Looks like a must watch!!!
50 Cent's Esquire Interview Is Genius
This is from a while back, but I was just re reading it...dude is an interesting individual. I'd definitely want to pick his brain. Gonna cop The 50th Law next week. Peep Game:It's Fifty, not Fiddy.
My mom chose the lifestyle because she didn't choose welfare. Every time I seen her, it felt like Christmas. Everything that was nice in my life was gone when she left, and the only people I saw that had nice things were people from the lifestyle. And they'd look at me and go, Why you look like that? Why your shoes run-down?
What led my mom into the lifestyle that got her killed was what led me into the lifestyle: to prevent needing things so much.
If I'd had a choice, I would've been a college kid. I would've majored in business.
Sometimes you do need to convince yourself through convincing others.
I never saw drug use as a good option. I'd rather have an additional ten dollars than smoke. It wasn't a decision to not smoke weed. It was a decision to hustle. It was a business decision.
Hustling was my internship.
Being shot defines how strong I am. It prepares you for the confusion of being an artist.
The adrenaline doesn't allow the bullets to hurt as much as being afraid hurts.
Columbia Records shied away from me. They were afraid of someone who would actually come from the real shit. You know what happens right after you assess me being shot? You go, Wow, so he's really down there with the people who will just shoot you nine times? Will they shoot me, too? Why sell 50 when we can sell Kanye?
There's people who are considered intelligent who are idiots.
People who raise their hands deserve to be ahead of people who don't.
Money is freedom. Money is a private plane. Money is no metal detection.
I sign autographs because there will be a moment when no one asks me to.
Don't wait for them to tell you. Tell them.
There are too many entrepreneurs. We need the worker to make the process function properly.
The first time I felt rich was when I had $80,000 inside my house. I saw it as a means to more money.
Money is not going to make you happy. A new idea is what makes you happy.
When I got shot, it was a $5,000 exchange. The price of a life is cheap.
Obama takes away the excuses.
The best businessmen in the world make a bad deal sometimes. And it's not usually in a boardroom. Most of them marry the wrong woman. That business deal is the worst business deal of all.
All the women have contributed to my success. Every one.
In my house, Carmelo Anthony is bigger than 50 Cent.
My son is more important to me than I am to him.
Always have bail money.
Curtis Jackson. I identify with the name. When I look in the mirror, I see Curtis.
Am I an honest man? I'm a selectively honest man.
Am I being honest right now? Yeah. Most people would answer that question with a yes. Even the liars.
Jay-Z is as politically correct as some of the politicians. He's safe. There's points when you're acquiring financing, you make adjustments. He's made those adjustments. It's his choice. For me, it's not a necessity.
When you're safe, people start walking on the stage because they feel safe with you. People don't walk on the stage at my shows.
Air Jordan. Tiger Woods. You know how a person is made for something? Eminem is made for hip-hop. The best rapper is a white man.
My music is a soundtrack. The film is my life. My music matches things I've experienced or felt. Even if the whole thing is made up.
When you get hurt as bad as I got hurt, the idea of hurting someone as bad as they hurt you is no longer out of the question.
Depression is a luxury I still can't afford.
I like generals. I like Napoleon. I like strategy. The majority of them are praised for mass destruction, but it's exciting to see how it comes to the mind mentally.
Is Charles Manson a serial killer? No, he isn't, because he ain't do no killing. He's a coward. He was just crazy enough to influence people to kill for him. There were a lot of Charles Mansons in my neighborhood. There were no Napoleons.
Hip-hop is arrogant because people are arrogant.
Rap artists are like fighters. They don't need a coach to call them champ for them to believe it.
You need a respectable opponent, but you don't have to respect 'em. In the end you're gonna finish 'em anyway, right?
Marriage and Successful Black Women
Ya'll may have seen this one floating around the internet. I found this extremely interesting. I gave my thoughts elsewhere and decided to compile them here:
- Honestly, to be fair, you can't knock them for having standards. If you step your game up, its only natural for you to want someone on your level. I personally think women look to be upgraded by the men they date. My problem is when they expect things of their mate that they don't even have themselves. Like I date women and some of the preferences they have for men don't even make sense to me.
- Its like you're @ the point where if you can find a woman who can cook, clean, be smart and is educated you'd better wife her asap. Some women have been brainwashed to have ridiculous standards for their mates. Cool. But if you don't even have your shit right, WHY should I downgrade? Its like someone telling you to fix a car and they don't understand the mechanical system.I've gone on dates with women and asked them what they look for in a man then I ask what they bring to the table...the same generic script that their actions show they don't even live by. I do think that money shouldn't change you..but be real..if you got 50 mil, your standards in a mate would immediately shoot up. IMO, a relationship is balanced when a man knows how to be a man. We think in terms of survival and wanting to be the best at what we do. At least we should. Women IMO think in terms of security. When a woman can find a man that will be a real man, they'll stick with him. Another problem is that women sometimes waste their youth messing with no good men. When I date a woman and she starts talking about dating a thug or someone who sells weed, its a turnoff. Number one, that's a low level hustle and I beieve in going all out. Number 2, I don't wanna deal with no baggage or some hot head down the block trying to kill me over some box .
- When we're on the comeup, women recognize it and are really attracted to it. They know that an ambitious hard working man will eventually come up. It is what it is. Women will give men more play of potential than vice versa. Men we look for loyalty, trust and if a chick has our back. I trained myself to find a hardworking female...but my main issue is that I want the credit for my hard work. I've seen it with some of my friends that they'd come up and their girl wasn't supportive at all till they hit big. And honestly, when you're working hard, you want companionship of the opposite sex who can understand that your time is valuable. I talked about my commitment issues but that's something I pointed out. When you want companionship and you're hustling, sometimes you want it at your convenience. If you're upfront about it. No harm, no foul. We're all adults here.
- Another issue is that professionalism doesn't define you as a person IMO. Your job/degrees don't make you all of who you are. They are assets and things that you possess...credentials..but end of the day, some of the smartest people do the ugliest things to humanity. Either you're a man/woman first, or you're not. No way around it. As a college graduate, I can say that its something to be proud of no doubt..but it doesn't define me. I define myself by who I am, what has shaped me, my strengths/weaknesses and my belief system. I think as Black folks, we put a high value on education. Definitely no problem with that...but at the same time, social skills are needed to interact with people and to relate to them on a human level. I don't give a damn how many degrees a woman will have if she's a snobby, arrogant person. And mark my words, a lotta the women ya'll think are tough and hard to talk to....a lotta these women just wanna be understood and meet a guy who can talk bout a wide range of subjects. They may make a lot a year, but ya'll lying to yourselves if you don't think they want a dude in their beds @ night. I also don't think women see money like how we males do.
- Dating, especially in a city like NYC, is a ridiculous numbers game. The days of settling with the first person you meet are done. Remember, your dating options are limited to what YOU will go out and pursue. That's my attitude. Call it not settling. Its a big world. Then again, women are faced with the double standard of sexual experiences. If a dude goes overseas, 9/10 he's gonna look for some box and doesn't need to feel a type of way. If a chick goes overseas, and gets some pipe, she may initially feel guilty or say some shit like "a lady never tells" or some shit like that.
- At some point it goes beyond the blame game and into personal accountability.
Edit: also wanted to add that not every woman is wife material nor man husband material, regardless of social class, education level, etc. :-)
'The Rest of Kayne West"/"Rest of The Neptunes" Mixtapes
"Secret Society" Mixtape
The less you know, the better...but the "Secret Society" will be releasing a mixtape straight for your ears this New Years Day. Featured on the tape are such familiar names as Wale, Hijynx, Blu, Fashawn, Cashtro Crosby and G.O.D. Jewels.
1. Intro (J. Diction and Hi-Jynx Prod. By Plan)
2. Special Bond (Pharoah)
3. Gym Class (The MECCA of Rhymes)
4. Never Fail (Hi-Jynx Prod. by Half Amazin)
5. Takeover (F.A. the Squad)
6. Sunroof Missin (How E. Stacks Prod. By Keen-¥)
7. Yea That's Me (Wes Duce Prod. By Half Amazin)
8. Mary Jane (Keyel)
9. The Come Up (Epiphany)
10. Drinks Up (Wale)
11. Change the Game (EDF and Hollywood Floss Prod. By Nemesis)
12. Lose Control (Qualmes)
13. Coordinates Remix (M. Will the Shogun)
14. I'm the Business (YP)
15. More (Mr. Jefferson Prod. By Mighty 1ne and Time)
16. Jordans And A Gold Chain (Hi-Jynx and G.o.D. Jewels)
17. Samsonite Man (Fashawn feat. Blu)
18. Imagination (Hi-Jynx and Mr. Jefferson Prod. By Keen-¥)
19. 2 Clean Flow (Epiphany)
20. G.O. (G.o.D. Jewels feat. Louchiano Prod. By Half Amazin)
21 Cash Moody: Always Be Me (Cashtro Crosby)
22. Outro (Time Prod. Plan)
"Distant Relatives"
One of my personally anticipated music releases for the next year. I hope Nas can come in the vein on "Untitled" (not LIKE the album, but keep his depth and gravity nearly the same). The features also look pretty interesting as well. I'm also interested in the marketing campaign behind an album with such subject matter. Can't wait to BUY this on March 16th (if all goes well).
01 Intro (Something New) (prod. Damian Marley)
02 As We Enter (prod. Damian Marley)
03 Revolutionary (prod. Damian Marley)
04 Count Your Blessings (prod. Damian & Stephen Marley)
05 Belief is Key (prod. Damian Marley)
06 Africa Must Wake Up f. K’naan (prod. Nas, Damian & Stephen Marley)
07 Black Horizon f. K’naan (prod. Damian Marley)
08 Only the Strong (prod. Damian & Stephen Marley)
09 Our Generation f. Joss Stone & Stevie Wonder (prod. Damian Marley)
10 Empowerment (prod. Stephen Marley)
11 AID (prod. K’naan & Nas)
12 Let’s End It (Poverty) f. K’naan (prod. 9th Wonder & Damian Marley)
13 The Earth f. Bob Marley (prod. Salaam Remix, Damian & Stephen Marley)
14 Black Man’s Paper f. Erykah Badu (prod. Afry) [UK Bonus]
15 Weed On f. Snoop Dogg (prod. Damian Marley) [iTunes Bonus]
N
Just wanted to post this video on the N-Word by the homie AV Rockwell. I was one of the people featured along with my friend Anastasia and my homegirl Nesha. It was an interesting experience filming this. Check it out.
N. from AV Rockwell on Vimeo.
