“i just like the beat”

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The Victory records Urban Assault Vehicle: a branded SUV, meant for extending the sell-by date on Taking Back Sunday’s failed-relationship toddler-faces. It’s kin to rap labels’ airbrushed ad-vans— but, dressed in camo and ready to fire, it also takes a cue from El Army’s cross-promotion with Lowriderand The Source mags. Militaristic punk and hip-hop, indoctrinating kids into the perpetual war culture with block fonts aflame and extremo superlatives. Next step: plants.
I’ll report back once the SI listserv has commented.
Naming vs. solving: I’ve got more to answer to, but ’til then, here’s a little bonus context.

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5 Responses to “i just like the beat”

  1. jck says:

    i didn’t even know a situationist listserve existed! thanks!

  2. Jona says:

    I just saw this in D.C.
    UGH.

  3. chas says:

    Hey J –
    I was driving home to North Portland from Powells in the rain, thinking once again about your blog and the direction that seems to be taking shape in your vision and writing. Portland misses you, by the way.
    I find myself frequently pondering your role as a feminist critic and ardent fan of hip-hop (a fair, if over-simplified description?). So here are some of the questions I’d ask you if I still saw you on a weekly basis.
    I know that you have written about underground hip-hop that features more socially conscious rhymes and decries misogyny and gross materialism. From reading the blog over the past several months, though, it seems like your enthusiasms (and critiques) have all been directed at bling-y caricatures of thug life. (Lloyd Banks, Usher, etc.) Since these artists violate the ethical code that I perceive in you, why do you think that you have been gravitating so heavily toward the offenders? I read the title of this post, “I just like the beat” as a humorously flacid excuse, but I really am curious.
    Is your criticism a way of abetting guilt that you feel for supporting an image/industry/artist/lifestyle that is, well, reprehensible (I mean, really).
    I guess my confusion is how you reconcile (and I mean this with utmost respect and compassion) your celebration of a fundamentally GOP strain of entertainment (pro-gun, anti-woman, excessive materialism, chickenhawk bravado) with your pointed critique of it. I feel that these are the same questions you ask yourself, and that’s why I’ve been enjoying reading the blog.
    Wishing you continued success with everything. I’m happy for you. And oh yeah, for the record, The Pretty Toney Album, which I burned from you, is still in heavy rotation in my truck.
    Best,
    Chas
    PS – How about a plug for my UrHo blog – urbanhonking.com/milk Last I checked it looked like shit in everything but Explorer on Macs, but that should change soon. Bye.
    C

  4. tinkey says:

    dick gephardt has an ipod? one more reason that people should buy minidisc players instead.
    but for serious, he “doesn’t listen to the lyrics”? that has got to be the most bullshit politician-y thing i’ve ever heard anybody say. fuck it, i’m moving to finland.

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