Pimpin Ain’t Easy
Posted May 10, 2006 — in KOAR Rants, Music News
“My teef are mind blowin givin everybody chillz
Call me George Foreman cuz I’m sellin everybody grillz?”
Rags to riches, that’s the American Dream. Pulling yourself out of the gutter by your bootstraps and getting a feature on Cribs where you can show everyone your solid gold, diamond encrusted toilet is what everyone seems to strive for. Now, I am the last person that would ever ‘knock someone’s hustle’, but the emergence of whoring out to the highest bidder in rap music has reached offensive levels. Many hoped that ‘Pimp rap’ and ‘Bling rap’ would have fizzled out a while ago, but it seems to be stronger today than ever. The industry has capitalized on ignorance and the ‘artists’ don’t seem to mind. I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but personally, I am tired of being sold things in the form of rap videos. There you’ll find more product placement than the Super Bowl, and promotion of a lifestyle that is inadvertently setting African Americans back about 50 years. The phrase ‘Pimpin Ain’t Easy’ would be more appropriate coming from the industry executives pulling the strings than these unfortunate low level cogs in the machine. Rappers have mistaken money for power and respect, and as a result are simply rich. Perhaps this is what they wanted. Perhaps they had no designs on writing music with a genuine impact or message. Perhaps getting rich was the one and only goal, and being a faceless marketing tool is fine by them.
Like with any trend in music, there are multiple sides to this coin. There are, of course, the rappers with genuine talent who have made a career out of being an artist and then parlayed that success into other profitable ventures ranging from fashion, to cars, to even airplanes and wine. There are also rappers whose sole interest is in the art of making music, who use their success to pull up other artists they feel need a break and then act as a producer. Then there are the ‘Pimp Rappers’ and ‘Studio Gangstas’ who are all about promoting a lifestyle full of drugs, violence, objectifying women, and being taken advantage of by a predominately white industry. While they may feel empowered as they roll their Caddy into the bizank, they’d be well served to take a look at who is cutting the check. Like Ho’s to a Pimp, these guys are only getting a small fraction of what their whoring is bringing in. While I am sure no one involved in this Capitalistic dreamland would complain, who is going to take responsibility for the shitty music?
Unsigned Florida rapper, Swordz, chimed in on the subject, describing this current arrangement as ‘sick,’ and then explains “You can’t be mad at executives for doing their job. Artists need to be responsible for their own fate. There are business artists and artists, you need both kinds to keep things going, although it does make it harder for real artists trying to come up. It’s up to the artists to keep their ART their ART. Rappers need to bring substance to the table and not just fake imagery, but at the end of the day, you can’t knock anyone for trying to better their situation.��? As an unsigned artist making waves in his own region, independently selling over 5500 copies of his WRNR mixtape, Swordz faces an uphill battle in an attempt to compete with integrity in an industry where a low quality of music with a gigantic budget is the norm. “I believe in my talent’s ability to keep me relevant. I plan on being here for a while and proving that talent will prevail.��?
While I agree that in the end, the artists willing to sell out in this manner are responsible for their own actions, the high price placed on becoming a puppet is undoubtedly appealing. What labels are offering is essentially the answer to all of your problems. Very little effort invested for an astronomical profit. Unfortunately, this clamoring for cash has negatively impacted the quality of music in this genre. Urban Music Specialist for Mediaguide, Michael DiBella describes the negative effect, “I’m not a fan of the mainstream; the gross commercialization, using hip-hop to sell Big Macs and whatever else. I’ll say as someone who’s been listening to hip-hop religiously since the 6th grade, the rush is harder to find. Only at select live shows do I get the feeling back. You do have to consider, as I do, that hip-hop is the voice of the disenfranchised. At least it was at first. Now, it’s a nouveau riche thing and record labels capitalize on that.��?
Mainstream hip hop artists are selling themselves short. This belief that the only way to the top is to whore your art to anyone with a checkbook is turning a genre once filled with political outrage and stark social commentary into simple mindless raps about shoes and bling. That’s not to say the true art no longer exists, it’s simply being drowned out by 3 and a half minute long cell phone commercials. Nearly every mainstream genre has gone through a phase of musical inadequacy paired with debauchery and an excessive lifestyle, however it seems to have a stronghold on hip hop mainstream with no end in sight. Similar to what grunge did to glam metal, its going to take a unified movement of musical ingenuity combined with a clear message to overthrow the reigning hedonistic empire.
AJ, KOAR
“Similar to what grunge did to glam metal, its going to take a unified movement of musical ingenuity combined with a clear message to overthrow the reigning hedonistic empire.”
~Amen brother and I’m not even a fan of Rap or Hip-Hop.
Comment by Chris Langley — May 10, 2006 @ 11:12 am
Very well written and I agree 100%
I look forward to a new movement in hip-hop culture. I think rap right now is dull and all sounds the same.
Bring back talent and a message besides money and “bling”.
Comment by Mark — May 10, 2006 @ 11:39 am
Tight article! I love Hip-Hop and think this dude is saying some real talk unlike 90% of the other rappers out there…He’s making a lot of sense.
Comment by Ken — May 10, 2006 @ 11:44 am
Well, I was suprised to see Swordz on this article, but not surprized. Everyone can remember the saying “as long as people are talking about you, its good. When they stop talking about you its bad”. This is close to what Hip-Hop has done in a relatively short period of time. From pro-Black to Back to Africa and then to Bling and Pimping, Hip-Hop has managed to stay in the mainstream during its thirty-year history.
How the flow of topics seem to stick while others slip away is a mystery I’ve been trying to figure out for seconds…..
Some say, it’s the rich “white man” on top calling the shots and others say it’s commercialized to keep the Black community down…
What ever your take on it you must agree:
1. The music has lasted longer than most have predicted.
2. Hip-Hop has generated more money for people who might not have had the opportunity to participate in larger scale economics.
3. It has managed to become the voice of a multicultural generation globally…
I could go on but you get the idea, Hip-Hop has some good points besides the negative aspects of who, how and what is the motive behind the success…
Now, back to swordz, I think he is on point with the artist focus needing to evolve into more of a business frame-of-mind than just a the three O’s (Videos, Hoes and Clothes).
If you are “choosing” to “practice” as a “working” Hip-Hop artist and you have no clue of how to “run” your “business” or even what runs your “business”, then perhaps you should question the true motives of your desires. For example, does an attorney practice law without knowing how to build a case based upon the law? I think not… Does a taxi driver take passengers to a destination without knowing how to drive the vehicle?
Swordz is deciding to “manufacture” a good/service in the form of creative talent. The statment that he is designing his talent to be relavent for the long-term is the marketing of his goods and services to a capture audience in which he plans to provide his talent to. Sounds like he already has TQM (total quality management) in mind in order to continuously perfect the processes of creating and cultivating his art!
Personally, I would consider Swordz as the “Next Wave”.
Why is this “Next Wave” savvy artist not signed???
Note: The Sleeping Giants are coming…
And no, I don’t spell check!
Comment by jmarley — May 10, 2006 @ 1:02 pm
First of all this article is awesome.
I live in Northern California where “The Hyphy movement” is happening.
A group of at least 15 rappers & DJs all making songs about “getting stupid, dumb, retarded, or hyphy” and they’re all the damn same. Being 17 I gotta hear the shit at school daily. Talentless rap artists capitalizing on this “movement”
Plus you got the rest of the rap that all the hard ass wankstas listen to. You can only write so many songs about gang bangs and smokin weed before it gets old, Or at least I thought.
Funny thing is that the talented rap artists/groups like Flipsyde, Atmosphere, & Rehab are getting ignored and kids are buying the talentless crap.
Makes me crazy.
Comment by Dallas — May 10, 2006 @ 2:15 pm
Swordz is an elite Florida soldier. On point.
BC The JAGGANOT are about positivity and value creation.
B.C. The JAGGANOT started in Orlando (O-Town!) Florida in August 1993.
JAGGANOT is an acronym and a play on words for:
jug·ger·naut (jgr-nôt) n.
“An overwhelming, advancing force that connects with Black Child across the world. Touching the Hip-Hop scene like world wind, bill board chart topp’in! R&B grooves and Hip Hop smash hits!”
Check them out! http://www.myspace.com/bcthejagganot
http://www.hollywoodmusic.tv/bcthejagganot
Comment by Anthony Brice — May 10, 2006 @ 4:39 pm
Swordz is so offical! The new south is on the way.
Comment by KING RON — May 10, 2006 @ 5:13 pm
This is a Great article. Swordz is amoung a new breed fo sure.. I found him on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/swordz904. I saw him perform with a Rock band behind him in jacksonville. It was amazing to say the least.
Comment by Mark — May 10, 2006 @ 5:38 pm
these are, by far, the most well-spoken words of industry commentary i’ve heard in a long time. this is a musician. personally i don’t adhere to the genre spectrum that includes rap & hip-hop, but i must say this gives me reason to consider this artist and his legitimacy behind the music as it contrasts that of those provided by musicians i see marketed on television. with that being said, i have taken the time to listen to his music, and i am genuinely impressed and rather satisfied by what he has brought to the table. I hope SWORDZ finds what he deserves, as not only a respectable human being, but most certainly a marketable musician in all various aspects of what the industry dabbles in.
Comment by Aaron — May 10, 2006 @ 6:04 pm
great writing, great article, great timing!~
a movement? ask & u shall receive! if the last time u got goose bumps was ‘94 with the 1st shots of biggie, outkast & the wu…stay patient:) if ur hip hop fix hasnt been fed since “amerikka’s most” or “death certificate”…just hold on:) we’re @ the tail-end of the sugar fix that is today’s rap (ie-atlanta, houston, & oakland)! when the world catches a taste of the Duval scene (ie-Swordz, Young Ca$h, Asamov, Rob Roy, Blakhart, Raw, etc), u will feel hip hop @ it’s truest, most honest form…playfully gutteral hip hop that has every flavor of now-n-later to satisfy ur hunger:) My movie (”Grind2Shine”) on the Duval’s movement, with over 100 artists in Jacksonville, Florida will shed light soon, realll soon…thanx
Comment by chad hendricks — May 10, 2006 @ 6:06 pm
http://www.myspace.com/chadhendricks for the “Grind2Shine” trailer:)
Comment by chad hendricks — May 10, 2006 @ 6:07 pm
swordz is offical. he’s got bigga on his side now all he needs is to be heard by the world, you know the hood embraces him, now he needs the mainstram market to catch his breeze. he’s my nigga and i can’t wait till he blow keep doin it boy
Comment by marcus — May 10, 2006 @ 8:24 pm
Swordz and alot of people in Jacksonville, FL (aka Duval) are ready to blow. As well as people in Tampa, etc. If you would like to hear more from what Duval has to offer head to http://www.duvalcountyluv.com/ There is also a Tampa site here: http://www.tampahiphop.com as well as many other growing sites in florida the showcase local talent that is on par with what the mainstream is playing if not better.
Comment by Adam — May 11, 2006 @ 4:02 am
Swordz may be yet known around the world but in J-ville he is a household name. You can ride down the street at any given time of day and the and here swords bumpin through the car stereos,or pop in Apache Tattoo and see his signature on the wall of fame. And his performances are just as amazing as his lyrics, he comes to the stage with so much energy and such presence that even though you are at a local club you feel as if you are at a billion dollar concert.
Swordz is the next movement… the movement to regain a generation of music that is real on life and not materialistic empires.
Message to all artists: those rocks around your neck, in your ears, on your grill…don’t give you talent
Comment by Brandy — May 11, 2006 @ 4:28 am
This article is in itself an acknowledgement of change wavering in hip hop as we speak.
As INDEPENDENT artist, with a UNIFIED ambition of assisting OUR people left struggling with drugs and adversity WE have begun the next wave of conscious, hungry, music business entrepreneurs in control of our destiny. We as artist have cultivated a unique sound that represents the prevelant struggle with poverty, racism, block war crimes, politics and life. It’s hard to seperate yourself from your surroundings so we stick to the script and each of us adds a perspective that the deprived souls of hip hop culture can’t ignore. If you’re ready for change, and interested in this movement:
VISIT: http://www.myspace.com/tefxl and hyperlink to other DUVAL artist.
Visit: http://www.904HIPHOP.com and hyperlink to other artist.
Lastly visit http://www.tefxl.com and see the transformation in process!
Much props to my boi “SWORDZ” a true soldier in this hip hop battlefield. See you at the top!
TEF XL
Jacksonville, FL. DUVAL!
Comment by TEF XL — May 11, 2006 @ 6:03 am
i think that was well put. i am a hip-hop artist/spoken word artist and there is a thing called verbal Manifestation, what we speak cause our kids we are so tied up in what the media and big labels expects of rapper (there is a diffrence, rappers say anything, hip-hop is from the heart). that we are blind we need to get on point, i go against the grain i am the new age chuck d/2pac/rakim/ice cube..hip-hop needs a make over. no more guns, drugs, disrespecting our queens, and our kids. i expect more our of our people whats out now is what they think of our people. BIG UP TO SWORDZ,and anybody else making change THERE’S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS …..UNITE ***DUVAL STAND UP**** one love S.O.U.L (something others usally lack)
Comment by SOUL — May 11, 2006 @ 6:57 am
Unfortunately, I don’t think Hip Hop became mainstream until a handful of years ago. Now I define ‘mainstream’ as ‘15 year old white girls owning the bedroom sets’, and I think that didn’t REALLY happen for rap until the Usher-era. I think before that, rap was more of a novelty in the mainstream. I’m white and I’m a rocker and my only real exposure to rap until I was in college was the occassional ass shaking song at high school dances. I knew every word, don’t get me wrong, but I hardly followed the band and I knew absolutely dick about them outside of YOU DOWN WITH OPP! YEAH YOU KNOW ME!
I found out later that hip hop is a very rich genre filled with all kinds of artists who use this style of music not just to get the party started, but to express themselves artistically, just as legitimately as any singer/songwriter. I am glad I took the time to learn this because I have been turned onto many artists who I can’t imagine my record collection NOT including (Blackalicious, De La Soul, Jurassic 5, Flipsyde, etc etc).
I wish that sort of thing could happen for more people, because I think everyone needs music they can feel and relate to and love. It really is somewhat heartbreaking to know that a lot of people’s only exposure to rap is what is in the mainstream, and as a result, they have decided they hate rap and want nothing to do with it. My hope is that as these artists like Swordz and many others continue to get the support and exposure they deserve, they’ll not only turn more people on to the whole idea of rap, but improve the quality and standards for what fans are already listening to.
Comment by AJ-KOAR — May 11, 2006 @ 7:06 am
swordz is a hot rapper. when i get back in june i wanna go to his concerts and hopefully do a couple of tracks wit him…i plan on joinin OUR Duval hip hop movement….though most cats down here are wack swordz, along wit others have enough flava that thety dont sound like the same damn person…
keep it real…and we takin the world by storm
Comment by CB — May 11, 2006 @ 8:57 am
That was a very well put article. Swordz is the type of artist that is gifted with true lyrical abilities, yet still appeals to the mainstream. His music touches a vast audience and his performances are nothing less of amazing. Good to see people valuing his opinion. Swordz has full support from our city, it that says A LOT.
Comment by Jennifer — May 11, 2006 @ 9:42 am
I think this needs to happen for all the artists out there trying to express themselves and their love for the music. Everyone deserves there chance. Why hate and knock something you know nothin about. Give it the chance and see what its all bout. I hope these fantastic artists like swordz, and others keep on this and get the fan base they need. I wanna get on this movement and support also. Everyone who is up on this rap thing should be too.
Comment by Lil' PiTT — May 11, 2006 @ 10:27 am
The best of luck to Swordz. I’ve performed with him live on guitars several times. His presence is unmatched. Keep up the good work.
Comment by Jesse — May 11, 2006 @ 10:37 am
Everytime I think the bling bling, void-of-content era is over in hiphop, a once credible group like the Black Eyed Peas emerge with vacant garbage rap & sell millions.
There are independent artists all over the country fighting this tide; financing their own cds and tours, quietly selling out venues, moving thousands of cds under the radar. The movement is already happening and growing stronger by the day.
If the industry doesn’t stop forcefeeding the public mindless crap, then radio, major record labels & major music channels (especially that one which deemed a video “too intelligent� for it’s audience) will soon find themselves completely irrelevant to the hiphop audience.
Comment by Erin — May 11, 2006 @ 10:50 am
SWORDZ IS UNDENIABLE. TALENTED FROM THE BEGINING.
Comment by NOTSUCAL — May 11, 2006 @ 11:18 am
The first time I seen swordz was at hood rock 1.0 and I said to myself this kid has alot of energy and stage presence I know of only 3 other artist that I have seen live who can do that but it’s swordz time to shine try to catch him live you’ll see where some main stream artist fail at………
http://www.duvalcountyluv.com
Comment by AaronjR — May 11, 2006 @ 11:23 am
I feel you on everything you say. I respect your mind frame coming from an upcoming artist myself.
Comment by Wicked Wix — May 11, 2006 @ 1:47 pm
SWORDZ SPEAKS THE TRUTH BECAUSE SWORDZ IS THE TRUTH. HE WILL BE A HUGE STAR BECAUSE HE IS REAL…. UNMATCHED IN TALENT HIS IMPACT WILL BE FELT AND HOPEFULLY CHANGE THE STATE OF HIP HOP FOREVER. I HAVE WORKED WITH MANY ARTIST PLATINUM AND NOT, I BELIEVE IN SWORDZ AND HIS MUSIC HE JUST HAS “IT”. MUCH LOVE KEEP DOIN THE DAMN THANG….
D.V.US
Comment by D.V.US — May 11, 2006 @ 1:52 pm
THIS IS BIGGA RANKIN VP OF HITTMAN DJS, WRNR MIX TAPE KING,A&R OF THE SOUTH, AND THE #1 RECORD BREAKER IN THE SOUTH. SWORDZ IS THE HOTTEST SHIT SINCE SLICED BREAD. THE HOTTEST MC DOIN IT. I GOT SWORDZ’S BACK, NO MATTER WHAT. HE’S GONNA MAKE IT BIG AND IM MAKE SURE OF IT………
THIS IS BIGGA RANKIN AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE
Comment by BIGGA RANKIN — May 11, 2006 @ 1:57 pm
SWORDZ SPEAKS THE TRUTH BECAUSE SWORDZ IS THE TRUTH. HIS TALENT IS UNMATCHED, AND HE WILL BE THE ONE TO CHANGE THE GAME. HIS ALBUM CUTS ARE HOTTER THAN THE HITS ON THE RADIO/TV TODAY. I HAVE PRODUCED FOR PLANTINUM ARTIST AND INDEPENDANT ARTIST BUT SWORDZ IS THE ONLY ONE THAT I TRULY BELIEVE WILL LAST AS AN ALL AROUND START FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. SIMPLY PUT HE HAS “IT”. IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING WORKIN WITH SWORDZ AND I KNOW HE WILL BE A HUGE STAR. KEEP DOIN THE DAMN THANG. I GOT YOUR BACK FOREVER.
D.V.US
Comment by D.V.US — May 11, 2006 @ 2:17 pm
Ay, Swordz is definitely one of Duval’s Finest and he’s a humble dude. That’s one thing you don’t see often, and I appreciate it. Keep It Movin’ Swordz… We got you, homie.
-ere’bodee’s favorite mega, tangomega
Comment by TangoMega — May 11, 2006 @ 3:32 pm
swordz is the truth
duval got next!
Comment by cashous — May 11, 2006 @ 5:52 pm
Swordz is the best shit since sliced Bacon!!….He’s heavy hittin’ and deffinetly the ultimate live rapper!
Comment by Tanner — May 11, 2006 @ 6:07 pm
Big up to Swordz- he deserves it. Me and him are around the same age, and I have seen homie at Hip Hop events around town since like 97-98. I remember freestyle cyphers with 3rd Dimenzion- we’d be like “oh shit, the Beach is up in here”! Way back shit…
Proof- stay persistant, stay quality, be consistant, do your thing- great things happen. Swordz is gonna be world famous (and very rich!) real soon…
respect-
Triclops I
Comment by Triclops I — May 11, 2006 @ 7:30 pm
Swordz is dope no doubt I heard his music on 904 hip hop my space page and this cat is the truth. Because of him J’ville is on the rise it’s a lot of talent there. J’ville is going to be the next spot in the hip hop game and this cat swordz will be a a big part of j’ville’s rise in the game.
Comment by tmo — May 11, 2006 @ 10:13 pm
First off big-ups to SWORDZ for being a talented, dedicated, strong and honest voice in this Hip Hop movement.
This article echos so many things I’ve been saying to folks for years. This trend of “bling” and other simple concepts is not the first line of “industry pimpin” to hit the scene. Many talented artists from Duval have been overlooked for not following the “mainstream”. In my youth the “MIAMI BASS” was what Florida was known for and if you wanted to get in the business in Florida you had to do that same thing or struggle like hell. We have always had mad mad talent in Duval but, the simplistic concepts is usually the ones the public and industry support.
So just like back then if you want to make music now with a message and articulate lyrics…you have to push a lot harder than the folks who choose to go with the popular effortless or mindless choices.
And I say much luv to every artists who comes out with music that make people think, learn and be responsible, instead of just falling “in the groove” to make some change.
Each one of you truely help the movement by showing there is more to game than the simplistic elements the mainstream embraces.
TZA
VP & Executive Producer
Projekt X Entertainment
Comment by TZA — May 12, 2006 @ 6:34 am
Swordz -spoken like a true artist! Your voice will be heard. I’ve been listening to you & Hoodlife for a long time and it’s now your turn.
Comment by Titi — May 12, 2006 @ 9:38 am
Maaaan, for any of you that haven’t heard, Swordz is the next big thing coming out the south. Many people claim to be, but he’s the real deal. And if you haven’t experienced it yet, wait until you’ve seen him do a live show…He’s a triple threat because not only does he have the image, but he also have the skills/lyrics to back it up. Ain’t nobody F*&%–ing with this dude….
instudios
Comment by instudios — May 12, 2006 @ 11:25 am
Big ups to Swordz and DVUS for putting out quality product!
It makes me proud to say “I’m from Duval, where they don’t play!”
Comment by D. Graham — May 12, 2006 @ 12:58 pm
I agree with the article written. The Hip-Hop/Rap genre has been oversaturated with talent less, and “dumb down� styling’s and blowing up the “look what I haves� to compensate for talent.
[Like the man driving his 60k car to compensate for … well, you can figure it out.]
If you have the opportunity to catch these mainstream Hip-Hop/Rap shows, then I’m sorry. But I’m sure that many will agree they all too often fall into a redundant and boring waste of $$ and a Friday night, BEFORE/AFTER the single is performed.
What happened to the art of performance, what happened to the “ART�ist?
I have been fortunate enough to watch Swordz perform live and listen many, many recordings. He has by far Re-UP’ed the standard in the Hip-Hop/Rap game both live and in the studio.
He follows the idea behind “entertainment� and it is just that, to “entertain� .
Swordz entertains his AUDIANCE, with genuine charisma on stage, a “rockers� performance, great lyrics and hooks, and best of all a connection with listeners and even non-listeners of today.
Oh did I forget to mention his confidence in his ART also bleeds thru by jumping at chances to cross genres thru collaborations? Performing with hardcore/rock kids, and “wowing� a completely deferent genre? Well… There, I said it… Who can’t get sucked into that?
So why do we love what Swordz has to offer?
Back to the basics people…
1 REAL talent
2 REAL Good Hooks
3 REAL Carasmatic
4 REAL Marketing(this means no “bling�, fake hype B.S.)
5 REAL Original
There you have it, what more could a record label want? Swordz is a legend in the making, he might not be the only one to START A CHANGE in this tasteless movement of Hip-Hop/Rap, but one day we will say that he certainly was a HUGE part of it.
(WHEW!)
- Xarah
Comment by Xarah — May 12, 2006 @ 1:57 pm
I met SWORDZ at the Hip-Hop Symposium and I heard his single “Dope Boi”. That cat is real. Hope to be able to work with him one day soon. Shout out to all of Duval County.
Comment by MisterMister — May 14, 2006 @ 10:24 am
Yo, Swordz comes from my home town, and has to be I must say the dopest sickest new hip hop artist on the east coast, maybe the world. Much love to my boy in the 904, we love you man! Also D.V.S. , who in case yall don’t know IS THE maddest producer. Period. We’re ready for SWORDZ!!
Comment by Miles — May 14, 2006 @ 3:40 pm
I appreciate, respect, and support artist like Swordz
not just because we represent for the same city. But
for sticking to what it is that he believes in and that’s making quality music. Now and days way too many artist get caught up in marketing schemes instead of focusing on perfecting their craft. In this industry you have to be consistent, creative, and you cant be afraid to fail. Like Ty-Stik and myself, Swordz is also a Duval County artist who isn’t afraid to try something new and that’s exactly what the game needs…..something new!
Comment by Jack Gunz — May 15, 2006 @ 3:30 pm
swords if you read this, congraduations on blowin’ the doors off, get up teddy swoes. scottrockwell@msn.com
Comment by teddy swoes — May 30, 2006 @ 11:40 pm
[...] In May of last year, KOAR posted an article pointing out the negative influence of trends in Rap, the whoring taking place, and the dark future Hip Hop was facing. Compared to songs on Rock formats, Rap and Hip Hop can be heard on 6 times as many radio stations, with a rotation giving songs 10 times as many spins in a given week. The Urban visibility on MTV outnumbers Rock nearly 2 to 1, not to mention BET, MTV2, MTV Hits and MTV Jams. And yet, despite the massive amounts of exposure, Hip Hop record sales have plummeted 21% from 2005 to 2006. Even though music sales are down, in general, for the first time in 12 years the Top 10 Best Selling Albums of the Year did not include a Rap album. [...]
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