What’s up Gautamanation!!!

In an attempt to be more consistent with this blog I’ve decided to start up a new weekly post. Whiskey Wednesday will ultimately be a blog about my favorite flavor of poison, whiskey. However, currently I don’t have the budget to really get into the good stuff so instead I’ll spend the next five weeks breaking down the songs on my latest album, “Strong Medicine” while doing shots of Canadian Club. The reason this is fitting is that whiskey was one of the leading sources of inspiration for this record (I’m the Van Morrison of Rap.) I’ll even go through the grueling process of typing out the lyrics (before the shots of course) so that y’all can decipher my scatter-shot hip hop stylings.

We’ll begin with the title track, “Strong Medicine” produced by Ty Bru you can listen on the player below:

 
I got the phrase Strong Medicine from an episode of PBS’s “American Experience.” It was used to describe Tecumseh, the leader of a the most ambitious indigenous uprising against British colonization ever attempted on the North American continent. It is a term attributed to someone who is a charismatic leader. Essentially an individual who unifies people and demands the respect of his peers –regardless of weather they agree him– is said to be of “strong medicine.” The term resonated to me and I liked the play on words that it creates in the context of a rap album. My first two solo records were a pretty heavy on the social commentary and introspection so I wanted to veer away from that to a degree and thus “Strong Medicine” is my version of a “party record.” While there is still plenty of social commentary and introspection I framed this record in a more care-free manner. Where my previous offerings were created in the vacuum that is my warped mind, “Strong Medicine” comes from a place that’s much more relatable to the average listener. In essence I wanted to make a record about living life not just pondering on it. The reverb on the drums and the irreverent horn sample in Ty Bru’s beat made this the perfect title track by allowing for the double meaning of the term “strong medicine” to play out splendidly. Not only is “Strong Medicine” a statement of my own confidence and purpose but it’s also an exploration of the many methods we all use to cope with the daily struggles we all face. This song is also a statement on the state of health care in the U.S. and how the insurance industry relegates the poor and uninsured to having essentially no access to healthcare, particularly mental health services, which often leads to self-medication and substance abuse. Above that though this song is a declaration of the common person’s ability to overcome systemic oppression both overt and covert.

Verse One:

I guess it’s time to start the show so/ pour up the Jameson and spark the dro/ my end’s coming man it’s far too close/ but don’t ask me the next step because I hardly know/ but there’s one thing of which I’m quite certain/ and that’s as long as there’s a mic that’s workin’/ and a song that requires a nice hurtin’/ some life and tight verses than I’m right at your service/ so check your dosage these notions are so explosive/ corrosive when too potent but perfect with the proper components/ I’m seizing the moment pleased to step up and own it/ I’m reaching over fences to shake hands with dope poets/ and I’m feeling good y’all get like me/ I don’t care how you do it just get like me/ I’m quite free a little fucked up I might be/ but I’m likely to do the right thing - Spike Lee

Chorus:
So don’t be scared come on/ these diseases are weak and our medicine is strong

Verse Two:

Strong medicine feeling better than you’ve ever been/ steady regimen injected into your fleshy skin/ what are you sweatin’ you’re never gonna be president/ so just let go let it whisper in the wind/ because your H.M.O. don’t cover the shrink/ much less the meds so you smoke and drink/ I know you probably think you’re stumblin’ close the brink/ when coping mechanisms start turning to instincts/ but yo - I am the dude/ don’t eat rappers so feed me food/ when I’m up in West Virginia I’m chillin with B Rude/ and I brought the remedy to fix your mood/ so swallow that whole z-bar/ wash it down with a cold PBR/ we kill the microphones and leave the beat scarred/ we large, yes rest in peace to Jay Reatard

So there we have it sports fans, you’ve survived your first Whiskey Wednesday, now pour up a shot of something good and bump “Strong Medicine” LOUD. If you’d like your very own copy you can name your price HERE and if you liked what you read and want to motivate me to write more be sure to share to your networks and link up with me while you’re at it on Facebook and Twitter

Until Next Time

GG