http://www.parlemagazine.com/
... CHECK OUT THE PARLE MAGAZINE WEBSITE
The feature story on the front page is written by yours truly.
The feature story on the front page is written by yours truly.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Front Page of Parle
I'M BACK! No I'm not, not yet. I know I've been gone for a minute. I have been M.I.A. on the blogging scene. The semester has been a busy one, but I have been writing and this is Winter break. I have material to post, so sooner than later I will have another entry for the Sappleton Journal. Stay tuned, but for now...
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Let me put you on (part 3)
You might have heard them, but you're not listening... (this one is long overdue)
Two albums in and he still isn't getting the recognition he deserves. Even Vibe's 2009 "Best Rapper Ever" bracket, which any true fan of hip-hop should realize was a big joke, did not mention Lupe Fiasco as one of the elite MCs. They rather give Bow Wow and Plies a position on a 32 by 32 by 32 by 32 bracket. Anyway, that's another story. I'll leave that for another blog. This is about Lupe Fiasco, a Chicago-bred hip-hop artist exemplifying what real rap is. I honestly cannot express how significant he is to the game nor can I explain how underrated he is without becoming frustrated with those who say he's not nice. YOU have to determine it. So in this burp of a blog, I have to let the music speak. Fiasco's credit is due. Listen and give it...
(no mention of singles)
Lupe Fiasco's The Cool [album]: "The Coolest" , "Streets On Fire" , "The Die"
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor [album]: "Just Might Be OK" , "He Say She Say" , "American Terrorist"
Touch The Sky Mixtape [mixtape]: "Twilight Zone" , "Switch (Science Project)" ***
It Was Written [mixtape]: "Failure" , "Tilted" , "Ignorant Shit"
Overlooked Vol. 1 [mixtape]: "My Sneakers" , "We On (featuring Lupe Fiasco)"
Overlooked Vol. 2 [mixtape]: "Swang On 'Em (featuring Lupe Fiasco)" , "U, Me, Him, Her Freestyle"
Loosies [miscellaneous tracks]: "And He Gets The Girl" , "Pens & Needles" , "Kids With Guns"
... Drake vs. J.Cole Coming Soon...
Two albums in and he still isn't getting the recognition he deserves. Even Vibe's 2009 "Best Rapper Ever" bracket, which any true fan of hip-hop should realize was a big joke, did not mention Lupe Fiasco as one of the elite MCs. They rather give Bow Wow and Plies a position on a 32 by 32 by 32 by 32 bracket. Anyway, that's another story. I'll leave that for another blog. This is about Lupe Fiasco, a Chicago-bred hip-hop artist exemplifying what real rap is. I honestly cannot express how significant he is to the game nor can I explain how underrated he is without becoming frustrated with those who say he's not nice. YOU have to determine it. So in this burp of a blog, I have to let the music speak. Fiasco's credit is due. Listen and give it...
(no mention of singles)
Lupe Fiasco's The Cool [album]: "The Coolest" , "Streets On Fire" , "The Die"
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor [album]: "Just Might Be OK" , "He Say She Say" , "American Terrorist"
Touch The Sky Mixtape [mixtape]: "Twilight Zone" , "Switch (Science Project)" ***
It Was Written [mixtape]: "Failure" , "Tilted" , "Ignorant Shit"
Overlooked Vol. 1 [mixtape]: "My Sneakers" , "We On (featuring Lupe Fiasco)"
Overlooked Vol. 2 [mixtape]: "Swang On 'Em (featuring Lupe Fiasco)" , "U, Me, Him, Her Freestyle"
Loosies [miscellaneous tracks]: "And He Gets The Girl" , "Pens & Needles" , "Kids With Guns"
... Drake vs. J.Cole Coming Soon...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
VIBE Magazine collapses and folds
As of June 30th, 2009 it has been reported that VIBE is shutting down. The recession has finally hit the magazine and the lack of ads by automotive clients as well as fashion advertisers played a big part in it (we all know why GM isn't in the advertising spirit). However, my beef isn't with them. Although it should not be expected, you would think with all the support that a magazine like VIBE displays for the hip-hop culture, maybe some well-off entertainers would do their part to help fund the empire. For 16 years, VIBE has been promoting MCs, producers, actors/actresses, and even presidents (Barack Obama for starters). There is no doubt that VIBE has been a irreplaceable influence on hip-hop music and the culture. In a way we have been recently paying tribute to Michael Jackson by playing non-stop videos and performing his many hits, maybe we can pay homage to... let's say a magazine that has boosted careers. Unfortunately, people, even legends do not live on this earth forever, but publications can. We just have to nurture it.
Now, I have been told that maybe I am the only one who feels this way and maybe that's true, but I should not be alone. Without any intention on singling these superstars out, I think the likes of people such as Jay-Z, Diddy, Nas, etc., should lend a helping hand because they have the financial means to do so. They should give back to such an establishment that has furthered hip-hop and mentioned their names plenty of times over more than a decade. Give back. VIBE is a vital chunk of hip-hop history/culture and without that hip-hop may not die, it may not even be dying, but it will certainly be injured.
Now, I have been told that maybe I am the only one who feels this way and maybe that's true, but I should not be alone. Without any intention on singling these superstars out, I think the likes of people such as Jay-Z, Diddy, Nas, etc., should lend a helping hand because they have the financial means to do so. They should give back to such an establishment that has furthered hip-hop and mentioned their names plenty of times over more than a decade. Give back. VIBE is a vital chunk of hip-hop history/culture and without that hip-hop may not die, it may not even be dying, but it will certainly be injured.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Moment of Clarity for Michael Jackson
R.I.P. Michael Jackson...
We loved him. I loved him. It's hard to see a legend go, almost unbearable. He was the last person you were expecting to die. There hasn't been anything in the news about him recently so his pasting definitely came as a shock to the majority of the world supporting him. I mean, I thought he would outlive me. It's Michael Jackson and those three little words mean so damn much.
However, I think the people are losing comprehension of what Rest In Peace really means. It is a shame to see fans cry pools of tears over a celebrity, not wanting to let him go, refusing to accept his death. It's selfish. The man was an icon for multiple generations, but no one is immortal, regardless of the many accomplishments that man makes. Death is our fate. We live and we die. I do not mean to sound so cold or insensitive by any means, but we need to learn how to celebrate the life that Michael Jackson had on this earth. Unfortunately, the man was sick and that resulted in a cardiac arrest. A large number of deaths end up in that fashion, but that's just it. He was not killed, he did not commit suicide, he just died. It happens to the best of us and every one of us.
Do not mourn his death so long that you become unable to appreciate what he has done for the pop culture, music, and so on. It is also sad to see that Jackson is gone at only 50-years-old. That life span does not seem fair for anyone. It is only ten years after midlife. It's unfortunate, but we have to learn to accept it. In cases of Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, I can see how hard it is to accept their deaths because they were each murdered at such a young age, nowhere near the peak of their careers, and neither of their murderers were found. That is tough and forgive me for saying, but much more difficult to swallow.
I read someone's status on Facebook yesterday. It said, "Life is hard and death is peaceful...it's the transtition that is most difficult." Let's try to make that transition as serene as the clouds in the heaven up above that Michael Jackson is resting his head on, free from the haphazard world that we still live in.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
We loved him. I loved him. It's hard to see a legend go, almost unbearable. He was the last person you were expecting to die. There hasn't been anything in the news about him recently so his pasting definitely came as a shock to the majority of the world supporting him. I mean, I thought he would outlive me. It's Michael Jackson and those three little words mean so damn much.
However, I think the people are losing comprehension of what Rest In Peace really means. It is a shame to see fans cry pools of tears over a celebrity, not wanting to let him go, refusing to accept his death. It's selfish. The man was an icon for multiple generations, but no one is immortal, regardless of the many accomplishments that man makes. Death is our fate. We live and we die. I do not mean to sound so cold or insensitive by any means, but we need to learn how to celebrate the life that Michael Jackson had on this earth. Unfortunately, the man was sick and that resulted in a cardiac arrest. A large number of deaths end up in that fashion, but that's just it. He was not killed, he did not commit suicide, he just died. It happens to the best of us and every one of us.
Do not mourn his death so long that you become unable to appreciate what he has done for the pop culture, music, and so on. It is also sad to see that Jackson is gone at only 50-years-old. That life span does not seem fair for anyone. It is only ten years after midlife. It's unfortunate, but we have to learn to accept it. In cases of Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, I can see how hard it is to accept their deaths because they were each murdered at such a young age, nowhere near the peak of their careers, and neither of their murderers were found. That is tough and forgive me for saying, but much more difficult to swallow.
I read someone's status on Facebook yesterday. It said, "Life is hard and death is peaceful...it's the transtition that is most difficult." Let's try to make that transition as serene as the clouds in the heaven up above that Michael Jackson is resting his head on, free from the haphazard world that we still live in.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Let me put you on (part 2)
You might have heard them, but you're not listening...
Mickey Factz...I first heard Factz on a track with N.E.R.D., a song called "Locked Away." He caught my attention immediately. I was surprised at his flow on the particular song because I had heard countless "semi-alternative" songs with a feature of some artist reciting a mediocre 16 bar verse, trying to establish an urban connection (many failed attempts). But Factz embodied the style and ran with the melody, which influenced the flow. The reason he made such an impression on me was due to the fact I never heard of this man and he was utilizing the mic like a professional with ease. I'm one who prides himself on knowing what's out there and what's raw. So in this actual segment, it's safe to say that N.E.R.D. put me on to a rising star.
Anyway, I did my research. He was an MC from the Bronx part of NY and I discovered later on he used to be a ghostwriter for Remy Ma, another lyricist of the area. Remy Ma at that time was one of my favorite female rappers. I was definitely feeling her and after looking up Factz's history I understood why.
Flashback Vol. 1: Back to the Future was the first mixtape I downloaded after the background check. From the intro this man went in. Like most people, comparisons are the first things you look for in an artist, but the voice, the flow, and the variety of lyrical content this hungry MC was delivering, captured my ears in an instant. He made his own name. "It's Mickey!"
Naturally, the search went on. What else can I find from this dude? I was certainly a fiend for some good music, some better music than what I was hearing in these walk it out streets. Heaven's Fallout was the next mixtape I came across. I was already aware of Factz gift to rhyme on topic and stick to it. In "Mona Lisa," a fly rendition of Slick Rick's classic, he embodied the pattern of the rhyme, but proved his talent with every verse, altering each line. Then he presented a more serious side on the two tracks "Buck em down" and "Hey young world." Versatility was his friend and I was ready to hear more. However, the return was even better.
Heaven's Fallout caught me so off guard. For a week, I was trying to figure out what to type in as the genre of this mixtape. The music was so different. Maybe it's a cross between hip-hop and electro. Maybe it's alternative. Maybe I couldn't figure it out, but I liked it and I listened. I loved it. It was a total package, equipped with the feel good music you could jump in your car and ride to as well as the thought provoking tracks you've been waiting for since Nas. I felt like everything I could ask for was in this one mixtape, not even an album. It was fun, serious, vivid, and therapeutic all simultaneously. I was on the bandwagon.
When the two volumes of The Leak series came out in 2008, I was convinced I had to encourage others to listen. I got nothing but good feedback from my own peers and Factz was still giving me more to appreciate. His track with The Cool Kids, "Rockin' & Rollin' ," obtained such a buzz that students on my campus started asking me if I had more of what Factz had in the catalog. The fans were growing and I hope they still are. He's one artist we have to support for the fact that he understands versatility and acknowledges not only the hip-hop audience, but other cultures outside of it. We have to support him because he is a vision of innovation and even Barack Obama let us know how important change is to our future. Mickey Factz is the future of good music.
Now, I can't force my opinion upon the rest of the world, however, I can offer it. Here are a selection of tracks from the artist that an open-mind might find intriguing. Check it out, see for yourself...
Flashback Vol. 1: Back to the Future [mixtape]: "Streetwear Story" , "Scarfaces"
In Search of the Nerd [mixtape]: "Rockstar Posers"
Heaven's Fallout [mixtape]: "There's Nothing Left" , "Living Dead"
The Leak Vol.1: The Understanding [mixtape] "Robot Rock" , "Be Free" , "Another Star"
The Leak Vol.2: The Inspiration [mixtape]: "6 Letter Words" , "Machine Gun"
It's so hard narrowing these down. Listen and learn.
Mickey Factz...I first heard Factz on a track with N.E.R.D., a song called "Locked Away." He caught my attention immediately. I was surprised at his flow on the particular song because I had heard countless "semi-alternative" songs with a feature of some artist reciting a mediocre 16 bar verse, trying to establish an urban connection (many failed attempts). But Factz embodied the style and ran with the melody, which influenced the flow. The reason he made such an impression on me was due to the fact I never heard of this man and he was utilizing the mic like a professional with ease. I'm one who prides himself on knowing what's out there and what's raw. So in this actual segment, it's safe to say that N.E.R.D. put me on to a rising star.
Anyway, I did my research. He was an MC from the Bronx part of NY and I discovered later on he used to be a ghostwriter for Remy Ma, another lyricist of the area. Remy Ma at that time was one of my favorite female rappers. I was definitely feeling her and after looking up Factz's history I understood why.
Flashback Vol. 1: Back to the Future was the first mixtape I downloaded after the background check. From the intro this man went in. Like most people, comparisons are the first things you look for in an artist, but the voice, the flow, and the variety of lyrical content this hungry MC was delivering, captured my ears in an instant. He made his own name. "It's Mickey!"
Naturally, the search went on. What else can I find from this dude? I was certainly a fiend for some good music, some better music than what I was hearing in these walk it out streets. Heaven's Fallout was the next mixtape I came across. I was already aware of Factz gift to rhyme on topic and stick to it. In "Mona Lisa," a fly rendition of Slick Rick's classic, he embodied the pattern of the rhyme, but proved his talent with every verse, altering each line. Then he presented a more serious side on the two tracks "Buck em down" and "Hey young world." Versatility was his friend and I was ready to hear more. However, the return was even better.
Heaven's Fallout caught me so off guard. For a week, I was trying to figure out what to type in as the genre of this mixtape. The music was so different. Maybe it's a cross between hip-hop and electro. Maybe it's alternative. Maybe I couldn't figure it out, but I liked it and I listened. I loved it. It was a total package, equipped with the feel good music you could jump in your car and ride to as well as the thought provoking tracks you've been waiting for since Nas. I felt like everything I could ask for was in this one mixtape, not even an album. It was fun, serious, vivid, and therapeutic all simultaneously. I was on the bandwagon.
When the two volumes of The Leak series came out in 2008, I was convinced I had to encourage others to listen. I got nothing but good feedback from my own peers and Factz was still giving me more to appreciate. His track with The Cool Kids, "Rockin' & Rollin' ," obtained such a buzz that students on my campus started asking me if I had more of what Factz had in the catalog. The fans were growing and I hope they still are. He's one artist we have to support for the fact that he understands versatility and acknowledges not only the hip-hop audience, but other cultures outside of it. We have to support him because he is a vision of innovation and even Barack Obama let us know how important change is to our future. Mickey Factz is the future of good music.
Now, I can't force my opinion upon the rest of the world, however, I can offer it. Here are a selection of tracks from the artist that an open-mind might find intriguing. Check it out, see for yourself...
Flashback Vol. 1: Back to the Future [mixtape]: "Streetwear Story" , "Scarfaces"
In Search of the Nerd [mixtape]: "Rockstar Posers"
Heaven's Fallout [mixtape]: "There's Nothing Left" , "Living Dead"
The Leak Vol.1: The Understanding [mixtape] "Robot Rock" , "Be Free" , "Another Star"
The Leak Vol.2: The Inspiration [mixtape]: "6 Letter Words" , "Machine Gun"
It's so hard narrowing these down. Listen and learn.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Let me put you on (part 1)
You might have heard them, but you're not listening...
Since I'm from jersey, let's start this off in a jersey fashion. Joe Budden is one of my favorite rappers, MCs rather. Unfortunately, people only know him for two songs - "Pump It Up" and "Fire". I'm here to let you know that those two songs do not prove his credibility as one of the best MCs hip-hop has seen over the years. I personally didn't start listening to him heavy until the Mood Muzik 2: Can It Get Any Worse? mixtape came onto the scene in 2005 and that compilation made me want to dig deeper into his catalog. As a student of the game, I did my research and went back to the Mood Muzik 1: The Worst of Joe Budden mixtape that debuted in 2003. Budden's deep, storytelling nature came through again and again with his precise metaphors. The music only got better when his third installment of the Mood Muzik series, Mood Muzik 3: For Better or For Worse, aired in 2007.
That's just the mixtapes, but I think in order to understand Budden and his lyrical wit, talent, etc., we need to embrace the bulk of his career which are these mixtapes. Now, people love to comment on his lack of sales, lack of singles, and his quantity of albums and wish to determine him as a rapper by those means. Truthfully, it would be an insult if you decided to. I feel his free work has been his best work, but to influence the world further, that is not knowledgeable of Joe Budden's skills as a lyricist and the world that is open-minded to greatness, please consider listening to these tracks I am about to mention below. Do your research and discover what you've been missing...
Joe Budden [album]: "Walk With Me" , "10 Mins."
Mood Muzik 1 [mixtape]: "Def Jam Diss" , "Rest In Peace"
Mood Muzik 2 [mixtape]: "World Take Over" , "Dumb Out" , "3 Sides To A Story"
Mood Muzik 3 [mixtape]: "Hiatus" , "Secrets ft. Emanny"
Halfway House [digital album]: "Sidetracked" , "Under The Sun"
Padded Room [album]: "In My Sleep" , "Pray For Me"
...Trust me, as a fan this selection was hard enough to narrow down, but take a listen. Feel free to send some feedback. Any comment would be greatly appreciated. I'm just trying to put the world up on good music. Stay tuned for part 2...
P.S. I would like to thank my cousin. If it wasn't for his comment, "When did Joe Budden get nice?" and him clowning him, "Pump, pump, pump, pump it up. Hahaha," this post would have never existed.
Since I'm from jersey, let's start this off in a jersey fashion. Joe Budden is one of my favorite rappers, MCs rather. Unfortunately, people only know him for two songs - "Pump It Up" and "Fire". I'm here to let you know that those two songs do not prove his credibility as one of the best MCs hip-hop has seen over the years. I personally didn't start listening to him heavy until the Mood Muzik 2: Can It Get Any Worse? mixtape came onto the scene in 2005 and that compilation made me want to dig deeper into his catalog. As a student of the game, I did my research and went back to the Mood Muzik 1: The Worst of Joe Budden mixtape that debuted in 2003. Budden's deep, storytelling nature came through again and again with his precise metaphors. The music only got better when his third installment of the Mood Muzik series, Mood Muzik 3: For Better or For Worse, aired in 2007.
That's just the mixtapes, but I think in order to understand Budden and his lyrical wit, talent, etc., we need to embrace the bulk of his career which are these mixtapes. Now, people love to comment on his lack of sales, lack of singles, and his quantity of albums and wish to determine him as a rapper by those means. Truthfully, it would be an insult if you decided to. I feel his free work has been his best work, but to influence the world further, that is not knowledgeable of Joe Budden's skills as a lyricist and the world that is open-minded to greatness, please consider listening to these tracks I am about to mention below. Do your research and discover what you've been missing...
Joe Budden [album]: "Walk With Me" , "10 Mins."
Mood Muzik 1 [mixtape]: "Def Jam Diss" , "Rest In Peace"
Mood Muzik 2 [mixtape]: "World Take Over" , "Dumb Out" , "3 Sides To A Story"
Mood Muzik 3 [mixtape]: "Hiatus" , "Secrets ft. Emanny"
Halfway House [digital album]: "Sidetracked" , "Under The Sun"
Padded Room [album]: "In My Sleep" , "Pray For Me"
...Trust me, as a fan this selection was hard enough to narrow down, but take a listen. Feel free to send some feedback. Any comment would be greatly appreciated. I'm just trying to put the world up on good music. Stay tuned for part 2...
P.S. I would like to thank my cousin. If it wasn't for his comment, "When did Joe Budden get nice?" and him clowning him, "Pump, pump, pump, pump it up. Hahaha," this post would have never existed.
Welcome
Hello world. My name is Lamont Sappleton. I am currently a William Paterson University student majoring in the Communication department, concentrating in Journalism/Public Relations studies. I am a 21-year-old black male residing in south jersey (exit 5 off the turnpike) and a little over analytical. The quantity of thoughts I possess can sometimes become overwhelming so I'm going to start spilling them out here, gut by gut.
Although, I breathe, eat, and sleep hip-hop culture and entertainment this particular blog will consist of whatever I am feeling or thinking at the time. There's no limit or expectation. However, since we are in a recession I have come to realize that so is hip-hop music. I got some guts to spill so stay tuned......
Although, I breathe, eat, and sleep hip-hop culture and entertainment this particular blog will consist of whatever I am feeling or thinking at the time. There's no limit or expectation. However, since we are in a recession I have come to realize that so is hip-hop music. I got some guts to spill so stay tuned......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
