Virginia is for label politics.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIV1-ICkXow[/youtube]I’m sure by now everyone’s seen FamLay’s latest, “Da Beeper Record” featuring Pharrell, which hit the net late last week, and (according to The Fader‘s drop) is directed by Hype Williams. This is supposed to be the first single off of Fam’s debut album, Dat Missile. I say “supposed to be” because this’ll be Fam’s second attempt at hitting the jackpot that is official major label album release, after his scheduled-for-2004 debut Traintogo (a planned Star Trak/Def Jam joint venture), backed by the banger “Rock N Roll”, never made it out of the office. [Personally, I blame Lil’ Flip for getting on the remix of that song.]

This is just the latest in a string of shortcomings for VA’s underrated rap scene. The Clipse’s struggle to release Hell Hath No Fury could actually be seen as a “success” considering that their proper debut, Exclusive Audio Footage, was shelved permanently. (Remember “The Funeral”, featuring a pre-cornrowed Pusha T?) Ab-Liva, billed as “The Man That Will Be King” in the “Cot Damn” video, hasn’t popped up much outside of The Clipse’s albums. Timbaland’s Beat Club Records folded. Skillz was forced to make year-end “rap-up” records to keep a buzz going, and I’m hoping that Million Dollar Backpack goes somewhere other than down the tube.

Although Virginia MCs have shown talent, it seems that only the state’s superstar beatmakers can get a break commercially. Considering the currently-stale state of hip hop music, let’s hope that this changes for the better.

Download: Mad Skillz – “VA’s In The House”

Download: The Clipse – “Breakfast In Cairo” featuring Noreaga & Kurupt

Download: Timbaland & Magoo – “We At It Again” featuring Sebastian

Download: Mad Skillz – “Crew Deep (Remix)” featuring The Clipse

Download: FamLay – “Bang Bang” featuring T.I. & Scarface

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