Official Rap/Hip Hop Thread 2.0

[ManualRam]

P.S. Manualram, since you're the only cat around these ways that knows him, I'm hearing from the team that A-butta's Thank You video will be getting some spin on MTV come spring time...you weren't a fan of the track but I'm happy as hell he's getting some much deserved attention after all this time.

thats cool. its been a long time coming. wish he wouldve gotten more props when NE was at their peak.
maybe he can hit up that alternative crowd.
i know he can still rap, but im just not feeling his new style. maybe i could get with content a LITTLE bit, but butta's always had a bit of a problem with beats after charlemagne stopped producing for him.

[j4remi]

P.S. Manualram, since you're the only cat around these ways that knows him, I'm hearing from the team that A-butta's Thank You video will be getting some spin on MTV come spring time...you weren't a fan of the track but I'm happy as hell he's getting some much deserved attention after all this time.

thats cool. its been a long time coming. wish he wouldve gotten more props when NE was at their peak.
maybe he can hit up that alternative crowd.
i know he can still rap, but im just not feeling his new style. maybe i could get with content a LITTLE bit, but butta's always had a bit of a problem with beats after charlemagne stopped producing for him.

He's back working with Swigga a LOT more now too, which brings out the best in him. When it's just those two it's 2face...Two hungry emcees to this day. I really hope they succeed.

edit: lol, his content is really off the wall these days...but it fits his personality to a T. Dude's perspective really shines in his lyrics now. I think his beat selection will always be a bit iffy for a lot of cats who remember the NE days because he's really shifted gears hard.

[markdeez33]

Yes, Em didn't bite Cage but people said he did due to a couple of superficial similarities the two shared. That's the point I'm making.

Em and Yela are not similar at all image wise. They were both poor and white, and that's where the similarities end. Yela is a skater and looks like he's from that culture.. he didn't take anything from Eminem.

Apples and oranges, apples and oranges. Eminem obviously liked being bit by the dude, so he signed him. It is what it is. I just think he could've signed way better talent.

Like who?

Vinnie Paz
Apathy
Celph Titled
Ill Bill
Slug (Atmosphere)
Sage Francis
Eyedea (before he passed recently)
Aesop Rock
Virtuoso
Esoteric
Slaine

In my opinion, they're leaps and bounds better than Yelawolf could ever be.

[ManualRam]

-if someone doesnt know the history of hip-hop, but is good at rapping, then so be it. sometimes its better to not be exposed to so much hip-hop. you dont become so jaded, dont hold yourself up to certain standards and are less likely to consciously or subconsciously bite. that artist is able to create, what he thinks is a true persona or unique rhyme style.

This is an interesting outlook on it...my only problem is that, the cats who paved the way deserve respect whether you know their music or not. If not for the old school cats, there wouldn't be the avenues there are to success. Also, it's not impossible to come up with unique sounds while giving and taking on the influence of those who came before you.

I'm actually a bit taken aback that you, who has hated just about every new emcee on the scene, defend Yelawolf...I think he comes off generic consistently and his only redeeming quality is diversity in flow...but his delivery is even killed by his voice. His bars are meh to me and I don't see him as a unique character in this thing...but I respect your opinion on these things.

i understand that, but how do you pay homage? name drop?
also, in hip-hop there seems to be a fine line b/t paying homage and biting.

i said that i thought yelawolf is ok. i cant listen to trunk muzik all the way through. his voice is like eminem's to me (and for that reason im not a fan of em's music either...amongst other reasons). but real recognize real. the boy can rap his ass off and his persona is unique.

maybe because of where i come from compared to some of yall east coasters, but coming from chicago, we were exposed to all kinds of rap. it wasnt just boom bap. we would listen to wu, bcc, common one minute and in the next minute, jump in the lac and ride to some psychodrama, geto boys, twista, 8ball & mjg. we were exposed to all of that, so i've grown to appreciate all types of hip-hop.

[ManualRam]

P.S. Manualram, since you're the only cat around these ways that knows him, I'm hearing from the team that A-butta's Thank You video will be getting some spin on MTV come spring time...you weren't a fan of the track but I'm happy as hell he's getting some much deserved attention after all this time.

thats cool. its been a long time coming. wish he wouldve gotten more props when NE was at their peak.
maybe he can hit up that alternative crowd.
i know he can still rap, but im just not feeling his new style. maybe i could get with content a LITTLE bit, but butta's always had a bit of a problem with beats after charlemagne stopped producing for him.

He's back working with Swigga a LOT more now too, which brings out the best in him. When it's just those two it's 2face...Two hungry emcees to this day. I really hope they succeed.

edit: lol, his content is really off the wall these days...but it fits his personality to a T. Dude's perspective really shines in his lyrics now. I think his beat selection will always be a bit iffy for a lot of cats who remember the NE days because he's really shifted gears hard.

yeah, he's a real positive cat. good to see someone with a positive outlook after all these yrs of grinding and not having much to show for it other than respect from the hardcore fans.
butta in particular was sorta like a hero to me in the late 90s. whether he knows it or not, he and NE gave birth to so many styles. next time you see him, make sure you tell him that.

[markdeez33]

I'm from the south. I was exposed to plenty of southern Hip Hop but Hip Hop started on the east coast, and the east coast does it better than anybody.

Its just in this past decade the music industry has chosen that southern hip hop is more lucrative, well the truth is, southern artists are generally less intelligent, less educated, and easier to manipulate. I know so many artists from the south that were used and abused by the industry because of their LACK of knowledge on these matters.

[ManualRam]

Apples and oranges, apples and oranges. Eminem obviously liked being bit by the dude, so he signed him. It is what it is. I just think he could've signed way better talent.

Like who?

Vinnie Paz
Apathy
Celph Titled
Ill Bill
Slug (Atmosphere)
Sage Francis
Eyedea (before he passed recently)
Aesop Rock
Virtuoso
Esoteric
Slaine

In my opinion, they're leaps and bounds better than Yelawolf could ever be.

ok now which one of those guys could actually sell....even if promoted properly?
slug's found his niche and has done alright commercially.

maybe apathy, but he's already been signed and dropped from a major. hes got real talent though and enough versatility to straddle the line. the rest of those guys?? nahh

[ManualRam]

I'm from the south. I was exposed to plenty of southern Hip Hop but Hip Hop started on the east coast, and the east coast does it better than anybody.

Its just in this past decade the music industry has chosen that southern hip hop is more lucrative, well the truth is, southern artists are generally less intelligent, less educated, and easier to manipulate. I know so many artists from the south that were used and abused by the industry because of their LACK of knowledge on these matters.

artists from EVERYWHERE have been used and abused. that is the nature of the beast.

[markdeez33]

ok now which one of those guys could actually sell....even if promoted properly?
slug's found his niche and has done alright commercially.

maybe apathy, but he's already been signed and dropped from a major. hes got real talent though and enough versatility to straddle the line. the rest of those guys?? nahh

AOTP's first album sold 40,000 - Slaughterhouse did 22,000

[markdeez33]

Jedi Mind Tricks also has one of the biggest followings I've ever seen on the international scene. When you have such a grass roots following, if you added artists like that to a major label with even more promotion, there's no doubt in my mind they could do huge numbers. Its all about market strategy.

[ManualRam]

ok now which one of those guys could actually sell....even if promoted properly?
slug's found his niche and has done alright commercially.

maybe apathy, but he's already been signed and dropped from a major. hes got real talent though and enough versatility to straddle the line. the rest of those guys?? nahh

AOTP's first album sold 40,000 - Slaughterhouse did 22,000

ummm... im guessing thats good?

[markdeez33]

ok now which one of those guys could actually sell....even if promoted properly?
slug's found his niche and has done alright commercially.

maybe apathy, but he's already been signed and dropped from a major. hes got real talent though and enough versatility to straddle the line. the rest of those guys?? nahh

AOTP's first album sold 40,000 - Slaughterhouse did 22,000

ummm... im guessing thats good?

Considering Shady Records signed Slaughterhouse after doing 22K I'd say its very good

Also considering when major label artists are only moving like 100-150K I'd say its really good

[ManualRam]

Considering Shady Records signed Slaughterhouse after doing 22K I'd say its very good

Also considering when major label artists are only moving like 100-150K I'd say its really good

and i'll say that the shady records will regret signing slaughterhouse in about a yr and a half. they dont have mass appeal.

[markdeez33]

Considering Shady Records signed Slaughterhouse after doing 22K I'd say its very good

Also considering when major label artists are only moving like 100-150K I'd say its really good

and i'll say that the shady records will regret signing slaughterhouse in about a yr and a half. they dont have mass appeal.

lol slaughterhouse is the best crop of artists that shady records has EVER had

[ManualRam]

Considering Shady Records signed Slaughterhouse after doing 22K I'd say its very good

Also considering when major label artists are only moving like 100-150K I'd say its really good

and i'll say that the shady records will regret signing slaughterhouse in about a yr and a half. they dont have mass appeal.

lol slaughterhouse is the best crop of artists that shady records has EVER had

thats not saying much. do you think slaughterhouse has mass appeal? i dont. neither does AOTP.

[markdeez33]

thats not saying much. do you think slaughterhouse has mass appeal? i dont. neither does AOTP.

yes and yes. AOTP has mass appeal with artists like block mccloud who can rap, sing, and make beats. that's a hell of a triple threat. i think AOTP has changed their sound a lot and could definitely sign to a major and make an impact.

slaughterhouse also has mass appeal. joell, royce, crook, and budden have ALL made songs that could be hits on the radio.

we all know joe budden had a hit back in the day with def jam, but listen to his album padded room, plenty of radio viable songs on there.

royce is a pure lyricist but he also had somewhat of a hit way back in the day with "rock city" but he can switch his sound up.

crook had songs like "boom boom clap" and "dream big w/ akon" that are commercial sounding enough to make an impact

joell ortiz had "call me" which is probably the best commercially sounding song i've heard in years, any time i've played that for a chick they fell in love with it.

its all about maximizing the potential towards an audience. slaughterhouse has mass appeal potential and a great street/hardcore fanbase.

[ManualRam]

thats not saying much. do you think slaughterhouse has mass appeal? i dont. neither does AOTP.

yes and yes. AOTP has mass appeal with artists like block mccloud who can rap, sing, and make beats. that's a hell of a triple threat. i think AOTP has changed their sound a lot and could definitely sign to a major and make an impact.

slaughterhouse also has mass appeal. joell, royce, crook, and budden have ALL made songs that could be hits on the radio.

we all know joe budden had a hit back in the day with def jam, but listen to his album padded room, plenty of radio viable songs on there.

royce is a pure lyricist but he also had somewhat of a hit way back in the day with "rock city" but he can switch his sound up.

crook had songs like "boom boom clap" and "dream big w/ akon" that are commercial sounding enough to make an impact

joell ortiz had "call me" which is probably the best commercially sounding song i've heard in years, any time i've played that for a chick they fell in love with it.

its all about maximizing the potential towards an audience. slaughterhouse has mass appeal potential and a great street/hardcore fanbase.

i disagree with either groups having mass appeal.
all i gotta say is that, for someone trying to make it in the industry, i hope you maintain your optimism.

[markdeez33]

thats not saying much. do you think slaughterhouse has mass appeal? i dont. neither does AOTP.

yes and yes. AOTP has mass appeal with artists like block mccloud who can rap, sing, and make beats. that's a hell of a triple threat. i think AOTP has changed their sound a lot and could definitely sign to a major and make an impact.

slaughterhouse also has mass appeal. joell, royce, crook, and budden have ALL made songs that could be hits on the radio.

we all know joe budden had a hit back in the day with def jam, but listen to his album padded room, plenty of radio viable songs on there.

royce is a pure lyricist but he also had somewhat of a hit way back in the day with "rock city" but he can switch his sound up.

crook had songs like "boom boom clap" and "dream big w/ akon" that are commercial sounding enough to make an impact

joell ortiz had "call me" which is probably the best commercially sounding song i've heard in years, any time i've played that for a chick they fell in love with it.

its all about maximizing the potential towards an audience. slaughterhouse has mass appeal potential and a great street/hardcore fanbase.

i disagree with either groups having mass appeal.
all i gotta say is that, for someone trying to make it in the industry, i hope you maintain your optimism.

i've already accomplished all of the goals i set in this game, anything else is just icing on the cake. i'm on canibus new album and i've worked with numerous legends, etc. i couldn't have asked for a better run.

[Governor Dudley]

Apples and oranges, apples and oranges. Eminem obviously liked being bit by the dude, so he signed him. It is what it is. I just think he could've signed way better talent.

Like who?

Vinnie Paz
Apathy
Celph Titled
Ill Bill
Slug (Atmosphere)
Sage Francis
Eyedea (before he passed recently)
Aesop Rock
Virtuoso
Esoteric
Slaine

In my opinion, they're leaps and bounds better than Yelawolf could ever be.

Slug is already successful with Atmosphere and Rhymesayers he doesn't need to be signed.

And like Manual said, the rest of those guys would never sell for various reasons.

But I can't believe you mentioned Esoteric, dude is garbage, and always has been.

And slaughterhouse sold 20k in its first week, AOTP sold 41 k all together.

[markdeez33]

total sales for slaughterhouse tallies around 44K... so still its comparable