As we grow older, a lot of things we once valued aren’t as valuable to us as they once were.  The way we thought the world works isn’t exactly how the world works. Is it that we have lost faith, or do we just see things for how they really are?

Being popular is more important than being smart… how silly of me.

Having things is more important than having assets… how silly of me.

Not realizing every mistake or sin is fear-based… how silly of me.

Trying to change people rather than being the change I want to see… how silly of me.

What have you realized that you have been silly of?  How do you see the world now compared to when you were 18?  21?

*The soundtrack for today’s post is, “How Silly of Me,” by artist 607 (one half of the duo, earFear).  You can hear more here.

We’re all familiar with the Alicia Keys’s, Jay-Z’s, Beyonce’s, and Ne-Yo’s of the world.  But what about the up-and-coming artists?  What new artists are out there who have a serious buzz?

Today’s post is dedicated to new artists you may or may not have heard of.  Some you may recognize.  Some you may not.  However, like Lil’ Wayne and Lauren London, I’m here to put you up on that New-New. 

J. Cole – He is the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s Rocnation label.  He hails from Fayetteville, North Carolina.  Kanye built a buzz off of being a college dropout.  J. Cole graduated with a degree from St. John’s University.  Check him out: www.jcolemusic.com

Melanie Fiona – She’s Guyanese.  She can sing.  She can actually sing live.  Her album is nice with sprinkles of island flavor in it.  Check her out: www.melaniefiona.com

607 - He’s in the Guiness Book of World Records for creating the first rap verse to make sense when read backwards and forwards.  He’s a hybrid of sorts, can freestyle, battle, and make great songs.  Check him out: www.myspace.com/607

Suga City - Hailing from Arkansas, this rap duo recently earned a spot on the popular Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare video game soundtrack.  They are definitely not your stereotypical southern mc’s.  Check them out: www.myspace.com/sugacity

Bridget Kelly- I heard her sing at a Jay-Z show recently.  She was filling in for Alicia Keys, singing the hook for Empire State of Mind.  Man, did she KILL it!  I haven’t heard any original material from her yet, but I’m waiting.  I do have her Twitter page.  Check her out: http://twitter.com/TheycallmeBK

That’s just a short list for now.  What other artists out there are we sleeping on?  What do you think about those mentioned above?  Share names and links to their music if you can.

Well your nerds have decided to do their own version of Black in America (shouts out to Soledad O’Brien)…

Our first entry basically aims to dispel some of the lies that black people have told themselves since the days we sang (yes I said sang) Negro spirituals outside the church.

1.  In the words of Ced from The Barbershop,  “OJ did it”.  Yeah I said it.  If you’ll beat a woman, you’ll kill a woman.  I can’t believe this fool broke the law again after all we’ve done to stand behind him.

2.  We are more racist than white people.  (later on this week we will talk about whether or not black people can be racist).  So let me say it like this, we sterotype more than other races.   We do it a lot when it come to our own race.

3.  For the young people being hood is neither cool or the norm.  I don’t know about you, but for half my childhood I grew up in the hood.   Then we move “out there ’round them white peoples” and trust me the hood is not better.  I like a clean neighborhood without crime.   And in the words of one of my favorite rapper’s 607… “you ain’t real cause you grew up po’ (poor)”.

4.  Being hated on is not a good thing.  I mean don’t get me wrong you are going to have haters.  And it is probably a sign you are doing something good.  But don’t relish in the fact you have haters.  Make it your mission to better mankind so people don’t hate on each other.   I listen to rappers today and they act like it’s a good thing other people want to KILL them.  That is insane!  I don’t want people to kill me because I’m doing well.  That’s nothing to be proud of.

5. We like buffoonery.  That is the only way shows like Flavor, New York, Real and Chance, Cupid and all those other love shows stay on the air.  And for a special pungent brew let me throw in a dash of BET and some Georgia Peaches from the Real House wives of Atlanta.