Supercr3ws...

Up, Up, and Away
written by Just K

Hip-hop needs a major event. Lil’ Wayne selling a million records was cool, but between mixtapes, leaks, and several potent doses of the sizzurp, C3 didn’t exactly deliver like it could’ve. Before that, the last major event was probably the Kanye vs. 50 showdown (yes, I’m aware that I omitted the whole Nas/Untitled thing, but the hype died down once the name changed). Before that, hip-hop is dead was the talk of the town. Then there was Jay coming out of retirement with a great idea, but average/rushed execution. True story.

So hip-hop is in need of another event. It’s about that time. We’re due. And I’m not talking about the whole Curtis vs. Officer Ross thing; that’s more of a debacle than an event. I’m talking about something to break the monotony of the typical rap radio single the way “A Millie” did. Sure Lil’ Wayne is Mr. Radio Single, but he really did risk a lot by giving us that many bars without the luxury of a true chorus to fall back on. I propose that hip-hop should find a way to produce a Supercrew. Picture it.

You get a group of lyrically respectable, commercially successful artists that are currently relevant calling a press conference to announce that they’re doing a CD together. That right there is an event. Producers would be dying to deliver their best beats. The competition within the group would push the MCs to come up with the sickest material they possibly could. Because the artists are already guaranteed to get radio spins they wouldn’t be forced to come up with some piss poor attempt at making a hit song. Instead, they would just make quality music that turns into hits. The prerelease party would be like a major movie premiere. Sweet.

Yes, I’m aware of the improbability. I mean, the record shows that a Supercrew more than likely won’t happen. Hell, the closest thing we had to a Supercrew in recent years is Omarion and Bow Wow. Damn. Before that, Kellz got maced by one of Jay’s boys. Shame. And in both cases, it was an MC and an RnB crooner. For two or more established, credible MCs to drop an album you’d have to get through the egos first and foremost. Then you’d have to get through all the red tape of the artists being on separate labels and having different management, breaking down percentages in profits, etc. On top of that, the chances of two superstars being able to agree on enough concepts, themes, hooks, and beats to produce an album that would live up to the hype are anorexically slim. Tough.

Let us take a minute to reflect on the Supercrews that never were. The Commission could’ve been a thing of beauty. It surely would’ve been Charli Baltimore’s ticket to real stardom if she could hold her own with Jay-Z and Biggie (both of which would’ve probably did some level of ghostwriting for her). Murda Inc. with Ja Rule, DMX, and Jay would’ve gone diamond. If Memph Man would’ve managed to match Sigel bar for bar on the Beans and Bleek project, it would’ve been the thing that got Bleek from under Jay’s shadow. The Firm – I got two real songs from the original Firm and they were both crazy. Then I don’t know where Cormega went. As for CRS, we’ll see. The last real Supercrew we had was Meth and Red (and that album didn’t age well). Sigh.

For the sake of hip-hop, whoever you superstars are…whichever labels have to move things around…whatever has to be done, we need a Supercrew. Active your WonderTwin powers, design a Justice League tower, throw on some capes, and build a dam to protect leaks in your system. Give us a Supercrew.