Go to War - Johnny Magnum

 

This was more of a Lyrical Quest for Knowledge for me than a Spoken Word/Rap piece. Originally I started writing this with my frustration of the way things went in my life but then towards then end I was inspired to respond to my own questions/concerns in what I can only explain as a Subconscious Omni-Presence and it gave me a level of clarity I’ve never had before. Take a Listen and see if you understand, Feel Free to comment or ask any questions about my thought process if you don’t.

Audio (Mobile Phone Friendly): http://filesocial.com/lneia7

 

THE RANT

Let me introduce me, I'll tell you what the truth be
Internal civil war never more we called a truce see
You gotta understand I’m a man its my duty
To protect myself and my Fam from these groupies

So I begin to dissect dialect with intelligence
Born as a perfectionist, saw it as a sign, no penmanship
Gangsta & a Gentlemen, Hell bound but I'm heaven sent
Guided by the Lord but the Devil got my GPS

I try not to be egregious, but it only makes me madder
two sides, one is badder, cant have Johnny without the Magnum
Can't have Mag without the Problems, long division hard to solve him
Hatred cultivating, I don’t wanna be the gardener

THE PRAYER

It's a little shop of horrors in my soul no detours
Lusting food for thought, just feed me, I'll see more
I'm tryna to open my eyes, heart and mind
But Why do demons get stronger when I start to grind

Yes I have some questions I want answered before I die
If God can't rid the world of the Devil, How can I?
How can I be expected to accomplish such a task?
Then I drop to my knees, fold my hands and ask why?

THE RESPONSE

My son u have been chosen, I feel your losing hope and
I want to come to Aid but then your position would be worthless
You need to know your worth is immeasurable, I’m telling u
I blessed u with Free Will, so I can't tell u what u betta do

I've told u what to Never do, just follow the commandments
I gave u the gift of insight, Read the Bible understand it
See I've already Planned it, so Stand up against Satan
There's a Holy War waging, Life is just a Boot Camp

This was a featured track off my debut mixtape, African American Idol available for free Download and/or Streaming Here

Tweet

Keys to Success: Confidence

 

Many people pretend to have it, less actually do and far Fewer even know enough about themselves to figure out why they should but its the make or break difference between many peoples entire lifestyles both Personally and Professionally.

Confidence will make you hold your head high, it will strengthen your convictions and drive you further in your mission at any task, but by definition you must first Know yourself. Some people take the "Fake It til you Make it" route and choose to deceive others by over compensating confidence into what appears to be a cocky behavior which is so Blatantly transparent and counter productive to the point they start to believe their own facade. This is the absolute worst way to better yourself, simply because you think you already have an stopped trying to. Instead take time to do some self revelation, humble yourself and do more to actually reach your full potential. Study yourself and be proud of the good you have accomplished along with taking stock of the laundry list of negatives you can augment into a positive quality, and ensure you do so continually. The moment you don't know enough about you, your accomplishments and faults is the day you have failed yourself. Without Knowledge of Self, Confidence is nothing more than Delusion; Don't let a Mirage of the ideal you quench the thirst you possess in progressing towards the actualization of it.

 

Tweet

Keys to Success: Punctuality

I've seen soooooooo many people lose out on opportunities because of timing. Punctuality is so important not only at work, but Life in general. People that find themselves in the right place at the right tend to have better "luck" so why not use that to your advantage by making sure you are where you need to be when you need to be there?

 

When it comes to work, people come in 5 minutes late with the logic of, "Well most jobs don't mark you late until 8 minutes" which is true in some cases in a technical sense, but ONLY for an easier Payroll purpose (0 - 15 - 30 - 45 translates to 0 - .25 - .5 - .75 respectively), The real time you clocked in is still logged for when it comes time for Evaluations in Promotion and Raises. A report prints out that shows Timesheet discrepancies and everyone of your "not Lates", Long lunch breaks and even Early clock ins. Wondering why you didn't get that promotion over someone else that you feel you were more deserving than? Might want to look into your timesheet and it may explain why someone else edged you out. The logic is, You can't be a leader of a team if you can't even manage your own time.

 

And its not just a work thing either, Punctuality is you giving your word that you will be somewhere at an agreed upon time. When you violate that for no other reason than you felt like it than you've discounted everyone else's time and effort to get what they need done on their schedule. Being late can and will become an example of disrespect causing tension, lack of productivity and loss of Opportunity... Is it really worth that extra few minutes? I think not. Be on time

Tweet

Only God Can Judge Me… Truth or Fiction?

 

In My Opinion, Grossly Fiction according to Biblical Text. This phrase is one of the most overused phrases I’ve seen/heard each and every time someone is painted in a corner in which they have no intelligent comeback for their action. The most hypocritical part of this statement is that people use to as they are judging the people who are questioning their actions/motives, how does that make sense?

 

Now I have not read ALL of the bible, but through my readings, research and Religious Leaders that I have gotten info about this, the closet this appears in religious terms is from Tupac Shakur… heard the name before?

 

Now there are multiple parts of the Bible that this can be correlated to, but when you read the ENTIRE passage as opposed to the one part that you feel helps you out of your situation the picture changes and makes a lot more sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew 7: 1 - 5

¹ “Judge not, that you be not judged.

² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Now reading the first line, the “Only God Can Judge Me” cliché phrase makes plenty of sense. God is the only Perfect being in religion/spirituality, I am not debating this topic. But when you continue you will see the second line says that When you judge, you will be held to that same standard. This seems to address the existence of Double Standards more than anything. The next 3 lines are what seal the deal for me, the analogy states that if you have an imperfection in your eye (sight/outlook/perception), that you cannot possibly tell someone else how to accurately fix their same issue... even with the best of intentions. But the last line gives the advice to Remove that “imperfection” from your eye so that you can help your fellow brother remove his. This passage doesn’t tell you not to judge, it tells you to first get clarity before trying to help others in your same predicament.

Moral of the Story: Judgment of a persons actions is not against the Bible, it’s actually encouraged in the passage above. We were given the ability to discern by our creator and should use it as often as possible to help decipher Real from the Fake because the actions of both are similar. The intention of a person may be to help, but they can easily end up blinding you. Please Apply to ALL ASPECTS of what may appear to be religious guidance. 

P.S. A Religious Quote out of context can give you the completely wrong idea so unless you are going to read the surrounding paragraph at least (if not the entire book it was written in), don’t live your life by it or use it to justify your actions. Quotes are POINTLESS without the intent behind them being investigated and clear to the reader themselves.

Tweet

F.O.E. to Success: Fame or Education?

     

 

This question disturbs me on so many levels, Especially since I am included in the generation where it seems to have started. On a regular basis I've noticed people wanting the "American Dream" of fame and fortune yet have NO desire to educate themselves.

 

How did the idea that you can get what you want the "easy" way get embedded into our culture? This mindset would be laughable if it weren't so depressing that it was true. I mean seriously, what type of epic parenting and societal failures have we endured that you must choose between the two? There is NO EASY WAY to success. It takes perseverance and knowledge to be productive. Even if you aren’t technically "smart" by school standards, you still must have a comprehension of what is and has always been, to ensure you do not make the same pitfalls as those before you.

The top 5% of Richest People in the US that run this country have NEVER chosen between these two aforementioned. They had enough self awareness and/or guidance to know they are NOT mutually exclusive by any means. Whether it be higher learning, home schooling, or real world experience... Learn Something and Be Successful. If by now you haven't gotten the full meaning behind the Tortoise and the Hare it's: Stop trying to take the fast lane, you're going burn yourself out sprinting while the marathon runners pass you by. Take your time. Build a strong foundation based on education and layer your fame upon it, so that it lasts. In the words of T.I. “life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest, Drive Slow Homie”… Actually in light of his newest “Situation” scratch that, Let me make my own....

 

Racing to the Top is an Admirable feat to Accomplish, but do you have enough Knowledge to STAY there?

~Johnny Magnum ©2010

Tweet

Femininity: A Struggle in Todays World

By @butterfliesblue

 

As I become older and grow more and more into the woman that I want to become I see how hard it is to be a lady. We have so many things going against us. If we speak our mind, then we're a b*tch. If we're financially successful on our own, then men tend to think that we don't need them. If we're sweet, then people take that kindness for weakness. Now I'm not the type of female that follows the crowd, but I do see the struggle for those of us that try to be a lady.

 

The first way I think that it is a struggle is when it comes to men and dating. Men seem to be impressed when a woman approaches, and pursues them, but what ever happened to chivalry? Have gender roles became so androgynous to the point where women have to be the aggressor?

 

Sexuality/sensuality is another way that I find it hard to be a woman. There is a difference between sexual and sensual. Sexual is just putting it all out there sort of like a video vixen.

Sensual women usually dress more reserved, but the way that they carry themselves still have a sexual overtone. Because we are human, we are sexual by nature and this is what men respond to. There isn't anything wrong with expressing yourself that way, but it should only be done behind closed doors. Women if you want respect for yourself, put away the slutty pictures, the low cut pants, and tops, and start dressing like a lady. You are making it hard for us that actually wear clothes.

Sexual vs Sensual

 

 

Corporate America is still male dominated which isn't a problem, however; just because a woman is successful doesn't mean she doesn't need you. She may not need you to pay her bills, but she may need that masculine companionship that only a good man can give. A successful woman just means that she is working hard to support herself, but a check full of zeros, a house, or a car can not hold her at night. So men, don't be intimidated by her. Also women if you are this woman, then don't give off that "I'm too good for you" vibe. You know you want to cuddle at night every once in a while.

 

Bottom line, women if you know you're not s**t, then please get yourself together because you make it hard for those of us that try to make it. Men respect the ones that are trying to make it, and quit giving so much attention to the ones that aren't doing anything with their lives so that ones that the good ones can stop feeling bad about themselves when they finish last. Even though a woman should be confident without approval, society does play a huge part on how a woman views herself because actions speak louder than words. One last thing, ladies stop being so catty, and start getting along. It's sad how all of us that are trying to do the right thing can't even trust another woman. I think that if we as women start to stick together, then it won't be so hard in the future.

 

What do you think?

 

 

Tweet

Martin Luther King Jrs Dream: Blacks Are Killing It!

by @butterfliesblue

There is nothing wrong with celebrating one's ethnicity, but it comes a problem when you let it define you as a person. I weep for generations ahead because like Alice Walker wrote in The Color Purple, "The more things change the more they stay the same". Part of Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech says, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character". This sounds good and all, but I feel like blacks are killing the dream. One good example of how this dream is being killed is BET which is supposed to represent "blackness".

BET which stands for Black Entertainment Television was started in 1980 as a network for blacks. It started out as a network that was dignified as well as addressed issues in the black community. Now that BET has been taken over by someone other than the founders, it has gone under much criticism because of the quality that has been lost over the years. Co-founder Sheila Jackson has even said, "I don't watch it. I suggest to my kids that they don't watch it". Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder has had an episode about BET which can be seen on Youtube. Even the few times that I watch BET, I've watched it go from Cita's World to Uncut to these circus of award shows.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Civil Rights advocate of equality. We have a holiday dedicated to him where blacks brag about not having to go to work, and yet there was a time when blacks couldn't even work for pay. If we as people not only promote but also believe what he was for, the why are we separating ourselves? You can't have your cake and eat it too. This is one of the reasons that I can't support things such as HBCU's, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the NAACP. Also with immigration reform being the way it is, I'm tired of blacks making comments about other ethnicities as if they were never mistreated. Also how can we as people continue to support things such as BET without at least trying to voice our opinion to make it a positive image? Trust me if there is a lack of support then the execs will listen. Judge not lest ye be judged. Have we forgotten what our ancestors have fought for? At what point will we stop being referred as the "black community" and just be Americans? We can't want to be treated as equals as long as we continue to separate ourselves based on race.

 

Tweet

@MyNameIsBizzle -Truth Music (JayZ & RickRoss)

Contact Info:

Twitter: @MyNameIsBizzle 

Website: http://www.iambizzle.com 

YouTube: Youtube.com/playbizzle21 

Myspace: Myspace.com/playbizzle 

 

Mobile Phone Link

 

 

Bizzle, a Hip Hopper from Southern Cal now residing in Houston, is using music to spread the word to the masses. Gaining under ground popularity opened his eyes to the widely influential nature of Rap his goal is to make a change in the demeaning nature it is associated with. He is no typical "Christian Rapper" and only goes by that genre because of what others call him, but he simply speaks his mind to show that you can be successful without inspiring society in a negative manner.

 

So far he has worked with and opened for some major names in the biz such as Hip Hops notables including Nelly, David Banner, Game, Chino XL, NeYo and T.I to name a few. His lyrical delivery and content is very interesting and the most important part ACCURATE. Bizzle feels Hip Hop nowadays lacks accuracy and I agree, too many artist are trying to do what's popular instead of being themselves. This dude has turned down multiple deals so far but that hasn't stopped his access to the Hip-hop scene on MediaTakeOut, WorldstarHipHop and many syndicated Radio station websites totaling over 1Million views so far and over 50,000 downloads on his mixtape, "The Messenger" released in march of this Year. I am definitely going to look out for more tracks from him because his wordplay is on point and he speaks truth. Let me know what you think...

 

 

Tweet

Karma: Do you Believe?

 

Trick Question, it doesn't matter because it effects you whether you believe in it or not. If you are not a Spiritual or Religious Person, even though this is a Buddhist Practice, Karma is still a very simple guideline for most to understand. What Goes Around… Comes Around. In this day in age when focusing on what we want or things we THINK we need, People often wonder why they are not in better positions and the answer is typically always the same, whether we delude ourselves otherwise or not… KARMA.

People that do bad things have bad things happen to them, You may not see it but it does. Think about all the Celebs who seemingly have everything they could ever want that step over friends, family & fans to get famous and then end up being haunted by Drug, Financial & Stress related issues up to and including Premature Painful Violent Deaths of themselves and/or people they care for. Why do you think these things happen?

When some event alters your Life, Good or Bad, think about something you have done/are doing Right/Wrong. Those things that pop into your head are most likely your Gut/Conscious/God/Intuition or whatever you use to guide your actions telling you that you Karma is back give you the Fruits of your Labors or the Plight from your Lack of Seed Planting. Help Yourself by doing better, by being better, and helping your fellow Societal members to do the same. Their downfalls may be tied to your setbacks, We are all connected in some way shape or form.

PS: When you are tempted to not take advice from someone who isn’t in a similar situation as you, just remember someone further removed may be able to see the bigger Picture.

     

What You See

What We See

What Society Is

What you Do Affects You and Those Around You… It’s Just a Matter of Time

Tweet