I did this song in 2010 and is actually my Wife's favorite of mine. I actually don't know how I feel about it but I guess I did alright. This song has a dream kind of feel to it, it's a bit of a storyteller too as I like to tell stories from time to time. I also put some twists into it and a corny as shit ending...
I wrote this song after a long fight with writer's block. I was doing some "soul searching" and reading up on and considering "forgiveness therapy". I was going through a very hellish situation during the end of 2011 into 2012 and inside I was feeling so angry and hurt at the same time. I was sitting on a loading dock late one night all alone after a lengthy walk. I sat and smoked a joint or two and spoke to a picture of my Mom and was feeling like I wasn't going to make it. I was angry inside like I said and I was also frustrated and honestly scared shitless.
It was one of those moments where you stop and face your fear head on and so I sat for at least an hour thinking deeply. At this time I was disgusted with my Father for many reasons but I lifted my head up high and decided I would forgive the dumb bastard, just like that. I made a decision that I would try to get rid of the negative feelings inside me in hopes to make room for positivity.
In this song "Ashes 2 Ashes" is just a perfect expression of my feelings during that time. I loved the beat and just closed my eyes and was able to write it within 5 minutes and recorded it within 10 minutes. As I've mentioned before I am not one for perfection when it comes to my songs. If a song has mistakes in it I don't care I just leave it as it is. Kind of like Frank Sinatra but I only wish I was as powerful a guy as Sinatra.
Ashes to Ashes is one of my favorite songs I've done and hope people can dig it.
Tonight I am going to give you my opinions on life and this world as I've seen it in my life. I've mentioned before that my idols have been people like John Lennon, Tupac Shakur, Jimi Hendrix, Malcolm X, Bobby Seale & The Black Panthers, MLK, Huey Newton and my Mother. I also look to all people around me as teachers. You can learn a lesson from anybody and everybody if you really want to. Somebody knows something that you don't know so if a person wishes to share their wisdom with you then it is your duty to listen the heck up and pay attention.
I studied those I have looked up to and put some of their teachings and mixed with my own life experiences and beliefs I have started to determine what MY message to the world is. Bipolar disorder makes it very hard for me to properly express my feelings and thoughts so that is why I'm doing these blogs. So I can type these random ramblings onto here and so people will get to know what is on my mind. If you don't care for what I have to say that is fine but if you DO find some sense of understanding or if you feel like what I've said is relevant to you than I love you and thank you for caring enough to read my thoughts!
I grew up in a pretty rough environment in the city of Philadelphia. There was a ton of racial tension and I grew up around so much hate and violence that is partially the reason for my post traumatic stress disorder. I can not even fully explain everything in enough detail so I can not give you a full understanding of where I grew up. As in many cities I would say drugs was the ultimate neighborhood killer as I watched first hand as my city deteriorated into the slums they are today. My last time back there I was very heart broken by what I saw. As bad as it was when I was there it has gotten even worse. Downtown is still a beauty but in North Philly where I'm from it is no pretty picture and can be very dangerous too.
GANGS
The majority of Gangs out there from Kings,
Bloods, Crips, P Stones, take your pick...they all started on the basis
of representing their neighborhoods in a positive way to show a unity
that wasn't clear before. The government saw this as a threat, so in
the 60's we saw the outlawing of "recreational" drugs, yet these drugs
were pumped into the inner cities and found their way into the hands of
these "gang" members. What better way to control the people and put a halt on any type of relevant revolution?...
That's when the concept of the gang went
sour, turning gang members into drug dealers and violent murderers with a
terribly negative image in their very own community, thus giving Police
and the Feds a reason to wage "war" on drugs and gangs in inner cities.
This was a very easy task because the "innocent" people in the
communities cried for protection from these gangs, so with nothing in
their way the "powers that be" got their way as usual...
Groups like the Black Panthers and the
"Move" were blatantly slandered all throughout the media by the
government shown as nothing more than "anti-america" trouble makers and
criminals...when the truth is exactly the opposite...Isn't it funny that
when people want POSITIVE change for this land of the free we call home
they are tarred and feathered and well, flat out DESTROYED and painted
as "evil"..
The government "of the people by the people
and for the people" is just another useless slogan that I wouldn't even
wipe my boogies with ...After our "independence" they scrambled to assemble a
government that would run our country. Benjamin Franklin made a comment "we need to get this done before the people
realize they don't need us..." truer words were never spoken, we DON'T
need them to make decisions for us, we don't need them to clean up our
streets, we don't need them to beat our meat (not exactly relevant to
the females reading this)...everything that people are expecting of the
government can easily be done IMMEDIATELY by US.
So...the true "gang" that is guilty of the
most crimes, the most heinous acts of injustice, the most brutal murders
and rape of it's very own constitution is...you guessed it...the
Government "NOT of the people, NOT by the people, and NOT for the
people...
Before anybody comments with "he's anti
america" type stuff...read it again, and understand that I love the
PEOPLE of america and of all countries as well. The so-called
"terrorist" countries that we hear about are filled with people who are
being ruled by the same shmucks we have who teach THEM that we hate
THEM and that WE are the terrorists...people of all nations need to get
rid of the leaders and unite as one and that is the only way this world can improve...
Sad thing is, it's our kids and our kid's kids that are really getting screwed out the deal...
another sad thing...the street gangs are
letting the government control them while they think that they're doing
what they do freely...Don't you think for a minute that you guys n gals all killing each other and drugging each other up is what they want? You're doing their job for them as you watch your community around you suffer dying on life support. Really gotta
think about that and start making some positive changes on these streets and do it soon while there's still a chance.
Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), arguably one of the most influential and outstanding artists the world has ever seen. From his music and roles on the big screen to his eagerness to raise political awareness, there was so much that this young man had to offer in his early 20's. 2 Pac & Snoop Dog Tee
There is so much material to examine and I might add ENJOY in the catalog of 2pac. From his early days working with Digital Underground through over a decade after his death there are about 250 songs from this young artist. When listening to 2pac songs I can always feel the emotion behind what the guy was saying and I actually take the lessons that he was trying to teach and apply them to my own life. Tupac Shakur and John Lennon are my two biggest musical and in many ways political influences. In my own opinion Tupac was the last great voice of the people and since we lost him no other artist has stepped forward to take the reigns.
My 3 Favorite 2pac Songs was a really tough thing to break down. I have so many favorites but I sat and I put some serious thought into it and these 3 songs are my picks and I'll explain why...
Dear Mama: "Dear Mama" is a song off of the album "Me Against The World" and is a standard 2pac song when it comes to powerful emotion. A song for his Mother, "Dear Mama" is a beautifully written song with a beautiful beat to it and the vibe of the song is so heart warming. A man expressing his undying love and appreciation for the woman that gave him life and whom he'd grown up watching struggle in society.
Last Wordz: "Last Wordz" is a track off of the "Strictly 4 My N.*.G.G.A.Z." album and features Ice Cube and Ice T. I love the flow on this song from all 3 artists and I love how powerful the lyrics are. One of my favorite songs from 2pac most definitely and it's a plus that Ice T and Ice Cube were on this song because all three are the stuff!
Hold Ya Head: "Hold Ya Head" is off the "Killuminati: 7 Day Theory" album and is a powerful track. I love the lyrics and the beat. I think the entire 7 Day Theory album is a masterpiece but this song happens to be my favorite.
Those are my 3 favorite songs from 2pac, what are YOUR favorites? feel free to comment and let me know what your favorite 3 songs from 2pac are and let me know what you think of my list. I am also up for taking questions you might have about other artists or any topics for that matter. Have a great day peeps!
Throughout history, music and the arts have provided a soundtrack to each era and the progression of society and humanity. From the first cave man to grunt out a song to Lil Wayne grunting out a song music has been in the hearts of Man, Woman and Child.
All people have their own particular taste in music from Classic rock to classical to blues to heavy metal to hip-hop, but generally I believe people show respect for other people's cultures in music. Leaving us with an example that peace can exist in a world filled with people of many differences.
I myself am a classic rock junkie. My musical influences are mostly classic rockers like Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon as well as Bob Marley and from hip-hop it is Tupac Shakur and groups like Public Enemy and Bone Thugs N Harmony and Ice T. I am more into music of the soul and mind but I do dig an occasional nonsense kinda pop song, I'll admit I've caught myself singing "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO.
The genre of music I would place myself in is hip-hop. I started long ago writing poetry and it just worked out that rap beats worked well with what I was saying in my poetry. I write from the heart and speak my mind and it just so happened that I was most comfortable with the vibe hip-hop was giving me while I was writing my first songs. I am still improving my skills as far as delivery and trying to tighten up my lyrics.
I'm seeing a bit of a revolt building up in the underground hip-hop scene as those of us artists down here are fed up with the material that is in the mainstream right now. While we respect those in the music industry and respect that they are working hard for their money we feel like there is no value to the work they are putting out. We feel there is no substance. We feel the majority of "stars" out there are selling their communities out and "selling their souls" if you will.
I have been so proud to be an Ice T fan all of my life but I was even prouder when I heard him making comments about the rap game today and how these current artists are killing hip-hop. I agree with Ice 100% and hope that Mr. T (well okay Mr. T) will some day give a nod to the Revolution and throw Sarz some help fighting the fight. (Ice T that is an open invitation, the Revolution is comin man!). Also I have much respect for guys like Suge Gotti and love my old schoolers like Hammer and Nas. Speak truth and you're good with me.
Hip-hop is in a state of emergency and the lines are being drawn in the sand (keep in mind we're keepin' this on track, stop the violence peeps!) and the Revolution is drawing near. I absolutely believed Pac when he said he would spark the brain of the person that would change the world and I think there is a possibility that I am one of those people with the heart and mind to help guide people into the future. As you can see in these United States these days we truly need some positive change and the only way we can make positive change is to start rearranging the way things are.
