The Hip Hop Deal

For the past decade the south has been on top of the rap game. Since the rise of the south a lot of their artists have been receiving heat from East Coast artist claiming that the south only make music about money, cars, and women. Is it that the East Coast artists that are criticizing the south are upset that their with record sales have plummeted ? Or are they really concerned about the authenticity of hip-hop? Even though hip-hop started on East Coast who gave them the ability to show so much hate to other artists not from the East Coast. When the West Coast was hot they received the same hate from the East Coast.  I admit that there are some artists in the south that have no business rapping at all, but there’s garbage rappers in every region. Some of the East Coast Artists who are complaining, made the mistake of just relying solely on lyrics as a way to make good tracks. Lyrics are important but you need more than just lyrics to be successful in the rap game. You also need good production and a solid hook. As a fan of hip-hop from all regions I noticed that the songs with the dopest beats have been the most successful. For the average listener if the beat is not banging the song will be changed before hearing a single verse. A lot of the East Coast artists argue that the south is killing hip-hop with dance music, and poor lyrics, that stray away from the original form of hip-hop.  When it comes lyrics the south also has artists that are lyrical such as Little Brother, OutKast, Scarface, Z-ro, Chamillionaire, and Lil Wayne to name a few. In hip-hop we  need lyricist just as much as we need artist that make music for the club.

Artists like Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, and 50 cent, all are from the East Coast and don’t seem to be having a problem selling records. These artists know that more is needed than just metaphors to make a good record. Some of their hottest songs were not there best songs lyrically. Jay-Z’s hottest record “Big Pimpin” ft U.G.K which was # 3 on the U.S. Billboard for Hot Rap Singles  in 1999. Nas hottest record “Oochie Wally” was # 2 on the U.S. Billboard for Hot rap singles in 2001. 50 cent’s hit “In Da Club” was # 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks in 2003. Kanye West “Stronger” of “The Graduation” was # 1 on the U.S. Billboard Pop 100 all of the songs mentioned are not know to be lyrical. From a fan of all hip hop I thinks that its not so much that the South’s music is flooding the market, its more so that the East Coast has fallen off. East Coast artists have always made the most authentic sounding hip-hop in my opinion but lately they have gotten lazy. Its pretty simple If your records aren’t selling its your fault, If you make good music people while buy it. So if your next album flops you need to get back in the studio and make some changes dont blame the south.

Weldon Irvine – Morning Sunrise

Just Blaze sampled “Morning Sunrise” by Weldon Irvine to create the blueprint for “Dear Summer” by Jay-Z  from Memphis Bleek’s album “534″.

“Me and 50’s chemistry was like how Method Man was to Redman when they get in. You know when Method Man gets with Redman, it’s going down.”

The recent death of pop icon Michael Jackson has left some of his fans in a frenzy. There have been at least 12 reports of Jackson’s fan committing suicide.

Jesse Jackson
“This is a time when hearts are heavy. There is great pain but great cause to celebrate Michael’s life,” he says. “It made Michael happy saying ‘We Are the World.’ Don’t self destruct. We fall down sometimes, we get back up. That’s the right thing to do. In Michael’s name let’s live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart as fools”

Drake’s debut album, “Thank Me Later” is said to be released later this year.