New Video: Rihanna "California King Bed"

She sure loves this color palette. It's a beautiful video, a lil boring, but pretty nonetheless. I actually love the song though, it's the best I've ever heard RiRi vocally.

New Video: Nicki Minaj "Super Bass"

First off, I know been gone a minute, and for the 6 people who read this blog, my apologies. A lot of family and professional issues arose and needed to be handled.

NOW! Back to work with Ms. Minaj. Can't lie, it reminds me of some Kim shit but that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. I really like it though, what do you think?

Mariah Carey Covers Life & Style Magazine

Mimi and the twins cover Life & Style's latest issue, glowing and gorgeous. She should be ready to pop any day now...

One extra pic of MC with nothing but a blanket over the goodies.

I heard there are nude pics of Mr. Cannon from this shoot, but I've yet to see them. I'll update as those roll in.

Howard Stern on Hot 97 vs Power 105 Beef

2 mornings ago, Howard Stern addressed the whole Breakfast Club vs. Funkmaster Flex issue on his satellite radio show. Shit is hilarious, if not a little condescending. Like, "look at these two urban stations throw pebbles...peasants!"



I'm over it, at least until something significant happens. Do you guys care???

Nicki Minaj Covers Elle Magazine + Photo Shoot

Nicki Minaj covers Elle Magazine's latest Music Issue and takes some gorgeous shots for the layout. This issue hits stand April 14th, but take a sneek peek below...

Lupe Fiasco Covers 944 Magazine

Lupe looking cool and casual on the cover of 944, a west coast based publication that I love out here in LA. I'm sure you can order it on their website if you don't live on the left coast, Detroit or Miami.

Slaughterhouse at Paid Dues 2011

They merked it...that is all.



Props to The Source.

Joe Budden & Co. Discuss Thirsty Females

This is some real shit they talkin, I 100% agree that a lot of women won't show love to a "regular" guy, even if he's about business.  Thank God I was raised to know that I define me, not the social status of the dick I pull.



I gotta say though, men do the same shit with women but instead of money it's looks.  Yes, you should be attracted to the girl, but if you only fuck with video models and wanna-be "singers", lol, then you have no room to judge, sorry fellas.

New Video: Keri Hilson feat. Chris Brown "One Night Stand"

Sexy song & video, though I'm not sure why they chose to go with an auto shop theme, but hey, it takes nothing away from this visual.



Am I the only one who was thinking Ciara would have MURDERED the dance scenes w/ Chris?  Keri did her thing, but still...

New Music: Ryan Leslie "Joan Of Arc"

Anyone who’s followed Ryan Leslie over the last few years knows that this Harvard alum has more overall talent than a lot of his R&B contemporaries. His new song, Joan of Arc, shows Leslie’s ability to write, produce, sing and rap over a track without completely ruining it, a rarity for one individual to pull off. This isn’t the first time he’s spit a few bars, but I think when he attempts to rap through the majority of a song, as he does here, it doesn’t connect with the listener as well as it could. His smooth and minimalist vocals on the hook ride perfectly over his mildly haunting instrumentation of minor guitar chords and light synthesizers. It actually sounds like something ‘Ye left off MBDTF, and I’m not just talking about the beat. This tale of a misunderstood relationship, complete with a NYPD voicemail left for Leslie, would have fit Mr. West’s storyline perfectly. While this is the first (potential) leak from his upcoming Les Is More, which currently has no release date, I’m not sure it’s enough for me to anticipate the drop just yet.  Am I alone?

Mashonda Covers King Magazine

...and could not look better.  I'm so glad they've brought King back at least quarterly.  The singer, and ex-wife of Swizzy is "On To The Next One" (how clever) and talking to the mag about her new show on VH1, her "loyalty" tattoo and male groupies...

On "Love & Hip-Hop." 
I did a few episodes [first], then ended up doing a lot of episodes because the chemistry was perfect with me and Emily. I ended up being a recurring guest, and it worked out perfectly, because I’m on the show and people get to see me and hear my stories. But it’s not like a character that’s 100 percent there.

On Her Loyalty Tattoo 
I got it a year after everything started going downhill. It’s a reminder to me that I have to be loyal to myself for once.
I was so loyal to everyone, and I totally forgot about me. This is what it represents—it represents loyalty to self. Now I have to do things that I love to do, and I have to make myself happy, because I don’t really agree when people say, “I need a man ’cause I want to be happy,” or “I’m not happy because I don’t have a man.” That’s not where it starts. Happiness starts from within, and that’s in my focus.

On Having Male Groupies
[Laughs] Oh, Lord, you know what, I show everybody love. But I don’t like the word “groupie”—it’s so harsh. I don’t feel there’s anything wrong with one person admiring another person.

New Music: Pusha T Feat. 50 Cent & Pharrell "Raid"

When Runaway dropped and I realized Pusha T was the newest signee to Mr. West’s G.O.O.D. Music label, the first thing I thought (after, why didn’t ‘Ye just sign Malice too?), was that this was a big move in the right direction for one of the game’s top lyricists. With every new guest verse and the recently leaked My God Pusha had us all salivating for his next body of work, and with this new recordRaid, he’s continuing to build hype around his forthcoming mixtape, Fear of God, scheduled to drop March 21. On Raid the Clipse alum lyrically reminisces on how his days of slangin’ in VA have ultimately turned into a dream life, while G-Unit boss 50 Cent jumps on board to spit on how the only thing that’s changed about him is the money. On the production tip the piano-driven Neptunes track harkens back to the Lord Willin’ days, as does Pharrell’s hook of “ferocious AK’s” that are “sprayin’ on you roaches.” Ultimately it’s more than enough to have me amped for Push’s mixtape and eventual album - are you feeling it too?

R.I.P. NATE DOGG

This genuinely hurts to write about. Being a 80's baby from Compton, growing up on 90's Hip-Hop, Nate means so much to the game, and it saddens me to say he passed away early morning on March 15th. No cause has been released, but he did suffer from 2 strokes, in 2007 and 2008. Rest in peace to one of the greats. Love you babe...

The Source's Newest Cover: Gucci Mane

I'm not the biggest Gucci fan in the world, but he def has a place in the IPOD. What he lacks in talent, he makes up for in hustle. Gotta respect that.

New Music: J. Cole "Killers"

My favorite MC right now, J. Cole channels 2Pac in a major way on this new leaked reference track, "Killers," complete w/ Richard Pryor references and his usual out of this world word play. All I need to know now is when this fuckin album is going to drop.

New Chris Brown 2X

Two tagged versions of new Breezy music has just leaked and the shit is fire. First up is "Scissor, Paper, Rock" feat. Timbaland, who I assumed produced this, and Big Sean. Perfect song to play on the highway w/ subwoofers on blast.



Second is his collab w/ Wiz Khalifa called "Bomb"...and yes ladies and gents, they're talking about me ;) This reminds me of 6'7 and A Milli, is it just me? Not to mention, Wiz went hard as hell on here.



I can't lie, I was one of those "I'll never support him again" chicks, but I'm addicted to his latest shit. I'm coppin' F.A.M.E. on March 22nd. Is good music enough to overlook an artists' personal shortcomings?

New Video: Lil Wayne Feat. Cory Gunz "6'7"

Weezy and Corey Gunz finally dropped a video to their smash "6'7" directed by Hype Williams last night. Love the literal translation of Wayne's lyrics (i.e.- "Bitch, Stop Playing" shows a female dog rolling around. Simple as hell, but kind of genius). Also, both him and Gunz look fine as hell here, which is something I've never said about either one of them before. Basically, if you like the song, you'll love the video...enjoy.

New Video: Dr. Dre Feat. Eminem & Skyler Grey "I Need A Doctor"

MTV got the Premo of this video, and if you haven't seen it yet, check it out below. A little eerie at first seeing Dre in a "coma" and then in one of those preservation tanks, but it's really a thank you letter from Slim detailing how Dre literally saved his life by having faith in him when white rappers were still considered a joke. It also details the good Doc's career & personal highs. This is the kinda shit that makes me proud to be from Compton (note the Eazy-E shout out). In one word...Dope.

Dr. Dre - New Music - More Music Videos

K. Michelle "How Many Times"

This chick can BLOW!  I cannot wait for her to really pop the way she deserves.  This song written by Sean Garrett is both raw and classic, which is hard for anyone other than R.Kelly to achieve.  Speaking of which, he's this young lady's mentor and for good reason.  I loved "I Just Can't Do This" and hopefully this song will put her where she needs to be.

XXL 2011 Freshman Class

Clockwise from bottom left: Diggy Simmons, Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T., CyHi Da Prynce, Lil Twist, Yelawolf, Fred The Godson, Mac Miller, YG and Lil B.

Happy Birthday Nina Simone

Too Many 2 Count...

...and this is your worth

New Video: Kanye West Feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi "All of the Lights"

One of my fave tracks from MBDTF finally has a pretty dope video to go with it. Just a warning though, if you're prone to seizures, you might want to pass this one up (seriously).

Steve Stoute Goes in on Grammy Family

All I have to say is this shit is nothing new. The Grammy's have long disregarded Hip-Hop, or downplayed its significance, and yet want the biggest popular artists to boost their ratings. On the other hand, popularity doesn't always equal the best music, so for me, that argument isn't as strong. Judge for yourself, letter below:

Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture. My being a music fan has left me with an even greater and deeper sense of dismay — so much so that I feel compelled to write this letter. Where I think that the Grammys fail stems from two key sources: (1) over-zealousness to produce a popular show that is at odds with its own system of voting and (2) fundamental disrespect of cultural shifts as being viable and artistic.

As an institution that celebrates artistic works of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and technical specialists, we have come to expect that the Grammys upholds all of the values that reflect the very best in music that is born from our culture. Unfortunately, the awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate. How is it possible that in 2001 The Marshall Mathers LP — an album by Eminem that ushered in the Bob Dylan of our time — was beaten out by Steely Dan (no disrespect) for Album Of The Year? While we cannot solely utilize album sales as the barometer, this was certainly not the case. Not only is Eminem the best-selling artist of the last decade, but The Marshall Mathers LP was a critical and commercial success that sold over 10 million albums in the United States (19 million worldwide), while Steely Dan sold less than 10% of that amount and came and went as quietly as a church mouse. Or consider even that in 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, after going into the night as the most-nominated artist, Kanye West’s Graduation was beaten out for Album Of The Year by Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters. (This was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album won this category.) While there is no doubt in my mind of the artistic talents of Steely Dan or Herbie Hancock, we must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation. It is this same cultural impact that acknowledged the commercial and critical success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in 1984.

Just so that I’m not showing partiality to hip-hop artists (although it would be an entirely different letter as to how hip-hop music has been totally diminished as an art form by this organization), how is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist? Again, his cultural impact and success are even more quantifiable if you factor in his YouTube and Vevo viewership — the fact that he was a talent born entirely of the digital age whose story was crafted in the most humble method of being “discovered” purely for his singing ability (and it should be noted that Justin Bieber plays piano and guitar, as evidenced on his early viral videos).

So while these very artists that the public acknowledges as being worthy of their money and fandom are snubbed year after year at the Grammys, the awards show has absolutely no qualms in inviting these same artists to perform. At first I thought that you were not paying attention to the fact that the mental complexion of the world is becoming tanned, that multiculturalism and poly-ethnicity are driving new meaning as to what is culturally relevant. Interesting that the Grammys understands cultural relevance when it comes to using Eminem’s, Kanye West’s or Justin Bieber’s name in the billing to ensure viewership and to deliver the all-too-important ratings for its advertisers.

What truly inspired the writing of this letter was that this most recent show fed my suspicions. As the show was coming to a close and just prior to presenting the award for Album Of The Year, the band Arcade Fire performed “Month of May” — only to… surprise… win the category and, in a moment of sheer coincidence, happened to be prepared to perform “Ready to Start.”

Does the Grammys intentionally use artists for their celebrity, popularity and cultural appeal when they already know the winners and then program a show against this expectation? Meanwhile the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences hides behind the “peer” voting system to escape culpability for not even rethinking its approach.

And I imagine that next year there will be another televised super-close-up of an astonished front-runner as they come to the realization before a national audience… that he or she was used.

You are being called to task at this very moment, NARAS.

And to all of the artists that attend the Grammys: Stop accepting the invitation to be the upset of the year and demand that this body upholds its mission for advocacy and support of artistry as culture evolves.
Demand that they change this system and truly reflect and truly acknowledge your art.

Steve Stoute

The Real Housewives of The Civil Rights Movement

I should have thought of this...and Mr. Brady, you did your thing.

The First Wives Club: Bitter,Battered or Both?

As you may or may not know, ex-wife of comedian Steve Harvey, Mary Harvey has decided to speak out via YouTube about her baby daddy’s foul ways. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the whole Mashonda-Swizz Beatz-Alicia Keys debacle, and even Fantasia’s unfortunate situation. It got me to thinking, when the man is already gone or clearly on his way out of the door of a relationship, what’s the purpose of all the public bashing? Are these women simply bitter or genuinely emotionally battered from the experience? Or both? Who says you can’t cut down your ex if he was a dog to you, and make a few dollars in the process?

At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be any financial gain from Mary Harvey exposing the former couples’ dirty laundry, which is pretty fuckin’ filthy by the way. She exposes how Harvey’s current wife Marjorie used to call their personal home number asking for him under the guise of seeking employment. Apparently, she was not the only mistress, as Mary shared letters from another side piece detailing her decision to move to LA to be closer to Harvey, having an abortion for him, and explicitly describing the freak nasty activities I just can’t imagine a guy with a closet full of Easter suits pursuing, but I guess it’s always the ones you don’t expect.

Mary claims she was simply disgusted with his Essence Magazine cover, where he is heralded as some kind of relationship guru when he’s in fact a cheater who left her flat broke when they split. It’s hard to know the motivations behind one’s actions in her circumstance, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this parlayed itself into some extra cash for her. After all, Mashonda is now set to appear on VH1’s new Rapper’s Wives show, and I don’t think she was on anyone’s radar until she repeatedly tweet-bashed Alicia Keys. As for Fantasia’s situation, she claimed she didn’t know anything, which upon watching her VH1 show, I actually believe now. The wife suing for “Alienation of Affection,” however is clearly on some come-up shit, but I can’t simply say she’s jealous and bitter, though that may play a part in the equation.

Divorce and all the juicy details that lead up to it are extremely difficult for a former wife to deal with, especially in the public eye. I do feel that Mary Harvey has been through some rough shit with this man, and I don’t blame her for getting it off her chest, and possibly collecting a check for it, especially if it’s true that Steve Harvey’s 10 jobs having ass didn’t leave her with so much as enough to pay the water bill after she rode with him for 16 years. I do know however that getting what you are owed is one thing, and exploiting that for the rest of your life is another. As long as these chicks don’t use this as a sympathy crutch down the line, I say girl get your bitter ass some dough and then start your own money train. No one’s given Mary the side eye yet, and let’s hope it stays that way.

I'm Fxckin Kat Stacks Beyoch!

Thank GOD the Kat Stacks phenom has died down, but I couldn't pass on posting this funny shit.  It's all jokes, so don't take it no type of way.  Sad thing is, if she really dropped a song like this, the shit would pop, lol.

Big K.R.I.T. ft. Ragen Fykes (of Grillade) - Neva Go Back

Underground fave Big K.R.I.T. has proven that he can murder a mixtape and body a freestyle with relative ease.  It seems that the big time eludes him just barely, like if the perfect track that can balance Grade A hip-hop, a soulful hook and some pop appeal were put in the right hands, he would be the next to blow.  With the drop of “Neva Go Back” featuring   indie group Grillade, the King just may have that hit on his hands.  Lead singer Ragen Fykes’ hook paints an easy, laid back picture reminiscent of Mid 90’s Outkast, and perfect for reminiscing about childhoods spent running barefoot in Granny’s backyard.   That tone is perfect for this record, considering it was inspired by and dedicated to K.R.I.T’s grandmother, Miss Linnie, whom he remembers “cooking in the kitchen, something good for my soul.” The song has a timeless feel, brought about by the union of the MC’s rhyming and production skills and Grillade’s arrangement execution.  It’s only appropriate they package that chemistry for all to enjoy with the joint Big K.R.I.T x Grillade EP dropping soon.   Whether the songs blows up or not, I'm sure Miss Linnie is proud. 

You Pick the Hottest Cover

Diddy Covers Feb/March Issue of The Source

A good season for music covers I see. While Wayne rocks out with Rolling Stone, and Slim Shady Inc chops it up with XXL, Bad Boy Boss Man Sean "Diddy" Combs is the cover boy for the Fab/Mar issue of OG music mag, The Source.  I also want to see these most slept on albums they're talkin' about.  Pick up all these issues ASAP, or just read my blog daily...your choice :)

Yelawolf, Slaughterhouse & Eminem cover the new XXL

With news of Slaughterhouse signing with Shady last week, this XXL cover confirms it all, as well as Yelawolf's spot in the camp (he's so under the radar it's sick).  If this is the new Shady Fam, I'm a fan all over again.  And for the record, I still fucks with D12.  Pick up the new XXL ASAP

Lil Wayne Covers Rolling Stone

Weezy F. Baby in the cover story for the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone.  He speaks on his beef with some star Miami Heat players:

“Them niggas never speak to a nigga,” he says. “They don’t chuck me the deuce or nothing. Nigga spent all that money on them fucking tickets… Come holla at me. We sit right by them little bitch-ass niggas. At least come ask me why I’m not rooting for you.”

On reading The Good Book:
“I also read the Bible for the first time. It was deep! I liked the parts where some character was once this, but he ended up being that. Like he’d be dissing Jesus, and then he ends up being a saint. That was cool.”

On Solitary Confindment:
Solitary was the worst. No TV. No radio. No commissary. Basically you’re in there 23 hours a day.” The only upside was he had a window where he could watch cars go by. “I used to sit at that motherfucker all day,”


and more, pick up your copy ASAP

Kanye West & Jay-Z Go "H.A.M."

I, for one and beyond geeked for this Watch the Throne album 'Ye and Jay are dropping.  I thought "That''s My Bitch" was the first single, but this has been announced as the official drop. "H.A.M" (Hard As a Muthafucka), sounds beyond epic, but that's mostly due to Lex Luger's epic beat.  This shit is like a battle scene  from a Hip Hop opera.  Lyrically, these 2 rarely disappoint and they do come off hard as hell in this one.  Below I have posted both "H.A.M." and "That's My Bitch" for the stans (like me ;).

Snoop Dogg Ft. Marty James "El Lay"

It seems Snoop Dogg is jumping on the “exclusive releases on a certain day of the week” bandwagon with his new #puffpuffpasstuesdays (a bit long for a hashtag, but hey) and his first release is his ode to OUR (WESTSIDE!) hometown, LA with, you guessed it, "EL LAY" (Get it?) The Dogg Father drops knowledge on all the sights and sounds of beautiful Southern Cali, including riding down Sunset Blvd (’64 Chevy required) and everyone, from teachers to politicians rolling up that Kush.  Consistent Snoop collaborator Marty James sounds pretty good, like John Legend on training wheels, over this laid back, barbeque friendly production from Scoop DeVille.  It’s perfect 2-Steppin’ music for all those 2011 All-Star Weekend parties that will be poppin’ in LA this February.  While I’m sure this track will get major burn in SoCal, the country will have to wait until March for Snoop’s new full-length album, when Doggumentary officially drops. Hometown bias aside, this track bangs and hopefully I’m not letting these Chronic clouds around me cloud my judgment. 

Slaughterhouse Feat. Dres- "Back On The Scene"

Royce Da 5’9”, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden, along with Black Sheep front man Dres are all letting us know that Hip-Hop’s Transformers, Slaughterhouse, are officially Back on the Scene. With a line up like this, and the damn near classic album they dropped in ’09, I for one have been fiendin’ for more from the group. Since then, all of them have dropped fire mixtapes or freestyles, and being the borderline stan I am for Slaughterhouse, my expectations based on recent material has been sky high. Honestly, I’m not sure if this lives up to them. While all of them bodied their verses over M-Phazes’ bouncy, throwback influenced track (peep the The Choice is Yours sample), it was almost like I’ve been spoiled by their over-lyricism, so when they don’t come as hard as possible, I feel cheated. But that’s my hang up. Dres’ hook brings back memories of a time when spitting like these guys was the norm and his voice definitely brings his signature energy to the track. So let the debate begin! Who came hardest? Good use of the sample? Are you picking up the new LP on Feb. 8th?

The Bad Bitch Fascination…Oversaturation

OK, so cheap attempts at a pause flow Drake would approve of aside, I’ve been thinking about this for quite a while. Women have been calling themselves “bad bitches” for years, and in the post “Ladies First” era of Hip-Hop, it became even more prevalent. It’s not that I necessarily have a problem with putting the image out there, I mean, these bitches do exist. Honestly, over the past few years, I’ve been getting pretty raw myself. My point is, with music and TV being so drenched in this image lately, are we changing what characteristics we want in a woman from reliable, trustworthy and potentially a good mother to a woman who will snatch a weave at any (inappropriate) moment just to make a point? Is that all you want? Is that all we are?

The first tape that I ever bought, ever, at nine years old, was Foxy Brown’s Ill Na Na. I snuck and listened to it with my dollar store earphones and a walkman, and memorized just about every word. At nine years old, there’s no way I understood all of what Brooklyn’s Don Diva was saying or what I was reciting. When she said “Put your face in it, you wanna taste this shit?” she could have literally been talking about peach pie for all I knew. One thing I could process though was the concept that she was a “bad bitch” with Ill Na Na (Na Na being a term my dear mother broke down for me once she realized what I was listening to). She referred to herself as this repeatedly, as did Lil Kim and other female MC’s including Trina who titled her debut album The Baddest Bitch. With a few exceptions, it seems like there’s a requirement for female rappers to label themselves as such.

While music is where it started for me, younger girls can look at almost any reality show and get a dose of bad bitches on a weekly basis. Even these wealthy basketball/football/rich man occupation wives with country club memberships are sipping Ace of Spades with one hand and trying to smack somebody with the other one, all while keeping their balance in those Louboutins. Of course, there’s the mother of all bad girl shows, “The Bad Girls Club,” which is debuting its 6th season tonight. Here you can see 7 borderline schizophrenics go shopping, get drunk, pass out, throw up, strip naked, have sex, talk shit about each other, choke each other out, make out with the bitch you just choked, and do it all again the next night. Fun is fun, and I’m not against some of the things on that list in normal doses, but for a “bad bitch” apparently, this is a lifestyle that is often portrayed as being desirable.

On Biggie’s “Me and My Bitch,” he wants “ a bitch that like to play celo, and craps/ Packin gats, in a Coach bag steamin dime bags.” Honestly, I do get the appeal of it all. I mean if the alternative is dealing with a boring chick who can’t even gut a dutch for you, I guess you would go with a bad girl, but in the words of Andre 3000, “Where do all the good girls go? What club they hang at?”

Yo' mama's old fashioned, yo' daddy don't play/ You'll always be this lovely 'cause they raised you that way/ Hallelujah! Thank ya Jesus! Thank ya Lord!- 3 Stacks


Mr. Benjamin gets it. In “Behold a Lady” off of the zillion selling album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, he basically writes a love letter to all the good girls out there who can uphold the title of being a lady. He also lets us know that even good girls “get down” for him at home (translation: the Na Na is Ill).

I guess both sides of the fence have much to offer, but I do believe that while the whole bad girl thing is getting played, it does make for good TV. All that shit I just talked about BGC 6, and I will probably still watch it tonight. For me it’s just entertainment, but there are some out there who take lessons from these shows, thinking behaving in such a manner makes you a “realer” chick. Anyone old enough to read this post who thinks like that, sorry, but I can’t help you. Go read a book or something. As for my logical people out there, it’s clear that taking a few attributes from bad girls (confidence, assertiveness, quick-wit, etc.) meshed with some good girl tendencies (trustworthy, nurturing, can maintain some decorum) will yield the kind of woman that men desire and women would like to see more of on TV and hear about in the music. As with everything in life, it’s all about balance.

Lost One: Why the ’98 Lauyrn Hill May Never Be Found

As much shit as I talk without remorse within my column, I must admit this post has me feeling some kind of way, like the illuminati has planted surveillance devices in my laptop and are recording every keystroke, ready to pounce on me once they see where I’m heading with this write-up. Still, I feel as a writer for a site called Refined Hype, I must be able to fearlessly cut through the bullshit and get to the real, and in the essence of Ms. Hill, I’m going to speak my truth: As much as we as a culture refuse to accept it, the Lauryn Hill of the 90’s is gone, and as far as I can tell, she ain’t coming back no time soon.

Trust me, I do not make such a statement lightly or without careful observation to back it up. Her live show is now, for lack of a better term, abysmal. Review after review after review solidifies just how low quality a performance she puts on. During last years’ Rock the Bells tour, of which she was a headliner, song arrangements made the tracks almost unrecognizable, the band constantly drowned her out and she sped through her set, singing and rapping everything in almost double time as if she had somewhere else to be later and wanted to get the show over with. It was as if she hadn’t taking into consideration how much time, love and money her fans were giving her, hoping to have a moment with the Lauryn they fell in love with so many years ago. Her perpetual lateness to these shows was nothing but salt on an open wound, leaving fans that spent as much as $200 feeling not only cheated, but outright insulted.



Even if we were to give her a pass for a crappy show and coming on stage whenever the hell she felt like it, it’s not only her actions, but her attitude that are a problem. No doubt she is IMO the greatest female MC to touch a mic, and I honestly believe that if she were on that mission, she could body more than half of these guys out here who consider themselves the G.O.A.T. Still it wouldn’t kill her if she humbled herself. After reading this statement she made to a crowd after she was three hours late, I had to reassess my devotion as a fan.

“I spent my entire 20s sacrificing my life to give you love. So when I hear people complain, I don’t know what to tell you. I personally know I’m worth the wait.”

Worth the wait? If this were anybody else, I’d probably go into a “bitch, please…” rant, but for Ms. Hill, I’ll simply say this: Yes, you were are the shit, and we all know this, but it would mean a lot to the fans who have supported you throughout the years for you to have the courtesy to at least show up on time. I understand that things happen that may make any artist a bit late to a few of their shows, but after three hours of waiting, telling someone who spent good money on you (during a recession) that you are so high and mighty that you are “worth the wait” is simply tacky and inconsiderate. Then you have the nerve to follow up a statement like that with a horrible performance? I’m sorry, but in that instance, you weren’t worth the wait.

That’s not to say she doesn’t still have it, but between consistent lateness and show cancellations, lack of new material, poor stage presence and an obvious attitude problem in regards to her spot in the industry, I just don’t think her heart is in it anymore. It’s not that she cannot be the phenomena she once was, it’s that at this point in her life, she chooses not to be, and ultimately I guess that’s OK.

She’s focusing on other things now, like motherhood and trying to maintain a normal private life, which I can in no way hate on as they are important for anyone with a family to do. I’m just done anticipating her return with wide eyed hopefulness. I’m that girl who played "The Miseducation" on repeat as I slept, indoctrinating myself with its lyrics and melodies. I’m the girl who still quotes lines from "Blunted on Reality" and "The Score" because whatever Lauryn breathed on, even 15 years ago, still has relevance and worth. Deep down, we’re still waiting for that woman to return, but until that day we can’t let our nostalgia cloud the obvious truth that her "Final Hour" may be approaching sooner than we’re ready for.

Keri Hilson’s Justification: “Sometimes, I Wanna Be F**ked!”

By now, I’m sure we’ve all seen Keri Hilson’s most recent video for “The Way You Love Me” featuring Rick Ross. I’m also sure you’ve already read the lovely Danielle Harling’s hilarious video breakdown for it. But over the weekend, Keri felt the need to address the situation and let the people know why she felt the need to swear excessively and slang her kitty box toward the camera lens repeatedly. “Sometimes, I don’t want to be held and caressed, sometimes I want to be fucked!”

Well said sister.

Let me explain, and also warn my mom to stop reading. While she spoke with Perez Hilton about the response the video has been receiving, she broke down how much of her album was conceived while having conversations with her girlfriends about men, relationships, sex and the like. I suppose those convos served as lyrical inspiration for her, yet in an effort to be as real as possible, she ended up writing a crude record. That being said, while there is clearly no finesse to the songwriting (it sucks) the sentiment behind the lyrics do speak for a certain mind state that we as humans experience from time to time. Yes, some women do think that there pussy is good enough to keep a man hooked. The difference is, Ashanti can make that same point by saying she has that “Good Good.” The fact that it is so bluntly stated is the problem people are having, not the meaning itself. Also, as far as lyrics are concerned, I think we’ve mastered the concept of “clean” and “dirty” records. Obviously, if it bothers you that much, don’t watch the video on Worldstar. I’m sure an edited (both audio and visually) version will hit airwaves soon enough and you could buy the clean copy if you happen to like the record sans fuckery.

Our other objection is the fact that this is “Pretty Girl Rock” Keri Hilson. We just don’t see this from her. Christina Aguilera a few years ago, sure. “Don’t hate me ‘cause I’m beautiful” girl, no. As an audience, we expect certain delivery from certain artists, and this ain’t the Hilson we were learning to love over the past few years. Then again, who are we to dictate her career? She must have known she was taking a gamble with this song/video, yet she did it anyway. Whether or not I personally like the video, I’ll give it up to the girl for that.

The argument that I’m hearing most is that this vid is a desperate attempt to for Keri to step into the limelight, which I will admit I 90% agree with. I mean, even I can say that the multiple up close and personal crotch shots were completely unnecessary and tacky. And why are we licking metal doors? The video is awkward and unimaginative, but so are 80% of other videos out there, so why hold her to a different standard?

My point is that, while it’s clearly not the best of Ms. Hilson as a songwriter or as an artist, it is not as bad as the negative hype surrounding it would lead one to believe. No, it is not as bad as a BET Uncut video (Look up Ludacris’ “Pussy Poppin’, and get back to me). And yes, there were some WTF double takes throughout the video, but whether you call it desperate or good publicity, we’re all talking about it, and I think that’s the point.

From Jay-Z to Nicki Minaj, the Art of the Subliminal Diss

Nicki, Nicki, Nicki. Girl, I am proud of you. Finally admitting that “Roman’s Revenge” was about Lil Kim instead of that PC “It’s a general response to all the haters” bullshit you first claimed. I guess it would take Hip-Hop’s Barbara Walters, Angie Martinez to get it out of you. I really didn’t understand not admitting it in the first place when it was so obvious. That’s the thing about subliminal disses, the appeal is that there is an unspoken connect between the artist and listener, especially if we’ve already chosen sides and want our rep to go in. Of course, we as fans can get a little carried away, creating drama where there is none, but I’d say more often than not, reading into these lines is usually warranted, whether the artists wants to admit it or not. Many lines will go over the heads of an average listener, but those of us who really know this Hip-Hop shit aren’t fooled for a minute.



Jay-Z is by far the king of the subliminal. I wouldn’t be surprised if literally a third of his songs took shots at someone. While he’s also named names here and there and blatantly got vicious with a few (and I do mean few) in the biz, his M.O. has been to sneak nameless shots in on album tracks and freestyles that most likely won’t be released as singles. Fans end up looking at him with admiration for talking that shit when he deems it necessary, not completely backing down from confrontation. Then again, by him not being direct, artist aren’t directly offended by what he says, even if there is suspicion that the line is about them, making it easier for them to give Jay the benefit of the doubt. I guess depending on who you ask, it’s either genius or a pussy move.

While Hova may have perfected the art of the subliminal, it’s a tradition that goes back far before he picked up a mic, and obviously still has its place in the game. With the release of “Roman’s Revenge,” Nicki addressed the issue with the Queen Bee that’s been bubbling for a good minute. As much as I love Kim, and am loyal to her as a fan and all she’s done for women in this game, Nicki’s Hot 97 interview brought up a lot of good points that plenty Barbz have been screaming since Kim and Ray-J first spoke on the Queens native biting the BK reps’ swag. Kim stated also that she felt Nicki had been taking subliminal shots at her before she even said anything publicly with lines like “I just killed, like, every rap bitch in the building,” and her line in a Diddy-Dirty Money’s track where she said “did I kill the Queen in Alexander McQueen.” While the “kill the queen” line could be taken as a subliminal shot (reaching, I know), lines about “killin’ rap bitches” are pretty standard. To quote Remy Ma when she was at the height of her issues with Ms. Jones, “Am I supposed to come out and say I’m the second best?” Respect is one thing, kissing someone’s ass is another, and I understood the need for Nicki to finally address the issue. But why do it subliminally?

While a subliminal record may seem like the safe way out, it’s actually a far more clever way to come at somebody. Lyrically, subtly is much harder to achieve than brashness, and it takes a certain kind of finessing to write a subliminal record as opposed to a straight “Fuck You” anthem. Also (w/ a few exceptions, Jay and Nas for one), not stating specifics is also a way of leaving the door open for the future reconciliation of the two parties. No sense in completely burning bridges for your entire career. My thing is, outside of the song itself, we may as well be honest about who and what we’re talking about. Within art, there is room for multiple interpretations of a piece, but the artists usually do have something specific in mind that inspired the work. So when a journalist asks what the deal is, why not just be upfront from jump? I can honestly understand the argument for and against subliminal diss records, but as long we don’t blow little shit up into major problems, I don’t have a problem with being sly or overt, just keep me interested and keep it honest.

From Cee-Lo to Kanye, the Pros & Cons of Leaked Albums

Within the last week, highly anticipated albums by Cee-lo, Kanye West and Rihanna have all been leaked in their entirety to the blogosphere. Usually when this happens, we look at the situation as a black and white issue; good for the public, bad for business. Here, I’d like to break the album leak down further, and let you guys know its real implications for the labels, artists, press and fans.

Cons

• Material (the songs themselves, track listing, unconfirmed features, sample clearances, etc.) may not be complete. Hearing incomplete music that is not representative of the final product (especially if it’s garbage), will turn off some fans when it comes to the finished product being released. You only have one chance at a good first impression.

• Leaks ruin the surprise factor. Part of the thrill of opening Christmas gifts is actually waiting for Christmas day. While technology has instilled the desire for everyone to have “the exclusive,” there is something to be said for waiting until official release days to enjoy a record along with others, especially those who aren’t internet savvy enough to download it before hand (yes, they do exist).

• Creates an even worse relationship between the artist/label and the press/bloggers. Many artists whose material gets leaked are quick to blame bloggers for the problem. If I can quote an analogy from David Dennis of Smocking Section, “If LeBron's decision to go to Miami would have leaked to the media a week before his press conference, he wouldn't have been upset at ESPN for reporting it.” The same should go for these albums. Blame the label intern who copied it while the engineer was on a smoke break. Don’t send me some passive aggressive email about it.

• Possible loss of revenue. The most obvious reason, many people simply won’t buy the official copy if they have one that is “close enough.”

Pros

• For many, leaks are appetizers and official joints are the main course. Rarely is a leak, no matter how close to the released date it is available, is exactly what the official album will be. There are always changes and extras that a Hulkshare download can’t get you, and millions of loyal fans who prefer quality over expedience.

• If the album is getting positive feedback (as the three aforementioned albums are), it will almost guarantee even higher record sales, not less. The leaks act as promo to coincide with great reviews which excite fans to pick up the real deal. Also, those fans who want the real thing will buy it, and not from a plastic mat laid on the ground on 125th.

• It’s good testing for the next go round. Labels always have their projections for album sales, the effectiveness of certain marketing, etc. When a whole album leaks, these artists should learn the lesson, sans bitterness and create a more accurate plan the next time around. This will in turn improve the labels limited knowledge of just how important the World Wide Web is to business, because clearly they don’t get it yet.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but the overall point is that an album leak truly is not the end of the world. The frustration of artists is completely understandable, but there is always a way to turn things to your favor. As for me, I’m playing this Kanye leak all day every day, but believe I’m getting my special edition, explicit copy on the 22nd, and the great thing is, I know I’m not alone.