Editor’s note: The views expressed inside this editorial aren’t necessarily the views of AllHipHop.com or its employees. I want to slap Tiger Woods up. Of all the athletes on EARTH, he is the last one that I would expect to be embroiled in a controversy with three alleged mistresses. Alas, here we are. There is nothing too brainy to be said, but one thing is for sure – some things never change. Tiger is a man and all men fall shy of the glory, but this one is a stunning turn of events. For those that haven’t been under a rock, at least three women have come forward and charged that they have had inter-marital relations with the golfing great. One woman, Jaimee Grubbs, even saved about 300 text messages and has a voicemail message of him trying to hide the most recent tryst. This is why I want to slap him. The Cablinasian brother turned out to be just like the other dummies. When are men of power going to realize that they are almost ALWAYS going to get exposed when they creep outside of their marriage? There are some women, especially rapper wives, that have resigned to accept the cheating and that is an agreement they can live with. For the most part, cheating is a messy game and once you get starting, there really isn’t any stopping until the inevitable occurs. Yo’ monkey a$$ is going to get caught! Why do men (and sometimes those snaky women) think that they are going to get away with cheating with somebody? He clearly cares about his reputation, right? Why would a man of Tiger’s stature risk all of his wealth and endorsement money, a reported $100 mill in 2010 alone? It can’t be about the money. Tiger Woods and cats like Shaq, Kobe, John Edwards, Jesse Jackson and others are “better” men than me! They must be drunk with power and ego! They never thought they would get caught even after leaving a trail of evidence – digital, physical and genetic. Hell, Kobe allegedly raped a girl raw dog a### for Christ’s sake! Shaq was cavorting with another hooper’s wife, while reconciling with his own! Edwards tried to run for president while cheating on his cancer-stricken wife! The list goes on and on. Of all these men, all which have friendly public personas, nobody’s was a clean and safe as Tiger Woods. Perhaps it was his racial make up, the sport he mastered and his docile appearance. He certainly received a rude awakening if he though his wife was passive. She exploded on him with a golf club when his marital affairs bubbled over. All his money meant nothing for a few moments. It may mean more now though. According to reports, Tiger’s wife, Elin Nordegren, had been offered a cool $5 million immediate payment just to TRY to work it out. Not only that, to stay with her man, Tiger has offered to adjust a prenup drafted in 2004 to keep is wife. Now, she stands to a purported $80 million for staying with Tiger for seven years. The prenup calls for $20 million after 10 years of marital bliss. “Transgressions” can be costly for some and profitable for others. Instead of that, why not just try to make it work, stop sexting (texting) and tighten your life up! Seven years isn’t a lot of time! $80 million can buy most people for life. And what is lil’ Charlie Axel Woods going to think of mom and dad when he realizes that the union was purchased? SMH.I’m not even married and I’m not about to start cheating. It’s really never worth the grief that will come knocking at your door or upside your head. Besides, I keep a bat in my house. Tiger’s lucky he’s not a big game hunter. Good Guy aka EveryMan is a columnist on AllHipHop.com and his columns appear every Thursday or when he sends them over.  Check out this recreation of the incidents that lead up to Tiger’s crash. video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player

    Developer/Publisher: Activision   Platform: XBOX 360   Players: 1 – 2 (Co-Op / Online) Rating: A++   For years corporations have tried to capture the essence of Hip-Hop culture onto video games. We’ve seen rapping aliens stuck on earth, Queen Latifah versus Coolio in a game of streetball, and actual emcees going at it in the squared ring.   Sadly those aforementioned attempts and many others failed to really connect the dots between the music and gaming. Now capitalizing off the insane momentum from Guitar Hero, DJ Hero (Activision) gives gamers a true feel of rocking the party behind the 1’s and 2’s.   DJ Hero – Jay-Z vs The Jackson 5   What keeps DJ Hero ahead of all other music related titles is its set up. The controller is a traditional DJ rig; half of it is the record platter with three buttons and the other half is a mixer with a slick cross fader, sound effects knob, and euphoria button which is DJ Hero’s version of star power.   Thankfully the mixer and turntable can switched around to accommodate the left handed population. Players with no previous DJ experience might feel awkward during an initial run through, but DJ Hero provides great tutorials to get you up to speed.     When playing any song, commands will pass around the spinning vinyl. Each command is represented by a corresponding colored button. When it’s time to scratch you hold that button in question and move the record platter back and forth just like in real life. Additionally, the cross fader is applied just like in real life with the ability of closing out an audio source with a simple push to the left or the right.   Musically DJ Hero shines brightly. The game packs ninety three original mixes, beautifully mashing up 50 Cent and David Bowie, Queen and Beastie Boys, The Killers and Rihanna, Bell Biv Devoe and Cameo, and more. Legends like Grandmaster Flash, DJ Shadow, and Jazzy Jeff also contribute making this a great stand alone soundtrack.     Where DJ Hero falls a tad bit short is in the multiplayer mode. With another turntable, two friends can compete against each other. In theory this sounds great but the multiplayer isn’t as innovative as expected. Both players are just competing to get the most points through their individual performance, so hopes of collaborative beat juggling, etc. are out the window.   Nitpicking aside DJ Hero is outstandingly fun. Real life DJ’s and novices alike will be able to cut, scratch, and blend with ease. The music provided will ensure countless hours of fun at any party. No worries about the needle skipping either.     DJ Hero – Queen vs. Daft Punk

    Boss Lady recently took Trina to the New York showroom of LaROK – one of the hottest brands on DrJays.com’s sister site, DJPremium.com   Trina speaks extensively about her love for the brand and its sexy, event-ready collection, her new single “That’s My Attitude” and upcoming album, Amazing, due March 2010.   The “Diamond Princess” also touched on her relationship with Nicki Minaj, explaining the strong connection they’ve developed, and how her most important work nowadays is with her non-profit, The Diamond Doll Foundation, dedicated to the empowerment of young women.     You can pick up Trina’s favorite picks here:     Captain Glam Jacket by LaROK   Her Majesty Mini Dress by LaROK   Shagadelic Vest With Suede Tassels with LaROK   Award Worthy Dress by LaROK  

Editor’s note: The views expressed inside this editorial aren’t necessarily the views of AllHipHop.com or its employees.History has a way of using significant events that mean tragedy to some and triumph to others as markers by which time is measured and eras are distinguished. For example most of us know what ‘BC’ and ‘AD’ stand for, or the more politically correct ‘BCE.’ And a large but probably smaller number know that ‘AH’ stands for anno hegirae “in the year of the hijra”. The Hijra is the escape of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from a death plot, moving from the city of Mecca to the city of Medina. Could December 8th be another significant date by which the music industry will mark the future calendar of its history – as triumph or tragedy? Yeah, the Christian and Islamic reference are a bit much, but now I have your attention. I don’t think 100 years from now we’ll be running around using ‘Bvevo’ and ‘Avevo’ to mark this transition period in the music business – which to some feels more like chaos. But I do think the potential impact of what is scheduled to take place next week is hard to overestimate. On Dec. 8 Vevo, a music video service partnership between Vivendi Universal Music and Sony Music, and powered by Google’s YouTube is launched. It is the music industry’s effort to market their visual content similar to the way HULU markets shows. On that date all videos by artists under contract to these music labels will be available only on Vevo websites or sites that utilize Vevo players. The videos will be higher quality than those currently on YouTube. Artists, managers, and publicists in recent weeks have been encouraged to transfer all video streams from YouTube over to Vevo’s site. They’ve even been asked to hand over their YouTube log-in information so that Vevo can more quickly transfer the videos over to their site. What does this all mean for the future of the music economy, the Internet, Artists, Fans and consumers? Let’s take them one at a time. The Music Economy. Vevo came about largely because of the determination of the major record labels – and there are only 4 left – Universal, Sony, EMI, and Warner – to get their hands on more income streams as music sales continue to decline since the demise of the CD. The labels are trying everything, from making 360 deals mandatory in contracts with new artists (to learn more about this see my October 28th Hip-Hoppreneur ™ commentary: ‘360 Deals and Dumb Artists’ ) which would give them a percentage of revenue previously off-limits: endorsements, merchandise income, and concert appearance fees; to becoming more aggressive in the licensing fees they charge website to play their music and videos. Vevo is an attempt by the industry to make money from something it never could: music videos that were previously only used for promotional purposes – given away to record stores or shown on video channels to make artists more visible and popular. In either case the goal was the same – to sell more records. With Vevo the goal is not to make money from selling records, but from charging advertisers dollars to associate themselves with the playing of videos. With YouTube’s nearly 400 million users and a YouTube channel that receives nearly 4 billion views, Universal Music Group (UMG) recognized that there is a considerable amount of money to be made through online advertising. With Vevo it is changing its previous business model of making money from charging licensing fees to sites that were attracting viewers by playing its videos and sharing in the ad revenue. The record labels believe that YouTube is not skilled enough at attracting advertisers and Vevo is an effort to have the best of both worlds – YouTube’s traffic and technology, which will power Vevo, married with the record label’s ability to attract advertisers willing to pay higher rates to them. Antony Bruno of Billboard magazine explained it well earlier this year when he wrote, “UMG executive VP of the label’s eLabs division Rio Caraeff earlier this year told Billboard that advertisers pay an average of only $3-$8 for every thousand views [known as ‘CPM’s] that their ads receive. While that has resulted in “tens of millions” in revenue, UMG and other labels would like an ad rate on par with the CPMs that TV and movies command online—upwards of $25-$40.The idea behind the Vevo plan is to create a scarcity of advertising inventory for the purpose of driving up rates. To date, labels licensed their music videos to multiple online services, such as YouTube, Yahoo, MTV and others in return for a cut of the advertising revenue sold around these videos. With all these services competing for many of the same advertisers, simple supply-and-demand drove down advertising rates even as views rose. The hope is that Vevo will command these rates by creating a single point of negotiation for advertisers who wish to buy space on music videos. Both Vevo and YouTube will host the videos, and both companies will split the profits from the ads they sell around them.” Yes, Vevo means more consolidation to an industry that many feel already has too much. The Internet. Vevo continues the shrewd business strategy, or big boy gangsterism (depending upon who you talk to) of the major labels muscling their way in on technological platforms and networks (MySpace, Napster, Imeem) by threatening to sue them or actually taking legal action, then ‘forcing’ or ‘inviting’ these platforms or networks to ‘settle,’ or ‘partner’ with the label through licensing arrangements, joint ventures. This obviously makes many cringe. But what all of these episodes expose is the continuing challenge of Internet Entrepreneurs to monetize (make money) their web traffic. Facebook and Twitter continue to struggle with this and Vevo emerged in part because the enormously popular YouTube while making progress, continues to struggle to make more than it loses. Many believe YouTube […]

  “Hip-Hop Kulture doesn’t recognize haters. Haters within a culture of love are traitors.” —KRS-One, The Gospel of Hip-Hop. New York: powerHouse Books, 2009, p. 395. A few weeks back AllHipHop.com ran a feature news report, “Rap Group Calle 13 Dominates Latin Grammys,” celebrating its recent sweep of 5 awards, including “album of the year” and “best urban album of the year,” at the 2009 Latin Grammy Awards ceremony. The courageous duo, unlike certain rappers I know, decided to use this prestigious platform not as a soapbox upon which to remind the world of their divinity, but to pay homage to their roots; more pronouncedly, Mercedes Sosa—a pioneer and pillar in Latin American folk music heritage. If I knew no better, I would assume this great win for Hip-Hop would be heralded by fans of diverse shades—especially Black ones—as a moment worth pausing for and championing; but, unfortunately, my deepest fears were soon confirmed.   The first commenter wasted no time establishing his hatred for all things Latin: “only thing they dominating is d**k in foreign places.” The second, non-spam comment read: “Those f**king hispanics steal everything and bring it back to their Country…..Cant knock the hustle though.” The next few would reaffirm similar sentiments: “who gives a f**k looks like paul wall and pitbull,” “WHO CARES…………I DON’T LISTEN TO THAT SH**………..TO THOSE WHO DO………..THAT’S YOUR CHOICE……….I WONT LISTEN TO IT,” “… Latinos be on some bullsh** … Don’t get me wrong, I have love for some Latinos but some of them are conceited for whatever reason, and two face.”  Soon after, it developed into a full-blown misogynist café, filled with intellectually-paralyzed rants against Latina females: “…Latin chicks are only in it to get married so that she can get her papers,” “s**tI HERE THEY HAVE A HIGH RATE OF THAT HIV IN BRAZIL BRA. SOME OF THAT p***y WE SEE THAT LOOK GOOD MAY COME WITH CONSEQUENCES FEEL ME,” “Yeah you right, about they be having them diseases, but them muthaf**kas, be looking good. Especially them Afro Brazilian Chicks,” “HELL YEA THEM MUTHAF**KAS LOOK LIKE LIL CARAMEL CANDIES. MAKE YOU WANNA EAT THEY *** UP. BUT THEN YOU FIND OUT THE CANDY IS ROTTEN INSIDE,” “Word up Ive heard alot of stuff about brazil, mostly because i hear the women there are very loose and you got ppl from all around the world trying to smash.” Of course this embarrassing display ticked off many of AllHipHop’s Latino/Latina readership, including one who poignantly explained why Blacks who view Latin folk as outsiders aren’t only being bigoted but also exposing a crippled sense of history and memory: “Wats with the comments about Hispanics? What was stolen music is music. Dam! We was there in the beginning just like black ppl. Alot of the founding fathers was latino also. Sometimes You realy can sound stupid as hell.  Im Dominican and let me tell you something the same slaves that was brought to the US was brought to DR, PR, Cuba and other Latin American countries. We all in this together.” If only intelligence reigned supreme in the dreaded age of cyberspace: “an age when critical thinking is outlawed—an age when the aim is to talk first and think later. No one wants to be the last involved, thus no one wants to take the time to absorb the consequences of an issue before adding their voice to the chorus of a caustic choir.” I don’t see those responses in any way as an isolated incident—or the artwork of immature fans. For far too long, many have tried to ignore or defend this unmasked, mild hatred brewing within the Black community; but the time has come for blunt talk and straight speech. Some argue, in very convincing terms, that no such divide or “tension,” as I call it, exists, as Hip-Hop has successfully united diverse groups who ordinarily would have nothing to do with each other. No doubt: Afrika Bambaataa’s partnership with the White Punk Rock community in the late ‘70s comes to mind. I do think, though, that the signs have become too apparent to discard.   First, it’s critical to admit the tension exists. It might not be explicit on the surface, but it exists nonetheless. It’s evident in the number of Blacks usually found at a Latin Hip-Hop concert (and vice versa); it’s also evident in the reality that such a sub-genre as “Latin Hip-Hop” exists at all. It was evident when Fat Joe was celebrated, much to the excitement of the Latin-American community, as the first “Latino rapper” to achieve considerable mainstream status; it was also evident when the late (much too great) Big Pun was crowned, in equal order, the first “Latino rapper” to pass platinum. These events sent shockwaves through the Black Hip-Hop bloc which failed to see why special emphasis was being placed on the success of a not-so-small sector of the Hip-Hop community. From then on, no matter how successful these artists became, no matter how much they collaborated with prominent Black artists (Fat Joe with KRS-One and LL Cool J; Big Pun with Black Thought, Nas, Raekwon, etc.), they would forever be pigeonholed as “Latin Rappers”—rather than rappers with Latin origins or, better yet, simply Hip-Hop artists.  This “tension” exists for a number of reasons, but two appear central: 1) For lack of history and memory 2) For fear of depopulation and displacement, prompted by White Supremacy-infused inferiority complex, but also triggered by a dilapidated understanding of reality: “How many hours I waste, trying to figure this sh**/ ‘Til I finally realized: we’re just Ni**ers and Sp**s/ ‘Cause ain’t no brothers running sh** in the system/ You going straight to jail if you Colored and fit the description/”    The field known to most as “Latin Hip-Hop” is special in the hearts of Latinos/Latinas, as they tend to view it as an extension of the legacies pioneered by Afro-Cuban, Salsa and Latin-Jazz artists since the early ‘20s. When many Latinos/Latinas see Big Pun, Fat […]

Rihanna   Leave it up to the ultimate fashionista, Rihanna, to incorporate one of the hottest trends this season in men’s footwear into her wardrobe – the work boot.   We featured men’s work wear in this recent “Trend Alert“, but can a lady like Rihanna pull off the look?       She was spotted twice recently rocking a pair of rugged black boots loosely laced up, once with a knit dress and the other time with skinny pants and a sweater.     Ladies – for this worn in, touch chic look in all different heights, try these boots from DrJays.com and DJPremium.com:   Laura Cowboy Boot by Miss Sixty   Victorina Moto Boot by Pour La Victoire   Earth Keepers 6 Leather Boot by Timberland   Agna Leather Short Boots With Rib by Charlotte Ronson   Images: Bossip

  DrJays.com’s Kiki and EMitts at COA’s grand opening   Last week, Kiki hit up the COA (Coat Of Arms) store grand opening party in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.   The exclusive boutique was opened by three well known names in the NYC streetwear industry: Daymon Green, and Jason Jacobs, as well as Frank 151‘s Todd Nisbet.   The trio has relaunched the U.K. brand, Money Clothing, for spring 2010 in the U.S.     Jason Jacobs, Daymon Green and Todd Nisbet   Having worked with the brand previously, with both Jason and Daymon, it’s refreshing to see the clean yet colorful direction it has taken for spring 2010.         Located at 43 Clinton Street, COA is a full service fashion agency housing Money Clothing, MILKCRATE NYC, Frank 151, New Era, and Godspeed footwear.   The space also features a retail vintage/dead stock area filled with Polo, snap back hats, Starter jackets and footwear.         MILKCRATE NYC     twon         Godspeed     It also dubs as an event space and art gallery, with their first exhibit being “Don’t Become The Things You Hate” – a “canvas to clothing” project by Sea Sick Mama.     In today’s recession, one of the industries struggling to survive is the print and magazine world.     To reach out, Sea Sick Mama has asked almost a dozen magazines, bloggers, and other local favorites to express “how they survive” during this difficult time – but in only six words. These poetic proclamations (some comical, some foul) are beautifully printed on large scale canvases, but also onto a limited edition series to t-shirts.         The exhibit is bringing the community together to celebrate fashion, art, music and the creativity that springs when people work together.     If you’re in the NYC area, make sure you pay my homies at COA a visit for a unique shopping experience!     Find Money Clothing on DrJays.com by clicking HERE, and check back for MILKCRATE NYC which will be hitting our site soon.

Developer/Publisher: Rockstar Games   Platform: XBOX 360   Players: 1 – 16 (Online) Rating: A++   The world of GTA IV has provided gamers an over the top, fast and furious ride through the underworld of the fictional Liberty City. Our first protagonist Niko Bellic gave us a tremendous introduction to this metropolis through the eyes of an immigrant transplant. On The Lost & Damned, bike gang member Johnny Klebitz showed a different side of this immense crime ridden saga.       Now Grand Theft Auto IV gets its closing chapter with the stellar The Ballad Of Gay Tony (Rockstar). Like the first episode, you’ll need a copy of GTA IV to play the downloadable version of Gay Tony. Those who don’t have the original disc, you can buy Episodes From Liberty City and your two episode hunt is over.     TBOGT stars Luis Lopez. An all too familiar face to the series, Lopez is the partner of infamous nightclub impresario “Gay” Tony Prince. In this installment we get a different view of the city as the nightlife capital. Therefore you get to do missions for some of the most powerful which takes the action to insane heights. Now possible are missions on top moving trains, inside airplanes, throwing people off roofs, and wild shootouts in the sky.   On a broader scope, helicopters and armored trucks play a bigger role in this episode. In what stands to be the biggest bonus are the new weapons. In all previous incarnations of the GTA series, the only way to take out any airborne hostility was with the trusty rocket launcher. Now with a shotgun with explosive shells, you can pretty much take out anything on with much ease. Also the sticky bombs add more diabolical fun to free roam or multi-player.       While there are no new parts of the city to explore, TBOGT provides gamers with new features to freshen the scenery up. Drug Wars is a new set of side missions where Luis teams up with his pals Armando and Henrique to rob stashes from rival dealers. In an interesting twist, base jumping has been also added the extracurricular activities.     The goal is to jump off buildings and parachute safely to the targeted drop zone. Another much welcomed addition is the option to replay story missions. Missions are now scored depending on time, kills and more leading even more of an online competitive spirit.   All in all The Ballad Of Gay Tony is one of the most fun games you will play all year. This episode takes Grand Theft Auto IV to even crazier heights with gold plated submachine guns, drive-by shootings from Bentleys, and more. We can’t imagine what Rockstar will come up with next.   GTA IV: The Ballad Of Gay Tony Meet Luis Lopez Trailer    

Thomas Jones continues an illustrious career in the NFL, currently as a running back for the New York Jets.   The 31 year-old Virginia native has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and experienced a Super Bowl in 2006 with the Chicago Bears.   Thomas Jones   Thomas’ younger brother, Julius Jones, is also in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. After their parents spent a combined 20 years working in dangerous coal mines while raising seven children, they must be very proud of their two sons.   It may sound like humble beginnings, but Thomas credits his parents’ hard work and motivation for getting him and his siblings to where they are now.   Like his six siblings, Thomas went to college, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.   As much as he is known for being a pro athlete, we’ve also seen Thomas grace the gossip blogs many times as the beautiful Meagan Good‘s boyfriend (click under the jump for our exclusive interview with Jones).     These two have been spotted around town at various events and parties arm in arm.   Kiki recently got a chance learn more about the football star, including what fashion means to him – from his favorite brands to who he considers a fashion icon and exactly what makes a woman stylish.   DrJays.com: What’s it like having your younger brother Julius also playing in the NFL? Are you guys very competitive?   Thomas: “I love having him in the NFL with me. We share a special bond, and it’s nice to have someone so close to you go through the same things. We always make sure to talk before every game to wish each other good luck, and find out what’s going on in each other’s life.   “As far as being competitive, we are not at all. If anything, I would rather him have a better game than me. That’s my little brother. Julius and his wife actually just had his second child, a baby boy. So in that aspect my little brother is ahead of me. I am very excited for him, and being an uncle is a great thing.”   Julius Jones   DrJays.com: What was it like playing in the 2006 Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears?   Thomas: “It was an amazing feeling, one that can’t be put it into words. As a kid, being in the Super Bowl was something I always dreamed about, so actually getting to fulfill that dream is an amazing feeling. That’s something I’ll never forget.”   DrJays.com: Having been with the NY Jets for the past couple of years, do you feel the “Big Apple” lifestyle has influenced your fashion sense?   Thomas: “I’ve always been on top of new clothing styles, so New York didn’t really influence me. New York did make it easier for me to purchase the more exclusive brands though.”   DrJays.com: We’ve seen you go from a plain white tee with Nike sneakers to a dapper suit. Do you prefer dressing in formal gear or keeping it casual?   Thomas: “I like being casual and comfortable. Don’t get me wrong, wearing a nice suit is always fun and I enjoy it when the time calls for it. I’m a huge fan ofDolce & Gabbana, everything from their great fitting button-ups to their cologne, but usually you can find me wearing a white v-neck t-shirt, a hoodie and jeans. Some of my favorite brands are BAPE, Timberland, Red Monkey Jeans, Crooks & Castles, Billionaire Boys Club, Ciano Jeans (they fit great), Prada (hi-top sneakers), True Religion and Rock & Republic.”   Thomas in one of DrJays.com’s favorite brands, Crooks & Castles   DrJays.com: When it comes to ladies, what makes a lady stylish to you?   Thomas: “Shoes are very important to me. I am a huge fan of a girl who can wear a white t-shirt, jeans and stylish shoes with pretty toes. Growing up with five sisters has a lot to do with this! My sisters and my mother are stylish women and taught me all about shoes, more than I would like to know sometimes (laughs). I like stilettos and in terms of casual, I think those Louis Vuitton and Gucci sneakers are cool too.   “Beyond shoes, I like a girl that can switch her style up. Outfits don’t always have to be name brand. A woman that can go into a thrift store and come out with a dope outfit is also attractive.”   DrJays.com: Do you enjoy fashion? Have you been more into it since you started your career with the NFL or do you now have a stylist to take care of that? Or perhaps a girlfriend…   Thomas: “I’ve always been interested in fashion. Since I was a kid, I always watched music videos, interview and movies, analyzing the fashion involved. If I liked something, I would research the price and where I could find it. Since I have always been into creating my own style, I shop by myself. Having the opportunity to play in the NFL has been a blessing and has put me in a financial position that allows me to purchase higher-end clothing.   “I think style is something you have to create for yourself, which is something I have worked very hard to achieve. I am not afraid to wear color, it fits my personality and I like to experiment with different designers and brands”.   DrJays.com: How do you feel about menswear going slimmer and cleaner in recent years? Do you still prefer your gear baggy?   Thomas: “I don’t like baggy. As a CEO of a record label [Outta Pocket Entertainment], I can’t be seen as a sloppy dresser and I associate baggy with sloppy. I enjoy fitted, but not too tight. It gives off a classy look”.   DrJays.com: Who do you consider a style icon?   Thomas: “T.I. I think he does a good job of […]

Editor’s note: The views expressed inside this editorial aren’t necessarily the views of AllHipHop.com or its employees.Hip-Hop, there is a need for me to be serious and state some facts that may encourage you to do things a little differently.    At a very rapid pace, music retail is dying.  There are many reasons for this and we have our opinions on where to point the fingers.   Right now that is not important.  However, it is very important for you to know what genre of music this death will affect first.   Hip Hop is probably the most influential type of music there is.  It has more than put its stamp on pop culture.  But that is not good enough, because it is getting harder to find your favorite new hip hop disc in stores.  Here are a few examples of what is happening to Hip Hop.       * Last week, Wale came out to a harsh reality.  He thought he was hot, but some non traditional music retailers thought he was not and therefore bought very little to absolutely none of his debut cd.  Fans relied on twitter to point them in the direction of the nearest music store to find Attention Deficit. (#attentiondeficit)           * A couple of weeks ago, Rick Ross’s group Triple C’s came out and sold a little over 12,000 copies.  About 70% of these were sold at traditional/independent music stores.           * After calling three Mass Merchants inside the city of Atlanta, none of them had the newest Lil’ Boosie Cd.  It was released on September 15, 2009.  They pull you off the shelf pretty fast there huh?  (While on that call a customer asked for the Wale CD, I told the employee to send him to the West End.  She relayed the message and said…”We never got that CD.”)           * Then I decided to go on a hunt for an underground artist.  Brooklyn MC Skyzoo’s debut release “The Salvation” was only available at 1 Mass Merchant out side the city of Atlanta.  But they could not locate the disc in the store.     It is very important for me to say that this is not a shot at any store, record label, or artist.  This is the harsh reality of the situation you may be in if you are a hip hop artist.  And it is even more unforgiving if you are a hip hop fan.     70-80% of hip hop music is sold physically in stores and not digitally online.  Where does that leave the artist with the major record deal if there is no music store and one mass merchant?  Where does that leave the artist that just needs distribution if there is no music store and one mass merchant?  Last but certainly not least, where does that leave the fan that just wants to go to the store and find their favorite new Hip-Hop CD?      I do believe that things will change one day.  Change is inevitable.  However as we wait for change to take place, Hip Hop will suffer.  The real question is will it be able to survive?     For more, go to www.thatretailchick.me.

Editor’s note: The views expressed inside this editorial aren’t necessarily the views of AllHipHop.com or its employees.Before getting back to where we left off, I must say for the record, of the three tracks that Beanie Sigel has released (‘I Go Off,’ ‘How I Could Kill Jigga Man,’ and ‘Think Big’) since his announced affiliation with 50 Cent I like what I’m feeling and hearing in terms of energy, track selection, and flow. Sigel is on some ‘Protect Ya Neck’ and ‘Pac-like stuff. The only problem is the subject matter: Jay-Z. Now, I understand the game plan – to draw the new Frank Sinatra into a Philly street fight. But Jay – with the # 1 song in America – is executing the conservative playbook of Live Nation and business manager John Meneilly which calls for no risk-taking or negative press capable of scaring Corporate America, or jeopardizing the bidding war underway to license ‘Empire State of Mind,’ for commercials and public relations campaigns. No, as my man E From Queens (a 50 supporter and Jay respecter) tells me – looking to execute the ‘rope-a-dope’ fighting style that Muhammad Ali used against George Foreman, Jay-Z will wait for Sigel and 50 to tire out. We saw this silent-but-deadly approach to how Jay responded to Cam’ron’s attacks on him a few years ago. To focus on a big target like Jay-Z is tempting and I understand why 50 and Beans would go there but its time for Beanie Sigel to focus on the hottest rapper out right now…Beanie Sigel. In response to the first part of this two-part series (my debut at AllhipHop.com) I received the following in a thoughtful email: “Cedric…In light of the lack of success of 50’s latest projects (Mobb Deep, MOP, ‘Curtis,’ ‘Terminate on Site’, ‘Before I Self Destruct’), I’m not sure 50’s going to have the same creative freedom or more importantly – resources at his disposal to put any kind of real push behind Sigel. Particularly with the extremely poor predictions for his current album, and with it being his last contracted album for Interscope. The last thing Beanie needs to get caught up in is a label switch.” Great points on the surface but I actually think there may be no more dangerous artist in the world than a 50 Cent who has his back against the wall, with critics predicting his demise, and with resources scarce. In the introduction to my book, The Entrepreneurial Secret, using the example of the circumstances that 50 was in when he made the riskiest record in rap history, ‘How To Rob,’ I explain that some people are at their best when most people think they are at their worst. For them, necessity is the mother of invention and having to make something happen when there is no plan B forces them to be more creative than ever. Therefore, I actually think a hungry 50 Cent who more and more people are starting to count out, is exactly the kind of person Beanie Sigel needs right now. To me, 50 Cent is a great rapper but he’s an even better arranger. Perhaps the best Hip-Hop has had since Marley Marl (by the way he produced LL Cool J’s masterpiece ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ when folks were counting him and LL out) and Puffy. An arranger is not a producer (a subject for another day). If you want to understand what the difference is, just listen to Game’s first album and look at what 50 was able to do through him and a great producer (Dr. Dre). I believe he should take a similar approach here. 50 Cent doesn’t need to be all over Beanie Sigel’s tracks as much as he needs to be all over the project quarterbacking the concepts and hooks, bringing in only a handful of musicians and producers that bring the best out of Sigel. He can give to Sigel what Quincy Jones gave to Michael Jackson, not just through a direct collaboration but through surrounding and coordinating others (like how Quincy Jones brought in the Brothers Johnson, jazz musicians, and Rod Temperton of Heatwave in to work with Michael on ‘Off The Wall’) around the Philadelphia artist. The question that reportedly haunted Beanie Sigel’s Roc-A-Fella days was ‘Can Beanie Sigel Ever Become A Platinum Artist?’ Reportedly, Jay-Z once told Nas that Beanie Sigel would never sell more than 600,000 records. To me, if true, that question and answer shows some of what was wrong with the Beanie-Sigel-Roc-A-Fella relationship. While record sales must always be in view, you don’t develop someone with the talent and capacities of Beanie Sigel according to current industry standards of success. The way you market someone like Sigel is from the inside out. You place him in a creative and conceptual environment where he can make theme songs and albums (a lost art in Hip-Hop). You find a pattern or formula of sounds and subject matter and you let Sigel feel, think and write into it. Then, you assemble an inner circle and strategic team of advisers. You mix an inner circle who know music with political strategists, business consultants, spiritual advisers, power brokers, publicists and marketers who can take Beans places he has never gone before and form them into a Mastermind to discuss what they are hearing, interpret it, and figure out how to position Sigel in the marketplace. In Volume 2 of The Entrepreneurial Secret I describe the 9 personality types in business that can often form this mastermind. They are the Hustler, Gangster, Salesperson, Ideologue, Coordinator, Professional, Businessperson, Engineer and Entrepreneur. 50 could easily build this team of advisers around Beanie Sigel’s album. You don’t think of Beans like an artist, you think of him like a leader on a political and military campaign -what are the territories, niches, and market segments he and his content can appeal to? – You ask. How can we bring things in his personality and life story out through […]

  Let us introduce you to the real-life version of Love & Basketball – New York Giant’s cornerback Aaron Ross and his fiancé, athlete Sanya Richards.   Sports sexiest couple recently modeled exclusively for DrJays.com to debut Sean John‘s Holiday ’09 collection, which includes the relaunch of the brand’s new women’s line.   Aaron, 27, is a Super Bowl XLII champion, while Sanya, 24, is the “fastest woman in the world” – the world’s top-ranked female 400m runner, winning gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.   Check out the very cute video of the couple speaking on their six-year long relationship, what keeps them together and much more.     Aaron and Sanya’s Sean John photo shoot will debut on DrJays.com on Thursday, December 3.   After missing the first nine games of the season with a severe hamstring strain, “Ross” (as he’s affectionately called by his girl), made his 2009 debut this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons – where the Giants won 34-31!   See the latest from women’s and men’s Sean John gear, including some styles that Aaron and Sanya are rocking in the video.   The brand has taken a more clean and contemporary turn this holiday season.   Are you feeling it?

Are they jeans? Leggings?   QuestionsView Results   Nope, they’re jeggings!   To the pleasure of many, fierce ladies like Amber Rose and Meagan Good brought a whole new level of sexiness to all sorts of leggings – leather, shiny spandex, snake print, etc. – and one of the latest trends in this category is the “jegging”.   With the look of denim but the feel of leggings, jeggings are super versatile and comfortable pieces.   Top them off with a long tee or sweater and get that casual denim look, but with all the comfort stretchy leggings provide.   All hail the legging queen – Amber Rose   Beyoncé   As with most denim these days, you can also dress them up like Beyoncé does above, with a blazer and sexy high heels.   Check out Mel B. rocking a retro acid wash pair with a laid back look below, and cop your very own jeggings on DrJays.com:   Mel B.   Denim Leggings by Cheryl Creations   Love Kills Slowly Leggings by Ed Hardy

“Put me in the spotlight, give me two or three thousand people and a decent group of men behind me with instruments, and you can’t give me more.” —Cab Calloway Born December 25, 1907 in Rochester, New York, Cabell Calloway III’s luck was established even before birth. This Christmas baby would go on to front one of the sharpest Big Bands of the 1930s-1940s era, and pioneer a musical style Hip-Hop MCing would draw great inspiration from a few years later. 15 years ago to the date, this inimitable genius, Cab Calloway, passed away; but the legacy of his music and magic couldn’t be more pervasive in an era when Hip-Hop artists are increasingly turning to orchestral support to spruce up their stage shows. In the grandest tradition, Cab Calloway is the original Hip-Hop MC. With a mother who played the organ at church and an older sister, Blanche Calloway, who led a band of her own, music was destiny for Cab Calloway. But the road from Rochester to Harlem wasn’t no cakewalk. Like many young Black men his age faced with unflattering domestic conditions, he wasn’t too impressed with schooling, and thus acted out.  In his memoir, Of Minnie the Moocher and Me, published 1976, Cab recounts how much he “played hooky, hung out in the streets, hustled to make money, and was always in and out of trouble.” In turn, he was sent to a “reform school” run by a granduncle in Pennsylvania. But that hardly changed him.   He loved to hustle—newspapers, that is. Cab spent day and night selling newspapers across town, making enough money to put some kind of food on the table his family ate on. Lacking a father figure for some of his earlier years, rebellion, as is most often with kids that age, set in. He tells the story of a day he was shooting dice not far away from home on a Sunday morning, and suddenly a hand reached across from behind to the top of his shoulders; only it wasn’t just any hand: It was his mother’s. “Boy, what are you doing here, shooting dice on the Lord’s Day! I thought you went to Sunday school this morning. Get yourself up and get on home,” she furiously castigated him. Still, at that age, nothing seemed to be getting across to him—nothing but the street life. It took many years—not until Junior High and High School—before Cab Calloway would come to terms with the benefits of a quality education. Junior High would be a turning point of sorts, as even with “few books or supplies” he was swarmed by teachers who never ran out of “love and understanding.” Didn’t matter that they were still stern. “They pushed us to learn, but they were sensitive to each child so that nobody ever felt left out or uncared for.” This “closeness and understanding,” he posited, is a “fundamental” element missing in urban schools these days.     Tupac’s Version of “Minnie The Moocher” f/ Chopmaster J It also helped that in High School, the historic Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, Cab developed a fondness for basketball, and found out, alongside those who ever crossed him on court, that his talents might just lead him professionally. It was also in those mid-teen years that he picked up a new passion—singing. Picking up where he left off, Cab again turned to hustling—playing basketball in the day and singing vaudeville acts in the night, earning enough money to own a car at such young age (even more rare for a Negro of the times).  The whole world might owe it to Cab’s momma, though, who, soon after hearing him harmonizing with a couple of boys down the street, outright ordered: “Cabell, you have such a nice strong voice. You’re going to take voice lessons.” Thus, he was put in the care of Ruth Macabee, “an ex-concert singer,” who taught him the fundamentals of music and singing, how to manipulate sound vocally, and, most importantly, how to enunciate clearly enough to provide the audience with precise polyrhythmic pleasure. This technique would prove highly useful throughout Cab Calloway’s career, as lyrical virtuosity became his strongest ally.   And while blessed with a good voice, Cab knew his limitations. He was Black—Negro—N#####—and had to accept it—even if, to some, he looked anything but. “The only difference between a black and a white entertainer is that my ass has been kicked a little more and a lot harder because it’s black,” he admits. But he never once wavered: “I’ve always known, from the days when I was a n##### kid selling papers and hustling shoeshines and walking hots out at Pimlico—hell, I’m a n##### and proud of it.” Cab’s first big break came through his sister, Blanche, a legend in her own right, who, after much badgering and a commitment by Cab to enroll into College once the gig was up, landed him a spot in the late 1920s hit-Broadway Plantation Days which she was also starring in. The experience, consisting of a twenty-five member cast and a sixteen-piece orchestra, would be life-changing for the budding star. Blanche knew the shadowy skeletons of show business all too well and tried to discourage her young brother from taking the same route; she reminded of how much his mother still wished he pursue Law School. But the felicity of success, or “the pleasure of being in the spotlight and being admired,” was too raw to resist. And for one so talented, it was only a matter of time before he set up shop in Chicago—initially to enroll in Crane College—and began making a name for himself in the whorehouses and “low-life” nightclubs of the Windy City.        Outkast: Listen to the influence of Cab Calloway in ‘Kast’s “The Mighty O” While still attending college, he was able to assemble a small band known as The Alabamians, which soon embarked on a nationwide tour that would end one chapter in Cab Calloway’s life […]

Rugby shirts have had their fair share of popularity over the years. Do many Americans actually care for the sport? Probably not. But the latest styles received on DrJays.com have a preppy, polished yet street look blended together which you can’t lose with.   Available in various color combinations, and with different levels of details (embroidered patches, prints, buttons, etc.), these rugby shirts will have your repping for your favorite urban brands instead of actual rugby teams.   You may see the rugby look in various fabrics, but the classic heavy weight soft cotton fabric makes them even more ideal for brutal fall/winter months.   Rock them with a clean pair of jeans, some fresh sneakers or workboots and you’re good to go.   Cop yourself a modern long sleeved piece like the Spoils Ruby by AKOO, the Rugby Top With Screen Back by COOGI, or the Polo Grounds Rugby by Triple 5 Soul:   The Spoils Ruby by AKOO   Rugby Top With Screen Back by COOGI   Polo Grounds Rugby by Triple 5 Soul   Crossover into a polo style, with short sleeved striped pieces like the Rugby Top by COOGI and the Gov’nor Polo by LRG   Rugby Top by COOGI   The Gov’nor Polo by LRG

 The views expressed inside this editorial aren’t necessarily the views of AllHipHop.com or its employees. It’s the second biggest move in the history of Hip-Hop free agency, surpassed only by Tupac’s signing with Death Row Records in October of 1995. Want another example? It’s the best affiliation since Lex Luger became an Associate Member of pro wrestling’s most elite unit – the Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Ole and Arn Anderson) – in the Winter of 1987. 50 Cent, as the new Suge Knight and second James J. Dillon, now faces his ultimate challenge – how to properly market Beanie Sigel, a task that Roc-A-Fella Records failed to perform. I know, because in September 2002 I was involved in a dialogue with Roc-A-Fella’s marketing department about how to better position all of the artists on the label, aside from Jay-Z. The strategy was sophisticated but revolved around coordinating an ‘outside the industry,’ strategy with the standard record promotion. The plan I laid out was the re-positioning Cam’ron and Beanie Sigel, not just as ‘hustlers’ and ‘gangsters,’ but as real power brokers and true ‘bosses’ in the communities from which they came – Harlem and Philly, respectively. What we discussed was revolutionary and would have built upon the street credibility of the artists and converted that form of power into others – in the business sector and political arena. They would have been true shot-callers with their neighborhoods as home base from which they would make power moves, generate positive media coverage, and break into new market segments as artists. The plan would have made them bigger and broadened their appeal beyond their current fan base. Roc-A-Fella loved the specifics of what I outlined. Cam’ron’s manager wanted to move forward with the strategy and all that remained was for a meeting to be arranged to finalize details. Then, we agreed, we would immediately apply the model to Beanie Sigel. Then, came the surprising news, confirming for me what I had only heard as rumors regarding how decisions were made at Roc-A- Fella Records. I was informed that Jay-Z’s brilliant business manager, John Meneilly, who was a key decision-maker at the label (a fact that many don’t realize) put the initiative on ice because it would somehow distract or interfere with Jay-Z’s efforts to position himself more positively in community affairs. I was told by Roc-A-Fella that John Meneilly felt that what I proposed was essentially the same thing that was already in motion around Jay-Z’s efforts to do things in the borough of Brooklyn, timed perfectly with the release of Blueprint II. I was told that all of this would be the subject of an upcoming 60 Minutes feature on Jay-Z. My Roc-A-Fella contact told me that after Jay-Z had the chance to establish himself in this new light, the label would look to incorporate my strategic advice. I was disappointed a bit, not understanding why what was good for Jay-Z wasn’t good for his labelmates, but I was also excited to know that someone as influential as Jay-Z was moving in this direction. I started thinking of ways to support his efforts. The 60 Minutes special came, Blueprint II dropped. and Jay-Z did get credit for a few good works. But the effort was heavily top-down (corporate –driven) nothing at all like what I proposed for Beanie Sigel and Cam’ron which would have had them building power and positioning themselves from the streets-up. I’m sure 60 Minutes did not represent all that Jay-Z was trying to do but I got no indication that Roc-A-Fella pushed back or was disappointed in the feature that really was more of a biography piece designed to further mainstream Jay-Z or make him less threatening. It was a good look for Jay in that respect, but nothing that could benefit Beanie Sigel or Cam’ron, I thought. Being ‘positive’ and ‘giving back’ through donations, foundations, corporate partners and appearances is nice but not the same as developing an artist’s street, political, and business leadership profile outside of the industry, in ways that connect them to everyday people and help them sell more records. What Sigel needed was more power positioning not just good cause marketing. I truly think Jay-Z qualifies as a Hip-Hoppreneur™ of the highest caliber (and by the way, I’m even considering that he has now, in my mind, maybe replaced KRS-One as the greatest rapper of all-time), but his approach to building power is dependent upon his advancing through elite social and business circles, which generate deal flow and high profile opportunities, but which also by nature, demand less risk-taking, and more conservative and non-threatening decision-making. It’s a sound strategy, but only one that he and a handful of mega-stars can pull off. The benefits of what he generates have opened many doors for Roc-A-Fella artists (and I do believe Jay-Z’s heart’s desire was to help all of his artists enjoy success) but it did not develop them according to their own natural strengths. They were not on the elite social level that he was, and did not have the same quality team infrastructure he did (business managers, agents, lawyers, publicists) therefore, they could not take advantage of what he made possible for them. And I’m sure that Jay is right when he says many of his artists shot themselves in the foot and expected him to carry them. But that expectation occurs sometimes when someone has to operate in the shadows of another. A dependency is created, although not intentional. I believe the way Roc-A-Fella marketed their other artists made them Jay-Z dependent. Whether intentional or not, I believe the label signed artists that served to provide a contrast to Jay-Z and protect his image from becoming too distant from the streets. Therefore, any effort to strategically position Roc-A-Fella’s street-oriented artists in ways that would have moved them outside of the first level category of Jay-Z’s creative protégés, or team members, and into the category of real community leaders with juice […]

Editor’s note: There has been some confusion with one writer’s stance and the position of a company. The views expressed inside this editorial aren’t necessarily the views of AllHipHop.com or its employees.“I have less compassion than the average human.” – 50 Cent Allow me to speak in the third person. Good Guy has kids. Good Guy has a lady. Good Guy loves kids. Good Guy has some issues with his lady. With that said, I am a fan of 50 Cent and his accomplishments, but I can’t march down this path with him. For those of you that haven’t been on the internet for the last day or so, 50 Cent took an excursion to Las Vegas and had Rick Ross’ baby mom Tia and her kids in tow. (Ross has one son with Tia.)  If you did a double take, don’t be surprised. I did too. I was sure that after 50’s son appeared photoshopped on the monkey body earlier this year all, parties agreed that the kids were off limits. Not the case apparently. So, I present to you Exhibit A: video platform video management video solutions free video player If you were able to watch the video above, you just saw 50 Cent at Floyd Mayweather’s Las Vegas Mansion. Visitors in the mansion included F. Gary Gray, the acclaimed filmmaker, and mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, along with 50 Cent and Tia’s kiddie entourage. 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather have beef with Rick Ross so they had no problem getting grimy in pursuit hurting Rick Ross through his child. Only Diddy seems to be uncomfortable with this overt act. The Bad Boy shuffles from room to room dodging the unavoidable cameras. Let me state, this is wrong. I know all is fair in love and war, but this is wrong, even for 50 Cent’s standards. (Remember we were asking “Has 50 Cent gone too far?” earlier this year?) It was one thing when it was a lyrical display between Ross and Fif and there was humor mixed in, but these kids don’t even know that they are mere disposable pawns in a war of men. This is despicable and I am ashamed to admit that I am fans of both men. Men are not the only culpable ones here. Tia Kemp, who is the mother of Ross’ son, has proven herself to be a harlot-scorned ways we may never know. But, even worse, she is now putting her kids (and herself) in harms way. I have to question any mother than puts her lust for revenge over the welfare of her kids. I know she’s a bird, but even the nastiest birds want to shield heir kids from harm…right? Eh. In the video, 50 Cent and Floyd pose for pictures flaunting their money (stacks and stacks), their expensive cars and their celebrity, all of which eclipses Ross’ hood super stardom. It is an amazing display of infantile behavior from all parties. Now, I am not stupid, this is promotion for Before I Self Destruct, but what are the ramifications and aftermath? Does a shooter catch 50 Cent out there in a few years when his buzz dies down a bit? I present, Exhibit B: video platform video management video solutions free video player As a father, I am concerned for 50 Cent’s son, Marquis. He had dreams and aspirations too. I am sure that he’s got security now, but what happens when he wants to go into the world as a man, as a rap producer (seen in Exhibit B)? At the end of the day, I hope Rick Ross has the state of mind to chill and let these folks run around and do what they do. Hopefully, this prompts him to sit down with his son and explain to him what exactly is going on and where the kid fits into all this. Furthermore, if Ross has some housecleaning to do, hopefully he does that too. This dirty laundry stinks! (Hell, Ross, if he is bout it, really needs to file for full custody of his son, because he now has grounds to get him.) Exhibit C: a poll of the people. Has 50 Cent gone too far? QuestionsView Results As a father, I can’t imagine how I would react to such disrespect. I’d die and kill for my kids. I don’t have a stack so that’s out. I don’t have “blammers’ so that’s out. I guess I would have to fume quietly and remain dignified…as a man. “You don’t get a n***a back like that” – Jay-Z

I’ve been listening to a lot of Lupe Fiasco lately, namely albums The Cool and Food and Liquor.   I can honestly say that I appreciate him as an artist more now than I ever have. I’m not a stanish follower of the Chicago artist. I know he is constantly giving his fans small updates on the progress he’s making on his new music, but I generally get that second hand. I am a fan of his work and basically am waiting for his next album to drop.   I don’t claim to know what Lupe is doing from a marketing point of view, but I can certainly see what is brewing.   He’s really managing the demand of his music by not flooding the market with disposable mixtapes and meaningless freestyles. To clarify, that’s not to say that all mixtapes and freestyles are pointless. I don’t think that. For example, 50’s War Angel was a solid “mixtape” (street album) and it served him well over the summer. There are others that have had well-placed freestyles that have impact that transcend the norm. Crooked I did over 52 freestyles in his “Hip-Hop Weekly” series and created demand.   But, more often than not, these successful rappers are seasoned vets and the releases serve a promotional purpose to attain a higher goal. Like 50’s Before I Self Destruct and Crooked’s super group Slaughterhouse are the results of that push. The new artist probably needs to find a merger of the two, but generate a demand like I feel Lupe is doing.   Lupe is fostering a need for his presence in the present climate of Hip-Hop.   On the low, everything he does, people go crazy. For example, a couple fans of Lupe Fiasco emailed myself and others on the AllHipHop staff to inform us that he was doing a   Here is a news flash: rappers are a dime a dozen. A dime a dozen.   This is sad a regrettable for those that are unable to accept it. More rappers need to find ways to attain attention based on legitimate tactics like the quality of their music. I’m not even opposed to a “rap beef” that makes some sense, but that’s mostly a quick, feeble fix. There are other metrics for their success. The ability to generate excitement around their project is another quality that is meaningful. Lupe is doing these at his various shows. He’s doing it in code blog messages. He’s doing it in these commercials, that actually tell fans that “I mean more to you than just music.” As far as I can ascertain, Lupe’s base of fans is rock solid and whenever that is the case, the masses come (with the proper promotion and marketing).   So, for the young rapper, the point here is to create a demand and sustain that demand all the way until your album is released. The worst way is to undermine your own effort is to flood the streets and internet before the demand is there. You only over-satisfy your fan base and have a few less reasons to buy an album. Now, if the demand is there and you release a mixtape or flood the market, you are then satisfying a demand or delivering the streets something to hold them down.   But, I like how Lupe is doing it.   He’s patient. He’s deliberate. And he’s building something that will live on for years to come. The money will follow…   This means, after his recording career is over, there will most likely be people that want to see him live for years to come. I was amazed at the way the Goodie Mob was received at their reunion in Atlanta. That lead to them being the highlight of the BET Hip-Hop Awards. No need to sully your legacy flailing around the internet in search of relevance. Do this right and relevance will find you.   Have faith, then deliver.   video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player  

What’s your take on Kamber and their matching Nike Jordans? Is it cute when couples coordinate like this, or just plain corny?   I recently spotted a couple in matching COOGI track suits which made me want to hurl…   But then check out the classy Obamas below, who hooked up their outfits in a more subtle way.Is it ever acceptable for love birds to match their gear up, or should it only be saved for occasions like Halloween, and maybe sporting events?     See more pics of Mr. West and Miss Rose getting their designer shopping on in Rome last week.         “Kamber” (otherwise known as Kanye West and Amber Rose)Images: TheYBF

When the opening credits of “The Carter,” the documentary based on the life of Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter opens with the disclaimer that the megastar rapper didn’t give any personal interviews for the film. Furthermore, it states the rapper had since pulled his support from the project. One might assume that the resulting film includes a barrage of second hand, conspiracy theories surrounding the turbulent life of one of Hip-Hop’s most enigmatic personas. Nothing could be further from the truth. “The Carter” is a compelling and insightful look into the life of the Cash Money’s multi-million dollar man, and weaves a story that no orchestrated interview could possibly capture. Director Adam Bhala Lough and crew were the preverbal fly on the wall as they had an all access pass into the life of Lil Wayne for approximately 6 months before the release of his history making Carter 3 release and two months after. The film peers intimately inside Wayne’s mind by capturing real moments that reveal pieces of the man who was once a mere child of Hollygrove, New Orleans. The voyeuristic peek shows Wayne unapologetically in his element recording, and performing all over the world. Highlights include a fierce focus on his grind, constantly recording on his bus, performing and interviews. “The Carter” also gives a firsthand look at Wayne’s apparent insatiable thirst for syrup, which some fear is more abuse. Attached to the world through his music, the film examines the reality of Wayne’s delicate balance of lyrical excellence and combating inner demons. The film makers also interview with those closest to Wayne including Baby, and his longtime friend/manager Cortez. In one scene, Cortez speaks – nearly to tears – as he talks about the public beef and ultimatum that almost ended their relationship. The film also includes interviews with journalists around the country that are quite hilarious. One interview in particular where Weezy explains what laws he would change if he had the power (Spoiler: he would legalize weed, put cocaine back in Coca Cola and end child support payments). At one point Weezy compares himself to John Forbes Nash, Jr., the lead character in “A Beautiful Mind,” and, although the rapper hasn’t been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, this film accentuates that fine line between genius and insanity. Incidentally it was that mind that intrigued the film’s executive producer Quincy “QD3” Jones III, to pursue the project. At the Los Angeles premiere, QD3 told AllHipHop.com, “I’ve followed Lil Wayne since he was with the Hot Boys and had always thought he was great lyrically but what intrigued me most about him was the fact that after achieving so much success as an artist that he chose to go back to college. That is what really made me want to take a deeper look into who Lil Wayne really was.” Wayne has already carved his legacy in Hip-Hop, but “The Carter” will forever been known as one of the first movies that chronicled it in an honest, respectable and balanced way.