Saturday night Ben and I went to see Blackalicious at the LA Tofu Festival. Some DJ named the Gaslamp Killer opened for them: “Alright guys, this is the Gaslamp Killer comin’ at you. (does a little dance) I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my friend!!!! It’s time for a roll call: SHAR-ON! TIM! BRUCE! HEA-THER!! NANCY!!! (shouts out like 10 more names) THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! (does a little dance again) ETH-I-O-P-I-A!!!!!!!!! (crowd cheers) THAT’S MY FAVORITE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW!!!!!” I kid you not, that is actually what he said. Why did the crowd cheer when he made a shout-out to Ethiopia? FOOLIOS!!! LISTEN!!
Plus, there was some fat fool who looked like an epileptic b-boy minus any form of talent was dancing in front of us during that lame ass Dj’s set. He was taking up the space of three people and was still stepping on people’s toes and backing his ass up into Ben! To make things worse, he was getting into people’s faces because they weren’t dancing or bobbing their heads. “THIS IS HIP HOP!!! YOU MUTHAFUCKERS GOTTA FEEL IT!! YOU CAN’T JUST CHILL!!!” Needless to say, this boy disgusted me:
1. the physical space he was taking up was ridiculous. I couldn’t help but feel that the right he felt to the space was partially due to the fact that he is a young, white male, a demographic that dominates hip hop shows (and of course, everything else)/ I was particularly sensitive to this because hip hop shows are definitely a male- space, so as a woman of color, I was not feeling this fool trying to get into my physical space.
2. the ownership he felt over hip hop culture was so apparent. Who the fuck is he to tell people how to act at a hip hop show? I hate fuckers who think there is only one correct way to enjoy music.
Anyway, I spent most of the show trying to rep the Bay, but failed miserably in a crowd of Los Angelenos.
About Me
- huijeong
- strong-ass woman!, educator, daughter, sister, mentor, overworked, searching, passionate, tired, multi-tasker, loud, worried, wanting to be more, not always present, fleeting, overwhelmed, quiet, mortal, trying to leave my comfort zone
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5 comments:
I was searching on Google for "Gasslamp Killer" 'cause I was at the same and show and thought he was one dope DJ. I stumbled on your site and I gotta say some things here. Just wondering, have you ever been to a hip hop concert, hun? I'm actually really disappointed in your post considering that you're from the bay. Baysters are usually down ass hip hop heads.
First of all, there ain't nothing wrong with Ethiopia. The crowd may have been cheering for Ethiopia for a number of reasons. The fact that the Ethiopian track that he was turning was a sick ass track, the fact that someone in the U.S. acknowledged Ethiopia, the fact that Ethiopia (despite all of the political and economical damages) should be noticed for its beauty. Don't hate on Ethiopia. Do some research to educate yourself.
What's wrong with the "fat fool who looked like an epileptic b-boy minus any form of talent." Your little friend Ben should've grown bigger balls and said something if he was bugging. And he was right. The crowd was dead and you can't just chill at a hip hop show.
And this is in response to your stupid list.
1. You being a mother fuckin' girl did not effect the physical space that was taken up. I was front row center leaning on the border. I am a Japanese female and 5'3" small. I was prepared to get squashed and pushed by people surrounding me 'cause that's what happens at ANY show if there are enough fans in the crowd...REGARDLESS of whether or not you're a male or female. Unfortunately, Japs don't enjoy hip hop as much as they should. I didn't get pushed, I didn't get touched, I didn't have anyone screaming in my ear, I didn't have ANY problems around me. Shit was chill like a bitch.
2. I state again, that the big guy was spittin the truth. You can't just fuckin' stand still. Mother fuckers who chill to classical music don't just stand still. If you were reppin' the bay, you wouldn't have been standing still anyway, hun. You obviousely FAILED.
anonymous, thanks so much for your amusing comment!
you seem to have some problems understanding my post.
hating on ethiopia? hells no. i'm hating on people who seem to think loving a third world country is in vogue and demonstrate this love by appropriating TW culture.
in terms of physical space, i'm not complainging about the crowd or the pushing. i too can fend for myself. it is, however, apparent that you have a hard time interpreting the relationship of physical space and gender/ race privilege. it's def problematic for white boys (or epistemologically colonized folks of color) to be "owning" something they merely consume or imitate.
as for only one way to enjoy hiphop? i'm def not a hip hop afficianado, but stop being such a nazi! chill out. culture changes through time, interaction, and personal interpretation. as a woman of color its a shame you don't know this or see the ramifications of such structures on your own life. there is no one way to enjoy any type of music. if ppl want to get crunk or merely stand there and chill, it shouldn't bother anyone but the artist (and then its on the artist to change the response of the crowd). "hun", culture is dynamic. to say or think otherwise is foolish. after all, it is the fluidity of culture that allows you to post your opinions on my blog and allows you to go to a hip hop show. if culture was static, you would instead be donning a kimono and walking on a man's back.
p.s. about ben? you're right, it's a shame that ben is not as "hard" as you appear to be. it's *always* best to start a fight. how old are you? 17?!
Hey anonymous, why use the word Jap? Are you filled with self hatred or trying to reclaim the word?
-T
omg anonymous.. u are fucking stupid!!! do you not know how to read?! obviously you need to educate YOURself. Youre lame.
PS. way to use the word "japs" dumbass !
To anonymous,
I was going to write a very detailed comment about how stupid, prejudice and ignorant you are, but I thought I would just resort to your pathetic level.
Your existence in this world is completely unecessary. Go hide under a rock.
Love,
Ben (the boy you think should grow bigger balls even though they are too big to fit in your mouth)
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