Before I get into the DMX story I would like readers to reconnect with a line of thinking that they might be overlooking. Let’s take a look at Lady Gaga and her song called “Born This Way”. Some of the lyrics to the song goes a little something like this –

“It doesn't matter if you love him or capital H-I-M… 'cause you were Born This Way, Baby

[Verse:]

…There's nothing wrong with loving who you are
'Cause he made you perfect, babe…’

[Chorus:]
I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

[Post-chorus:]
Oh there ain't no other way
Baby I was born this way
Baby I was born this way
Oh there ain't no other way
Baby I was born-
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way” …

                        

Click PICTURE above to watch "Born This Way" (music video) by Lady Gaga

Now, correct me if I’m wrong. But this song is a justification of what some may see as Lady Gaga's cultural deviance; right? Is Lady Gaga a deviant singer asking her audience to accept her the way she is? In this song she is urging us not to JUDGE her simply because of sexual preference or deviant appearances; why? Because she was ‘born this way’. We are to accept her however she is regardless of our own morals since GOD is perfect, therefore HE must not have made a mistake when He made her that way. That't the message in this song.

Can a rapper proclaim the same message with bling, 24 inch rims, loud bottle popping in nightclubs, gambling and use of profanities? These are all deviant behaviors, right? Aren't these the main reasons why rappers lost respect? People condemned the deviant attitudes that give rappers street credibility. From being a player to a pimp to a hustler hailing from the ghetto singing songs about sex and weapons while condemning homosexuality. Proclaiming a macho lifestyle dotted with street crime using the excuse that many are deprived from equal opportunities in society or by expressing a rebelion against brainwash in conspiracy theories. That's a rapper's tale - it's a prison song. And because we wear diamonds and pay rumshakers to dance half naked in our music videos we came to be seen as misoganistic criminals instead of talented artists. But most people would love to wear diamonds too and many envied the rapper's wealth.
  
For a rapper, (like myself) deciding to write these lengthy blogs simply attests to the extent to which our image is being tainted in the media. I don't only have to be talented in my music I also have to use the internet to defend my genre from willful misinterpretation or an unknowing misunderstooding of the lyrics. When Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed in Pakistan the White House said Pakistani authorities either knew he was hiding in their country or their intelligence agency is incompetent when it comes to investigating such issues. I am utilizing the same thought process here. We too can be accepted the way we are because we were also born the way we are. No need to change who we are if we are going by Lady Gaga's theory, there is no reason why Hip Hop should be modified to meet the needs of a few inside outsiders.

Yes, I’m crazy about Hip Hop. I’ve lived my whole life promoting not only rap music but the culture of Hip Hop itself. I have called out TV shows, radio programs and music genres that rip elements from Hip Hop to promote their own schema. Genres are stealing slang language, music formatting, fashion and business techniques from rappers. If you couple that with negative press the end result is a discouragement. This is why you see a lot of fakes artists out there right now. 'Pop' artists who rap with Hip Hop trims, dance African moves and have their own perfume line. People are afraid to identify with who they are within the real essence of Hip Hop simply because they want to be accepted by everyone. So they adapt a watered down brand of the culture. If Lady Gaga and the likes of her are expected to be born that way then why not a rapper living out his Hip Hop dream? This is clearly not a question of right and wrong but rather, it is about what one wishes to do regardless of what is deemed right or wrong.

    

Click PICTURE above to watch "How It's Going Down" (music video) by DMX

Ask yourself these questions, “why is it that whenever a rap artist achieves worldwide singularity he or she is either killed or sent to prison? Was he or she not ‘Born That Way” just like Lady Gaga? What happened to rehab or all the usual form of slaps on the wrist that other celebrities get? Most rappers are rich and famous like Hollywood celebrities but their celebrity is never hailed the same way. Judicial systems have a bias that makes no delays in smacking a rap artist with a heavy hand should he or she get suspected of anything questionable. And use the media is a tool that can be used to tarnish the rappers image instantly. But why go through that length just to tear an artist away from his or her success?  

There is even a Hip Hop task force called the Hip Hop police that is dedicated to tear down any rap artist who grows too successful. This task force goes undercover, tapping phones, bugging cars, trailing us in nightclubs, obtaining employment in the camp while acting as a spy. Some female cops even go as far as a romantic relationship just to investigate the artist. Our grate-grand and grandparents inherited a world taught to fear GOD and his commandments; right? This is why people frown upon a street lifestyle. After all, besides the crime insinuations within the lifestyle there is also a huge room for sin as well. Which is why it is seen as a deviant lifestyle in this circular culture. But now we see other forms of deviances in circular culture. Younger kids are clubbing more, using hard drugs, having random babies, smoking and drinking heavily and partaking in mature activities that their elders didn't experience until after they got married. 

There had to have been a social, political or religious mentality that frowned on fornication in favor of marriage, homosexuals in favor of heterosexuals, ethical discipline as opposed to corruption and so on. But what is good morals anymore? What's the basis for the need of equality? Are there any saints? Why will someone be called a bastard? How did that word come to exist? A whore or a slut…a nigger...  what line of thinking lead to the creation of these horrible words? There had to have been a thought process deemed righteous that caused a distinction between good and evil. But over time generations have come to question that reasoning. This new culture lifts previous bans on taboos. Is this not what Lady Gaga wants when she says she was born this way? H-I-M had to be an inference to a GOD or Superior Being who makes rules that her likes are opposed to; right?

Rocker Dio's "Holy Diver" album cover

Is it true?
 Are we headed for a new Godless era?
Are western governments really seeking to merge through occult,
military and psychological manipulations using the economy as a driving force
to control our minds while establishing a global federation?

Why is there an ANTI-CHRIST? 
But there is no symbols of ANTI-BUDDHA,
ANTI-GANDHI, or ANTI-MOHAMMED conspiracies?
Is there a conspiracy against Christian values such as marriage?

Who wants to change your religious and moral views through your music?
Who runs Hollywood, the Council On Foreign Relations, the United Nations,
Wall Street, major world corporations, local governments, et cetera? 
Here is what I've found on the subjective!!!

First of all, for those who don't know what 'lingo' means, 'lingo' is a Hip Hop word which means slang language. I know people are gonna say the producers of Jersey Shore were looking for a specific brand. But equally so, we have to be conscious of the psychological impact the show has on the public. The media claims Jersey Show has started a new trend of slang talk; but if you look closely, you would see that their trend was already established by Hip Hop music and culture. In fact, when Hip Hop established some of these trends white America frowned on them. But now that a reality show called Jersey Shore  is doing the same thing, because they are not dancing to rap music, they are being promoted as trend setters? The same can be said for the 'Real Housewives of New Jersey'.  The real housewives of New Jersey are not only Italian women.

New Jersey is a multi-cultural state with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

I don't know about you but I think 'name' is very important. It is wrong to name a show after an entire state when it represents only one out of at least five different cultures in that state. No, it's not just a show. Speaking as a Jersey dude, I'll never agree with why the public has failed to distinguish between the reality show, “Jersey Shore” and its cheap imitation of Hip Hop lifestyle. The lifestyle, the dress code, mentality and especially the slang; are all ripped off from Hip Hop. They swapped the music from Hip Hop and R&B to dance music and made it look like they've created a new culture. But in reality they did not. 

  
                                                   Techno heads with hip hop appeal.

Of course, it was easy for the producers of the show  to accomplish that. Caucasian parties in New Jersey go esssentially cop-free.  Caucasian party goers engage in public lewd behaviors freely, have reckless sex with random mates through excessive drinking while dancing the night wildly away smoking and abusing drugs; and it is seldom that they have to deal with the police. In their case it will take a distress call or tragedy in order to face the law. The same cannot be said when African-Americans gather with loud rap music. The NJPD storms in and shuts the party down before it even starts. If not, they hang around in the corners closest to the party location patiently waiting for party goers to leave so that they can bust them for something. Many Hip Hop clubs got harassed into closure that way and many Hip Hop slang got rejected from public acceptance when they became popular... 
 
Culturally, in New Jersey there are two distinct groups of people; 

       
                                African-American woman and man. They are not related.

1. African-Americans - people from Africa, the Caribbean and descendants of ex-African slaves who are either permanent residents or citizens of New Jersey. Typical stereotype about successful black men sometimes involve the notion of poverty, gangster rap or drug deals which are often found to be untrue. There are many African-Americans who were born or immigrated to the state of New Jersey from other parts of America as well as the rest of the world and they are highly educated people who do not engage in rap music or drug dealing..
 
      
                                   Italian-American man and woman. They are not related.

2. Italian-Americans – descendants of Italian immigrants or natural born European immigrants as well as some Jewish and/or Caucasians in general, residents or citizens of New Jersey. Typical stereotype about successful Italian men sometimes involves the notion of a Mafia/mob crime syndicate which is often found to be untrue. There are many Italians who are not involved in any sort of crime lifestyles.

NOTE: It is very important to note that New Jersey citizens come from various parts of the world including the Middle East, South America, East Europe, Australia and Asia. However, whenever New Jersey culture is represented on TV there seems to be this need to put forward an Italian brand. There is a rather large Spanish/Hispanic community in New Jersey as well and not once have we seen that part of New Jersey being equally praised or honored publicly. 

NOTE: It is also very important to note that this blog is written to set the record straight - that the misleading perceptions that New Jersey is a brand of ‘Italy’ is completely false. This blog is not a dis to Italians. I love Italian culture and everything about Italians, but I want to make it clear that New Jersey is not a brand of Italy.

          MERITS & DEMERITS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS                
             AND ITALIAN-AMERICANS IN NEW JERSEY

The major difference between Italian-Americans and African-Americans in New Jersey is where they originated from. One is a continent and the other one is a country. Obviously African-Americans originated from Africa, a continent with several countries bearing different cultures, languages and traditions including but not limited to Egypt, Timbuktu, Ghana and South Africa. Italian-Americans originated from Italy, a European country with its own distinct language, culture and traditions prominent to their history dating back to the Roman Empire.

Italian immigrants being Caucasians have the advantage of not being totally affected by racism in America. Thereby they establish strong connections within high level government and law enforcement agencies as well as within other Caucasian communities. This gives them an edge when it comes to first jump at new opportunities or possibilities within the state. For example, running for mayor or governor or acquiring high level jobs or maintaining a successful private business with loyal customers.

              
                                                        A favor for a favor.

African immigrants being black in a country with a history of racism tend to depend on their talents and physical abilities in order to thrive. This is not to say Italians have no talent or Africans have no connections. There are many talented Italians in New Jersey. All I’m saying is for the most part Italians will depend on their contacts while Africans depend on their talent.

One good example? - A 23 year old from both groups (African-American and Italian-American) wants to drive the same late model Ford Mustang. The Italian-American more often than likely, will be from a middle class family with the right contacts to either afford the Mustang out rightly or hook up with a job that will eventually facilitate in the purchase of that dream car. The African-American who wants the same ride in New Jersey, probably less opportune with fewer or no connections may be an admired athlete or musician who hustles with a bright future. Or he or she may be in love with a Caucasian who may co-sign. Granted in each scenario there are those who misuse the opportunity.

              
                                             Hi, officers... yes, this is my bike!

Either way, whether it’s by working hundreds of hours or by being the lucky recipient of a trust fund or straight up car jacking the Mustang and chop shopping it, both the Italian-American and the African-American will end up with that dream car. However, the Italian-American may get more out of the ride since Police patrols in Caucasian neighborhoods in New Jersey usually do not slam Caucasian residents with license-threatening traffic violations. But in black neighborhoods the African-American with the same car may not drive the dream car in peace. Police patrols will trail them around town until the driver receives the long dreaded traffic violation that ultimately sees their license go bye, bye.  Black people in New Jersey depend heavily on their individual talents while the Caucasians which most likely blends in as an Italian will depend on the bond they have and their connections behind the scenes.

          
                                                          Hip Hop is original.

"Hip hop evolved as an endearing expression during a time when a pre-existing mindset resisted against the notion that a new breed of talented musicians could influence the world. Without first attempting to understand it - the madness behind its controversial lyrics, self expressive clothing, luxury cars and SUVs, boisterous strut, profane language, expensive jewelry, alluring tattoos, money, and ghetto lifestyle portrayed in some forms of rap music caused it to be categorized as a wayward form of music suitable only for wayward outcasts who should be confined to classless communities. Secondly, people who could not participate in the new influential culture due to their own social and moral obligations, had choice words against those who could. What's what in hip hop that could not be ignored? I think the intelligent message and the organized structure within this lawless genre/culture spread it like a new religion and that social relevance led its counterparts to fear its power." 


              
                                   The misconception

"While hip hop is not there for the wrong reasons, there are significant elements within this genre which are blueprints for true hip hoppers who don't mind being misunderstood. A true hip hop head knows not to compromise with non-hip hop influences. The head nod, the attitude, the fobia and the message of lyrical defiance have very distinct importance in this culture. To the hip hopper the values in the essence of rap is higher than anything in music while it remains more than just music. Standard traits cannot and should never be altered because – hip hop is a way of life and not only a trend. When you alter your hip hop lifestyle to fit someone else's mold, you get everything else but hip hop. The essence of true hip hop is in the culture and that should never be compromised." - FREDDY WILL 

Some may not agree with me but many do. Believe it when I tell you; today, real hip hop has been altered. Why? Because from within hip hop communities around the world to pop, within the last fifteen years, gradually, fans have been weaned off the classic brand of hip hop and fed with a soul-less, blues-less, R&B-less brand of pop rap under the guise of hip hop. Greedy record companies use misleading record sale and gimmicks to exploit the culture for money. 

Having been 'guilted' into thinking that the original hip hop mentality is shameful, many opted for new fads which were subtly presented as an alternative to the real thing. Only, these fads are dreams which never really come true. 

In pursuit of affluence label heads and some big name artists sold out when they agreed to present fans with alternative/pop with rap as a commercial brand for classic hip hop.  Hence, it is sad to say that the love of fame and money, caused the true essence of what was once an influential culture to be watered down in exchanged for what's deemed suitable for a fortunate few who had nothing to  gain from hip hop in its original state. 

I think this is what Nas meant when he said "Hip Hop Is Dead."



It’s easy to argue that as time changes so should hip hop but true hip hop will always change the times and not be changed by the times. This culture evolved as an unconventional platform where rap artists presented an uncontaminated insight to social living. An insight that came directly from their instincts based on their life experiences. However, today, with the rise of emboldened feminist and pro-homosexual movements many activist feared their future was threatened by the influence of original hip hop. Thus, they counteracted seeking to restrain fans' access to rap music that belittled their lifestyle where fans freely received that message. In the end, fans no longer have the freedom to choose what they listen to. From then on fans became spoon fed with a refined version of hip hop which is poles apart from the real thing.

Various psychological maneuvers were used to sway the minds of the public such as pro-gay bits in sitcoms with hip hop connotations, hip hop condemning talk shows and anti gangster rap rallies used to persuade major music distributors from meeting this demand for rap. A hip hop smear was publicized with intent to associate the genre with bummy goons, irrational slum mobsters and stone cold murdering, misogamists and anti-gay thugs who enjoyed the music. Allegedly it was suggested that hip hop misleads generations hailing a life of crime and social arnachy. This toe-tagged hip hop as a perverse genre which promotes a life of profane criminality because of some rappers' references to drug violence and use of slang such as ‘faggot’ and ‘bitch/ho’ while records with songs about previous lives in gangs were released. In all these accusations, conveniently, the artistry and skill of rap was ignored as well as the sense of humor encapsulated  in profanities used within slang language. 

 
                    
                                       Mind control

The old adage “the love of money is the root of all evil” can be true but not entirely accurate. The deepest root of all evil stems from seven (7) deadly sins that some know of but many have never heard about. Before we get into that, some may ask, what are the seven deadly sins? All over the world people belong to diverse religions and cults while some choose to be atheists. We each have a distinct belief system for the most part fitting to our individual religious choices or it was passed down to some from a preceding generation. None-believers who inherited a particular religion or cult through birth never question how that religion or cult came to exist. We (this generation) belong because they (our ancestors) belonged. And then there is the a new batch, an increasing secular consignment that does not practice religion or cult even though they are not atheists. Ironically enough, whether one belong to a cult or a religion or not, whether they are practicing members or a complete none-believer, the fact remains, we are all helplessly indulged in sin.

People should read my blog simply for the amusement in the information. Perhaps if one was curiously skeptical of the topic at hand he/she should ALWAYS remember the context with which the statement was made. The goal is to understand another perspective as opposed to casting a judgement when one does not agree with it. You cannot expect everything to be in your favor. One of the biggest problems in our society today is this; people are not willing to read into the minds that does not interest them. And reading gives us a glimpses into the minds of the writer or the topic that is written about.

Many people avoid reading documents or misinterpret them thereby missing out on vital information in a point being made. For example, many green card holders who committed crimes and got deported did not know that if they commit a crime and go to prison, they will also get deported upon their release from prison. If they were not too cool to read they would have read the newspaper and listened to the announcement on the 10 O clock news. They would have known before getting caught. 

However, since many were too lazy to enquire before hand, many find this critical information out from a lawyer or a judge when they have already landed in prison and are about to be deported. I have seen this weakness in many aspects of our society especially in the music industry. Many of my street buddies refuse to speak proper English or use advance vocabulary because they are afraid they won't seem cool. Many high school and college dropouts are guilty of this but there are also a few intellectuals in high places who do the same thing. This lazy attitude has deprived a whole generation from developing the proper judgement needed to understand how the government works, how laws are judiciated and how financial institutions utilized debt and credit systems. 



Staunch Hip Hop fans understand who I am and take interest in what I stand for. They know where I’m coming from when I express my views. I write to entertain those who enjoy a good read, I aspire to hone my writing skills and give my view on issues that excite me. There are many topics that have not been blogged on due to time constraints or lack of motivation. However, for the most part, I blog for the reasons stated above. As a Hip Hop artist what I do is not commonplace. Rappers are not regularly writing articles on the Internet like I do. At least not yet.

I come from a generation that is literally sandwiched between two generations. Elders came from the years between the late 1800’s and the time period that ended in the 1960’s. They taught us what they know with a strong conviction that their morals and principles based on religious proliferations of the past were the only right way. We are the generation of the 1970’s through to the mid 1980’s that were raised by a fairly ancient code of conduct but also had to adopt to new norms. From teachings about God to respect for elders to conducts of ladies and gentlemen.

   .

During the Mid 1980’s cutting edge technologies emerged, musical legends like Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley faced untimely deaths in the wake of new exposures as Michael Jackson rose to prominence. Break dancing gave way to Hip Hop which spawned ‘gangsta rap’. In West Africa, numerous dictators ruled over countries that had recently gained independence from colonialism and during this social reshuffle; a new generation was being born (late 1980's to mid 1990's). Along with that new generation came breakthroughs in technology, broken down barriers of diversity, sexism and social consciousness. This opened the doors to public acceptance of trends that were once considered taboo.

Women gained liberation from dependence on men and soon started to earn better money, acquire higher statuses in jobs and openly explore sexual options that were once hidden. Pop culture and Hollywood movies saw a boom in exploitation of new talents and technologies. Homosexuality and transgender lifestyles became more trendy as many racial barriers were also broken for the first time in history. While baby boomers grew older and new generations became young adults, there came a total disconnect from morals and principles that were once thought to be normal. But baby boomers and their predecessors never understood how.  This gave rise to a generation gap as technology continues to improve many kids skipped a process of innocence as the internet exposed them to everything. Many kids gained easy access and participated immaturely with a deep sense of social exposure and then became accustomed to the lifestyle which used to be only accessible to privileged adults.

RACISM – I address many race issues and sometimes I contrast these views with perceptions from what used to be, what is and what is going to be. The main thing I want people to know about me is, I’m not racist in any sense of the word. I appreciate all races and cultures. I want to see a world where racial equality is practiced on all levels. I want to see a world where Hollywood after producing movies that glorify ancient cultures of Rome, Greece, the Mayans and Aztecs also produce movies that glorify ancient civilization in Africa from the Ghana, Songhai and Mali Empires to glorifying views of the Zulus and Arab and Jewish legends. I want to see a positive representation of all cultures in Western pop and Hollywood cultures as well as in ceremonies at schools and Universities and right down to the core mentalities in all establishments.

SEXISM – Everyone knows that sex sells. When I blog about sexy women I don’t mean to be seen as a chauvinist, misogamist or sexist but as an artist who enjoys different fantasies of female beauty and female sexuality. I see writing as an art and even though I want people to adhere to the message in my articles I also want them to appreciate new perspective and the skill I use to articulate my thoughts. Just like when a comedian or a philosopher. I believe in romance, my example is from my own parents and grandparents. I believe women should be treated equally but I also believe that such an equality comes with responsibilities on each side. 

       

HOMOPHOBIA – I am not homophobic. I am a heterosexual male who respects everyone’s sexual orientation or identity.  So when I blog on topics like Jersey Shore ripping off Hip Hop slang to establish an Italian pop trend, I’m not being racist or homophobic, I’m only narrating a story in the way that it was initially meant to be question.  I write in context and I use a perspective to express the thought that I’m trying to convey. Truth being told, as it was in the beginning, related to previous generations, the current generation and the new generation – many who missed out on previous teachings can be informed of what was and compare it to what is. However, this does not mean that I’m personally against the progress or freedom of those being blogged about. Whether it be good or bad, I always side with the ability to co-exist as humans who understand and can appreciate the differences in ourselves and others.

      

MATERIALISM – New technologies have proved useful to people who wish to keep abreast with the fast pace of technological evolutions in today’s society. Some things are unnecessary to one group of people while others see it as a badly needed necessity.  I promote business, marketing, indulgence and the ability to live a life to the fullest. Many who know me, know I would gladly be content with a few good things rather than having to buy the most extravagant things. Like all people I have a selection of dream items and experiences which I would like to indulge in before my time is over.

VIOLENCE AND CRIME – Being a Hip Hop artist advocating for rap and R&B music, it is easy to assume that I’m interested in a world of anarchy.  But this is far from the truth. I take pride in being a law abiding citizen. I’ve never been in trouble with the law in all the six countries I’ve lived in. During the genocidal war in Sierra Leone I was with the government soldiers who were trying to stop the massacre, not with the rebels. I believe some laws are foolishly based on the mistakes of the weak in society but that does not mean I would break them. However, our society is riddled with crime and violence and people should question why it is that way. At the end of the day, my actions (and yours) will be calculated.

Indian police said so far they found no evidence that the father of a child star in the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" tried to sell the 9-year-old girl to an undercover reporter...

Congrats my brother.
                 
whats ur comments on that?

www.freddywill.com