Photo by Jacob Moore. Bun B and Mayor Parker declaring Bun B Day in Houston. August 2011
Bun B is an absolute boss, a fact reasserted in the Texas Monthly article on his influence. I find it interesting how much cultural change Bun B has been involved in. UGK were crucial in convincing the world to appreciate southern hip hop. Bun B is a great example of community minded hip hop leader, as Katy Vine explains:
Bun B’s life these days is so deeply intertwined with Houston’s that he is often referred to as the city’s unofficial mayor. He has been featured in anti-texting public service announcements. He helps publicize drives for the Houston Food Bank. He hosts a twice-weekly segment on the TV station CW39 called Bun’s Beat (recent installments include “Bun B’s Thoughts on the NFL Banning the N-Word” and “Bun B’s Advice for Returning College Students”). He has been a regular guest on networks such as Comcast SportsNet Houston to discuss the Astros and the Rockets. He attends nearly every major concert. He promotes the city’s food and culture actively on his Twitter feed, where he can seem, at times, like a one-man chamber of commerce. “If you want to find out the best sushi spot, barbershop, or club, he would probably be the person with the widest Rolodex,” Houston rapper Chamillionaire told me. “You could ask him something crazy, like where to find left-handed scissors in Houston, and he could probably point you in three different directions.”
via Man About Town: Page 2 of 8 | Texas Monthly.
Let us note that place has been one of the most significant parts of hip hop culture (where are you from?). What if there are creative hip hop intellectuals in every town in the world, who love where they are from so passionately that they will become positive leaders in their own places? It’s going to take some forward thinking municipalities to get the benefits of including hip hop intellectuals.
Thanks to thehairpin for the linque.
Waka simultaneously seems to be welcome in the pop culture sphere. In some ways because of his bloody rhyme content and choice of representation and his willingness to play a role in the phone scene from mean girls.
Life of refinement 
Cannibal Capitalism the Birdman edition
Photo of Birdman’s RG (perhapsRich Gang) and YMCMYSL (perhaps Young Money Cash Money Young Stoner Life) tattoos. Thanks to The Smoking Section for the photo, I assume taken from Birdman’s social media.
Birdman is trying to sign Young Thug to his record label. To prove his sincerity he tattooed several Young Thug associated tattoos on his hands and face.
Cannibal capitalism is the mediated experiences of human suffering projected for human entertainment and profit. It is obvious that the bodily impact of Birdman’s tattoos is a particular kind of communication. Tattoos have often been the indication of long-term committment for gangs, military units and fans of musical artists. Birdman’s tattoo is amplified on social media and through dozens of rap blogs. It is a public communication of his commitment intentionally articulated to bring his company more profit (by signing a strong young artist).
In some ways the suffusion of cannibal capitalism into many so-called reality television shows (cooking shows, real estate flippers) is an indication of the desperation of many people. But Birdman isn’t desperate (not in the poverty sense) — he can give expensive cars and jewelry to friends and label-mates. I heard on NPR he just gave a Bugatti to Justin Beiber.
Fleeting fame and the potential for profit have encouraged more than one reality TV contestant to become a public exercise in morality and exclusion. (Did you hear about Stephanie on Top Chef when she cut herself and she went to the hospital?!?! How about that Survivor episode where that guy broke his leg? What a wimp!)
Cannibal capitalism can be mapped whenever a human is harmed and it is filmed and amplified for other people’s pleasure. When this happens a particular morality of self-sacrifice is usually articulated. Announcers and other contestants express just how someone should take the suffering. In some ways the harm done to the body gives access to comment on the body.
In the case of Birdman’s new tattoo’s the morality expressed isn’t how tough Birdman was for getting the ink, but rather how idiotic it is to tattoo to something as fleeting as a new potential corporate rap alliance. Here is the Smoking Section‘s Gotty mocking the social costs of multiple face tattoos.
We recognize that the fact that Birdman will never have to go to a job interview ever in his life. The Cash Money CEO’s so loaded his kids kids most likely will never have to worry about working either. With that said, his continuing effort to ink his whole body with scribblings dedicated to Cash Money subsidiaries is a little odd.
Actually, the “RG,” presumably for his Rich Gang management company, added to his right cheek isn’t that bad because what the hell would two more letters do to a face littered in tats? It’s the “YMCMYSL” scripted on his fingers that doesn’t make sense. Assuming the letters rep Young Money Cash Money Stoner Life as in Young Thug’s movement, that’s more confusing.
via Birdman Permanently Pays Homage To Young Thug | The Smoking Section.
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Tagged as Birdman, Birdman and cannibal capitalism, Birdman tattoo, Birdman tattoos alliance, cannibal capitalism, cannibal capitalism and hip hop, face tattoos and morality, moral commentary mediated harm, suffering and hip hop morality, tattoo, tattoos to communicate commitment, The Smoking Section, Young Thug