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T h u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 1 8 , 2 0 1 0

The other day a good friend of mine said "You still buy cds?" when I showed him my newest pick-ups. I wanted to reply with an emphatic YES, but that isn't the case much anymore. However, this past Tuesday saw the release of the Keith (hopefully highly) anticipated Freeway & Jake One album "The Stimulus Package" and a local PDX friends (Tope) newest concoction "Soul Music." I hadn't purchased a cd in almost 6 months I'd say, but without hesitation I hurried my money across the counter to get both of these in my possession.

It has come down to this, on the rare occasion I do buy cds, it's to support a local artist or something that has been cared for and thought has truly been injected into the process to create it. I am extremely happy with both cds and think you should consider picking them up too. The packaging is too nice on the Freeway & Jake One cd to not have two copies. I got a little giddy and opened mine up before taking a picture of it in plastic. It comes with a "blackcard" that gets you a free download of the Jake One instrumentals. Tope's cd is great and is truly some nice underground work. You'll find he produces a number of his own tracks as well! Links to where you can cop the cds are below.

http://www.fifthelementonline.com/

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/Tope

"Uhh, No DWade -- No Freestyle Contest Tonight At All...."

M o n d a y , J u l y 2 7 , 2 0 0 9

worst rap - Find contests at ibeatyou

- THE B.O.P.

Streetwear 101: Rap Lyrics

Often times when one thinks of the significance of rap lyrics, they think of it only as the driving force behind the barren wasteland known as hip-hop, but it is also the lifeblood of another depressing, culturally devoid sector: streetwear.


When one is preparing to become a full fledged streetwearian it is imperative that they own at least one t-shirt prominently featuring rap lyrics (or simple flips of them). This will allow you to fit into your new peer group for two reasons: your shirt's boldness will help mask your vast personal deficiencies and it will show that you too love Wu-tang.



Simply put, it is a no brainer to drape yourself in rap lyrics, but the true struggle comes from the decision on how to wear your rap lyrics. Tees containing references to Jay-Z, Kanye and the like should always match your shoes. If your shirt contains artists from Stones Throw it is preferential to not match your outfit.

Yes, I know. This goes against all rules of streetwear, but remember: it isn't a lack of caring about your outfit, it's about others perception of your lack of caring.

If they don't like your outfit because it doesn't match, all the better. This will simply reinforce your view that you are better then them. Streetwear is about using all your might in asserting dominance over an opponent. Think of it like Magic: The Gathering, but with clothes.

--Ira

It's a wRAP!!!

It has come to my attention that a Portland staple is coming to an unfortunate end. Over the last what 12+ years we (Portland) have grown to despise a piece of culture that exists in all cities across the country -- The urban music radio station. I was a huge proponent of this station in its glory days when none other than Rasheed Wallace would deejay his own show.

I can't quite pinpoint what went wrong with the station but I have a gut feeling it wasn't all their own doing. At this time though I would like to invite any JAMMIN worker to come on our blog and get a chance to air out anything and everything they have to say about the station's demise. Just email us, it's right on the side of the page and of course we respect anonymity.

So as I was saying I don't think it's all their fault, I believe a lot of it has to do with the see through nature of Rap Music. What I mean is, Rap is very translucent to the Music Elitist down to your average schmo. Everybody sees through the lies and BS that is engulfing the urban radio airwaves. I for one have watched this classic downfall of a giant take place over the last several several years (the music elitist in me). Rap is fickle, caused by its lack of creativity, truthfulness and desire of those "artists" to only make money. Only when people stop looking at Rap as a monetary venture will it regain its credibility. I could go on forever but I don't want to make the rest of the BOP salty.

In summation I believe that the erosion of Rap Music and its culture have caused this backlash against our poor little 95.5 but one day soon we will gain another station that will forcibly beat no talent ass-clowns against our ear drums too. I do have another theory though, I understand PK and the Playhouse have done well for themselves, will they move on? I'm sure somebody will pick them up. But, maybe they spent too much of the station's money buying things like this......


I'll especially miss this truck...




-Keith