Author Archives: The General

Please Note: Strong Language in audio track.

Fourteen days ago there were riots all over England, but I have made it the policy ICU Online will not serve any political agenda’s mainly because this is a entertainment network.  So without stepping into politricks I should first explain the MC is Rhymestein, he is a good friend of mine and with all that has been said in the media about London youth, rap music, UK black culture, I found it interesting to be able to see both sides of the spectrum.

You see I have the unique opportunity to know the author of these lyrics and I know how he sees life, and I also know people who are, (hmm how do I describe this correctly?) affraid of people like Rhymestein, because he wears a hood, is a rapper, oh and he is black.

I have seen the frustration Rhymes’s generation feel, they are asked to conform to a world they find false. Their standards and values do not match the standards and values of the society that they feel oppressed by. When a man feels frustrated, blocked, shut down, ignored, down trodden, ten thousand years of human history tells the human spirit will rebel, rise up, something must (will) happen to address the balance.

Where is Rome now, Babylon, Persia, Egypt? Our history dictates every era has its great empires, its great leaders, its oppressed people, its underdogs, its heroes and its villains. Rhymestien’s represents the heroes from a down trodden people, much like Robin hood in his day, because many youth who listen to these lyrics understand the emotion behind the words, they feel every sentence, verse and word. They hear what Rhymes is saying and hear the positive message between the lines.

But to the people in grey suits who streer our country they hear curse words, violence, talk of sexual activity and have no way to relate to any of this.

There is no opportunity for Rhymstein to go to university an polish his skills at the highest levels,  and the people who have the honor and privileged to shape our country have made sure this opportunity is completely nonexistent. Therefore Rhymes and people like him have to tap into their entreprenurial spirit and find other ways and means by which they live their dreams.

You will find Rhymes and people like him were not involved in the looting of these riots, instead he has his head in books trying to educate himself and expand his knowledge of his chosen profession. To Rhymestein turning to this government for help would be as useful as turning to a brick wall for a conversation. (Opps, did I just get political? sorry.)

How do we bridge the gap between our youth (who are the future of the UK) and our Leaders, (people who have the ability to pour money into educations etc)?

Well while we all figure out how to build that bridge, ICU Online will continue to find and host material from talented individuals like Rhymestein.

On the record, ICU Online is a huge supporter for underdogs and we are constantly thinking of ways to give hope and opportunity to young inspiring adults. If you have a way and means to assist in this venture feel free to contact me and get involved.

Please keep in mind the information super highway will fill our children’s minds with the way some people live, and if a person cannot understand why some people have, and others have not, there opens a door for negative emotion which can only lead to negative actions.

If we are able to educate our peers, realize the problem is not the governments, they have not the understanding nor the ability to solve this problem, the real leaders and heroes will acknowledge the problem is our own, when we role up our sleeves and then work with our inspiring youth and young adults, not as part of some government run scheme, but as a volunteer of your own initiative or as a social entrepreneur, as a role model, then maybe there will be hope for our future.

But if we do not invest in the future of the UK, where will we be in 20 years time?

Log On, Tune In and Chill Out.