66 RAW

So I recently have been attending some cultural conversations, regarding sociological racial issues, for an international study... My latest conversation really turned on some light bulbs in my head and I want to explore this more. Im gonna hit some serious issues here and fam, please know I mean no disrespect due to the fact I like to ignore this political correctness bullshit. Anyway, the last session I attended was with all Jewish students, regarding how our heritage and how it influences us today... Yeah yeah yeah.... One thing that got me thinkin, we all had something in common, we somehow get along with the "black" community on this unexplored level. There is something there that makes us more comfortable. We didnt get to explore this much, but we found that we are more instantly able to connect with black people on this "other" level??? Is it because our historical background to overcome something so negative in the past? I mean, South Park said it best with their, "nigger" episode. "Token, I get it! Okay, I dont get it, but thats just it! People will never truly understand someone else's feelings when one is reminded of something so negative, that happened in the past. So between the racism that still exists(post-slavery in the US) and the post nazi-movement, is this the correlation that somewhat explains how society has grouped us together. Now that I think a little more, we should be right there when it comes down to OUR HATE towards the KKK, and all the bullshit that comes with it.
My story....
Anyway, I'm the Jewish whiteboy who can't stay away from 66 because I too, feed off that real music!!!! My good friends bust on me for trying to be a wigger, but fuck that. I've also come to the conclusion that I hardly even notice race anymore. The color of somebody's skin has actually just flown over my head. I met a chick the other night, and I just remember her face in the night club. I couldnt even ID her racial identity (if there even is such a definable thing). I just hope that others are on the same page to help overcome this unconcious racial bs. Well, Im just me and I know what I like, and I'm not tryin to cop anyones style but to develop my own. While I didnt grow up in the hood, I got exposed to "rap" while living in that dirty south. Man was it good to get away from that MTV bullshit that corrupts terrestrial radio airwaves everyday. But point being, we all have our struggles with life. I cant really target any other music thats as real as hip-hop... When it comes to life, the struggle, and how to overcome it all in realistic metaphors to get to where what we call, the good life. I was at an all time low in my life 2 years ago... I lost some family, my girl, XM's 66 was suddenly no longer, my pets were stolen, and my whip was broken into and insurance fucked my getaway from life vehicle while holding it for 6 months. My saved 66 raw on my xm inno got me by til 66raw.com... but in the mean time, that blaze shit, man it got to me, thinkin in new ways, and the lyrics were making more and more sense. The fuckin metaphors are priceless and I realized what brought me to this(66 raw that is)... The emotion, the feeling you get when taking it all in. Tell me that doesnt get you motivated...??? fuck off, of course it does or you aint human. Back on track, I've sorta traced it all back to my roots of judaism, not in a truly religious sense, but in a cultural lifestyle type way. Jews generally lookout for each other to those who they feel deserve the help. this way of thinking has brought me to help anyone with a good cause, especially if I feel that passionate(such as this site too). To all of you who keep it all going, you are the TRUE SOCIOLOGISTS of HIPHOP. Changing the game, 1 day at a time... My question to the community, you feelin me at all on this subject?

Please share any thoughts, or experiences you guys have on this. Ill be checkin back in later with a more clear head. Im on that charlie sheen motivation right now and my mental capacity for the day is shot. please excuse me if I wasnt too clear on anything

Good Topic Starko! We have to remember that Hip Hop was born through the struggle and pain that existed due to poverty! Hip Hop today in my opinion lost its roots. Back in the day there were no Maybachs, there were no Bentleys, shit I was getting all that ass with my bucket which was a Ford Escort that I bought for $800! Back in the black people weren't doing all that well and had rely on each other to make it. But now through the decades once we started making money and life got easier all that shit was forgotten.

Hip Hop was the voice of the ghetto, the slums, it represented pain and it allowed others to identify with what was out there and they don't go through by themselves. Shit that's how I made it, I think if it wasn't for Hip Hop I don't know where I would be today. If you listen to Grandmaster Flash "The Message" that was and is still the realest and hardest song out because I was going through that shit at the time. If you listen to Old School Hip Hop, you will hear the variety where you had the hard shit then the fun shit. But even the fun shit was to get away from the everyday struggle because during that time, EVERYBODY had it bad! Why you think there were names like Dr. Ice, Grandmaster, Mixmaster, Kangol Kid, etc. those names represented characters and identities. you could be who ever you wanted. Nowadays everybody does the exact same shit, dresses the same, raps the same, uses the same producers, shops at the same stores, etc. No more creativity, no more innovation only a few have it but once they do it everybody else follows suit. And then it already has been done. Auto Tune was already done long before by Roger and Zapp. All the music is just sample of music that was already out. There are no more new melodies, beats, etc. flows are all jacked from the old school.

I feel that other countries respect Hip Hop more than we do, One thing about Jewish people versuse black people is that Jewish people still hold on to their past. One thing we always say is that Jewish people = wealthy people. All the jewish people I know are. But it is true that there are lot more jewish people in the Hip Hop arena such as Steve Rifkind, MC Serch, Beastie Boys, Clive Davis and many more.

But if you look at jewish people I think they are closer to black people than other races, there are many Isrealis that look like black people!

This is a great discussion topic Steve! I don't know why it is, but it seems harder for people who have diverse interests to receive acceptance from their race. For example, you mentioned your friends calling you a wigger for listening to hip hop. I too experienced backlash from my community because I listened to rock and roll, talked proper, and didn't do the so called "black" things. Does this make me a sell out? Does it make me less of a black person? It took me a long time to find my way and embrace who I am, and that is AN INDIVIDUAL. I love how hip hop has incorporated other genres of music. My eclectic musical interest helps me to pick out various samples within the music, and I often smile. The question remains as to when people are going to let go of their hang ups of what it means to be white, black, Muslim, Jewish, etc. Why can't we first listen and then seek to understand a person, rather than passing judgment on someone because they don't conform to what our narrow views are? All races could stand to get out of their feelings and try to let go of some of the old hurts in order to move forward. Is this easy? No, not at all. I think we are making baby steps and have a long way to go, but we are making some strides. Does it still pain me to see young girls being taught that their natural locks are ugly vs. the long, sleek straight European look? Yes. This is where I agree with D Blaq. Almost every other culture holds its customs close and passes them on from generation to generation. The Black community seems to struggle in this area. I can't speak for my race, but as for me, I try not to see color in people. I look at who they show me they are, and whomever that is, I believe them. I try to give everyone a chance, and get to know them for who they are. If we judge people based on race, color, religion, etc. we are never going to get away from the past that plagues us.

Race is becoming less of a factor these days. It used to just be black men datin white chicks but now the white boys be steppin their game up and givin a sistah a look. In another 100 years there wont be such a race issues because there will be so many mixed races it wont matter.