Im sitting in my car listening to a mix CD I made in 2003 before I went to Africa. The songs that were popular then have me busting my gut open with laughter. Eness and oh yeah State Property, a legendary rap group from Philly that didnt last long enough to really be considered legendary (no shade tho). But ask someone from South and North Philly and they were the best thing since a welfare line, sliced bread and Cricket Cell Phones. Yup! Straight no chaser. My the 2nd album State Prop (a group originally founded by South Phillys own Beanie Siegel) was entitled Chain Gang. Beanie just got out of jail by the way. I often think about the differences and why Jay-Zs (Sean Carter AKA Beyonces Husband) brand lasted longer. You know the infamous Rocafella Movement that included music, clothing, and more. When he holds that Pyramid to the sky thousands do it with him. As if its some way to live vicariously through him and his established movement. State Prop is no longer rapping as a collective anymore but they do individual work. Some would say way past their prime and time. Honestly Freeway may be my fav out of the group. Truth is who wants to follow a Chain Gang or a part State Property which means inmate/ prisoner in Incarceration talk. They make billions off of broken families, bad decisions, misguided youth, unaddressed trauma and just to think they made a part of entertainment. Wonder why Beanie and eh rest of the crew were thinking when they created music and a clothing line. Words become flesh. Beanie just got out. One of the most talented MCs in the game if hes still playing, is free. I often think what Beans would of rapped about if he had a different upbringing? If he wasnt in the perfect space and perfect timing to sign with a desperate JayZ, who needed new energy to surround his stagnant label in 1999. I wonder if the drug, gangsta, street culture which is consistently cultivated by the culture of violence that is founded by America. Yup. Before Beans there were many like the Lox, Schooly D, Mobb Deep and more who glorified their horrid living conditions an echoed not only their own but also their friends and families survival stories. This music that State Prop and others have created a genre for was created by our darling little country. I sincerely try to figure out when is it too old to rap of youre not growing with your music. Like what will 50 year old JayZ, Nas, Redman, Souljah Boy (LOL) sound like? Seriously. What will they sound like? But I do look forward tithe ole school concerts of my generation where as in dont know of Lil Durk, Cheif Keef, Meek Mill could provide the same for their generations. Without Beans, The Lox and others these younger cats dont exist. And honestly if you are still trying to turn up at 50 waiting in line for a Chief Keef concert Im thinking what type of life are you living and went wrong in your life if you are singing that. (No shade tho) how much did you grow? Damn your oldies are gonna suck! LMBO. Hopefully it shifts although society has to shift more towards peace justice and harmony. State Prop and Chain Gang. Children ran around calling themselves State Prop and Chain Gang. Yikes. Some of them are incarcerated right now. Guarantee. When I saw this as a 24 year old I figured this is an all time low. Then other musical artists were born. If theres ever another State Prop reunion I hope the music mentions reasons and insight behind hyper violent cultures, hyper masculinity, willie lynch theories, business behind illiterate Black boys, etc. You know stuff like that. Nuff Said.... Sips Tea.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:21:37 +0000