Meet Me on the Flip Side

I've always lip-synched along to songs played silently in my imagination. Lyrics can keep you company that way, no matter where you are. It started with Bruce Springsteen's epics echoing across my mind during longer walks home. At some point, Steve Malkmus' four winding verses from Pavement's masterpiece Watery, Domestic EP were recited like a mantra. Later, it seemed that 90% of my mute mutterings were written by NaS and other emcees. With hip-hop I'd become sensitive to repeated incantations that didn't in any way reflect my own experience. It wasn't just that. Some lyrics are just trite, some violent or disagreeable to the point where I wished neither to vocalize nor internalize them. 

With NaS though, I ran into trouble. Here were some of the most masterful flows and displays of lyrical prowess committed to beats. Even if I couldn't own these words, the rhythm with which they were written energized me. And so these 'Flips' were birthed. Some have been posted here, including one based strictly on AZ's legendary first verse from  "Life's a Bitch (and then You Die)". The conception for NaS' verse and development of this entire flip-to-a-more-positive-tip only came this year when our first son was born. Recently I posted the piece, "Life is Rich (and Love is Why)" on my "big kid culture" blog boobuddha. 

We

My heart flows, gushing like an ocean from a cup

Tide’s always high, ‘cause your love fills me up

Awoke my third eye, when you found me

Broke down my fear, hear? You ground me

Ignite me, stoke the flame of my desire

I’d burn through salary like my calories to attest to the fire

Your passion ever lasts, my very best you inspire

And soothe these uptorn roots, boots made to walk

But I feel we in cahoots, it’s the truth when we talk

Your inner soul comes right through

Make me feel like a right fool

Tryna fake cool as you take me to school

Life’s lessons? Light blesses

Every stress with fresh reflections

Our paths joined, and point in one direction

Follow? I want to walk the earth with you

Or aim higher, I might even return with you

Eternally, when we learn our essence through and through

All the bards of legend pen their paeans to you

Hell, I wish I could bring everything to you

Thought I needed Lou Reed to come and plead on my behalf, understand

But this is PD’s deed to do, besides, Lou ain’t agreed with that plan

He said “I’ll say what you like

You know I’ll say what I can

I’ll say whatever you want

But Peter, you love Suzanne”

Indeed I do. Love chose us two, though the wind blows us too

Even when we oppose, we see it through ‘til it’s right

With time left over to get cozy and tight

I just knows I’ll doze divinely intertwined with thee every night

You rose like Lady Gwenyvere--well baby, I'm here to be your knight

And propose, you and me become we, and unite

(P.S., She said yes!)

Son of God's Son: "Made You Think"

A response to NaS' "Made You Look", cast in the original's lyrical flow

Let's shape this hook in a new direction
Take edification, a taste of correct sh--
You know I waited long to give this a retool
Slow, but still street, fool, y’all know how Pete do
Keep it clean, deep inside the beat, too
Maintain a vibe you imbibe, cool as ice cubes
Well paced, no stress
Dressed with finesse in pastel
Puff or pass to me, pal
Wife sharp as a knife, plus she's like "...mmm, POW"
Put us on the F train—F’ cars, they insane now
If we could drive through the city, like de nada
You'd see us in a hybrid Prius en la esplanada
Petro-free style, it's Pedro's freestyle
Get up your hand, child, that ya fuel your coupe with
Slurp soup with, burp your little papoose with
Same hand that you hoop with
Raise a fist, we ain’t stupid
Streetballer? Yeah I be that
You know my steez
I rain threes. "Splash!"
Ya do the 'Smurf,''Wop,' 'Baseball Bat'
That Souljaboy, that super—-naw, buck that

I mean yooooou! – Aw made you dance
Moving to a groove, put you in a trance
Getting light-headed? Breathe like it's yr last chance
Where’s them gods at? Where the truth at?

He provin'! – Aw made you think
Got thirst for knowledge, take a long drink
Getting light-headed? Life sped up, don’t blink
Where’s them gods at? Where the truth at?

This is happening, this how Pete rock
Now get up off your ass, shake the whole block
My kush cousin, spark up the trees, sir
Funk in the trunk? Get krunk if it please, girl
Don’t start none, won’t be none
No reason for you kids be trippin
Just want to see you sway your hips and
Sip $8 drinks, holla, pounds up
That’s how you pop-a-collar in this house, what
Let the music diffuse all the tension
Divine intervention, death protection
Hustlers and players stay on the grind
Lady move in time, we can grind to the tune fine
All my outta-towners, count the hours
Spend mad paper, take a bath, let it shower
Make it rain? You people so crazy
Pull out my waist, sizzurp and purple hazey

They blazing! – Aw that's just smoke
Why you front? Nature gave us the blunt, toke
Getting light-headed? Chill, boy, don’t choke
Where’s them gods at? Where the truth at?

I seen dudes puzzling, yo my mood is dark-brewed
Wire you up just like the feds do
Heads don’t snitch, now they live by a street rule
Let a stool pigeon fly the coop? Nah, they turn cruel
NaS told kids, "learn more, change the globe"
Yet this honor code kill mode, keeps it real…tragic
Whether virtual reality or the physical classic
Whatever you do, whatever you choose
Stay true to yourself, versatile too
Like a renaissance man is. Ask my friends
See they never understand this
How I manage my flow over QB standards
With just enough nastiness to top the class
Baby reach in your stash, pass the spliff
Ignite like Fela, rule the nation on a boom-bap tip
Rewrite slick, eclipse the edit like a lunatic

(Fela Kuti portrait,
courtesy of Discoid Terrorist)

It Ain't All About Me #3

summer's first sunset blessed
today's blacktop lesson beyond introspection


young bro' showed & proved
a few steps slow for our pace of competition
yet, due to unprecedented intermission
(hectic cell phone interruption)
down 5, we had a discussion.
he asked what we gotta do
i'm like "you just be you,
but talk to us on D, they ain't pickin' you
so we ain't switchin';
no help on yr man
unless you holler, unnerstand?"
glad we got a new plan,
i caught my breath


checked the evening's signs,
selected an inspiration in season
summoning jackie gleason
(in the hustler,
you know the reason)


lunacy or did it seem to me
the daydream made the tides sway
this-a-way, and when Big Ray
got off his call, 4-on-4 was recouped
I said "men, let's play some hoop."
we lost that game, then won a deuce
i considered the test's truth,
later on when i was mellow
centered on the young fellow
whose pride highs and lows flipped
the moment his man got past him, then damn
his head hang down to his hand.
Nah bring it again fam
recover quick
when you get crossed up or mixed
don't trip on top of it,
talk and claw your way back into it
that team D,
seems to me,
got a chip for the Big 3



photo: Hoopedia

Hoop Haiku #2

Halfcourt? Slick streetball legend
(in my head). Fullcourt
I hang back on D instead.

[photo by Manabe]

Pencil Stash

I play chameleon with my style, but it's your smile I'm feeling
And eyes can't spy what the soul's really seeing
Maybe they don't know a lick about the deals I believe in
Or get the inside joke on the looks I'm thieving
Baby, if I could talk a mile a minute, no mystery--stands to reason
I'd just be breathing needless b.s. into the breeze
Yet if I slow my riff, will you follow my drift
Get uplifted by the myth, or just catch a whiff of what you missed
From those smoke signal designs we weave in

(image courtesy of Anna Fleshler)

Crossover Dream #1

Retraced repeatedly just at the surface of my subconscious
A mantra of moves visualized to a tee my handles is me

On the baseline, the rock in my right hand

Scooped forth in a sly spinning bounce from the back

But mix it up from the first step: my left foot attacks,

Swings across, slices an angle in my pivot, i'm with it

Facing away from the foul line i crouch and get mine, let

Long fingers sweep a dribble low behind my feet

I don't mind if he reach, that ball's mine i can tease

Then snap it back across my front, chest-high

In a quick, tight revolution not televised

Park prime time be gone in a flash so get wise

I'm at the rim just like that, finish nice, got that

P.D. Cure

I'm flossin' glossy toes, a little moss will not frost this ego
But my feet are lost if I don’t foot the cost to prep these rows
I don’t presume I'm on parade -- my rep precedes me, tho'
Was named "best groomed" in 8^th grade, go check the yearbook! So,
I let the pros massage my calf, push the cuticle
At least try to treat these beasts as if they’re beautiful
Still got callous but now I’m stylish when I hit the floor,
In my flip flops, I'm flippie flop flippie to the flip flip flop and it ain’t pop
Just a cool, crazy response to anyone teasin’
My vain ways in this lazy footwear season.

hectiCity

Life got kinda rough, changes came in a flurry
'Bout the same time that Del dropped 3030
Can't complain now but shame how that year was so wrong
Livin' with an ex, I stress: we didn't get along
She had her other men, said I was free to sow my oats
But then came the evening when that script got rewrote
We were at the same party and after, out on the block
Sister hollered "who was that skeez on your jock?"
Firsthand she'd seen a lady friend end up in my lap
Try to tell us she wasn't jealous, this time somethin snapped
Arms were flying, she was crying, situation was iffy
Post-sundown in Oaktown so cops came in a jiffy
Slapped me up against the car my hands behind my head
Threw me in the back seat but then one of them said
"Talk to us, tell us a few words we need to hear
We’re gonna take it slow, you just speak real clear
Based on what you say, you could go to jail or the hospital
See a shrink or sleep in the clink, either outcome is possible
Use your words carefully, they’ll make our choice
You might save us paperwork, but it’s gotta come in your voice"
I swear they coached me a few beats, tried to calm me down,
See they would follow the law to a tee, per every damn thing said now
Was it my innocence or white face? I’ll never know which
Doubt my black brother’d get the same choice—now ain’t that a bitch
It was just us, but justice was getting so hazy
I said "call it 5150, y'all are driving me crazy!"

Ear Game

KRS drops the science, I get more specific
Liquid swords flash fire 'cause I'm sick with the physics
Talk in spatial dynamics, no treats or tricks
Start with knowledge of self on nobody’s tip
Not perfect, I kill time looking out for hip kicks
What I should explain plain I cryptically spit
Like a flak jacket, Jack, crack verse indeed thick
Not soft I shake it off my skin can take a deep hit
Make you leap quick, faked you! Peep this before you step to
Two steps ahead hear what I said? I'm an old head too
A wise vantage is advantage, we OGs instill
Loose like willow my styl-o has an Ornette influence
Choose to call it free jazz? See there’s lots more to it
Before you speak listen--your mouth can't hear
Yet if you stayin' in that cut you got zip to fear
The observer never stops, our art pops because of ear

Rawr 44

(remix)

At times I feel weightless
And savor that taste
that flavor, its danger
Might catch me later
On streets a leader's
Nice handle defeats
& with a flow I know is sick
None predict my behavior
Move slow and I'll rip ya
Hit finger-rolls and faders
You whiner, I’m major
Ambidextrous, hater
Who’s next up, players?
Was raised while saviors
Blazed away when I came up
In my soul filled the hole
With a mystic great
Pantheist's creator
On some men's blocks, cement boxes
Paint my Mother Nature
Ain't all brothers still
Gods, the queens too
Shorty-wop I means you
Can’t overstate it
Couldn't care if you're famous
Do your thing, build and sing
On this perfect spaceship
Ride relationships
Thru the pain and bliss
Speak your mind
Your imagination
Shifts the placement
Of myths and brain waves
That spliff ain’t said it
We wrote and read it
So do it, g’head kid
Spend your blessins
Use yr less'ns
Don’t defend in the end
Your grand confession
Ain’t nothin’ but a thing
Of life progressin
You look for answers
I'll leave 'em guessin
Now who's got the class
To teach the next lesson

Blindside Blues

I didn't watch my back it was a matter of time
Make sure you've got your wallet, once someone jacked mine
It had train tix, charge cards and numbers i need
But worst of all they made off with all my IDs
I called and cancelled everything, now that's a fresh start
They can mess with digits but they won't get my heart
They can't remove the rebounds I pulled down that night
Erase the positive space that fills me with light
Or take away my job, of course if I'd needed another
It might have required written proof of my SS #
So who was I with no papers, off the books
Perhaps my name will get around, at least help out those crooks
I mean, it's a dark day when instincts direct one to steal
Thieves lack more than wallets, do you hear what i feel
I only pray there's no prolonged backlash in store
I can take the red tape, but damn I can't take much more

Heel Holler: 23

Not exactly a commissioned work, but a UNC alum and
good friend, Rod, requested some fightin words in step with
his feelings in advance of tomorrow night’s  classic rivalry:
[p.s., post loss: Get’ em next time, Rod!]
[p.p.s., post-ACC tourney revenge: Poem or prophecy?
Them freshmen remind me of the A's rookies]

Look out, ya shook up Dukies
Your season so far is a fluke, see
You got the late calls, but in truth
I think them refs got seduced
Or maybe Coach K's credit card deals
Bought some special interest! The Heels
At any rate will check ya
And after Reddick gets rejected
Your whole O will be divested
Sure your big guy seems a savage
When he's got a height advantage
But Shelden's got brick hands, no
He can't hang with Tyler Hansbrough
Or pick off Bobby Frasor's
Passes accurate like lasers
You might lose but even worse
Your alumni wear a curse,
Yeah Dickie V tries to care
But yr boys don't go anywhere
Carolina's youth fly high
Cause of their future's brighter skies
Light blue's victory is clinched
When Krzyzewski's face gets all pinched.

Roar

Savor this, taste what I say, the sharp flavor is
Paperless, just sounds, get down, I'm no hater
But my favorite days in the Bay were still dangerous,
Them ravers trippin on X make-a-me vex. Relationship was
Pain and bliss--couldn't breathe or leave, I paid for it
Afraid a bit, spooked by the proof, in truth, change is
Strange and it chafes at the places you're safe--it's a major trip
But facing it, I got strong, moved along, now I labor but
Later, kid, I'll know that I made, first let's get faded

You know I got all that grade A shit 

And you can hit it one time to open the door
Hit it two times to even the score
Hit three times, I done it before
Don't quit it, son you just have to roar

Listen up, hush, don't rush in while I'm riffin'
If you're missin' I'll go slow, you know I'm on a mission though
My missles don't float yo, they spray just like my spittle
Shift a little to the left and the mist might miss
You might slip, don't trip upon this rhyme's riddles
Take your time, I save mine, then mix it like a dish up
Take a taste, don't waste, I'm kinda superstitious
If you're rude you'll get screwed, karma is quite vicious
Just be kind, unwind, and sip this fine elixir
Hit it one time to cushion the blow
Hit it two times to loosen the flow
Hit it three times then push down the door
Don't quit it son, or do I have to roar?

(Feelmatic)

On Nas and AZ's Money Mentality:

love is realism, not fluff, the stuff of fantasy
f--k what they think is sexy, a true partner brings you sanity
and my humanity is peace orientated
destined for a soul mate my third eye appreciated
cuz, i was a virgin till i gave in to my urges
but when i was on the verge again i learned another version,
now some caress with kisses, others do their thing with ginseng,
brothers such as myself just want the other half that's missing
to keep alive the eternal vibe that lets the heart beat
hits em with a riddim and changes bitter to sweet
some say it's known that we all die alone
but as long as i still breathe i will believe a heart's a home, so
until that day i expire and pass in silence
i'm a turn the other cheek, kinda shy away from violence
yeah, i keep it real but what i feel is my reply
and love's a bitch, but i still try

yo love's a bitch but i still try, that's why i don't mind
when i go home, to nothin but a poem
love's a bitch but i don't mind
you know i stay kind

Get the Rebound

I made a trip down to the Rucker tournament in Harlem at 155th, that mecca of streetball where the EBC classic now retraces the footwork and legendary walks on air of Wilt, Dr. J, and Connie Hawkins. I'd never been, so I took the B train up one afternoon, early enough to beat the crowds at the entrance's metal detector.

After the 5pm women's game came down to a thrilling close, announcer Al Cash, still not tired of the nickname-bestowing-play-by-play he'd been parlaying, pacing the sidelines for an hour, asked if there were any out-of-towners. I played it cool, and shouldn't have-- I'd like to think my moment in the sun would have come had I gotten to test handles against either the Ohio kid or the local named "Chunky" selected to play one-on-one.

But no, my fate would be different.

My large white tee may have made me feel appropriately clad for the venue, but still left a lot of pale skin on display. The announcer soon walked up and looking square in my eyes asked "--and what's your deal, man? you ain't from around here."

All eyes and ears are now on our convo. Asked what I did I said "writer." So I must know a little poetry?, he pushes. I let "sure" come out in response, trying to recant as he says "then come out here and give us a little poetry!"

"I meant POULTRY" I protested, but no dice, the gig was up. At center court he made fun of me a little ["you're sure you want to leave your bag on the sidelines? This is Harlem, pal...So, you must have come to town today to buy drugs, yes?"] then handed me the mic in order to read a poem. With ESPN2 camera in my face, and what seemed a thousand more onlookers in the stands, I recited the only poem I had memorized, one I wrote a long time ago:

"Missed" 2.8.93

The genius tramps a heavy trail
picks up flowers on her way
without words for what she's gathered
or time to wonder why
no need
even under jealous leer
she knows
looming round the bend bloom more
while those now relishing her grasp
only hope for a bit of handcrafted
upheaval in her wake

A poem which means a lot to me, but does not rhyme, nor did it really capture this particular moment. What did hold the audience's attention was my hand, quivering as it held the mic. Nevertheless, I got through it, our emcee prompted the crowd to give me a hand for "showing some heart" and the young kids near my bleacher seat proudly handed me my bag as I returned to my seat: "Here Pete! You dropped your pen, Pete!" A positive enough experience, if humbling.

Thing is, as the DJ kicked the music back into gear (where had my beats been, bro?) my mind raced with [plu]perfect responses. The rest of the night I couldn't even watch the men's games. Junie "GE" Sanders and Black Wall Street fast broke the competition on their way to what would prove to be a championship run, but I was just mumbling to myself as obsessively as if I had a syndrome. By the time I left the courts, though, I had the rough outline of the "Rucker Suite" posted below. As the experience still resonates through my imagination, I offer as well an evolved version of my original Rucker mic offering:

"Missed" Remixed 8.18.5

It was blank verse, a bass solo, nothing too loud
I rewrote it full of flow, more apropos for a crowd
Its meaning always clear but the rhythm was hidden
Now syncopated recreated so you all will feel let in

The first line observant of individual force
“The genius tramps a heavy trail”--visionaries change our course
Imperfection and invention make their impact on all
The next line points more specifically to those in the thrall
“picks up flowers on her way”--you ever fall in love
With a brilliant mind that answered to some call from above?
Or marched to a different drummer, a different beat than you ever felt
Them folks can move mountains & make your scenery melt
Or build a new technology that sweeps you along
They makin’ all the money while I’m singing a song
Their effect on you is something they’d rather not heed
“without words to wonder which or time to think of why, no need”
Another's individual import as a topic is blurry
Each creates their own destiny, but don’t even worry
“even under jealous leer she knows”--you’re born you die, the story goes
Don’t overestimate your heroes or demonize your foes
“looming round the bend bloom more”—but our genius ain’t overwhelmed
'Fact we respect their poise so much we say, you take the helm,
As “those relishing her grasp” we “only hope” for fifteen minutes
Cause these tidal waves are fun to ride, their swell, hell, it’s infinite
“a bit of handcrafted upheaval in her wake” is our glory
Those few moments we’re little stars in the whole crazy story

That’s why we say ‘What up god?’, we respect the power
Any man feeling bad enough can bring our final hour
Or give us reason to live, a new way to see light
The intense ones are tricky, some strangers want to fight
But the genius in them is sure to rock your world
If you’re paying attention a new path will unfurl
And you’ll be walking down a heavy trail of your own
You made an impact right back--2 geniuses got thrown

Rucker Park Suite 7.20.5

The EBC Blues

I never thought rhymin’ at Rucker would be a cinch
And the first time out, I admit, I flinched
The mic shook in my hand so much it looked like live fish
I’m not cryin or tryna be on some kinda pride ish
I was glad because at least I tried this
But on the matter of my skin, emcee teased me
Called me “Caspar the Friendly Ghost,” awful cheesy
Took the cliché route, no doubt easy:
White boy uptown? Must be down for something sleazy
Came to Harlem for the drugs? Nah, brother please see
I’m wise, besides them ends are beneath me
See, I moved here from the Yay—may I teach thee?
Northern Cali’s valleys tally fine qualities :
365 a year its chill and you feel breezy
Kids got hyphy 'cause they bump that E-Feezy
In Oaktown Roscoe cooks chicken and waffles, greasy!
And the 415 is where you drive to get the trees, B

I know the A’s tend to start a lot of rookies,
Still their winnin’ streaks freak out all the bookies
A few more lines? I’ll give you time, you look shook G
A vegan eats no fish—do not bite my hooks please
On the court, call me “Monster”—I get the cookies
Not “Caspar.” Dude, you've been a wonderful host
Maybe you should sit down, you're starting to look like that ghost
With your name, why'd you ask me to open my mouth?
Al Cash, if you got smoked they'd call you "all cashed out."

Joe-No-Lino

I’d like to leave, when I’m done, in one piece
So I’ll stop here to say: one love, one peace
Then stay on point this here joint's about EBC
Flashback to a recap last year on TV
A game Terror Squad won, they were getting interviewed
No Stephon, just them lower profile dudes
Who got nice game, but just the same, outside the hood
Ain’t household names—it’s only fame, it’s all good
Anyway, here they are on the televised tip,
But before a word drops from their lips
Their manager bum rushed, man I started to trip!
In fact from where I sat, it looked like a total eclipse
He was crowding all the shots while his men stood in back
Waving his three fingers—y'all remember that?
Now this man has skills I certainly lack
Business acumen, promotional tools, cash in stacks
And face time? Every hour BET spins his tracks
But Joe, when your hoop bros give their minutes, 15, a crack
Homeslice, take your own advice, “Lean Back!”