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Hip & Critical EP Tour   Eli Myles - I Deserve To Ball

Hip & Critical EP Tour 

Eli Myles - I Deserve To Ball

Written By - Xavier Jones

Eli Myles already has his foot in the music industry's door. He's published beats for some of our favorite artist, and handfuls of locals looking for the right sound. His Soundcloud slaps with tunes cultivated from his own lab, and a few tracks from himself. In December 2018 he was featured on DJ Bleek’s Detroit Cuts II: Game Theory. Detroit legend Dusty McFly dropped his third installment of Buffies & Benihana's. Every track on the album is produced by Eli. 

With a laundry list of work that stretches eons; Eli left fans waiting for him to drop a project of his own. They needed something with his name on it to love and cherish. 

July 6th of 2018 Eli gave fans what they wanted. “I Deserve to Ball”. A project written, produced, and mixed by Eli himself.

The EP starts with a track of it's own namesakes. The in house sound rushes out of the speakers; secure you to your seat and proceed to beat the fuck out of you. Eli gives us a spoonful of self affirmations. 

“I deserve to ball!”

“I deserve to ball yeah!” 

“Put in work alone did it on my own.” 

I Deserve To Ball should have came with a complimentary neck brace. Or at least a warning label to get one. 

When “Know Wassup” comes on Eli enforces his EP’s thesis statement. He makes a prophecy of where his career is going. Right before he tells us another cardinal life principle, and something these niggas should already know. 

“Hope you know I never gave a fuck about acceptance! Niggas too extra!” 

The production on track number two is boastful in it’s own right. It’s slick, futuristic, and gives us a peek at the producers potential. But Eli still flexes his muscles hard with his lyrics. The rapper grandstands his lifestyle and relationships with the plug.

“Cuz you ain’t connected yous a detective I can detect it!” 

IDTB distributes twenty seven minutes of very high quality music. Every song holds the gleam and properties of a different precious gemstone, but track three is something special.

An artifact that couldn't be found in our solar system. 

For ��Throw It Back” I’m convinced Eli traveled to another dimension. Explored the darkest and funkiest catacombs for a clan of evil music producing monsters. The monster clan couldn’t help so they conjured up a squad of demons to lend a hand and ride with DJ Rob Marley to the studio.

As the kids say nowadays. “No Cap”. This is one of the hardest songs I’ve heard in my life! 

Production - Hard! 

Lyrics - Hard! 

One of the ways I test the women who come in and out of my life (and my car) is to play Throw It Back. Upon successful vibing to track three, plethoras of my respect is earned. 

100% of the women who come in and out of my life (and my car) passed the Throw It Back Test.  (Not that throw it back test you nasty motherfucker!) 

Eli put some juju on the beat that strokes the clit, sucks the nipples and rubs on the ass all in one flawless striking motion Within the first fifteen seconds always I hear. 

“I like this song!” 

Eli the producer officially changes the vibe for “New to the City” a track solely made to appreciate the efforts and grind of a hard working woman. The beat runs at an obviously slower pace from the first half of the tape. Eli starts the ballad by informing his listeners of another cardinal truth. 

“D girls love a balling ass nigga!” 

The production serenades us as Eli the rapper spits some empowering, non judgemental lyrics to the ladies. Telling them everything they need to hear before a girls night out on the town.

“Pull up and work! Niggas on you before your foot hit the curb! Pay em no mind cuz you know what you're worth!” 

“Everyone's Lit” keeps up the pace. Producing a slow, sleepy, almost drunk tune. Track five is one of those songs you play after a cruel break up. 

Close your eyes when you’re completely fucked up and you will feel every word. 

“I know what you did! I know where you've been! I can’t even trip! You just wanna live!”

Eli even advocates for safety and responsible drinking in this time of heartbreak. 

“Maybe I should Lyft, cuz everyone is lit!” 

The next track reflects how life goes after your feelings are dented and damaged by the grind. 

“On & On” is a solid track where Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde come together for a wavy tale of redemption, realizing your full potential and the art of bossing up. On & On is the official risk takers anthem. 

“Cuz life goes on and on and on and on! A different day a different song!”

“Stucc In The The Grind Freestyle” closes the curtain on Eli’s first EP. Stucc In The Grind is the piece where Eli exposes the majority of his feelings. The wordsmith reveals the source of the wisdom he passed down to us, and the cause of the stone around his heart. 

“Mama gave me game she ain’t raise a fraud! Tough times taught me one thing nigga, ball! I then seen the fakest bitches break a nigga heart, power of that flower when she take them skinnies off!” 

On Stucc In The Grind Eli took the time to fortify his mind, grind and empire. He shucks off the outside influences to remind himself what’s really important and how to get there.

“Keep yo mental on that chicken keep them digits flowing! Keep them feelings to yourself or put em in a song! By the time you finished writing you look up she gone!”   

The freestyle and EP ends with a mystery high roller giving Eli a few words of encouragement. Eli gratefully accepts the advice and moves onward with his journey. 

Eli is most definitely shaking up the scene with his first project. The seven songs he provided are drops in a bucket compared to his catalog. Scary assassin people may show up at my door if I keep talking about it. We might have to wait for another president to see a full album.   

In real life the fanatics only got a tease. Music connaisseurs all over the country are crawling across the internet to get at different pieces of Detroit’s secret weapon. Ill Wave is in high demand. 

I Deserve To Ball is available on all streaming platforms. Contact Eli for Ill Wave merchandise.   

[hipandcriticalblog]

Hip & Critical EP Tour   Bevlove - Letters

Hip & Critical EP Tour  

Bevlove - Letters

Written By - Xavier Jones

"Letters" is the sophomore EP from Detroit music diva Bevlove. The May 29th 2018 release is a follow up to her 2016 cut “Talk That Shit”.

The subject matter of both EPs are night and day. Spicy and sweet. 

Talk That Shit dishes some quality, powerful music that hits the ego in all the right places. Intro track, “Do What I Say”, is self explanatory. On “Freaks” Bevlove places herself on the ballot of Detroit mayoral candidates. Commanding her army over a funky, bass laced beat and her signature silky voice. 

Letters brings nineteen minutes of gentle, soulful ying; and an aggressive, hard working Detroit yang. 

An album’s intro track can normally tell us everything we need to know about to project.

“Carried Away” kicks off Letters. The Detroit songstress opens up about what kind of man makes her feel some type of way, and what she might do when she feels that way. But comes to a conclusion that she may be ahead of herself. 

With a couple deep, mysterious cords. The beat shoots you a look from across the bar, approaches you seductively. Then it indulges you so Bevlove can take you on a ride to the casino.

On Track two “Ghost” Bevlove reminds us that she's grown, has her own problems, and isn't afraid to let her guard down. But in the end, will ultimately do what’s best for her. 

Halfway through the package; a bundle of key words came to mind about the theme of Letters. Strength. Style. Realism. Talent. The list goes on G.

Letters is a vibe for many occasions. But  “Pressure” is a certified fuck song. 

Bevlove opens the Bedroom Banger by sweetly talking that shit. Taking control, giving orders and providing options. 

“Come now. Calm down! You’re gonna make me cum now! But how? I want you to put your phone down! See nobody else but me!”

Bevlove issues a challenge during the chorus that would make any man reach inside himself, and find proper concentration. 

“Too much pressure! Pressure! I'm gonna make you fold!” 

Vulnerability is a crucial term that smacks me when it comes to this track. I rock with Pressure! When I weigh it on my Libra scale I find the perfect balance. On one side Bevlove is aggressive, snappy, and asserting her dominance in ways only a pure Detroit primadonna is capable of. 

“I need you on your knees! Hail Bev pray to me! Taste me! Taste me!” 

Across the scale; Bevlove is sweet, submissive, and ready to display her affections for a deserving young man of her choosing. 

“Flora & Fauna” is a groovy monument that keeps Letters going. Flora & Fauna tells the tell of an imperfect love story. F&F’s bright and colorful lyrics paint a dream that lets fans listen to the flair, sizzle, and color scheme of the EP’s cover.  

My hands down favorite song on Letters is “Mean It”. It contains some of the realest bars I heard in my twenty five years. A true millennial anthem.

“My Mama called she said go work at the bank! But I can't pass a hair test and I'm always late!” 

Bars! 

“Lil Better” brings Letters on home. The last track is a bandaid on the pain Bevlove has expressed. Quarter of a second in, listeners are blessed by fire vocals. Lil Better’s direct, hypnotizing chants give Bevlove the edge she needed to drop it on us. 

“Make it a little better baby! Cuz It’s a little rough and you just might give up!” 

Bevlove proceeds to lyrically nurture over soft bass punches. When the beat comes in she continues to voice her feelings, fears, and fantasies. Wrapping up Letters with a jiggy ass vibe that would immortalize Bevlove.

“This ain’t a song it's an anthem!”

Letters is an EP that Bevlove and the city of Detroit can be proud of. It has been in my music rotation for the entire year it's been out. Spotify compiled a list of my favorite songs of 2018. The list went from old school rap, blues, rock and roll, and the heat my downriver niggas been putting out. In Between the madness, “Carried Away”, “Pressure”, and “Mean It” made the list. I wasn’t aware of how much I was banging this project. 

You can smoke to it, drink to it, fuck to it, or turn Letters on and just ride. Certainly something you can put on at the family cookout and not hear your Grandma and Aunties bitch about it.

I’m a supporter of anything dope, black and Detroit. Bevlove is all three and I’m a fan of her art. She is going big places! Keep up the good work!

Letters is available on all streaming platforms.      

Words from my heart and mind, Images from google.

[hipandcriticalblog]

[hipandcriticalblog]

The Nipsey Hussle Theory  Written By - Xavier Jones

Part of life is living it; another part is moving on with the people who don’t make it. Death is a familiar concept that hits different with each strike.  

We watched loved ones pass on, peers, family members, babies, celebrities, no one is exempt.

Last year we lost Mac Miller.

Moment of silence.

Thank you.

That one hurt me. I been a fan since my cousin put me on Kool Aid and Frozen Pizza in high school.

Mac’s music got me through college. An admittedly weird four years of my life. Is it scary that I resonate and relate with his music so much? When we lost Mac, we truly lost one. He was one of us.

March 31st 2019. I heard a friend say, “When I make it I’m not coming back to the hood. I can nurture it from afar but it’s too many haters at home to truly feel safe.”

I don’t think he was lying

March 31st 2019. Businessman, entrepreneur, father, and black man Nipsey Hussle was gunned down. Outside a store he used to gangbang in front of. He owned the plaza and all the rights to his masters.

Moment of silence.

Thank you.

I listened to Nipsey in high school too; his music was just as influential as Mac’s.

Damn bro, we outliving the rappers we looked up too.    

Nipsey’s death was tragic.

Mac was one of us.

But Nipsey was really one of us. A black man with a dream and a hustle bigger than his struggle. Over time his raps became less gangbanging and more life edicate. His character was always solid. He preached business ownership, positive manhood, and an all around better life than what the hood is ready to give us.

Niggas die everyday B. But everyone suffers when the good ones are snacthed away from us.

Nip manifested his dreams, came back to his roots to help everybody do the same. Unfortunately, he was cut short of that goal.

Not much official information has been released. (Even if I found out more I won’t put it here, research and create an idea for yourself!) We will never get the full story; it’s not our business. But there is something on my heart about this and I must get it out.

To my current knowledge and understanding there’s two theories on Nipsey. As the world mourns, I’ll get this off my chest.

Theory one - Off the dribble the internet conspiracy theorist jumped to the documentary Nipsey planned to release on Dr. Sebi. A holistic Doctor who won a case claiming he didn’t cure aids. It is conspired that Nip was killed by the government, for his desire to share this information. He said in an interview, “Yall better ride for me if they get me for this documentary.” But it didn’t seem like he was worried much.

How I feel about this one - Being a conspiracy theorist myself, I have my own methods. One of them is not believing the first thing you hear. Before they announced him dead the Dr. Sebi post were flooding the timeline. A little too fast for me. The usual black people social medial snowball effect.

It’s not far fetched in any way shape or form. It’s common knowledge that the United States Government can wipe away any source they deem as problematic. As they had with many powerful black people in the past. Tupac and Dr. Sebi himself being the most ruptable theories.

I honestly don’t believe this because it’s what everybody believes. There hasn’t been any official reports, releases, or new information. Just old social media post regarding Dr. Sebi.

Theory Two - “Shitty Cuz” a rat from the hood. Shot Nipsey out of spite. He came around and Nipsey asked him to leave because he was a known rat. Nobody likes rats. They say he returned and opened fire hitting Nip with six. Injuring two others

How I feel about this one - Unfortunately, this is the one I’m going with. I didn’t jump straight to this conclusion. I thought, “What if Unc recruited this black man some way to take out another black man.” What also came across my mind, “Five shots to the body, one to the head. Sounds military trained.” But I looked at the security camera footage released by TMZ (In my opinion, more credible than the thousands of post and comments from the same people from social media with the same lack of credible sources.) It showed Shitty running around a stack of cars, arrowing him as he starts to run.

It arrows Nipsey as he falls to the ground and Shitty runs away.

The theories mix and bounce off each other no doubt about it. But in my opinion this one is sadly more realistic. Not to say that theory other one isn’t realistic.

Maybe I believe this way because of what the homie said that same day. It was all just too erie.

How I feel - At the time I was honestly scared. Scared as shit actually. Not scared for black people, not black women, not black children, not black men. But scared for myself.

Both theories hit me on so much of a deeper level.

With the go to Dr. Sebi theory. Nipsey was killed because he wanted to teach black people the power of eating right, and expose the fake that’s been taught to us. He was giving the community resources to thrive, beating big record companies, and investing into the youth. Let’s not forget he was black.  

Reading this back to myself, the idea of Nipsey sounds like someone our big bad wolf wouldn't want around.

I Don’t believe the theory to be true but it’s impossible.

Speaking for myself. I have one goal. For the people to read. At a point in our history black people were killed and tortured for trying to learn basic literacy skills.

Why?

Because if you keep them illiterate you keep them dumb; if you keep them dumb you keep them controlled.

The power to read is the power to be free.

If this was 500 years ago, I’ll be sneaking off from plantation to plantation teaching my people how to read. Looking quite good while I’m doing it might I add.

Massa ain’t going to like that. Because I’m not as dumb as the other negros (thanks to the power of reading) he won’t catch me. But by some chance the white men get me I’ll me a Christmas ornament in the morning.

Now I feel ready for the challenge. My goal is to educate my people, to put the knowledge and support in our communities so we can do better. Ending the cycles that has been keeping us down. A similar journey of Nipsey's.

I was scared because no matter which way of thinking; a black man was killed for doing the right thing. He coulda been killed by one of us or one of them. The fact of the matter remains the big flash can come from all directions when you’re doing the right thing. You just have to live your purpose and truth at all times.  

I’m on a mission to be successful and I genuinely want the hood to be successful. I’m not worried about the end. Only the positive ways I’ve impacted the world on my journey.

On the second theory, Nipsey was killed by a rat from the hood who never made it out. Probably never tried to make it out, let alone make it better. When people start to hate nothing else matters.

I’m from one of those hating cities. Not everyone is blessed with the hustle. Some sit on their ass and get upset at you because you got up to get it. Those good intentions don’t matter to them. Only that it’s your moment and theirs is long gone.

I haven't made it too far in the game but I know this. People around you change when they smell success. And it’s a challenge wanting uplift an area that might not have your best interest at hand. Once you get to a certain point. Everyone stops asking what you can do for yourself, and what you should do for them.  

I don’t want to buy the hood just to get bought in the hood.

So anybody reading this I want you to think.

Ask yourself.

Who are you protecting?

The Whole or the Individual.

Rest in Peace Nipsey Hussle may your legacy live on in the lives of the people who listened to your music and got to be influenced by your Earthly contributions.

I suggest all my people reading this take Nipsey Hussle as a wake up call. Life is too short. Get on your shit.   

[hipandcriticalblog]

The illustrator Daizy Doodles and author Xavier Jones, sit with the host Jamm to have an open discussion about the nuances of being a black artist.

[hipandcriticalblog]

My Favorite Fucking Rap Songs

Hip hop is a forever evolving genre that has tapped most living subjects. I'm not going to waste time listing examples. If you're reading this you get the message so far. You better be old enough to enjoy the content matter.

Because this article is about my five favorite rap songs that got to do with fucking, sucking, and slanging private parts.  

Lil Kim and 50 Cent, Magic Stick. 

Confession. I wanted to have sex with Lil Kim before I knew what sex was. There was some magazine I kept in my closet in elementary school, Lil Kim had a sexy spread or album cover in the back. To get myself through those rough school days, I would pretend Lil Kim was my girlfriend.

Funny I know.  

I didn't listen to Magic Stick to hear 50 Cent. It was common knowledge that Fiddy could get all the ass he wanted. His confidence was key. 

“I'll rock the boat I’ll work the middle, I’ll speed it up straight beat it up!”

The Haas G beat then switches to a count that ensures maximum strokige.

“And I ain’t in the hood with my toes out Loc, I’m in the telly working up a sweat stroke!”

My Girlfriend comes in with the same energy. 

“If I can get it licked once, I can get it licked twice.” 

Aggressive. Arrogant. I like it. 

“Shorty you don't believe me, then come with me tonight

and I'll show you magic!”

Two things. 

One. Kim addressed cuz as “Shorty” flipping the norm of a woman being approached with the term while being out and about. 

She pulled that nigga!

Two. I believe you. But I’m still coming with you to see some of that magic. 

  Schoolboy Q, Sexting. 

Sexting is an erie fast paced song that drop on Q’s Habits and Contradictions. I banged Habits & Contractions faithfully on the tape adaptor on my 2001 Ford Taurus. 

Q tells the ladies “You sexy girl! You sexy girl!” While letting them know he’s still a motherfucking G. Don't be sexting his phone if you and your friends ain't about the action. 

Myself and a very. Very platonic friend took a ride somewhere to run some errands and Sexting came on.  

At a stop I take a peek at her and she’s grinding shaking and going the fuck in. I'm not sure if she seen me but the look on her face was priceless. 

The look every man knows. 

When a pretty girl’s pussy gets wet. 

Q told em, “Get your pretty ass in my car, and please don’t get your pussy on my seat.” 

That motherfucker knew what he was doing.

Jeezy, Tear it up.  

We all know what time it is when this classic comes on. “Jeezy” a woman calls to our favorite Trapper's Favorite Trapper. She asks a question that most of us have actively participated in. “Where you at?” They go back and forth until Lloyd informs us of his horrible day at the trap, and what would remedy his sorrows away. 05. 2005 when this song hit. I was in the 6th grade bumping Tear It Up like I had a gaggle of guaranteed cheeks waiting for me when Dragon Ball Z went off. 

Tear It Up tells a deeper story. One anybody with a job can feel in the spirit. Trapping long dumb ass hours. When it's quitting time there's a (insert intricate metaphor of your preferences here) waiting to put your ass to work again. 

Tupac, Id Rather be Your N.I.G.G.A  

I'd Rather Be Your N.I.G.G.A is one of the most popular songs to sample the Bootsy Collins joint. Pac entered the shindig with his boy dripping on some 1990’s shit. He tapped Richie Rich on the shoulder and let him know.

“I don't wanna be her man, I wanna be her NIGGA!” 

Big difference. BIG difference. Her Ole Man is responsible for her keeping up with her feelings and understanding emotions, maintaining communication, and treating her like a lady. The players make it clear her N.I.G.G.A's job is to keep the weed in rotation, listen to her problems, fuck her like a slut and fill in where her Ole Man generally lacks. 

Pac came through with some of the most organic game known to man.  

“You fucking with niggas that's insecure watered down, my shit is pure.

“Write down my number but don't call me 'til you sure.”

Allow me to translate for 2019. 

“I'm not sure what you got or what you used to baby. But I'm a real nigga, take my number. Call me or not. Ima be busy doing me. But remember with great power comes great responsibility.”

The next bar or two Pac is in her guts, helping her experience herself in unbeknownst ways. 

Richie Rich says in the next verse. 

“Don't cheat yourself, instead treat yourself.” 

This song is all about having fun. A whole lot of sweaty, black 1995 fun. I'm sure any woman who gave that thug a try didn't regret it.

  Lil Wayne, Pussy Monster 

Let me see when this song come out? (Looks on spotify).... Fuck 2008, I think that was the summer before the 9th grade. I was singing a song dedicated to the art of cunnilingus. I wouldn't actually see or taste a real pussy for another four years but Lil Wayne had your boy prepared. 

“P.U.S.S.Y it is the reason I am alive. Mama I need it to stay alive.” 

“It's like I gotta eat it just to survive.” 

Gospel in my opinion. The Pussy Monster is more than an excuse for a repeated use of the P word. Wayne is coming with the perfect politeness for the occasion. 

“Hi I'm the Pussy Monster.” 

“Can I eat you?”

All good table manners aside (see what I did there?) This jam is beautifully disgusting. It makes my tongue slide across my face like an anime villain.

“And if you back it up....)

“I'll suck the front of that pussy from the back of ya.” 

I've crossed my share of ladies that gave me this thought.

“My taste buds set on a black actress.” 

I agree Mr. Carter.  

I agree. 

These are just a few of my favorite fucking rap songs. Don't let the content fool you. I am an abstacelibate virgin. Take my five songs and see where they fit into your list. 

Pre Order my first book, Book 0 on Amazon Kindle.

 Honorable Mentions

Jeezy, All We Do.

Mac Miller, Skin.

Rick Ross, Diced Pineapples.

J. Cole, In The Morning.

Gucci Mane, Meat it up.

[hipandcriticalblog]

Instant Family Review

If you're in the need for a good punch in the feels then Instant Family needs to be on your watch list. Instant Family is one of the only films I can think of next to Raising Helen that actually deals with intricacies of adoption. And it does it in a honest and real way I might add. The movie follows the lives of Pete and Ellie played by Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, as they come to the conclusion that they want to extend their family by way of adoption. After making the decision, they begin to take foster care classes and begin to foster a group of three siblings from the age range of 3 up to 16. In a nutshell I enjoyed the movie, well really enjoyed it. It is full of comedy, and it's the type of comedy that purely comes from everyday living with a few scenes of exaggerations. In my opinion this is my favorite film that Mark Wahlberg stars in. He isn't taking himself super seriously likes he tends to do in his action films, or trying to be funny by being tough like in the cases of Daddy's Home and The Other Guys. He just seems natural and I want to see more of him acting within this realm of drama and comedy. As for the rest of the cast, everyone's acting was pretty fine. No blow out performances really to be stated but every scene Octavia Spencer is in is truly a joy. All in all this film has defiantly created a spot for itself to be one of my favorite films of 2018 and I highly recommend it. 8/10

[hipandcriticalblog]

(Jamm)

[hipandcriticalblog]

Bullets&Blackness

12/14/2018 

Jae "Jamm" Covington 

They say bullets don't have any names on them, but they do seem to seek out black skin. 

Its no secret to the world that there is a gun problem in the United States, and no shortage of people of influence to speak on the issue. We usually get people on CNN and other left-wing news channels and sites, talking about what they feel is the need to have stricter gun laws in the country and more expansive background checks. While on the opposite side of the aisle, you get the likes of Fox News and other "conservative" media outlets preaching that the government and liberals are trying everything they can, to destroy the second amendment and take peoples guns away. This cycle has been going on since the Columbine Shooting in 1999 with no real change is ever being accomplished from the many debates. Its usually the same thing every time, a mass shooting happens in a school or some other populated place, the shooter usually white and male either commits suicide or surrenders, then the debate starts with one side blaming inadequate gun laws and the other states that its a troubled individual and owning guns isn't the problem then and rinse and repeat. 

Now I myself have also been drawn into this national debate, usually putting my allegiance on the left, calling to end the gun show loophole and other means which would make acquiring a gun a simple process. but I wanted to take the information from left wing circles and personalize it in order to make it more relatable to my peers and the black community at large. so I began listening to the dozens of influencers on the left to get as many different points as I could in order to formulate my own well-thought-out view. But as I was doing this I began to see a troubling correlation of the language around how gun violence is shown and treated in America and American drug use. The best example to show my point is the crack epidemic. There can be no understating how hard crack hit black communities. The effects were so wide, that even today, you would be hard pressed to come across any black person in America that doesn't know someone who has either been on, sold, or knows of another person that was on crack. Now the response to this massive health crisis is the crux of my point. instead of the government pumping money into the community to fund rehab centers for addicts and job training centers to offer alternatives to young people in the drug trade, what we got was mass incarceration. If you were in any way related to the drug you going to jail. addicts spent years in prison cells right next to their dealers instead of rehab wards. And on the media front, there was quick and harsh rhetoric used against the people selling and using and the overwhelming majority of the images portrayed black faces. This demonization, however, is nonexistent in today's error of the opioid crisis. The main and most telling difference is the color of the people its affecting with opioids mainly affecting whites. These attitudes also to invade the topic of gun violence. 

Just like the drug issues I have shown, gun violence particularly mass shootings, have become extremely racialized. The topic of mass shootings has been discussed since 1999 as stated before, but since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 which claimed the lives of 28, has the issue become more mainstream and a regular topic in the media. This isn't to say that the shootings before Sandy Hook weren't reported on or important, but Sandy Hook really solidified gun violence as an American problem and made the term "mass shooting" a commonplace phrase. Now you may be wondering how in the hell is mass shooting a racial issue, anybody can be a victim of mass shootings. While the latter statement is true, anyone can fall victim to a random shooter and no one knows this better than black folk. A mass shooting is defined as a shooting in which four or more people are killed or injured, and if there ever was a time to quote the film Paid N Full "Niggas get shot everyday B". If mass shootings are defined as such, then it has been an ongoing problem for black people since at least the '80s. If you live in any ghetto across America, the chances are high that you know of a club, a party, or any big event going on in the neighborhood that lead to a shooting. As unfortunate as it is, it's not an uncommon experience of "hood life" but instead of getting the sympathy from the media and local politicians as our white counterparts get. Black folk largely get ignored in regards to the issue, only to have it brought up as a point of rebuttal to police violence, usually using Chicago as the scapegoat. Although no change has been made against gun violence on a national scale, small changes have been implemented on the local and state level usually following after a shooting involving, yup you guessed it, white citizens. This lack of serious media coverage and political engagement sends a clear message to black Americans that the mainstream is unconcerned with the preservation of black life. 

The sad thing is that mass shootings aren't the only sec of gun violence that has a racial disparity. Being black and owning a gun is almost a crime in itself. To the surprise of no one, there is a difference in perception of black people owning guns and those with less melanin. Black people with guns are stereotyped as being gangbangers, thugs, criminals, and just overall dangerous. The perfect example of this dynamic is the experience of a man named Derrick Grace II who is based in Tampa Florida. Grace is widely known for teaching the eldest two (Derrick Grace III 9, Derrica Grace 6) of his four children everything he can about the ins and outs of different guns and gun safety. the two even have their own guns including the likes of rifles and Uzis. At first impression, most people write him off as a thug, a criminal, and all the other things associated with someone that shares the same aspects of physical appearance, which includes black skin, ace tattoo, and dreadlocks. However once videos started to surface of him teaching his children how to handle guns, the negative rhetoric around him became harsher. Words like radical, terrorist, lunatic, and other words of the same ilk started to become his description. Now you may be thinking that these reactions are understandable because it's not normal behavior to have children around firearms. In which case you would be wrong. According to the Pew Research Center, about two-thirds of current gun owners (67%) say that there were guns in their household growing up, and 76% report that they first fired a gun before they were 18 with the strong majority being white. The process of teaching children about guns is common practice among southern households and is gun ownership is dominantly a Republican practice with whites holding the vast majority of that population as well. So despite white people owning more guns, teaching children about guns, and even dominating the news cycle as far as mass shootings are concerned, they don't get the same negative perception as Mr. Grace does. This same double-sidedness, however, has existed throughout American history, with the prime example being members of the Black Panther Party. The pro-black socialist group toted firearms in order to intimidate the police that were terrorizing black communities in the '60s. Just the image of the group patrolling the streets legally with shotguns strapped across their shoulders sent fear and panic throughout mainstream media. Unlike the many white militias that did the same activities in their counties, the Black Panther Party was called Americas biggest threat to national security and taken down by the FBI by way of assassinations, smearing campaigns, and arrests. Although we aren't in the 60"s anymore and have to worry about strategic assassinations from the FBI, the negative perception of black citizens with guns can still be deadly. 

A common argument made by the NRA (National Rifle Association) and other gun advocates, is that a "good guy" with a gun is the answer to solve the problem of mass shootings, but this seems to only apply when the good guy isn't black. On November 11th of this year, a security guard in Illinois named Jemel Roberson was gunned down by police after successfully subduing an active shooter in a bar. Roberson had the gunman pinned down with his own firearm pointed at the shooter waiting for the police to come, but when they arrived they shot and killed Jemel despite him being in his security attire. This unfortunate case isn't the only time something of its kind has occurred. Not even two full weeks after the death of Jemel Roberson, police in Alabama responded to a shooting in a mall just outside of Birmingham where they shot and killed Emantic 'EJ' Bradford, Jr. At first, the police stated that Bradford was the shooter almost immediately after he was killed, just to have to walk back that statement and say they got the wrong guy. Bradford was reported to be helping people during the panic with his gun out as many others were inside the mall. It's somewhat reasonable to assume that their dark skin played no role in their shootings by police but more so that they had guns visible during an active shooter event. In which case I would refer you to another shooting of a legal black gun owner whose firearm wasn't visible during the time he was shot. Not only was his gun not visible, but he also wasn't even standing. I'm talking about none other but the murder of Philando Castile. Castile was pulled over for "looking like someone" involved in a robbery when the officer asked for his license and registration Castile informed the officer that he had a gun. After the policeman heard this got scared and told him not to reach for it, Philando agreed and assured the officer that he was just grabbing his papers then the officer proceeded to fire seven rounds into Mr. Castile. Even though Philando followed the procedure of a responsible gun owner, he was murdered and the said officer was acquitted of all charges. Although all of these said cases dealt with legal black gun owners with their firearms on their person breaking no laws and were stilled killed by the hands of police, they don't tell the tale of the dozens unarmed black folk killed by police each year. These unarmed deaths highlight the fact that police shootings are gun violence as well despite the fact that they are rarely reported as such. 

After recognizing this clear and harsh reality of how racism affects the issue of gun violence, as a black man I was forced to change my view on the issue at large. To be honest, I feel as a black person in America, owning a gun is almost a lose-lose situation. On one hand, I want people in the hood to be able to defend themselves from the violence that tends to happen there. On the other, however, just owning a gun seems to make you a target to the police, and puts you in the situation where the cop will shoot first and ask questions later. So where do I stand now on the topic? I honestly don't know. I want and will purchase a shotgun for the purpose of home protection and hunting, but I doubt I will acquire a firearm to carry and go about my daily life with. So in conclusion, my only advice to black folk across America is to do whatever it is that will make you feel safe.                                                                                                      

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(What It Ain't? What It Is! by:Hip&Critical)

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Check out D, Corey, and Jarett as they cover the politics of life.

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(What It Ain't? What It Is! by:Hip&Critical) The good the bad and the UGLY. This episode we talk about Netflix's highly anticipated Sense 8 finale, E3, and the star studded Ocean's 8. We gush over the things we like and rant about the shockingly terrible things we didn't and have some laughs while doing it.

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(What It Ain't? What It Is! by:Hip&Critical) Hating on Idris Elba, playing the playoffs, rap beef and more. Tune in to see What’s On this week... spoiler alert.. IT’S SOLO!!

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(What It Ain't? What It Is! by:Hip&Critical) This episode we dive right into the Netflix original 13 Reason Why. We talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly and the controversy surrounding the show. Always stay tuned for our Petty Post Award of the week Reminder: Suicide is a serious issue. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts call 1 800 273-8255 you an also Text connect to 741741 in the US or talk to a loved one.

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#BooksInTheHood

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