Top 5 MC's

Hip hop is my heart and soul. I think it. I dream it. I breathe it. I live for music itself actually. I can't believe that I haven't done this already, but here are my top 5 favorite rappers. Believe it or not my list doesn't consist of Jay Z, Tupac, or Lil Wayne. There are very few people who name their top 5 without at least one of those, and though all 3 have been influential to hip hop, none of them are personal favorites of mine. So. . . here goes nothing.

1) Eminem is without a doubt my favorite rapper. Everything that comes out of his mouth is so raw, and I love that about him. He doesn't sugarcoat things so that they sound better. He doesn't try to hide his past. He wants his fans to know who he is as a person, the good and the bad. Everything from Infinite to Recovery has been nothing less than amazing. . . though he has put out a few songs here and there that were BS. My favorite Eminem album is The Marshall Mathers LP by far. It's my favorite hip hop album of all time.

2) Number 2 on my list is a hip hop artist named Common, formerly known as Common Sense. There are few hip hop songs that I have listened to that compare to his "I Used To Love H.E.R.", a song about how hip hop as changed over the years. It is arguably one of the best hip hop songs of all times. He is a wonderful lyricist, and I love his flow. Though it seems that Common has lost himself with his most recent album, everything else has been dope. Be is in my top 10 hip hop albums of all time. . . and I believe it always will be.

3) Joe Budden is numero tres on my list. Unless you've already had a conversation with me about my favorite rappers. . . I bet you're shocked. Most people hear his name and automatically remember how terrible his single Pump It Up was. They overlook Mood Muzik 3, Padded Room, and Escape Route. If they actually listened to those albums they would know how dope Joey really is. He raps about real shit. Emotional shit. Relateable shit. If you haven't given him a fair chance, please do. Are you in that mood yetttt? No. . . ? Well you should be!

4) Andre Lauren Benjamin, better known as Andre 3000 of Outkast comes in at number four on my list. His style is just so fresh, and though that has nothing to do with his amazing ability to rap, it does help him a little. Lyrically he is one of the best in the game. No question about it. His voice is so unique, and I love it. He's been coming out with some new music lately, and I can't wait for his mixtape to drop!

5) Last, but certainly not least is Talib Kweli. I fell in love with him the moment I heard his poetry on Def Poetry Jam. He really opened my eyes about a lot of issues, especially religion. He performed a piece called Hell on Def Poetry that he later turned into a song that I feel everyone should listen to. We're going to see great things from him in the near future. Just wait and see.

Honorable mentions:
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Friends

"What are friends?
Friends are people that you think are your friends
But they're really your enemies with secret identities
And disguises to hide their true colors
So just when you think you're close enough to be brothers
They wanna come back and cut your throat when you ain't lookin'"
- If I Had, Eminem

In today's society it is difficult to recognize the difference between real and fake. When a person is real, they don't constantly feel the need to remind people that they are. Everyone already knows.

It is important to have a handful of real friends. Having a few real friends is way better than having tons of fake ones. Don't surround yourself with a bunch of Regina George's.

There are constantly going to be people coming and going from your life. There will be people that will want to surround you when you are at your highest, most successful point. . . but don't let them fool you. If they weren't there when you were at your lowest, they don't need to be there at your highest.

A real friend will remain in your life, regardless of the circumstances. Whether you are at your highest peak or your lowest point, they will not bail. Real friends will always be there to help you better yourself. They will help you in your time of need, no matter what. They are not worried about embarrassment because of the situation you are in. . . because they know that if they work hard enough and encourage you enough, you won't be in it for long. They will do whatever it takes to see that you are doing what you need to do in order to succeed. It's when you are going through a rough time that you see who your true friends are.

Try your best not to rely on other people, but remember that sometimes you need guidance. You will not always be strong. That is why it is necessary to have someone with strength to lean on when you're too weak to stand alone.

Real Men

We all know someone who has been in a relationship with a bad guy. They've been either physically or emotionally attacked, sometimes even both. Many women refuse to leave the bad relationships that they are in because they're afraid, not necessarily of the man. . . but afraid of being alone. Relationships shouldn't consist of putdowns, beatings, and cheating. If they do, get out! It's as simple as that. Though I understand that's easier said than done. Find a real man! Someone who knows how to treat a woman the proper way.

Determining whether or not the guy you're interested in is a real man can be rather tricky. Being 20 years old, going to college and having a career paying job does NOT make him a man. . . as much as I hate to admit it. It's SO much more than that.

He's a real man if:
He can recognize when he's wrong, admit it, apologize, and move on without making a big deal about things.
He isn't afraid to show his emotions.
He doesn't try to hide you from his friends and family.
He tells you how much he appreciates you.
He is always honest! No matter what.
He can remain faithful without a second thought.
He doesn't pressure you into doing things that you don't want to do.
He can sympathize with you.
He shows focus and dedication in all that he does.
He wears pink.

Obviously I was kidding about the last one, but you get my point. He shows you how much he cares, and isn't afraid to tell others. If the guy you are in a relationship with fits the description above, he's a keeper. But if he doesn't, you might be dating a man child. How can you tell?

He's a boy if:
He puts you down.
He doesn't support your dreams.
He won't make things official.
He runs back to his ex, CONSTANTLY!
He puts his hands on you.
He cheats on you.
He lies.
He tells you the sweetest things, but pretends he doesn't know you in front of his friends.



If the guy you're interested in fits this description, the best advice I can give you is to drop him. He's not worth the time and effort, and sure as hell doesn't deserve you. Don't get a relationship with a guy who has the mindset of a child. Believing you can change a guy is the biggest mistake in the world. You aren't anything special to him, and he is guaranteed to hurt you hurt you!

The sad thing is, 45% of "boys" will never mature into men. Not really 45%, I just made that up. The percentage is probably higher actually. Anyway, they think having multiple females and treating them however they want will always get them somewhere, but eventually it'll catch up to them. Whether it's 10 years from now, or 40 years from now when they're all wrinkly and old, it will bite them in the ass.


Just refuse to worry about it! Plain and simple. Silly childish boys aren't worth getting emotional over. Drop them, and move on to a real man. You'll be 13820 times happier. Promise.

I Had No Time To Hate

I had no time to hate, because
The grave would hinder me,
And life was not so ample I
Could finish enmity.

Nor had I time to love, but since
Some industry must be,
The little toil of love, I thought,
Was large enough for me.

-Emily Dickinson