10 Things Better Off Staying Behind in 2012
2012 has no doubt been a crazy year. From uppercutting bus drivers to over-abusing YOLO privileges to viral internet thuggin,' this year has had its fair share of gut-aching laughs and genuine WTFs.
Here are 10 things that have got to stop before we celebrate and usher in 2013.
Here are 10 things that have got to stop before we celebrate and usher in 2013.
Reckless Acts of Standom
Thanks to the digital era, fans have elevated their status as devoted fans of their favorite artist to self-appointed members of their entourage. Stans claim all the privileges that come with the digital badge of honor and then some. As long as they can fit #TeamBreezy or whoever in their twitter bio, they’ll boldly chastise any critics, provide free advertising (in the form of obnoxious tattoos and spray painted t-shirts) and send death threats whenever necessary.
Thanks to the digital era, fans have elevated their status as devoted fans of their favorite artist to self-appointed members of their entourage. Stans claim all the privileges that come with the digital badge of honor and then some. As long as they can fit #TeamBreezy or whoever in their twitter bio, they’ll boldly chastise any critics, provide free advertising (in the form of obnoxious tattoos and spray painted t-shirts) and send death threats whenever necessary.
Hating on the President
Still wearing that Romney/Ryan 2012 shirt? Well that's unfortunate. President Obama and his family will be spending another four years comfortably nestled on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. He has a laundry list of problems to address in his second term. Things would run a lot smoother if over-the-top critics like Donald Trump took a seat. To those that didn’t vote for him, sorry but you have to back off and let the man do his job. Brush your shoulders off, Mr. President.
Still wearing that Romney/Ryan 2012 shirt? Well that's unfortunate. President Obama and his family will be spending another four years comfortably nestled on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. He has a laundry list of problems to address in his second term. Things would run a lot smoother if over-the-top critics like Donald Trump took a seat. To those that didn’t vote for him, sorry but you have to back off and let the man do his job. Brush your shoulders off, Mr. President.
America’s Scary Gun Obsession
From Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis to the Aurora movie theater and Sandy Hook Elementary, America has seen some of the worst cases of gun violence this year. Unfortunately, gun sales have spiked dramatically at the tail end of 2012. Hopefully in 2013, new federal legislation will solidify a way to keep the country's scary gun obsession in check.
From Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis to the Aurora movie theater and Sandy Hook Elementary, America has seen some of the worst cases of gun violence this year. Unfortunately, gun sales have spiked dramatically at the tail end of 2012. Hopefully in 2013, new federal legislation will solidify a way to keep the country's scary gun obsession in check.
YOLO
This is the perfect case of a good catch phrase gone wrong. After Drake coined the term in "The Motto," people started using the initially harmless mantra for all the wrong reasons. A good time turned tragic when an aspiring rapper in California tweeted that he was drunk driving (he said “#F--kitYOLO”) then died in the car accident right after.
This is the perfect case of a good catch phrase gone wrong. After Drake coined the term in "The Motto," people started using the initially harmless mantra for all the wrong reasons. A good time turned tragic when an aspiring rapper in California tweeted that he was drunk driving (he said “#F--kitYOLO”) then died in the car accident right after.
Molly Overload
Molly, a pure form of MDMA (ecstasy), is the new designer drug of hip hop. Sprinkle a little bit of it in your song for a good time. Just ask Kanye West, Weezy or Meek Mill or Trinidad James, they'll tell you ("Pop the Molly I'm sweatin,' woo!") Now, we're not sure if the artists referencing the music festival favorite are actually users. It's not that new of a drug, but it's slowly becoming as common as Mary Jane on the teen scene. That's a little scary, seeing as there's no easy way to tell if the substance you take is pure.
Molly, a pure form of MDMA (ecstasy), is the new designer drug of hip hop. Sprinkle a little bit of it in your song for a good time. Just ask Kanye West, Weezy or Meek Mill or Trinidad James, they'll tell you ("Pop the Molly I'm sweatin,' woo!") Now, we're not sure if the artists referencing the music festival favorite are actually users. It's not that new of a drug, but it's slowly becoming as common as Mary Jane on the teen scene. That's a little scary, seeing as there's no easy way to tell if the substance you take is pure.
Admiration via Body Portraits
Body art is a justifiable form of expression, but some people take their proclamations of admiration for others way out of line. Keyshia Cole's husband Daniel recently added a small sketch her face onto his arm as an act of love. For now, that’s acceptable. However, Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson inking his ex-wife Evelyn Lozada onto his leg, super fans putting Chris Brown on their backs and Chris’s battered woman tattoo (with an uncanny resemblance to Rihanna) are distasteful to say the least.
Body art is a justifiable form of expression, but some people take their proclamations of admiration for others way out of line. Keyshia Cole's husband Daniel recently added a small sketch her face onto his arm as an act of love. For now, that’s acceptable. However, Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson inking his ex-wife Evelyn Lozada onto his leg, super fans putting Chris Brown on their backs and Chris’s battered woman tattoo (with an uncanny resemblance to Rihanna) are distasteful to say the least.
Boy-on-Girl Violence
Raise your hand if you've dedicated five minutes or more out of your day to scour Worldstar HipHop and Youtube for some laughs (we see you). Mall fights and other forms of ratchetivity may seem amusing at the time, but nothing’s funny about public displays of violence against women going viral. We shouldn't be laughing at bus drivers, ex-boyfriends or rappers upper cutting, stomping or two-piecing females in front of an audience. The recent violent act from the Ohio bus driver, Lil Reese and Young Juve shouldn't be egged on by those thirsty for a little action.
Raise your hand if you've dedicated five minutes or more out of your day to scour Worldstar HipHop and Youtube for some laughs (we see you). Mall fights and other forms of ratchetivity may seem amusing at the time, but nothing’s funny about public displays of violence against women going viral. We shouldn't be laughing at bus drivers, ex-boyfriends or rappers upper cutting, stomping or two-piecing females in front of an audience. The recent violent act from the Ohio bus driver, Lil Reese and Young Juve shouldn't be egged on by those thirsty for a little action.
Award Show Fights
Attention Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Gunplay and 50 Cent’s crew: It's a terrible look for us as a people when you decide to duke it out in front of the masses, especially when it happens on a black award show. We all end up getting the brunt of America's side-eye because today’s musicians can’t handle their differences in a civilized manner.
Attention Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Gunplay and 50 Cent’s crew: It's a terrible look for us as a people when you decide to duke it out in front of the masses, especially when it happens on a black award show. We all end up getting the brunt of America's side-eye because today’s musicians can’t handle their differences in a civilized manner.
Hair Bullying
Now, everyone is riding Gabby Douglas' coattail, but just months ago, Twitterverse wouldn't let the subject of Golden Gabby's unsnatched ponytail rest. Similarly, Willow Smiths coif crop made fans and critics question her sexuality and even her mother and father's parenting skills. Unfair.
Now, everyone is riding Gabby Douglas' coattail, but just months ago, Twitterverse wouldn't let the subject of Golden Gabby's unsnatched ponytail rest. Similarly, Willow Smiths coif crop made fans and critics question her sexuality and even her mother and father's parenting skills. Unfair.
The Whole Chrihanna + Karrueche Thing
As of late, it's been damn near impossible to keep up with the crazy love triangle that is Chris Brown, Rihanna and Karrueche Tran. One minute Chris is canoodling with a scantily clad Rihanna. The next, KT is supporting her former beau sans pants. Save yourself the exhaustion in 2013. Just let them do what they do. Things will work themselves out without the world's attention.
As of late, it's been damn near impossible to keep up with the crazy love triangle that is Chris Brown, Rihanna and Karrueche Tran. One minute Chris is canoodling with a scantily clad Rihanna. The next, KT is supporting her former beau sans pants. Save yourself the exhaustion in 2013. Just let them do what they do. Things will work themselves out without the world's attention.
