White Boy Rap

For those puritans and racially sensitive people who take offense to the title of this post...Fuck You and stop reading my blog. This post is recognition of Hip-Hop's cultural diversity. When I use the term white boy, it refers to any rapper of mostly Caucasian descent. I say mostly cuz almost every being on the planet is mixed with more than one race.

The reason white rappers were always associated by their race is because Hip-Hop started out as a minority music genre. It was composed of a diverse group of Blacks, Latino's and a few Asians that were down with the culture. The first white rappers I ever heard were the Iconic 80's group 3rd Bass. It was composed of MC Serch, Pete Nice, and DJ Richie Rich (who was Black). Serch and Pete Nice were groundbreaking at the time cuz there were no other white rappers exposed to the mainstream and successful.

Their success along with the group Beastie Boys opened the door for artists like Vanilla Ice,  Mark Wahlberg aka Marky Mark (who back in 1992 had a hit single called Good Vibrations) and numerous other rappers. Due to the stigma that white guys couldn't rap, there was a lot of negativity from insiders on the whole phenomenon. Vanilla Ice was rumored to have been held over the balcony at his hotel by goons because he lied about being from the hood, when he was really a rich kid from the suburbs. Marky Mark had friction from numerous rap groups cuz although he was from Boston he wasn't known in the hood. Plus the fact his older brother was in boy band New Kids on the Block didn't help his gangsta persona.

Since then there have been many white rappers, but few (House of Pain) who have sustained a presence in the music industry.  One guy who never let his race (or the stigma around it) stop his hustle is R.A. the Rugged Man. He has never been known as a white rapper he is always referred to as a dope MC. R.A. has spit with legends Biggie, Kool G. Rap, Wu Tang Clan, Mobb Deep and to many more to mention. He is one of the MC's along with Kid Rock that championed the white rapper movement and changed how people view white boy rap. The reason he is globally respected is because he can actually rap. Their efforts opened the doors for Eminem, Machine Gun Kelly, and other white rappers currently experiencing success. 

Below are videos from MC's Slaine, Ill Bill, Celph Titled, Sage Francis, Vinnie Paz and R.A. the Rugged Man. They are all MC's that prove you can't judge a person's talent by their color.

Self Driving Cars

Google isn't just a search engine anymore. Since buying youtube they have expanded into music, merchandising, advertising and now automobiles. In 2010 Google began a project that would create autonomous automobiles. In other words cars that would steer and drive themselves. The idea sounds like vehicles seen in science fiction movies like I, Robot and Blade Runner, but they're real.

The plan behind the project was designed to give blind and disabled people a safe means of travel (aside from public transportation). They also believe autonomous vehicles would make our roads and highways safer for everyone. Since introducing this smart vehicle in 2010 Google has steadily improved the vehicles response time and performance. Now in 2012 they've completed more than 200 hours of real driving on the roads and the vehicle seems almost ready for mass production. Below are videos showing some of the test runs for these self-driving cars...like it or not the technology now exists where science fiction has become reality.

Avatar

When I heard they made a new series based off Avatar I knew I had to check it out. I stopped following Toriko because there was a lot of humor but not enough story and action. By the way when I write about Avatar its not the big blue skinned people from the James Cameron film. I'm writing about Avatar: The Last Airbender.

This show was on years before J.C. stole the name and made it about aliens. The Last Airbender was a boy named Aang and he was the Avatar of his world. Benders were people who had the psychokinetic ability to control one of the four elements Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. An Avatar is a person who could control the flow of all four elements.  One was born every hundred years and when he or she died a new Avatar is born in their place.

The series lasted for three seasons from 2005 - 2008 and followed the story of Aang as he learned to master the four elements. While he learned these skills he had to avoid being captured and executed. Aang was the last Airbender because the rest of the Airbenders were wiped out by the king of the fire nation in an attempt to control the world. He had inside knowledge that the next Avatar would come from the Air nation and made a preemptive strike to remove the threat. 

The series was ridiculously popular because it was a mix of martial arts, psychokinetic beings, action and humorous adventure. There was a motion picture version released in 2010 directed by M. Night Shyamalan which received mixed reviews. Now after a four year hiatus there is a new story arc that takes place in the Avatar world. It's called The Legend of Korra and takes place 70 years after Aang has died. So far there are only two episodes but the show has added a nice twist the Avatar tale and worth checking out.  Below I posted clips from some of the original Avatar series and the new one.

New Muzik

I've been listening to new muzik from coast to coast and overseas. I'm looking for the best albums to put in the next album review post. While searching for the right albums I've had the privilege of discovering a few new artists. Below is music by industry veterans Saigon (ft. Quan), Killer Mike (ft. Young Jeezy) and Mysonne. Mysonne has been spittin bars since The Lox and DMX were still on Ruff Ryders. He went away for awhile, but since his return he has been dropping some hard tracks. 

There's also new comers Lightweight and L. Hammond. One from NYC the other from Seattle WA. both MC's got bars and spit with different styles. Lately the trend has been for NY rappers to sound like their from somewhere else. Whether it be from the south, Chicago, West coast or even from the UK. It's got to the point where its hard to tell if these cats are from New York. The MC's in the line-up below all represent their region to the fullest, and each track is dope.

Visual Seduction Art

Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862 – Feb. 6, 1918) was an Austrian born painter that played a major role in the Vienna Secessionist movement.

There’s not much I can write about Gustav that hasn’t been written before. His most famous work is a painting named “The Kiss” that is known world-wide. Although that painting is his most famous...it isn’t my favorite. Lesser known painting “The Virgin” was the first painting I remember seeing by Gustav that captured my attention.

What I love about his art is the aggressive use of gold leaf color and extraordinary detail. It gives his art a three dimensional look that’s hard to create on canvas. Another thing I noticed (and liked) about Gustav’s work is his love of the female form. Women were his muse. The majority of his work consists of different women, mostly nude drawn in what can only be described as erotic poses. During his time, some of his paintings were labeled heretical and pornographic. The church did not like it. 

Below I posted some of his painting and if you want to know more about this talented artist click the link to the Gustav Klimt Collection.

Human Evolution

How evolution occurs is still being highly debated by scientists. Some Darwinist believe it happens over millions of years gradually. While more modern scholars postulate the idea it happens rapidly in a short period, like an explosion.

In Dahua, southern China a boy named Nong Youhui is putting the question of evolution to the test. Youhui was born with bright blue eyes similar to what is seen on Europeans. His parents noticed when he was a week old and doctors told the parents they would change color as he grew older. A decade passed and since Youhu’s eyes worked well his parents forgot about them.

One of Youhu’s teachers noticed that if light was shined directly into Youhu’s eyes they reflected the light back like cats eyes. The teacher then contacted eye specialist who conducted tests on Youhu’s vision. They found that Youhu could see in the dark. His night vision was so precise he could catch crickets in the dark without a flashlight. The only time his eyes caused discomfort was when he played in bright daylight. The light receptors in his eyes captured to much light causing blurry vision.

Some people believe it’s human evolution. Others believe Youhui’s a hybrid mix of human and alien DNA. Regardless of what side of the fence you sit on, its interesting news. The video of Nong Youhui’s unusual tale is below. Although it sounds like science fiction it’s all true. Check it out.

H. A. T. E. R. S.

I've gained quite a few haters lately. Some even in the outer perimeter of my own social circle. Haters are people Having Anger Towards Everyone Reaching Success. I can't take credit for the acronym. I read it somewhere and thought it fit.

Hating is a weakness. It shows the person has a weak character, mind, and spirit. By hating they display to the world that they don't have the motivation, determination and ambitious drive to catch whatever dream they're chasing. Most haters do it cuz they envy a persons position. Meaning their social status, fame, wealth or possessions.

In the haters mind they believe that person doesn't deserve what they have. Or in some cases they believe they (the hater) can do it better. Whether it be sports, music, acting, art, or a well paying profession like doctor or lawyer. To fill the void that disappointment in their own life and envy creates...they hate on others, to feel better about themselves.

For all those poor souls who try and reason, debate or rehabilitate haters, take some simple advice "It's not worth it." Understanding a person doesn't stop them from spreading negativity. The way I see it. If haters spent less time hating and more on self-improvement they would be closer to reaching their goals and happier in life.

Let me take this moment to say "Thank-You" to all my haters! I appreciate living in your head rent free...all the time. The more people that hate, only shows validation that I'm getting closer to reaching success. That negative energy fuels my motivation and inspires me to work harder towards achieving my goals. By becoming successful I become truly worthy of all the wasted energy being expended hating.

On that note I'll share the most recent accomplishments. The label Vinumous Records signed a three year distribution deal with Blackhole Recordings a division of Koch/E1 distribution. We finally have a major deal...it only took ten years. All a major does is put my music in territories that were inaccessible as an independent. This creates new fans and touring opportunities for myself and other artists on the label.

Also this morning I finished editing the clip for the song "That's Life." It's track fourteen on the Grindin Muzik album which is available for purchase in stores and on all digital outlets (iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer, etc..). You can watch the video by clicking this link That's Life or by going to my Y.T. page www.youtube.com/tygervinum. 

Life, like wine keeps getting better with time. Once again thanks to all my haters, you keep me on the grind. (Keep Hating)

Til Next We Speak, Be Well

Tha One an Only

AniManga: Toriko

AniManga is a term I use to describe a Manga that's been turned into an Anime. The anime can be a series, movie, or OVA (Original Video Animation). The newest AniManga I've been following is called Toriko.

At first glance I thought the show was a cheap copy of Dragon Ball. The main character whose name is Toriko looks a lot like Goko in clothing, build and appearance. Before I jumped to conclusions I watched a few episodes of the series. Back then there were only four episodes so there wasn't much information to base my opinion on. Then I read some of the Manga. What I found is that the characters do share similarities with DBZ but Toriko has its own plot.

The story takes place in a world where food is the most important commodity and Toriko is a Bishokuya (hunter of exotic ingredients). All ingredients have a capture value and the higher the value the more dangerous the ingredient. Toriko and a few other characters have special cells called gourmet cells that evolve when they eat foods of high capture value. These cells give them amazing abilities and increase their power, speed and special attacks.

Toriko along with other Bishokuya are searching for a special ingredient called "God" which can start or end world war. Most of the ingredients are puns made from a mix of two different things. For example a tomato crossed with a marshmallow = marshmallow tomato, or a turtle mixed with a shark = shark turtle, which looks like a giant turtle with shark fins and lots of teeth. It reminds me of books I would read as a kid about the magical world of Xanth by Piers Anthony. He was famous for mixing two or more creatures in a comical fashion.

Toriko is not for everyone and is more comical than action packed, but if you like humorous AniManga its worth checking out. Below I posted a few clips of Toriko battles from the Anime.

Str8 from the Underground

This post is for all my people who love dope lyrics and hard rhymes. Some of the MC's below were considered underground in the beginning of their careers, and as time progressed they became excepted by the mainstream. 

I'm a fan of all types of music from commercial to avant-garde, but my favorite is underground Hip-Hop. Its the one style of music that still speaks for the hungry, disenfranchised artist trying to get their music heard. In allot of ways it can be considered the pulse of the street and heart of Hip-Hop. 

Below is a video by one of my favorite members of D.I.T.C. (Diggin In The Crates) A.G.. He is one of those MC's who, year after year keeps spittin sickness like he has a virus. For those who don't know D.I.T.C. was also home to Showbiz, Big L and Fat Joe. There are also videos from Pace Won, The Grouch & Eligh, Film Skool Rejekts, Crooked I, Jus Allah, and DU from the Outsidaz.

Fantasy Art

I came across the art of Susan Seddon Boulet (1941 - 1997) by chance while looking for a postcard for my Grandmother. There is something ethereal and majestic in her paintings. Susan loved folk and fairy tales as a child in Brazil and the influence of those stories is reflected in her art.

A lot of her paintings use First Nation (Native American) imagery. I call them first nation because the natives were in America and Canada long before Columbus and his goons arrived and exterminated everyone. 

Susan developed a distinctive style characterized by using rainbow bright colors to paint Shamans, Fairies and Goddesses where dream-like forms emerged. She would blend these mythological creatures with wolves, deer, eagles and other animals in complex layers of oil and pastels resulting in beautiful images.

Susan Seddon-Boulet is widely accredited as one of the founders of the visionary art movement. She died in her Oakland, Ca home April 28, 1997 after a long struggle with cancer. She was fifty-five years old. Below is a small selection her art. If you want to know more about the artist or see more of her amazing paintings go to website www.turningpointgallery.com by clicking the link.