Does it frustrate you how the face of popular music and its accompanied art has evolved and lost most artistic credibility? Is it a product of disinterest by the fans or just the commercialization of the whole industry?
JJ: Not really. The classic days of the album cover ended with CDs and videos, and I started long after that. Records and covers have always been products and marketing, if you ignore all the culture involved. I’m in it for the culture though.
I just saw this on MTV JAMS (yeah… my TV stays on it) and I have to say that this was one of the most weird videos I have ever seen. The whole first 1/3 of the video is just the rapper (Lil Wil) standing on his front lawn getting uncomfortable looks from his neighbors and some random ho. Then they end it with scenes of a shirtless first grader caressing himself. I know other rappers have kids in their videos, but does he need to be shirtless, and doing that dance? This seems borderline illegal.
Plus, when I saw it on MTV it didn’t silence his vocals when he swore, it brought back the hook. So I was just stuck wondering what the hell this badly edited child exploitation is doing on JAMS?! And, not to sound like an old fart, but what the HELL is My Dougie?????
Dope QN5 artist Substantial managed to get his video for “It’s You” on regular rotation on MTV.
Fellow QN5 member Tonedeff responds on the QN5 Music blog:
I woke up this morning to the best alarm clock an indie Hip Hop label owner could wake up to – Substantial’s “It’s You” video being played at the top of the morning on MTV! Yes, I mean MTV-mtv…not MTV2. This is a huge break for us!
Between this and me catching U- N-I’s “Beautiful Day” vid on Sucker Free the other day, quality indie hip-hop is finally getting its due.
The FANZAM is a Zamboni that has been stripped down and turned into a smoke blowing, light flashing PR machine. This FANZAM has custom seating, 3 Xbox 360s, 5 LCD monitors, 2 LED signs, a fog machine, strobe lights, custom paint, air suspension, air horn, 12,000 watt car stereo–just about everything!
If you’ve been following ML since our eurrrly blogger days you know we’ll always have a soft spot for Dipset. In the video above you see JR Writer shop at a mall (thugs love Sunglasses Hut & FYE too, ok?), go in the studio and perform. The mega-brief Cam’ron cameo is worth your viewing time, ML promises. By the way Eskay, has the new Cam track called My Aura.
X.O.‘s mixtape, The Takeover: Part 2, comes hot off the release of The Mixtape About Nothingand demonstrates that DC’s rap scene isn’t a one trick pony. The mixtape features local producers and X.O. has a solid flow. The Takeover: Part 2 isn’t the showpiece that Wale’s new tape is and isn’t as stylish as 100 Miles and Running was, but X.O. is a competent rapper and the tape has some interesting tracks. You might remember the Rid’n Remix featuring Wale. Definitely worth a listen.
A side note and personal gripe, X.O. joins a growing group of rappers whose names thwart a simple Google-search. Other perpetrators are AC, Problem and The Game. Step your naming game up, guys. Need I remind you of Dr. Wolfgang von Bushwickin’ the Barbarian Mother Funky Stay High Dollar Billstir?
I’ve never heard of YRB, but this cover looks dope. Something everyone has heard is the Everybody Nose CRS/Pusha T remix but the Sammy Bananas version needs to get shine too:
Frank of G4TV has been on a roll pumping out quality Freestyle 101 for months! If you’ve been missing out here is a quick & convenient catchup of the Webby award winning series since we last mentioned it.
Lil’ Fame (of M.O.P)
Smooth Da Hustler, Trigger tha Gambler, D.V. Alias Khryst
One of Toronto’s finest at Summer Jam over the weekend. A little different vibe from the cut he did with Marco on Port Authority but having Akon on it makes it radio friendly. Hopefully he can do what the neptunes couldn’t with the Belly Dancer effort.
