Combat Jack Joins XXL

By on November 13, 2009 in Daily Mathematics, XXL

xxl-covers-group-1Remember when I told ya’ll recently how I had an announcement to make? This isn’t it. Real talk, an unexpected opportunity came my way, a pretty big one too. Something that I had been planning for for a while. Entertainment related. Media related. Mad exposure. A bigger platform to support the Daily Math. Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the office. A week after the offer was made, the cats I was building with became real hard to find. Because I know how things get in the entertainment industry, I got a lil nervous. I started making mad calls, emails, text messages, Twitter tweets. Nada. This wall of silence went on for like a week and a half, even going past the day I was told I’d be starting. Yes. I got real nervous.

Eventually I got through to the person that made the offer. I was informed that the head honcho of the fine establishment I’d be joining decided they didn’t want to eff with me. Apparently said honcho had issues with fellow blogger and esteemed colleague Byron Crawford. You know how bol gets down. Well anyways, wha’ had happened was bol dropped some post completely unrelated to me in typical bol fashion, and said posts didn’t really sit well with said honcho. Them posts was too close to home is what my people told me. Said that same honcho did some research and discovered that me and Byron were cool, that we had history. Said honcho, so affected by the shit bol dropped decided that he wasn’t gonna eff with me. Ever. And just like that, I was fired from a job before I had a chance to start. Before I had a chance to meet the boss. For some shit I didn’t do. Unless you want to call it guilt by association. Then yeah, I guess I’m guilty. Guilty for knowing Byron Crawford.

I was kinda pissed, kinda down, shit hit hard, a dream opportunity evaporating right before my eyes, like a mirage before I had the chance to touch it. Down because that very opportunity was one of the reasons I started blogging here, you know, share info, create opportunities, build an empire, and have a great time along the way. Didn’t even feel like fucking blogging again. This shit ain’t easy when you aint getting paid for all the work you put in. I think that was the week I didn’t post one effin word here.

Good thing for friends though. Cats like Dallas Penn and Marcus Troy helped me catch my wind back. Reminded me that I was bigger than that. Plus that it wasn’t right for me to take my shit out on ya’ll by not dropping no posts. The more I thought about it, the better I started feeling about life. I wasn’t expecting that opportunity and since I never started, then I never really had it. Plus, this was a completely blameless situation. I couldn’t be mad at me, I didn’t do nothing. I couldn’t be mad at Byron cause he was just doing Byron. I couldn’t even be mad at my peoples that hooked me up with the gig, they looked out but the powers that be blocked them. I believe them when they say they went to bat for the kid. Plus, knowing how shady the game is, they really didn’t have to tell me jack about why I lost the gig I never had. I respect them for that. Thank you. I’m glad it wasn’t all politics as usual.

Last week I got the call to join XXL online as one of their featured bloggers. It’s a gig that doesn’t match in scope the one I lost (that I never had), still, it’s a gig that expands my voice. I’m very grateful. Kinda excited too. I’m calling my spot ‘Today’s Mathematics’. Expanding my brand, expanding the movement. Not sure what kinda topics I’ll discuss over there, especially since it seems like most of their readers like to break wild on that juvenile, ig’nant E-goon tip. I can get get juvenile and ig’nant too. No E-goonery though.

I’ma bring it.

I’ll still be here too. Working on getting more disciplined with the writing. Treat the gift like a job. Schedules and all that. I can never forget the true value of the Daily Math, and that’s all of you that visit on the regular. Read, comment, pass through, joke me out, add constructive criticism, all of that. Without ya’ll, there’d be no this. Thank you. Really.  And I’m asking for suggestions as to what you’d like to see of me there. Really. Please. Thank you.

Thinking about that gig thing again, it’s kinda funny. Living prime time in the information age, where the Internets are running this town tonight, to be penalized for the associations I keep on the blogosphere is a good thing. Shows how much power we have, how loud our voices ring. How fearful certain people are, afraid of the truth, afraid of uncensored opinions, afraid of different perspectives, afraid of peoples’ associations. If that incident is any indication of how things would’ve been on the inside, then that shit really wasn’t for me. I, we do this for the freedom of speech, freedom of ideas, eff a censorship, eff a gag order, eff monitoring me because of the company I keep. So yeah, to Mr. Head Honcho who killed the deal, good looking and a very sincere thank you for reminding me how powerful my voice is. I’ma keep doing this. I’m almost guaranteeing that we’ll meet again. Only then you’re gonna have to have a bigger checkbook for how I’ma rape the place blind with what I’ma be charging. Word bond.

It’s official. Next week it’s on. Let’s go!

Byron, nigga, you owe me one.

About Combat Jack

Attorney, author and radio personality Reggie Ossé is an established authority in all things urban entertainment. He is considered the first in today’s new wave of savvy attorneys well versed and nurtured in Urban, Hip Hop and Popular culture. He is the author of “Bling, The Hip Hop Jewelry Book”, a cultural anthropology coffee table book which provides an in depth and entertaining study of man’s fascination with jewelry spanning back to the birth of civilization.

  • cheezey

    oh boy, this is going to be good. kudos!

  • http://differentkitchen.blogspot.com/ ian aka @StellasKid

    R, you’re really taking this in stride. I’d be a LOT more heated if a major opportunity that could put serious food on my family’s table was f-cked up in this way.

  • http://www.hiphopmanga.com Plain Rap Medski

    The duty of a civilized man is to teach…

  • http://daily-math.com/weblog/ Combat Jack

    ^ “R, you’re really taking this in stride. I’d be a LOT more heated if a major opportunity that could put serious food on my family’s table was f-cked up in this way.”

    I feel you. Understand when I say I truly believe in Universal Laws. That opportunity came out of nowhere and went back in to the nothingness. Unlike how we’re conditioned to believe, life is nothing but abundance. The concept of scarcity is man made. I read it as the universe showing me whats out there, what I’m capable of. What’s already mine, and what I need to claim. Putting more negative energy on that would only close off the better ones coming. I’m so sincere with that. Took a lotta years to be content with this state of mind, state of being. Trust that it’s taken me far. Jacking out of the Matrix so that I could plug back in, on my terms. Still, Ian, I am deeply indebted in how you ride with the movement, how you have demonstrated how you’ve got my back. Thank you. Now watch how we do this.

  • http://www.marcustroy.com Marcus Troy

    Congrats! Looking forward to it.

  • Majestic Lane

    Peace & Congrats,

    I am a fan of your writing & insight… I have to ask why you’re calling your spot “Today’s Mathematics”… As you’re very aware, that is a phrase used by the Nation of Gods & Earths to identify the values that we live by. Could you explain please?

  • Ron Lee

    Let me guess, this “boss” was a “TI”. I can see them being heated at bol, but its one thing if you agreed with him and supported the same views. Its completely another thing if he holds that shit against you as if it were your word as well. Everything happens for a reason, chances are, you wouldn’t want to work for a dude like this, i know I wouldn’t. If he sees you in Brazil interviewing Shyne, he might think you’ll shoot up a club too!

  • http://holdthethrone.com Dom Corleone

    Congrats on the new endeavor fam, and best of luck. I’ll be reading!

  • OG Matt Herbz

    Nice. That’s home turf, baby. Can’t wait…

    –OG Matt Herbz–

  • http://iknowtheledge.com djfranchise

    really proud of you and hope XXL opens up even more opportunities. Def in the music and blog game, who you associate with leaves an impression and could both open and close doors. I think you handling the Byron situation is commendable. A truly “grown man” doesn’t have to revert their first, instinctual emotional reaction. But rather, process and come to terms with a decision and emotion you will be satisfied with for the long-term. Continue to be a model for the rest of us to emulate. Salute!

  • MagicCity305

    Dopeness Fam… More writing to read and enjoy.. Thanks for the greeat read!

  • http://JeffreySevere.com heLLobrOOklyn

    Wow, human beings are petty to no ends. Hope your mans realizes the shit he does spills over, but I commend you for standing next to someone many others wouldn’t. Right or wrong, it’s ballsy.

  • http://www.dozasaid.com Doza

    Congrats fam, I would say I’m sorry to hear about that lost opportunity but I’m not cuz that’s really their lost. Bigger and better things will come out of losing that opportunity, so I definitely wouldn’t stress over it. I’m a fan of Daily Mathematics as well as Byron Crawford’s blog, so I’ll be checking you both out over at XXL. Btw, I’m not sure of the specifics (obviously) but big ups for not flippin’ on Byron to get ahead.

  • http://danjlovesthe90s.wordpress.com DANJ!

    Props!

    A true testament that when one door closes, another opens… and I get the feeling it won’t stop here.

    -D!

  • er4se

    yo jack… we all keep tabs on these ti types… keep your head up, bol is good shit– a blogger that speaks his mind and actually has some balls to speak on shit others wont even touch cuz they are in the pocket… yo man smoke a tree, whatever

  • http://tonygrands.blogspot.com Tony Grands

    Co-sign OG Matt Herbz…

    I didn’t know Byron is getting it in like that. Oh well, a pre-emptive strike just show what types of cats have their eyes on you, CJ.

    Good luck fam. See you on the other side of the river.

  • http://crazysexytechiecool.blogspot.com/ Nina

    Congrats CJ, you deserve it ! Every post is like a 3D motion picture.

    Oh, and yes I do understand ;-)

  • EL Shakes

    Congrats

  • illmatic since 1982

    you deserve it sir, and u very inspiring to a young man of color doing his college thing

  • http://twitter.com/spewftek spewftek

    The literary power that’s represented in this piece is the true strength of street knowledge. No Frills,No shaky deals always keeping it real.The true essence of what the game still means to many. Combat’s efforts still amaze me on how you unite a culture with your gift of the witted, cool boy cerebellum.Big UP to Brooklyn and Combat for keeping his footing sound in the struggle.One.

  • Thomas

    Props on the new gig. I’ll be checking XXL daily for the drops.

  • http://twerkolator.com the kraken

    everybody commenting seems to be on some quasi-buddhist, peacenik shit (and that’s cool), but i’ma say what needs to be said, fuck that: elliott wilson is a fucking hoe-ass bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! straight up and down…

    guilt-by-blogger association!? what kind of fuck-shit is that?

    combat jack, all day, e’r day!!!!

  • Area

    cool your back at it, was wondering why there wasnt any post’s posted. good luck on the today’s mathematics! be easy

  • sugar

    Seems to me the guilt by association, was actually your association with what could possibly, be slightly perceived as antisemitism – or rather the mildly antisemitic overtones the phrase TI, as people like Byron Crawford have started using it…as a slur.

    Mos Def started it, and you made brilliant, honest posts about Lyor Cohen, using the same initials – and right, there was nothing the least bit antisemitics there…. but keep in mind how that sits when framed against attacks against Jews where you throw Israel’s politics in their face, even though we all know being a Jew, or even a self identified Israeli does not make you a supporter of their policies, or responsible for any conflicts in this world (and if it does, perhaps we can talk to Byron about his responsibility for conflicts on African lands?)…. so that combined with other iffy sentiments which have resulted in a number of posts in your comments section that could be construed as anti-Jewish… and it almost makes sense why a venture with you might lead to problems.

    Forget secret cabals, but if you’re throwing shots that may be insensitive to a community, you need to take responsibility for the business consequences. I know that sucks, but that’s life, and you have to be true to yourself either way.

  • http://www.cassavaleaf.com/ CassavaLeaf

    Imma gonna come over there and get my E thuggery on

  • http://www.cassavaleaf.com/ CassavaLeaf

    Whatever you post there, can you post it here?
    Not sure if I’ll be going over there on the daily

  • sanfi

    Sugar I understand you are just telling it how it is, but that don’t mean we have to like it.

    The fact is that the music industry is pretty much run by Jews. So Jews tend to be very responsible for exploiting black culture for the sake of a dollar or perhaps as others suggest, maybe it could be something more sinister.

    I’m not in the mind set that Jews are to blame for everything thats wrong with the world because that is utter nonsense…. But make no mistake, they have been pimping black people for years in the music business. And why not? We seem to crave abuse.

  • sugar

    Sanfi, What do you mean by “sinister”, and why are you under the impression this blog is attempting to expose that? Answer that, and we might have a better guess why the corporate dollars for Daily-Math went bye-bye.

    It’s not even the same issue, but the idea that Jews exploited the music industry is some bullshit. They helped reinvent it, they helped turn it into the business it is today, and they helped recognize some amazing talents, many of whom happen to be Black. Along with pushing cultural barriers, and making a number of Black Americans rich, a number of people got screwed, because hey, there are greedy sharks in any line of business. You’re telling me Black business owners aren’t exploiting people too? Ask anyone who got screwed by Russell Simmons and Sylvia Robinson, and then explain why I can name a long list of non-Blacks who got screwed by the same industry. Exploitation isn’t to be denied, but it’s the motivation behind it you’re getting twisted.

    Meanwhile, using coded slurs is unacceptable. Think about it.

  • sanfi

    Sugar you must be buggin to think that Jews have helped to reinvent anything when it comes to black music. Musically, we are unmatched by anyone on earth! We never needed any help when it comes to the actual artistry. I suppose turning the artform into the disposable ringtone crap is what you are speaking of?

    We can agree to disagree about the exploitations, but I’ve seen it first hand so you could never tell me otherwise. You mention a couple black execs like people don’t know a nigga will sellout in a second for that paper.

    Oh yeah, when it comes to the “sinister” comment, you know damn well what I mean by it and don’t think for a second I’m tip toein around for the sake of being PC(Niggas don’t care about that shit). Like I told you, I don’t subscribe to those beliefs, however I cannot completely dismiss them either because like I also said I have seen it with my own eyes time and again.

    Goodnight.

  • http://wesleyverhoeve.com Wesley Verhoeve

    congrats man, and I’m glad you’re not letting the less important stuff (in the big picture) get you down. they’ll see, they’ll see.

  • sugar

    “Musically, we are unmatched by anyone on earth! We never needed any help when it comes to the actual artistry.”

    Oh?

    I wasn’t talking about artistry anyway. I was talking about the ability to take that kid on the corner soft shoeing for pennies, and give him a position to showcase his talents on a world stage. I mean, when did this exploitation happen again? Alan Lomax? Was he a Rabbi?

    “when it comes to the “sinister” comment, you know damn well what I mean by it and don’t think for a second I’m tip toein around for the sake of being PC”

    No, I really don’t. People say a lot of crazy shit about Jews. Since you’re unable to specify what the hell you’re talking about, or which blood libel you subscribe to, it sure as hell sounds like you ARE tip toeing around it, even though you sound like you know better. You also refuse to dismiss it, which is the same error in judgement Combat Jack made. If you leave us to assume, then you set yourself up for that guilt by association thing, and you’re all better than that.

  • sanfi

    Ok, heres what I mean by sinister. Let me make this short.

    Since slavery “ended” in America, the ruling class have wanted us out. Both Blacks and Jews were targeted by eugenics earlier in this past century, but for Blacks it never ended.

    Planned Parenthood was designed for us. The prison industrial complex is modern day slavery and our gov’t intelligence agencies have purposely set us up for that fall. Drugs, guns, gutting of our communities, murder of leaders… All BY DESIGN. How’s that for a conspiracy theory? Where do Jews come in?

    For the most part Jews run the music industry. Our music and specifically Hip Hop has been intentionally dumbed down over the past 20 years. Perhaps that’s what you meant by reinvent? Hip Hop would have been huge no matter who was involved in helping it reach the world stage. The majority of credit remains with the artists. My point is that with the power and influence of Hip Hop and intentional and coerced dumbing down are Jews (at least the ones in the music industry) somehow complicit in trying to destroy our communities?

    Hmmm, I don’t know.

    As far as the “refusal to dismiss” and the “guilt by association thing”… Fuck y’all if thats how you look at it.

  • Jay Dubya

    I’m sure you’ll come out on top(No homo) when the dust settles.

    But no for nothing i’m mad Bol is the reason you didn’t get the gig. I may be in the minority here but being from BK i just don’t respect Bol although i respect what he writes partially because of your co-sign. Where I’m from in Fort Greene you can speak your mind and say what you feel but you have to be able to back it up and in my opinion Bol doesn’t have that in him. He kinda reminds me of Star from Star & Bucwild a pure hater but Star got gully when needed.

  • Mr. King aka @BeenTheKing

    Snowball effect. Daily Math continues to grow. Im paying attention.

  • mrblofish

    “Plus that it wasn’t right for me to take my shit out on ya’ll by not dropping no posts.”

    ok I thought I was bugging….like the time I wondered why Rush Limbaugh was sounding like a parody of himself on radio…only to learn he was aving hearing problems…lol..yeah I listen to conservative radio….bettter to hear what the thinking and saying from the horses mouth than 2nd or 3rd hand from the less prespectived….lol

  • sugar

    “Our music and specifically Hip Hop has been intentionally dumbed down over the past 20 years.”

    Not for nuthin’ but that just sounds ignorant of Hip Hop, or like you never heard a rhyme from 1979 if you’re saying that.

    I guess Biggie never happened?

    I guess the difference between Jay or Nas writing a god or bad record is wether a Jew wrote them a check or not?

    Also, not to ruin this idea you have that hip hop is a Black peoples art form, but there are generations of Latins out there who might disagree.

  • http://bloggerhouse.net/ Dart_Adams

    How the fuck is someone gonna hold YOU accountable for something your 730 “I don’t give a fuck about how you other cats feel” blogger associate does? Fuck that dude for real. Congrats, fam.

    One.

  • http://no-phd.blogspot.com Uncle Yumche

    Congratulations & Salutations. Errything happens for a reason!

  • http://www.true2lifemusic.net K.Words

    congrats on the new works! regardless of what happened with the other opportunity, things happen for a reason and I hope a bigger opp is the end result of this.

    - k.words

  • Phonebook

    Congrats, been reading for a minute now. Question? whats your opinion on FatJoe.

  • Uncle Yumche

    Congratulations! Salutations!