Rapstrology | Tyler The Creator, Common and embodying the creative spirit of Pisces

Pisces is a sign of transcendence. Even though it's technically the early chapters of the Gregorian calendar year and still the middle of winter somehow, in astrology, Pisces marks the twelfth and final sign of the Zodiac. Most commonly represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, Pisces is all about the duality found within.

Often, those born between February 19 and March 20 find themselves caught up between intellectual thought and deep emotions. Known for being extremely intuitive, sensitive, artistic, compassionate and wise; Pisces have certain gifts that can fall under the "blessing and a curse" type of category. Just ask any empath. Or look in Erykah Badu's directionand feel yourself being seen.

Highly evolved, Pisces has been through it all and is still swimming its way through the unknown -- pardon the pun, that one wrote itself. While this sign has an innate and otherworldly understanding of the human experience in ways others may never fully understand or comprehend, Pisces are characteristically prone to escaping reality. They often lose themselves in their work, art or partake in other escapist tendencies. Due to their spiritual and introspective natures, Pisces require ample alone time; whether it's spent sleeping, dreaming, recharging by a body of water, working tirelessly to advance a goal or going to the movies.

Artists such as Tyler The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt and the paradigmatic icon Erykah Badu have boundless creative energy that allows them to create music that is innovative, goes against the current and requires multiple listens. Pisces often recognize at an early age that they are different from others, a realization that encourages the desire to explore and develop various creative, self-expressive talents.

From pushing boundaries artistically to creating work that can be simultaneously brilliant and misunderstood, the isolation that comes organically with being different can either be approached with positive coping mechanisms or disastrous ones. Pair that with a fear of one's past coming back to haunt them and a particular sensitivity to criticism or cruelty, it makes sense that many Pisces avoid alcohol or drugs, knowing full well the effect taking it too far could have on them. Because of their susceptibility to addiction, depression and letting their emotions take the wheel; Pisces' environments, as well as the company they keep closest, must be selected with cautious intention.

Whether one's music career is built on activism and contributing positively to changing the world at large, such as Common's, or rooted in eccentricities, such as Flava Flav's or Badu's; artists born under the Piscean sun really do represent a mixed bag of personalities and perspectives. A collaboration between Bad Bunny, Lil Dicky and Method Man would make for the most random posse-cut of 2019. But hey, weirder things have happened. Enter Ja Rule. The veteran rapper spent the last year dodging any acknowledgement of his involvement in the infamous failure of Fyre Festival just to turn around and say he's plotting his next luxury festival, as if nothing had gone awry. One has to admire his ability to see the world through rose-tinted glasses, even if his redemptive vision never comes to fruition.

Adding to their individual depth is the fact that Pisces is willing to help others even if it comes to their own detriment, making it easy for Pisces to fixate on other people's dramas and avoid tending to their own. On a friendship level, this sign is adaptive and agreeable, making it easy for Pisces to connect with nearly everyone they initially come across. Their presence can be strong, and their acceptance of others is both visionary and appreciated.

While some qualities of a Pisces may seem conflicting by nature, just keep in mind that they are aware of those complicated nuances, too. Similar to the dualistic Gemini, Pisces are multifaceted and mutable. In other words, Pisces generally is balancing multiple personalities and analyzing which components of their character best represent their authenticity, and continued evolution. With infinite wisdom, gentle kindness and a complex but romantic outlook on life; Pisces is one of the most fascinating signs to explore. Dive in and go deep.

Now that we have scratched the surface to the many layers of Pisces, here are some lyrical gems to keep in mind and when the mood strikes, keep on repeat.

Song: "See You Again" by Tyler, The Creator featuring Kali Uchis

Lyrical Mantra: "You live in my dream state / Relocate my fantasy / I stay in reality / You live in my dream state."

Pisces'ism: Piscean love language is a dreamy one, especially if you have a good understanding of where one's hopeful optimism and contrasting cynicism stems from. Tyler, The Creator is looking for his ideal version of love, even though he struggles with the reality that the wait is easier in theory than practice. Either way, he's not fully letting anyone in on his secrets. This, in turn, makes his cryptic expressions pertaining to love all the more captivating and mysterious.

Song: "Eclipse" by Earl Sweatshirt

Lyrical Mantra: "Say goodbye to my openness, total eclipse / Of my shine that I've grown to miss when holding shit in / Open my lids, my eyes said my soul is amiss (Soul is)."

Pisces'ism: This track, which appears on Earl's third studio albumn Some Rap Songs, speaks to how his journey towards enlightenment has been anything but a smooth ride. He's figuring out a lot and turning to his music to make sense of his own complexities, all while operating on his own timeline and in his own manner. Similar to that of Tyler's, Earl's self-awareness has been hard-earned and the process has been far from perfect. The rapper's 2018 album was born out of a place of loss and longing, especially when factoring in how he was denied a reconciliation with his estranged father, South African poet Keorapeste Kgositsile, who passed away in January 2018. Earl covers a lot of ground in this project and "Eclipse" makes for a powerful and personal offering (Pisces' specialty).

Song: "Save That Money" by Lil Dicky featuring Rich Homie Quan and Fetty Wap

Lyrical Mantra: "The rap game got it all wrong / We ain't 'bout to go and spend money just to flex on 'em / We ain't really got it like y'all (Yeah, baby!)"

Pisces'ism: Lil Dicky just wants to be great, okay? And in this circumstance, thrifty and quirky. Given the song's viral success, it worked in his favor. The music video, which cost $0 to make and featured cameos from Sarah Silverman, Hannibal Buress, T-Pain and Mark Cuban, among other celebrities; speaks to his desire to connect with others without compromising who he is and what he stands for.

Song: "I Used to Love H.E.R." by Common

Lyrical Mantra: "I met this girl when I was 10 years old / And what I loved most she had so much soul / She was old school when I was just a shorty / Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me."

Pisces'ism: This classic entry in Common's discography speaks to his deeper understanding; appreciation and analysis of the historic, and cultural evolution of hip hop; as told through the lens of various chapters of a woman's life. This song has been unpacked, digested and celebrated consistently since its 1994 release, speaking to Common's Piscean wisdom and confident, elevated storytelling.

Song: "On and On" by Erykah Badu

Lyrical Mantra: The entire song, but particularly: "Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned / If your knowledge were your wealth, then it would be well-earned / If we were made in his image, then call us by our names / Most intellects do not believe in God but they fear us just the same."

Pisces'ism: Erykah Badu's 1997 debut album, Baduizm, is both an in-depth study and a mere glimpse into her magic. Her first-ever single, which won a Grammy in 1998 for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, features lyrical gem after gem, all while helping put Neo-soul on the map in an impactful, definitive way. Astrological fun fact, Erykah Badu is a double Pisces, meaning it appears in her chart as both her sun and moon sign. In other words, put on Baduizm and tap in. Her unique frequency remains appreciated and right on time two decades later.

Published via REVOLT TV.

#Repost SXSW: 2019 Music Preview Guide

Contributed a series of artist bios for the 2019 Music Preview Guide for SXSW. See copy in full here.

#Repost REVOLT TV: Each One, Teach One | How JAY-Z continues to evolve his philanthropic blueprint

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.

JAY-Z isn't a perfect man, nor is he a perfect businessman. His ability to address his flaws, make some sense of his harrowed past and overcome countless obstacles has helped him maneuver his way to the unprecedented top of the rap game. Over the years, the music mogulhas inspired the masses with his rags-to-riches story, encouraging others to stay true to themselves, work tirelessly in pursuit of their wildest dreams and move forward at all costs and against all odds. When it comes to philanthropy, JAY-Z wrote his own blueprint for giving back and getting involved. Much like his career, his personal philosophy continues to evolve over time, finding perceptive, strategic ways to positively impact the society at large.

JAY-Z's charitable efforts have essentially been under scrutiny by the public ever since he made his first dollar by putting rhymes together over a beat. Now that he is well on his way toward becoming hip hop's first billionaire, the lens in which his every move is analyzed has only gotten sharper in resolution. While his relationship with money and success has been one that he has worked to process throughout the entire duration of his career, Hov's 2013 track "Nickels and Dimes" comes to mind when exploring his intentions.

During the Magna Carta... Holy Grail cut, he spits, "The purest form of giving is anonymous to anonymous." Such an approach to giving back to others has remained somewhat of a constant throughout all of his charitable efforts, garnering all sorts of criticisms from others. JAY-Z would rather not collect headlines for a check he writes or a community-building contribution he makes. Given his increasing celebrity and influence, remaining anonymous in his altruism has become that much more difficult.

Elsewhere throughout the Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua-produced song, JAY-Z explores how he occasionally feels survivor's guilt for making it out of the Marcy Housing Projects where he grew up, as it's something that he's fully aware of not everyone being as fortunate to do. During the second verse, he ponders how financial contributions to the community that raised him may have contributed to the problem at its core, going on to explain why he feels providing an opportunity may be more beneficial than a monetary donation.

"Sometimes I feel survivor's guilt / I gave some money to this guy, he got high as hell / Now I'm part of the problem far as I could tell / Did I do it for him or do it for myself," he raps. "Can't lie to myself / I love my n—s more than my own blood / I die for my n—s and I love my cub, hope that's not fucked up—I got a problem with the handouts, I took the man route—I'll give an opportunity though, that's the plan now."

Later in his verse, Hov addresses the criticisms head-on that he received from legendary singer and activist Harry Belafonte, who vocalized his opinion that JAY-Z and Beyoncé "turned their back on social responsibility" during a 2012 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

"I think one of the great abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities," Belafonte asserted. "But they have turned their back on social responsibility. That goes for JAY-Z and Beyoncé, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you're talking. I really think he is black."

The strong words of the Civil Rights Movement activist stung and called for JAY-Z to defend his conscious decision to tactfully tread the line between making his charitable contributions in private and reserving the use of his public platform for when it will best advance the cause or situation at hand.

"I'm just trying to find common ground / 'fore Mr. Belafonte come and chop a n—a down / Mr. Day O, major fail / Respect these youngins boy, it's my time now," JAY-Z raps. "Hublot homie, two door homie / You don't know all the s—t I do for the homies."

JAY-Z doubled down on his stance during a 2013 interview with Elliott Wilson, during which Hov explained exactly why he found Belafonte's criticism to be both offensive and ill-informed. His comments set the media on fire, all while raising quite an interesting point.

"I'm offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity," JAY-Z explained at the time. "Just who I am. Just like Obama's is. Obama provides hope. Whether he does anything, the hope that he provides for a nation, and outside of America is enough. Just being who he is. You're the first Black president. If he speaks on any issue or anything he should be left alone. [But] of course we want to challenge him to do better. I felt Belafonte, he just went about it wrong. Like the way he did it in the media, and then he big upped Bruce Springsteen or somebody. And it was like, 'Whoa,' you just sent the wrong message all the way around. Bruce Springsteen is a great guy [but] you're this Civil Rights activist and you just big upped the white guy against me in the white media."

While some believed his comments merely just served his ego, JAY-Z's philanthropic stance is arguably the opposite. He expresses that by breaking through glass ceilings and paving a way for the next generation of disenfranchised people, especially minorities. He is serving the greater good by living by example. Whether you agree or disagree regarding his stances and approaches to his own issues with embracing his undeniable visibility, inspiration is found woven into every component of his story and perspectives, as is the intention to continue improving and evaluating one's self-awareness.

"And just for clarity, my presence is charity / My flow is a gift, philanthropist," he spits. "Everybody 'round me rich, or will be / Baby boy I promise you this, or kill me."

The concept of giving anonymously as a way to not taint the purity of the act itself is one found in the writings of the Jewish Philosopher Maimonides. While the world we live in makes the anonymous act of giving back to society that much harder, acknowledging the vast nature of the people and causes JAY-Z has supported throughout his careerrequires much time and attention to detail. JAY-Z's tenured successes may make him an easy target for criticism when it comes to his every move -- financial, professional or personal -- but, his foresight to not let critics get in the way of his benevolent nature is both integral to his character and inspiring to the masses. The music mogul isn't perfect in his approach to his charitable efforts, but that has never once stopped him from giving back.

As exemplified by his recent involvement in providing 21 Savage with a premier legal team, his work advocating tirelessly on behalf of Meek Mill and even his lending a hand to help Lil Wayne with his taxes; JAY-Z's actions are often done without a statement from the man himself. Whether he is working through his Shawn Carter Foundation -- which was founded in 2003 to provide scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged youth and communities -- or meeting with politicians such as Gov. Andrew Cuomo to discuss criminal justice system reform, JAY-Z has consistently gone above and beyond to make a positive impact, even when we don't always know the extent of his behind-the-scenes involvement.

From helping reunite incarcerated men with their children for Father's Day with Southerners on New Ground and Color of Change, paying bail for dozens of protestors who were jailed while representing the Black Lives Matter movement in Baltimore, sending millions of pounds of supplies to Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico and more; the critique of JAY-Z not being as vocal as he could be is a valid one. But, when the focus on how he handles his visibility becomes more important than the example he is setting, there could be a potential misguided outrage problem to examine.

Whether he is raising money through his annual TIDAL X benefit concert or teaming up as part of the newly formed criminal justice reform organization REFORM Alliance, the business of JAY-Z is a multifaceted one that is built on a foundation of excellence, advocacy and philanthropy. JAY-Z may not be perfect. But, even at 49, he's continuing to find ways to advance his legacy while working to leave the world a much better place than he found it. To call him out unabashedly for the flaws he's acknowledging and working on is a disservice to all that he's done and will continue to do.

Published on REVOLT TV here.