H.I.F.T Vol. 5

Frank Ocean aka Lonny Breaux is building quite a buzz. I posted Nostalgia, Ultra a couple of weeks back. Now someone has posted an unofficial mixtape of unreleased material. Look for the The Lonny Breaux Collection on Datpiff.com. Its free and with 64 songs, everyone can find something to listen to. Enjoy.

-H.A.Y.F.T?  Hit me up at hiphoppolitician@gmail.com. Follow me on twitter @HipHopPoly.

Wanna Sell Records?: Be A Weirdo

If you were at Coachella this year, then you saw some great performances from a lot new and old artists. I watched some of Kanye's performance online. Dope as usual. But what stole the show for some was Lil B naming his album, I'm Gay. Personally, I don't know how I feel about it because I don't know his angle. But I think that his statement touches upon a deeper movement in hiphop.

You can use any of today's social networking tools to build a name for yourself in the industry and cut out the middle man. But, everyone having access to the same tools and influences creates a lot of artists that look and sound the same. To counteract that, hip hop artists and rappers have emerged that are not cut from the same cloth. Rather, they have woven a tapestry so diverse that, typical labels can't hold them.

Obviously we all  know Nicki Minaj at this point. Though she is the top female emcee by default, she is more known for her outrageous style and antics than actual lyricism these days. Then you have Odd Future, a collective of west coast rappers that have shocked the industry with their violent lyrics and then you have the aforementioned Lil B. Like it or not, they are geniuses because they have mastered the art of being original and unpredictable. Staying ahead of the curve keeps you relevant. But a gimmick only lasts so long before you have to prove you're more than that. The sophomore jinks still exists after all.

It's too early to tell where these artists' futures lie. But I believe that consistency in the quality of your music equals a long career. It's great that you want to do everything but what is the point if you can't do anything well? Good or bad, artists like this bring fresh air to hiphop. Hopefully, this will allow more labels to take risks on rappers that don't fit into the radio-play formula.

- So am I right? Or maybe the caliber of rappers hasn't changed but rather the fans that buy the music. Share your opinion at hiphoppolitician@gmail.com. Also follow me on twitter @HipHopPoly.

Positive Feedback

Thursday is slowly fading into Friday about now. I hope everyone is enjoying the weather today if you are in the DMV. Well, Ashely Judd has since apologized for her rant about Hip Hop; claiming she was taken out of context. If you read my last blog, you know my opinion on it. Here's a video showing rappers discussing their influence,or lack there of, they have over today's generation of kids in schools. Thought it was pretty relevant to the topic from yesterday. Some good points. Enjoy.

Am I the only one that did not know that Bun B was a co-professor? I need to step my research game up.

As usual, thanks for reading. Questions and comments? Hit me up at hiphoppolitician@gmail.com.

Apparently, it's poetry month. In honor of that, check out Tabitha A. Lewis' new book, Poems and Praise. Search for Tabitha's Poems on Facebook.com for the link to purchase a copy.

Til then, peace.

Hip Hop = Rape Culture?

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you all had as good a weekend as I did. It's always good to be well rested to deal with the week's bullsh*t. Speaking of that, a nice fresh load just flopped on my lap this morning. If you are familiar with Hollywood than you might know the name Ashley Judd. She's been in the news lately for recently coming out about being molested as a child in a new memoir. Well that's not all.....

Apparently, she's not a fan of hip hop. I'm really not surprised by that but how far she takes it. According to Sohh.com, Judd says, "Along with other performers, YouthAIDS was supported by rap and hip-hop artists like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy to spread the message ... um, who?" the actress reportedly says. "Those names were a red flag...as far as I'm concerned, most rap and hip-hop music - with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as 'ho's' - is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny," 

Seriously?!!! What does supporting YouthAIDS and hip hop have to do with each other? Last time I checked AIDS was a world issue that anyone could support. She probably heard N.W.A by accident while at a red light and that was it for her. 

I think its great that anyone puts their money and time behind an endeavor like this. How predictable for her to single out two very visible hip hop stars and judge the whole culture. Like all music genres, Hip Hop has subcultures that lend to the ear of many different people. You want less 'rape culture' hip hop? Go listen to Will Smith. Hell, Nelly did a duet with Tim Mcgraw! Ever listen to country music? They talk about some controversial stuff there too. 

Honestly, I could care less if this lady from Kentucky is a fan or not. But, do some research beyond the surface of what the media is feeding you before judging or else you will sound as ignorant and narrow-minded as she does. Go to Sohh for the full article and 9th Wonder/Questlove's responses.

I didn't say it was good but you get my point...

*Sigh................

Alright, now back to the positivity.....   

H.I.F.T VOL.4

 

Still holding out for an album..... Sampling Thom Yorke's Eraser was genius. Listen to it.

 

 


-As always thanks for the support and taking the time read. Questions, comments, H.Y.F.T music? Hit me up at hiphoppolitician@gmail.com or at facebook. Look for Olu shegun.

H.I.F.T Vol.3

Vintage Lupe............

"They'll play ya/ like the spacebar in tools..." 
  
I think if Lupe can get back to this on his next album, he can surpass the success of The Cool. I hope this helps everyone get over the hump this week.

Also.......

Listen to the new Pharoah Monch album free.

Shout out to John D. Barber for the link. Yes he cuts hair........

-Like it? Don't Like it? H.A.Y.F.T?  Hit me up at hiphoppolitician@gmail.com or on facebook