>its good to read a review truly based on and from a classic hip hop perspective.

'cause i can guarantee you that the mainstream rock press has a SERIOUS vendetta against you and every other middle-ground group (i.e., LB, com, talib, etc.).

i used to think it was that they hated ish that doesn't sell, but on the contrary, these are the same mofos who will big up mr. lif and the coup (along with jeezy and t.i.).

what it truly is is that they hate nigras--for lack of better wording--that ain't fullfilling a certain stereotype (e.g., coons and/or saints).

which is why i love game theory; its sheer musicality and anal-ass attention to detail raises their rockist red flags, but 'riq being 'riq is still a little too threatening to them. (he ain't jig dancing?--OMG, what does he have to offer??)

so you're gonna get some dissapointing-ass reviews in the end, which champion your "growth" and musical inventiveness, but totally shit on 'riq as an MC.

i'm sayin', get used to it, 'cause these mofos ain't gonna change; this rap shit is truly the new minstrel show.

sheeit, i'm thinking that if rakim (who thought is, for all intents and purposes, the modern-day version of) came out today, he'd get dismissed as "boring" and "pretentious," you know, the same shit y'all get accused of.

it's a dirty game (c) 'pac

--
"i make my living with my lips."