About 7-8 years ago I was listening to songs on Youtube when I ran across some videos by a rapper name Lil B. Let me first say that I wasn't a fan of his music initially. Being a Hip Hop Nerd, I thought he was trying to disrespect the culture. I mean, the songs didn't come off like he was serious at first. During this time, 9th Wonder did a song with Phonte', Jean Grae and Lil B. Before the song was created fans saw 9th Wonder and Lil B exchange kind words on Twitter. The Hip Hop World was like "No 9th, do not do a song with Lil B." I also took to Twitter and was like "Really 9th?". 9th Wonder saw it and sent me a direct message to call him. I called 9th, who I've known since we were in grade school. He stated that Lil B wanted to do a song, was a fan of his and Little Brother and that Lil B was serious about Hip Hop in general. He said that Lil B was intelligent over the phone and admitted to making tracks for shock value so he could build an audience. Fast forward a month or so and I heard the track, it was good. I even saw Puffy introduce him at a concert. I went back and listened to his songs. I enjoyed a song called "Myspace." After that, I ran into a song called "The World Is Ending." This is when I became a fan. The track starts off with the lines:
"Seen it’s real life when they killed childhood friend- The funeral looked like a middle school reunion"
Man, this line stuck with because I understand the sentiment. The 2nd verse is simple but has so many levels to it.
[Verse 2]
Why in school they didn’t teach about the taxes? In the real world man it’s all about taxes All about TV and living above average Where the fuck you staying, all about your status What the fuck you drive to the size of your mattress How big your chain and the girls that you smashing How much you work plus the time you relaxing Time spent in jail and on the street savage Mixed with the robbers, the stress, and the addicts Mixed with the greed and the guns and the havoc Mixed with the weed and the pills and the acid Killing off my people and the media is laughing Learn about the past but the present is what’s happening Probation, slavery, pissing for the master The cops is a gang and they really beat your ass And the courts is the mob and it’s ran by the cash
I've heard people say Lil B is the worst Rapper ever but I tell you what, many of the more popular MC's fail to be this vivid. There can be complexity in simplicity. In this verse Lil B talks about the illusion of fame and happiness, The Judicial System, Police Brutality and our Public School Education System. I mean, what more do you want from a Rap Song? Funny that years later we follow each other on Twitter and Lil B appears to have transitioned into a positive individual.
Salute to Lil B
Peace