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?

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...

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.

Jasmine Mans vs. Nicki Minaj: There’s Room For More Than One Female Emcee

For those of you who follow slam poetry, the name Jasmine Mans should be somewhat familiar. The idea of a poet critiquing their reality through colorful language and expressive gestures should also come as no surprise. So when University of Wisconsin Sophomore Jasmine Mans released her now heavily debated spoken word piece “Nicki Minaj” last week, I was little surprised at the reaction it garnered. Then I thought about it a little bit more and realized that when you are figuratively carrying the torch for female MC’s all by your lonesome, whatever you do will be called out by somebody. The thing is, this isn’t simply a case of a girl hating on Nick, she actually speaks with intelligence and insight as to why Nicki is such a disappointment to her and others hoping to resurrect this thing called the female MC. While we should not silence either party, there are definite misconceptions on both sides that need to be addressed.

Spit some shit it for girls who kiss girls and got beat down to their backs.

With this line, Mans addresses the bisexuality of Nicki’s lyrics, yet how she will never claim a sexuality if you ask her straight out, which is interpreted by Mans to be exploiting the GLBT community by using those lines to appeal to a lot of young guys fantasy of a girl who likes girls (a la Katy Perry circa 2008). While it is true that Miss Minaj avoids questions about her sexuality like the plague, she has also been a vocal component of Gay Rights, covering Out Magazine and speaking on the unexposed gay scene within Hip-Hop, not to mention her gay following is second to none for a Hip-Hop artist.

Barbie, I think NYC is making you forget you come from Queens.

Jasmine is touching on the fact that not only in Jamaica Queens, but in many hoods in the USA, there are serious socio-political issues that need to be addressed in order for change to take place, and the fact that Nicki, with the platform she now has, is not speaking on these real issues (Queens) in order to seek the approval of the mainstream (NYC), is a disservice to her community. While her singles and most of her guest verses aren’t addressing the plight of the hood where she grew up, if you know her beyond radio play, she hasn’t shied away from speaking on some real shit. Just one example would be her verse on French Montana’s “New York Minute” remix, where she spits “Brought my man down/ Before they even get a cap and a damn gown/ And there gotta be a heaven/ Cause Sean Bell'll never get to make it to his weddin' / But a star will arise/ And she'll originate from the streets of Southside.”

Now, a few critiques of Jasmine Mans from the Barbie’s and Ken’s of the blogosphere.

Why does this chick think Nicki Minaj is obligated to go beyond the call of duty when other entertainers don’t? She could've stated the role of females in hip hop in general, but she went straight at 1 chick.

I must admit, this was also one of my first thoughts. There were plenty of women in Hip-Hop that could have earned this same criticism. Why are we singling out Nicki like she’s the first woman to rhyme lick and clit? For one, one of the points of spoken word is the effect change in the present, not to mull over the issues of the past. As of today, Nicki is considered by most to be thee baddest bitch on the mic. She everywhere, and if you have a problem with certain trains of thought or establishments, you address the one who is currently waving the flag. That may not be entirely fair to Nick, but it would seem ridiculous to go after Foxy Brown or others who laid the groundwork for her if they’re not currently relevant.

Why do black women just hate to see other black women shine? It’s always females who got something to say, especially black chicks. We stay tearing each other down.

This is the classic “she’s a hater” response, sprinkled with some good old fashioned racial implications. The term “hater” as I understand it should apply to those who talk shit for the sake of shit talking, bringing others down for no reason. Jasmine more than explained her position in this poem, and while there are questionable metaphors throughout, it’s clear she is passionate and has the best of intentions for the culture to evolve into something greater. As for the “black woman” aspect, which I’ve been hearing a lot lately, so I’m not allowed to speak my mind against someone’s ideals that I fundamentally disagree with because we are the same race and/or gender? I’m not even going to go heavy into that notion.

The overall point I’m trying to make is that not everything has to be a battle or a beef. Some people rock with Minaj, some people don’t, and there are legit reasons to be on either side of the fence. The “hate” simply appears to be more plentiful now than before because she’s pretty much the only chick poppin’ at the moment. You used to be able to counter a Queen Bee with a Queen Pen, or the creative silliness of a Missy Elliot with the Tomboy sexy of a Remy Ma or Eve. With just one woman in the spotlight, not everyone can get what they want anymore, therefore we want Minaj to be all things to all fans at all times, and that’s just unrealistic. No matter how you feel there is room at the table for a Minaj and a Jasmine Mans, and no reason why we can’t continue to have these debates if we stick to the facts.