<P><BR>first it was philly........then it was off.......then it was the 9:30 club in d.c. then that was off.........then madison square garden......soon it was radio city.........then club life?!?!<P>sorry kids.<P><BR>hub kamal scratch riq et al have plans that night.<P>i however will have a rare ass night.<P>i will bring the new year with the president and the first lady (chelsea too) in the white house. will smith is ensembleing an all star band and yours truly is drumming in the new millenium/century/decade/year at the safest place on earth. wish me luck!!! <P><P><P><P><P>"....start your own company??!? your parents don't have enough money to buy you a company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

<a href="http://www.thehungersite.com">http://www.thehungersite.com<;/a><P>KRH-ONE (nine-nine-nine): the ORIGINAL and ONLY OkayKoolKeith<P>"if it wasnt for hip hop id probally die"<BR> -DaZeD<P>"Where the F*CK is my purse icon??????"

okay so ive been away from okayplayer for a few days and the artist board for a few more<P>but im happy as pappy to hear that QUEST will be in the whitehouse....<BR>thats good ish, for real....<P>congrats<P><BR>poetess *CLEAR NAILS SINCE 1999*<BR> <BR>(AIM NAME PoetessCrystal)<BR><a href="http://www.sentergroup.com">http://www.sentergroup.com<;/a><BR>mama's art, bro's music, my poetry (SOUND FILES ARE NOW UP)<P>"My name is j-i-ll sco-tteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"<BR>My son Adonte age 6<BR>Doing his best Jill Scott impersonation<P><BR>NO GOD, NO PEACE - KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE

Congratulations ?uest! That's a pretty big honor. I bet the prez gets up there and jams with you on his sax LOL. Have fun and enjoy...Will picked the right drummer. Peace.<P>P.S. - If you get to meet Bill, tell him I ain't mad at him for the whole Lewinsky thing. They should re-elect him again (if it wasn't against the constitution).<P>Respectfully,<P>Crossfaded<P>"If you can't laugh at yourself then you take yourself too serious" -- Crossfaded<P>"We are hip-hop...me, you, everybody...so the next time you ask yourself, 'Where is hip-hop going?', stop and ask yourself, 'Where am I going?'" -- Mos Def<P>"I like the long legs, fat asses, and the big big breasteses" -- Styles of Mountain Brothers

thats really DOPE!!! not only to be with the president but being hand picked by will? lol<BR>naw but seriously congrats and good luck. i love president clinton cuz hes a really nice guy (met him at the elementary skool next to my house)and u get to go to one of the biggest parties of the year. ahmir is really on some platinum status!!!<P><P><BR>Fuuuuuuzzzzzzzzy musssssstaaaaaaaarrd!!!- cydney and caroline (with sore throats)

Yo..Jan 1st the White House!<BR>Jan 2nd the WORLD!!!<P>YO, I'm not dick eatin' or nothing, BUT Hollah<BR>@ Will about The Roots Come Alive, & The Once and Future!!!!<P>Shit if MCA kinda cheap on the marketing tip<BR>Then you gotta do it yourself<BR>Ski<---(My dumb ass..as if you weren't already gonna do that/or not already doing that)<P>Yo good luck...AND WATCH YOUR BACK...<BR>The White House is not invincible!!!<P>PEACE<P><img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"> Ski <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/sad.gif"> ™

How could you (and Scratch too <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/wink.gif"> make other plans when I personally invited you to Puerto Rico with me to visit my two sisters?!?!<P>and to hang out with the made in american family?!? wtf?<P>i am sure you will have much more phun..<P>peace<BR>Kyle

<BR>>the safest place on earth. wish <BR>>me luck!!! <P><BR>good luck. not to be morbid, but i would think that is the first place a missile would be accidentally fired off towards. nuclear or otherwise. just imagine how many misslies are pointed at the white house right now just waiting for someone to press that button. i agree with the last dude the white house ain't invincible. i don't want to scare you but watch your back. we can always get a new president but where can we get a new ¿uest?<P>-gusto

That sounds much doper than playing at a club:)<P>Now, if you can get Hillary to sit on your lap like Mr. T and Nancy Reagan. That would be the TOPPER!<P>This famous pic can be found at:<BR><a href="http://www.u.arizona.edu/~travisk/nancy-t.gif">http://www.u.arizona.edu/~travisk/nancy-t.gif<;/a><BR>

I noticed the address you gave for the Mr. T/Nancy Reagan flick was from the University of Arizona. You in Tucson, too? <P>Also, congratulations ?uest! I can't wait to see who else makes up this "all star" ensemble! And I'm out... <P>Herm

is that shit gonna be on TV...?<P>somehow I just cant picture Will Smith doing "Men in Black" infront of a crowd of Secret Service and CIA agents..LOL..<P>lol..a "parents just dont understand" version decidicated to chelsea..<P>on the real though lol..congratulations, I hope they pay you well for that shit.<P>And dont let no interns play your drums.<P>Peace,<BR>Steve<P>

that'd be criminal to keep such an amazing show private.

rare, true indeed...I actually had an experience with the White House staff two months ago. I was able to drive in the presidential caravan here in LA (the back up medic, official photographer, food services, trip director were in my van. I got to shake hands with the Prez. <P>But it's funny that you say you're at the safest place possible. I felt the same way also, but at the same time you don't. It's like a paradox, you feel safe being with all these Secret Service people, but at the same time you realize the prez is a major target and that you've never been surrounded by so much arms, (long range rifles, SS issued pistols)...They will screen you down and have a dog search the vehicle you're in. So make sure don't bring any "contraband." <P>Speaking of Y2K mishaps, the US and RUssia agreed to let each other's people watchover each other's nuclear launch sites. Just in case the US or RUssia takes advantage of any Y2K misadventures. Some of our guys are going over there and some of their guys are coming over here, for good measure.<P>So is it safe, yes and no. The real safest place in the whole world would be an underground shelter.<P>No Rootsenium, but instead a Willenium??!!!?<P>just a suggestion ROOTS TV VOLUME II: THe BAM/ Prince Show & White House footage...<P>Rock the Casbah, I guess<P><P><P><BR>"I used to work there and I still eat there."

Good luck getting past them with your 'fro baby... <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/wink.gif"><BR>I wasn't gonna try to run y'all down anyhow... I still love all of ya though... I'll think about you while me and my daughter are chiling in front of the TV with hot cocoa chilling with Dick Clark... sheeeeeit I aint trying to be outside when midnight strikes!<P>Peace<BR>Alasha<P>"Writing is breathing, for me to breathe is to write, my only sustenance to life before I touch the mic, imagine being suffocated when your thoughts leave, and try to understand for me what it is to breathe..."-Flo Brown<P>"Seven days without prayer makes one weak"-unknown<P>"Step aside and let me pass 'fore they have to take these Hush Puppies out yo' muthafuckin ass!"-Dolemite<P><a href="http://www.geocities.com/heavenlei_1999">http://www.geocities.com/heavenlei_1999<;/a>

I see Philly in definately gonna be in tha (White) house!!!!!.....I also wanna know if that'll be televised....I heard Big Will saying on TRL he's gonna be at the White House but who else is gonna be there?.....Good Luck and it's good to see yet another Philly collabo (eff it, I still like Willie--yeah I said it--I still like Willie!!!!!) <P><P>"Of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong" -Dennis Miller<BR> <BR>"Do I really say anything important or do you make my words what you want to them to be?" -"_"

Congrats ?uest. If I see you before New Years Eve, I'm gonna give you a couple of okayplayer.com stickers. I DARE you to stick one on President Clinton's back. If not, at least on the front door of the White House. Don't be scared man! So what...a couple guys in black suits might tackle you. Big deal.<P>-------------<BR>.:dee ph!:.<P>"While others represent, I choose to present my rep." -Posdnuos<BR>"I'm in the house...because I knock loud." -Yeshua dapoED<P>"I love having napkins in my house." -NazDak<BR>"Your mom is not a dope MC." -Nesta

im happy to see to brothers from west philly collectively doin something together beyond definition of style and choice of music....qoolquest huh? used to call him brother quest then they started callin him ?uestlove...say a brother 'bout love...i love to hear that..brothers talking bout truce and peace...see his hood is the strip and the big o..huh will came from hilltop..<P>dayum i need to turn this cd off..im tripin' peace<P>"Khalid, the King of Crowns, King of Queens, King of Sound,<BR>Lord of Love, Lord of Life, Lord of Literary Style.."-thisisme

Hopefully if things turn out right I'll see u at the 9:30 club(on my b-day(12/29) onstage or in the crowd) and at the Millenium Celebration at the White House. If you need somewhere to stay while u down here u can holla at some catz in Bowie, MD (Wise,Contagious,etc.)<P>--------------------------------------------------<P>ELITE CRU SHYNE 4 EVA AND EVA........<P>Check Out Nahum (hopefully) and The Roots at the 9:30 club (on the date of my arrival here on Earth<BR>(b-day)December 29, 1999)<P>"me..WE" - Muhammad Ali (the greatest emcee ever)<P>"A lot of TOTS think they WISE 'cuz they LAY CHIPS" - NAHUM/JAH-EL (potato (chip) freestyle<BR>done at a Hip Hop Gala, L.A.)<P>"Forget a chicken and a pigeon...I got a dove" - NAHUM/JAH-EL<P>"SIMON SAYS GET THE F*** UP!!!!!" - Pharaoh Monch <P>"What happened to just fallin' in love with a nigga----just 'cuz you love the nigga?!" - Eddie<BR>Griffon ("Ed-ucation" Chronic 2001)<P>"kid test the devil/to hit the next level.....Yo it's time to up lift..." - Rakim ("Up Lift" The<BR>Master)<P>"Immobilarity"(I-Master-More-Opponents-By-Implementing-Loyalty-And-Respect-In-The-Youth)<BR>- Raekwon<P>"Keep your heart clean/And your voice will echo" - Sizzla ("True Hearts" The Royal Son of<BR>Ethiopia)<P>"Reverse physicology got em' scared to say what they think is wack/in the fear of being called a "hater", imagine that? - Talib Kweli<P>"....so go ahead and murder me/ so my God will inherit me...." - Da5thRealm (okayplayer)<P><BR>

How much are the tickets for it? Can we get them at ticketmaster? Chelsea ain't ready for me<BR>What the hell was your d#ck doing in the milk man?

....congrats.......Damn, you're having on a hell of a carrer, huh?...You must feel pretty good about yourself...I would....O<P>****************************************<P>"To whom much is given, much is required" Phillipa Duke Schuyler MIddle School for the Gifted and Talented (Those who are down, know...)<P>"Nothing in life is permanent....not even life"<BR> --El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X)<P>"Make a radio hit, heads criticize it. Underground classic, nobody buys it. So, rap is fucked and everything blowing up sounds redundant. Money Talks and Bullshit does 9-flat in the hundred." <BR> -Ras Kass<P>OMAR--Medford,MA c/o East Flatbush, Brookyln.<P>And no, I'm not the Omar from MTV's wanna be a VJ contest...so please don't ask, Okayplayer? <BR>

Congratulations! That should be a great opportunity for you...you are the best drummer, so Will definitely made the right choice. I'm confident you won't disappoint.<P>Ms. Thang

Man that's some ill shit. Congratulations. I guess you alreday know you're going to have a pretty memorable new years celebration. Shit next thing you know Mr. Clinton is going to an Okayplayer. Yeah and tell Jada I said what's up. peace, Apostle<P><P><P><P><BR>"That's one of them there foot in the mouth type things, huh?"<P><P><P><P><BR>"I'm cooler than a blizzard...nigga what???" Black Thought<P><P><P><P><BR>"I promise that I will not answer the phone when it rings love, while we do our thing love" Q-Tip<BR>

hey Ahmir, first off thanx alot for everything you did for all us okayheads in Cali (both the bay and LA)...this is mikeONE definitly not MarcOne<img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"><P>On Newyears Eve, please do some shameless self promoting and represent for okayplayer somehow....hmmm how bout a T-Shirt?...so we can all look at you on TV and feel special ( I know that sounds lame) but hey some people still ain't feeling okayplayer so this would be a nice way to rub their faces in it. I know the attire might be formal so anyway you see fit would be aight.<P>Well that aside congrats on the honor, and if I'm in DC I will definitly try to talk to you. <P><P><BR>"Until The philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior, <BR>is finally and permanently abolished and abandoned it's WAR"<BR>H.I.M. Haile Selassie I King of Kings Lord of Lords Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, addressing the League of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland 1937.<BR>The speech is the basis of Bob Marley's song titled "WAR"<P><P>look for www.abesha.com COMING SOON!!!<P>AIM: okmikeONE<BR>

Will there be any time travel involved? <BR>If so, will any of the old prez's like Roosevelt or Madison be poppin some Dom P at the stroke of 12? Also, will part of the show be in black & white?<BR>I dunno, but since Will has all that money, just thought he could hook it up like his video....<BR>Anyway, I know you'll represent for your Okayfam -Bill & Hillary oughtta be shakin that azz with presidential dignity huh?<BR>Do your thang!<BR>Dove<P>Support Bacteria - It's the only culture some people have!<P>"If you can't be good, at least be good at it!" Some Smart Muthafucka<P>"Kids are great Apu! You can teach them to hate the things you hate, and they practically raise themselves - what with the internet and all!" ~Homer Simpson<P>"Our deepest fear is not that we are indadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.<BR>We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone - and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.<BR>As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Nelson Mandela~

who wonders how y'all are so happy ?uest is playing at the White House ?<P>I'm stunned ...<P>I've got very mixed feelings about this. <P>I've never considered any US president a nice person, and Clinton might be the worst of all (cos exactly like Kennedy he pretended to be a Democrat while his program is reactionary). <P>So how can y'all congratulate him on this ? All of a sudden Clinton is cool ? <BR>I understand that y'all are happy, cos it is a form of recognition for ?uest, but I'd never want recognition/props from someone like Bill Clinton. <P>One might as well perform for Pinochet ...<P>Even if it's a great promo-opportunity (mass media exposure), I feel that one's integrity is being used to provide Clinton with credibility.<P>Unless of course ?uest has some tricks up his sleeve ... some spontaneous speech or a Grassroots Movement t-shirt ? But even if he'd want to, that would never be possible with all those SS-officers (any similarities with Germany in 1940-45 ?).<P>Damn, I'm shocked <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/sad.gif"><P><BR>take care,<BR>krewcial<BR><a href="http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators">http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators<;/a><P>'We've got to change our own minds about each other. We have to see each other with new eyes. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. We have to come together with warmth'<BR>

<BR>>I'm stunned ... <BR>>I've got very mixed feelings about this. <P>>So how can y'all congratulate him on <BR>>this ? >Unless of course ?uest has some tricks <BR>>up his sleeve ... some spontaneous <BR>>speech or a Grassroots Movement t-shirt <BR>>? <P><BR>well krew,<BR>i too had thoughts about this. but in the end. this night is about will. trust me, in the light of the nafta like situation going on in seattle (seems like i ain't the only one they trippin on.....lol), to the day of doom on dec. 2nd (mumia) there were thoughts i had on "doing something". but again. this night isn't about me. my mentor and muse dream hampton was on some "you need to braid your hair that night so that niggas can't see you....."<BR>i dunno. i'm exited to be working with will, jeff, savion glover, fatima (world reknown choeographer), and those babes from the "pretty fly for a white guy video"......and most importantly, a chance to work with my idol quincy jones (he's directing the big band.......and yes we are doin that time travel thing). <BR>so either way you look at it......everything done in life has some pros and cons krew....i'm sure the jeans you have on were stiched by some kid for .04 cents an hour, or perhaps the lights in your room were made by the same company that denied that they were doing business with south africa......trust me. just because i'm in the white house don't mean that i don't know what time it is<P><P><BR>"....start your own company??!? your parents don't have enough money to buy you a company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

--in the voice of eddie murphy's prison nemesis's protege in trading places.<BR>follow that?<BR>"i took another bubble bath with my pants on. all the fighting stopped. next time i'll do it sooner." prince '87

but at the same time, i can't see most politically oriented groups frolicking with cornball candy-ass will smith in the white house...<P>then again, it's not as if the roots are dred prez or rage against the machine...<P>i kinda have to side with kawright on this one.<P><BR>my for-rhyming magnum's got three-hundred and fifty-seven calibers/<BR>to bust a sucker's melon like gallagher/ -- ras kass

dead prez.<P>my for-rhyming magnum's got three-hundred and fifty-seven calibers/<BR>to bust a sucker's melon like gallagher/ -- ras kass

>>I'm stunned ... <BR>>>I've got very mixed feelings about this. <BR>> well krew, i too had thoughts <BR>>about this.<P>So did I.<P>>had on "doing something". but again. <BR>>this night isn't about me. my <P>Yeah, it's about you too, don't be too humble.<P>>you look at it......everything done in <BR>>life has some pros and cons <BR>>krew....i'm sure the jeans you have <BR>>on were stiched by some kid <BR>>for .04 cents an hour, or <BR>>perhaps the lights in your room <BR>>were made by the same company <BR>>that denied that they were doing <BR>>business with south africa......trust me. just <P>Nah, bad argument to make to krewcial. He's one of the only people i know that actually care about this stuff and try to 'consume' consciously. But the argument stands, there's always a pro and a con. But this is something else than buying those jeans. You being there is some sort of a statement, it's a (semi-?)public performance.<P>>because i'm in the white house <BR>>don't mean that i don't know <BR>>what time it is <P>We know that, but i don't agree with most of the "great"-posts. It's good for you, but i would have preferred it if you didn't do it, or you did "something" (but who am i anyway). It doesn't change anything about my appreciating your music. I mean, I love Gunther Grass, the german writer that got the nobel prize for litterature last year, but I prefer Sartre's reaction when he got one (refused) or Marlon Brando's when he got an oscar (sent his daughter to expose the dramatic situation of the Native American Indians), because they took the opportunity to make a statement.<P>Peter

>Nah, bad argument to make to krewcial. <BR>>He's one of the only people <BR>>i know that actually care about <BR>>this stuff and try to 'consume' <BR>>consciously.<P>No offense to you or Krewcial, but Quest's argument applies to *everyone*. Even if you do try to consume consciously, if you eat fruits or vegetables, or wear any form of shoes, it is likely that you are supporting a "deprived wage" system somewhere....it's a great thing to try to consume consciously, but unfortunately in a global economy the only way to avoid supporting oppression is to grow your own food and make your own clothes (and, really, not buy anything at all, nor pay any taxes).<P> But the argument stands, there's <BR>>always a pro and a con. <BR>>But this is something else than <BR>>buying those jeans. You being there <BR>>is some sort of a statement, <BR>>it's a (semi-?)public performance. <P>So? You paying taxes is directly financing the U.S. military...you not starting a revolution NOW is allowing oppression to continue worldwide...every second we delay in overthrowing our own government allows more people to be bombed, economically exploited, etc...whether you are performing publicly near government officials or implicitly supporting them by paying taxes, support is support...hell, even if you aren't paying taxes, if you're buying anything at all you're keeping the wheels of capitalism greased...<P>>We know that, but i don't agree <BR>>with most of the "great"-posts. It's <BR>>good for you, but i would <BR>>have preferred it if you didn't <BR>>do it, or you did "something" <BR>>(but who am i anyway).<P>The question becomes, is it incumbent on Quest to protest because he will be near Clinton? Will it mean anything to old Bill? Nope. If Quest gets too radical, he'll get thrown out and Quincy will be on drums...<P> It <BR>>doesn't change anything about my appreciating <BR>>your music. I mean, I love <BR>>Gunther Grass, the german writer that <BR>>got the nobel prize for litterature <BR>>last year, but I prefer Sartre's <BR>>reaction when he got one (refused) <BR>>or Marlon Brando's when he got <BR>>an oscar (sent his daughter to <BR>>expose the dramatic situation of the <BR>>Native American Indians), because they took <BR>>the opportunity to make a statement. <P>That is a beautiful thing, but I would not expect every artist to make the same sacrifice/gesture.<P>I do fully respect your point of view, however.<P>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

>>Nah, bad argument to make to krewcial. <BR>>>He's one of the only people <BR>>>i know that actually care about <BR>>>this stuff and try to 'consume' <BR>>>consciously.<BR>>No offense to you or Krewcial, but <BR>>Quest's argument applies to *everyone*. Even <BR>>if you do try to consume <BR>>consciously, if you eat fruits or <BR>>vegetables, or wear any form of <BR>>shoes, it is likely that you <BR>>are supporting a "deprived wage" system <BR>>somewhere....it's a great thing to try <BR>>to consume consciously, but unfortunately in <BR>>a global economy the only way <BR>>to avoid supporting oppression is to <BR>>grow your own food and make <BR>>your own clothes (and, really, not <BR>>buy anything at all, nor pay <BR>>any taxes). <BR>I hope *everyone* doesn't imply the whole world's population.<BR>Beside that, haven't you ever heard about fair trade organisations and shops? Sure, you'll always find some injustice somewhere in the chain, but I take offence to the notion that consuming consciously is as bad as consuming without any regards to the way of production. I don't think grey is as dark as black, even if it's not white.<P>>>always a pro and a con. <BR>>>But this is something else than <BR>>>buying those jeans. You being there <BR>>>is some sort of a statement, <BR>>>it's a (semi-?)public performance. <BR>>So? You paying taxes is directly financing <BR>>the U.S. military...<BR>Indirectly maybe, directly i doubt it. But i think taxes should be (are not enough now!) a way to redistribute wealth. And i don't mind paying those taxes so they can provide other people a mean of income (welfare), social security, etc. There's a pro and a con, i guess. However, i am in favor of, and support actions for a peace tax and diminishing military expenditure.<P>>you not starting a <BR>>revolution NOW is allowing oppression to <BR>>continue worldwide...every second we delay in <BR>>overthrowing our own government allows more <BR>>people to be bombed, economically exploited, <BR>>etc...whether you are performing publicly near <BR>>government officials or implicitly supporting them <BR>>by paying taxes, support is support...hell, <BR>>even if you aren't paying taxes, <BR>>if you're buying anything at all <BR>>you're keeping the wheels of capitalism <BR>>greased... <BR>I don't get the point. Basically what you are saying is: no matter what anyone does to do positive things, it doesn't matter 'cos they're in a way an accessary to the system. Well, i don't agree, i appreciate the way krewcial lives, even if he's not perfect, i don't think i ever met (or will meet) anyone who is.<BR>Besides, there's always the matter of how easy it is to get out. I say this on a personal level, not directed at ?uest. I try to do as much as i can, it's not enough but if i don't, i will feel bad about it. I don't know of an easy way of starting a revolution, and i don't think it's the right way to the goal, but if i help achieving this goal by not buying those jeans, i will.<P>>>We know that, but i don't agree <BR>>>with most of the "great"-posts. It's <BR>>>good for you, but i would <BR>>>have preferred it if you didn't <BR>>>do it, or you did "something" <BR>>>(but who am i anyway).<BR>>The question becomes, is it incumbent on <BR>>Quest to protest because he will <BR>>be near Clinton?<BR>Of course not, maybe i didn't make that clear enough in my first post. See also ?uests' response: 'eff that holier than thou shit'. I wanna make it clearer know: i for one don't feel holier than anyone, and i don't demand or expect ?uest, or anyone else to not go to this show, or to wear this or that shirt. I was just voicing my opinion (this is a message board, right?) but i agree with most of krewcial's and Ecrire's concerns. And i do appreciate ?uest taking the time to explain his view on this.<P>>That is a beautiful thing, but I <BR>>would not expect every artist to <BR>>make the same sacrifice/gesture. <BR>No, neither do i. I just meant that i can appreciate it when someone does.<P>Appreciate the reaction though.<P>Peter<P>Good luck to ?uest, and i hope he enjoys himself, honestly.

<BR>>I hope *everyone* doesn't imply the whole world's population.<P>Not everyone, because some people aren't consumers (those who provide for themselves and do not participate in the buying and selling of goods). However, such people are the exception to the rule. Everyone who buys and sells anything is keeping the capitalist wheel turning. That's just being real. Krewcial's decision to consume consciously is HONORABLE. I am not criticizing that position and in fact I SUPPORT his gestures in this area. However, we must realize the extent of the situation...worker exploitation cannot exist without a system whereby goods are bought and sold, where some work in factories and others own factories, etc...<P>>Beside that, haven't you ever heard about fair >trade organisations and shops? Sure, you'll >always find some injustice somewhere in the >chain, but I take offence to the notion that >consuming consciously is as bad as consuming >without any regards to the way of production.<P>Don't take offense, do something to change the capitalist system...I didn't say it was "as bad". Where did I say it was "as bad"? Read my post again. My point was that although one may wish to consume consciously, their position as a consumer is one who is essential to the capitalist system continuing, making all consumers accessories to crimes committed by the market system...to put it simply, if you wear shoes with leather in them, you helped a cow get killed, because in a capitalist system, no one makes something they can't sell...think of it in terms of drugs...there can be no dealers without addicts... <P>> I don't think grey is as dark as black, even if >it's not white.<P>Agreed.<P>>>>always a pro and a con. <BR>>>>But this is something else than <BR>>>>buying those jeans. You being there <BR>>>>is some sort of a statement, <BR>>>>it's a (semi-?)public performance. <BR>>>So? You paying taxes is directly financing <BR>>>the U.S. military...<BR>>Indirectly maybe, directly i doubt it.<P>The distinction between indirect and direct here is irrelevant. If I pay someone to pay someone to kill your mother, am I an accessory to your mother being killed? Yes. If you pay taxes to the government, and the government later uses those taxes to finance the military, you have the same result. Your tax money has made it possible for your government to run a military...<P>> But i think taxes should be (are not enough >now!) a way to redistribute wealth. And i don't >mind paying those taxes so they can provide other >people a mean of income (welfare), social >security, etc. There's a pro and a con, i guess. >However, i am in favor of, and support actions >for a peace tax and diminishing military >expenditure.<P>Diminishing? Try eliminating...there is no such thing as halfway killing people..militaries are designed to kill, period...<P>>I don't get the point. Basically what you are >saying is: no matter what anyone does to do >positive things, it doesn't matter 'cos they're >in a way an accessary to the system.<P>No, I never said that. Stop trying to read what's not on the page. I am very straight forward: mean what i say, say what I mean. My point was exactly what I said, you can act positively, but you remain an accessory. THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU STOP ACTING POSITIVELY. It just means you realize how your actions/position affects others. If a drug dealer is using part of his money to send kids to college, I'm not going to tell him to stop senind kids to college, but I would ask him to stop selling drugs...he can send kids to college with money made another way...faulty analogy, but it will have to do for now...you can e-mail me if you want a better analogy....<P>final note: I support what Krewcial does 100%. In that way, he is a better person than I am (we're all striving for higher ground though). I just want people to realize the seriousness of this situation and how it won't stop through "reform"...it won't stop until there is a complete overhaul of how the world is run...<BR> <BR>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

>rule. Everyone who buys and sells <BR>>anything is keeping the capitalist wheel <BR>>turning. That's just being real.<BR>Yes, but you have to take into account the levels of consumption too. The average european for example consumes much more than the average african. There's keeping it turning and spinning it real fast. And there's the constantly being harassed to spin it faster (<a href="http://www.adbusters.org">http://www.adbusters.org<;/a>/).<P>>I am not criticizing that position <BR>>and in fact I SUPPORT his <BR>>gestures in this area.<BR>Great.<P>>However, we <BR>>must realize the extent of the <BR>>situation...worker exploitation cannot exist without a <BR>>system whereby goods are bought and <BR>>sold, where some work in factories <BR>>and others own factories, etc... <BR>>Don't take offense, do something to change <BR>>the capitalist system...I didn't say it <BR>>was "as bad". Where did I <BR>>say it was "as bad"? Read <BR>>my post again.<BR>Yes, i misinterpreted your words. It's just that the arguments you use are often used by people to divert the discussion from the real issues. I have been told a little too often "you're an accessary to the system" by people to somehow break down my arguments of try to do something positive (and change the capitalist system!), and to somehow defend their own lifestyle and 'not caring'. It's a way of blinding(?) people, you tell them everybody is guilty, and they lose hope of being able to change anything and they feel justified to do nothing because "everybody's guilty". I think it's important to show the different levels of change that you, as a person, can bring about, especially because it gives you an idea of the difficulties and because it gives you the means of feeling good about it (without forgetting you're nowhere near the real goal). I dread the way of looking at positive change as "you have to give up the nice things, so in the end you lose." If i know that i chose NOT to exploit someone else, it makes me feel a little better. I don't wanna sound like "we should all be happy about what we do" but i don't wanna put down people because "they don't do enough." I wanna make 'em understand that though.<P>>My point was <BR>>that although one may wish to <BR>>consume consciously, their position as a <BR>>consumer is one who is essential <BR>>to the capitalist system continuing, making <BR>>all consumers accessories to crimes committed <BR>>by the market system...to put it <BR>Yes. It's also important to remember the difference between accessary and perpetrator. And that it's VERY difficult to get out completely.<P>>>>the U.S. military...<BR>>>Indirectly maybe, directly i doubt it.<BR>>The distinction between indirect and direct here <BR>>is irrelevant.<BR>It is. I was just nitpicking. The BELGIAN government might be financing US military through NATO, i'm not sure of that, but i don't think they do it directly. They do however directly finance the BELGIAN military.<P>>Diminishing? Try eliminating...there is no such thing <BR>>as halfway killing people..militaries are designed <BR>>to kill, period... <BR>My thoughts.<P>>page. I am very straight forward: <BR>>mean what i say, say what <BR>>I mean.<BR>Understood.<P>>to college, but I would ask <BR>>him to stop selling drugs...he can <BR>>send kids to college with money <BR>>made another way...faulty analogy, but it <BR>>will have to do for now...you <BR>>can e-mail me if you want <BR>>a better analogy.... <BR>No, i get your point.<P>>final note: I support what Krewcial does <BR>>100%. In that way, he is <BR>>a better person than I am <BR>>(we're all striving for higher ground <BR>>though). I just want people to <BR>>realize the seriousness of this situation <BR>>and how it won't stop through <BR>>"reform"...it won't stop until there is <BR>>a complete overhaul of how the <BR>>world is run... Peace, <BR>We do agree. But until we get that revolution going, i'll try to do something else to change things.<P>I feel you on alot of points.<P>Peter

>So? You paying taxes is directly financing <BR>>the U.S. military...<P>Just wanted to bring people's attention to an organization I have come to know and love:<P><a href="http://www.nonviolence.org/peacetax">http://www.nonviolence.org/peacetax<;/a>/<P>Check out the Peace Tax Fund.<P>you not starting a <BR>>revolution NOW is allowing oppression to <BR>>continue worldwide...<P>No, I think me not starting a revolution now means I am planning. Ain't nothing worse than a haphazard revolution. I'm sure things are much worse than the 60s. Counter Intelligence Probe is for kid, now.<P>every second we delay in <BR>>overthrowing our own government allows more <BR>>people to be bombed, economically exploited, <BR>>etc...<P>Every second we spend out typing out excuses or complaining about how things are too big for us to do anything about not only makes things worse, but makes me THANK GOD our ancestors didn't feel the same way.<P>Malik

>Every second we spend out typing out <BR>>excuses or complaining about how things <BR>>are too big for us to <BR>>do anything about not only makes <BR>>things worse,<P>1) You assume anyone here is "typing out excuses or complaining". We are having an intelligent discourse. No making of excuses is occuring.<P>2) No one here has said that things are "too big for us to do anything about". No one said that. If you were referring to me, I was merely illustrating the depth of the problem. One must recognize the problem before one can attempt to solve it.<P>> but makes me THANK <BR>>GOD our ancestors didn't feel the <BR>>same way. <P>Hmmm. Next time, spend more time actually reading what people are writing... <P>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

As for me, I just think it's fricking awesome that you get to work with Savion Glover. I'm a tap dancer, and he is like the G-d of tap. I've worked with Gregory Hines, but never him. You're a lucky man. I was desperately trying to catch you guys on New Year's, but I guess I'll have to settle for the 9:30 club. <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif">. I can understand the reservations about Clinton, but I think it's a great honor anyway. Congratulations.<P>D<P>"Kenny G ain't got no soul, John Coltrane is Rock and Roll" - Mos Def<P>"On the Mic I move the crowd like Big Pun stagediving" - Tash

read my mind on that one. I agree. The recognition really isn't coming from Clinton (I doubt he knows who you or the Roots are). The recognition is coming from Mr. Smith. That's all. Peace.<P>Respectfully,<P>Crossfaded<P>"If you can't laugh at yourself then you take yourself too serious" -- Crossfaded<P>"We are hip-hop...me, you, everybody...so the next time you ask yourself, 'Where is hip-hop going?', stop and ask yourself, 'Where am I going?'" -- Mos Def<P>"I like the long legs, fat asses, and the big big breasteses" -- Styles of Mountain Brothers

> well krew, i too had thoughts <BR>>about this. but in the end. <BR>>this night is about will. <P>I still don't think that's an excuse, <BR>I mean : you can make the decision to either go or skip it. <P>But I didn't intend to go this 'personal' route, I was merely stunned by all the positive response you got. <BR>I mean, whether you go or not is your personal decision, I'm not in any position to judge you on that, and I'm sure you considered all the pros and cons. <BR>However, I do have a few remarks on things you said in your reply.<P>>trust <BR>>me, in the light of the <BR>>nafta like situation going on in <BR>>seattle (seems like i ain't the <BR>>only one they trippin on.....lol), to <BR>>the day of doom on dec. <BR>>2nd (mumia) there were thoughts i <BR>>had on "doing something". but again. <BR>>this night isn't about me. my <BR>>mentor and muse dream hampton was <BR>>on some "you need to braid <BR>>your hair that night so that <BR>>niggas can't see you....." i dunno. <P>You mean you'd go there, but change your look to make sure people wouldn't recognize you ? Why not skip it then ? <P>>i'm exited to be working with <BR>>will, jeff, savion glover, fatima (world <BR>>reknown choeographer), and those babes from <BR>>the "pretty fly for a white <BR>>guy video"......and most importantly, a chance <BR>>to work with my idol quincy <BR>>jones (he's directing the big band.......and <BR>>yes we are doin that time <BR>>travel thing). <P>I understand that, but that night is more than just an opportunity to be working with the people you mentioned. <BR>I never considered the fact that you'd want to be part of a big commercial for Clinton's accomplishments, no matter how eager you were to work with certain people.<P>And hearing that Quincy Jones will be there too ... dayum, I love Quincy jones to death (bought his 'Gula Matari' today) but I feel he shouldn't be there either.<P>I understand that it's flattering to be part of this (great musicians, a unique project, ...), but there's a certain context. It's not just 'playing in a big band directed by Quincy Jones'.<P>And you'll probably get a chance to work with Quincy Jones and all the other people involved anyway.<P>>so either way <BR>>you look at it......everything done in <BR>>life has some pros and cons <BR>>krew....<P>true, but there's a difference between being part of some promo for the American President (being aware of the consequences) and buying a pair of sneakers from an Indonesian sweatshop. <P>Which brings me to your next remark ...<BR> <BR>>i'm sure the jeans you have <BR>>on were stiched by some kid <BR>>for .04 cents an hour, or <BR>>perhaps the lights in your room <BR>>were made by the same company <BR>>that denied that they were doing <BR>>business with south africa......trust me. <P>I guess you haven't read the 'Politics Pt.1' post on General Discussion yet ... you probably wouldn't have said this if you did ...<P>I get this reaction quite often; people feel offended cos you try to do right (and they do different on certain points), so instead of questioning their own behaviour, or motivating it, <BR>they try to find something in your life that they can criticise. Most of the time cos they realise that their choice can't be motivated.<P>I'm not saying you do, but I'm tired of getting this response when I just speak my mind. <BR>Again, I was not criticising you ?uest (even though I didn't expect this from you, but that has nothing to do with the core of my remark), I just didn't expect all those UNCONDITIONAL props from okayplayers. <P>And as stated earlier : in my eyes there's a huge difference between buying that cheap pair of jeans (especially since some people don't have the budget to buy 'ethically correct' clothes, or there's no alternative within reach) and performing at the White House on New Year's Eve.<P>>just <BR>>because i'm in the white house <BR>>don't mean that i don't know <BR>>what time it is <P>I know that, and I guess all of us know that, but that's exactly why I posted. Doesn't that make you feel uncomfortable ? Plus the people who'll be watching it probably won't 'read' that message.<P>That's how I feel.<P><BR>take care,<BR>krewcial<BR><a href="http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators">http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators<;/a><P>'We've got to change our own minds about each other. We have to see each other with new eyes. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. We have to come together with warmth'<BR>

First, Quest, thanks for doing what other artists don't. Defend or explain your decisions to the people who buy your albums and attend your shows. <P>>You mean you'd go there, but change <BR>>your look to make sure people <BR>>wouldn't recognize you ? Why <BR>>not skip it then ? <P>I'd like to know the answer to this to. People will say "leave him alone, let him do what he wants", but if you claim to be interested in causes such as Mumia, why not at least use this opportunity to wear a "Free Mumia" shirt instead of changing your hairstyle so that people won't realize it's you at a celebration for Clinton?<P>>>i'm exited to be working with <BR>>>will, jeff, savion glover, fatima (world <BR>>>reknown choeographer), and those babes from <BR>>>the "pretty fly for a white <BR>>>guy video"......and most importantly, a chance <BR>>>to work with my idol quincy <BR>>>jones (he's directing the big band.......and <BR>>>yes we are doin that time <BR>>>travel thing). <P>>I understand that, but that night is <BR>>more than just an opportunity to <BR>>be working with the people you <BR>>mentioned. I never considered <BR>>the fact that you'd want to <BR>>be part of a big commercial <BR>>for Clinton's accomplishments, no matter how <BR>>eager you were to work with <BR>>certain people. <P>Yes, you cannot remove the event from the people. And, you'd make bigger noise to Quincy, Will and everyone if you declined the invitation. The Roots aren't a household name like Quincy and Will. Imagine this unknown to the masses drummer refusing to play at The White House. Who does he think he is? It would be great.<P>I can't believe I am explaining this to you. I've always thought you were politically conscious, but you want to put your opportunity to work with Will and Quincy above your chance to make a statement? Say it ain't so.<P>so instead of <BR>>questioning their own behaviour, or motivating <BR>>it, they try to find <BR>>something in your life that they <BR>>can criticise. Most of the <BR>>time cos they realise that their <BR>>choice can't be motivated. <BR>>I'm not saying you do, but I'm <BR>>tired of getting this response when <BR>>I just speak my mind. <P>That "Yeah, but you can't say you check every diamond you buy to make sure no one in South Africa was killed over it?" response? <P>I might not, but every chance I get, I try to stay informed and I consciously avoid making decisions that negatively impact people or PORTRAY AN IMAGE I DO NOT WANT TO PORTRAY.<P>If I went, my shirt would say:<P>"Free Mumia and do not use the public's fear of hiphop (Sista Souljah) to help your presidential campaign. Love, Ecrire"<P>Ecrire<P>

<P>>That "Yeah, but you can't say you <BR>>check every diamond you buy to <BR>>make sure no one in South <BR>>Africa was killed over it?" response? <P>This whole conversation reminds of what Audre Lorde once said, something like:<P>"We must not be afraid of our privilege . . . we must use it in the service of what we believe in"<P>I think with this whole Y2K thing, the rioters in Seattle, the way things are heating up on both coasts w/ the police, something's got to give! I only think it's fitting that it begin w/ the Philly crew on the White house on the eve of the (W)illenium.<P><BR>

I also think that this opportunity to play for the Amerikkan royalty should be ?uestioned (not to say that you shouldn't go ?uest). But Clinton?!!!! This is the same eff'n motha who signed the most repressive of Crime Bills, putting more people behind bars (and pigs on the streets)and slaving for the corporate world.<P>I think that even more then wearing an Okayplayer tee, you should represent all of Philly and wear a Free Mumia tee!

i dont know why there are mixed opinions about this..<BR>i think its dope that quest is going to the white house and being picked by will thats dope...(i always love me some reruns of fresh prince)<BR>its gonna be a nice prestigious party..what are people not feeling? quest is gonna do his usual dope god given talent on the drums...and thats that?<BR>as apostle said tho, maybe clinton will become an okayplayer himself...<BR>u go boy!!!<P><P>fuuzzzzzzzzzy musssssssstaaaaaaard!!- cydney and caroline(with sore throats)<P><BR>

You give effortlessly of yourself to your fans. You enlighten us with up to the minute info on D. You are the mastermind behind this beautiful forum entitled Okayplayer. You, like D, are very very humble in mind and heart. Hmmmmm.... What else would you expect from a person like yourself but Blessings!<P>Gal 6:7-in part "You reap what you sow"- the scriptures

Now I can stop reading in the news how Stress, Shawn and NewGuy go to New York to get information on D'Angelo. Questlove does it all.<P>Okayplayer.com, you can take off the autoreply that asks people to be patient waiting for replies because they still only have 2 full-time staff members who "travel to take the photos" to "fix the server" to "solve disputes on the board". Or something like that. Even though they have 5 sites.<P>I am not going to yell "dyck ryder" because my strict Jehovah Witness upbringing still makes me extend past the "d" section. (No I am not a Witness anymore) Just think how you would feel if you worked overtime every night and came up with new ideas for AOL that made it popular and right in your face someone gave Steve Case all the credit and called him the mastermind?<P>Am I an okaystaff dick rider? Maybe just a sympathizer. I work on a site with no where near as much traffic, without its own server, that doesn't add new stuff everyday, and no interactive parts except a feedback form, so I don't have to deal with too many people. <P>We have five times the amount of staff okayplayer.com does. We have more than two people in our writing department! <P>Kudos to my fellow brains who are often overlooked, but hopefully not denied credit for the work they are doing. <P>Peace, Malik <P>was here when it first started. When this board came up and the only posts were by Erich and people who tested the board out. Memory Lane.

I'm not going to talk about wheather you should do this or not, that's your desicion and you've already made that. All I gotz to say is please don't braid your hair or any shit like that. Lett'em see the real ?uest, nahimeen. Matter fact pick that shit out real high before you go out there, I'm playin. For real tho, all I know is Will better give your ass a solo so you can show the people what ya got. Yo man first the White House and then the world!! OKAYPLAYERS TAKIN OVER IN 2000!!!!<P>There are millions of stars, but there's only one Sun.<P>J-Sun - Professional Weed Smoker<P>"Individuals who are never satisfied with the static standards set by the masses. The masses have always been lethargic. They have always opposed greatness for it is beyond them to even comprehend greatness" - 3rd Bass

If Martin Luther King were asked to speak at the White House would we have been mad at him????<P>Are we mad at Jesse Owens for running in the 1936 olympics and grinning at hitler when he won his gold medal????<P>I think it is good that you are going to perform at the white house Quest. I think people are really missing the point of the whole thing by getting upset by it. I'm not really a fan of political statements and protests. I think they had their place but we live in a different time now. Someone said that they felt your comparison about wearing clothes made in sweatshops is a bad one, but I agree with you. The US Government does many many corrupt and evil things in this world, and has done many evil things to us black people. I understand that people feel that it is offensive for you to perform in the place that symbolizes that corruption. But let's get real here. Life is not a political statement. As we have been persecuted and wronged by this system. We have also partaken in the corruption. We have drunk heavily from the bloody cup that is American society. That's why I always have had problems with people who protest policies, and actions which when it comes down to it, they benefit from. Face it, we can't even be having this discussion over the internet, in our nice homes, on our expensive computers, wearing our hundred dollar sneakers with our 15 dollar roots cd blasting in the background without the injustice which is american policy. <BR>Where am I going with this you ask??<BR>Here's the bottom line. Life is about moral character and not political affiliations. NO politics in the end benefits all so all politics is bad. You must dig deep within yourself and reach up to GOD to learn how to be the best that you can be and love your neighbor as yourself. So he is playing the drums in the white house. Does that make him less than those who would refuse. I won't judge Quest by where he plays his drums just as I won't judge anyone by what they say on the message board. The key is this, is Quest a loving person, does he help his fellow man??? If he doesn't, then God will judge him accordingly. We are all hypocrites people, even though Rages against the machines, and dead prez's out there. We pick and choose our battles purely based on our likes and dislikes. Let God judge who he will judge. if we all worry about loving each other more instead of figuring out what is the proper political stance to have about something then we won't have to worry about these matters. I'm gonna stop now before y'all think my peel is getting soft or something.<BR>Peace,<BR>Stevelove AKA The yellow wonder

first of all to whom it may concern:<P>1. i never said i would wear my hair in braids.....nigga please. i wear this fro cause i'm arrogant and proud.....imagine that, me tonin my shit down for fear of public scrutiny.......til i lose my hair this afro stands as a sign of defience..........<P><BR>2. pop fluff or whatever, political correctness or not. i'm proud of any nuh that grew up 10 blocks away from me. i too was west philadelphia born and raised. will smith is my fuckin man. eff that holier than thou shit. next i'll get roasted for workin with someone cause they are white, or handicapped or gay......whatever, y'all try to pull this shit on riq and he don't come here that much to really speak on his is (why is he fuckin white jawns in the movies?)....fuck that.....michael jackson calls? sheeeeit!!!! if freddie mercury were alive? shhhhhhheeeeeit. that's some funny shit. "quest i'd figure you'd know better"---or whatever. that's like the goverment tellin ali to kill the vietkong. ("they never did nothin to me....")<P>3. i'm confused with "i'm not dissing you ?uest, i'm just shocked they support you"........so this is a passive agressive dis. then what is it exactly?<P>....look y'all, anything goes around here. yes you are allowed to disagree.........but the same goes for me.....................<P><P><P><P><P>"....start your own company??!? your parents don't have enough money to buy you a company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

>1. i never said i would wear <BR>>my hair in braids.....nigga please. i <BR>>wear this fro cause i'm arrogant <BR>>and proud.....imagine that, me tonin my <BR>>shit down for fear of public <BR>>scrutiny.......til i lose my hair this <BR>>afro stands as a sign of <BR>>defience.......... <P>I apologise, apparently I misunderstood your dream hampton quote.<P>> 2. pop fluff or whatever, political <BR>>correctness or not. i'm proud of <BR>>any nuh that grew up 10 <BR>>blocks away from me. i too <BR>>was west philadelphia born and raised. <BR>>will smith is my fuckin <BR>>man. eff that holier than thou <BR>>shit. next i'll get roasted for <BR>>workin with someone cause they are <BR>>white, or handicapped or gay......<P>I was criticing the president of the United States, not simply 'becos he is the president', but becos of the stuff he's done so far, or better : what he hasn't yet.<P>There's a huge difference between what I said and claiming '?uest shouldn't perform for any politician'. ?uest, this has nothing to do with getting roasted for working with someone white (Scott Storch), handicapped (any person wearing glasses) or gay (we all know gay people, so you probably already have at one point or another, be it an engineer, producer, choreographer, whatever). That was not what I'm saying.<P>But Bill Clinton is lightyears away from 'just a white dude who happens to be president'.<P>>whatever, y'all <BR>>try to pull this shit on <BR>>riq and he don't come here <BR>>that much to really speak on <BR>>his is (why is he fuckin <BR>>white jawns in the movies?)....fuck that.....michael <BR>>jackson calls? sheeeeit!!!! if freddie mercury <BR>>were alive? shhhhhhheeeeeit. that's some funny <BR>>shit. "quest i'd figure you'd know <BR>>better"---or whatever. that's like the goverment <BR>>tellin ali to kill the vietkong. <BR>>("they never did nothin to me....") <P>I think you're giving us the answer here. Your priority is your music/art. I respect that. <P>I understand you don't just say 'NO' when you get the opportunity to play with a monument as Quincy Jones (especially at your age), this obviously means a lot to anyone involved with music. This is some huge recognition, a reward for all your hard work and practice, very flattering and there's pride and eagerness involved too. <BR>Refusing would not only be a hard thing to do from an artistic point of view, but it might have some effed up consequences for your future career as musician too (people not wanting to work with you or The Roots, cos they think you overreacted by saying no to this offer, or think you're unreliable).<P>I'm aware of all of that (plus there's probably more stuff I don't know), but ...<BR>at the same time the context/surrounding is pretty different from let's say 'performing with Quincy Jones in Oakland on a Huey Newton-barbecue'. <P>I feel your credibility as an artist and your integrity as a person is being abused to promote Clinton. <P>>3. i'm confused with "i'm not dissing <BR>>you ?uest, i'm just shocked they <BR>>support you"........so this is a passive <BR>>agressive dis. then what is it <BR>>exactly? <P>That depends on your definition of dis. For me, 'dis' is short for 'disrespect', not for 'disagreeing'. I disagree (not completely with your decision, but much more with the way you motivated it in your reply) but it's YOUR decision . I'm not on some 'fan-telling-you-what-to-do', and you KNOW that, ?uest. <P>>....look y'all, anything goes around here. yes <BR>>you are allowed to disagree.........but the <BR>>same goes for me..................... <P>Of course, and I'm glad we can have this discussion, cos reality is much more than a choice between 'he's selling out by doing that' or 'back off, you should be happy for ?uest'.<P>But I wouldn't put time in posting this if I didn't love what you do.<P>And I sincerely hope you have the time of your life and a great New Year's Eve.<P>take care,<BR>krewcial<BR><a href="http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators">http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators<;/a><P>'We've got to change our own minds about each other. We have to see each other with new eyes. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. We have to come together with warmth'<BR>

<BR>>I was criticing the president of the <BR>>United States, not simply 'becos he <BR>>is the president', but becos of <BR>>the stuff he's done so far, <BR>>or better : what he hasn't <BR>>yet. <P>seriously, waiting for any president to actually serve the interests of ALL the peoples represented in this country (black and white, rich and poor, jewish and christian). and not to defend Clinton totally, he has put a lot of minorities in executive branch positions-more than any other president.<P>>There's a huge difference between what I <BR>>said and claiming '?uest shouldn't perform <BR>>for any politician'. ?uest, this <BR>>has nothing to do with getting <BR>>roasted for working with someone white <BR>>(Scott Storch), handicapped (any person wearing <BR>>glasses) <P>i take HUGE offense to that...i wear glasses! (and i'm nearly legally blind, so watch out! <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif">)(but for real, i hope you didn't mean that)<P>>or gay (we all know <BR>>gay people, so you probably already <BR>>have at one point or another, <BR>>be it an engineer, producer, choreographer, <BR>>whatever). That was not what <BR>>I'm saying. <P>that isnt what you are saying, but i think ?uest is addressing a lot of the flack in general. granted, its kind of hard to compare Clinton to working with Scott Storch, because of that whole Leader of the Free World thing. but still, if the roots did a nike commercial, a lot of us would be up in arms. There isnt anything wrong with that, but i realize now, that we can't expect someone to stand up for every single belief we hold. I don't see it as ?uest compromising his beliefs for his music, I see it as the president totally being hypocrital (OH NO!!! THATS A FIRST!!) There are police organizations all over the country who are encouraging boycotts of blackstar, rage against the machine, and the roots, because of their stance on mumia abu jamal, and their expression of that through their music. To have one of these people invited to the white house (even if it wasn't Clinton's doing, I'm sure he doesn't/didn't have to okay it...and I'm sure someone is not going to be happy)is surprising, to me at least. and for ?uest to turn this down will not make much of a statement (in terms of any kind of reaction from those whom we want to affect)<P><BR>>I feel your credibility as an artist <BR>>and your integrity as a person <BR>>is being abused to promote Clinton. <P>once again, clinton wasn't like "get me ?uestlove on the phone". this is will smith's thing. I don't feel ?uest is compomising his integrity or his credibility. i'd rather him make his statement through his music, to those who are listening (us), rather than some old white dudes--they KNOW what's wrong with this country, this has been going on for centuries! its not up to ?uest to cause a stir amongst them--he's just a musician(you know i dont mean it like that, im proving a point, damnit). if you want to place that social and political responsibility on him, make sure its in his motivating his fans, eff a president. its up to US, the youth, to make a change. ?uest playing drums for will smith is not going to set anything back anymore than it is by our own actions (killing each other, discriminating against each other, not helping each other), so ?uest, i officially exempt you from this responsibility, if most of us (including myself, i know i am guilty) aren't willing to step up to the plate ourselves, so i really wouldnt expect ?uest to do the same, though he has. <P><P>>Of course, and I'm glad we can <BR>>have this discussion, cos reality is <BR>>much more than a choice between <BR>>'he's selling out by doing that' <BR>>or 'back off, you should be <BR>>happy for ?uest'. <BR>>But I wouldn't put time in posting <BR>>this if I didn't love what <BR>>you do. <BR>>And I sincerely hope you have the <BR>>time of your life and a <BR>>great New Year's Eve. <BR>>take care, krewcial <BR>no doubt, i agree. i know you got much love, as do i.<P>as for ?uest, if you got a response like this from this post, i would call up spike and tell him to ix-nay the ovie-may <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"><P><P>Fate is moving you toward your destiny--Delavega<P>Peace and Love <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif">

>seriously, waiting for any president to actually <BR>>serve the interests of ALL the <BR>>peoples represented in this country (black <BR>>and white, rich and poor, jewish <BR>>and christian). <P>I thought that was his job.<P>>and not to defend <BR>>Clinton totally, he has put a <BR>>lot of minorities in executive branch <BR>>positions-more than any other president. <P>Does this make him a good person ? <BR>Doing better than his predecessors (sp?) who did terrible stuff, doesn't make him 'OK' automatically, only less bad.<P>Plus the fact that I don't think that putting minorities in executive branch positions is as innocent as it may seem.<P>When the Belgian government colonized Congo (late 19th century-1960) they had Congolese officers killing, mutilating and terrorizing their own people. It is a way of justifying the injustice that is going on.<P>>i take HUGE offense to that...i wear <BR>>glasses! (and i'm nearly legally blind, <BR>>so watch out! )(but for real, <BR>>i hope you didn't mean that) <P>Don't worry, I wear glasses myself. People who wear glasses are visually handicapped, agree ?<P>But I think you misunderstood that sentence.<P>What I was trying to say is that me making a comment on performing at the White House in front of Clinton, his wife and the rest of the political and economical establishment, <BR>is not the same as saying 'don't work with white, gay, ... people'. <P>For the simple reason that 'white' or 'gay' or 'handicapped' people are a GROUP/collection of DIFFERENT individuals (some will be nice people, some will be a pain in the S), whereas Clinton is ONE individual with the potential power to change things.<P>>still, if the roots did a <BR>>nike commercial, a lot of us <BR>>would be up in arms. <BR>>There isnt anything wrong with that, <BR>>but i realize now, that we <BR>>can't expect someone to stand up <BR>>for every single belief we hold. <P>I don't expect that, I just asked why he'd do it. I don't consider being asked to perform at the White House a 'simple' question<BR>I don't think one decides within the next 5 minutes, there's a lot of stuff to consider (as ?uest said himself). <BR>I was wondering if any other players felt the same way I did, since I didn't see any remarks in the follow-ups to ?uest his post.<P>>I don't see it as ?uest <BR>>compromising his beliefs for his music.<P>Well, I don't know ?uest's beliefs. But it is a choice between pros and cons, and the result is a 'compromise'. <BR>?uest said that himself, if he wouldn't have been in doubt, there would be no compromise (the decision would've been pretty easy), but now there's a choice between A and B, and both are pretty incompatible in this specific situation.<P>>I see it as the president <BR>>totally being hypocrital (OH NO!!! THATS <BR>>A FIRST!!) There are police organizations <BR>>all over the country who are <BR>>encouraging boycotts of blackstar, rage against <BR>>the machine, and the roots, because <BR>>of their stance on mumia abu <BR>>jamal, and their expression of that <BR>>through their music. <P>>To have one <BR>>of these people invited to the <BR>>white house (even if it wasn't <BR>>Clinton's doing, I'm sure he doesn't/didn't <BR>>have to okay it...and I'm sure <BR>>someone is not going to be <BR>>happy) is surprising, to me at least. <BR>>and for ?uest to turn this <BR>>down will not make much of <BR>>a statement (in terms of any <BR>>kind of reaction from those whom <BR>>we want to affect) <P>Simply going without expressing ANY remark, will definitely not be a statement.<P>>once again, clinton wasn't like "get me <BR>>?uestlove on the phone". this is <BR>>will smith's thing. I don't feel <BR>>?uest is compomising his integrity or <BR>>his credibility. i'd rather him make <BR>>his statement through his music, to <BR>>those who are listening (us), rather <BR>>than some old white dudes<P>I'm an old (27) white dude myself ... <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"> LOL<P>>its not up to ?uest to <BR>>cause a stir amongst them--he's just <BR>>a musician(you know i dont mean <BR>>it like that, im proving a <BR>>point, damnit). <BR>>if you want to <BR>>place that social and political responsibility <BR>>on him, make sure its in <BR>>his motivating his fans, eff a <BR>>president. <P>Him not going or doing something to use that time and mediafocus to express his remarks would be a HUGE motivation to me as a fan.<BR>Him performing like 'it's just me, Will, Quincy and some other talented people having a great time', without any reference to the context would be disappointing to me as a fan.<P>>its up to US, the <BR>>youth, to make a change. ?uest <BR>>playing drums for will smith is <BR>>not going to set anything back <BR>>anymore than it is by our <BR>>own actions (killing each other, discriminating <BR>>against each other, not helping each <BR>>other), so ?uest, i officially exempt <BR>>you from this responsibility, if most <BR>>of us (including myself, i know <BR>>i am guilty) aren't willing to <BR>>step up to the plate ourselves, <BR>>so i really wouldnt expect ?uest <BR>>to do the same, though he <BR>>has. <P>The thing is, I have certain moral standards that I apply to EVERYONE. Whether it be the postman, a friend, Prince, Clinton (not George LOL) or myself.<P>Of course we're all different individuals, but at the same time all of us also live in communities. These communities interact with each other, within a certain framework/society. <BR>You can't isolate people from this situation, we don't exist without the larger entity. So occasionally there will be conflicts between what an individual wants and what is best for the community.<P>Now I happen to see the world as one big community (every organisation thinks this way; globalisation).<P>This means that I try to calculate what impact personal/individual decisions I take have on other people (within this world-community) their lives. <P>For instance : if Tommy Hillfiger proposes an endorsement deal, meaning I have to wear Tommy gear on shows and press-photos, I turn it down, cos it means exploitation of workers in Indonesia and other low-fare countries. My individual benefit = exploitation of others.<BR>That is NOT something abstract, it hits home for me (I've actually gotten offers like this) and it means loosing money (which i could use very well).<P>And I KNOW that most of 'us' don't give a damn or don't change their ways, but that doesn't mean I should use that as an excuse to do nothing myself. <P>I know they'll find someone else to wear Tommy gear, so one might argue that my decision doesn't make a difference, but it does, cos I know at least I did the right thing. <BR>I don't use 'what most people do' as a reference for my own behaviour, I try to do what I find ethically correct.<P>Again, this is not about ME. There's thousands of people doing this stuff every day, and we all realise it's HARD, but that's never been an excuse to me to not even TRY. <BR>We are ALL responsible as individuals, I feel noone can be excempted (sp?) from this.<P><BR>(Please keep in mind that I'm NOT a native English speaker, so sometimes it's hard for me to express EXACTLY what i'm trying to say, if my comments seem a little rude or 'smartass', it's not intentionally)<P>take care,<BR>krewcial<BR><a href="http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators">http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators<;/a><P>'We've got to change our own minds about each other. We have to see each other with new eyes. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. We have to come together with warmth'<BR>

<P><BR>>as for ?uest, if you got a <BR>>response like this from this post, <BR>>i would call up spike and <BR>>tell him to ix-nay the ovie-may <P><P>oh god, why is my ass dead grass come september tara?!?!?!?!?!?<P><P><BR>"....start your own company??!? your parents don't have enough money to buy you a company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

for those who do oppose this move (?uest performing with Big Willie at the White House), for the most part, i think its safe to say that these are the same individuals prancing around wearing "keep it real" t-shirts. nuff said. hey, its a gig.we dont have to worry until we see kenny g's name in the credits of a roots album. haha... peace and blessings.

Deen you stupid auk!!!!lmao!!!!<img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"><P><P><P>" E El Isum Shil El Eloh El Rahmun, Alazi Izu El Rahummul!"<BR> <P><BR>"Start a riot in somebodies mind!"-Nou<P><P>

the white house!?!?!<P>wow...<P>i caught wind of this on the news side of things...<P>from Osage to the Oval Office...<P>I ain't mad!<P>tell monica i said yo!

I ain't mad at ya. Let the fro' do what it has been. All I wanna know is it it being televised?<P>I'm just glad my ass didn't buy tickets to your non existing concert at Life in Manhattan. Which by the way is still being advertised @ $125 a pop.<P>You go... <P>Coco<P>" Show me someone not full of themselves and I'll show you an empty person." - Nikki Giovanni

>If Martin Luther King were asked to <BR>>speak at the White House would <BR>>we have been mad at him???? <P>Having Martin Luther King speaking at the White House would definitely have been a statement AND a very political one too.<P>>Are we mad at Jesse Owens for <BR>>running in the 1936 olympics and <BR>>grinning at hitler when he won <BR>>his gold medal???? <P>Again, Jesse Owens made a clear statement then, he didn't just do his running, he realised it was a political act at the same time himself. Same thing for the 'Black Power' symbol (the I-don't- remember-what-year Olympics)<P>>I think it is good that you <BR>>are going to perform at the <BR>>white house Quest. I think people <BR>>are really missing the point of <BR>>the whole thing by getting upset <BR>>by it. <P>Then what is the point ? <P>>I'm not really a <BR>>fan of political statements and protests. <BR>>I think they had their place <BR>>but we live in a different <BR>>time now. <P>If this is a different time, do we need different ways ? Do you have any alternatives in mind ? <P>>Someone said that they <BR>>felt your comparison about wearing clothes <BR>>made in sweatshops is a bad <BR>>one, but I agree with you. <P>The comparison was correct 'an sich', but not as a way to defend a certain decision that has much more impact. <P>>The US Government does many many <BR>>corrupt and evil things in this <BR>>world, and has done many evil <BR>>things to us black people. I <BR>>understand that people feel that it <BR>>is offensive for you to perform <BR>>in the place that symbolizes that <BR>>corruption. But let's get real here. <BR>>Life is not a political statement. <P>I wish it wasn't either, but I believe that our actions reflect a certain mentality/opinion. <BR>Most people don't think about their actions, so they don't see this. <BR>Once again, I'm not referring to ?uest here, cos it's obvious he cares (else he wouldn't have bothered to answer).<P>>As we have been persecuted and <BR>>wronged by this system. We have <BR>>also partaken in the corruption. We <BR>>have drunk heavily from the bloody <BR>>cup that is American society. That's <BR>>why I always have had problems <BR>>with people who protest policies, and <BR>>actions which when it comes down <BR>>to it, they benefit from. <BR>>Face it, we can't even be having <BR>>this discussion over the internet, in <BR>>our nice homes, on our expensive <BR>>computers, wearing our hundred dollar sneakers <BR>>with our 15 dollar roots cd <BR>>blasting in the background without the <BR>>injustice which is american policy. <P>PLEASE read my 'Politics Pt. 1' post : <BR><a href="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/general2/3063.html">http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/general2/3063.html<;/a> <P>Does 'benefiting' from this inhumane system (by living in one of the 'WTO-countries') mean that we should all be silent and express no criticism, because we're all accomplices ?<P>This is the same argument that's being used by those who have power to tell dissident people to shut up. 'Don't complain, you benefit from this system too'. <P>I think that NOT reacting expresses much more approoval with how things are going. <P>I'm not some kind of 'Internet-intellectual' reading 'the right books' and preaching to other people. This is reality to thousands of people and me, every single day (in my job, in buying food, clothes, studio equipment, ...).<P>>Where am I going with this <BR>>you ask?? Here's the bottom line. <BR>>Life is about moral character and <BR>>not political affiliations. <BR>>NO politics in <BR>>the end benefits all so all <BR>>politics is bad. You must dig <BR>>deep within yourself and reach up <BR>>to GOD to learn how to <BR>>be the best that you can <BR>>be and love your neighbor as <BR>>yourself. So he is playing the <BR>>drums in the white house. Does <BR>>that make him less than those <BR>>who would refuse. <P>Of course it doesn't make him 'less' (which I never insinuated).<P>>I won't judge <BR>>Quest by where he plays his <BR>>drums just as I won't judge <BR>>anyone by what they say on <BR>>the message board. <BR>>The key is <BR>>this, is Quest a loving person, <BR>>does he help his fellow man??? <P>I feel that not playing at the White House could be a symbolic way of expressing concern for his fellow man.<P>>If he doesn't, then God will <BR>>judge him accordingly. <BR>>We are all <BR>>hypocrites people, even though Rages against <BR>>the machines, and dead prez's out <BR>>there. We pick and choose our <BR>>battles purely based on our likes <BR>>and dislikes. Let God judge who <BR>>he will judge. <P>I'm sorry, but I disagree. I respect anyone's beliefs, but I feel that this can not be an excuse for not taking initiatives oneself. We control our own lives.<P>>if we all <BR>>worry about loving each other more <BR>>instead of figuring out what is <BR>>the proper political stance to have <BR>>about something then we won't have <BR>>to worry about these matters. <P>The reason why I posted is exactly cos I got love for ?uest. If I didn't , why would I have bothered posting this ?<BR>At the same time this 'political stance' someone takes affects his/her life and the interaction with other people.<P>>I'm <BR>>gonna stop now before y'all think <BR>>my peel is getting soft or <BR>>something. <P>That's OK <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"><P>>Peace, Stevelove AKA The yellow <BR>>wonder <P>take care,<BR>krewcial<BR><a href="http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators">http://urgent.rug.ac.be/vinylators<;/a><P>'We've got to change our own minds about each other. We have to see each other with new eyes. We have to see each other as brothers and sisters. We have to come together with warmth'<BR>

>Having Martin Luther King speaking at the <BR>>White House would definitely have been <BR>>a statement AND a very political <BR>>one too. <P>Instead of being invited to the White House, Martin Luther King got his phone tapped, relatives and friends intimidated and himself killed, especially since he no longer defended unconditional non-violence against a totalitarian regime.<P>>>Are we mad at Jesse Owens for <BR>>>running in the 1936 olympics and <BR>>>grinning at hitler when he won <BR>>>his gold medal???? <P>Jesse Owens wasn't 'invited', reality was that Hitler had no real choice but to tolerate him. <BR>Clinton's racism may be more subtle than Hitler's, but that doesn't make him less racist (just a little more up-to-date). <BR>In fact it's very racist to invite respected black musicians to depict a certain image of what Clinton so-called stands for. He's just using the respect and integrity all these great artists have to his own benefit, <BR>just like Nike and Sprite did/do when they endorse (d) Jordan, Pippen, Tribe, Large Pro, Grand Puba, ...<P>take care,<BR>krewcial

Quest,<BR> Mad love to you for getting the White House invite. I think it would be tight if you debuted a new Okayplayer shirt while you were there...and then posted a pic of it on the site. I think others would agree.

It is going to be New Years Eve 2000. Everyone who thinks that ?uest could do a qool political statement must have forgotten that that is going to be one of the illest days EVER. Even if he did something whatever else going on anywhere wouldn't even let Okayplayers see it. Congradulations on the show ?uest (even though I got another job so that I could go to the New Years show in NY, I'm not made though), I know I wouldn't turn it down for the experiance alone. Shit, I've played at the Captiol and that was a ill experiance. Peace<P>When he told me that her life was over it made the room feel colder - BT<P>They killed my best friend - Biggie

Wasn't Will supposed to do a free show on The Mall for New Year's? Does this mean that Will won't be part of that or will they braodcast the White House show via satellite on some kinda screen out on The Mall?<P>ps: While I share the political concern of my brethren, I also think that your very presence has a subversive factor to it...I dunno, just on ill factor alone, kinda like Kool Kieth breakdancing at Reagan's 84 inaugural...sure, Reagan sucks/sucked, but at the time the idea of breakdancing at an inaugural was ill as hell...I dunno, I can't call it...it's like the choice of getting involved in the whole corporate machinery of major labels and getting global exposure for your music v. the indie route and virtual obscurity...wasn't PE, on a corporate label, much more effective than The Coup is now on an indie label? Think about it...<P>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

I have many thoughts on the posi ive posts here as well as the negat-ve wons here, but all I have 2 say is.......DO WHAT U FEEL. Won way I believe this is a great oppurtunity to secretly put in some type of message (suprise speech, "okayplayer" / "free mumia" shirt, etc.) , but then again....who r we 2 tell u what 2 do, maybe suggest, but we ain't ur momma. We are proud of u for you being able 2 show ur skills off to the nation/world. Whether u do something or not, I'm happy 4 u, 'cuz who knew that kid "strollin in his Pumas down the avenue" from West Philly would later stroll down the white house with his "afro pick with a black fist" with brethren Will, Quincy, and Savion Glover. Either way this kid in the crowd with a mic in his hand named NAHUM is supporting u......late'.won.<P>--------------------------------------------------<P>ELITE CRU SHYNE 4 EVA AND EVA........<P>Check Out Nahum (hopefully) and The Roots at the 9:30 club (on the date of my arrival here on Earth<BR>(b-day)December 29, 1999)<P>"me..WE" - Muhammad Ali (the greatest emcee ever)<P>"A lot of TOTS think they WISE 'cuz they LAY CHIPS" - NAHUM/JAH-EL (potato (chip) freestyle<BR>done at a Hip Hop Gala, L.A.)<P>"Forget a chicken and a pigeon...I got a dove at home" - NAHUM/JAH-EL<P>"What happened to just fallin' in love with a nigga----just 'cuz you love the nigga?!" - Eddie<BR>Griffon ("Ed-ucation" Chronic 2001)<P>"Keep your heart clean/And your voice will echo" - Sizzla ("True Hearts" The Royal Son of<BR>Ethiopia)<P>"Reverse physicology got em' scared to say what they think is wack/in the fear of being called a "hater", imagine that? - Talib Kweli<P>"....so go ahead and murder me/ so my God will inherit me...." - Da5thRealm (okayplayer)<P>