Celebrity Status = Community Service and Jail...maybe

I've been working on this entry for a while. It is not because I could not think of something to say. It was because of my little hater. Most people know this guy as procrastination. I apologize to all that read this and I vow to try and put more posts up. If you feel that I'm slacking again, let me know. Now that I have that off my chest, let's get down to business.

I'm the average citizen in the United States. Most people are known in a community or clique and carry a reputation in that community or clique. If you do something right, it may reach a little outside that comfort zone but not too far. If you do something wrong, the same result will most likely occur. Now, let's take things a step further and bring in a case study. I will choose...T.I. and the gun charge.

If you've been living under a rock or if you refused to watch MTV, BET, VH1, or FUSE, you will not know who this guy is or why I would bring him up. T.I. is a well established multi-platinum recording artist from Atlanta, Georgia. And yes, he's a rapper. T.I. was arrested on weapons charges. This was not any old handgun under the passenger seat thing. He may have had enough weaponry to supply a small guerrilla army. He got caught and in a very surprising move, he didn't claim that the stuff wasn't his or that he had no idea where it came from. He didn't run away from it. He stood up with his head held high and took what was coming to him. He was supposed to get up to 30 years in prison. But, he ended up getting only 366 days with chance for parole. How?

There are two factors that come into play. The first leads into the second. The first is his celebrity and pop culture status. In the mainstream music world, T.I. is a total success. He's put out more than 3 albums and all of them have sold extremely well. He's the typical rags to riches rap artist and because of this, he is looked up to by kids all of the world. With this status, he can use that to get himself out of situations. In most cases, celebrity status will get you a full pardon and somehow we can pretend like none of these eventes ever happened. But, the severity of this particular case study, some more has to be done. This leads into the second factor in this equation. The one thing that seems to save alot of celebrities from doing a full sentence. I'm talking about community service.

In the case of T.I., he made a plea with the judge assigned to his case to do some sort of act in order to get his sentence shortened. He had to perform around 1000 hours of community in a span of 10 months. This sounds like a doable job for the avaerage citizen. But, this guy is a celebrity with a tight schedule and does more in a day than most people can do in a week. Not to mention that everything he is doing is in the public eye. Now, he could have just done the hours and called it a day. But, once again, he used his status, situation, and life lesson to do something extraordinary. He got in touch with MTV and created a reality show that helped kids that were going down the same path that he took to jail. This is going above and beyond the call of duty. The judge saw that and lowered the sentence from 30 years to 366 days. I don't care what anybody says, that is crazy generous for any judge. Now, to my overall point.

If T.I. did not have his status, he would most likely be doing 45 years without parole in tha maximum security prison. He still has to go to jail, but it could be so much worse. Like you, I do not have the kind of notoriety or finances to hire the best lawyers or use my status to put a lesser hinderence on my family and my business. I hope T.I. enjoys his stardom because it may have been the only way he could possibly stay relevant in this society. Not bad for a minority citizen growing up in the ghetto to make a name for himself legally.

Tell me what you think. Have any opinions or anything I missed? Leave a comment or send a message.

Hip-Hop Beef...No Longer Useful

Beef in this genre used to be what made the name of legendary MCs along with creating some of the most memorable music of our lifetime. At least, that's what it used to be. Now, it's just used to create better sales for worse music. Case in point, 50 Cent vs. Rick Ross.

The story behind this "beef" is completely irrelevant. All the average listener needs to know is that one made a song, the other responded with a song. Then they started just sending straight insults via radio shows and youtube. As of this post, the last thing that happened was that 50 decided to pay Ross' baby mama a visit. This boys and girls is what rap artists have to resort to in order to make their $13.99.

I really do not know if Ross has tried this tactic but this is just another day in the office for 50. Once again, he has an album coming out in a little while (greatest hits most likely), and needs to get some sort of promotion in order to make a sale. It was used with Get Rich or Die Tryin' when he basically ended Ja Rule's career. It was also used with The Massacre (Jadakiss, Fat Joe, and Nas). I'm sure if he used it for Curtis, probably because I didn't care and the album sucked in my opinion. Oh wait, he started some crap with Kanye because they were releasing on the same day (btw...Kanye won). By that time, we all knew it was a fixed beef to sell some records. Anyway, this tactic seems to be the only way he can sell anything. If you think about it, this is pretty sad that he thinks that way because he's a decent rapper who can sell with lyrics. My advice to 50, you don't need to do this anymore. Your fan base is so solid right now that all you need to do is say you're dropping an album and I guarantee that you'll go gold in 2 weeks.

I grew up in the 90s where beef brought about some incredible rivalries and theater. Most importantly, it brought about some incredible. The beef that everybody knows about is the world famous east coast/west coast rivalry. Unfortunately, some people took it way too seriously and two all-time greats were lost. During that time, some of the best music of all time. Another beef was between LL Cool J and Canibus. Most people don't know about this one. This confrontation brought about on of the best diss tracks of all time. Canibus' "2nd Round Knockout" is regarded as one of those diss tracks and could actually be a single...and it was. LL won in the end, but in my mind, winners and losers meant nothing. Incredible music was made based on actual hatred.

To all future MCs. If you're trying to make a name for yourself, do it with your lyrics. If you think that starting something is the only way sell a record, you're a retard. Besides, it's a complete waste of your time and resources. You'll be like that team that plays the Harlem Globetrotters. You know you're gonna lose, but you're able to make it interesting. Plus, it's funny to see you get ur a** kicked.

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My Two Cents

A lot of people are really upset over Kev's rant. According to what I've been getting via email, the majority believe that he is completely wrong. Also, they want me to make a rebuttal of sorts. People assume that I am in disagreement with with Kev. First off, I'm not sure how that conclusion could be drawn from six posts. Second, Kevin has a point.

His statement is part of the reason why I haven't been reviewing albums. They would all be exactly the same. Another MC from "the hood" comes in out of nowhere (aka Atlanta), creates a catchy single that appeals to kids ages 10-15, puts out an album to crappy reviews, and still goes gold in a month. If this formula sounds familiar, then you know all about that waste of talent Soulja Boy. The only difference is that these new talentless talents aren't using youtube to make their skid mark on the world. In that aspect, we are in total agreement. The formula has been used so many times. It's grown so old and repetitive that it has effected sales and the overall appeal of the genre of music I love.

In terms of lyrics, I once again agree. Of course, there are some variations to the formula. Every now and then, meaning every 10 albums, you might see an artist talk about a girl in a positive manner. You might even hear a song that doesn't have to do with sex, money, upbringing, or cars. Unfortunately, that is few and far between. And the blame does have to be passed around between the artist with no creativity, the record label for signing the talentless f***, and of course the consuming public. Yes, I blame us, the same people that know what is wrong with this business and do nothing but feed in to all the wrong that some of us (including Kev) are trying to make right.

So, instead of a flat out disagreement to the rant, I'm going to come up with some sort of solution. Basically, it's what I think the industry can do in order to get the government off our backs, make the music fun again, and possibly gain fans besides hood rats and suburban white kids. Now this solution is very simple to execute. First, the record labels have to fire their current talent scouts and look for new ones. The current scouts only look for what is already out there and that is exactly what need to change. Get some people (like myself and Kev), that are willing to pass on what is already there. Second, the labels and the consumer have to be willing to accept change. Arista did so by signing Lupe Fiasco. How is he different? He talks about children fighting wars and giant robots. Who's else does that? Answer, other artists that you won't give a chance. This solution is really simple, but I have a feeling nothing will change anytime soon. We are so fixed in our ways and the labels are content with the money that they are making. In my opinion, when things, that's when the real money will come in. Third, we need to get both extreme factions to shut up!! The anti-rap people have to realize that they are trying to take away a first amendment right and the rap activists have to stop making material for the other side. Both sides are so clouded in their beliefs that they do not realize that each has good ideas. I could go into extreme detail, but that would take quite some time. Time I do not want to spend.

I'm not saying we need a complete overhaul. I'm saying we need a fresh start. We are going to have the hardcore MC that is going to "stay true" to the essence of hip hop. We'll just use those guys as comparisons to what should be done. We need to find that new thing that could revitalize our genre and make it fun again. Kev has some legit gripes. I just hope we could find some solutions.

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Somethig Has to Be Done...Kev's Rant

Yea, I think I’m pretty much tired of hip-hop. Nowadays originality is just same thing but in a different way. I remember way back when you didn’t do something original and copied someone else’s shit, you disappeared never to be seen again. Now that shit will get you a multi-million dollar contract. OK OK you’re from the hood; you shoot niggas; you fuck bitches; you drive fast cars with hot rims; WE FUCKIN GET IT! Do something else. I know that’s not all hip-hop got. Look at Lupe Fiasco, Eminem, and at times Pharell (very few times). Every album they release has about 5 songs that made me stop and go “WTF?”(in a good way) because I never heard anything like it. Besides those examples, I’m pretty sure there are some real MCs out there, but I don’t like swimming through the sea of bullshit to find them.

Apparently, if you’re gonna make a music video, you better follow the guidelines. 1) There should be at least 5 dudes behind you bobbing their heads at any given time. 2) Whenever head bobbing idiots are not around, they’re replaced by half-naked women with booties no smaller than a Toyota Prius. 3) Add liquor where applicable. 4) Only certain cars are acceptable: Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Cadillac, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bentley. Add car(s) where appropriate. 5) Wear no less than $55,000 worth of jewelry. 6) Air Forces are a must. 7) When all else fails or unavailable, throw a party, preferable in a club (add liquor).

Yes this is about 98% of rap videos today. I bet everybody started out with cool and original ideas, but then it just boils down to this. Actually, I take that back. In order to have original ideas, you have to be creative, and judging from most of the lyrics that’s pretty much non-existent. Most of the time, the video has nothing to do with the artist. Yea, a video can have nothing to do with the song and still be entertaining (like Redman and early Busta Rhymes), but don’t shit out of character. Example: DMX’s video Party Up. Why the fuck is DMX breaking up a bank heist? He should be robbing the bitch. All that tough talk in the song and he’s saving the day. WTF? And to prevent the police from shooting, what does he do? He calls in bitches. Remember, every good video has to have bitches. And then sed bitches proceed to grind up and on cops and no one gives a shit. Greeeeeeat. God I hate that video. Matter of fact, I hate videos in general; they mostly just go through the same motions.

And the lyrics. OH THE LYRICS! Lyrics have taken a real nosedive, haven’t they? It’s amazing that anyone spit any old GED lyrics and be number 1 on the charts. For those who don’t know (which is everyone because I just made it), GED lyrics are lyrics so simple any sorry mother fucka can write them (no offense to anyone getting their GED). Seriously, why the hell is Soulja Boy still ALIVE, let alone making records? I guess when you have a hot beat it supersedes (nice word) any pitiful lyrics you spit. And while I’m still pissed, STOP IT WITH THE FUCKIN AUTOTUNER! That shit was fun at first, but now bastards are using it to make themselves seem like they have talent (*cough cough* T-Pain *cough*). Yea there been some hot songs from it, but that doesn’t mean you’re good; it just means you have a hot producer. The only person who should get away with this is Kanye, and that’s only because he IS a producer. I’m not saying you can’t use it; I’m saying you can’t use it on everything you do because it makes you a fuckin liar hiding the fact that you have no talent.

I can rant on about the artist, but in the end I don’t really blame them. If someone offered me million to put out shit, then I’m headed to the next available toilet (….ew). I blame the record labels who keep putting this shit out. I blame the radio stations who loop the same 5 songs all fuckin day. I blame producers who make hot beats so good you don’t care about the lyrics (I blame them, yet I don’t want them to stop). I blame TV networks who willing put shitty videos on. I blame George W. Bush for completely unrelated issues. But most of all I blame you. That’s right…YOU, the people who buy this shit. You could have demanding better. You didn’t have to buy this crap. You could have supported the real MCs who come up with original content on the regular, but nooooo. I gonna listen to the mother fucka spittin the same shit we heard for 25 years in the same fuckin way as the last guy and made no improvements on what the last guy did. Because it’s safe or familiar, you’re not willing to listen to people trying something different with hip-hop, and that’s sad. God damn you people, especially you high school a-holes who are so easy to please.

…..maybe I over exaggerated……..naw, probably not.

Recent Post...

I did my most recent post on my boy Kev's page. Check it out at http://theaveragemansxbox.blogspot.com.

I'll post another music entry once I get something I'm interested in reporting on. Also, Kev might do a cameo on my page so look out for that.

What I've Noticed and The State of Hip-Hop

With there being a complete lack of music for me to review, I decided to address the state of hip-hop nation. I did discuss some of my feelings in my 2nd post. Read that at your leisure and govern yourselves accordingly. I also want to state a few things that I've noticed over time.

For all those people who have been banned from listening to any music, there is one individual that has taken over rap music altogether. He is the flavor of the year. He is the self-proclaimed best rapper alive. He is Lil' Wayne. By using the formula first introduced by Fabolous, he as turned the industry into his personal toy. By getting himself featured on as many songs as inhumanly possible(check out the mix tapes and tell me how he pulls this off), he promoted his own album to the point that it was certified platinum in its first week. He has been featured on songs from T-Pain to Kevin Rudolf to....(insert music artist here). From the momentum that this guy has, it looks like he will be the go to rap artist for quite some time. Now I know you're thinking that this is a bad thing for hip-hop. It looks like we are putting our hopes, dreams, and futures on this kid. And you would be absolutely right. We are doing just that. But, somehow (and this really surprises me) we seem to be turning for the better. Because everyone under the sun wants him to make a hit song, he has branched out of his rap comfort and tackled other genres by storm and succeeded.

There is another trend going on right now. In my mind I'm wondering what took everyone so long. Hit producers are stepping from behind the scenes and throwing their hats in artists as legit artists. This is not an original idea. The only people that you, the mainstream audience could probably think of that have succeeded in this task are Kanye West and Pharrell. But with the recent success of The Dream and Ron Browz, this could become something that could end up being a normal occurrence. Now, the people want more than just a rapper or just a producer. You have to do it all in order to be known as a force in this game. Browz and The Dream have a long way to go if they are ever going to make the impact that Kanye and Pharrell have. My guess, they have no chance in hell. Get back in the studio and do what yo do best, help others make it big.

Contrary to unpopular belief, hip-hop has made a little bit of a comeback since the Imus incident. Sales are slowly getting going back up and people are learning to forgive and forget. However, this genre will never be the same. That's a good thing. It shows that artists and promoters are starting to learn what kind of impact they have on society. They also learned that hip-hop is the perfect scapegoat. Anything that causes an uproar in the world will somehow be blamed on hip-hop. So, artists are a little more careful(and that is very little) on what they say. Music videos on the other hand, that's a completely different animal. Since I haven't watched on in quite some time, I can't comment on them.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Leave a comment or something and give me your opinion. I could always use the feedback.

Kanye West...808's and Heartbreaks

In my opinion, one of the hardest things for an artist to accomplish is doing better than a previous milestone. Unless expectations are set rather low...it's almost impossible to be greater than you once were in the eye of public. Kanye West has achieved this milestone and done so much more since his artist debut in 2004. He's stuck to his lyrics and his mastery of production to create a sound in rap all his own. But, what happens when he takes a new direction? What happens when he takes on entirely new genre? Surprisingly, quite well.

This album is his 4th mainstream release. On this with him are Young Jeezy, Kid Cudi, Mr. Hudson, and every body's favorite add-on, Lil' Wayne. Kanye sings...yes sings the entire album. Does his voice sound good...NO, but we all knew that going in. However, it does not take away from the body of work he has created. In fact, it almost adds to it. He tries to mask the tone deaf sounds by using synthesizer (a.k.a. the T-Pain machine) to make his voice sound a little better, but it does not work at all. This is by far his most heartfelt and emotional album to date. Most likely it is because before starting production, Mr. West lost his mother and his long time girlfriend over the span of one month. With that much emotional torment, it was easy for him to turn his pain into good music.

After listening to it in its entirety the first time, I noticed something really significant. Each beat produced can be made hot with his voice. He created an entire album that suited his style. Some records would depend on who is brought on to make it good. Not in this case. He made this album so that he can make it hot. The people he added to his songs seem to make the song better by pure luck instead of by skill (TAKE THAT WEEZY!!). My favorite track would have to be Paranoid. I'm personally a fan of fast beats so this one automatically caught my attention. The beat is phenomenal, and the pattern he used in the vocals only adds to what is already good.

Despite being skeptical about the new direction, this album is a definite by for dedicated Kanye fans. For the average fan, give it a listen and decide from there. Most people would definitely pass only because of the genre change. But don't worry, this will most likely be the first and last R&B album from Mr. West. Something like that cannot be done again nor should it be. The next installment would only bring sales as bad as Soulja Boy's 2nd installment (I HATE THAT GUY).

Leave comments. I wanna know what your opinion is on this.

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