REAL Freestyling at GZA Concert

Why I Stand for Community

I had an interesting conversation last night with my homie DJ Romeo; we were talking about the idea of community, specifically the hip hop community in Toronto, which inspired me to write about some things that have been on my mind for a long time now.

It's no secret that every human being is self-centered to a certain degree; we view the world through our own unique lenses and perspectives based on a variety of factors (not the least of which are our past experiences). In our capitalist society, cash is king, and everybody is out to get theirs. The world of business has only one bottom line for the majority, and unfortunately many other good motives that people possess often fall to the wayside in the face of profit-motive. The same is all to often true in the music industry, and the hip hop community of which I am a part is no exception.

It's also not a secret (or at least I hope it isn't) that most artists do not make money off of the work they do. The vast majority of serious artists invest time, energy, and money into their works and receive little or no compensation as a result. Rappers in Toronto (and I would assume elsewhere) spend a lot of time making music, putting out records, and pushing their product and brand to anyone who might be interested, but often their goals of reaching broad fan-bases and eventually monetizing their music are not fulfilled. This is not the case with every artist - there are some who are actually making a living off of the work they do (and there's even a percentage of those who make really good music).

While money is still the universal currency within any industry, and those with more money definitely have an easier time at marketing their music, there is another, (I dare say) more valuable currency than money for those who can't simply throw dollars in the direction of materializing their dreams: respect. You can't buy respect. In the words of Brooklyn emcee O.C.: 

"Of course we gotta pay rent, so money connects, but uhh/ 

I'd rather be broke and have a whole lot of respect." 

The short-term focus and insatiable desire to be in the spotlight right now of so many artists I come across can be, I believe, a tremendous detriment to their careers overall. More importantly than that, the levels of stress that come with  the "need to achieve" right now can lead to desperation and certainly take a negative toll on ones health.

Don't get me wrong - I think it's important for artists to go out 100% for their own dreams in they want to have any chance of whatever their definition of "success" is. The problem I'm getting at here is that it's not the goal of being a successful artist that is the problem - it's how people go about doing it. While I am not generally in favour of labeling and pigeon-holing people, I'm going to describe a few "types" of people I've come across to elucidate the issues I'm attempting to describe:

Sharks: Will say and do absolutely anything necessary in order to get what they want. Any standards of morality and codes of human conduct fall to the wayside for selfish, self-centered motivations. Will shit on anyone and everyone if it means they get what they want.

Snakes: Keep low-key and behind the scenes while they attempt to manipulate people and situations in order to get what they want. May say and do things for people in order to try to get things from them in return, and then fuck them over a moment later when those same people no longer serve a purpose to them.

Chameleons: Change their colours to appease to whatever crowd they are in and depending on who they are talking to in order to win the favour of others and get what they want. May smile in your face one minute and then talk shit about you behind your back to another person in attempts to win favour with different groups of people.


Believe me, if I had the time or inclination, I could make up more characters to fit more stereotypical ways of being I see around me in my community. Many of the types of people I am describing would probably fit in the spectrum of antisocial personality disorders, although many others do not go to such extremes. As with everything, there are degrees to which people display such stereotypical traits, and there are often far more subtle behaviours at work. The point of my descriptions is that there is one bottom line for all of these types: they do what they do because their top priority in life is getting what they want. 

Selfishness and self-centeredness/egocentricity is the predominant spiritual disease of the human race, and it permeates all facets of our society. It is probably necessary in our world to have a degree of self-centeredness, certainly insofar as we need to take care of ourselves and survive. And when it comes to achieving our goals, we do need to do the work necessary for ourselves in order to get what we ultimately want. My main objection is this: most people think predominantly only of themselves and, if they are brutally honest with themselves, don't care much about anyone who doesn't have any personal relevance to their own life. In the Toronto hip hop community, I see this mentality playing out to an extreme, where everyone is out for themselves and "fuck you unless you can help me further my own goals RIGHT NOW." The end result: go listen to k-os's "Crabbuckit":

There are those who fall on the opposite side of the spectrum: altruists who think that helping others, selflessness, and giving of oneself are the ultimate goals in life. To anyone who can live this way and be truly happy and fulfilled doing it, my hat goes off to you. It takes a very special kind of person to constantly give of themselves without any thought of return and without having some kind of hidden agenda. There are some who, in a perverse way, flip the idea of giving to others in order to ignore issues in their own lives or avoid being confronted with what it takes to achieve their own goals and dreams. These self-proclaimed altruists do not really care much for those they seek to help; they give of themselves in a limited capacity in order to feel OK with who they are in the world. I think it's important to strike a balance between giving of oneself for the sake of others and taking care of oneself. Peep the words from the Jewish sage and scholar Hillel:

I believe that it doesn't have to be either/or when it comes to getting what we want for ourselves and our lives and caring about the people we come across on our way to achieving our dreams. I believe it's possible to get what we want AND help others get what they want. We can make a positive difference in the lives of others while we further our own ambitions. I know this to be true - I'm doing it in my life today. I'm living it.

This is why I stand for my hip hop community and for the idea of community in general. I am not purely an altruist - I am well aware of the fact that by helping others today, they may in turn be more likely to help me down the road. However, this is not the primary reason I do what I do and stand for what I stand for. I give of myself to others and express myself to the world because it is a source of fulfillment for me in my life. I do it because of the nature of my own spiritual condition as a human being; I've learned that if I become too consumed with self, then I will be miserable. I do genuinely want to have a positive impact on the lives of others and make a lasting difference in the world. Being of service to those around me is not inconsistent with my dreams of being a successful hip hop artist, poet, writer, actor, etc. - it is part of and inseparable from my dream and my vision. My definition of success in this life includes uplifting those around me, and in doing so uplifting myself.

This is the person I have given my word to being in this world and am actively growing and creating myself to be. Who I am is the possibility of love, inspiration, and transformation. I stand for this definition of hip hop: peace, love, unity, respect, integrity, creativity, and fun. This is why the acronym in my name - F.U.B.B. - stands for Foundations of Understanding Based on Benevolence.

I look forward to meeting and working with those of you in the world who share similar dreams and visions.

Much love.
-MC FÜBB

MC FÜBB opening for Jeru the Damaja (Toronto, June 11)

I'm proud to announce that I'll be sharing the stage with Jeru the Damaja on June 11, 2012 at Revival Bar in Toronto (783 College Street). Get your tickets in advance here: http://jeruintoronto.eventbrite.ca/

I'll be rocking my set with some of the Cypher emcees I've collaborated with over the past few years, including some new, exclusive material off of the my upcoming EP, the poet.


I hope to see you all there!

For more info, check the facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/308891582525535/?ref=ts

Chicago Roadtrip with THE CYPHER Crew (Hip Hop Headz/H3)

I went down with some Hip Hop Headz (H3) to Chi-City aka Chi-Town aka The Windy City this past summer to make some music, bring THE CYPHER to Chicago, travel, network, build and have fun. Here is the highlight reel from the trip:

The Academy + The Cypher present: J-Live

As many of you are aware, I'm the founder of an event called The Cypher and have been organizing, promoting, hosting, and performing at it since the summer of 2009. In collaboration with The Academy concert group, The Cypher crew and I have gotten together to bring the incredibly talented J-Live to Toronto on Aug. 25. at The Great Hall (1087 Queen Street West). I am extremely excited about this show and I hope to see you all there! More info below...

FB Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112719898825954

The Academy + The Cypher are proud to present…

J-LIVE

Born and raised in New York City and now based in Philadelphia, J-Live is one of the most gifted lyricists in hip hop today, with his talents as an MC matched by his impeccable skills as a DJ and producer. His career that has included international touring across the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Africa and Australia, recording collaborations with the likes of DJ Premier, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock, Prince Paul, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Chali 2na (just to name a few), and a discography of over 10 years that includes four full-length albums, two EPs, a collection of earlier singles, as well as countless guest appearances and features.

For more information, check out: http://j-livemusic.com/

with featured performances by…

WOLF J MCFARLANE
http://www.wolfj.com/

CLASS OF '93
http://classof93.bandcamp.​com/

and a live MPC performance by FRESH KILS
http://www.myspace.com/fre​shkils

THE CYPHER crew will be hosting on-stage cyphers at the beginning and end of the event. To be involved, contact: hiphopheadzh3@gmail.com

Hosted by: MC FÜBB

Host Deejays for the night: DJ COMBO & DJ ROMEO

Doors at 9pm | 19+

ADVANCE TICKETS: $15 (More at the door)
***Option to pay $20 - $5 of which is donated to Peace Quest and you get a free post-card to send to people in the Philippines!
Available online at: https://www.ticketpicket.c​om/j-live
Also available at:
Play De Record - 357 Yonge Street
Soundscapes - 572 College St.
Slinky/Moog Audio - 442 Queen St. W.

Brought to you by:

The Academy
The Cypher - http://www.thecypher.ca/
Never Forgive Action (NFA) - http://neverforgiveaction.​com/
Hip Hop Headz (H3) - http://www.theh3.com/
Peace Quest - http://www.peace-quest.org​/
TheCyberKrib - http://www.thecyberkrib.co​m/
SickthSense - http://www.sickthsense.com​/
ManifesTO - http://www.themanifesto.ca​/
MC FÜBB - http://www.mcfubb.com/
Dope-A-Lot - http://www.dopealot.com/
Fusicology - http://fusicology.com/even​t/j-liveto

Mixtape Review: NewBreedMC – Silent Slang Mixtape

After a four year hiatus from recording, the Silent Slang Mixtape is an audacious release for Brampton resident NewBreedMC. Boasting 14 tracks over a diverse and well-selected variety of beats (all dubs – this is a promotional mixtape), NewBreed displays his ability to create a strong presence over a broad sampling of instrumentals. When I asked him what “Silent Slang” meant, NewBreed told me it was another way of saying “Unspoken Swagger;” a shared acknowledgment of something that doesn’t need to be explicitly stated to be noticed. Having recently witnessed a charismatic performance by NewBreed at a Killah Priest show, I can definitely cosign the fact that this is one MC who possesses “Silent Slang.”

NewBreed has a definite talent for making catchy hooks, evidenced throughout the mixtape (“Who needs and MC? You need an MC!” is now stuck in my head), and he even sounds melodic at times (e.g. the hook on “I’m the Man”). Some of the tracks on the mixtape have a “mainstream” sound (e.g. “Go Girl” and “Single Forever”), perhaps a result of some of the beats selected, but there’s an ample supply of more “underground” sounding straight hip hop gems on here. “All Lungs” is the stoner anthem of the mixtape, and perhaps one of the catchiest herb-smoking songs since Cyprus Hill’s “Hits from the Bong.” For those who enjoy a good storytelling song, “Great Canadian Fable” will please listeners with a psychologically in-depth crime tale (albeit with a predictable crime-story ending.

When it comes to braggadocio, NewBreed is a pro – for listeners who love punch-lines (and maybe even a few laughs), this mixtape definitely delivers. With lines like, “I’m a giver not a taker – I don’t even take advice” and “I get fly and ‘Neverland’ like Michael Jackson’s home/ I spit a line and ‘Breathe Again’ like Toni Braxton, holmes,” NewBreed displays skilled wordplay and punch-lines that deserve a few rewinds. NewBreed sounds at home on every track – his vocal presence is confident and his delivery is strong. His flows are on point and he displays versatility with his rapping ability. If there’s one major criticism I have of NewBreed on this release, it’s the banality and lack of substance in a lot of his rhymes. Much of what he raps about on this mixtape consists of stroking his own ego and talking about superficial clichés (although he does do this more entertainingly than the average rapper). That being said, it’s clear that NewBreed can be a lyrical beast and craft intelligent and complex verses when we wants to (listen to verse two on “SS Silent Slang” for evidence of this). When I asked him about this, NewBreed told me that he intended Silent Slang as an introductory project, and that “the message” in his lyrics would be coming more in subsequent releases. After listening to Silent Slang a few times and seeing NewBreedMC perform, I’m definitely looking forward to this artist’s future projects.

Download the Silent Slang Mixtape HERE.

NewBreedMC – Silent Slang Mixtape – Track Listing:

1. Who Needs an MC? - Produced by MoSS
(Original: DJ Deadeye and ST. The Squad – “Blood Brothers”)

2. All Lungz - Produced by Black Milk
(Original: Buckshot, KRS One Mary J Blidge –“The Way I Am”)

3. Many - Produced by Ski and Apple Juice Kid
(Original: MC Lyte – “Rocking with the Best”)

4. I'm the Man - Produced by Pharell
(Original: Clipse – “Popular Demand”)

5. Say What You Want - Produced by Kanye West
(Original: Drake – “Say What’s Real”)

6. Pablo Reverb - Produced by Rick Rubin and Beastie Boys
(Original: Beastie Boys – “Paul Revere”)

7. I'm Everywhere - Produced by Soundtrack
(Original: Lupe Fiasco feat Matthew Santos – “Shining Down”)

8.Single 4 Ever - Produced by Best Kept Secret
(Original: Wale – “Pretty Girls”)

9. Go Girl - Produced by Don Correll and Tony Taylor
(Original: Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - “Say Ahh”)

10. Chamber 33 - Produced by J Dilla
(Original: Raekwon – “10 Bricks”)

11. In the Black – Produced by Black Milk
(Original: Elzhi – “That's that One”)

12. Great Canadian Fable – Produced by Focus
(Original: Slaughter House – “Lyrical Murderers”)

13. Silent Slang - Produced by RZA
(Original: Raekwon – “New Wu”)

14. Life – Produced by The New Boyz

(Original: New Boyz feat. Ray-J – “Tie Me Down”)

THE CYPHER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Monthly Event, The Cypher, is Filling the Void in Toronto’s Hip Hop Community

Toronto-born organization, Hip Hop Headz (H3), is determined to build a permanent monument on the GTA’s hip hop landscape.

“Hip Hop culture manifests through the creative self-expression of individuals who embody its spirit in their respective art forms. This power of spontaneous creativity, the unification of a community for the great purpose that is Hip Hop, happens at The Cypher.” – H3



Toronto, ON – Feb. 2, 2011 – The main goal of The Cypher is to preserve and contribute to the expression of hip hop’s fundamental elements by allowing local artists to showcase their unique talents and skills. Any artist who shows up has the opportunity to perform in cyphers, which are literally a circle of MCs/rappers each taking a few minutes on the mic, either freestyling or reciting written verses, and then passing it on to the next performer. All MCs get the opportunity to perform along-side each other regardless of skill level or amount of experience, a feature of The Cypher which levels the playing field for artists while still allowing the most talented performers an opportunity to stand out and be recognized. To date, over a hundred artists have participated in The Cypher from the GTA and beyond. While primarily started as an MC-focused event, The Cypher has evolved to more equally emphasize other hip hop elements such as DJing, beat-boxing, live instrumental production, and is expanding to get the involvement of the break-dancing community.

Lack of cohesion, lack of support, lack of unity – these terms are just a few of the descriptors that fit the view of many artists in Toronto’s hip hop community. Specifically for young MCs/rappers – an abundance of which has created an over-saturated market – Toronto can be a difficult environment for artists looking to perform, shine, and have their voices heard. It is partially in response to these unmet needs thatHip Hop Headz (H3) (an organization founded by local artist MC FÜBB) created The Cypher – a monthly event that gives any artist who shows up and opportunity to perform, network, practice and master their craft.

There are also a few spots reserved at The Cypher for featured artists to perform their own sets; featured artists have included Toronto nativeMindbender (Urbnet Records), Durham Region’s Sha Prince and Flex (aka The Antiheroes, 9-0 Nickel Entertainement), and numerous other local acts. All cyphers occur over music supplied by a live DJ spinning hip hop instrumentals; featured DJs have included Toronto legend DJ Grouch (Turnstylez DJ Crew, Scratchlab Institute). Local producers also have an opportunity to have their music played at The Cypher; up and coming Toronto artist Rich Kidd (production credits for Billy Danze feat. Busta Rhymes, Frank n Dank, Saukrates, K-OS, and dozens more) was recently featured and showcased his beats for MCs to rap over.

The Cypher takes place on the second Wednesday of every month at Augusta House (152a Augusta Avenue). The next instalment of The Cypher takes place on Weds. Feb. 9 and is featuring DJ P-Plus (Flow 93.5 – The Real Frequency, appearances on BET, MuchMusic, P3 Entertainment).

Official promo video for The Cypher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnDLuuf1dX0

Facebook page for The Cypher: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144109485785

Hip Hop Headz (H3) website: http://www.theh3.com/



For all inquiries, please contact:


Daniel Farb aka MC FÜBB
Hip Hop Headz (H3) Founder
647-201-9161
hiphopheadzh3@gmail.com
http://www.theh3.com/

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