Hip-Hop's Blue Collar Spitter
My Part For The Revolution
After reviewing your comments from the last blog [Who Is Going To Fund The Revolution?], I was caught by surprise by the amount of you who placed that responsibility in my hands; reversing the question by asking me: “What part will you play in this so-called revolution, Fest?”
I guess because of my touring, radio and media exposure, you seem to think I have a bigger voice than the average person to address the issues of the people. Sometimes, I do forget about the magnitude and impact of the statements that I make. After all, it’s just me. My eight-year-old son doesn’t look at me as Mr. Brand New. My mother doesn’t view me as Rhymefest. However, I did receive a call from Kanye a day or so ago asking me, “Why am I always dissin him?” I asked him what did he mean; he responded by telling me he read in a magazine where I said that, “Kanye pop-up collars were out-of-style.” I immediately let him know that my only statement was that pop-up collars were out-of-style, and the magazine chose to add his name to it. Afterwards, he agreed that the media does embellish the facts.
About one month ago, I wrote a letter to a member of the UK Parliament named Mr. David Cameron, whose mission is to get Hip-Hop music banned in England because of what he described as its gun & knife culture. I wrote to him about artists like Common, Talib Kweli, as well as myself. Go to hiphopdx to read the letter. I challenged him to let me perform for him and have dialogue with him about the importance of Hip-Hop in the community, as well as in the political arena. I never expected a response. However, an English paper found my letter, published it and created a public pressure for Mr. Cameron to meet with me. I’m scheduled to travel to the UK in October in order to have this dialogue about Hip-Hop with Mr. Cameron in front of MTV and BBC cameras. Whoever thought that the power of the pen was truly mightier than the sword? Coming from a ghetto on the South Side of Chicago, I know I didn’t. Well, maybe now its time for me to accept my responsibility, face my trial in life and take my place in history.
On September 12, I announced on my MySpace page what I call the Plugg City Tour. I would like to come and see what you, the people, need and want; I would like to be able to articulate your needs to the higher sources I have access to. I plan to come and live with 10 different fans from 10 different states for three days each; no matter what their social, economic or cultural background may be. I’m going to go to work with them, participate in family activities with them, as well as let them experience my trials and successes as a major-label artist. I would like to personally get to know my fans, understand them and create music suited toward their lifestyles. This, in my opinion, is a revolutionary move. It reminds me of Che Guevara’s motorcycle tour through South America. It will just be myself and a cameraman (for documentation purposes). I plan on visiting cities in Louisiana, Georgia, New York, the Carolinas, etc. No label reps, no bodyguards. Just me; Che A. Smith aka Rhymefest. If you would like to know more about my tour and how you can be the one I visit in your city, please contact me at http://www.myspace.com/rhymefest and the instructions for how to apply are on my profile.
I will begin announcing winners and routing my tour in October, and I plan on leaving in November. I hope to see many of you along my journey. I pray that God watches over me and keeps me safe, and I ask you to pray for me as well. And, I know that my next album due to be released in March 2007 entitled EL CHE will be inspired from the experiences I have with you. That’s the best I could come up with [for now] in regards to my part for the revolution. What's yours?
Talk to me.
Post A Comment
In Stores Now
- BUY NOW
- Amazon.com
- ITunes
SOHH Videos
- Rhymefest
60 Seconds With... [Video]
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006 - Watch more videos
Comments
At first I thought you were using this "revolutionary" as a tool to sell more records but I may be wrong. But it isnt all of your fault that you didnt move many units. The radio plays the same garbage snap yo' fangerz chain hang crunk kill a nigga fuck a bitch sell crack musick. Hit em harder on the next one Fest.
I'm glad to hear that you are taking action. I agree with what you wrote about being a man just like the rest of us. We ALL must take action. In my opinion, if you're not willing to live for the cause you don't deserve to live.
WORD! I hear you fest. It's all about opening your eyes to the truth. Once you've been enlightened and recognize your part, you will do more. A lotta bruvas out here don't know there part, so how can they play it? I was always told if your not part of the solution, then your part of the problem! Come on ppl, let's organize & solve the world! HOTEP
Mr. Fest,
I seen your show last night in Orlando, and you were great...I think you made a lot of new fans ( I was already one)...and I think your "voice" is growing...take advantage...we're out here, and we're interested...I respect that there is more to what you do than just "puttin' it down"...It inspires me to keep trying...by the way, it was a nice touch going through the middle of the crowd after your set...
I like your style fam! Keep doin you! Fuck da haterz..Mad cuz you learnin them sumthin.
:)
One question tho,I was listening to a Chicago underground mixtape and I heard a rapper from Chicago named Amilcar(I think thats his name) sayin he was the "next" from Chicago & that he was a Revolutionary........his talent was in no way near yours at all but why can't rappers in Chicago unite to make a difference and not hate on eachother or try & steal eachothers style?This is seriously no love city.
Much love and support tho.Continue to make a difference.
-Big Daddy Johnson
There is no two ways around it. You are an intelligent rapper, and that much is obvious from your interviews, songs and writing.
Add to that your connections with the famously outspoken Kanye and it was inevitable that you would be asked your opinions on the world. Rap needs a voice that will say more than "knawmean" every five seconds when being asked about society.
Keep it real, and keep it smart. Show interviewers that there are intelligent black men in America. Give them something to respect. That in itself will do more for hip-hop and yes, your sales too, than anything. You know why the media loves Jay-Z so much?
Because he never comes across as an idiot.
Fairly or not, you're starting to be asked to carry the banner for hip-hop, however temporary. Use it wisely, man. Make the people who bought your album, and support your proud that they did.
Word is born Che I just read both your articles right now and damn it felt like you were reading my mind or something. Nobodys gonna dance to Nas or Mega cuz everybody just wanna listen to some powerful shit like Dipset or some sexual shit. They dont want to sit down and think about life, Dead Prez is too deep for them. And most of the time you can't get enough of a message into a song. Yo Rhyme I ain't feel this hyped about a movement for a long time cuz Im leading one myself. When my website SystemRebels.com gets online, I want you to be a part of it. I will reach out to you when the time comes but until then Mosfly45@hotmail.com
Hi rhymefest , oh i'm just here to remind you how much you suck stop,rapping for the last time!!!!!!!
who is dis grand hustle idiot talkin down bitch get off of his nuts
THANK YOU FOR TELLING IT LIKE IT IS. PEOPLE BEEN MISINTERPETING YOUR COMMENTS, BUT THE TRUTH HURTS. IT'S GOOD TO HEAR BROS TRYING TO FIGHT THE SYSTEM. KEEP DOING WHAT RIGHT IN YOUR HEART.
AY DIG THIS HOMEY. GO LOOK AT THE POTENTATE'S (SON OF FOLK) BLOG UNDER THE JAY Z AND RZA ARTICLE AND THE PETER GUNZ AND LORD TARIQ ARTICLE
just make a record like cube did with da lench mob that guerillas in the mist type of shyt and people goin know what you really tryin to put down. then again naww who knows how a record like that would be received today.
Rhymefest - Sorry, but you are trippin now homie.
You said:
I was caught by surprise by the amount of you who placed that responsibility in my hands; reversing the question by asking me: “What part will you play in this so-called revolution, Fest?”
Actually YOU ASKED for the responsibility to be placed in your hands homeboy. What do you mean you were caught by surprise?
You finished up that post by saying if we don't own YOUR CD and THE MINSTREL SHOW, for us to go out and buy them so we could FUND THE REVOLUTION. And you said CHOOSE YOUR LEADER, implying that you want us to choose you. You campaigned for it.
Now, you're starting to sound real contradictory and kind of all ove the place to me.
But I sympathize, and I guess I understand.
Whuts up Rhymefest....To tell u the truth...The fact that u r using hip hop as tool to send message with ur music and reaching people in power that u couldn't possible reach is damn sure revolutionary..Fuck what a hater say do u homie some people will have to figure it out later much respect.....MYSPACE.COM/BOTTLESBABY
You are a FLAMING FAG FEST!!! I hope you live long after this shit. I wouldn't want you to die and become a martyr to some homos near cap cod. Stop Recording, Drop the Blog, Sow your Mouth Shut And slow die of Old Age... HAHAHAHAHA
I was mad at Grand Hustle... but dis man Ed Lover is da Truth!
Yo fest why didnt you release the ODB song as a single, its by far and away my favorite on the whole album, I think the TI's at the label slept on it
Let me tell you something. The state of society and hip-hop have caused me to not even consider the revolution. I think we live in different times. There ain't gon be no more Malcolm or Marcus Garvey. So though I know a revolution is need in a sense, I can't help but be pessimistic. So my attitude is like, "I'm worried about myself." I ain't got time to try and sway people's ways of thinking. In the state we're in, I think the best way for progressive brothers is to do them and lead by example. I think that can arguably send a stronger message. You know dudes be swearing that revolutionnary forces like dead prez and them be preaching to them and nobody wants that. What is my part for the revolution? Making sure I remain progressive myself. Cause most folks ain't trying to change their ways, but if they can...who knows? I'll jump in.
Let me tell you something. The state of society and hip-hop have caused me to not even consider the revolution. I think we live in different times. There ain't gon be no more Malcolm or Marcus Garvey. So though I know a revolution is need in a sense, I can't help but be pessimistic. So my attitude is like, "I'm worried about myself." I ain't got time to try and sway people's ways of thinking. In the state we're in, I think the best way for progressive brothers is to do them and lead by example. I think that can arguably send a stronger message. You know dudes be swearing that revolutionnary forces like dead prez and them be preaching to them and nobody wants that. What is my part for the revolution? Making sure I remain progressive myself. Cause most folks ain't trying to change their ways, but if they can...who knows? I'll jump in.
I'm just not feeling this cat...that "Brand New" song with Kanye was to popcorn.
Once the smoke clears, Deeez Nuuutz will fund the revolution.
fugg this fake grand hustle fool takin t.i. shine anyway chicago stand up rhymefest cd is str8 fiahhh fugg what you heard good job fest you did the chi proud in my book and im not even bein bias peace to the real
fugg this fake grand hustle fool takin t.i. shine anyway chicago stand up rhymefest cd is str8 fiahhh fugg what you heard good job fest you did the chi proud in my book and im not even bein bias peace to the real
FUCK LAMEFEST,KENYE EAST, AND LOOPY ASSHOLE .Y'ALL MAKE COOK COUNTY LOOK LIKE GOOFY. CHICAGO STAND UP
fuck all you haters im the motherfuckin leader just playing I know I suck im gonna go kill myself
You're Surprised...lol...I'm almost astonished that a black man would stand up when people are chastising him. We kinda came at you hard...and a lot of us were thinking the same thing. That this Blog was a Stunt...another way for the machine to connect with the people. I'll appologize for my haste in thought. I'm still a bit stunned that simply put "a Rapper" would go to such lengths to prove he was real...and hell he did it like a man. He ain't wash up 3 years after his debut and rob a bank, or some innocent bystander somewhere. So I commend you. I appreciate men who do what men do...none of the hoopla or the stuntin'. You pretty much shut me the fuck up for the moment...I'd like to see the outcome of this. Hadn't really heard about them banning OUR CULTURE, not our MUSIC...the music is a small part. It's hard in the southern region to get past the North Vs. South Nonsense, or the Snap Vs. Real. It's a shame that worldly whitey thinks he can control the mind and the actions of the people...but it's still a vicotory for mentally fortified that a letter can insite some form of action.
i don't see what popped collars and kanye getting pissy wit u has to do with anything. go back to blue collar work.
Brother I think I see where you are coming from...this revolution you speak of is more of an artistic one than anything else. My part in this revolution is to support artistic rappers whose flows can ignite the fire for social change...whse lyrics are of more than one dimention...so what I think you are really trying to say is for us fans to support a rapper like ....LUPE FIASCO....food and liquor is pure fire niggaz, cop that shit NOW...why should talent like Lupe's starve....
Fest, Huge fan my man, lookin forward to seeing you in Sayreville, NJ on Sunday with Tribe Called Quest! Keep on keeping it real, don't let the industry decide if you're succesful, you're fans are feeling you cuz you speak the truth, none of that powder puff garbage. Keep it real...
Hey rhyme! Kanye should have punched u,like how u said u meet him on a that interview so u can stop rap'n with a lipppppsssss like thissssssss!
all the best fam, wonder how u can start a revolution wen u aint even made rap history.
PS rhymefest = rap ...he aint hip hop.
Ez 2 B Negative hard to be constructive. I feel rhymefest and what you about its just i dont like your rap voice that don't mean your not dope. i prefer hardcore Kool g rap, Gunit pac etc. This is new unconventional in time youll be the 50 cent of music game major props. btw D.Cameron is a fag he aint gonna get in power, his ignorant rap/hip-hop life music. Pop music is more damaging to our nation with all the little girls wanting to be sexy etc. Peace
fest yo cd is fire you did chicago and the midwest proud brush off the haters and keep doing your thing and lets unite all chicago hip hop artist more
I will listen to the rest of your record before I offer an opinion on your music as a whole. But, as I said on the original post, ain't nobody starting a revolution for real if they aren't respecting Black womanhood. "In my brand new whip with my brand new bitch"- explain.