Posts Tagged ‘Hip Hop News’

The Fall of Hip Hop Music

In the early days of Hip Hop, most notably around the last fifteen years of the 20th century, there had always been an underlying, but often vocal, opposition to popular American music, or “pop” music. The idea was always that, by surrendering the people’s music, designed for the downtrodden inner-city, to corporate America, Hip Hop contradicted everything it stood for. However, that which the soothsayers of rap feared has come true, and those cunning profiteers, who take control of every potential cash-crop they detect, have commandeered the music so seamlessly that the glory days of yesteryear and the code under which they operated, are all but forgotten.

Back then, the unwritten code implied that an artist must “pay dues”, such as battling other MC’s in the streets or hosting parties held in city parks or apartments, before they can be respected as a true rap artist. This code was enforced musically and collectively by those already anointed, rather effectively destroying the fragile careers of artists who had bypassed these rites of passage and crossed over into the mainstream by way of a marketing strategy.

The two most notable causalities were MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice, both of whom won Grammy Awards, at a time when such honors was considered a scarlet letter in the music’s culture. Such brutal attacks proved that the music was, indeed, larger than any man, and no feelings would be spared to safeguard the musical frontier which had refused to join the empire

Today, we see events like the annual Hip Hop Honors, which decided to commemorate The Dirty South for their “dominance” in rap music over the last decade, a dominance measured by sales, not talent, and is clearly a result of the over-exposure that comes from squeezing a successful product for everything it’s worth. The landscape has been mangled. Artists that were previously banished are now celebrated, like the actor-turned-rapper and exemplar of pop star, Drake, who has shrewdly conformed to the south’s unique interpretation of rap music and has seamlessly integrated with its clique, despite the fact that he hails from Canada, thousands of miles away.

In 2010, Drake, the canuck, who has outrun a sure exile by about fifteen years, wears his mainstream accolades with pride and is adored by fans, which are appearing more and more like the crowd at the Mickey Mouse Club and less like a classic “park jam”. Just like Ice, who was harshly vilified and torn from grace, he has bypassed the code and has been inserted into the chain-wearing, campaign-popping world of dancing floozies and big rims. Most certainly under a team of business advisers, he masquerades as a tried and true member of the Dirty South and whistles “Dixie” all the way to the Canadian bank.

It is truly a sad state of affairs, and the real victims are the abandoned artists who are still out there. Much like the Samurai of the far east, whose ideals were smothered by their countries’ desire to join the industrial surge of the west in the 19th century, they remain on the fringe and never receive what’s rightfully theirs. These forgotten souls, remnants of the original colonies and second-generation frontiersman, like Slum Village, Guilty Simpson, Aesop Rock, Madlib, Oh-No, MF Doom, Kool Keith and Del the Funky Homosapien press on, following the original commandments of hip hop, equipped with the technology of the day and a skill set that’s 30 years evolved.

They receive no support from major radio stations, which are in the pocket of the evil syndicate and only serve as a promotional tool for the mainstream acts, and they certainly are not honored with an award show honoring their “dominance”. They aren’t even invited. Their fan base consists of hip hop romantics, and their work fits the description of cult classic. Like most of our distorted perceptions of history, the present time period will be remembered as the era of the Dirty South and artists such as Drake, while those who has taken the art where it should be melt into obscurity.

So, if you enjoy the new breed, understand that you are perfectly normal. Many have adopted the music that was hijacked and taken from the ghetto by the same people who use all of their interests to control them. However, just know that when you claim to be a fan of hip hop, the music you enjoy is not in it’s pure state but rather, is a deformed mutation of it.

To the rest of the fans, keep it real.

View the original article on blogcritics.org

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DJ Absolut files Lawsuit over Drakes Best I ever had Song

DJ Absolut has reportedly filed a lawsuit over Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” hit song and claimed that he helped contribute to its production.

Absolut has filed a lawsuit against the song’s alleged co-producer/writer Kia Shine.

DJ Absolut says Shine, whose real name is Nakia Coleman, agreed in December 2008 to pay him 20% of all proceeds that came from the use of his beat.

But Shine secretly went to Drake last September and cut a deal to get a 25% interest in the song’s copyright – an arrangement that has already netted him $1 million, the lawsuit claims. The lawyer for DJ Absolut says Shine’s representatives have refused to return his calls. “Kia Shine needs to uphold his end of the agreement,” said Muir’s lawyer, Brian Levy. “It wasn’t my client’s desire to resort to legal action to get him to do it. We’ve reached out to him, but he has not chosen to respond.”

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Video: Eminem – Not Afraid

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DJ Fade Friday Nite Tracks

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Trina launched Amazin Cosmetics

I dont even know why im reporting this, Hip Hop is getting so boring these days. A million tracks released every week and like 999,999 are big yawns, but anyways here goes.

Trina is the latest Hip Hop artist trying to sell something other than music. Trina launched Amazin’ Cosmetics. The Diamond Princess’ line will include lip gloss, reusable eyelashes and perfume. The onetime Trick Daddy protege also has a clothing brand in Million Dollar Girl Apparel.

The lip gloss is available in an assortment of colors, while the perfume presently has two fragrances, with a third coming this year.

It was announced this afternoon that Trina will donate a portion of proceeds from Amazin’ lip gloss sales to The Carma Foundation. The charity, formed by Wyclef Jean’s sister, Melky, focuses on providing aid and relief to orphaned Haitain children. On June 13, the rapper will also issue fans and supporters the Amazin’ Summer Challenge. Interested parties can purchase “Promise Packs” which will provide hygiene products, school supplies and food for orphans.

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Video: Lupe Fiasco – Im Beamin

Lupe finally dropped the video for this leaked track he was pissed about.

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Is Drake a Headline Rapper ?

Young Money artist Drake is set to headline Seattle radio stations Kube 93 Summer Jam 2010 on June 18. The all-day concert, which takes place at the White River Amphitheatre, will occur three days after Drake’s debut album Thank Me Later hits store shelves. The online leak of the album should be on the net 2 weeks earlier.

The lineup of performers for Kube 93’s 18th annual event also includes Rick Ross and Game, who both respectively have projects coming out his summer. Brooklyn rapper Fabolous and R&B crooners Trey Songz and Jason Derulo will round out the bill. How the hell Drake is the headliner is beyond me, I doubt that it will happen that way in the end. But what do I know about Hip Hop these days Drake a headliner with Fabo and the Game and Rick Ross going on before him , not gonna happen.

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Teens Riot at Travis Porter Concert in GA

Over 100 teenagers were forced to flee through city streets yesterday evening (April 24th), after a fight broke out during a showcase/car show featuring Atlanta rap group Travis Porter.

According to reports, over 200 teenagers attended a community day/block party event sponsored by Albany, Georgia-based tax service SOWEGA Tax Services.

The otherwise peaceful event descended into chaos around 6:30 PM in Turtle Park, when a fight erupted.

Several brawls broke out after the initial confrontation and the fights continued to the Ray Charles Plaza and then on to Oglethorpe and Front Street, a major intersection.

One woman was treated at the scene for a head injury and several others were taken into custody.

And you wonder why Rap Concerts cannot fill up the big venues.

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