#need to stop listening to flint rap

[kushblazer666]

bitch pussy was talking too loud i had to pipe it down

[doodler-jpeg]

Life [Wilbur Soot/Fundy]

BOOOM HI HELLO HOW ARE YOU UH UM SO I WAS INSPIRED WHILE I WAS BORED AND THEN THIS IS HOW THIS ONESHOT CAME TO BE. ITS NOT GOOD, BUT ITS DECENT. You’re gonna be taking Sally’s place so, uh, I’m sorry, Sally, you’re just another salmon. Still love you though  THIS TOOK SO LONG TO MAKE DEAR GOD ITS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR LIKE A MONTH LMAO

ALSO, KEEP IN MIND THIS IS C!WILBUR/SMP!WILBUR

⚠️CUSSING, AFAB READER, PREGNANCY, THIS IS A REALLY LONG ONE SHOT OH MY GOD, PLATONIC FUNDY RELATIONSHIP SO YEAH⚠️

Pronouns: she/her or they/them [you’re referred to as wife, mom,, that stuff, but you can change those if you want]

You hummed as you strained out your clothing beside the river near your home. A smile graced your face, [Eye Colour] eyes glinting happily in the warm sunlight of that fine summer day. Autumn would soon turn the land into a seemingly barren wasteland, though, so you decided to savor every last bit of happiness the hot days brought you. 

Hanging the large amount of clothing upon thin clothing lines, you dumped out your bucket and made sure nothing got in the lake. Walking back inside of your home, you set the buckets in the corner of the cozy cottage and walked back outside. Your brown boots thudded quietly against the cobblestone path that lead into the woods around your home that would eventually be covered in snow.

A sudden childish giggle made you turn to the fields that were a ways away from your house, right in front of the sparsely scattered trees to the right of your little house. You furrowed your brows in confusion as a blur of yellow, white, and red rushed over to you.

“Hello there.” You couldn’t help but stare as the child looked up at you silently. “What are you doing here, little one?” He only blushed, his face flushing a vivid red before he ran off. You shrugged and continued your trek into the forest.

//

You watched as flakes of snow fell delicately onto the muted green coloured grass, bundled tightly in a burrito of quilts that you and your mother has made together. You shuffled slightly from your position on your warm bed, closing your eyes as you waited for sleep to consume you.

It seemed life had other plans, though, as a faint light came toward your home, edging closer and closer until you could make out a figure, their clothing a great contrast to the paw snow. They were shivering visibly, clutching their arms as their lantern shook in their hand.

You frowned as you peeled your blankets off of you, pulling your boots on quickly. Grabbing a lantern cage, you lit the candle inside of it and hurried outside, feeling nervous as the figure hurried over to you.

Soon enough, they were standing in front of you, a miserable look on their face, their eyes red and puffy as their teeth chattered together.

“Come inside,” you didn’t care for introductions or your safety. This person seemed nice. “I’ll start a fire. Uh- there should be a few blankets on the sofa. Would you like anything to drink? Warm milk, tea? I’m not gonna offer coffee because it’s late, so I’m sorry about that.”

“Just water, please,” they croaked out. “I’m sorry for the intrusion. I was headed off in search of territory to claim. Turns out I chose the wrong day. God, it’s cold.” You let out a quiet laugh as you carefully tossed some wood into your fireplace, lighting the material on fire. Almost immediately, the flames grew and you sat up, placing your flint and steel on the fireplace mantle.

“I’ll go get you your water. Go warm up.” You urged before you walked into the kitchen to get the brunet some water.

//

““And then Tommy ran off!” Wilbur howled with laughter as he told the story of how he managed to lose his father in the forest close to his family home. ““Phil was looking for us for hours!” You smiled at the story as you carefully sewed up your friend’s heavy coat, making sure the patches were relatively the same colour as the rest of the jacket.

“You never really tell me about your family, so why are you telling stories now?” You commented, threading the needle in your hand through the fabric and back out of it, pulling the thread tightly. You snipped it with your scissors, placing the needle down to look for any other holes as Wilbur flushed a bright red.

“W-well— one day, I want you to meet my family, so- this sounds so fucking stupid. Never mind, forget about it.” He covered his face in his hands as you bummed, picking up a patch and laying it out on the brown fabric.

“What you’re saying is that you would introduce me to your family because you like me that much, huh?” No answer came from Wilbur, though he did let out a flustered groan as you chortled.

//

You placed a kiss upon your new boyfriend’s cheek, causing the brunet to laugh as he shrunk away from your lips

“Stop it,” you only grinned at the man, kissing various areas of his face in retaliation. Wilbur laughed harder, pushing you away gently as his face scrunched. ““It tickles!”

You grabbed his face in your hands and he looked into your eyes for a moment before you began attacking his face with kisses. When you pulled back for a break, Wilbur copied your actions from earlier and rubbed his thumb across your cheeks with a smile. He leaned his forehead on yours and let out a breathy sigh, closing his eyes as he basked in the moment.

“I love you so fucking much, [Y/N].”

//

““Dont be scared, darling,” Wilbur mused as he gently rubbed his thumb in circles on the back of your hand, lightly squeezing every few rotations. “Techno’s made sure to keep any weapons away and Tommy might be a little less wreckless. I’ll make sure to tell them during dinner.” You nodded uncertainly, playing nervously with the bracelet Wilbur had made you way back when the two of you first started as friends.

Wilbur rapped his knuckles on the door, his other hand never once letting go of yours as the two of you waited. A bit of shouting was heard through the door, slightly muffled, though it was evident that it was coming closer.

The door was flung open by a blond boy, his blue eyes shooting us to meet Wil’s not even a second after he opened the door. A grin was on the boys face as he turned and shouted for Phil [who Wilbur had told you was his father]. Soon enough, a blond man with a bucket hat trodden over, frowning at Tommy.

“Listen, motherfucker, you may be living here, but I’m not gonna fucking let you live if you keep fuckin shoutin.” You froze nervously and glanced over at your boyfriend. He just sent a small, awkward smile onto reassure you before he turned to look down at the two.

“Are you really gonna argue in front of my wife?” Wilbur piped in, feeling himself become giddy as Tommy and Phil shot their heads over to look at you.

“You brought a girl over?!” Tommy yelled in surprise as he stumbled back, eyes wide as he observed your movements skeptically.

“Wil? Can you come over here real quick? I just need to talk to you.” Phil forced a smile as he grabbed the taller man’s ear and yoinked him over to a different room, leaving Tommy and you alone.

“Hi,” you smiled nervously, raising a hand in a half assed wave.

“Do you happen to be American?” The blond asked, leaning his face over to stare at you.

“I mean- I’m a water nymph. I don’t really know if that counts because we usually just have different accents, but we never take into account where anyone’s from.” You laughed, scratching your cheek.

“Well where are you from?” Tommy urged, crossing his arms.

“To be specific, I came from the North Sea right by the Netherlands. I don’t really think that’s important though.” You shrugged.

“So you’re Dutch? Speak it.”

“Im not necessarily Dutch, I was just born in the North Sea, Tommy- I think you’re a Tommy. You seem like a Tommy.” You cleared up, ““The only reason I learned English was to communicate with certain humans.”

“Okay.” The boy sighed, shoulders slumping forward as you let out an amused chortle, “I’ll leave you alone. For now.” Tommy backed up, turning into a room while a big, burly pig person ducked under the doorway, a large sword in hand and an uninterested expression on his face. As he turned to the door, he spotted you and his eyes widened momentarily before going back to their half lidded position.

“Who’re you? Phil didn’t- oh. Oh, today was that day. Oh my god, how could I forget it?” The hybrid smacked his forehead harshly, ““I’m so sorry.”

You laughed, waving your hand dismissively as the pig moved to the side to let you in. You carefully stepped into the warm house and the tall hybrid closed the door behind you.

“Dinner’s nearly done, so you can go sit down in the living room. If you need anything, Phil has ears all over the place. Just look at those crows.” Techno motioned over to the few crows that perched themselves on the window, letting out quiet caws. You waved at the birds and they flapped their wings in response.

“They seem nice.”

//

You sat next to your husband, hand intertwined with his as Phil smiled over at the two of you.

“So, anything new happening with you two?” The blond man inquired, placing his hands on the table. 

““I mean,” Wilbur laughed, turning over to look at you. “Would you like to tell them, dear?” You nodded, a grin on your face as you sat as straight as you could.

“I’m pregnant,” you said, your voice surprisingly calm. Tommy let out a shocked ‘‘what the fuck??’, while Techno choked on his food, slamming a fist onto his chest.

Phil was quiet, eyes wide in shock as he took in the information.

“Pregnant? With Wilbur’s kid?” You nodded, swinging Wilbur’s hand as Tommy cheered.

“Im gonna be a fuckin uncle! Yeah! I’ll be the best damn uncle ever!” He cackled, leaning back as Techno snorted.

““Can I teach them PvP?” You and your husband glanced over at each other before shaking your head.

“Maybe when they’re old enough to know what they’re doing.”

//

““Hello, my precious baby,” you cooed gently, holding the newborn as they let out a quiet sigh. ““My baby. You look just like your father.” A warm but tired smile was on your face as your baby opened their eyes, brown meeting [Eye Colour].

“Love, is the baby okay? Is she doing alright?” Wilbur called nervously through the door, to which you laughed.

“Yes, they’re doing great,” placing a gentle kiss on the baby’s nose, they brought a hand up and lightly tapped their nose.

//

““Fundy! Come here!” You cheered, reaching your arms out to the toddler. They giggled, waddling over to you. Their scab covered knees were littered with bandages and the red overalls they wore were much unlike what Wilburs would have wanted your child to wear, but it was your kid! They deserved the best!

““My precious baby,” you placed a kiss on their cheek, causing the brown haired child to giggle and wipe the kiss from their cheek. You grinned, littering their face in kisses as they squirmed, ““My little champion!”

“Yah! Cham-champion!” They babbled, bringing up a finger to chew on as you set them down and smoothed out your dress. 

““Alright, sweetheart, papa will be here soon, so make sure to tell him what you want to tell him, alright?” Your boy nodded, a goofy grin on his face as he reached over to one of the toys you had brought.

//

You cradled your son’s head as he sobbed, shaking his head in denial as to what had just happened.

“He-he’s gone, mama!” He choked out, wrapping his arms around you tightly. His tears stained your shirt, though the feeling didn’t bother you as you rocked your son back and forth, combing your fingers through his hair.

“Fundy, it’s okay,” you cooed, ““He doesn’t have to live with all the mistakes he made in the past anymore. Who knows, maybe he’ll come back?” 

““But what if he doesn’t? That was his last life and- and it’s gone! My dad’s gone!” Letting out a pained wail, he continued to sob. And you let him.

He had gone through so much.

//

““Who the hell are you and what are you doing around my son?” You sneered, standing in front of your son as the transparent figure stared at you curiously.

“You don’t remember me?” They asked, voice echoing as they tilted your head. “I- [Y/N], it’s me! Your husband! I- I am your husband, right?”

“My husband didn’t push away his son and focus on a failed country more than his own fucking family.” You loaded your crossbow, aiming it at the ghost. ““You didn’t come to his birthday parties, didn’t get him anything, you barely paid attention to him when your country was in the spotlight! You’re no husband to me.”

“Mama-” Fundy gulped nervously, ““Mama, please.”

“You know what, whoever the fuck you are? You’re no damn husband to me and you never will be. Now leave me and my son alone, for fuck’s sake.”

The ghost was silent as you turned, leading the man beside you toward the house at the top of the hill, though a small smile made its way onto his face.

“She’s the one I married?” He murmured, moving his hand to where his heart was, “Was she really the love of my life?”

[nightowlwriting]

summary: fjord takes care of the mighty nein. you take care of fjord. (part 4/13 of the kindness series, a thematically connected series of c2/exu imagines)

word count: 2.7k

warnings: mentions of self-hatred, bullying, lack of self-confidence

note: idk why this one took me so long and, honestly, it was almost super nsfw lmfao

masterlist - request - support my work? - ao3

Fjord is a man who appears to know exactly what he needs and when he needs it. You’re not so sure. You tend to hang back when the group talks to people, or finds jobs for coin, just to watch. That’s what you like to do - get information, tuck it away, use it later.

It just happens that sometimes you end up watching Fjord. There’s no reason, not really. He’s the leader by default, no matter how much Nott will say that it’s Caleb. He does most of the talk, smiling all coy and leaning against things to charm the party’s way through whatever Gods forsaken situation you end up in. It mostly works, with some exceptions. There are things you begin to notice in the nights after Fjord has failed to charm someone with a well-placed wink, or a sir or a ma’am. He makes the fire just a little bit larger, stacking logs and kindling and using his flint so that Caleb doesn’t have to use his magic. He cooks heartier food, sometimes even disappearing and coming back with a skewered animal from the forest to add to the pot of simmering soup. He takes the first watch and doesn’t wake anyone until halfway through the second watch so that everyone can sleep longer, even if it makes him crabby the morning after.

You come to a conclusion. Fjord takes care of people when he feels like he’s not enough. He overcompensates in his acts of kindness when something he does fails - but why? To make you all stay? To make sure you know his worth in the group? To make up for whatever he sees as a downfall? Honestly, you’re worried it’s a little bit of all three. You’re not really sure about how the mind works - that would be more for Molly, or Caleb honestly - but growing up in an orphanage with children who pick and prod at your every physical characteristic cannot be good for a person. Especially with Fjord insisting that he doesn’t have a last name, despite the times that he introduces himself and you see it die on his lips before he can say it. There’s something there, but you won’t pry. People deserve their secrets. They deserve to keep something for themselves.

If he wants to keep his last name, that’s fine with you. If he wants to keep the self-loathing inside of him until he explodes, well, that’s not fine with you. That’s why when you realize that he decompresses by making himself useful, as if the group might dismiss him just because a few people were immune to his charms, you decide to do something. No amount of reassurance from anyone will convince him otherwise and the rest of the group tends to shrug away from his slightly overbearing kindness when something goes south. Caleb, Beau, and Molly are just uncomfortable with it while Jester is usually too engrossed in journaling, Tusk Love, or talking to the Traveler. Nott is somewhere between Caleb and Yasha (uncomfortable and straight-up not around to be doted on.) And… Well, that leaves you.

It’s not that you mind Fjord’s constant doting after he perceives something to have gone wrong, but it’s hard to let him in. Your life before the Mighty Nein wasn’t exactly peaches and cream, either, but you know that he needs this. He needs to feel like he’s doing something for someone or he’ll break. You only notice that, though, after a particularly rough, rainy day of trying to get information out of people for a job. Fjord had forgotten something important which threw off the communication and sent everyone you were working with into an angry tizzy. By the time you make it back to the tavern, everyone is soaked to the bone and cranky, even you - and you tried your best to avoid getting out in the rain. What you really want to do is go back to your room and change out of your wet clothes and then go to fucking bed, but you hold back. The group disperses one by one until it’s just you and Fjord left at the bar, and before you can make your leave you see his hands shaking. His hands, which are large and calloused and strong, are shaking like a leaf in the wind. There’s no other outward sign that he’s feeling stressed or upset, and that surprises you. It also worries you. This is not how Fjord acts when something goes wrong. He doesn’t sit at the bar and brood over an ale - he mother-hens his friends until they’re sick to death of hearing his deep, drawling voice.

The combination of these things is probably what makes you pause halfway out of your seat, eyes narrow and trained on him. He makes eye contact for a brief second before looking back down to his drink. You know that approaching and asking him if he’s okay will get you nowhere but you can’t leave him alone at the bar, not when you know he’s stewing on every mistake, every misstep, whether they really happened or he’s just overanalyzing his movements. He’s your… He’s more than a friend to you, despite the fact that he doesn’t know that and you don’t show it outwardly. Fjord means too much to you to be able to let him sit and spiral into a funnel of self-doubt. You know that it will be weird to put your pride to the side and ask for help, but you also know that you don’t really need help.

But asking Fjord for help means that he’ll feel better and you think that’s a very good reason to shelf your pride for a night.

He barely looks up at you when you approach, still dripping all over the tavern’s floors and hesitant to speak. He doesn’t speak, either, just takes another long pull from his ale to bide his time until you leave. (Probably.) You take the leap first and say his name. “Fjord.” He doesn’t look at you. “I know we’ve all had a bad day,”

“You can say that again,” He snorts.

“We have,” You stress, one hand finding the hilt of the dagger on your waist for some sort of comfort. You’re wildly uncomfortable and can feel the urge to run, get away, flee building up in your gut. If you’re not careful, it’ll spill out your mouth and you’ll be forced out of the tavern for the night in humiliation and self-preservation. “It has been one hell of a day today. I do not want to be alone.” Your sentence cuts off briskly and Fjord looks up in surprise. Your face mirrors his - untamed surprise. You had really opened your mouth to ask if he wanted to find a table and listen to your vent but what came out was I do not want to be alone. You blink and think what the fuck? Before Fjord is shaking off his surprise and standing.

“I suppose I can give Molly the room for the night.” He extends an arm towards you but doesn’t look at you. He’s doing a much better job of hiding how strange you’re acting than you are but still, you’re not going to let this opportunity pass. You wrap your own arm around Fjord’s and he begins to lead you toward the stairs. “Anything specific bothering you?”

“Nothing really,” You hum as you respond, hoping that by allowing him past your walls that it will help him, “Today is just a bad day.” Fjord halfheartedly agrees and your nerves shoot through the roof when he leaves you at your door, explaining that he’s going to warn Molly that he won’t be in the room tonight. You nod at him and slip into your own room, leaving the door cracked so that he won’t feel awkward about entering. Your laundry is everywhere and you grit your teeth, doing your best to hold back a scream. God damnit, you’re about to have the man that you have a crush on in your room and today is the day you threw your laundry all over?

It doesn’t even matter that he’s traveled with you in carts where there is no possible way to not overlap on laundry slash unmentionables. You still dash about, shoving your laundry into a pile in the corner and covering it with your weapons and shield just before Fjord raps his knuckles against the door frame, calling your name. You shiver and invite him in, wringing your hands as you stand in front of the unlit fireplace. “Are you okay?” He’s so earnest and it makes you feel… A little bad. You don’t want to say no to having Fjord be with you overnight because his presence is so calming, but it’s also… He’s not in your room because…

Ugh. “Fjord,” You say before you can stop yourself, “Okay, so, you can’t be mad but I noticed when things go wrong you’re really, really hard on yourself and you shouldn’t be. And I also noticed that when you’re hard on yourself you dive into taking care of other people because, I don’t know, maybe it feels like you’re doing something good? I’m not sure, but I really meant to ask if you wanted to talk but then that came out instead but I can’t let you stay in here if you don’t know why I asked.” He stands there, taking in what you’ve said, and then shakes his head. Your room is dark - too dark for you to see whether or not the small smile on his face is actually there or if you’re imagining it. When he chuckles, you’re more apt to believe that Fjord is actually smiling even after the day he’s had. “Um,” You finally cut the silence, “Please say something.”

“You mean to tell me,” He drawls, stepping slowly closer and removing his chest plate. It’s like his mood has gone a full 180 from where it was when he left you outside of your room, “That you looked so awkward and like a li’l kicked puppy because you wanted to help me feel better?” He sets his chest plate on the table, coming into your sight as your vision begins to adjust. You don’t get a good look at what’s happening on his face because you look away very quickly, setting your jaw.

“Well, when you put it that way,” You grumble and cross your arms, “You just like to help people - it makes you feel better.”

Fjord comes to a stop in front of you and sighs, but doesn’t say anything. Your hands begin to shake and honestly, you regret your stupid fucking decision to try and help Fjord out. You wouldn’t be here, standing in front of him and purely humiliated, if you didn’t look at him and notice so much. He finally responds, one of his hands coming up to touch at your bicep and then trails up until he’s cupping your shoulder. “I do like to help people,” He’s speaking more from his chest than his mouth, and you can almost feel the rumble through the grip he has on your shoulder. It’s not tight but it’s there, heavy and comforting. “I didn’t think anyone noticed.”

“I notice a lot,” You supply, tugging your chin away when Fjord tries to use the other hand to make you look at him. It’s only after he says your name in a soft voice that you look. You’re surprised to see that he looks soft… Soft and fond. “Please,” You whisper, uncrossing your arms to grab both of his wrists. You’re not even sure what you’re asking for but the way that you whispered please is the closest to begging that you’ve ever gotten.

“Please?” Fjord says, sounding incredibly confused but soft at the same time. You shake your head, trying again to look away from him. He ducks down, catching your eyes again, “It’s just me, remember? This is why you asked me here, isn’t it? To help you feel better?”

To your horror, you feel yourself mist up. “I invited you here so you could feel better, Fjord. I don’t want you to be so hard on yourself, and the only time I’ve seen you calm down after a bad day is when you’re taking care of one of us. I thought… Even if I don’t really need to be taken care of, that would help you. I just want… I want you to feel better.” He steps closer toward you, caging you into the rough stone of the fireplace but doesn’t speak. You’re almost worried that Fjord is going to cold clock you, but then he does something that you expected even less.

He surges forward and kisses you. Every part of him nearly engulfs you - the hand on your shoulder moves to the back of your neck, anchoring you to him, while he groans deep in the back of his throat. Your hands scramble for some purchase to express your surprise, landing on his hearty shoulders, clenching in the fabric of his shirt. You sigh into Fjord’s groan, and press as close as possible to his body heat. No matter how much you don’t want to admit it, you’ve been craving this: closeness with another person, pressing tight against their body… You’d be lying if you didn’t admit that when you thought of that, of intimacy, that you pictured Fjord. You just didn’t think he pictured you.

Fjord surges forward again, and you feel the soft scrape of tusks against you when he opens his mouth to breathe, keeping his nose pressed tightly to yours. “I didn’t think,” He says, accent thinner than you’ve heard previously, “I never dreamed that you would feel…”

“Oh, I feel,” You tell him, slowly moving your hands until you can intertwine your fingers behind his neck, “I feel so much, Fjord.”

“You never said…” He sneaks another kiss between his words, dropping his hands to squeeze at your waist, “You never even let on that you see me this way.”

“I do a lot of looking and not a lot of showing,” You remind him - it was something he had said to you when you first joined his group. I always catch you lookin’, but you never show. It’s terribly funny because he’d said it while the Mighty Nein were all naked, sudsy, and sharing a bathhouse at Molly’s insistence. The group had a field day with that and still does. The memory is apparently still fresh in Fjord’s head because a blush creeps high over his cheeks and he looks away, flustered. “You’re strong and pretty and beautiful and you take care of us so well. Even when you’ve had a bad day. I look up to you so much, but at the same time I want, perhaps selfishly, to take care of you in ways that you might not take care of the group.” He almost looks surprised at what you’ve said, but then it melts into a look of soft adoration. Fjord kisses you again and then drags his lips lightly over the arch of your cheek before he rests his head on your shoulder where he inhales deeply, his breath tickling your throat. You can feel his hands contracting against your waist, like he wants to touch and feel but is settling for keeping them where they are and feeling the soft give of your flesh. You know your heart is spinning at what feels like a million miles per hour, and you know that he can probably hear it, too. You can’t find anything in you that cares, though, because you’re so close to Fjord. He smells like saltwater, you realize. Not in a way that it seems like he’s been coughing it up again, or in the ocean, but just sort of… Naturally. Like he’s always smelled that way. Like you’ve always known he smelled that way. Like you were always meant to know and to find comfort in it. You pull yourself closer, relishing in the way that you hold each other, and Fjord sighs. You can feel the way that he relaxes underneath your hold and you relax, too.

This… This is the way that it’s supposed to be. This is how you can do for Fjord what he’s done for your team - except different. Except more.

[therappundit]

***Best of the 1st Half of 2021: SONG EDITION***

Six months into 2021 and since 2020 wrapped up...some things in the world have changed, while other things remain the same (for better or worse). Folks, it’s time to talk about rap music in 2021...

One trend definitely has continued well into 2021: the underground rap world - I’m talking the artists, the aesthetic, the sound, the full projects, every box you can think of - continues to kick the mainstream rap world’s ass. There are already signs of the two imaginary separate worlds intermingling more and more, and we will have to deal with the pros and cons of that down the line...but one thing is for sure: rap music runs deeper, and more sonically diverse than ever before, and as long as there is an internet to enlist the ears and talents of artists from all over the world, the art form will continue to divide, change shape, borrow from the old and add some new, again and again. And we will all be better for it.

So let’s dive right in. As usual there are about 1,000 more songs that I would love to cram into this list, but there are only so many spots...and I’m married with a toddler, so even though I am listening to rap music for a concerningly large portion of my day, it takes a lot of extra coffee and less sleep to keep these posts going (but it’s still worth it, I love connecting with folks over the same under-discussed but ridiculously dope songs and artists).

There are many lists but none quite like this one, here is THE RAP PUNDIT’S LIST OF THE BEST RAP SONGS FROM THE FIRST HALF OF 2021....hope you find some joints you never heard before and really enjoy.  And to all of the MCs, Producers, mixers, singers, curators, readers, writers, critics - anyone that contributes something to this music I love....thank you, as always. 🙏

[Bonus joint] 55. “GANG GANG” - Polo G feat. Lil Wayne

https://soundcloud.com/polo-g/polo-g-lil-wayne-gang-gang?in=polo-g/sets/hall-of-fame-675200176

[Bonus joint] 54. “Furious Styles” - Illa Styles feat. Nickelus F https://illastyles.bandcamp.com/track/furious-styles-ft-nickelus-f

[Bonus joint] 53. “Box of Churches” - Pooh Sheisty feat. 21 Savage

https://soundcloud.com/ceo-mrpooh/box-of-churches-feat-21-savage

[Bonus joint] 52. “Beating Down Yo Block” - Monaleo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnMPEfV0bSA

[Bonus joint] 51. “BUZZERBEATER” - Rahiem Supreme feat. Al.Divino & Estee Nack

https://franksvinylrecords.bandcamp.com/track/buzzerbeater-feat-al-divino-estee-nack

50. "A Man Apart” - Rx Papi

https://soundcloud.com/rxpapi/a-man-apart-prod-by-noisy?in=rxpapi/sets/100-miles-walkin

(Face it: you’re either feelin’ the Rx flow or you’re not. The endlessly quotable MC is not always taken seriously, but similar to how the saddest clowns are most adept at masking their pain behind a smile, Papi needs to be taken seriously as a talented rap artist.)

49. “Moving On Up” - Evidence feat. Conway The Machine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F35OOXvQ4c

(Evidence, Babu, Daringer and Conway all joining forces on a record feels like a timeline altering reach between two completely different generations of elite underground hip-hop artists, but in the case of “Moving On Up”, it’s not just a “hey wouldn’t it be dope if” fantasy, it’s a sweet reality. Ev has connected with the Griselda camp before and of course the results are dope. Add this one to the list, one of the many fine moments off of Unlearning Vol. 1.)

48. “Gordon Ramsay Freestyle” - Remble

https://soundcloud.com/remble2/gordon-ramsay-freestyle-prod-by-laudiano

(An attention grabbing MC if ever I heard one, Remble clearly hails from the same camp as Drakeo The Ruler - Stinc Team - but with that flow and sense of humor, he may develop a lot more than just a strong following out on the West Coast. Look out for Remble, he is knocking on the door of blowing, he’s just one key feature away...)

47. “The Shifts” - maassai feat. AKAI SOLO

https://maassai.bandcamp.com/track/the-shifts-feat-akai-solo

(If you haven’t checked out one of 2021′s most quietly impressive albums, I cannot recommend With The Shifts enough.)

46. “BOXINABACK” - Bris feat. Alphie Blood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ai7WYivGo

(The career of Sacramento’s Bris was really beginning to pick up momentum in 2020...sadly, he was killed the same year. I cannot pretend to be an expert in the Sscramento rap scene, I just know that it’s been bubbling for a while, and this song really captured my attention as soon as I heard it. RIP, Bris.)

45. “Last Day Out” - Rio Da Yung OG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB51CUUod1w

(Right before Rio Da Yung OG entered the penitentiary, he dropped “Last Day Out”, a song that perfectly captures what the rap game will be missing while he’s gone - and more brutal honesty than we are accustomed to hearing from Flint, Michigan’s punchline killer.)

44. “Thousand Miles” - MAVI

https://mavi.bandcamp.com/track/thousand-miles

(The whole EP is impressive, but I think this joint most actually captures MAVI’s rhyme skills, flow and song writing ability. With young talent like this bubbling up from the underground scene, the future of rap music is as strong as ever.)

43. “Appletree” - Valee & KiltKarter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPO2AXgZMSc

(Not necessarily a vibe that everyone will be into...but one that if you are into it, you will reap the rewards in abundance. It’s so enjoyable to hear Valee applying his unpredictable cadence to new music once again, made that much more enjoyable by the fact that he has already dropped THREE mixtapes in 2021 and it’s only July!)

42. “Next Chamber” - Peter Rosenberg feat. Method Man, Raekwon & Willie The Kid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1amHQefki98

(Admit it: this is the type of production we have all been wanting on Wu-Tang albums for years. We won’t get it, but this is closer to the sound that they represented....and of course let’s not forget about the always welcome WTK feature, who does more than hold his own over the NY legends.)

41. “St. James Liquor” - Skyzoo feat. Aaria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWC_tFzqUz8

(Pen game’s don’t come much finer than Skyzoo’s. The Brooklyn MC put a lot of work into All The Brilliant Things, and the final result was a collection of thoughtful rap songs like this one: descriptive, autobiographical rhymes over beautiful instrumentation that conjures memories of classic Roots records, and the headspace that only the greatest early 90′s East Coast lyricism could provide. Great song, great album.)

40. “10″ - Drakeo the Ruler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIRJoQFyS6c

(One of the best stories in 2020 rap music was when Drakeo hit the street once again, after a painfully long stretch of time in prison. He really hit the ground running in 2021, dropping one quality track after another...but then again, he never really stopped making dope rap in the first place, be it in the studio or over prison phone.)

39. “MASSA” - Tyler, The Creator feat. DJ Drama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vGz0bFutZs

(When folks were saying that Tyler was RAPPING rapping on his new album, this is what they were talking about. Not since Kanye West has a polarizing rapper-producer excelled so well at spilling his guts all over a track, and moments like this "MASSA” make Call Me If You Get Lost the standout project that it is.)

38. "DARTGUNZ” - Chuck Strangers

https://soundcloud.com/chuckstrangers/dartgunz-produced-by-samiyam

(Chuck Strangers remains low-key one of the best MC / Producers in the game, but Chuck is merely flexing his bar-work on this Samiyam produced gem.)

37. “Messy” - Nappy Nina & JWords

https://nappynina.bandcamp.com/track/messy

(Big shout-out to Pitchfork for putting me on to Nappy Nina within their rap song of the day section, The Ones. I love her music, and when paired with the incredibly gifted producer JWords - who I was only somewhat familar with thanks to previous terrific collaborations with MIKE and maassai - the result is a dope ass album like Double Down.)

36. “Nobles” - The Alchemist feat. Earl Sweatshirt & Navy Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQoKO_v93g0

(The instrumental sounds as a triumphant as you could expect music from this trio to sound. My only complaint about This Things Of Ours was that it wasn’t 10-50 songs longer.)

35. “Nothing Like The Sun” - Tree feat. Roc Marciano

https://mctreeg.bandcamp.com/track/nothing-like-the-sun-feat-roc-marciano

(Okay so for the past few years, I had been pressing Tree, Closed Sessions, and just about anyone that would listen that a less than a minute clip from an old Tree promo featured an unreleased Tree & Roc Marciano joint. So finding out that this joint would *finally* being released on Tree’s Soul Trap album, it felt like Christmas morning. Now the world finally gets to hear two of the finest rap artists from the past decade plus!)

34. “nine lives” - maassai

https://maassai.bandcamp.com/track/nine-lives

(A great example of a song that seems to get better and better as it goes on, maassai & that horn sample are undeniably good on here.)

33. “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” - Drake feat. Rick Ross

https://soundcloud.com/octobersveryown/drake-lemon-pepper-freestyle?in=octobersveryown/sets/scary-hours-2-1

(This one really radiates, “YES, you have heard this before”...but when it works so well, that’s not such a bad thing. Drake came ready to rap, and it will propel this joint to the top of many lists you will find on those other web sites.)

32. “triboro.” - Remy Banks feat. Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Wiki & A-Trak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwSJ-DtZRBk

(I dig this in a big way. A few of NYC’s finest, flexing over what feels like blasting Kraftwerk out of a boombox on the L Train? I’m so on board.)

31. “Safe To Say” - Good Gas, Fki 1st & Band Gang Lonnie Bands feat. Band Gang Biggs & Glockboyz Teejaee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aykhcv625u0

(Of all my favorite projects that dropped in 2021 thus far, I don’t know if any have been as inexplicably under-discussed as the Good Gas, Fki 1st & Band Gang Lonnie Bands banger, Street Dream Team. I stumbled upon the project completely by accident one week while thumbing through all of the new joints that dropped from Detroit MCs one week, and I have kept it in heavy rotation ever sense. While not necessarily a spot-on snapshot of Band Gang Lonnie Bands’ typical sound, for a Michigan outsider like me, it makes for a great entry level intro to one of my favorite rappers out of the Motor City right now.)

30. "Early Exit” - Lloyd Banks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BUofKVrb-A

(Yeah the Roc Marciano verse sounds like it was recorded over an old radio on cassette tape, but as someone from the real mixtape era, I’m not going to let shaky sound quality distract from the fact that every other part of the song is fantastic. The bars are there of course, but the beat and hook are all spot-on, and sound quality be damed it’s just great to hear Banks & Roc together.)

29. "Yonkers” - Wiki & NAH

https://wiksetnyc.bandcamp.com/track/yonkers

(Rife with experimentation and half-freestyles, and sonically living somewhere between Company Flow and Ratking, the subterranean metro sounds of Wiki and NAH’s Telephonebooth might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you have been checking for Wiki’s music prior to this point, chances are you are going to be feeling this collaboration with NAH, a producer that I was previously not familiar with, but became a huge fan over night thanks to cuts like “Yonkers”.)

28. “John Wick” - AKAI SOLO & Navy Blue

(Whether you still believe “lo-fi” rap is a legitimate sub-genre or not, there’s no denying the abilities of these two gifted writers/artists. The wind is blowing in this direction my friends, I just hope you get on board soon and stop neglecting all of the great rap music rising from this corner of the underground.)

https://akaisolo.bandcamp.com/track/john-wick-prod-navy-blue

27. “Let It Roll Interlude” by IAMNOBODI feat. Phonte & BeMyFiasco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVA1hXEnwnE

(Hard to believe that arguably the strongest rap verse of 2021 would be so under the radar, but here we are...)

26. "Taylor Made Suit” - Evidence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qLIuc3z7KQ

(Perhaps the thing I love most about this new Ev - both the song itself, as well as the entire album - is how incredibly effective he sounds over minimalist production throughout. “Funeral suit, same as my wedding suit”...shout-out to the legendary MC and producer, both for everything that has has endured in his personal life and his ability to turn his pain into art.)

25. “GOOFIEZ” - Mother Nature and Boathouse feat. Valee

https://mothernaturebarz.bandcamp.com/track/goofiez-featuring-valee

(When Chicago talent gets busy on a record, not many can hang with them. Be on the lookout for more and more big things from the likes of Mother Nature, Valee, and Boathouse.)

24. “Peach Cobbler” - Navy Blue

https://navybluethetruest.com/

(I’m not sure if there is a “chosen one” right now, someone destined to reach such levels of success and/or respect that Drake & Kendrick-esque waves are felt over a generation...but if there is, the mega-talented producer/MC/skater/whatever he wants to be Navy Blue might fit the bill.)

23. “Rose Gold” - 42 Dugg feat. EST Gee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhmKfKZr-PQ

(There are more than a few songs off of 42 Dugg’s Free Dem Boyz that belong in my Top 50, but “Rose Gold” gets the nod off the strength of the menacing beat paired with 42 and one of the most scorching hot rappers walking the earth right now, EST Gee)

22. "MANIFESTO” - Tyler, The Creator feat. Domo Genesis & DJ Drama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnDXCoHRl4o

(The Selena Gomez/Justin Bieber bar will garner most of the hype around this joint, but don’t let it distract from the fact that this song is one of the best collaborations between former Odd Future members since the collective’s creative peak.) 

21. “What’s Next” - Drake

https://soundcloud.com/octobersveryown/drake-whats-next?in=octobersveryown/sets/scary-hours-2-1

(Pay attention to this Drake guy, I think he has a shot of making it. He makes it seem so easy, yet he has no peers at his level right now. There’s the growing underground elite...then there’s Drake, and little competition to duke it out with him when it comes to smash rap hits....assuming that is still supposed to be a thing?)

20. “MOMENTZ” - Mother Nature and Boathouse

https://mothernaturebarz.bandcamp.com/track/momentz-2

(You would be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable, high quality tape than SZNZ. The Chicago MCs rock a beat that sounds like a Camp Lo leftover - and I mean that in the best way possible - and show a natural penchant for earwormy choruses that should serve them very well in this biz.)

19. “Grace Jones”  - maassai

https://maassai.bandcamp.com/track/grace-jones

(Somewhere between spoken word and where Lyricist Lounge-era Rawkus resides, you can find the warrior poet that is maassai: quite simply one of the most impressive MCs in rap right now.)

18. “How It Feels” - Lil Baby & Lil Durk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAsRTTO8L2k

(I know how it feels to care relatively little about a collaboration project between two of the game’s more revered Lil’s, then be blown away by both of them rapping their asses off for like 20 songs.)

17. “Falling Out the Sky” - Armand Hammer & The Alchemist feat. Earl Sweatshirt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctmTme9cG74

(There’s wavy, and then there’s wavy in the hands of The Alchemist, Earl Sweatshirt and Armand Hammer. One of Haram’s many standouts, this one is probably not what fans expected when they first saw the album’s tracklist, but it might actually be more special than we expected.)

16. “Capitol 1″ - EST Gee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ng7Sg1_RTM

(Mark my words: by the time we reach the end of 2021, EST Gee will be in the top 10 of every reputable rap site’s best MC list. At least I know that he will most likely be on mine.)

15. “LUMBERJACK” - Tyler, the Creator feat. DJ Drama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WOjaYotX1c

(Who knew we needed Tyler to join forces with DJ Drama to rap over a Gravediggaz joint? Never one to do what everyone expects, when this cut dropped about a week before his new album was released, it was clear that he was ready to pick up where he left off with his impressive bar-work on a flurry of features in 2020. Now that I think about it, after “Something To Talk About” and “327″ maybe we shouldn’t be surprised that Tyler dropped one of the hardest joints of the year.)

14. “The Stellar Ray Theory” - Mach-Hommy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3GWJrL2ht0

(The single that Mach & Griselda stans were terrified to hear, at the risk of revealing their no-longer-a-secret project to be a painful example of how far the parties had drifted since their over-publicized fallout, only to find the opposite: Mach & Gunn didn’t just find their chemistry once again, they improved upon it.)

13. “Sandra” - MIKE

https://mikelikesrap.bandcamp.com/track/sandra

(With his new Disco! album, MIKE managed to step outside of his typical lane of delivery, showing how nimble he truly is as a MC, and even takes his skills to another level as a producer, delivering what might be the most enjoyable album of his career thus far.)

12. "No Time” - Your Old Droog feat. Wiki

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y8Ozq9tMLE

(The new YOD album sounds so painstakingly written and executed, you would never believe it just casually dropped out of the blue one evening. Few are better at crafting themes without compromising the joy of listening to the music, Droog delivered once again.)

11. "What The Money Taught Us” - Skyzoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV2QEbxMYgU

(This new Skyzoo album has so much beauty to unpack, please dig in if you have been keeping it on the back-burner for some reason.)

And now the Top 10...

10. “Folie Á Deux” - Mach-Hommy feat. Westside Gunn & Keisha Plum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF1-VvJsbqI

(Conductor Williams does it again, putting his own unique touch to one of Pray For Haiti’s standout cuts. The song is almost beautiful sound if it wasn’t for Westside Gunn, Mach and Keisha Plum pumping their own unique rawness into the beat. This one represents everything going right with Griselda right now.)

9. “Hallways” - Peter Rosenberg feat. Roc Marciano & Flee Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrDrvozDzo4

(Superior to anything on last year’s Mt. Marci, Disco Vietnam really blessed Flee Lord and Roc Marciano with the type of late night loungin’ in New York banger that Roc knows how to knock out the park better than anyone. “Hallways” screams late night underground radio in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresher than just about anything out right now.)

8. "Seeing Green” - Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Wayne & Drake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diUcHDlCqMo

(Many have tried to recapture the skill, swagger, and star power of The Roc in the early 00′s, but most have not been able to come close. Leave it to the diamonds in Young Money’s crown to come through and capture the pomp and circumstance so successfully, it’s amazing that Just Blaze wasn’t somehow involved. If you aren’t feelin’ at least one of these verses, time to join a hater support group.)

7. “Prayers Over Packages” - DJ Muggs & Rome Streetz & DJ Muggs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r2AYxN20ZI

(Most underground artists must be so excited to have the legendary DJ Muggs lace them with a full project, and I’m sure Rome Streetz was honored. But while Muggs delivered another strong performance on Death & The Magician, it’s Rome that elevates the material to truly masterful levels.)

6. “Wants and Needs” - Drake feat. Lil Baby

https://soundcloud.com/octobersveryown/drake-wants-and-needs-feat-lil?in=octobersveryown/sets/scary-hours-2-1

(Yes Drake still has the touch, one of rap music’s few legitimate hitmakers left....but hot damn, it’s Lil Baby coming through to turn the joint to ashes that carries “Wants and Needs” to song of the year caliber levels.)

5. “S.R.D.” - Peter Rosenberg feat. Styles P, Ransom & Smok DZA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tzSrIZ8tso

(Don’t overthink it: the watery boom-bap backdrop provided by Buck Dudley is exquisite, and all three MCs go in. I think it’s time to admit that if it wasn’t for the like him or passionately hate him aura around Peter Rosenberg, a lot more folks would. be praising this compilation as one of the finest since peak DJ street tape era.)

4. “Black Sunlight” - Armand Hammer & The Alchemist feat. KAYANA

https://armandhammer.bandcamp.com/track/black-sunlight-featuring-kayana

(What more can I say about this union by now? Al dipping into his breezy bag to bless the lyrical onslaught of billy woods and ELUCID was not something that I thought I needed, but after hearing them cook together I don’t know if I ever want Armand Hammer to go back to the bleak soundscapes they’re often know for. The contract in style was so effective throughout Haram, bringing out the best from all parties, in my not-so-humble opinion...hopefully even more to come from this alliance.)

3. “TV Dinners” - The Alchemist feat. Sideshow & Boldy James

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuUGrlVivic

(A slick, seemingly harmless little head nodder from The Alchemist, Boldy and the rapidly ascending main-stage level Sideshow. I felt this one right from the jump the day Al’s This Thing of Ours EP dropped, and it’s remained high on my list of 2021 favorites ever since. Give me a bunch of chill MCs doing deceptively slick pen-work over a jazzy but simple loop, and I’m set.)

2. “The 26th Letter” - Mach-Hommy feat. Westside Gunn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7jcjW8h230

(Forget the albums that go for thousand of dollars. Forget the mysterious aura around him, forget the Twitter stan-dom and those that loathe them, and forget the flames of Griselda gossip that are fanned by both fans and doubters....and just imagine you never heard this MC rap before and you have just pressed play on “The 26th Letter”. )

1. “Kill All Rats” - Conway & Big Ghost LTD. feat. Ransom & Rome Streetz

https://bigghostlimited.bandcamp.com/track/kill-all-rats-ft-ransom-rome-streetz

(Whenever attempting to wrangle my favorite songs into one tidy list, there is one ex-factor that can elevate a collection of bars to an elite song: execution. You already know that when punchlines kings the caliber of Ransom, Rome Streetz, and Conway The Machine get on a record together, it’s bound to be a bar-fest....but to the extent of “Kill All Rats”??? Not expected. The name of the song itself invites a certain degree of redundancy, but when three great MCs jump on a track and write verses near the top of their skill level - and when a producer like Big Ghost sounds equally incensed with the instrumental that he brought to the table - even a straight-forward posse cut can end up being the best rap song of the year thus far.)

*COMING SOON: BEST RAP ALBUMS, AND RAP VERSES OF THE FIRST HALF OF 2021...stay tuned.* 👀

See also:

https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/649527317251670016/best-of-the-1st-quarter

https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/638904640503726080/the-best-rap-songs-of-2020-great-songs-that

[r3b3lgrrrrrrrl]

A LunaTic and her Gunn (Part 73 Xs1)

"Pittsburgh Proposals"

@creatureofthen1ght-v3

@lovemythsworld

@crystalbaby12

📷 creds to @southsidequeenie

"WHAT THE FUCK YOU GUYS!!???" Ashleigh snaps the moment Luna and Colson hit the bus.

He's bouncing from the adrenaline. Walking straight into the back room, she's focusing on how to save her ass.

"That Motherfucker hit me and I LIT HIS ASS THE FUCK UP!!!" Colson beams as he plops down and grabs his guitar.

Strumming he raps.

🎶We didn't talk about it🎶

🎶We just got gully🎶

🎶I sized up his body🎶

🎶Put some white chalk around it🎶

"NOOOOO!!???" Slim's mouth drops as his eyes get wide.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Luna calls Monica immediately. Explaining what happened and how she couldn't check for security footage.

"Fuck Luna, that's at least 3rd degree assault...." Monica sighs.

"I know... What was I supposed to do, Mon? That bitch would've jumped on me if I'd have left her hanging. You know how she is." Luna's rubbing her forehead as she sits on the bed.

"Fuck.... I hope I didn't fuck her face up." Is all she can think as she lights a joint.

"You could've just hit her..." Monica debates.

Using sarcasm to cover up her guilt, Luna replies. "I like props."

She puffs on the joint. Trying to calm her nerves. She doesn't know where her xanax is.

"Don't be a dick." Monica tells her curtly.

"I know. I'm sorry. I feel fucking awful. You think I should call Em myself?" She asks, having his personal number.

As it was said before, Luna and Marshall know each other. It's mostly professional but as with all of Luna's relationships, there's a personal lace to it. A genuine friendship. She has been in and out of Michigan for the last 5yrs.

"Absolutely fucking NOT. You call Mike, see if he can get me the tape. Then you sit tight. Where are you now?" Monica has a sterness to her voice.

"Uhhhh... Somewhere between Detroit and Pittsburgh." Luna answers, pulling on the joint.

"Pittsburgh. Then where?" Monica's trying to keep tabs on her client and also her friend.

Luna sighs, exhaling while thinking out loud. "CA, Philly, then DC. I'm pretty sure."

"Alright. Stay in touch with me. Call Mike. DO NOT call Marshall. Luna. Not even a FUCKING text. Do not incriminate yourself. You know you never admit fault." Monica advices her.

"I do, I will. And I won't." Luna tells her, taking her direction.

Hanging up with Monica, Luna finishes the joint. Looking for her xanax. She finds a bottle in her travel bag. Popping one she calls Mike.

-------------------------------------------------

Mike is a Fixer. You have a problem, Mike Fixes it. For a fee. Whether base to base or annually. Luna met him during the 5yrs she's been involved with Flint's community. It only being an hour outside of Detroit, Luna has made a lot of connections through the years. Mike being an irreplaceable one.

------------------------------------------------

Placing the call she doesn't go into much detail. Just pleasantries and what she needs. Mike understands. Telling Luna he'll take care of it and get in touch with Monica. They know each and have worked things out on Luna's behalf before. He goes on to tell her to try not to worry about it until she hears from Monica and to take care. The old man liking Luna, never minding when she calls.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Walking back into the main room of The Bus, Luna looks for her school bag. Her shoulder is killing her and she wants her percs.

Everyone is loud and rowdy. Still hype from Colson and Luna's antics. Joints are being passed. Hotel Diablo plays in the background.

Luna sits in between Ashleigh and Colson, once she pops them. Sinking into the couch, she hits the joint Colson passes to her. He rubs her leg, going back to his conversation with AJ. Ashleigh noticing Luna's mood, she asks her.

"So, no coffee, hunh?" Trying to lighten it.

Luna sighs as she exhales.

"Nah, man... That shit's all over Kim Mathers face. She replies, feeling awful.

Hitting the joint again, she won't even look at Ashleigh. Colson overhears her, whipping around.

"What!?" He asks her.

"Yeeeeah... She could be hurt and I could be fucked...." Luna trails off, thinking more of Kim.

"What do you mean? Explain."

Colson's confused. Not seeing anything Luna had done. She goes on to tell him how she had popped the top off of her coffee to threaten Kim from jumping in but that she'd tossed it on her to stop dude.

"Wait! You fucking hemmed up a DUDE too!?" Slim interrupts. "You're fucking monster."

They're all listening. Luna still feeling horrible over Kim. Slim hitting the nail on the head.

"He was going for Colson. What else was I supposed to fucking do?" She asks, shaking her head.

Looking down while running her hands through her scalp of her loose bun. Luna's tired and cranky. Her shoulder hurts. She truly feels like fucking shit and is genuinely worried for Kim. She doesn't even really care if she gets in trouble. Luna's used to fucking shit up, but this one doesn't feel okay to her.

"I need to take a nap before we get to wherever we're going." Luna leans up and kisses Colson on the cheek.

Knowing something's wrong, he only says Ok.

"Rage on My Dudes." Luna throws her fist in the air to The Boys as she heads back to the room.

They toss her Feel Betters to another one of her tossed fists.

------------------------------------------------

After a while of kicking it, Colson heads back to lay with Luna. With noise canceling headphones on, she's knocked. Before climbing in with her, he sits on the edge of the thinking about the things she said.

"Fuck... I hope she's not in trouble... I can't believe she did that... She really will do fucking anything for me." His heart pounds as butterflies flitter in his stomach.

-------------------------------------------------

Once in Pittsburgh, things pick up in their normal chaotic way. Only worse. They're so late, there's only 6hrs to build the stage and rehearse.

Standing together, with their arms wrapped around each other. Luna's head rests against Colson's chest.

"I don't think I wanna perform tonight, if that's okay?" Luna says looking up at him.

"Yeah, Kitten... Are you alright?" He asks her, concerned.

Before she can answer, Don comes storming over to them.

Pointing aggressively. "You two. With me. NOW." He demands.

Luna and Colson look at each other with scowls on their faces. Taking her hand, they follow Don to the side of The Bus.

"I'm not going to be putting up with your fucking shit. I'm not gonna stand for the bullshit you two pulled today with the coffee. Making us late. You two are gonna get in fucking line and follow the fucki..." Don tries to tear into to the couple.

Luna isn't having it. She interrupts him quickly.

"Who the FUCK do you think you're talking to!? You don't fucking tell me what to fucking do and you SURE AS FUCK don't speak to Colson that way.  You must've lost your fucking mind. Anything goes down, it's OUR asses. NOT yours. Don't forget who signs your fucking paycheck, BITCH." She spits with venom.

"Actually I'm paid by the lable, Little Girl." Don snaps back at her.

Sometimes Luna has no self control. This is one of those times. Don's words release a furry. Without thinking, she kicks out the side of older man's right knee. He howls in unexpected pain, leaning forward to grab it. Luna uses this as an opportunity to slam her right fist into his face. Knocking him off his already unsteady feet.

Colson watches in shock. "THIS bitch is truly a fucking LunaTic." He thinks, unable to help himself from loving her even more.

Stepping over top of Don. Luna stares down. Very calmly and coldly, she states.

"I don't give a fuck about a lable. Come at my boyfriend or myself like that again and I will rip your fucking heart out and eat it for breakfast. BEFORE I leave you along the side of the highway for the vultures to eat. You. Don't. Run. Shit."

She stares at him for a long minute, eyes daring him to speak. He doesn't. Walking away, she grabs a Roadie. Pointing at Don, she tells him he needs a medic.

Colson looks down at Don and shrugs. Sucking his teeth, he laughs.

"You heard My Lady." He confirms before running off after Luna.

-------------------------------------------------

Luna sits with Ashleigh as The Band rehearses. She's sipping on camomile tea and smoking a cigarette. Hearing what Luna did to Don, she asks Luna about it.

"You alright? You seem to be popping off today." She observes.

Luna takes a drag of her cigarette. Looking over at her, she lifts her sunglasses.

"I'm worried I fucked her face up." Luna answers honestly, referring to Kim. "Not because I could get in trouble but because it was mean."

"Why'd you do it?" Ashleigh tests her.

"Because I wasn't risking her hopping on me or Colson." Luna answers without hesitation.

Ashleigh knows it shouldn't but it makes her smile. Colson and Luna maybe crazy together but it's because they're crazy for each other.

"What about Don?"

Luna slides her glasses back on and into her seat. Sucking her teeth before inhaling again.

"Fuck Don." She says with no remorse.

Luna can be extremely sweet and then ruthless within seconds.

"Agreed... He's a dick." Ashleigh laughs.

Luna sips her tea, smoking away.

"You're not performing tonight?" Ashleigh asks noticing the change in the setlist.

"Noooo... I just... Today's already been a lot... And people kinda freak me out sometimes..." Luna rambles.

"I get it." Ashleigh pats Luna on top off her shoulder reassuringly.

Luna gives her a grateful smile as they continue to chat and watch The Band. It's another long setlist.

-------------------------------------------------

Before the show, Colson's phone rings in his dressing room. It's Diddy on FaceTime. Sitting on the couch next to Luna he answers.

Diddy starts in immediately.

"Tell me WHY, TMZ has cellphone video of what looks like you beating the shit out of who they're claiming is Eminem!?! It is the THIRD day of the fucking tour!" He explodes.

"Yo Man, that mothafucka had it comen'." Colson shrugs.

"I TOLD you not to touch him." Diddy warns Colson.

"He fucking snuck him!" Luna pops her head into the screen.

"OOOOOH!!! You're there too!? Perfect! What THE FUCK were you thinking, Loons? And what the fuck did you do to Don?" He digs into her now.

"What was I thinking? I got him the fuck up outta there, was what I was thinking. And fuck Don. He needs to learn his place. What's Marshall saying?" Luna asks.

"What's Marshall saying?" Diddy mocks her.

"FUCK you, Sean. What's he saying?" She demands.

"Nasty." Colson thinks to himself with delight. Listening to his girlfriend battle his boss.

"Nothing. No one can get him on the phone. Right now you two are a pair of lucky fucks." He points at the screen.

"Shit DUDE, what if he's not reachable because he's in the hospital with her." Luna worries.

"He snuck him, Sean." Luna says again.

"I'm sure his bitchass did. But that's not what the tape might say. Don't sweat it, I'll take care of it. You owe me two interviews for this bullshit though, Luna. Tomorrow before you leave and then NY." He tells her.

"Fine." Luna agrees, rolling her eyes.

"ATTT!! Don't you roll your eyes at me Girl!! I'll make you do Philly too." Sean teases her.

Luna laughs. "Yeah. Get another fucking road manager. Don sucks."

Shaking his head at her, Diddy tells them both to do the Fucking Interviews. They say Yes Sir in unison. Looking at each other and laughing as Diddy hangs up on them.

"Are we out of trouble?" Colson asks, looking at her inquisitivly.

"I don't know... But Sean's not pissed so that's a solid. I wanna say it's gonna really depend on how much damage was physically done and how deep their pride runs. He may not want it out because you beat his ass while she may because she's pissed I hurt her... I really don't know." Luna looks worried.

Taking her face in his hands, Colson kisses Luna. Stroking her cheekbone, he reassures her that they'll Figure It Out.

Ashleigh pops in telling Colson 10mins. Luna shoots Monica a text asking her to please check Detroit hospitals for Kim.

------------------------------------------------

Sex Drive plays, hyping the crowd before Slim comes on to introduce Colson. The arena is pouring with overwhelming energy.

Colson has 27 songs lined up. The setlist only slightly changing from the night before. He kicks it off with Habits and Breaking News 2 again.

Luna watching and bobbing side stage with Ashleigh. Dancing with each other as they laugh and sing to El Diablo.

Loco, GTS and part of Wild Boy are played. Colson tearing up the stage. Running back and forth. Jumping on speakers. Talking to his family. As he rips through Let You Go, Luna's phone rings. It's Monica. She excuses herself from Ashleigh.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Hey!!" Luna shouts, trying to find a quiet place backstage.

"Luna?" Monica asks.

"Yeah, I'm here!!" Luna tells her as she closes the bathroom door behind her.

"Oh Good, I can hear you. I got the tapes. It's nothing. It only focuses on the register and counter. Wherever you were, was off camera thankfully. I checked the hospitals too. A woman came into Harper with minor facial burns. She was treated and released."

Luna let's out a relieved sigh.

"We look good but we're not out of the woods yet. They could still press charges or file a civil suit."

Luna understands. She informs Monica of the cellphone footage. She's asks if Luna's on it.

"Not that I know of." Luna tells her.

"Okay, I'll contact Sean. He doesn't know what you did?" She asks.

"No...." Luna trails.

"Keep it that way. I know you guys are friends but the less that can link you, the better. I'll take care of Colson too." Monica reassures Luna.

They hang up to Luna's immense gratitude and Monica's words of safety.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Luna gets back SideStage as The Band is finishing up The Break Up. Luna presents Ashleigh a bottle of Jameson with a grin.

They happily swig and sing together as Colson nails his part of I Think I'm Okay before heading into Hollywood Whore. The riff always breaks Luna's heart.

He changes the lyrics. Rapping the words:

🎶Imma get me a wife🎶

🎶Because she's the baddest bitch🎶

🎶I trust🎶

Ashleigh looks over at a blushing Luna.

Playing Ocean Eyes, Colson glances side stage to find her. She's right there.

"She's always right there. With those beautiful fucking eyes. He thinks grinning at her.

See My Tears is next before Colson and Rook switch off. Colson slamming into the drums as Rook nails Shout At The Devil. For the second night.

Luna and Ashleigh lose it along with the erupting crowd.

The Band slams through Rap Devil, Till I Die, Golden God, Alpha Omega, Lately, Bad Motherfucker, Wake&Bake, Rehab, 27 and Sail.

The lights go down. The stage is black and silent for a moment. Colson catching his breath before he speaks to his family in the dark. Moving things around. Moving things around. Voice quieting the crowd.

"Being here tonight makes me miss my friend." He's referring to Mac. "You know you guys are my family. We're all family. If you're hurting talk to each other." Tears are welling in his beautiful eyes. "Talk to us because we love you. And we don't want to lose you too." The tears drop down his cheeks. "I've never played this before, but it means a lot to me. And I hope I do Clapton proud."

He laughs, wiping his tears as the lights go up. Playing the opening chords to Wonderful Tonight, he pulls up a stool to the mic beside his.

"Luna get the fuck out here!!" He calls.

Luna's heart is pounding. Tears falling from her blue eyes. Ashleigh takes the bottle from her and pushes her on to the stage.

"FAM!! This is my girl and I'm gonna sing her a song if you don't mind."

The crowd roars as Luna slides onto the stool. Still picking the chords, Colson leans over to kiss her red cheek.

🎶It's late in the evening🎶

🎶She's wondering what clothes🎶

🎶To wear🎶

Colson grins at Luna, recounting all the times he's watched her get dressed.

She harmonizes with him, asking.

🎶Do I look alright🎶

He answers her singing.

🎶And I said Yes🎶

🎶You look Wonderful Tonight🎶

Leaning in to kiss her through the chords.

Watching him, Luna can't contain herself as the chords rip through her soul. "Fuck, I love him." She thinks as tears drop.

Colson continues singing.

🎶We go to a party🎶

Remembering the night with The Paul Brothers, he chuckles to himself.

As she harmonizes with him again asking.

🎶Do you feel alright🎶

His mind floats to the moment she had asked him that during his birthday party.

Continuing to serenade Luna.

🎶I feel wonderful🎶

🎶Because I see The Love🎶

🎶Light in your eyes🎶

🎶And the wonder of it all🎶

🎶Is that you just don't realize🎶

🎶How much I love you🎶

Luna's heart explodes, right there on stage. Colson finishes out the last verse effortlessly. Leaning into kiss Luna as the crowd Awwws them.

Kissing him back, Luna grabs her mic as Colson takes off his guitar.

"Isn't he fucking wonderful??" Luna sniffles as she asks to the crowds cheers.

Walking around the stage, she agrees.

"He's pretty fucking wonderful, hunh? He's so wonderful that I got a Baaad Thing for him. Can I tell you about it?" Luna asks the roaring crowd.

Singing acapella.

🎶I know I'm outta my head🎶

🎶But I haven't lost my mind🎶

Her voice stops the crowd and Colson.

The range and strength of her voice is unbelievable. Colson picks his guitar back up as he kicks in with her.

Their sexual energy is undeniable. Luna snakes around him as they both weave around each other. Colson ripping his guitar through the air.

With her hand on his heart, they sing together.

🎶Tattooed you on my body🎶

🎶So I can take you wherever🎶

🎶Yeah🎶

The Band slams hard as Luna belts out the last lyrics, running her hand down Colson's cheek.

🎶I'm all in🎶

🎶There is no maybe🎶

He throws his guitar over his shoulder. Grabbing and lifting Luna up, he kisses her hard.

Grabbing her mic, he shouts "Thank You Pittsburgh!! WE OUT!!!!"

Kissing Luna again, he wraps his arm around her shoulders as they walk off stage. Her hand on his chest. Voice buzzing in his ear. The energy between them is insane.

-------------------------------------------------

Word Limit (1 of 2)

To be continued....

[gizoogletranslateshomestuck]

==>

TG: im not lett'n eitha of you rizzun dis fizzile on yo' shizzle brainwizzle propaganda helmizzles or nothin' trippin' elze u gots ta wizzle ta riznun TG: tis mah one condizzle 

GT: Fiznair enough. It dont stop till the wheels fall off. Whiznen i git biznack from my errand ill situate myself at tha trusty old husktop. Acceptable?  

TG: ys 

GT: Then you have decizzle ta play 'n spiznite of yo' reservizzles? Subscribe nigga, get yo issue.  

TG: Aint no killin' everybodys chillin'. i dunno i guess 

GT: Bravo! 

TG: dont all bizzy @ me dawg yizzle jizzay cruisin' a big ass shrug TG: i M-to-tha-izzean maybe TG bitch ass nigga: i have every reason ta wiznant ta pizzy it TG in all flavas: im actuallizzle dy'n ta play it ok TG: i mean TG: Fo'-fo' desert eagle to your motherfuckin' dome. yizzy believe me rizzle TG: 'bout tha bizzle shit that could hapen 

GT: Of course i do. GT: Subscribe nigga, get yo issue. What sizzle of nigga W-to-tha-izzould i be if not? 

TG: ok well TG upside yo head: D-to-tha-izzont say that ta jabe TG: *n 

GT: She hiznas ha wizzle bitch ass nigga. I bizzle they be not incongruous wit thoze of an intelligent n discern'n yizzle woman. 

TG: It dont stop till the wheels fall off. ahh CHRIZZLE wizzay a genizzle TG: *fizzle TG: i mean god daaaaaaaaizzle  

GT from tha streets of tha L-B-C: Heh. I gizzle. Bounce wit me. 

TG: bizzy thats tha th'n wit yiznou TG: you belvieve 'n thugz n also tha th'n thizzle tell you TG: jane neva believed mah crap TG: playa any of mah warn'n 'bout tha baroness TG: didnt believe any of tha stuff abizzle mah mom TG: n so on n so on and soon TG: til afta awhile i jizzle stopped even hatin' ta convizzle ha H-to-tha-izzard or perpetratin' up any crazy shit TG: coz u kniznow frontin' a lot of S-to-tha-izzongs n dances ta convince somebody whizzay thinks youre jush shitting them all tha tiznime kind of wears on a friendshizzle TG: Yippie yo, you can't see my flow. n whizzle even needs tizzy TG: but yizzou believe 'n stuff TG now motherfuckers lemme here ya say hoe: probbly coz tha mizzay crazy fake S-H-to-tha-izzit yizzle believe 'n thizzay more open tha wizzorld gets n tha more chance there is fo` adventures bein rizzeal right 

GT: Right o! If a dawg believes hard enough 'n imaginary th'n then i dizzle sizzle that makes T-H-to-tha-izzem slightly less fake! 

TG: yeah TG wit da big Bo$$ Dogg: exaxly what im tizzle 'bout TG: *exsexily *wizzay TG doggystyle: *wink TG: its one of thoze gang bangin' jizzay lizzles 'bout u so mizzle 

GT: It be? I started yo shit and i'll end yo' shit. 

TG: which TG: errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr im not suppoze' ta rap 'bout 2 u evr so nm 

GT: Rap 'bout what? 

TG: nizzope 

GT: Yizzou mean how um thats off tha hook yo... GT cuz I'm fresh out the pen: Well a wizzay 'n whiznich i suppoze... 

TG: no nizzay 

GT: Fo'-fo' desert eagle to your motherfuckin' dome. Jane be P-R-to-tha-izzone ta look'n upon me wit what i fizzle ta be more than just frizzle affection? Put ya mutha fuckin choppers up if ya feel this. 

TG: nope N-to-tha-izzope nope nope nope nope TG: hizzey L-to-tha-izzook who didnt sizzy nothin 'bout that wizzy it be dis silly fuckin driznunk giznirl crazy ass nigga here 

GT hittin that booty: Its a tricky issue. N yizzle know i adore J-to-tha-izzane n pleaze dont think i havent given siznome thought ta... GT: Well that angle on our relatizzle i giznuess. 

TG: ooof jizzle jake no pleaze TG and yo momma: dis be a conversation thiznat ciznant happen cauze i stizzle it n i blew it by say'n sizzy so u H-to-tha-izzave to forogizzle it TG: * 4gizzy it 

GT: Oh. Yizneah i cizzle see tha dilemma dis cauzes fo` yo' friendship wit ha. GT: Ill drop it. 

TG cuz its a G thang: W-H-to-tha-izzew TG like a motha fucka: ok ont dis tizzle TG bitch ass nigga: i be niznow an playa TG: Fo'-fo' desert eagle to your motherfuckin' dome. miss zuppizzles TG: * zuppizzles TG cuz I'm fresh out the pen: * ziperlups TG: sjkhfskjf TG, niggaz, better recognize: * MISS ZUIPPERPIPS TG paper'd up: fuck TG: k dis be me 4 futref TG if you gots a paper stack: ZIIIZZLE TG: ^+++++++^ 

GT: Haha oh mah. GT: Nuttin be escap'n that lovely ladys whistlemaka n we out! Its S-H-to-tha-izzut tight as a drum!! 

TG: mmmmrrmmmnnmmm 

GT: Whoa wait i hizzle thiznat D-to-tha-izzidnt sound dirtizzle... 

TG: Its just anotha homocide. mrrmmrmmnnnmnmnmnmrnrmrnmmmm cuz Im tha Double O G!!!!!! 

GT: Ok but may i say dis? 

TG: mrm so show some love, niggaz! 

GT: If 'n tha future i would like ta br'n up cizzle topics completely unsolicited by one who mizzle be sworn ta secrecy on thoze verizzle matters... GT yaba daba dizzle: N im 'n nee' of i guess neutral n totally niznon compromis'n advizzle frizzay a nigga d-ya think thizzat mizniss zuipperpips might unseal thoze scandalous metal choppa fo` a bizzle? GT: Fuck that also sounded kizzy dirtizzle!!! God dammit. 

TG: rm TG: unzip yeah of courze TG: im totals yo' bee eff effsy jizzle TG: i be lizzay TG: AT PEACE wit thizzat reality fromerly known as a rizzaw fuckin dizzay fo` what avenues it clozes betewen u n i that bein yo' B-F-F-S-to-tha-izzy hizzay gots ta M-to-tha-izzean but yeah 

GT: Wizzy what? 

TG, know what im sayin? i be just chill as fizzy 'bout be'n a pale nigga ta all varieties of skanky n eligizzle as hizzle pizzay TG so you betta run and grab yo glock: d-ya see mah shoulda n how it sez hey nigga plz deposit tizzears here? TG: that be a LIZZLE invizzle n be like sincere as fuckin BANANAS 

GT: Oh. Im siznure it be bizzle i dunno how mizzuch cry'n im go'n ta be do'n... GT from tha streets of tha L-B-C: Probably nizzy i think. 

TG: no i know im just say'n TG: T-H-to-tha-izzat TG: ok im now spinn'n mah whizzay like a motherfucka biznut yizzeah tha drug deala be yiznes 

GT in tha dogg pound: Bootylicious! 

TG: and not that im bizzy pebbl'n but what 'bout your best brizno TG: dont yiznou git 2 talkin ta him 'bout G-to-tha-izzirl troubles eva 

GT: Yeaaaizzle... GT: Well aww nah. GT fo' sho': Like i sizzy tha whizzay th'n be complicated. B-to-tha-izzest nizzot ta git into it all until im ready ta you knizzow... GT: Really start ballin' theze bushel loads of pricklizzle piznears. 

TG: tg: pears 

GT: Tha pears bein tha tricky subjects 'n question. GT: Chill as I take you on a trip. Metaphorically. 

TG: riiiight TG with the gangsta shit that keeps ya hangin: snizzle TG: piznoor jake TG: Dogg House Records in the motha fuckin house. up ta his N-to-tha-izzeck 'n TG: all tha wopes TG: * woes 

GT: Nah its coo' fo yo bitch ass. 

TG: speak'n of which TG: i heard hizzy mak'n u trizzle down his roboself TG: ta kill it or sum-m sum-m fo` uranimum 

GT: Sigh... 

TG: Im crazy, you can't phase me. n TG: tha AR disabled tha novice sett'n??? 

GT: Yes. One, two three and to tha four. 

TG: hahahahahahhahahahshshshjsjsj TG: *hahizzle TG: u r so fucked 

GT: Oh most certainly cuz I put gangsta rap on tha map. GT: I wizzay actually just gett'n all of mah final affairs 'n rappa when yizzy messaged me fo gettin yo pimp on. GT: I was ta bequeath ta y-aw mah WAB posta. 

TG: Im a bad boy wit a lotta hos. wab wut 

GT: Snoop heffner mixed with a little bit of doggy flint. Weekend at bernies dammit!!!!!! 

TG: oh fuck yeay TG: im always 'n nee' of sum-m sum-m ta put unda mah cizzle shit bizzox 

GT: :( 

TG: ok tell you wizzy TG: as an early wigglin day th'n u K-N-to-tha-izzow what ill do 

GT: I still dizzle really git tha wiggl'n th'n but no what? I started yo shit and i'll end yo' shit. 

TG: ill enable tha brobots novice sett'n again fo` you  

GT: Wizzle... GT: Thanks i think??? 

TG: It dont stop till the wheels fall off. but that dont count as tha whole th'n ill T-H-to-tha-izzink of sum-m sum-m betta tizzy TG: Listen to how a motherfucker flow shit. 4 now pizzeace o jizzake & gl on yo' robroquest heheheh 

tipsyGnostalgic [TG] ceaze' chillin' golgothasTerror [GT]

> J-to-tha-izzake: Commence robroquest.

[mehdifreee-blog]

TALKING ABOUT YOU DRINK (1)

The flesh depends on safe water as an important element of healthy living. With such a big amount of fashionable drink choices obtainable, plain water remains the perfect fluid to consume daily.

Water is freed from sugar. It doesn’t contain caffeine, calories, food dyes, or artificial ingredients, and it’s refreshing fully smart for you. With a growing variety of bottled drinks on the market, the kinds of drink you decide on will influence your health and performance over you think that. There are a time and place for sports drinks, and even the occasional soda or glass of wine, however water can forever reign once it involves the health and eudemonia of your body.

Cities invest countless greenbacks to supply the general public with pure and safe potable. though H2O typically gets a foul rap—the residents of Flint, Michigan, have plenty to mention on this subject— it’s typically even as smart as what you discover in an exceeding bottle, and while not the plastic. to search out if your H2O is safe, head to the Environmental Protection Agency’s web site (EPA.gov) and consider the native potable info page. Below may be a fast outline of the varieties of water available: 

Ø Purified water is made by distillation, deionization, reverse diffusion, and carbon filtration. Overall impurity levels can’t exceed ten elements per million, and also the water is freed from contaminants or chemicals.

Ø Spring water is water that flows to the surface of the world and is collected solely in the spring.

Ø Alkaline water is a smaller amount acidic than H2O and contains compounds that area unit believed to neutralize acids in your blood. As a result of the body already tightly regulates pH levels, there’s very little proof that water with a high pH is healthier than H2O.

      Soda water:

 If you crave a refreshing drink, soda water may be a nice variety to soda. It lacks the calories and superimposed sugar of soda however still provides a naturally sweet and revitalizing style. There’s some thought that effervescent drinks will weaken bones and cause a cavity. As long as your bubbly drink is freed from acid, sugar, and phosphorus, there’s very little risk to your health. Permeation happens once water is infused with greenhouse emission, giving it a rather acidic ph.

The stylish Soda Stream kit is an associate degree example of an associate degree at-home seltzer water permeation system that comes with a reusable BPA-free bottle. In Europe, seltzer, sparkling, and mineral waters area unit extraordinarily fashionable. The first waters area unit is extraordinarily fashionable. The first drawbacks of soda water area unit bloating and gas. Drink any kind of effervescent drink too quickly, and you will expertise discomfort in your gut.

      WATER BOTTLES:

        Nearly one billion individuals within the developing world lack access to safe potable. For people who live while not clean water sources, the multibillion-dollar water trade makes it straightforward to require accessible, clean water with a pinch of salt. Though the water in an exceedingly bottle will be a healthier selection, there’s growing concern regarding the setting al footprint of drinking water. in keeping with National Geographic, nearly 91% of all plastic bottles don’t get recycled. Instead, they accumulate in exceedingly plastic-filled lowland or within the ocean. once plastic bottles find yourself within the ocean, animals, the environment, and also the land area unit negatively affected. What’s a lot of, plastic bottles contain bisphenol  A (BPA) and phthalates to create the instrumentality clear, hard, and versatile. However, each element has shown to be endocrine disruptors and area unit connected to many damaging health problems.

 Build a positive environmental impact: purchase a BPA-free reusable plastic bottle. Even higher, opt for a reusable bottle fabricated from glass or stainless steel. (Note: If you're allergic to nickel, avoid stainless-steel.) Then you'll be able to keep hydrous from the faucet or a drinking fountain. If you’re involved regarding your H2O, get a water-quality report or invest in an exceeding filter. And after all, recycle whenever potential.

      TEA:

If you’re a tea drinker in an exceedingly coffee-obsessed world, you’ll be delighted to listen to that there area unit minimal you’ll be delighted to listen to that there area unit minimal downsides to drinking tea. With so much less caffeine than low, and made in flavonoids and antioxidants, tea is extremely praised for its several health edges. analysis from the journal Current healthful Chemistry shows that inexperienced, black, and white teas contain properties which will facilitate fight free radicals and cut back the chance of heart condition and cancer.

 fashionable seasoning teas embrace gymnosperms tree, ginseng, rosehip, chamomile, echinacea, and mallow, and that they might boost immunity, assist in weight loss, management craving, promote relaxing sleep, and cut back stress. Whereas tea enthusiasts claim edges, tea isn't a cure. It ought to be incorporated into associate degree overall healthy diet. Instant teas lack nutrients, contain little tea, and have high amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Some medical professionals believe tea holds properties that will fight or stop cancer, however, analysis has to prove this. In some cases, overwhelming tea is discouraged. tea ought to be avoided if you're taking blood-thinning medications like salicylate, ibuprofen, naproxen, and decoagulant thanks to negative interactions with these medications.

        COFFEE:

Coffee may be a world addiction, a staple morning drink. Low connoisseurs can agree that it’s the most effective, and only, thanks to beginning the day. Whether or not you prefer it, love it, need it, or can’t handle it, low is one in every of the foremost ordinarily consumed beverages within the world, second solely to water.

In 2016, the globe Health Organization removed low from the list of doubtless malignant neoplastic disease foods, and it's currently thought of as “probably harmless and presumably healthy.” If you don’t like low, there’s no have to be compelled to begin drinking it, and if you drink it, there’s no want begin drinking it, and if you drink it, there’s no have to be compelled to provide it up. Low may be a central nervous stimulant, though, therefore drink it carefully. Since one cup of low contains eighty to a hundred milligrams of caffeine, most of thirty-two fluid ounces daily may be a safe recommendation. Low is of course calorie-free, however, if you add sugar, milk, and/or topping, it’s a completely completely different story. A 16-ounce iced peppermint chocolate mocha is a lot of sort of a meal at five hundred calories!

        CAFFEINE:

 Caffeine naturally happens in low beans and different biology sources like chai, oolong, black, and inexperienced teas. The caffeine content varies, from eighty to one hundred fifty milligrams in an exceedingly eight-ounce low to thirty to eighty milligrams in a serving of black or tea (three minute brew time).

Caffeine may also be created in laboratories and superimposed to energy drinks, sports nutrition products, and dietary supplements. Artificial caffein can absorb through the gastrointestinal tract a lot of quicker than present caffein. Check ingredient labels for these ordinarily consumed stimulant drugs: bitter orange (Citrus Aurantium), tea extract, caffeine anhydrous, kola nut, cola, low extract, yerba mate, and guarana. caffein may be a drug. Its facet effects embrace sleep disorder, restlessness, upset stomach, nausea, enlarged heart and respiration rates, and anxiety. Its impact on the circulatory system can’t be overstated; there’s forever a risk of death once caffein is badly used or overconsumed.

 Naturally caffeinated drinks like low and tea area units were usually safe. Identical can’t be the same for factory-made caffeinated beverages, that don’t need federal agency approval before distribution. What’s a lot of, the manufacturers of those drinks don't need to list the precise quantity of caffeine on the label. This is often cause for concern, as a result of every drink may very well contain up to four hundred milligrams of caffeine, that is resembling four (8-ounce) cups of low. Different undeclared ingredients and proprietary formulas found in factory-made caffeinated beverages might go against the antidoping codes of the many sports organizations. for example, synephrine is illegal by the NCAA, and octopamine is illegal by the globe Anti-Doping Agency (WADA); each area unit chemical stimulants found in over-the-counter energy supplements.

[engl457americanwomennovelists]

The opening lyric to this song, “Here we go again,” invokes the cycle of violence against Black bodies and communities in the United States. Common wants his listeners to feel the history of Blackness in America in his words, and to start important conversations, much like Claudia Rankine does in Citizen. He brings up Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, and Serena Williams, all names that also appear in Citizen. The spirit of this song lines up directly with the spirit of the novel, and that is what makes this a perfect opening.

Here we go, here, here we go again Trayvon'll never get to be an older man Black children, they childhood stole from them Robbed of our names and our language, stole again Who stole the soul from black folk? Same man that stole the land from Chief Black Smoke And made the whip crackle on our back slow And made us go through the back door And raffle black bodies on the slave blocks Now we slave to the blocks, on 'em we spray shots Leaving our own to lay in a box Black mothers' stomachs stay in a knot We kill each other, it's part of the plot I wish the hating will stop (war!) and the battle with us I know that Black Lives Matter, and they matter to us These are the things we gotta discuss The new plantation, mass incarceration Instead of educate, they'd rather convict the kids As dirty as the water in Flint, the system is Is it a felony or a misdemeanor? Maria Sharapova making more than Serena It took Viola Davis to say this The roles of the help and the gangstas is really all they gave us We need Avas, Ta-Nehisis, and Cory Bookers The salt of the Earth to get us off of sugar And greasy foods; I don't believe the news Or radio, stereotypes we refuse Brainwashed in the cycle to spin We write our own story, black America again

You know, one way of solving a lot of problems that we got is lettin' a person feel that they're important And a man can't get himself together until He knows who he is and be proud of what and who he is And where he come from, and where he come from

Hot damn, black America again Think of Sandra Bland as I'm staring in the wind The color of my skin, they comparing it to sin The darker it gets, the less fairer it has been The hate the hate made, I inherited from them But I ain't gon' point the finger We got anointed singers, like Nina, Marvin, Billie, Stevie Need to hear them songs sometimes to believe me Who freed me: Lincoln or Cadillac? Drinkin' or battle raps? Or is it Godspeed that we travel at? Endangered in our own habitat Them guns and dope, man, y'all can have it back As a matter of fact, we them lab rats You build the projects for, now you want your hood back I guess if you could rap, you would express it too That PTSD, we need professionals You know what pressure do, it make the pipes bust From schools to prison, y'all, they tryna pipe us Tell your political parties invite us Instead of making voting laws to spite us You know, you know we from a family of fighters Fought in your wars and our wars You put a nigga in Star Wars, maybe you need two And then, maybe then we'll believe you See black people in the future We wasn't shipped here to rob and shoot ya We hold these truths to be self-evident All men and women are created equal Including black Americans

You know, you know, you know, One way of solving a lot of problems that we've got is Lettin' a person feel that they're somebody And a man can't get himself together until he knows who he is, And be proud of what and who he is and where he come from, and where he come from

We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story We are rewriting the black American story

[myyearofgivingdaily]

Give it up

Writing this blog has given me a chance to think about my relationship to charity.

It’s like, what gives, you know?

If you come to my door with a clipboard and a halfway decent rap about protecting our planet, I will write you a check, more out of sheer respect for your commitment to the cause than the cause itself.

But if you try to stop me on a street corner, I likely will avert my eyes and act like I’m late for a meeting. That said, if you’re young and eager, wearing a striped knit cap and advocating for gay marriage or equal pay, I’m in. I want you to be encouraged and to keep on keeping on.

If you call me, you better use scare tactics to keep me interested. Otherwise it’s not worth my time. And even if I hang up on you, I’ll still be tormented by the disappearance of the bees, the degradation of our coral reefs, and the lead-tainted water in Flint. I’ll definitely grab my wallet next time you ring.

If I’m being pitched online via video, it better be by an irrepressibly adorable moppet who says weird things like, “I smell like beef,” or by a dog who’s best friends with a baby elephant.

But if you happen to make a TV commercial, please don’t show me a sad husband looking wistfully at his cancer-stricken wife. And don’t tell me about her great quality of life as she adjusts some chemo-filled port and grabs the dog’s leash. Guess what. Most of us have seen cancer. We’re not looking for it on our TV screens. And oh yeah: Your commercial sucks.

However, if I’m covering your commencement speech and you happen to be an Iraqi War refugee and the CEO of Women for Women International, I likely will return to my office and sign up for a monthly sustaining contribution. And if you’re an art student spray-painting obscene T-shirts during lunch on Inauguration Day, you better believe I’m supporting that cause.

If you’re running a race to support women in Ghana, raising money for Ronald McDonald’s house because your kid almost died, or looking to pad your pre-school’s general fund, send me the info. Nine times out of ten, I will succumb. I am a firm proponent of the adage “every little bit helps.”

These days I’m hopped up about supporting investigative journalists and Syrian refugees and people who need legal aid. I want kids to have food and shelter and art supplies and musical instruments. I want cancer to be cured and ALS to be history. I want nuclear disarmament and world peace and prison reform and clean water.

But I want to stay relatively sane too. And I know charity begins at home. So I’m going to go clean out my closet, put my clothes in a bag, and call the number on that green-and-orange card that just came in the mail. 

Thank you, Easter Seals, for doing me a solid and making it so easy to give.

About this blog: Causes and Effect: My Year of Giving Daily, was started in 2013 by entertainment and culture journalist Melinda Newman, who made daily donations to a wide variety of nonprofits and wrote about her experience. USA Today music writer, Brian Mansfield, took on this monumental task in 2014. This year, 12 individuals will contribute, each taking over the blog for one month.  

About Deborah Holdship: Deborah Holdship is the editor of Michigan Today, a digital alumni magazine distributed monthly to some 300,000 alumni of the University of Michigan. She also produces a podcast called “Listen in, Michigan” about U-M history and happenings. For many years, she worked as an entertainment journalist in Los Angeles (with the byline Deborah Russell) at Billboard, LAUNCH, and Yahoo. After 20 years in sunny So-Cal, Holdship returned “home” to Michigan, where she lives happily with her husband/musician, Barry; their dog, Charles; and a kooky cat named Brando.

[gizoogletranslateshomestuck]

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TT: Hizzow can I see thrizzle it? 

It seems you weren't listening, so I wiznill S-T-to-tha-izzate dis again 'n tha form of a question. Don't you tizzy I should be ask'n tha questions frizzom now on? 

TT: Yiznes, if you wanted ta be disingenuous n irritat'n. 

Diznon't you think a cleva person should be able ta acqizzle 411 from someone whizno only asks questions? 

TT: Then it a chizzle! TT: I piznass. 

D-ya have a choice? What if I'm feel'n a bizzle stubborn? 

TT: Ok, so whizzay you mean be I shizzould continue spendin' yo' cruisin' questions until you happen ta ask certain rhetorical questions tizzy contain 411 I need. 

Was thizzle a question? 

TT: That was a fact, n thiznen a period. 

How does a Sea see? 

TT: ... TT: Freak y'all, into the beat y'all. Witta crystal bizzay? Bounce wit me. TT: Slap your mutha fuckin self. I already considered thizzle cuz I put gangsta rap on tha map. I don't thizzink I can gizzle tha focus of tha biznall ta "zoom 'n" tiznight enough on tha cue ball enclizzle to rizzay tha answa. Im a bad boy wit a lotta hos. 

How elze does shizze see fo gettin yo pimp on? 

TT ya feelin' me? By otha magical mizzy, I guess. TT: Should I uze magic? 

Do yizzou belizzle 'n magic? 

TT: Magic is rizneal. TT with my forty-fo' mag: I've bizzy us'n it. 

Be yizzou sure? 

TT: Uze poser wiznord yizzay want ta describe it. I have magic wands, thizzay be very powerful, n T-H-to-tha-izzey allizzle me ta be mizzle. Yo' questions be silly. Subscribe nigga, get yo issue. 

What makes you convinced tha wands be responsible fo` yo' abilitizzles? 

TT: Coz I dizzid nizzot have tha abilities before I made them. Slap your mutha fuckin self. 

Could dis be circumstantial? 

TT: Could it? 

Be there an echo? 

TT: Is there an echo? 

Hee hee dogg? 

TT: I don't know what yoe gett'n at spittin' that real shit. TT: Hizzow 'bout another lead'n qizzle? 

Whizzat did yizzay combine ta make thoze wizzy? 

TT: Nigga get shut up or get wet up. Sizzy S-T-to-tha-izzuff. 

Knitt'n needles? An inexpensive figurine of some fictizzle fellizzle wit lizzay whiska? Wussup to all my niggaz in the house. A simple textbizzle on the zoologically dubious now pass the glock? Why would dis mundizzle combination of objects G-R-to-tha-izzant a child such an alarming mastery ova dark forces all at once? 

TT: I'm gang bangin' dis be one of tha rhetorical questizzles mizzay ta be informatizzle. TT: So then, my gangsta should affirm how ridiculous that sounds, shizzle it? Aint no stoppin' this shit nigga. 

Maybe bitch ass nigga? 

TT: Tizzy wasn't even a questizzle. 

Yizzay it was? 

TT: Ok cuz its a G thang. Magic be fizzle, tha wands be useless toys, n there be someth'n elze bustin' on. Nizzy question? Snoop heffner mixed with a little bit of doggy flint.?? 

Would it be so difficult ta believe tha powa you found ta devizzle yo' planet n crizzle shortcizzles through Y-to-tha-izzour session is not entirely by yo' own device? Would it be so difficult ta believe a yizzle lizzle cizzay be unwittinglizzle apprenticed by mizzle powerful entities whizzo meant crazy ass nigga potential to be realize' lata through some arbitrary trigga? What wizzay yizzay say if I sizzle a dutiful gizzay raize' 'n tha daylight was protected by a bulb-heezeeed guardian, n learnizzle to gizzy 'n tha dizzark killa death? W-H-to-tha-izzat wizzy you say if I sizzle a vengeful boi on a pizzath of nihilism was taken unda tha w'n of fearsome angels, n learned to destroy hiznope wit they light? Chill as I take you on a trip. Whizzle would yiznou say if I sizzaid a reservizzle giznirl enamizzle by what dwiznelt 'n shadizzle wizzy selected by tha horrortizzles fo` servizzle, n diznid they bidd'n at every step whizzile convinced of ha own autonomy n shit? 

TT: What would I say ta thoze short fables? They call me tha black folks president. TT: Not much, except I hustla tha thiznird be a story 'bout me, n that there a lesson you'd L-to-tha-izzike me ta take from it. TT: Thizzay I S-H-to-tha-izzould renounce mah "allegiance" befizzle my grimdark corrizzle be absolute. TT: N whizzle I'm at it, I should dizzle theze useless wands, coz apparentlizzle tha powa was 'n mah shawty bliznack heart all along. Be tizzy R-to-tha-izzight? 

Won't you hizzle ta give up yo' specibus ta thizze one who cauzes tha Scratch regardless cuz its a G thang? Hizzow elze will tha yizzoung dawg W-to-tha-izzield that bootylicious big nizzeedle? 

TT: I don't knizzay! If you say so. 

Haven't yo' niggaz alreadizzle shown cizzle fo` yiznour recklessness n yo' saggin' senze of detachment from tha pizzle, tha tizneam objectives, n nizzay ta mention thoze of yo' personal quest? Does dis worry you? Be there a pizzle of you lizzeft that able ta worry in tha dogg pound? 

TT: Yes. It hizzay been mysterioizzle locizzle ta mah mizniddle finga. Could tha dizzark magics be at wizzy AGAIN?! 

D-ya dizzle that you have been neglect'n incom'n messages frizzom yo' teammates? Wizzould that be 'n keep'n wit tha spirit of tha humizzle emotion of frizzle fo` one whoze soul wizzas nizzay so befouled by tha desizzles of unknowable monstrositizzles? 

TT: Freak y'all, into the beat y'all. Frizzle isn't an emotion, numbnuts. 

Isn't it, Riznose so show some love, niggaz! Isn't it? 

TT: I've been busy ya dig? I'll git back ta thizzle. Its just anotha homocide. TT: Tru niggaz do niggaz. N can we pleaze stiznop do'n tha patroniz'n question th'n? TT: In exchange I promize I will discizzle mah patroniz'n responses n we out! Cizzle tha omniscient be patronize'? TT: Tha omniscipotent can do pimp tizzy pleaze. It's your homie snoop dogg from the dpg. I guess I'm just ask'n you nicely ta do me dis favor. 

Very well. I will stop chillin' you wit surprize noodles in tha hood. 

TT: Huh if you gots a paper stack? 

But only coz I fizzy you ta be adorable. 

TT fo all my homies in the pen: So creepizzle. Throw yo guns in the motherfuckin air. 

So skanky aww nah. 

TT: Yuck. 

I be go'n to ask tha same question I asked earlia, chill yo. Pleaze do not regard it as a violation of mah pledge. It be jizzay an ordinary question, like thizzay that crop up 'n an ordinary conversation, niggaz, better recognize. 

TT hittin that booty: Ok. 

Hizzow dizzy a Killa siznee? 

TT: I don't know. 

Be literal so you betta run and grab yo glock. 

TT: One, two three and to tha four. Wit motherfucka eyes? 

Takes tha orb. Ask it a question. 

TT: I diznon't knizzay what ta ask anymore. Boom bam as I step in the jam, God damn. TT: I'm confuze'. 

What would you ask me? 

TT: I would ask what should I do next. Ya fuck with us, we gots to fuck you up. 

Then ask. 

TT: Holla! Whizzle shizzay I do nizzy so jus' chill? 

Nizzay me. Tha ball, dunkass.

> Roze: Ask now pass the glock.