From The Stage to the Pulpit – The Parallels of MC Hammer & Ma$e

November 3, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Each man’s legacy is readily solidified in the rap game.

MC Hammer’s lyrical references are mainly refereed to his loss of 30 million but also Fifth Harmony recently his Pumps and a Bump record.

Though criticized for his endorsements as selling out Hammer opened the door for rappers to see money promoting brands.

Hardcore reality rappers Ice Cube, Biggie and Tupac all benefited in turn endorsing St. Ides and even more with Sprite targeting rappers like Nas and Grand Puma for their Obey Your Thirst campaign.

Mase’s legacy is lyrical references to him being a rapper turned pastor.

Though he introduced Cam’ron to Biggie and taught Jim Jones how to rap his biggest impact was him inspiring artists.

Harlem’s own A$AP Mob from Rocky to Ferg has credited Mase as an influence and French Montana went as far as announcing Mase would executive produce his debut album.

He was recruited to MMG by Rick Ross and was featured on Wale’s Slight Work remix.

Drake and even his old rival Jay-Z has quoted his memorable lyrics from his guest verses.

Kanye has repeatedly said Mase was his favorite rapper and even produced the remix to Welcome Back and featured Mase on GOOD Music’s Cruel Summer album.

BIG3 – A Classic Remix of Basketball

September 30, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Since the very beginning the Big3 has had some exciting proceedings. During the first game there was a buzzer beater as Power’s Deshawn Stephenson hit the dagger over beating Tri-State.

This was a venture of creating a new sports league by hip hop legend Ice Cube and power broker Jeff Kwatinetz.

We’ve seen new sports leagues being formed before with varying successes.

Trappings Of Fame

September 22, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Either this life is meaningless or it's meaning is eclipsed by a series of events that satisfy for the moment
But once your moment is passed your moments' the past then poof you can't revive it or hold it - Da Truth, This Is For You

Billionaire Boys Club – Hip Hop’s Race to a Billion

August 4, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Achieving a billion is not a pride thing but it allows true freedom.

The rooms & conversations are different.

Critics never thought hip hop would ever take it this far so it's only right to continue to break boundaries.

Rap is pop culture and the next step is to have one of these Black creatives to achieve the ultimate, a net worth of a billion dollars

Price Of Fame – Lil Bow Wow to Shad Moss

May 26, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Shad Moss, better known as Bow Wow, is an anomaly. Sometimes he confesses his desire to be the next Will Smith then other times he’s caught faking the funk leading to hilarity (#BowWowChallenge).

In hip hop it’s a very ‘what have you done for me lately’ culture. Artists can be recognized as legends but dismissed as washed after a few lackluster releases.

For Grammy nominated stars like The Game & Snoop Dogg have moved to independent labels to make up for recently released albums failing to receive Platinum or Gold certifications.

Know Your Worth – Brands Teaming With Creatives

May 19, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Instead of just retweeting or readily ignoring the originators brands who love the attention & money that our culture brings should employ and build with those who create those moments for them.

Corporations like Taco Bell or Burger King in the past have tweeted using the latest slang but it came off as inauthentic and corny cheapening the integrity of a movement.

But there have been brands who have recognized the talent that these influencers have, especially Black & Brown creatives and teamed up to create creative and original content to advertise to their fan base.

Somewhereinamerica – A Look At Cultural Appropriation

May 12, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Cultural appropriation is a real problem.

The issue time and time again is White voices are amplified while Blacks are silenced.

Brands and publications have praised White celebrities for discovering or starting trends that Black women were demonized for.

Master P – The Last Don

May 10, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

In the early 90s Death Row & Bad Boy led the way in the musical soundscape but after the death of both Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls the South began to rise.

Bass music of Miami with Uncle Luke & 2 Live Crew became the soundtrack of ‘Thrill’ Hill & The U.

At the Source Awards Outkast’s Andre 3000 declared ‘The South has something to say’.

In New Orleans there was a new sound led by Master P’s No Limit Records & later Stunna’s Cash Money Records.

Big Baller Brand – Ownership Is Empowerment

April 29, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

These situations feels like "different strokes for different folks".
There's no telling where LaVar and Lonzo Ball go from here but personally I believe an ownership mindset will eventually serve them well

Dusk In California – A 3 year old picture & a tweet sparked a film

April 21, 2017September 22, 2019Leave a comment

This incident reminds me of the creatively of Black people, from trending and creating hashtags to the concept of live reactions on social media we are at the center of culture and content.

Now it’s up to Hollywood to take the next step or see if an investor will step up and fund it.

ELVNTWNTYSVN

Changing the narrative through culture and content

Category: Articles