Okay, inspired by one of the dopest poems I’ve heard since I’ve been on the poetry scene, Kom(plex)’s “Put it to Music”, I feel the need to mention some of the dopest joints and poets I’ve seen in the past 2 ½- 3 years.
Kom(plex)’s~ H.I.V. (Heaven in View & Put it to Music) are incredible
Sir Reigns~ Hairitage is still one of my favs
Talaam Acey~ No explanation needed.
Crystalee~ Fine and ferocious
Lea~ Asian poetess who had this sick joint about her passport
Giles~ Partner in rhyme who is ridiculous as well
Droopy~ This cat writes so damn much, and be blazin’ it constantly. Plus, ya’ll probably ain’t heard two of my personal faves, “Tiffy” and “She’s Funny That Way”
Bassey~ Only heard her a couple of times, but whoa! Lil’ mama packs a lot of heat in that little frame. Such a cutie
Tonya “Ja Hipster” Mathews~ Sir and I are the first charter members of the Ja Hipster fan club. She hits you with a combo of gorgeous and got damn!
Patrick Washington~ The love piece about Ronal Reagan National Airport is one of the hottest poems I’ve ever heard. Few people can deliver with the controlled intensity of this cat.
Taj Holsten~ Gets better and better each time I see him spit.
Granma Dave~ Wow…this cat is ill. Plus, if you need a CD job done, holla @ this cat, his company has worked with mad local artists…many of which are on this list.
Liberty~ Fly, dope wordsmith, and her voice is incredible.
Okay this list will be incomplete…for now.

I love my sister, man. She’s been on this gung- ho quest the last couple of days, trying to get me to enter this slam up in B-More. I’m like, “I’m not really trying to enter a slam unprepared”. And she’s like, “Stop making excuses and do your thing”. I appreciate the support, Lord knows I do, but I have to been in the spirit of slamming to rock it. I don’t believe in doing things half way, and I don’t want to hit a slam up doing the same material from January 2002. This means I have to have at least three new pieces ready to go without worrying about tying and having to do other pieces. Personally, I’ve slammed, but only because I was broke and needed the dough. I still don’t feel slamming all like that. It’s cool, and it’s a wonderful place to up your performance value. Great place to link up with and compete against other great poets, but, there’s the other side. The ego’s swearin’ they better than you because they won a slam or two. Or the judges who I’ve clearly seen hate on specific folks, pad scores for their peoples, and/or change their judging during a competition. I’ve even seen judges get up and leave during a slam and new judges get appointed!
Case 1: Granma Dave, this dope cat from B- More slams a hot piece, rips it, they give him sevens and what not. Because they were booed, seven was like the lowest score that entire night. Instead of scoring along that same line, they were swayed.
Case 2: I’ve slammed in slams where there were time limits that were not enforced on certain poets, where folks read off of a paper, leave the stage get the rest of their poem and come back. Stuttering through the whole piece, yet they get higher than me when I rip it.
That, to me, is a lack of continuity. To me, a slam isn’t truly about performance and poetry (although it should be), but entertainment and competition. To me, that’s wack and I can’t front like that doesn’t irk me. Like I don’t give a fuck. I’m a realist, if I lose to someone cause they ripped harder, I’m not salty. That motivates me to spit harder. But don’t shit on me cause I’m not a regular or a well known cat at your venue! You know what…I’m getting mad…I just might slam now. Fuck that, I can’t let these wanksta judges get the best of the kid! LOL
“To the Batcave!”
One.

As I suspected, the mechanic didn't keep his word.

Supposed to get my truck back today...we'll see if the mechanic keeps his word.

Yo, OPUS AKOBEN rocks...! This track they have at the end of the LP needs to be on the next Best Man, Brown Sugar, The Brothers movie that's released. The track, is amazing...for real. Like I can listen to this track like I listened to Kelis 2nd single, Get Along With You...like I listen to Jay- Z's Can I Live off the Reasonable Doubt LP, whoa!!! Ya'll need to check for it...oh, I did a review for it in the illpoets.com review section, too.
Holla!

Now that I think of it...Rosie Perez had 'nuff booty...what's really goin' on?!

Love the Static Shock cartoon! Although we've seen the high school boy genius turned super hero act with Peter Parker AKA Spiderman, it's good we have a black boy genius turned super hero. Not to mention, has a supportive and intelligent family unit. This weekend, Static had Batman on the show, it was pretty cool. Don't think Batman would have so easily divulged his identity, tho'. Oh, my transmission will cost $1,880.09 to fix. Ouch!! There go my life savings...seriously! Sidebar: Shania Twain has a nice little frame.
Random Vent #69: Why the hell are people trippin' off of phat asses now. Hate to burst peoples bubble, but J. Lo isn't the first with a fatty, so why is she the first to make it acceptable for mainstream european culture? Sisters have had ass for forever, but it has always been looked down upon, except by us brothers and a few others who know the time:o) Ummm, pick out any girl in a Hype Williams video (God is good!), Pam Grier had ass, Thelma from Good Times had ass, Serena Williams got two "J. Lo" booties, and they were hatin' on Serena in that picture mind you, ya'll know the one...damn I love that picture. Here's a hint, it's the first picture located below...

Now everybody is getting butt implants, and they have "butt pillows" now?! Wow, that is truly wack, man. This reminds me of when they (Entertainment Tonight) tried to credit Marky Mark for the sagging pants trend, or worse, when Donnie Wahlberg (of New Kids on The Block fame) didn't correct some talk show host when they made the comment that NKOTB started the whole boy band thing. Whoa! Rewind, NKOTB was patterned off of New Edition, the original artifact. Instead of five black boys from Boston, they got five white boys from Boston the second time around, and marketed the hell out of them as a boy band phenomenon. Not to mention, the Jackson 5 pretty much started it all before anybody...what?! I'm done man, I rest my case.
One!

My truck is officially a bucket. It completely hurdled the hooptie stage when the transmission rolled over and died on me. Still blessed, tho'. On the coldest day in the DC Metro area in the past seven years, I could have been anywhere...I was less than a block away from my best friends house when it happened. God is good. Am I upset? Not really. During my unemployment period, I didn't have one mechanical problem with her (my truck, that is). Wherever I needed to be or get to for whatever reason, my truck never faltered. She's tired...I'm sad a bit, we did some wonderful things my truck and I. Many moves to various poetry spots, went to see family on my schedule, able to help friends get home safely, a little cut up in the back (hahaha)...everything a first automobile should be for a young man. Now, the verdict has to be delivered and I have to decide if I want to go along with it. In other words, I'm sure they'll tell me I have to get a new transmission and throw out some exorbitant price ($1,700- $2,000). Question is, should I pay knowing it's an older vehicle, or should I abandon what we have (me and my truck, that is) and buy a new joint off of whatever money I can get from a trade in? Ahhh, questions, questions, questions...
Question: Why do folks tend to refer to their automobiles as females, and even go so far as to name them with a feminine name?

Calling a friend from college long distance out of the blue= +10 cool points
Maintaining quality conversation for over an hour= +5 cool points
Calling her by the wrong last name after 7 ½ years= -25 cool points
Realizing you did the same thing in the acknowledgments portion of your book amidst the excitement of finishing of your latest book= Priceless

Chalk it up to me being extra excited when I did the acknowledgments and doing said acknowledgments @ work during stolen moments. I have actually done this before; I credited this chick I was open off of for four years with the wrong last name in my second book. I know who they are, the picture will be in my head, but sometimes man…It wouldn’t be so painfully funny if I hadn’t opened my big mouth and told her she had a shout out in the book. If I kept my mouth closed, she’d probably have no idea. And she was so humble, too. “I’ve never had my name in print before.” Wow, I’m the worst sometimes.
So, for the world to see…I’m sorry Ms. Alicia Gordon. Your boy has goofed up and the proper credit will be in the subsequent runs of my book. For those who already have my book, please note that it’s not Alicia Green, it’s Alicia Gordon. The only Alicia Green I knew was in high school, and we were cordial, but nowhere near cool enough for me to shout her out almost ten years later. So, please find Alicia’s name under the “close friends” acknowledgments at the top of the list and scratch out “Green”. In its stead, would you please write “Gordon”? I know, “I’m the worst”, but at least I’m such a lovable and honest guy I didn’t even try to play it off. I believe most guys would, however, especially if they’ve flirted with the young lady as much as I have Alicia over the years. Sorry babe! Still love ya tho’.
Random Tangent #25: Ain’t it ironic that one can talk for a longer duration of time, more consistently, when they’re talking long distance?

Was looking through The Source magazine yesterday, noticed a few things and wanted to point them out:
1.) I agree with fellow Illpoet, Drew "Droopy" Anderson, the Benzino article was garbage. They wrote this joint like this cat was a hip hop legend, man. Who the hell is anticipating Benzino's album? "I mean, really number 2?" The article was indeed the longest in this issue, and had Benzino taking pot shots at Jay and Nas just for doing a song with Em(inem). Wack! The Source even went so far as to have a fold out poster of a caricature of Benzino holding the (severed) head of Eminem with his spine dangling. Now, I understand that the Source is owned in part by Benzino, but to take such a stance in this feud is almost like completely siding with Benzino when they should be impartial. Not to mention they are promoting violence, and blatantly implying Benzino would crush Eminem (in your best Dr. Evil voice, say it with me, "Riiiight")Not only that, but Benzino is apparently mad at Hip Hop headz for buying Eminem, and not other artists…but last time I checked, silly ass Nelly went 4X platinum and counting! I’m just saying, Em is talented, and Benzino isn’t. I can respect that he’s been in the game for mad long, he’s a savvy businessman, and he has some street cred (I guess), but don’t be mad because somebody else is grindin’ more than’ you and getting love for it… That be like me hatin’ on Drew (Droop) because he moves more units than me. Shit, I got a problem with that, I need to reflect on my stage performance and my material, not hate on Drew for being Drew. Man, fuck it, I’m done…read the article and tag my message/bored with ya thoughts. Personally, I didn't even finish the article after I read the first 2- 21/2 pages. I got the point, "Benzino is the illest." One more time, "Riiiight."
2.) They (Source Magazine staff) even went so far as to use a verse from Benzino as a hip hop qoutable. Said verse was anything but qoutable. I mean, putting somebody in a hip hop qoutable is like putting somebody in the upper echilon of lyricism. Artists such as Posdnous, Redman, Nas, Ras KAss have all blessed the hip hop qouatable section. Now Benzino is in the ranks? This either says, “Hip Hop is truly lacking in lyricism and creativity”, or “We have to get him some recognition somehow.” Actually, I think it says both.
3.) The Source apparently had a drawing of some big black dude with a Source shirt on destroying a little white dude with an "XXS" shirt on. The metaphor was a blatant diss and claim of superiority over a rival magazine, XXL. Now, from the magazine that claims to be a trailblazer, don’t you think it would have been more prudent to not directly bite (verbatim) the classic Batman comic book cover that debuted Bane, in which he gets his back broken in a fight versus Bane.
4.) The Source has officially added to my list of girls who could get it. Dude, they have this lingerie spread of this rapper named Lady May (she had a video recreating Thelma & Louise, featuring Blu Cantrell). Dog...!!! She…could get it! Mm-mmm-mmmm! Now, they had this semi- profile shot of the booty, whoo!…I mean, it wasn’t the Serena Williams fatty, but it was definitely nice, y’heard?
5.) “Ain’t it funny”…how Ja Rule doesn’t want to be compared to Tupac, but many of his photo shoots are so reminiscent of Pac? This guy also needs to calm down. I’ve heard him on the radio say he’s the best in the game, and mean it! This guy has put himself on par with Biggie, Jay, Nas, & Pac…whoa! Think I’m playing, read the article in the Source and see. Hmmm...I seem to remember that some folks at illpoets.com did a “15 greatest” list of emcees, and nobody mentioned Ja Rule. It’s in the illpoets.com archives, so correct me if I’m wrong.

Yo,
First and foremost, big up Kristina, Romy, Nia and Justice for blessing my anemic (did I spell that right?) guestbook. The joint is rather slim, so your love makes it look so much better. Sidebar: perhaps said message/bored won't look so "anemic" if more people knew you actually have a website.
This weekend was cool. But hey, I don't feel like typing about how Lynn had a nice little party with a rack of food. Or, how LaQuis & Carl aka Kokayi fuckin' rock @ Taboo! Or, that I was so tired I did abolutely nothin productive all day Monday, and was happy about it. Or, that my nephew, Shane, and my niece, Syera are getting big. If my little nephew was 15- 16 years older, he'd have all the ladies in that get together droolin'. I'm going to need my nephew to not be so laid back at age eight tho', I mean cuz really knows how to maintain himself around adults, man. The weekend, except for the party, was uneventful. Because that's a rarity for me, I'm lovin it, tho'. Ah well, have to start getting myself geared up to make moves. I'll tell ya'll as things come up.
One!

Okay, went to the Dr. today to try to get to the bottom of some things. Have had a foggy head lately; have to read some things twice to make sure I got it right...and my back has been really botherin' me. So I go to the Dr. to get it checked out. He asks some questions, does a few simple tests, and wham, I get the refferals for a cat scan and an x- ray. Oh, forgot to mention the bloodwork. Why do I wind up doing all of this right after my appointment? Figured, "Hell, might as well do it while I'm here." This lady named Lenette helped me get out of there mad fast tho', thanks for the look out. Got all the aforementioned work done in less than an hour. Linda, the lady who did my cat scan, was mad cool.
During my visit, I found out that I miraculously put on 11 additional pounds, despite the fact I'm not eating. I attibute said weight gain to lack of usual fitness- conscious lifestyle. I even developed a little pot belly in the last couple of weeks, but don't tell anybody...especially me. Not sexy at all...have been doing crunches and other abdominal exercises since said discovery. Have vowed to destroy pot bell and return to eight pack in 6- 8 weeks. It's still there you know, it's just under a nice layer of newly found fat, or, "thick skin" as I like to call it when it's me I'm talking about.

Random Vent # 18:
My truck is conspiring against me. I think it wants to be ghetto and qualify itself as a full- fledged hooptie. Last night, after conquering a case of stomach bubbles, Lynn and I embarked on a second quest to hit up the K’Alyn concert @ Zanzibar for her birthday. If you don’t know who K’Alyn is, I did a recent review of his first LP on www.illpoets.com, but anyways; As I turn off of Lynn’s block, I realize that my door isn’t completely closed. So, as I round the corner I attempt to close the door, but it still won’t close. Okay, I’m around the corner now, let me try this again…But, there’s one small problem, my hand is in my lap after said attempt…with my door handle in it! That’s right, the damn door handle done broke off. And the kicker: My door still ain’t closed. I couldn’t even get mad, the sheer comedy was too much to hold back. If anyone else had done it though, oooooh! Instead of using that as an excuse to not continue, I decide to go anyway. Hey, we both wanted the new CD.
Random Vent #32:
Don’t you hate paying full price for something, and finding out right after you didn’t have to?
Random Vent #625:
Why do I keep going to this food spot…Universal Gourmet? Every time I go there, they have to trip over what time they stop serving food. Personally, the later I take a lunch break, the less time I have to work when I come back. They stop serving hot food @ 3:00. So I try to head towards them between 2:45- 2:55. Now, they’ll let me stand in line and not take my order for five minutes or so, and then ask me what I want like it changes…”chicken cheese steak w/ ketchup and lettuce.” “Sorry…grill closed, only cold food.” “But it’s not three yet”. “Yes, it three…look at clock”. “What clock are you looking at?” “Over there…see?” “It’s not three yet…it’s 2:55”. “No, it’s after three…look.” “No what? Forget it”
I feel like, “Dude, you know my face…you’re going to trip over two or three minutes?”

Okay, I'm a little salty Drew thought of the online birthday wishes before me. I mean, how dare this guy be more frickin' thoughtful and considerate than me? The nerve! Doesn't he know how selfless and kind I am to my friends and love ones?! Is he trying to make me look bad, perhaps? A fool? Well, I shan't have it, Druidious, thou hast plucked the wrong nerve of thine own person of...ahhh, Thor used to talk like this...actually, I'm sure he still does. I find it funny that someone who talks like this is so adept at whippin' peoples ass. Imagine being vanquished by such a formidable wordsmith in hand- to- hand combat. That'd be frickin' embarrasing...just like my spelling.

Okay, forget all the nasty stuff I said about my journal, I never meant any of it. Wow, finally live. Stay tuned...
Peace fam

Ahhh! Journals for personal websites are overrated. Unless you're @ poemcees.com, basseyworld.com, or brokeballer.com, who cares, right?