You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June 2008.
It has been HELLA LONG since I did a “Food & Liquor,” post but I just ate some of the best FOH ever and I had to pay homage.
[Don't let an irrational fear of Richmond keep you from experiencing this wonderful establishment!]
“Huong-Tra” is located at 12221 San Pablo Ave Suite 8, Richmond, CA 94806. Equipped with some of the best rice vermicelli dishes I’ve ever eaten, Huong-Tra never fails to satisfy. From PHO (beef noodle soup), COM DIA (meat & rice plates), to vegetarian and seafood plates, Huong-Tra is scrumdiddlyumcious and they serve a Vietnamese style BBQ Beef sandwich that’ll make you wanna slap yourself.
[BAHN MI BO NUONG: ONLY $3.50 BLUD!]
[PHO GA (Chicken Noodle Soup)]
I think we can all se why a picture is worth a thousand words. Come on down to “The City of Pride & Purpose,” and show this family restaurant some love. I’m sure they’ll show it back! Don’t you dare forget the Sriracha!
[You can tell from the color that this sh*t aint no joke. Proceed with caution.]
—–
For the 21 and over…
["It tastes like it's got butter inside..."]
I recently went to a FREE Johnnie Walker Whiskey tasting in Frisco and it was absolute bananas. Everyone got a free beverage of their choosing and copious amounts of fruit, crackers and expensive/delicious cheese I had never seen/tasted before. After a while enjoying the food and our drinks, we were escorted into a large room where a dude who looked like he prolly had money falling out his arse put on a headset mic and proceeded to rock my (not close, but not far from alcoholic) world.
We tried each and every “label,” going down the line, starting with Red Label, a “bright flavored scotch, used primarily for mixed drinks. Black label on the rocks was superb and up to that point was the only Walker Scotch I’d ever tried. Green Label was brand-spanking new and tasted like pain mixed with pine tress. Needless to say, I wasn’t much of a fan. Then it came. Gold Label was brought out to us by a handful of “Johnnie Walker Ladies,” (I seriously felt like I was dining with the muhf*ckin Devil here) in chilled glasses. Apparently the frosted glasses “open the flavor,” of the whiskey and as it warms on your tongue, you can sense notes of honey and vanilla. Much to my surprise, you actually could. While the Blue Label was the most expensive and some of the smoothest Scotch I’d ever tried, I found that the Gold Label was my favorite.
Long story short:
I was in San Rafael (where I work) searching for a Barnes & Noble to buy a birthday card. Apparently, the B&N that I remembered was no longer there and had been replaced by a “Beverages & More.” I figured “as long as I’m here…” and went inside to discover that the regularly $80 a bottle Gold Label was on sale for $35. As I am a str8-up-sucka-emcee for bargains, I couldn’t afford not to buy it.
If you are ever able to splurge, I recommend sipping it chilled with a small piece of dark chocolate. You’ll be all smiles just like I am as I sip ‘n write this very moment.
Eat, Drink & Dont Be Scurry,
Senbei
p.s. Alcohol kills millions a year and destroys lives, relationships and your brain.
p.p.s. I am slightly retarded.
p.p.s. For no particular reason at all:
[Booker T. Washington like yee.]
Well, I finally decided to sit down and write about this. I usually try to do everything in my power to not hype up something that has already been hyped up. In fact, I primarily make efforts to do the opposite of what everyone expects of me. This time however… I felt I had to speak out about everybody’s favorite rapper’s new album Tha Carter III. LOVE is a strong/beautiful word and to make a long story short, I f*cking LOVE this album.
Reasons why we LOVE to HATE Weezy:
- He is homophobic & mysoginistic
- He makes ignorant statments unapologetically
- He drinks syrup & smokes weed all day long
- He has been on EVERY hot song for the last 3 years
- He has put out the equivelant of 5 albums in “mixtapes” since Tha Carter II
Reasons why we HATE to LOVE Weezy:
- He is homophobic & mysoginistic
- He makes ignorant statments unapologetically
- He drinks syrup & smokes weed all day long
- He has been on EVERY hot song for the last 3 years
- He has put out the equivelant of 5 albums in “mixtapes” since Tha Carter II
A FAKE-LIGHTWEIGHT BLASPHEMOUS HIP-HOP COMPARISON
D’Wayne Carter is the closest thing I have heard/seen to 2pac since 2pac. Now, before you “make it rain,” on my response section with nasty “get off that ninjas n*tsack”-esque rhetoric about my blasphemy, please allow myself to explain…myself. First off, I am the hugest Tupac Amaru “Shining-Serpent-Greatful-To-God” Shakur fan in this neck of the UNIVERSE, and am in no way looking to disrespect the greatest rapper of all-time.
Before I begin my explanation, I want to make it abundantly clear that without 2pac there is no Weezy (or MANY other Rappers for that matter). Tupac was exponentially wiser, more well-read/educated, and a much more complete artist in that he was a thespian, a poet, a revolutionary, a philosopher and a soldier. Let it be made CRYSTAL clear that I am NOT saying Wayne is anywhere close to having the profound impact on Hip-Hop and the lives of Amerikans in general, that Pac did. What I AM saying is that since 2pac passed, Weezy is the closest thing I’ve seen to a Hip-Hop artist reminding me of Makaveli.
Keep the cap on your HATERADE for two secs, ’cause here goes (absolutely) nothin…
Senbei’s Theory of Weezy being (in these weird/f*cked-up/crazy times) reminiscent of Tupac Shakur:
-Weezy F. Baby has a work ethic like no other (living!) rapper out there. He is constantly in the studio and gave away what potentially could have been millions of dollars when he put out 4(!) mixtapes free to the public on the internet.
-They both come from EXTREME poverty, had no father and were raised by mothers who struggled with drug addiction.
-Pac & Weezy were both attacked by their “elders” in the prime of their careers (ie: C. Dolores Tucker & Al Sharpton).
-Not unlike Shakur, Birdman Jr. is capable of making many different kinds of songs, with many different kinds of people. (ie: Robin Thicke/Jon B, OutKast/Meth&Red, Playaz Circle/Dogg Pound, Destiny’s Child/KCi & JoJo, Jay-Z/SnoopDogg, etc.)
-Young Money has a “father-figure,” who is not his biological father. Birdman Sr. looks after Weezy’s investments and is Blood affiliated just like… (I’ve heard he’ll shoot you for mentioning his name, so I aint gon’ say it).
-The two rappers in question gained their highest status at the age of 25 and were perpetually drunk & high during this period in their lives.
- While there are a plethora of emcees with more complex wordplay/delivery/lyricism (ie: Biggie, Nas, Hov), 2pac/Wayne evoke deep pain/passion/emotion from every word they said/say. Every word uttered is as if it comes from the very depths of the bottom of their hearts. “Excuse my fresh emotion and my passion…but I wear my heart on my sleeve like it’s the new fashion…” (D’Wayne Carter).
-TODAY, Weezy is EVERY Middle/High Schooler’s favorite rapper. Q: Who was your favorite rapper in Middle/High School? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm… =P
Something to think about:
I think what many people forget at times is that 2pac was capable of some VERY homophobic/mysoginistic music. While I am thoroughly greatful that he is remembered more for his thoughtfulness, leadership, integrity, resilience, brilliance and unbreakable soul than his shortcomings, 2pac was far from perfection. 2pac was a human being. Under the pressures of racism, classism and gender roles, he made mistakes as we all do. Because death has a way of deifying famous artists, I feel that the youth of today might feel similar to the way I did when I heard Chuy Gomez on KMEL tell me that 2pac had passed, if (GOD FORBID) the same happened to Weezy. *KNOCKING ON WOOD LIKE A MUHF*CKA* (Please stop sippin’ that purple stuff Mr. Carter!)
*PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DEBATE ME ON THIS fake-lightweight-blasphemous THEORY*
[ALBUM REVIEW TIME. I can't even lie: Dude was cute lil baby (no homo...phobia).]
WHY I HATE TO LOVE, INSTEAD OF LOVE TO HATE WEEZY – BY SENBEI
1. I purposefully did NOT listen to ANY of his multitude of mixtapes after DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz – Dedication 2.
2. I did NOT listen to Tha Carter III leaks at all, and waited for the CD release.
3. I was sure when I first listened to the album, that I played it through a proper sound system. (One of Weezy’s greatest Hip-Hop attributes is his ability to pick some of the most slumpnarstyhyphytasticrunksh*znittlebamsnipsnapsally beats you have ever heard.)
4. I actively notice/listen to how far he has come since his days with the Hot Boyz (WOW: “wobidee-wobidee-wobidee-drop-it-like-it’s-hot”). Progression is a beautiful thing.
5. Whether he truly is “the best rapper alive” or not, most urban youth of color believe him 100% when he says that sh*t.
FAV TRACKS ON Tha Carter III:
-Mr. Carter feat. Jay-Z
-A Milli
-Dr. Carter
-Tie My Hands feat. Robin Thicke
-Let the Beat Build
-Shoot Me Down
-Lollipop feat. Static Major (Don’t front cuzcuz: when that sh*t come on in the club, so does your “I-Smell-Urine-Face.” Uughhh!)
-You Got Nothin’ feat. Juelz Santana & Fabolous
["We are not the same, I am a Martian..."]
There are definitely a good number of reasons to dislike this man and his music. However; unless you have been shot (twice), were raised Black, in poverty, with little to zero parental support and didn’t end up in prison or murdered but instead became a millionaire, hold back on your judgement and listen for a quick second. You might just like what you hear. =)
In the words of a rapper I HATE to LOVE – Church.
Senbeez
p.s. “Let’s stop the bullsh*ttin. ‘Til we all without sin, let’s quit the pulpit’n.” (Jay-Z)
p.p.s. If you aint got Tha Carter II, run to the store. NOW!
Whadedewski faithful ColinResponse readers (aka G, Kori and a few other close familia members/homies/allies),
I have to shout-out my peoples the Pretty Bouyant Society (once again) for having me, Jeimil and the Dynamic Souls (Aki and Kumar) on their KPFA/APEX Express/Pretty Bouyant radio show last week. Click HERE to listen to the interview. I felt bad because I brought Aki, Kumar & Jeimil in with me to KPFA’s studio and I spent the most time talking. All in all though, I think we all had a pretty fun time jus chillin’ with each other.
[Pretty Bouyant (Adriel Luis & DJ Phatrick) & yours truly via Adrizzle]
We talked with Phatty and Adriel a bit about The Literary Ca(n)non Project, but spent most of our time in a conversation about a previous post in this BLOG entitled API Rappers, Interactial Dating & The Garden of Good & Wevils. In this post (if you’ve not read it), I spend time discussing the roles that API emcees play in Hip-Hop and how I believe if we are to participate in this culture/artform with integrity and authenticity, that there needs to be a certain level of respect and acknowledgement that we are particpating in what has historically been Black music.
Looking back at my essay, I find that my message may have been misconstrued when I state: “Rap music MIGHT not be the place for middle-class, suburban Asian Amerika to find itself and search its soul.” I think what I meant to get across more than anything, is that the people who this music was meant to serve will most likely NOT feel a rapper who is both NOT Black or Brown, but also NOT of a poor or working-class background. I have begun to question what is happening if the people who created Hip-Hop (ie: working-class Black/Brown people) have no interest in hearing our version of this artistic expression. I don’t want to say that middle-class/suburban API-Amerikans have no place in Hip-Hop because that is incredibly far from the truth. What I hope readers may think about, is the disconnect that can happen between API Amerikans and our Black & Brown sisters and brothers of color should we move in a direction that appropriates one of, if not THE greatest artforms in the history of Amerika.
I think my brother Adriel wrote a brilliant piece in terms of this thinking in “Hip-Hop Elitism aka Why Soulja Boy is More Hip-Hop Than Your Snobby Ass.” It touches on people who have begun to believe that indie “backpack” artists such as Slug, Aesop Rock, Sage Francis, etc. are more Hip-Hop than a Soulja Boy. While folks like Atmosphere and The Grouch have been bringing truly solid and outstanding music to the Hip-Hop table, the youth who share a common upbringing to those who created Hip-Hop culture are NOT listening to them. The kids I work/kick-it with each day are listening to Young Jeezy, Lil Weezy, Kanyeezy & Too Sheezy.
[Young Money aka Weezy F Baby aka Birdman Junior]
Hip-Hop has always been whatever urban youth of color are feeling at the time. I had a long talk with one of my best homies who HAAATES Lil Wayne and after I explained to him why I love this man’s work and am a huge fan (swag, cadence on the mic, flow, charisma, lyricism, wordplay, etc.), he now hatED Lil Wayne. Giving him a copy of The Carter II dind’t hurt either. Please read Drizzle’s article. It’s much more articulate than what I just wrote.
In the words of the mighty Mos Def:
People talk about Hip-Hop like it’s some giant livin in the hillside, comin down to visit the townspeople. We are Hip-Hop. Me, you, everybody, we are Hip-Hop. So Hip-Hop is goin where we goin. So the next time you ask yourself where Hip-Hop is going, ask yourself.. where am I goin? How am I doin? Til you get a clear idea. So.. if Hip-Hop is about the people Hip-Hop won’t get better until the people get better, then how do people get better? (Hmmmm…) Well, from my understanding people get better when they start to understand that, they are valuable. And they not valuable because they got a whole lot of money or cause somebody, think they sexy but they valuable caause they been created by God.
And God, makes you valuable.
-Black Dontae
I really couldn’t have said it better myself. I ask myself almost everyday not only “Where am I going?” but also “Where are people of color going?” & “Where are API Amerikans going?” And today. This very second. I see us (API Amerikans) doing one of two things (taken from my earlier post):
Scenario #1:
We contradict oppressive stereotypes by reclaiming a voice that has been stolen from us through emasculation, colonization, appropriation and institutionalized racism, following in our Black/Brown brothers’ and sisters’ footsteps. We use the realm of Hip-Hop expression to honestly express ourselves, contribute to the art form and stand as allies in solidarity with our sisters’ and brothers of color to combat oppression in all its forms.
Scenario #2:
We “step inside someone else’s ‘home’ without an invitation, without removing our shoes,” make asses of ourselves and never question it for a second. We maintain the status of “model minority,” by taking the same oppressor route as entitled, non-thinking whites and appropriate a culture that we did not create, contributing further to the ongoing institutionalized oppression of African/Latin heritage people who are being targeted for destruction.
My heart is literally overflowing with love for my Asian/Pacific Islander brothers and sisters and ALL people of color, regardless of where they come from in this world. What I CANNOT DO however, is stand by and a be a part of the appropriation of Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop has saved my life in so many ways and I owe it my life, devotion, respect and profound love forever. I will fight the internalized & externalized racism and oppression of my own people until the day that I die, but I will never oppress another group of people in order to lessen my own (word to Paulo Freire). I have made it a priority to be anti-oppression, and what this means is that I cannot willingly accept one form of oppression for another. You will never hear me say on any song, something to the affect of “fuck these f*ggot-ass racist cops,” in turn denouncing hate with more hate.
Asian Pacific Amerikans have faced enormous amounts of ridiculous bullsh*t in this (OUR) country. We have been at best, invisible and ignored completely while we compete with each other for who gets to be closest to the glass-ceiling, and at worst the victims of hate crimes, our men emasculated, our women exotified, and our elders put into concentration camps, deported, incarcerated and/or murdered. (Vincent Chin, Tule Lake/Topaz/Manzanar, Vietnam, Pol Pot, Hiroshima, Chinese Exclusion Act, the 442nd, No-No Boys, General Macarthur, etc.)
We Amerikans of API descent have been afforded certain privileges in Amerika that Black Amerikans (whose families have been here for much longer than many of ours) have not been privy to, and this fact needs to be acknowledged. However; I have never in my life, met a person of Black/African heritage (with no API ancestry) with the last name “Chang,” “Ngyuen,” “Suzuki,” “Aquino,” etc. API Amerikans have never benefitted from the legacy of slavery in the same way Anglos have in the United States. For anyone, regardless of their race/ethnicity to put us in the exact same category of privilege as white Amerikans is not only absurd, but a complete buy-in to the idea of “divide and conquer.” In the words of Muhammad Ali: “No Vietcong ever called me N*gger.”
I understand fully, why Black Amerikans would resent the sh*t out of an Asian immigrant making a great living from owning a store in in their neighborhood/community if their family has lived in the U.S. for generations and never seen anything but poverty. I also believe however, that this anger is (mostly – I have definitely come across some out-of-pocket, racist/hateful/ugly Asian brothers and sisters) aimed in the wrong direction. While API Amerikans have been set-up to play the role of “model minority” (and sadly some “Uncle Tamagotchis“ play it to a T), we don’t run this sh*t by ANY means in Amerika.
I not only acknowledge and am thinking about the privilege that comes with my European heritage on a daily basis, but my Japanese heritage as well. At the same time, I feel that moving towards feelings of fright and extreme guilt, may potentially freeze-up API Amerikans from being incredible allies to our other brothers and sisters of color (and also leave us complacent as invisible, subservient, passive, silent footstools to whites). Amerika wants Asian Pacific Amerikans to feel superior to Black and Brown folks, because if we side with people of color – this bullsh*t is over and through with. The idea of API Amerikans getting down with Black and Latino folks is possibly the scariest thing these Coorporate Weapons Investment Firm CEOs could ever imagine. IMAGINE.
To close, I think it is important to say that I am NOT against API Amerikans who were raised middle/upper-class in the suburbs, by any means. If anything, I am f*cking thrilled that their families were able to figure out a way to have big lives in Amerika. I have never associated being “real,” or “of color,” with poverty. Poverty is the result of oppression and we all know that it is something that can affect white communities as well. Poverty is not an inherant part of anybody’s culture, but HIP-HOP was born of it and the second that that is forgotten…I will lose my first true love forever. And I sure as f*cking hell aint lettin’ her go out like that.
I HATE IT WHEN THEY SAY I SHOULD’T…SPRAY THE WORLD WITH PAPER BULLETS…’CAUSE PAPER CUTS FOR HATRED COULD’NT…MAKE UP FOR THIS RACIAL BULLSH*T.
Balance + Peace,
Senbei
p.s. Are you an API Hip-Hoppa looking to step your Hip-Hop History game up??? Holla at ya big brotha Jeff Chang’s “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation,” ASAP! That boy GO. You will not be disappointed!
p.p.s. Holla at Broken Halos & Pretty Bouyant this Sunday in tha Town!
