Just as Devin the Dude has always been slightly different than the “typical” Texas rap artist (if there’s even such a thing as a typical Texas rap artist), his group the Coughee Brothaz have also been decidedly different. And with their latest release, Fresh Brew, the difference is starkly evident. You’ll hear no brags about drug dealing, cars, clothes or jewelry. The overriding emphasis is funk, and if a lot of the lyrics deal with the joys of marijuana, others are truly motivational, such as “No Such Thang as I Can’t” and “Backstrokin’”, the latter dealing with the importance of money. There is an all-star cast of guests, too, including the other two Odd Squad members Rob Quest and Jugg Mugg, as well as Slim Thug and South Park Coalition founder K-Rino. All in all, Fresh Brew is a release of exquisite quality and lasting importance.
RIP Cleaborn Homes (via @jasper8591)
782 tate st. block party 123456 live {rip cleaborn homes} (by jasper8591)
Many Voices: How Racism Killed Earle, Arkansas
More background history on the rather tragic town of Earle, Arkansas. Many Voices was a civil rights newspaper published in West Memphis from 1970-1972, covering events in the East Arkansas delta region. Earle was often mentioned in various issues of the newspaper, as there was always some kind of protest, conflict or boycott going on there. I suppose that’s what led to the downtown of empty and abandoned stores.
Mixtape Review: OG Boo Dirty “The Story of OG”
I’ll admit that I had never heard of OG Boo Dirty until the now-infamous confrontation that apparently occurred between him and some of Yo Gotti’s people at the Level II. And I honestly wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary when I downloaded this mixtape. And besides that, I am, and have always been, a fan of Yo Gotti. But I have to admit that this mixtape surprised me for its consistent quality. For one thing, the production quality is stellar, with first-rate beats throughout. And, even more to my surprise, OG Boo Dirty is a better-than-average rapper, and while street rap usually seems tired and redundant to me these days, he does it well. Obviously, the high points of the mixtape are the two songs that are starting to be heard everywhere in Memphis these days, “She’s A Freak”, and “South Memphis Stand Up” another anthem for those on the Southside alongside Gangsta Blac’s legendary “South Parkway.” Altogether not a bad mixtape. Click on the cover to download and enjoy.
More of the Tragic Story of Earle, Arkansas
More background information on the troubles in Earle, Arkansas in 1970 that might have led to the town’s current situation. I also read yesterday that the State Board of Education is threatening to dissolve Earle’s school district because of financial problems, which would force Earle children to ride nearly 40 miles roundtrip a day to attend school in Marion or in Wynne. Based on what I saw in Crawfordsville, I don’t see how dissolving and closing schools does anything positive at all. All it seems to do is destroy towns.
Some Background on What Happened to Earle, Arkansas
After blogging on the near-ghost-town status of Earle, Arkansas a few days ago, I did some digging online and came upon this old Federal court decision that gives some interesting details about how bad things got in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s in Earle during the civil rights movement. It doesn’t seem that Earle was particularly eager to join the modern era.
At the Tate Avenue Block Party in South Memphis, June 4, 2011
At the Tate Avenue Block Party in South Memphis, June 4, 2011
OG Boo Dirty takes the stage at the Tate Avenue Block Party and tells South Memphis to “Stand Up!”, June 4, 2011