If I were granted one wish to change any day in history...

My wish is not full of American pride, although that does reside somewhere within the pain I feel every time I think about that day. My wish consists of many parts. The part most important: the wish for a stronger humanitarian effort, which I feel should reside within everyone.

My wish consists of words and prayer for those who died.

My wish consists of words and prayer for those who died ... and are still living among us.

My wish consists of words and prayer for those who are alive ... and won't get a chance to live pre-tragedy. Remember how tough we thought life was? I'm frightened for all our children.

Amazing as it may sound, considering my proximity to the situation, I didn't personally know anyone who died that day. I do know a few people who where there, at that moment, either in one of the towers or on the street, and were able to get away. The changes I saw in them, whether good or bad, were remarkable to behold. I often wonder if the changes I saw in them were reflective in nature. Did I begin to sound like that? Did I begin to look like that? Did I begin to treat people differently because of...? Did I change that much too? Or was I going to become the person I am today regardless?

I wish I could make a wish and see for myself.

As usual, thanks for reading....

Bigg Russ

10 More Points...

1. Please, I'm begging all of you... STOP saying, "I know that's right!!" every time you agree with something someone says! Every time I hear it, I feel like Danny Glover circa The Color Purple!

2. Bigger picture. Capture it. Film or digital. Doesn't matter. So longs as you see it.

3. Ladies...those faux gladiator, flat things you're wearing on your feet are ugly and doing nothing but bad things for your spinal columns. Just thought I'd share.

3a. Those faux gladiator, flat things you're wearing on your feet are just as ugly as those Korean ghetto slippers. You know that's right!!

4. Slick Rick wrote Children's Story back in '88 and rappers are STILL getting convicted of murder?!

5. Ciudad Juarez. I'm NEVER going there. Jesus himself couldn't convince me to go there. Nope.

6. Be happy. It's not hard. Trust me. As hard as you think you may have it, there are hundreds...thousands who have it harder than you.

7. Free health care. It really is that simple. More on this in another blog...

8. I liked Steve Harvey more before the baldy.

9. I like Wendy Willmans more now that she's off the radio.

Long Live Scott La Rock...

On Saturday, August 29th, most of New York City was celebrating the 51st birthday of the King of Pop. In another corner of the city though, a few hip hop pioneers from The Bronx were celebrating the life & death of a fallen DJ.

Just days before a street in Hollis, Queens was renamed in honor of another DJ taken before his time, The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza hosted a concert in honor of DJ Scott La Rock. He was one half of the original Boogie Down Productions crew (AKA, BDP) which included KRS-One, D-Nice, and others.

In a story that seems written for an early 80's hip hop movie, Scott La Rock (real name: Scott Sterling) was the social worker assigned to assist KRS (real name: Kris Parker) with his homelessness issues. Upon realizing that they were both halves of what could be a successful whole, they instantly hit it off and decided to pursue a recording contract. Just-Ice, another local rapper who once lived in the same shelter as Kris and already successful in getting a song played on the radio, was instrumental in getting BDP signed to Jive Records (after having previously signing a contract with B-Boy Records). On the way back from signing with Jive, KRS and Just-Ice learned that Scott had been shot and killed in a situation he was trying to diffuse. It was this event which has spearheaded KRS-One's album themes and various movements ever since (i.e. Stop The Violence, H.E.A.L., The Temple of Hip-Hop, etc.).

The bill for the concert was decidedly old school: KRS-One, Grand Daddy I.U., Double XX Posse, Kool Moe Dee (with help from LA Sunshine & Mighty Mike C from The Fearless Four), Lord Finesse, Red Alert and others. Scott La Rock's family was there on hand to witness the event and cut a cake on stage. The cake was made to look like the first BDP album, Criminal Minded.

Unfortunately, due to the various MJ affairs and unnecessarily high ticket prices, the venue wasn't packed. Regardless, the artists did what they came to do and they did it in spades. I've seen many a KRS-One concert and he definitely lost more weight sweating in this one than recent memory can recall. It was refreshing to see him perform songs from his first album that he hadn't done in almost 20 years. Kool Moe Dee and crew NEVER cease to entertain either so it felt good knowing they still got it. As host, Red Alert didn't have much crowd energy to pull from so he did what he could with what he had to work with. All I ask is that they do this again sometime in the near future and in front of a bigger crowd. It was classic hip hop show celebrating a classic album produced by a classic DJ that should be seen my more fans.

Let us get back to what we call hip hop,

And what it meant to DJ Scott La Rock

Bigg Russ

KRS-One

Kool Moe Dee and Crew

Just-Ice, 4Ron, Tre-Dee, KRS-One, Bigg Russ

Tre-Dee, KRS-One

KRS-One, La Rock's Mother, DJ Kool Herc (in sunglasses)

S.O.A.Q., Kool Moe Dee

Tre-Dee, Kool DJ Red Alert, Fred Ones, S.O.A.Q.

4Ron, Kool DJ Red Alert, S.O.A.Q., John Smooth

10 Points

1. Why did Biggie and Common get sued for their performance names when there are so many Lil's and Yung's runnin' around? I'mma change my name to Lil Jay Chuck West One Allah Nasir. I just came up with that. Off the dome.

2. Really, fellas. It's time to pull the pants up and put some slack back in 'em. Cross Colors was better than this bullshit y'all are wearin'. Well...almost.

3. I'm not waiting for Lil Mo's comeback any longer. I haven't given up on Gina Thompson though.

4. Have you seen Denzel's new trailer for Book of Eli? He needs to come kick ass like that in Mt. Vernon!!

5. Speaking of Mt. Vernon, has anyone see the mayor yet?

6. Mayor Bloomberg is 'concerned' about 50 Cent's family day?! I'm a lot more 'concerned' about Bloomberg's 'family', if you catch my drift.

7. The past is the past. Leave it there.

8. Can someone walk to Junior's for me?

9. I'm challenging Joe Budden to a battle. I suck but it may get me just noticed enough to sign a reality tv show deal. I figured it be a lot easier than fathering 8 children.

10. Okay, I've given up on Gina Thompson. Someone let Xcape know I'm losing my patience...

Bigg Russ

Losing faith...

That's me.

I can almost pinpoint the moment it happened. I hope I can put a stop to the slide before I sink too low. I often wonder if my love for humanity is to blame. I sincerely feel sorry for every child dealing with something horrible that's been done to them. I feel anger towards those who impose their will on others without care. I'm surely not perfect but I try my best to RESPECT everyone ... everyday. Why can't others? Why must winning translate into others losing? Can't we all win?!

Hoping that the rest of the world gets it just hurts so much. It's why I buried my head in comics and video games. It has always been better to watch the hero win then to deal with reality. I thought I was strong enough to deal with reality with my crutches...but now I'm not so sure.

Good. Evil. What really is the point after all?

It's driving me insane...

Bigg Russ

A class all our own...

A few months back, some friends and I got together ... on Facebook, that is ... and started to ask, "Hey, aren't we supposed to be having a high school reunion soon?" Long story short, those of us asking were immediately promoted to reunion committee. We laughed, we toiled, we worried, we counted, we pleaded, we got dirty, we questioned our way into what we hoped would be a great, simplistic event where old friends could come together and catch up. What started out as a common 'in the cafeteria' type party soon turned into something much more grand. There now was a pre-reception, a BBQ (complete with wives, husbands, children & extended family members) and a joint-ventured, 'shoe & pumps' after party and birthday jump-up. There just so happened to be an annual jazz festival scheduled on the same day as the BBQ as well which fit right into any one's schedule.

Our one simple question somehow transformed into what should be considered the blueprint for producing an event out of love for one another. The children of a community scattered, came back together for a weekend of love, laughs, tears, music, dance, food, drink and all around joy. Expressing the fact that the community needed this weekend of reminiscing is an understatement. For most of us, the past represents ease and good times. We couldn't wait to escape those walls of learning so that we could be our own bosses. The fact is, many of us now long for those days again when adult responsibility didn't seem so near. The present is unstable but we're all learning to balance as best we can. The future is uncertain... but it is certainly coming and I surely want to see my fellow classmates again very soon. We need to continue to show our children what it means to come together under one banner without negativity and drama. They need to see it and we must do what's right by them or everything we've done is for nothing.

Do me a favor. If you're reading this, smile. Then think about those of us who couldn't attend, especially those who were taken from us too soon. Let 'em know how much you miss them.

Peace, love, happiness and blessings to the Mount Vernon High School Class of 1989.

Bigg Russ

4th Friday Open Mic Nights @ Cimarron Cultural Cafe!

This is a quick shout out to Alicia Williams and the crew over at Cimarron Cultural Cafe (Mt. Vernon, NY)! They produce the 4th Friday Open Mic Nights. Live music, poetry, singing, emceeing, AND food!

Last Friday was very fun and inspirational! I'm going to the next one and would love to see more people support! Check some of the photos!

Also, if you want to know what a 'Cimarron' is, read here. Better yet, hit your local library for something more in depth...

Bigg Russ...