Panama Jackson Is Dead
Well Nas said it and every gotdamn body is talking about him again despite a piss-poorly executed album.
Well, at least they were before everybody got their hands on it. Now nobody seems to care.
Nasir Jones, this is your life.
Oh yeah, and he didn’t even prove hip-hop was dead.
“…i’m tangled in my chord, huh? bored…”
I’ve managed to bore the living shit out of myself as a blogger. And it’s not that I don’t think I can still write. I mean, Hey God, it’s me Panama…let’s get real. You don’t get as sexxy as I am without understanding one’s capabilities.
Dr. Strangejazz…that’s one.
Everyday I just go about life without even thinking of updating I come here to write something and despite the myriad ideas floating around this educated sphere of mine, I opt to leave nothing. I half decided to just leave blogging in 2006 — let 2007 be about bringing one of my real projects to fruition.
And then I got yelled at. Have you ever been yelled at thru an Instant Messenger? No? Who’d a thunk that it would be effective?
Not I says papa bear.
Anyway, I suppose this serves as my temporary adios of sorts. Perhaps I’ll get the itch to start writing something tomorrow. Perhaps not. Maybe one day I’ll decide that I’ve got the spirit and I’ll start writing in spurts.
Or perhaps not.
Supple…ya know, for old time’s sake.
Plus, it’s not like I can really let this blog go. Do you realize how many things I’ve done because of this blog?
Here’s a short list of things directly impacted by merely deciding to blog 2.5 years ago:
- I entered, enjoyed, and ended a long-term long distance relationship with a woman I met thru this here site. She’s fine too if not a little bit off (relax, I know I am too). And yes, she will read this. And yes, I will pay for that statement. Though she has determined that I’m not allowed to call her an ex, since unbeknownst to damn near all of you, at one point, I was seriously considering marrying her. She contends that puts her at a level above an ex. That’s a debate if I’ve ever had one.
- Been offered more random backwater ass writing jobs than I’d know what to do with. I’ve been offered mostly hip-hop writing jobs, something I’d never really want to do. I think to much to focus on hip-hop so much. Plus, I get bored with all the goings-ons of rap all the time.
- Written for Allhiphop.com a few times. I kind of have an open invitation there to write some shit.
- I’m actually a registered songwriter for ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and had one of my songs played on the radio.
- Met some of the best damn folks ever, two of which could even be considered two of my best friends. Mostly because they know all of my shit. Like ALL of it.
- Actually, I’ve met quite a few people on this thing you all call the Internet that know all of my shit.
- Began and have damn near finished a book project.
- Envisioned, founded, started, and editor-in-chiefed a web-based e-zine that should be returning SOMETIME in the near future. Ask me not for I know not when it shall return like the Prodigal Son.
- Became a cast member of a cutting-room-floored BET television show, Homiez, loosely based on the television show Friends.
Speaking of BET, isn’t the American Gangster series just downright great? I’ve learned so much about Blacks penchant for crime that I find myself feeling slightly guilty about rooting for the bad guys. I have to give BET credit as well. There is no praising going on. If anything, they’re very clear in their intent to not heap any praise on these criminals, but explain how they’ve managed to destroy their own communities. For once, I can actually say Kudos! to BET.
Hold. Me.
- I’m convinced I almost took out Starbucks. Evidence to prove this is nowhere to be found. But I do know that I’m responsible for more people’s cessation of Starbucks intakeage than I’m actually aware of. It takes a village, people.
- Created, and then saw TVOne take an idea I came up with and run with it, though I’m sure it won’t be NEARLY as good as my original idea.
- Was accused of being the online alter-ego of Aaron McGruder (of Boondocks fame). No lie, I got an email from somebody who accused me of being Aaron McGruder and I’m convinced didn’t initially believe me when I said I wasn’t. That was a high-point.
- Hosted a weekly open-mic night in Washington, DC. That shit was fun beyond imagination. And I met SO many people doing that. Lots of chicks too. It’s always good to meet women.
Supple.
- Made beaucoup contacts and offended some folks — always a high point in life. You’re never really doing your job unless somebody is offended.
- Just had a good damn time shooting the shit. I’ve also upped my Hell points in tremendous order.
As you can see (and this is by no means an exhaustive list), I’ve managed to do a lot of shit as a result of this blog so I’d be crazy to fold it altogether. However, for the right now, meantime between time, unless I get an email from somebody telling me that they’ll cut out my entrails and feed them to my been-dead-for-10 years dog Bruno if I don’t post something in the next few days…
…I’m gone. And I don’t know if that means for a week or a year. Or forever in this form.
Me and Common are trying to find forever…except I’m way less gay than he is.
But you know you can always seem in DC with my man Frank White running up in something.
Holla at a playa when you see me in the street…or just holla at a playa period.
Signed, sealed, delivered.
Goodnight and goodluck.
To everybody who’s been reading and has at the very least enjoyed themselves here, thanks for sleepwalking…for real. I appreciate it like you wouldn’t believe. I’d buy you something, except that would cause me to spend my money. I’ll holla back at you when I get some corporate sponsorship for my left foot.
Sincerely,
Panama Jackson Is Dead
“…whether its next year, 10 years, or 20 years from now, you won’t be able to say that this brother lied to you, jack…”
January 8th, 2007 16:52
An ex is an ex is an ex. Ex husband, ex girlfriend, ex almost fiance’. I guess she still needs to feel special, but alas, she is an ex. a special ex. LOL
January 8th, 2007 20:52
No!! Not my blog mentor!! well, i hope to be as good as you are one day. You have taught me well!!
January 8th, 2007 21:15
*sniff* You ain’t goin NOWHERE.
Oh and at the diner that one night, under a drunken state, I claimed a date as The Day. We’ll see, I might have a surprise for you.
And you’re right, I do know ALL your business.
January 8th, 2007 22:07
Really? Homies? On the cutting room floor? I think not. Maybe we can get it on YouTube.
January 9th, 2007 09:26
ALL the biz, but you’re safe, seeing as how you know all my good, bad, and ugly (and then the very ugly things which we no longer speak of)
January 9th, 2007 09:51
Good Luck and Good Night Panama! I’ll miss my blog friend, but I think you have bigger things in store for this year anyway.
T
P.S. I’m still gonna meet you one day…hmph!
January 9th, 2007 09:58
Who the hell told you you could be an adult and make a decision about your life that would directly impact the enjoyment of my average work day? Huh? Who told you? I want their name and blood type!
*sigh* I guess a man is going to do what a man wants to do. *sigh*
But you’ll be back. You will miss it too much (said like a girl getting dumped.)
*sigh* ok I guess I need to end this rant.. so um, Bye and Screw you.
Ok maybe I dont mean that…nope I dont…I’ll still check in once a week in hopes that you have posted something to interupt my homicidal thoughts about some of my co-irks.
Smooches!
January 9th, 2007 10:21
I can’t believe it. Damn. Well try to post once a month damn.
January 9th, 2007 10:37
You have truly been an inspiration for me and I havent even so much as heard your voice. I appriciate the motivation and your often outside the box view on shit. Good luck to you in al your endevours panama, and I know we’ll see each other some day…thats fa sho.
Be Easy
Be Safe
Be Cool Ent.
PS…at least give as 1 a month…the people need panama!
January 9th, 2007 11:16
This is a sad day indeed. Many hours of worktime fun will be missed. I’ll probably miss the blog more than I should considering that we are friends in real life, but when we aren’t talking often it’s how I keep up. I guess I gotta learn to use a phone now dammit.
January 9th, 2007 11:32
Shit, I guess I spoke too soon…see you on MySpace, yo!
January 9th, 2007 12:45
a bruva probably be back. hell, watching “I love new york” last night almost made me type a 2500 word manifesto about why this might become the single most important television show in history.
then i realized it was a lie and fell back into my old non-wanting-to-blog ways.
i’ll be around though. thanks for the love….
January 9th, 2007 12:55
Wow. I finally make my way back to the blog world and you’re going into retirement. LOL Well…maybe I’ll see you around ole DC one of these days.
January 9th, 2007 15:12
Pookie…say it ain’t so. Well I’m glad I get to at least have lunch with you from time to time. Ooops…scratch that too. (Darn feds are haters and shut that down.) Well, at least we hang out on the regular (Darn it, that ain’t true either. We talk a good game, but are both wayyyyyyyy too busy) This does suck. Well, at least we are still pookies. we’ll always have that. lol
January 9th, 2007 17:11
I mean it’s all fine and dandy that you are dead and everything, but does that mean no spelunking when I make my way back east in March?
January 9th, 2007 21:35
Well, Panama, I’m sad to see you throwing in the towel for now. You should know that I especially read your blog when I’m stressed at work and need some comic relief. Now, what do I do?
Come see the fam soon.
January 9th, 2007 21:42
Typical male - always leaving me when I am not quite read to be left alone… Was it something I said? Man, I even brushed my teeth and shaved my underarms for you… If I promise to cut back on the twinkies, will you come back…?
January 9th, 2007 22:37
wth? You will be missed
January 10th, 2007 14:52
*sniff*
January 11th, 2007 01:45
Handle your business Panama cause we all wanna see you shine. Just give your readers an update every now and then. I’m already missing the laughs you’ve dished out over the past 2.5 though. Keep it pimpin’ Pimpin’.
January 11th, 2007 09:25
Pissing off people is good. Pissing off people because of your greatness is f-ing awesome… Awesomeness is to be shared with the world, not bottled up and popped open when the time is right like Vodka (hmm, Vodka…) Well, anywho, keep it light and breezy baby
January 11th, 2007 18:48
Can’t wait to get hooked on the next thing you have in store…
January 11th, 2007 21:38
Oh so u were serious about this whole dying thing…
January 12th, 2007 19:23
What? Noooooooooooo!! This is that bull right here that I be talking about!!!
January 13th, 2007 12:07
What IS this!? Kim comes back then Panama leaves. It was the Wordpress wasn’t it? I knew that Wordpress was no good. Well you’d better at least be back for October Madness 2007. Ok? I’m serious.
January 14th, 2007 22:38
suck teeth! Well I guess I’ll see you on the streeetzzzz. BTW there are a lot of dudes who kinda look like you out there on the streets of D.C.
January 15th, 2007 22:47
January 16th, 2007 09:48
Whoa!
Screech go the tires.
Brakes slammed.
Full stop. (read first paragraph)
I love Nas’ CD. Please take a re-listen when your stomach and head don’t hurt. (had to be something)
I’ll be back to read the rest of your post when I calm the hell down.
January 16th, 2007 09:51
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
January 16th, 2007 17:48
ummm…Nas’ joint is far from piss-poor, Homey! like we agreed: not his best work, but light years from piss-poor.
in the spirit of our perennial debate, I posit: Jay’s album was watery, runny doo-doo then; and you gave that joint a mediocre review. biases, biases…
that said,
I feel ya pain Kicko. bloggin ain’t fun on my end no more either. something’s missing…
your on my top 5 writers list, despite early retirement. I idolize you even as my peer. you’re not that sexxy, but you damn sure a funny nicka.
mad luv fa you, Boss. you got me started in the game.
I’ll miss you.
January 20th, 2007 16:40
That’s.. whack. Good luck with everything. (PS: hey!! I work for ascap! lol take care)
January 25th, 2007 12:49
*feeling an attitude coming on*
Dayum. If I couldn’t do anything but read and laugh, I enjoyed reading your blog. I’m keepin’ hope alive! Your link STAYS on my blog until you come back around.
Meanwhile, take care.
January 30th, 2007 14:38
What up Panama!
They aren’t still doing the open-mic nights are they? I haven’t heard anything about it lately, so I figured there haven’t been any. Get at me via e-mail and let me know if you start hosting them again, cause you damn sure weren’t lying about all the women that would show up! T’was a beautiful thing!
February 3rd, 2007 11:54
We all go through this… I’ve been “dead” at least twice now. So I look forward to your “New Birth.” Like a 70’s group.
So take your time, do your thing… and I’ll see you on the way up to NYC!!!! You know now that I’ll be living up there, I will be in the MD/DC area OFTEN!!! *hugs* =)))
February 20th, 2007 13:32
Just in case by chance you check your site today. This looks like this will be an interesting show on PBS today…
http://www.jifunza.com/Articles/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=11468
PBS’ ‘Hip-Hop’ looks for roots of negativity
by: CARY DARLING
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
On the surface, Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, the latest installment in PBS’ Independent Lens series, revolves around the culture of violence, misogyny and homophobia that underpins much of hip-hop. But this very personal film of growth and awareness turns out to be more fascinating than just another lecture about the negative aspects of thug life.
Director Byron Hurt is a former college quarterback who grew up on hip-hop and never questioned many of the images portrayed in the music until he got involved in violence-prevention education. He then became less seduced by the style’s portrayal of hyper-masculinity and more intrigued by its origins, appeal and effect.
So Hurt (who previously made the documentary I Am a Man: Black Masculinity in America) took to the streets, talking to fans, rappers, activists and scholars about why it is often hip-hop’s most base elements that have come to define it — and how he believes they’ve helped constrain the image of young Black Men in a straitjacket of one-dimensional brutality.
The film is most revealing when trying to pin down the likes of Russell Simmons, Busta Rhymes and Black Entertainment Television Senior Vice President Stephen Hill on issues of sexism and Gay-bashing in hip-hop — and they avoid dealing with the questions. (Rhymes and Hill walk away from the camera.)
Hurt’s points aren’t new, but they’re conveyed with passion, although this documentary is no anti-hip-hop rant. It’s clear that Hurt likes the form, and the inclusion of more complex performers such as Talib Kweli and Mos Def speaks to the genre’s depth, even if it’s sometimes ignored by mainstream media.
Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes then provides the flip side to what’s going on, down the television dial at MTV and BET.
Independent Lens: Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes
11 p.m. Tuesday
KERA/Channel 13
GRADE: A-