. A Tribe Called Quest – Not too big of a fan of this group, but I respect the fact that definitely made good music. They also helped introduce the world to one of my favorite rappers, Busta Rhymes.

7. The Roots – The Roots make my list for the same reasons as The Fugees.

6. Salt ‘N Pepa – These ladies held it down! They were sexy as hell and knew how to handle themselves on the mic as well.

5. Wu Tang-Clan – How in the hell can 9 people be in one group, make sure everybody is featured and still make hot music? Ask the boys from Shaolin how they pulled it off. And just like The Fugees and The Roots, they introduced us to some major stars. (R.I.P. Ol’ Dirty Bastard)

4. Public Enemy – I’m not a really into political music, but Chuck D and the crew really held it down. They brought pressing issues to light in a way that was entertaining as well as informative. They would’ve been higher, but I had to punish them for unleashing Flavor Flav on the world.

3. N.W.A. – There are no words that can really describe the impact N.W.A. had on music. They came out at a time when the world needed to hear what they had to say. (R.I.P. Eazy E)

2. OutKast – I removed UGK & EPMD from my list for not being actual groups, just duos. That’s also the reason why another one of my favorites, 8Ball & MJG, didn’t make the cut. And the same fate almost befell Big Boi & Andre 3000. But I thought about the fact that they came out and really helped put not only Atlanta, but Southern rap music on the map. Big ups to them boys. I hope they drop another album soon.

1. Run-DMC – “I’m the King of Rock, there is none higher. Sucker MC’s should call me sire!” That line pretty much says it all. I own a leather blazer still because of them. You can even catch me rockin’ my Adidas with no shoe strings.

Hopefully, while you been reading this, you came up with your own list. Share it! I’d loved to know what you think. Tell me where you disagree with me and why. Peace and love.

I actually wrote this about 2 years ago and, upon reading it this morning, realized that we’re dealing with the same problem to this very day! So once again, let me apologize to my pastor just in case she reads this…

I’m not too sure how many of you have heard, but, there is a new plague sweeping America. Its called Bitchassness. Now some of you might be laughing, but this is a serious problem. Bitchassness and the resulting “Bitch Niggas” that it creates are destroying our very way of life! We have got to do something to counteract this before it is too late. If you know or see a “Bitch Nigga,” please help him/her. Give them a strong hug and let them know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you are a “Bitch Nigga,” please seek out the guidance of someone who is real. Let them set you on the path to ridding your life of Bitchassness. If we all do our part, we can make this world a better place. Thank you…

http://sprint.mw.cnn.com/viewarticle?id=117604

Life is funny sometimes. I’m not talking side-splitting laughter funny, but it definitely has it’s comedic moments. Let me see if I can explain this a little better.

When I was a kid, I had this vivid idea of what my life would be like when I got older. And it was pretty simple, I wanted to rule the world (cue the sinister music and the evil laugh). As I got older, I realized that my earlier dreams weren’t exactly obtainable (that didn’t stop me from wanting the same thing, though). So I set my sights on more realistic goals. I’m kinda getting off of my original point, but just stay with me. Now here I am, a full grown adult (I got facial hair and everything to prove it), I find myself re-dreaming those childhood dreams. Just not on as large of a scale though. And that kinda humors me. How many of us can say we are doing exactly what we wanted to do when we were kids? How many of us are really happy with the lives we lead? And if we could sit down and talk to the 5th grade versions of ourselves, would they be happy with what we’re doing? To borrow a phrase from the movie Mr. Deeds, “I think if we ran into the 5th grade versions of ourselves, they would beat the crap out of us and put gum in our hair.” And that is SO true! We pose and posture like we’re happy with the crap we have to deal with on a regular basis, but deep down inside, I think the majority of us are a cat’s whisker away from going postal! So here’s what I want everybody who reads this to do (yeah I’m talking about all 5 of you). Make it a point to do the things that YOU want to do. I don’t care what it is. If it makes you truly happy, be like Nike and just do it! Maybe if we all do that, life and the world would be a little better. Now wouldn’t that be funny?