California Is Famous

I’ve come to the realization that California is famous. I don’t think I need to qualify that statement, but let me put it into perspective: I see people wearing San Diego Padres hats in Tala. I see them wearing UCLA hoodies in Nairobi. I’ve even seen things like City Council of Sacremento shirts. It really hit me the other day when I was in a matatu which was playing a CD of Tupac’s best hits. From California Love:

From Oakland to Sacktown
The Bay Area and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down

Dr. Dre even says something about San Diego in that song, hah! He and Dr. Dre really knew how to write lyrics. They just don’t make rap like that anymore (well, they do, but you’ll never hear it on the radio or in a club). I can’t say I was a fan of Tupac when he was alive, I think I was too young, but I remember driving around bumping his music in my minivan when I was in high school (maybe 2001?).

I don’t know how it works exactly, but alllllll your old clothes end up in Kenya. Some are definitely the rejects from American thrift stores (“I Survived Joey’s 11th Birthday” and other stupid, custom shirts). They’re not all rejects, though… I bought a really sweet-looking Ramones t-shirt for 150 shillings last year and I’m almost positive it’s new. That’s about two bucks! Shopping for second-hand clothes in Nairobi is the way to go: Ngara, Kikomba, Toy Market… It’s also funny/annoying to walk through these markets as a white guy and then shock people when I speak basic Swahili, Kamba, or Kikuyu to them. Haha!

Here’s some music videos for you to watch:

Tupac – California Love

Tupac – Changes

Tupac – Keep Ya Head Up

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