Mr. Speed Returns September 10, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Uncategorized.add a comment
::cues up “O Fortuna”::
Greetings, all.
It’s your least favorite short person/blogger/rapper/recent graduate, giving this whole web-logging thing the good ol’ (5th) college try. A lot has changed since the last post I did. For one, I have officially retired the “King Leon” moniker, after the upcoming double EP—which is basically just an album, if you think about it—Baby, Even Cool Kings Yearn…/The King is Dead. If you can’t understand what I’m getting at with the double title, Captain Obvious needs to pay you a visit and crack your head open, Nicky Santoro -style.
::turns O Fortuna off::
Geez, can’t there ever be a kick-a** moment without using that trite piece of orchestrated genius? Like, seriously, whenever something that is supposed to give you the “OMG” factor, someone ramps up the Orff Machine to 12 and lets the cliche fly. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love classical music, but there’s more classical music than just O Fortuna, Mozart and Beethoven. Heck, there’s more to Orff than O Fortuna (which is actually a segment of Carmina Burana, a play quite the fancy of Nazi Germany).
But, enough about classical music. I honestly don’t know what to talk about nowadays. At least back last year I had shilling my music and talking about other DMV artists’ tracks–along with a healthy dose of pop culture analysis. But, IDK (my BFF Jill), perhaps it’s the fact that I’m a working man now, but something isn’t clicking with that aspect of the weblogging world, at least right now. Perhaps later, but not right now.
Nevertheless, I announce my return (to the 3 people that actually follow this blog).
-J.
Johnthan’s Thought of the Day July 16, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Johnthan and: his "hippity-hop", Mixtape/Album/Song Reviews, Random Ramblings.Tags: bad, deconstruction of hater, destruction of society, dmv, dmx, hate, haters, hip-hop, hiphop, hitler, lemmings, maryland, music, rant, rap, reference, society, the world, umd, zinger
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Greetings, all.
“I don’t have a hateful bone in my body. I have a lot of them that dislike things to the highest degree imaginable without [omitted], but none of them are hateful. Therefore, “hater” is a word that’s about as synonomous with me as “tall.” #selfzing”
-Me, about ten minutes ago via Facebook (sorry to sound like a pompous *** that only thinks highly of himself)
But, there is an epidemic going on throughout the world. But, unlike AIDS, the cure doesn’t seem that forthcoming. I’m talking about people that use the words “hate” when they really mean “constructive criticism” and “hater” when the person being addressed is really just a “person critical of your viewpoint.” See, hate is what people had for Jesus, what Hitler had for Jews, what religious extremists have for the stereotype that America is full of sadistic, capitalistic, oversexed individuals that live by the motto “if it’s brown, toss it out.” Hate is not someone saying “Oh, I dislike your song because it does not reflect a realistic mentality that today’s young people should have.” Heck, hate isn’t even someone saying “**** Swagger,” as I have on many occasions.
So, it honestly irks me when someone says that anything that doesn’t completely agree with their ideals is “hate.” I blame it on rap music. As the genre matured, people began to get legitimate hate from certain parties, such as Jack Thompson, the KKK, old black people, etc. But, as the art form evolved (or devolved, depending on what camp of hip-hop intelligentsia you represent) to its modern state, so did the meanings of the slang—including hater. What was once a word in the genre that described “devils” of any background quickly became people that were “trying to stop my hustle,” and then “anyone who doesn’t blindly accept what I say as reality and an absolute truth.”
Back in the day, different opinions were expected, the norm, the deal.* Now, either you’re a lemming** to the words thrown your direction and refuse to challenge them or you challenge them and you’re automatically ostracized. There seems to be no middle ground and that goes for the so-called elevated and the so-called de-elevated minds in the world, especially within “black culture.” It’s a problem that sets our entire society back years, and almost negates any positive mobility; if people are instantly shot down for voicing opinions that are against a pocket of people, or even the majority, how will any progress truly be made? It has become less of a music-based issue and more of an issue that has seeped into every facet of our lives, especially within the “black” community.
In summary, we as a group must learn to accept that everyone will not agree with us all the time. We must learn to accept criticism and diverse opinions. And we must agree that just because I do not like one facet of your life, it does not mean that I believe that you are akin to the worst person ever.***
*Name the song that this quote came from.
**Lemmings don’t actually follow blindly, although. That was, apparently, just a one-time thing that people, because our wiring of the “correlation implies causation” school of thought
***I.e, just because I say that your music sucks doesn’t mean that I don’t respect you as a person and a member of humanity; “diss” records are usually just ways for artists to express disdain about a person’s lyrical ability, unwarranted success, market saturation, or false assertions about their lifestyle, either the “disser” or the “dissee.” Those that take it “to the streets” forget that rap music evolved from what was, essentially, a rhyming version of “the dozens.” (But, the anger that we, as humans, have, is another issue)
-Johnthan
Johnthan drops: some reflections July 15, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Random Ramblings.Tags: 1996, baltimore, baseball, bromo, bromo seltzer, camden yards, field trip, orioles, pal center, seltzer, tower
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Greetings, all.
My first visit to Camden Yards was with a Police Athletic League-sponsored trip back in 1996. The Orioles were playing the Tigers and I had the chance to hold hands with a girl named Kimberly that I liked, back when there were a lot of black girls named Kimberly. The O’s won the game and Kimberly started acting bat**** crazy when she ate some nachos. (Apparently, the cheese at Camden Yards can do that to people. Or, you know, maybe there was something else going on. I mean, it was mid-90s Baltimore; everybody was, apparently, involved in some sort of “something or other.”) Overall, it was a pretty awesome experience. I got to see my favorite team get a W and got to hold hands with a girl that I liked.
One of the things that has always stood out to me about the Camden Yards area is the Bromo Seltzer tower. Ever since I saw it on those old school Maryland Lottery drawings, I fell in love with how majestically it looked in the downtown skyline. Suffice to say, I was kind of upset when they decided to <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnthanspeed/4792998011/lightbox/”>build around the tower</a>, effectively removing the complete tower from view (especially at Orioles games).
When that happened, it was like a part of my innocence was being bombarded by commerce and big business. Where else would I be able to go in the state and see a baseball game, hold hands with a girl, and see Romanesque towers all within a 5-block radius? Nowhere, that’s where. But, I guess that’s part of growing up. You find out that your hero is a drunk, the girl that you used to have a crush on was involved in a lot of issues of ill repute and your favorite piece of architecture has been blocked by a Sheraton and turned into a jumbo studio for artists.
Que sera sera (which, apparently, is grammatically incorrect in Spanish).
-Johnthan
Johnthan Speed stars in: “The Real World.” July 15, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Johnthan and: his "hippity-hop", Random Ramblings.Tags: 1up, 2pac, apple, att, bentley's, cluck u, college, cornerstone, drinking, fight, hip-hop, iphone 4, joke, lee majors, life, michael cera, movie, post-grad, rambling, random, real world, real world johnthan speed, reference, santa fe, scott pilgrim, tupac, umd, university of maryland
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Greetings, all.
Being a grown-up kind of sucks. I mean, there are bills, payments, apartment searches, failed job interviews and all that. Heck, I barely have time to just chill and do nothing anymore (ed. note — that’s good, though. At least I don’t sit around watching TV, getting fat and recording tons of songs I’ll never release). I guess that’s what I get for graduating on time . But, really, though. It seems that the more “real” that life becomes, the more it turns into some sort of scripted television show for the amusement of the Almighty. I have had more wacky adventures related to work and “real life” than I ever had growing up in the wild-and-crazy-kid zone known as the University of Maryland.
For instance, during my first week of work (ed. note — I work as an admin assistant for a department in the University of Maryland), my train broke down before it even left the station. So, I had to call around to ask for a ride. Little did I know, my folks—who, in their old age(s), watch almost nothing but the news, CSI repeats, and gardening programs—were right there in about 10 minutes talking about some “come on.” I mean, of course I said “ok.” I’m not going to turn down a ride that’ll take about an hour for a train that didn’t come until 15-20 minutes after I left.
That weekend, I went out with some friends and witnessed one of the biggest brouhahas that didn’t have a horse being punched and students knocked out. Anytime that Cluck-U 2Pac aka Lee Majors has to come out and settle things down, you know that you’ve just witnessed history. Well, at least for College Park, where your 21st birthday celebration must either end or begin at either Bentley’s or Cornerstone/The Vous (for you oldheads out there). But, ironically enough, for as big of a brouhaha as it was, there were no punches thrown (thankfully?).
In addition to these little snippets of my post-grad life (ed. note — did anyone actually see that movie?) there are the random “enemies” that pop up, the elixirs that people I’ve come in contact with concoct with various types of drinks that’ll (supposedly) give them mystical powers when barhopping, the weird sound effects that accompany my life now (copy machines, transferred call chimes, FedEx delivery tablets, etc.), the sorta head-strong best friend with a heart of gold, and so on. I swear, my life is becoming less “real” and more “Scott Pilgrim” (ed. note — WHO IS TIRED OF MICHAEL CERA PLAYING THE SAME CHARACTER IN EVERY MOVIE?) by the second. All I need is a 1UP icon and my transformation will be complete. It’s like this: even with all the wild, crazy randomness that stuck with me through the last four years, I’m quickly realizing that it only gets wilder and crazier and more random the older you get. I’ve even thought about changing my blog title to “The Real World: College Park” or “The Real World: Johnthan Speed,” but MTV would probably sue me faster than people started suing Apple and AT&T for the iPhone 4
Ah, well. At least I’m employed and making the world a better place, one textbook order at a time. And, with this said, I guess that it’s safe to say that…”The Journeys of Speed” is (are?) back.
-Johnthan
BONUS: Here’s a rare video from a 2005 Monday Night Football game featuring narration from Lee Majors, the aforementioned “Cluck-U Pac.”
Johnthan Reviews: ArtLyfEnt’s “Playlist the DMV Vol. 3″ June 22, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Mixtape/Album/Song Reviews.Tags: arteest, artlyfent, baltimore, bear witnez!, chris barz, conscious, dc, deepspace, dmv, gordo brega, hip-hop, hiphop, muggsy malone, navi, obii say, playlist, sinitus tempo, tabi bonney, three, triple threat, virginia, vol. 3, volume
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Greetings, all.
It’s a new month (that’s almost over, but regardless), so you know what that means. Another volume of the Playlist the DMV series has graced the internet. After a few delays, the third volume was released yesterday. And, it sports a different feel right off the bat, but still manages to deliver an euphoric experience for the ears.
The mixtape begins with a techno-tinged track, “Nuthin’ But a Hero,” by Tabi Bonney. Now, those that have read any of my past “Playlist” reviews, Tabi is a vet in this series. On this track, however, he ditches his “sleepy” flow for one that compliments the instrumental better–and it is nothing short of a musical journey. The space-y vibe continues into DeepSpace’s “Rocketman,” which features NoBo. Sporting an Elton John sample (who needs to be sampled more in hip-hop, but that’s another story), the track is half-smoker’s anthem, half-conscious rap. It works. Well.
And just like the bass hits on the track, mixtape veteran Gordo Brega’s “Monster” smacks the listener back to gritty reality. Paired with Muggsy Malone’s “Make You a Believer,” these two tracks will make you–well, they’re the type of tracks you need to listen to yourself. Simple words can’t explain the awesomeness that is divulged through them.
It’s Da Kid’s “Did it for the Money” harkens back to late-90s bounce rap and provides a nice break from the previous tracks. It isn’t too hard, isn’t too soft, and it allows the listener to recollect themselves before being taken on yet another twist. After tracks from “Playlist” mainstays Soncier and Lola Maxwell, the listener is given a feel-good-vibe heavy track, in the form of Obii Say’s “Prosperity,” produced by longtime collaborator Sinitus Tempo. Baltimore artist Conscious drops a gem in “Speak My Peace,” reminding us that Baltimore is home of more than drugs and “I’m the Ish,” and, well, speaks his peace about some of the division in the DMV (caused by, in his words, “little internet circles”). Unapologetic in his delivery and words, Conscious delivers my personal favorite track off the mixtape.
K-BETA’s “Burn Through the Journal” features a nice chopped sample. While not Beta’s strongest track, it does deliver on its promise. And at just over two minutes, the song that follows, Triple Threat’s “Don’t Rock Ice 64,” demonstrates why ArtLyfEnt mixtapes only allow the best of the best. Young Boy Tizzy then comes in with a bass-heavy reflection track, “Making of a Man.” Bear Witnez!’s “Keep Me Close” is not your typical song “for the ladies,” instead offering cautionary advice to the women of the world about some of the men in the world–and their own problems.
Chris Barz’ “House Party” gives a bit of “Electric Relaxation.” I love the vibe and the story-telling ability of Chris’ tracks. I just wish that this one was longer. Just when his story gets as nuts as it can, we’re taken to T.I.M.E.’s “Play Cards with Da Devil.” The jazz-flavored track takes a card game and makes it an extended metaphor about life and all of its vices. DTMD’s “You” offers up an inspirational-like track reminiscent of the Common of yesteryear. It’s a real nice, mellow track that kicks knowledge. You can’t go wrong there, in my opinion.
PHZ-Sicks’ “The Life” takes a dash of “I’ve gotta make it,” a bit of go-go/live band flavor, and smears it over a 4:16 explanation of why Sicks and his feature, Young Scolla, continue to strive for “the life” with the “flashing lights.” It’s a good track, but because of the tracks it’s sandwiched between (the aforementioned “You” and Cloud 9′s rock-heavy “Theory of Destiny”), it gets a bit lost in the shuffle.
The mixtape closes out with Navi’s “Soundcheck,” a track where Navi just goes off and spills the soul of a nervous rapper that needs to make it. Part-”Lose Yourself,” and part-old school rock, the track brings a forceful end to the mixtape–and will leave you damn near salivating for volume four.
Volume Three of the Playlist the DMV series provides a different vibe than the first two, but never disappoints
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5. Vol. 3 comes out swinging (don’t you just hate cliches like that?) and will leave you waiting for Vol. 4. There’s a certain hunger that all of the artists exude on this 19-track compilation. It’s as if they are transcending the “DMV” label and putting out music that the whole world over needs (and will want) to listen to. A must listen.
Download Link: http://tinyurl.com/PTDMV3
-Johnthan
Johnthan Reviews: Ashton Travis’ “Mr. Freshman 2.0″ June 22, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Mixtape/Album/Song Reviews.Tags: ashton, ashton travis, howard, hu, mr. freshman, travis
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Greetings, all.
Remember Ashton Travis? Well, if not, you should look at this post and download his first mixtape. #classic IMO
Obviously, “Mr. Freshman 2.0″ is the second volume in Travis’ “Freshman” saga. While the first volume provides the listener with an Andre Three Stacks-meets-”So Far Gone”-type of musical exploration, “2.0″ goes the way of “Thank Me Later,” even possessing a bit of that “feeling” of Drizzy’s first LP release. But, where Drake’s complaints and gripes about life, love, and the whole she-bang appear forced (and quickly grew tired, according to a lot of people I’ve spoken with), Travis presents us with a completely sincere look at his mind, expanding on everything that made the first volume a must-listen.
The main gripes I have with this mixtape are as follows:
1) It’s short. “2.0″ clocks in at just over 26 minutes.
2) It lacks a “holy s***, did he really just say/do that?!?!” type of track. It’s a solid effort, but no one track really stood out to me.
3) It plays almost like a collection of bonus tracks/scrapped tracks from the original “Mr. Freshman.” They touch on some of the same issues presented in the first mixtape, in similar fashions.
Overall Rating: 3.8 out of 5. By no stretch of the imagination is the mixtape bad; it just lacks the “oomph” that volume one had, rendering it a tad pedestrian when compared to its predecessor. Think of it as a better version of “Thank Me Later” if “Mr. Freshman” is “So Far Gone.” I guess there’s a bit of a (pardon the trite cliche) sophomore slump going on. Even still, it’s one of those things that you must experience for yourself.
Download the mixtape here: http://www.datpiff.com/Ashton_Travis_Mr_Freshman_20.m129229.html
-Johnthan
Johnthan watches: the new Yung Reek video. June 22, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Mixtape/Album/Song Reviews, Random Ramblings.Tags: @swagboyyungreek, dollar, million, million dollar swag, reek, swag, swag boy, yung reek
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Greetings, all.
It’s your favorite part-time blogger/rapper/whatever-the-**** you want to call me. Let’s just get down to business. For those that don’t remember, Yung Reek is a DMV artist whose “Monriko Clements EP” I reviewed on this site. Suffice to say, I gave it one of the worst reviews I’d ever written; the concepts were tired, the flow amateurish, and some of the lyrics made Soulja Boy appear like a musical savant. But, like most artists that’ve embraced the swag movement, Reek struck it (sorta) big (at least in the area) with “Million $ Swag,” a song about, well…how his swag is on par with having a million dollars–or something to that effect. It’s the musical opus that you expect it is.
That was early 2010. Fast forward to about an hour ago, when Reek decided to drop the video, directed by @kvthagreat of Coolkidsforever Films. You’re probably expecting me to say that the video was complete garbage or something. Heck, no. KV gave the song a professional touch. And, although there are segments where the audio of the film and the audio of the song provide for some ear-jarring experiences, the video is a pretty professional affair, at least from a cinematographic standpoint. Concept-wise, it’s just Reek standing in front of a truck, Reek with two girls dancing, and Reek playing around in a playground (#huh?). I guess that they were going for a “kids having a fun time” type vibe, but even from an abstract POV, the video does not really go with the song. Even if you’re going to sit here and tell me that the point was to “show that Reek is so swagged out that he can go to a playground and still be fly,” I would’ve liked to see more action shots of Reek, you know, being swagged out. But, as is, the video comes out as a purple monkey dishwasher. In other words, it’s a sight to see on one hand. But, on the other, it’ll leave you scratching your head afterward trying to figure out what you just witnessed.
At least the video girls weren’t overly objectified.
Here’s the video.
SwagBoy Yung Reek – Million $ Swag (Official Video/Photo Shoot) from KVthaGreat on Vimeo.
-Johnthan
Johnthan sez: The Journeys of Speed will commence. Soon. June 15, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Johnthan and: his "hippity-hop", Mixtape/Album/Song Reviews, Random Ramblings.add a comment
Greetings, all.
You’re probably wondering where in the blue, yellow and green so-and-so have I been. Well, it’s simple. I’ve been graduating and pushing myself into that “real world” that your parents warn you about when you hit 18 and that MTV has turned into a successful satire of American 20-somethings. #sarcasm. But, seriously, friends, I’ve been dealing with life and all of the unexpected whatchamacallits that arise throughout it.
With that said, I’ve been getting my [stuff] together personally, job-wise, and working on some more positive vibes with the music. Expect brand new posts and reviews VERY soon.
I’m back, baby ^_^
-Johnthan
Johnthan sez: The Return is coming (no mixtape) June 4, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Johnthan and: his "hippity-hop", Mixtape/Album/Song Reviews, Random Ramblings.add a comment
Greetings, all.
So, I’ve been busy with starting my real world journey. Sucks, to be honest, but it has to be done. But, on a brighter side, I’ve been making moves in every aspect of my life (other than with finding a job. Blame it on the recession and the s***ty job market, especially for Englsih majors; seems like my friends’ jokes about me probably not doing anything with my life are coming true, at least right now). Of course, because of this newfound exploration into uncharted whatnots, I’ve sorta neglected the blog/reviews/etc. But, fear not, loyal reader(s?) of jdotspeed.com (which, when my domain time is up, I may change to johnthanspeed.com, as, you know, J dot Speed is a holdover from a bygone era in my life/writing career/rap “career”). I shall return, and soon…ish. And, when I do, it’ll be a nicee return. I may even have a mixtape or something of my own to give you, if I decide to keep recording music and whatever.
Ah, screw it. It’s like midnight on a Friday in early June. I’ll talk to you all in a couple days (at least)
-Johnthan
Johnthan Reviews: “Playlist The DMV Vol. 2″ May 13, 2010
Posted by Johnthan Speed in Mixtape/Album/Song Reviews.Tags: dmv, hip-hop, rap, rapper
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Greetings, all.
So, I know I’m late on the review tip…but, hey, s*** happens (especially when you’re about to graduate, apparently). So, in advance, I apologize for the lateness and the brevity of the review.
Our subject for the moment is the second installment of ArtLyfEnt’s “Playlist the DMV” series. Now, if the first volume was on the conscious tip, the second volume hits you with more of the same–but manages to give you an equal amount of “this is the city I rep”-type tracks, taking listeners on several different trips through the District.
Newbies to this volume include UMD alumni DK aka Wayne Watts (who offers us “The Paper,” a track relying on a nice flip of “California Girls”), Young Boy Tizzy (who offers one of the most honest “Rap & B” tracks I’ve heard in a minute, “Call Me”), and Lady Venom (who provides the mixtape with a bass-heavy homage to The District, aptly called “Da District”). Not to be outdone, “Playlist” veterans such as Chris Barz (“Hustle Music”), Bear Witnez! (“Our C!ty is The Cap”), Obii Say (“Same Ol’ Thang”) and K-BETA (“Life of Crhyme”) deliver some of the hottest DMV tracks since Don Juan’s TwitTape 2. Granted, that was only, like two months ago, but you know how the music game is. Sometimes, you’ll find a million tracks leaked in the span of two minutees.
If you’re in the market for more DMV-flavored hip-hop, pick up this mixtape, the rare case where the “sophomore slump” doesn’t come into play. However, I did, honestly, like the first volume a teeny bit better (because of the diversity of artists and topics). Regardless, you should definitely download this mixtape and put it in your music playing device of choice
Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5
