It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything. Life’s been busy, but nevertheless, Hip Hop Canvas is back up and running!
In celebration, here’s “Hiatus” by Joe Budden.
Weekly Throwback: “Keep Your Head Up” Through Times of Anguish
I’d like to personally send condolences out to all those killed in the Connecticut and Oregon shootings. These attacks are cruel and cowardly. Guns don’t kill, people do … cowardly people.
It’s truly sad. I’ve been up all week with nightmares about this kind of stuff happening. I was really hoping to be wrong. This 2012 apocalypse phenomenon was setting the world up to fail. I firmly believe that the Earth is not going to end on the 21st of this month. However, some individuals are making it their mission to see that it does, one way or another. This is a morbid winter. I’m finding it harder and harder to smile everyday, but live your lives so that these lives lost aren’t lost in vain. Rather than channel your anger, turn it into inspiration to better yourself each and everyday, because the mortal reality is that each sunrise could lead to our final sunset. Peace, brothers and sisters.
In times of depression and sadness, I often turn to one of my favorite artists of all time, Tupac Shakur. Here’s a song that keeps me inspired to live on each and every day.
We Need Prayer Right Now
Our prayers go out to all of the children, staff and families. May God give them the courage, strength and guidance that is needed through this difficult time.
In the poetic words of Tupac Amaru Shakur, "Keep Your Head Up."
Tribute Throwback: Life Does Indeed Go On
“We both gotta die, but you chose to go before me …” -2Pac in “Life Goes On”
This day in history: September 13, 1996, Tupac Amaru Shakur was killed. Lost he was, but his legacy continues 16 years and millions upon millions of tears later. As Tupac himself said, “Life Goes On”. Let’s, rather than mourn his loss, celebrate his life, poetry, and passion for hip hop. Enjoy!
2Pac – “Life Goes On”
Weekly Throwback: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Weekly Throwback – The Sound of the Instrumental
Lupe Fiasco – “The Instrumental” ft. Jonah Matranga
Listen ….. and enjoy!!!
(I really like this video I found. The picture montage really tells a story alongside the song.)
Jon Connor – Broken Mirrors
This is a very honest song. I understand what he’s saying and it’s true that you have to check the mirror and make sure the reflection is clear in order to maintain a positive life. Build upon the negatives , and extract something positive from them. Optimism + Realism = Successful.
Weekly Throwback – Getting Passed By?
Classic Old School. Enjoy!
The Pharcyde – “Passin’ Me By”
Guardian Angel: Fred Lane The Revelator
Today, I present to you, Fred Lane The Revelator. He is a Christian Hip Hop artist that I had the opportunity to meet at a show in Philadelphia, Pa. He is a humble man who is doing his best to share his art and spread the Good Gospel. We spoke not too long ago, and I had the chance to ask him a few questions about his music and current direction.
Fred Lane The Revelator, a Philadelphia based artist, seeks to reach and inspire the masses to live a more Christ-like life by using his mind, his soul, and his microphone.
Lane first recognized his talent in its infancy when he and some friends sat at sectioned off tables writing rhymes during lunchtime in the second grade. He officially began rapping in 2000 under his real name, Fred Lane. He was into hardcore hip hop and was influenced by a lot of the old school legends such as: Big L, Big Pun, Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Big Daddy Kane, Mos Def, Kool G Rap, and Jay Z, just to name a few.
During this time, Lane had “strayed away from the Lord.” After a while, he decided he wanted to be saved. He also had a friend who needed to be saved, and he believed he could help him. Unfortunately, his friend was killed before he had the chance. Lane vowed that he’d never let another soul go if it was in his power to do so.
“I had a vision from the Lord, in the middle of my sleep,” Lane said. ”I was driving down the street in his car when it changed into a nicer car. I got out near a school and saw a blue light coming to me really slow. It hit me, and my wardrobe changed into really nice white clothes, with the number “1” in the middle. When I spoke, tornadoes came out and I had power.”
Lane said he knew the vision was from God. A lady told him that God sent him that message so that he would utilize his talents in His holy name. It was difficult for him to adjust because at the time, he was doing hardcore hip hop, which can potentially be vile and very aggressive. However, Lane knew inside that he had to change his style and “spit for the Lord.”
Once saved, Lane removed all traces of his old music, going so far as to burn his notebooks. He believed he needed a fresh start. He began using the moniker Fred Lane The Revelator. Lane provided the Bible scripture, from 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
“When Abram accepted God, he became Abraham. I needed a brand new start. When you revelate, you speak the hidden things and reveal the truth,” Lane said.
Lane described the transition from his hardcore lifestyle to a more Christ-like lifestyle as evolving from eating fast food.
“It’s like McDonald’s. You eat it and it’s good to you because it’s all you know. Then you try something better and don’t want McDonald’s anymore,” Lane said.
Lane’s mission is to use his lyrical ability to relate to the masses and portray a lifestyle through Christ. After losing his friend, Tino aka MastarMind, it became his vocation to shepherd souls to the greener pastures within the shelter of God’s grace, thus Soul Winner Entertainment was born.
Lane has not limited his audience, which is contrary to most artists who have defined styles and aim their craft at a particular demographic.
“[My targeted audience is] everybody, every demographic, saved and unsaved. Jesus Christ is Lord. God has your back. Rich or poor, only God can quench your thirst,” Lane said. “There is nothing wrong with being a Christian. You can still be you, [just] without the negativity.”
Lane, being influenced by the greats of yesteryear, appreciates the true artistic value of hip hop. He is somewhat discouraged by the current state of hip hop. Of the popular mainstream artists, he could only name one artist he enjoys.
“[I like] Meek Mill for Philly, but nobody really,” Lane said. “They’re accepting that fast food.”
Lane did not limit his displeasure to just mainstream hip hop. Even Christian hip hop falls short of his expectations.
“A lot of Christian hip hop is corny. I felt like I had to do it,” Lane said.
Lane uses negativity in this world to inspire his positivity. He said that there are so many big buildings, a lot of big money, but there are homeless people getting stepped over. There’s a better way. He uses his music to create optimism.
He is currently working on an album titled “A Sinner’s Prayer”. The date has yet to be announced. His current work can be found on Twitter and Youtube. Links will be provided. He performs at Relish, a club in North Philadelphia. Look him up and enjoy his music.
“Be original,” Lane said. “When you dig inside yourself, and you pull that jewel out, that’s what’s [going to] make you shine. God gave every man a gift. If you try to mimic someone else’s gift, you’ll always be second ranked. Reach inside yourself and dig out the treasure.”
Fred Lane The Revelator
Twitter: @215TheRevelator
YouTube: AceStacks
Hip Hop vs Rap … Rap vs Hip Hop
This is a topic that comes up very often, is often debated, and can be controversial at times. No matter who you ask, the answers will always find a way to come out differently. Isn’t that what makes it so … beautiful? What is this topic? “What is the difference between Hip Hop and Rap?”
Well, before I present my opinion, let me refute that with another question: Is there really all that much of a difference?
Yes. No. Maybe?
This topic stemmed from an online conversation between me and one of my closest friends. Rather than summing it up, I decided to post the actual conversation:
Kalen: Yo, what’s the difference between rap and hip hop?
HHC (Me): [It] depends on whom you ask … if you listen to [the attached] song, “The BounceBack”, it says “Rap is what I do, but Hip Hop is life …”
To me, rap is a verb while Hip hop is a noun, a tangible entity. They’re one in the same, though very different. As you venture in your quest for the solution to this conundrum, you will often find various answers. I say hip hop is a culture defined by the artistic blend of wordplay and instrumental composition. Over the years, different vibes and influences have ingrained themselves into the culture, thus evolving into the mainstream culture seen today, often referred to as rap.
Those that like to differentiate the two have obvious qualms with the status quo. Hip hop, when comparing the two, often represents the positive in the art. Rap – the actual word – has taken on a negative image. Most hip hop laymen refer to hip hop as rap in a condescending tone and assume the worst when describing it. This is what usually leads to the Hip Hop vs. Rap arguments.
I personally believe they’re one and the same, but when asked, I generally prefer the term Hip Hop because of the negative connotations aligned with “rap”.
K: Thanks man, so according to your opinion there is no difference between hip hop music and rap music … or are you saying hip hop encompasses more than just the music and includes rap?
HHC: I think that Hip Hop is a large umbrella and rap falls under it … The words are so synonymous, they’re almost the same. Each word encompasses different generations and genres.
Hip Hop is a lifestyle. Once an artist, always an artist. You live it, breathe it, feel it, ARE it. It’s as much you as you are it. Notice I said artist. Not all rappers are artists. You can stop being a rapper, but an artist is always and artist at heart. That’s why ART is in the word heART. Art is a part of one’s heart.
Hip Hop is an art. Rap is a business. I think that’s the best way to express it.
K: Okay if an artist were to tell you they are hip-hop not rap what would you think?
HHC: If that’s what an artist tells me, I’d allow myself to hope for a moment. Usually, they are being genuine, but nowadays, everybody thinks they’re so different and bring something new to the table when all they’re really doing is being redundant and contributing to the gargantuan whirlpool that is “rap”.
K: Okay thanks for the knowledge bro!
HHC: Any time man, this is what I enjoy. It’s fun to share my knowledge.
K: I just don’t understand how someone can rap on a song and say they are not rap, but are hip-hop.
HHC: It’s interesting, isn’t it? I always feel uncomfortable saying rap. Sometimes it’s just a matter of personal preference.
K: Yeah it hurts to think about. Haha!
People will always have their own thoughts and opinions on this argument. That simply represents mine. Respond back to me on Twitter @JohnYJArmstrong with #HipHopVsRap and let me know what you think the difference is, if there is any.
-YJ
