Browsing Category: "Editorials"
Smif N Wesson: One Of Hip-Hop’s Greats
By Brittany Somerset
Unlike the hypocritical rhetoric of some backpack rappers that preach black empowerment during performances to all white audiences, in places like Norway, because they can’t pull a crowd on their home turf, Smif and Wessun are the real deal. Their first album Dah Shinin’, released in January 1995, debuted in the top 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and went on to sell over 300,000 copies in the United States.
Love It Or Hate It: Nicki Minaj Is Coming Into Her Own
By Isis Wisdom
I have to admit it took me a long time to come to this point and even when I sit back and think about it I come back and read this post every once in a while to make sure that it was me who wrote it. Getting a co-sign from me is not easy hell most dudes barely make it let alone a female emcee. More below.
Editorial: Winter in America – Black Heroes and Homicides
By Minister Paul Scott
Back in 1974, Gil Scott-Heron recorded a song called “Winter in America.” No, he wasn’t talking about
the Arctic like weather that we have been experiencing for the last couple of months. He was mourning the death of activism after the Civil Rights/Black Power Era.
Black Celebs Do A Remake Of We Are The World While The Vultures Make Money Off Of Disaster Relief
Artists have recently come together to remake the classic 1980 hit by the late great Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie & Quincy Jones. The OG version featured artists like Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Cindy Lauper & more.
Jay Electronica: Hip-Hops Newest Reveloutionary
By Isis Wisdom
Some are saying that he is the new savior of Hip-Hop. Didn’t they say the same thing about Drake last year? I’m not sure about savior, that is a heavy title to carry but definitely a warrior of hip-hop. Jay’s sound is organic and not commercial. With lyrics as conscious and thought provoking as his in a era where all the music is dumb down and stupid we will see how organic and non commercial he remains. More Below.
Editorial: Is Television The New Legal Drug For The Masses?
I was more under the impression that bloggers were. Let’s examine what a Television is shall we? It is a box that sits in your home and tells you exactly how to think. You ask how is this possible? They do it by programming you. More below.
Young Money: The New Hip-hop Empire
By Isis wisdom
Just when you thought Cash Money was falling off, nobody really anticipated the progress of the success of Lil Wayne. I remember when Lil Wayne he was doing his own record label but at the time he was not doing much with it. He had hot lyricist such as J-Millz who we all thought was going to be the first up to bat but no such thing happened.
Jay-Z: Know-the-ledge (Jesus Can’t Save You!)
Jay-Z: Know-the-ledge (Jesus Can’t Save You!) By Khalil Amani
I recently heard some Christian youth pastor on Worldstarhiphop.com going off on Jay-Z for a lyric in his song “Empire State of Mind.” The lyric is, “Jesus can’t save you! Life starts when the Church ends.” This preacher was livid that Jay-Z would diss Jesus! He cited several scriptures—Isaiah 53, Acts 4:12, John 3:16. (To paraphrase—Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, only one name we must be saved by, God so loved the world that he gave us his son Jesus.)
Why Can’t I Be Hip-hop? Just ‘Cause I’m Old?
By Khalil Amani
I’m first generation hip-hop! Eighteen-years old when Rappers Delight hit the airwaves! Rap music started with my generation of teenagers, now some of y’all wanna diss me for indulging in some shyt (hip-hop) that started with me? The fuck?
Is Jay-Z The Most Hated Man In Hip-hop?
By Isis Wisdom
When I look into these eyes I fully understood what Jay-Z meant when he titled his album “Blue Print 2 the gift and the curse.” I chose this photo on purpose because it serves in my mind as a marker. A marker of when he would fully commit to walking through that door of either taking the blue pill or the red pill for his success. It would make one wonder how comfortable he really felt when he had to leave those behind him to attain the success he has now.
Sphere: Related Content
Swazy Baby should be commended. While other up and coming artists are busy trying to bury their underground past, Swazy Baby continues to capitalize on his. And why not? It was using mixtapes as a way to build his buzz up intially, Swazy caught the eye of Bigga Rankin.
Clicking up with B-Rich and TJ Chapman, B.o.B was able to turn his underground success into a deal with Atlantic Records.After a slew of critically acclaimed mixtapes, cross-country tours and commercial placements B.o.B still has that spark in his eyes and energy in his voice that he did when I first saw him on stage.
The 90’s was great era for hip-hop but it was equally great for R&B. Many acts have come and go since then, but the foursome of Jagged Edge has seemed to have staying power. Since their dropping their debut single "The Way That You Talk" back in 1997, JE has been a regular site on the R&B scene. 
C-Ride is used to the spotlight, even if you’re not used to his name yet. The Florida representor has been a staple of the Epidemic Music/Polo Grounds team for years now. After making a name for himself on the underground, he’s ready to make his presence known in the mainstream.
"I aint never left the scene! I’m always grinding." Bold words like that are normally served for underground artists still trying to get their buzz up. You wouldn't expect an artists who has signed to major deals, posted hit records and has sold units to still speak about grinding it out. But Yo Gotti isn't the average artist
