So I was hanging out with Kevin Coval and Willie Perdomo for this poetry workshop week and on the first day they strike up a conversation about music. And I could not compete on the same level of hip-hop know-how as everyone else seemed to be able to. I always feel like I need to have at least a little grounding in hip-hop to have any poet cred, but I never know how to become acquainted with it. I'm digging Black Spade, though. I feel like either "black" music and "white" music are converging (see: Timberlake, Justin) or I'm just becoming way more aware. Either way, it's freaky how reluctant I am to step out of my musical comfort zone.

(Do you ever read a poem by someone and then years later meet them and realize they are flesh and blood even though they wrote that sick ass poem? Look up Willie Perdomo's Letter to Pedro Aviles.)

-Lauren

Randomness (Cool Kids/Random Pics)

^This is how AD's feeling right now at work. 7 minutes left, though. I'll survive.

Sorry about the lack of posts. Clearly, I've been slacking. WU-SLam is all across the nation right now, so it's tough to give updates on all of us. During the school year, you'll get more about us as a group. Until then, take the summer to learn about us more as individuals.

And no, my cheeks don't make me look like Kanye.

As ya'll know, I'm big on hip-hop. I'm also a Stl native. So, it should come as no surprise that I'll try to put you all on some Stl hip-hop every once in awhile. Right now, the artist on my "Now Playing" list is Black Spade.

Dudes got a mean style to him and makes some nice, soulful beats. His album, "To Serve, With Love" is pretty beast and makes for some great chill-out music. Definitely a breath of fresh air to people in the 314. He's gaining some steam, not only for his raw talent, but for his run in with Charles Hamilton. (Check with Kenny Fresh for that.) Besides all that, I say give him a check at http://www.myspace.com/blackspade .

Much Love to my WU-SLammers
AD!