Supa Gets Schooled

Update! I know I was supposed to be resting, but what happened this weekend was so awesome on so many levels, I hardly know where to begin! Okay, let me preface..

During my life, I have accumulated quite a few academic crushes. For me, an academic crush generally evolves upon witnessing a brotha deliver a particularly mind-blowing academic and/or political lecture, speech, interview, debate, rally, rap, etc.; wherein I become totally enamored with said fella based on his overall brand of intellect, passion, and charisma.

Now, back when I was a lowly college student at Cal State a zillion and a half years ago, one of my professors brought in a crusty old videotape circa 1976, which featured a man named Dr. Ernie Smith.

(stay with me)

Dr. Smith earned his Doctorate in Linguistics, (click here for short biography) and was a participant on a panel of linguists from around the globe featured in this particular lecture. Right before my little impressionable eyes, this man broke down the concepts (and misconceptions) of dialects in the English language, the origin and historical development of Ebonics, and how the development of the language that people of slave descendants of African origin in the United States speak is linguistically proven to be based on the lingering grammatical concepts of West African languages (the Niger-Congo speech pattern, in particular) superimposed in the English language. Did I mention that when this brotha speaks, he is a raw ass mix of Cornel West and Malcolm X? Umm, yeah. Hence, a hardcore Academic Crush was born.

So, fast forward about fifteen years to Friday night, when I was sitting up ‘till 2 a..m. (supposed to be resting, mind you) doing research for an essay I am currently working on – the examination of speech patterns, dialects, and regional accents among black Americans today, and particularly the practice of code-switching and the concept of being bi-dialectical.

Then, fast forward again to Saturday afternoon, when I was chatting with some other sistas in the beauty shop while waiting for The Girl to get hair done, and the subject of “talking black” came up. Upon casually mentioning that this was a topic on which I was actively writing, one of the older sistas turned to me and said – “Well, sounds like you need to talk to one of my colleagues, Dr. Ernie Smith. Linguistics is his area of expertise…sharp brotha….he’s a good friend of mine.”

The conversation went on as follows:

Me: Did…you…say….Dr. Ernie Smith? *sputtering * THE Dr. Ernie Smith?

Elder Sis: Yes. (smiling) You know of him?

Me: (breaking out into a sweat) Dr. Ernie Smith, who made the global linguistic community bow down by refuting every wack theory about black folks here in America being inherently inferior due to their “peculiar” grammatical patterns and went on to prove how applying Eurocentric standards to an African/Afrocentric base language is essentially a bunch of crap? That Dr. Ernie Smith?

Elder Sis: Yes… *eyeing me with a mix of humor and suspicion*

Me: The Dr. Ernie Smith who…..

Elder Sis: Hold on. (chuckles) Why don’t I just get him on the phone for you, and you can talk to him about this..(whips out cell phone, begins dialing)

Me: You have Dr. Ernie Smith’s phone number??????

Elder Sis: (on phone) Uhh yes. Hey Ernie, how are you. Look, I have a young writer here, she’s doing an essay on Ebonics, and I think you two would have a lot to talk about, do you mind? Okay, here she is…(handing me phone)

Me: Ohmygod ohmygod….(taking phone) Uhhh… Dr. Smith?

Dr. Smith: What it be like, young sister descendant of African slaves who has been systematically brainwashed by European ideals, values, and standards of beauty here in the wilderness of North America - what can I do for you?
(Joke, joke, joke! He didn’t say that, really)

But, yes. I had the immense and unparalleled honor to listen, learn, and converse with Dr. Ernie Smith via cell phone for over an hour on Saturday, January 14th, 2006. And even though I was somewhat nervous and completely in awe that I was speaking with one of my bona fide academic crushes, I did get it together enough to listen and absorb and ask a few relevant key questions and take legible enough notes and generally speak and articulate like I had a quantifiable amount of sense. ‘Cause I’ma keep it real, it was sooo hard not to fall into groupie mode and be like “oooh Dr. Smith I luuved you ever since I seent you on that crusty old videotape from 1976…” lol But I was sharp enough to swap email addresses with him, and convince him to send me a copy of his dissertation on A Case for Bilingual and Bicultural Education for United States Slave Descendants of African Origin (1976) to use as reference material for my essay.

In addition - and this is way cool - as a result of our conversation, I have been invited to sit in as a guest at a lecture Dr. Smith will be giving at Pepperdine University next month. And, the elder sister who cellied up Dr. Smith for me is also a doctor in education psychology, and she was so down and so cool and she welcomed me with an open invite to her office whenever I wished and says she looks forward to receiving a copy of my book.

And best believe, I will be there in February, posted up with my completed paper to present to Dr. Smith, with my eyes, ears, mind, heart, and spirit open - and girlish academic crush (still) in tow.

All this makes me think of one of my favorite quotes:

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

So hell yeah! Here’s proof that taking a small step in a certain direction just might bring you a step closer to what you want to create…in the most unexpected of ways!

(I’ll be sure to share my essay once it’s complete)

A few more of my academic/political crushes:

Khalid Muhammad (saw him lecture back in the '80's) He was kinda crazy. He's dead now.

Cornel West

Barack Obama

Malcolm X


Politically/Culturally Conscious Hip-Hop Crushes:

Dead Prez

The one and only Rakim

Talib Kweli


Common

Take A Moment

Power Lounging

Since Supa plans to use this weekend getting her complete and fabulous rest on (I've got the sniffles!) she's looking forward to partaking in some of her t.v. guilty viewing pleasures...



The Monk season premiere on USA Network! Are you "Monk-ish?" Take the quiz here. (Supa is more "Monk-ish" than most)





Reno 911 on Comedy Central. These are some fools.





Design on a Dime, House Hunters, What You Get for the Money, etc!



Style Channel


Fashiontrance, How do I Look, Ambush Makeover




The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy on Cartoon Network


And my just delivered flics:

Constant Gardener and Four Brothers (Call me, Mark....)

Have a great weekend everybody!

Tired

Man, I’m just tired! Don’t know why this week has been so draining. Maybe I’m coming down with something. Maybe it’s the full moon. Maybe I haven’t been eating enough fruit or drinking enough water. Maybe I need a vacation. Maybe I need a day to myself to just lounge and chill. Maybe I need to meditate more. Exercise. Maybe I need some of this. Maybe I can try to get my mind off this fool who’s about to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. Maybe I need some herbal refreshments. Maybe I’ve become addicted to blogging, and all the posting, editing, commenting, and wrestling with Blogger is depleting my energy! Maybe I get frustrated by working in a non-creative enviroment. Maybe I just need to go sit at the beach. Maybe I just need a long, luxurious, lavendar bath. Maybe I need a drink. Maybe I need to just say fuck it and leave work early today. I’m so glad tomorrow’s my day off.

Influential Caribbeans in Hip-Hop Culture

The 10 Most Influential Caribbeans in Hip Hop Culture By Jeff Carroll

Hip Hop is one of the greatest creations we descendents of African captives have produced. Hip Hop has produced tremendous wealth for us. It has changed American society and it is influencing world culture. Hip Hop’s greatest legacy is it’s ability to provide a path to economic wealth for America’s poor. The future impact of Hip Hop on the world is uncharted and something we all should embrace.

Click here to read entire article.

Kool DJ Herc, Clive Campbell, Kingston, Jamaica, born 1955
He is an undisputed founding member of Hip Hop. He held outdoor street parties in the Bronx, NYC in the late 70’s. He came to NYC at 10 years old and brought his Jamaican rhymes and attitude with him. Kool DJ Herc spun the musical breaks in all types of songs that kept his parties hype which demonstrated what Hip Hop was. He is credited with naming and promoting Hip Hop and is widely regarded as “The Father of Hip Hop.”

Grand Master Flash, Joseph Saddle, Barbados, Born 1958
As a DJ his skill at speed mixing popularized Hip Hop DJing and made him one of the World’s most recognized DJ’s. He has remained a DJing advocate ever since he stood his ground against the push to switch the group and DJ lead structure to an MC lead structure when his group Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five split with MC Melly Mel. As a solo artist he produced 2 more albums with another group. He is credited with popularizing Hip Hop DJing and DJ producers.

Notorious B.I.G., Christopher Wallace, Jamaica, born 1972-1997
Considered the best lyricist ever in Hip Hop by many Hip Hoppers. Along with Hip Hop mogul Sean Puffy Combs he heightened the materialism as well the gangster image. He is credited with popularizing gangster rap. He legacy is still being made through the activities of his Patwa speaking mother.

Wyclef Jean, Croix-de-Bouquets, Haiti Born 1972
He probably reps for his Caribbean Island the most out of any other Hip Hopper. Born in Haiti, he moved to New Jersey at age 10. As a member of the group the Fugees he proudly boasts about his Haitian culture. He easily announced his nationality at a time when it was unpopular to say you were from Haiti because of nasty rumors that the man made AIDS disease came from there. Wyclef is credited for popularizing cultural awareness and pride.

Luther R. Campbell, Bahamian and Jamaican, Born 1960
Still the most famous Hip Hop figure to come out of Miami, Florida. As a member of the group T2 Live Crew, Luke pushed the limits of freedom of speech and was sued for selling sexually explicit lyrics to children. After winning the law suit he opened the door for more sexually charged rap lyrics. Since then he has produced many XXX videos. Luke is credited with advancing pornography in Hip Hop.

Doug E Fresh, Doug E Davis, Barbados, Born 1967
Hailed as the Greatest Entertainer in Hip Hop. Through the use of his mouth and charismatic personality Doug is still the most celebrated Beat Boxer in the world. A strict vegetarian he has steered his 20+ year career clear of gangster and sexually promotional songs. Doug was a member of the Stop the Violence movement and even toured Colleges raising social consciousness with The Get Busy Tour. Doug is credited with being a long lasting positive figure in Hip Hop.

Foxy Brown, Inga Marchaud, Trinidad/Asian, Born 1979
Foxy Brown is one of the most recognized Hip Hop females. In the 90’s her sexy outfits and gangster lyrics made her a top rap artist. Through the use of the sexually provocative costumes worn in Trinidad during the celebration of Carnival she helped popularize the sexiness of Hip Hop women. Foxy’s choice to use these carnival costumes designed to arouse men and get them to release their sexual sins as performance outfits credits her with increasing the importance of sexuality in Hip Hop clothes.

Fat Joe, Joseph Cartagena, Puerto Rico, 1970
He is currently the #1 Latino rapper in the world. He has attracted a bilingual audience with his heavy hitting English and Spanglish lyrics. With lyrics full of Puerto Rican pride, his chart topping songs have given not only Latinos from Puerto Rico worldwide recognition but, all Spanish speaking Caribbeans. Fat Joe is a Hip Hop icon. He is credited for making Latin culture something that everyone could enjoy.

Prince Markie Dee, Mark Morales, Puerto Rico, Born 1960
As the respected MC of the group The Fat Boys Prince Markie Dee took his fun image from records to film. His appearances in just 2 movies and music videos displayed a non-threatening example of Hip Hopper. He is currently a radio personality at Miami’s own 103.5 The Beat. He is credited with advancing Hip Hop’s youth appeal.

Busta Rhymes, Trever Smith Jr., Jamaica born 1972
One of the Hottest rappers in Hip Hop history with a unique style that has given him number one hits for over 15 years. He has been able to get respect from all Hip Hoppers by having an image that is not gangster or perverted. The content of Busta’s songs are on a variety of subjects. He is credited with being a long lasting Hip Hop celebrity that is entertaining enough to rock a crowd just like the hardest hardcore thugged out, sex promoting rappers.

Honorable mention to other Caribbean rappers:
Kid Creole
Kangol Kid
Tito
Special Ed
Star (of The Star And Bucwild Show)
Jazzy Joyce
Big Pun
Mad Lion
Trugoy (of De La Soul)
Crazy Legs
Mr. Wiggles
Karl Kani
Mello Man Ace
Shakim Compere
Herbie “Love Bug” Azor

Question: Do you think Hip-Hop should crash and burn now, or will there be a revival of the more socially conscious hip-hop artist and culture? Holla back!

(Sidenote: Supa's in one of her full-moon moody kind of funks today. Hopefully she'll snap out of it and post more later. Peace ya'll.)

James Frey's Essential Truth

Supa is actively watching James Frey’s appearance on Larry King Live. It was Supa’s intention to simply take notes and post tomorrow, but Supa has had a few glasses of wine and is feeling mildly belligerent and doesn’t want to wait. So bear with her.

Okay. Observation #1. On the initial Oprah viewing, Supa didn’t pick up that dude (James Frey – here to fore to be referred to as “The Memoirist) has a lisp. (Is here to fore one word, or three? Holla back.) And the timbre of his voice is very Mike Tyson-esque. Very Tyson-esque. Supa just had to say that, ‘cause….Supa is just stupid like that. Okay. Next.

Observation #2. Supa calls bullshit. The Memoirist lied. He knew what he was doing when he lied, aka, embellished. He admits that he did. He said he "has made mistakes." The Memoirist then goes on to suggest that his memory could be a bit hazy because, after all, he was an alcohol and drug addict. And he can’t be expected to remember shit that happened over 15 years ago while under a substance-induced haze. Alright. But if you have a police report saying that you ran your vehicle into a light pole, and NOT into a police officer….and if you have a police report saying that you had an open container of beer in the car, and NOT crack cocaine, then it seems to Supa that you put extras on it to make yourself seem like some kind of wild badass when you really weren’t. But that’s just Supa. And maybe she just thinks that because she’s under the influence of a few glasses of cheap Chardonnay. Next.

Observation #3: The Memoirist’s essential truth, as he keeps repeating, is that he was a druggie in rehab and his soul was lost and the core message of his book is about getting better. And Supa can’t fault The Memoirist for that. That’s cool. What Supa can’t get with is an author embellishing certain mundane events in his/her life and blowing them up to such shocking and heartbreaking proportions, and then use that as the reason why you were an alcoholic suicidal druggie. Because then Supa suspects that you already knew that your ordinary run-of-the-mill vanilla middle-class frat boy well-bred life that went slightly to the left just wouldn’t sell as many books as the hardcore hopeless criminal badass gangsta white boy you instead portrayed yourself to be. Next!

Observation #4: The Memoirist strikes me as a guy with the usual sensitivities most artists/writers possess – extremely empathetic, sensitive, and contemplative; almost to a fault. Regular, ordinary life events affected him deeply. And that’s cool, because I’m like that, most artists Supa knows are like that. But that in no fucking way gives him the right to make up some gangsta white boy bullshit and pass it off like that shit really happened – "subjective recreation" or not. Supa knows too many true stories, horrendous stories, painful stories, never-in-your-fucking-life-thought-this-could-actually-happen stories (don’t ya’ll?) and it’s just sad that those people don’t get the same voice, attention, and opportunity like The Memoirist, to speak their truth. The real truth. And make a million dollars off of it. It’s such bullshit. Bullshit bullshit bullshit.

Observation #5: The Memoirist says he’ll never use himself as another subject in one of his books ever again. He said he’s made his mistakes and learned his lesson. Also cool. And Supa has witnessed a powerful example, thanks to The Memoirists’ dumbass. And that is, if she ever gets a police report saying that she did something while she was drunk, then decides to write about it, then dammit Supa promises you she will take Five O's word over her hazy subjective drunkass memory and just write the muthafucking truth. ‘Cause hell, even when she’s sober, Supa can’t remember shit.

Observation #6: Naw, Supa takes that back...if Supa decides to fabricate some shit about her life and publish it as truth, Supa wants eevvvrryboody, including Aunty O (as Mwabi calls her) to continue to stick their heads way far up her brown ass and say it doesn't matter, that her essential truth is what's important, and Supa wants all her money and endorsements and integrity to remain intact in this just, just, world. Mkay?

Check out Glamazon Life's take on the whole fiasco.

That is all. Carry the fuck on. Supa needs to go watch Project Runway....

Hi Auntie.

PS- As Supa was ranting and typing, Ruff Ryder #1 came downstairs and uninterestingly asked, "So is Oprah mad at the drunk dude?"

Funny kid. Supa loves her boy spawn!

Fun Quiz

Here's a fun little quiz for ya'll, while I'm still tripping off James Frey's lyin' million dollar azz....

My Quiz Reults:
Supa is Alicia Keys
(described as "boughetto" - how ya like that phrase, Cocoa Girl? :) Although I prefer Urban Chic)


ALICIA KEYS: Ah, the talented Ms. Keys. You
are an extremely intelligent girl who has a
knack for creativity. You are focused on your
career and education and excel at it. You are
what people say, street, but sweet. A boughetto
chick who can hang with the girls and ball with
the guys anyday. You are a one-woman show and
you're out to change the world. Watch
out.

Which female R&B artist are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

A Million Little Lies?

Whoa, hold up! Supa was just about to take her tired ass to bed, then stuck around for the late-breaking story on Anderson Cooper:




A Million Little Lies? : Exposing James Frey's Fiction Addiction (click here to read the story from Smoking Gun. Kinda lengthy)

Now, we all know James Frey. He's the dude who had Oprah and all of Harpo Productions crying and staying up nights because of his book. Supa is one of the three people on the Planet Earth who didn't read it... Well, I started reading, but didn't finish - the stark, rambling style in which it was written started off very intriguing, then grew tedious, in Supa's opinion. Plus she ended up seeing him featured on that Oprah episode, and found out how the darn thing ended anyway, so there you go. But I 'aint knocking his hustle, 'cause dude got so much publicity and hype, so many more projects that spun off this one manuscript, and basically, dude's gettin majorly pi-zaid. (PAID, for all you non Cali folks)

Now Supa read the Smoking Gun article, and doesn't care to get into all the (alleged) fabrications and inconsistencies revealed about Frey's story. (note: Frey will be on Larry King Live tomorrow, if you wanna hear his side) Dude gave a statement this evening proclaiming " let the haters hate, the doubters doubt, I stand by my book, and my life, and I won't dignify this bullshit with any sort of further response."

What Supa finds much more interesting, is the backlash this is bound to have in the literary community about blurring the line between fiction and non-fiction. When a writer publishes a memoir, the reading public is led to believe that the events spoken about are true. Not embellished, not fabricated. Right? Because otherwise - it's fiction.

As writers, we know what it is to "put extras on it," because that what we do, that's part of the craft. Supa thinks the lesson here is, if you do choose to put in the extras, embellish, whatever - best to create a character and publish it as fiction. That way, you've got the "based on true events" working in your favor. DO NOT attempt to market a memoir as a reality-based account because, as we see - if/when you blow up, folks will get all up in your shit, ask questions, fact-check, research, etc. and attempt to discredit and/or EXPOSE your supposed-memoir-writing behind!

Supa also finds it *interesting* that Frey's manuscript was initially turned down 17 times, when he was pitching it as a fiction novel...hmmm...Did he simply feel like it would sell better as a memoir, and kept all the over-the-top details in the final manuscript? What do ya'll think? And is this any different from rappers who embellish their rhymes and lyrics to sell records?

Tuesday's Tidbits

Okay, late to work again. Told ya’ll it was chronic. This time I’ve got One Cool Sis to attest, because when she hit me on the cellie this a.m. to tell me her great news, I was fresh out the shower, tripping over the Pooch, ironing and trying to style my hair. And it was already like, 7:40. Umm yeah. Speaking of which, CNN just reported that multi-tasking actually makes you less productive, and to really maximize your shit you must do one thing at a time and do it well, versus trying to tackle a cazillion tasks at once ‘cause you’ll just end up doing a half-ass mediocre crappy job at everything. Will have to cite those statistics next time boss tries to push multiple projects with varying deadlines on Supa’s desk. Heh.

On to Tuesday’s Tidbits:

Paul Giamatti: Supa loved you in "American Splendor" and “Sideways,”
so trust her when she says this is not a flattering look for you:

Not a good look for you either,Ahhhnold:

One crooked muthafuck*r down

....the rest of the Republican Party to go…..

Anyone else wanna nominate this negro for the racial draft?
Anyone? Anyone?










Now...a few of Supa’s pretend celebrity boyfriends :

P.S. - I had more, but the server kept going down. This morning's post was straight tedious! Good lookin' out, Blogger.

I Heart LA

Weekend update: Supa loves her city!

Never mind the love/hate tip she’s usually on. Sure, we’ve got unbearable traffic, a ridiculously overblown real estate market and overall cost of living, earthquakes, flash floods, wildfires, landslides, riots, gangs, a thuggish-ass police department, a defunct school district, virtually no culture (unless superficiality counts), mounting racial tensions, and random violence popping off from South Central to Beverly Hills -never mind all that! It was 85 fucking degrees this weekend, okay! I mean, why do you think we Angelenos put up with all that other bullshit for, our health?? Hells no! (or "hellous nous" or whatever Mwabi says!) It's because we get summer in the wintertime, that’s why!

Oh my gosh, it was just fucking beautiful. Perfect. Supa was a non-productive employee on Friday. Hear me? Look:

Feet kicked all up on the desk, basking in that Cali sunshine streaming through the blinds. Look again:

That there’s my desk, in my office, where Supa shoulda been. If she wasn’t out taking one of her 2 ½ hour lunch breaks – out eating, visiting with pals, errand running, shopping, and celling while rolling through these city streets with the Bob Marley tunes blaring through the speakers, the sunroof open and windows down. Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta! Don't hate!

Then later, after Supa had bounced from the C.S.S. (Corporate Slave Ship), she just couldn’t stop! Scooped up Ruff Ryder #2 and The Pooch, took a drive down to Liemert Park (think: outdoor cultural strolling spot, black owned coffee shops, eateries, cafés, boutiques, bookstores, drumming in the park, etc.) to pick up some eats and walk the Pooch. We ended up getting a passionate lecture from this dude:


About the new Black Panther Party and the ills of capitalism and everything that happened as a result of our ancestors being dragged from Africa to what happened during slavery to (fill in the last one hundred years) to the alarming state of our youth of today. And hey, although he went off on a few completely unrelated tangents, Supa didn’t knock the young brother. He wasn’t sagging, sporting a doo-rag, and proclaiming “All Hail 50 Cent,” so he was alright with her.

Oh, and here goes Supa off on her on tangent – she use to be deathly afraid of these:

We saw one while walking in the park. Supa made The Girl hold it up so she could take a pic. Yes, it’s a freaking pine cone. When I was a Little Supa, I use to think pine cones were proof of alien life here on earth. Had some strange notion that if I picked one up, all the little aliens would come out, run up my arm, attack me, and strangle me to death. Don’t ask.

Wait! Supa wasn’t done! Back home, she got a call from one of her supa guy friends, who told her she really oughta jump on the back of his Harley and take a spin, since it was such a nice night. Look:

Okay, they’re kinda blurry, but the sun was setting and there’s no flash option on my Palm digital cam, but you get the idea.

Saturday was "just the girls" day. (Note: Ruff Ryder#1 is much too cool to be seen in public with Supa Sis, The Girl, and The Pooch) So we had our manicure/pedicures, Supa got freshly Brazilian waxed (ouch!) and facial-ed (aaahh!) and Pooch had her beautification appointment at the groomer's. We lunched, we lounged, we shopped.

Simply. Fucking. Fabulous!

Sunday - more lounging, more basking....then back into Ms. Mom mode, getting the household ready for the week - grocery shopping, laundry, homework checking, etc, Supa promising herself she'll get to work on time this week....

So, that’s Supa’s wrap-up. Hope all ya’ll had a cool (or hot!) weekend….

SS, out!

Straight Reminiscin': Supa's Top 20

So Supa and one of her Supa Friends were chattin' yesterday, about how it's 2006 and how we and the rest of our Supa Crew are all good and grown, but that it seemed just yesterday we were all hanging out on the block, smacking gum, double-dutching and spouting our big-girl dreams, or rollin' down Crenshaw Blvd. in our Nissan Sentras, rockin' our asymmetrical haircuts and dolphin earrings....

So of course we got all nostalgic and dug up all of our old memories, experiences, and exploits of growing up in Cali during the 80's. And then I instantly knew what my blog topic was going to be today! Now some of this stuff I'm about to drop is strictly cultural, generational and maybe even regional, and even if we do flow from the same era, we most definitely have our own preferences.

So Supa's 'bout to get old school, and ya'll holla back with your choices, and any other memories as you see fit. Happy Fucking Friday!

Old School Quiz: Were you down with...

1) Big Wheels or Kick-N-Go's ?



2) Sorry
or Lite Brites?




3) Lemon Heads or Now-a-laters?




4) Pop Rocks or PEZ?




5) Freeze Tag or Red Light, Green Light?

6) Cereal Sandwich or Syrup Sandwich?

7) Double Dutch or Hopscotch?


8) Atari or Sega Genesis ?



9) Pac-Man or Asteroids ?

10) Good Times or What's Happenin'?


11)Chuck's or Shell toes's (couldn't find a cool enough Adidas picture!)





12)Koolaid: Red or Grape??



13)Lucky Charms or Capn' Crunch ?



14)Gold Chains or Africa Medallions??

15)Sergio's or Jordache or Levi's jeans?


16) NWA or Public Enemy ?



17) Breakfast Club or Pretty In Pink ?



18) LL Cool J or Big Daddy Kane ?



19) Chubb Rock or Heavy D



20) Nas or Jay-Z ?