A Look a Hip Hop and Cinema – From Colors to Black Panther The Album

February 16, 2018September 22, 2019Leave a comment

I truly believe Death Row though fraught with controversy laid the groundwork that TDE now walks on as a $100M company with iconic artists making legendary music.

Now in the era of #NewLegends along with Drake and J Cole, Kendrick has a chokehold on the hip hop world and this film’s trust with TDE has paid off with the soundtrack about to hit #1 on Billboard 200 album charts.

Hip Hop is now Pop culture surpassing Rock & Roll as the most popular genre in the States.

With Eminem and Three Six Mafia each winning Academy Awards for their songs in films 8 Mile and Hustle and Flow it shows hip hop is here to stay and also that our soundtracks are just as valid as the dominant society.

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.

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.

Sean Don – The Underdog Turned Wolf

March 24, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

As he's on his first headlining tour of his career and selling out shows, like all three of his California dates.
Any rap fan can no longer dismiss him to the lower tier when discussing leaders of the new school.
It feels like a "Biggie, Jay Z & Nas" moment.
Sean Don has a catalogue and hits to back him up as the underdog indeed becomes the wolf.

Thanks Obama – My President Is Black Applauding OBEEZY One Last Time

January 12, 2017May 3, 2018Leave a comment

There are children who grew up only knowing their president as Barack Hussien Obama

What was enough of that it was parodied by Richard Pyror, Eddie Murphy, and immortalized in Chris Rock’s Head of State happened.

And the world didn’t end

Blond(e) is Frank Ocean’s Yeezus

August 31, 2016May 3, 2018Leave a comment

Paired with the limited edition Boys Don’t Cry magazine Blond has caused waves & shook up the industry.

As a visual album Endless essentially fulfilled any contractual obligations Ocean made with Def Jam.

Blond released a day after topped Billboard’s 200 while Endless is ineligible for Billboard Chart.

ADJUST: How The Clique Changed The Music Industry

June 13, 2016May 3, 2018Leave a comment

From the phonogram all the way to the iPod, we've witness the inevitable change in the music industry. The rise of the digital age allowed music to be way more accessible than it has ever been.

Many artists didn't know how to plan for such a change.

Coming from CD to mp3, how do you clearly define unit sales?

While everyone acted as sheep, one artist built an empire that allowed him to become the shepherd and sway how and when the the industry changes.

With the help of his clique, Jay Z defined how we listen and consume new music & content.

ELVNTWNTYSVN

Changing the narrative through culture and content

Tag: drake