Memorial Music Monday!!!

Happy Memorial day all! A little jewel from me to you...

Cole Hearted

(SHAMELESS PLUG) This video was shot by  The Lightbulb Factory's own Candice Rose so if you respect art show her some love in the comment box. As far as the dude in the video, he goes by the name J.COLE, for those of you who haven't heard of him. He was the first artist signed to Jay-Z's  label, Rocnation. But honestly I don't care if he was a bum rapping in the middle of time square.

This man can spit and if you don't agree you must be deaf. With tracks like Young Simba where he certifies his lyrical dominance. Let alone holding his own on tracks with vets like Jay-Z, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Young Chris and premier fresh faces such as B.O.B., Miguel, and Wale. If you didn't hear his mixtapes The Warm Up and The Come Up do yourself a favor and hit Google after u read this.

So I said, what about the music for people like us? For the "others" who don't want to hear swagger rap. I can't relate to the pouring champagne on bitches, or to the I'm so fly, fresh, and flashy, or the references to nothing but money, cash, hoes everyday. I'm a commoner, dealing with the norm. So here Cole is.. giving me a reason to listen.. To use my brain and make me want to formulate what he is saying and where he is coming from. Because he captures my attention that way, making known his awareness and diversity at such a young age and illustrating how we can change and grow. His words highlight his positivity and that his path is always forward and never in reverse. Cole expresses his POV from different angles that which relate to me, to you...

--"All you talkin' bout your coupe is sicker... ya top is drop while the cops is out here shooting niggas, stupid nigga, see me I'd rather tell the truth to niggas" (- J.Cole "I Really Mean It")

--"I'm trying to side step the devil but he heartless yea, but just know that I'm a rebel and yo it's almost here.. I'm talking bout the revolution I am Paul Revere" (- J.Cole "Show Me Something")

--Poetically inclined, this man is able to gracefully display his knowledge of history, demographics, hardships, and "following your dreams". Melodically painting a vivid picture.. of life. About his bad times, his good times, the progression to see better days, and the journey coming to fruition. A man seeing success so clearly, vision of triumph surpassed sacrifice. His fans have seemed to acknowledge his great potential and wait on edge for what's to come (I know I do!). Personally I respect this man because of his humble persona and realistic speech. He has been asked a number of times about what's going on in the rap game and what he thinks of this beef and that rapper.. and the way how I feel, he feel's  - Not my issue, so I can't say who's right or wrong.. Taking a bold stand to neutrality and staying far beyond all the shit that doesn't matter. It's about the music people! and J.Cole serves it to you.

Mudda Sucka Speaks!

If I am the last…the last of the incorruptible, it’s only right that I bask in the glory of an explicit and un-adulterated world. Tonight will be a night of trepidation, consummation and imagination…journey with me. I implore you to un-buckle that seat belt, drive distracted and redline Italy’s fastest saloon…

It’s my understanding that I can actually change the world, even if it's only one person at a time. In a society of rape, murder, and injustice…I am the only fool that gives more that he can afford? My sole purpose in life is to educate, and enlighten. I can accept this as my role; forever will I be the guy that values a relationship with others more than that with material goods. I would give anyone…and I mean anyone, fifty-cent of my last dollar. Many times this has back-fired, each time I have continued to love without regard. It’s the only way I know how to live…I can’t be greedy, I can’t turn a blind eye, I can't and will not become corrupted...

So as this holiday weekend approaches, I say to you...Do your part! Make tonight (or today, depending where you live in world) a night of progress. Become the change you want to see in the world.

If ever the atrocities of today get you down, seek me out to be the shoulder you lean on...

WHY FRONT ON MURS?

Can we please pay respect to the forgotten? MC's like Murs, who are super talented , but rearly mentioned. This man is a hip hop artist. NO SWAG SURFING , NO MILLION DOLLAR CAR, NO 'MY SHIT SMELLS BETTER THAN YOURS'-BLOOD DIAMOND WEARING RAPPER. There is a big difference between what we listen to on the air waves, and the substance filled underground reality that Murs brings forward . A vet with seven years in and countless solid LP's. How could this man not make any top five countdown at any station?

"When We"

The inspration for this shirt came to me, in '07. Mark Pease and I were talking about African American culture and how we have yet to realize our full potential. From there, we started to think about the different stages of "evolution"or "degeneration" in some periods within or history, and from there I became the script writer (perfecting the idea) and Mark was the director (drawing the idea in his image). I guess the main theme is not to say We have lost ourselves as people, but we must (a percentage of us) change our direction for hope of tomorrow.