Fiasco Against the Machine

In response to our friends at ICantBeFamous.com

SHORT VERSION:
Sadly, Lupe’s mainstream crossover will succeed mainly because anything promoted at a certain level will; e.g. Rebecca Black. On top of that he is actually talented, so the flash-in-the-pan pitfalls should be beyond his team’s concerns. Additionally, he has a legion of fans who essentially have liitle-to-no other choice; not a lot of emcees of his caliber for this generation. So though Atlantic Records is bafflingly horrible at business; Lasers will not usher in a new movement of commercial appeal AND talent. Atlantic’s turn at the helm did not fail. In fact, even if it had tanked, the label would blame Lupe. Fortunately for them, short of complete career suicide, nothing he did on/after this release would have caused its demise. Evident in the fact that he, hereto, has been highly antagonistic of the album and the process through which it came to be, yet Lasers continues to succeed.
The opposition makes sense though Read more

Mos Def signed with G.O.O.D. Music?!

A record number of people were gathered in D.C. and burst into exaltations of joy and merriment to welcome… oops wrong awesome moment.

Okay, I think we are all familiar with G.O.O.D. Music… now add Mos Def!!
I’ll give you a minute to collect the pieces of your cranium and recompose yourself because, like mine, your head might have just exploded. Take a few seconds to look for gray matter.

If you don’t know why you should be hopeful for the future of music consider the following. The three current stars of G.O.O.D. Music are Common, Kanye West and John Legend.

We would like to thank a YouTube patron fond of reflection for the following phrase that sums up the signing:

“Mos Def just signed to G.O.O.D. Music? They’re starting to be something like Young Money, except the rappers on G.O.O.D. Music can actually rap.” © iceberggrebeci

Source:Mos Def signs to G.O.O.D. Music

Better Listen to Your Corner…

When are rappers going to stop attempting to sing their own hooks?

Dear Rappers,

1. How am I supposed to believe you are as rich as you say you are when you can’t afford a singer. Do-it-yourself projects never scream affluence. In fact the wealthiest people show off by doing as little for themselves as possible. Think Hakeem in Zamunda from Coming to America. Read more

Embedded (Current TV): Mos Def in Japan

Casa Bey!!

The Mighty Mos Def rocks Japan, tours the country, catches a Sumo tournament, rides the Bullet Train, shops the freshest fashion boutiques and stops in at a Tokyo Giants game.

Watch Mos Def aka Flaco Bey aka Black Danté perform hits from his latest album The Ecstatic as well as jams from previous LPs. As well, listen as he issues commentary on Music, Japan, Fashion, Hip-Hop Culture, the Black experience, History, Performance, etc. Read more

Michael Jackson dies at age 50

A tale of rise and fall fitting a King…

The Los Angeles Times was the first to report his hospitalization and passing. Then announced that Jackson was in a coma before confirming that, at age 50, Michael Jackson suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Read more

Beyoncé: I Am… Sasha Fierce

I’m going to forego any jokes about split personality disorder in reference to Beyoncé’s new album as not to upset half of the people out there with the affliction. Wait… oops. However, I will split this review into two parts accordingly. Marketing gimmick or not, there is an inescapable division within the concept of this release. Read more

John Legend: Evolver

May I throw an ‘R’ before that album title, sir?

John Legend’s new album Evolver is what I like to refer to as mainstream soul.  In fact, John Legend in general defines mainstream soul.  He draws upon all that greatness that could make an artist iconic, but for some reason it never quite manifests into new greatness. Read more

Jazmine Sullivan: Fearless

A review of the debut album from Jazmine Sullivan…

I know you be asking yourself who Jazmine Sullivan is right now, but let’s just say you should get familiar with her.  Finally releasing her debut album “Fearless” on J Records, Jazmine stands up and reminds us what mainstream R&B could be right now. Read more

The Gentleman’s Playlist

“F#@k what you heard!”

Often asked what i’m listening to when not performing or all too eager to share when listening, I, The Gentleman, have compiled a list of tracks that I hope you (all) have heard or will go find. Read more

Giving up on Musiq…

“Don’t front. You know you loooove it.” Not quite, homey.

As if soul wasn’t already an underground genre, now Musiq is trying “Radio”. I expected this one day, but thought there would be a few more singles signaling the inevitable end between then and now. Nope, Musiq dove head first into the mainstream. Can he swim though? Read more

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