Common Sense Interview: From the Feather Leather Weather Archives
Posted by: Anger Falcon on January 20th, 2012
Rap blogging is generally thought to have launched in the early 2000s, reaching its apex of influence in the mid to late part of the decade, earning the eternal gratitude of the talentless everywhere (mostly southern rappers). State of Yo has uncovered a previously unrecognized piece of internet hip-hop history, the first rap blog. The Feather Leather Weather predates all rap blogs, and even the notion of expressing inconsequential opinions on the internet itself. Yes, that far back!
In this edition of the FLW archives, rapper Common Sense (now known as actor/rapper Common, just a shade above the Black Eyed Peas in hardcoreness) is interviewed, reminding us all why we used to love him. Either that, or reminding us all why we should have been much more annoyed by him.
December 15, 1992
Posted by Infinitezimal
Much hyped rapper Common Sense has just dropped a debut album with only one good song. Yet I still came away from playing the tape (and returning it) liking him personally and hopeful for his future. Q&A below, along with my recordings of his unique speech inflections. Enjoy?
Feather Leather Weather: What’s up, introduce yourself to the people.
Common Sense: I’m Petey Wheatstraw from the, uh, from the, uh, I’m P-P-P-Petey…
FLW: No, really, introduce yourself to rap fans who may not have heard of you yet.
CS: Oh oh oh, ‘kay ‘kay ‘kay, I’m the Lon-chicka-chicka-L-L-Lonnie Lynn.
FLW: No you’re not. You are a rapper. No one cares what your real name is. No rappers go by their real names, that would be ridiculous. You know, “government name,” and so on. Well, fuck it, when we post this, your name, Common Sense, will be giving the responses anyway. So, where you from?
CS: The South-S-S-S-South…
FLW: Oh, like Georgia? Could have sworn you said Chicago on the record. You kind of bite New York though, truthfully.
CS: …S-S-Southside-side-side…
FLW: Ah, you weren’t done yet.
CS:
…Southside of Chicago!
FLW: What the living hell was that? Why are you squeaking? If you want to get some water or something, go ahead. Like I was saying, you bite east coast pretty heavily, aside from saying Joe instead of yo. That’s adorable. But seriously, why is Chicago rap even necessary?
CS: The cause, cuz, is cos we like [squeak] with it, and no other place can really say they got it like that.
FLW: That’s a good point. I’m just gonna pretend I understand what you’re saying from now on.
CS:
FLW: Quite. So what’s your next move in this crazy rap world?
CS:
FLW: Yeah, I agree. I mean, this west coast gangster stuff is cool. Sometimes I just want to kill too, you know? But there should be some balance. And you’ll be commenting on that, perhaps in a song using a female hip-hop metaphor whose life represents interesting phases in its history, until you come to that misguided bitch’s rescue? Great idea! The perfect anecdote for all that negative rap being put out.
CS:
FLW: Wordup. So yeah, thanks for taking my call. I’ll send you that holistic healing book for your girl, but don’t get caught up in that shit yourself. I mean, your style benefits greatly from drinking, so promise me you won’t go all Juiceman on us. Squeak twice for no.
CS:
FLW: Bless you, Common Sense, may you never change.
Odd Future Sells Out at Drake-like Speed
Posted by: Anger Falcon on February 17th, 2011
Microsoft today announced that rap group Odd Future has signed an endorsement deal to promote its Xbox Live online video game experience.
“I saw them scaring a white girl on Jimmy Fallon and thought, this is the future,” said Microsoft Director of Programming Larry Hryb. “See what I did there?”
Asked if Microsoft was concerned about a possible negative reaction to its choice, Hryb replied, “Let’s go back to what I did there. I made a clever pun, sure, but I also made a point of where I feel race relations in this country are headed. Odd Future teaches us that you can have both fearsome black imagery and the kind of just-clownin’-around vibe that makes all white people feel comfortable. No, I’ve never heard of Public Enemy, so don’t ask.”
Freshman Sociology level views of race aside, industry analysts explain Microsoft’s interest in Odd Future by pointing out that the group’s constant stream of well worn rap expletives and homophobic and racial slurs closely matches the actual experience of playing competitive video games online with adolescent males all over the world on the Xbox Live network.
“Look, it’s a no brainer,” said Hryb. “Literally. No one involved in this deal has a brain. I may have a Microsoft email address, but keep in mind I’m in marketing.”
As for the group, with the concept of selling out long since losing all meaning in hip-hop, its members are thrilled to be getting paid in a way it had no chance of doing otherwise.
“WeNIGGAareBITCHhonoredFUCKthatFAGGOTaSHITcompanyBITCHsuchNIGGAasFUCKMicrosoftFAGGOTwouldPUSSYentrustSHITusBITCHwithFUCKrepresentingBITCHitsNIGGAnamePUSSYinFUCKpublic,” said the one guy with the stupid name.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Odd Future,” agreed the other guy with the other stupid name. “We look forward to proving Microsoft right, as we mature as human beings and show other corporations that we can partner with them to fulfill mutual business goals that…that…uh…fuckfuckfucknigganigganiggafaggotfaggotfaggotbitchbitchbitch…[panting]“
When reached for comment, Mos Def tried way too hard.
Tweets Is Watching
Posted by: Anger Falcon on September 17th, 2010
Overheard at an Internet Cafe…
“What’d you do last night, man?”
“We did, um, two whole tweets. It was me, @Dez, and @Mean3, right? And on the first tweet in small letters it said, ‘All you waste is…’ and in, you know, big, big, you know, caps lock’d letters it said, ‘TIME ON THE INTERNET,’ right?”
“It just took up the whole tweet?”
“Yeah, yeah, it was a whole tinyurl and shit.”
Hip-Hop Breakups: The Hit Squad Vs. SkyPager
Posted by: Anger Falcon on August 27th, 2010
Back in the day rappers had a pre-Twitter-like service in SkyTel’s, SkyPager (made famous by the Tribe Called Quest song of the same name). Rappers would call an 800 number, dictate their message to an operator in 140 characters or less who in turn would type the correspondence to the recipient’s receiving pager.
Did you know this was how EPMD and the Hit Squad broke up?
State of Yo has uncovered SkyPager transcripts between Parrish Smith (@P$) and K-Solo (@ThaFugitive)…Only problem is, Parrish dialed the wrong pin number…
Motherfuckin Wyclef Motherfuckin Sick of Losin!
Posted by: Anger Falcon on August 26th, 2010
The Haitian Electoral Commission (“Even we have standards!”) has announced the disqualification of rap singer Wyclef Jean from his presidential candidacy bid.
“I was going to fight this in Haitian court,” Jean declared, “but then they came back at me like, ‘the joke is on you pal, we have no courts!’ So I guess that’s that.”
Since the disbanding of Jean’s popular rap group the Fugees he has been luckless in attempts to escape from underneath the shadow of its most talented and beloved member, Prakazrel Michel (better known as Pras).
When reminded of this, Jean asked, “Why are you reminding me of this?”
The Haitian born Jean (requests for birth certificate confirmation went unanswered) spent years months an entire week planning his bid for Haitian presidency, with a defeat rumored to have been delivered by the popular messaging service Twitter from none other than incumbent President René Préval.”
Elsewhere on the Interwebs, tension between Prakazrel and Wyclef continued to flare following Pras’ public denouncement of support for Wyclef as Haiti’s president.
Intrepid community members at the Hollertronix BBS noticed that several domain names were purchased earlier this month under the name P.S. Michel with an address based in Brooklyn, New York. Domains included:
http://www.fffffffuckyouwyclef.com
http://www.thecarnivalsucked.com
http://www.meandlaurynallonyourcouch.com
When reached for comment, Pras said, “Hey, you called!”
Sought After Performer: Interview with Lil Kil
Posted by: Anger Falcon on August 25th, 2010
Lil Kil of Washington D.C.’s the Knockheadz is one of the most sought-after performers in hip-hop today. His solo mixtape, IMAX in the Streetz is a contender for album of the year, even though it is not actually an album. White journalists/bloggers/Twitterers are afire with enthusiasm for the rapper. Tom Breihan tweets that he is “better than Divine Styler, if I knew who that was.” Jessica Hopper has not called him a misogynist. Noz has posted fifteen sound files and gotten into heated arguments in his comments section.
State of Yo sat down with the touring Lil Kil at Stucky’s Bar in Charlotte for a wide ranging discussion on his life and career. It actually got none of this. Originally, SOY was excited at the opportunity to interview Lil Kil. Perhaps expectations ran too high. Ultimately, SOY left the night wishing it had not bothered to go in the first place.
State of Yo: Um. Hello?
Flipbird: Yo, how y’all feelin out there?! I go by Flipbird!
SOY: Hi. Is Lil Kil here? I was supposed to meet him at 8. It’s now 10:30.
Flipbird: Who here to see Lil Kil? Everybody give it up for my man Kil!
SOY: Wooooh! Yeah, is he coming here soon?
Flipbird: Before he come out, we got some answers for y’all. We got four answers to give.
SOY: That’s okay, I’d really like to just speak with Kil.
Flipboard: He’ll be on right after us! We got time for one more!
SOY: But I’m not here to see you. I’ve now waited three hours and no offense, but I don’t know you.
Flipbird: One more time, give it up for Lil Kil!
SOY: Wooooh! Does that mean he’s coming out now?
Flipbird: He’ll be on soon. My name is Flipbird, good night! Peace!
Many, many hours later…
DJ Laptop: Yo, how y’all feelin out there?!
SOY: Not good. I’ve waited here all night to see Lil Kil. Drank a bunch of $9 Heinekens, and now I’m broke and not really buzzed anymore.
DJ Laptop: Here he is, the man, Lil Kil! Give it up!
Impostor Lil Kil: How y’all feelin out there?!
SOY: You’re not Lil Kil. You don’t even look like him. You’re like thirty pounds fatter.
Impostor Lil Kil: Good night everyone, peace!
DJ Laptop: Okay y’all. Technical problems. Here is the real Lil Kil, give it up!
SOY: Wooooh! Finally.
Lil Kil’s Hypeman B-Hye: How y’all feelin out there?!
SOY: For god’s sake, can I speak with Lil Kil?
LKHBH: Here he come, the man, Lil Kil, give it up!
Lil Kil: How y’all feelin out there?!
SOY: Like complete shit! Anyway, my first question is why go solo now? You were trying to get the Knockheadz project off the ground and just let that go?
Lil Kil: I thought it was time for me…
LKHBH: to move on!
Lil Kil: We got fucked around…
LKHBH: by motherfuckin record labels!
Lil Kil: We had interest in signing…
LKHBH: with Kanye or Lil Jon!
Lil Kil: But ultimately felt disrespected…
LKHBH: like hos in the stables!
SOY: Why is he finishing all your sentences for you?
Lil Kil: [huffing, puffing]
SOY: Are you out of breath already? After one question? Well, here is another one. With the success of your mixtape, will you now do a whole album or just another tape? People tend to have lower standards for tapes. I feel weird even saying tapes, considering I haven’t seen a cassette in ten years.
Lil Kil: Hold on, I got an answer for you. Yo, my man, hit #3 on there…
Lil Kil’s Prerecorded Voice Emanating from DJ Laptop’s Laptop: I am working on my album…
Lil Kil: Working on my album…
LKPVEDLL: I got the hottest producers in the game…
Lil Kil: Hottest producers…
LKPVEDLL: I’m picking beats and calling up rappers and indie rock luminaries to collabo on some tracks.
Lil Kil: Rappers…white faggots…collabo…tracks.
SOY: Did you really need a guide track for that answer? You couldn’t remember it otherwise?
Lil Kil: Yo, the sound is fucked up! Fuck that! Turn the tape recorder up!
SOY: I’m using my iPhone. It’s fine, really.
Lil Kil: Fuck that! One more question and I’m outta here.
SOY: What?! It’s 4 in the morning, I’ve been waiting all night to see you, and now you leave after twenty minutes? Fine, okay. Last question. Where do you see your career going? Rap is a pretty fickle industry, I wonder how anyone makes a living doing it.
Lil Kil: While I didn’t have luck with the…[picks up phone and points at SOY]
SOY: Knockheadz?
Lil Kil: I am coming with the hot new…
SOY: shit?
Lil Kil: Taking over this rap industry, so I don’t even give a…
SOY: fuck?
Lil Kil: And if it don’t work, fuck it, I’ll go back to…
SOY: Preying on society by selling drugs and robbing…hey, wait a minute! Now you got me finishing your sentences! Is it that hard to answer questions fully? Aren’t you supposed to be a professional? You’re not physically able to do the thing you get paid to do?
Lil Kil: All right, we outta here, peace! To all the ladies, we at the Marriot, room 245! Afterparty, heeeey!
SOY’s Girlfriend: 245.
SOY: Now you’re hitting on my girl?! How is it that you can maintain popularity while fucking people over all the time?
Lil Kil: I am one of the most sought after performers in hip-hop.
Trifetime: Television for Thugs – August 2010
Posted by: Anger Falcon on August 23rd, 2010
Wale Wars
Reality Show
Young up-and-coming rapper Wale embarks on a national awareness campaign to promote how to properly pronounce his name. Formerly named Wale World, formerly named Wal-E, formerly named Sound It Out: Wah-Lay. Look, we’re gonna keep renaming this thing until you bastards get it right.
Producer: Sade (pronounced Sadie)
Real Jumpoffs of Decatur
Reality Show
While the Real Housewives are out being sassy and feisty, meet the younger, more attractive women their husbands are bumping with on the low. Cover a rent check, knock out a car payment, take that bitch to an out of town Shoney’s for buffet — that’s all the maintenance required to hold these ambitious young women. (This series is now gun free, after last season’s unpleasantness.)
Producer: Anger Falcon
True Life: Tru Life
Reality Show
MTV’s groundbreaking documentary series comes to Trifetime, chronicling the wacky misadventures of the frustrated NYC rapper. This week, Tru ponders whether being signed to Dreamworks, brought into Jay-Z’s camp, or charged with murder was more detrimental to his career.
Producer: Chroo Lyphe (No relation)
Flippin’ Out…With Kanye West
Reality Show (Tenuous Connection To Actual Reality)
Trifetime unoriginal series following Kanye as he purchases homes and sells them at will. Hijinks and shenanigans ensue as Kanye interacts with people. This week’s episode finds Kanye frustrated by his unsold Miami Beach condos, attempting at one point to hijack a crane while crying, “I paid for all this sh*t!” Special appearance by Betty White for some fucking reason.
Producer: Kenny K
Drake’s Cakes By The Great Lakes
Reality Cooking Show
Trifetime slices into the cake baking show game as former Degrassi High television star, and newly-appointed hiphop sensation Drake opens a cake shop in his native Ontario, Canada. Wholesomeness ensues. This week, the rap singer frets as his staff is simultaneously commissioned to bake a 5 tier red velvet wedding cake for a Tennessee couple, and a giant half chocolate, half white cock cake for a bachelorette party in Las Vegas.
Producer: Kanye West
Cake BAWSS
Reality Cooking Show
Don’t look at us sideways, playa. Yeah, we have two cake baking shows. And what! Rick Ross also premieres his Trifetime show, filmed live in front of an incarcerated studio audience. Not much actual baking is accomplished this week as Rick spends much of the episode replying to the many rappers he has beef with and wallowing in self-pity. The episode ends in a disgusting fit of batter licking, frosting fingering, and sprinkle snorting.
Producer: A. White
Dancing with the Muthafu&@*n’ Hood Stars
Dance Competition Show/Gang Recruitment Platform
Celebrities learn and perform the Crip Walk and all its ridiculous variations, judged by a panel of people who would think nothing of murdering them. Watch the excitement build and signs flash as DJ Aladdin drops the beats! This week, fan favorite C-Rayz Walz gets “eliminated” when it is discovered that his name’s likeness to c-walk is not a predictor of his ability to do it.
Producer: WC (Maad Circle declined participation)
El-P Debuts “Final Battle”, New Musical Direction – Exclusive!
Posted by: Anger Falcon on August 20th, 2010
Former Definitive Jux label head El Producto blesses State of Yo first with his latest dystopic soundtrack. We, super beings that we are, share it with you: