Macklemore made a stop on Sesame Street and gave his hit single “Thrift Shop” a twist. While the original song is about hitting thrift shops for cheap undesirable threads, the Sesame Street remix, featuring none other than Oscar the Grouch, is about rummaging through garbage to find some trashy garbs for the Grouch. Watch them rap about “popping trash” below.
Do you think the criticism aimed at you is misogynistic? Well, they don’t say that stuff about Macklemore. So, yes, I think it has 100,000 percent to do with the fact that I have a v#####.
Today’s mathematics will be a painful waxing of overrated v#####. Here we go…
If you didn’t see Macklemore’s Hot 97 interview in its entirety, you should. It’s a prerequisite for this article and a must watch moment for all those born after 1990. I use that year because Hip-Hop and R&B radio formats weren’t in most major markets until the late 90’s (Hot 97 converted their known format in ’93). This is important context because if you have no memory of radio with limited rap, it gives perspective to the journey. Especially since the polar reactions to Azealia Banks interview might have been just as much a generational divide as it was racial one.
This divide is inherent in the internet itself. It’s nice that everyone has a voice but even if this “Who is Paul McCartney?” thing was a joke, it does reveal the complexities of music fans who are in different grades and schools of thought. When Kanye first started to perform “Gold Digger” live, he’d intercut it with EPMD’s “Gold Digger” instrumental. However, when he didn’t get the hype response he expected, it was a sign of the time that his new audience was not AllHipHop.
I don’t blame anyone for their age and will try not to be too judgmental of those who don’t know McCartney or EPMD but I expect you to realize that music can be a very sophisticated conversation where your voice exposes your ignorance (in the literal sense of the word). Therefore, you should just listen because in about 4 seconds a teacher will begin to speak.
[Macklemore’s Hot 97 Interview]
As much as you think this conversation is about race, it is also about rules, respect, who gets rewarded and why. Allow me to frame the lesson with black people before dissecting the white participants of Hip Hop.
Example 1:
Black on Black – Arrested Development and PM Dawn had similar bohemian styles. Arrested Development had commercial success with approval from the Hip Hop community. PM Dawn had commercial success WITHOUT approval from the Hip Hop community. KRS-1 took the liberty of physically throwing PM Dawn off the stage during a performance. PM Dawn, who appeared in prime position to get awarded in Rap categories, were victims of principle.
“Redfern houses, where 5-0 was afraid to go – is where I first kicked my intro” – MC Search
Example 2:
White on White – Vanilla Ice and Third Bass both had black friends. Ice and MC Search could both dance well. 3rd Bass had moderate commercial success with approval from the Hip Hop community. Vanilla Ice had chart topping commercial success WITHOUT community approval. Vanilla Ice made his regional rounds but 3rd Bass immersed themselves in both the hood and emcee arenas with stellar all black competition. Vanilla Ice didn’t represent Hip Hop, therefore 3rd Bass called him out for his cultural misappropriation.
The hook “Ice Ice Baby” originated as a popular chant used by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc in long-running traditional step routines.
[3rd Bass – Product of the Environment]
In case you still don’t get it, Hip-Hop used to require certification. Of course there were plenty wack rappers, but it was harder to have a long lifespan. Nowadays, it’s harder to find the cultural nucleus because the music is such a mainstream free-for-all. Though I can use certified examples from this century that include Bubba Sparxxx, Paul Wall, Mac Miller, Iron Solomon and Machine Gun Kelly, hell even Kid Rock; I will just finish my making my case with the best in class. As I’ve always said, Marshall Mathers has the skills of Willie Pep and Eminem has the mass appeal of Rocky.
WARNING TO WHITE PEOPLE: If you do NOT agree with Macklemore’s statements of privilege and participation then I don’t advise reading the rest of this highly opinionated editorial. Before you react defensively, ask yourself why are you even on a site called AllHipHop?
[Jeru’s Jungle Music]
White people, in general, have a ‘great white hope’ inferiority complex. The majority of people in boxing (black and white) agree that Willie Pep was the most skilled white boxer in history. The reason the black consensus means more is because we historically dominate the sport (with the exception of some fixed fights). I’m not saying blacks are superior, I’m saying whites have an inferiority complex. I’m not saying white men can’t jump, I’m saying no white man has won the slam dunk contest. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with erecting statues of fictional characters like Rocky. I’m asking where are all the monuments of the real life black champions? I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the creative license of the story of Moses, I’m asking why dramatically alter the re-creation of the sphinx, which is an actual historic monument? Yet every time Hollywood makes a big budget film based on history like Titanic, producers love to brag that they duplicate every exact detail down to the plates of the ship.
Listen, f–k all my questions and everything I’m NOT saying, what I AM saying is Hip-Hop belongs to us – Black & Brown People –PERIOD. Hip-Hop is a different kind of music – it comes with a deep rooted culture that has unwritten terms and conditions, especially when it comes to white participation. White people, if you want to just listen and party – that’s fine; you’re entitled to your opinion BUT you have NO say in matters like Azealia Banks unless you prove yourself worthy of the conversation. You have no say because your rape kit has been conveniently defective throughout history. You can’t say there’s no violation without penetration. You can’t discredit my aforementioned smudge claim and not be familiar with black fraternities. We, the creators of this music, declare our existence with or without your recognition so you may NOT reproach our truth. If you want to participate, your primary responsibility is to be a purveyor and/or guardian. Please seek counsel before promoting because you maybe exploiting (e.g. Harlem Shake). These are the main terms and conditions you must accept. By the way-you’re supposed to just know this, spelling it out makes it lame. Unfortunately, I must make it a matter of record as the music becomes more ubiquitous further empowering universal entitlement to use however one sees fit.
“This is not my culture, I need to know my place” -Macklemore
Please do not label my claim reverse racism. Those who do, do not understand the real history of this country or the real history of this country’s music and business practices. It’s no secret that the machine makes exponentially more if a white artist sings “black music.” New Kids on the Block was INTENTIONALLY created to be a white version of New Edition. T.I. was just following a Maurice Starr business model. If I had Tip’s legal bills and a choice of signing Azealia or Azalea, you already know. I ain’t mad at Tip or Iggy for winning, I’m mad at them for how they handled the situation. In addition, it’s fair to say that Iggy makes black music, likes black men, likes being worshiped for having a “black ass,” feels she should be able to use the N-word, BUT doesn’t like supporting black social issues in solidarity; which makes come off sounding like a Kardashian that can rap.
Let’s contrast Iggy with how Eminem handled his N-word scandal. In the song “Yellow Brick Road,” he rhymed:
“Now with this being the new trend, we don’t fit in, Crackers are out with Cactus albums, Blackness is in, African symbols and medallions [breath] represent Black power, and we didn’t know what it meant, Me and my man Howard and Butta would go to the mall with them all over our necks, like we’re showing them off, Not knowing at all, we was being laughed at, you ain’t even half-Black, you ain’t supposed to have that, Homie let me grab that and that Flavor Flav clock, we gonna have to snatch that, All I remember is meeting back at, Manix’s basement, saying how we hate this, how racist, but dope the X-Clan tape is.”
The whole song displayed a humble, authentically awkward coming-of-age explanation of his behavior with respect for the art form, culture and architects of the temple. You can tell by the details that it was not written for Eminem’s mainstream fan base, it was for us. “Us” is not the Stan who doesn’t know who Professor X is. “Us” is not the Kanye fan who doesn’t know EPMD and not the Macklemore fan who doesn’t know whose posse is on Broadway.
Do you think it’s weird for a white Australian girl to be a rapper? Well, I never thought it was strange. If you go back to the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley and Eminem—they’ve all basically done black music. I felt this wasn’t that far from what we’ve seen in music history over and over again.
-Iggy Azalea, Vanity Fair Interview
That answer there, was the crux of her failure to comprehend the misappropriation in the moment. That’s the difference between Macklemore and Iggy. He seems to better understand and acknowledge why he was being rewarded. Iggy seems to be prepping to wear her rap category crown like she deserves it. Still this does not make her a vulture. I think there is an innocence of insensitivity that repeats itself in history. Iggy is far from trash (on the mic) but if she doesn’t see how and why she is benefiting from systematic supremacy then it’s hard to rock with her – the hate isn’t personal, the rape is. I might believe someone like Buster Poindexter just wanted to do a cover of popular calypso song – it doesn’t make him a vulture. However, I don’t have the right to question any embitterment the calypso community might feel – especially if their song was his only hit of which he gets the residuals.
I could further breakdown Iggy’s answer and give credit to the Rolling Stones and other rock legends who’ve honored black musicians of personal influence. Any real Eminem fan knows how hard he’s worked on ensuring he and Elvis are never mentioned in the same sentence (oh well). He’s done an excellent job at not exploiting his Rocky status. Just like Search used his privilege to give us Nas, Em used his privilege to give us 50. Macklemore made a song called “White Privilege” long before he blew up. We know Iggy is going to win a Grammy but how will she use her white privilege?
[X-Clan’s Fire & Earth]
T. Better Baldwin is an ethical lobbyist and creative mercenary who was born, raised and resides in New York City.
Silk The Prince releases his new record titled “F### 12” featuring Kealo. The two artists link up to give us a record backed with a message and conscious lyrics. Check it out.
Photo by Marie Dene
Cast members from OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s popular television series Tyler Perry’s ‘The Haves and the Have Nots,’ and ‘Love Thy Neighbor,’ gathered for an intimate press reception at the Twelve Hotel: Atlantic Station in Atlanta, GA to meet and greet with members of the press. Tyler Lepley (The Haves and the Have Nots) and Patrice Lovely, Palmer Williams Jr. and Kendra C. Johnson (Love Thy Neighbor) answered questions about the new season airing now on OWN. Many of the cast members expressed that Perry writes his scripts in a way that has a universal appeal to what both men and women go through. The cast also shared that Madea is making several appearances on this season of Love Thy Neighbor and she is here to kick ass and take names. Palmer Williams Jr. shared that he is usually the comedic element of the show, however the show has gotten funnier with the cast sharing the stage with Perry’s Madea character.
The actors and actresses also revealed that Perry rarely goes along with the written script, which is easy for him as he is a natural at ad-libbing. All of the cast said that they study their script although its rarely used because knowing the framework of the script allows one to know how to bounce back when you are taken out of it. The Love Thy Neighbor cast expressed that they portray a family so well on screen and great chemistry because they have actually become a family and have gotten to know one another personally whether it was from late night rehearsals to sleepovers turned script rehearsals. There is sure to be some drama, comedy, and universal appeal in the upcoming season for both sitcoms! Tune in and let us know your thoughts!
For more information on Tyler Perry’s, ‘The Haves and the Have Nots,’ visit: http://www.oprah.com/app/the-haves-and-the-have-nots.html. ‘The Have and the Have Nots,’ airs Tuesday’s at 9/8C.
For more information on Tyler Perry’s, ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ visit: http://www.oprah.com/app/love-thy-neighbor.html. ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ airs Wednesday’s at 9/8C.
See more photos from the event below. Photos by Retro Chris of Sheen Magazine and Marie Denee.
For Civil TV, Dej Loaf brings viewers into her world as she showcases her hometown of Detroit.
In the clip, Dej reminisces about her humble beginnings in the same bedroom where she recorded her breakout hit “Try Me.” While taking viewers from her home to the studio, the 23-year-old discusses her personal style, finding her confidence after breaking out of her shell and how her life has changed since the birth of her overnight hit. Watch to learn how she almost died, her love for Hennessey and who she wants to snag for her debut album.
Carolina emcee Mark Steele drops off his first visual of 2015, cleverly titled ‘Jokes On You’. Produced by the beat duo Jerz & The Fatman, and pieced together with a combination of melodic piano keys, hypnotizing bass lines and savvy rap lyrics; this banger can be heard on Steele’s debut album ‘Sumthin For The Wait‘ which was independently released and available now. Shot by new comer K Milz and directed by Mark Steele himself.
Talk about THIRST TRAP! Amber Rose does it better than anybody. She’s known for making men drool, but she now has revealed exactly how big her boobs are. They are big, but “H” is huge! Peep it:
Nicki Minaj’s ex Safaree Samuels aka Scaff Beezy aka SB visited the Breakfast Club to tell his side of the story regarding their breakup.
When asked about why they decided to part ways, SB says that the line between him being Nicki’s spouse and her employee became blurred.
“It just got to a point where the respect was gone,” said the Brooklyn native. “It got to a point where I was getting treated like an employee instead of her man.”
Recently on Twitter, comedian Lil’ Duval posted tweets calling Scaff corny saying “Nicki really was in love with that n####. S### like that is why u can never trust a woman’s judgement. Safaree and nicki rap just alike it just sounds corny coming from a grown ass man.” Nicki replied in aggreeance with Duval when she posted “Duval aint Lyin. But when u love ppl u try to hide their weaknesses sometimes. Protect them from looking corny.”
SB says that when he saw that she was trying to throw dirt on his name publicly he decided that it was only right that he speak out.
“I think it’s crazy for her to be coming out now and trying to pull me down saying I’m corny,” he told the Breakfast Club. “I never planned on talking about nothing. I never planned to. But to publicly try to pull me down, that’s why I’m like you’re getting ridiculous. If anything, all I’ve done is uplift you publicly. When I’m going and putting tattoos of your face all over my body and showing the world that I think you’re the most amazing person you are at what you do. I would say it to her when it was just me and her and I would say it on a stage in front of 20,000 people… I don’t take away from her. You wanna acknowledge people that are trying to pull me down publicly and agree with them…When you try to pull me down and discredit what I’ve done for you, that’s what weak to me.”
Watch the interview below where he also talks about what it felt like to see Nicki give Drake lap dances and kiss other rappers, his financial situation and her supposedly dating Meek Mill.
AllHipHop.com recently sat down with Atlanta legend Big Gipp of the Goodie Mob to talk to him about his new mixtape “Mr. Get Down”. During the conversation Gipp talks about his new deal with Epic Records as well as the Outkast Atlast concerts in Atlanta.
“It was great to see over 30,000 people come out everyday from Friday to Sunday to see us perform our music… That really touch my heart and inspired me to drop new music.”
Furthermore Gipp talked about how his new hit single “Sugar Cocoa & Honey” featuring Bruno Mars came about as well as the inspiration behind “Boxed Up Shawty” which is another single off of the “Mr. Get Down” mixtape.
“Boxed Up Shawty” ..” I just wanted to pull the Lac out and remind folks of what we built this city on.. I just wanted to show people that Gipp still can do that.. I can pull one of the Lacs out of storage, drop the top and hit ave just to show people that I aint never scared of my people and I’m always gonna make music for my people..”
Stay tuned because in part 2 of this interview Gipp talks about Goodie Mob’s 20 year anniversary and his thoughts on Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and police brutality in the community.Interview by Brian Hightower (@bhighatl)
The terminally ill fan that Eminem visited last weekend (Jan. 11) has reportedly died. Gage Garmo, who had a rare bone cancer called Osteosarcoma, passed away one day after Eminem granted his dying wish by visiting his home and spending time with him.
After being told he only had one week to live, Garmo’s family used Twitter to help grant his last wish. They set up the hashtag #GetGageGarmoToMeetEminem in hopes of catching Slim Shady’s attention. When it did, Em arranged to visit the 17-year-old’s Michigan home, which is about 20 minutes from where he resides, and spent about an hour talking and hanging out with him. The family told TMZ that the visit really raised Garmo’s spirits.
A candlelight vigil was held at Garmo’s high school, Rochester High School, in his memory.
Honestly, I cannot make heads or tails of what Breezy is talking about, but he is definitely making a commentary on that shooting s### that happened. I looked at it and Chris looked like a G. He didn’t start running until the second shot went off. And then 5 people got shot. But, I guess that boy went and got on social media and then people’s jokes got at his soul. Peep what he said:
I just don’t know what Chris Brown is trying to say. He’s cussing up a storm, calling people n***as and forgetting that he’s cad some crazy situations in his life too. Wait a sec…he was pissing on his girlfriend on social media not too long ago. Anyway, I think Breezy wants to do the right thing, but does not know how. This is where mentors and father figures come in.
Allegedly Rihanna has entrapped another man in her web and he doesn’t rap or sing…he acts.
TMZ reports:
“It wasn’t Leonardo DiCaprio’s birthday this weekend … but it sure felt like it … he was seen going straight up “Wolf of Wall Street” on Rihanna at the Playboy Mansion.
It’s a good thing for Leo … designer Nikki Erwin hadboyfriend/producer Chuck Pacheco — “Alpha Dogs,” “My Sister’s Keeper” — invite him to her star-stacked 30th B-Day at the Playboy Mansion Saturday … and our spies tell TMZ, Cap and RiRi were gettin’ super steamy and even swapping spit.
A friend of Leo’s tells us the kissing didn’t happen … but 2 people who were there say it did. BTW … not that there’s anything wrong with it.
The two apparently seemed very comfortable getting hot and heavy around stars like Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff, Tom Hardy, Pamela Anderson, Naomi Campbell, and Tobey Maguire.
It’s not clear if they left together but we’re told they ended up at the same after-party — along with 50 Cent — and things got even hotter.”
Atlanta Hip Hop group and AllHipHop.com “Breeding Ground” alum ILLClinton is launching the music series “#ILLClintonTuesdays.” The blood brothers plan to release a new cut every week, up first from the collection is “Never Change Up.”
(AllHipHop News) Carl Jones has had his hands in the creation of two of Adult Swim’s most popular programs. He worked alongside Aaron McGruder for three seasons on The Boondocks, and Jones serves as a producer, director, and writer for Black Dynamite.
The Fadar spoke to Jones about the two star-studded animated programs. He was asked about Black Dynamite’s supposed “invincible black male stereotype” as it relates to the recent police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Jones disputed the notion that his uber-masculine title character represents the super-powerful black man that is often displayed as “scary” and “violent” in the media.
“What’s happening in this country – with Garner and Ferguson – has nothing to do with seeing black people as superheroes. It has a lot to do with not having empathy for black men. The reason why we don’t have empathy is social engineering and negative media propaganda,” said Jones. “It’s important to me that Black Dynamite is seen as a human being. Being an alpha male doesn’t equate to not being a human.”
Jones’ previous series The Boondocks was highly praised during the time he and McGruder led the artistic vision of the show. But both men decided not to participate in the making of the fourth season. Many longtime fans were not pleased with the outcome, and Jones echoed their frustration with the final episodes of The Boondocks.
“I watched a couple of the episodes… a lot of things weren’t working,” Jones stated. “I share the same sentiment with the viewers that were critical. I understand why they felt let down.”
Before season 4 of The Boondocks began to air, McGruder issued a statement expressing it was his decision to leave the show and did not have any hard feelings for Adult Swim. Jones reinforced AS did not shut them out of the process. He relates the split to the fact that “producing animation is not easy.”
Of course, Jones continued his relationship with Adult Swim by broadcasting Black Dynamite on the channel. McGruder also produced another series with the cable network. His live action comedy Black Jesus premiered on Adult Swim in August 2014.
Off the heels of their Golden Globes win for ‘Best Original Song,’ John Legend and Common release the video for “Glory” off the Selma movie soundtrack. The video features several still images and clips from the film, which highlights Martin Luther King’s historic march from Selma to Montgomery with the goal of getting African American’s equal voting rights in mind. Set to the tone of a powerful song like “Glory,” the video is pure perfection.
This video has been circulating on MTV Jams for some time now but has yet to hit the net, until now. Today Jeremih drops the official video for his “Don’t Tell Em” remix featuring Ty Dolla Sign and French Montana. Jeremih’s Late Nights The Album is still on the way. As for the official video to the original “Don’t Tell Em,” I wouldn’t hold my breath.
The creativity of, Prodigy, first asserted itself with Mobb Deep. Its infamous aggression demanded Hip-Hop’s attention and has helped to sustain his artistic integrity. Having made a smooth transition from sixteens to the silver screen, he has already been cast in four other films.
Teaming up with director, Marvis Johnson, Prodigy makes a small cameo in, ‘A Talent For Trouble.’ He helped to produce the upcoming flick. Check out the video to learn more about the creative process.
(AllHipHop News) On the same night Lil Wayne released the first track from his forthcoming Sorry 4 The Wait 2 mixtape, the rapper’s manager took to Instagram to address the reported split taking place between Wayne and his label Cash Money.
After first saying “everything is good” at YMCMB and “we’re staying where we’re at” back in December, Cortez Bryant now states his client and friend does not “deserve the s**t he’s going through” and they plan to “unlock these chains.” Bryant posted the following message on IG:
[Lil Wayne] built Young Money from his dreams to reality. Launched the careers of Drake, Nicki Minaj Tyga not from their talent but from the belief in what he saw that they saw in themselves and put everything in making sure they fulfill their dreams! That’s what Young Money is about That’s the DNA of the real Lil Wayne Sacrifice himself to want his artist to be better! Wayne carried Cash Money on his back for over 10 years when he could have left and did this on his own The most loyal person I know on earth! He don’t deserve the s**t he’s going through at this point in the game. One thing for sure Two things for certain Mack Maine and myself will not let this dream die WE GOT US! #YOUNG MONEY #sorry4forthewait#freeCV
And for all our other artist that’s been loyal from the beginning and patiently waiting for their number to be called! That’s coming too! The world also will see what Wayne saw in them that’s J Millz Gudda Gudda Cory Gunz Lil Twist Shanell! Once we unlock these chains It’s on Young Money!
