Pensmoke's Views

Alright I gotta talk about something. Im gonna tell yall a little bit about some of these rappers in Memphis and my viewpoint on things. As most of you know I am from Memphis. Raised there since shortly after I was born. I know all about the racism and the attitudes and I have my own beliefs on why things are the way they are there. So here’s the deal. For years Memphis has been idolizing 3-6 Mafia and every rapper ( notice I didn’t say M.C.) tries to imitate them if not in style then in subject matter. There has been in recent years a handful of cats that have came forth from Memphis doing real hip hop though. Skills, educated uplifting content/lyrics and DJing and the whole 9. Needless to say I was shocked to find out there was actual real emcees in Memphis. I thought me and like 2 other cats was it. Anyway I was hype about it and reached out to a few of these cats and tried to extend a olive branch, so to speak , to maybe build or collaborate together in the future or something. Basically it was like I reached for a pound and got left hanging. Why you might ask? Let me break it down what I think the reasoning is. Anybody feel differently they can feel free to correct me.

For starters Memphis is still a very racist place. It ain’t just old folks and people labeled "rednecks" either. Many people in Memphis have family in Chicago. It’s like how a lot of folks in Va Beach have family in NY. Chicago has a very high population of followers of N.O.I. (Nation Of Islam) , the branch of Islam (orthodox muslims reject it) led by Louis Farrakahn. There are some 5%ers there too I have heard. N.O.I. hates white people. Bottom line. Most of the "REAL HIP HOP/ CONSCIOUS HIP HOP" cats in Memphis are influenced in one way or another by N.O.I.   I look all white to some people, especially to the racially ignorant and stereotyping majority of Memphis cats. The only time you hear anything about Indians from most Memphis dudes is when they talk about "Chiefin’" some weed. Anyway, I feel that most of the cats see my picture on my webpage and that’s as far as they go. They see the skin and don’t want to even hear my music. That’s one part of it.

Also, I am a Christian. It’s the first category you see on my webpage. "Christian/HipHop/Lyrical" is the first thing cats see. Now, it’s hard enough getting closed minded stereotyping Memphis rappers to hear my music as it is. But add to the fact that most of them have a "muslim" influenced belief system via N.O.I.and these cats are even more likely to brush me off. It’s funny because lyrically my songs are diverse. Like GZA said "I don’t waste ink, I think". I’m ahead of this sad perverse rap game. Ultimately I just have to say it’s mad irritating and disappointing the way Memphis artists think and limit themselves. I expect to be overlooked by the dime a dozen Memphis "player/pimp/d-boy" types who worship 3-6 Mafia. But I was hoping that people doing REAL hip hop with substance and meaning and skill would recognize a like-minded artist like me. If any of you cats want to step outside of your little box and make some REAL moves I am here.

Pensmoke