What I See - April⁰⁸ by D2Nott

Getting so caught up in living today, that you not say, forget, the people that were important yesterday. I saw it in a dream first, then it happened; all reality no television, commercial free. Is what I see before me a revolution, or evolution and what role am I to play in the outcome? How will history remember the times that I lived in? Seeing the world for myself, not really knowing how to behave when put in new situations.

With all this other stuff going on like the build up to the 2008 presidential election, remembering the death Dr. Martin Luther King; take time out to read sometimes. You don’t have to see it the same way, but it is good to open your eyes and realize some of the ideas, opinions and facts we are blind to. History does have a tendency to repeat itself, but the next time we repeat certain economic and social revolutions; I want to pick which line my legacy is in.

“You Know, You've Got This..Fantasy In Your Head About
Gettin Outta The Life And, Settin The Corporate World On Its Ear
What The Fuck You Gonna Do Except Hustle?
The Game's Fucked Up Ni**a's Beats Is Bangin, Ni**a Your Hooks Did It
Your Lyrics Did And Your Gangster Look Did It
So I Would Write It If Y'all Could Get It
Bein Intricate'll Get You Wood, Critic
On The Internet, They Like You Should Spit It
I'm Like You Should Buy It, Ni**a That's Good Business
Forget This Rap Shit I Need A New Hustle
A Little Bit Of Everything, The New Improved Russell
I Say That Reluctantly Cause I Do Struggle
As You See I Can't Leave So I Do Love You
But I'm Just A Hustler Disguised As A Rapper

Jay-Z- the Prelude

The race for the President; the more I watch the more I see what I thought were feelings and sentiments buried long ago. Broadcast to every media outlet; see it surfacing; hatred or the willingness to accept a person because of race gender, and/or age. I see fewer commercials about issues and policy as the race draws near an end and more commercials that are strictly propaganda. These images paint one action or opinion over your entire character and life story. Could any of us really stand to be judge by a single act? The clarity of the rear view mirror seems to be a better than the prospect of hope for tomorrow.

With Fat Joe, Webbie, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Shawty Lo’s albums getting a lot of play in the streets. Many more artists like Usher, Lauryn Hill, David Banner, Bone Thugs n Harmony, AZ, Trina, Gnarles barkley, MJG, Lil Scrappy, Lyfe Jennings, Nelly, Keith sweat, Foxy Brown, and even KRS one all scheduled to release albums soon just to name a few. There are a couple not so familiar names set to make their debuts into the rap game as well, like always. Lupe Fiasco, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Rocko are experiencing success with their latest projects. While Fabolous’ Gangsta Grillz Mixtape along with E-40’s latest mixtape are making some noise.

Missy Elliott and Adidas Originals announced today (March 20) the worldwide launch of the Respect M.E. talent competition “Stand Up Be Seen,” which starts this month. “Stand Up. Be Seen,” aims to recruit 10 female ambassadors for Missy and her urban themed street wear brand Respect M.E. The Stand Up. Be Seen competition will launch in the United States, Argentina, the Asian Pacific Region, China, Japan, Korea, Europe, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Switzerland. Ten winners of the competition will be featured in the Fall/Winter 2008 Respect M.E. campaign, while five will continue on to be the faces of the Respect M.E. line, starting with the Spring and Summer 2009.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has banned Ethan Brown's controversial book Snitch: Informants, Cooperators & the Corruption of Justice.

Every month it is kind of a struggle because I try not to just put words down I try to convey a message fearing that I may lose you in translation. Being outspoken attracts attention, good or bad someone noticed. I often find that poems and music express my feeling in ways better than how I could have said it; the Def Poetry performance by Black Ice - God Gives Me What I’m Worth; is the view of many black men. He says it better than I can.

Life happens. When there is no other way to cope, I write. Music is just a part of the process. Like music, no matter where I go people want to hear what I have to say. Being at a loss for words while attempting to put together something worth reading does not really help the process. If I knew yesterday what I know today I would probably act differently, but we don’t have that luxury! Rise up be seen and be heard.