American Pharaoh: The Original This Is America

American Pharaoh

Jase Harley was robbed

At First, when I heard some rapper named Jase Harley called my boy Donald "Childish Gambino" Glover a house slave, I thought and who is this cat think he is DJango. But, after doing a little more research on him, I only have one question: HOW DID WE LET CHILDISH GAMBINO STEAL THIS MAN SONG?

The resemblance of the songs screams more than simple biting or inspiration. This Is America Is Straight Hijacked.




Now, we all know that artists are inspired by other artists, even to the point where back in the nineties, successful artists would not take a demo tape on fear of being accused of stealing songs. But, I haven't seen one article where Danny Glover is admitting he at least borrowed the New York rappers most Viral song American Pharaoh, to create This Is America. Which means the song is stolen. 

One thing that Childish Gambino did do for the song is have an excellent choreographed video that encapsulated the entire Black essence in America. But, even that is tarnished by the mere fact that Jase was not even consulted for any type of production of the song nor video.

Just to elaborate, I've never spoken to @donaldglover, his team or any other producers..EVER. I made my song "American Pharaoh" entirely by myself. I've been a classically trained pianist… https://t.co/8JsMrADK2e

— Jase Harley (@jaseharleymedia) June 26, 2018

Which makes things worse, for it leaves a precedent for this to happen again. Next time, it can be your song. and you will have to live with the fact that you will never be recognized for your work. Jase has been quietly supporting Glover's success with the song but was not happy at the fact Donald did not show up to the Grammy's to put more context behind the song. 

"I feel extremely humbled to be recognized and labeled as one or the original inspirations for one of the most important pieces of music and visual art of our time.

I appreciate all the love and support! But PLEASE DON’T let this controversy dilute the message me and @childishgambino are trying to convey. We are speaking about injustices we’ve encountered and he’s helped to provide a platform for all our voices to be heard. Let’s not discredit him for that! The focus should be on affecting change in our communities and building equality. This is bigger than me and him and bigger than music. Let’s not lose focus."

Meanwhile, Fam Rothstein of Donald Glover’s management team Wolf + Rothstein denied the speculation in a since-deleted tweet, stating that “This Is America” is three years old.

Seeing how it's deleted I guess someone Fact Checked him Huh.

[Grammy's 2019]Kendrick, Drake, and Gambino Snubs performances

Kendrick Lamar

Drake

Childish Gambino

Will They Even Be There?

Three of the biggest names in hiphop have turned down Grammy show producer Ken Ehrlich invites to perform at this years Grammy's. With their respective reps not answering any questions yet about there appearances at the grammy's, it leaves one to wonder if this is a social stand for something. 

We know Drake is irritated at the fact that he won Best Rap Song in 2017 for a song that wasn't even a rap song "Hotline Bling," recognizing the fact that a more noteworthy RAP song could have taken that award, like "Ultralight Beam". 

Ariana Grande also declined to perform when when producers asked her to not perform her newest single "7 Rings." She came after the producer, Stating that he was lying about her in an interview Ken had, where he stated the artist "felt it was to late to pull something together." Stating on Social Media, "I've kept my mouth shut but now you're lying on me."

mhmmm here it is ! “too late for her to pull something together......” pic.twitter.com/YwuBOUkZjr

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 7, 2019

But it seems like, and have been mentioned more than once, that as soon as rap became apart of the Grammy's in 2002, it doesn't seem to be partial in rewarding rappers. Especially after last year when Kendrick dominated the Rap categories, but lost to Bruno Mars "24k Magic" for Album of the Year. And, not to take away from Bruno but Kendrick dropped an album that faced the nation with a mirror and brought social and criminal injustices to light. Which could be the very reason it lost.

In his interview, Ehrlich victimizes the Hip hop community. "The fact of the matter is, we continue to have a problem in the hip hop world," he told the Times. "When they don't take home the big prize, the regard of the academy, and what the Grammy's represent, continues to be less meaningful to the hip hop community which is sad."

One thing I must say is that it doesn't get less meaningful to the hip hop community. If anything, it brings to light the meaning of the Grammy's, in the same way we know the Police were not created here to protect Blacks. Maybe, we are seeing that the Grammy's added the rap categories in the same light that they built the slave quarters, to keep those of us pacified while you all divide up the true fortune of worldwide acceptance. Well, one thing you must now accept is that the hip hop has now become the #1 genre listened worldwide. The first time since it's creation. So, you will be getting more votes for Rap categories, if the Grammy's live that long.