#Repost REVOLT TV: Each One Teach One | How Aerosmith and Run-DMC's "Walk This Way" made unlikely history

As KRS-One articulated throughout his catalog and in his many teachings, "Rap is something you do, hip hop is something you live." As the culture continues to evolve today, many feel it's not only important, but vital to preserve and honor the fundamental elements: Graffiti, emceeing, breakdancing, deejaying and knowledge. This column called "Each One, Teach One" aims to do exactly that. It will highlight various lessons that can be passed between new and old generations alike.

Every now and then — and especially when you're not necessarily looking for it — the universe delivers a pristine reminder that any given unassuming Sunday holds the potential to turn into something much more impactful. Such was the case with Aerosmith and Run-DMC's curiously destined mashup, "Walk This Way," a reworked cover of the 1975 hit that's very existence came into fruition on March 9, 1986, against all odds.

On the surface, the song became a Top 10 hit, and later, a permanent fixture in the music libraries of both those who wax nostalgia over hip hop's formative years and my classic rock-lovingparents alike. However, as author and Washington Post arts reporter Geoff Edgers explores in his new book, Walk This Way: Run-DMC, Aerosmith, and the Song That Changed American Music Forever (out Feb. 5 via Penguin Random House), the undeniable ear-worm did much more than become the timeless classic that instantly gets stuck in our heads today upon mention. It helped introduce hip hop to the masses.

From reviving the careers of arena rockers previously facing a potential demise brought on by self-destruction to propelling Run-DMC from the underground to their hard-earned fate as hip hop's first superstars, "Walk This Way" went on to make history. Thanks to a carefully curated group of people, the collaboration became the first rap song to hit mainstream rock radio, and subsequently, the first music video of its kind to be played in heavy rotation on MTV.

During an era where programmers simply did not stray from the confines of its rock-focused formatting, the song's inclusion wasn't just rare, it was unprecedented. As demonstrated by Edger's vibrant storytelling and exemplary reporting, the creation of the genre-bursting track was not executed as smoothly or simply as it may appear in theory or in retrospect. In fact, the song was as haphazardly slapped together as it was the result of tactful, visionary planning.

Taking readers along for a deep dive into the song's creation and its cultural influence, Edgers starts at the very beginning. By presenting an overview of where each group was career-wise and just how differentiating their trajectories were at the time, it becomes clear how the now-legendary collaboration has the conjuring of somewhat of a perfect storm.

"There were the two sides: a pair of pale-faced rockers itching for a fix, a trio of black kids still trying to figure out why they were there," he writes. "What none of them understood is that together, in a single Sunday afternoon in Manhattan, they would change not just music but society itself. That's not just hyperbole. Before Run-DMC covered 'Walk This Way,' there was no 'Yo! MTV Raps,' no 'Aresenio' no 'In Loving Color.' What's more, hip-hop was not part of the twenty-four-hour video network's rotation, and it was never, ever played on mainstream radio." He goes on to add, "By tapping into the classic rock canon and surrendering the chorus to Steven Tyler's distinctive howl, the song basically served as hip-hop's Trojan horse, the music camouflaged enough to give timid programmers permission to play."

In hindsight, it is pop culture moments like these that show how groundbreaking it can be when trust, spontaneity, risk-taking, a degree of indifference, pure talent and a universal longing for greatness -- even when its buried or uncertain -- come together. Foresight was something that the cast of collaborators, which included Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, the late Jam Master Jay, Rick Rubin, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Lyor Cohen and other key players, didn't necessarily have at the time. But, they wanted to think that they did. Throughout his writing, Edgers pieces together interviews with over 75 people. This further showcases how culturally, the song's impact would not have been fully realized if everything didn't fall together in the fashion it did.

As the story goes, during the early conceptualizations of Def Jam, a young Rick Rubin encouraged the members of Run-DMC to try their hand at making their own version of the rock anthem, one that they were only vaguely familiar with thanks to its iconic opening guitar riff. As Chuck D wisely points out to Edgers, if a DJ let the song play long enough for Tyler's voice to come on, they were doing it wrong ("That record was done for hip-hop after about 45 seconds"). With that in mind, the trio was essentially given a homework assignment to listen to "Toys in the Attic, track number four" on a yellow notepad and write down the lyrics, an exercise that would help them to reimagine it in their own way.

While the pioneering producer took on persuading Run-DMC to cover the song -- something that simply nobody had ever done in rap -- with ease, he then was tasked to remind the then-drug addicted musicians Tyler and Perry that they'd receive $8,000 if they just showed up to the session in the first place. Throw in media being present, Run and DMC being distracted by their rental car being stolen and other related details, Edgers' retelling of the one-day session in question is as compelling as it is cinematic.

While transporting readers back to 1986, his reporting reveals how prior to the song's colossal successes, neither party was as big of a fan of the other as they had let on in interviews after the fact. On top of that, both Run-DMC and the duo of Tyler and Perry (dubbed the "Toxic Twins") felt the other needed the collaboration and accompanying video shoot to happen more than they did. An observer sums up this feeling very well to Edgers, noting, "Somebody's riding somebody's coattails and each of them think it's the other."

In addition to recounting the colorful scenes that lead to the now-momentous collaboration, the book also pays homage to '80s super-producer Larry Smith, whose contributions to hip hop often fall to the wayside due to his eventual departure from working closely with Simmons. The book also recounts how LL Cool J worked to reunite his one-time mentors onstage in celebration of the 30-year anniversary of Run-DMC's third seminal album Raising Hell. Through its comprehensive breakdown distinguishing fact from fading memories, Walk This Way offers an engaging look into how the revolutionary track is viewed now that its decades removed from its release, reminding fans across generations that sometimes history begins with a guitar riff and leads to cultural barriers being broken.

Geoff Edgers' fascinating and thorough look into the record that changed music as we've come to know is available for sale via Penguin Random House.

Published here via REVOLT TV.

#Repost REVOLT TV: Rapstrology | J. Cole, Dr. Dre and the rebellious innovation of Aquarius

As Questlove worded it best, the season of the Soulquarian has began. While his tweet makes reference to the famed collective; whose influence spans decades and members included D'Angelo, Common, Erykah Badu, J. Dilla, Bilal, Q-Tip, Mos Def, James Poyser and Talib Kweli, among others; the name is also pays homage to the emotive creativity and dreamy intelligence that the Aquarian emits. Much like the coveted sessions that took place at Electric Lady Studios in New York in the late 90s/early aughts, those born under the Aquarian sun are true visionaries fueled by community and driven by humanitarian principles.

Highly intellectual, Aquarius thrive when they are able to engage their mind and invoke their spirit. A precarious, quicksilver blend of dreamers who do and doers who dream, one would be wise to include this air sign in every brainstorming session or important meeting. However, if an Aquarian isn't fully engaged or gets bored, a lack of motivation may take hold.

This forward-thinking sign lives in the future, a quality that understandably leads to feelings of isolation or being misunderstood by others. However, while Aquarius keeps their head in the clouds as the rest of the world looks on in critical wonder, it's important to remember that their selective detachment and solitude comes in waves. This reigns even more true when considering how the Aquarian is a rebel with a cause (of their own making) and won't pass up an opportunity to challenge the status quo with their eccentricities, their big ideas and their revolutionary way of thinking.

As displayed in the observational and at-times prophetic lyricism of artists such as J. Cole, Kid Cudi and Joey Badass; the Aquarian is tactful about what they have to say. Operating on their own timelines, these Aquarians absorb wisdom through their experiences, even if it may come off on a surface level that they don't seem as engaged as others in the room. Their aloofness is a secret weapon, making room for the art of surprise and later, impact.

As exemplified by the legendary Oprah, Dr. Dre and Rakim; Aquarius are often heralded for their groundbreaking endeavors and taste-making talents. Each have blazed a trail in their own respective lane, expanding into other ventures with both seemingly ease and seasoned expertise. Sometimes idealistic to a fault, this sign has the power to leave others intrigued, bewildered and in the best-case scenario, all the wiser. At times, the Aquarian ego may be consumed with the idea that others are sleeping on them, just to later be reminded that at the end of the day, this sign represents the core values and deep ideals that move society forward. The world will catch up eventually.

While Aquarius are celebrated for their minds and ability to spearhead spiritual revelation and scientific innovation, there can also be a dark side, especially when it comes to testing limits and taking things to an extreme. Artists such as XXXTentacion, Kevin Gates, Riff Raff, Bobby Brown and again Dr. Dre have a reputation tainted either by domestic violence (alleged or otherwise) or problematic pasts. There is a complexity behind Aquarius that can be hard to navigate in this regard, especially when placing their selfless accomplishments or oft-kindhearted personas at the forefront. Countless XXXTentacion fans, for example, saw how the troubled rapper was attempting to work through his demons prior to his tragic murder, citing his willingness to advocate on behalf of sexual assault victims and raise money for various causes as a demonstrative reflection of his true self. Artists such as Rick Ross have made ample controversial remarks that resulted in people questioning his character, all while Birdman's soured business relationship with Lil Wayne made others wonder exactly what was going on behind his infamous and maniacal head-rub.

Although artists such as Gucci Mane, Ice T and Juelz Santana have hardened pasts (and presents) and may not be proud of all of their choices; the Aquarian mission to keep moving forward, and invent themselves, speaks to their resilient nature. Others such as Cam'Ron, Big Boi, Logic, Lupe Fiasco and Big Freedia help round out the Water Bearer's dynamic attributes with each possessing qualities of inventiveness, independence, loyalty, stubbornness, indecision and the ability to win over the co-sign without revealing too much about their personalities. Much like every piece of the Zodiac puzzle, we can all learn from the playbook of Aquarius, especially when it comes to lessons surrounding matters of the heart and the mind.

Now that we have covered some of the basics and placed a spotlight on the multifaceted array of artists born as Aquarius, here are some lyrical gems to keep in mind and when the mood strikes, keep on repeat.

Song: "January 28th" by J. Cole

Lyrical Mantra: "Think we need a plan of action / The bigger we get the more likely egos collide, it's just physics / Please let's put our egos aside, you my n—s / And should our worst tendencies turn us into enemies"

Aquarian'ism: While a long-running observation (and occasional meme) has been centered on J. Cole being boring, the Aquarian himself can't help but chuckle at the critique. As a deep thinker, he has an uncanny ability to look at the bigger pictureand identify a logical solution to whatever the problem at hand may be. This sign is attuned to both the world as it is and the future as it could be, making Aquarius a realist and an imaginative idealist all at once. Egos to the side may be easier said than done. But, Cole can see it and therefore he's advocating for it.

Song: "1-800-273-8255" by Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid

Lyrical Mantra: "I've been on the low / I been taking my time / I feel like I'm out of my mind / It feel like my life ain't mine / Who can relate?"

Aquarian'ism: Aquarius can often feel like outcasts of society. But, despite their intuitive reaction to detach, their humanitarian desires to make society better eventually takes precedent over their at-times ego-driven feelings of loneliness. Look at Logic's monumental Grammy-nominated track "1-800-273-8255." The 2017 anthem helped soundtrack a movement surrounding suicide prevention, resulting in an impactful surge of those utilizing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While balancing the need to take time out alone to process what one is going through with the need to feel community with others; Logic was able to elevate both his career, activism efforts and connect with countless fans on a personal level.

Song: "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)" by Kid Cudi

Lyrical Mantra: "Tell me what you know about dreaming, dreaming? / You don't really know about nothing, nothing / Tell me what you know about them night terrors every night / 5 AM, cold sweats, waking up to the sky? / Tell me what you know about dreams, dreams? / Tell me what you know about night terrors? Nothing / You don't really care about the trials of tomorrow / Rather lay awake in the bed full of sorrow."

Aquarian'ism: While there are countless examples in Kid Cudi's discography that showcase his forward-thinking, experimental style and deep lyricism; this song jumps out as an Aquarian anthem. It speaks to how being above the clouds metaphorically doesn't come without feeling the burdens of society and clearly seeing the sorrow woven into its very fabric. He's on a quest for happiness while also observing the perils that come with not quite crossing the finish line yet. Cudi is a passionate dreamer plagued by pain and his recent transparency about his mental health journey has been as inspiring as it has been relatable. Yup, Aquarian to the core.

Song: "Aquemini" by OutKast

Lyrical Mantra: "The name is Big Boi, Daddy Fat Sax, the n—a that like them Cadillacs / I stay down with these streets 'cause these streets is where my folks at / Better know dat, some say we pro-black, but we professional / We missed a lot of church so the music is our confessional / Get off the testicles and the nutsacks / You bust rhyme, we bust back / Get-get back for real n—s that's out here tryin' to spit facts / You hear dat? You can't come near dat, maybe you need to quit / Because Aquemini is Aquarius and Gemini runnin' s—t like this."

Aquarian'ism: The title track to this classic anthem is an absolute must when it comes to discussing rapstrology, the intersection of hip hop and astrology. While a college course could easily focus on the brilliance of the art and cultural influencethat these two air signs created together -- to keep it simple -- Aquarius and Gemini really do run it. Big Boi, the Aquarian of the pair; is a ruthless truth seeker, weaving his intelligence and ability to resonate with others into his rhymes. Together, he and André 3000 changed the rap game for the better, all while both respecting their paralleled differences and elevating one another's talents.

Song: DR. DRE - NUTHIN' BUT A "G" THANG FEAT. SNOOP DOGGY DOGG

Lyrical Mantra: "Now it's time for me to make my impression felt / So sit back, relax, and strap on your seat belt / You never been on a ride like this befo' / With a producer who can rap and control the maestro / At the same time with the dope rhyme that I kick / You know and I know, I flow some old funky s—t / To add to my collection, the selection symbolizes dope / Take a toke, but don't choke / If you do, you'll have no clue / On what me and my homie Snoop Dogg came to do."

Aquarian'ism: Much like Aquarius and Gemini being compatible (Big Boi and André 3000), so is the pairing of Aquarius and Libra (Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg). While all air signs deal in communication and thinking, each brings their own perspective and energy to the table. With The Chronic, Dr. Dre cemented his legacy as one of the greats, refining g-funk as an official authority in west coast hip hop. Much like he raps on this increasingly nostalgic gem, Dre knew he was making history with every bar. Many Aquarians approach their art as a science, making the visual of Dr. Dre cooking up all sorts of madness in his lab that much more fitting. Dr. Dre set out to create a winning team and change the landscape of music, later going on to become one of the wealthiest hip hop figures, as a result.

#Repost REVOLT TV: Each One Teach One | Cardi B’s empowered sexuality does not discredit the importance of her political commentary

The battle cry to "protect Cardi B at all costs" is growing louder with every passing day. Her meteoric rise to fame and accompanying influence is as hard-earned as it is hard to ignore. Even my 84-year-old grandmother who hasn't consciously listened to rap music a day in her life is hip to who the Bronx native born Belcalis Almánzar is. That being said, it doesn't come as a surprise that Cardi's continuous infiltration of all things pop culture occasionally dips its toes into political water.

Just over a week ago, on Jan. 16, the Invasion of Privacy rapper hopped on Instagram to candidly check in with her fans, a habitual practice integral to her personable brand and ever-evolving legacy. During the clip, Cardi addresses the seriousness of the government shutdown, which has frustratingly become the longest in American history.

"Trump is now ordering federal government workers to go back to work without getting paid," Cardi said."I don't wanna hear y'all muthaf—kas talking about, 'Oh, Obama shut down the government for 17 days,' yeah b—h, for federal healthcare. So your grandma could check her blood pressure and you bitches could go check your pussies at gynecologists with no muthaf—kin' problem. Now, I know a lot of y'all don't care 'cause y'all don't work for the government or y'all don't have a job. But this s—t is really f—kin' serious bro. This s—t is crazy. Our country is in a hell hole right now. We really need to take this s—t serious."

Much to the surprise of no one, the clip immediately went viral, even causing elected U.S. senators to debate whether or not to retweet Cardi's comments on Twitter. Her comments soon made ample appearances at the annual Women's March with protestors further amplifying her statements. Republican political pundit Tammy -- I mean Tomi Lahren -- also entered the conversation, as if right on cue.

Lahren wanted the smoke from Cardi B and the two began exchanging jabs at one another with Bardi simply writing, "Leave me alone I will dog walk you." Iconic. The pair then shared more words for one another, as Twitter onlookers grabbed their popcorn anticipating more top-tier clapbacks. After Lahren referred to Cardi's politics as "moronic," the rapper responded, "You're so blinded with racism that you don't even realize the decisions the president you root for is destroying the country you claim to love so much. You are a perfect example on no matter how educated or smart you think you are you still a SHEEP!"

As the conversation continued to make headlines and rack up thousands of retweets, conservative journalist Stephanie Hamill added another topic of focus to the dogpile by — wait for it — bringing up Cardi B's unapologetic sexuality. The light-hearted and on-brand music video for her and the City Girls' collaborative track, "Twerk," was recently released, during which the aforementioned artists and a group of women celebrate their bodies and show off their dancing talents in various locations.

Hamill posed a question asking what the message behind the visual says in the context of the #MeToo movement, inviting Cardi B to chime in. The tweet eventually caught Cardi's attention and she chose to respond to Hamil's passively implied slut-shaming remark.

"It says to women that I can wear and not wear what ever I want. do w.e I want and that NO still means NO," Cardi replied in a tweet. "So Stephanie chime in..If I twerk and be half naked does that mean I deserve to get raped and molested? I want to know what a conservative woman like you thinks."

Then, the rapper added: "All these conservatives been harassing me and telling me the most disgusting things these past few days. Listen I'm not telling ya to turn liberal all I'm saying is to admit that your president is f—kin up this country right now! Liberal or conservative we ALL suffer as citizens."

As illustrated in countless ways since Cardi began embarking on her breakout journey as one of today's most cherished artists and entertainers, it goes without saying that she can more than hold her own against internet trolls, criticism and various attempts to dim her shine. While there are a lot of lessons to be learned as scholars at the University of Bardi, one takeaway to keep in mind is that while the definition of feminism is a multifaceted one, Cardi’s interpretation is just as important to consider as her political comments are valid.

"Being a feminist is such a great thing and some people feel like someone like me can't be as great as that," Cardi shared during an interview with i-D Magazine. "But, then, some people are smart, but they don't have no common sense. They think feminism is great and only a woman that can speak properly, that has a degree, who is a boss, a businessperson… they think only Michelle Obama can be a feminist."

She continued: "But, being a feminist is real simple; it's that a woman can do things the same as a man. I'm equal to a n—a. Anything a man can do, I can do. I can finesse, I can hustle. We have the same freedom. I was top of the charts. I'm a woman and I did that. I do feel equal to a man."

Her transparency about her past work as a stripper has been both a breath of fresh air and made her an easy target for others to try to discredit her opinions as less than. ENOUGH OF THAT. It is infuriating that so much time has to be spent protecting and defending women who have chosen an alternative path than what outdated societal ideals deemed appropriate. Even though she shouldn't have to, Cardi has since further clarified her stances and defended herself as someone who pays attention to society, doing so without apology or backing down. All in all, Cardi is not only breaking the misogynist mold by being unapologetically herself. But, she also understands the power behind her platform. The combination of self-awareness, fearlessness, confidence, intelligence, vulnerability, advocacy and resilience is a lethal one; making Cardi B a national treasure and a sexually empowered, political savvy one at that.

As exemplified by the recent backlash surrounding the many facets that make up Cardi B, it is unfortunate that women's bodies and subsequent choices are still widely scrutinized in society. While this may be a change that takes centuries to become fully realized, Cardi B is helping lead the charge simply by being Cardi B. While her feminism may look different than that of others and her right to comment on politics may be off-putting to some, we should continue to celebrate her for firmly standing her ground no matter what. I said it over a thousand words ago and I'll say it again: Protect Cardi B at all costs.

Published originally on REVOLT TV here.