Monthly Archive for April, 2008

Rewind: The Anthem from The Wake Up Show [Music Video]

Published on April 30, 2008 in Entertainment. Comments Tags: , .

Tech N9ne. There’s a rapper that seems to be the odd one out. However, he can hold his own with the major leagues. He’s one of the few rappers that managed to get known without help of the industry. in 2002, when he released “Absolute Power”, he encouraged people to share his music via the Internet. With recorded messages before the song plays and offering a bonus CD, he managed to keep a huge fanbase.

His hard work and independent status makes him one of the few rappers who can hold his own and shows that he can play well in both the mainstream as well as the underground.

So, with all this praise, why am I showcasing “The Anthem”? It’s because it’s the first time I was exposed to this “strange rapper”. Today was the first time I ever saw the video. Tech N9ne mashes it up with the likes of RZA, Eninem, Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, Kool G Rap, Jayo Falony (who was more of a hype man than an MC in this video), Chino XL and KRS-One. The video is a visual treat as each emcee gets their own special effect. The coolest effect in my opinion has got to be Kool G Rap’s when he crumbles himself at the end of each second bar.  Check out what DJ Red Alert says at the end of the video.

If we only have more emcees like Tech N9ne, the world would be a better place.

For real hip-hop heads only. Those who likes people like Soulja Boy should stay away.

P.S. – To the people who provide commentary on youtube: First off, this is a Sway and King Tech track, not an Eminem track. Eminem is a feature on this track just like everyone else. Second, Eminem did not killed this track nor did he burned anyone on it. Third, Eminem is one of the few good rappers, but not the best one. Geez.

After The Sean Bell Verdict: Now What?

Published on April 29, 2008 in Social Commentary. Comments Tags: , , .

seanbellThe verdict was delivered. The media reported. And now, it’s back to the Rev. Wright and his “shocking comments”, something that I will comment on another day if I care to.

So, what do I do? I was quiet. Other than a post promoting Estelle’s first video and my thoughts on why Obama should be silent on the issue of Sean Bell, I didn’t say how I felt about this other than “I’m not surprised by the verdict.”

You know, I wanted to let it soak for a while. And I thought to myself “how can I make sure that this doesn’t get pass NYPD or the history books?” However, I’m only one guy and I’m not the greatest speaker, nor am I anywhere near the most charismatic.  So, while I thought to myself, I was assigned to go to a Meetup. Not sure what type of a meeting, but I know it was related to the very case. It wasn’t no small meetup either. Not by a long shot…

Continue reading ‘After The Sean Bell Verdict: Now What?’

Obama: Please Stay Silent On Sean Bell

Published on April 29, 2008 in Social Commentary. Closed Tags: , , , .

I wondered at times. If Senator Barack Obama won the Primary, would he speak about the Sean Bell verdict and if he did, would it be a bit more than just what he said recently? That’s the case a few days ago.

According to The Washing Post blog, Obama said the following about the recent acquittals of the police officer that fatality shot Sean Bell.

… he believed that the verdict needed to be respected and urging those who disagreed with it not to resort to violence. That would be “completely unacceptable and counterproductive,” Obama said.

He admitted that he doesn’t have all the facts, so he can’t make a sound judgement. And the best answer he can muster up was the following:

“The most important thing for people who are concerned about that shooting is to figure out how do we come together and assure those kinds of tragedies don’t happen again,” he continued. … “Resorting to violence to express displeasure over a verdict is something that is completely unacceptable and counterproductive.”

Of course, some comments expresses that Obama is out of touch, while others are pro-Obama and defends him with facts.

I say, maybe it’s best that for now, Obama needs to stay silent on the issue. Note the keywords “for now”. Why I say this? For a few reasons, but the major one is this:

New York is Senator Hillary Clinton’s Territory.

Unless Obama wins the Primary, Clinton can fire at will at ANYTHING Obama says about Sean Bell. It’s fair to say that Obama can hold his own, but basically it’s best if Clinton goes first as far as what she would do. This is a tricky issue that can make or break his nomination. Focusing away from national issues and onto a small case you hardly know about in New York? This is something that’s going to look funny, like awkward kind of funny, which leads to the second reason:

Obama do not know what’s going on in New York.

Sure, he can fire up his Macbook (I guess that’s what he uses) and look up the facts. Sure he ca get his assistant to do it. Sure he can listen to 100s of people about the issue. However, it’s only best to make a statement after knowing the facts.

I rather Obama stay quite on the issue for at least a few more days and let Clinton look into the matter… if she ever gets to it.

For now, it’s best that present lawmakers deal with this matter, such as the one CNN reported earlier today.

Not a lot of people is going to agree with me, but the reason I say this is because it’s easy to turn this issue into a political one. It’s also easy to misused a person’s name. We want to elect a person who’s qualified to handle some to most of the problems, not because of one moment or one person. If you ride on someone’s tragedy at this moment, then it will be false hope.

I also know about Obama’s issues with being silent on certain civil rights issues. However, the media’s all about the present moment. Some people don’t think well at the present moment. Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do at the present moment. That’s like being ask to agree with two people talking to you… in Spanish… and you don’t know what the heck they are saying, yet being pressure to say “just say si, senor”.

So, while I’m upset that Obama didn’t say much, I’m just glad he said at least something…

… and not him calling it “an abortion of justice.” Those words… *sighs* why is Al Sharpton trying to be a poet? (Makes me wondered, “maybe he was up for three nights, thinking what can sound good if the trail goes on way or another.)

Rewind: Estelle – "1980" [Music Video]

Published on April 28, 2008 in Entertainment. Closed Tags: , , .

in less than 24 hours, it will be April 29th. The day Estelle’s Shine finally drops.  So, before her new album bless us with hip-hop soul from “across the pond”, let’s talk about a classic from her first album, The 18th Day. One of her first single and video is an ode to the 1980s… as a rapper. A fun, bouncy track nicely accompany Estelle as she rhymed about the decade she grew up in.

The video is warm, bringing back the fashion of those days. Estelle looking more tomboyish than her present self… and nothing wrong with that. Matter of fact, she gets kudos for that (Gotta love tomboys).

It was also a surprise to me that Estelle is also an MC. Goes to show you how much fact checking I do. Note to self: Check myself before I wreck myself.

Anyway (ways of any), here’s Estelle reppin’ the 80s.

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Life-Remixed.com – Now, It’s Personal.

Published on April 26, 2008 in Internal Dialog/Site News. Comments

The DL-Hawk. My new trademark hairstyle. Bad picture angle. ( 112 posts later, I’m all “official” out. I’m all “professional” out. In other words, I’m tried of debating with myself. Alright, maybe I didn’t explain that well. So, I’ll take another route.

Before you ask, yes, this is me. The guy behind the blog. And yes, that’s a variation of the mohawk.

My name is Nukirk Digi-tal, or that’s what I like to be called online and on stage. Offline and away from lights, I’m called by another name altogether. And this is Life-Remixed.com, my blog.

Well, it was always my blog, but this time it’s my blog. As in, I’m going to make it a bit personal. Not personal to the point where I blog about my reality and my daily life, but where I’ll let you know what I think about issues as well as entertaining you with my views on music, social commentary, news and events… all with my charm that some people like and others… well, don’t like.

Wait a minute, now. Was I doing that before? Well, in a way, yes.  However, I’ve realized that my posts doesn’t feel natural. It seems like the most interesting posts are the ones in my own voice. So far, my blog have been playing the “professional/personal” face. At times, I don’t know how to write a post. I write it from an outsider’s POV. Or better yet, I just rehash what others said and say it in my own words.  Not a good look for me.

So, I decided to look at other blogs.  I noticed that all the blogs are personal, yet professional. They showcase a side to themselves that make the blog itself unique and interesting to read. Even the professional blogs seems a bit personal as they try to connect with the reader on a one-to-one basis. What I was trying to do, on the other hand, was the total opposite. I was trying to be “mainstream” or everything to everyone. This loses even my OWN supporters and readers… thus making it feels artificial and making my posts average. The secret to a great post is showing just a bit of themselves in the issue without it drowning out the overall message of the post.

So, I decided that it’s time to get a lil’ personal. I’m going to write in my own voice. I will not aim to be perfect, just aim to be myself. I will aim to be a better writer. I will also read other blogs and works. I’m going to add other blogs that I do read and share it with you. I’m going to be professional, yet “personable”. I want to get to know as much people as I can and reach out to you in my own way.

So, from now on, I won’t hold back my own opinions. I want to encourage discussions and remix thoughts (that is the name of the game here, after all). From this post forward…. this is gonna be personal.

So, what’s up? Name’s Nukirk, blogger of Life-Remixed.com, community leader of my.life-remixed.com. Changes are coming, and it’s going to kick ass.

What’s your name?