ASUW Arts & Entertainment

Phonte Coleman, a man who needs no introduction.  Within reason of course; North Carolina native, father, and the man who gave the world “Big Girl Lovin”.  Many to who is synonymous to, well nobody.  A person who has not scaled the same amount of fame as let’s say Drake, but if you caught the red jacket Doot Doot’s you might’ve heard of him.  Here is a hint, he’s most likely your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper, this includes all you OVXOVOX fans, or whatever that owl thing means.  Don’t get me wrong, Take Care was incredible, but I beg you to remember where Look What You’ve Done was retrieved.  Luckily for us we don’t have to look too far at all, it’s exactly where Phonte posted that “For Sale” sign.

Charity Starts at Home was almost unthinkable not too long ago.  The Curtain Call video nearly brought me to tears, and knowing that Little Brother was truly a done chapter hurt.  Tears can be wiped off, and as a fan looking from the outside I saw why it had to happen, they had their lives to live.  But what sincerely tore me apart was knowing that a combination of any of the three would never happen again.  Hip Hop lost a huge dynamic during that time.  But hope wasn’t lost forever.  Something even more important than music rights, sold out concerts, and an underground legacy was at stake here from the very beginning.  A friendship.

When I heard that the two planned on linking back up to create an album one thought came to mind, how the two made Speed at 4 in the morning.  The foundation was making its way back to the present, and subtle reminders of early tracks were inevitable to reminisce about.  When looking at the track list it easy to overlook the caliber of the roster.  Elzhi, Evidence, K.R.I.T., and Median – four of the biggest sleepers in the game.  The Path To Relief in my eyes will always be one of the best EP’s ever, that will never touch half the people it deserves of course.  But aside from the fact, Tigallo brought a piece of it back.

It is clear from the beginning lines that this game isn’t the only thing at stake, yes Charity starts here, but someone has to pay the mortgage for there to be a “here” to begin with.  While everyone is watching and attempting to take the throne, or in Kanye’s case watching out for deadly business cards in my hometown, K.R.I.T. & Tay are offering us all a modest seat.  A syndrome often seen as of late by many big name artists.  Since I See Now and Don’t You Have A Man there has been no other collaborations.  A shameful brush off that redefines where Charity really and truly comes from, right where you started.  The themes behind each track hold truth with the process that has brought us here.  Whatever your meaning of “Good Hip Hop” may be, it is here.  Not one emotion is Leftback while Percy Miracles doesn’t miss a note.  Even the Based God himself gets some love, and it’s not even a follow back request from some random girl!  Which has given me a sign of relief, to know that I can be a die-hard Little Brother fan and still be able cook, or in Tay’s case sauté.  By the time Eric Robinson’s voice was heard, a feeling of satisfaction was felt on my side.  To know that New Tigallo New Tigallo New Tigallo is not too different from the old Tay at all.  And any who oppose must have never listened to Nobody Like Me; change is inevitable, but also a process.  One that Phonte has mastered in his music.

~ ASUW Arts & Entertainment Concert Coordinator, Ryan Trinidad

The individualistic mindset was lost somewhere in translation, between 73’ and now.  By nature this was the key ingredient for the young genre we have all come to love and help raise.  Many MC’s have failed trying for uniqueness, and failed miserably they did.  Being different is a risk consistently used, but almost never taken for the right reasons by those watching.  But to one group, it was never about being different.  It was about being them, and just them, nothing else.  Oh and don’t forget the drive to Kill the rest of whoever may get in their way, All of Them.

Few ears were keen to the sound of the Wolves just one year ago.  An almost instant outburst of exposure came through even fewer sources.  A blog, and a few videos of what looked like a few friends skating in front of a local gas station.  Matter of fact, those were what the videos were.  With the Based God and Flocka playing in the background of course.  Even until this day, no major corporation, no beverage commercials, no pop radio hit was needed.  For what?  Trouble On My Mind quoted Yonkers at 10 milli, and has since more than tripled its views.  Everything Odd Future is being eaten up by Hip Hop legends and 16-year olds alike.  Just look at the recent track record.  Frank Ocean featuring on Watch the Throne, then politely denying Yeezy’s production.  Hodgy Beats working with the God’s Son and the one and only Madlib.  It’s no secret; everyone wants a piece of Tyler. Did I mention the anticipated freedom of one of the group’s most talented members? Earl Sweatshirt has us all patiently waiting, a release that can be compared to the Concords dropping (without the fights at the malls).  It is proven that many love the Gang, but many also hate them.  At first glance it is easy to call the group a bunch of rebel kids who support rape, larceny, while all being devil worshippers.  I walked into a CCS store the other day and overheard one of the employees bashing another worker for liking Tyler’s music, “If I would’ve known being crazy would get me famous, I could’ve been what Tyler is a long time ago.”  I instantly turned to him and defended my case.  I asked back, “Have you listened to Bastard and Goblin? Like ACTUALLY listened to it?”  He replied with a simple yes.  By the end of the conversation I found he couldn’t even name 3 songs off either album combined, a testament to his ignorant judgment.  A case seen too often when critics talk about the wolves.

In a time where money, fame, and endless women reign supreme within content, Odd Future sticks to their own stories and so happen to wear a lot of Supreme.  With a GOLF WANG book out, a TV show on Adult Swim, a pop up shop filled with gear, magazine covers, and sold out shows world wide, it is hard to believe this is all done by a group barely out of their teenage years.  What were you doing at 20?  Probably writing a term paper, or looking for a fake ID if you weren’t in college.  A situation I want to remind everyone, since none of us can relate to the recent experiences that OF has had.  From making beats on your mom’s floor one day, then touring the world less than a year later with those same beats can be an overwhelming thought that many wouldn’t be able to cope with.  But for the wolves it has become their reality.  And most importantly, they did it their way.  No saturation or censorship.

Many ask me why I love Odd Future?  I could explain myself for hours with reasonable and articulate answers, but I’ll save you the read.  My answer is simple: Odd Future is the realest group to come out in a long time.  Emphasis on the word “realest”.  They make the music for themselves, and people so happen to relate and enjoy it, a beautiful and rare match from artist to fan.  Everything is in house, all driven by a group of people who were friends first.  And the next time you hear someone rant about them being homophobic rapists, remember my few counter thoughts.  First, be careful when blaming any musician for influence.  I say don’t blame anyone but the kids parents, period.  Second, like Tyler and Matt Martian explained, Odd Future may be the least homophobic rappers out.  Syd said it perfectly in the SPIN interview, “Matt and Mike G live with a homo…” Lastly, do you really think these guys rape people? C’mon man, let us not forget the art of story telling that Hip Hop birthed.  And please no more horror-core references.  They aren’t vampires and werewolves, but Wolves nonetheless.  With major upcoming projects, and a timeless discography, I see no room for argument.  Their momentum at this point seems unstoppable with no signs of slowing down.  My only advice to those in the way is, well I have none.  Because anyone against it will get called out, whether you tweet your discretion, or literally don’t say a word.  If you’re lucky enough you may even end up like this guy, catching a right from Left…

~ ASUW Arts & Entertainment Concert Coordinator, Ryan Trinidad