The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 8, 1995 -15 BOOKS Continued from page 13 Sister Souljah No Disrespect Times Books If one were to honestly review the events of his/her life, (s)he would quickly come to see the soap-opera like appearance it would take - the sheer number and variety of new friends, lost loves, "sinful" acts and surprise consequences would seem almost unreal. However, to see all of k this requires the one thing that too Q many of us are afraid to give, honest self-reflection and self-evaluation. This is what rapper/author Sister Souljah gives us in her book "No Disrespect." She has produced an honest storybook of her life, from birth through high school to today. She isn't out to lecture the world or preachabout right andwrong. Rather, she wants to share her experiences as a Black woman in America with us in k the hope that someone somewhere will take her words to heart. Souljahwon'thideherexperiences from us - neither the heartwarming northeheartwrenching. Sheisn'tyour everyday "ghetto girl" who "puts a Band-aid over the broken pieces of her heart, puts Revlon on everything else, and faces the world like perfume on shit with a fake smile and a false sense of security ... Souljah won't hide. I won't hide because the Bible says to whom much is given, much is expected, andI already told you Iwas blessed with spiritual eyes." Read with unbelieving (or per- haps your very-able-to-believe) eyes as she takes us through her rollercoaster ride of a life complete with a mother, once a proud, strong Black woman, who eventually sunk into the bottomless pit of drugs and poverty, relationships with gay, mar- ried, sell-out and emotionally-abu- sive men, a weak-minded sister, con- stant struggles against racism and sex- ism and an incredible heart, will, sur- vival instinct and knack for speaking her mind in the most blunt and realis- tic way. And, when you are done reading, and your shock at the specifics of her life (and her willingness to tell them) subsides, stop and examine yourself. Look for the points where your life and hers agree and differ. You, too, will see that her story is not so unique, not so special, because many of us have lived lives with as many twists and turns as hers. Only denial and a need for that "false sense of security" keeps us from reflecting, remember- ing and rea=ing. - Eugene Bowen RECORDS Continued from page 13 Subway Good Times Biv 10 Records So, Michael Bivins has finally re- leased another act offhis Biv 101abel. Frankly, though, I don't get all the hype over the four Chicago-born brothers who like to be called Sub- way. Call me shortsighted, call me strange. But people, these guys can't sing. Granted the first two singles off of this, their debut release, are decent: "This LiL' Game We Play," a duet with the 'all female group, 702, and "Fire." However, the other songs on "Good Times" prove beyond any doubt that Subway sucks. Though the cuts sometimes carry some nice beats and decent lyrics, Subway's vocal executions are often times off the mark ... way off. However, the title track, a tribute to the group's hometown of Chicago, is another song comparable with "Fire." Still, Subway is no Jodeci in the har- mony department. To its credit though, Subway does soundbetterthanXscape. Then again, that's not saying much. - Eugene Bowen J.D. Walker The "Career" Criminal Jammin' G Records Continuing in the fast-growing tradition of pathetic, wannabes be- ing signed by equally pathetic record labels we have the self-proclaimed "career criminal" J.D. Walker. Sport- ing a hairstyle popular among 7-year old girls complete with braids and hairballs, Walker shows his real col- ors quickly: dopiness, idiotic ten- dencies and sorely lacking rap skills. IYOU RAN OUT OF RETURNABLES. 2. YOURBESY FENDiRANSFERREDYB EUNIVERSY OFIDAHOAND YOUR PHONEIBLIS KILLING YOU 3 YOURGAS GAUGE ISON TME AND YOU ONLY FUNDMBOUEAERS BUREDIN YOUR CAR SEAT. 4. UOFMBEAT SAE, SOYOUWANYYOCAI[ALYOURSPARYAN FRUENOSYB RUB IT IN. 51 BCUE YOUR hINDS WONY FALL FR MI ElyWE . , , 4. YEAKA E ORE TIME. 6. IF YOUDO'YDO YOUR AUNRYSOON, LLNEDISOWN ZIP Y.l 'SZ2@L0MOU'YEGOYNE MUNCHIES 8124irV. DAD IS GETYING SICK OF ALL YNE COLLECT CALIES. 9 'Er0E ARD " 9. YU'R YBBEMBRRASED B ~<~k'> ~11~; A l1b, on > 10. GRADUVAYION REQUWRES :. Y £ <. ' AY LEASY LIBAR ... !'F i yy1y , ' F S ! VISIT PER YEAR. U '~