We're all in the same gang - Vol. 2

Here is the beginning of my post. Earlier this month the Honest Man hit you with the first wave of essential jams for the progression of the black man. I'm back with the second batch and the theme is focused on Knowledge of self.


Wake up (Reprise)

A definite must for any black man that needs some knowledge and wisdom on the wicked ways of the world. I first heard this as an early teen and was just captivated by Brand Nubian's lyricism. Definitely has you thinking about what you doing with your life and how the evil forces can try to get you to do the wrong things in life...MURDERAH!!

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Fire and Earth

To the east my brotha, to the east...Another good knowledge of self song from the same era as "Wake up". X Clan may have overdid it with the physical appearance but there's no denying the message in their music. Pay careful attention young bruhs to what they are saying because my nation is protected by some pro-black (negroes). LOL, yea the Honest Man isn't going there on this post



Git up Git Out

This was a true combination of the Honest Man's makeup: From the south and conscious thinking. Outkast's been spittin messages since '93 and they were the first group from the South to include these types of messages in their raps. Like the Honest Man, while they are about having a good time, they also understand you got to do something do, cain't just be getting high all the time. Cuz you and I got to do for you and I....

Outkast ft Goodie Mob - Git Up, Git Out
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My Philosophy

The Honest Man was an academic nerd. But growing up, you had folks doubting how smart the Honest Man was because of skin color. And lawd don't ever let the Honest Man have an opinion. It was like I was blasphemous for challenging the 'system.' This song clearly represents my thought against old time thinking.

Boogie Down Productions - My Philosophy
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True to the Game

A message to the Oreo Cookie, find a mirror, take a look G, do you like what you see. Do you get this black man? No matter how high you climb, how many mountains you move, you need to stay grounded, remember where you came from, and who you are at all times. Because they will quickly knock you down as fast you stand up. Get it?

ice cube - true to the game
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Fat Chance

The Honest Man was grocery shopping the other day and couldn't but notice this obese lady walking up and down the aisle. You're probably ok Honest Man what's so unusual about that, I see fat people all the time. Well what struck me was that this lady had opened up a bag of chips that she was planning to purchase...in the store!!


My mind is going is it that crucial that you could not wait to eat that bag until you got home. Or at least in your car. I mean she literally was picking food off the shelf while stuffing her face with chips. You already know the Honest Man's take on snacking. I'm just going could you at least act like you care about what goes in your mouth. At why not some fruit or vegetables?? Why does it have to be the stuff that will put your closer in the grave :-)

Today's Lesson

I'm hoping for her sake, she at least didn't eat the plastic too :-). But America this is bad. Like real bad, real bad Michael Jackson. And it has the Honest Man, real mad real mad Joe Jackson. Yep and for those who are reading and going wow, he's wrong. No she's wrong for what she's doing. I love chicken but you don't see me walking in the grocery store eating a leg now do you ;-)

In need of some MORE hugs

Man I thought giving out hugs back in September was good enough for the year but no less than 2 months later, another week of back to back foolishness. Different folks, same strokes, HUGS for everyone!!

Monday - Katt Williams falling off the pimp wagon. He starts off the week getting arrested for burglarizing the home he was a guest in. As in he stole from the house of a friend he was staying. I wish it were not so but considering that ugly incident earlier this year in South Cack, anything's possible right

Tuesday - Lil Boosie trying to look tough but ended up looking stupid. Get this he was going to jail for possession of marijuana and illegally carrying a firearm. Originally was a 10 yr bid, judge took pity reduced it to 2 yrs, along with house arrest. Dude violates his house arrest repeatedly, new judge oh you think this is a game? Doubles the sentence like Jesus doubled bread and fish. He's going to prison for 4 years for this??? Oh yea it's his first conviction. BRILLIANT

Wednesday - Iron Mike re-enacts his scene from the Hangover at LAX. To be fair it's still being debated if he did it to defend his daughter or if he simply just initiated with the paparazzi. Regardless, it's Iron Mike, so you know anything he does physical, gets extra attention. That face tattoo doesn't endear him to the folks that decide his fate either ya dig!

Thursday - GUCCI! Ah yea Mister make the trap say AYE man just got busted for violating his parole. For not doing community service?!?! Tell me you got caught with some grams. Tell me that you were fighting outside 112 because you were fucking with Hollywood Cole in the parking lot. But don't tell me you going back to prison cuz you too good for showing up to tell the kids, don't (screw) up like me.

Honorable Mention - Someone needs to give that serial killer in Cleveland a hug but it won't be the Honest Man. I don't want to be #12 under his house. And I need the hip hop community to pray for 50 cent. He's decided he doesn't want to fight in his weight class anymore and step up to the heavyweight decision to battle Jigga. And he's got Beanie as his manager.

Today's Lesson

We got to get it together people. I mean our hugs have to be strong enough to squeeze the stupidity out of them. Otherwise we will be back here, same Honest man time, same Honest man channel!

We're all in the same gang - Vol. 1

A couple of weeks ago, the Honest Man got a request from his good conscience, aka the Reverend Doctor Page, to do a list of 25 jams essential the progression of the black man. He and I chat often about the plight of my fellow bruhs...the good, the bad, and most definitely the ugly. So I started thinking about what songs would be appropriate. But don't get it twisted, this isn't a ranking. These are just songs I feel the bruhs should listen to from time to time. I'll be posting jams over the next month or so in between normal blogs. So today we begin with the first batch....

Papa don't take no mess

It takes a man to raise a man. No ifs, ands, or buts. And as such, a father has to make sure that his son understands that even with all the love Daddy can give, at the end of the day, Daddy definitely don't take no mess! Let the Godfather himself take us to the bridge....




Sadie

Definitely have to give respect to the moms too black men. This song captures what it was all about as a youth. Early one Sunday morning, breakfast was on the table.....Amen Mama!



Brothers gonna work it out

I think all generations after the baby boomers have lost their way on sticking together. So much jealousy, so much unnecessary hate and envy. I wonder what we as bruhs would have done back in the days when the fountain said "Whites Only" and "Colored". Definitely gotta work it out

public enemy - brothers gonna work it out
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Be a Father to your child

Again, like the Honest Man said with Papa don't take no mess, it takes a man to raise a man. And regardless, this message was relevant in 1990 and it's relevant in 2009. Ladies can I hear it...THANK YOU!

Be A Father To Your Child
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Optimistic

We got a lot of young angry, frustrated, sometimes misguided, and anxious black men out there. This song was inspirational in helping people like me stay the course and avoid getting caught up in the above statements.