Hip-Hop: From the Perspective of a Disgruntled Employee

Hip-Hop: From the Perspective of a Disgruntled Employee
An Industry Editorial by: DJ Single Handed
April 22, 2007

Call me a hip-hop disciple who loves it with all my heart and soul and feels completely disconnected from it right now.

I have been a DJ for eight years and still continue to do so. I was an MC in a former life. I had killer lyrics for days, and my flow was killer as well (although for different reasons…mood-killer and eardrum-killer among other things). I had a huge appreciation for the other two elements of hip-hop. My bones and joints thank me that I wasn’t a b-boy, and my lack of a police record shows that I wasn’t a graffiti-writer; but still, I loved and appreciated them all the same.

Rap was something I did, but hip-hop was something I lived throughout my primary school and college years. I loved it, felt it in my blood, studied it, took part in it, and enjoyed it immensely.

Fast-forward a few years: I’m 26 years old and have no idea what the hell is going on.

I took a hiatus for a bit from DJing, and during this time, the four elements of hip-hop changed. They are now as follows: the trap, ice, rims, and (fill in the blank with any other random bullshit item since there are too many to list). In order to succeed in the game, talent is no longer necessary. All you need is an aggressive marketing campaign and a nursery-rhyme hook. Bonus points are given for nursery-rhyme verses, or ones that at least perpetuate negative stereotypes, as well.

As for the current crop of music: Mims never did give me a good explanation as to why he’s hot, besides the fact that he is ‘cause he’s fly and I ain’t ‘cause I’m not. I would love to meet Young Joc at several other places to see if it’s going down (meet me at the Republican convention, it’s goin’ down; meet me at the Bed, Bath, and Beyond, it’s goin’ down). If I have to hear Rich Boy’s CD one more time, I will throw my “D” on it and piss in his Cadillac.

The industry has changed dramatically. Somewhere during our economic recession, perhaps around 9/11 or at the start of the Iraq war, the labels started crying broke and blamed it on bootlegging and illegal downloading. The fact that they became afraid to take risks and put out cookie-cutter artists with formulas that have previously sold in the past may have had something to do with it. The music just became lousy, period. Who wants to spend fifteen bucks at Best Buy for two or three decent tracks and sixteen songs of filler?

My advice to the industry: stop releasing full-length albums (since nobody goes platinum anymore) and stick to ring-tones (everyone has at least one single that has gone platinum from this). Ring-tones seem to be the modern-day maxi-single (for those of you that don’t know what that is, look it up). I can see it now: Cam’ron and his Dip Dip, Santana Set Set Purple City Pink Escalade Bang Bang Harlem Stand Up crew just re-signed with Koch Records to a six-ringtone deal over the next five years. Just think of all the costs that could be cut, especially at the recording studio. It seems to be a recoupable, if not profitable venture, don’t you think?

But seriously, folks….where is hip-hop really going? My answer: hip-hop is becoming the fad that people said it was at the very beginning.

What do we need to save hip-hop from becoming a huge pile of waste? My answer: evolution.

Some way, somehow, hip-hop has to evolve into something different from what it is now. As much as I’d love hip-hop to go back to the way it was, I’m not sure if there’s any turning back. As much as I love songs like Top Billin, It Takes Two, and Hip-Hop Junkies, I was happy that hip-hop evolved lyrically and production-wise. The aforementioned songs sounded old school to me, and though I still love them, I enjoyed the progression of the music.

Likewise, my Wu-Tang, Big Pun, and Mobb Deep songs of the mid-to-late 90’s probably sound old school to the whippersnappers of today. I maintain that they sound just as fresh today as they did then, but maybe the kids need something new in order to peak their interest.

As far as how hip-hop should evolve and what it should turn into…I have little in the way of ideas, but I’m always open to suggestions. Perhaps the musical ante needs to be upped. Add more live and complex instrumentation; bring back the concept of the “bridge” or the “break” to a song. The music should make you want to shake more than just your booty. Remember when music that made you really get down on the dance floor was released regularly?

Lyrically, perhaps rappers can introduce new rhyme patterns. Maybe everyone should start speed-spitting like Twista. Rhyming in foreign languages could become trendy. Incorporating chants, incantations, and speaking in tongues will be the next big thing, I guarantee it!

Brainstorm here, people. Come on! I can’t do this alone!

If you have any suggestions whatsoever, please let my good friends at AMW i.e. know so that we can put our heads together and come up with something better than what’s out right now.

I think hip-hop desperately needs to evolve. Then again, I could be wrong...

Hip-hop originated in the streets, correct? If that’s the case, what the hell would I know about hip-hop? I am a nice Caucasian Jewish boy raised in the rural, back-country woods of New York and the lush, well-landscaped suburbs of Virginia. I’m about as street as Brandon and Brenda from Beverly Hills, 90210 (boy, did I just show my age with that one).

Perhaps I’m just an elitist who doesn’t get it. Then again, I was anything but elitist when I was younger. I still can’t explain how I despise all Young Joc songs but loved Bia Bia and Headbussa. As much as I didn’t like the shiny suit, deliberate beat-jacking, nursery-rhyme style of Diddy in the mid-to-late 90’s, I danced to his songs and loved every minute of it.

My new conclusion: I’m now too old to enjoy bullshit music.

I end my rant and leave you with one thought: the best hip-hop song out right now is Lip Gloss. Yeah, I said it! Lip Gloss by Lil Mama is the best hip-hop song right now. First of all, it’s far better than Chicken Noodle Soup ever was (now let it rain, now shut the hell up).

The main problem with Lip Gloss is that it was released about 20 years too late. To me, it sounds old school as hell. If that song was released in ’87 or ’88, I guarantee each and every one of you would be wopping, popping, locking, dropping (sorry, couldn’t resist!), and doing the running man to the stripped-down minimalist yet extremely danceable drumbeat.

Now that I have completely destroyed my credibility, I thank each and every one of you for listening to me whine. If you love hip-hop as much as I do, then get up, stand up, and do what you have to do to take the music back and turn it into what it should be: good music.

“DJ Single Handed”
Playa-Hater Degree
World Heavycrate Champions DJ crew

Young Alumni :: Spring Fling Weekend

CALLING ALL UNIVERSITY YOUNG ALUMNI & FRIENDS.......

If you attended the 2006 Young Alumni Homecoming Weekend then you know how live it can get!

Amerikaz Most Wanted !nteractive Ent. and STAY HOSTIN ENT. Bring to you another one of those Memorable Weekends! This Spring Fling Weekend 2007 join us as we party, skate, reminisce, and most importantly enjoy ourselves the way the Temple Alumni always do!




FRIDAY APRIL 20, 2007......We Get Sexy and Party @
THE SPRING FLING SUITE

The Monte Carlo
150 South Street (Next to South St. Diner)
Philadelphia, PA
NO TIM'S, SNEAKERS, ATHLETIC WEAR
10 pm - 2 am
Reduced covercharge before 11:30
Early Arrival strongly suggested


SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2007.....We Network and Lounge @
THE TOAST......Socialize and Sip

Tragos Lounge
40 S. 19th St. (On 19th St. off of Market)
Center City
Philadelphia, PA
5 pm - 9 pm
covercharge
$5 Well Drinks, $4 Imported Beer, $3 Drafts


SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2007.......We Get LOOSE and...
THIS IS HOW WE ROLL

Jamz Roller Skating Center
7017 Roosevelt Blvd
Philadelphia, PA
10:30 pm - 3 am
Reduced covercharge before 12
Early arrival strongly suggested
(From Broad St. get on Roosevelt Blvd going North. Go approximately 5 miles. Slightly ahead of Tyson Ave. turn right into the Kmart entrance, Jamz is across from the Kmart. If you reach Cottman Ave you have went too far )


Please pass this on to other Young Alumni in the area...Hope to see you ALL there

The Trojans Recruit Romeo
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White
April 16, 2007


Lil Romeo is Ballllin! As awkward as it is, we have gotten use to seeing basketball players trying to pursue rap careers, but in this strange twist of fate, we are glad to see young Romeo following in the footsteps of his dad and coach, Master P, to begin his NCAA career at the University of Southern California.

Lil Romeo – rapper, actor and now baller, recently committed to an offer from the University of Southern California to join the Trojan squad. At ABCD Basketball camp in New Jersey last summer, sources stated that Lil Romeo impressed coaches during the training camp; he also scored an average of 13.9 points and 5.6 assists per game at his Alma Mata, Beverly Hills High. The 6ft star will begin his freshman season alongside one of his best friends, Demar Derozan, ranked 46th on Scout.com's list of the top junior players in the country. Derozan is also predicted to go directly to the NBA after his freshman year.

Master P is proud that his son has followed closely in his footsteps, reflecting on his brief basketball career in the American Basketball Association. P was quoted as saying, "It's great for him. USC is a great school and I felt like he made a great decision." Other sources have stated that Master P has another son who is also scheduled to play for the Trojans. So is this some kind of gimmick or publicity stunt? Does the school need that much attention or has P’s fat pockets secured his son’s future? According to Derozan – it is not a game, “He's no gimmick. He can play and is going to be one of the top point guards in the 2008 class."

The young star has a pretty extensive resume including a Nickelodeon television show, five rap albums, including one double platinum and platinum album, along with P-Miller clothing line and various other projects. However, this new phase of his life as a freshman at USC is sure to be his most remarkable and most challenging experience – totally out there with the world watching and with his dad having to stand on the sidelines. We wish young Romeo luck, and it is great to see a that he made the decision to attend college.

Usher Raymond and Liz Claiborne Make Deal

Usher Raymond and Liz Claiborne Make Deal
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White
April 16, 2007

Usher, R&B’s favorite son, has sealed a multi-million dollar deal with Liz Claiborne to introduce his new line of fragrances for men and women. The new fragrance is set for release this fall, along with an Usher clothing line that is also in the works. The Broadway star, singer, actor and now fashion icon has been working on developing the fragrance line for some time now. Usher will now compete in the ever-increasing celebrity fragrance line along with Jennifer Lopez, Derek Jeter and a wave of other celebrities who have already taken their mark in the fragrance and fashion industry.

Although the details are sketchy, including the specifics of the name of the new scent, the story was leaked in February 2007 on Women’s Wear Daily that Raymond had signed the deal shortly after finishing his impressive performance on Broadway. Right now, representatives from Ushers camp are not talking and they are not offering any specifics regarding the fragrances nor the clothing line that is also scheduled for released later on this year.

This is a major move for the star and I think it’s about time that he expands his business portfolio. As an extremely marketable superstar, hopefully we are inspired with fashions from icons such as Raymond and Madonna this year. As with most of the projects that he has taken on, his new fragrances and clothing line are sure to be classy with a little of the ATL flavor. Side note: Usher is also set to marry his current girlfriend, mother of three, and longtime hair stylist, Tameka Foster. Congrats Usher to you and all of your future endeavors.

We Real Cool?
AMW !.e. Talent: Matt Don

Stop to think some time on how things of the past seem to represent themselves in the present. I wanted to share a simple poem that holds true today. from 1959 till today, it is relevant and in a scary way seems to reflect hip-hop culture and it's current course. what do you think of when your hear this?

WE REAL COOL

BY: Gwendolyn Brooks

THE POOL PLAYERS.
SEVEN AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL.


We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon.

to learn more about Brooks :http://www.answers.com/topic/gwendolyn-brooks

VH1 – Roc-Docs Features Left-Eye’s Last Days
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White
April 1, 2007

It is difficult to believe that its been nearly five years since Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopez was involved in a fatal car accident in Honduras that took the life of the controversial, vibrant and outspoken hip-hop and R&B star. Because of her influence in the music world and her highly-unpredictable life, VH-1 could not pass on an opportunity to explore the life of this faded star. VH-1 will premiere the made-for-television version of a documentary exploring the rapper’s last days. The film, titled “ Last Days of Left Eye” will be directed by Lauren Lazin who was also the director of Tupac: Resurrection. An air-date for the film has not been announced yet, however the film is scheduled to open the Atlanta Film Festival, Lopez’s hometown.

For many fans who do not know, Lopez spent her last days in Honduras on spiritual journey, all-the-while documenting her personal moments on film which is the basis for the documentary. “Last Days” will also include archival material and interviews which will provide background information for Lopez’s footage. According to Daily Variety, Lopez speaks at length about her belief in astrology and numerology, and also vows to explain anything that had been misconstrued about her past before she continued her life in a positive direction. Along with “Last Days of Left Eye”, VH1 has scheduled a number of ‘Roc Docs’ that will delve into the lives of celebrities and tell their untold stories along with the revealing unreleased footage featuring these celebs.

Although the film has been premiered at South by Southwest and at the Vibe Film Festival, critics say that the VH1 made-for-tv version is prime quality for prime-time television. Leydon of “Variety” states, "’Last Days of Left Eye’ is a documentary that plays more like an admiring apologia than an evenhanded appraisal.” Reviews have been mixed regarding the interest that the film has received. There is no doubt that there will be an eerie sensationalism almost parallel to Tupac’s own documentary which is sure to draw in viewers for the VH1 special and leave watchers just as fascinated by this Star who left us too soon.

Source: Variety

Call to Action – March Against Tony Yayo

Call to Action – March Against Tony Yayo
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White
April 1, 2007

G-G-G-U can’t be serious. Tony Yayo has been accused of assault on a 14-year-old boy and has pleaded ‘not guilty’ of misdemeanor charges of harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. Accusations are that the G-Unit rapper repeatedly pushed and slapped 14 year-old James Rosemond – the son of Jimmy “Henchman” Rosemond, President of Czar Entertainment and manager of Compton rapper The Game. This assault has received so much attention it has lead Civil Rights leader, Al Sharpton, the victim’s mother and other community leaders to organize a March to protest the actions of Yayo.

The “Call to Action and Public Grievance” march is scheduled to take place in Manhattan following a 10:15 a.m. press conference Monday, April 2. Stephanie Hires, the mother Israel Ramirez- the slayed bodyguard for Busta Rhymes. Previously Russell Simmons and the leaders of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network were scheduled to participate in the march also. Dr. Ben Chavis of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network said: “We are involved to try to help mediate this problem. In truth, every child in our community is precious. The theme of the Hip-Hop Summit is taking back responsibility. With artistic freedom comes responsibility.”

Shortly after this statement was released Russell Simons and HSAN leaders decided not to participate in the march stating, “HSAN is impartial and will not take sides in the dispute.” Contrary to prior reports, 50-Cent was not present during the assault.

Yayo was released from prison January 8, 2004 after being sentenced to a year in jail. Yayo celebrated his 29th birthday on March 29th.