The Next Chapter for CIVIL

Happy 2024. 2023 was a full circle year for me as an artist, and I was able to create two very special projects: The Illio Snow Story, which is a One Man Show that I wrote and Star in, as well as its companion piece the Uncle Billy Tape: Illio Snow, an album that I wrote and produced.

I had a successful reading of the Illio Snow Story back in November and I’m going to spend this year making it into a full on production. The Uncle Billy Tape: Illio Snow is out now and available to purchase here. Each purchase will help support my efforts towards bringing my play and vision to life. Thank you. I will also be updating this site as well as my Patreon with all the news regarding my progress in these projects. You can also stream The Uncle Billy Tape: Illio Snow on Audiomack when you are on the go

New Music - Carmela (Produced by CIVIL) feat. Bee Nova & Illio Snow

We got a new drop featuring the supremely talented Bee Nova out of Brooklyn. Might need to put her on some more joints. Make sure you go check out her music, I promise you gonna hear some fire. Check out her work here. As a Sopranos aficionado and lover of rappers, she bodied this record. Illio Snow is no slouch either. You can purchase Carmela here, and it’ll be available on all DSPs Monday. BIG HAIR BIG NAILS BIGGER JEWELSSSSSSSSSS. Throw this on and fuggedaboutit.

Far Away -Crushin' "live" performance.

Youtube wasn’t having it (sample issues) so thank you for checking the “live” performance of Far Away on my page. This video was shot by my sister Daniella De Jesus. It was just too good of a record so I had to get my Eddie Murphy Party All The Time On.

NEW MUSIC - FAR AWAY (CRUSHIN') PRODUCED BY CIVIL

New week, new drop. This record is for anyone with a crush. The weather is getting nice, summer is around the corner. Send this song and shoot that shot.

Purchase the song here before its released to all DSPs.

NEW MUSIC - PORTO ROCK (PRODUCED BY CIVIL)

You know what time it is. Check out the latest (very NSFW) drop by CIVIL called Porto Rock. Shoutout to the Boricuas. Shoutout to Savio Vega. You can listen to the record here below before it drops on the DSPs. You can support me by purchasing Porto Rock Here.

NEW MUSIC - SUBMARINE FREESTYLE (PRODUCED BY CIVIL)

Last week I dropped something heavy and uplifting. Today we getting lifted in a different way you dig me? This like my theme music right here. Checkout my Submarine Freestyle. You can support me and purchase the song directly here. Shoutout to Taka Michinoku.

CIVIL's Top 10 Favorite Video Games of All Time - Friday Feature #2

I promise that all these features won’t only be pertaining to my nerdom, but even if it was its my blog so I can write about what I want. Back in the days I was a heavy gamer, I wish I had the vision to know how big gaming would become because I would have probably chased that bag instead. When PS5 comes out it is definitely something I’m considering though so stay tuned. I recently started getting back into it heavier because PS4 had so many classics. There were visual masterpieces, amazing storytelling, and my childhood reimagined in ways that I could have never dreamed of. With the release of the masterpiece that is known as Final Fantasy VII Remake, my nostalgia has been in full swing so I decided to look back at my top 10 favorite video games of all time. These aren’t just games to me. They inspire my creativity as an artist as I’ve sampled music from these games and subject matter. Not to mention they also have provided a much needed escape over the years. This list is in no particular order by the way. Let’s get into it. Also one game per franchise or MGS and Final Fantasy would be all over this list.

WWF No Mercy (Nintendo 64)

I got 2 words for ya!

This game was just absolutely incredible man. Still to this day I’ll throw on an emulator on my macbook and play No Mercy. Between Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain and No Mercy, there is no question that they are the two greatest wrestling games of all time. The roster was STACKED for its time. You had all the recent WCW wrestlers that jumped ship, you had Austin, The Rock, All the versions of Taker, HBK (THE GOAT) , Kurt Angle, The Hardy’s and so many others. Each wrestler had a move set that really felt like theirs and it was so gratifying getting your Special up and laying your opponent out with a devastating finisher. That Stone Cold Stunner in this game was just a work of art.

For the time it was released it looked great, and though it may be a little boxy now it still holds up. The creation suite was great and you could customize all of your wrestlers the way you wanted to. It made for some fun and interesting choices. Each arena had its own personality, and you could go backstage! You could fight in a freaking bar. It didn’t change much from its predecessor Wrestlemania 2000 but it didn’t need to. It added the few tweaks we needed to make this one of the best games on the N64.

Speaking of the N64, this game was great because you could easily play with up to 4 people and play so many different match types. You could tag with your friends, play a fatal 4 way, have a tag team ladder match, have a handicap match, the possibilities seemed endless. Also remember, this is when wrestling was at its peak so this game was a must have.

I was a playstation kid so I had to go to my friend’s crib to play it, and I would go as often as possible. That summer I worked with my uncle ( where I was super exploited), to be able to afford a n64. I worked 8 hour days for a few weeks just to get the $100 to buy that used n64 and get my hands on No Mercy. But it was worth it.

Having the game to myself I delved into the storylines, and the replay value was insane! Each championship had its own unique story, with MULTIPLE different outcomes. To this day I still don’t think I got all of the outcomes. You could be a heel (bad guy) and join The Corporation or you could be a Babyface (good guy). You could even start as a bad guy and change into a good guy and vice versa. I love this game. I didn’t even get into the cheesy music!! So good. If you still have your N64, dust that baby off and give this game a spin.

NBA LIVE 2003 (Playstation 2)

IT’S IN THE GAME

in 2020 this might seem unfathomable, but the NBA 2K series didn’t always run the Basketball gaming world. Back in 2002 and prior that distinction belonged to the NBA Live franchise. I could have definitely put NBA2k14 on this list because that was incredible, but nothing made me feel quite how NBA Live 2003 did when it came out.

Everything about this game was amazing when it came out. The soundtrack produced by Just Blaze was so fire and each copy came with the CD (remember those?). The soundtrack had standout records by Fab and Joe Budden that I can recall instantly.

Outside of the soundtrack this game was the first to feature the freestyle control. The freestyle control gave you the ability to perform crossovers and finally start breaking ankles with the likes of Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Baron Davis and all the other ILL guards we had at the time. It featured a prime Shaq and Kobe (RIP), along with cheese teams like the Dallas Mavericks, and Spurs that were loaded. I used to take pleasure absolutely destroying my friends in this game. I was an asshole. I’d do things like let them come back only to beat them at the buzzer. Of course the Knicks were garbage at this time, but that didn’t matter. I still caught wreck with them. Even in 2020 Ya’ll do not want the smoke.

NBA Live 2003 PlayStation 2 Gameplay HD. A match between the 2003 NBA Finals teams, New Jersey Nets and San Antonio Spurs. NBA Live 2003 was the 2003 install...

Sonic Adventure (Sega Dreamcast)

Segaaaaaaaaa

The first of two Dreamcast entries on this list, let’s bow our heads for a moment and remember our fallen system that was ridiculously ahead of its time. I’ll save that for another time though. Sonic Adventure was everything. I’m no tech guy but visually it pushed the Dreamcast to it’s limit and 100% still stands up today. This took the bold leap of taking Sonic out of his traditional side-scrolling platforming and brought him full 3D. And it worked. You felt like Sonic and the story was great. You also got to play as a bunch of other characters (some where trash, like the one you had to fish with, but most were great), and see the entire story play out from each of their perspectives. Full disclosure, in the original Sega games I never actually got far enough to obtain Super Sonic, but I finally did in Sonic Adventure. Sonic Adventure was actually the first game I 100% completely and playing as Super Sonic felt like the culmination of a life long journey (even though I was only 11). I actually replayed this game a few more times as an adult and it still holds up today. You can find it in all of the current gen online stores as they have made versions of it on each platform. TO ME, this is the greatest Sonic game of all time.

Gameplay video of Sonic Adventure for Sega Dreamcast. The first level (Emerald Coast) is shown. My Dreamcast Game Reviews: http://www.jvgs.net/dreamcast.htm ...

Batman Arkham City (Playstation 3)

I. AM. BATMAN….Well At least I felt like it playing this game.

FAM. Fam. FAMMMMM. The Batman Arkham series is easily one of the greatest video game franchises of all time. Through my childhood we had so many terrible Batman games, I never thought that we would ever really feel what it would be like to put on the cape and cowl. Then Arkham Asylum came around and changed everything. It perfectly encapsulated every part of what it means to be Batman. He was a master detective, stealthy assassin, and flawless martial artist. Striking fear into a henchmen before dropping down and taking him out remains one of the most gratifying feelings in games ever. There were so many ways to take out your opponents, it was like art once you became good at it. The fighting mechanics were at the time unparalleled. Spider-man definitely took from this and added to it, but at the time there was nothing like it. You really felt like Batman and the combos were brutal. The story was brilliant, the Easter Eggs were Stan-heaven and the Rouges Gallery really showed up. And then Arkham City happened.

The gave us an open world Batman game and improved every single aspect of Arkham City and the Story was EVEN BETTER. You could also play as Catwoman and all the alternate costumes and homages to all the different Batman iterations throughout the game was everything. They stepped it up with the villians too. The Easter Eggs where used in the form of The Riddler’s Riddles and it made it so gratifying finding them all. Batman has to deal with Hugo Strange, Rhas al Ghul, and so many other of his greatest foes. It was perfectully crafted and another game I go back into from time to time. I can’t wait for the next Batman game they are dropping. I hear the announcement is coming soon.

IGN gives its video review on the latest Dark Knight game Batman: Arkham City . Does Batman do the DC Comic brand proud?

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (Playstation 2)

Shoutout to CJ and the Grove Street Crew

This one was tough because GTA V is just utterly amazing, and the story in Vice City was super fire. Since it is one per franchise I just had to go with the homie CJ and San Andreas. I don’t even know where to begin with this game. The fun that could be had by not even following the missions and creating mayhem is nothing like any other game offered. This was a staple of Grand Theft Auto and GTA San Andreas was where this was most evident (until GTA V).

You could gamble, shoot hoops, buy fly gear, dance, have multiple girlfriends that each had different personalities, workout, pimp, drive a cab, be 12, be a firefighter, or an EMT. Let’s be real though, all we wanted to do is put in that weapons cheat code though and see how fast we could get 5 stars. I remember playing wit the homies and seeing who could create the most mayhem. You had to pass the controller when you died. My homie Mike probably has the best way of playing this game though, as he creates a world within a world. For example when CJ was broke in the game, he refused to steal nice cars for him. He played it like it was a movie. I respect it. I just wanted my infernus though and to make CJ as brolic as possible.

Aside from doing our own thing though the story was actually great (even though it took forever for us to finally decide to get into it). This was another early game that I 100% completed. The characters were on point and CJ is without a doubt the greatest GTA protagonist. You also had Samuel L. Jackson lend his voice talents for this. Also when you 100% the game, you get unlimted ammo, health and armor boosts, weapons at all your hideouts, and a Jet parked on the roof of your crib in Grove Street. WORTH IT.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Mission Guide / Walkthrough Video in High Definition Mission No. 010 Location: Los Santos, San Andreas Mission Name: Home Invas...

Shenmue ( Sega Dreamcast)

The 2nd Dreamcast title on this list and this game should be top 5 on everyone’s list. Sure it moves a lot slower than its contemporaries, but the story is suited by the pacing and it makes the wonderful fighting parts so much more gratifying. This game rewards exploring as you unlock different martial arts movies and hidden features by talking to everyone in the town and gathering all your clues. That can definitely feel like a grind if you just want quick moving action, but it worked in this game.

Ryo is trying to avenge his father’s death and has to gather all the clues to get to the person who did it, but along the process you have to do things like work. You’ll literally spend what feels like 2 hours driving a forklift and moving boxes, and spend most of the time talking to the people in the town and asking questions and gathering clues. I might not be doing the best job selling this game, but trust for its time it was brilliant and aesthetically it was unmatched. At the time there was nothing that looked as good as that game.

Shenmue Gameplay Walkthrough! 70 Men Battle (4K 60fps) This is my 20 part Shenmue Gameplay Walkthrough. In this part Ryo fighting vs 70 men. Thanks for watch...

Supersmash Bros. (Any iteration)

I’m giving people big work with Link

I needed at least one fighter on this list and it had to be Super Smash Bros. This game is just flat out fun. Especially with friends and when you have 4 controllers. Mario Kart might be better and more iconic but I personally just love Smash. I didn’t pick a specific one because they stay tried and true to their formula and its always great fun on whatever platform you play on. If you have this and No Mercy still with your N64, you are poppin my friend.

Multiplayer battle. Link vs. Samus vs. Mario vs. Kirby Level: Sector Z

Marvel’s Spider-Man (Playstation 4)

Spidey and Batman are without a doubt my two favorite superheroes (although the latter could use his wealth to completely eradicate crime in Gotham). Spider-man unlike Batman however has had a lot of really solid games through the years. Even going all the way back to the SNES. Spider-m=Man for the PS4 had big shoes to fill as Spider-man 2 on the ps2 was a brilliant game. I could not have imagined the absolute FLAWLESS Masterpiece that we would get in 2018 though.

Visually this game is incredible. Manhattan looks and feels like the Manhattan in real life. You can swing all the way from the Freedom Tower to Harlem and get lost along the way in how stunning it all looks. People have posted videos on how their literal apartment building is in the game. The detail in the city is remarkable, and then they add all the Easter Eggs and Marvel references. Avengers Tower is there, the Wakandan Embassy, the Sanctum Sanctorum and so much more is available to discover. There are also about 40 different Spider-Man costumes to choose from, that all look amazing.

The gameplay is also on another level. The swinging mechanics in this game are just amazing. There have been times where I’ve swung through the city for an hour instead of completing missions. Its easy to pick up and really rewarding when you master the controls. The fighting mechanics give you that Batman Arkham feel but with a Spidey twist. You really feel Spider-Man’s speed and Spidey-Sense . Building up your combos while Peter talks his shit is just chef’s kiss. This is a game where its just as fun to beat up random henchmen as it is to actually take on the storyline. There is so much to do and is definitely one of the more fun platinum trophies you can get.

Lastly the story is one of the best Spider-Man stories in recent memory (and there have been some good ones lately) ,and it is so easy to get completely lost in it. I did not want to put this game down. I absolutely cannot wait for the Miles Morales extension coming out soon.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Playstation 3)

This was the hardest entry of the list. Those that know me know my love for Metal Gear Solid as a franchise, as a staff, as a record label. I’ve loved every single iteration of this franchise from Metal Gear Solid 1 to Peace Walker to Metal Gear Solid 5. Metal Gear Solid 1 for the original Playstation was a classic with extraordinary gameplay and an amazing story. The genius that is Hideo Kojima just continued to level up with his games as I’ve loved the followups just as much and in some cases more. Metal Gear Solid 2: Son’s of Liberty is one of my crowing achievements as I beat that game on Extreme Mode with no kills, no continues and no alerts. I loved that game so much I had to master it. Then there was Metal Gear Solid 3. This was a prequel to what we had seen play out in MGS 1 and 2 and it took everything to new heights.

The gameplay was improved and made to feel more realistic. You had to step up your stealth and really make the right choices because the NPCs were a lot more intelligent in this game. You had to hunt in this game and heal yourself. These features were not seen in the previous games. The boss fights were also epic. The reason that this game stands out to me though is the story.

The story is one worth revisiting over and over again. There are so many twists and turns and it all feels so cinematic. There is love, loss, betrayal, defeat, and victory in defeat and defeat in victory. The story is far too convoluted for me to get into here, but if you have never played this game please do yourself a favor and get into it. Metal Gear Solid 5 was a visual masterpiece and the gameplay is one of one, but the story of Metal Gear Solid 3 is what separates it. Oh. and the music. The soundtrack is phenomenal.

None

FINAL FANTASY VII / FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (Sony Playstation /Playstation 4)

This game. is just. everything to me.

I’m going to cheat a little because this is my list and I can do whatever I want. I’m including both the original and the remake of Final Fantasy VII on this list. Final Fantasy VII the original, was probably my favorite game of all time (and in my opinion THE Best). Final Fantasy VII remake came through and improved that game in EVERY WAY POSSIBLE and we haven’t even gotten the rest of it yet.

The Story is centered around these environmental activists who are trying to stop this evil corporation called Shinra from oppressing people so already you know I would be feeling it. The main character is Cloud and the ensemble cast is one of which you grow to love as you spend the 50+ hours playing this game. You go on this journey with these characters and realize that Shinra isn’t the only thing they have to worry about. As the story goes on, you quickly realize the fate of the world is at stake and its up to Cloud, Tifa, Barret and everyone to save the planet. There are moments in this game that have brought tears to my eyes and moments that I’m still not over as an adult. Like Metal Gear Solid and Shenmue there is no way I can do this story justice, but just know this is the greatest of all time.

The Remake took the story and added to it, but also completely revamped the gameplay to the point that it is so fun and exciting. It makes pulling off that final blow with your character feel so exhilarating. This Remake has brought my childhood back to life, after the retirement of the Undertaker ironically killed it. I could have never imaged seeing my beloved playstation classic become this amazing (considering it was already perfect before). The iconic characters like Cloud, Aerith, and of course Sephiroth shine through and I am a custee right now waiting for part 2. The remake is so expanded from the original (which was already a huge game that spanned 3 discs), that they will need to put it out in multiple parts. Sure that is a money grab, but PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY NOW AND GIVE ME MORE TIFA AND BARRET.

Final Fantasy VII Remake First Boss Battle | Scorpion Sentinel Subscribe Now ➜ https://goo.gl/QWyuQz subscribe for the newest game trailers, walkthroughs, bo...

So that was my list. Let me know what you think of it. Also would love to know what are some of your favorite games, because I’m always trying to be put on to something new. Kingdom Hearts is the next series I’m going to find out about, and I also have to get into Red Dead. So if you have any others I should try let me know. See you next Friday. PEACE.

New Vanguards

Purchase New Vanguards Here. All proceeds to benefit Grassroots organizations fighting for change in the Black and Brown community.

NEW VANGUARDS OUT NOW

It has been 3 long years since I’ve dropped a full length project. I’ve done a lot of soul searching and reflecting over that time, both as an artist and within my personal life. I had a few difficult bouts with my mental health and decided to finally be proactive and seek help. I’ve been going to therapy for over a year now and it has opened me up emotionally and mentally in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I feel more center now and my vision of who I am as an artist has never been more clearer. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and rocked with me over the years. I’m so sorry for the wait, but I believe it is worth it. Palante. Never looking back.

We’re in a time of uprising where people are fed up. Folks are taking to the streets and no longer being okay with concessions. The movement to end white supremacy and end capitalism is growing everyday. “Abolish the police” is no longer seen as a radical statement. We are in a time of change, one that history will look back on. There is a generation of New Vanguards out there, learning from the likes of the Black Panther Party, SNCC, The Young Lords and countless others. It is now time for us to fill these shoes and push forward and on. New Vanguards is dedicated to all the Freedom Fighters out there, our brothers and sisters who are political prisoners, the Vanguards who paved the way, and ALL Black people and people of the diaspora. This is Music for the People.

This moment is bigger than me. It is bigger than all of us. I’m committing to donate 100% of the sales of this project into grassroots organizations like People Pueblo Power, Equality for Flatbush, TechActivisit.org and FiERCE NYC.

Happy Juneteenth to my African American comrades.

DARE TO STRUGGLE. DARE TO WIN. ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE. PEACE TO THE NEW VANGUARDS.

WE. WILL. WIN.

-CIVIL

Purchase New Vanguards Here

Artwork by Carl Nelson

Friday Thoughts 3/15

Last night there was another mass shooting by a terrorist white supremacist in New Zealand that left 49 people killed and and many other wounded. Its heartbreaking to constantly see what our Muslim brothers and sisters go through in this world and how a place of worship can not even be considered a safe space. Its upsetting to see Muslims demonized and dehumanized to fit this narrative for white supremacy (white, christian, male, cis- heterosexual). My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and all our Muslim brothers and sisters who might feel even less safe, now that something like this has occurred. I wonder what it will take to dismantle white supremacy not only in this country, but in the world. Its clear that those who benefit from it will not stand in its way so we have to be careful of who we view as allies. Its scary how these mass shootings are normalized, and it seems nothing is being done to prevent them. I don’t know the answers but I hope something changes. and FUCK all these xenophobes and racists putting the batteries in these murderers backs. Theres blood on their hands too, though I’m not sure they even care.

-CIVIL

Rappers as WWE Wrestlers part 1

As many of you know, I am an avid Hip Hop fan as well as lifelong WWF/E fan. The worlds haven't often intersected and its all good because each hold a place in the pantheon of my problematic faves.  With that said, over the years I've definitely noticed a few parallels between my favorite wrestlers and my favorite rappers. They are showmen, react to the crowds energy, and know how to perform, tell a story in the ring or on stage, and of course know their way around a mic. 

This is a list of Rappers and their WWE counterparts. I based this list off of their careers, impact, style and trajectory. Lets get into it.

Jay Z is Triple H

You can draw comparisons from the accomplishments alone.  Jay Z has 21 grammys and 13 Number 1 albums. Triple H has 14 World Title Reigns, multiple Royal Rumble Wins, and has headlined Wrestlemania numerous times. The parallels go even further though. At their best they have been villains. People love to hate on Hov and though HHH will always have the respect of his fans, the Cerebral assassin is at his best when he makes you want to hate him. Both in the later stages of their careers now work mostly behind the scenes and are helping to shape the future of their respective industries. Hov has Rocnation and Tidal and HHH has NXT and works behind the scenes at WWE in other facets. Don't get it twisted though, because even though Jay works mostly behind the scenes now, he can still lace you with an incredible 16 (for example when he featured on Pusha T's Drug Dealer's Anonymous). HHH still gets in the ring and mixes it up a few times a year as a way of elevating upcoming talents. He hasn't lost a step either and if these young wrestlers don't bring their all, HHH will definitely out shine them in the Ring. 

Also did you think I'd forget the fact that both Jigga and Hunter are married to two of the most powerful women in this country? Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are THE power couple in WWE and she is arguably a bigger villain than he is. Beyoncé is Queen Bey, one of, if not the greatest artist of our time and the greatest performer since Janet Jackson. Together they are the most powerful tandem in the music industry. The King of Kings, The Game, The Cerebral Assassin, Hunter Hearst Helmsley is Hov, Jigga, S.Dot, Jay Z. 

Drake is John Cena

This one is so obvious. Drake and John Cena are THE most divisive and polarizing figures in their respective industries. Since Drake has arrived he has divided hip hop fans. Many don't like his style or appreciate the way he carries himself and Hip Hop "purists" are mad he's breaking many of their accustomed rules and norms. People claim he politics in the industry and rides waves, burying artists in the process and some say he's corny and fake. This can all be said about Cena. 

Cena blew up in the WWE when he came out with his Word Life (white rapper) gimmick and in the subsequent years fans began to turn on him when he dawned the Hustle, Loyalty, Respect catchphrase. Wrestling purists/ Marks would say he couldn't wrestle, his character was stale, and he buries the other talent. Cena hardly would lose clean and dominated the main event scene. He is currently tied with Ric Flair for the most world title reigns at 16. Dual chants of "lets go Cena!, Cena Sucks!" rage on at every arena and he has completely divided the WWE universe. But the numbers don't lie, Cena has made WWE a lot of money of the years with his Clash against The Rock at Wrestlemania 28 being the highest grossing ever. 

The thing is whether you love or hate Drake and Cena, they can be counted on to produce. Every year you can count on Drake to drop 3 or 4 hits that dominate the airwaves, and with Cena WWE routinely has counted on him to shoulder high profile storylines and pack those arenas. They might seem corny, but they put asses in seats and produce at a high level. They are going to continue to piss off their respective "purists" but that isn't going to stop them. The reality is Drake is going to have a lot more number one records and John Cena is going to break Flair's record. Deal with it. Not to mention the kids love these guys.

Big Pun is Vader

Both Pun and Vader were the complete package. They were big and menacing but also charismatic and comedic. The dexterity that each had for their size is incredible. Big Pun was a verbal acrobat with a supreme flow and control that was unmatched. I work out all the time and there's no way I can have the breath control that Pun had. Vader was 400 plus pounds and pulling moonsalts and splashes off the top rope. They shined with smaller guys and showed they could keep up the pace.  Pun held his own and shined on verses with Raekwon, Nas, Black Thought and countless others. Vader had some stellar matches with Sting, Flair, Cactus Jack and Shawn Michaels. Outside of a botched elbow drop, Vader's match against Michaels at Summerslam is one of my favorites all time. Big Pun and Vader were essentially freak athletes and a sight to behold. Both were people you could build around, and both were people you wouldn't want to step to. 
Also there is some comedic charm to both Vader and the Punisher. Pun had some hilarious skits and verses and Vader was a recurring character on Boy Meets World, not to mention he also starred in that horrible WCW movie. Vader was a World Champion in WCW and Pun had a classic in Capital Punishment. Two legendary Big men of their industries. Also Pun's finisher would definitely be a Powerbomb if he ever wrestled. 

Fabolous is Randy Orton

Admittedly I am huge fans of both these phenomenal talents but I've always felt like there was something missing.
Randy Orton has all the gifts. He has the ability to go down as the greatest of all time and its as if his skill comes naturally. The same can be said about Fab.
Fab has all the tools to go down as one of the greatest. It seems as his skills are effortless. You can always count on Fabolous to give us a summer banger and an ill mixtape but some of us are greedy and are still waiting on that classic album. The Young OG project, like Orton's stellar bout with CM Punk at Wrestlemania might be the closest we see to either these men making a classic. Orton has had 13 World Title Reigns and amazing moments over the years but we are still waiting on that career defining moment. 
The question is will we get those moments from them? They have both had amazing careers that most people would love to have. So why would they even want to push the envelop any further? Fab has shared the stage with Hov, made hit after hit, and he can go bar for bar with anyone in the industry. Orton was in Evolution with Triple H, gave Undertaker one of his greatest Wrestlemania matches, and not to mention his powerslam and superplex are the best in the industry. Randy is incapable of having a bad match, but the hunger doesn't seem there anymore. The RKO is like a Fab punchline and can hit you from out of no where, and arguably is the best finishing move in the industry. Fab has quotable for days, so many that I'm not even going to narrow it down. Do yourself a favor and go listen to the Soul Tapes.

Another thing they have in common is the legacies and shadows they've had to come out of. Fab is a 4th generation Brooklyn emcee who has fought to rep the city like Kane, BIG and Jay, while Orton is a 3rd generation superstar. Both have had a lot to prove and did,, both can be considered legendary, and both still might have their best to come. We just have to wait and see.

G-Unit is The NWO

In the mid 1990s Hulk Hogan had to reinvent himself because he was becoming stale and fans had begun turning against him. 50 Cent had an underground following but upset a lot of folks in the industry. His re-emergence in the early 2000s, like Hogan's reinvention changed everything. Led by 50 Cent, G-Unit was the most intimidating group in the industry at the time. Charting out hit after hit G-Unit was untouchable in the early 2000s. They were the villains that everyone wanted to be and didn't want to get in the way of.
When Get Rich or Die Tryin' came out, everyone in my hood thought they were gangsta (even those who really weren't). Chants of "G-G-G-G-Unit would ring out" in junior high during fights and yeah some folks even rocked those G-unit wifebeaters. Everyone wanted to be down with G-Unit and they were getting at emcees left and right. Also every artist that got with G-Unit from Buck to Game saw success right out the gates. 

The NWO blew up in the late 90s and changed the landscape of wrestling. They were edgy, thugged out and took out everyone who didn't join them. At the top of that group was Hogan, Hall and Nash. They'd later add Macho Man and damn near the whole WCW locker room to the fold, but that was because you either had to get down or lay down.  The NWO also had all the gold. Everyone on that stable was winning belts, much like everyone on G-unit was dropping Platinum albums,
Also much like G-Unit, everyone in school wanted to be the NWO. That NWO shirt is still one of the most popular wrestling shirts. Good guys were no longer in. Luckily Flair's fan base didn't do him like Ja rule. See Flair had to play to the backstage politics of the NWO and Ja Rule's career never fully recovered from going to toe with 50. like the NWO, not many people could stand up to the juggernaut that was G-Unit. I have to also add that both reunion tours didn't live up to their original massive hype, and were pretty lackluster. That doesn't take away at all from the fact that their respective runs were amazing. 50, Banks and Yayo are Hogan, Hall and Nash. Also F*ck Hogan for being a racist. 

Be sure to comment below what you think of this list. This is only part 1, I'm going to be updating this list periodically. Wait until you see who I have pegged as Macho Man, Chyna, AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. 

-Peace, 

Civil

Dimelo Out Now

My latest single DImelo is out now on all major streaming sites. 

Spotify

Itunes

Dimelo is the latest track by Civil

B26 is on its ways soon

B26 is on its way. Still about Just US.

It's been a long road for me as an artist. Especially one who does everything from my beats to my videos and literally everything in between. Its definitely been tough but I feel that ultimately it has made me a better and stronger artist in the long run. Being completely independent means I don't have to sacrifice my integrity to put out content and I am excited about what that means for B26 so stay tuned.

In the coming months I'll be delivering new music as well as documenting the B26 process as well as the ideas and people that helped shape the project. Also going to be updating this site weekly so tune in for more blog postings (we're going to have a lot more pop culture based posts as well). 

At this time I also thought It was fitting that I dropped the "Justus" and fully became Civil. I will always be about Justice for US but I think its time I step forward into this new phase of my artistry and career. Also I want to show people how diverse and multidimensional I truly am.

Once again thank you for the support, and everything I do from here forward is for all those who have supported me since day one and all the new folks who show up everyday. 

Always Moving Forward,

Civil

Flashback Friday - when common sense goes viral

Really don't get why something that should be common sense got so much attention. Likely has to do with privilege and me being "woke bae" but we really need to step our shit up fellas.

Always Moving Forward.

Fantasies Official Music Video Out Now

Checkout the brand new visual to my single Fantasies! Comment below and let us know what you think!

Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe Download and Stream Fantasies on: Spotify- https://t.co/EvcSPoiN7i Tidal- https://t.co/orAKVOaOmn Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Fantasies-Explicit-Civil-Justus/dp/B01HSYYE6G Fantasies was written, produced and directed by Civil JustUs.

Major Work

Like, Comment, Follow and Share. Major Work is the latest track off of Civil JustUs' debut LP b26 and is written and produced by Civil JustUs. Oh and F*** Sallie Mae! Keep up with Civil at Civiljustus.com Twitter.com/CivilJustUs snapchat: CivilJustUs youtube.com/TheCivilJustUs Facebook.com/CivilJustUs Instagram.com/CivilJustUs