#MNR: The Streets Need a Body

#MNR: The Streets Need a Body

“I was born in the gutters of Southside. And outside is where I earn my stripes, I’m ‘bout mine…” Famous

How y’all? I know all you colored folk tuned in at some point between midnight Sunday and 20:00 (8:00 pm) for the Power Book III: Raising Kanan season finale. It didn’t disappoint. It was a true cliffhanger. The finale left many unanswered questions, as a good finale should. But we do know a couple of things for certain. Raq is the devil, simple and plain. While it was drill time, she donned the obligatory red dress and attended the church house, a place she hadn’t been in years (according to her mama). She used the house of the Lord as an alibi while her son attempted to assassinate a NYPD detective in Baisley Park, an assassination attempt that she put him up to. Who does that? The devil. We all heard what Kanan narrated at the end. He said that life taught him that he couldn’t trust a soul, not even his mother. I like the way the writers have allowed for the present-day Power universe to include Raq, Lou-Lou, and "can’t get right" Marvin in the mix, if they choose. Perhaps all three are locked away on RICO charges. Perhaps all three are deceased. We have no clue. But I love the fact that ambiguity exists. It only makes the Power books more complex in the big scheme. 50 is a genius. I can’t wait for season two.

BMF, the tale of drug kingpin Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory’s Black Mafia Family and its rise to supremacy in Detroit, debuted after the Power finale. We all know how pilots work. They give a little bit, just enough to keep you interested. Well…they gave enough. I like the glimpse we were given last night of Meech and his brother Tee. We’re beginning with the late ‘80s so that means that there will be damn near 20 years of ground to cover. I’m all for it. Fif, you’ve got another one. Salute to Curtis Jackson. When we reassess GOAT status, his combined contribution to the culture may eventually see him atop the mountain.

I tried y’all. I promise I tried. I tried my best not to mention COVID-19 for the second consecutive week. But just when I was prepared to fall back again this week, I received word that there was a positive case and subsequent contract tracing at my place of employment. We were [mysteriously] held in place until fourth period and then released without any given explanation. The grapevine told it all, but if that wasn’t the case I honestly wonder if we (outsourced paraprofessionals) would have ever been notified. I’m thankful for the bonds I’ve forged over the years; they ensure that I’m perpetually in the unofficial loop regarding district information. Had I not been, I’m quite certain I wouldn’t have known a damn thing about what happened today. Since being outsourced years ago, I used to get really upset about the lack of disclosure and general disrespect I felt. These days, I don’t give a single fuck. But I would like to be informed when there is something calamitous going on. Smmfh.

Honestly, I think one of the best adjustments I’ve made in the past three years has been the steady progression in my general apathy toward bullshit. I used to be the type to take any type of slight or disrespect to heart. I used to wear my emotions on my sleeves, which can often make for a precarious situation. In that time, there’s no telling how many opportunities I’ve fucked up or potential alliances I’ve destroyed. This I do know; not giving a fuck makes things a heck of a lot easier. I’m a borderline neurotic; I make Mt. Mauna Kea (do some fucking reading) out of grains of sand. This usually means shit can go left at any moment. But I’ve made the self-adjustment. I don’t let the bullshit invade my happy space anymore. If I don’t like a situation, I simply remove myself from the situation. If I’m hearing some genuine silly shit, I simply remove myself from the conversation. I refuse to have my sunny day hindered by stormy clouds. I hit my “serenity now” mind frame (IYKYK) and let the bullshit float downstream. Everyone deserves their own brand of peace. I suggest you endeavor down the path to serenity if turmoil is your current state of being. You deserve to be happy. Nothing should impede your pursuit.

Summer Madness 11 was a mixed bag of nuts. Aesthetically, I loved it. The venue was official, and Caffeine did a great job with the visuals. Houston provided a good and fair crowd. There was no unnecessary hate. I also loved the flow of the event. Even though it endured for more than six hours, there was minimal time in between battles. After a bit of commentary from J-Blac, Nu Nu Nellz, and DNA, the next battle was ready to begin. For those who haven’t heard the [unofficial] results, here they go. Real Name Brandon had a judged unanimous win against MVP, taking the $25,000 Ultimate Madness 4 purse home. Arsonal and Lu Castro had a 2-1 debatable either way, depending on preference. Lu definitely proved he is big event and big stage worthy. Chess and Eazy the Block Captain had the battle of the night, with the consensus being that Eazy took it 2-1. Watch the playback and judge for yourself (they got apps for that). After years of pursuit, John John Da Don got dog walked by Tsu Surf. JJDD waited all those years to see Surf and got dragged. I called it a Gentleman’s 30, although the playback may be a bit more compassionate towards JJDD. Either way, Surf got the win. Hollow Da Don did my man K-Shine type dirty. It wasn’t Chilla Jones dirty, but the effect was similar. Hollow with a clear 2-1 or Gentleman’s 30. Shine might want to stay away from the “pens.” In the SMACK DVD era main event, Reed Dollaz defeated Murda Mook by consensus. That’s the best way to put it. Reed wasn’t all that (definitely not Surf or Rum Nitty Reed), but he was still clearly better than Mook IMO on this occasion. I don’t know what’s up with Mook and big rooms, but his efficacy doesn’t quite translate. But I don’t need to see the playback to solidify how I called it. Mook didn’t say shit that stuck. He barely punched and his setups took way too long. I agree with Piperboy. Mook might not want to see Brizz on the Drake card. He may die. In the real main event of the night, I had Calicoe in a surprising 2-1 upset over Geechi Gotti. It was a B or B+ battle, far from a classic. But it was good enough. I had Cal taking the first and third. Geechi’s second may have been the round of the entire night, but it wasn’t enough. He had a couple of slips in the third, enough for Cal to win on points. Again, I must agree with Piperboy. If, in fact, Lux is going to be Geechi’s competition on the Drake card, he’s going to have to bring more to the table than he did for Cal. If not, it may get bad for him. Having said all that, we only have a couple of battles confirmed at this point for the Drake card: Gattis vs. Jaz the Rapper and Tay Roc vs. Twork. But I’m expecting a whole lot more. It’s slated for 10.30 so I’m certain we’ll be brought up to speed very shortly. P.S. – Geechi is still my favorite. I’m riding with him regardless. AND Beloved is in my Top 5. I can’t wait. But we’ll see.


I’m on the lookout to see which NBA players haven’t been vaccinated. Here’s a list of rules and health/safety protocols for 2021: mandatory COVID testing on game AND practice days (up to two on game day), mandatory seven-day quarantine for close contact with someone who tests positive, separate lockers and not sitting next to vaccinated players at team meals/meetings, and separate seating on flights and buses. Unvaccinated players who have documented recovery from COVID-19 within the previous 60 days may have some of the protocols relaxed, pending final approval.

HERE’S WHERE IT GETS EXTRA SPICY: New York City and San Francisco have mandated that pro athletes be vaccinated. That means that players who refuse the vaccine would be ineligible to play in those cities. That’s 41 games for players on the Knicks, Nets, and Warriors, not including when either of the three teams face the other two on the road. And guess who’s at the top of the fuck a vaccine list (allegedly)? Kyrie Irving. I mean, it can’t come as a surprise, coming from a man who insists the earth is flat. I read some bullshit about the Moderna jabs (the ones I received) installing a chip in Black folk for some Satanic type of list or some absurd shit. I didn’t even give enough of a fuck to go back and get the specifics. I’d just be fully explaining stupidity. I don’t know about any chip being implanted through a fucking liquid vaccine, but I do know that damn near every dip shit on the planet has a smart phone with a chip that tracks their GPS and other things. Further explanation is a waste of time. If you plan on going that far down the rabbit hole, there’s no stopping you from being the best idiot you can be. For all I know, Kyrie could already have gotten a jab and is just playing coy. But the paperwork as of today spoke differently. This is only going to get more interesting. Oh yeah. Fuck the Nets. #KNICKSNATION. P.S. – 100% of Knicks players have been vaccinated. Thanks. And Kyrie is still my favorite player. I accept him being “different” because I know he stands on his principles. I have to respect that regardless.

I’m through, mane.

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