GetAtMe

I knew it was going to be interesting to see the effect of the new History Channel remake of Alex Haley’s ROOTS (by the way it’s extremely well done, but come on it’s The History Channel).  This graphic and monumental reminder of our journey as Urban Americans is a must see for today’s Urban Americans.  Already Facebook & Twitter are up and down with responses about the show from all of America (it’s funny how many professional blacks have opted to not view the show, “I don’t have the temperament for that right now”.  Really you have a mortgage that’s due and you don’t want to be walking around your job snarling at folks #lsmh, but that’s another blog…). 

This blog is about the missing dialogue from hiphop.  In a day where LoveAndHipHop, WorldStarHiphop, Mediatakeout, TheShadeRoom and BallerAlert dominate daily trending topic and important hiphop issues (like the Future vs Ciara Beef, The Drake vs Meek Mill beef, Kat Williams latest escapade or whoever Azealia Banks is twitter tongue wrasslin with...)  HipHop has been really sort of quiet (I guess that Thunder Vs Warrior matchup outweighed Urban Americans cultural screenshot into our past…).

Other than Snoop Dog mentioning that he’s not checking for the new show, the hiphop pens are noticeably quiet (maybe ROOTS aint click bait, “ok Imma quit”).  Many of these writers, bloggers and interns were quick to jump on the  Trayvon, Fergurson, Sarah Bland or Black Lives Matter  bandwagon (click bait..), but it seems that their keyboards are autistic when it comes to an all too real screenshot into our development as a culture of Urban Americans.  Many seem to be indifferent, others are not trying to irritate their so called ad money, but the real of it is maybe hiphop ain’t really interested in stories that challenge our hiphop’s urban swagger.  Maybe hiphop don’t want folks to be reminded that there was a time that Drake would have been master horseboy or driver, JayZ would have been master’s butler, Lil Wayne would have been in the field, Beyonce would have been in the kitchen cooking and master would have been raping Rihanna.  Which is exactly why hiphop of all generation (especially this new generation) should take a moment to view this and become better acquainted with our past when Plymouth Rock landed on us literally (its really sobering…)

Malachi Kirby does an awesome job as the new Kunta Kinte (with helpful mentorship from Levar Burton a consultant on the show).  Lawrence Fishburn did a great job as Producer (as expected) and Mario Van Peeples as the director gave us a poignant look at our .past.  Forrest Whittaker’s portrayal of “Fiddler” was excellent and he made the character his own (taking nothing away from Lou Gossets original portrayal which also was great…).

ROOTS is the true definition of “keeping it real”.  Maybe to real for some of today’s new hiphop stars, execs, followers and fans.  And that’s a shame because you will never know how to get where you’re going, if you keep ignoring where you’re from.  Check it out and let this screenshot of our past as urban American inspire you, motivate you and remind you, that your ancestors endured crazy brutal struggles so that you could have the luxury to be a part of, perform in and enjoy hiphop.  “It's like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder…”

#ItsAboutTheMoment

#GetAtMe