Rafi Kam and Underachieving Hip Hop Writers

Last month Rafi posted an exchange with Oh Word
contributor Abe Beame about why he didn't run a piece
about Stakes is High on his site.

Rafi is snarky. He points out my mistakes it irks the
sh-t out me. He also has a "write the f-ck better" tone.

That being said, after I read this exchange
I came to understand that he does it to everyone and
that, ironically, he would make a great editor, minus the
condescension.

In the excerpt below he goes back on forth with Abe
on the merits the De La Soul piece.

JayK4: If you follow the thought through to its conclusion, it invalidates theyre entire argument, theyre regelated to crotechedy old retards too stupid to know times have changed without them, thats why I struggled with it
JayK4: it basically says their entire thesis is a lie they hide behind so they dont have to face the truth
JayK4: you dont see that?
IRafi22: let me ask you something
IRafi22: when de la soul criticize the same thing about rap on de la soul is dead and buhloone mindstate
IRafi22: did it bother you then
JayK4: I was 9 when buhloone mindstate came out
IRafi22: ok i mean when you listen now
JayK4: I listened to it for the first time in college
JayK4: ummmm, not as much
JayK4: its more subtle
IRafi22: what are your thoughts on the album… is it similarly retarded and crotchety
JayK4: the impetus is the same
JayK4: but youre right craft matters
IRafi22: ok its more subtle.. but your problem wasnt the lack of subtlety
IRafi22: as stated it was thesis
IRafi22: and moral stance
JayK4: their message is more effective depending on delivery, very good IRafi22: no
IRafi22: not very good
IRafi22: very bad
JayK4: but not even more effective
IRafi22: JayK4: If you follow the thought through to its conclusion, it invalidates theyre entire argument, theyre regelated to crotechedy old retards too stupid to know times have changed without them, thats why I struggled with it
JayK4: your just caught up in the product
JayK4: yeah
IRafi22: do you realize how many things are wrong with that sentence
JayK4: enlighten me
IRafi22: 1) you dont give a thread of any sort to follow through
IRafi22: lets see from peoples comments who picks up on this being you calling de la crotchety old retards
IRafi22: lets see
JayK4: well its buhloone mindstate my friend
JayK4: subtelty
IRafi22: but without the genius
IRafi22: 2) you dont have the right to call de la crotchety old retards….
JayK4: you and noz might be offended
IRafi22: i’m not offended
IRafi22: i want coherence
IRafi22: and i want your execution
IRafi22: to match your intent
IRafi22: it does not
JayK4: you and noz might understand what my conclusion implies
IRafi22: you will earn the right to call de la crotchety old retards when you make a logical argument supporting it

"you will earn the right to call de la crotchety old retards when
you make a logical argument supporting it."

In many ways this is a rule that guides me as a writer.

All assertions need evidence, other wise you might get called out.

Sometimes, I write around the margins about things that maybe
5 or 6 people care about. Rafi's post reminded me of how both the
act of writing and the fact these 5 or 6 people read are meaningful because
it is about making a contribution.

I was glad to see that he stood up for De La. It reminds me
of how I go hard for Kanye. Like really? 808's is THAT bad?
Liking 808's is gay?The only valid emotion for Black men
is murderous rage? Uhhhh. Negatory.

Thank you Rafi.

De La Soul, crankety old men?
When was the last time someone irked you?
Thoughts on life on The Margins?