A Tribe Called Quest makes a Powerful Return

A Tribe Called Quest makes a Powerful Return

The new 2016 album from A Tribe Called Quest, "We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service."

The legendary hip-hop group that fused the sounds of jazz and the street so well in the 1990's is back, and clearly, the Tribe does have it from here. Their first album since The Love Movement in 1998, the announcement of their new album, We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service, was released on November 11, 2016 and happened to catch many by surprise. 

The album was announced by Tribe member Q-Tip over social media. He posted the following letter on Oct. 27, 2016:

Many ATCQ fans, and lovers of old school hip-hop were more then excited about the news of the release, but also realized that the Tribe were focused on more than just music: In 2015, the group performed together for the first time in 18 years on the Tonight Show...however, it was also on the same night as the Paris bombings (Nov. 13, 2015). This event would greatly influence the ground work for We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service.

This "final album" announcement was dedicated to honor loved ones, social injustice and political influence.

Something Old, Something New

The original members of A Tribe Called Quest:
Jarobi White (left), Q-Tip (back), Phife Dawg (front), Ali Shaheed Muhammed (right).

A Tribe Called Quest had always stood out from the crowd; original and unique in their sounds, lyrics and beats, they avoid the mainstream music avenue. In this album, ATCQ combines a interesting mash of sounds, mixing old school hip-hop, jazz, R&B, rock, east coast influence and a plethora of new beats that give a futuristic sound. This combination, as odd as it may be, mashes together nicely, making the listener feel like they are somewhere in between the past and the future.

In Memory of Phife

Making this album more emotional for the group and for their fans was the sudden death of group member Malik Taylor, most commonly known as Phife Dawg. Taylor had passed away on March 22, 2016 from complications of diabetes at age 45.

Phife Dawg

"It was all coming together nicely and as you may know, we lost our brother, may God rest his soul on March 22nd. But he left us with the blueprint of what we had to do," Q-Tip wrote in his announcement of We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service.

Although Phife Dawg had passed away eight months before the album's release, his contributions to the album were all new. Q-Tip went on to write that the lyrics from Phife Dawg were not "just recycled Phife bars;" they were pure, untapped Phife Dawg.

Phife Dawg came up with the name of the album, and although the other group members didn't fully know what it meant, they stuck with the title to honor their "partner in rhyme."

The song "Lost Somebody," was dedicated to the life of Phife Dawg. It's hook repeats the message:

Have you ever loved somebody?

Way before you got to dream?

No more crying, he’s in sunshine,

He’s alright now, see his wings.

Jarobi White and Q-Tip admitted that it was one of the most difficult songs that they ever had to record.

Tribe Collaborators

Busta Rhymes

For the new ATCQ album, not only did all of the original Tribe members come together, but brought in some very strong power from the rap industry to contribute on the album. The most obvious contributors are Busta Rhymes and Consequence, who's music were heavily influenced by the Tribe.

Consequence

"So we collected ourselves and along tribesmen, Busta (Rhymes) and Cons(sequence)...we completed what will be, obviously the final A Tribe Called Quest Album," Q-Tip wrote.

In addition to Busta Rhymes and Consequence, the album also includes vocals and raps from Talib Kweli, Kanye West, Anderson Paak, Andre 3000, Kendrick Lamar and even Elton John.

The Deeper Message: Politics and Social Injustice

Yet of course, before the death of Phife Dawg, this album was intended to target social injustice, racism, inequality, and politics. Throughout the album, there is a sense of a revolt or a revolution that is bound to occur. This is heard very clearly in their song called "We The People."

We The People may be the most political song on the album, pointing out police brutality, racial and religious discrimination, equality and threats of deportation. The main hook sung by Q-Tip states:

"All you Black folks, you must go,

All you Mexicans, you must go,

And all you poor folks, you must go,

Muslims and gays, boy, we hate your ways,

So all you bad folks, you must go."

The first song on the album, The Space Program sets the tone for the rest of the album, claims that there's a "Mass un-blackening" in America at the moment.

Whateva Will Be is a very dark-toned song with a great beat, detailing that only the strong survive in this world and how each member of the group describes the world being stacked against them as black men.

The Killing Season, which includes the vocals of Consequence, Kanye West and Talib Kweli, discusses social injustices such as police brutality and the discrimination of American solders. One of Jarobi White's lines in the song says, "Connection to the sun so strong the relationship is lusted for

Causes men to suffocate, I can’t breathe no more," which is a direct reference to the death of Eric Garner, who was suffocated to death by an NYPD officer. Another lyric from Consequence states:

The old lady saw us on the lawn with the Henny,

Turn the pool party into the one from McKinney,

Might've been racist like the waitresses up in Denny’s,

Swore we had twelve gauges, automatics, and semis,

Now they wanna condemn me for my freedom of speech,

'Cause I see things in black and white like Lisa and Screech,

Presidents get impeached and others fill in the throne,

But veterans don’t get the benefit of feelin' at home.

The track Conrad Tokyo which features Kendrick Lamar, outlines economic and political issues with influences the 2016 race for president of the United States at the time. Phife Dawg delivers the following lyric on the track:

Rather watch the Nixon shit than politicians politic,

CNN and all this shit, gwaan yo, move with the fuckery,

Trump and the SNL hilarity,

Troublesome times kid, no times for comedy.

To close out the album, the last song is titled "The Donald" which is both a political reference to newly elected President Donald Trump and what also happened to be one of Phife Dawg's nicknames within the group.

Overall Review

The album as a whole gives different themes and emotions: From humor to serious issues, from politics and injustice in America, to the life and death of a close friend or of family. Amazingly, the lyrics that Phife Dawg provides in terms of politics and social justice issues somewhat foreshadowed the election results of the presidency in America. Then there are other instances where the legendary rapper's absence from the group is clearly felt. We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service is a great album for both old school hip-hop veterans and fans of today's rap and the futuristic sound, uniting multiple generations of rap and hip-hop, and proving that hip-hop music can still provide meaningful messages with deep meaning. This album can definitely have an influence in the industry and in America for time to come.

JOUR 420: B#3

The Hippie Occult that Changed Everything, and a Deeper Look into Pop Culture Tragedies

The 1960's, filled with rock n' roll music, love, peace, sex, drugs and the birth of the hippie movement. During times of struggle in the decade -- riots, war, assassination -- many felt that they were able to overcome; that their message of love and peace would prevail.

That all changed in in the final months of 1969.

A man with a broken childhood and a criminal past moved into Laurel Canyon. His name was Charles Manson, and he moved there after becoming obsessed with groups such as the Beatles. He taught himself how to play music, began writing songs, and seemed to fit in naturally with the hippie movement in Laurel Canyon.

Charles Manson

But Charles was different. He didn't function under that "All You Need Is Love" mentality. He began recruiting members to his "Family," which were usually young, attractive girls from privilleged families, and who were "damaged" in some way (life at home, trying to live the hippie life, etc.).

Michael Walker, author of Laurel Canyon, described Manson's philosophies as "a hash of biblical revelations, Scientology, and his own song lyrics." (Walker 121).

This was not a religion. This was an occult.

And when Manson didn't get the record deal he dreamed of, he influenced his followers to commit brutal murders. The first being of actress Sharon Tate (who was eight months pregnant at the time), along with everyone else in her house,,,a total of five others...one whom was shot, and the other four all stabbed 102 times. The word "PIG" was written on the front door with Tate's blood. The second attack came the next day, with the murder of Leno and Rosemary LaBiancas. Leno was found with a carving fork sticking out from his stomach and the word "WAR" carved into his skin. Rosemary was stabbed 41 times. Smeared in blood on the walls were the phrases, "DEATH TO PIGS" and "HEALTER SKELTER" (one of Manson's theories).

He and his followers who took part in the crime were eventually arrested and convicted, and their trial is a whole other story. The people of Laurel Canyon became paranoid. They wondered: "How could they have done something like this? They seemed so normal...like one of us." 

Manson being escorted to his arraignment in connection to the murders in 1969. 

Contrary to the hippie beliefs, Manson and his followers didn't think as highly about love, peace and no war as his counterparts did. So when they heard about these crimes, it was a total shock to their system. It began to break down the hippie movement of the '60's.

One of the most interesting facts that I caught in this situation was that Manson's "Healter Skelter" theory was based off the White Album from the Beatles, in which he believed that they were directing a personal message to him of an apocalypse and race war to come.

The Beatles....the group that brought so much joy to America, and helped ease the pain after the assassination on President John F. Kennedy, influenced these massacres? Was the problem their music? Did they really have subliminal messages that warned of war and apocalypse?

What was the Problem? The Music, the Message, the or Movement? Would this have happened even if is wasn't in the midst of the hippie movement? Was the music and the messages given through them the reason for blame?

Here's my answer...................................................................................................................No.

This incident would not be the first time that people claimed music had influenced them to do something unthinkable, such as murder. Over time, situations such as this have caused a lot of debate, as to if the artists who create the music, pop culture itself, or the listeners are the ones to blame.

Here are just a few very well known examples of this pop culture/murder influence:

Mug shot photo of Mark David Chapman

• Mark David Chapman, who murdered Beatles member John Lennon. He was found and arrested while reading the book, "Catcher In The Rye," and compared himself to the main character in the story, Holden Caulfield.

Mug shot of John Hinckley, Jr.

• John Hinckley, Jr., attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981 after obsessing over the film, Taxi Driver in 1976. The reasoning? To win the affection of actress Jodie Foster, who played a prostitute in the movie. Hinckley had stalked her for months before the murder attempt.
• A Russian-roulette scene in the movie The Deer Hunter, which was said to have influenced a rash number of suicides in 1978.

Richard Ramirez

• Richard Ramirez killed 15 people in the Los Angeles area, who was dubbed "The Night Stalker" before his capture in 1985. A self proclaimed lover of heavy metal and a Satanic worshiper, he said that he was a fan of music that incorporated Satanic innuendo in their music and imagery, and noted that his favorite song was Highway to Hell by AC/DC.

James Holmes

• James Holmes, who obsessed over the superhero Batman and his nemesis, The Joker, stormed into the Aurora Colorado Theater for the film The Dark Knight Rises; He was dressed in heavy armor and opened fire where he killed 12 people and injured 70 others.

So who is to blame for all of this? Pop culture? Even though many might be able to make a case to blame it, and I believe that some of these situations (such as AC/DC's, Highway to Hell) do have can have many negative influences, it is the person who commits the terrible act, not the pop culture.

The songs that AC/DC wrote, the films mentioned above and the White Album from the Beatles never instructed for someone to kill somebody else. These were the acts of people who were either crazy, mentally unstable, and/or demonically possessed. No one is to blame other than the actual murderer.

I believe that these situations still exists today, and that unfortunately, tragedies such as these will emerge every once in a while, with a killer claiming that they were influenced or told to do something by pop culture. There are still cults that exist today such as the well known Santeria, or even some that establish themselves as religion such as Scientology (which happened to be one of Manson's influences). 

What is important here is being able to recognize this, and always remain vigilant at all times, because you never know who may be "influenced" by pop culture in the wrong way next.

JOUR 420: B#2

The Music Revolution

As Gil Scott-Heron famously said, "The Revolution will not be televised," the music that came from over half a century ago brought change to the music industry that would forever impact America.

It's truly amazing to think how certain musicians and artists can change the entire music industry. The 1960's and the times described in Michael Walker's Laurel Canyon was not just a change from the music in the 1950's, it was a revolution.

A few artists stick out to me more than others: The Beatles and Elvis Presley. They were the biggest game changers in the industry, not only because of their talent, but because they were so different from what America was used to. Or as Michael Walker described it, "white popular culture."

The Beatles became one of America's favorite bands in the 1960's, and their music still remains popular to this day; the Beatles performing Revolution (below).

Just as Jazz had become the revolution in the 1920's, rock and roll emerged and sliced "through the meringue of white popular culture." (Walker, 43). Bands such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones came from England and brought something special to America. Their music, especially the Beatles, were one of the biggest influences in Laurel Canyon, influencing and inspiring many bands such as the Byrds and many others. 

Something that I found very interesting was the fact that the Beatles came to America just three months after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and in a way, served as a tonic for the American people. Chris Hillman, a member from the Byrds had even said, "I feel like the Beatles actually healed us. It was almost God-sent that they came over." (Walker, 8).

Elvis Presley greatly influenced rock and roll with his "black-sounding songs" and with provocative or sexual dancing. Presley performs Jailhouse Rock (below).

Elvis on the other hand, was both popular and controversial at the time because he was very provocative. Walker described Elvis Presley as "a white hillbilly singing black-authored, or more typically, black-sounding songs, his courtly country manners betrayed by the unrestrained sexuality of his performance." (Walker, 43). Before Presley, there was the influence of Chuck Berry and Little Richard in rock and roll, which broke open the door (and some racial barriers in music), leading to genres such as blues, R&B, soul, pop and hip-hop.

Little Richard, was one of the first entrepreneurs to rock and roll, influencing artists such as Elvis Presley. Little Richard performing Long Tall Sally and Tutti Frutti (below).

In a way, their music was a change from the normal American life. It led to more musicians and bands that created music with meaning. They lived fast and wild lives, and for many young people, it was a way to rebel against the boring life they knew. 

My Perspective on the Classics

When it comes to old school music, or classic hits from the 1960's, I am one of the only 20-year old's that absolutely loves them. In fact, I prefer music that ranges from the '60's through the '90's over any music from today. My favorites come from the Motown and classic soul era.

Motown Records in Detroit, MI.

With that said, I never liked the Beatles. I could never listen to their music without getting annoyed or bored...

...Whoa, everybody calm down, put away the pitchforks and torches. That's just my preference. I'll tell you right now, that I would rather listen to the Beatles than most of today's music. I was influenced by soul music, because that is what I would always hear growing up. I'm sure that if I was born and raised in the '60's, my perspective would be different.

Although, I didn't like their music, I always respected them as musicians and their influence in America. Without the influences from The Beatles and Elvis Presley, many of the artists and groups that we know so well today, would never have existed, and that includes many artists that I love.

They started the biggest music revolution in American history. I think we're due for another one, and hopefully, we will get one soon.

JOUR 420: B#1

A Voice for Media, and the Golden Message to the People

I must admit, I am not usually one to watch Hollywood award shows. On January 8, 2016, Hollywood celebrated and recognized talent with one of the biggest award shows in the industry, the 74th Annual Golden Globes Awards. On that same day, I actually watched the entire award show...which is actually the first time that I have ever finished watching any award show.

As the show went on, I found myself bored most of the time, and constantly asking myself questions such as: How many awards is La La Land gonna get? What is this movie or film that I have never heard of in my life? Who is this actor/actress that I have never seen in my life? Was that a joke and was it supposed to be funny? Do 90% of Hollywood actors have British accents? How do people watch these things? When is this going to be over with already?

Most of the movies or shows that were nominated for awards I had never heard of. Therefore, this award show didn't matter much to me...that was until actress Viola Davis began to introduce Meryl Streep as the recipient of the Golden Globes Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The first thing that grabbed my attention were the two actresses themselves, as Davis and Streep are very recognizable and strong acting figures. After a very passionate and heartfelt introduction speech by Davis, Streep took the stage, and had a message that many may have not seen coming.

More than halfway through her almost seven minute speech, Streep had a political message to the American people, to Hollywood, and for journalists. She didn't have to say any names. Everyone in America knew exactly who she was talking about: President-elect, Donald Trump.

She told the story on how he mocked a disabled New York Times reporter, an incident that many Americans are familiar with, followed with a message and a call to protect journalists, their rights, and their voice for others.

"We need the principle press, to call them on account...that's why our founders enshrined the press and its freedoms in our Constitution. So I only ask the famously well-healed Hollywood Foreign Press, and all of us in our community to join me in supporting the committee to protect journalists, because we're going to need them going forward, and they'll need us to safeguard the truth," Streep said. 

As a journalist, this message meant so much to me, and many other journalists as well. I don't look at her message as an attack on Trump or Republicans, but rather someone who simply believes in what's right versus what's wrong, and wants to protect journalists and the press as a whole. That is a big deal. More than ever, it seems as if the media has been given a bad name and reputation, and in many ways, have been looked at as the ones who want to ruin reputations with lies and false stories. The recent election and responses from Trump have only worsened this situation.

The misconception that all media is "crooked or corrupt" could not be further away from the truth. The platform of journalism should give people the right to tell real-life stories: The truth, un-biased, reporting the news, in order to inform the American people and to serve as their voice.

There may be some journalists right now who are afraid to do that, especially after this election, because they know that they may very well be attacked by others who believe that they are attacking a political party or candidate out of bias. I am grateful that someone who is well-known and respected such as Meryl Streep, felt obligated to protect journalists, and serve as a voice for them during these controversial times in America.

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