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.

Opinion: No one cares about French Montana

Well, this is not one of my usual one. Its been while since I discussed music. However, I need this in the midst of a pandemic. In the middle of quarantine and home-office. This week there been an influx of Youtube clips discussing French Montana after he challenged Kendrick Lamar. Which is a at best a hot-garbage. Why?

Well, first and foremost, who really deep in their hearts cares for French Montana’s music? A very limited scope of people. His the leach on other people’s tracks and without features he wouldn’t be listened too. His the knock-off Pitbull and Flo-Rida. To be that in 2020 and call out Kendrick is just obnoxious.

Frenchie French should chill. Take the Bad Boy Records Royalties, pray to the almighty lord over the blessings of P. Diddy aka Diddy or Puff Daddy’s connections so that he can public music and get royalties. Because French Montana doesn’t have the ability nor the skills to even compose a memorable song. He needs a feature to pull it off and save the day.

There is so little to say about French Montana. His is irrelevant if it wasn’t for Drake, Sway Lee and whoever letting him jump on tracks. The only reason I have ever listen to him is because his a feature on Pusha T records back-in-the-day and so on. Not because I wanted to listen to French Montana, because who wants to do that?

Unless, your mind is out of whack or high as a kite. There is very little grasp. No wordplay, lot’s of gimmicks and very little flair. Even Waka Flacka Flame has more of stage presence and finesse on a track like a modern day DMX without his ability to rhyme. Still, you remember Waka and you would even remember Lil Jon. However, remember French on something? Would be rare and I cannot even say one song I can remember him as a sole artist.

The only song I remember him on as the hook artist on a Pusha T joint and that says a lot. To be frank MIMS who had one single had more finesse on the one single his known for, than French has his whole career. So, that a guy like French are having the audacity to put himself on the pedestal and above Kendrick is just insulting. Not only to Kendrick, but to the culture.

French is lucky, if he will be remembered at all in the scheme of things. He will be the forgotten feature artist in few years time. The lingering sound-vomit that got lost. The one sort of loosing relevancy like Pitbull and Flo-Rida. Because, they got very little personality and very little versatile. Not like they have a unique character or way of rhyming that stands out. Not like their flows or their choices of beats are special either. They are following trends like sheep and hoping the biggest artists let them on the remix or have a song with them.

French Montana, better pray to the almighty Gods, ask for more favours from P. Diddy and also be graceful. His not a wordsmith, neither a great producer and not a musical genius. His the weird side-kick that needs a bunch of famous friends to hit the charts. It is fine and dandy, but not like he could serve a burning hot lava of bars. Not like French could pull of a banger without someone else being on it. He cannot carry song and ensure it hits the charts. That’s not happening. He needs it and he should know it.

However, self-awareness is a bit much to ask in this case. He has such big words for himself, that he rather drown the words, than trying to salvage something. Kendrick can just spit a feature verse and he can blow up a bad record. While French will nearly tarnish a good record by jumping on it. That also the other difference between these two.

French better chill, take a drink and buzz off. You got nothing and you shouldn’t challenge a King, Take a Snapple and rest. Peace.

‘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.

Mack the more – Grammy’s 2014 (mine kommentar til tragedien)

Ikke ofte gidder jeg å kommentere eller skrive om Grammys eller Oscar utdelinger. De er så betente og politiske at det halve kunne ha vært nok! Idag gjør jeg en liten helomvending. Ikke fordi det er overraskende hvem som vant i de fleste delene av Hip Hop sjangeren på Grammy’s 2014. Det var forventet når du så på de utvalgte låtene og album.

Best Performance – “That’s right, O Kay Kay!”

Jeg er langt fra fan av disse som vant 3 av 4 Grammyer. At Macklemore & Ryan Lewis vant for Beste Performance foran Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Swimming Pool’ er uforståelig. Ikke minst også låtene Eminem’s ‘Bezerk’ som viser råheten til Em, produksjon av Rick Rubin og gjennomtenkthet med inspirasjon fra Beastie Boys! Uforståelig, at Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ‘Thrift Shop’ blir ansett som en bedre låt! Det er bare helt banalt. ‘Thrift Shop’ har sin greie og den slo sabla godt an, men alle vet at det var bedre ifjor? Til å med de som tildelte prisen vet dette innerst inne.

Beste Rap-låt: “Fuck You Pay Me”

At Macklemore & Ryan Lewis vant over disse sangene er også uforståelig. Coup d’etat er det blitt! Drake ble som også i forrige Beste Perfomance nominert med ‘Started from the Bottom’. Ikke at jeg er fan av Drake heller, selv denne låten synes jeg faktisk er god! Den viser talentet til Drake. En annen låt som laget til Asap Rocky – ‘Fucking Problems’ som også er med 2Chainz, Drake og Kendrick Lamar. Denne låten er også slagferdig og en god radiolåt. Den var også utslagsgivnde igjennom for Asap Rocky! Jay-Z ‘Holy Grail’ og Kanye West ‘ New Slaves’ var også nominert. Disse viser bare enda mer hvor feil det var å gi Grammyen til Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ‘Thrift Shop’.

Beste Rap-Album: “Lost Ones”

Her er den siste og mest tragiske som skjedde på Grammy’s 2014 at Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – ‘The Heist’vant for beste Rap-Album! Noe så tragisk. Tragikomisk. Urovekkende og helt feil! Drake var også nominert her med albumet: ‘Nothing Was The Same’. Som var bedre album enn debuten. Så fortjent kunne dette ha vært og det mer enn Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Drake var bare ikke hvit nok, selv om han var tidligere en skuespiller fra Toronto. Jay-Z med ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ måtte også falle, dette er mer forståelig. Hadde ikke forventet dette albumet på listen. Derimot så forventet jeg at Kanye West og ‘Yeezus’ skulle være der! Ikke at jeg kjøpte albummet, men at det var spesielt for musikkåret 2013. Det var den definitivt. Det mest sjokkerende var at Kendrick Lamar og ‘Good Kid M.A.A.D City’ – GKMC er en klassiker. Er sikker på at sammenligne album om ti år vil Kendricks debut album på TDE/Aftermath/Interscope med Dr.Dre bak spakene. Det er helt utrolig at dette albumet ikke vant en Grammy!

Unnlatte album og låter: “Forgot about Dre”. 

At J.Cole både album ‘Born Sinner’ og låtene ‘Crooked Smile’ ft TLC og ‘Power Trip’ ft Miguel. Burde ha vært med på de tre listene. Pusha T en del av Clipse som gav ut sin første solo skulle lett ha overskygget flere av de nominerte album – dette med tanke på hvor bra albumet ‘My Name Is My Name’. Låtene ‘Sweet Serenade’ ft Chris Brown og ’30 Acres’ ft The Dream. Skulle let vært med på nominasjonslisten til Grammy! Bubba Sparxx kom ut med nytt album i året som var ‘Pain Management’. Der han gikk tilbake til røttene, men med independent realese istedenfor stort plateselskap ble utgivelsen forbi i stillhet. Selv om den selvskreven for min del. Også Cory Mo sitt album ‘Take it or Leave it’ burde ha vært med og låten ‘Hold up’. Chamillionaire med ‘Reignfall’ burde ha vært blant låtene som skulle ha vært nominert. Kanskje også sammen med DJ Khaled sin låt – ‘Never Surrender’. Talib Kweli’s album ‘Gravitas’ burde også heller gjemmes vekk. Man kan vel ikke forvente annet.

Takk for meg. 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!

Favoritt: Bøker og musikk i 2011.

Ja, jeg måtte også komme med dette. Nå som alle har fantastisk lange lister og ekstra anmeldelser av året. Så kunne ikke jeg være noe dårligere. Her vil jeg kort skrive og vise hva min personlig formening om det som var det beste! Det er ikke lett. Ei heller enklet å vurdere. Likevel. Så måtte jeg alikevel beskrive det. Dette var også ærlig talt: en unnskyld for å ha en pause fra eksamenslesingen. Her mine enkle lister.

 

Bøkene:

Who Killed Hammerskjøld? – Williams.

Sponheim Uautorisert – Olav Galvik.

Dancing in Glory of Monsters – Jason Stearns.

Chocolate Nations – Orla Ryan.

Portrait of a Despot: The Modern Traits – Charles Ochen Okwir.

Album:

Royce Da 5’9″ & Eminem – Bad VS Evil: Hell the Sequel

J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story

Pusha T – Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray

Kendrick Lamar – Section#80

 

Beste singlene:

Første Kendrick Lamar:

Andre er J.Cole:

Tredje er DJ Drama:

Fjerde er Fashawn:

Femte er Pusha T:

Sjetteog siste er Red Cafe:

Nå må jeg lese igjen, ha forsatt god advent. Peace! 🙂

By the way, hvis du hadde forventa filmer på lista. Så har det ikke kommet så sable bra filmer i år etter min mening. Derfor gadd jeg ikke håper på ett bedre MPS år i 2012! Yet again. Peace.