Finna Be Epic

Epic is doing it again. September 3rd, the Epic Hip Hop Slam will be going down, with Dv8 featuring at Write-On Poetry Spot. That's right, come out Saturday night and catch Dv8 of the Wiz Kids performing at the Epic Hip Hop! You don't wanna miss this! Doors open at 8p, show starts at 9p.

Real Or Foreal

An hour long awkward silence, interrupted by two young men discussing something of the other, becomes a disturbingly surreal reiteration of every cliche "black folks" quotable. An irrationally tattooed middle-aged man, centered in the back row of the bus, is slightly bending his attention toward the two younger passengers conversation. One of them mentions a name that strikes interest to the prehistoric Lil Wayne impersonator. Suddenly, along with a kind and friendly nod, "Big Wayne" concurs and continues on about the judge by saying, "Yeah, he coo..." The man's reason for having favoritism toward this particular judge was inspired by how light the sentences received were, through the ruling of that court. "Shoot first time, he was just like probation, second time probation, and the third time ninety days house arrest. Psh! What's that gone do?" Apparently, lightly punishing a criminal is the thing to do, in this judicial system. He continued mocking those who faced time for traffic violations, as if the goal of everyone should've been to become the greater threat to society. As always, that incident lead to the question at hand. What makes my people think in a paradox?

It seems as though Americans, African-Americans in particular, have the notion to reverse everything to stand for the exact opposite of what it really means, by definition. For instance, why is it that this old-young man feels so confidently righteous about his exceptional criminal record? Although it's true never to judge a book by its cover, there comes an even more difficult task to deny the book of its title, when each page repeats itself in the top right corner. Leave it up to lower class black people to remind you that fantasy, idealism, and denial are the cornerstones to reality, and all of its adversities. As we all know, entertainment is the exaggeration of all that is real. Listen closely to the music. The constant reminder that making an honest living in society, with the hopes to raise a complete family and leave a legacy of strong morals and even stronger foundation, is most definitely NOT the way to live. Fast cars, high priced fashion, little clue of what is to become of the future, and a predominately torn relationship with God and self seem to hold a stronger position in this kind of truth, than the truth itself. The question isn't where did all of this start, but, "What the hell?" If being blind has ever had a language, it has to be exposed in the careless twisting of words of wisdom such as, "God save us...", "There's gotta be a better way...", and the INFAMOUS, " It's all good...". Would you like to know why? Because, oxymoronically, they all coincide with one another. The order goes, blame everything around you with the obvious idea that you are the only reason for your predicament, become motivated enough to at least express your opinion with a weak and cliche cry for help, then when it's all said and done, submit and accept the corruption and chaos that surrounds you, then cultivate and emerge in it.

The story is extremely sad but true, that our people have forced themselves to, not only grow a comfort but, take part in the destruction we are so often associated with. Why? Take a long look at the history of this country, alone. In all unadulterated honesty, there is something that can and has been done to fix the current mindset of the masses. The only problem is the very solution itself. The people sitting down, are set in the way of the people looking to stand and move onward. The race to genetic superiority is always the main criteria, but as of now, the fight is attained between ourselves. The moral of the story wasn't that the man somehow matured and took a different path, but when was someone going to reach out to him, and show him that path. Bliss is the silent agreement. When one decides not to speak on an issue, they've just signed a rhetoric approval of the circumstances facing them. Now is the perfect time be real, or foreal.

The Coroners

If you haven't heard, you will very soon. Noddanuff teams up with Pope Adrian Bless to body bag tracks done unjust. Remember the ending of 'Ol' Yeller'? It's alot like that. This is The Circle City's opportunity to snap into yet another pun-infested, Quinton Tarantino-style massacre. The Forty5th Floor would like to present to you... The Coroners

De Gud People

The Forty5th Floor would like to make a shout out to everybody at De Gud Life, for holdin' it down for local and independent trying to make a name. For the last two years, this team has been setting a blaze in the web and showing Indianapolis a spark that it's never seen. So just to show some more #localove, The Forty5th Floor would be honored to propose a toast to De Gud Life.

Suck Fist

What does the bible say about anger, and how does common sense differ? Since forever, western civilization has been to and fro' with what to do with rage ( along with many different things). Many times, it's given the reputation of destruction and conclusive regret. Quite recently, it's been expressed through boastful a displays of power, but only in the more theatrical sense. Still, to whom does its morale value serve as an advantage, and to whom as a disadvantage? Malcolm once referenced to is as "a gift". Now for historical reasons, there's probably a gargantuan amount of people who would deem that quote irrelevant. Even then, isn't a man of such stature, or any stature at all, entitled to his opinion? Most people would follow the public-friend regime and recite the well-known ( among fellow Christians ) , " Be quick to listen and slow to anger..."passage. Also through historical events, many examples have accomplished plenty through non-violent approaches. Now, it seems the standing question is; does the approach matter? Is it the presentation of an insensitive that renders its means possible, or could it be considered the purity of intention that touches the hearts of correspondents? A simple debate between professionalism and passion. To digress, anger does have its different forms. A few of these different faces are recognized as personality traits, such as: aggressive, passive, and passive-aggressive. Aggression, being the more common and familiar form, can be seen at times as an act of irrationality or mindlessness. Some cases being impulsive, others being excessively forceful, with or without tact. And of course, everything has its pro's and con's. Where aggression generates the satisfaction of being progressive, often times the downfall can be a result of the obsessive behavior. Most people would find themselves oppressed in certain conditions, and soon become offensive, ultimately transforming into a "Big Nasty McGriddle" of angry rebels. Nobody wants Che throwing cocktails at the 3 in the morning, because they feel neglected and unimportant. Second is the passive trait. The sweet, soft-spoken sibling, doing their best to stay out of the way, yet always winding its way back in the scapegoat position. Everyone knows that the law of nature goes along the lines of, "Kill or be killed." Where there is someone willing to back down, there is his arch nemesis anticipating to pounce, like no tomorrow. But, there is a small percentage of those that believe in such methods as positive reinforcement. Seeing that most commonly, hurt people hurt people, some seek to offer an emotional haven, of sorts. Lending out a hand of peace, serenity, and understanding may play the part of not only getting the job, but also offering a sense of tranquility in the process.... NEXT! And last, but absolutely, positively not least, there's the well-spoken, well played characteristic... passive-aggressive. The least favorite of the trio, for the fact that it is known for its tedious element of surprise. What more can be said? Anytime you can make a big impression, why not make it silent, but deadly? I guess what could conclude this segment is that anger is simply a state of mind, and how one chooses to approach it will manipulate the outcome.