In high school I liked KMD and Third Base. At times, out west I was trying to decipher the slang from the east but I got it and it was something I could relate too. Young African American kids, confident, expressing themselves artistically and making us have fun at the same time. When you get older, the interesting part is learning about all trials and tribulations that your favorite artists were going through. Like learning that Doom’s brother DJ Subrock was killed by a car, and the group getting dropped from their label. Also, when Third Base broke up. It seemed that all that glittered was not gold but still I was inspired.
I’m sad and shocked one of my favorite rappers MF Doom is dead. There’s plenty of info about him on the web and social media but having been a rap listeners for years, his death hit me hard.
Rappers like Doom are rare now because of the of the obsession with image over rhyme skills. He was serious about rhyming but seemed to be making fun of everything at the same time. That’s what I liked most.
There seems to be some connection between Shabba Doo’s death too. The 80’s produced a lot of important popular culture. Breaking was big movie again for us kids out west that got the whole hip hop culture sort of late or regurgitated. Some of us missed part of it and only realized its immensity later as we matured and for others who were able to venture east and learn more. Still this melancholy I feel now is related to the meltdown I feel about American society and popular culture. I guess if I want something better then I have to make some of my own pop to make a balance.
The recent insurrection in Washington D.C. is equally sad because of the double standard that was exposed in terms of the response to BLM protesters and other demonstrators and the killing of African Americans by police. Even amongst white liberals, it’s like they have a hard time saying white supremacy. The burden seems to be put on African Americans to explain race and we are fed up with carrying the weight. What’s worse is the denial and sense of entitlement. America has been exposed once again. All of our material wealth and access to material goods masks our ignorance, poverty and unequal society. A lot of us know this but have a hard time dealing with this reality in my opinion.
It appears we are in the dark ages again. Hopefully we can escape this deluge. Biden and Harris have a lot of hard work to do. As always I’m hopeful that we can and they can, get the job done. In these times you have to make the most of the moment, in a positive way. Cycling and writing are ways in which this can be achieved. Rhyming and dancing are another.
Thanks Doom and Doo!