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Permalink Reply by gabriela on June 4, 2008 at 8:23pm

Jay-Z.

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Permalink Reply by $amantha ¢ent on June 4, 2008 at 9:03pm

as i really dont listen to rap, i couldnt care.

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Permalink Reply by myspace.com/toonasty1 on June 4, 2008 at 9:20pm

jay-z is the best alive, but he aint in his prime. if eminem come back out its up between him, wayne, and tip. once saigon get in the game i think he gon f*** some niggaz s*** up too. but rite now the south got it.

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Permalink Reply by BLACK 777JESUS on June 4, 2008 at 9:30pm

This brings me into the subject of Hip Hop and Gangsta Rap on the West Coast. I consider myself a part of this movement being an artist, poet, author, and writer since I was old enough to comprehend my natural and God given gift of the language arts.(metaphors and analogies) Since I was an adolescent growing going to private schools, I have been writing essays, journals, and personal autobiographies of my life and experiences there-of. Although I have written many songs, bars, hooks, poems, letters, etc; I have yet to have any of my material published, copywritten, or recorded in a professional studio. However, I have many friends and associates whom I’ve influenced, co-produced, mentored, and motivated to pursue a musical career. I have a professional eye for the image, an ear for the content, heart and soul for quality music of all genres. With that being said, at 28 I am at the point in my life where I have matured and evolved beyond most of my peers into a business minded intellectual with morals and values that I developed through personal life experiences, challenges and obstacles that were influenced mainly by the movement of Hip Hop, Gangsta Rap, Alternative Rock, and pop culture. This concludes my brief introduction and now I will proudly move on to the subject of “What are the 3 greatest challenges independents face in successfully competing in the music industry”. 1.) In order for independent Hip-Hop/Gangsta Rap artists to successfully compete in the music industry, we must first keep up with the constantly growing trends in music. Keeping in mind the politics, self awareness, cultural differences, education, self education, musical history, and the dynamics of todays and tomorrows main-stream culture. As independents we need to learn how to follow and accept the leadership of influential artists like 2Pac, Kanye West, Common, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Dr. DRE, etc. Once we learn how to be good followers as independents, we can then become even better leaders for our youth and even society as a whole. 2.) Because of the influence Hip-Hop/Gangsta Rap has on our youth and society; as independent artist, we need to be more diverse and be more conscious of our messages we portray to our youth and society. We need to alleviate or deviate from the promotion of drugs, guns, and violence in our songs, and promote more positivity and inspiration through the everyday trials, tribulations, and temptations we face today. Directing the thoughts of our youth towards self esteem, encouraging them to expand their minds and pursue their education. By creatively mastering this musical challenge, we will motivate our young brothers and sisters to become more involved in school and society, encouraging them to pursuer other possibilities and talents outside of sports and music. 3.) Another challenge we face and independents is bridging the cultural gap and promoting the end to stereotypes, statistics, racism, miseducation, and ignorance. As independents we need to be more versatile and diverse in order to bridge this cross cultural gap by collaborating with other genres like alternative rock, bluez, jazz and pop. This diversification and versatility will lead to each independent earning a larger fan base, increasing sales, and gaining the respect that we deserve. -Hip-Hop and gangsta rap is the most creative form of artistry that dates back 20 plus years. However the only thing permanent and constant in life is change. Therefore, WE need to allow room for change and encourage this change as technology and information technology advances advances and changes. Our society is changing, and this being 2008, the new election coming up, world events, we need to keep up with the times and challenge one another as independents to embrace and grow with these challenges. We need to keep up with world events and realistic issues other than guns, drugs, and violence. Even the degradation of our women from all races. Although a lot of artist have a lot to say due to tragic life experiences, troubled youth; for future references, record labels should screen their artists for content and not be so quick to invest into the normal average status quo artist that talk about the same old repetitious s***, and reinvest or scout out to other talents. For example, a lot of independents don’t have as much of a shot at success in main-stream Hip-Hop/Gangsta Rap unless they have been shot, been to jail or been affiliated with a gang. I’ve even noticed that if you aren’t a known drug dealer, then you have no street credibility. There are a lot of intellectual artist that have been associated with gang members and drug dealers, but decided to go another route towards positivity that haven’t been given enough recognition and marketing. These “squares” are intimidated by your average artist, so they lay low in the cut like a sleeping giant ashamed of their own integrity, morals and family values as if they are doing something wrong. Hip-hop is dead and will die if we continue with the genocidal messages that have killed so many of our most influential and inspirational recording artist and actors. 2pac and Biggie just to name a couple. I have the right to speak on these issues as a 28 year old veteran and artist. I’m only one in a million voices that needs to be heard and deserves to be heard. I may not be the best, but I am one of the greatest unsigned artist just patiently waiting for my time. It’s been a long time coming and our work is never, ever over. Cheers to facing and meeting the challenges we face as independents in successfully competing in the music industry…

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Permalink Reply by Shyne Whatts aka seymour cake on June 5, 2008 at 3:56am

you fail son

I dont consider you, nothin on lime wire comes up when I type you

your an internet rapper who proclaims the word of god but actions dont justify the rightious name

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Permalink Reply by Cant Think Of A Name on June 5, 2008 at 2:42am

Jay Z was never the best rapper alive he was the most successful followed by 50 Cent who has now taken that name. There is a big f****** difference people.

The best rapper alive is strictly about lyrical content.
Rakim is in fact the best rapper living today followed by Black Thought.

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Permalink Reply by gabriela on June 5, 2008 at 2:48am

In my opinion he is. So if you don't respect that, your whole perspective is wack. Maybe you will love him when he fades to black.

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Permalink Reply by Cant Think Of A Name on June 5, 2008 at 2:51am

Thats your opinion and I stated mine exactly where does is state that I did not respect yours?
I simply stated mine.

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Permalink Reply by micheal on June 5, 2008 at 2:51am

dont trip off these young niggas...they dont know no better...they 90's babys

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Permalink Reply by rouge status b on June 5, 2008 at 2:47am

jay-z hands down

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Permalink Reply by micheal on June 5, 2008 at 2:48am

jay-z...point blank....but as far as yall niggas born in the 90s. go head and talk that dumb s***

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Permalink Reply by gabriela on June 5, 2008 at 2:51am

Thanks.

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