Bailout Fails

Yep...

The Senate on Thursday night abandoned efforts to fashion a government rescue of the American automobile industry, as Senate Republicans refused to support a bill endorsed by the White House and Congressional Democrats.

I am telling you this is not going to work. This is fundamentally unfair and the people know it. How can you make all these bad decisions and then refuse to keep bankruptcy on the table. That is the rule we all live by. And I am not with the liberals like Rachel Maddow who want to to turn this into a labor issue. The UAW has to take it on the chin as well. The talk of financial Armageddon didn't play out before and now 'I don't believe you.'

Kids get oxed in the face

This is ridiculous.

The Bronx teen slashed by a seething BMW driver who exploded when the youngster leaned on his luxury ride said Thursday he had to fight for his life against the knife-wielding madman. From his hospital bed at Jacobi Medical Center, 16-year-old Gabriel Quinones recalled how Kwame Ferguson snapped Wednesday morning when he rested his book bag on the hood of the man's BMW X5 while he was waiting for a bus in Co-op City.

and why does the nut Kwame Ferguson look like Mickey Factz.

4 Types

So the Retro Kidz are rocking tonight with Slick Rick. We all know how great Slick Rick is. Perhaps the greatest storyteller our culture has ever produced. See I think comparing Slick Rick to say a Jay Z is like comparing Shaq to The Big ‘O’ (Oscar Robertson, google it young’uns). Not only are they from two different eras but they play different positions. The Big O was a guard who was the only NBA player who averaged a triple double for a whole season. The Shaq Diesel is perhaps the biggest most athletic big man ever to play the game. You can’t compare them because as a guard you touch the ball more. You have the ability to create your own shot much easier than a center. A center for the most part must be fed the ball and his/her success depends more on the supporting cast. I say this to say there are different positions as far as MC’s in Hp-Hop. Storytellers or narrative rappers such as Nas, Slick Rick or Ghostface. Battle rappers like LL Cool J, Chino XL, Big Daddy Kane. Message rappers like Talib Kweli, KRS ONE, Public Enemy. Entertainment rappers like Jay Z, Ludacris, Kanye. Storytelling rappers can paint a whole narrative complete with dramatic arcs, protagonists, antagonists, climaxes and nadirs. Think ‘Children’s Story’ or Wu Tang (Ghost) on ‘Impossible.’ Battle rappers’ work is centered around chest pumping, braggadocios content. Although they may be like LL and have actually battled and built their career on destroying people’s career (Moe Dee, Canibus) most battle rappers are battling an opponent in absentia. Swagger rappers are a merger of Battle and Entertainment (see below) rappers. Message rappers should not be confused with conscious rappers (which are actually a sub category). These artists are focused on teaching a lesson. That lesson can be positive or negative. Trap Stars like Jeezy are essentially message rappers with a not so positive message. A Talib Kweli or Common are message rappers with a focus on a community building message. Entertainment or Pop rapper can be any combination of the previous categories. Their music has 1) pop appeal and 2) punctuated by catchy couplets. These verses are often long chains with non sequitirs (elements of storytellers think “Through The Wire”). Boastful like a battle rapper. And in the model of Jay Z they often claim to “never have wings on,” they “get their by any means on.” This was supposed to be about the Retro Kidz but I got on a roll. Hope you like it. I came up with this theory on the way down to Thanksgiving Dinner.

The Swagger Era and the Brett Michaels-ification of Hip-Hop

Back when the SCR was active (no worries it will be a part of the new Brooklyn Bodega) I wrote a post about how Hip-Hop was in its Hair Metal stage. Well now I have a better term for it. We are in our Swagger stage. Feel free to jack this for wikipedia, just give me credit: Swagger Hop – an era in Hip-Hop in the early 2000’s that heavily emphasized style over substance. Swagger artists tend to be extremely fashion conscious. More so than previous eras (see Conscious, Gangsta, Crunk, etc). Swagger Rappers are known to employ stylists as key members of their staff. In an interview Kanye West famously stated that he would rather shop for clothes than shop for records. Almost if not more important than the music is the choice of sneakers, jewelry, accessories, etc. While Swagger rappers do place an inordinate value on cars and other big ticket items their opulence is focused more on their physical person. Swagger rappers are not to be confused with Shiny Suit rappers popularized by Sean Combs and others in the mid to late 90’s. The term is taken from the suit worn by Ma$e (originally known as ultra hardcore rapper Murda Mase of Children Of The Corn) in his video for “Feels So Good” (album: Harlem World, Bad Bay). The Shiny Suit era focused on over the top extravagance that included cars, houses, boats as well as jewelry. There was not the same focus on fashion in a traditional sense. Swagger rappers are more keenly aware of the business side of the music than previous generations. The best of their lot are skilled marketers and entrepreneurs. They also are significantly more tech savvy and rely heavily on Myspace and other social networks to communicate with their fanbase. Because of their focus on branding and marketing and their business sense Swagger rappers cross media with significant ease. Movies, publishing, and fashion are integrated seamlessly within their brand. Examples of Swagger Hop artists – Lil Wayne, Kanye West, The Cool Kids, T.I., Souljah Boy, Jay-Z See other Hip-Hop eras: Shiny Suit, Disco Rappers, Dirty South, Conscious, Glitch, Backpack, Golden Era, Indie Renaissance, Political, Proto --------- I write this entry tongue in cheek with no intent to slight any of these artists. It is my belief that with each iteration of our culture we grow in power, influence and earning potential. Rather than condemn it we must study it and learn. Whatever your personal feelings about these artists or their content their marketing and entrepreneurial spirit is unprecedented. Their ability to bypass the traditional system (major distribution, MTV, Broadcast radio, print media) gives them enormous power. In my study I have equated this era with hair metal. Further analysis shows that the response to Hair Metal was Grunge. Remember people the pendulum swings to and fro. And when Nirvana and the grunge movement broke through they destroyed hair metal and raise the earnings bar even higher. The ‘Swagger Like Mine’ (TI, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Jay-Z) song where we see Kanye moving fully into the Swagger era and leaving behind his conscious, post Native Tongue, bourgeois roots is proof that the swagger era is approaching its tipping point. The addition of Jay Z (and his particular verse) only cements my feelings. The Grunge type push back is coming. Hip-Hop’s Kurt Cobain is among us. He/she is about to sign to our version of Sub Pop (Stones Throw, Def Jux). He will be picked up by a major in 2-3 years. Their signing will officially put an end to this era and launch a new one. You heard it here first.

Replicant

Ok I have a new word to add to the lexicon. I already coined (sort of) Swagger Hop. Now I give you Replicant Rap - The evolution of the term ringtone rap. Replicant Rap – defined as Hip-Hop music designed to serve a specific (usually simple) purpose over a short period of time. Also used for music and artists designed to capitalize on fast moving trends. Replicant rappers are disposable by nature. One marginal hit is all that is expected. These rappers are not expected to produce a robust catalog with far reaching earning potential. Many do not record a full album. The one song delivers the anticipated return via ringtone, digital sales or the amorphous internet buzz. Opposite: tent pole The word is taken from Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic film, Blade Runner. From wikipedia: The film depicts a dystopian Los Angeles in November 2019 in which genetically manufactured beings called replicants – visually indistinguishable from adult humans – are used for dangerous and degrading work… Replicants have a four-year lifespan as a failsafe to prevent them from developing emotions and desire for independence. The film centers around Harrison Ford as a Blade Runner, essentially a police officer specializing in tracking and killing rogue replicants who have exceeded their life spans. The words ‘Where Are They Now’ are often used in conjunction with Replicant rappers. Examples: MIMS, Bonecrusher, Pop The Brown Hornet, Slimm Calhoun, Lil Eazy E, The Pack, Kid Sister, Oaktown 357, Junior Mafia, Twinz, Yaggfu Front. Note: Replicant Rappers are not all devoid of talent. Many actually are extremely talented. But just as the fictional replicants from Blade Runner they are not built to last. Many are similar to Rutger Hauer’s character in Blade Runner in that they resent their temporary role and life span. Some respond to the reality of their short life violently and lash out against their creators and ultimately refuse to die. Some are like Harrison Ford or Sean Young’s character and are so well designed that they do not know they are replicants themselves. Their ignorance is so grand that their rhetoric and actions can be as violent as a blade runner. Never realizing they are hastening their own demise. The classic example of this was Craig Mack. Mack burst on the scene railing against flash in the pan rappers with ‘Flava In Ya Ear.” Little did he know he was one of them. Now some rappers we may think are replicants but are actually quite human. Example: Consequence. When “Day Job” came out people predicted the demise of the Cons. The best he could do was Kanye’s ghostwriter. Fast forward to now and Cons is still here. Not quite the star yet but a replicant he is clearly not. The blogosphere is full of blade runners like Byron Crawford who are more than happy to terminate a suspected replicant rapper on sight. More on this later. I like this idea…

Dirty Politics

Rahm: "if you get me mixed up in this I will rip your throat out This dude is gangsta. And what is the deal with that hair. Very Trump-esque. I love how MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' kept running pics of Blagojevich with Obama. They want to tie this to Obama so damn bad. I am sure Rush Limbaugh and the crew are all over this.

Trivia

QUESTION: Hearts were broken when the original Brand Nubian lineup broke up. Name the Brand Nubian albums WITHOUT Grand Puba Maxwell Send your answer AND A SHOUTOUT to trivia@brooklynbodega.com ----------------------------------------------- Friday's Q&A Question: This DJ was a force of nature, like to rock an Afro, and used to spin for Adrock, MCA and Mike D. Answer: DJ Hurricane Winners: D.Vargas (the quickest answer almost every week) Kyle B. - Justin you have popcorn in your hair Wacluv - My shoutout is to my boy Earl and the rest of Brooklyn G.O.D.F.A.T.H.A. - I want to give some mad shout outs to all of my HipHop heads. Peace.

Operation Humble Kanye

I haven't been watching the internets. Was this all over already? Hilarious Supposedly Kanye responded but that was fake

The Big 3 fallout

Barack talking to Tom about the bailout yesterday on MTP Regular readers know that as a small business owner I have been fascinated by the various bailouts. As it appears the auto industry has gangstered Congress into cutting them a check this particular chapter is closed, for now. Make no mistake, however, the story is not over. They will be back for more. And they won’t be the last. Extrapolating the Big 3’s argument I expect to see the Tourism and Hotel industry, perhaps the telecoms, and eventually the oil giants come with hat in manicured, Rolex bearing hand. For those who think this is a problem that does not affect our industry, be wary. Expect advertising budgets to be cut. Less money from the ad agency means less event sponsorship. Which means less tours. And for people in our business this means less event sponsorship. And on and on. What this means is that for those who have been looking for corporate revenue to supplement the dying revenue streams of the record labels – you’d better tighten up. It is going to be a cold 2009.

Hater, hater, hater

The curse of the hater players I was listening to the Black Star album the other day. One of my favorite tracks was ‘Hater Players.’ If you’re not familiar with it, give it a listen or a read. The knee jerk reaction to negative criticism aka labeling the accuser a ‘player hater' is doing a great disservice to Hip-Hop. Not only is it silencing those offering constrictive criticism it is hurting the content producers themselves. Rather than taking the criticism and re-thinking the product or approach artists, writers, executive throw the ‘player hater’ label out and take no as a vitamin, as one of my guys used to say. Now I am all for confidence and not allowing yourself to be discouraged but people sometime you (we) make mistakes. Thinking you are perfect is a sure way to expedite your demise. I have seen this time and time again. Artists and managers adopt this juvenile approach, that they think is Kanye-esque confidence, and try to force their way. They give you two options. Yes or no. And if the answer is ‘no’ the other side just doesn’t get it or are bourgie gentrifiers, or not real supporters of Hip-Hop. All ridiculous claims at the end of the day. If you take the feedback and access its validity, revise your approach you may just get what you want. Back when 7H Recordings was still active we released a record from El Da Sensei. Right around the same time the Little Brother buzz was exploding. LB was written up in The Source and El expectedly wondered where his review was. Before asking any questions the assumption was made that the label had not tried, did not care, and was incompetent. When given the answer that ‘they just didn’t like the album’ we were completely dismissed. Then began a series of events that led to the end of the relationship. I always think that if he had been more diplomatic in his question there could have been a simple solution. Re-submit, call in a favor, release some exclusive tracks. And on and on. Instead the player hater approach on El’s part limited the discussion. Right or wrong, our response was we tried, they passed, done. Looking back what a wasted opportunity As far as the Festival people are always telling us how we need their artist on our bill. Submitting year after year getting more belligerent and obstinate as the years progress. We all know who I’m talking about, our friend and yours Jo-Ell Quikman. Sadly that strong approach weakens the argument. In year one Joell submitted music we just didn’t like. No judgments. We just didn’t feel it fit. In year three his music had improved in our eyes. That ‘Bodega Chronicles’ album had some joints, his buzz had grown. Adding him to the bill made a lot of sense. But the hard line approach, the threats, the accusations compelled us to pass once again. If he had just taken the ‘L’ graciously in year one and kept the lines of communication open I think the results would have been markedly different. Our homeboy Fresh Daily is a great example of how you do it. Fresh had been wanting to rock the BHF since year two when his compatriots Tanya Morgan got the nod. He submitted and nothing happen. Did he get mad? Pop sh*t? No. He learned who the decision makers were, kept releasing music, built his brand and not only did he get a slot on the main stage we put him on the opening stage as well. He resisted the urge to hate and took the ‘criticism’ in stride. Kept improving his product and today he is better for it. So let’s stop the hating on both sides. Sit down like adults and work out our differences even if that means parting ways. So endeth the lecture.

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