Thanks for that link. I like that joint a lot.

And thanks for giving me a little history about you. I have a question about your old friends that are dead or in jail (no disrespect intended). Weren’t at least a few of them smart too? Was it really only the smart ones that stayed out of jail and lived?

Only reason I ask is because I have friends that are dead, and in jail too and I consider(ed) some of them smart. Maybe I’m no one to judge who’s smart though.

I responded to you in the first place, because I see you read this article about this kid who lives in the projects, was in a gang, sold drugs, etc. and you respond by pointing out that the gangster images portrayed in a lot of hip-hop, translates into the ‘get rich or die trying’ lifestyle that is responsible for this. You go on to say that Puffy and Jay-Z are just as responsible for KILLING DR. KING’S DREAM as his assassin. In your last response to me, you acknowledge the myriad of REAL reasons why people in this kid’s position are in this position. SO WHY NOT POINT TO THOSE THINGS FIRST?

Now, I find it interesting you post a Nas / Damien Marley video. Was that supposed to be an example of a song with a positive message and positive imagery? I guess it was more positive than some others. But I’m pretty familiar with Nas’ body of work from day one and I’d like you to google the lyrics to nas’ ‘money is my bitch’. Then I want you to look up Rastafari. This video flashed images of Haile Selassie. A dead Emperor of Ethiopia (you know, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, yadda yadda yadda). Damien and Bob believe(d) that this man, known to some as a tyrant was GOD. It is what the whole religion is based on. Now….. I like their music A LOT, I mean really, that’s my kind of music!! But I am not confused enough to become a Rasta (or any religion for that matter).

You’re linking to this video as an example of something positive and inspirational right? Well Damien’s inspiration is JAH - Haile Selassie. Is Damien inspirational to you? Should you just start following the same religion he does. By the way, women are subservient to men in that religion.

Stop blaming hip hop and hip hop artists for society’s ills! Many poor people ‘Get money or die trying’.

The Chinese folks who risk their lives being smuggled in boats to the US to ‘prosper’.

The Dominicans who try to get to Puerto Rico by raft and sometimes don’t make it there. Shit even the Alaskan fisherman who risk their lives out there to make a buck. I can assure you that 50 cent and his imagery played no role there. What’s making them risk their lives?

Hey Holsum,

Regarding the friends I knew, I said that more to bring home the point that there wasnt much to range to how they turned out. They weren't necessarily smarter, they just didnt aspire to bigger 'crimes' that would have sent them to jail or worse. Some might say they were less ambitious. They stuck to petty crimes and personal drug use, and the ones who went to jail were the ambitious ones trying to get rich. who was smarter?

I mention rap and not the other things, cause its a pet peeve or interest of mine. I love gangsta rap, Biggie, Jay-z et al, but I'm not ready to accept them as the role models of black america. I'd like to see more rappers appreciating that their art/music/entertainment effects people and being more responsible to the overall messages they're throwing out there. Not censor themselves, but be more intellegent about what they say.

I realized the hypocrisy of linking to Nas, while not perfect he's a great example of an artist, who both immortalizes the reality of street life without glorifing it, thinking of one love. He had his puffy momements - hate me now, but then he's done straghit up positive joints like, I can and if I ruled the world... Lots of contridictions to Nas but at least he's struggling with what it means to be an artist. Jay, I dont think he knows what responsiblity is.

I gots to run. peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiOv37e1a7Q&feature=fvw

Ok, it's your pet peeve. We all have those. You cool peeps. Stay up! 1.

What happened to his middle finger on his left hand? Was it shot off as a gang initiation thing or did he lose it at a Christmas party helping the poor orphans in the project where he lives?

Morningside Heights is a wonderful neighborhood.

I think it's a shame these projects are often reported as being in Morningside Heights.

there are too many ni99er scum like these in morningside heights

That was almost a racist remark.

The Grant houses are in Harlem. I don't care if they're below 125th street. As soon as the 1 tracks go above ground, you're in Harlem.

people brag about being gangsters now?

What is the crowd's opinion -- body armor or too many Ring-Dings?

I blame their lack of humane education as well...

I think all thugs and drug dealers should use MySpace to tout their achievements.

What's in the Muder Set's arsenal I wonder?

A flashy wardrobe?

A lethal powder puff?

Body glitter?

His mom's vacuum attachments?

Almost complete, but they always leaves the condom out.

Youse people are to ard on the dude. Just look at him sufferin and all. How wuld you like severe arthritis in your hands at his age?

isn't that the guy from the movie Good Burger????

I thought it was Sinbad.

I find this hard to believe cause i don't even think they can use computers. I think my Grandpa has more tech savvy.

Gangsters, step one in staying off the cops' radar: misdirection via gang name. Instead of the blatantly suspicious "Murder Set," try "Upstanding Young Men."

Didn't help the 'Young Talented Children' aka 'yellow top crew'. Almost everyone gets busted eventually.