So, if I were gonna run against him [husband Bill Clinton] would I win? Yeah.
Despite relationship drama, the music grind will always be the future, for Future. ‘Stick Talk’ is a hot record on his latest album, Future #DS2, that can get party jumpin’. The video looks to have been shot in a specific location chosen by Future- a local neighborhood with a some of his homies. In the video, the fedora wearing, ‘Rebel’ sweater and black shade rockin’ rapper is jumping around, really feeling his music. You can just tell.
The amount of swag Future has in this video is amazing. From the head gear to all the bracelets. I even hopped up and starting doing my dance, to the beat, moments after sitting down to watch the ‘Stick Talk’ video. Although the music is catchy, 75% of the time I have no freaking idea what the heck Future is saying.
I remember my first time hearing ‘F*ck Up Some Commas’; I could not get that song out of my head for the life of me. And, I never knew what the hell he was saying; a week later I searched the lyrics. And to this day, I still love that song, and even know the words, now.
Shut up, Shabetti Bashazz
Shabetti Bashazz| @ShabettiBashazz
Rap along with the lyrics below, if you don’t know the words.
[Pre Hook]
Took a shot of Henny, I’ve been going brazy, brazy
They say my whole hood got it under investigation
They know they talk that stick talk, that stick talk
They know we talk that lick talk, that lick talk[Hook]
10 million dollars cash, fuck a friend
Started sipping syrup, I’ve been geeked ever since
Gotta keep that heat on the seat ever since
You know we talk that stick talk, that stick talk
I’m ’bout to fuck this cash up on a new toy
‘Bout to fuck this cash up on a new toy
You can’t understand us cause you’re too soft
Taliban bands, run ’em straight through the machinery
“You gotta be different. You gotta be the sore thumb, sometimes. How you gonna know what a thumb is supposed to look like if you never seen one that stuck out?” -MarkOnTheBeatz
On-the-Rise, Washington DC native, producer MarkOnTheBeatz is paving his own, righteous way into the music industry with an ‘all or nothing’ attitude. Growing up in such a monumental location certainly had its positive effect on Mark, helping molding him in to a, ‘play anything by ear’, musical-genius and musician. There is a unique culture in the original sound of music that comes from D.C. that just cannot be ignored. Everyone enjoys the sweet sound of Go-Go. So, when given the opportunity to interview with MarkOnTheBeatz, my first interest was in understanding how the culture of music in his hometown influenced the decision to pursue a career “on the beatz”. Mark exclaimed,
“Go-go, it just hits you different; you hit that and it comes right back to you. It’s that cause and effect sound. Back in 7th and 8th grade, all these cats at my school were making all this money from this music, so that kinda got me interested in the sound. It’s an art; everybody can’t make go-go records, you have to really know music, really understand music to successfully produce such a sound.
Also, where Marvin Gaye lived in D.C. is like 5 minutes from where I grew up. Actually the apartment complex where he lived, a few blocks away from me, was recently torn down and is now in the early stages of becoming a suburban neighborhood. And, I’m just like why would you tear down such a historic place in the city?”
I can only imagine growing up in a place close enough to the historic routes of, such a legend, Marvin Gaye and actually being able to travel the same roads and share similar experiences, then have it taken away like it was never paramount. Landmarks are a huge deal; this saddens me.
We spoke about the cultural advantages of DC a little while longer then moved on, further into his career. I asked,
“I was getting in trouble back in DC so I traveled to North Carolina, to reside with my grandparents; and, my uncle there had a friend that did music. At the time, he had the most basic keyboard, it wasn’t even a full keyboard; but, I just picked it up one day after school and started messing around, eventually teaching myself.”
His answer made for the perfect gateway to my next question,
“I just paid attention to sounds. And, it’s crazy because I have no schooling, at all, for music or engineering; I can’t even read music. But, I can play back anything I hear. All the keyboard, percussion, and snare sounds are all me, those are not samples. That’s how I know I have a gift from God.”
“My fans can always expect to hear an inspirational sound or really dope sample in my beats. One time, I made a beat and it sounded like I sampled an Erykah Badu song. Initially I didn’t, but I went back and added the sample, ‘Don’t Worry’, when people, who heard the beat, kept asking me if I’d sampled that song. It’s crazy.”
“My sound is different, not the same sounds. I feel like people can jam to my music whether they’re 20 or 50. It’s that real timeless sound. There’s peace in my sound.”
“Umm, I get inspiration from Devin the Dude, he’s really weird, and he’s really different. My uncle used to always play him. And, I really like his song ‘Briar Patch’; it’s so realistic, when you hear the song its like ooooh who is this?
Juicy j inspires me with the beats.
OutKast! I remember my mother always playing OutKast, I remember when she first payed ‘Bombs over Baghdad’. Then, when I watched their videos, I was like who are these guys with these blonde wigs, guitars, and funky clothes with all these fans? Like, people really liked them.
“MOTB (Mark on The Beatz) is in the works of becoming a production company. When you come to MOTB, you’re gonna get real music. I wanna be the one stop shop. If you come to me for an old-school feel, something smooth, or something gutta, I got it for you. You want it I got it all.”
“I’m tired of hearing and seeing women be disrespected. A black woman is a queen; you should be calling her that, not talking to her like she’s a dog. There should be more education and acknowledgement going on in music. We should be building each other not tearing each other apart. If I got a nice car, I want my brother to have a nice car so he ain’t gotta take my nice car.”
“I always wondered why old people ride around listening to music with no words, it’s because they don’t want to hear the dumbed down lyrics, but they still like the music.”– MarkOnTheBeatz
“In my music there are words of truth that uplift and inspire. I already put my heart on the beats; so now, let’s take them gutta beats and put some conscience lyrics on ‘em. If people can make money doing wrong, I know I can make money doing right. The biggest mistake we make is not being knowledgeable about who we are.
There is a saying I’ll always remember from Bob Marley, “There’s truth out there for those who want to find it”
“It’s crazy how I started working with Jeannie. She was actually reaching out to my artist, Ahdia, about 3 years ago. And, we linked up, we sort of already had professional history, from knowing some of the same people, so we just picked back up. It was cool because she really likes my music and what I’m trying to do; and, I needed somebody like Jeannie to help with my music. Here we are working on a mixtape”
“What people can expect from the ‘HBCU Mixtape’ is music full of positive energy, inspiration, and of course your party songs. The mixtape is especially for black college students with a love for music. Actually, that’s why it’s unique, too. Artists can submit their work to me to be featured on the mixtape.”
“Well, so far, Ready Set Impact has been getting me to do covers, to see how creative we can be, my artist and I. I’m building and recreating my professional catalog as a producer, right now with them.”
“Ahdia is a realistic music maker. She has this certain swag to her. As Timbaland is molding his artist, Tink, into a rendition of Aaliyah with a little bit of Missy; I’m reinventing Ahdia’s image, she’s in Lauryn Hill’s bracket.
I think that she is just different. With Ahdia, the goal is to be accepted for HER; she isn’t tryna sale their bodies. She wants to give you her mind, not her body. I see her career going to the top.”
“My grandfather hated when I would talk about wanting material things. One time he jacked me up, so hard, when he heard me talking about the cars and material things that I wanted. So, that taught me to only desire things that make me happy, from the inside out. That’s why I put my heart and soul into my music. It’s all about following your heart, without that you have nothing. And, my mom of course for introducing me to classics.
But, for the most part it’s all me out here. I have successful people all over my family, but they all favor the traditional way of doings things. And, I’m way more creative than traditional.”
“You can expect for me to drop the mixtape, and go on an HBCU tour. That’s what I’m striving for. The ultimate goal is to have my music motivating everyone around the globe.”
“I always wondered why older people ride around listening to music with no words, it’s because they don’t want to hear the dumbed down lyrics, but they still like the music.” – MarkOnTheBeatz
For those of you, Hip-hop & R&B artists, looking to get your music out have a chance to be featured on the HBCUMixtape; just submit your music to HBCUMixtape@gmail.com for an opportunity to work with MarkOnTheBeatz. I know if I was a music-maker I would jump all over the chance to be featured on such an influential project.
MarkOnTheBeatz| IG: @_MarkOnTheBeatz
During the interview I was able to really find out who Mark, behind the beats, was. I mean, I was blown away, meeting intelligent black men who have a real sense of who they are is not plat formed the way it should be. Mark was awesome, and a breath of fresh air. I was even put up on game about the classic movie, Glory, starring Denzel Washington. I watched it after the interview and my life and mentality immediately was grown into a newer, fresher state. Thanks Mark.
Shut up, Shabetti Bashazz
Shabetti Bashazz| IG: @ShabettiBashazz
Women have a million and one things to do at the waking of everyday; this is inevitable because we are a super species. Sometimes, we just don’t feel like talking or engaging with there being so much on our brains and to-do lists. In a women’s silence she’s usually sorting her next steps, smoothing out thoughts, or trying to find a peace and sanity. However, as she sits pretty her clothing shall always be speaking a thousand words, especially of elegance. Our attire and up keeping holds a certain level of power- almost equivalent to Princess Diana. Ok, not really but you get my drift. A gal should make each path she takes her own special runway, whether it be the sidewalk, middle of the street, or a high-profiled red carpet event. This means, we should shop for clothes that sound like who we are.
The quote,
“Women shall be seen and not heard.”
Sort of speaks volumes.
The way we present ourselves to the outside world should be eloquent. I know that, over time it’s been made cool for ladies to dress, look, and act not so lady-like, especially with all the amazing sporty chic looks having hit the runways; but, there is something special about the female who embraces being a woman, loves to smell wonderful and exudes high levels of innocence and mystery. Women are sacred beings, and have been since the Garden of Eden. Actually it is quite tantamount for a woman to pass by without leaving a breathtaking scent that turns heads and flares nostrils, or not to carry an attitude that motivates and inspires those in her presence. So yes, each item placed on our bodies shall speak each word we are at a loss for.
Don’t you want to be that women walking down the street impacting everyone’s life you come in contact with, without speaking even one sentence, only gracefully smiling and softly waving- never having to lose that important train of thought? If your answer was no, I have no idea why not. However, for all my ladies intrigued and feeling compelled to feel a bit more fancy, I challenge you to continue being the hard working superwomen that you are… just in an uber chic and mind-blowing outfit. Today, I encourage you to dress like you are opening a high-end New York Fashion week fashion show, smell good, and exude excellence in every way possible. Wave, smile and keep all your balance. Make your feet hit the pavement with purpose today, even sway your shoulders a bit. You never know what your presence does for innocent bystanders and other young ladies. Let’s bring back high-class characteristics of women all over the globe.
Try it, and please don’t hesitate sharing with FMHiphop, we’d like to embrace your experience with Letting Your Wardrobe Speak for You.
Shut up, -Shabetti Bashazz
Fallon hosted Monday night’s show with, guests, retired boxer Mike Tyson and Roots drummer Questlove. While Mike Tyson was on the show to promote his own show, Mike Tyson Mysteries which airs on Adult Swim, after Jimmy mentioned the “You uthed to call me on the thell phone” Meme, with a picture of Mike Tyson holding a dated cellular device, that Questlove recently posted to his Instagram page, Tyson gained a secondary reason for being on the show-a very special performance. Mike is an awfully funny guy anyway, but his cover of, Young Money rapper Drake’s, hot new single ‘Hotline Bling’ has taken the cake for his most hilarious joke/skit.
Rolling Stone added in their coverage of the Jimmy Fallon episode,
“The boxer/actor was on hand to promote the second season of hisAdult Swim show, Mike Tyson Mysteries, when he took umbrage with host Jimmy Fallon’s description of the show as Scooby Doo meets Mr. T. After Tyson pointed out the obvious — “Me and Mr. T are different” — Fallon, already faux fearing for his life at Tyson’s exuberance, accused Questlove of making the comment originally.
Fallon proceeded to throw Quest further under the bus, bringing up a “Hotline Bling” meme the drummer posted on Instagram in which a picture of Tyson on an old flip phone was accompanied by a caption poking fun at his lisp: “You uthed to call me on the thell phone.”
The lisp added an even funnier dynamic the super off-beat, unique rendition of the hottest song on the radio. Yo, I think OVO should sign the kid. aha
As though the video of Tyson performing his version of ‘Hotline Bling’ wasn’t funny enough, the memes add a bit more comedy to the whole thing.
Shut up, Shabetti Bashazz
Shabetti Bashazz| IG: Shabetti Bashazz