On Rick Ross’s last album that sounds just like the the rest of his albums, God Forgives, I Don’t (a title that really has nothing to do with anything), there’s a record featuring Dr. Dre doing his best Rick Ross impression – a pointless appearance since he didn’t even produce the track – Â and Jay-Z doing Jay-Z things, which can at times seem bored, effortless, and entertaining. The song is called “Three Kings” and isn’t even the best song called “Three Kings”, a distinction which clearly rests with Slim Thug, Bun B, and T.I.
This post isn’t about music though. In this song, Jay-Z utters the words, “it’s just different…” twice. At the beginning of his verse and at the end of his verse which ends the song. It’s a nod to the fact that the life and things he talks about are just…different. While everybody else is talking about the longterm riches and b*tches, Jay has been there and done that. Hell, everything he’s talking about is actually true and verifiable. His attainment is just…different. Which is ironic because it could be taken as a shot to the very artist whose song he is rapping on. Since, well, Jay-Z’s reign is just…different.
For some reason, it’s sat with me ever since I heard him say.
“It’s just different…”
It’s the way he says it. The arrogance but actualization that straight up, the Jay way is really what he purports it to be. In fact, in hip-hop probably only Puffy and 50 Cent know that life. Granted, it’s possible that marginally speaking, clearing a certain level of millions probably entitles you to that feeling, but something about Jay just makes it…different.
VerySmartBrothas has always been…different to me. This is no shot to all of the other blogs that exist in a similar-ish format. We all do the same thing with largely the same goals. But we’re just…different. In fact, that’s the beauty and the busted of it. It’s both a gift and a curse. This is a special place and it became so not solely because of the work of Champ, Liz, and I, but because of everybody who ventured here day in and day out. Hell, it would have to be in order to continue to exist after 4+ years doing the same thing you started doing.
The community is what makes us tick and what keeps us going and what allows us to get any acclaim we’ve received. To that effect, it’s like the running back who wins the MVP who has to share that trophy with his line. We’ve hit on so many interesting and odd topics. Some have gotten deep (though apparently not enough depth exists here) and many have gotten controversial. But all in all, for every week we’ve existed, it’s been a chance for folks to come in and sound off and wax poetic and offer opinions and shoot the sh*t with likeminded individuals.
We’ve seen many people come and go. Many have bounced because they ultimately hated me or Champ or our flippant arrogance and approach to any of a number of topics. We’ve managed to create a few posts that shall not be named and apparently written more than enough stupid sh*t to make some individuals actually detest one or the other of us. While some would take that personally, I actually view that as an accomplishment.
See, as an artist (I’m using the term loosely here, but walk with me) your ultimate desire to make somebody feel something. Most people who write are just that, writers. But there are some writers who you connect with because their way of wordsmithing brings you into their world and allows you feel like you know them. That’s been a goal of VSB since our inception. It wasn’t just to create a blog. No, it was to create a home. Where folks feel like they knew us. And it worked. We turned into a veritable Cheers over the years. Folks looked forward to interacting with their new friends. Relationships formed. We’ve got a few VSB-babies. Hell, I informed the world about my then-girlfriend’s pregnancy and subsequent birth of our daughter who is now almost *this many* years old. We’ve shared and offered dark moments and offered support. VSB has often been a place of peace with various moments of tension and unrest, but we always found the happy medium somewhere.
It’s just…different.
Which is why I’m wondering what the f*ck happened?
“…f*ck this man…” ~ Jay-Z “What More Can I Say?”, The Black Album
No seriously, what happened? It seems like all of a sudden there’s tension here everyday and folks are ready to jump ship and curse one another out. I hear the words rape-culture more than Planned Parenthood does on this site. The consideration for folks feelings and respect is waning. I honestly don’t get it. Folks actually DETEST certain other people that comment. Folks quit a blog.
I repeat, folks are actually “quitting a blog”. With announcements. Seriously, I’m wondering who shot my baby?
So if you all, past and present VSB ninjas could, civilly and respectfully, tell me what the f*ck happened, I’d be greatly appreciative.
Consider this a VSB feedback and debriefing session. Please speak freely but respect the architects and all the construction workers on site. Please and thank you.
-VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka MR. WHO SHOT JR? aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL HE A 3
And for all the DMVers: Don’t forget to RSVP for REMINISCE This Saturday night from 930pm to 3am. Come out and hang. It’s a special occasion and we’d love to see, take pictures, with and hang out with you! It’s our one year anniversary!!! RSVP for free entry: http://reminsicedc.eventbrite.com
