KRS One’s Beef with Def Jam

September 28th, 2009 | By Safiyyah

As you may have all heard, Def Jam has been sold and taken over by none other than Jay-Z. Now, this may sound very nice, especially to all of you Jay-Z fans, but not everyone is feeling the same glory. KRS One, for instance, isn’t too thrilled about the news. He is known for always going against the system and big corporations that neglect and abuse the little people. So nothing is stopping him from targeting Def Jam. The record company was established by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin back in the day when hip hop was fresh and new. Today, KRS One complains that hip hop has been damaged and that the Jay-Z take over of Def Jam may down it some more. I guess he figures someone like Jay isn’t the solution to hip hop’s ordeal.

Def Jam is the father and mentor of a lot of artists in R&B, pop and rap. It brought and still is bringing out lots of artists and many of the same artists are still signed under their label. KRS One told XXL Magazine that Def Jam single-handedly destroyed hip hop. According to KRS, everything from the lyrics, commercialized music and one artist being played on the radio all day is all thanks to Def Jam. There’s really no competing with Def Jam, so everyone else had to respect what the record label was doing. Hip hop groups like X-Clan and Public Enemy used to be with Def Jam, which were also against the system and big corporations, now Def Jam is a big corporation — how ironic.

Rapper 50 Cent Sent to Hospital?

September 28th, 2009 | By Safiyyah

Well, according to his twitter page and a couple of buddies pages (Tony Ya-Yo), the rap mogul 50 Cent has reportedly been admitted to the hospital. Now, supposedly, it all started when 50 was listening to a new album from Fat Joe, J.O.S.E.2. Fifty suddenly collapsed and when he reached the E.R. they gave him a cat scan and figured out what the problem was. His auditory cortex was damaged! Lol.

Obviously this is a joke, so don’t get all worked up. 50 Cent is being creative by using the web, where so many false claims are made, to make his own false claim against himself. Kinda smart if you ask me. The beef between Fifty and Fat Joe has yet to diminish. You can see the actual posting on Thisis50.com where you will also find a link to pirate Fat Joe’s new album — the link has a warning label that says “DOWNLOAD AT YOUR OWN RISK!” Very funny 50.

I wonder what Fat Joe has to say about this and if he’s gotten word on the link that pirates his album and the “fat” diss Fifty just gave him. If so, what will he come back with, if he decides to do a comeback? I’m sure he will — men just can’t eliminate that testosterone or allow their ego and image to get bruised, so there will be a swing back, I’m sure. Destroying careers is what Fifty likes to do and between me and you, I heard that his next target is Lil’ Wayne (I wonder what dirt he has on him!)

Mariah Carey Apologizes for Shaky MJ Memorial Performance then Regrets it

September 8th, 2009 | By Safiyyah

At the Michael Jackson Memorial, Mariah Carey, among other singers, attended the event and performed different songs in the memory of the great MJ. Mariah’s performance was a bit shaky – you could hear that she was having a hard time hitting certain notes to the song, “I’ll be there”. She went onto her Twitter page and apologized for her shakiness and blamed it on her front-row view of Mike’s gold coffin. It choked her up and she tried her not to cry. Completely understandable.

What I don’t understand is why she regretted speaking about her performance publicly. Maybe it made someone in the Jackson family upset. Who knows? She says that she regrets sending that message on Twitter and that she is very emotional and unhappy with her performance. Then she goes on to say that she forgot the whole world could read what she wrote and thought she was just talking to her friends. (I still don’t see the big deal). “I shouldn’t have done that because that was really only meant for Michael. That was about him,” Mariah said.

Just like the rest of us, Mariah Carey grew up listening to and singing Michael Jackson’s songs. She says that the whole world is going to feel the impact of his death forever and feels blessed that she got a chance to know Mike and perform with him and for his memorial.

Jay-Z Music and Fashion

September 8th, 2009 | By Safiyyah

Since 1996, Jay-Z (also known as Sean Carter) has been taking the world by storm in all shapes and forms. He has practically dominated hip-hop and rap, easily dubbing himself as the “King of Hip Hop”. This year, he will be releasing his 11th (that’s right, 11th!) album called “J to the Z of Jay-Z”. His music grew into an empire that later became known as the record label we are all too familiar with, Rocafella. He and his buddy Damon Dash started it in the 90s, developing a more professional outlook in the hip-hop culture. Jay-Z stays doing big things and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. He’s got his hands in just about everything, from his own music, producing new talent and even creating a clothing line. In 1999, Jay-Z and Damon Dash refined the rap game with Rocawear fashion.

Once again, Jay made big changes happen by showing the world that hip-hop can mature. Going from wearing throwback jerseys and baggy jeans to button-up shirts, slacks and suede shoes – Jigga was making the statement that he was a professional entrepreneur who had grown up. Pushing 40, Jigga transformed his wardrobe to suits and top hats that showed a more serious individual. Back when he was 30, he was afraid that he wouldn’t be taken seriously wearing the stereotypical hip-hop wear, so from then he began to change how he presented himself. In 2007, the Rocawear line has been sold for $204 million, but he is still invested in the brand and is in charge of product development, licensing and advertising.