What do you know about Revenge’s Rival? The idea of justice in the form of revenge is a prevalent topic when you consider the international conflicts taking place in the world. How can a nation claim it has been attacked, when they started the conflict? How can they seek justice for what could quite possibly be a retaliation for their own crimes against humanity? On this musical episode of The Axiom Amnesia Theory, Heit & Cheri challenge you to ask how we can rival this whole notion of revenge.
The show starts with a discussion on the recent killing of the U.S ambassador to Libya and the U.S. military response. You’ll also hear songs by K-Rino, Sinead O’Connor, The Williams Brothers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Vicious, Lowkey, and Lupe Fiasco.
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Segment 1
Song 1: “Hidden Agenda” – K-Rino
- K-Rino tells you everything that’s wrong with politics and social issues, paying particular attention to the media. He said so much in this one song!
- The government and media use the same methods to fool you, and you still fall for it every time. It’s perplexing to those who are paying attention to what’s happening.
- Discussion about the lyrics, “You don’t see it, but it’s right there in front of you.”
- Everyone in the media is not part of this mass conspiracy, but they are ultimately being used to advance the agenda. Many of the most prominent people believe what they are saying. The government knows how the media will respond to certain information. They also understand that the media heads will control the message.
- Discussion about how people are quick to believe people on TV, but will doubt the people in their own lives–people they actually know. People give more credibility to people who have lots of followers, as opposed to some Joe Schmo who isn’t famous.
- Cheri’s favorite line was “The truth was never taught by the enemy, and it won’t be.” The problem is people rely on the media–who represents the enemy–to tell them the truth. The whole point is to advance their agenda at your expense, the opposite of what’s best for you.
- Heit’s favorite part was about the 401K investments being gone because people manipulate the market. This is so true!
- Another of Cheri’s favorite parts was, “Did you give your soul away for a price that you can’t pay.” It really asks the question of whether you sold yourself out.
- Heit also loved the part where K-Rino makes reference to people buying clothes designed by people who are racist against their group. This is all part of the obsession with excess that we discuss all the time.
- Cheri also liked the reference to Planned Parenthood encouraging people to abort their children.
- Discussion of Planned Parenthood’s controversy related to its origins and its services.
Song 2: “Famine” – Sinead O’Connor
OK, I want to talk about Ireland
Specifically I want to talk about the “famine”
About the fact that there never really was one
There was no “famine”
See Irish people were only allowed to eat potatoes
All of the other food
Meat fish vegetables
Were shipped out of the country under armed guard
To England while the Irish people starved
And then on the middle of all this
They gave us money not to teach our children Irish
And so we lost our history
And this is what I think is still hurting me
See we’re like a child that’s been battered
Has to drive itself out of it’s head because it’s frightened
Still feels all the painful feelings
But they lose contact with the memory
And this leads to massive self-destruction
alcoholism, drug adiction
All desperate attempts at running
And in it’s worst form
Becomes actual killing
And if there ever is gonna be healing
There has to be remembering
And then grieving
So that there then can be forgiving
There has to be knowledge and understanding
All the lonely people
where do they all come from
An American army regulation Says you mustn’t kill more than 10% of a nation
‘Cos to do so causes permanent “psychological damage”
It’s not permanent but they didn’t know that
Anyway during the supposed “famine”
We lost a lot more than 10% of our nation
Through deaths on land or on ships of emigration
But what finally broke us was not starvation
but it’s use in the controlling of our education
Schools go on about “Black 47″
On and on about “The terrible famine”
But what they don’t say is in truth
There really never was one
(Excuse me)
All the lonely people
(I’m sorry, excuse me)
Where do they all come from
(that I can tell you in one word)
All the lonely people
where do they all belong
So let’s take a look shall we
The highest statistics of child abuse in the EEC
And we say we’re a Christian country
But we’ve lost contact with our history
See we used to worship God as a mother
We’re sufferin from post traumatic stress disorder
Look at all our old men in the pubs
Look at all our young people on drugs
We used to worship God as a mother
Now look at what we’re doing to each other
We’ve even made killers of ourselves
The most child-like trusting people in the Universe
And this is what’s wrong with us
Our history books the parent figures lied to us
I see the Irish
As a race like a child
That got itself basned in the face
And if there ever is gonna be healing
There has to be remembering
And then grieving
So that there then can be forgiving
There has to be knowledge and understanding
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from
- Discussion about the potato famine in Ireland that wasn’t actually a famine. This was Heit’s favorite part of the song, because it shows that the so-called famine was all constructed.
- Discussion of how famines are created today via imperialism, where governments go in and claim the farmers’ land, and then force the people to buy from them instead.
- Discussion about the historical rift between Ireland and England. The Irish were viewed as “less than” others, and this prejudice continued with Irish immigrants in America.
- Cheri’s favorite lyrics were, “And if there ever is gonna be healing, There has to be remembering, And then grieving, So that there then can be forgiving, There has to be knowledge and understanding.” Discussion about this in the context of Black slaves in America and the failure to acknowledge the wrong that was done.
- Discussion of the lyrics, “They gave us money not to teach our children Irish, And so we lost our history.” An example discussed is the loss of culture that occurs when Spanish-speaking immigrants choose not to teach their children Spanish, because they want them to be fully assimilated into American culture. The consequence is a loss of their own heritage and culture.
- Discussion about how America wants all other cultures to bend to its own culture.
- Discussion of how Sinead O’Connor uses this song to inform and convey history. We didn’t know that there wasn’t really a famine before hearing this song!
- Discussion about the notion of putting the information out there for people to become informed, regardless of the format. Even if there are different degrees of understanding, let people come, listen, and learn as they will.
Song 3: “I’m Just A Nobody” – The Williams Brothers
I was walking downtown one day,
and I saw a man that appeared to be just an old wino;
sitting on the streets, telling the people
about Jesus as they passed by.
And because he was all raggedy and dirty,
people would just laugh and make fun
of the old man and walk on by.
And he said because of the way I am,
no money, no fancy clothes, no fine homes and cars,
alot of people consider me as nothing,
and say I don’t know what I am talking about.
But there is one thing that he said
that really touched my heart and stayed on my mind,
when that old man looked up and said…Chorus:
I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody,
about somebody, who can save anybody.I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody,
about somebody, who can save anybody.Verse 1:
And he said, “I’ve had so many problems in my life,
that I just couldn’t deal with so I started drinking,
thought it would help ease my pain.
But things got worse, so I said,
‘Lord I give up I’m in your hands’,
and that’s when my life began to change,
but these people think…”Chorus
Verse 2:
And he said, “On the streets day and night,
that’s my life, that’s my home,
ain’t got nowhere else I could go.
So I just walk the streets,
telling the people about Jesus
from corner to corner, from door to door;
but they all make fun of me and say…Chorus
Vamp:
Save, save,
save your soul.Chorus
- This is a song Heit remembers from his childhood. He especially likes the chorus of the song, because of the literary play on the word “body.” He also loves the whole sound of the song and the message that people are often blown off by others because of their station in life–or their perceived station.
- Cheri likes that the song feels heavy and emotional. It’s the kind of song that will cause a catharsis or purging of feelings.
- The whole song is really about “packaging”–the way something is supposed to look–rather than the content.
- At some point in our life, we’ve all felt like a nobody, and this makes the song relatable.
- Discussion about the preoccupation with the look of a thing.
- Heit said that this song reminded him of a lyric by Immortal Technique in the song “Sign Of The Times,” which said:
Imagine the word of god without religious groupies
Imagine a savior born in a Mexican hoopty
Persecuted single mother in a modern manger
You’ll crucify him again like a fucking stranger. - Discussion of the lesson that you never know from whence an important message might come.
- Discussion of the lyrics:
And he said, “I’ve had so many problems in my life,
that I just couldn’t deal with so I started drinking,
thought it would help ease my pain.
- You never really know how a person got into that circumstance.
Song 4: “Hit Em Up Style” – Carolina Chocolate Drops
While he was scheming
I was beamin’ in the beamer, just beamin’
Can’t believe that I caught my man cheatin’
So I found another way to make him pay for it allSo I went
To Neiman-Marcus on a shopping spree
And on the way I grabbed Soley and Mia
And as the cash box rang I threw everything awayHey ladies
When your man wanna get buckwild
Just go back and hit ‘em up style
Put your hands on his cash
And spend it to the last dime for all the hard timesOh, when you go then everything goes
From the crib to the ride and the clothes
So you better let him know that
If he messed up, you gotta hit ‘em upThere goes the dreams we used to say
There goes the time we went away
There goes the love I had but you cheated on me
And that’s worth that nowThere goes the house we made a home
There goes you’ll never leave me alone
There goes the lies you told
This is what you oweWhile he was braggin’
I was coming down the hill and just draggin’
All his pictures and his clothes in the bag and
Sold everything else till there was just nothin’ leftAnd I paid
All the bills about a month too late
It’s a shame we have to play these games
The love we had just fades away, fades awayHey ladies
When your man wanna get buckwild
Just go back and hit ‘em up style
Put your hands on his cash
And spend it to the last dime for all the hard timesOh, when you go then everything goes
From the crib to the ride and the clothes
So you better let him know that
If he messed up, you gotta hit ‘em upHey ladies
When your man wanna get buckwild
Just go back and hit ‘em up style
Put your hands on his cash
And spend it to the last dime for all the hard timesOh, when you go then everything goes
From the crib to the ride and the clothes
So you better let him know that
If he messed up, you gotta hit ‘em up
- This song was referred to us by our good friend, Syd from Canada. This song is a cover of Blu Cantrell’s original version. The original song came out
- The genius of this song is that it describes a situation that a lot of women can relate to.
- Discussion of The Carolina Chocolate Drops’ style of music and dress. It reminds you of a funky version of songs and instruments that you might hear on that old show Hee Haw. They are not about the presentation, but the music.
- Discussion about the low bar set by popular music today.
- Discussion about the psychology of stimulating the senses in such a way that you can be fooled into believing that something is better than it really is–especially when it comes to pairing music with images.
- This song made the women feel good about the revenge of hitting a cheating man in their pocket book. Discussion relating this to the way that countries are trying to hit Iran in the pocketbook with the economic sanctions.
- Cheri also loved the way the vocalist delivered the song.
Song 5: “Understand” – Vicious
- As a bit of trivia, Vicious was actually charged with terrorism, allegedly related to a shooting. This is the first time that Lafayette Parish has used that charge on anyone.
- This song talks about the challenges of trying to make it as a single mother.
- Heit likes that the song is a conversation between a man and a woman–a duet–who are not in a relationship. The song is from a different angle than a typical male/female love song.
- Cheri’s favorite line was when she keeps singing, “I’m not a hoe, I’m not a hoe,” at the end of the song. Being branded as a hoe is something that most women want to avoid, because of the social repercussions of that designation.
- Heit’s favorite line was, “You got the art you got the skills, Know how to pick ‘em out,” because she had the package, but she also had the skill to target the right men to help her with her situation. That is a talent–all part of her charisma. She was talented in the same way as a preacher or a politician. She was just applying it in a difference scenario.
Song 6: “Dreamers” – Lowkey Ft. Mai Khalil
[Intro]
This one is dedicated to the dreamers
Most people see things that are there and ask why
Dreamers, see things that aren’t there and ask why not
I’m dreamin’ with you[Verse 1]
I once knew a girl who on the surface was as solid as a rock
Future full of promise and mind seemed stronger than a ox
Face of beauty and a tongue was as honest as it got
That wasn’t what is was, problem rock bottom she was lost
I couldn’t see this sweet genius was full of secrets
Full of demons that pulled her deeper in this pool of leeches
Confused by the news, I was bruised when they told me
It concludes to the truth, was she consumed by the loneliness?
She was a true queen, nothing like Elizabeth
Often caught her starin’ into space with a distant look
Considerate but detached from others even when intimate
Now I’m searchin’ for answers I’d never find in a book
Last time I saw her, before the day she took her life
I wish I fixed her pain, I shoulda, coulda, woulda tried,
But I took it personally and turned to leave,
And to this day I’m still haunted by the words she screamed..[Hook]
Sometimes I really really hate myself
Sometimes I wish that I could change myself
Sometimes I don’t wanna give no more
And sometimes I just don’t wanna live no more
Sometimes I don’t know where to go for help
Sometimes I don’t really know myself
Sometimes I wish that I could fly away
And find away to a brighter day[Verse 2]
They say that life is a question and death is the answer
But Niko lost his brother and Rewds lost his father
God bless your souls please know that I love you both
They say time heals but the pain still doesn’t go
I’ve seen my brother die and seen my mother cry
Seen the wind change in the flutter of a butterfly
Seen people get sectioned for life, I think and wonder
A small twist of fate, that could’ve been my brother
25 years a life could say thus far
I always have wondered who the same ones are
Though I live by the words fear not I’m afraid
When I wrote this so many tears dropped on the page
It’s mad how death always manifests in the weirdest ways
Won’t go near the grave but in my dreams he appears the same
Then I get closer and see his face, it’s clear as day
He looks me deep in the eyes and I hear him say…[Hook]
Sometimes I really really hate myself
Sometimes I wish that I could change myself
Sometimes I don’t wanna give no more
And sometimes I just don’t wanna live no more
Sometimes I don’t know where to go for help
Sometimes I don’t really know myself
Sometimes I wish that I could fly away
And find away to a brighter day
[repeat]
- Lowkey announced earlier this year that he will be retiring from music to concentrate on his studies.
- When Heit sings this song in public, people look at him funny. Nobody ever tries to help though.
- Mai Khalil and Lowkey sound so good together on the hook.
- Discussion of the evolution of the quote Lowkey says at the beginning of the song; “Most people see things that are there and ask why. Dreamers, see things that aren’t there and ask why not.” That quote embodies Axiom Amnesia.
- Discussion about the woman in the song killing herself. Heit says that this reminds him of something Scarface said in the the song “Suicide Note,” where he finds out that his friend is dead after he blew him off.
- Discussion about the woman in the song seeming to have it all, yet she had issues that she couldn’t get past–issues that ultimately led to her suicide. It doesn’t matter what everyone else sees in that person if they don’t see it themselves.
- Discussion of Lowkey’s accent in the song.
- We hope that Lowkey isn’t really retiring for good.
Song 7: “Intruder Alert” – Lupe Fiasco ft. Sarah Green
She said, “There was no love in her heart”
‘Cause one day, a rapist attacked her and broke that all apart
She said, “There was no way to fix it or to cover her scars”
Then one day a guy came along that probably could help her startHe was sincere made her believe it was safe for her to trust again
Before long, she was cool with givin’ hugs to him
Knew that it was right, ’cause somethin’ was wrong
The alarms in her mind didn’t tell her he didn’t belong there was noIntruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
Alert, alert, alert, alert
Intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
Alert, alert, alert, alertHe said, “Nobody else ever loved him”
That’s why, he get high enough to go touch the heavens above him
Vividly remembers every pipe, every needle that stuck him
Every alley he ever slept in, every purse that he snuck inEvery level of hell he’s been to, and the one that he’s stuck in
No wonder he can’t escape, even though it’s of his own construction
Maybe you can relate, maybe you just one of those that just doesn’t
Maybe he doesn’t care, loves to allow these demons to come in with noIntruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
Alert, alert, alert, alert
Intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
Alert, alert, alert, alertFamine strikin’ his home-land and no social standin’
And the economic peckin’ order
Emergency relief distribution systems is in disorder
He’s checkin’ water, makin’ sure it’s safe enough for his daughterTo float across in the boat he built
Hopefully strong enough to support her
Prayin’ border patrols don’t catch her ass
Process and deport herBefore she reach the shore, of the land of the free
Where they feed you, treat you like equals
Deceive you, stamp you and call you illegal
And there’s anIntruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
Alert, alert, alert, alert
Intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
Alert, alert, alert, alertThere’s someone here and it’s not me how could this be?
I locked my doors, get my armies on my shore
They pulled my rockets and my sky, I’m so fortified
I built my wall so high, so why oh why are there?Intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
Intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
Intruder, intruder, intruder, intruder
- Lupe Fiasco says that his upcoming album will be his last, after Chicago rapper Chief Keef attacked him on Twitter regarding his comments related to the killing of another Chicago rapper Jojo.
- Everyone is in love with Lupe Fiasco because of his recent song, “Bitch Bad.” People act like this is his first great work. They just weren’t paying attention to what he was doing before.
- Discussion about an interview in which Lupe Fiasco explained why the record label wasn’t promoting his projects.
- Mention that there will be new evidence released in the Trayvon Martin case in the next few days, and discussion that the Black media is missing from the list of media recipients. It is a shame that they choose not to get the information directly from the source. If Axiom Amnesia can afford to pay for it, so can they. And you wonder why Black media is dead…
- Heit & Cheri really like the hook of this song, but their favorite part was:
Emergency relief distribution systems is in disorder
He’s checkin’ water, makin’ sure it’s safe enough for his daughterTo float across in the boat he built
Hopefully strong enough to support her
Prayin’ border patrols don’t catch her ass
Process and deport herBefore she reach the shore, of the land of the free
Where they feed you, treat you like equals
Deceive you, stamp you and call you illegal
- Discussion about these lyrics and the struggle that a lot of people face in their home countries and when they come to America.
- This song is really a commentary on different social conditions that intrude upon our lives.
- Discussion that most Americans have no idea of the social conditions faced by people in the world. People think that just because they have traveled as a tourist or on business that they have seen the state in which the poor people of that country live–not true.
