I think it was around this time four years ago when I got hip to what a social network was. I was stepping out of the neighborhood and was told that in the real world all the cool people had a Facebook. So I signed up. Went through ups and downs with it but for the most part it was a cool way to find people, look at Tmobile Sidekick pictures of girls after every party they go to, and post my whole life for the world to see.
Over time, I abused the site. Went through my ignorant phase of posting up pics of my “money stacks” or every time I got a “fresh outfit”. Then I got a bit more mature and used it as a tool to spread positive messages and psycho-analyze different personalities. Now it’s a place where I breeze through from time to time to see what old college buddies are up to as well as post status updates on my whereabouts (for those who might care).
Fast forward a year or so I got hip to Myspace. It was cooler than Facebook. The G-Rated pictures offered by Facebook were traded in for semi-nude photo offerings from McDonalds worker/aspiring models, “gangstas” took pics with their guns while uploading from the trap, I mean just an all out cesspool of corruption that I loved. You couldn’t get me off the site. Then I discovered celebs on there and stalked a few to no avail. Then I became a celebrity to a certain extent and began to get stalked. I quickly retreated and over the years my logins were few and far between. Prior to deleting both my Myspaces this past week I was averaging one quick login per month. The spam, the “check out my music”, the fact that I’m not 16 aNd downt Tiipe lyKE diz; it was time to move on.
Now Twitter. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Oprah, Ashton Kutcher, and @IamDiddy are just a few of the celebs to “use” this new social networking tool. They hardly socialize or network, they just use it to build on to their mountains of cash and who can blame them? If Timmy from Idaho really thinks the leader of America, Ms.Winfrey has time to respond to his tweets then that’s poor Timmy’s fault. We can’t blame Oprah for capitalizing. Just one “Hey guys, watch the show today” makes us all smile and believe she cares again.
As for us folk in lesser tax brackets, Twitter serves as a great way to receive/share news in real time. My non-Twitter friends are just now finding out about the Rihanna and Cassie pics. Unlike the other sites, I can actually say I’ve met new cool people through Twitter. It was structured perfectly. Just one picture, one tiny bio and your dialog. That’s all people have to make an impression. It’s the closest you can get to really getting to know what a person is like through a screen. The way Twitter has worked for me is I have convos with people I follow and through those convos more people find me. Maybe they see me and @_____ talking about the Lakers and they say “oh this Phella guy likes the Lakers, let me follow him”. That’s also how I discovered new people to follow.
Like all good things though, it can’t last forever. Twitter decided yesterday to only allow you to see convos between people you already follow. Instantly my timeline became silent. Most of the people I follow don’t know each other and thanks to this new rule they probably never will. My follower count won’t grow, I won’t know who to follow and it just becomes Facebook part 2. Something that once was great is now average at best. My only reason for not pressing delete is the fact that in 5 mins when I finish this post I can post it on Twitter and 234 people will be able to see it and read instantly. It’s the only site to my knowledge that offers that.
I’ve had a theory for a while now that the Internet and social networking sites are the downfall of this generation. I feel people do things just so they can throw it in their picture section or boast about it in their status updates. The socially awkward and insecure amongst us feel lame to “post via web” all the time so they use their phones to give the impression they’re are living the life but still found time to ask 200 strangers “how’s it going?”. Some stalk celebs. Others create a celebrity image and lure gullible people into stalking them. The addicts over post and take a life or death approach to these sites. At times it just feels unhealthy but still we come back for more.
My question is what does everyone out there feel? Is social networking the devil? Does it really help business or is it just a way to feel popular? Is it necessary to survive in today’s world? What’s your favorite social networking memory and your worst one? Let’s discuss.
Posted in iamphella
Tagged Industry Rule #4080-They All Shady, Phellito Vs The State, World Saving
If you know anything about African families you know there is absolutely no way to impress them other than going to school. If you leave school then cure cancer they will still look at you as a low life. So today I’m on the road when I got word that my first interview had been published on Thank God I’m Famous; something that they’ll be proud of right? think again Phelly Phell. Now keep in mind that I hadn’t seen the interview in it’s edited form yet. I proceed to tell anyone who cared to receive a text from me to check out my journalistic debut. BIG MISTAKE.
Within minutes I began receiving texts like “where is the interview?” or “so what exactly did you do?”. It wasn’t until I returned home much later that I saw what they meant; because the the questions were edited out they didn’t consider it to be real. I wasn’t even about to try and explain myself either; these are the same people who said they couldn’t see my name on the Colin Munroe cd even though it was written big as day. Anyway, here is the raw and uncut version, questions and all.
Sidebar:When I win my first Grammy, I HOPE it’s a televised category or else we’ll be going through this all over again.
Sidebar #2:Thanks to everyone who understood that it was a real interview and said they enjoyed it. Much appreciated ya’ll.
Phella:First off all you seem to have a very unique fashion sense, everything from the hats to the clothes. When did you first get into fashion?
B.o.b:Well really I haven’t always been able to express myself as much as I would like fashion-wise. But really I’ve always been fashionable to my best ability, even back in the day when I really didn’t have the resources and the means that I do now. But you know it’s not really fashion in a superficial way but more so fashion in a self-expression and artistic way. You know I’m an artist so my expression just bleeds from the inside out.
Phella:Yeah so it’s not just limited to music, it manifests in what you wear as well.
B.o.b:Yeah, exactly.
Phella:You talked about coming up as a young dude you probably weren’t able to afford the best of things but I’m pretty sure growing up you saw people and things that influenced you. Did you have any people or particular brands that influenced your dressing as a youngster?
B.o.b: No, really when it comes to fashion it’s more of a cultural thing. There’s really no specific individual. More so what I picked up from the culture and how people dressed in the south. You know they would wear Air Force Ones then I would want Air Force Ones. But now I’m at the point where I’m just content with whatever I get and I can be expressive with it.
Phella: Ok, so what about your peers? Anyone you run into or work with now that maybe you look up to their fashion sense?
B.o.b: Well fashion sense, not really. When it comes to fashion that’s something that I’m really my own about. To be perfectly honest with you I don’t really notice, I mean of course I’m aware but I don’t put that much thought into it. But when I do go on stage I make sure that what I wear sets me apart;not necessarily in terms of opposing like “oh he got on red so let me wear yellow”. It’s more so about making sure that I’m truly me with what I have on you know?
Phella:Right and I respect that. It seems like with you, it’s not forced. You’re not trying to outdo anyone or anything like that. You just do what’s natural and let it happen.
B.o.b: Exactly. It’s not always hundred percent premeditated. It’s more so as I see fit for the occassion.
Phella: So based on that I would assume you don’t prefer to have a stylist telling you what to do and you would rather choose your own attire?
B.o.b: Yeah I pretty much go with my own instinct but if I do use a stylist she pretty much knows that I’m my own individual. I do take advice though because I’ve had some stylists give my advice on certain things I’ve taken heed to and it turned out pretty good.
Phella: Alright. Now we see that you’re real heavy with LRG. Every time we see you you’re LRG’d out. How did that relationship come about and how’s that been going thus far?
B.o.b: Well with LRG that relationship came about way back in the day;[laughs] I say way back in the day like it’s been years and years but I mean way back in the day in terms of my music career. When I first started they used to send me clothes and stuff when I was just a nobody. They made sure I was presentable enough to get through doorways to even be able to get to the point where I’m at now. I mean it’s always something that people notice but because now I have a reputation musically it doesn’t matter as much [as it did back then]. But you know LRG they still send me stuff now and I still wear LRG. [laughing] Hell I got so much LRG I can’t help but to wear it, they send me a lot of stuff.
Phella: Just to switch gears a bit and talk more about your peers,in the past a lot of people had the misconception that a socially conscious artist couldn’t be fashionable or aware of his appearance. But now it seems guys like Kanye, Common, Andre 3000 and yourself are showing that it’s cool to care about your surroundings but still be fly while doing it. Would you agree?
B.o.b: Exactly!!! And I feel like the term “conscious rapper” has been confined to a certain type of activist or a certain type of cause or something. It’s really not a cause, the only cause is to just be yourself and whatever it is that you are to be confident in that. And what I stress is I’m not opposing anything. With like the songs “Autotune” or “Generation Lost” I’m not opposing anything at all. I’m just speaking how I feel but it’s hard to do because people are constantly like “up, down, left, right” and we battle with that dualistic mind state. I constantly have to remind people that I accept all of life; I may not agree with everything but I accept it.
Phella: Definitely man, I agree with that 100%. Socially conscious is becoming a tag but really all it means is a normal person that’s aware of their surroundings right?
B.o.b: Exactly!!! A “conscious rapper” is quite literally just a “conscious rapper”. He’s rapping but he’s aware while he’s rapping. The main goal is just to make other people conscious. The world will be a much better place if we weren’t so rigid and structured. I feel like we are becoming a lot more liberal and free, you know what I mean. Like Will Ferrel, he’s a conscious actor because he makes [people] laugh like crazy while keeping a straight face. You have to be aware to be able to do that.
Phella: So speaking of being “liberal and free”, I’m glad you said that. Watching your show I’ve noticed that sometimes you too….I guess you can say “get free”? Basically you like to remove your garments and play the guitar, what’s that about, is that for your female fans?
B.o.b: [Hysterically laughing] Ummm, umm, this if funny and I’m on the road trying to get over and they won’t let me over. We’re all going to get in the same traffic anyway. You know honestly man when I do that I never think about it. It’s just like you said I get to feeling so liberal and free and I’m like “let me take these shoes off, and this shirt…”. I’ve heard of artists in the past like Cee-Lo;somebody told me he got all the way down to his wife beater and his boxers. I was like “what, Cee-Lo?”. But it just happens;crowd surfing, stripping clothes off…..all types of crazy sh*t. You never know when the feeling will come.
Phella: [laughing] “Free and liberal”. I think that might have to be the B.o.b. 09′ slogan.
B.o.b: [laughs]
Phella: But yeah man just to get back on the fashion tip, you definitely have a lot of kids out there looking up to you. It seems like with your appearance you’re able to look clean and sharp without necessarily wearing the million dollar shoe or the thousand dollar shirt. Not to say anything’s wrong with that but you’re showing people that you can appear nice and clean but you don’t have to go break the bank.
B.o.b: Yeah exactly. And that’s something I want to emphasize. You can look clean and sharp without having to go break the bank like you said. It’s all about the self-expression. If you’re feeling bummy and beat-up it’s going to show on your surface. You don’t necessarily need a million dollars to look like a million dollars. You can look clean and fresh just by having a clean fresh attitude. It’s all about the confidence and the swag behind it because you know I’m on Grand Hustle and we’re all pretty fashionably sensible. Like Young Dro he’ll come in iced out and pull out a stack with his Polo on but it’s cool because it’s him. He’s comfortable and confident and would be the same with or without the jewelry and all the money. He’s able to do that because of all the money he has accumulated. Some people think the money is going to give them a sense of style but it doesn’t. You make the money, the money shouldn’t make you.
Phella: I’m going to need you to get a little bit materialistic on this one. It’s the 2010 Grammy Awards and B.o.b is nominated for his first Grammy, what are you rocking to that show?
B.o.b: Awww man!!! The Grammy’s? Ok I feel you [laughing]. Man I would definitely go for either a white or a pin-striped suit. Whatever it would be though, it definitely is not gonna be the norm. I’m definitely finna have something that’ll have [them] like “damn did you see what Bob had on?” Like “he had on some futuristic sh*t”. It’s 2010 so I’m already mentally in the year 2020. Maybe a pin-striped suit with a glare to it. You know something that when you look it reflects the sunlight or the light in the room. Just take it back to the real creative days like when people used to go to prom and wear like the most outrageous thing possible. But I wouldn’t wear something that makes it so obvious that I’m trying to standout. The creativity of it will take it there.
Phella: Ok and just to follow up on that, do you think you have enough guts to get “free and liberal” on the Grammy stage?
B.o.b: On the Grammy stage?
Phella: Yup
B.o.b: Aww man everywhere I go I live. So whether I’m dancing in front of President Obama, the Grammy stage, or the classroom; everywhere I go I’m finna have my spirit with me you know what I mean?
Phella: Definitely. Ok Bob do you have any closing statements for the kids and your fans out there?
B.o.b: Man just be yourself. It sounds corny and cheesy, you hear it all the time, but who you are is free so you’re free to be whatever you want to be, but whatever you choose to be, make sure that you’re confident in it and you actually believe who you are. Because if you’re not,it would just look funny.
I have a confession to make. This past week I had probably my best week ever as far as working out and eating healthy goes. I mean I was locked in and focused. The problem is part of the deal I have with myself is that for every good week, I am entitled to one “cheat day”.
See if you’re a normal person that can do things in moderation that might work but me, I’ve never learned to do anything halfway. It’s either I’m eating all the way healthy or I’m out of control and eating like The Klumps or Diddy. So yesterday subconsciously I grabbed a HUGE piece of fried chicken and ate it; my first piece in almost 2 years. Now you’re probably saying “what’s the big deal with just a little wing or a thigh” right? WRONG, it was an INGTHREAST (WING+THIGH+BREAST). The biggest ingthreast you’ve ever seen. Bigger than the plate I was using to hold it. Then I washed it all down with a sugary beverage; another thing I usually don’t indulge in.
There’s really no moral or good ending to this story. I ended up catching the itis and going to sleep, then I woke up this morning and my chest and back felt like someone had stabbed me. I was literally about to die. Once your body is conditioned to not eat stuff like that, eating again is like a death wish.
I’ve learned my lesson. Never again.
Actually I think it did. My blog has been super slow over the past 1 month or so since I gave into the micro-blogging tool known as Twitter. Fewer and fewer comments, uninspired posts, very few emails regarding the blog; just overall feels like a divorce is inevitable at this point. It’s like leaving the hood for the suburbs then when you show up around the old way, no one wants to shake your hand. OK, BE LIKE THAT THEN!!!!!
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Tagged Industry Rule #4080-They All Shady, Phellito Vs The State
I’m supposed to be at the park jogging right now. I’m still on part time blog hiatus but this is too urgent.
I’ve noticed a disturbing trend recently. Kids are being lied to and being told that “life isn’t what you know, but who you know”. Oh word?
Let’s analyze really quick. The most recent successful person that we can all agree upon is Barack Obama. Who did he know that got him in the White House? Nobody. He wasn’t some Washington socialite that hangs at all the events and brushes shoulders. He didn’t call on some frat buddies from college and say “hey Peter you think you can put me in the Oval Office?”. He was the skinny guy with big ears from Chicago that spent his time studying and learning and prepping for his audacious goals.
Guess what people who he “knew” did to him? They tried to drag him down. His own pastor, Jeremiah Wright, almost single handedly ruined the mans whole campaign. Go ask Sarah Palin and John McCain what “knowing people” will get you;nothing. All the secrets being revealed from their campaign today is from people that they “know”.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to socialize and have friends. I get accused of living in isolation too much. But I look back on my life and analyze the success versus failure ratio when I do things alone compared to when I turn to people I “know” and the statistics are mind blowing.
Educate yourself first. Study what it is you’re pursuing. Work hard and smart. Then and only then will you be able to know the right people to know, know how to deal with those people and more importantly know when it’s time to unknow.
Edit:Two of my fellow Firm members had excellent quotes regarding this subject matter.
Sean said:”Knowing people makes you an extra. Knowing things makes you Will Smith”
Sterling passed on a quote that says:”There are no cameras in the weight room”
