R.I.P. JAMES BROWN

James Brown, Godfather of Soul, dies at 73

STILL RIDIN' HIGH

Posting might be inconsistent. I had the internet going nuts with the last post. Check another article by yours truly....

With over a decade of experience in the rap game, 8Ball and MJG are unlike most rappers. Despite their unique and original style, they have accomplished feats that most brand new artists would dream of - being fresh, consistent, and most important of all, maintaining relevancy. The rap game has changed greatly since 8Ball and MJG’s premier album, Comin’ Out Hard, debuted in 1993. The Dirty South runs hip-hop. Rap artists function as CEOs and manage multi-million dollar record labels. However, in the early 90s, many rappers didn’t know how to evade the pitfalls of signing bogus recording contracts and were perpetually “jerked” by labels. This is the era that 8Ball came from; nevertheless, 8Ball seems to have great foresight and has become adept at changing with the game.

As well as being featured on one of the biggest records of 2005, “Stay Fly”, 8Ball can add another great accomplishment to his resume, the launch of his own label, 8Ways Entertainment. As his counterpart, MJG, launches MJG Muzik, 8Ball has grandiose visions for his new company. 8Ball hopes to “have an artist on [his] label that could be the next Alicia Keys or Wu-Tang Clan.” Yo! Raps Magazine recently had the opportunity to sit down with 8Ball to discuss his upcoming film, what it’s like to work with Diddy, and why it took so long for the Dirty South to gain popularity. Life may be hard out here for a pimp, but 8Ball is still ridin’ high.

Continue post here....

NAS CAME AND WENT QUICK [PAUSE]

I've just received word that "Mr. Hip-Hop Is Dead", NAS, just concluded his "Secret" promotional concert[at Webster Hall in Manhattan]. Unfortunately, to the dismay of most knowledgeable fans, his show was a measly THIRTY MINUTES.....that doesn't sound like Hip-Hop is alive to me man...Maybe Mr. Jones is conserving his energy for this Friday's doubleheader concert at Times Square? Contrarily, maybe it was just another crummy Hot 97 event where the majority of the concertgoers have no idea what to expect and are satisfied with a subpar showing? Whatever the case may be, the outcome is very depressing and disappointing. Fans pay up to $30 for a show and are only entertained for half an hour? Hip-Hop Is Dead...Corporate Hip-Hop is Alive and running, it seems as if Nas proved his own point.

WHAT BLACK MEN THINK

PHONTE of LITTLE BROTHER

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Phonte....enjoy another exclusive interview by yours truly.......

Is Little Brother considered backpack or conscious rap? Though it may be quite difficult to classify Little Brother’s style of music, the most outspoken member of the group, Phonte, describes their music in one word, “real”. Since the 2003 release of The Listening, the North Carolina natives, Little Brother (Phonte, Big Pooh, and 9th Wonder), have served as a refreshing, antithesis to the promotion of misogynistic, “minstrel rap music” that has flooded the hip-hop industry. In fact, Little Brother’s sophomore release The Minstrel Show, spoke directly to this stemming problem with insightful tracks designed to place the onus of creating self-respectable hip-hop music back upon the artists’.

It is impossible to shy away from the fact that Hip-Hop, as we know it, is on life support. Can we save this beautiful culture of ours? According to Phonte’s diagnosis, he is not so optimistic about Hip-Hop’s recovery. Phonte doesn’t seem to believe the devilish marketing of the generic, “cookie cutter” rappers will stop being promoted by careless, money- hungry record executives and corporate-run radio stations unless the masses put a stop to the greedy corporate machine. With that said, the logic behind his eloquent argument could not be anymore clearer, “If I could sh*t between two slices of bread and sell it to you as a hamburger, why would I actually cook you a hamburger?”

Recently, Phonte sat down with Yo! Raps Magazine to discuss why Little Brother’s next album, The Getback will feature producers other than 9th Wonder, the transition from being independent to signing with a major label [Atlantic Records], and why Little Brother doesn’t get spins on mainstream radio. Be very afraid and pay very close attention. The new millennium minstrel show has been unleashed upon the Hip-Hop Community. It just might be up to Little Brother to become the driving force that puts an end to the nonsense we have been calling “Hip-Hop”.

Continue to article post here.

LOST ONES

I'm tryin'...don't hate me.....appreciate the dismal effort...

NO WARNING SHOTS

Sony Urban....it sucks to be you right about now....

While Iraq is in flames....America is gettin' its shop on...

Amadou got 41 shots.....now Bell gets hit with 50 shots...what can we do to stop the slaughtering of Brown males in NYC? What if anything, will Mr. Bloomberg do?

Maybe Cormega sums it up the best....Niggaz Frontin'

Conversely, the Clipse discuss their latest effort, Hell Hath No Fury.

What's The Problem With a WHITES Only Scholarship.....kiss Affirmative Action goodbye.

THE SH*T'S DISGUSTING

The sh*t's disgusting....got damn Hov......

Lupe Fiasco + Jill Scott performing on David Letterman.

Soldier, you think you're not going to Iraq? [think again]

Hip-Hop Police hating on Jay-Z's performance in NYC...

Jay-Z to push a million records in less than a week.

Ghostface Killah ft. Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good

Civil War is real. Six Shiite militia men burned Sunni Muslims alive as "Iraqi soldiers" stood by and watched.

HIP-HOP IS DEAD[OR MAYBE NOT?]

44 Fours Motherfu*ker I'm Nice ! (The real version)

Dipset affilliate Freeky Zeeky returns from his stint in prison..will he get at Jay-Z too?

Democrats Win...Iraq War over? I beg to differ.

Why is Kramer such an idiot? I'm pretty sure Seinfeld is EXTRA pissed off about this one.....how are people going to purchase Best of Seinfeld DVDs while they look at Kramer's racist ass? Shame.

IT'S GANGSTA GRILLZ YOU BASTARDS!

Nonfictional Fantasies had the opportunity to interview DJ Drama.(T.I's official DJ + Gangsta Grillz Mixtape Orginator + Aphilliates Fouder, etc) Once again, another exclusive article written by yours truly....enjoy...

The standard textbook definition of affiliation is the act of consorting with or joining together with others. As the founder of the all-star DJ team, The Aphilliates (DJ Sense, DJ Don Cannon, DJ Jaycee, DJ Ox, and DJ Jamad), DJ Drama’s proven ability to thrive off of relationships has helped him to garner exponential success in the hip-hop industry. DJ Drama is very much aware of this penchant for comradery and believes that these “relationships are definitely the key to a lot of [his] success.”

DJ Drama (also known as Mr. Thanksgiving) has much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday. In addition to being T.I’s official tour DJ, Drama recently launched Aphilliates Music Group and will soon release a Gangsta Grillz LP this year. Though things seem to be on the up and up, with a name like Drama, it is no surprise that the critically acclaimed DJ has encountered his fair share of drama this year. Read on as DJ Drama sits down with Yo! Raps to discuss his take on shots from DJ Kayslay, his upcoming Gangsta Grillz LP, and why he will reign supreme among hip-hop DJs for years to come. It’s Gangsta Grillz you bastards, the IPod King has arrived, stand up and pay attention! [Continue post here.]

IRON PROSTITUTION

OK..it's one thing to have financial woes, but I never imagined I'd see the day Mike Tyson was tricking off....whoa

Nas' album may be the best one he's had in a while. Nas - Where Are They Now (radio rip)

Additionally, this Fabolous - Kanye track Like This is pretty catchy considering the fact I usually can't stand F-A-B etc.....

In closing, the kid J.A.M.E.S has gone global...did I ever mention the fact that he speaks German too..

Just some random sh*t for a Sunday......

J.A.M.E.S + HIPANDPOP.COM !

Our man J.A.M.E.S has just been given ANOTHER feature...this time he graces the front page of HipandPop....Read the commentary believe and be sure to check the rest of the feature on HipandPop !

J.A.M.E.S. Watts. This New York rapper is a musician/lyricist who touches on the various topics of life…Unlike most MC’s, he chooses to rap about the struggles of life, death, relationships and finer things in life rather than saturate the industry with lyrics about sex, drugs, hoes & clothes….When I listened to “Traces of Hope”, I realized that this fellow was not your average rapper… When he spits you can see that he makes his music and that his music makes him…Coming from a racially mixed background, J.A.M.E.S. Watts appears to be a taste of what is genuinely missing in the industry…He’s an example of trueness to self and reality…He has been and continues to be approached by various record labels such as Def Jam, SRC/Universal and Interscope…When I landed on this fellow’s page, I knew I had to post him. Continue post here.

[IN HOUSE] G-UNIT BEEF

50 Cent .vs. Havoc? Apparently 50's not trying to share Havoc's production outside of the G-Unit camp.

The internet version of the man I met this week[I really did] might just be fake.

KINGDOM CAME

Last night, I heard the entire [good looks J.A.M.E.S]Jay-Z LP, Kingdom Come and was pretty satisfied. I don't want to get sued, but listen to these tracks anyway. What's the point of buying albums if they leak weeks before the release date?

Do U Wanna Ride - Jay-Z ft. John Legend [produced by Kanye]

Beach Chair - Jay-Z ft. Chris Martin

Haven't had the chance to find CD quality audio, but this Nas ft. Jay-Z track Black Republican is BANANAS. [what a way to finish the 4th quarter]

Fidel Castro will die in 18 months.

You know things are getting real when college professors win the right to blaze WEED in their office.

The Democrats may indeed Bring The Troops Home from Iraq...which I believe is wishful thinking...

Recently, embattled Jacob the Jeweler demands his moula from Scarface.

Also had the opportunity to see Method Man, Immortal Technique, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck and others tear down the Nokia Theater in NYC Saturday Night. I have a newfound respect for Method Man...dude was crowdsurfing and WALKED over the crowd....literally. Based upon Method Man's amazing performance of his lengthy catalog of hits[i.e Bring The Pain, Method Man, Triumph, What the Bloodclot, Poisonous Darts, et al]....maybe he should get more respect as a veteran of the Hip-Hop community? Besides Belly, maybe it was poor choices in selecting slapstick movie roles that took away from how he is perceived. In closing, MarlonBando knew the words to every single Wu-Tang song performed that night....that's what I call a true WU fanatic!

KISS YOUR ASS GOODBYE

The Dems cleaned House and Rumsfeld had to quit......it's a wrap...lol

The NY Times hails the Game's Doctor's Advocate as the album of the year?? [I'll find out Tuesday..]

Bush lied....who's career died ?

Kanye claims he isn't arrogant....just emotional.

ONE BLOOD RMX FT. [THE RAP INDUSTRY]

"We don't believe you...you need more people" - Jay-Z

The aforementioned quote does not apply to The Game....who enlisted the rap industry for the One Blood Remix....

Get your vote on today....even if the system is a bit flawed....

GOT DAMN KANYE

Kanye West acting extra extra effeminate at the MTV European Awards....GOT DAMN KANYE!

Why can't we just use Hip-Hop to spread the Christian message? [laughs]

Then again.....maybe Kanye Punk'd us all......

Being a sex offender is bad enough,but when the legal system requires you to where a Sex Offender T-shirt...that's something else.

Jay-Z is in the Financial Times.

Oh yeah....... by the way Jayecon Taylor leaked his own album...sure.

Look out for my man J.A.M.E.S to be featured on hipandpop.com tomorrow! [very strong look for the team....]

SOUL SURVIVOR

Posts have been a bit shaky........but, I had the opportunity to catch up with Sadat X before his unfortunate incarceration last month.....read on to hear his views regarding the current state of hip-hop, Fat Joe + Big Pun in the 80s, and much more. Enjoy another classic hip-hop article by yours truly........


When hip-hop connoisseurs speak on the culture, it is impossible to forgo mentioning veteran emcee Sadat X. With over two decades in the rap game, the legendary Brand Nubian member continues to maintain relevancy among hip-hop fans across the globe. Unlike his peers, Sadat X exemplifies a duality that most rappers lack; the ability to advocate social upliftment for the oppressed while maintaining allegiance to the streets of New York.

Unfortunately, the latter has the rapper facing incarceration for illegal gun possession. Rather than dwell on his most recent predicament, Sadat X has been busy recording his new LP, Black October. His new solo effort is comprised of introspective tracks that touch upon Sadat's tribulations, in addition to more positive songs that document the grind of everyday life in New York City. (continue article here)

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Extra early review of The Game's forthcoming LP, The Doctor's Advocate.[ do I smell sophomore jinx....]

50 Cent + Deniro = New Orleans aka 50 Cent playing 5-0.....not a good loof for the team....


Also, either John Kerry is a real idiot or was paid a gazillion $$$ to give the G.O.P more ammunition against the Dems less than one week before the midterm elections...some one needs to tell him to Shut The F*ck Up!.

Is it just me.....or isn't Method Man really pissed that his boss was given the cover of XXL and the subheading, Presidential MC. [title track off of Mr. Meth's new album that Def Jam failed to push because Hov was readying his return to the limelight.......]

FRESH OUT THE POT

The posts have been somewhat suspect, however I leave you with a new article by yours truly.....more updates to come......









The second coming of the Dirty South is here. Getty Boy is representing the dope boys and street hustlers of the Carolinas while aiming to make an indelible imprint in the rap game. His ability to intertwine lyricism within his epic Trap tales makes Getty Boy one to watch for. As his most recent mixtape collaboration with DJ Whoo Kid and Incognito, “Fresh Out the Pot Vol. 1”, continues to gain critical acclaim on the mixtape circuit, Getty continues to hustle hard. As a matter of fact, that same hustle helped him to ink a deal with Hustle/Asylum records. Read on as Getty Boy explains the difference between him and Petey Pablo, his views on New York hip-hop, and much more.

Continue to read this post here.

Enjoy....