Monday, May 02, 2005
This Business of Hip Hop
Rocafella records: crafting unique hip hop personalities and stars since 1996
"The problem is not that these outlets have been “taken over” by nameless, faceless white corporate interests. The supposed “subversion” of hip-hop culture isn’t happening because rich white people are diabolically exploiting people of color. That to me, is taking it way too personally. In reality, what’s happening is strictly business. The “subversion” of hip-hop is a function of how corporate capitalism and a culture of materialism exploits, masticates and expectorates everyone who works within it. The truth is that we are all going down the drain together."Dan Charnas blogs infrequently adhering to the principle of quality over quantity but does so to devastating effect. (click here for more)
While Jeff has the latest links in the increasingly loopy saga surrounding The Source magazine.
And without having actually read the article this cover represents, should I be disappointed by Don Diva's exploitative (?) choice of imagery or is this another opportunity for haters to tell me I'm not connected enough to "the street" to understand this?
The other day I asked if R.E.A.C.Hip-Hop could finally declare victory against Hot 97? My more cyncial side should have known the answer was no.
Is it at all possible that just maybe, the so-called split between Dame and Hov has been all manufactured to help hype their movie? I think I'm reaching on this one, but who knows?
And is this Young Jeezy/Boyz N the Hood movement I'm starting to feel for real or is this big budget media hype courtesy of Mssrs. Combs and Reid kicking in? I saw snipes for the latter up everywhere outside one of Big Ced's parties and have been reading about them a lot in the last couple of weeks. Heads who know the deal, holla.
It doesn't really matter how bananas this hip hip industy becomes though because, at this point, we're officially well into the Hip Hop Era and the competition is NONE especially as far as rock 'n' roll goes.
Redesign over at Sean's
The Fader Photography Issue is out with Miles on the cover.
And after all the blog hype around "1 Thing," I thought there'd be more buzz last week about the fact that Amerie's album finally came out - is it any good 'cos I can't tell from just those 30 sec. snippets playing on her site?
Some Monday morning mp3's to end off:
- Common feat. Scarface and Mos Def "The Corner (remix)" - everyone and their mother already linked this up but let me show love too for those who may have somehow missed it. I do think Com and Kan should have stepped they game up and at least flipped the beat a bit or come with a brand new one though. (via Wes | related: Joey on seeing Common live | a Whoo Kid/Common mixtape - WTF, does that make any sense?!)
- Memph Bleek is... busted for assaulting a busboy in a Manhattan nightclub?! Now that's just not gangsta. (related: audio of Bleek's new single “Like That” – Wma High | Low | Real)
- Speaking of Rocafella, Peedi Crakk may have jumped ship but his "Mona Lisa 2K5" remake of the Slick Rick club classic is kinda, er... crack. I still think this kid is talented enough to win though whether he's throwing up the Diamond or not. (mp3 via hiphophavoc.com)
- Jahah "Everybody Up" - and yeah, I'm still reppin' this cat's ish. This is pure souled-out, get-on-the-dancefloor goodness so if this mp3 gets you open, go here to listen to his entire album.
- Snoop & Biggie reggaeton remixes (via The Shrimp)
- The Streets "Fit But You Know It (Futureheads remix)" – I've said before that I thought The Streets second album, A Grand Don't Come For Free, and the original version of this single were pretty much trash, but this remix featuring The Futureheads transforms it from a wack grime-era Chas N Dave-esque garbage into a neo post-punk/no-wave banger that's actually kind of hot now. (via Rollie)
- Stylus magazine's "Stycast" podcasts - more on the indie tip for the most part but still worth checking out.
- Stone's "The Couch Sessions" podcasts.
- Subscribe to Soul Sides' podcasts. (note: link is an RSS feed)
- MP3.com's Listening Room is actually streaming some decent albums for free. (via Kim)
