Since I’m kind of on a music kick right about now… I love music, even more so lately. I really FEEL it; some songs more than others. I’ve been taking my phone with me when I take a shower… no, not IN the shower, but right outside, where I can listen to some music while I take a bath. I always have my ear buds with me… on the train to work, coming back home from work, sometimes walking downtown. You have to be a little careful, just because if you turn it up, they really drown out the outside noise, and when you’re on the train, at least the CTA, and/or walking around downtown, you have to be aware. I hate when people sneak up on me… not purposely, but when I turn around and there’s somebody right next to me… A lot of crime happens because people are not aware; not their fault by any means, yet… a little awareness can lead to some prevention, no doubt.
Anyways, back to THIS song. Speaking about the golden era of hip-hop, I have my 3 favorite artists. Nas, Biggie, and Wu-Tang in any particular order lead the charge in the early 90s. Nas’ Illmatic is my favorite album, period. Wu-Tang has more hits though. Combining their first 2 group efforts with all their individual recordings… yeah, I think they’re the kings in my book. But Biggie… of course, his life was cut short; we didn’t get to see how great he could be, yet if you listened to both of his albums that he was able to bring out, you already knew. Love most of both of those albums, but there’s one song that rises to the top; it’s the first track on his first album.
Things done changed… kind of represents how I feel a little bit right now, but the song… man, when I first put that cassette in my walkman, and listened to Ready To Die… after the intro… this song hits hard. Of course the hook helps too… from Dr Dre from my favorite song on The Chronic, Lil’ Ghetto Boy… sheesh. “Things done changed on this side, remember they used to thump, but now they blast, right?”… all the way until the start of Biggie’s last verse: “If I wasn’t in the rap game, I’d probably be a key knee deep in the crack game… because the streets is a short stop, either you slangin’ crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot… shit…” Shit, I have to listen to it right now.
I hate change, but… if one thing is inevitable, besides death and taxes, right? Losing a parent is a big change; I think I’m stating the obvious, although it hits everyone different, I’m sure. I’m different now; that’s just how I feel… no excuses, no faking the funk, it is what it is. No getting back to normal, just finding the new normal. Adapt or die pretty much… figuring it out is all, so “don’t ask me what I’m m-f-ing stressed”… things done changed…
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