Opinion: The Game’s “love letter” to Eminem…

“When you was pretendin’ to be the white Royce da 5’9″” – The Game – ‘Black Slim Shady’

Jayceon Terrell Taylor aka “The Game” releases his new album today called the “Drillmatic – Heart Versus Mind” and his been steady releasing music since the early 2000s. His been rapper who has been long in the game. Had such a momentum and created a name on the mixtape-circuit that he had to be picked up by a major label. That just happened to be Dr. Dre’s Aftermath. Because of easier to roll out he got also put on Shady (Eminem’s record label) and 50 Cent’s G-Unit. So, the game was practically supported by three biggest stars and having the options of countless producers to make jams, which ended up in the Documentary. Everything since then is history…

Now in 2022 and with the longevity that is rare. The Game seems like his fishing for relevancy. His going back to the program of dissing and creating beef. That’s how he prolonged his stay and harden his fan-base with “G-G-G U-Not”. We know he dropped plenty of diss tracks and mixtapes targeting the G Unit at one point. So, we know that he can drop bars and be spiteful.

However, after listening to the “Black Slim Shady” the diss track against Eminem. The ten minute long with even a skit in the middle. Whatever that was the point of it is lost. It seems more like a fan lost his way and he don’t know how to admire a living legend. That’s why he tries to copy and use part of discography against Eminem. However, it is really soft and falls flat..

That he wants to do Saweetie and uses the diss to say this. Just shows how his all over the place and not consistent on the track. He maybe wanted another “300 Bars and Running” but this isn’t it. It sounds more like admiration and giving him props, than an actual diss. Like what does NFTs and Crypto got with Eminem and The Game collecting them? Good for him I suppose, but it’s not a diss that he has a digital wallet and are registered on the blockchain.

You had to go to the Third Verse for any words of resentment, but that’s more going after Eminem’s ethnicity and his associates. That’s being Royce or D12. The saying that Eminem wanting to be White Royce. Also proclaiming Big Sean or Sean Don as the biggest rapper in Detroit. That’s just trying to dismiss Eminem. While he like others also went after his daughter. Which he did with this line: “Dear Slim, Hailie’s with me and she’s unharmed for now (Dad, I’m really scared)” (The Game, 2022).

Certainly very little said or stated in this track is memorable or even disrespectful. To be a 10 minute long track, you would think there would several of bars that made you go “wow” or “did he really say that?”. Well, there is little of that, but instead getting the vibe that The Game made an unsolicited love letter to Eminem. He shows again how much he respects him and looks up to him. In such a manner that he copies and uses tropes of the old school Slim. He even made the sounds of a chain-saw, which we know Em did as well.

The Game ended with these lines: “Your fans want a rap god, well, fuck it, I’ma give him one

I came to put Slim in a box but he already live in one” (The Game, 2022).

His trying to be smart, but his sounding a like a fan who got wronged. He sounds like a man who admires and is looking up to Eminem. Plus a few side-shows, which I already mentioned and had nothing to do with Eminem.

For a man that had all the options, the biggest backers off the industry and ensured his rise to prominence. His now going after one of them to get relevancy. This is searching for a straw and going back to dissing like in G-U-Not Days. However, does days are long gone and it shows. The name-dropping machine cannot make it so entertaining as in the past.

This will get people talking and discussing The Game. It is making people react to a The Game record in 2022, but not for the reasons he wants them too. Seemingly he has lost it already and trying to catch it again. That’s why he went back to his old ways and trying to capitalize on it. There was a reason why I mentioned “300 bars and running” which could be seen as similar to the “Black Slim Shady”. The vast difference is the pin-point and the manner of which he addressed the beef.

That’s why The Game should look into himself and maybe wonder why he does this. Because, it isn’t making him look good. He wasted time in the booth and for the listener too. Peace.

Opinion: Will Snoop Dogg be able to revive the Death Row?

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. aka Snoop Dogg aka Uncle Snoop has acquired the legendary Hip Hop record label Death Row for an undisclosed amount. For a hot minute the Toy Company Hasbro owned it before selling to the Blackstone Group, which today is revealed has sold to the Hip Hop Legend, entrepreneur and actor Snoop Dogg, which is a unique day for anyone who follows or has interests in this.

Snoop has bought the label, which made him prominent and gave him a career in the first. The record label where he dropped albums, features and part-took in the G-Funk and Gangsta Rap era of the 1990s, which was dominated by Death Row. That’s because of its rooster of skilled MCs, Producers and genius marketing, which made the LPs, Singles and everything was selling.

The whole Death Row was smoking fire. All artists at some point became wealthy and could get good royalties. It was the place to be and to prosper. However, the whole premise of the gangster and thug life was also it’s downfall. As the co-founders split, court-cases, shady-business practices and the early demise and unresolved killing of Tupac Shakur has always followed the label. Therefore, it is special that Snoop buys it and possibly revives it.

As Daz Dillinger sued the label to get his ends. Dr. Dre left the label and started Aftermath. Crooked I was left behind and Kurupt had to return. There been so many stories and backstabbing, as the label lost relevance and others took it’s place in hip hop. However, the era and the classic albums lives on. The discography and the catalogue of the Record Label must be one of the unique assets and recordings, which will stand the test of time.

However, Snoop has big shoes to fill and have to market the label in new era. Which the labels and the record companies are fighting for revenue in new aspects, as the streaming and short-sighted fandoms quickly moves. The quickly produced and released tracks to stay relevant, as well as the social media push is more vital than ever. It is like another world since the first inception of Death Row.

Snoop has connections and is a beloved character now. Who can sell and be used in any sort of product. That’s why he has voiced over GPS Systems to be recently selling BIC Lighters. Therefore, you know his good at branding and selling his character at this point.

However, the Death Row to be revived… it need both the spirit of the past and also new breed of acts to be viable. That will be a refreshing thing. As the West-Coast needs a star on the horizon. Yes, Kendrick Lamar is the biggest name, but his not in the realm of Death Row. K.Dot is more in is his own lane and closer to J. Cole’s of the world. Nothing wrong with that, but that is the reality here. The Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) brought similarities to it, but not as successful as Death Row. However, who could think of getting into those levels of success and respectability…

Death Row doesn’t have to be big, but the ones remembering it. It was everywhere and the artists was everything. They were inspirational and was it. Not just some random blokes, but the rappers and MCs who inspired you to write and imagine their world.

Let’s hope Snoop Dogg will bring some of it back with the purchase of Death Row. He is seemingly the one and his team can bring the best out of it. There is a need for it.

Now am just waiting for THA ROW to return and hear new tales of that THUG LIFE. Peace.

Uganda – (Letter) Re: Our own Norman is missing – (Where is Norman Tumuhimbise?)

A letter from The Jobless Brotherhood: 

It is increasingly becoming risky and unsafe to stay in Uganda. It is common for plain clothed security personnel to pick any youth or Ugandan apart from MPs from any place any time. Detain you illegally at places of their convenience where friends and relatives can’t access you.

The most recent victim is Norman Tumuhimbise a leader of Jobless brotherhood commonly known as Mpigs. Norman didn’t make it home Thursday night and until now, he has gone missing. However his car remains parked in its’ night parking space. A report has been filed with Kawala Police Station under reference SBREF29/21/08/215 Person missing Norman Tumuhimbise.

You may not agree with what The Jobless brotherhood does but that doesn’t give anyone a right to kidnap another. If undeterred, the appetite for unlawful arrests could knock at your door steps. Let’s stop this by demanding that Norman be presented in courts of law. Lets’ embarrass and shame the officer who made the orders.

We do all this in the best interest of Uganda.

‘The Ecology’ VS ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ – Underrated VS Cultural Icon

It isn’t often I discuss music. Today I got to. Not because Kendrick Lamar dropped a new ‘Control’ verse. This post will be about Kendrick Lamar and Fashawn. Because them both have released albums recently…

First and foremost, I have liked them both as artist K-Dot and Fashawn. Listen to their mixtapes like Section#80 and Higher Learning. Also their great projects like ‘Boys Meets World’ and ‘Good Kid M.A.A.D. City’.

Second there happen a lot over the years. I don’t listen to as much of the dropped music. So this will be more my view of it. The recent lousy projects I have listened to were Kid Inks album and Tygas random project with Chris Brown. They we’re so boring… that I gave up them both after two listening. Let me tell you. I will listen to K.Dots and Fashawns albums for so long. They are both good projects. Still I have some feelings about them.

‘The Ecology’

Let me tell you. The style of Fashawn is so old-school way. Therefore Boys Meets World is like a Boom Bap paradise. The new album is up to day. You can feel the different producers of the tracks. That he has used time to build this one up. The only boring track Confess… is a weak ass of a song. That he wants to tell he is the best man a woman can get. Let me tell you Fashawn is better to explain how he feels about his past and his glories. The way that he lyrically can address the Fresno issues… That’s when he got you blasting the tracks into a blaze. I feel he is so underrated therefore I address him first.

‘To Pimp a Butterfly’

Now let me address Kendrick and his album. This one has been discussed and addressed by all the pundits between the moon and where there is no lights burning. So for me to go wild here would be unnecessary. Let’s say it doesn’t have the same amount of big hits as the first major release. He kind of follows the preaching society issues from Section#80 and the #HighPower agenda. Which is a good thing considering this form a Markie and major artist which is coming from TDE/Aftermath and not some indie label who gets 10K sold over 100 months. So this will be listened to and also make mark on the culture. He got a bigger reach then Fashawn. His star power is gigantic. Therefore he is now addressing that as well as social circumstances. Which is refreshing, he switches between flows and genres so that the listening experience isn’t boring and it grows on you. Get better with multiple listens.

Discussion:  

Fashawn I dig his album and it will be on rotation for a god damn long time. The Same will happen with K.Dot. They are both good. But as a hip hop head. I prefer Fashawn even if he don’t have as many flows and storytelling ways. I keeps it more to formula. That’s why until recently I listened mostly to DJ Premier and Royce Da 5’9” with ‘Phryme’. I am that kind of guy. I know that a few of you now expect KRS and the Juice Crew to jump into the screen and dance for you. If not BDP to drop another classic! Well, I am sorry that will not happen. Unless you’re drinking… or smoking some of Snoops righteous spliffs.

And at this point K.Dot can nearly drop any kind of project and be praised. Fashawn can do whatever and be under the radar. Nobody would mind. Therefore I have to root for the underdog. Not to undervalue the progress and the stature of K.Dot, but somebody has to love and enjoy the records of Fashawn. He has also prospered but in a slow way from the indie release until being signed by Nas.

I just wished that Fashawn would have a bigger crowed and honored the way he deserve. The same goes to Killer Mike and all the other lyricists that hasn’t gone platinum. But they gone another direction and doesn’t also ways max out. Nevertheless, as long as they drop quality product, people like me will pick it up and even pay for it.

Big up for K.Dot or Kendrick Lamar who has made it. And dropping great music. Its well deserved!

While I am talking music, where is Mos Def hiding?

Peace.

T.I. – Memories (ft Kris Stephens, B.O.B. & Kendrick Lamar)

Her er virkelig en banger. Har ikke vært så hektet på låt i år utenom Kat Dahlia “Gangsta”. Kos deg med låta! Grand Hustle og TDE in the building! Enjoy! Ikke minst litt av en herlig video. Ikke sant?

Hva har Big Sean og 50 Cent til felles?

Man, kan tenke seg at de har en masse til felles. De er begge to store rappere på store plateselskap som har fått stor hjelp av større stjerner før dem. 50 Cent fikk hjelp av Eminem og Dr.Dre. Big Sean ble en del av Kanye West’s GOOD Music plateselskap. Derav har begge tjent på deres affiliering med store «helter» i hiphop verden. Men, det er ikke dette jeg skal vise til idag. Heller ikke om de har vært i hop med samme video-vixen, det kan ha skjedd, men har ingen anelse om eller bryr meg om. Derimot synes jeg det er gøy å se på disse to musikkvideoene! Om du kjenner igjen huset og bassenget! De har filmet på samme sted i LA. Fantastisk fun fact ikke sant!

Først viser jeg Big Sean:

Nå den nyeste singelen fra 50 Cent:

Hvis jeg er uheldig så tar jeg feil, uansett ser det sabla likt ut på begge videoene. Noe en person som meg legger merke til. Uansett, kos deg med singlene. Big Sean snart kommer ut i 2013 med ‘Hall of Fame’, 50 Cent kommer ut med ‘Street King Immortal’ i 2013. 2013 it is!