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Side C-Stu Ungar review by John M. Ellison IV
As of late I’ve been thinking about my trip to Las Vegas last year. Well, two things jogged my memory about it. The first being gaming sites like party poker and the other being the Zappa-sampled Side C song “Stu Ungar.” So, I thought I would combine both interests in one piece
For the people that aren’t aware, the song “Stu Ungar” is inspired by the late professional poker and gin rummy player, Stuart Errol “Stu” Ungar. I ran across this song awhile back on a Zappa forum where the song caught a mixture of outrage and praise. The reason for the outrage from fans was because the song “Stu Ungar” samples Frank Zappa’s “Willie the Pimp” off of the mostly instrumental Hot Rats album. As a devoted Zappa fan myself, I have mixed feelings about the song as well. But, I can’t deny the fact that the “Hot Rats” album has sample potential and Side C proves it.
For those who aren’t familiar with Side C, Side C is a five man Canadian rap group based in Montreal. The group is fronted by rappers Strath, Syps & Rigo. The group also features drummer Drefus and Dekoy on samples.
In “Stu Ungar”, they usurp Captain Beefheart’s lines “I’m a little pimp with my hair gassed back/Pair a khacki pants with my shoes shined.” and “Twenny dollah bill (I can set you straight)/Meet me onna corner boy’n don’t be late. In a different context, it sets the tone that’s complimentary to the overall theme of the song. Flow-wise, the guys in Side C are adequate but nothing that really stands out.
Interesting enough, DMC, Talib Kweli, MMM (Mix Master Mike) & Ahmet Zappa all collaborated on a rap song in the vein of the original Willie the Pimp that was featured on the The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAAAA Birthday Bundle 2010 compilation here.
In closing, check out Party Poker for online gaming and check out Side C “Stu Ungar” and DMC, Talib Kweli, Mixmaster Mike and Ahmet Zappa’s rendition of Willie the Pimp for proof on how the music of Frank Zappa is slept on sample wise.
20
Wait, You Want to do What to Fabolous? by John M. Ellison IV
What is wrong with hip-hop nowadays? They went from wanting to “fuck a nigga up” to threatening to “fuck a nigga!” Honestly, I’m not that surprised. Ever since that shiny suit era that Diddy…dirty money whatever he’s called did that crap back in the 90’s I kind of had a feeling that hip-hop’s going come out the closet soon enough. For the record: NO I’M NOT A HOMOPHOBE! In fact I think it’s even dumb caring what people do in their personal lives and if you focus enough that probably means you’re looking for something you’re lacking…that in this case is another dude.
Even though the occasional “freeze that” moment isn’t anything new, I’ll start from last year. On October 25, 2010 on the social media network “Twitter” Lil B tweeted Kanye West that he was going to rape him if he didn’t acknowledge him on the social networking site. Oh yeah, rapper Lil B has an album out called “I’m Gay.” Yes, I know “gay” means happy but a “dike” also means an embankment of earth and rock built to prevent floods. But I assume most wouldn’t think of Ellen Degeneres holding back raging waters and saving a town from flood damage. Now, you have Ray J…yeah, R&B singer/actor/amateur porn star threatening to send some of his “niggas that like other niggas” to rape Fabolous during a psychotic tirade on Power 105. Wait, what?
Is this the new trend? First it was the “Illuminati”, and then it was tranny groupies and now…advocating man on man rape? What’s wrong hip-hop? I remember every other lyric was “faggot”, “gay”, “punk” “bitches” and how you hate any “faggot bitch ass niggas.” Weren’t these words supposed to prove how hard you were to other dudes? Maybe in hindsight it was to prove how hard you were “FOR” other dudes…
No, I’m not going to pick on just rap. Metal has had a few suspect moments…who am I kidding with “suspect?” The hair metal era and power metal album covers were evidence enough! I’m sorry whenever I hear Bret Michaels sing “Talk Dirty to me.” I’m thinking…”uh no speaka de English, holmes.” Nowadays this pop-punk…emo…whatever it’s called it looks like something out of a 90’s club kid’s commercialized nightmare.
In closing, I’m afraid to see the next trend in hip-hop…maybe it’ll be something “awful” like actual rapping or showing care about social issues.
12
Donnie Darko-U.F.O. Transmissions review by John M. Ellison IV
Fusing the emotionally charged rapping—well more like “emotional recitation” of Donnie Darko over chugging, down tuned guitar samples. Darko paints a bleak, cold picture of a world of despair and pain that is a reality for some. DJ Bless’s aggressive chanting compliments Darko’s venting. I noticed that ”U.F.O Transmissions” is kind of reminiscent of another rap song with an intergalactic theme. That being Kanye West’s waltz timed “Spaceship.” I mean, aside from concept of space travel, the similar theme of both songs is hoping for a better present than the one that they’re experiencing. In closing, I feel that DJ Bless use of djent or metalcore band “I The Breather” compliments the delivery of Donnie Darko.
8
Pardon the lack of updates
Pardon the lack of updates, between the storms hitting the east coast and computer issues, productivity has slowed down. To everyone who checks out the site, I deeply thank all of you.
5
Was Kurt Angle Drunk Behind the Wheel It’s True it’s Damn True by John M Ellison IV
Wrestling legend Kurt Angle was arrested early this morning on charges of driving under the influence … TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement tells TMZ … Angle’s car was spotted by another driver … swerving between lanes on I-66. Angle was busted by Virginia State Troopers, who responded to the call, and taken to Warren County Jail.
He posted $2,000 bond and was released at 3:31 AM.
Angle won the gold medal in wrestling at the 1996 Olympics before turning to professional wrestling. He made his name in the WWE and is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
Wait, Another DUI for Kurt Angle? Wow, for a health nut he gets caught driving drunk a lot. Actually, this is the exact reason why I call TNA “WWE’s Halfway House.” Oh don’t look at me that way, Anybody that’s a wrestling fan knows TNA has a lot of drug addicts and washed up guys on their roster. In fact, August 20th, 2011 Matt Hardy got arrested for a DWI as well. Hardy was also released from the company.
TNA Wrestling …Impact Wrestling…whatever it’s called nowadays makes me cringe. As a wrestling fan, I have to deal with the stigma that wrestling is stupid or wrestlers are morons etc. As there are rappers that revel in every negative stereotype, they’re wrestlers that embody negative stereotypes. To me, TNA It’s kind of like a drunk relative that shows up at the family reunion and you happen to bring your girlfriend or boyfriend when you’re trying to show them how you come from a decent family. Honestly, you truly have to love what you’re doing as a wrestler to for TNA. Literally, according to Jimmy Wang Yang you’re lucky if you even get paid. In fact TNA wrestler Jesse Neal tweeted that he could qualify for food stamps.
I’m going to chill before I come off too “smark-ish.” I’m not going to make jokes at Kurt’s expense and erratic behavior in the past, I’ve already done it. But seriously…I hope he gets help soon.
http://www.tmz.com/2011/09/04/kurt-angle-arrested-dwi-wrestling-virginia-state-troopers/
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