Back From Vacay! A Few Updates

It has been a minute since I've been on here! Busy summer with lots of traveling, weddings, concerts, so on and so forth. Congradulations to my cousin Akinjide Olatunji for his recent marriage. The wedding was cool, I got to meet new family members, and best of all, we were in Miami! And Miami, for the record, is awesome. And expensive. Welcome to the family Jene Moy-Olatunji!!

A few updates for everyone.

Update 1. This site is no longer hip hop oriented. It is now about to cover much more variety, because, simply put, I am not just hip hop. I love sports, news, politics [well, not quite love. More across the lines of politics just being important to know].

Update 2. The reason why this is no longer a hip hop dominated blog is because I found a site that gets it in, and I WRITE FOR THEM!!!

www.wordtoem.com

Please go there. It already has some of my blogs posted, so you should check out the content! Got mixtapes, hot reviews, live concert footage. It's really quite nice.

Update 3. I'm continuing to build my business, and we have a name and function, plus our first potential customer! More details coming!!

Missed you guys while I was gone! Send money so I can get a new laptop and we can have more Brainiac Society meetings! Till the next drop, remember, Brainiac's in the house, and that's word to em! Dueces!

Big Macs and 8-Tracks - Cheesy Beef Edition

It's been a minute, Brainiacs. Just running through to make my post and then I'm out for a workout session.

So I'm pretty sure this beef thing has gotten completely out of control. There's only really one legitmite beef I'm hearing about now-a-days, and it concerns Joe Budden's comments at Method Man being an inferior rapper to him. No comments on that one yet, but I imagine that one will actually be good. Method Man getting up and hungry to silence Budden [I hope], or Joey proving his comments right. That would be awesome on wax....

Want to know what's not awesome? I hate cheese, literally and figuratively. Mariah Carey recording a diss track? And Gucci Mane is on the remix? I thought the Charles Hamilton/Soulja Boy thing was silly. But apparently, this one is directed at a certain white rapper who keeps mentioning her name. I have to laugh out loud on this one, what's funnier? Mariah Carey doing a diss track, or Mariah Carey being the best option between her and Mr. Carey [Nick Cannon] to do a diss track at Eminem? People, I can't even make this up.

Here's the Mariah track, give it a listen. Tell me what you think. I think it's aiiight, it will do its' numbers because it's Mariah. It caused me to chuckle. Hopefully, beef doesn't become the popular thing in all genres. I don't think I can stand for anymore made up, manufactured, or false beefs for the sake of record sales.

Mariah Carey- Obsessed. >>> http://usershare.net/tov9uayqs0cf

And because I don't want to just leave you without some audible treats to break your necks to, here's a mixtape from Marco Polo, a Canadian producer who's got fire. You probably heard Port Authority and if you didn't, check out his work. He's the producer half of Double Barrel, and he really puts a new spin on boom bap rap. Don't believe me? Well, free music time, and decide if I'm lying or not. This is a blend tape, check it out.

Go here for hotness. >>> http://bit.ly/1nitV

End Of Existance - Sonic Edition

Before I started contemplating what I am actually going to write for this section, I started flipping/searching/scanning the news to see what I had missed for the day. Palin's in New York and Republicans are wondering whether she is going to snub the party or fall in line to position for a presidential run in 2012 [God, let's hope not]. New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin and staff are quarantined in China due to the swine flu scare. LeBron is long gone but we are still talking about him not shaking hands. Nigeria's oil supply is being ravaged by militants and/or the government [who the hell actually knows who the good guys are in that...]. But I want to talk about something a little more important. First, some short reading...

http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=48665

Don't really feel like reading the whole thing? Okay. I'll make it even easier. Underground rapper Charles Hamilton claimed to have his upcoming album executive produced by James Yancey. And I'll leave this to you to go through. One more thing to read....

http://www.rappersiknow.com/2009/06/08/sigh/

It's not just that he lied about it, it's the fact of two things. The J Dilla Foundation for which he claims to be giving proceeds to is no longer active. The second thing is that he tries to bring the lie full circle by claiming that making J Dilla the executive producer is in turn giving the proceeds to the family and foundation. Other than being the dumbest thing I ever heard of, I tried this rationale. Sonic aka Charles Hamilton puts Dilla as the executive producer to build press and sell records he most likely would not have sold alone on his merit.

The funny part about this is, my brother and I had a discussion about Charles Hamilton this weekend, where I explained to him that because of the mass quantities of mixtapes he keeps dropping, I've heard a lot of wackness come from him in a short time, and with all these little publicity stunts; beefs with Rhymefest and DJ Vlad; his girl giving him a two piece combo to the jaw, so on and so forth, I've decided to stop checking for Charles. Now he's gone and tried to tarnish Dilla's good name on false pretenses. Everyone from Detroit is officially not messing with this kid, and neither am I.

After this incident, I'm giving Charles Hamilton the full burn. I'm deleting all of his mixtapes and any singles I might have of his. I can't support an artist who would do something this wrong. Most of the Detroit emcees, all Dilla family, have pretty much separated themselves with any kind of dealing with this guy. I am not here to tell you what to do, but as for me, Sonic just ran his mouth into the deleted and never to be seen or heard again column.

Sensational Media! Part Uno

What's happening all out there in the world! The Dean of the Brainiac Society (ie. ME) has decided that it was time to bring that wonderful argument that I LOVE having back to the forefront.

First of all, my disclaimer. I'm not a blogger. I'm a free lance journalist who blogs. I mostly blog about the things I don't get paid to cover, namely anything hip hop when I'm working in any city north of Detroit. My degree is in journalism and if you've seen any of my Facebook posts, you will know I'm a staunch defender of my craft. With that said, today's biggest issue is what is media content and what is sensationalized nonsense and how you can tell the difference.

Lots of people will use this trigger word; liberal media. Anytime someone hears something on the news that they don't like, they attribute it to a "liberal" media. That phrase has rolled off the tongue with much disdain that whenever you hear it, it's commonly pitched in the tone reserved for words like rapist and pedophile. I'm going to address this later, but to prime the pump, I'm going to drop this video on you. Nah Mean and John Public have joined together to do an expose on sensationalized media. Watch it, because it will be on a test later...




Besides being informative, this girl right here, quite the looker. And she's smart. Video features underground emcee Donny Goines and producer Illmind.

Weekend Recap - Memorial Day Edition

What's happening, folks? First order of business is to wish all my warriors [US Military] as much respect as possible for going to foreign lands to protect our interests, at home and abroad. I got a whole bunch of enlisted brethren that's strapped up, holding us down and keeping America free. Like anyone else, I have my own opinions on whether the wars we have participated in are just or not, but that has nothing to do with this. We support the home team at all times, even if we don't agree with why they're on the field. So special prayers go out to those out there still in field, or in the office, thanks you for all you do. Because, like Chris Rock said, "I ain't fightin!"

I haven't been on and posting lately because things are happening, vacations are being taken, so on and so forth. Even though I can't qualify a hockey game as a vacation, it got me away from home for a reason besides work, so that's a positive. My Red Wings are doing massive work to a Chicago squad that can't quite keep up. The Tigers are looking good, railing off wins at a pretty surprising rate. And while my Pistons are on the links, Chauncey is still handling business for the Nuggets. Throw in the end of the Premier League and most pro soccer leagues, and here we are. The beginning of summer. Summer always brings changes, good or bad, and this year's change, besides me actually keeping up a workout regime, is my music player of choice. Since I'm not about to drop stupid cash to get an iPod touch, nor an iPod phone, my brother from another TJ hooked me up with a Zune on the cheap. $100 dollars for the best music player I've ever had. One that plays videos. One that shows sweet photos. One that has internet access. And my favorite, the one that DOESN'T need CRAPPY iTunes software.

I'm not going to go into the problems because it is 3am and I won't be able to finish telling you all I hate about iTunes and the problems it gave me before I pass out from exhaustion in front of my television.

What I DO have time for is this. To hit you with some ill music for you to put in your earholes. So what's in the deck? It's summertime, baby. I'm listening to the throwback joint of forever, Summertime by the Fresh Prince aka Will Smith. In fact, it IS summer. Aren't we missing a Will Smith blockbuster?

But on to the music. Remember the video I posted? The first one, the one with LB? I'll give you a hint.

"Just like you can't stop me from rhymin, you can't stop the sun from shinnin...."

It's a bonus on this mixtape I'm hittin ya'll with! Nick Fury, or now, just Nickelus F is hittin us with GO Time!, his new mixtape, and since he's got some real spit when it comes to the rhymes, here's my weekend recommendation. Follow the link to hip hop goodness.

http://www.zshare.net/download/6034689233a05a5b/

No need to thank me. Just your friendly neighborhood hip hop loving super-hero, hookin ya'll up with heat....again.

Hip Hop's Money Problem

I know what the title infers. Hip hop's got a cash problem, but it is not what you think, I promise. This is not about the countless rappers talking expensive watches, cars, planes and exploits with famous women. I could write a book on all the psychological effects and syndromes associated with hip hop infatuation with paper. Nor is this a referendum on the economy or the state of the music industry in the information age.

No folks, this problem is not about the chase of money, but the problem that arises once that rapped-about speculation becomes accumulation. Hip hop has a long standing relationship with rappers detailing riches they don't have. What has happened to our favorite artists once they finally get what they were rapping about? What happens to the hungry for a deal rappers who have honed their skills with the help of top Ramen and the urge for success? Many of these former greats are still putting out music, but the product is significant lessor than when we first heard their work. When one reaches their goal or at least reaches financial security, the music, at least its' quality, comes into question. Is it actually possible for Dr. Dre's soon-to-be [or never] released Detox to reach anywhere near the impact of The Chronic album? Can Method Man recapture the hunger and grim that he displayed on Tical, or are we forever left with 4:21?

While some attribute the fall of these rappers to just becoming wack, I have a different theory. Artists taken before our time never got the chance to "fall off." The Notorious BIG never had a chance to come out with a sorry, pop influenced album. I think we can all agree that Snoop Dogg's "Doggstyle" album is one of the most influential hip hop album ever. The same can not be said about his most recent effort "Ego Trippin'". I don't really want to add Tupac in this discussion because I personally disliked EVERYTHING Suge did to his discography. His hungry was never in question, and you have to be around for your downfall.

The difference can be seen in conversations with hip hop fans, especially when dealing with Jay-Z. Shawn Carter is the posterboy for this theory. A genius level lyricist and mainstay on most hip hop top five ever lists, among most of people's best rappers, there are common arguments on what his best album is. To most hip hop historians and heads, Jay-Z's best work was his first, Reasonable Doubt. While this album didn't sell close to some of his more recent releases, this is his best work. Jay-Z in his most raw form, the concepts and lyrics have been stolen and plagiarized by many a rap artist. Even his creation style has been copied. Every new rapper out claims they don't write their lyrics down.*

*On a completely different tangent, most of these rappers who claim they don't write their rhymes, in fact, need to. Maybe THAT'S why there are so many sucka emcees. And these sucka niggas. I digress.

More than a few regard The Blueprint as Jay-Z's best work. I disagree. I believe it is his second best. In fact, I mold Jay-Z in the mold of rap's Michael Jordan. His career has almost mirrored his Airness', down to the constant retirement talk to the grandeur of each comeback.

Skip to recent events, and Jay-Z, once the most respected emcee in the game has become young rappers object of disrespect. In a battle with Jay, Joe Budden was quoted comparing Jay to Jordan, alluding to the fact that most fans nowadays only remember Jordan from that famous crossover by Allen Iverson. Different and obviously lessor opponents are challenging the thrown. Everyone is trying to hand the King of Hip Hop thrown to undeserving rappers. Nowadays, it's wack to like Jay-Z and what was once taboo now seems to be on everyone's tongue, that Jay-Z is washed up.

To that, I say yes and no. Thus, the theory.

"Success breeds complacency."

Hip hop is an art form that is most cultivated in hunger. Literally and figuratively. All these greats of all time came from extremely humble beginnings, where the lack of anything feeds the aspiration for everything. Wu-Era Method Man was a BEAST on the microphone. The grime of the Wu was the lighting rod for their popularity. The poverty of his position kept the hunger for more sharp. Currently, Method Man has aged and achieved enough success that the hungry, grimy Tical is most likely dead and gone. The same is 100 fold for a rapper of Jay-Z's stature. The success of Rocawear, top positions at companies like Def Jam and LiveNation, even the marriage of mega-star Beyonce has dulled the microphone fiend in Jay-Z. While every rapper claims to have too much money to address up and coming challengers to the thrown, Jay-Z is the only one telling the truth. Carter explained his own transformation best;

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a BUSINESS, man."

The writing on the wall has come for other popular rappers as well. Eminem, who is recent released his Relapse album, is up next. With his long lay off, many hip hoppers are looking to see if the King of Scream is back to his old exploits or if he's just the next in line to make money and fall off. A common sentiment shared by many people I have talked to have said things to me that I put in line with blasphemy. Such as things like, "Lil Wayne is the best rapper alive," or "Rick Ross is the next step up from the Notorious B.I.G." That last one makes me want to punch people. I usually attribute that to people being stupid. Don't get me wrong, I respect the hell out of Wayne. As someone who loves Southern rap, I've been rocking Wayne from "The Block Is Hot," but this is out of the question that he's even close to the best rapper alive. The only thing I'm willing to give Wayne is that he wins the Most Improved Rapper in Hip hop award. His skills have only gotten better [minus points for all the damn autotune]. But to me, he's not even the best rapper in the South [I give Ludacris, Bun B, Andre 3000, Scarface and TI the nod first].

The problem is, no one has come to claim the torch. The older heads give respect to the guys that are out, but even in muted conversations, common comments are that these current players in the game don't compare. One thing that was noticeable before is that there has always been a baton hand off between the eras. The Whodini's gave way to the Run DMC's, who gave way to the Rakim's, who gave way to the Wu Tang's and Biggie Smalls'. Death naturally handed the ball off to Snoop, Jay-Z, and Nas. However, there was always someone to pass the torch to. However, Snoop, Jay and Nas do not have competent replacements yet. Options like the Game, 50, Wayne and Jeezy are leaving a lot to be desired as the next crown holders. I prefer T.I. and Ludacris, but are they even acceptable King Emcee candidates. To illustrate this point further, Diddy said that Wayne reminded him of Biggie. Really? If this is what we are accepting, I'm not gonna be said that my music still falls off a truck, because I am not buying this. And therein lies the problem.

No acceptable alternatives forces these older generation emcees to keep on pushing. I don't blame them. Even while I am coming to terms that Reasonable Doubt 2 will never happen or sadly disappoint, I still want to see it. While Jay-Z on American Gangster wasn't wack, it wasn't up to the standard I had hoped. Method Man, Snoop, Eminem, Nas all have this burden. Great rappers who are still rapping but will never reach the height of their old works. Even while I disliked Method Man's 4:21, it was still among the most hot titles released at the time. Same with American Gangster, Nas' Hip Hop Is Dead, Snoop's Ego Trippin, etc.

There's not a doubt in my mind that there are available emcees to take the thrown. Rappers like Skyzoo, the Slaughterhouse collective, Termanology, Torae just to name a few. The problem is, most of you have probably never heard of them, and they are not the pop song, dance track type. Unfortunately, the mainstream hip hop that used to be classic has become plastic. Hip hop heads are now going elsewhere for real music because the Soulja Boy/Plies/Gucci Mane archetypes aren't cutting it.

So as long as garbage is mass manufactured to hip hop, I hope the Jay-Z's and Nas', the Eminem's and the Method Man's continue dropping albums. Because while they don't meet our sometimes lofty standards, I'll take a half ass Jay-Z cut over whatever new fake trap rapper they try to force feed us.

Industry Rule Number 4080...

....Record company people are shaaaaaaaaady! If you know your hip hop like I hope you do, this one is obvious. New school rappers and sucka emcees alike, take note. Listen to old school hip hop. Before it was about the money, it was about knowledge. And it seems like new rappers are learning this lesson the hard way. The knowledge you hip hop third graders missed is what I got in kindergarden [literally]. When A Tribe Called Quest dropped that gem, I was literally a young whipper snapper. And I've remembered it ever since. So when these rappers, I sometimes stop short of calling them all artists, fall short and get played by the machine, it's not at all surprising.

Especially when Sean "Puffy" Combs is involved. I love Diddy. No lie, I appreciate the hits he made and he was the driving force behind Biggie, so I will always give him Phil Jackson status. Along with that goes the "Phil Jackson sideways stare." What is that you ask? That is when you slightly cock your head to the side, like something not-all-the-way straight is going on. Like you smell old fish. Something's just not right, considering the artists that have had success with Diddy and STILL left. Or didn't have any success post-Puffy, and decided to write the book about how Puffy did them. Or testimonials of Industry Rule #4080.

Yung Joc is the latest to succumb to the downfall of #4080. So why am I posting this? Well, because it makes me sort of happy with these cash chasing dudes with no skill don't get what they are chasing when they did the "music" they did. I don't mind dudes getting paid off rap. That is not it at all. What I do mind is dudes putting garbage out and getting paid for it. Maybe I should be mad at the clowns that actually buy that trash, but it's easier to direct the blame at the creator. Just because people will buy fertilizer doesn't mean I support putting shit in a bag and selling it. Pardon my French.

And just so you know, I might continue this series. Listen to Tribe, dumb rappers, so you can get your teaching. And listen to Usher, Mary J., Mase, the LOX, Loon, Shyne, 112, and Faith Evans who all got the hell away from Combs as soon as possible.