Comments on: Misinterpretations and Realities of the West Coast: Background of the Attitude http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/ The Underground Hip Hop Authority | Hip Hop Music, Videos & Reviews Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sean Deez http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-31463 Sean Deez Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:54:18 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-31463 I've actually studied small parts of LA Gangs. But shit, even scholars know there are loads of Dark figures in there that we'd never know. It's such a complex society though, and strangely corrupted to a point where the motives and morals are lost in the shuffle I’ve actually studied small parts of LA Gangs. But shit, even scholars know there are loads of Dark figures in there that we’d never know. It’s such a complex society though, and strangely corrupted to a point where the motives and morals are lost in the shuffle

]]> By: Freddie C http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-31006 Freddie C Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:53:25 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-31006 SOC4L - that's right, the gangs were originally like a continuation of the Black Panthers. Of course, their original views and motivations became corrupted, and it all deteriorated into what it is today crazy shit about the killings near you that get no coverage. It's sad that these things get shoveled to the side as "more gang violence". The West needs a revival, an anthem similar to Color Blind, something to shed more light on the problems going on. Just because it's not as prevalent as it was in the 80s and 90s doesn't mean it's not a problem. And, like u said, instead of our protests getting radio play, we're getting champagne and all that. SOC4L – that’s right, the gangs were originally like a continuation of the Black Panthers. Of course, their original views and motivations became corrupted, and it all deteriorated into what it is today

crazy shit about the killings near you that get no coverage. It’s sad that these things get shoveled to the side as “more gang violence”. The West needs a revival, an anthem similar to Color Blind, something to shed more light on the problems going on. Just because it’s not as prevalent as it was in the 80s and 90s doesn’t mean it’s not a problem. And, like u said, instead of our protests getting radio play, we’re getting champagne and all that.

]]> By: SOC4L http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-31005 SOC4L Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:46:17 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-31005 It also goes back to rumors, don't know if they are true, but that gangs, lik the crips, were started as a means for fighting for the rights of the community and then transformed into what they are today. It also goes back to rumors, don’t know if they are true, but that gangs, lik the crips, were started as a means for fighting for the rights of the community and then transformed into what they are today.

]]> By: SOC4L http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-31003 SOC4L Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:42:20 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-31003 Good article Freddie. And i agree the problems in the WEst are still going on here, but now the music speaking out against it is repressed by the media, who feed urban radio solely songs about popping champagne and clubbing, nothing about fighting to better your situation. I think this kind of gangsta rap has disappeared, at least from most of the public eye, because the strength of the media now. I mean, last week two men were killed at the taqueria at the end of my street, it was gang related, but it wasnt mentioned on the new yet they did tell us about a baby panda born at a zoo in detroit or something ridiculous that i cant remember. People think things are beter and while there's been improvements, a lot of things are just covered up now. Good article Freddie. And i agree the problems in the WEst are still going on here, but now the music speaking out against it is repressed by the media, who feed urban radio solely songs about popping champagne and clubbing, nothing about fighting to better your situation. I think this kind of gangsta rap has disappeared, at least from most of the public eye, because the strength of the media now. I mean, last week two men were killed at the taqueria at the end of my street, it was gang related, but it wasnt mentioned on the new yet they did tell us about a baby panda born at a zoo in detroit or something ridiculous that i cant remember. People think things are beter and while there’s been improvements, a lot of things are just covered up now.

]]> By: Sean Deez http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30911 Sean Deez Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:17:27 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30911 Tommy, great point about Pac. I guess that's why many feel that Me Against the World is his best album (I'll tend to agree with that), but I question a lot of what Pac did on the Row. I'm not Pac's biggest fan though. Tommy, great point about Pac. I guess that’s why many feel that Me Against the World is his best album (I’ll tend to agree with that), but I question a lot of what Pac did on the Row. I’m not Pac’s biggest fan though.

]]> By: Tommylux http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30907 Tommylux Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:44:03 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30907 Good article. People tend to forget that the "ganghsta rap" that originated at the end of the 80's was still socially more relevant and way more intelligent than soft radio rap you hear nowadays. Artists like Cube and Pac adopted a threatening stance to be heard and respected but their lyrics were more similar to those of, say, Public Enemy, than those of a contemporary gangsta act like (I hate to say it) 50 Cent. People also tend to forget that before Death Row, Pac was a loose cannon veering towards the conscious: whereas on "Strictly" he was still defiant, he became a lot more introspective on "Me Against The World". It's only after hookin up with Suge that he started playing out the gangsta lifestyle that has come to be associated with gangsta rap (can you say "dollar bill"?). Before that, gangsta rap was less about trying to pose as some kind of Tony Montana and more about aggressively attacking social injustices like police brutality etc Good article. People tend to forget that the “ganghsta rap” that originated at the end of the 80′s was still socially more relevant and way more intelligent than soft radio rap you hear nowadays. Artists like Cube and Pac adopted a threatening stance to be heard and respected but their lyrics were more similar to those of, say, Public Enemy, than those of a contemporary gangsta act like (I hate to say it) 50 Cent. People also tend to forget that before Death Row, Pac was a loose cannon veering towards the conscious: whereas on “Strictly” he was still defiant, he became a lot more introspective on “Me Against The World”. It’s only after hookin up with Suge that he started playing out the gangsta lifestyle that has come to be associated with gangsta rap (can you say “dollar bill”?). Before that, gangsta rap was less about trying to pose as some kind of Tony Montana and more about aggressively attacking social injustices like police brutality etc

]]> By: Freddie C http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30846 Freddie C Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:24:21 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30846 LOL, busted Deez is right, I actually didn't do any research at all for this. A lot of it is just what I've seen, experienced, etc. It kind of just came to me naturally, and I think it effectively captures how how a lot of West Coasters feel. I can't tell ya'll how good it feels to have fellow Cali heads tell me that this article hit it on the head. These comments right here remind me why I write. Thanks LOL, busted

Deez is right, I actually didn’t do any research at all for this. A lot of it is just what I’ve seen, experienced, etc. It kind of just came to me naturally, and I think it effectively captures how how a lot of West Coasters feel. I can’t tell ya’ll how good it feels to have fellow Cali heads tell me that this article hit it on the head. These comments right here remind me why I write. Thanks

]]> By: Sean Deez http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30840 Sean Deez Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:58:54 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30840 Eric, funny enough, I doubt Fred did any research. See, one of the best benefits of this site is how it's world wide, but Fred represents the west coast sector heavily. He has a large frame of knowledge of his own, and why wouldn't he? It's what he grew up with. This article was just natural to him and in fact, I probably had to cut him down a little bit. He was like a kid in a candy store with this week. Eric, funny enough, I doubt Fred did any research.

See, one of the best benefits of this site is how it’s world wide, but Fred represents the west coast sector heavily. He has a large frame of knowledge of his own, and why wouldn’t he? It’s what he grew up with.

This article was just natural to him and in fact, I probably had to cut him down a little bit. He was like a kid in a candy store with this week.

]]> By: Eric http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30787 Eric Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:52:47 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30787 Freddie.. you know what, fam? its funny how I got you and Thomas mixed up in these two articles.. thing is that I read this article BEFORE I read the G-Funk blog lol. Seriously, you did your research on this right here very well.. well you know it very well, considering you live in NorCal, so this must've been a breeze to write. Tackling the history of west coast hiphop must've been a hard task to deliver.. there are some dope artists that came from out here like, Domino [with Ghetto Jam], TQ [They Never Saw Me Coming], Da Lench Mob, Spice-1, and plenty of others. But seriously, this is definitely a great read, and im glad that you added a lot of detail with the history of gang violence and police brutality. It's still going on right now til this day, and I think that we are desensitized from it, because it becomes word of mouth.. then we're lucky to see if it makes news.. even if it does, people will still continue to live their life as if nothing has happened. its crazy! dont let me wander off topic! LOL. but seriously. This is one of the best pieces ive read in a long time, especially about where I'm from! Keep up the great work, Freddie! Freddie..

you know what, fam? its funny how I got you and Thomas mixed up in these two articles.. thing is that I read this article BEFORE I read the G-Funk blog lol. Seriously, you did your research on this right here very well.. well you know it very well, considering you live in NorCal, so this must’ve been a breeze to write. Tackling the history of west coast hiphop must’ve been a hard task to deliver.. there are some dope artists that came from out here like, Domino [with Ghetto Jam], TQ [They Never Saw Me Coming], Da Lench Mob, Spice-1, and plenty of others. But seriously, this is definitely a great read, and im glad that you added a lot of detail with the history of gang violence and police brutality. It’s still going on right now til this day, and I think that we are desensitized from it, because it becomes word of mouth.. then we’re lucky to see if it makes news.. even if it does, people will still continue to live their life as if nothing has happened. its crazy!

dont let me wander off topic! LOL. but seriously. This is one of the best pieces ive read in a long time, especially about where I’m from! Keep up the great work, Freddie!

]]> By: eA http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30774 eA Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:28:47 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30774 Amazze piece. I just did a full out hip-hop journal [for a class] and I think 'Cube/Death Certificate were all over that project. West Cost is full of controversy, but all the same it's that 'gang mentality' that has brought a lot of socio-political issues to the forefront of society. Amazze piece. I just did a full out hip-hop journal [for a class] and I think ‘Cube/Death Certificate were all over that project. West Cost is full of controversy, but all the same it’s that ‘gang mentality’ that has brought a lot of socio-political issues to the forefront of society.

]]> By: Lil Ish http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30773 Lil Ish Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:07:44 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30773 I totally agree with you Freddie C. The piece was great it boosted my love for Hip Hop even more. I totally agree with you Freddie C.
The piece was great
it boosted my love for Hip Hop even more.

]]> By: Macenro http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30741 Macenro Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:03:32 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30741 wow im just amazed ive never actually took the time to think about gangsta rap in that way but its true, its saying ok when we wanna party we make smoke a blunt drink a 40 or 2 but if you dig below the surface of all of that its tellin the story of pain and struggle that you can only witness is you live in the ghetto. great job fred, as a west coast native im proud, keep doin ya thang wow im just amazed ive never actually took the time to think about gangsta rap in that way but its true, its saying ok when we wanna party we make smoke a blunt drink a 40 or 2 but if you dig below the surface of all of that its tellin the story of pain and struggle that you can only witness is you live in the ghetto. great job fred, as a west coast native im proud, keep doin ya thang

]]> By: Thomas http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30740 Thomas Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:01:27 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30740 Great piece. Gives great insight on why West Coast music is what it is. Good job. J Rizzle....SE DC. NWA, Eazy E, Short Dog, were my introduction to west coast music. Great piece. Gives great insight on why West Coast music is what it is. Good job.

J Rizzle….SE DC. NWA, Eazy E, Short Dog, were my introduction to west coast music.

]]> By: Freddie C http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30726 Freddie C Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:23:10 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30726 Thanks for the love everybody. I'm really proud of this piece, and I think it's important that everyone sees that there's always 2 sides to a story, and this story is important; not just in hip-hop, not just in music, but in our country's history Thanks for the love everybody. I’m really proud of this piece, and I think it’s important that everyone sees that there’s always 2 sides to a story, and this story is important; not just in hip-hop, not just in music, but in our country’s history

]]> By: Sid http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30713 Sid Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:07:17 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30713 Nice read Fred, keep it up, this is your week! Nice read Fred, keep it up, this is your week!

]]> By: J. Rizzle http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30692 J. Rizzle Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:10:44 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30692 Excellent article Freddie C ...I can remember the 1st time I heard "boyz n the hood" I went bannaz because of the 808 bass and that began my history for the luv for the west coast...That day I brought NWA, EAZY E and a dude from Oakland named Too $hort..I was the 1st one in my neighborhood (Simple City aka Benning Height Projects..SE, DC) to cop these cassettes :-) These piece that was written brought back so many memories ...Freddie C keep up the excellent work :-) Excellent article Freddie C …I can remember the 1st time I heard “boyz n the hood” I went bannaz because of the 808 bass and that began my history for the luv for the west coast…That day I brought NWA, EAZY E and a dude from Oakland named Too $hort..I was the 1st one in my neighborhood (Simple City aka Benning Height Projects..SE, DC) to cop these cassettes :-)

These piece that was written brought back so many memories …Freddie C keep up the excellent work :-)

]]> By: Vic http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30690 Vic Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:03:35 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30690 I agree with Freddie. They weren't trying to glorify anything per se, but to bring the things they go through to the attention to people who didn't know. What he said kinda reminds me of the Vietnam War and how it was the first to have been extensively covered on TV. When Americans saw how horrific it was, they decided to act and try to end the war by protesting in large numbers. This is a similar case where they're trying to get people's attention so they can act. I agree with Freddie. They weren’t trying to glorify anything per se, but to bring the things they go through to the attention to people who didn’t know. What he said kinda reminds me of the Vietnam War and how it was the first to have been extensively covered on TV. When Americans saw how horrific it was, they decided to act and try to end the war by protesting in large numbers. This is a similar case where they’re trying to get people’s attention so they can act.

]]> By: snd http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30688 snd Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:36:55 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30688 well put!! well put!!

]]> By: Lucas http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30683 Lucas Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:28:57 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30683 Great piece Freddie C. I feel the same way about Westcoast "Gangsta" Hip Hop. Ice Cube and 2pac are definetely more than just blunts, bitches, 40s, and thugging and so is Westcoast Hip Hop as well. Great piece Freddie C. I feel the same way about Westcoast “Gangsta” Hip Hop. Ice Cube and 2pac are definetely more than just blunts, bitches, 40s, and thugging and so is Westcoast Hip Hop as well.

]]> By: Sean Deez http://kevinnottingham.com/2009/03/30/misinterpretations-and-realities-of-the-west-coast-background-of-the-attitude/#comment-30677 Sean Deez Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:14:05 +0000 http://kevinnottingham.com/?p=8766#comment-30677 Upon first reading this article, I was blown away. In fact, as an editor for the site's written products, I usually rearrange a few things here and there, but this, I felt no need to touch any of this. I was particularly happy to see the mention of the Ice Cube and his importance to the West Coast. Perhaps known now more for his movies, Cube was a real revolutionary of the West coast in terms of hip hop, politics, and business. He, more than any others out of the coast, was truly the total package. The article gives a great backing as to WHY West Coast hip hop is/was the way it is/was. Sure, we may claim it's nothing but gang banging and violence, but essentially, aren't there more than enough reasons for it to be so? Upon first reading this article, I was blown away. In fact, as an editor for the site’s written products, I usually rearrange a few things here and there, but this, I felt no need to touch any of this.
I was particularly happy to see the mention of the Ice Cube and his importance to the West Coast. Perhaps known now more for his movies, Cube was a real revolutionary of the West coast in terms of hip hop, politics, and business. He, more than any others out of the coast, was truly the total package.

The article gives a great backing as to WHY West Coast hip hop is/was the way it is/was. Sure, we may claim it’s nothing but gang banging and violence, but essentially, aren’t there more than enough reasons for it to be so?

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