What I See - August⁰⁷ by D2Nott

I at times feel like I am under attack.. My music, my dress, my pets, my lifestyle..

Still faced with the same question, "What's more important, your goals or what others think of your goals?" This fast paced rat race has everyone so infatuated with quick cheddar $, impatient to stand for something that does not give instant gratification."Invest in things that grow, not just things that go". Selling a service for money is a tad "hoish" don't you think? Changing for the better is sometimes difficult because breaking old habits is hard to do. How do you fight the system when you are a young black male in America?

Breaking Old Habits (Biggie Duets)

What it is, the music business or the streets make a decision
I do this in my sleep, and you way out your division pimp
This game we play for keeps, and the rules remain hidden
This ain't a place for lames and that snitching shit is forbidden ---

Biggie, T.I., Slim Thug

Change brings about new challenges, there are hurdles; trying not to defeat yourself before the race really starts is only half the battle. You are not fully aware of what you can do until you try. Accepting failure is okay, but failing to try is no longer acceptable. Let the losers worry about losing.

As we see in Hip Hop, if you make an impact people will talk about you whether you are on top of your game or at rock bottom. Remembering that life is a marathon, starting off fast, but end up wheezing in the back because they can only do one thing, is not how you want things to go. Planning to change the game? It's easy to talk about doing something, show me what you got!

I don’t rap, but still think like I'm grinding in the trap. Trying to adapt to the change from the streets to the game without ending up like former New York heroin kingpin Leroy "Nicky" Barnes, who recently sat down with journalist and radio host Judith Regan. Barnes did a two-part interview with Sirius satellite radio to discuss his life, prison, Hip-Hop and his new book, "Mr. Untouchable, The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Heroin's Teflon Don". Barnes said, "But after I began to cooperate, I don't think they would hold me as a role model for something that they themselves would wanna be.” Barnes had his life sentence reduced and was subsequently released after he decided to cooperate with the Feds; Barnes is currently in the "Witness Protection Program". The movie "American Gangster" is based in part upon the life and reign of Nicky Barnes and the Harlem Mafia. The movie is scheduled to be released in November; starring Denzel Washington, Russell Crow, Cuba Gooding Jr, and others, directed by Ridley Scott.

In My Lifetime

You criticize the way I walk, you wanna see my bankbook?
I'm not a crook,
I flipped the script and changed my ways
So I can get paid, everyday
I see the same old shit, I see in the streets
I know you think I'm sellin keys, but I only sell beats
Dopefiend music, it's drug related
You can buy it on the corner get a radio and play it
It always sounds better when you turn it up loud
Rap music
Let these motherfuckers know what we about ...
Too Short- Real Ni**az

Deputies in Arizona search the home of rapper DMX (EarlSimmons) during an investigation into claims of animal cruelty; found about a half-pound of suspected illegal narcotics, guns and a few dogs dead and buried. No charges have been filed or arrests made. With a lot of details still left out, it just goes to show that even rappers are people too and do make mistakes.

On the mistake tip; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vickfaces criminal charges and a possible prison sentence for participating in an enterprise that trained pit bulls for death matches in which spectators bet on the outcome. Vick and three associates were indicted by a federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia, on a conspiracy count alleging they bought and sponsored dogs in an animal fighting venture and traveled across state lines to participate in illegal activity, including gambling. Prosecutors allege that on one occasion earlier this year, Vick participated in killing eight dogs. A National Football League spokesman said the allegations against Vick would be reviewed under the NFL's personal conduct policy. Between 2001 and April 2007, Vick and his associates bought and trained pit bulls and hosted dogfights at the property, and dogs were also taken to locations in at least six other states to participate in fights, prosecutors said. Falcons' QB Vick faces two-part federal charge related to dog fighting ring. The three other men also named in federal indictment took plea bargains and are now cooperating with prosecutors. Mike Vick dog fighting will cost him $22 million in signing bonus and an approximated $140 in total contract dollars lost. Watching the company you keep and knowing your real friends are important even if you are a multi-million dollar man or living in poverty.

Recently Atlanta City Council debated putting a law on the books against SAGGIN. The fine would be a ticket for showing your underwear. The commission decided not because the law seemed too difficult to enforce and racially basis. Instead of using that money to enforce that law why not put it into the school systems? But that's another argument; read "S A G G I N" is "N I G G A S" Backwards. Two Years after Hurricane Katrina people are just now seeing the part of the struggle that civil rights activist fought so hard for, and it's still an everyday struggle. My heart goes out to Katrina survivors and the "Jena 6". Aye That's the way it is

The game is not something you win, it's something you know, and when it's designed for you to lose, the powers that be will find a way to halt your ambitions. There has to be more to this than live fast and die young. Where is my persuit of happiness, where is my american dream?

Changes

Still I see no changes, can't a brother a little peace
There's war on the streets and the war on the Middle East
Instead of a war on poverty
They got a war on drugs so the police can bother me
I ain't never did no crime I ain't have to do
But now I'm back on the track givin' it back to you
Don't let 'em jack you, back you up Smack you up and pimp slap you up
You gotta learn to hold your own
They get jealous when they see you with your mobile phone
I tell the cops can't touch this I don't trust this
When they try to rush I bust this Sound of the tool, they say it ain't cool
My momma didn't raise no fool

Tupac

Patiently waiting on September releases, some veterans like N.O.R.E., UGK and Raekwon are still making their voices heard. Newcomers like Plies and Young Joc also had releases this month. Dj Khaled, T-Pain, U.S.D.A, Fabolous, T.I. and Swizz Beatz have also experienced much success with their latest releases. Speaking of veterans, Hip-Hop legends Doug E. Fresh and Queen Latifah have partnered with the NBA, HBO, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Global Business Coalition of HIV/AIDS (GBC) to create new HIV/AIDS public service announcements that will premiere this month on major networks. While rapper Common has teamed with Converse to be the face of Converse RED Weapon sneaker, proceeds up to 15% of the net sales from Converse RED to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a worldwide initiative created by U2 front man Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa. The Converse RED Weapon will retail for $75.

But I digress. The spectrum of influences goes from Youtube in the Presidential Candidate Debates, to rappers being like politicians; the voice of the people is being heard now more than ever. Renaissance and Revolution: both words represent dramatic change, one with the connotation of arts, literature and intellectual transformation; the other political transformation, through the use of force and violence. The common ground for both is the societal changes towards creation of better lives for the masses.

Sitting here with my pen and pad in hand reminiscing, remembering summertime in Florida, the 100 degree weather, police sirens, pool parties, convertibles, big rims, beautiful women and clouds of smoke as I prepare for the upcoming school year. This is just "What I See"

D2Nott