I’m stepping a bit outside this site’s normal stream of post to alert you of something that I’ve been trying to avoid posting for the last month or so. But like a big and a smile, I can’t seem to look away. I wrote about this on the Farthing Collective website when I used to contribute for them a bit and yesterday I saw it again, on a random visit to Sweat The World. So since resistance seems futile I might as well through it up on H1GHER LEARNING. Plus, I’m here to educate the unenlightened and maybe this will resonate with some of yall like it did with me.

No, this song is not performed by a Southern artist. Taz “Ti$a” Arnold is a member of the Los Angles based Sa-Ra Creative Partners who were signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label but now are on Babygrande or something like that (Side note: on Sa-Ra’s 2007 album The Hollywood Recordings they have a track called “Tracy” with Rozzi Daime that still gets me hyped!) . I’m posting this song because the style is very much Southern. It’s ignant as all outdoors (Gucci Mane), he rocks a grill (insert damn near any Southern rapper’s name), has a very catchy bass line (Shawty Redd), and has a repeating, and very sing-songy, hook that permeates almost all Southern rap songs today.

“But buddy is in California. And wears leopard print tights. There is no way he could create a song so close to my Southern hip-hop sensibilities.”

These were things I would tell myself as I tried not to bounce to the beat. Is he really Bloodin’, Cuzn’, or involved in any gang (of the non-fashion variety) of any sort? I’m 99% sure the answer to that question is no because I think a line that the Clipse spit years ago apply directly to Taz: “I could never be a thug , they don’t dress this well.” He’s from the hood so he’s down with hood stuff but, being from Watts (Bankhead, the Eastside of Charleston, Compton, or any other hood spot) does not automatically make you gangsta. Please believe it. Plus you see all that gold in his mouth? That snapback he’s rocking, them dangling earrings, that leather MCM jacket, and those super shiny wingtips? What I see is a fashion forward individual doing him. Getting money, girls, and all that other stuff you secretly want on the low. A talented brother making moves, money, and music. How could anyone be mad at that?

For the record, I just want to say that the song is dope. It’s just weird to see it in that package, ya know? Writing this post has helped me get over myself and just enjoy the track for what it’s worth. I hope reading this does the same for you.