Party Done??

WORD IS OUT!! Jay-Z and Kanye West are apparently not on speaking terms, just days before their  anticipated collaboration, Watch the Throne drops next week. 

According to www.foxnews.com, the two Hip Hop stars locked horns over their upcoming tour. Allegedly, Jay-Z wanted a music driven, high energy and "cost effective" show, while Kanye wanted an over the top, star studded production costing nearly (drum roll please) 400,000, per show! This has reportedly hindered the two superstars from even speaking to each other.

Jigga and Yeezy are already in hot water, signing a deal to only distributes the album through iTunes and Best Buy for the first week of the release. This decision did not fair too well with indie record stores last week, who are now protesting the decision. A great number of indie stores got together to write a detailed letter (you can read full letter at  www.eurweb.com) to  Jay and Kanye. No word yet whether either has responded.

Let's analyze this situation real quick. On one side, you have Jay-Z, one of the greatest business men in Hip Hop history. Jay- Z knows how to properly market himself. The forty- plus rapper always creates a lane to reinvent himself and his music. Then, you have Kanye West, who is the king of Hip Hop controversy. You put the two together, add the factor that the album is dropping next week, and what do you get? An increase in album sales and double the media coverage. This is just my opinion, but Jay-Z and Kanye West's alleged feud, could be a marketing tool to sell more records. 

Let me know what you think. PEACE!

OFWGKTA

This weeks blog is on the very popular, 10 person Hip Hop group, Odd Future. I have to admit, when I first heard about Odd Future's front man Tyler, the Creator, I thought to myself "....there goes another trouble child, writing his suicide note on wax." But Tyler, and the rest of the group are far from "troubled." (Musically at least) Besides all of their "satanic like" videos and behavior, Odd Future is a group comprised of very talented artist.

First off, Tyler the Creator is the ringleader, sparking controversy through his music, including his latest CD, Goblin, where topics such as Jesus Christ and homosexuality, (not in too much of a good way) often come up. Don't forget his controversial video entitled "Yonkers," which is actually nominated for a VMA this year. "Yonkers" has scared (especially me) and shocked viewers who watch it, but has artistically showed the mind of a schizophrenic personality, which Tyler said he's interested in.

Then you have R&B weirdo, Frank Ocean. Between Ocean's original vocal presence and off centered lyrics, his talent and music is a recipe for success. Frank Ocean gets constant radio spins with the dark but catchy hit song, Novacane. The 23-year old Ocean, keeps generating buzz as he recently made a guest appearance on a couple of songs for the super collaboration album Watch the Throne, which is by Jay-Z and Kanye West. The album will drop later this year.

Finally......like out of nowhere, there is this folktale hero. A 17 year old teenager, who's lyrical ability and flow has the potential of giving a top tear veteran in the Hip Hop game, a run for their money. He goes by the name of Earl Sweatshirt. To be so young, this kid's lyrical ability is simply brilliant. His debut album/mixtape Earl, was regarded as a classic and in some Hip Hop circles (NOT MINE) as "better than" Hip Hop legend Nas' Illmatic. What really makes Earl's story so extraordinary, is that he dropped this cult classic music and then he disappeared from the rap scene. Well according to several news and personal sources, Earl's mother enrolled him in boarding school. When word got out, his fans started making "Free Earl" posters, shirts and pictures as if he was in jail. Earl's presence is certainly missed but Tyler assured fans that he will be back with Odd Future soon.

Odd Future maybe weird, but lets face it.....who isn't in Hip Hop these days. These young kids from Los Angeles have tapped into controversy to make themselves popular and I can't blame them. Everyone has a gimmick in Hip Hop. So whether they do or don't believe in the Devil, I support their originality.

I'll leave you guys with three videos from all three of the artist I just named, so if you haven't heard of them, you can get a feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQhpXOSaQqU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSbZidsgMfw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78_loMbmKJ8&feature=related

Peace and #FreeEarl!

Boosie's a bad azz for real!!

This week's blog is featuring Lil' Boosie. The self proclaimed "bad azz" of Hip Hop is currently locked up on murder charges in Louisiana. If convicted, Boosie could face capital punishment (for everyone not familiar with the phrase "capital punishment," it means the death penalty.) Boosie gained mainstream notoriety for his feature on Webbie's 2005 hit single "Independent." Since then, Boosie has been killing (no pun intended) the game with underground albums such as Bad Azz and Superbad. 

According to Allhiphop.com, a couple days ago, Boosie was caught trying to sneak codeine in his cell. In the infamous words of Hip Hop commentator and DJ Ed Lover.....C'mon Son! Boosie, you can't get your lean on in prison! So not only did Boosie get caught with trying to sneak lean, but this infraction will now be charged against him. Damn!

So let me ask you rappers and Hip Hop fans something a quick question? Is sticking to street life forever always the go to route to become a successful Hip Hop artist? We have seen this story over and over again. (T.I, Gucci Mane, etc) Once these rappers go to jail, they often solidify street legend status. But what is that really worth? Yeah Boosie may be a 'G' but at what cost? Potentially life in prison? No thank you! I'll stick to being a punk!

I'm going to leave you with a nice summer joint for around 95'. Raekwon- "Ice Cream." Peace and stay cool! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K_C-78RvuM&feature=fvst

7/10/2011

So this weekend, I got a chance to listen to underground hip hop star Lil B's new song. If you are not familiar with this twenty-one year old Cali native, he started out in the group, "The Pack." Now a solo artist, he has made his mark in controversial hip hop history. His unique style and bizarre songs have created a cult following. In his music, he has claimed that he was Paris Hilton, Justin Beiber, and even Jesus Christ. These claims were nothing compared to his shocking new album, entitled "I'm Gay," which has rattled the hip hop world.

Lil B's new song is entitled "Bill Bellamy," is paying "homage" to the popular comedian. I listened to the song and although I am never shocked anymore when I listen to this man, he still never ceases to amaze me. Here's a quote;

"I got one felony/ bi*ch I'm Bill Bellamy."

......What? What does having felonies have to do with being Bill Bellamy? When I here a Lil B song, I always tell myself not to get mad, but when a person states that they are Bill Bellamy just because they have ten felonies, I figured you guys would understand.

Don't get me wrong, this guy is HILARIOUS to watch and listen to. His lyrics make me appreciate my education!

I'm going to post the video. Tell me what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOqrbTlr6SA

By the way, he doesn't mention "How to be a Player" so......don't look forward to that!