"Have you ever been hated or discriminated against? I have, I've been picketed and demonstrated against." - Eminem
Headphones on. New ones. Big, covering all of my ear, engulfing me in the sound, drowning out the world. Listening to others express the anger I can't find, the emotion I can't bring, the love I don't feel. Trying to encase myself in the passion of the music. Wrap myself in it, drink from it, become it.
I'm reading Hua Hsu's article (requires flash) on The Roots and their fall release Phrenology while listening to The Eminem Show head-nodding as Em just kills it. I was hating on this album. Wasn't going to buy it, felt like "Without Me" was just proof positive that he had lost whatever edge he was worth. It was just another "The Real Slim Shady", and to a large extent it is, but after hearing "Cleaning Out My Closet" and "White America" I realized this was more like his darker tracks than his TRL friendly stuff. I finally broke down and bought it tonight. It's incredibly mature from a cat that's supposed to be hiding from maturity. The beats are strong and full bodied and decidedly not usual "Dre." There is a reason beyond his skin color and his attractiveness that he is successful and important. He is incredibly self-aware, an amazing lyricist and the greater voice that peaks out on occasion on his two earlier LP's is in front on this album. Even on this first listen, its apparent. He may claim that nobody wants to hear Marshall no more but by all indications, this is Marshall at his rawest. Slim Shady and his youthful anarchy is relegated to skits. Marshall has taken that "break stuff" attitude and turned it into reflective rage and recognition. And I'm recognizing as well...
Recognizing while I read this amazing piece that really gets at what The Roots are, what they mean to a lot of "headz" and what they mean to each other. This isn't ?uestlove putting out the public face of the Legendary Roots Crew, the face that appeals to everyone worldwide, and its not Black Thought being a little grimy, a lotta street, and the standoffish artist that appeals to the hardcore niggas that ain't trying to hear all that live music backpacker shit unless folks are representin' the real. Its not that. Its the truth about Malik B, the musician attitude of Hub and Kamal, the excitement of young Ben Kinney and the reality of Scratch and his not very well received solo joint.
I can't finish the piece. I'm just fiending too much for Phrenology right now. I want to watch Spike Lee movies with the sound turned off and my headphones on. But will it be Eminem showing White America its own face or will it be The Roots reminding me that Things Fall Apart?
Do You Want More??!!!
Nah, you're getting the Silent Treatment.