“It’s like a cycle some’ll go home some’ll come in do a bullet come back do the same shit again…”
Nas - Verbal Intercourse

So over the last few days some things happened that made me really question my age…in mainstream years that is. First I was in a club Friday and as I listened to the music and watched the crowds reaction I felt old. First off I couldn’t believe some of the songs that got the crowd amped. I just kept thinking “is this what does it?” Most of the Hip-Hop played sucked…bad. I only got on the floor cause they played like 5 classics, starting with Black Sheep - This or That. Now I am an admitted snob (in regards to certain things). For instance: Jay - Z’s first single does have a good beat when played in the club…but as an artist I got that feeling that people were hype cause it was Jay-Z and not because it’s any good. Let me clarify: as a performer I was aware of plenty of time where I did something that wasn’t that good, however, people still gave it up for me cause it was me and I was normally hella good. Even though I’m not considering the mundane tastes of “the crowd”, I just kept thinking “really?” Then all the Reggae and Dancehall stuff they played was the same stuff that they played the last time I was out…and all through the years since those songs came out. As an aside, a whole bunch of the Ravens were in the club that night. I was drinking and I was gonna tell my big homie Sundiata to step to Terrell Suggs cause he wasn’t that big…then I recalled they were playing the Steelers this weekend…and that I don’t do things like that. Good thing they won, otherwise I would have wrote a scathing letter the Brian Billick. Also I saw the difference between youth and experience. Ray Lewis and Steve McNair just chilled in the back while Suggs was moving all around the Club. I actually had to bump Suggs…I’m a fan, but the rules still apply, I give some space you give some. Perhaps that whole letter Idea is more proof of my age.

Then (actually the day before) I went and bought and Ipod.

(BTW - D.P. you know I put that Black Superheros on that joint) So anyway I spent some time loading stuff on there, the above mentioned joint is chock-a-buck full of old school goodies, suffice it to say that I don’t have alot of “new” stuff. So I’m waiting for the bus on Sunday and I’m rocking my joints. Now for those that don’t know I like to see the reaction of people who hear my music. If I was in a car rocking some old classic, I roll my windows down. I turn my headphones up and see how people respond. So while I’m waiting this guy comes and stands across from me. I notice that he starts rocking his head with my music. No one else though. I’m thinking “I’m rocking Only Built for Cuban Linx and this is it?” One guy? Does that mean we’re both old and these young cats don’t know about it? This is a damn classic! When it came out my and my peoples sat in the dark engaging in illegal activities that young, black, male, hip-hop fans would at the time. I remember thinking that these cats are killing it and this album will be a standard…I also remember thinking that this is really a Ghostface solo album and Rae is a guest star. Now, granted, this did come out about a decade ago (damn!!!). I’m saying though, this album is the joint! It’s sad when people just don’t recognize something like this. I’m not even saying you don’t recognize Edutainment. I’m not saying you aren’t acknowledging me playing some Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. It’s Raekwon and Ghost…The Wu! It’s one of Nas best verses! Ice Cream is on this album! I remember I bought some fronts from one of the stands that was in the video (that’s fronts, not grillz - it was only three teeth). Yo, they even talk about guns and stuff, I know ya’ll like that. I mean damn…has it really all passed me by? Ifeel like that song by Tower of Power…What is Hip? I am that old or (to reference another “old” song is it all just “Passing Me By”?