“What You Know About”
“What You Know About”
I can count on one hand the number of times I have known I should write and build on something, yet didnt want to. This is one of them. I havent even wanted to discuss this subject on the phone with my inner circle. Only three people even know what is ultimately at the root of my thinking on this.
The subject of Jay Electronica, the time of his rise, and his prospects for underground, independent and commercial success, even geopolitical impact, are that potentially serious. A hint to the wise is sufficient.
Sometimes you can hurt someone unintentionally by saying too much. And sometimes the greatest form of humility is not telling all that you know or see on a subject.
But sometimes time demands that you take a chance and risk what needs to be risked in order to accomplish a greater good.
To say that Jay Electronica, creatively, stands between two worlds and eras would not be an exaggeration, if you know the time.
Jay Electronica, the man of the hour, humble and spiritually sensitive is feeling this more deeply than anyone, Im sure, in answer to a question of how his meteoric rise and the support and weight of it all feels, he reportedly said, Its overwhelming, you know what Im saying? Its overwhelming. It makes me feel good. But I gotta check myself too cause it makes me feel scared too. Like okay I cant be playing with these people because they are connecting with something when they come to me I feel like there is something they connected to greater that aint me, you know what Im saying? So it makes me scared, too. And I dont want to get in trouble with God. But yeah, its a good feeling, man. S**t, I cant explain it. Its overwhelming.”Overwhelmed” and “scared” are two emotions most would not think the hottest rapper out would openly admit to. But Jay Electronica is not just hot, hes smart, and sober-minded, apparently realizing he understands there is always a price to pay for raising the dead.
“ And by the time they get their seats hot and deploy all their henchmen to come at me from the treetops ”
With that in mind I want to start an important conversation and start to take care of the important matter of fighting to properly position Jay Electronica for business and greater influence as an artist-leader-entrepreneur. The brilliant Tolu Olorunda, already has taken care of the proper, cultural interpretation of Jay Electronica in his AllHipHop.com editorial, Jay Electronicas Exhibit C: The End of Genetically-Modified Hip-Hop? (https://allhiphop.com/stories/editorial/archive/2010/01/04/22082850.aspx).
He has the potential to go places no other artist has, ever, and just in time.
Promoting A Phenomenon (The Difference Between Longing For Change And The Demand For It). The reaction to Jay Electronica is a phenomenon in and of itself. That means two things: he represents an idea whose time has come and he represents the longing of people for change (as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad stated it in Message To The Blackman, As we know, wherever there is a longing or demand for a change, nature will produce that man, who will bring it about.. There is an important difference between longing for something and demanding it and it has everything to do with whether or not Jay Electronica will be a mainstream commercial success (which is even the hope of the underground and international community). As an economist and student of mathematical theology I could go very deep into the Honorable Elijah Muhammads words and how they relate to the economic law of how supply produces its own demand. Maybe in a building session with the Believers and the Gods and Earths one day (smile).
What I notice in the response of a certain segment of people to Jay Electronicas Just Blaze-produced messianic “Exhibit C” is either one of two things: 1) Damn, I never heard nothing like this before in my life! 2) “This is what Ive been waiting for (even praying for)” Neither of these sentiments in a business sense is demand. They reflect only an emotional, cultural, or spiritual longing. And this is why it is so important for Hip-Hop fans especially in the Northeast to realize that fawning over Jay Electronica, or romanticizing over the conscious-era of rap or wondering if New York rap is back is not a significant factor impacting the business of making Jay Electronica a massive success (which I define in the Hip-Hoppreneur context as 1) his full development as an artist who sells millions of records all over the world 2) the development of a business team infrastructure that can develop the Jay Electronica brand and help make the right decisions – keeping it in alignment with his image and reputation without compromising his need for artistic freedom and personal integrity 3) his emergence as a leader at the community level, brokering power and having an impact in the United States, with influence around the world). Until certain things are put in place or fall into place around Jay Electronica, much of his popularity represents just longing. It will become demand when fans, consumers, and supporters can connect with and engage him in creative, commercial and community context.
Knowledge As Lifestyle. Jay Electronica (2010) as Public Enemy and Rakim (The 1980’s)
As Ive written before, the biggest phenoms in the history of rap were
50 Cent in 1999 and Snoop Dogg in 1993. From an artist standpoint [in
terms of suddenly influencing how other artists rap it is Nas, Rakim
and Treach, (over time, Jay-Z may be the most influential rapper ever in
terms of artists imitating his style)], and in terms of consciousness
(the greatest sudden influence over the thinking of the Hip-Hop
community and fellow artists it is not even close Public Enemy and
Rakim in 1987-88 (over a longer period it was KRS-ONE)]. Much of the
excitement over Jay Electronica is that he seems to be the most sincere
and authentic conscious artist (he actually sounds like he knows
and understands the Lessons and Teachings he refers to, and is not just
quoting something he has memorized or read), who delivers the message
with a captivating style and with street credibility (thats what being
homeless will do for you). People cant resist natural law and
universal order when presented right.
To understand it, just think of Hammer. Yes, I said MC Hammer. As much as people hated on him the basic reason for his popularity has never really been acknowledged. It was the universal appeal of dance (anthropologists bear witness that every culture in the world has it in some form). You could mock him, laugh at him, and even act like he wasnt cool (“He aint from New York so dont even play him.”) but at the end of the day you sat there and had to bear witness to how good of a dancer he was. There was a longing and demand for what Hammer represented, and he took off because the business side of his team and industry was equal to the task. Knowledge too, has natural and universal appeal like that but as a friend of mine jokingly said to me in response to my explanation of Jay Electronica as the appearance of a person providing knowledge when people want it the most, due to the insecurity we all feel due to the recession, wars, and technological and demographic change; he jokingly responded, “but knowledge does not appeal to young people.” His point was clear commercial radio and video outlets who target teenagers dont reward the playing of music on the basis of its conscious lyrical content. But clearly, as we can see from the impact of President Obama who to me is more Role-Model-In Chief than Commander-In-Chief on young people, knowledge is making a comeback.
What Public Enemy and Rakim did (and uniquely too, Big Daddy Kane) was make knowledge cool and the strong presence of the Nation of Islam and the Nation of Gods and Earths on the street and neighborhood level showed that knowledge could actually be a lifestyle and the basis of kinship and community. Not surprisingly, both communities or Nations are embracing Jay Electronica enthusiastically, even passionately, but again, longing is not demand, in a business context, and this is not 1987.
While still very powerful, the Nation of Islam and Nation of Gods and Earths, for the time being, dont have the same kind of intense connection with and appeal among the youth of New York City (nor in the critical region of the South), nor do they influence the radio playlists today as was the case with the local 98.7 Kiss FM and 107.5 WBLS-FM. Of course a COINTELPRO style war against the Nations have contributed to this.
The challenge for Jay Electronica (and for the Nations) is to not confuse longing with demand. Until the conscious communities rally around his music as a commercial bloc and intelligently influence DJs, Program Directors and industry executives that there is the potential for a teenage market for Jay Electronicas music, dont expect a cross over appeal and heavy rotation anytime soon. There are conscious professionals, and very well-meaning professionals on the inside of most of these radio stations and video outlets who would love to support this artist, but they have to be given a business cover to do so. The Heavy Hitter, Hot 97s DJ Enuff deserves credit for taking the chance on playing Exhibit C, but an army needs to come behind him, not just willing to applaud Jay-Electronica but write letters, make phone calls, and put up their dollars to support his career, showing the world of trade and commerce that they arent doing them any favors. Playing Jay Electronicas music (and videos) is good for business is all we should expect them to care about.
Make Sure the South And The Streets Are With You Too (Not just the conscious and Northeast crowd). Although I love Mos Def and Lupe Fiasco, I have to admit I cringe a bit when I see Jay Electronica in too strong of an embrace with them before, say, 40 Glocc, Beanie Sigel, Young Jeezy, or Lil Wayne. I Grew up in Jersey, worked in Philly, and lived in Harlem before coming to Washington, D.C. 10 years ago [(by the way Im not hearing Jay Electronica being pumped on U Street or Georgia Ave, out here, nor in the ipods of the young people I build with in D.C. and Im barely hearing Wale anymore (smile)]. It was one of the best things that could have happened to me because it showed me how incubated and deluded one can become from remaining in the intellectual and social comfort of the Northeast community. We have a lot of pride in that part of the country and we are the historic foundation of the Hip-Hop culture and industry but we turn the rest of the country off with our perceived arrogance, sometimes.
When I came to D.C. I would build with Brothers in the District about this regularly. The perception of New York outside of New York is something every New Yorker needs to hear, regularly. One of the worst things that I believe Jay Electronica could do would be to allow the New York and Conscious Hip-Hop community to claim him in a way that makes him appear exclusively theirs. This is easier said than done as those communities come with a following, intellectual and emotional support, and media influence. But catering to them turns off the rest of the Hip-Hop nation. This is why Im not as excited as so many other conscious folks are by the just announced Lupe Fiasco-Jay Electronica collaboration.
Believe me, Im touched to see Diddy, Mos Def, and Jay E on the same stage, and I know that Lupe-Jay E. collab is going to be fire, but lets pump the brakes a bit on the New York love and start building with some Bloods and Crips (from Newark, NJ to Compton, California) and lets get on a DJ Drama mixtape with all the hottest artists from Down South. Lets hype up talk of a regional and national bidding war that has everyone from Snoop Dogg (the new creative Chairman of Priority Records), Birdman, Diddy, Master P., Floyd Mayweather, 50 Cent, Shady/Aftermath, Live Nation, and Scarface all wanting to sign the hottest rapper out.
Even if Jay Electronica is already under contract, lets act like hes not. Heres where Diddy could be real helpful. Similar to how Camron asked Dame Dash to regulate his record label negotiations for him, Jay Electronica could do the same with Diddy. It could be a nice publicity move and helps to subliminally reinforce what Puffys presence always does (the man who helped break Biggie as an artist is backing me). We also need to see and know that the Magnolia Projects and New Orleans are supporting Jay Electronica, as much as New York is. That means the marketing of him cant just revolve around hot beats and intellectual lyrical firepower. It has to show that real relationships exist in the hood and that there is building around the phenomenon that is Jay Electronica at the street level. This can be done, but Jay Electronica has to have the right team around him, capable of guiding him as a leader as much as an artist.
Next week Ill get into some more specifics, but it is important to establish that the talk of Jay Electronica as the next one in Hip-Hop is a fun exercise (I remember this as it related to the multi-talented Saigon and Papoose who were set to take off before some costly mistakes and errors were made just a few years ago) but turning it into reality will require real smart business moves, and consistent actions from his supporters that move beyond words and applause. He is already a special artist, but for him to fully realize that potential in a cultural, political, and economic environment which is what the Internet, music industry, and media are – as Just Blaze says, we need something realer!
Heres to helping Jay Electronica achieving all he desires creatively while changing the game for the rest of us.
Cedric Muhammad is a business consultant, political strategist, and monetary economist. He is also a former GM of Wu-Tang Management and a Member of the African Unions First Congress of African Economists. He is author of the book, The Entrepreneurial Secret (http://theEsecret.com/). His talk show, The Cedric Muhammad and Black Coffee Program can be viewed every Wednesday from 12 to 5 PM EST (USA) at: http://www.cedricmuhammad.com/media/. He can be contacted via e-mail at: cedric(at)cmcap.com
“One Thing”
“50 In My Pinky”
“Gone Get It”
(AllHipHop News) Last weekend Dallas, Texas producers Play-N-Skillz shot music videos with Inertia, the debut artist on their G4 Muzik label, which is distributed by the popular SRC/Universal imprint.
Inertias videos for Body featuring Slim of 112 and Betty Crocker featuring Tum Tum, were shot in Dallas and included several notable cameos.
On Saturday (January 30), the video for Body was shot at the classy PM Lounge in downtown Dallas and featured guest appearances by Slim, model Jessica Rabbit, DJ Krave, DJ ASAP, Fat B of MPR Entertainment, George Lopez of Jin Entertainment, Bay Bay and Martellus Bennett, tight end for the Dallas Cowboys.
The video had 1940s mobster and Goodfellas feel, with a variety of beautiful women on set. Model Jessica Rabbit was the featured counterpart in the video serving drinks to the G4 crew and having an acting scene in the video with Inertia.
“To work with Play-N-Skillz is hard work but its satisfying and a great feeling to be around greatness like that,” Inertia told AllHipHop.com. Those guys put a lot of heart into their music. Its not manufactured, its not artificial. Its real, so to be able to work with them its an honor and a humbling experience.”
Slim, who was on site for the first single Body, and who is coming out with an album called Cruise Control this year and is excited to be working with Play-N-Skillz.
I got a lot of history with G4 and I was one call away. Actually we were in Miami when we did the song and Inertia had the idea, Slim told AllHipHop.com. I was like, you know what? Im feeling this record right here. This was a real hot record, so thats why were here in D-Town.
As far as the Body single goes, I feel we took Dallas Hip-Hop to another level, Play told AllHipHop.com. Thats very important for us because the rest of the world only has one feel for what Dallas Hip-Hop is all about. He is our first artist on the deal so we had to give the video that worldwide look, not just that local feel.
On Sunday the G4 Muzik staff shot the video for Betty Crocker which features Dallas rapper Tum Tum.
The video featured appearances by the Definition DJs, DCC, DJ Krave, DJ ASAP in addition to old school cars, 4 wheel bikes and models and an overall more street feel.
We were only supposed to shoot one video, but the Betty Crocker song has been heating up so much that we ended up shooting the video on the second day, Play revealed. Its a record for the streets for the mixtapes, for the club, everyone is going to like that one
According to Play, he and Skillz are in the process of finishing up work on Inertias debut album.
“All I Know”
“Smoke Weed Everyday”
“Oh Africa”
“Independent Freestyle”
“Aye”
“I Got Money”
(AllHipHop News) Former Roc-A-Fella rap star Memphis Bleek has officially stepped out on his own with the release of Still Ill, the first single from his upcoming album.
The track was produced by Canei Finch, who has worked with artists, most notably T.I. (Live Your Life) and Maino (All The Above).
“Still Ill,” which will be available worldwide on February 23, is taken from Memphis Bleeks upcoming fifth album The Process.
The Process has been delayed several times since early 2007, when Memphis Bleek announced that he would begin work on the solo effort, which will stores via his Get Low Records/Mass Appeal Entertainment.
The Process has been exactly that; a process. Taking what Ive learned from a teacher and creating my own school, Memphis Bleek told AllHipHop.com in a statement. Its time for me to handle my own business as a man and Mass Appeal supports the vision. Im ready to share The Process and Get Low Records with the world and along with Mass Appeal, Im excited to take the next steps in my career independently.
The Process is Memphis Bleeks first official album in five years, his last release being 2005s 534, for Jay-Zs Roc-A-Fella Records imprint.
Producers on the album include Just Blaze, No I.D., while Rick Ross, Pharrell Williams and executive producer, Jay-Z make guest appearances.
Check out the new single by clicking here.
Photography by Jerome Shaw
Entertainer/Songwriter, Ne-Yo
was the focus of a very special event last night (February 2). The Gentleman
appeared in NYC on behalf of Macys by way of the Alfani RED clothing
line which he is the face of and the RESPECT! campaign; a social action
campaign to promote respect in relationships and increase awareness
about the positive role everyone can play to help end and prevent relationship
violence and abuse.
It is a shame that it took
for the Chris Brown and Rihanna situation to happen for people to pay
more attention to Relationship Violence, said Ne-Yo before playing
the world premiere of his new song called Heroes. The crowd of
journalists, photographers and industry professionals gave the song
a rousing applause for which Ne-Yo humbly thanked everyone. If you would
like to make a difference, you can download Heroes for free at www.Macys.com/Ne-Yo. Alfani will donate $1 every
download up to $50,000 to the RESPECT! campaign.
Ne-Yo made it his mission to
give AllHipHop.com a few minutes of his time before leaving to another
engagement.
AllHipHop.com: Ever since
the gentleman appeared, you havent looked
back. Talk about what inspires your fashion sense.
Ne-Yo: I dress for comfort.
Its not always about wearing a suit and tie, although this style
is comfort for me. I dont want people to think that they must put
on a suit and tie to be (look like) a gentleman. Being a gentleman is
about being comfortable in your own skin while realizing that when you
step foot outside, people are watching; people are paying attention.
You want to give them something that is worthy of who you are. You dont
want to leave the house with your jeans hanging low, unless you want
to be judged for it. Its a shame, but people judge books by their
covers. So why not put a quality cover on that book.
AllHipHop.com: Ive noticed
the black and grey color scheme you wear. Im very comfortable running
same color scheme. What will be your combination of choice in 2010?
Ne-Yo: I am on my black and
white this year. Its easy and its classy and always makes perfect
sense.
AllHipHop.com: With the
passing of Michael Jackson, brought on more
vocal comparisons between you and the King of Pop. I was wondering if
any industry executives talked to you about continuing Michaels sound.
Do you feel any pressure in the matter?
Ne-Yo: There have been a couple
of people that asked me about that. And I feel that I could never redo
what Michael has done. I could never do what has already been done.
But I can do my best to make sure that his legacy lives on. I will continue
to focus on the melody. The magic in Michaels music was his melody
and his tone. So I plan to keep that going as long as I possibly can.
AllHipHop.com:
Could keeping his legacy alive possibly
mean covering one of his songs in the future?
Ne-Yo: Honestly, no. Because
I feel like in order to do a cover, you must make the song better than
it was or make it into something else. And I dont think I could do
either with any of Michaels songs.
AllHipHop.com: Who are you
currently writing songs for and with at this time?
Ne-Yo: Working with Jennifer
Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Justin Beiber, and doing some more stuff with Rihanna
real soon. I have a few artists of my own that I am working with, so
be on the look out for that. Plus I am working on my fourth album.
AllHipHop.com: Tonight is
all about RESPECT, so talk about your new single
Heroes and when can we get our hands on your fourth album?
Ne-Yo: The fourth album will
drop sometime in August. The song Heroes is a different way to
approach the subject of Relationship Violence. It starts with
respect in any relationship. I feel that if you have the respect for
your husband, your wife, your boyfriend or your girlfriend that you
should have, you should try to be a Hero to that person.
“Birds Fly Sequel”
Its amazing that Nas and Common still have to explain lyrics in Hip-Hop, especially since our spectacular genre has been around for so long. Nevertheless, at a recent Grammy function, the duo did just that during a Q&
(AllHipHop News) Damon Dash will officially jump into the art world this week, when he opens his Dash Gallery, which is located in the Tribeca section of Manhattan. The art gallery is housed inside of Dame Dashs DD172 building and is slated to open to the public on February 19. The opening night of Dash Gallery will feature works by Bobby Castaneda, Jeremy Wagner, Hector Ruiz and other notable contemporary artists.
Miami rapper Trina will be shooting the video for the first single from her upcoming album Amazin this week. On Thursday, Trina will shoot the video for Million Dollar Girl, which features Sean Diddy Combs and Keri Hilson. Diddy will shoot his scenes for the video on Thursday (February 4), while Keri Hilson will film her part on Friday (February 6). While locations have not been disclosed, the videoshoot will take place at various locations in Miami. The video and single is from Million Dollar Girl, Trinas upcoming 5th album which is due in stores May 4th.
T-Pain and Cartoon Networks Adult Swim have announced the rapper/producers latest project Freaknik: The Musical, will debut on March 7th. The one-hour animated special is based on the legendary Atlanta Spring Break party that saw hundreds of thousands of people flood into Atlanta to celebrate in the 1990s. Freaknik, which took T-Pain two years to produce, follows a group of students who want to revive the party. The special features the voices of Lil Wayne, Keri Hilson, Snoop Dogg, Kelis, Andy Samberg and others.
Female rap star Eve will be moving out of her Hollywood Hills home, as the property has been put up for sale.
The modern, Mediterranean style home was build just five years ago.
The residence features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a fireplace and an Italian style community and a three car garage.
For security purposes, the house is located in a gated community.
The news comes on the heels of Eves announcement that she has left her label, Interscope/Geffen/A&M to seek a new deal. Eves last album to be released was 2002s Eve-Olution.
Her album Flirt, which was due out on Dr. Dres Aftermath Entertainment, was scrapped after several delays, despite a minor hit with the single Tambourine.
Eve is currently working on a brand new album titled Lip Lock, which will feature brand new material with her extended group, Yonkers label Ruff Ryders.
In L.A., X [DMX] came and flew out and Waah [Waah Dean, Ruff Ryders CEO] and it was the first time we got to hang out in year and half, just building and having fun, Eve told AllHipHop.com. People have changed but the love never changes. Its like if you have a bunch of kids who go off to college but when they come back together it is what it is.
Although she does not have a recording deal for Lip Lock as of press time, Eve confirmed that super producer Swizz Beatz will be contributing to the project, which has no release date.
I could never do a record without Swizz, Eve told AllHipHop.com. Thats like against the religion.
(AllHipHop News) Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared on Anderson Cooper’s popular CNN show AC360 last night (February 1) where the mogul revealed future plans to start a business academy.
Combs was the featured guest on the show, which was hosted by Wolf Blitzer, who was filling in for Anderson Cooper.
The topic of this segment was Diddy’s image and whether or not he was a positive role model.
According to Combs, he is shedding his bad boy image to showcase his business acumen.
I want to take on more responsibility, Combs said during the interview. Im still honestly in search of how I can have the most positive effect that I can have.
According to Combs, he is planning to open a school of business to teach budding entrepreneurs the keys to success.
The school will be located in the New York area, most likely Harlem, Combs stated. Combs has multiple run-ins with the law over the past 20 years.
In the late 1990s, he was involved in two high profile shootings.
In March of 1997, Combs star artist on his label Bad Boy Entertainment was Christopher The Notorious B.I.G. Wallace, who was shot dead by an assassin after he attended a party with Combs at the Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles.
Just two years later, Combs name was splashed in the headlines when he was involved in a shootout inside a Manhattan nightclub along with his artist Shyne and then girlfriend Jennifer Lopez.
Shyne did eight years in prison for his role in the shooting, while Combs was acquitted in 2001 during a high profile trial in which he was defended by legendary lawyer, Johnny Cochran.
Since then, the mogul has avoided major controversy and has built a billion dollar business empire that includes fashion (Sean John Clothing), liquor (Ciroc Vodka) TV (I Want To Work for Diddy, Making The Band), film, and records.
“Its more than just about business, Combs stated. Theres more than Im supposed to do, theres more that Im gonna do. I want to have an academy thats known for building leaders. I feel thats one of the things I can have an impact on.
No further information was available about Combs proposed business academy.
While most folks are bracing the cold up North, a pair of Southern rappers spent the winter months cooking up mixtapes.
B.o.B. blessed the Internet yesterday (Jan. 31) with his anticipated mixtape, May 25th, which includes DJ Drama and DJ Sense in the mix. The album title refers to the release date of his forthcoming debut, B.o.B. Presents the Adventures of Bobby Ray.
B.o.B. covers all facets of music, DJ Drama told VIBE earlier today (Feb. 1) of the Atlanta rapper. His mixtape was fun for me because he came from a creative space. Its a minute album which is my favorite, and Im sure anyone who loves music as a whole will enjoy.
Meanwhile, Bun B, who recently threw a major Texas-style fundraiser concert for Haiti, delved into the 90s with his new mixtape, No Mixtape, on which he remixes the Outkast classic, 2 Dope Boyz. —Linda Hobbs
Tracklist:
1. Intro 2. On To The Next Year 3. Stupid Trill 4. Trill OG 5. 2 Damn Trill 6. Trill Gladiator Snippet 7. No Mixtape 8. Transform Ya 9. One King 10. Dont Say S### 11. Countin Money 12. I Went In 13. Adrenaline Rush 14. (2) Dope Boyz 15. Coocoo 16. Greatest of All Time 17. Mr. Hit That Lick 18. Press Play 19. Big Dick Chaney 20. I Am 21. I Got Cake 22. Play Clothes 23. Bag Music 24. I Made It 25. The Champion 26. Put It Down 27. Outro Bonus: Pants On The Ground
Download B.o.B x DJ Drama x DJ Sense, May 25th
Tracklist: 1. The Biz 2. Champion 3. Bet I (featuring Playboy Tre) 4. Gladiators (featuring J.Cole) 5. Out of Time 6. B. Is For B.o.B. 7. F### The Money 8. Monique And Me 9. The Rain 10. Uno Is My Numeral 11. Surprise Me 12. Dont Feel So Good 13. Cool Side 14. 2010 15. Fool For Love 16. Nothing For You (bonus)