Solange has added her name to the list of amazing projects that have been dropped this year. Her project A Seat at the Table is a masterpiece. The visual or the standout track “Cranes in the Sky” is beautiful. Check it out.
-Precise
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Luke Cage – Photo Credit Instagram: @marvel
Luke Cage is a superhero, he is Black and hip-hop AF! Netflix new series is the latest binge worthy show the streaming service has offered up to the masses. Luke Cage was created by Archie Goodwin, John Romita Sr and George Tuska and is published by Marvel comics.
A portrait of a crown wearing Biggie stares ominously in the background as the story unfolds. Each season is named with a title of a song from the legendary group Gang Starr. The score is brought to you by Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest. WuTang’s Bring the Ruckus” plays in the background as Luke Cage follows the instruction of the song.
The birth of Luke Cage and the birth of Hip Hop happen almost simultaneously. The first issue of the comic appeared in 1972. Although hip hop does not have a cemented date of birth it is well known that it was born in the 1970’s in the ghettos of New York City. The marriage of Luke Cage and hip hop makes sense. They grow together in sensibility with the worlds issues at the center of the show. The overarching theme of the series is the unlimited power of the Black man. This is a theme that was skewed with the advent of Blaxplotation films that portrayed criminals in Black skin as heroes of the community, as they peddled drugs, guns and women.
Cage represents the opposite of this and uses his strength to turn the page on the perception of who he is and who the Black Man can be. A few well placed lyrics and cameos strengthen the authenticity of this narrative. One of these cameos (no spoiler) says “There is something powerful about a Black man being bullet proof and unafraid.”
In 2016 as a Black man it would be amazing to be bulletproof considering we are being shot down with no mercy or consequence. The real superpower is developed when we realize this inner strength and move without fear. How will this Black Super Hero affect the mass? I’m not really sure, but it’s good to have the representation. One thing I do know for sure is that Luke Cage is hip-hop AF and it’s dope.
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Sitting on Rush street in my 2000 Buick Lesabre watching people walk by and I realize how so many of us are living life so differently. One block from the magnificent mile and the streets are filled with tourists. They see a Chicago many of us don’t see. The beautiful affluent almost regal landscape that promotes luxury and the finer things. I ask myself, what did I miss? What am I doing wrong? I should be enjoying this way of life like everyone else. A man walks by me with a shirt that says “Accept No Limits” and in my mind I take heed.
None of us should be living bankrupt of happiness. It is not a commodity that should be bought and it should not be kept away from anyone and hoarded by the wealthy. It’s a beautiful clear day in Chicago on Rush street and the people are loving it.
Now I’m back on the South Side, the Starbucks on Stony Island and as I get out my car a man who appears to be homeless is staring me down as I walk towards the door. I am prepared to ignore him but he walks past me as we exchange an intense stare then he bends down at the front of my car as if he has found something. I think about saying something but I’m just here to charge my phone.
Starbucks is an oasis in the South Side even though they got rid of the comfortable couches replacing them with bar stools and long tables. I can’t help but think about the vibe in just left sheer opulence only to return to a busy street with a coffee shop oasis. I’ve been transported by way of lake shore drive between two different worlds within the same space.
Precise – Photo Credit: Kahlid Lamarre
‘Son of a preacher man’ plays in the background of this warm Starbucks and the cooler plays a loud hum over the music. Yup, I’m back on the South Side. Back on the side off town that out-of-towners fear. The side of town where the sound of a gunshot is just as natural as the sound of laughing children. The side of town that seems to be neglected by those who have. The side of town where I was born.
I love the south side.
-Precise
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Jean Grae a Hip-Hop superhero of sorts has partnered with Marvel and released “What You Came For” The track is epic and is totally fitting for Marvel’s upcoming movie Black Panther written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Grae sounds inspired over the Quelle Chris produced track. This dynamic duo has been churning out some creative stuff lately. I’m looking forward to see whats next.
Jean had this to say about the collaboration with Marvel “The amount of things recently that have made my heart soar are very minimal. It’s been a traumatic, gut-wrenching time. Getting the call to be a part of this project did make my heart soar. Getting a call from Marvel to do anything should do that, and it does—but it’s Black Panther, and Ta-Nehisi is writing it. I can’t think of any other artistic contribution that I would have wanted to do right now.”
Chance the Rapper continues his rise and increases his relevance to the music industry. Chance is kicking off his national tour known as “Magnificent Coloring Day Festival” at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre in San Diego on Sept. 15. The most anticipated date is arguably Sept. 24 when he returns to Chicago and hosts the first ever festival to be held at U.S. Cellular Field on the South Side of Chicago, the home of the Chicago White Sox.
This is yet another accomplishment in the this independent young artist’s career. Earlier this year he partnered with New Era to redesign the White Sox Cap. The design of the cap is similar to the logo of the musical collective, The Social Experiment. The collective was founded by Chance and Donnie Trumpet.
Chance is bringing along a few of his industry friends. John Legend, Alicia Keys, Skrillex, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Tyler the Creator, And Lil Uzi Vert are on the bill.
Chance has been pushing the boundaries as an independent artist, He is the example of what can be accomplished with solid team and social media savvy. His latest release, Coloring Book, is the first release to chart on Billboard 200 based on streams. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences now considers free albums and mixtapes with regards to their nominations as a result of petitions and the large swell of support that Chance has garnered. This means that you do not have to sell an album to be considered for a Grammy. Not bad for Lil Chano from 79th.
Chance’s tour lines up the same weekend as AHH fest. AHH fest is the festival created by Common that is reviving itself after a yearlong break. It will be interesting to see how this plays out come September.
Learn more about The Magnificent Coloring tour here.
Chicago’s very own singer songwriter Koku Gonza offers up her video for her latest single “Conveniently Rolling”. The video is set inside of the Stony Island Arts Bank. The bank houses the Johnson Publishing Archive that serves as a backdrop for the video. The rhythm is arresting and colorful. The video is vibrant and electric. Press play and enjoy.
I remember coming from the Watertower with Chris Rice headed to a studio session and as we were walking down Chicago Ave I looked to my right into a hotel window and The Champ was sitting down talking to a few people. We immediately went inside to meet him. I turned into a 10 year old instantly. We went over and was like HEY CHAMP and he stopped his conversation stood up and shook our hands. I am not too proud to say how geeked I was. I was on a high for the rest of that day. I’ve met many a “celebrity” in my day but the day I met Muhammad Ali was one I will hold dear for the rest of my life.
Very few people have impacted the world in the way that he did. When you spoke with him you knew the spirit of the creator was with him. I strive to have that type of light. We all have that light. Ali was the example of what it looks like. God Bless THE GREATEST!
-Precise
New Precise!! Listen/Buy
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One time I was on the redline going wherever it was I was going and I ran into a young lady on the train. She was pretty and had an Erykah Baduesque vibe before anything like that even existed. We started talking and we found out that we knew some mutual people. This is pre-facebook, so she asks “Hey what school do you got to?” I say “I go to Olive Harvey.” She asks” Do you know such and such?” she then names one of my closest friends at the time and I say “Yeah that’s my boy I know him and his girlfriend, they are pretty cool.”
The next day I get to the lunchroom at Olive Harvey and our mutual friend pulls me to the side and asks me did I meet such and such on the train yesterday and why did I say I knew his girlfriend. The young lady I met was in fact his girlfriend and I just bust him out without even realizing it. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Chicago is really small and to never talk about your friends relationships with anyone else other than your friend. I internalize that as one of my man laws and that is one I will never violate.
This brings me to more recent times and this recent lack of tact when it comes to acknowledging and keeping any unwritten man law. D’Angelo Russell of the LA Lakers recorded a private conversation that he was having with Nick Young about women he has or hasn’t has sex with. It wouldn’t be a big deal if Nick Young was not engaged to the “Fancy” Iggy Izalea and if it didn’t get released. Then you have a dude who calls himself Partynextdoor posts a picture of himself in bed with a young lady Kehlani who was supposedly dating Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kehlani later posted a picture of herself in the hospital as a result of the backlash she received because of the picture she attempted suicide. Then Chris Brown decides he needs to share his commentary and say this woman didn’t attempt suicide she just wanted attention.
There is a different breed of man out here. He is hyper sensitive, petty and easily offended. It’s not a good look. It seems like men have lost their way. So allow me to remind men of a few rules.
1.Be a MAN!
2. You don’t sleep with your friends girl.
3. You do not get involved in gossip.
4. You do not dry snitch of your friend.
5. If no one asks you don’t volunteer information.
6. Don’t kiss and tell.
7. Keep your business to yourself.
8. Don’t be petty.
9. Do not engage yourself in a public argument with a woman (you will lose)
I hope these reminders help. No one wants to be in a world full of suckers and snitches.
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This is the lead single from Precise’s upcoming project “Man of the Ages”
Recorded and Mixed at: Bel Air Studio in Chicago
Precise 
