Kind Of Like Mel Gibson And Danny Glover

Andre 3000: Simpsonized and Stigmatized

Usually this type of art is questionably offensive, but since Dre has been disputing these type of claims since the 90's, this piece gets filed away in the fuzzy (and subjective) realm of social commentary. At least take a minute and revisit a classic and remind yourself (read: myself) why 3000 is one of the most enlightening MC's to bless a microphone. New age preachers, anyone?

Lyrics below. Pardon the french, but it serves a purpose. Oh, and as far as dialects are concerned, southern vernacular is unparalleled.

[Dre]
It's the return of the gangsta. Thanks to...
Them n's that's on that blow
That run up in yo[ur] crib which contains your lady and an 8 month old child to raise,
Plus you['re] true blue [a]bout this music, but
They do not want to hear it because...
They'd rather be bouncing and shooting and killing and bouncing and s'.
Get down.

Return of the gangsta. Thanks to...
Them n's that thank [think] ya'll soft and say ya'll be gospel rapping,
But they be steady clapping
When you talk about
B's & switches & h's & clothes & weed.
Let's talk about time traveling; Rhyme javelin';
Something mind unraveling.
Get down.

Return of the gangsta. Thanks to...
Them n's that got them kids
That got enough to buy an ounce, but
Not enough to bounce them kids to the zoo or to the park
So they grow up in the dark never seeing light,
So they end up being like
Yo[ur] sorry a', robbing n's in broad a' daylight,
GET DOWN.

Return of the gangsta. Thanks to...
Them n's that get the wrong impression of expression
Then the question is, "Big Boi, what's up with Andre?
Is he in a cult? Is he on drugs? Is he gay?
When y'all gon' break up?"
When y'all gon' wake up, n'?
I'm feeling better than ever. What's wrong with you?
You get down!

More simpsonized "No Homer" posters (with less/more social commentary) here.
Format Mag's previously posted Classic Hip Hop CD covers recreated in LEGO here.

Previously: It Ain't Hard To Tell The World Is (Not) Yours

I Told You Life Was Beautiful

Cynical Optimism: Reality before ideology. A state of existence in which one questions or rejects the qualities and values of the world, all the while retaining a utopian outlook on life. Usually results in genuine joy as opposed to perceived happiness.
syn. Positive Skepticism

...Clothes that you rap about, s’ that I stayed in.
You n’s get love, but that’s the s’ that I was made in.

Well, they told me I was beautiful
I told you I was beautiful
I told you I was beautiful
I told you I was beautiful

Like Stevie on the keys,
Isley on the strings;
Every time I see you it reminds me of them things.
Every time I see you it reminds me of my dreams.
Everything is fine, [I] hope I find you when I leave.
Just because I style, they think I aint broken.
And just because I smile, they be thinking I be joking.
I pass on the blunt and n’s think that I be smoking.
Bust my A’s hat and n’s think that I’m from Oakland,
But I’m just athletic; Just as Reddick.
And when I say you’re fine, I’m talking just aesthetics
‘Cause it’s kind of a façade.
You steady going out. Chest be poking out,
When you know you got a job
And you barely got benefits
Talking what you fitna get
It’s all cool now, but I want you to remember this…
…Sin a bit, pray more. Thank you for this day, Lord.
Only answer to You, so I shouldn’t have to say more.

And I told you life was beautiful
I told you it was beautiful
I told you I was beautiful
I told you I was beautiful
I told you I was beautiful
I told you I was beautiful