Ramble #66 “Up-And-Coming”

It finally happened. I wasn’t sure when it would go down, but I’m actually writing words down again. Well I am truthfully typing them into a phone and a computer but you know what I mean. I wasn’t writing blogs or music this year until now.

I think I had to take a step back from it all because I almost forgot my mission. For the last few years I had been caught up in staying relevant, showing consistency, and ultimately I became a victim of doing something so long that I needed to see some grand result for the years of effort, and for the naysayers. I don’t know what a naysayer is but I’m guessing it’s someone that says nay quite a bit.
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Sha Stimuli Announces The New EP In The Rent Tape Series


Monday Ramble #64 The Reason For The Savior

Monday Ramble #64 The Reason For The Savior

The Savior
“I started writing this EP, the eighth installment in The Rent Tape Series with the feeling that I could be some sort of savior of the rap game. I listen to the radio and I hear the music that is popular and I get the feeling that there’s nothing that is thought-provoking, honest or soul-nurturing and although I can’t change the whole game, I wanted to spark a revolution.

I don’t know what that revolution would be but I imagined what Tupac would do today musically to co-exist with Rick Ross and Lil Wayne in the mainstream and started to compose an EP. Then all of a sudden I realized that I myself needed saving as I noticed my focus was on things and people I cannot control. So some songs regard myself as a savior, others admit my own need for salvage, and finally I learn acceptance and I receive what is. As confusing as that may sound, that is…The Savior.”
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Video: The New Me Interview…Sherod Khaalis


Ramble #63 The New Me: Sherod Khaalis

July 31st is the date I am writing this and it also the day that I plan to release the seventh installment of The Rent Tape Series entitled The New Me: Sherod Khaalis. I say “plan” because I ran into my first real issue with the series concerning a beat I used that has now become unavailable. So I do hope I can get that resolved urgently and get the music out. I think you will be able to pre-order it sooner than later on Shastimuli.com.

A couple of people asked me about the title of the EP, and by a couple I literally mean two humans. And I think one of them was my mother. Anyway last month I dropped The Old Me: How I Met Your Baby Mother Read the rest of this entry »


Monday Ramble #62: 8 Reasons You Should & Shouldn’t Listen To Frank Ocean

Monday ramble #62: 8 Reasons Why You Should And Shouldn’t Listen To Frank Ocean

 

For those of you that don’t know or care, I am a fan of Frank Ocean. Frank Ocean is an R&B singer down with Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All and he is currently signed to Def Jam with an album dropping on July 17th entitled Channel Orange. He recently revealed the fact that he is indeed bisexual or gay or whatever. Some of you are wondering what this means, how will this affect his sales, the urban music world, and the youth of today. Well I don’t have the answer. But I do have some reasons why you should keep listening to the dude. And I threw in some reasons why you shouldn’t. Read on.

1. Publicity Stunt?
How many times have we heard about artists and celebrities coming up with schemes and plans to get notoriety right before album releases? Fifty beefed with Kanye, Jay-Z stabbed Un, R. Kelly urinated on…well maybe that one wasn’t planned but you know what I mean. Read the rest of this entry »


Monday Ramble #61 – “The Real Reason Pacquiao Lost The Fight”

I figured it out ladies and gentlemen. It took me all weekend and I may be slow, and some of you may have already guessed the real reason Pacquiao lost so I admit I was late on this one. Let me say I’m not the biggest boxing fan. I don’t know why they score the rounds 10 to 9, when they could be scored 2 to 1 or just put “Win to Loss.” See, I’m an idiot. I was a fan back when Tyson was fighting and there were real heavyweights around.

Seeing what happened to Muhammad Ali made me less of a fan. And after people got knocked out in the early rounds against Tyson and we called it wack, then fights would go the distance and we got pissed, I think I needed soul-searching. There’s something about seeing two guys try to beat each other up, and then being disappointed that neither of them was hit with a devastating blow that would render them nearly unconscious that makes you look in the mirror and question your own views of entertainment.

We all love to watch a good fight. I tune in to Basketball Wives just in case some of those refined, mature ladies start swinging and throwing bottles. I used to peep Jerry Springer here and there as a kid, and the original Karate Kid was one of my favorites (Sweep the leg). Read the rest of this entry »


Sha Stimuli (Interview) #TheRentTapeSeries – Part 2: The Partnership


The Rent Tape Series: The Motivation (Part 1)


How Hip-Hop Died Part 4: Loud Silence

How Hip-Hop Died Part 4: Loud Silence

Hip-hop started out in the park. Back in the days, every emcee that grabbed a mic had a different style, charisma, and objective. The “emcee” began as a party-starter and crowd warmer while the DJ manned the wheels. Although “The Message” was one of the earliest hit records, not everyone wanted to hear anything that contained food for thought. Storytelling, bravado, violence, and sex all became a part of the genre.

Rakim was one of the earliest soloists that sparked individualism and conversations about who was the best. He and Big Daddy Kane had an ongoing cold war for the crown for years.


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