So here’s the thing: I’ve always been a writer at heart, and have been working on bringing back editorials to the site. Fortunately, having a duo at the dopehouse that also love to write makes things much easier. So, as part of 2DBz’ 2012 campaign to run the ‘Nets we are now introducing weekly editorials on the site. Expect a new drop every Friday afternoon from either myself, Justice or Miss Peas, who drops our second entry… – M
If music has taught me anything, it is to BELIEVE. Believe in your art. Trust it can go beyond the limits of your imagination. Our feet are on the ground and we are Below The Heavens.
Blu’s Below the Heavens is the last classic of our generation. I remember the first time I met the phenomenally exhilarating composer better known by the name Exile. It was May 2nd, 2009 and I was interviewing him for Oh Dang! Magazine. I shared with him my sentiment about how I strongly felt that Below the Heavens reminded me of another life changing record you may have heard of by the title Illmatic. He responded with a face smirk, laughed, and asked me if I was high. Ha! I don’t even smoke anymore. Illmatic is a one of a kind masterpiece, a musical landscape of blissful treachery if you will. Be aware, I understand that there is no comparison, BUT the undeniable impact that these two albums have channeled from the inner cities of their genesis prove to be substantial evidence that sonically hip hop has gone to further lengths in search of balancing the scales of time. Below the Heavens and Illmatic are both for lack of a better term “classic” debut albums from the aforementioned masters of ceremonies. Nasty Nas relinquished his rage in his first breath with Main Source’s redefinitive ode to summer cookouts worldwide “Live at the BBQ” with his mind altering war on words declaring with prominence and conviction, “When I was 12, I went to hell for snuffin’ Jesus.” Blu at the rare age of 22, broke and taking the bus, possessed the tools for the trade, but had yet to make a name for himself. So with Exile behind the boards, both put their imaginations in motion and set their sights on crafting a melodic visual work of art unseen to the masses. There was no extra push for Below the Heavens. A few years later, you can’t bring up top albums of this generation and not mention Below the Heavens.
Hip Hop and Illmatic are synonymous with each other. Illmatic offered a valiant contribution to the 90′s essence of grimey Hip Hop that broke the standard, and mirrored the prowess of his golden era influences so vividly that he even began to garner comparisons to a chosen few innovators. Illmatic details the story of a child unsure if he will be able to escape an environment full of criminals, death, punishment, pain and struggle. In a way, for Nas, Illmatic was a home. A place where he must learn to accept the ways to defeat them. He was the Villain, and the Hero, fighting his conflicts with each blink of the eyelids that never close. The story goes on to describe NY lifting the veil of someone experiencing it not only first hand, through himself but alongside others around him. Illmatic carved visible bruises into a street reporter in the middle of everything all while having to live in the place he’s reporting. Nas illustrates as if you are simply a shadow in the room, painting visuals with graphic storytelling reeking a stench of punishable sorrow, I wouldn’t expect you to believe that I was inside of the womb with him, in the graffiti plastered buildings of Queensbridge, on that dead end, unpleasant shackle most refer to simply as “a block”, running from the those corrupt racist, unjust, savage blue walls you refer to as “police” shooting dice so we could see the light after we flipped the switch in our shitty roach filled apartment of love. He built a hatred for it, and turned it into the highest resolution of hip-hop appreciation, artistically, respectfully.
The intro to Illmatic contains interpolations of the popular 1983 Hip Hop film Wild Style and it perfectly portrays what young Nas has volunteered to take on. Zorro’s brother yells at his graffiti artist kid brother Zorro with fury; “There ain’t nothing out here for you.” Zorro responds in a calm tone: “Yes, there is, THIS.” “This” is Nas’s gateway out. The Getaway. He’s affirming that “this” moment is his, with his state weighing in heavily on his back, and the memory of his fallen soldier, Ill Will on his mind, he’s set forth to verbally go where no men have travelled before. This is rap documentation at it’s most vulnerable. An album packed with a forest of quotable’s on only the third song of the adventure, AZ’s verse lights the match properly: “I’m destined to live the dream for all my people’s who never made it.” Almost two decades later, no published recording has ever come close to summing up to Illmatic and with such uncanny production, and a penetrating penchant for identity via superior vocabulary it was. Nas was here to rule.
The samples Exile brought together on his collaborative effort with fellow California native Blu are anything short of soulful. Full of gut stabbing emotion, Blu is straight to the point and he keeps it so real. It’s him at his most personal. He opens up on various grime inducing tasks that magnify the turmoil of being the eldest of 9 siblings, his parents unfortunate marital problems, issues with the opposite sex, the moment when he has to come to term with stepping into manhood feet first, peering into the submissive phrase “You might be a father” and how one would prepare to cultivate a newborn life while not being able to acquire a working phone and resorting to public transportation all at the same time. He discusses the pressure of following the recording artist dream on the standout composition: “Dancing In The Rain.” The intro to this track begins with a seductive instrumental executed by Exile. He showcases an ambitious oasis, allowing listeners inside the life, with a glimmer of promise noting its going to be okay, just “smoove ya ass…” He confesses the uncomforting frustration on the second verse falling victim to his self-doubt of becoming a hip hop artist and attempting to take control of the pressure. I know where he’s coming from (even though I don’t rap). On “Dancing In The Rain” he finds solace in a comrade, confiding in him and asking him for a reminder of why he distributes so much faith into this musical journey that may betray him. Before his partner can even form his lips to offer a suggestion, it all returns to him, the struggle that is hypnotic, that magical effervescence that these beats supply him, the color of promise, this character remembers why he initiated the mission to get into hip hop in the first place, his passion, and how it gave him a new lane when he was literally coming to a fork in the road. His comrade tells Blu not to ask him again but responds with a phrase “remember the rain, it’ll diminish the pain”. “World Is… The”, another standout confessional, inviting listeners on his quest for heaven and why the album is called Below The Heavens. My favorite verse from the LP states: “As long as you holding hands with a God, that alone can turn the dark into a walk in the park.” That line alone elaborates why Below the Heavens is a timeless stream of perfection.
Below the Heavens and Illmatic are clear reflections of each generation. Both albums classify flawless significance. Every brutally honest chapter transcends current flow of thought in it’s own unique way, as they are sequenced perfectly to transition so smoothly onto the next movement, liquefying your salivary glands while forcing you to stay alert, not skipping a track. Below the Heavens was a soundtrack for my 8 months stay in New York in 2009. It’s funny, as an avid listener of music I can make a connection with a true poet’s aura. Below The Heavens shined fluorescently through ever so lovely Brooklyn trees. It was that one album that allowed me to inhale deeply through my everyday struggles. Blu’s dream like lyricism for each mosaic displayed the perfect picture of a “blue collar kid” finding his call in the new millennium, guiding passengers spiritually and economically through the voyage of the 21st century. If I had to choose one album to vocalize my generation’s feelings, without question, Below The Heavens carries the tongue. Below the Heavens, the west coast Illmatic. I don’t even think Nas knew what kind of impression he would leave on hip-hop at 17, and I don’t think Blu fully understood either. As of today, both are messiahs of hip-hop. Below The Heavens and Illmatic are the history books that future fans will utilize as research of an unidentifiable breed. A license permitting a ride into the sky leaving the brainstem challenged. Below The Heavens is my generations beating heart that will outlast the heaviest winds for eternity.
DOWNLOAD: Blu – Dancing In The Rain
DOWNLOAD: Nas – Life’s A Bitch f. AZ
Dope..very well written
Well done.
Who ghost wrote this for Miss Pease? No, seriously? Judging by the writing in her posts, she can’t write for shit. I just want to know who the ghost writer is. That’s all.
i swear this peas chick is corny as fuck…this shit just reeks of trying too hard. this comes off as a high-school student in journalism class sucking up to the teacher trying to get an A. wtf does “a musical landscape of blissful treachery” even mean? She’s just throwing random adjectives together trying to sound more intelligent; sometimes simplicity is best. “Blu at the rare age of 22″; wtf is so rare about being 22?
“In a way, for Nas, Illmatic was a home. A place where he must learn to accept the ways to defeat them. He was the Villain, and the Hero, fighting his conflicts with each blink of the eyelids that never close.”<—that shit's just corny & a blatant attempt to be eloquent.
"Illmatic carved visible bruises into a street reporter"<–wtf are you talking about?
"Just smoove ya ass."<–if you're such a big fan of this song shouldn't you at least get the lyrics right? It's "just move ya ass." smh.
And I'm a huge BTH fan as well but when going over the album you can't ignore how out of place & odd "Juice N Dranks" is.
true.. I also loved Boy Meets World by Fashawn almost as much as Below the heavens. Below the heavens was more original, but Boy Meets World was more personable because it reflected Fashawn’s own life artfully. Exile is one of the most underrated producers. I get as hyped about Exile on this site as much as people usually do about Blu.
Man, some don’t even know how much Below The Heavens means to me. It is the album that got me heavy into Hip Hop 4 years ago when I was 15. Just moved to another part of town so I had to take the bus to school and I listened to Below The Heaven everyday on my way to school. “fuck whips I learn more when I ride the bus”
This was a very nice read, thanks.
I don’t see the point in this post
I love 2DBz but one of my major problems with the site has always been there’s not enough writing and editorials, I’m excited that you guys are going to do more writing.
Ya.. she can write well, but she is def trying to hard. There is also really no point, just saying both albums were classic and remind you of one another.. and this is a point thats been made over, and over, and over again.I think you also miss the satire moments in the project.. like the whole “move your ass”.. thing. This is really just someone saying whats been said a billion times, in essay format, with a lack of understanding of the LP’s themselves.
If she didn’t try too hard, you’d say she didn’t try Hard enough. Miss Peas. I’m an official fan of your Journalism and I’m so happy you got a chance to prove yourself with this editorial. You are on your way! Illmatic is the greatest album of all time and I will definitely be checking to see what this rapper Blu is all about.Good write up Peas!
^^ Juice & Drank is CRAZY out of place. Feels like he was like… i need one of those records too. type of things. and he just through something on there.
I figured smoove your ass was a play on words. lol.. but… maybe you just don’t know.. but she misses the point of the whole hook. That nobody anymore wants to dance in the rain.. so fine.. just move ur ass.. its not seriously saying thats how he gets through his day.. dancing in the rain is a metaphor. A metaphor that you didn’t understand apparently.
i have so much Respect for Blu.. i def have other more artists that im more interested in listening nowadays, But “Below the Heavens” is def a timeless classic and i dont think anyone, not even the best rappers today will out do it for along time.. Its prolly my favorite album of all time if not top 3
This isn’t Miss Peas it’s Meka. People have to learn how to read….
Ha, Deez plays himself hard…
“This isn’t Miss Peas it’s Meka. People have to learn how to read….”
all meka wrote was the intro in the blockquote.
the rest is miss pease.
“Below The Heavens is my generations beating heart that will outlast the heaviest winds for eternity.”
That’s some lame shit. Sounds like Cher lyrics.
By the way, if you’re going to drop cliches like that, at least get your grammar right.
“That nobody anymore wants to dance in the rain…”
-StopIt
“all meka wrote was the intro in the blockquote.
the rest is miss pease.”
oh, the way it started made it seem that way to me. my fault.
this shit ritchea?? filled with mixed-up metaphors, mangled idioms, run-on sentences, disagreeing tenses, and plain ol weird shit that made me pause. gonna pick up where @mr. 305 left off and highlight these gems:
“…BUT the undeniable impact that these two albums have channeled from the inner cities of their genesis prove to be substantial evidence that sonically hip hop has gone to further lengths in search of balancing the scales of time.” (HUH??????)
“The samples Exile brought together on his collaborative effort with fellow California native Blu are anything short of soulful.” (think you were looking for ‘nothing short of soulful’, ma)
“Both albums classify flawless significance.” (no fucking idea with this is supposed to mean)
“Below The Heavens is my generations beating heart that will outlast the heaviest winds for eternity.” (sheds one quick)
I’ve felt the same way for a long time. Really Dope article.
Nice piece Peas… Very well said. Looking forward to these editorials. Hip Hop needs more strong writers – that don’t only instigate but exemplify the art form from one’s perspective.
I dig it tho…. Big fan of the Peas tho yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
So much hate in this world @C-section ….. Bravo Miss Peas
This whole piece looks like she opened up a dictionary and thesaurus and just randomly chose and strung words together. No cohesion whatsoever. Horrible. Phrasing is really corny, run on sentences pop in and out. You should really stop writing and start looking into another career, unless you plan on writing for Bossip.
Where can I get that picture in the main post in a higher resolution? Thanks in advance.
Internet Nerds, smmfh well done on the write up Peas. Do Stillmatic or Lost Tapes next.
Nas >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Life’s A Bitch $WAG!!!!!! A$AP!
@A$AP Alpo you a dumb ass bitch.
real talk, all the Miss Peas haters can go kill themselves after this post.
Blu, East New York Got Love For You My Nigga!
ENY STAND THE FUCK UP!
-Reem Rumble
I hate this tumblr chick, shes weak for real . And Im not trollin
Can we get a piece for “Just A Moment” by Nas & Quan?
And does anyone know where Quan is?
Dope.
Man, I thought this was a Below The Heavens/Illmatic mash-up? =(
^me too :/
yea this is dope. Blu def deserves the recognition. I do not think either of them knew of the impression theyd leave on hiphop. those lyrics. ..
Nice piece but it’s always funny to see everyone always having negative comments for Miss Peas. One day she should write another editorial and go under Meka’s name and just when everyone starts to say how good it was, she’ll come out and say it was her.
Anyways, I’ve always said Illmatic is the greatest hip hop album of all time. Everything went right for it. It had the greatest production, lyricism, and feel. I’d say the feel was similar with Below the Heavens and Illmatic, both were personal, feel like they were addressing the music to you and you only. Even though the songs talked about different subjects, they had an aura that tied them together. The difference is the production and lyricism on Below the Heavens weren’t as good as Illmatic. Nas had his technical rhyme patterns down to a notch and since they were more producers on Illmatic, each songs had a different sound. Exile is great producer but he ain’t Premo, Pete Rock, or Q-Tip and Blu is a great lyricist but he ain’t Nas with they way that he rhymes. On another note, I’ve always said Common’s Be had that same feeling Illmatic offers too.
P.S., for the ignorant niggas that claim Miss Peas is corny, forreal man get a life. If you don’t have anything in your life appreciate, where you speak (or write) deeply about it, you a sad nigga then, let it be known!
If you’re gonna put yourself out there as an editorialist then you’re opening yourself up for criticisms and this, at BEST, is grossly mediocre. Grammatically it’s riddled with mistakes and the cliches, strained metaphors, and obvious overuse of a thesaurus are unbearable. It’s like a rapper trying to use too many punchlines; we get it, you know what a simile is.
Honestly, how was she recruited to the site Shake and Mek? I mean even her post descriptions are overly embellished. I’m not trying to hate (although eff it because I’m sure it’s coming across that way) but when you’re trying THAT HARD to write what you perceive as “articulate” it becomes painfully obvious to the audience. It has to be fluid and in your own “voice.” Aside from a few stylistic deviations a piece should feel like a conversation between yourself and the reader. This sounds like I’m a 7th grader who thought using my thesaurus for every sentence would ultimately impress my teacher. it’s the same reason Stephanie Meyers catches so much flack for her Twilight novels (NO HOMO). Good enough storytelling, terrible execution.
Lord knows I waste enough time on 2dopeboyz every day. What’s a discussion about getting involved look like? I’m sure there are plenty of questions like this everyday but if you don’t put yourself out there you can’t expect to get anything in return. Will Smith’s Power of Decision Making! haha.. 2012 we taking over the net! I haven’t written anything officially as of late but I previously wrote all the pieces found on this site http://addictedtoswagger.blogspot.com/.
Let me know!
@AVilla
Your Blogs Sucks $WAG! Get A Job, Nobody Cares About The Shit You Say That’s Why You Commentin’ PEA$ POST LOSER! $WAG! What You Gonna Do Wit That? $WAG!
@REEM
FUCK YOU BITCH! $WAG! YOU A FRUITCAKE WHO WEARS HIS MAMA’S CHRISTMAS SWEATERS IN JULY! $WAG! YOU GET NO LOVE IN YO HOOD! $WAG!
Dope Dope piece, Miss Peas. Beautifully written. This connects with me especially since I love both albums as well. I’d love to see some more posts like these.
Fantastic piece. Finding an insightful look at hip hop topics in this format is difficult, and writing one even more so [ as evidenced by the criticism this poster is getting ]. Please keep bringing posts like this, there aren’t enough of us writing them.
I hope miss peas isn’t discouraged by the lack of intelligence of some of the people commenting. The piece is well done and while I still think the thesis may be a bit of a stretch it’s a brilliant comparison of the two albums
LMAO at this writing! This is a perfect example of how NOT to write!!!! Props to Mr.305!
i loved this article. Absolutely an insightful look into two amazing and inspiring albums. although both of these albums are two of my personal favorites and i do believe that illmatic is absolutely the pinnacle of post golden age hip hop and possibly the greatest project of all time but if you place below the heavens in same category i feel that are several other albums that fall into the same weight class. below the heavens as beautifully crafted as it was wasn’t the last classic of our generation because i know plenty of other equally influential equally innovative equal introspective projects that came out as recent as recentlast year. of course the first that comes is kendrick lamar’s section.80 because that isn’t what would happen if Bob Dylan was born as a black man in LA in the late 80′s Idk what is.
it was a pleasure to read this… looking forward to more
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Not I Said The Fly | my words are weapons… said this on February 3rd, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Re: Spirituality, Belief and Truth:It seems to me that triyng to fit spirituality or personal truth into a dogma is like triyng to capture the universe in a jam jar. (Jam used as a verb here!)Thanks for this…..Pat