Busta Rhymes's 2020 album of ELE2 (or Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God) is one of his most lyrical albums of his career. His song with Kendrick Lamar was very poetic and lyrical. In essence, ELE2 is about Busta Rhyme's political, social, economic, and spiritual views. It is no secret that Busta Rhymes is part of the Five Percent Nation. The album reflects the Five Percent teachings, and rap music have many powerful artists with links to the organization too. Busta Rhymes have made over 10 albums and 56 music videos. He has been involved in hip hop for decades now. He came from Brooklyn, NYC and was on the scene during the Golden Age of Hip Hop. Busta Rhymes, like Missy Elliot, has been flashy with his videos being extra creative. He gave East Coast hip hop a new boost of energy and caused music videos to change forever with the influence of Hype Williams too. For example, Busta Rhymes in his 1996 video Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check was a video that was ahead of its time. Much of his music have fun themes and serious themes too like The Coming (1996), When Disaster Strikes (1997), and E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front (1998). These albums talk about a disaster in the future or a major event that would change the world forevermore. In 2021, the world is controversial, even moreso, than the 1990's. Busta Rhymes is almost 50 years old. His new album of Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God has many messages and symbolism.
The cover of ELE2: The Wrath of God have a man with a skull wearing a facemask and an ELE symbol on its forehead. That was about the pandemic and people wearing masks. ELE2 is about a more serious tone. Busta Rhymes admitted that his album is about analyzing a serious event of the pandemic, our intelligence being insulted, and protecting our families. Busta Rhymes talked about those in power has an agenda going on to promote propaganda against the people. He said that his artwork in 1998 on his album of E.L.E. had the WTC gone and New York in flames. 3 years later, 9/11 happened. So, Busta Rhymes believed that shady people are involved in corruption in the world (which has been demonized by some as a "conspiracy theory"). The intro of the album of ELE2 shows the Biblical person of Nimrod unifying the world and making one language. The Tower of Babel is mentioned, and it said that humanity have learned nothing in being in defiance to God. Now, we know that many elitists promote the new world order. The intro implies that this goal will cause the ultimate wrath of God again. A common lesson in life is that people are doomed to repeat history if the lessons of the past aren't learned. That is what the intro is all about. The album have concepts and symbolism from the Five Percent Nation as Busta Rhymes and Rakim are famous members of Five Percenters. The song Satanic talks about the satanic imagery that took over some of hip hop, pop, and other musical entities in the few years. Busta warns artists that, by bowing down to Satan in their music, they’re “playing with a match that can grow into an inferno." Busta talks about artists using visuals using like rituals and sacrifices. This is confirmation about people like us for over 10 years now documenting occult, satanic, and other diverse symbolism in mainstream music videos. Busta says that they used to be subtle, but now they “display it major." That is 100% true. Busta Rhymes made a promotional video called The Prophecy will be Fulfilled about Catholic clergymen secretly worshiping Satan.
Ironically enough, despite the messages found in ELE2, Busta Rhymes himself ended up being accused of being satanic. I don't believe that Busta Rhymes is satanic, but he wants to make a point in that video. A Catholic priest in the promotional video gives a sermon that quotes various parts of the Bible including Psalm 37: “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them.” The priest marks the foreheads of children with the ELE2 logo which is similar to the Mark of the Beast. The video shows the priest showing his true demonic face. The children acts possessed with glowing eyes. Some accuse the video of being satanic, but it's a reflection of his Five Percent views. Five Percenters have the sun, moon, a star, and the number 7 (representing God). It was created in 1964 by Clarence 13X, or a former Nation of Islam member. Clarence worked under Malcolm X. Clarence left the NOI, because he didn't view Wallace Fard Muhammad as God incarnate. Instead, Clarence 13X taught his students that the black man (individually and collectively) is God. Conversely, in the eyes of the Five Percenters, white people are “devils” and their technology is actually “tricknology” that will not stand the test of time. What do I believe in ? I believe that black people are the original humans on Earth. I believe that Black is Beautiful. I don't view myself as a god or God, as I am only a black human being. Five Percenters believe that only 10 percent of the world's people know the truth of existence. These elites and their agents keep 85% of the world in ignorance and under control. The remaining 5 percent know the truth and are given the mission to enlighten the 85%. These people are known as "poor righteous teachers." Five Percenters have similarities to Islam, but they are not equivalent to orthodox Islam. Five Percenters believe that there is no mystery God and the Original Man (or black people) can be a god via knowledge of self. I do believe in God that is beyond the power of Nature and human beings. Freemasonry teaches this doctrine of man being like a good or experience godhood like Manly P. Hall and Wilmhurst.
Know Thyself is the hermetic axiom found in Mystery Schools like in Freemasonry. NGE believes in apotheosis of humanity which is similar to Gnosticism and the New Age Movement instead of the beliefs of traditional monotheistic religions. The Five Percenters believe that the Asiatic black man is God and his proper name is “Allah." Supreme Mathematics and the Supreme Alphabet is used by NGE to understand how man relates to the universe. For instance, in Supreme Mathematics, the number 7 and the letter G (the 7th letter of the alphabet) are associated with God. While Freemasonry is a rigid secret society that recruits the local elites within its ranks, the NGE is a community-based organization that attracts disenfranchised men and inmates in urban areas. Artists such as Rakim, Busta Rhymes, Jay Electronica, the entire Wu-Tang Clan, Erykah Badu, Jay-Z, Nas, and many others integrated NGE concepts and symbolism into their lyrics while heavily influencing hip-hop slang in general. Expressions such as “word is bond”, “peace”, “cipher”, “dropping science”, “dropping knowledge”, and calling each other “god” all originate from the NGE. The symbol of the NGE has been worn by Rakim, Jay Z, and RZA. That is why Jay Z publicly said that he believes in one God, he doesn't believe in organized religion (as Jay Z said in public that he isn't a Christian or a Muslim), he doesn't believe in Hell, and he believes in karma. Obviously, I don't share Jay Z's spiritual views. Busta Rhymes stands next to a picture of Clarence 13X in a music video called Master Fard Muhammad. That is why it is not a secret that Busta Rhymes refers to himself as God in ELE2 and in other albums. So, the corrupt priest in the promotional video promoting ELE2 is about criticizing organized religion in general (which is common in mainstream society). This is found in the Nation of Gods and Earths FAQ site where they criticize organized religion. So, ELE2 is a creative album with tons of messages that many rappers don't do. I agree with ELE2 in exposing the new world order agenda, satanic imagery in music videos, and the destruction of lives from the pandemic. I don't agree with the Five Percenter religion or its doctrines. Likewise, I am not God. So, Busta Rhymes, despite his spiritual errors, is much more sincere than others in exposing the elite's agenda. We should definitely be aware of how the world is and use means to resist the evil from the one percent elites who desire a globalized, confirmist, and neoliberal world order to exist (filled with capitalist exploitation, imperialism, distraction, and other evils).
Many people want to know what is hip hop to me. I was born in 1983, and during the 1980's, I never listened to hip hop music that much. I listened to soul music and R&B music mostly. I started to listen to hip hop music in a greater deal by 1990. Over the course of many decades of living on this Earth, I realize the complex nature of hip hop culture. The sounds of hip hop came from the poor areas of NYC. It came from the streets in which human beings were the victims of racism, deindustralization, police brutality, poverty, and other socioeconomic problems. Hip hop originally was a means to help people express their talents in diverse ways to find joy in the midst of so much pain. Hip hop was filled with competition, freedom of expression, and less corporate control back in the day. The 1980's both saw the Golden Age and the crack epidemic. The crack epidemic ruined millions of lives in America, especially among poor black and brown human beings. By the mid to late 1980's, controversial forms of hip hop existed like gangster rap and more sexually explicit rap. They have many differences, but the common denominator is that these 2 forms of music readily glorified killing black people, celebrating recreational usage of dangerous drugs, disrespecting including exploiting women, and praising excessive materialism. That led into negativity, and many lives were ruined by people who sought destruction in their lives. I have not seen a legitimate argument in the world that justifies glorifying anti-black murder, glorifying slandering women with misogynistic slurs, and loving the n word (regardless of it is in the -er or -a at the n of it). When one rapper once walked around with women with chains around their necks, then that is wrong. It's bigger than the artists as large corporations control the music industry not black people collectively. Therefore, we are not naive to blame hip hop for everything under the sun (as extremists do as many artists promote legitimately positive messages), but people have the First Amendment right to critique any form of music. We should express empathy to any black person suffering in a harsh environment. There is complexity in life, and we shouldn't place ourselves in another person's shoes to criticize a person. We ought to give people the opportunity to change and be better regardless of a person's background or zipcode. Yet, living in a harsh environment is not an excuse to dehumanize a black person though via music. Today, we have a more digitized society. Hip Hop is a powerful force in the world. Hip Hop to me is one of the most youth driven forms of music in human history. It is also one of the most controversial and debated genres of music in world history. So, hip hop in my eyes is a voice for the voiceless that should be used in legitimate ways to lift up human beings. There are many talented hip hop artists who sacrificed a lot. I believe we should make a distinction between music that promotes good and music that promotes evil. We have to address corporations, violent gangs, elitists who desire the status quo, and sellouts who love anti-black music (and desire to promote the most anti-black lyrics around. Gangster rap, in retrospect, was the opposite of revolutionary consciousness. We don't want total censorship, but we do believe in outright resistance against anti-black caricatures, stereotypes, and slurs promoted in society). So, hip hop in my eyes that is an international musical artform that inspired the world, it includes many good people, and it should be constantly improved upon to make sure that righteousness prevails (without evil).
It has been almost 50 years since hip hop has existed. The Afro-Caribbean man Kool Herc created hip hop. Also, hip hop had predecessors like the lyrical songs made by jazz/blues musicians and spoken word legends (like The Lost Poets). By the 1970's, hip hop expanded in New York City. From Grandmaster Caz, The Sugar Hill Gang, and Sylvia Robinson (the Mother of Hip Hop), hip hop grew rapidly. The early 1980's saw Run D.M.C. making history in developing the consciousness of hip hop culture. The Golden Age of Hip Hop included some of the greatest MCs in history like LL Cool J, Rakim, MC Lyte, Antionette, Kane, Geto Boys, etc. MC Hammer and Biz Markie promoted a more fun, dance oriented hip hop too. By the mid to late 1980's, hip hop became more diverse and controversial (with groups like NWA, Too Live Crew, etc.) with lyrics being more explicit. To this day, debates exist about free speech and the limits of music. One thing is true. Words have power, and we have to be wise to show messages that seek to enlighten people, make people have fun, and inspire change. That separates moderate rappers to legends. Legendary hip hop artists not only rap. They have real messages in their music that goes against the grain. By the 1990's, original groups like Digitable Planets and the Fugees expanded along with prominent artists like Tupac, Biggie, Nas, Scarface, Snoop, etc. After the deaths of Tupac and Biggie, people questioned if hip hop would survive. It did survive. Then, new movements existed like Ruff Ryders (with DMX), G-Unit, Murder Inc, Hot Boyz, Aftermath, No Limit, etc. There were soundcloud rappers later on. Also, By the 2010's and 2020's, women artists have received more shine in a men dominated artform like Rapsody, Megan Thee Stallion, and S-Roc. Hip Hop has been around for decades, and it still exist. Through its ups and downs, it remains the most popular form of music in the world too. It isn't immune from critique. No musical genre is immune from critique regardless if it is rock, gospel, R&B, jazz, etc. The irony is that critiquing hip hop will make it better in the long run. The irony is also people like us are really in league with making real change. I'm not against positive hip hop music. I'm against certain music that calls black folks every name but a child of God (C. Delores Tucker accurately predicted that people would still fight to promote righteousness in music in 2020 and beyond) and music that dehumanizes black women including black people in general. Hip Hop has saved many lives from pain, depression, abuse, and other terrible conditions. Hip Hop foundations have established scholarships, STEM programs, and other ways to help humanity. So, hip hop is a powerful artform with beauty and creativity. Along with that, we have the responsibility to set up a foundation where our communities grow prodigiously via legitimate means too.
The music of the Caribbean has inspired the imagination of the world. Caribbean music has motivated the soul for a long time too. One thing about the Caribbean is about multicultural influences. Every region of the Caribbean has been a huge foundation of specialized music. From fun records to more serious music, Caribbean music is very blessed. People from around the world knows about reggae which is Jamaica's best known style of music. It has roots form mento music, ska, and rocksteady. It has the one drop rhythm and has conscious and spiritual lyrics. Other reggae songs have lyrics about romance and love too. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Lee Perry, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Maxi Priest, and other artists expanded reggae worldwide. Patra, I Wayne, Empress Minott, Tessanne Chin, Sean Paul, Damian Marley, Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, and other new school reggae artists are prominent now. Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950's, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. It is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the upbeat. Calypso came from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. It was popularized in America by people like Harry Belafonte. Soca, Chutney, and rapso are musical styles popular in the Caribbean too. Compas is found in Haiti. Like basically all other Caribbean music, compas is a blend of African rhythms with the music of the Native Caribbean people and European musical elements. Some of the more popular current artists include Tabou Combo, Les Freres Dejean and Sweet Micky, who ran for and won the Haitian presidency in 2011. Other styles you'll find in Haiti include rara, mizik rasin, kadans and meringue (which is related to the merengue music of the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti). Salsa music came from Cuba. It is popular in cities of America, and other places. Clubs with salsa music is commonplace in NYC, Miami, LA, Chicago, etc. Salsa used fast, elaborate dance moves, and creative music. Bachata is found in the Dominican Republic. It has roots form Iberian guitar music. It has pop appeal too. Large Dominican populations in American cities celebrate bachata. Caribbean music has been influenced by African, European, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous musical traditions. Other styles of the Caribbean music include merenque, palo, mombo, denbo, baithak gana, bouyon, cadence-lypso, chutney-soca, dancehall, jing ping, parang, pichakaree, punta, ragga, reggaeton, soca, and zouk. Caribbean is also related to Central American and South American music.As such, most Caribbean music, however unique to its own island culture, includes elements of African music - heavy use of percussion instruments, complex rhythmic patterns, and call-and-response vocals. That said, it's important to recognize the musical styles unique to each island. In many cases, the difference between one style and another comes down to the rhythms utilized in each music; there is almost a different rhythm for every island. Bari is a festival, dance, drum and song type from the Dutch Antillean island of Bonaire. It is led by a single singer, who improvises. Lyrics often concern local figures and events of importance. Careso is a Virgin Islander song form, which is now entirely performed for special holiday and appreciation or education events, by folkloric ensembles. It is similar to quelbe in some ways, but has more sustained syllables, a more African melodic style and an all female, call and response format with lyrics that function as news and gossip communicator, also commemorating and celebrating historical events.
Caribbean cuisine is a mixture of many influences. It has came from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, China, and other places. Native American culture and Creole culture has been part of Caribbean food too. A famous Caribbean dish is dhalpurie roti, pumpkin tarkari, channa and aloos, and curry goat from Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean food has items like rice, plantians, beans, cassava, cilantro, bell pepper, sweet potatoes, coconut, chickpeas, and tomatoes. Beef, poultry, pork, and fish are found in cuisine too. A characteristic seasoning for the region is a green herb-and-oil-based marinade called sofrito, which imparts a flavor profile which is quintessentially Caribbean in character. Ingredients may include garlic, onions, scotch bonnet peppers, celery, green onions, and herbs like cilantro, Mexican mint, chives, marjoram, rosemary, tarragon and thyme. This green seasoning is used for a variety of dishes like curries, stews and roasted meats. Caribbean goat stew is found in Monsterrat and at St. Kitts and Nevis. Pelau, Ackee, and staltifsh is found in Jamaica. Okra and spinach is celebrated all over the Caribbean region too. Poul an sos or Chicken in sauce is very prominent in Haiti. One national dish of Puerto Rico is Arroz con gandules. In the Virgin Islands, fruits are eaten like sugar apple, mango, papaya, genip, sea grapes, tamarind, and soursop.
For thousands of years, human beings have lived in the Caribbean. It is a special land with a diverse history. Once, imperialists ruled the area. Now, independent countries are found all over the region in 2021. The Caribbean represents many things to many people. One key part of the Caribbean is its creative energy. It has wide ranging food, music, and social cultures that has inspired us. Reading books on the Caribbean life made me aware of tons of truths. The truth is that black culture remains one major heartbeat of the Caribbean experience. Black people in that region of the Americas fought against slavery at every inch. Many of the greatest leaders of human liberation have been those of Caribbean descent. Kwame Ture fought for us with his advocacy of Black Power. Shirley Chisholm led a historic campaign as a black woman for us. Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey both have Afro-Caribbean heritage. Afro-Caribbean leader Antonio Maceo Grajales fought for Cuban independence from Spain. Kristen M. Clarke has been a warrior for civil rights for long years. From Hubert Harrison to Walter Rodney, Caribbean human beings have always fought for our liberation. As a black American, I certainly give a lot of love and respect to the Caribbean experience completely.
When you think about her career and legacy, legend comes to mind. Changing the game of tennis represents her longevity indeed. Every tennis player of the 21st century have a profound influence from her stellar contributions. She was one of the most unsung athletes in human history. She has been through it all from ups and downs. She was born in the South, but she was raised in the North at Harlem, NYC. She experienced racism and sexism, but her she achieved historic, monumental accomplishments. She is the late Sister Althea Gibson. From being a tennis player, golf player, and civil rights activist, Althea Gibson was always outspoken to believe in the goal of racial justice for our people. She loved her husband, and she existed long before Arthur Ashe, the Serena Williams, and other Brothers and Sisters who played tennis. For us, Althea Gibson was a heroic pioneer who laid a foundation where players of every color would excel in their respective careers. I thought about writing about many historic figures, and her name came up. The reason is that even to this day, Althea Gibson hasn't been given her due proper respect. Therefore, it's time to do it. It's time to celebrate a black woman's life who wanted justice and true respect for her contributions to athletics in general. Therefore, Althea Gibson represents the absolute best in human courage and Black Excellence.
By Timothy
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