Tuesday, March 31, 2009

dailymathematics.blogspot.com: 50 Cent is Not A Rapper (Great article on 50)

I've been a 50 fan for years, and never understood why people hated 50 Cent besides the fact that he decided to stop making Get Rich or Die Tryin' quality records...Some of his stuff is still good, but anyway this story is really interesting.


50 Cent Is Not a Rapper

















I first heard about the rapper 50 Cent back in 1999, when my dude and former client Deric "D-Dot Angelettie, p/k/a The Madd Rapper produced and was featured on 50's 1st single "How To Rob". "How To Rob" was that perfect single for a rapper trying to get noticed in a market then flooded by Hip Hop superstars. On the debut single, 50 jokingly rapped about robbing several rap stars and entertainers from a hungry rapper's perspective. Deric's Madd Rapper ad-libs added to that desperate "I gotta get mine from these industry cats" vibe, egging 50 on from the background. The single also had legs on the radio, at least here in New York. Unfortunately some rappers named in "How To Rob" took offense, I guess they didn't find it as funny as the fans did. Some even responded with shots at the new rapper. Regardless, it was clear that the new rapper called 50 Cent had a shot at making a name for himself.

The next time I heard about 50 was in March of 2000. I received a call from Peter Panic who, along with Father Shah of Poor Righteous Teachers fame, was hired to produce a track for 5o in connection with his first album "Power Of The Dollar". Peter and Shah had joined forces as a production team and one of the potential buyers for a beat was 50. That March, Peter and Shah, along with Giscard Rondeau p/k/a "Gis" were in the famed Hit Factory recording studios with 50 Cent, in one of the smaller rooms. The Hit Factory was a enormous studio with state of the art equipment and many recording rooms, some large enough to fit an entire orchestra. Gis had deejayed for several notable rap artists and was 5o's first designated deejay. On this particular evening, 50's rivals, members of the famed Murder Inc. were also booked in The Hit Factory, in a different room. 50's beef with Murder Inc had been going on for some time, particularly with Ja Rule. Apparently, some members of the Inc. had peeped 50 in the building and decided they would roll up in his session and ride on who ever was present. Right in the middle of recording, 50's session was interrupted by what seemed like at least more than 5 crew members of the Inc. As the goons rushed the room, they decided to cut off the lights in an attempt to further "shock and awe" 50 and his companions. Shit got real hectic with Peter, Shah, Gis and 50 going for theirs in defense against their attackers. When it was over, Peter had been a bit scuffed up, Shah had received a small knife wound in his shoulder. 5o was treated with three stitches also due to a knife wound. The most severe of injuries was sustained by Gis, who was stabbed directly in his chest by a small knife, wielded by rapper Black Child, a member of the Inc. Gis saw Black Child hit him in the chest, not realizing he had a weapon, and when Black Child backed up from him, he saw his shirt immediately turn red, wet with blood. In addition, Gis realized he was suddenly short of breath, not realizing the extent of his injuries, that his lung was punctured. Without going into detail, Peter told me about the incident and he, Shah and Gis made some money from that ordeal. 50 Cent the rapper realized that his beef with Murder Inc. had just escalated to a whole new level. Niggas was really coming for him, and not just on wax.























The third time I heard about 50 Cent was on May 24, 2000, when he was shot nine times and left for dead, lying in a pool of his own blood. The shooting was allegedly in connection with 50's beef with the Inc. Miraculously, Curtis James Jackson, III survived the shooting. In one fell swoop, he beat out Tupac Shakur in legendary street cred status, 'Pac having survived getting hit with "only" 5 bullets. All this and with only one single recorded. Still, even though Curtis Jackson survived that shooting it seemed that the rapper who was 50 Cent was killed or at least his career was. Severely wounded and now without a deal, 50 Cent the rapper was left to die.























Two years later, after the industry and fans alike had ample opportunity to forget about him, 50 dropped the mixtape "Guess Whose Back?" Having been blacklisted by most record execs, unable to find a studio that would allow him to record, 50 was forced to travel to Canada in order to compile "Guess Whose Back". Shit was unlike any mixtape ever heard. Containing some tracks intended for his unreleased "Power Of The Dollar" album for Columbia, along with some new tracks aimed at his foes connected with the Inc., the cd played like a concept album. In addition, the rumor was that the jewelry piece 50 was brazenly showcasing on the album cover, wrapped around his gun was actually a piece that once belonged to Ja Rule. The story was that 50 and Ja had gotten into a scuffle and the scuffle ended with 50 walking away with Ja's chain and diamond studded cross. Regardless if said story was fact or fiction, 50's buzz hit like a bomb. Industry cats once again started talking about the mixtape, about how hot 50 was. Kniccas in the streets and in the barber shops were also talking.


Dino, my boy who was an A&R at Universal and was the dude responsible for signing the Cash Money Millionaires had seen the opportunity and was the first exec willing to stick his neck out to sign 50. Dino wanted to lock 50 down with the quickness and 50 needed a lawyer so he called me, asked me if I was interested in meeting 50, or if I was scared, shook like a lot of our fellow industry colleagues on account of 50's beef. I told Dino I wouldn't mind working with 50, especially since the mixtape was fuego. Dino knew that if hired by 50, I would make the deal happen unlike some other attorneys who had a rep for drawing deals out, making things difficult for all parties involved. Fifty called me shortly after. We arranged a meeting to break bread and discuss whether we could establish a working relationship. On the day of our meeting 50 showed up promptly to my office. Most rappers feel that showing up late for meetings must be some kind of cool. Even though he had "taken some time off" to heal and recuperate, niggas was still out in the streets gunning for him. Because of that, he was rocking a fresh bullet proof vest, accompanied by his manager Sha Money XL and one other dude who mos def looked like he was a shooter. Me and one of my law partners sat down with 50 and we began to build.

Curtis was incredibly focused. Perhaps the most focused person I had ever met during my time on this planet. Calmly, the man spoke with incredible clarity as to his immediate and future plans, how he was going to get his family out the hood, how he would put together an album that wouldn't just shock the world but would also make him very rich. How with his newfound wealth, he would put himself in a position of power and build an army to take care of all his rivals who placed him in his current position, a position of having to move quietly, carefully, of having to constantly watch his back. With very little emotion, but with the charisma of a star, Mr. Jackson explained how in a short period of time, the tables would be turned and how he would be sitting on top of an empire that would extend far beyond any record deal. No bravado, none of that "nah'mean" swagger lingo that so many rappers brandish when inflating their infantile images to the public, just methodical well thought out step by step plans that would ensure the success of his goals. Curtis conducted the entire meeting looking both me and my partner dead in our eyes, but it was apparent to me that he was looking through us, beyond the here and now.













Dude saw the future, not just the end result, but every effin brick he would have to lay in order to transform his visions, his dreams into reality. Curtis was also very forthcoming about a possible deal with Eminem, with Dr. Dre, Shady, Aftermath and Interscope. Told me that Em's people, including Em's lawyer reached out to him. Curtis was extremely respectful in taking the time to meet with me, respectful in maintaining a good relationship with Dino but explained that he might not take the Universal deal on account of how it wasn't in his benefit to replay the role of a solo artist left out in the cold to defend himself against his enemies who were Goliath like in stature. How Em and Dre might just could put him in a position of power and how he most likely would rock with Em's lawyer. We concluded the meeting. After Curtis Jackson, Sha and their shooter left the building, me and my partner were quiet, in awe at the meeting that had just taken place. We knew immediately, that whatever endeavor he set out to accomplish, Curtis Jackson would be incredibly successful. I also realized, at that moment, that two years earlier, on May 24, 2000, the rapper who was 50 Cent was shot nine times, died while lying in a pool of his own blood. What was left in place of the slain rapper was a man reborn with the intimate knowledge of the relationship between life and death, who knew first hand the meaning of war, of strategy, of alliances, of power and how he would claim his power. It was also evident that once 50 claimed the power he so desperately needed, he would never relinquish an inch of it.

Six years after the release of his first album"Get Rich Or Die Tryin'", 50 Cent continues to remain relevant, remains in full control of his power. He also continues to manipulate the media and the masses to believe only what he wants them to believe. That thing with Kanye and their album beef? So clear that 50 was playing with us all. The jabs at Diddy, at Wayne, at damn near anyone that might could even resemble a future threat, just pawn moves in his ever evolving chess game with the world. Recently, I've been most entertained with his relentless and ruthless public flogging of the former CO turned rapper Rick Ross. I'm also amused when people complain about how he no longer releases quality music, how all his posturing and beefs have all but destroyed his career as a rapper, how his endeavors in acting and in video games have cheapened his street cred, how his vast amount of public beefs have killed his record career. I'm so amazed at how the man Curtis Jackson p/k/a 50 Cent continues to pull the wool over so many people's eyes so concerned about him as a rapper. True he can go back into his past life and pull out rhymes, songs and even albums, but 5o Cent is many many things, a rapper he is not. I keep wondering when all these other rappers will realize that 5o Cent the rapper left the building years ago, so many years in fact that no matter how prolific and masterful they are with their word play, their rap battles exist on an entirely different plane, a completely different playing field than 50's, and as these rappers continue to swing at shadows while 50 lands critical blows from afar, in an arena much broader and far more complex I'm asking myself, "why did these niggas do it to themselves?"

And as long as he continues to be everything but a rapper, I will continue to enjoy the ever continuing saga that is the 50 Cent show. 50 Cent the rapper is dead, long live 50 Cent, the world's smartest entertainer.

Friday, March 27, 2009

N.A.S.A. feat. Kanye West, Santogold, Lykke Li- GIFTED


I need to check out N.A.S.A.'s other material...Apparently they have an album out now The Spirit of Apollo

Thursday, March 26, 2009

MORE KID CUDI

Ok I know most of my posts are about CuDi now...but thats because his buzz is just getting crazier and there's more interesting material out there on him now more than ever...anyway heres CuDi on KarmaLoop.com

Part 1




Part 2


Interview with 88-Keys and CUDI

Just talkin' music...Kid CuDi talks about real and fake people...and what's next


Kid Cudi Talks about Deciding not to Retire

A couple weeks back Cudi said he would retire after his first LP. Then he changed and his mind...THANK GOD...that would've been a dumb decision


Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Big Sean Freestyle Backstage (G.O.O.D. Music Showcase)

Big Sean kicked that fly shit at the G.O.O.D. Music Showcase in Austin, Texas.  Big Sean is one of Kanye's new artists and he appears on Mike Posner and the Brain Trust's Mixtape

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

WTF is this WORLD COMING TO?

A stampede at New York City's Top Model Auditon Leads to Arrests and Injuries...people are becoming frikkin' zombies man...not everyone can be on Tyra's show....GET OVER YOURSELVES....I feel like people's brains are turning to mush...accept who you are...and if you knew you weren't cut out to be on the show....don't show up...this matter doesn't really concern me but I'm just sayin'.....Daaaaaaamn


Asher Roth- "Roth Boys"

I know I'm pretty late on this...ITS ALL GOOD THOUGH...4/20!!! ASLEEP IN THE BREAD AISLE


Asher Roth- Lark On My Go Kart

Asher Roth leaked a song from his up & coming album Asleep In the Bread Aisle




Lil Wayne introduces his label: YOUNG MONEY

From MTV NEWS:

The crew consists of familiar names from Wayne’s albums and mixtapes including Drake, Mack Maine, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Tyga and newer artists Gudda Gudda, T-Streets, Lil Twist, Lil Chuckee and Shanell, who co-wrote her boss’ latest hit, “Prom Queen.”

Wayne’s currently putting the finishing touches on his next project, his rock debut, Rebirth, now due May 19, and is also working on a number of other albums, from a Hot Boyz reunion LP to Tha Carter IV. But if his plans go right, he said the world will also see the release of a Young Money group album, a solo project by a Young Money member and a single from a second member by the end of 2009.

The collective shot a video for their buzz single “Every Girl in the World” that should be airing soon. The explicit track isn’t the official single, Wayne warned. He said the proper first single will be huge, but the world will just have to wait for that one.

“We gonna be that clique, that record company, that everybody wanna be with, everybody wanna be like,” he said. “You remember Bad Boy, you remember No Limit, you remember Cash Money. … We coming back with that. We bringing that back.”


I think Wayne's label is going to have HELLA potential, because of the serious buzz of a couple of his artists already (Drake, Nikki Minaj) and just because he is dominating mainstream hip-hop right now (other than KanYe haha). I remember when I wasn't a fan of Wayne and everyone was on his mixtapes, but when I heard The Carter III I could no longer ignore the dude.  Can't wait to see the projects from some of these artists (DRAKE haha).

Monday, March 16, 2009

When CuDi met KanYe

KiD CuDi talks about when he first met KanYe at the Virgin Megastore in NYC back in 2004, when there was no deal and KANYE was ON.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

"Sabina"- Celsito White

You gotta check out this poetry.  This is my best friend Celso White's work....He was in a national poetry competition with his college (Washington University in St. Louis)...They made it pretty far...This is dope....CHECK IT OUT.....





Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Asher Roth Story

Asher (in the UK) talks about how he got started and got his deal...comparisons to Eminem and so on

Kid CuDi- Talking about his disapproval of the Crooker's Remix Video

Cudi says how he liked the creative Crookers Remix music video...but he did not approve of the video...I personally like the origional "Day 'N Nite" video too....Crooker's video was just "ok" for me


Kid CuDi- SuperBoo

yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....you know I will never stop posting Kid Cudi....BIGGEST NEW ARTIST OF 09!!!!!....this video's pretty hot...considering it's all females...I love females


TWITTER! I Have one Now

So my homie convince me to get a Twitter...so you can check me out on twitter.com/ThisisAV

In case you are curious what I am up to from time to time....I'm only a man...trying to live life day by day....and that's what you'l get

Anyway....again it's twitter.com/ThisisAV

See full size image


  
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Monday, March 9, 2009

Asher Roth: Asleep In the Bread Aisle (Debut Album) 4/20/09

asher-bread-aisle

1. Lark on My Go Cart (prod. by Oren Yoel and David Appleton)
2. Blunt Cruise (prod. by Oren Yoel)
3. I Love College (prod. By Mike Carren and Ben Allen)
4. La Di Da (prod. By Don Cannon)
5. Fallen (prod. by Novel)
6. Be By Myself Feat. Cee-Lo (prod. by Oren Yoel)
7. She Don’t Want A Man (prod. by Oren Yoel)
8. Sour Patch Kids (prod. by Oren Yoel)
9. As I Em (prod. by Oren Yoel and David Appleton)
10.Bad Day Feat. Jazze Pha (prod. by Oren Yoel and David Appleton)
11. Leo The Lion Feat. New Kingdom (prod. by Yoel)
12. His Dream Feat. Miguel (prod. by Yoel)
13. Nothing You Can’t Do (prod. by Nottz)


Saturday, March 7, 2009

N.W.A. Movie in the Works (coooool)


New Line Cinema is developing Straight Outta Compton, an urban drama about N.W.A. (a.k.a. Niggaz With Attitude), the hip hop group that helped pioneer the gangsta rap movement in the '80s and early '90s.

The project will chronicle the rise and fall of the rap quartet, founded by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and MC Ren, whose songs were so incendiary (i.e. "F--- tha Police") they were banned from radio playlists but still sold millions of albums.

Then came the inevitable fiery breakup, a grudge match between the former bandmates, and Eazy-E's tragic death due to AIDS.

The film's producers, which include Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Tomica Wright (Eazy-E's widow), and Circle of Confusion Entertainment, are now actively searching for a director along the lines of Curtis Hanson (8 Mile).

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Eminem To Release "Relapse" May 19

Millions of Eminem Fans are waiting for this day, May 19th 2009. Eminem will be hitting Stores with his new Album Relapse, the confirmation just came today. The first Single from Relapse will get released onApril 7th, simultaneous with the Video.

And that's not all, Eminem is already working on the follow-up Album 
"Relapse 2". The Fans can expect this Album to drop in the second half of 2009.

Eminem said: 
"A lot of people were expecting Relapse to drop last year. I was one of them. Then Dre and I went back in the studio in September for a few days, and that turned into six months. We were on such a roll; we wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre. Putting out Relapse 2 will let everyone get all of the best stuff."

I CANT WAIT FOR THIS

Kanye West VH1 Story Tellers (the Complete Show)





VIBE: Drake Interview "Drake Day"

Between Thursday, February 12 and Friday, February 13, 2,541 comments were added to Aubrey “Drake” Graham’s blog,octobersveryown.blogspot.com. Remarks that were asking, nay relentlessly demanding what many had spent months waiting on—his new mixtape. 

For an independent release, the 22-year-old’s third effort, So Far Gone, gained a level of anticipation that would make some label-hugging rappers blush. But even with a co-sign from Lil Wayne, an established television fan-base, and an online presence intense enough to freeze a PC, Drake isn’t daunted. The ex-Degrassi star won’t give you flashing lights or fragile facades, he’d rather just gift the truth. And with eighteen tracks bulging with sincerity and depth, Drake is indeed one of hip hop’s best wrapped presents. Currently in the process of sealing an un-disclosed label deal—noting that it will be finalized in the next two weeks—the Toronto native shares with VIBE.com his struggles, triumphs, and why honesty is his best policy. 

DRAMA WITH DEGRASSI:

VIBE.com: You were on Degrassi for eight years. It must have taken a lot to leave that comfort zone. When did you know it was time to go?

Drake: I can’t really say I left that show. One day we came in and all the names were just changed on the dressing rooms. Everyone got cut. We go upstairs and it’s like, “Who are all these people auditioning in the front?” They owe us a lot of money. The amount of loyalty, the years we put in with these people…they did us foul. As far as the producers go, I don’t talk to anybody over there.

Were people skeptical about your talent when they saw that the kid from Degrassi was trying to be a rapper?

Before people had heard my music they were like, “So you’re really going to be a rapper? That’s really going to be your thing?” Especially around that time, that dope boy rap was really popping. People were wondering what the hell I was going to do. And it took me a while to find my sound.

ACTOR TERNT RAPPER:

There’s a shift in character from your first mixtape, Room for Improvement to your third, So Far Gone.

The first songs I made were all like “Replacement Girl” with Trey Songz. It was pretty straight forward, radio-friendly, not much content to it. And I thought that was the direction I’d go in. And then as life progressed, I grew and decided that to follow suit would truly be a waste of time. 
I started to see my situation as more of an opportunity as opposed to a curse. Coming from Canada, coming from a TV show, it’s like “Wow. If I can really do something different, I may be regarded as the one of the first crossover film to music people to really be looked at as an artist.” Once I saw it like that, I started becoming more confident as a person. I started seeing my thoughts and feelings as something the world may want to hear, as opposed to some shit I just make up in my head. I think I did it a little bit on Room for Improvement. And Comeback Season was more of me proving that I had bars. Then So Far Gone was really my chance to open up and give people a true piece of myself because I had a lot going on in my life. Good things and bad.

Starting off unsure about pursuing a music career, what really solidified that this was the route to take?

I was friends with this kid that would put you on the spot all the time. I guess he read my rhyme books at my house and one day he just put me on blast at school. He told this kid I wanted to battle him and it became this big thing. So I went home and wrote all these rhymes for him—yeah, I cheated—came to school the next day and killed the guy. From there I just started getting into rapping and becoming comfortable with myself.

GONE WITH THE WIND:

So Far Gone was such an anticipated mixtape. What was the creative experience like?

It was just cleansing. That’s been the key to me making music lately. It has to feel good. For every record I do, it takes something to truly spark that. On the album I plan to give people my all. I want it to be something enjoyable, I don’t know if I want it to be so personal. Which is another reason why I made So Far Gone, to just get that out of my system. Some people are like, “Why’d you do that for free?” If I released that as a retail album, I would’ve probably been criticized and scrutinized. It wouldn’t have gone over as well as the way I did it. Which is, “Go and download this for free because I truly want to give this to you. Before we embark on this journey together, this is something that you need to know.”

Yet you have Kanye whose entire career is based on being left-field. Wouldn’t that make you feel comfortable know that there is room to do that and be successful?

I don’t want to tell people, “Oh I’m just so weird and you all have to love it.” It’s not like that. I’m a simple guy and I just have a vivid mind that I want to share. I don’t even want it to feel like left-field or right-field. It’s about how I feel in the moment and So Far Gone was when I was at a very unsure, confused state. It’s not to say that the album won’t have those components. I have a sound that I’m known for now. The mixtape is very slow and very dark. My album is going to be maybe a little happier [laughs]. Then the second go around if something crazy happens in my life, I might feel a totally different way. But right now I feel great. And I want to make an album that reflects that.

Your lyrics touch on plenty of personal issues with your family and ex-girlfriend. Has that ever made them upset or do they get it?

My ex asked me for a public apology the other day. She really genuinely asked me straight up to come on YouTube and tape an apology. As far as my family goes, it may not be the best thing in the world to hear, but at the same time they respect me for it. They know it’s my outlet.

EMO-TRIP:

Because this mixtape is so personal and has been compared to 808s and Heartbreak some have categorized it emo-rap. Do you agree?

There are people who rap about life and then there’s people who rap about a life. If that’s the case, then maybe Tip should be called emo-rap too because with all the shit he’s been through—that’s just as, if not more emotional than all the shit we talk about. Just ’cause his whole story is more G, I don’t feel like it’s any less emotional. That’s a weird term.

Do you embrace your mixtape being referenced to 808s?

I think it’s just about a rapper singing. One of the strongest things about 808s is the writing and one of the strongest things about my R&B is the writing, too. It’s about being genuine and really striking a chord with women. To be honest I don’t think there’s many songs on 808s and Heartbreak that really do that.

So when you made So Far Gone did you mostly envision women listening to it?

No, not really. I know that there are also purposes for men to use that mixtape to their advantage [laughs].

Many people think that the problem with R&B now is dudes feeling like they must have a rapper swagger. As someone who sings and raps, what’s your stance on that?

I think that’s a valid point. Trey is one of my best friends and I told him to do a mixtape and just have it be on some sexy shit. Not to say that the music or drops that he does aren’t ill. You just gotta remember you’re an R&B artist, like I have to remember that I’m also a rapper. But at the same time, there’s definitely been a shift in the last three years. This generation is all about partying and living life. The soundtrack to that lifestyle is not a Case or Joe record. Dudes will tell me they’re not even into R&B like that, but they appreciate my swag on it.

IN IT TO WIN IT:

Having worked so much with Weezy, do you see him as a mentor or a peer?

I definitely look at Wayne as a mentor just because I have such respect for what he does and am a big fan of his music. I didn’t let being around him change me and I think he respects me for that. I think the illest thing is that I see him as a mentor and he sees me as a peer.

Having already established a name for yourself and being so multi-talented, what’s the ultimate end goal?

I’m a realist so it’s not like I’m thinking my debut is going sell a million copies in a week. It’s my first album, I just want people to appreciate it. One of my goals is to win a Best New Artist Grammy and I’d also love to finish high school. I’m starting to live out my third goal now, which is to get into scripts and go back to shooting these movies. My grandmother tells me that at the end of the day all we have are memories. I’m trying to make great ones.



Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Charles Hamilton got SCHOOLED by a Fan

I know I've been posting a lot of video and need to change it up...but whatever it's m blog...So Charles Hamilton rap battles a fan...and looses....not a good look lol....


How To Rob An Industry Hipster....Lol..this is some ignorant shyt...but it's funny

They remade 50 Cent's How to Rob.....and directed it at hipster Emcee's...the emcees that don't beef....lol...this is too funny...and ridiculous