R.I.P. NY Hip Hop?

For the past at least 5 years (I say more like 8 years), hip hop has been dominated by mostly Southern rap artists, as well as some from the Mid-West (Nelly...remember him?). Last year, Lil' Wayne broke records with Tha Carter III, having the biggest debut since 50 Cent's The Massacre in 2005.

And you can hear for yourself on the radio (unless you're in NYC) that the game is pretty much dominated by rappers with various Southern drawls. And, for the record, I love my share of this music just like anyone else. (I go to school in Atlanta, ok)

But where does this leave everyone else, specifically New York rappers? No one can deny that NYC pioneered hip hop and even further evolved it into the late 90s (along with other regions, of course). So where's the play? BK rapper Fabolous (who isn't really the best NY has to offer, if I may say so myself) had a few words about it on Hot 97 with DJ Kay Slay. "They trying to force us [NY rappers] out. Not really trying to force us out, but take over. We need balance. Everybody can shine but we need balance and New York gotta get in where we fit in, too...You don't hear nothing [on Southern radio]. You might have something classic, like iconic, they don't cross that line..." Fabolous Calls On New York Rappers, "They Trying To Force Us Out" [Video] SOHH.com [Shared via AddThis]

Well, that's one way to look at it. It's true; Southern radio stations play Southern music and pretty much nothing else. But I'd argue that this could just be pay back for all those years when hip hop was virtually New York and nothing else (Ok, sometimes the West Coast). Let's be 100% real about it-- back in the 90s and early 20oo's, New York rappers were celebrating their fame and fortune and weren't really trying to share with anyone else. They didn't even want to collaborate with each other, let alone someone from New Orleans or Atlanta.

But what about Jay-Z? Jay continues to get play everywhere. Well, Maino (remember "Hi Hater?") thinks it's also a New School v. Old School issue: "So you mean to tell me that there is no one capable of becoming a Jay-Z? The problem with New York is that we don't produce stars no more we still stuck on the old stars...when Jay-Z puts out a record its gone be like, the biggest thing since the steering wheel...I'm glad Diddy signed Red Cafe cause nowhere [else] is opening up an avenue for a new n*gga. Instead of concentrating so much on his self..."
See Maino's Interview -- "Maino Ready to Bring NYC Forward" (Not Back!)



So what do I think? Well, my take on it is like this-- if you're making ringtone music, then you're signed, sealed, and delivered... enough to make the quick money for the label but not enough to develop a long-term career. Ringtone music = catchy beat + easy dance + shallow lyrics (YUUULE!) The fact is, whether or not you're from NYC, if you're a rapper who takes your craft seriously enough to expect your label to invest real time and money in your development, then you're pretty much left to the streets (or Myspace lol).

ALL IN ALL... Rest in peace to New York hip hop? Ha! I think not. That's just not the New York way-- please believe that we will bounce back.

But here's what everyone in the hip hop game should be worrying about-- Taylor Swift. She beat out EVERYBODY last year with her album, "Fearless." And now she's collaborated with T-Pain on a rap song. Don't call her Taylor; call her T-Swizzle. Taylor Swift Reclaims Billboard 200 Throne [Shared via AddThis]

Amber Rose: To Hate or Not to Hate?

It's not that I CAN'T knock the hustle. It's that I WON'T knock the hustle. Kanye's ladyfriend, Amber Rose, is literally a buzz topic on all the radio stations and even more on the Internet. Due to her *ahem* hard work and, of course, strategic partnership with Kanye West, Amber has managed to become a celeb in her own right.

On her blog on globalgrind.com, Amber recently announced that she will be moving to NYC, due to her new contract with Ford Models, claiming, "I do not want to 'waste my celebrity..." So, she is pursuing her modeling and acting career. And you know what? Why not?! She's young, beautiful (arguably), and Kanye's girlfriend. The fact of the matter is she is using her assets (no pun intended) to get what she wants in life. Do I agree with it? Not really. But Kanye has decided to practically give this woman fame on a platter. So let's not hate on her..."I ain't sayin she a gold digger..." LMAO

Check Out her Blog (OR just click on the pic above)>> http://globalgrind.com/content/790500/Amber-Blogs-Make-Your-Dreams-Come-True/

But on a side note...
Why couldn't none of his BLACK girlfriends get some fame? (Not to mention, his ex-fiance, who clearly wants some attention, hence, Harlem Heights) I know there's talk about Amber's "mixed" background, but let's keep it 100% real. Ya'll know most people view her as a white woman (no offense to white or bi-racial people of course). I don't mean to be so ignorant, but dang, Kanye!

Ok, ok I'm done now. =)

Happy New Year, yadda yadda yadda

Helllllooooo everyone (I love the pretending like people are listening thing)! HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY 2009, HAPPY ANOTHER YEAR OF LIFE! =)

I wish you well on your future endeavors. I am in no real shape to give out serious advice about goals right now; I can use some for myself actually. Good luck & don't give up.

Since I'm feeling talkative, o

pinionated, and energetic, I figured I'd post a new entry. It's mostly about two of MTV's newest "reality" shows: "The City" and "Daddy's Girls."

The City- I'm going to get right into it. I really like Whitney Port from watching The Hills. She seems foc

used, goal-oriented, nice, and balanced (unlike all the other annoying people on that show). And since I'm from NYC I was excited to leave The Hills in the dust to watch The City. BUT *dun dun dun* I am DISAPPOINTED! =( Only 3 episodes have aired and I have some major problems with it already.

1- First of all, the theme song is annoying, no offense to the Pussycat Dolls or anything (I actually like some of their music).

2- I could appreciate a little more about Whitney's actual job. Let's face it, you can't pay rent for apartments on the 30th floor in Manhattan without actually working. A little more reality would be nice in this "reality" show in that respect.

3- But here's my MAJOR MAJOR PROBLEM; WHERE THE BLACK PEOPLE AT?! That was kind of a joke, but seriously, where is the diversity in this show? How can a "reality" show about New York City, which is the most diverse place in the world, NOT have PEOPLE OF COLOR? It's more than just color too. Why is everyone so rich? There is much more to "the city" than "uptown socials" and "downtown hipsters." And the last time I checked, "Uptown" meant Harlem and sometimes Washington Heights. But I forgot, diverse people don't exist in this version of 'The City." It's all so FAKE!

4- With all that aside, did I mention that it's pretty dull so far?

My suggestion: Whitney needs new friends because this cast is lame.

Daddy's Girls- This one kept my attention. I am biased though & there's only been one episode. I appreciated the simple sequence of events. There is just the right amount of people and scenarios to keep me interested, but not confused. I also like how Angela & Vanessa keep it in the family by adding on their cousin to the cast. Their focus on the shoe line is cool too; let's not forget why we're in L.A. in the first place. They also make me want to get off my butt and start walking in the morning (haven't done it yet though). Most of all, I give Angela major props for discussing exactly why her ex-boyfriend dumped her. He left because he couldn't wait for sex. Not because she was "too bossy" or "too fat" or whatever other false reasons women use to blame themselves. Angela (and many more women than you think) plans to wait until marriage. I really appreciate the message. Even though everyone does not wait until marriage, I truly appreciate the display of that option because it is NOT impossible. Believe it or not, some people ACTUALLY WAIT (or at least strive to wait) UNTIL MARRIAGE. Besides waiting until then, generally waiting until you are fully comfortable with having sex is important. A teenage girl can appreciate Angela Simmons talking about a real life situation more than a health teacher saying, "Don't have sex because you will get pregnant & die." And speaking of waiting until you're fully comfortable with having sex, (Back to The City for a sec) do you think that Jay is avoiding "defining" his relationship with Whitney because she's probably not having sex with him as quickly as he'd like her to? Just a thought.

Back to Daddy's Girls>> My only issue? Angela & Vanessa need to stop fronting like they grew up in Saddle Brook, NJ & own up to living in Queens, NY until recently.

That's all for now. Hasta luego homies!