MattZ

I am even more jaded. I think it's all entertainment. I mean, Ice-T went from Cop Killer to being a cop on Law and Order for crying out loud. Ice Cube and Flavor Flav railed against the establishment and now couldn't be more firmly in bed with it. Just like heavy metal dudes dont really worship Satan, I think the majority of rap guys are playing the part. I mean, some of them may hate white people, but I think the lyrics are meant to fill a niche. Or sell albums to people that really do hate white people (or at least like hearing people rapping about it).

Chuck D is the effing man. He's still got it.

Um, so I just happened to be talking about flavor flav at work because someone brought up the comedy central roast. Six different people had no idea that Flavor Flav was in a band called Public Enemy before reality tv. People in the 24-34 age range. Somebody hold me.

I think the point here is that you dont have to. You get them both.

The Band.

Elvis Costello - Goodbye Cruel World now with each passing day she's less tender and more tinder

have a great one!

comedy = truth

If anyone is interested: http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/43270/..._Show_9_11.html

Elvis Costello - IbMePdErRoIoAmL you know she has no sins; for all your jealousy

i think atcq had three significant records. and nwa had at least two.

I suppose that's fair. But I thought Marauders was a genuine effort to evolve and keep up with where rap was headed, and for the most part, they did that. They just blew their wad and couldn't do it after that. I also prefer Low End Theory, which is why I am in the 88-92 era, in large part.

I think it is interesting that Tribe is one of the few bands that crosses the eras effectively. Low End Theory (88-92) and Midnight Marauders (93-97). I also remember thinking at the time that they changed quite a bit between those two albums. Phife took a much larger role, Q-tip's rhymes were harder, etc. The production definitely was kicked up a notch. So they saw the world changing and kept up with it. And for me, De La Soul died with De La Soul is Dead. That was their last great album. They didnt make the leap across the great divide.

I had an interesting and friendly argument recently with a friend about the heyday of rap. We both agreed that rap could really be broken down into 3 important and different time periods: pre-1988, 88-92 and 93-97. The beginning of the discussion basically started around the premise that things really changed in rap in 88. Something happened and things went to a new level -- albums like It Takes a Nation of Millions, Strictly Business, 3 Ft High/Rising, Straight Outta Compton, It's a Big Daddy Thing, etc. all came out in 1988 (I think). They were all followed up with the best years of Que

I should know better than to question...

I got lazy in the second reference. But didn't he retire in 1956? And doesn't that make it 38 years?

I agree with you in large part. I am not arguing about his worthiness, and I didnt mean to suggest that his plaque should have an asterisk on it. But I was responding to Leo, who was lamenting the fact that Trammell is not in the HOF and has superior numbers to Rizzuto. Rizzuto retired in 1956. He was inducted to the Hall in 1994. That's almost 40 years later. Again, as was stated above, after a long and drawn out campaign by Yankee fans who were peeved that Pee Wee Reese had made it but Rizzuto hadn't. The asterisk is in my mind -- it shouldn't be on his plaque. But I firmly believe

Yes. Maybe not in every case, but certainly in this one. Rizzuto couldnt get in and didnt get in under the standard voting and eligibility rules. He was inducted in 1994 (I think) by the Veterans Committee. You dont think that adds an asterisk to his HOF status?

Not that this changes anything, but Rizzuto got in pretty recently through the Veterans Committee which has to be viewed as a HOF with an asterisk. I wouldn't exactly call him a beloved HOFer. But I'd understand why Trammell fans would be upset.

when I was that age, I did too. I turned out ok. Sort of.

Yeah, I know. I know enough about the Levon-Robbie feud to know that I have no interest in learning more about it. I am fine listening to the music and leaving it at that.

He's at the Money Store in the sky. RIP Phil. One of the true greats.

I have Levon's book but haven't read it because I am worried I won't be able to listen to the music the same way afterwards.

happy birthday!! there are few like the stew

The crux of my argument in the "Reyes is better than Ramirez" debate often rested in large part on how Ramirez is so atrocious in the field and that they are basically a toss up at the plate. So I leaned toward Reyes. I was at Sat pm's game and Ramirez is a flat out stud. Even in the field. Made a couple of brilliant plays on balls and ranged quite far. I tip my cap. Still not sure who I'd pick, but I have to admit that it might be Ramirez. Oh, and screw you, Nerdy.