deadryn.

also i did NOT realize that the guy who came up with hit em is one half of Matmos, but man, that fuckin makes a LOT more sense that a girl was giving him time signatures and BPM requirements in a dream

I just saw a comment thread on the "Not Like Us" video and someone from Toronto was like, "As a native of Toronto, I've never felt so beat down in all my life." Well first off...dramatic. But second, maybe this is a good time to acknowledge the history of the many...MANY rappers and Hip Hop artists in not only your city, the province of Ontario, and the whole of your country who are dope, don't change gimmicks like clothes, don't run down to various American cities for clout, and don't get concerts canceled because they lost a rap beef.

Like, Toronto itself has been active in rap for a LONG time.

Then there's Vancouver.

And beyond there you've got plenty to be proud of, like Shad, who's gone from being a formative rapper in Canada to being a worldwide ambassador for Hip Hop writ large.

Of course, you're saying, "DJ Regular, you're an old head, all this shit is for people who remember what dial-up was like," and first off, fucking rude. But fine. This was mostly supposed to be a 'Canada has Hip Hop roots deeper than Drake' post, but off the top of my head? Have Haviah Mighty and Skiifall for some new-ish stuff that fits the thesis statement.

Just...for the love of Pete, don't get caught out here feeling emasculated as a Canadian because a dude that willingly refers to himself as "Champagne Papi" took a massive L. He, and you, will be fine. Maybe take some pride in other bits of your very rich Hip Hop culture.

Obviously, we must linger a bit and talk about the elephant in the room: Sean O'Brien's speech at the RNC, his endorsement of an abysmal Josh Hawley article, and the resultant backlash to both.

Let's be clear: the Teamsters have not covered themselves in particular glory this year, and it would not be serious to argue otherwise. Although they've been at the head of a number of important struggles in the past year or so, it is simply impossible to ignore the increasing chumminess its leadership has with scabs and far-right politics.

That started with O'Brien's meeting with Donald Trump—and has continued through the union's donations to the Republican Party and specifically to self-avowed Christian nationalist Josh Hawley. Literally none of this is politically defensible: Trump is a scab and a fascist, the Republican Party is categorically anti-working class, and Hawley's "pro-labor" shtick is kayfabe. But you could begrudgingly let this slide, I guess, as just ordinary access politicking.

What you cannot let slide, however, is showing up at the RNC for any reason.¹ Or giving a major speech that legitimizes Trump as a populist who cares about working people, just days before he denounces the UAW's efforts to rebuild the labor movement. Or effectively touting J.D. Vance² as a tribune of the working class who has "been right there on all our issues." Or praising Josh Hawley—the self-professed Christian nationalist who, again, is not seriously "pro-labor"—for really any reason.³

Nor can O'Brien skate on politicking as an excuse for de facto endorsing Hawley's vehemently racist and transphobic op-ed, in which he argues working class people have been sold out in favor of “diversity, equity, and inclusion and the religion of the trans flag.” O'Brien's claim that he merely "channel[s] the response from many of his members" when speaking highly of people like Hawley is at best embarrassing (and a total abdication of his responsibility); and at worst a complete lie to conceal his own reactionary politics.

Luckily, it's clear that many within the Teamsters and the labor movement as a whole see this for what it is and do not stand for it. From Labor Notes and DSA members; to the internals of the Teamsters; to the vice president of the Teamsters and the president of the AFL-CIO, O'Brien's actions are getting the reception they should here. It is unfortunately true that many people will still agree with O'Brien (for one reason or another), but the response has been heartening overall. Optimistically? It'll make O'Brien rethink the course he's steering the Teamsters on. If need be? This should serve as the base from which to oust him.

1. Which for instance officially printed signs demanding MASS DEPORTATION NOW! during its third day.

2. Who has voted with the AFL-CIO's priorities literally never

3. Who has voted with the AFL-CIO's priorities a whole 11% of the time.

Via the Teamsters International Facebook page. Transcribed below the cut: