Stress, Pain, and Agony: Tor'cha book review

This book right here is very, very, very awesome. It was written by my man Todd Craig who, since I met him last year, has been both a mentor and good friend of mine. Don't get it twisted, friendship or no friendship, if this book was wack I would say so. Luckily, for Todd Tor'cha is as far away from wack as you can get. Dude is a masterful writer who possess an insight of the human condition that I wish most black writers in the genre of contemporary urban literature possessed. So if you get the opportunity, please check him out at www.Blackerinkwells.com.

Tor’cha

By Todd Craig

To grow up in Hip-Hop means more than just listening to the music or throwing up some aimless tag on a subway car. Rather, it means growing up in an environment where people are often filled with the same kind of abysmal introspection Ghostface Killah is imbued with on the track Can It All Be So Simple. It’s a place where the kids no longer pitch pennies or play ding dong ditch, where beef is truly inevitable, and letters to incarcerated brethren are often ended with two simple words: one love. Unfortunately, many books within the genre of contemporary urban literature typically paint a melodramatic picture of this world. Luckily, there are writers within the genre who keep with James Baldwin’s assertion that “all art is a kind of confession” in which all artists have an obligation to themselves and their craft to “vomit” up the truth. Todd Craig is one such writer who has placed a lifetime of his experiences between the lines of his aptly named book, Tor’cha (Swank Books).

With a storyline chronologically set out of order, Tor’cha’s dutifully follows three childhood friends, eM, Christian, and Deem, as they struggle to keep from drowning in a world beset with amorality. To better illuminate this struggle, each chapter’s central conflict is cumulated with a character being forced to make a decision to either uphold or to break one of the Bible’s 10 commandments. Along with this, each chapter’s moral subtext is based on The Nation of Gods and Earths’ numerological mediations known as Supreme Mathematics. With this infusion the similarities which exist between the ethos of Christianity and The Nation of Gods and Earths are made clear. For instance, the chapter which references the 8^th commandment, Thou Shalt Not Steal, has the character eM placed into a position where he must decide whether or not to proceed with a robbery of a friend. At the same time, the number 8, as defined by Supreme Mathematics, represents the concept of build or destroy. Therefore the chapter’s moral is expressed through the impact which eM’s actions have in either “building” or “destroying” the harmony which exist within him and those around him.

But what makes Tor’cha such an enthralling book is the degree of detail which is used in the development of each character. This is facilitated in large part to the fact that all three characters are based on people that Todd knew growing up in the storied Queensbridge housing projects. For instance, the character Deem is based on the late Killer Black, Todd’s close friend and brother to Mobb Deep’s Havoc. Through his intimate experiences with his fallen brethren, Todd is able to detail for the reader the agonizing private moments which undoubtedly Killer Black went through as he struggled to ward off the specter of his violent past. This level of insight afforded to Todd is what truly makes Tor’cha a refreshing addition to the often sensationalized genre of contemporary urban literature. Neither Deem nor the other two main characters are aimless provocateurs of their far too often stereotyped roles in urban America. Todd is able to show, for lack of a better word, the mundane existence which many young Black males face as they traverse the urban landscape. As the story progresses, the quite moments of introspection and the public interactions of each character grab the readers and places them on the hardhearted streets with the characters. By engaging his readers with a realistic portrayal of three black youths, Todd is able to make Tor’cha a book which not only speaks to the Hip Hop generation, but to a much wider audience.

-Brother Malcolm

The Missing Link has been found: an interview with Raekwon

I'm sorry for the 6 month delay(damn, time moves fast when working at a meaningless job), but I'm back like the second coming of Christ. My new mission is simple: bless the world with some fly and wonderful articles. But before I hit you with the new, I got to catch you up on what I've been doing since the last time We've spoke. Below is an interview I conducted with Raekwon in mid July of 09'. Read and enjoy.

Lost amid my collection of colorless audio cassette tapes is an island of rectangular purple. Battle scared and missing some of its track listings due to years of wear, this cassette lies quietly within my shoe box awaiting its day to be played once again. And while this ominous “Purple Tape”, better known to the world as Only Built for Cuban Linx, will probably continue to drift aimlessly amidst this sea of hardened plastic, the music which once played from its reels will forever be a quintessential example of raw, unadulterated Hip Hop. Yet for Raekwon, the man behind the creation of this landmark album, the prestige which continues to follow Cuban Linx hasn’t necessarily followed him. Like so many artist before him, Raekwon’s subsequent albums, Immorbilarity and The Lex Diamond Story, were unfortunate victims of the monolithic shadow cast by his classic freshmen effort. This, coupled with the Wu-Tang Clan’s diminished mainstream popularity, has put both Raekwon’s career and legacy in question. Yet, in the wake of controversy that followed the Wu-Tang Clan’s last album, 8 Diagrams, Raekwon was seemingly filled with a new zeal of artistic creativity. Now imbued with a reserved, yet acute awareness of his craft, Raekwon has successfully put the Pyrex pot back on the kitchen stove with his 4^th solo album, Only Built for Cuban Linx II. Set as the sequel to his first album, Cuban Linx II boasts production from the likes of The Rza, Dr.Dre, and J-Dilla and will also feature such artists as Ghostface Killah, Nas and The Game. Recently, Yo!Raps got the opportunity to speak to Raekwon about his new album, his goals in life, and why Hip Hop desperately needs his brand of lyrical cook up.

Yo!Raps: You just got back from an European tour, right?

Raekwon: Naw its real I just got back. Those motherfucking rides ain’t no joke. Shout out to all those people who were on that plane coming from Brazil to Paris. I got back in the day before and that shit was bothering me man. Shit like that is what we as people are subjected to when we fly to these places.

Yo!Raps: You’re definitely right about that.

Raekwon: And the shit makes me mad because it doesn’t feel like anybody fucking cares. I didn’t hear anything in the fucking press about it. And I’m like, ‘Come on man, a plane just disappeared in the ocean ’, know what I mean? I think we need be more attentive to people losing their loved ones and shit like that.

Yo!Raps: I agree.

Raekwon: But it’s all good because [the victims of the plane crash] are in good hands now.

Yo!Raps: You’re right about that. So, how were you received out in Europe?

Raekwon: Oh it was a lot of love man. One thing about Wu-Tang is that we have built a super fan base outside of the country. And it’s not like we built it, but it’s like they really respect us for what we’ve done. They respect our Hip Hop and they’ve really been supporting us for like the last 15 years strong. So they’re like to me people who I have to go see regardless of what.

Yo!Raps: So do you feel that you and the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan get better reception outside of America than you do in America?

Raekwon: I would say that we defiantly get better response because [our international audiences] are fortunate to even have an American rapper make it over to their country. So that’s almost like a blessing to be able to see dudes from the states come over and give them a performance. So it’s always love whenever we go out there because they appreciate us more.

Yo!Raps: Do you feel that a group just talented as the Wu-Tang Clan could debut in this current era of music and have the same that you and your brothers had during the 90’s?

Raekwon: I think that at the end of the day people are going to like anything that’s creative and real. People got to understand that there are a lot of people out there who are still nice that aren’t getting their shot because they don’t know somebody at Def Jam. But yeah, if a group came out of nowhere, 8 dudes, and their production is nasty hell yeah their going to blow up.

Yo!Raps: So, when can we expect to see Cuban Linx II in stores?

Raekwon: The album is coming out August 11^th. That’s the set date right now, but anything can happen because you know how the music business can be. But right off top I’m letting you know that it’s definitely here though. The wait is over and now we can give yall a piece of what we’ve been doing.

Yo!Raps: So in speaking about Cuban Linx II I’ve got to ask you about the 2006 interview Rza did for Scratch Magazine. In the interview Rza was talking about how he and Dr. Dre were working on Cuban Linx II. I know some things have changed since that interview, but is this version of Cuban Linx II that Rza was speaking about in 2006 the same album that will be coming out August 11^th?

Raekwon: Well this is defiantly the album that he was talking about and yes things did go on another course, but only for the better. I feel that at the end of the day we have made a classic. Everybody wants us to go back to that vintage Wu-Tang sound and we did that by a landslide. You’ve heard the new Wu that’s out right now?

Yo! Raps: Yeah.

Raekwon: Well that’s Rza’s flavor. And I think that me and him really know what we got to on this shit. He trusted me like I trusted him to do his job and we ended up putting together some mean shit. At the end of the day we both feel comfortable that this new album didn’t take away from the first one and it’s a classic. So when you got brothers like J-Dilla, Rza, Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, Scram Jones, and The Alchemist all coming together to compete with Rza’s first Cuban Linx, it’s like yo that’s serious right there. So it was serious that we hold it down lyrically. Anytime you get the Clan to really get on some shit that everybody knows that they’re good for, it’s like almost introducing back to game on a bigger level again.

Yo!Raps: That’s what’s up. I think a lot people don’t know that the first Cuban Linx is a conceptually based album. It’s brilliant and I’m just saying that because you and I are sitting here speaking. For instance, I tell a lot of people to watch the John Woo’s movie The Killer because scenes of that movie are all over Cuban Linx…

Raekwon: Exactly and I’m glad you brought that up. If you look at the title of the album it begins with the word “only” because we want people to be able to relate to our story and our visions. Other people that really don’t relate, they’re looking for party music, know that this is not the album for them. But, at the end of the day, this is defiantly an album that will pick your mind and make you feel that Hip Hop is still here. It’s my job to make sure that I keep a certain kind of way and don’t go outside of my lane. I mean want to keep up to date with what’s going on, but I got to make sure that I don’t sacrifice what I have already created because I’m a leader in this business. So they always look at us to bring the creation back to the table and that’s what we’ve done with this album.

Yo!Raps: I think what many people don’t realize about the first Cuban Linx is that there is moral subtext which questions our understanding of what defines a man as either good or evil. Will Only Built for Cuban Linx II contain the same subtext or will the album be focusing on something else?

Raekwon: I’m going to keep it real, this one right here is going back to when there was no record deal. We’re going get back to strong lyrics, strong content, stories, classic Wu interludes and cuts. We just back on that cocaine rap type shit because that how we made the first [Cuban Linx]. That’s when we were expressing the lifestyle that was only built for curtain people. But, at the end of the day, you know I got a little bit of consciousness on there for the audience to let them know that we got heart. But this one is back to the projects, know what I mean?

Yo!Raps: Cool, so I heard that you credited Busta Rhymes for helping get back into your Cuban Linx state of mind. Explain what the Cuban Linx mindset is and how did Busta help you get there?

Raekwon: That Cuban Linx mindset is having the opportunity to really make the right decisions and the moves when it comes to dropping a classic behind another classic. So I always have to be focused and surround myself with the right energy. As for Busta, he’s a good friend of mine and he’s definitely somebody who I could say who’s work ethic is bananas. He speaks from the heart; he’s not on no rapper shit. He ain’t somebody who’s just trying to get in my pocket. Rather, with me and him its real friendship. I admire brothers who think like that because I’ve thought like that to with other niggas that I’ve dealt with too. Because when you got love for a nigga you do anything that you can to help him win and that’s what he’s been doing. He’s was able to help me establish a relationship with J-Dilla before he past; he was able to get me in with [Dr.]Dre and get him involved with the project. I’m truly blessed to have a friend like him.

Yo!Raps: I know you’ve probably already heard Jay-Z’s new song, D.O.A(Death of Autotune). As a veturen in the game, I love to know what is your opinion of this whole autotune debate?

Raekwon: With autotune it’s like everybody is on their monkey see shit right now. There’s nothing wrong with it until it starts going that way when everybody starts to rock the same hat. That’s when it starts becoming some bullshit and that’s what pisses me off about the game. It’s like everybody’s a fucking follower and it seems like we ain’t got anymore leaders. So, at the end of the day, I just look at it like people are going to get the kind of music that they want, but you’re going to have different kinds of Hip Hop that is going to touch you where you’re not going to know the difference. My thing is to go back to the realness. I’m going back to being an MC, I’m going back to trying to get myself on hard beats, and I’m doing whatever I got to do to make it. I’m not getting caught up in the hook world where everything has to be a hook. Big Daddy Kane had the world saying ‘ain’t no half steeping’ and all that fly shit. They were killing songs with just 20 bars and no hooks. Back then it was just about energy and making good music. That’s what I’m going back with this because I feel like shit is being stolen from us like the motherfucking Indians. It’s like our land is being taken from us. Niggas treat music nowadays like it’s a Maytag. It’s like hitting a broad that the whole block is hitting and you can’t even show her out because she’s not carrying herself right. Hip Hop’s not carrying herself right anymore. And to keep it real, there’s a lot of motherfuckers who claim they want Hip Hop, but they’re not making it either. You can’t keep these so called Hip Hop songs with all this R&B shit in the middle of them. Now don’t get me wrong, that’s R&B Hip Hop. But that’s not Hip Hop, it’s R&B Hip Hop. That’s my opinion and I’m going to always stand by that because I’m these niggas who really got a passion for this shit man. Let’s get back to the beats and rhymes. Raw beats, raw rhymes, being creative, and original.

Yo!Raps: Hip Hop is like the neighborhood whore. Wow, I couldn’t have said it better. So, is there anybody in your opinion who embodies the type of Hip Hop that you like to listen to? In other words, who from this generation of MCs do you feel is worthy of your respect?

Raekwon: Naw, I’m not taking anything from nobody’s hustle man. Motherfuckers got good hustle, but at the same time motherfuckers are rhyming in front of a bunch of kids. And kids are easily influenced off of image anyway. But my thing is just step it up. You don’t have to be the most lyrical nigga, but try to be creative through know what I mean? Build your own lane. I don’t want niggas thinking that I’m hating on these niggas or whoever is hot right now. I really don’t give a fuck about all that right now because at the end of the day, I’m getting my money like you’re getting yours. We can go around the world together. I just want dudes to be original and create something that people will say “yo, I’m buying this niggas album”. And not, “I’m getting the fly video from this nigga and two records” because your jerking the people if your goal is to do it like that. Don’t jerk the people, make them feel comfortable. But we haven’t been getting that lately.

Yo!Raps: In getting back to our discussion about Cuban Linx II, who will be some of the artist featured on it?

Raekwon: Well you know first and foremost the Clan will be featured on it. I can never make another Wu album without having the Clan involved with it. So you got the Clan and you also got Jadakiss up there. I got my man Beanie Sigel on it who I think came in and did a remarkable job as far as showing his skill. We got a few other folks, but we’re going to keep it moderate for right now and surprise some of these cats.

Yo!Raps: In what ways do you feel that you’ve changed since the last Cuban Linx album and how is this change reflected on Cuban Linx II?

Raekwon: I’ve changed a lot. I got stronger. I know how to really pick the right music that I’ve wanted to have. Of course when we first started, we were teenaged cats with it. So all it did was get better and learned how go after what I really want to do. It’s all about wanting to improve. I think I’ve done enough work to be at the level of comfort with the music that I put out. And you can only get better as you go on and I’ve had a lot of time to get my swords sharp. So don’t ever think it’s over because I still rhyme, I’m still delivering flows, whether it’s fast or slow, and I’m still able to get in where I can get in at.

Yo!Raps: So, when everything is said and done what do you want people to think of when they mention your name?

Raekwon: I want people to say “Yo, he got busy man. He was part of that Rap Civil Rights movement. He was a front line dude for it. He didn’t ever sell out to where he didn’t recognize the people that got him there. That’s my thing because I recognize the people who got me here so I’m forever fateful and loyal to them. So, at the end of the day, just know that he was the type of brother who came in and did like that.

Yo!Raps: Yo, that’s what’s up man.

Raekwon: Aight.

Check out Cuban Linx II in stores August 11.

-Malcolm Nelson