Blogs killing rap music
I remember when rappers turned their problems with the law, social and personal issues, beefs, and anything else on their minds into freestyle, tracks, mixtapes and/or albums. It was art. It was a time of artistic fortitude when rappers displayed their skill on the mic regarding different issues.
Ever since the emergence of Facebook and MySpace, rappers have expressed their mood through catchy-colored facial expression on profiles, ignoring the outlet of expressing their mood on the mic. The problem has become full blown with the rise of hip-hop video Web sites that act as a stage for rappers to promote themselves with tacky blogs. These blogs consist of rappers recording their everyday lives. They speak about different issues that they once used to include in songs.
WorldStarHipHop.com is the premier site for rappers to release viral blogs. The self proclaimed “CNN of Urban Media” has gained popularity with the reputation of being a showcase for rapper blogs and has gained a negative reputation of posting any submitted footage from millions of Joe Blows. A few months ago, a teen claimed to be the late great cousin of underground rapper Stack Bundles. The imposter was attempting to keep his “relative’s” name alive and protect him from any ongoing rumors. In reality, this kid was nothing more than an obsessed lunatic. The fact of the matter is WorldStarHipHop.com and other video blog sites (such as Datpiff.com) post anything hip-hop related despite its invalidity and distasteful content.
Even though there is some interesting information said in video blogs, a real hip-hop head would love to hear about the problem in song format, but with the lack of musical material, video blogs are the only thing fans can turn to for information and controversy involving artists. Rappers ranging from Southern bred Young Dro to blog king Joe Budden to megastar 50 Cent constantly release live blogs. Even though we would all rather hear Young Dro speak than rap, there are extremely talented rappers that should focus their attention in expressing themselves musically rather than virally. Lazy rappers use this medium to promote themselves and upcoming endeavors.
Many rappers have taken it to the next level with the release of their own blog Web sites. Joe Budden has created Joebuddentv.com, where he used to blabber about his once healthy relationship to Tahiry Jose (after showing off her assets, she released her own blog site) and continues to make controversial statements and perpetuate beefs. He usually records the blogs in a crammed apartment or a full tour bus. The biggest blog spinoff was the release of Thisis50.com by 50 Cent. His blog site encompasses his own blogs, video from other G-Unit artists and G-unit affiliates, as well as G-unit rivals. (It’s a slick tactic to post a rival’s blog, because it’s using their content in your favor. Tactics like this is the reason why 50 is worth millions.)
Mixtape disc jockey DJ Vlad has even posted his own blog site. Yes, that’s right; it’s called Vladtv.com (how clever and innovative). He strictly creates a buzz by interviewing other rappers and hoping to embroil them in some type of controversy in order to establish a buzz for himself. Almost a year ago, he released a video showing promising underground New Jersey rapper Ransom and his goonies attack an associate of archrival Joe Budden. The incident led to Ransom getting arrested for violating probation. One wonders how a somewhat tacky blog can turn to incarceration. Well, it does and it happens often.
In addition to the rise of video blogs is the addiction of the micro-blog site Twitter.com. Celebrities tweet (type) their moods and every movement of the day on the site. Rappers have been heavily involved in tweeting, mainly punch-line rapper Fabolous. He has submitted tweets ranging from expressing his daily mood to creating beefs and acting as Jay-Z’s personal bodyguard. Recently, rapper Gucci Mane slipped something slick about the Jigga man on one of his tracks. Fab took it upon himself to tweet a diss to the Atlanta emcee in order to protect his Brooklyn brethren. Just last month, Fabolous questioned 50’s motive of throwing a concert uniting New York City artists. Fab tweeted: “It’s interesting to see 50 Cent unite with NY artists when he’s one of the reasons NY hip hop became so isolated & crumbled. Do u agree NY?” He quickly retracted his statement, but if the comment was said in song format then the statement could have been clarified. Do you agree Fab?
Blogging and tweeting are great mediums in self promotion and the promotion of other business endeavors, but the excess posting of blogs by many rappers is taking away from the sheer art of the culture. Remember, the game is rap, which is an acronym for Rhythm And Poetry; Poetry, not Recording Anything Personal.
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