ADDICTION – A look at drugs and hip-hop

December 1, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Some critics have said that rap music has turned from rapping about selling drugs to them expressing how they take the drugs.

The problem is when people write off hip hop’s history with drugs as just a product of ‘mumble rap’.

Yes it’s true that early records like Grandmaster Flash’s The Message were cultural conscious this was also when many thought of cocaine as a party drug which gave way to ‘ready rock’ or ‘crack’.

I feel this is the same with ecstasy or better know in the community as molly.

Historically this was also seen as a party drug and now it’s moved from the clubs to the hip hop airwaves.

Young Black America – The Wins & Losses of Meek Mill

November 10, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Sometimes it seems probation is better than sitting in a cell but to be honest this might not always be the case.

The system is not for us and it set up for citizens to become repeat offenders and return especially with the advent of mass incarceration due to the privatization of prisons.

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.

Why I Love Justin Timberlake’s Justified

October 18, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Initially the framework for Justified was birthed out of a desire for The Neptunes to produce for Michael Jackson and take him back to an updated Off The Wall sound so it makes sense why their tracks sound like classic pop with infectious bridges and live drums paired with funky synths and guitars.

This is such a great album and I'd recommend it to anyone who's a fan of Pharrell & Chad, Timbaland, R&B, NSYNC and of course Justin Timberlake.

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.

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.

Are CD’s Dead?

April 7, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Many top tier artists are moving from just physical discs to digital content.

This is no longer the days of old where boy band acts and pop princesses would battle over who can sell a million copies in a week.

With piracy fears and record sales decreasing there is more of a reliance on streaming.

According to Bloomberg Technology U.S. streaming revenue accounted for almost half of the music industry’s sales.

In a singles dominated market fans are expecting faster releases and engulfing experiences.

Dame Dash – The Cost of Independence

April 1, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Damon Dash, like those who came before him like Master P and J Prince, has always preached the message of having you own. Self determination by having equity.

He truly practices what he preaches whether it was in the Roc La Familia days of owning stake in Armadale, Rocawear and branching out into filmmaking with Roc Films or now Dusko Whiskey, CEO, an upscale clothing entity, and even producing motor oil.

His eye for opportunity is second to none, he knows how to monetize off of lifestyle.

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Category: Music