Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Republicans: slavery is when you own me. freedom is when I own you.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

American History and Black History Cannot Be Separated

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

Putin dreamed of ending NATO, and now it’s Finnish-ed.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Roe isn’t about choice, it’s about freedom.

The GOP is a fucking disgrace.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

Ah, the different things are different argument.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

Wow, you are pre-disappointed. How surprising.

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

Cole is on a roll !

Bark louder, little dog.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Expanding the Horizons, Expanding the Parameters

Expanding the Horizons, Expanding the Parameters

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In part of my attempts to be more zen like and calm, I am exploring new music, and I’ve been listening a lot lately to the following, expanding the rhymes of this sucka MC amateur. First, the new Latryx album is simply phenomenal, and I bit I have listened to it ten times:

I love their voices. I still think Latyrx, Latryx is amazing. Next, another one I’ve been listening to:

It’s all good, but I like Chain Smoker a lot. And then there is always old school:

I like the feel and sound of these guys. Anything you all have to add that strikes you as comparable to these artists, please do so. I also kind of like Mac Miller and some Drake (which I had never heard before a couple weeks ago).

See- it’s not too late to teach an old dog new tricks.

Reader Interactions

71Comments

  3. 3.

    RandomMonster

    Don’t know if you already know about Michael Franti, and his earlier incarnation with Spearhead. If not, please check him out. He was the one of the few guiding lights in my existence in the worst of the GW Bush years. I think Franti is the peaceful poet of our times.

  11. 11.

    The Sailor

    “Same sex couples denied right to marry tell fasting Utah man to eat a dick.”

    Wrong thread?

  15. 15.

    NickM

    Digable Planets deserved to be more than a one- hit wonder. Both albums are great but the first is probably a little better. Love their politics too. You’re probably familiar with The Pharcyde but if not “Bizzareride 2 the Pharcyde” is a genius quirky rap album that stood out as something totally different in the gangsta rap era. I love the soul jazz groove on All Natural’s song “Elements of Style” ( great name, too) although you need to ignore some unenlightened rhymes amidst the good ones, unfortunately.

  17. 17.

    JPL

    I have a lot of gardenias that can weather some cold, although I think the forecast low of 9 is going to be a challenge. Hopefully, Home Depot sells burlap. Is there anything else I should do?

  21. 21.

    MBL

    John, forget flailing about with individual artists; it’ll take forever. Do you listen to Pandora at all? This is a slightly-customized Lyrics Born station that I’ve created that has probably cost me $100 in new music by now. Give it a listen for an hour and you’re sure to find something: http://t.co/pfLxrjKsYF

  23. 23.

    SectionH

    @JPL: You can just use sheets or lightweight blankets if you don’t want to make a Home Despot run. Cardboard boxes work too, although I realize not everyone has a bunch of empty ones readily available.

    When I lived in Zone 6 (it’s now Zone 7 there, BTNGW) and was facing that kind of cold, I used to put a low wattage bulb under the box or sheet for plants I really wanted to survive. (Just make sure the bulb doesn’t touch the plant and burn it.) That bit of extra heat can raise the temp enough to make a big difference.

    Good luck!

  24. 24.

    Keith G

    Interesting ads are popping up on this thread.

    In re musical exploration, during the last few months I’ve been using the heck out of Spotify (yeah I’m a couple years late). There is so much access to artists I normally wouldn’t have a chance to listen to, as well as access to the back catalogues of my favorites. Good times

  25. 25.

    Ajahn Don

    The only way to become more zen like and calm is through meditation. Mindfulness meditation, insight meditation, vipassana. Nobody becomes more zen like and calm by listening to music. It is paying attention, on purpose, moment by moment, without judgment, in the spirit of inquiry. Enlightenment is highly recommended. Can’t explain how to you will get there. It won’t be through music or literature. Only by sitting in a quiet room alone with your own mind.

  27. 27.

    Anton Sirius

    John, go get the Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol 1 (they only did one). Jump n Move with Jamalski made it onto the Happy Feet soundtrack a decade-plus later, but there’s a lot of great collaborations on it with titans of late 80s/early 90s hip hop – Gang Starr, Black Sheep, Pharcyde, Main Source etc

  28. 28.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @JPL: @SectionH: Just a sheet of plastic will work too. (I like the box idea, never thought of that, DUH!) If you are expecting any snow that will certainly help as well.

    We’re supposed to get somewhere between 7 and 14 inches here and my tractor is down so I can’t plow the drive. Gonna have to pack it down with the truck and then throw sand on it. Should be all that is needed for the wife’s car which does surprisingly well in this stuff.

  29. 29.

    JPL

    @SectionH: During the day the temp is suppose to be in the mid twenties both Monday and Tuesday. Although it says to uncover during the day, I’m tempted to keep them covered.

  30. 30.

    Cassidy

    Kid Cudi
    B.O.B.
    If you like Mac Miller, try Spose
    JuicyJ
    Nappy Roots
    RDGLDGRN
    Anthony J Shears
    Dyme Def

    That’s a start.

  31. 31.

    Violet

    @SectionH: You can use outdoor Christmas lights instead of the light bulb. Works great to add a small amount of heat. Won’t hurt the plant.

  34. 34.

    Fuzzy

    My yesterday music included all the Everly Brothers stuff to which I can still sing along and enjoy. Not so with anything out now so I guess this earworm plant of “Wake Up Little Suzie” will hang in there all day with us old folks.

  35. 35.

    JPL

    Well since I posted my comment earlier, they changed the low to four. Just f..k… The only reason to live in GA is for family and weather. ugh

  36. 36.

    kzoostout

    I’d put in a word for Mos Def and Talib Kweli’s “Black Star” and Mos Def”s “Black on Both Sides.” Also Lupe Fiasco’s work is pretty good if you’re looking for something newer.

  37. 37.

    Violet

    @JPL: I mentioned the Christmas lights as a heat source. You can also fill a container with water and put it under the covering for the plant. Old gallon plastic milk jug or the like. The water raises the temperature just a bit. Do not use plastic sheeting directly on the plant. Conducts heat and cold. Use a sheet or blanket to cover and plastic sheeting on top if precipitation is expected.

  38. 38.

    SectionH

    @JPL: You can leave them covered for a day or two with no harm done.

    @OzarkHillbilly: I’ve actually read advice not to use plastic, although I have used it. I want to say the writers suggested that the non-breathability is an issue, plus it doesn’t hold the ground heat as well. Or maybe I misremember. My own experience is merely that it’s harder to work with, and will blow off much more easily than fabric.

    Reading here and on Fb about the snow, ice, cold, etc. back east reminds me of how damn much work winter is. I never had to use a wood burning stove (Mr S did at one point, when he was being an urban pioneer), but all the rest of it, oh yes. Gah. You have my sympathy.

  39. 39.

    Schlemizel

    I have finally succumbed to the ravages of old age. I kept up with music for 50-some years & always enjoyed the new stuff as well as appreciating the old. When the kids hit their teens there were still artists I would listen to. But rap left me cold, even the mild examples Cole posted are annoying and unpleasant to listen to for me. I have music from 7 decades on my iPod (HA! iPod probably also indicates how I am old, I have a phone I could play music on but hate that idea too) But I am finding less and less new stuff that I ever want to hear.

    Now get you and yer damn car off my lawn!!

  40. 40.

    Violet

    @JPL: Uncover the plants during the day only if highs are above freezing. Otherwise leave covered. Plants will be okay for a few days like that. I cover and uncover plants all the time in winter. Lots of experience.

  42. 42.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @SectionH: Plastic is definitely not the first choice and yeah you need to keep it off the plants and as always anchor it. I just offered it as a cheap alternative for a day or 2.

    @JPL: 4 degrees in GA? I think they just dropped our predicted lows another 5 degrees.

  46. 46.

    skerry

    Melissa Harris-Perry just cried on TV apologizing to the Romney family about last week’s show. Too much.

  47. 47.

    Schlemizel

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    You whiners all understand that those temps are 20+ degrees warmer than the predicted high out here on the tundra on Monday, right?

    The upside is there are no plants to save, either it lives or it doesn’t!

  48. 48.

    Hal

    @skerry: seriously. I love MHP but damn girl, stop apologizing. Does anyone but idiot Palin even still care? At this point she’s just keeping this non issue alive.

  49. 49.

    toine

    wow… back to the ‘noughts…

    US3
    Kruder & Dorfmeister
    Massive Attack
    Morcheeba
    Hooverphonic
    Thievery Corporation
    Zero7
    Greyboy
    the national

  50. 50.

    Southern Beale

    Getting into jazz big-time for the past year. Thanks for the tip, always looking for new artists. I like an outfit called Four80East … check ’em out.

    In the meantime, let me recommend this Dana Milbank piece on John Roberts’ whining about the courts’ funding. In a nutshell:

    Roberts and his fellow jurists are being starved by a system that they, in large part, created.

    Yup. Live by being pro-business, die by being pro-business. The dumb fuck.

  51. 51.

    Schlemizel

    @Hal:

    Its another win for the wingnuts – they play the libs like a fiddle. Seriously, of all the hateful, ugly, vicious, disgusting things said by the entire range of diseases blowfly bait of conservative media has there ever been a single apology? I sure can’t remember one. Occasionally they will walk one back a bit or pretend they were taken out of context but I don’t remember one that said, “I was wrong and I’m sorry”.

  52. 52.

    Schlemizel

    @Southern Beale:

    But, like all good conservatives, Roberts believes he should be treated differently. Its those other people that deserve to be cut off, tossed out, starved or ground down by my policies, NOT ME! They are trying to see how small they can carve the iceberg and still have support from the people being set adrift. Once they find out it will be damned difficult, expensive and painful to stitch the country back together again. but the masters won’t care as they will have made a few extra billion for themselves by then.

  53. 53.

    BD of MN

    @Schlemizel: the one upside ive heard so far is that the predicted -30f will do serious damage to the Emerald Ash Borer larvae, one reason the infestation has reached this far north is the lack of cold snaps in our winters. But -30f will kill something like 97% of the larvae…

  55. 55.

    Al Swearengen

    -30 isn’t enough to kill the Pine Borers here in CO. Gotta hit -50 because the little bastards add glycol (antifreeeze) to their blood.

  56. 56.

    Elizabelle

    @Schlemizel:

    Your point is valid.

    That said, I appreciate people who are good enough and big enough to apologize when they’ve crossed a line.

    I realize RW nutjobs and the terminally immature (not exclusive groups) see an apology as blood in the water or acknowledgment of weakness.

    So it shall always be.

    Besides which, MHP’s tears may take some of the wind out of Romney’s sails when he chats up Fox News Sunday tomorrow.

    It would be so refreshing if Romney said “no offense taken, no harm done” and let it go.

  57. 57.

    bemused

    @Elizabelle:

    It would be refreshing but not gonna happen. I picture Mitt rubbing his hands with glee and anticipation of milking all he can from the incident.

    After reading the Weigel thread below, I want to watch the original 1936 Reefer Madness. I’ll look for it on dvd, my spouse hates watching movies on internet even more than I do.

    Cat lovers here must have seen Catnip: Egress to Oblivion.

  59. 59.

    different-church-lady

    Not that I enjoy pissing in Cheerios, but I assume that since you like these artists enough to share both your enthusiasm and their entire albums with us publicly that you’ve also gone out (or stayed in) and, you know, actually purchased their works?

  60. 60.

    Elizabelle

    @bemused:

    Suspect you’re right. But rightwingers did not do Romney many favors, and he might want to polish his “moderate” credentials, thrown away in pursuit of the “severely conservative” GOP base.

  61. 61.

    Schlemizel

    @BD of MN:
    Thats good to know, I’m afraid it might be too late though.

    @Elizabelle:
    Nature is going to be doing a lot of adjusting in the next few decades & the net affect will not be positive for humanity. I guess we should try to focus on the positive when we can.

    I wish we would hit -50 every winter in hopes it would drive the MF’ers who are trying to make us a frozen Florida down to that land of disenchantment and leave the hardy stock who understand everyone needs a hand once in a while to make it through the bleak stretches. MN used to be a state where everyone did well and most were happy to see to it that everyone was taken care of. But the last 25 or so years have seen that fall apart and the end result is 98% of us are doing worse. We can’t even get them to do a decent job of plowing the roads now & people whine about it, pay large auto insurance premiums because of it and yet are completely mystified about what to do about it.

    @Al Swearengen:
    Daughter lives in Winter PArk, were were out there this summer & it was sad to see huge stands of dead trees – I worry about the fire risk too. Its going to be pretty fough out there for the near future.

  63. 63.

    Elizabelle

    @Schlemizel:

    I’m rooting for a few cold, cold winters to help clean out some Burmese pythons and other invasive species that don’t belong here.

  64. 64.

    gian

    @The Sailor:

    Gandhi famously broke his fast with orange juice, right?

    what should the guy in Utah drink?

    a lot of times I think the people most opposed to gay marriage a closet-cases who are afraid that having a committed marriage might cut down on their adventures … like Larry Craig. But I really don’t know a whole lot.

  66. 66.

    Schlemizel

    @Elizabelle:

    There is little wrong with Florida that a decade of cold snowy winters would not make much better. I’d feel bad for the native inhabitants (feathered, four legged or two) but a good purge would help.

  68. 68.

    Elizabelle

    @Schlemizel:

    I wish we could have targeted cold weather, for Burmese pythons alone. Give birds and mammals a chance. (Which is why I’m anti-Bpython in the first place. They’re eating too efficiently.)

    Either that, or fresh Burmese python turns out to cure cancer. That would be good.

  71. 71.

    Keith G

    @Elizabelle: It’s sort of hard to believe that anybody with more than four brain cells working wouldn’t realize that making a snarky comment about/involving any child of any political partisan would be a very silly thing to do – unless one is willing and able to face down the predictable outrage.

    MHP displayed a surprising lack of tact and wisdom.

    Edited

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