You've heard countless ppl from the East Coast either complainin' outright about the music comin' out of the South, or rehashin' how they're gonna bring the East back, etc. The hate been sent towards the South is caused by the fact that the South is the only region left that kept it's identity. Rap was always about showin' what went down in ur hood, and the South keep it all the way real and since it was somethin' new ppl naturally gravitated towards it. Instead of ppl from other regions just lettin' shit slide and continue to do what they do, instead they complain about the style of music comin' from there, and then turn around and mimic the style. How 50 Cent gonna go on MTV and say that the South is hurting rap by not making the best music possible and then turn around and make "I'll Whip Yo Head Boy", which is CLEARLY stealin' the style. How ppl in NY gonna hate on the South makin' all the dance related songs, then turn around and make "Chicken Noodle Soup", which is probably the most cooned out shit every put to record.
Ppl are spendin' too much time worryin' about the next man instead of focusin' all the music made by other MC's. You can't say the South is one dimensional when most MC's in NY wanna be gangsta when they spent most of their time in their life writin' rhymes in their room and not out on the street.
Say what you want about the South, but they're gonna continue to keep winnin' cause they stick with and support each other, while most MC's in the East are spendin' 2 much time beefin' with one another. F what u heard, I'm goin' 2 the South 2 get signed...
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Barack Obama and the Politics of Hip Hop
Some 600 hundred days from the election of a new President of the U.S arguably no one has more buzz than Barack Obama. In just one speech, Sen. Obama challenged all of us to have the “Audacity of Hope” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNCLomrqIN8 ), and in turn found himself as the democratic parties’ rising star. No one can deny the fact that Barack is a fully capable and extremely talented politician. However, when one runs for President of the U.S, especially in a very full field of candidates like John McCain and Hillary Clinton, they will be questioned and critiqued on every facet of their life. Here are some of the questions Barack will face:
- Is Barack Obama best equipped to deal with the current hostile climate internationally? As of right now he isn’t, but still he has time to both hire great minds around him and learn with an open mind himself (something this Presidency has lacked).
- Can Barack Obama turn rhetoric into tangible policy proposals? Barack is as smart as any candidate in the race and has served himself well with an experienced staff (Check out a Washington Post overview of Obama’s staff-- http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/01/the_obama_inner_circle.html ). However, his staff will have to work over time to get Barack on a presidential level with key policy issues.
Barack Obama will have to face all the aforementioned questions, and his response will either contribute to bolstering or crashing his political ambitions. With all of the questions Barack will be asked, the most important question will truly test and evaluate the character of both Sen. Obama the man and this country.
For Barack Obama the million dollar question will be,
- “Can America get over its subtle and blatant racism and vote for a black man if he proves himself strong in answering every other question?”
If you think this isn’t the million dollar question then get out of your shell and talk to a few people walking down the street. You might even find subtle prejudice like that of Sen. Biden who himself is running for President (Check out http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/31/biden.obama/index.html ). All of us, no matter what the race, have some subtle prejudice. The hope that
What Obama needs is a “Politics of Hip Hop”. No other group has the power to influence this election more than the Hip Hop Generation. For Obama, he must captivate the “hip hop generation” to win. Hip hoppers are familiar with new technology, which will be an important part of the puzzle for any candidate when raising money and articulating their message. Hip hoppers aren’t surprised to see blacks who are articulate, wealthy, or young (I.E- T.I, Mayor Corey Booker, Oprah Winfrey). Hip Hoppers have the youth to knock on doors and get their fellow citizen engaged. Hip hoppers, the generation from 18 to now 35, have the power to transform our nation and bring a “Politics of Hope” or shall I say “Hip Hop” in the White House. If Obama contacts the hip hop generation, especially in a packed primary, he might have a chance to make a “million dollar question” not one at all.
So to Sen. Obama, my suggestion is that you take one from Andre 3000 and realize that you and the hip hop generation are “neck to neck” and if they don’t “move their feet” to the polls then you will not win.
Myintrotoletyouknow
To the writers and potential readers of "Hip-hop Point of View" (or to be renamed later), though we have already started posting, this is a brief introduction.
We will be addressing all matters surrounding hip-hop music and culture. Talking primarily about trends, issues, music and whatever else is on our minds.
Where are we coming from:
This blog has several very different writers with very different viewpoints. We are white and black and come from ATL, NY and LA so you get a wide prospectus. However, although we are all different, we are all similar in that we enjoy hiphop music and embrace certain aspects of the culture... and we all got shit to say about everything.
Stay Tuned and Enjoy
We will be addressing all matters surrounding hip-hop music and culture. Talking primarily about trends, issues, music and whatever else is on our minds.
Where are we coming from:
This blog has several very different writers with very different viewpoints. We are white and black and come from ATL, NY and LA so you get a wide prospectus. However, although we are all different, we are all similar in that we enjoy hiphop music and embrace certain aspects of the culture... and we all got shit to say about everything.
Stay Tuned and Enjoy
jigga what??
g, you are fasho on point. there is no doubt that while andre may be the forerunner in this new fashion era of hip hop, jay z brought it to the streets and the stores. andre's just a little to eccentric to really build the bridge from his art and culture to the g, not you but the proverbial g, on the corner.
i'm glad that jay has created a brand out of himself in some ways. he has more consumer power than any man in hip hop history, he's pretty much the modern day frank sinatra. he could shit in a box, lable it 'jays hot shit' and it would fly off the stores all over america. hell, he's even got the nascar crowd going which can't be a small task.
however, before answering your question, i wanna take it one step further... why is no one viewing jay's recent worldwide exploits as selling out?? i mean, has this not been the achilles heel of successful musicians and artists since the endorsment began? doesn't bowing down and taking huge checks from THE MAN, aka Anheuser Busch, while waving his hands ("now wave, wave...") still punch a couple layers out from under the tower of cultural capital that he worked so hard to build? is it the fact that he now has the unique stature of being a business man/ musician? is it the fact that money and hiphop inextricably connected? god knows a indie punk band probably couldn't get away with such, not that they'd even be in the running to do one of these commercials. i guess, what do you guys think of jay-z as a sellout? i can't see tupac or biggie being caught dead waving for a bud select.
i'm glad that jay has created a brand out of himself in some ways. he has more consumer power than any man in hip hop history, he's pretty much the modern day frank sinatra. he could shit in a box, lable it 'jays hot shit' and it would fly off the stores all over america. hell, he's even got the nascar crowd going which can't be a small task.
however, before answering your question, i wanna take it one step further... why is no one viewing jay's recent worldwide exploits as selling out?? i mean, has this not been the achilles heel of successful musicians and artists since the endorsment began? doesn't bowing down and taking huge checks from THE MAN, aka Anheuser Busch, while waving his hands ("now wave, wave...") still punch a couple layers out from under the tower of cultural capital that he worked so hard to build? is it the fact that he now has the unique stature of being a business man/ musician? is it the fact that money and hiphop inextricably connected? god knows a indie punk band probably couldn't get away with such, not that they'd even be in the running to do one of these commercials. i guess, what do you guys think of jay-z as a sellout? i can't see tupac or biggie being caught dead waving for a bud select.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Jigga the ad giant?
Read first: http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6636
Ok, so we all know my man Jay can sell just about anything. It can also be said that Jay has been a connoisseur of cool his entire career.
For example...
"Don't wear jerseys, i'm thirty plus/give me a fresh pair jeans, nigga button ups"
After "Change Clothes" dropped every b-boy including myself, had the extensive arsenal of button ups in the closet, not to mention throwbacks went extinct and baggy jeans made a killing at every nearby Salvation Army a dudes went for the more grown man look.
There is no denying Jay's influence on how our generation sees itself. Often, our generation is criticized as being unoriginal -- borrowing ideas from past generations to create a style that never really is our own i.e. the recent 80's fashion comeback (vans, hoodies with the crazy graphics, and black kids rocking skateboards). Whether or not you agree with that last bit is beside the point. I have but one question for all...Should we trust Jay-Z on every product he endorses? Eazy Reyonolds, I know this is ya boy, but he can't be right all the time can he? Bud is one thing, but suppose he decides to become brand director for Russell Athletics and has every nigga from Brooklyn to Atlanta wearing some fucking spandex leggings to under our linen shorts (Ok, that was extreme but you get my point). Get at me people!
-Will Write 4 Food
Ok, so we all know my man Jay can sell just about anything. It can also be said that Jay has been a connoisseur of cool his entire career.
For example...
"Don't wear jerseys, i'm thirty plus/give me a fresh pair jeans, nigga button ups"
After "Change Clothes" dropped every b-boy including myself, had the extensive arsenal of button ups in the closet, not to mention throwbacks went extinct and baggy jeans made a killing at every nearby Salvation Army a dudes went for the more grown man look.
There is no denying Jay's influence on how our generation sees itself. Often, our generation is criticized as being unoriginal -- borrowing ideas from past generations to create a style that never really is our own i.e. the recent 80's fashion comeback (vans, hoodies with the crazy graphics, and black kids rocking skateboards). Whether or not you agree with that last bit is beside the point. I have but one question for all...Should we trust Jay-Z on every product he endorses? Eazy Reyonolds, I know this is ya boy, but he can't be right all the time can he? Bud is one thing, but suppose he decides to become brand director for Russell Athletics and has every nigga from Brooklyn to Atlanta wearing some fucking spandex leggings to under our linen shorts (Ok, that was extreme but you get my point). Get at me people!
-Will Write 4 Food
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