I wasn't really gonna get this blog jumpin' off until sometime later today for something else I'm working on (more info to come on that), but I'm inspired right now.
So I'm sitting here just after 1am, listening to Mike Nardone's final broadcast of We Came From Beyond and I have so much going through my mind. It's truly the end of an era: almost 21 years on the air playing real Hip Hop on L.A. radio. I could, but won't, get into a debate on what "real" Hip Hop is, because if you know...then you know. For us, it doesn't have to be spelled out, explained or whatnot...it's just the way it is. It's something that's inside of us because we've loved this for so long that our minds and ears are so tuned into this culture, this music that has defined our lives and our generation that it doesn't need to be explained.
I'm glad that Mike is leaving the show on his own terms; I'd originally been worried that the show had been yanked on some bullshit programming decision ("Your show's not relevant"), but Mike posted on his website and announced it at the top of the show awhile ago that this was completely his decision and I'm happy with that. But what kinda bummed me out tonight, besides a few cats like Rhettmatic and Steve 1der, Cook Book and Uno Mas and a few others who showed love...no really big names came through to show some support. Or at least give Mike a Yo! MTV Raps-style sendoff or somethin'. 21 YEARS ON THE AIR?! He deserved that at least. I saw a few cats on Twitter (who shall remain nameless) who, granted, had shows or other events tonight but who I know for a fact owe a debt of gratitude to Mike for having played their music over the years. Even a tweet puttin' the word out about the final show tonight would have gone a long way, I think. Especially when your crates are deep; this is a picture I took of just a part of his records at the station:
But that's all over and done with because the show is now over and won't be back. I forget who said it tonight, but he echoed my thoughts exactly: "Real Hip Hop is dead on the radio". And it's true. I told a few people that very same thing a couple weeks ago when Mike announced tonight would be his last show. True Hip Hop itself will NEVER die, but as far as being on an FM radio station here in Los Angeles, We Came From Beyond was definitely the last of a dying breed. Thank you Mike (though I doubt you're reading this) for 21 strong years; I can't claim to have tuned in every week, but I tuned in whenever I could. I would even sit in my car for hours to listen because I had no reception in my house on 88.9. That's the absolute truth. I did it for The Wake Up Show back in the day, for Friday Night Flavas, so I definitely did it for your show. Your contributions will never be forgotten by us.
With the passing of DJ AM just a couple days ago, it's come to my attention how some artists are never truly appreciated while they are alive and with us. Not to take anything away from AM, but aside from maybe Bobby Hundreds I never really heard anyone mention him as being the best DJ out there, or being "legendary". Even dudes like Jay Dee didn't get their recognition, sadly, until after their passing. But it always seems to work out that way, as unfortunate as that may be.
I just want people to appreciate the truly great artists and contributors to our music while they're still alive. That doesn't necessarily mean to tag EVERYONE out there as "legends", but to give those that deserve it the honor of letting them know while they're still around just how much they have mean to us and our lives. Once someone known passes, it seems like they're automatically given the title of "the greatest". That type of recognition can't be bestowed on someone just because they're gone. I think it's more than appropriate to recognize someone for their achievements and for them to be forever remembered by them and the legacy they've left behind, but instantly giving them "greatest ever" status is doing them a disservice too, I believe. Appreciate your heroes while they're still alive so they can know it before it's too late.
So to Mike Nardone, you have definitely earned your place among L.A. legends for keeping a show that stayed true to itself, just the way you stayed true to YOURSELF, for just shy of 21 years and that deserves all the accolades in the world. It won't go unnoticed in mine and my fellow Hip Hop head's eyes (and ears) anytime soon, so for all of L.A. and to wherever else your show reached and audience we say...THANK YOU.
http://www.twitvid.com/4297A
I got to meet Mike just a couple weeks ago, on my birthday of all days, and it was truly an honor. I'm happy with the fact that I let him know that myself, in my own words...I let him know how much his show meant to us and that I recognized the contributions he'd made by thanking him personally for everything he'd done for Hip Hop in L.A...and he couldn't have been a nicer guy about it. Just truly humble. It was crazy to think that I was just there at his studio and now the show is gone. But I'm content with the fact that, at least for my part, I got to let the man know just how much of an honor it was to get to even just be in his studio. I won't ever forget that. Or his laugh.
I've been bullshitting around and sitting on ideas for waaaay too long now and with We Came From Beyond, Friday Night Flavas, etc. off the air, I see that I need to get back on my hustle. I want to make my own contribution to this game, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. I want to know that I'm giving something back to it in return for all that it's given me, even though that really would be impossible. This blog will be the jump off for other things I want to do, especially over the next couple weeks or so. Keep an eye, and an ear, out for it. There's big things comin'.
999 and beyond...get ready.
-Rm
