Mood Music for Printed Matter

If you are a fan of East Coast hip hop, like I am, then I am sure that you have heard a rapper or two say, “do the science” or something about being part of the righteous 5% before. I never knew what it meant and to an extent I didn’t care. Sadly, I didn’t even brother doing some research about the subject either. I assume it was something terrifying. I mean, every entertainer is part of a global conspiracy, right? My mind, thankfully, has become clear due to the wisdom of The RZA. The Wu Tang Manuel and The Tao of Wu are essential reading, not just if you are a fan of the Wu, but for some overall knowledge. The RZA barely starches the surface about the teachings of the 5% Nation. Supreme Mathematics, Supreme Alphabets, the 120, etc. are all given a generously “hand holding” introduction by The RZA. These subjects intrigue me and I will be furthering my studies about this for some time. Lastly, you may wonder why I recommended Knowledge of Self instead of The RZA’s efforts and a Wu playlist for Mood Music. Well, simply put, it was an Amazon.com recommendation. (And I am glad that I actually took up one of this recommendation.) This book contains a multitude of members from the 5% Nation and tells why they joined and how it has (or hasn’t) benefited them. An intriguing read. All of the answers that we need are right inside of us already.

Music that fits the Overall Mood:
“One Mic” by Nas (Stillmatic)
“Be” by Common (Be)
“Crack Music” by Kayne West (Late Registration)
“Simple Man” by Shinedown
"I Can" by Nas

Everyone knows the story of Pablo Escobar. The poor little Cuban, who wanted to share his healing medicine with the entire world. Of course he wanted a little money for his medicine, which is why he established an LLC. Please understand this man just wanted to make a little to provide for his family and the families of the honest men whom worked under him. So please, don’t scrutinize him for turning a profit. As monstrous as the profits may be, in Pablo’s line of work (selling pharmaceuticals) people are greedy, which in turn, meant that there was plenty of competition. To settle disputes, all of these established business men handled disagreements in the mildest fashion as possible. Pablo, unscathed, eventually stood as the undisputed supplier of medicine after the dust settled. His dedication to the well being of Columbia and her people never stopped either. The citizens all adored him and all of the contributions that he made to the Columbian people. All violence seemed to stop on Pablo’s watch, children performed record numbers academically, and the overall economy was thriving. But as every politician has some dirt on him or her, so did Pablo. The U.S. didn’t believe one ounce of his extremely fabricated stories and neither should you.

Music that fits the Overall Mood:
“Hustin’” by Rick Ross ft. Busta Rhymes (Prelude to the Big Bang)
“I Don’t Like the Drugs” by Marilyn Manson
“Grinding” by Clipse (Lord Willin’)

If you ever had ambitions to join a Criminal Enterprise and then get hit with an R.I.C.O. act, this is the book for you! As much as I do find the continuing criminality of a person intriguing, I would never want to be in the same bed as them. The Mafia has been in many books and movies over the better part of the last half a century. So as far as secrecy goes, the cover has been blown long ago. Now you would have to be very naive to think that they have been completely decimated. As long as money and the wanting for men to feel like underground kings are there, so will crime syndicates. Represented here are just some of the nefariously known stories that a person will go through to achieve the American Dream: Money, Power, and Respect. What more could you ask for? Well, you know, besides trafficking in cigarettes to avoid doing sexual favors in prison for the rest of your life or getting two the back of the head! But hey, it’ll all part of the life, right? Now wear that goddamn pinky ring in pride!

Music that fits the Overall Mood:
“Incarcerated Scarfaces” by Reakwon “the Chief” (Only Built for Cuban Lynx)
“The Professional” by DMX
“Tradin’ War Stories” by 2pac (All Eyez on Me)
“Welcome to the Family” by Avenged Sevenfold (Nightmare)

Quickly, what is the first thing that you think about whenever you hear the word welfare? Some lower class person with five kids, who is perfectly able to work, but just insists on leaching off of the government? Benefits include free housing, food stamps, etc.? There are no doubts that there are millions out there who bottom feed off of the government. One reoccurring problem is that we only think of the aforementioned group. Unknowing to some, that’s only one half. The confusing thing about the other half of bottom feeders, whom are sometimes far less visible to us, is that they are already at the top of the proverbial food chain. Why would these “fat cats” what even more money or tax breaks when they already have a fortune? Because, simply put, why the fuck not! I am trying hard not to place too much of my personal opinion in state of facts, but this corporate welfare needs to stop just like any other forms for people who do not really need it. And the government needs to wake up as well.

Music that fits the Overall Mood:
“Greed” by Godsmack (Awake)
“Paid in Full” Eric B. and Rakim
“Taxman” by the Beatles (Revolver)
“The Evening News” by Chamillionaire (Ultimate Victory)
“Take Me Away” by Ice Cube (I Am the West)

World War Z is the fictional (obliviously) oral retelling of the Zombie World War. Although fictional, this is one of the few fiction books that I ever read that had me truly terrified. (A Lesson Before Dying was the other one, but for different reasons.) The overall theme of this book is grim and filled with dire circumstances. When the characters personal stories are retold you feel for the characters more than Left 4 Dead or any John Romero film ever did. (Don’t take that as a diss. I love Left 4 Dead and almost any John Romero films. They just handle the zombie apocalypse in different manners, respectfully.) Embedded in this seemingly hopeless war is the underlying theme of the unbreakable human spirit and will. Even after all of our different ideological views, we will band together for the future of the human race. Or at least that is what I retained from the book.

Music that fits the Overall Mood:
“Not Ready to Die” by Avenged Sevenfold (Call of Duty: Black Ops Soundtrack)
“Nightmare” by Avenged Sevenfold (Nightmare)
“Mad World” by Elliot Smith