Love him or hate him, you still have an opinion...

Pray IV Reign (Official PTM Review)
written by D.O.T.

Joseph "Jimmy" Jones released his fourth Solo LP "Pray for Reign" last Tuesday. I'm not going to go into the details of Pray for Reign. I'll let you listen to it for your self and make your own judgement. Jimmy has been in the media throughout his entire career. Going back to 2005 Jimmy, Cam, and Juelz were all over youtube being chased around Harlem (Rucker Park) by MOP and some other Brooklyn goons. Jimmy held his own...but got knocked out clean with one punch. Cam can be seen on the video clearly walking away as Jimmy was getting beaten up. Juelz was no where to be found of course. Other youtube video's have surfaced with Cam jumping into a crowd during a performance in order to to fight a disrespectful concert goer while Juelz stood on stage holding all of the Dips jewlery. I wonder if Jimmy started to feel like he was always doing all of the "tough talk" and dirty work for Cam to the point where he eventually got fed up and decided to branch out on his own.

Even after all of these minor disputes the DIPS remained together while they began working on a new artist...Stack Bundles. As we all know, Stack was killed in 2007. After Stack died the DIPS basically split. Cam went off into never never land and Jimmy and Juelz stayed home. Jimmy has continued to transcend the music and has done remixes for hit records by MIA, Asher Roth, and Ron Brownz.

Jimmy has found a way to stay relevant even after splitting from Cam. In some recently released footage of Cam'Ron being interviewed, Cam replied "Who's that? when asked about Jim Jones" I find that funny seeing how obviously Cam knows who Jim is. Was he acting as if he didn't know Jim to be funny or to prove a point that him and Jimmy don't work together anymore. Jimmy was later interviewed by Ms. Jones (former Hot 97 morning show). She asked him if he had heard that Cam wanted to squash their recent beef and make a record with him. Jimmy replied that he had never heard about Cam wanting to record with him. The fact is that Jimmy has proven that he can stand on his own two without Cam'ron. Does Jimmy owe Cam for putting him on? Are they really beefing or is this just a publicity stunt to sell more records and keep it in the family?

Some people are saying that Jimmy is done. I personally think he's just getting started. Even 50 said that Ballin' was a good record. 50 isn't the end all be all but the way he end's peoples career's it may be a good thing when 50 likes your recond. It most likely means that your record will actually get released and heard in the mainstream. Keep working and good luck Jimmy...

The Struggle Up North...

Industry 101
written by J.DOT

People don’t dance no’ mo’…all they do is this! All they do is this!...That was a great song by Goodie Mob that obviously never matriculated into the mainstream rap world. Those prophetic lyrics have come true for East Coast hip hop during a time in music where people don’t dance on the East Coast/up North anymore. They just bop their heads to a beat that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles should be cruising the sewers to. In the South they make songs like “the stanky leg”, “its goin’ down”, all Soulja Boy’s songs, and many more that keep people dancing down at the bottom of the map. Even T.I. and Jeezy’s music, which leans on the more street side, has some bounce to it. This key element to the music (dancing) is missing from East Coast and up North rappers right now.

When we refer to East Coast rap we might as well say New York City. Jersey and Philly had they’re heavy weights but just like New York we can count on our hands how many East Coast rappers there are/have been that are still relevant in today’s music industry. Let’s face it. Hip hop has gone main stream, there isn’t anything wrong with that either. Jay-z made the matriculation from the street to the fame and so did Diddy. 50 cent is probably the last New York rapper to achieve high levels of fame, money, success, and popularity off of rap culture and music without eventually becoming irrelevant. Cam’ Ron and the Diplomats are the one group that did a good job connecting with the South rather than going against them. The Dips (or what’s left of them) have been good at making “feel good” music. They incorporate Harlem's lifestyle and the many dances that the natives of Harlem come up with in their music as much as possible. The world would not have known about the Harlem Shake had it not been for the music and videos that portrayed it during the late 90’s and early 2000’s. No matter what was going on in their personal lives, their music is always positive and up beat. Joe Budden, who happens to be a great lyricist can’t get over the hump because he has been rapping “AT” his fans and not for them since 50 came at him.

How many rappers from the East Coast are still out there trying to find that one “hit”? It seems like even when they do get that one hit (ie: Maino with “Hi hater.”) They still become one hit wonders. M.I.M.S. has a new song called “Move.” This record has a nice beat but Mims actually did a decent job with what I like to call “The new dumb version of rap” that provides a nice beat with okay lyrics. I don’t mind this new version of rap because hip hop and rap were founded upon dope beats that made you want to dance. The lyrics weren’t always complex although they still provided your body and soul with something deep.

Over the years we have been blessed with lyrical genius’ such as the Notorious B.I.G, 2pac, Big Pun, KRS 1, Busta Rhymes, Public Enemy, Rakim, NAS, just to name a few. Those were not the only rappers that gave us something significant. Grand Master Flash wasn’t super lyrical but he gave us some legendary, classic, music to hold on to and dance to. Run DMC definitely was not a lyrical bunch but they are arguably one of the best hip hop acts of all time. I’m not sure what the East Coast can do to keep up with the Southern artists right now but I do think it will need to involve some music that involves less complaining, street talk (because everyone aint street), and more bounce. People don’t like being rapped at. They like being rapped to or about.

So Icy Ent...

Welcome home Gucci Mane!
written by J.DOT

You may not know who Gucci Mane is. Or you may just not listen to his music but he’s that guy who came out with the song: “She’s a VERY freaky gurrl! Don’t bring her to momma!...etc. Yyyy-eh!...or should I say yeeeeaaaaahh! That would be more appropriate in “Gucci language” lol.

Anyways, Gucci Mane’s past finally caught up with him back in August when his legal troubles landed him a year sentence (9 months mandatory) in the county jail. Gucci didn’t stop putting out mix tapes while locked up. Mix tapes such as the “Wilt Chamberlain” series, “King”, and “So Ice Boy” are just to name a few.

Before being sentenced Gucci attempted to plea with the judge so that he would not have to serve any actual time but the judge decided he needed to learn a lesson. In the clip below you can see that Gucci is truly happy to be back out in the world doing what he does best which is entertain. Gucci is by no means the most talented rapper but he is entertaining. He is not pulling a “C.O.” Ross move and trying to fool the public. He’s just being Gucci. With a name like Gucci Mane how could you ever really get tired of this guy? Unless the actual Gucci brand goes out of style or something, but I have a feeling Gucci will have passed on to the next life before that happens…

At any rate welcome home Gucci. Now all you have to do is figure out how your going to beat that T.I. guy when he gets out of jail. Now’s your chance!...

No one on the corner got...

Swagger like Puff??
written by D.O.T

In today's declining rap game "swagger" has taken over lyricism. Before you had to either be a dope MC or lyricist to be considered one of the best. On the new T.I. track "Swagger" P. Diddy was left out. The funny part is I didn't even notice. I'm sure you didn't either! Anyways, Diddy himself didn't hesitate to let the public know he wasn't feeling' the fact that he was left off of the track. Besides the gunshots and Diddy saying bitch and motherF#$*#$ too many times for me to count, I'm not too surprised by Diddy's rendition. Lol.

I wonder if Diddy is directly sending shots at the artists on the original "Swagger" track or just everyone in the industry. Nonetheless Diddy's "Swagger like Puff" is extremely entertaining to me. Diddy had so much time on his hands that he made 2 versions of his video. One in the studio, then one riding around in his jeep! (immediately after leaving the studio)

Either way, I actually agree with Puff. No one FROM the corner has a swagger like Puff. You already know that no one ON the corner has a swagger like Puff, or any other rapper cause if they did they would be OFF the corner! I was talking with some friends about who has more money, Diddy or Jay? We couldn't come to an agreement…Anyone have the answer???

Check out the video and you be the judge...

Take a trip...

Gucci and Boosie Mania!
written by D.O.T.

Gucci Mane and Lil Boosie have to be the two most hated rappers on the East Coast and up North because of their simple rhymes and arrogant swagger. In a day and age when the rap game is consumed by bling and money rhymes these two rappers come off as two superb rhyme "slangers" with their unquestionable flow and catchy hooks. With debut bangers like "So Icy" and "Zoom" Gucc and Boos proved that they have what it takes to make music that if anything the people from Atlanta and Baton Rouge, can relate too.

There is a culture of music that exist down south that does not resonate 100% with the up north crowd. On the east coast we're use to pure lyrical ability but I feel like the East has forgotten that hip hop is for the hip hop community first and foremost and Gucci and Boosie embody hip hop if nothing else. They aren't the most lyrical but they provide some fun with their music during a time when everyone from the East would rather beef than make records people actually enjoy listening to.

For example Joe Budden might be one of the most talented East Coast artists and his talent will probably never be realized because of his inability to produce records that aren't consumed with lyrics slandering listeners for not being able to keep up with his lyrical precision. The bottom line is I'm not going to push the Gucci's and Boosie's of the rap game to the side simply because they are not as lyrical as I would like...especially when they continue to make mix tape after mix tape supplying my habit for something NEW to listen to every week, if not every day. Leave your critical mind at home when you listen to the artists from the south, take a trip down there or something, and maybe you'll see why they're so..."HOT"...in the south.

A note for you...

Why would anyone want to buy cd's in the future?
written by DOT

Let's face it the act of going to the record store to buy cd's is fading away. I remember the joy of popping the seal on a brand new tape in the 80's, cd's in the 90's, and my iPod case in the new millennium??? Wait, how do artists benefit from my new ability to download their music (for
free) at nearly the speed of light? They don't! That's how!

At some point soon even cd's will become obsolete. Everyone will have iPods one day and mostly all connections will be wireless. I guess what I want to know is how will artists make money off of record sales when theoretically, no one will be buying records in the new music age?

Personally I haven't purchased an album in about two years. The last album I bought was Rick Ross' 1st album. I bought it because Ross was new to me and I wanted to hear what type of album he could put together. I want to purchase albums from Common, Lupe, and even Kanye but they're music is usually leaked heavily prior to the release dates of their albums so its pointless to waste my time going to the record store to purchase something I already have free access to.

During the season finale of Making The Band 4 Danity Kane and Day 26 had a competition over who could sell the most albums via iTunes during the first week. That is a testament that consumers are not going to the record stores anymore when artists are competing to see who can sell the most records on iTUNES!

Music (hip hop in particular) has become so over saturated that I'm pleased with the mixtapes that most artists release and am tired of hearing them by the time their album drops.
Should artists be scared for their future album sales?

Question?

What makes it a hit?
written by D.O.T.

Can you answer that question? What makes a song a hit these days. Don't you wonder why songs like M.I.M.S, "This is why I'm hot", Mike Jones "Back Then" and Chingy's "Right Thur" are the ones that top the charts in todays music world? Or do you already know why? There's no question the songs mentioned above have bangin' beats which helps but do the words even matter anymore? I mean really tho'. If that's the case I know plenty of underground artists with the same hot beats(if not better) and song concepts (if not better) as the chart topping industry heavy
hitters and they don't have a hit.

I listen to more music on a day to week basis than lil' Wayne can make in a year. A week or so ago I came across this video on mtv jams where an R&B artist by the name of Razah had a video for a song entitled "Feels So Good". The hook goes, "Feels so Goood! Lovin' Somebody!...When somebody loves you back!" Its a remake of an older original ("When Sombody Loves You Back") by Teddy Pendegrass. Its a good song that basically talks about how good it feels to love his mom because she's always been there for him, loves him back, and he knows she always will.

Razah - Feels So Good



It just so happens that an "underground" artist/dj/writer/producer /movie maker like gWiz has a song similar to Razah's accept Wiz joint is a rap record. "Good To Know" is gWiz version of how good it feels to know people got your back just as much as you have theirs yet his song isn't a "hit". The hook goes "Nothin like Real people havin your back/ you know it's good to know that/ you show em love and they turn around and they show it back/you know It's good to know that...you get love!" Both songs have been added to this post for your listening pleasure. You be the judge. Personally I believe both songs to be hit songs. This happens all of the time in music. So what makes a song a hit?

gWiz - Good To Know feat. Yomaris

"Do my ladies run this mother*#$!"

What is happening to the female hip hop game?
written by Dot

Missy's new single "Ching-Ching" is very stereotypical of what's popular in hip hop (Money, Jewelry, and the exploitation of women) right now but I at least respect that she is keeping her music hip-hop with the beats and dance flavor. In the female rap world sex has been what has catapulted artists like Lil Kim, Jackie-O, Foxy Brown, and many others. Lyrical MC's like MC Lyte and Salt and Pepa even took their sexual routes but at least they were trying to educate people about sex to some extent with songs like "Let's talk about Sex" and "Georgie-Poorgie".

With lyrics from Missy on "Ching-Ching" like, "Talk like exlax, if ya game wack, /Then you ain't sayin' jack, /Just like that, ya, ya, to get axed, /Cause I got more hits than you can get out of a bat" I wouldn't say Missy is crazy lyrical but she gets the job done in a day and age where people don't get caught up in actual alliteration and poetry when it comes to music. Back in the day women artists had to fight just to be heard. Missy is extremely successful and lucrative in the music industry and she is hardly what I would call a lyrical genius but she is definitely a musical genius. Is that enough, or should we expect more from the new age of female rappers.

Kid Sister is a fairly new rapper from Chicago who I believe to be lyrical in an old school sense. Hip Hop and rap was founded on the beat, and the ability of the MC to move the crowd to the beat with they're lyrical ability. When any rapper can pull that off they get props as a real MC. Many people may think that Kid Sisters single "Pro Nails" is cheesy and that she can't rap because she's rapping fast on the track but with lyrics like "I aint rockin' stupid bapes/ I aint trippin'/ I juke all day!" and "Girls be so thirsty thirsty/Fast forward to the end of my song/And say third verse me verse me/Whenever I hit block I see/Tricks try to rehearse me hearse me /From manicure sets to silky weaves/They be so grimey, nasty,/bogus/Germy, dirty/Uh oh/Shol did/you ain't slick/Naw, let the pioneer blast my ****" Kid sister is telling men what they "gotta" do if they wanna get that girl they're after and she's telling the ladies they can hate but she's still the sh*t! I can't knock that especially when the beat is knocking and Kid Sister is going her hardest.

If the future of hip hop lies with artists like Kid Sister and Lil Mamma I think we'll be ok. They bring innovation and freshness to the game for the ladies while still keeping it lyrical. If Missy is gonna keep us dancing at least we have Kid Sister spittin' something worth analyzing…simply because it's different. And she's cute too! Haha…

… And if you still don't respect kid sister check out her backstage pass on MTV.com and I guarantee you'll have a different respect for her as an artist.