Born To Use Mics by Michael Eric Dyson & Sohail Daulatzai If you took heed to my suggestion earlier, you should be near done with The RZA's book, The Tao of Wu (good read, right?). When you're done with that one, a new book should be hitting shelves that I'm very interested to check out, Born To Use Mics, by Michael Eric Dyson and Sohail Daulatzai. Anyone who's familiar with Michael Eric Dyson should know he is a big fan of Nas, and he has been talking about writing this book for some time. The Amazon descrip has this to say of the novel: "The best and brightest writers of the hip-hop generation reflect upon the era’s landmark album: Nas’s Illmatic. From the moment then nineteen-year-old Nasir “Nas” Jones began recording tracks for his debut album the hip-hop world was forever changed. Released in 1994, Illmatic, was hailed as a masterpiece and is one of the most influential albums in hip-hop history. In Born to Use Mics, Michael Eric Dyson and Sohail Daulatzai have brought together the brightest minds to reflect upon and engage one of the most incisive sets of songs ever laid down on wax." The novel will be out on December 28th. Whether hip-hop related or not, it's good to log off and read a book, every now and then. Spotted at Rap Radar
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Kayo: ...
Has anyone actually read the book? In fact, the debate on this board is addressed in the book. I'm about 100 pages in and so far its a good quick read. It breaks down a lot of what your average 25 year old and above true Hip Hop Head knows already. Still, it gets much deeper into sociopolitical, third world, economics, films and that mental state of America.
The book is a collection of essays (writers works) speaking about how "genius," Nas is and was. There's a passage in the book the asks the reader, if "Illmatic," was the beginning or the end of the golden era for Hip Hop? Check the book if you get a chance. 1
February 06, 2010 - 02:38:30 AM
TASH1: ...
First of all Ai2Ai--never been a hater--don't really know how to be one. Second--this is my opinion on this topic--don't make it right--don't make it wrong--its just me. I just take hip hop(as a culture) very seriously and I think if we had---collectively--been more aware of who was getting involved with it--it wouldn't be in the sad state it is today.
I want all my brothers and sistas to make money--all of them. I love the fact that The Roots---are on Jimmy Fallon every nite--still doing shows ---gettin that bread---I love that ish. So don't ever think that I hate on my brothers and sistas. Do I think some of them are full of shit--yeah?? That's my opinion--respect it--that's all. 2
December 04, 2009 - 03:07:59 PM
PC: ...
Good point about artists getting paid. Ask any major artist to come perform and most likely they won't do it for free. Most that have made it did gigs for free for years and years. They paid their dues.
I have a lot of respect for those few who still "give back" by doing engagements in various communities for little in return. But that respect is a byproduct of the fact that we do not and should not expect these artists to do such things. If there was such an expectation, these acts would lose their significance because they would merely be a fulfillment of one's societal duty. The beautiful nature of such acts are that people that choose to do so have a choice not to. When we start to ostracize people for not making these choices we are in effect mandating the sacrifice of money and upper-class lifestyle. One should have the right to make money and live the upper-class lifestyle so long as he doesn't infringe upon the rights of others. This is why the act of pimping in its literal form is so disgusting. Pimping serves to encourage, enable, and facilitate the degradation of another human being. Until it can be proven through reason that Dyson does the same, the reasoning that he's a pimp doesn't hold up. In his books Dyson has wrote about influential figures that, albeit sometimes flawed, sought to improve the social conditions of impoverished communities. We can remove Dyson from the conversation entirely and focus on the issue raised at the beginning of this post. We cannot expect every individual to sacrifice such things as money, power, and fame. These things, in themselves, are not wrong. They are not the root of all evil, despite what some people say. It is rather those that further the destruction of other peoples' freedoms, rights, and lives in order to gain money, power, fame, etc. who are the ones that deserve our scorn. 3
December 03, 2009 - 07:21:38 PM
SOuthsidemplsreef: ...
My personal opinion is dyson is doing this out of admiration for one if not the, of hip-hops greatest albums. I remember when I was 17, and Dyson came to town, I had never even heard of the guy, and my grandmother took me to see him. Now I had some mixed feelings about some of the issues he was talking about, but then he started talking about hip-hop playing a vital role for letting america know what's going on in our communities. He talked about the lack of apprecitation for hip-hop, from an intellectual standpoint, then he started quoting illmatic verses verbatum, if i remember correctly dude spit like the whole first verse off of NY state of mind. I was really impressed, because he really appreciated Nas' intelligence,and the ability it takes for an mc to come up with the things he comes up with, so poetically. So I honestly think, Dyson is doing this book out of admiration, if he was concerened about getting paid he'd write a book about lil' wayne or jay-z or an artist of that nature, I also am not suprised that he asks for so much when he is booked to speak, who doesn't? My grandmother was on the board for an education conference two years ago who brought Ben Carson, one of the best surgeons in the world, to speak and he asked for somewhere in the range between 40-45,000 not including hotel, and other accomodations. This is how these guys make their living, would I call them pimps? no more then an mc using their talents and abilities to get paid off of it. From a personal standpoint, i'll be checking this book out, 1 cause Nas is my favorite mc, and 2, i'm really curious as to what intellectuals have to say about this album, it excites me that it could speak to them enough to write this book, I think this is a step in the right direction, I don't think this is an attempt to exploit the artform, although I could be wrong, but i'm more upset about plies and gucci manes explotation of the music. One more thing I have to add, i'm not sure about Dyson's and Nas' personal relationship, I do know though that, Nas wrote either an intro or an epilouge to Dyson's last book so they must have some kind of relationship.
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December 03, 2009 - 12:16:53 AM
Ai2Ai: ...
We always have something negative to say bout our brothas and sistas...this is a good thing for Hip Hop so why can't people put away their personal gripes and start building each other up instead of tearing each other down. So what if Dyson expects to get compensated for his services. At the end of the day, we all work toward improving ourselves and abilities to get broke off. That's the way it is in this society we live in so stop acting like money isn't somewhat important. Stop hate'n--
5
December 01, 2009 - 02:40:20 PM
PC: ...
Well if I was some prominent speaker I'd hope you wouldn't try to stick me in some motel in the projects, lol.
6
December 01, 2009 - 01:18:04 AM
TASH 1: ...
PC you back at me again?HAHA Why did I have to say all that about this dude?? I didn't want him but a friend of mine try to book him---Tavis Smiley--and I think they went after Cornel West who wanted even more than those two. Now, I'm not knocking their hustle---but when you start venturing in to Hip Hop ---I just take it personal.
Hip Hop means a lot to me--as you can see--and it really bothers me how we have let people come in and destroy it. 7
November 30, 2009 - 09:52:56 PM
PC: ...
So you wanted him to speak at an engagement and he wanted all these high-end concessions paid for. I wish you would have said that in the first place.
8
November 30, 2009 - 01:39:36 AM
TASH 1: ...
Yeah look at the debate this created and its all good because there are many--many intelligent people that come on okayplayer. I have always dug deep into Nas--and Illmatic was a great--short---album. But, now Nas is all over the place and I don't feed much into his political raps--because he has gotten away from his script---which was bangin ass beats--and great lyrics. The beats have fallen off and the lyrics are all over the place to me--but I still remember the Nas of old--and his shit was tight.
Now--Dyson comes on TV all the time rambling on breaking down things and I DONT BUY IT!! THAT'S ME. I DON'T FEEL HIM. Because if you want him to come speak at an engagement--he wants 20--to 30k--airfare--and 5 star hotel rooms. Try to book him and you will see what I'm talking about---no lying! So--I call him a pimp---in fact a media pimp---because now he wants to break down a NAS book of rhymes-- I'm just not feeling it?? And King Tim---was a rapper with a disco band Fatback. 9
November 28, 2009 - 12:56:25 PM
Yo Mamaaa: ...
King Tim III is really disco dude. Unless you consider Debbie Harry a rapper. And Kurtis Blow was the first dude to get on a MAJOR label. There are plenty of hip-hop recordings from before him.
Media pimp? That's what makes America great, is that anyone can write about anything. What gives Nas the right to rap about politics? He's not a politician! If Nas can rap about politics and Fox news, then this dude can write a book about Nas. It's called research. I don't discredit Nas' opinion of Fox news, and I won't discredit this dude's opinion of Nas. 10
November 23, 2009 - 04:05:58 PM
Big E: ...
Wow, look at the debate we've gotten ourselves into! I can see where both sides are coming from. I must say, that for someone who came up listening to hip hop, doesn't need a Michael Eric Dyson to "explain" hip hop culture, or black inner city life for them. They know it and live it. However, not every one understands hip hop or has grown up in the hood, so they need someone to "translate" it for them.
To add, it wouldn't hurt for those of us who grew up in the hip hop culture, to listen to a thorough analysis of the young black experience, via Illmatic, that's well communicated and articulated from the perspective of a well-learned "outsider" like Michael Eric Dyson. His wealth of knowledge and experience outside and beyond the hip hop culture, will only add to our understanding of the culture's unique relation to the greater society and could help decipher the human psyche. All I'm saying is lets give the book a chance. 11
November 23, 2009 - 02:39:13 PM
PC: ...
Nah not on Dyson's payroll lol. Manx's point I can get with, though. It was never really about Dyson as I just thought your argument that Dyson is a pimp *for the reasons mentioned* lacked substance, but as for the point that the book might not have much to offer I could definitely see how that might be the case. Th book desciription is kind of vague. Are there going to be excerpts pulled from interviews the author conducted with those personally involved with Illmatic? Is the book going to delve a bit further into some of the inspiration for various lines and songs? Has there been any involvement from Nas himself on part of this book. I do think Dyson is a good writer so it should be a good read, but as far as much information and insight we get from it that remains to be seen.
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November 20, 2009 - 03:07:53 PM
TASH 1: ...
Manx--thank you!! Finally, someone gets my point. I think PC is on Dyson's payroll or something?? Naw, PC just playing but we just agree to disagree on Dyson
13
November 19, 2009 - 03:45:46 PM
manx: ...
Analyzing illmatic may be a worthy pursuit, but that doesn't mean that there is anything meaningful inside the book. I see what Tash is saying - one critic's analysis is not saying much, even if you look at the world of Literary review. If you're not the shit yourself with some publishing credits and smart work to your name, no one gives a shit about your critique of Ulysses.
It'd be nice if this guy had some personal relationship with Nas or at least was alive and aware of hip hop when it was happening. As it is, to buy into this book you have to assume that this guy has some insight that you wouldn't have yourself - unlike, say, reading the RZA's book - because the RZA definitely has some insight that other people do not. 14
November 19, 2009 - 02:55:35 PM
Niktha: ...
TASH 1 I don't see the problem with breaking down and analyzing this vital album, or hip hop in general, whichever perspective you have. As Kevblack pointed out, there will probably be even more examinations and such in the future, and I think we should embrace it instead of brushing it aside with the explanation; "Since the writer didn't know the artist/s in question personally, he's a pimp, only looking to exploit hip hop for personal gain". If we embrace books and analyses like this, I think hip hop as a culture will have a more positive future and development than without them.
15
November 17, 2009 - 07:11:24 AM
PC: ...
I'm not putting words in your mouth, I'm using what you said and breaking it down to its bare essentials.
You've said he's a pimp because he's getting a check and writing about something he wasn't personally involved in. That's pretty much every nonfiction writer. 16
November 17, 2009 - 03:52:07 AM
TASH 1: ...
PC Im not calling every nonfiction writer---I didn't say that at all. You sound like a very intelligent person--but please don't put words in my mouth. I called Michael Eric Dyson a pimp--that's it! In fact I called him a media pimp--and I will stand by it. If I had some information coming from Fab 5 Freddy on this subject I would be more receptive. Dyson is just one of these self appointed cats that I think is full of itshay! That's just my opinion and now he wants to examine Illmatic and break it down negro please.
17
November 16, 2009 - 06:10:01 PM
PC: ...
All Im saying is that if you came up first hand in hip hop--then you don't need a guy like Michael Eric Dyson--telling you about Nas.
19
November 15, 2009 - 11:42:54 PM
PC: ...
John Krakuer wrote a book about Pat Tillman, just like Michael Eric Dyson wrote a book about Tupac Shakur. This is precisely what nonfiction writers do: they write about things that have happened. Most of them didn't know their subjects on a personal level. What you are essentially doing is calling almost all nonfiction writers and teachers pimps. You may say that is not your point, but that is the direction your logic is pointing to. Simply put, your logic is flawed.
I have no problem with some author being called a pimp, but I'm going to need some evidence other than the fact that a)the author sells his books for money, b)the author didn't know Tupac Shakur personally, and c)the person making the accusation knows who King Tim III and most other people don't. If you're going to get on a soap box, you really need to focus your argument and make sure it fits into the context appropriate for the occasion. 20
November 15, 2009 - 11:42:18 PM
TASH 1: ...
No PC thats not it! All Im saying is that if you came up first hand in hip hop--then you don't need a guy like Michael Eric Dyson--telling you about Nas. Then breaking down some scientific research about it--I can do that its simple--producers were Pete Rock, DJ Premier, LES, Large Professor--and Q Tip. You want me to list the tracks too? I asked about King Tim because as I come on here and read-I see all these deep hip hop heads that comment on things and don't really know squat! It kills me. Then again--Dyson is going to me more?? And what the hell does Pat Tillman have to do with this??
21
November 15, 2009 - 01:52:46 PM
PC: ...
Actually, by your definition 99% of all teachers are pimps (since you invoked the use by Dyson of Tupac as a college course).
22
November 13, 2009 - 11:59:33 PM
PC: ...
I really don't see what King Tim III has to do with Dyson. You said you like the feedback but you haven't responded/acknowledged any of it. I could learn Pat Tillman's story myself, but I'd rather read about it from the talented writer John Krakauer. By your definition 99% of all nonfiction writers are pimps.
23
November 13, 2009 - 11:51:12 PM
TASH 1: ...
Its cool; I actually like the feed back--but I've been around hip hop since its infancy--have any of you ever heard of King Tim III?? Maybe you should google him and know that he was probably the first rapper on record before Kurtis Blow or Sugarhill. Michael Dyson is a media pimp. He gets large amounts of money off of hip hop writing about things that he just learned about himself!! Where was Michael Dyson in 1993--1994 when Illmatic came out??????? Alot of you have been bamboozled about this hip hop things---do your math--study your lessons--know your history yourself--instead of paying for it from some PIMP!!
24
November 13, 2009 - 07:22:12 PM
PC: ...
As for the 50 Cent, etc., books coming out, I really doubt it. Dyson has in his career intelligently written about African American figures that have, in their own ways, sought to express their opinion on various political and socioeconomic issues and influence the world toward positive change. Take a look at his body of work. It's pretty impressive.
25
November 13, 2009 - 11:00:46 AM
PC: ...
Just because someone gets a paycheck doesn't mean they're a pimp. In order to pimp something out you have to exploit it to the point of degrading it. Dyson has hardly done that with his work.
26
November 13, 2009 - 10:55:48 AM
Kevblack: ...
so people that didn't know Shakespeare or Dr. King shouldn't be teaching classes about them....? And writing is a profession so if someone wants to analyze Illmatic and write a book about it and get paid for their writing, what's wrong with that? What free work do you do? It can only help the art to be looked at examined academically. is it pimping when people write books about the blues or jazz? As hip hop grows older there will be more and more books and examinations of the music and culture which I think are is a great thing.
27
November 13, 2009 - 09:05:55 AM
TASH 1: ...
Ok then ask the question--is there a check involved? 90% chance the answer is yes! If he wants to educate and enlighten---then give it away. Don't worry Lil Wayne and 50 Cent--Kayne are all coming up next anyway.
28
November 12, 2009 - 05:32:35 PM
ChikeJ: ...
This sounds great - sounds like a book that will really push forward and add further depth to Hip Hop Studies. I look forward to reading it.
29
November 12, 2009 - 10:18:10 AM
PC: ...
Honestly if Dyson was such a pimp he'd be writing a book about 50 Cent, Lil Wayne and the likes, not Illmatic. This is not going to be that big of a moneymaker...though it should.
30
November 12, 2009 - 04:37:38 AM
TASH 1: ...
What the hell does this media pimp know about illmatic?? These guys kill me--they find ways to line their pockets off of hip hop--Micheal Eric Dyson is a pimp. He was teaching Tupac classes at U of Penn---and didn't even know Pac?? Illmatic was a very good hip hop album--a banga. I hate when these guys do this? Why does everyone exploit hip hop--that's why its shi* now!
31
November 12, 2009 - 12:13:06 AM
Rif Raf: ...
Yea Crossfader, you're alone on that one, homie.
I remember seeing the album cover at 12/13 years old, and distinctly remember the afro'd Nasir superimposed on an American flag, which itself was superimposed over QB housing projects. I remember when listening to this for the first time, recounting stories with my cousins about when we first heard and/or seen "ooo wops", and then maybe instantly realizing how crazy it was any of us even had intimate knowledge of that kind violence at that age of 12-16. Maybe it was being fresh off of reading autobiography of Malcolm or Nigger by Dick Gregory - but I immediately realized this album was important. Illmatic was hood, it was nostalgic, it was rights of passage, it was gritty, hopeful, brash, poetic - it was hip hop and maybe the most direct corollary since "The Message" years before. And really its the kind of material even the author himself couldn't necessarily recreate even if he wanted to. Illmatic became less about Nas - and more about a specific time, that many young black males realize at least some sense of their own manhood and mortality, and the gravity of the choices they make at that point in their lives. But that's just how I see it... 32
November 11, 2009 - 10:37:47 PM
DJ CROSSFADER: ...
am i the only one who thinks illmatic is a little overatted?
33
November 11, 2009 - 08:19:15 AM
Tha Architect: ...
illmatic was for my generation, what The Beetles, or Sly Stone was for my parents generation! I always said that if an alien landed and wanted to know about my life, my community. I'd put on illmatic and ask him/her/ whatever, to listen from front to back! Nas summed up what growing up in the 80's was all about for many of us. He pieced it out real Dope, cut by cut in his 94 album. It is forever in my rotation!
34
November 10, 2009 - 04:26:54 PM
YoungBloodPriest: ...
Aint that some shit, Sohail was my African American Studies professor. Everyday before class he'd play hip hop jams. gotta support
35
November 10, 2009 - 02:03:55 PM
psomething: ...
can wait...the art form's credence is that much more solidified when scholars recognize it.
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November 10, 2009 - 02:03:47 PM
BlakedOut: ...
This is a must have for me coming a day before my born-date.......
38
November 10, 2009 - 10:08:05 AM
STZA: ...
This doesn't sound like a "novel" to me. [2] :D but interesting nonetheless
39
November 10, 2009 - 07:16:29 AM
D.HOGG: ...
i will be picking this up. must be the reason i put illmatic back in my current rotation last month.
41
November 10, 2009 - 12:20:01 AM
North memphis mike: ...
I read tha Tao of Wu {deepa than tha root} so much game itz patheic..i'll phuck wit this 1 no doubt NaS is major..but 2 switch gears 4A min I jus heard dj kahled say he was A nigga on Green Lantern xm show..lets get 1 thing clear sand niggaz & U {I luv Hip-Hop2dude}ass crackers ain't niggaz..U can B apart of this culture w/o sayin sum dumb shiitt..U MUTHAPHUCKAS AIN'T GONE GET 2 MANY MO PASSES !!
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November 09, 2009 - 10:35:10 PM
DevilKiller: ...
JAY Z IS A FREEMASON AND A SATANIST…SEE THE PROOF AT VIGILANTCITIZEN.COM…WATCH “JAY Z DECEPTION’ ON YOUTUBE.COM
BEYONCE, RIHANNA AND KANYE WEST ARE ALSO INVOVLED!!! JAY Z IS A FREEMASON AND A SATANIST…SEE THE PROOF AT VIGILANTCITIZEN.COM…WATCH “JAY Z DECEPTION’ ON YOUTUBE.COM BEYONCE, RIHANNA AND KANYE WEST ARE ALSO INVOVLED!!! 44
November 09, 2009 - 12:09:50 PM
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