What's Up?

For those who don't know me, I'm Grandmaster Mele Mel, but you can call me Muscles. I have chosen to become an Okayplayer member because I want to connect with people who have a love, understanding & respect for real hip-hop.

I've been in the game for 30 years. I am the originator of the title "MC". My brother Kid Creole originated phrase "Yes, Yes, Yall". My partner Cowboy, R.I.P., created the name "Hip-Hop". In the Hip-Hop Bible, it was The Furious Five who said "let there be light".

Thirty years, and billions of dollars later, the mainstream media has profited immensely. Countless record labels have put out tons of product and made crazy dough. But, it's my humble opinion that they all have let the people and true hip-hop fall by the wayside.

The word hip-hop has been hi-jacked by low life, drug dealing scum and money grubbing radio stations with the sole purpose of turning inner-city neighborhoods into war zones, and has transformed the average young mind into a cesspool.

We are at war! Hip-hop is under attack. We are in need of true soldiers. Breakdancers, graffiti artists, even DJ's have become a thing of the past. Thugs, drug dealers & pimps have dictated to people who've given their whole lives to the game, what is and isn't relevant. Even true believers have turned a blind eye.

THAT IS NOT HIP-HOP. THAT IS BULLSHIT AND YOU KNOW IT.

Sometimes it almost seems that I don't have a place in the game that I helped create. But that's alright. Cause I don't wanna be around dope dealers, pimps & thugs anyhow. But, I have come to realize people have never forgotten Mele Mel, and I most humbly respect that. That is why we, the hip-hop community, must never give up the fight. Hip-hop IS hip-hop, not drugs, guns, pimps & hos, but hip-hop. The love of music made the game what it is. Hip-hop is music.

-Mele "Martin Luther" Mel (lol)

Oh, and I did cop J-Dilla's CD. I'll talk about that in my next post.

"The gun show is in the building. Click, click, bang."

www.GrandmasterMeleMel.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkW_YGbhpt0

and thanks for the classics.

<----------------------------------------
"Consider me the entity within the industry without a history of spittin the epitomy of stupidity!" - Talib Kweli
http://www.takotron.com/news/2006/mets_cap.jpg

btw Melli Mell is the goat

.....................................

http://www.myspace.com/theyounggarvey
"Paint a picture of the Ghetto like JJ"- Common

and i can't believe either that people are disrespecting a legend on this board. Some people got no sense.

Welcome to the family.

Welcome Mele Mel.

sorry dude but that name is wilde homo

but welcome to the fam

————————

<-- Too intelligent for BET

☺☻

"i'm doing good, can i put my face in your buttcrack?" (c) P.Inf

"frankly, I think it's foolish to have a cat or a baby, but whatever" (c) veritas

@kingofthings

----------------------------------------------

"Oh man, is this me, or what?" - Jimi Hendrix

-T
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"rick ross got old african woman swag" (c)nayaa

Welcome to Okayplayer, Mele Mel!

Infinite respect due!

Peace,
Salim

https://soundcloud.com/salimsivaad/lets-get-free <-- my best work

http://www.soundcloud.com/salimsivaad <-- some other joints

much love and respect!

and i definitely feel you, yo.

Mele Mel is sounding great.

The people need more prolific artists on the scene. Music just has no substance. What are we really listening to?

All of the music on the radio is suppressing, disrespectful, and demeaning to us as a people, of every race.

Good to have some wisdom on okayplayer!

SOOOO True.

vicious isn't the right word. I think you have to face someone in person to be called vicious. Cowardly, ignorant, internet wannabe gangsters who have nothing positive to show for their lives(not speaking about everybody here obviously).

but anyway, welcome to OKP

I've got an original copy of The Message with the lyrics on the sleeve !


HOLLA !!!

...

http://da-dk.facebook.com/BoomClapBachelors

so what's the word on your work right now?

''i went from bashful to asshole to international''- CdoubleO

I know Mele Mel has a new album of original songs finished. The "LP" (I'm old-school on that, lol) is called "Muscles".

It's my understanding the Mel is in the process of finalizing the artwork in order to send it to press. I would expect he should be ready to announce a release date very soon.

Mele Mel can also now be seen in a skit with Dave Chappelle on the just released "Chappelle's Show Lost Episodes" DVD. He has several other projects in the works. Hopefully he will explain more about them in his future posts.

<-- Too intelligent for BET

and thanks to playserious for paving the way.

_________________________________
rubberbaby, proud member of the fresh funk movement

--_-__

I know Mele Mel & consider him a friend, so obviously I'm biased, but I felt that his initial post was one of the more interesting & thought provoking posts I've seen at okayplayer.com in a while.

Hopefully, "Muscles" will keep it up and share his thoughts & opinions with everyone on a regular basis.

Welcome!

im looking forward to your posts.

welcome aboard family.

<-- Too intelligent for BET

Anyway, The Message, IMO, is the greatest hip hop song ever.

here y'all go, correcting a mofo.

http://sundasill.tumblr.com/

myspace page says mellemel

>Anyway, The Message, IMO, is the greatest hip hop song ever.

We agree on that one...

Melle Mel: the original G.O.A.T.

GOAT of his era......long live Prince.....God is alive....

http://sundasill.tumblr.com/

_____________________

_____________
if racism is a cancer, black thought is the answer.

Rjcc is code for "bitch-ass troll"

DROkayplayerâ„¢

(applauds and steps to the side and lets him through in respect)

The once and future Master

only if its in london, i'm moving there soon

why does it have to be contained to the strict definition of the 4 elements. Because if that is true, it means hip hop is now this fringe, ultra-exclusive subculture that doesnt represent the people at all. I'm not really comfortable with that. Is there no possibility that in 2006, pushing weight could be hip hop? If thats what people in the street are really all about, who are we to say that they dont belong?

And its great to have u here, btw. Even if u dont respond i feel honored just bein up in this post, really.

__

fairweather

Its cuz these folks ain't from da Bay! They hate the content because to them they don't see it as possible.They don't understand that in the Bay all ethnicites are hard,everyone hustles and lives to be a Boss! They see it as some fairytale type shit that might go on somewhat but not the way that the rappers portray it.When in reality in the BAY this really is the way of life.

Only God can judge me - 2Pac

It's irresponsible to get rich, have opportunities to see the world and learn from it, and then go on promoting degredation of the community you come from. period. It ain't about Hip Hop only being the four elements, it's about the SPIRIT of Hip Hop. This shit is a culture with the potential to uplift the ghettos across the GLOBE and anything that ain't doin that, fuck that shit. A thinking adult can't possibly say some shit like (non exact quote), "if pushing dope is what people are about, then that's what's good."
IT'S NOT OKAY THAT WE SELL LETHAL DRUGS TO EACH OTHER!
IT'S NOT OKAY THAT FRATRICIDE SEEMS LIKE A NORMAL THING!

what the fuck yo?

--NYC*The Capital of Brilliant Ignorance--
Rap should rhyme and be on beat.
http://mckswift.com

they are a part of the community

i feel what ur saying about the spirit of hip hop, and how it has the potential to uplift people and communities

but i disagree about the implications

i feel like the spirit of hip hop is to manifest ur own spirit despite systematic and institutionalized efforts to keep you from doing so

i dont think the content of a lot of todays music contradicts this

__

fairweather

Do you hear the gun shots e'ery cot damn night?

Does someone pass (scratch that, get murdered) regularly where you live?

Do cops camp out in commercially painted vans (John's moving service or whatever) only to run in houses the next day?

How can you say that drug dealers aren't a threat to the community? They bring violence themselves and attract a lot of violence as a by product of their actions. Sure, drug dealers shouldn't take all the blame for the state of low income areas, but they are a part and do contribute to the problem rather than helping an already effed up situation. They are a symptom of a bigger problem, but that does not discount that they cause a lot of EXTRA problems too.

I really don't understand how you could believe drug dealers aren't a part of the problem, unless you don't LIVE there. Honest, hard working people struggling in low income sections most of the time can't stand drug dealers. Anybody who believes the hype and glamour fronted in the media about drug dealers has not lived around it and witnessed it first hand their entire lives. Shit is ugly, real ugly. Jay-Z said "One in a million" because that's exactly what it is. For every one that makes it, a million more are either hooked on the stuff they use hustle, in jail, or shot.

Check these non-visual niggas
wit tapes and a portrait.
Flood the seminar
tryin to orbit this corporate
industry.
But what them niggas can't see
Must break thru like the Wu
unexpectedly.
Protect ya neck,
my sword still remains imperial.
Gza

and not the hills neither


but im also a sociologist and student of social justice and community organizing, and i know that drug dealers do not create these realities.

Anyways this is all one big tagent


look at my original post. where it says 'could pushing weight be hip hop' u could fill in the blank with any rap sentiment dujour. This post wasnt posed to be about drugs

__

fairweather

and hustling. it ain't every rapper doing the same hyphy shit dog. I swear some bay cats be on this we all hustle in the bay shit. its bigger than hyphy culture.

http://myspace.com/bambumusic

www.individualsole.com

http://www.individualsole.com/?p=5256

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGH3OuP9Sek

I WASNT EVEN TRYNNA TALK ABOUT DRUGS IN THIS POST, lol

it was just a stupid example

reading is fundamental people

anyways, dude asked if i lived in a community where drugs are sold, i clarified i did by mentioning that i live in oaklands flatlands

i never even mentioned the bay in relation to the topic of this post

u did

i didnt

get over it

__

fairweather

>I WASNT EVEN TRYNNA TALK ABOUT DRUGS IN THIS POST, lol
>
>it was just a stupid example

exactly. now kim.
>
>reading is fundamental people
>
>anyways, dude asked if i lived in a community where drugs are
>sold, i clarified i did by mentioning that i live in oaklands
>flatlands
>
>i never even mentioned the bay in relation to the topic of
>this post

ok dude.
>
>u did
>
>i didnt
>
>get over it

nah but homicidal crook did and you went off that. geez you getting your panties all up in a twist because melle mel was saying lets give some shine back to the breakers and the djs and the real emcees graff writers. that shit threatens you hyphy kids I guess. Just get over it, realize dude is a living legend and real hip hop deserves respect not this corny shit about killing people and selling drugs and destroying our own community. chill, relax and give props.

http://myspace.com/bambumusic

www.individualsole.com

http://www.individualsole.com/?p=5256

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGH3OuP9Sek

u act as if im some sort of hyphy crusader, please show me 1 time where i even mentioned hyphy in this post. Please

The point of my post remains unchallenged.

I'll try and reclarify for those who need it

Hip hop is defined in two ways, both by the '4 elements' and by the oppressed nature of the people who created it.

All I'm asking is could it be true that hip hop, in its essence, has more to do with existing under the burden of oppression, and finding a way to flip it back to create something new original fun beautiful etc etc, and less to do with the actual 4 elements. Like, maybe the 4 elements were incedental, and the real spirit of hip hop lies in its nature of being a product of oppressed people manifesting new ways to elevate themselves.

if this is the case, then todays rap music could still be seen as hip hop, even though it relates less to the 4 elements than its predecesory form.

Please, if you need clarification just ask. You dont need to put words in my mouth or misinterperet me further.

__

fairweather

>u act as if im some sort of hyphy crusader, please show me 1
>time where i even mentioned hyphy in this post. Please
>
>The point of my post remains unchallenged.
>
>I'll try and reclarify for those who need it
>
>Hip hop is defined in two ways, both by the '4 elements' and
>by the oppressed nature of the people who created it.
>

actually those elements are the blueprint for these opressed peoples expression so they go hand in hand, it ain't separate like you trying to make it. I swear you new jacks be trying to revise history and shit.

>All I'm asking is could it be true that hip hop, in its
>essence, has more to do with existing under the burden of
>oppression, and finding a way to flip it back to create
>something new original fun beautiful etc etc, and less to do
>with the actual 4 elements. Like, maybe the 4 elements were
>incedental, and the real spirit of hip hop lies in its nature
>of being a product of oppressed people manifesting new ways to
>elevate themselves.
>
>if this is the case, then todays rap music could still be seen
>as hip hop, even though it relates less to the 4 elements than
>its predecesory form.

those elements will always be a part of hip hop, the basis for this shit. sorry they ain't disappearing no matter how badly new jacks want them to.
>
>Please, if you need clarification just ask. You dont need to
>put words in my mouth or misinterperet me further.
>
oh god, stfu little boy. you a real sociologist? sure.

http://myspace.com/bambumusic

www.individualsole.com

http://www.individualsole.com/?p=5256

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGH3OuP9Sek

im trynna talk, you trynna talk shit

im over it

__

fairweather

are you effing serious?

___

http://youtube.com/watch?v=w0_glq97T4I&search=elmo%20DMX - Elmo is bringing New York back, son.

n/m

__

fairweather

>n/m

Peace to Mele Mel, the Godfather of Rhyme. Thanks for kicking the knowledge about who coined the term, Hip-Hop, and such. Great post.

As for the "pushing weight" question about Hip-Hop, and more specifically to speak on the question raised about who provides guns and the need for violence, I'd like to respond if you don't mind.

Not that I'd like to get in a heated debate specifically in this thread that Mel has introduced himself to the community, but your question begs the answer.

As the proverb goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink," for providing guns and the so-called need for violence is not the excuse for both to occur. Corwardice is the reason. The only truly honest excuse acceptable is the conviction and honesty to admit you allowed yourself to be negatively influenced and controlled by outsiders. It's about responsibility. Own up to it. It's not a blame game or a matter of pointing fingers. Look in the mirror.

_________________
"We will sell our shadows to those who stand within it."

>i feel like the spirit of hip hop is to manifest ur own spirit
>despite systematic and institutionalized efforts to keep you
>from doing so
>
>i dont think the content of a lot of todays music contradicts
>this

Lot of today's hip hop music (that which you're defending, and Mele Mel is denouncing) does the following:
degrades women
promotes crack selling
glorifies prison-bound behavior
paints the ghetto as a paradise

That is DIRECTLY in conflict with "manifest ur own spirit". The fuck are you talking about?

--NYC*The Capital of Brilliant Ignorance--
Rap should rhyme and be on beat.
http://mckswift.com

these concepts you speak of are direct results of specific oppression againts poor people of color

these rappers are taking this state of oppression and turning it into art and stimultaneously uplifting themselves

i mean im not a fan of glorification, but i also think thats a term that gets overused in describing rap music

im down to agree to disagree too. its all love. i dont think you're stupid or closeminded, im just trynna work with some different ideas

__

fairweather

how can talking about killing black people = uplifting black people?

i think your argument needs work. actually, i think it's unworkable.

___

http://youtube.com/watch?v=w0_glq97T4I&search=elmo%20DMX - Elmo is bringing New York back, son.

n/m

__

fairweather

.

NICE TRY KOWALSKI

In Rotation-
quality music all the time.

ur game is weak

do better

__

fairweather

dj-ing is an ART

emceeing is an ART

graf is an ART

breaking is an ART.

selling drugs has NOTHING to do with art. at all.

the fact that you can even ask this question shows how far removed the modern hip-hop music listener is from what hip-hop means. people don't even know why the elements are elements any more...

___

http://youtube.com/watch?v=w0_glq97T4I&search=elmo%20DMX - Elmo is bringing New York back, son.

if u disagree u r imposing a moral standard that i fundamentally disagree wit

__

fairweather

go out and experience shit if you think selling drugs is this cool art form. that shit aint got nothing to do with art. I know lots of people from fucked up places that didnt resort to selling drugs. some people make smart choices with their limited opportunities, others make bad ones. you need to learn the difference.

http://myspace.com/bambumusic

www.individualsole.com

http://www.individualsole.com/?p=5256

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGH3OuP9Sek

u know that i post on okp

u know my login is dba_BAD

u know im from oakland

thats it

u actin real familiar wit a stranger

makin assumptions about this and that

i tried talkin about the subject at hand you had to resort to calling me (and ill quote) a "newjack" and "little boy" and claiming that i was trynna "act smart"

u can come wit some substance

or go home

__

fairweather

you reacted to mel's quotes about saying hip hop is about the 4 elements of hip hop and they're missing in todays music. you got all mad about that for some reason, maybe cause you don't respect breaking, graff writing or dont know no graff writers bboys or maybe you so into the drug dealing anti-intellectual thug image contrarian movement so prevalent in hip hop today. whether you like it or not hip hop was founded on these elements, they are essential to hip hop and will never go away as long as people know their history and keep the essence alive. drug dealing is a by product of peoples fucked up situations. you talking bunk on some serious issues. you stepped into your pile of bs. because some people deal drugs dont make it cool, or art. because people are in fucked up situations and do fucked up shit don't make it right, cool or art. cause not all people in those situations do that shit. just use your head next time doggie.

http://myspace.com/bambumusic

www.individualsole.com

http://www.individualsole.com/?p=5256

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGH3OuP9Sek

i do respect the elements

my close homies are on some real hip hop shit

ie in the traditional definition like how u see it

i was really just trynna spark some theoretical discussion

because it just seems real dismissive to say that what 99% of what people like is wack

I mean honestly that sounds like some real snoody shit

but i never dismissed anyone like you dismissed me

again im just trynna talk here

ur the 1 who caught feelings

and associated my posts with shit i wasnt even saying

foreal tho i aint mad at nobody

im just trynna work through what i see as a flaw with this insiders only definition of hip hop

i thought people would be down to discuss

people caught feelings, and i was largely misunderstood

__

fairweather

>i do respect the elements
>
>my close homies are on some real hip hop shit
>
>ie in the traditional definition like how u see it
>
>i was really just trynna spark some theoretical discussion
>
>because it just seems real dismissive to say that what 99% of
>what people like is wack
>
>I mean honestly that sounds like some real snoody shit
>
>but i never dismissed anyone like you dismissed me
>
>again im just trynna talk here
>
>ur the 1 who caught feelings
>
>and associated my posts with shit i wasnt even saying
>
>foreal tho i aint mad at nobody
>
>im just trynna work through what i see as a flaw with this
>insiders only definition of hip hop
>
>i thought people would be down to discuss
>
>people caught feelings, and i was largely misunderstood

this shit has been discussed to death homie. 99% of shit on the radio and what kids are listening to is dumb ignorant stupid non-musical shit. but dudes like you wanna say see, these numbers prove selling drugs and bitches in bikinis are all people wanna hear in hip hop. you don't realize the reasons why certain shit gets stuffed down our throats and why other shit doesn't get heard. Go talk to Paris about how KMEL basically banned him from getting played on the air. Shit is real interesting once you start breaking it down. But thats discussion right? Facts, learning about whats really going on, not this surface level approach to what is hip cool and in. If you wanna get deep we can get deep but it don't look like you prepared to go there.

http://myspace.com/bambumusic

www.individualsole.com

http://www.individualsole.com/?p=5256

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGH3OuP9Sek

do u dislike all music with this type of content?

or just the pop and/or street stuff that tends to get clowned (and 'forced' upon us in the way you referred to)

because there is a distincion

cats like ghost, dilla etc

cats who are almost universally praised in the widest ranges of hip hop (end especially purist) circles

have this content you're describing

Cats like j-zone have it exclusive of any other

It's not just your d4ls and rick rosses

__

fairweather

n/m

__

fairweather

"The Message" changed my life, dun.
That's what was up when I fell in love with Hip Hop.

Welcome.


Can we get a royalty check for this dude....???!!!!!!!
I'm sayin,.........


peace

If you see yourself in others, then who can you possibly harm

Buddha

Don't tell me Sylvia owns the name too...

Seriously, much respect. Thanks for the classics and a thought-provoking post.

yeeaaaa! glad ya made it through

www.theparkmusic.com

peace and respeck

---------------------------------------------
Leather In The Summer.
Silk In The Winter.


Twice upon a time,
there was a boy who died...
And lived happily ever after...

But that's another chapter...

WooOOF!!

__________________
http://azuredivina.com

(I'm calling BS until this is verified...)

DASSLER REBELLION
http://www.myspace.com/dasslerrebellion

His Myspace link might be under "Melle Mel," however throughout the profile, he's referred to as "Mele Mel"

======================
Don't Be A Clayahater.
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