While I resisted the urge to name my son after myself (and my Dad and Grandfather), it looks like some of the best parts of me have been passed down to him.
He’s 7, in 2nd grade and recently turned in this report at school.
Homeworked.
That’s right.
I like hip hop and Londn.
Jouqpac
He even has my penchant for frkng words diffrntly.
That’s my little apple.
His 6th birthday party had a hip hop theme, complete with a pop-locker (big ups Mr. Warlock, I still have your glasses at the crib) and tagging on a wall.
So I’m gonna take a few hits every now and again to see how the movies, music and TV shows from our youth hold up in a new series called, LMPTSA (Let Me Peep This Sh*t Again).
I repeeped Karate Kid last night with my wife, Maya (10) and Joaquin (7).
We liked it but stopped after the first episode because explaining the backstory over and over again to the kids, who’d never seen the original, was exhausting. So, we downloaded the IMDB movie app and watched it for $Free.99.
Here are a few observations that escaped my attention when I first watched the movie in 1985.
Mr. Miyagi was a Japanese-American immigrant whose wife and unborn child died at Manzanar, a Japanese internment camp, while he was away fighting Nazis.
Holy SHIT.
I was 17 when I first learned of Japanese interment camps, and still another 5 years before I learned there was a large camp at present day Santa Anita racetrack in the San Gabriel Valley, some 5 miles from where I grew up.
While the movie isn’t immune to crude representations of Asian American culture, there was a recurring bit where Daniel mispronounces Mr. MiyaGEE, and is corrected until he finally learns to say it right. And then teaches others.
Do you remember that scene from the tournament when the MC mispronounces the OG’s name
“It’s Miyagi.”
Danielson on the chin check.
Now, if that didn’t flip my wig what I learned next had me questioning all reality.
DANIEL LARUSSO WAS MEXICAN-AMERICAN
Hear me out.
First, Daniel moved into a Reseda apartment complex where his first friend and neighbor was a Mexican kid.
Varrio Reseda 13 or nah?
One can rightfully surmise that Daniel’s mom heard about this apartment from Daniel’s dad’s sister (more on that below), who had a comadre from her rancho living in the same complex.
#Facts
Now, about Daniel’s papi.
First, we have good reason to think Daniel is named after his dad cuz, like, the 80s and shit. And we know a bunch of Mexicans named Daniel. A bunch.
The LaRussa’s lived in New Jersey at the height of the manufacturing boom, so we know Mexicans were there making that town go.
Lastly, regrettably, even if predictably, Daniel Sr. likely had to jet back to his pueblo to reconnect with his Mexican family and he wasn’t about to stick around with Mrs. Larusso, who for all her good intentions, had a bad hairstyle.
If that isn’t proof enough for you skeptics, consider the fact he wore the same pair of Nike Cortez THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MOVIE.
100% likelihood Daniel’s wearing knee high socks
For my most controversial piece of datum, I submit the Halloween Dance scene where Danielson decided to exact revenge on Johnny because…wait for it…Johnny stole Daniel’s weed and was about to smoke the last of it…and I mean the last of it…at the dance.
The temerity is flabbergasting and a insult no Mexican-American can suffer.
Listen, if I had more time, I’d go into Daniel’s preternatural soccer skills, his ability to mack the hottest girl on campus and his Mexican mane but you’re just gonna have to trust me on this one.
OK, I sense some skepticism. So consider this the nail in the coffin.
When I first heard him rhyme at a bible college in the mid 90’s, I was like ‘GOD DAMN.’
Maybe it was GOSH DARN. I can’t call it.
I was a religious fundamentalist at the time.
When they told me, “Yeah, he’s only 16,” I burned all my notebooks.
What?
I told you I was a fundamentalist.
As a Blowedian and founding member of the Tunnel Rat click, Raphi is no stranger to cyphers and stages, beats, bars and battles. Now, with over 20 years of hip hop hustle and flow to his credit, he’s stepped into fatherhood with his W raised to the heavens.
As he should.
1. What’s your first hip hop memory?
That kinda depends cuz I have a few. Like I remember random flashes of hip-hop or aspects of hip-hop culture in pop culture itself. Like Carlton had a commercial for his book of how to breakdance.
I remember seeing Turbo in the Breakin’ movies.
If you didn’t try to rock with a broom, are you even hip hop, bruh?
Even in the B-boys in that one quick scene in Flashdance.
But as far as Hip-Hop music and like “a moment” it was my older brother bumpin’ the original 1580am KDAY.
My mom worked full time and would give him like $20 or something to watch me after school. He would still go into work though to deliver pizza but would just have me stay in the car. 🤣 He had the boomin’ system in his little tricked out GTI or Golf of whatever it was. But hearing Public Enemy, BDP, NWA, Kane, etc. on that system for the first time at such a young age, I was definitely like “woah what is this?!” and made an impression on me right away.
2. What was your parents’ relationship with hip hop? Did they think it was cool? Dangerous?
My dad died when I was like 5 so I’ve often wondered what his take would’ve been. As far as my mom, she was down! haha. She grew up in Temple City in the 40’s & 50’s. She waited tables her Jr. year of High School and saved up $10k, took her G.E.D. to leave a year early and move to New York City cuz she wanted to study dance. She booked the part of “Terasita” the iconic film ‘West Side Story’. She was a Shark of course. She also was on a show called ‘Shindig’ that was like ‘American Bandstand’ where damn near every big artist at the time performed music. The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Elvis, Supremes, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Doors, Stones, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, Tina Turner etc. Like THAT! One wall in our house growing up was filled with photos from those shows and her performing and/or dancing on stage with legends during their performances.
WEST SIDE STORY, Rita Moreno, 1961
She went on to have a successful career as a Dancer and Choreographer. So she understood the Arts. Specifically having to do with music too, she understood a piece of music can grab you and make you feel something. She understood you can express yourself with or through the music. You can get lost in the a song and let IT guide your movement without thinking about it. It wasn’t just a hobby or job. That was her passion.
I know that that all must’ve helped with her relating to me and my connection to Hip-Hop culture. She listened to her two boys explain it to her. The different elements, creative aspects, positivity, voice of the voiceless and talking about social issues going on in the hood etc. She remembered how it was when Rock n Roll hit the scene, or Elvis’ dancing was so controversial. Whatever was the new “scary” thing the kids were doing that the previous generation didn’t understand or approve of. She quickly saw Hip-Hop as just the next voice/sound to come out of the next generation.
Sports was never really my thing, but Hip-Hop, dancing, djing, rapping, beatmaking etc. became my obsession. She completely “got it”. She was so down that she used to drive me, barely a teenager in Jr. High, to The Goodlife open mic in South Central on a school night ust so I could rap. Sometimes, she’d drop me off, sometimes stay in the car, sometimes even come in to watch. I actually talk about it on a song with Jurny Big (of LPG) and Playdough/Krum talking about our moms.
“…Momma was the dopest she would drive me to the Goodlifedown is South Central…and on a school nightYea I know right? She was down for the culture’I’ma make it Momma watch!’ is what I told herand dedication is what I showed her and I got older.But never could make the bread to pay back some of what I owed her.I planted seeds that’ll grow bigger than me.The impact on a life is something I wish she could see,when you’re broke and all you got is the song.They say ‘work hard enough you can do ANYthing’, but that’s wrong.Am I really an artist if I don’t draw a crowd?I guess I’ll be my son’s dad to make her proud.”
3. What’s your son’s name? What’s the significance? Did you feel some type of way about people expecting you to name your son after yourself or some other patriarch?
West Geronimo Henley! That’s how WEST COAST MC I am!! That’s the significance. jk…but sorta not lol. I’ve been throwing up W’s in photos and wearing some kind Cali/LA/WestCoast hat or short for as long as I can remember. When my wife and I were thinking about names, I threw out “Just straight up WEST” half joking. She paused and started saying it out loud. “West Henley” and I looked at her like “that IS a strong name” I think we may have already decided on the middle name or at least had it between Geronimo and one or two others.
Once we started saying it all together, we looked at each other like “We may have just decided on the name.” Just another reason I knew I married my soulmate when she agreed to name our boy WEST.
My brother has two daughters so when we found out we were having a boy, that was kind of a relief that at least his last name would carry on. No outside pressure was felt one way or the other tho. I joke with my son now when he sees old pics of me throwing up dubs like “See man I loved you even before you existed. I was reppin’ for you long before you even born”
4. Do you have any songs that address the issue of fatherhood?
Now that you mention it, I don’t have any full on “Hey son, I’m your father and this song is for you” like Will Smith or Xzibit. I do however mention fatherhood or having a child several times with just a line or two. Growing up without a father was huge part of my life and childhood so I mention that multiple times too.
Actually there was a song I did for a compilation where I wrote it like a story. I’m the main character talking about how its crucial trying to make money and pay bills. Me & “my lady” are wanting to do good but I start selling drugs to make ends meet and “doing what we gotta do to feed our baby…” It was all made up tho cuz at the time I don’t remember if we were even engaged but we certainly hadn’t gotten pregnant or were even thinking about it.
5. Do you have any songs that mention your son?
The most direct part in a verse about my son is definitely from a song called “Battle Scars” with Abstract Rude and Joaquin Daniels for the ‘Keep The Feel Ent. #NU2B (Next Up To Bat) Label Sampler’. The end of my verse goes… “It’s more corrupt than it’s ever been listen.Can’t trust no Politician but I aint trippin’I’m still instilling a sense of hope into my seed.Young West Geronimo go succeed in anything you wanna do or be.In every single opportunity,better you than me.Your daddy was a lightning rod I wish I brought more unity.
6. Who’s your son’s favorite hip hop artist?
Probably me lol. He already has a broad musical taste. So he’s not listing to any genre all the time. But he gets a little hyped when he hears my voice come on during a song. He tends to tell people he meets at school or camp that “My daddy is Shames Worthy….He raps” lmao.
7. How do you teach your son about creativity?
Sheeeeeiiiiiit nowdays he teaches me! Just like his daddy, he didn’t take to sports right away but was artistic and creative like before he could really talk. He started scribbling and drawing very early. As he continues to grow (6 years old, 1st grade) he’s always creating something. He draws, paints, builds structures, sculpts, dances, sings and improvises his own melodies and songs, invents things (concepts and ideas at least) he makes jewelry at his mom’s mom’s house etc. He’s always making something. Dude’s prolific.
8. Which song of yours does your kid enjoy the most?
As a general rule, he usually likes anything where I’m rapping fast, whether that’s like a chopper where I’m flowing in double time on my Goodlife/Blowed mode. Or just really fast straight forward like one of my Bboy jams. But other than that, he for SURE loves “The Anthem”. The sample, drums, chorus, bars he always gets excited and starts bobbing his head and mouthing along to it whenever it comes on.
The Catalogue Dawg
9. Big Daddy Kane or Ol Dirty Bastard?
Big Daddy Kane easy! Always been a fan since “RAW” and “Smooth Operator”….and actually I’ve never been much of a Wu fan. (quickly ducks) So yea Kane all day.
Signed, Sealed & Smoothly Delivered
10. Who’s your favorite TV dad?
It’s kinda weird to say now, but prolly would have to be Cliff Huxtable. He was successful, in love and faithful to his wife, would play around and have fun and had a good sense of humor…and would give some bars of knowledge. But yea that’s Dr. Cliff Huxtable…not Bill Cosby.
Connect with Big Game Shame here and check out his most recent project, Yeezys, a short film he shot and edited here.
In 2017, the Big Brown Backyard Boogie to end all BYOB BBBBs went down.
I invited some local locos to flex their vocals.
tio snag and big brown dad
My former student, Modern Day Souljah came thru to bless the mic. & friendly funny man, Johnny Roque rocked a set. In this video, Modern Day Souljah flexed some Spanish on our pocho asses. Then we talk about how certain hair styles increase the likelihood of being harassed by the cops.
Tio Snag sets this video off with a beat box and then Johnny Rock sets off a set. He talks Latino conversion therapy and how little we knew about how much our parents knew. Johnny then waxes comedic on the power of prayer and old time magic. And then the beats play on.
In this clip, Tio Snag freestyles, shots out mijos, mijas, tios and tias. Modern Day Souljah then sets it off with a session. Then another freestyle session. And then he’s followed by Lord Zuela, Adrian Brizz and from the big homie Byron Brizz.
Word on the block is that another is brewing. WHAT?!
…if by Zionist you mean a person whose spent the last 5 summers at Zion National Park in Utah with my family and a gaggle of HMC Upward Boundites.
You can read about one of those early trips here and here.
In between escaping snakes, chlorine poisoning and sunburn, I dropped some jots and tittles.
While en route, I wrote Erosion.
Erosion
God made man made two lanes slippery gut split her insides outsides.
Who can resist the majesty of the Zion–besides the man with his phone glued to his hand, off course?
Here is morning crumble.
morning crumble
red rock morning crumble.
show us your butte.
Not for the nothing but writing poetry is an exercise in distillation. Can I reduce my thinking and feeling into as few words as possible while keeping open as many ways in as possible?
Big Brown Dad was (is?) (will always be?) a rapper.
In 1991, I got swept up in the evangelical fervor flooding the #SGV (big ups to the psychologically manipulative altar calls at Calvary Chapel West Covina).
In 1998, while still riding the big waves of theological fundamentalism, I enrolled in seminary to pursue an MA in the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics.
In 2001, I left seminary with my fundamentalism in tatters and embarked on a hip hop backpacking trip throughout Mexico & Guatemala. I wrote a gang of raps at the time. Ultimately, the rhymes were cobbled together for my album, Heaven and Earth, that I put out in 2005.
The song attempts to articulate the tension you feel when enraptured at a church service. You go from high to low, from sin to grace, from saint to sinner, from heaven to earth and back again.
Rise. Fall. Rise. Fall.
The song starts off expressing that tension:
I touch the heavens
clutch the ground
walk the straight and narrow
but still fuck around
If you listen close, I shot out Manuel Aguilar, my brother, on the track.
Pay attention to the chorus, the homie Odd Thomas blessed it. & he made the beat.
This is what hip hop from the #SGV should sound like. Recorded at Flourish and Prosper in El Monte. Meet Hip Hop Pops Emmanuel “Apakalips” Contreras.
1. Tell me about your daughter? What her name and where did it come from?
My daughters name is Isabella Page Contreras aka IZZY. Isabella means “devoted to god. Her middle name, Page, came from me like a page in an art book, so that she could write or draw her own life up. My wife got Izzy from Grey’s Anatomy (lol).
She is a fun loving, caring, kind, smart as hell little lady. She is respectful and full of life. She always wants to know answers to life and learn new things. She loves art, music, judo, Legos and the list goes on and on.
2. What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
The part of knowing I created this beautiful little soul. The part that I know I have to do whatever it takes for her to be good in life. The small hugs, kisses and deep conversations we have about life. I love every single thing that has to do with me being called papi!
3. How is hip hop part of your relationship w/ your daughter?
I teach her about all kinds of music. She catches on fast and memorizes songs. She loves hearing my music. I showed her how to use the MPC, taught her the style of beat boxing and we battle rap all time. It helps her with rhyming words at school. She will know hip hop and this culture of ours for sure. But music connects my family; it always did for me as a kid and will continue going for the generations to come.
4. Do you have any music that reflects on fatherhood? Which song?
Yes, off my debut album “Dearly Deported” I have a song called “Dear Us” produced by me… it’s basically a letter to my daughter my wife and to myself talking on life. It’s one of my favorites and she already loves it cuz she understands the lyrics I’m saying.
5. What excites you most about the new album you’re dropping?
I think it’s the simple fact of FINALLY PUTTING IT OUT. I feel like I kept it in a glass case as a secret but now is time to let the world share it live it and appreciate it. It’s my life’s work. I consider like I tell people this is my “Illmattic”
6. How do you think your daughter will look back on your music?
She will love it and cherish as much as I do. One thing I have taught her is things you create that are considered “classic” just means it will never go away. I hope one day she can show me the songs she wrote and sing me to sleep.
7. Who’s your favorite TV Dad? Why?
I’d have to say Homer Simpson. He makes dumb choices but always corrects them. He knows how to have fun, take chances but always goes right. He lives like tomorrow isn’t promised but the main thing is his family always comes first. Plus the dude is funny as hell, like me.
8. Big Daddy Kane or Ol’ Dirty Bastard?
I mean no disrespect to ODB… but are you kidding me.. BDK..is on my top 3 MCs who I consider the biggest influences to my style of writing. 1Rakim 2. Bid Daddy Kane 3. Nas. These are my all time..but yeah ODB was a secret genius with his music.
The michelada is having its moment. The sometimes spicy, often red, Mexican beer-cocktail is trending and transnational breweries, local bars and home-based hustlers are cashing in.
In 2014 alone, an estimated $25 million dollars worth of micheladas were sold in the United States (and that’s a conservative back of napkin calculation extrapolated from my personal consumption).
In its simplest form, the michelada consists of beer, tomato juice, salt, lime and chile. In its more elaborate manifestations, the michelada is a wonder to behold.
Peep game.
1. Canchelada
Budweiser, Tecate and Modelo each sell a canned version of a michelada. Be advised: If you show up to a backyard boogie with any of these in a bag, take the beer out of the bag and then place the bag over your head.
2. Styrocheladas
When you need a quick fix, reach for a pre-made michelada mix. It’s simple. Pour. Stir. Drink. Pollute. If you’re resourceful, there’s enough mix to last two beers. And the styrofoam cup? Get used to it. It’ll be around for a few decades.
3. Michelada De Mano
Listen, if you want a michelada made right, make it yourself. Rejoice, as your michelada can be infinitely modified. You decide between Clamato and V8; Tapatio or Tabasco; Tajin or celery salt; Worcester or soy sauce? And that’s just the beginning (see: below)! There is ONE rule, though: Only use Mexican beer. Make that TWO rules: Pour a little out for the homies who ain’t here.
4. MACHOlada
Drinking a beef-broth michelada is a rite of passage. In addition to putting hair on your chest (sorry, ladies), this carnivorous concoction purportedly puts more pepper in your stepper. Get the recipe here.
5. 赤ビール
Santa Ana, California is home to one of the oldest Latino neighborhoods in the U.S. It’s also the birthplace of a dynamic iteration of our beloved classic. Jeff Hal, owner of Chapter One: the modern local, approaches cocktails with the same creative zeal he does his food. Their Asian inspired miso-lada is comprised of ginger puree, wasabi, uzu, salt, pepper and fish sauce. Don’t look for it on their menu, though. It’s a secret, so when you order, punctuate your request with the Chicano headnod.
6. Post-Modern Michelada
Leave it to hipsters to take a perfectly good drink and deconstruct it, only to reconstruct it as a shadow of the original. At Diablo Urban Taco Fabricators (that’s the name, smack me with a chancla if I’m lying) in Silverlake, Ca, they’ve created a michelada-mix-popsicle-stick. The popsicle sits in your beer.
The fundamental problem here is straight-forward. Serve cold beer and the popsicle mix doesn’t melt, serve a warm beer and I ain’t paying for that sh*t!
7. Michelada Mariscos
Jenny and Robert Lopez from Pomona, Ca have perfected a home-based hustle by hand-making decadent Michelada mixes and promoting them on Instagram. Their Ceviche Michelada is a top seller. To start, they rim the glass with a handmade, salted chile paste. Then they use a proprietary homemade michelada mix. That’s followed by a botana of crab, shrimp, tomato, avocado and lime. Impressed? Good. They’re just getting started.
8. Holy Michelada
Inspired by a church from his home state of Sinaloa, Mexico, Robert created La Catedral. La Catedral features cucumbers stuffed with ceviche, crab, peanuts, tamarindo, lime, their homemade michelada mix and handmade chilito preparado. Amen and Halleluia!
9.Pina-chelada
Pina Colada, move over, because there’s a new way to get faded off the prickly fruit. Rumor has it Jenny came up with the idea after going to La Catedral one too many times . This mammoth michelada is served with their signature michelada mix, chamoy, lime, chile paste and peanuts. And pineapple, lots of pineapple.
Now that’s just bananas.
10. Crown Mary
Smack dab in the American heartland, Sobelmans of Milwaukee serves the ridonkulous Crown Mary — a bloody beer (uhum, michelada) garnished with celery stalk, green onion, cherry tomatoes, lemon, shrimp, sausage, pickled asparagus, pickled mushroom, pickled brussel sprouts, and a hamburger.
A f*cking HAMBURGER!
One thing is abundantly clear, the michelada flood gates have opened. Don’t mind me, I’ll be sitting here at river’s end with my mouth wide open.
This article originally appeared in Flama before Univision shutdown the platform to focus on variety shows with clowns and hula hoops.
There are over 3,000 registered food trucks and carts in Los Angeles. Their offerings run the gamut from sushi to steaming buns. But twisted get it don’t. The staple of late-night Los Angeles grubbery has always been the taco truck.
Here’s why:
Taco trucks are open when nothing else is open. Yes, they’re often situated in sketchy neighborhoods with less than adequate lighting, but consider the trip to the taco truck an adventuresome way to extend your late night out with the crew.
Taco trucks attract diverse crowds. Don’t be surprised when the Filipino-American businessman in front of you decides on the lengua tacos with salsa roja. Count it as normal when the Armenian-American college students behind you order a half-dozen, off-menu Quesadillas. This is Los Angeles.
Taco trucks are the business. They provide a relatively low-cost opportunity to start a family business. The husband-and-wife taco truck tag team is commonplace, with the best of them able to switch roles between cook and cashier at the drop of a hairnet.
Taco trucks are reasonably priced. If you’re paying more than $2 per taco, you’re getting got. Remember to bring cash. It’s likely a mom and pop operation, so there’s no reason to get Uncle Sam involved, nahmean?
Taco trucks give you an opportunity to practice your Spanish. Ordering in Spanish will likely result in larger portions even if your Spanish is wick wick wack. Don’t try this tactic at a Chinese restaurant, their Spanish is likely to be just as bad.
Taco trucks have hard-to-find Mexican Coke. The Coke from Mexico is all they say it is. Put the glass to your lips and it hits your system like lightning. It numbs your face. It gets you wired. And when you’re done, you can burp and declare your trip to the taco truck a success.
This article originally appeared in the now defunct Univision content platform for English speaking Latinos called…well, shit…who remembers? It was 2014.
