Where is the Ludacris-free zone?
March 9, 2008 8:53 AM Subscribe
The ever-wonderful Strange Maps blog comes up with the goods again: Area codes in which Ludacris claims to have 'hoes'. "I’m a female and a feminist. I dislike the usage of the word ‘ho’. However, as a geography major, I find this song hilarious, and had to map it,” says Stephanie Gray, referring to Area Codes [NSFW] by the rap artist Ludacris... In this song, Ludacris brags about the area codes where he knows women, whom he refers to as ‘hoes’,” says Ms Gray, who plotted out all the area codes mentioned in this song on a map of the United States. She arrived at some interesting conclusions as to the locations of this rapper’s preferred female companionship."
what the hell? ludacris is rapping about nebraskle?
posted by MNDZ at 9:00 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by MNDZ at 9:00 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
“There is a ‘ho belt’ phenomenon nearly synonymous with the ‘Bible Belt’.”
In the 80s, one of my sisters also had a ho belt. She wore it quite often.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:14 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
In the 80s, one of my sisters also had a ho belt. She wore it quite often.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:14 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
One piece of data on the map contradicts the text: Ludacris' reference to area code 808 is clearly intended to reference Hawaii, not the scientist-infested Midway/Wake island combo.
posted by user92371 at 9:16 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by user92371 at 9:16 AM on March 9, 2008
“Ludacris has hoes in the Midway and Wake Islands. Only scientists are allowed to inhabit the Midway Islands, and only military personnel may inhabit the Wake Islands. Draw your own conclusion.”
posted by Locative at 9:17 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by Locative at 9:17 AM on March 9, 2008
“Ludacris has a disproportionate ho-zone in rural Nebraska. He might favor white women as much as he does black women, or perhaps, girls who farm.”
Funny. But of course, the area code in question includes Omaha and Lincoln.
posted by dw at 9:23 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Funny. But of course, the area code in question includes Omaha and Lincoln.
posted by dw at 9:23 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Ludacris' reference to area code 808 is clearly intended to reference Hawaii, not the scientist-infested Midway/Wake island combo.
Oops, I always figured he was referring to the Roland TR-808 drum machine.
posted by mkb at 9:25 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Oops, I always figured he was referring to the Roland TR-808 drum machine.
posted by mkb at 9:25 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Is this what passes for academic scholarship these days?
posted by 45moore45 at 9:35 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by 45moore45 at 9:35 AM on March 9, 2008
Is this what passes for academic scholarship these days?
Because serious academic scholarship is frequently published on blogs.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:46 AM on March 9, 2008 [10 favorites]
Because serious academic scholarship is frequently published on blogs.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:46 AM on March 9, 2008 [10 favorites]
Holy fuck, that's gotta be among the worst songs I've ever heard.
posted by dobbs at 9:56 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by dobbs at 9:56 AM on March 9, 2008
Maybe he just picked the ones he did 'cause they're easy to rhyme.
This song came out in 2001 by the way.
posted by BeerFilter at 9:58 AM on March 9, 2008
This song came out in 2001 by the way.
posted by BeerFilter at 9:58 AM on March 9, 2008
I love the comparison to "I've been Everywhere." Could we get a side-by-side map comparison, please?
posted by piratebowling at 10:00 AM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by piratebowling at 10:00 AM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
They should have done a comparative analysis examining the dialectics behind his substitute argument of having pros in the same locations. That could have yielded a substantive examination of the disparate message provided via official broadcast mediums like radios and television, and underground, community-based channels. Is this an attempt at suggesting unification of the two groups? Is this bifurcation an attempt to cause strife between them? Or perhaps this is a more veiled commentary, aided by a homophone, to suggest that while the mainstream might claim to acknowledge your skills, expertise and professionalism, that behind the scenes there is still a glass ceiling?
Indeed, perhaps Theater of the Mind will provide the additional critiques I think many of us await.
posted by cashman at 10:09 AM on March 9, 2008 [12 favorites]
Indeed, perhaps Theater of the Mind will provide the additional critiques I think many of us await.
posted by cashman at 10:09 AM on March 9, 2008 [12 favorites]
Cashman, I'd love to see you on a talk show saying that sitting across Ludicris. It'd be fun to watch his head explode trying to figure out what you are saying. Yes, make him parse out the precise meaning of 'ho. After that, perhaps we can have a dialog on what exactly the term "hook up" means since it seems to mean different things to different people. Carry on.
posted by 45moore45 at 10:13 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by 45moore45 at 10:13 AM on March 9, 2008
Those are some of the most retarded lyrics I've read of late.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:21 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by five fresh fish at 10:21 AM on March 9, 2008
Especially in comparison to the Leonard Cohen song we explored the other day.
On the other hand, Ludicrous has probably 100x the wealth of Lenny. One should never underestimate the rank ignorance and stupidity of the public when producing one's media. The road to riches is paved with vapidity.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:24 AM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
On the other hand, Ludicrous has probably 100x the wealth of Lenny. One should never underestimate the rank ignorance and stupidity of the public when producing one's media. The road to riches is paved with vapidity.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:24 AM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
I wonder if that data also maps to major colleges and universities (where "major" means a large enough student population to support music tours).
And that is a great blog. I didn't know there were German and Italian enclaves in Switzerland.
posted by dws at 10:32 AM on March 9, 2008
And that is a great blog. I didn't know there were German and Italian enclaves in Switzerland.
posted by dws at 10:32 AM on March 9, 2008
Yes, yes I'm sure Ludacris is stupid because he's a black rapper.
posted by basicchannel at 10:36 AM on March 9, 2008 [5 favorites]
posted by basicchannel at 10:36 AM on March 9, 2008 [5 favorites]
Ludacris’s ideal ‘ho-highway’ would be I-95.
Is ho-highway already a song? If not, I foresee that imminently.
dws, I was wondering about the music tour connection, myself.
posted by salvia at 10:43 AM on March 9, 2008
Is ho-highway already a song? If not, I foresee that imminently.
dws, I was wondering about the music tour connection, myself.
posted by salvia at 10:43 AM on March 9, 2008
To have written California Girls one must assume that the Beach Boys had had relations with East Coast girls, Southern girls, farmer's daughters from the Mid-West, Northern Girls, tanned girls from the West Coast and girls who wear bikinis on Hawaii, as well as California girls. Where exactly does this leave?
posted by muthecow at 10:46 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by muthecow at 10:46 AM on March 9, 2008
It'd be fun to watch his head explode trying to figure out what you are saying.
Why would you assume he's stupid? Ludacris (Christopher Bridges) is a college graduate and incredibly successful entrepreneur:
Not bad. You may not like his music, but nothing in all that makes me think he's stupid--your comment does make me think you should re-examine your prejudices, however.
posted by LooseFilter at 11:05 AM on March 9, 2008 [21 favorites]
Why would you assume he's stupid? Ludacris (Christopher Bridges) is a college graduate and incredibly successful entrepreneur:
Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings. Ludacris is tied with Nelly for the title of the hip-hop solo artist with the second most Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits (four each). He has sold more than thirteen million records in the U.S. alone. He is also the rapper with the most Top 40, Top 25 and Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 Hits of all time.Not bad for someone who started by selling CDs from the trunk of his car. He has also challenged public figures like Bill O'Reilly and Oprah Winfrey for anti-hip hop bias he perceives as unfair. Finally, he is also a restaurateur, opening a $3+ million dollar venture in his hometown of Atlanta, with 2 or 3 more to follow elsewhere.
Not bad. You may not like his music, but nothing in all that makes me think he's stupid--your comment does make me think you should re-examine your prejudices, however.
posted by LooseFilter at 11:05 AM on March 9, 2008 [21 favorites]
muthecow: "To have written California Girls one must assume that the Beach Boys had had relations with East Coast girls, Southern girls, farmer's daughters from the Mid-West, Northern Girls, tanned girls from the West Coast and girls who wear bikinis on Hawaii, as well as California girls. Where exactly does this leave?"
Well, since they've also "been all around this great big world/ And seen all kinds of girls", not many places. Utah perhaps?
posted by patricio at 11:11 AM on March 9, 2008
Well, since they've also "been all around this great big world/ And seen all kinds of girls", not many places. Utah perhaps?
posted by patricio at 11:11 AM on March 9, 2008
What is up with people from western cultures and their obsessive need to feel superior to things.
On the other hand, Ludicrous has probably 100x the wealth of Lenny. One should never underestimate the rank ignorance and stupidity of the public when producing one's media. The road to riches is paved with vapidity.
So a guy who wriress songs about runaways, anger and privacy is vapid. Really.
posted by Rubbstone at 11:19 AM on March 9, 2008
On the other hand, Ludicrous has probably 100x the wealth of Lenny. One should never underestimate the rank ignorance and stupidity of the public when producing one's media. The road to riches is paved with vapidity.
So a guy who wriress songs about runaways, anger and privacy is vapid. Really.
posted by Rubbstone at 11:19 AM on March 9, 2008
cris is hilarious, and i am 100% sure that he would appreciate the map
posted by [son] QUAALUDE at 11:19 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by [son] QUAALUDE at 11:19 AM on March 9, 2008
I want an analysis of:
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
They Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, come on
I'm back in the USSR
posted by nat at 11:20 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
They Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, come on
I'm back in the USSR
posted by nat at 11:20 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Luda's not a bad guy, but does he have as many hos as international mack Ricky Nelson?
posted by box at 11:21 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 11:21 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
The science is conclusive: Hostess cakes are widely available and Ludacrisly delicious.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:28 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:28 AM on March 9, 2008
She forgot 314 (outside of St. Louis)
Credibility of the map is shot. [01:35 in the linked video]
Seriously, this is pretty awesome. I've always wondered where Ludacris gets around, and it turns out to be most populated places. I was most surprised no snowbunnies -- nobody in Colorado, you'd think he'd have someone in Vail or something.
posted by leffler at 11:33 AM on March 9, 2008
Credibility of the map is shot. [01:35 in the linked video]
Seriously, this is pretty awesome. I've always wondered where Ludacris gets around, and it turns out to be most populated places. I was most surprised no snowbunnies -- nobody in Colorado, you'd think he'd have someone in Vail or something.
posted by leffler at 11:33 AM on March 9, 2008
He was also brilliant in the Academy Award winning movie Crash.
posted by netbros at 11:37 AM on March 9, 2008
posted by netbros at 11:37 AM on March 9, 2008
The science is conclusive: Hostess cakes are widely available and Ludacrisly delicious.
Here. Have some ho-hos.
posted by Wolfdog at 11:50 AM on March 9, 2008
Here. Have some ho-hos.
posted by Wolfdog at 11:50 AM on March 9, 2008
A much better Johnny Cash comparison would be to "Wanted Man":
Wanted man in California,
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City,
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi,
Wanted man in ol' Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
I might be in Colorado,
Or Georgia by the sea
Working for some man who may not know at all who I might be
If you ever see me coming and if you know who I am
Don't you breathe it to nobody 'cause you know I'm on the lamb
Wanted man by Lucy Watson,
Wanted man by Jeannie Brown
Wanted man by Nellie Johnson,
Wanted man in this next town
I've had all that I wanted of a lot of things I've had
And a lot more than I needed of some things that turned out bad
I got sidetracked in El Paso,
Stopped to get myself a map
Went the wrong way in Pleura with Juanita on my back
Went to sleep in Shreveport,
Woke up in Abilene
Wonderin' why I'm wanted at some town half way in between
Wanted man in Albuquerque,
Wanted man in Syracuse
Wanted man in Tallahassee,
Wanted man in Baton Rouge
There's somebody set to grab me
Anywhere that I might be
And wherever you might look tonight
You might get a glimpse of me
Wanted man in California,
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City,
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi,
Wanted man in ol' Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man.
posted by vito90 at 11:59 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Wanted man in California,
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City,
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi,
Wanted man in ol' Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
I might be in Colorado,
Or Georgia by the sea
Working for some man who may not know at all who I might be
If you ever see me coming and if you know who I am
Don't you breathe it to nobody 'cause you know I'm on the lamb
Wanted man by Lucy Watson,
Wanted man by Jeannie Brown
Wanted man by Nellie Johnson,
Wanted man in this next town
I've had all that I wanted of a lot of things I've had
And a lot more than I needed of some things that turned out bad
I got sidetracked in El Paso,
Stopped to get myself a map
Went the wrong way in Pleura with Juanita on my back
Went to sleep in Shreveport,
Woke up in Abilene
Wonderin' why I'm wanted at some town half way in between
Wanted man in Albuquerque,
Wanted man in Syracuse
Wanted man in Tallahassee,
Wanted man in Baton Rouge
There's somebody set to grab me
Anywhere that I might be
And wherever you might look tonight
You might get a glimpse of me
Wanted man in California,
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City,
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi,
Wanted man in ol' Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man.
posted by vito90 at 11:59 AM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
I was amused to see that he only had hometown girls in Atlanta proper and not in any of the suburbs.
posted by hydropsyche at 12:07 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by hydropsyche at 12:07 PM on March 9, 2008
It's pretty impressive how he managed to hit most of the major metropolitan areas of the country, and it makes me wonder how he wrote the lyrics -- with an area code map like this one, or did he actually go through his contacts looking for entries with the tag "ho". In either case, the inclusion of Nebraska is interesting -- must be because of the University, right? Omaha's not that hip, is it?
posted by Rock Steady at 2:14 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by Rock Steady at 2:14 PM on March 9, 2008
It's always great when someone mentions a rapper on the Internet. Especially a rich, successful rapper. Latent thinly veiled racism ahoy! Set sail for the isle of Hurf De Durf! Yes, I'm sure Ludacris is totally stupid, despite being a college-educated entrepreneur who could buy and sell all the female members of your family. He totally makes music you don't like!
For the record, I'm not really a fan (my tastes in hip-hop tend more towards east coast artists), but not because I assume he's stupid and vapid and OBSESSED WIT DE BOOTY because he's a successful black musician.
posted by DecemberBoy at 2:19 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
For the record, I'm not really a fan (my tastes in hip-hop tend more towards east coast artists), but not because I assume he's stupid and vapid and OBSESSED WIT DE BOOTY because he's a successful black musician.
posted by DecemberBoy at 2:19 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Q, DB, what ism is it when you price on women like that?
posted by Wood at 2:39 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Wood at 2:39 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
For that matter, DB, what is it when you want to put someone down you reach for a slur on "their" women. For you thinly veiling your sexism would be a step up.
posted by Wood at 2:44 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by Wood at 2:44 PM on March 9, 2008
Oh, for fuck's sake. I originally had "all the members of your family", as the old cliche normally goes, but I changed it to "the female members of your family" because it's funnier given the subject of the song. That's funny. It's funny to imagine all the hoes in all the area codes including someone's great aunt Ethyl. Or no wait, it must be THINLY VEILED MISOGYNY! The guy calling out others on the thinly veiled racism that pops up whenever a successful rapper is himself a card carrying member of the He-Man Woman Haters' Club! Doesn't that just fit everything into a nice little package?
P-shaw.
posted by DecemberBoy at 2:51 PM on March 9, 2008
P-shaw.
posted by DecemberBoy at 2:51 PM on March 9, 2008
I too thought "what, but not the men? he could only buy the women? because they earn less or something?" Then I started thinking about the ERA, but I'm pretty sure that's not where you were going with it.
posted by salvia at 3:10 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by salvia at 3:10 PM on March 9, 2008
Doesn't that just fit everything into a nice little package?
It's not the size of the package that counts, it's how many zip codes it gets delivered to.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:13 PM on March 9, 2008 [3 favorites]
It's not the size of the package that counts, it's how many zip codes it gets delivered to.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:13 PM on March 9, 2008 [3 favorites]
Now that you explain it I can see your comment is hilarious. Comic genius. Also I was suggesting that it was misogyny neither thin nor veiled but that's a dead letter at this point.
posted by Wood at 3:14 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by Wood at 3:14 PM on March 9, 2008
When this map is found to match up with where V2 rockets are falling, we're going to have to take a closer look at Ludacris's early sexual conditioning.
posted by Schmucko at 3:24 PM on March 9, 2008 [6 favorites]
posted by Schmucko at 3:24 PM on March 9, 2008 [6 favorites]
(my tastes in hip-hop tend more towards east coast artists),
LOOK UP ATLANTA ON A MAP
posted by mkb at 3:25 PM on March 9, 2008 [7 favorites]
LOOK UP ATLANTA ON A MAP
posted by mkb at 3:25 PM on March 9, 2008 [7 favorites]
Area codes? That's scraping the bottom of the creativity barrel.
posted by 517 at 3:44 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by 517 at 3:44 PM on March 9, 2008
Damnit! I was working on a t-shirt just like that map called "Ludacris' National Ho Coverage".
Back to the drawing board, I guess.
posted by Down10 at 3:47 PM on March 9, 2008
Back to the drawing board, I guess.
posted by Down10 at 3:47 PM on March 9, 2008
Oh, and I can't wait to hear five fresh fish bust some freestyle rhymes to match Ludacris, since he likes to talk a lot of trash. If he won't do it, you know what he can do.
posted by Down10 at 4:05 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by Down10 at 4:05 PM on March 9, 2008
Ludacris is a piker.
Santa has hos in every ZIP code.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:17 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Santa has hos in every ZIP code.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:17 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Apparently you've classified the entire population of this thread under the flag of "white liberal knee jerk political correctness". You're little swipe at "academic scholarship" was also revealing, since you seem to think 15 minutes spent feeding zip codes into GIS software then posting the results to a blog is what "academia" really does.
posted by Jimbob at 4:29 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by Jimbob at 4:29 PM on March 9, 2008
leffler: "She forgot 314 (outside of St. Louis)
Credibility of the map is shot. [01:35 in the linked video]
"
St. Louis is properly colored on the map, 314 is printed Northwest of the city but there's a line pointing down to the city proper. 636 is the area code for the surrounding area just outside the metro area.
posted by Science! at 4:50 PM on March 9, 2008
Credibility of the map is shot. [01:35 in the linked video]
"
St. Louis is properly colored on the map, 314 is printed Northwest of the city but there's a line pointing down to the city proper. 636 is the area code for the surrounding area just outside the metro area.
posted by Science! at 4:50 PM on March 9, 2008
You dumb fucks can all kiss my ass
Cause I only cut on the bias
I'm a couture diva sew-and-sew
Not a liberal knee jerk fashion ho
Made the heads at 212 explode
And I'm fierce!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:55 PM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
Cause I only cut on the bias
I'm a couture diva sew-and-sew
Not a liberal knee jerk fashion ho
Made the heads at 212 explode
And I'm fierce!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:55 PM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
It doesn't appear that she even used a GIS program, but simply used bucket fill on an already existing map. Although she's still a student, any self respecting geographer would have used a GIS program (at my university ArcGIS seems to be the program of choice) to make it more accessible for spatial analysis.
posted by Mr Mister at 4:59 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by Mr Mister at 4:59 PM on March 9, 2008
Perhaps this Ludacris fellow should be doing Verizon commercials or something. He could totally have a calling plan named after him. Marketing opportunities, people!
Anyhooooo, as for the fact that he owns restaurants being cited as proof that he's smart... I don't know anything about his brains but regarding the validity of that as an argument I beg to differ. I mean... you really think owning a restaurant means someone is intelligent? No, usually they just have enough money to hire top level financial advisors, food industry and business experts to handle and arrange most everything. (I doubt Ludacris is ordering lettuce and juggling his own restaurant books any more than Robert DeNiro or J-Lo are.) And yet even with talented teams behind a business, celebrity restaurants still fail quickly more often than not -- if one stays in business for more than five years, it's a shock. The fact is that the fame of the owner might help during the first six months but it never really helps a business acheive long term success... people have to like the food and the place itself or there's no repeat business for longevity. For an example of a celebrity restaurant that stands on its own, Cathy Moriarty makes a kickass (and GIGANTIC) pizza.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:16 PM on March 9, 2008
Anyhooooo, as for the fact that he owns restaurants being cited as proof that he's smart... I don't know anything about his brains but regarding the validity of that as an argument I beg to differ. I mean... you really think owning a restaurant means someone is intelligent? No, usually they just have enough money to hire top level financial advisors, food industry and business experts to handle and arrange most everything. (I doubt Ludacris is ordering lettuce and juggling his own restaurant books any more than Robert DeNiro or J-Lo are.) And yet even with talented teams behind a business, celebrity restaurants still fail quickly more often than not -- if one stays in business for more than five years, it's a shock. The fact is that the fame of the owner might help during the first six months but it never really helps a business acheive long term success... people have to like the food and the place itself or there's no repeat business for longevity. For an example of a celebrity restaurant that stands on its own, Cathy Moriarty makes a kickass (and GIGANTIC) pizza.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:16 PM on March 9, 2008
as for the fact that he owns restaurants being cited as proof that he's smart...
[pedant] (actually, cited as part of a larger point that he is a very successful entrepreneur, and nothing was cited to prove that he was smart, merely that an assumption of stupidity is clearly off-base.) [/pedant]
posted by LooseFilter at 5:32 PM on March 9, 2008
[pedant] (actually, cited as part of a larger point that he is a very successful entrepreneur, and nothing was cited to prove that he was smart, merely that an assumption of stupidity is clearly off-base.) [/pedant]
posted by LooseFilter at 5:32 PM on March 9, 2008
I doubt Ludacris is ordering lettuce and juggling his own restaurant books any more than Robert DeNiro or J-Lo are.
I'm not so sure about that. I'll quote a brief excerpt from Ludacris' guest spot on Fergie's "Glamorous":
posted by Rock Steady at 5:39 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
I'm not so sure about that. I'll quote a brief excerpt from Ludacris' guest spot on Fergie's "Glamorous":
I'm talking Champagne wishes, caviar dreamsEmphasis mine.
You deserve nothing but all the finer things
Now this whole world has no clue to do with us
I've got enough money in the bank for the two of us
Brother gotta keep enough lettuce
To support your shoe fetish
posted by Rock Steady at 5:39 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Who is assuming Ludicris is stupid? Don't put words in my mouth. His head would explode trying to decipher a complicated thought pattern when he has conveniently classified half the human race as 'ho's.
Not to throw gasoline on your raging fire of indignation, but are you aware of what words actually mean? You claim, in consecutive sentences, that you don't assume this individual is stupid, then claim he is stupid because--in yet another assumption--that he considers all women to be of a lower class of person than men. Have you ever listened to his lyrics, are you aware of whether or not he is ever sarcastic or ironic, or self-parodying? His stage name is a pun, after all (ludicrous + Christopher) meaning "Chris who is so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing". Perhaps there is more there than you're assuming, perhaps not--my point is that you continue to assume, and the kinds of assumptions one makes reveal one's more fundamental attitudes and judgments.
posted by LooseFilter at 5:45 PM on March 9, 2008 [3 favorites]
Not to throw gasoline on your raging fire of indignation, but are you aware of what words actually mean? You claim, in consecutive sentences, that you don't assume this individual is stupid, then claim he is stupid because--in yet another assumption--that he considers all women to be of a lower class of person than men. Have you ever listened to his lyrics, are you aware of whether or not he is ever sarcastic or ironic, or self-parodying? His stage name is a pun, after all (ludicrous + Christopher) meaning "Chris who is so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing". Perhaps there is more there than you're assuming, perhaps not--my point is that you continue to assume, and the kinds of assumptions one makes reveal one's more fundamental attitudes and judgments.
posted by LooseFilter at 5:45 PM on March 9, 2008 [3 favorites]
Is it possible for us to stop talking about whether he's "smart" or not? Am I smart? Are you smart? Who cares?? If someone wants to say "all black people are dumb" or "all rappers are dumb," then do it and then everyone can take you over to Metatalk and jump you. If not, can we just skip the bile?
Because the one thing we do know for certain about Ludacris is that he made a song about hos in area codes -- and now someone has made a sweet map of it. It's the best thing I've seen since this FPP. So, as a peace offering, here is another graphical representation of rap geography.
posted by salvia at 5:54 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Because the one thing we do know for certain about Ludacris is that he made a song about hos in area codes -- and now someone has made a sweet map of it. It's the best thing I've seen since this FPP. So, as a peace offering, here is another graphical representation of rap geography.
posted by salvia at 5:54 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Also, here is "A Graphical Analysis of The Things That You Can Touch And Those That You Cannot." Tufte, eat your heart out.
posted by salvia at 5:54 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by salvia at 5:54 PM on March 9, 2008
Ludacris always amuses me.
Because he might be Ludacris now, but I remember when he was just a guy on Atlanta radio, jockeying at Hot 97.5 as DJ Chris Lova Lova. The best part of Chris's afternoon drive-time show? The Hot Car Phone Check-In. For about ten or fifteen minutes out of the commute, he'd take calls on the air that went like this:
"You're on Hot 97.5! Whatcha rollin' in?!?"
The caller would then answer the question. Since this was the Hot Car Phone Check-In, he was probably looking for callers driving really awesome cars or SUVs. And sometimes, that was what he would get. Callers driving Escalades or Hummers, etc. But what made the Check-In awesome were the incredibly honest callers rolling home from work in perfectly average and ordinary cars.
"I'm in a 1984 Honda Civic!"
"I'm in a 1991 Nissan Altima!"
"I'm driving a delivery truck for Wal-Mart!"
And no matter what make and model they proclaimed, Chris did his level best to sound just as impressed as he did for the folks driving Bentleys.
posted by grabbingsand at 6:01 PM on March 9, 2008 [11 favorites]
Because he might be Ludacris now, but I remember when he was just a guy on Atlanta radio, jockeying at Hot 97.5 as DJ Chris Lova Lova. The best part of Chris's afternoon drive-time show? The Hot Car Phone Check-In. For about ten or fifteen minutes out of the commute, he'd take calls on the air that went like this:
"You're on Hot 97.5! Whatcha rollin' in?!?"
The caller would then answer the question. Since this was the Hot Car Phone Check-In, he was probably looking for callers driving really awesome cars or SUVs. And sometimes, that was what he would get. Callers driving Escalades or Hummers, etc. But what made the Check-In awesome were the incredibly honest callers rolling home from work in perfectly average and ordinary cars.
"I'm in a 1984 Honda Civic!"
"I'm in a 1991 Nissan Altima!"
"I'm driving a delivery truck for Wal-Mart!"
And no matter what make and model they proclaimed, Chris did his level best to sound just as impressed as he did for the folks driving Bentleys.
posted by grabbingsand at 6:01 PM on March 9, 2008 [11 favorites]
For what it's worth, my friends and I have reclaimed this song. Ladies is pimps too.
*brushes shoulders off*
posted by mayfly wake at 6:35 PM on March 9, 2008 [4 favorites]
*brushes shoulders off*
posted by mayfly wake at 6:35 PM on March 9, 2008 [4 favorites]
Science!: You're right! Well, I guess the awesomeness of the map is restored.
I had the same idea as someone else with making this into a T-Shirt; I've always thought this song was hilarious.
posted by leffler at 6:38 PM on March 9, 2008
I had the same idea as someone else with making this into a T-Shirt; I've always thought this song was hilarious.
posted by leffler at 6:38 PM on March 9, 2008
Ludacris' reference to area code 808 is clearly intended to reference Hawaii, not the scientist-infested Midway/Wake island combo.
Oops, I always figured he was referring to the Roland TR-808 drum machine.
I'd hit it.
posted by formless at 6:41 PM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
Oops, I always figured he was referring to the Roland TR-808 drum machine.
I'd hit it.
posted by formless at 6:41 PM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
I maintain that a song about area codes and the whores who reside within those area codes is the work of someone who (a) is too lazy to write good lyrics; (b) has accurately identified how to seperate fools from their money.
Or to clarify, Down10, it's not ludicris who's the idiot. He's in it for the easy money, which by some metrics is pretty damn smart indeed.
Cohen's lyrics will be around many decades from now, while Ludicris will have been utterly forgotten. By other metrics, that's a far better goal than mere easy money.
As for myself, my lyrics would also gain me everlasting notoriety. Unfortunately, they'd be unforgettable in the McGonagall or Marzials fashion. I shall do the world a favour and keep pen from paper.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:56 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Or to clarify, Down10, it's not ludicris who's the idiot. He's in it for the easy money, which by some metrics is pretty damn smart indeed.
Cohen's lyrics will be around many decades from now, while Ludicris will have been utterly forgotten. By other metrics, that's a far better goal than mere easy money.
As for myself, my lyrics would also gain me everlasting notoriety. Unfortunately, they'd be unforgettable in the McGonagall or Marzials fashion. I shall do the world a favour and keep pen from paper.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:56 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
This is mild on the sexism tip -- this is, after all, a guy who had a huge hit with a song that exhorted women to "Shake your money maker like somebody's bout to pay ya"
posted by loiseau at 7:15 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by loiseau at 7:15 PM on March 9, 2008
(a) is too lazy to write good lyrics; (b) has accurately identified how to seperate fools from their money.
or (c) following in a grand old tradition of popular songs about sexual conquests. Off the top of my head, I can think of multiple songs by Memphis Minnie and songs written for Sophie Tucker praising the virtues of the casual hookup ("Men, go get them by the score!/Neglected girls shouldn't worry./That's what god made sailors for!"). I suspect that Mozart's Don Giovani probably referenced popular bawdy songs and made it all acceptable by wrapping the whole thing into a morality play.
"Area Codes" and "Hallelujah" are siblings of the same musical tradition. Let's not forget that the man now famous for "Night and Day" was originally notorious for his obscene ditties. Silly sex songs have always been the sizzle for popular music, in spite of the periodic puritanical purges of the music industry.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 8:44 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
or (c) following in a grand old tradition of popular songs about sexual conquests. Off the top of my head, I can think of multiple songs by Memphis Minnie and songs written for Sophie Tucker praising the virtues of the casual hookup ("Men, go get them by the score!/Neglected girls shouldn't worry./That's what god made sailors for!"). I suspect that Mozart's Don Giovani probably referenced popular bawdy songs and made it all acceptable by wrapping the whole thing into a morality play.
"Area Codes" and "Hallelujah" are siblings of the same musical tradition. Let's not forget that the man now famous for "Night and Day" was originally notorious for his obscene ditties. Silly sex songs have always been the sizzle for popular music, in spite of the periodic puritanical purges of the music industry.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 8:44 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Area codes in which Ludacris claims to have 'hoes'.
I assume he is some kind of potato farmer? Then he is very wise, because if you have hoes in all of the places where you farm potatoes, you don't have to carry the same hoe from place to place. But why does he not have any in 208? That would seem to be the most appropriate area code for a hoe.
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:22 PM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
I assume he is some kind of potato farmer? Then he is very wise, because if you have hoes in all of the places where you farm potatoes, you don't have to carry the same hoe from place to place. But why does he not have any in 208? That would seem to be the most appropriate area code for a hoe.
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:22 PM on March 9, 2008 [2 favorites]
(c) following in a grand old tradition of popular songs about sexual conquests
Yes. Through the use of lame-ass lyrics. This is not a well-crafted song, it is not a deep song, it is not a meaningful song, it is not a poetic song, it is not a beautiful song. Nonetheless, it hauls in the bucks, which is what it's supposed to do.
Also, McDonalds sells a lot of hamburgers.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:47 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Yes. Through the use of lame-ass lyrics. This is not a well-crafted song, it is not a deep song, it is not a meaningful song, it is not a poetic song, it is not a beautiful song. Nonetheless, it hauls in the bucks, which is what it's supposed to do.
Also, McDonalds sells a lot of hamburgers.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:47 PM on March 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
Mod note: comment removed - at the point at which you are calling everyone dumb fucks, you need to either go to metatalk or outside.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:58 PM on March 9, 2008
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:58 PM on March 9, 2008
I went outside. Everyone was a dumb fuck.
posted by Dr. Curare at 3:07 AM on March 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Dr. Curare at 3:07 AM on March 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
Cohen's lyrics will be around many decades from now
Or until we have a universally effective anti-depressant -- whichever is the sooner.
This is not a well-crafted song. (...) Nonetheless, it hauls in the bucks, which is what it's supposed to do.
That makes it well-crafted, to my mind. If it was so easy to craft songs that appeal to popular taste, Leonard Cohen would still be having hits.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:46 AM on March 10, 2008
Or until we have a universally effective anti-depressant -- whichever is the sooner.
This is not a well-crafted song. (...) Nonetheless, it hauls in the bucks, which is what it's supposed to do.
That makes it well-crafted, to my mind. If it was so easy to craft songs that appeal to popular taste, Leonard Cohen would still be having hits.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:46 AM on March 10, 2008
I personally feel the world would be less wonderful without pop ephemera.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 6:38 AM on March 10, 2008
posted by KirkJobSluder at 6:38 AM on March 10, 2008
LOOK UP ATLANTA ON A MAP
Not that I'm a huge expert on the subject, but Atlanta rap is Southern rap. East-coast rap comes from places like New York and D.C.
posted by xbonesgt at 7:34 AM on March 10, 2008
Not that I'm a huge expert on the subject, but Atlanta rap is Southern rap. East-coast rap comes from places like New York and D.C.
posted by xbonesgt at 7:34 AM on March 10, 2008
Not that I'm a huge expert on the subject, but Atlanta rap is Southern rap. East-coast rap comes from places like New York and D.C.
Yes, yes, of course, and Atlanta's not really on the coast, either. Humbug.
posted by mkb at 9:45 AM on March 10, 2008
Yes, yes, of course, and Atlanta's not really on the coast, either. Humbug.
posted by mkb at 9:45 AM on March 10, 2008
Among my favorite episodes of Cribs is the one where they go to Ludacris' house. I distinctly recall being very impressed with him when I saw this. He lives modestly, and is pretty freakin' funny.
posted by frecklefaerie at 10:39 AM on March 10, 2008
posted by frecklefaerie at 10:39 AM on March 10, 2008
"Why would you assume he's stupid? Ludacris (Christopher Bridges) is a college graduate and incredibly successful entrepreneur: (...)"
And George W. Bush must be the least stupid man in America.
posted by iviken at 4:20 PM on March 10, 2008
And George W. Bush must be the least stupid man in America.
posted by iviken at 4:20 PM on March 10, 2008
And George W. Bush must be the least stupid man in America.
Come, come, now I don't think anyone would use the adj. self-made to describe George W. Bush.
posted by Rubbstone at 6:00 PM on March 10, 2008
Come, come, now I don't think anyone would use the adj. self-made to describe George W. Bush.
posted by Rubbstone at 6:00 PM on March 10, 2008
Nor do I think anyone has ever described Bush as a successful entrepreneur.
posted by LooseFilter at 7:14 PM on March 10, 2008
posted by LooseFilter at 7:14 PM on March 10, 2008
Thank goodness Mozart was a brilliant composer, because he sure as heck wouldn't have achieved immortality on the basis of his lyrics... "Lick Me in the Ass" being a more recent discovery.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:56 AM on March 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by five fresh fish at 10:56 AM on March 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
Also, here's a study of melody versus lyrics.
When listening to happy or calm songs, subjects found that lyrics dulled the tunes' emotional kick. Words, however, enhanced emotional responses to angry and sad songs.posted by five fresh fish at 11:00 AM on March 12, 2008
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We can be down with the young people. We can rap about our feelings. We frequently cause problems for the establishment.
posted by Naberius at 8:58 AM on March 9, 2008 [12 favorites]