The Low End Theory Hip-Hop News Report 1.20.11: The Paid Dues Edition

Posted by Tony Acero on 01.20.2012

News and thoughts on Jay-Z debunking rumors about his change in vocabulary, LL Cool J hosting the Grammys, Dilated Peoples announcing their upcoming tour, Lil Wayne getting into it with a Dallas Cowboy and more!



Happy Thursday everyone! First and foremost I'd like to say it's great to be back, I've missed you all! Unfortunately I had a loss in the family and I had to take some time to cope and honor such a wonderful woman who was in my life for a small amount of time, but her memories with me will remain in my life forever. So this one is for you Little Margie! We love you! Secondly, I'd like to touch on what I've been seeing since I've been away. I've read comments from people who obviously lack love! Enough with the "cyber bullying," because if you haven't noticed yet, Tony and I are the ones writing a COLUMN, and you're probably stuck in Grandmas basement writing what are supposed to be rude COMMENTS. Clearly Tony and I also just don't give two fucks about it. So sit back, get your panties out of a bunch, and enjoy!

Look at my little whipper-snapper go. While I don't share the same hostility towards some of our readers as Hope does, what she is pertaining to are a few choice comments over the last two weeks. I will not point them out by name, but rather, I'll say this: I've paid my dues. Firstly, I have a platform in which I am able to allow my friends to speak their mind on a topic that we all know and love. I LOVE giving opportunities and will not stop any time soon. Secondly, the business cards are a means to an end, and if one feels they were created in Word, that's fine, as the point isn't to be flashy, but to be noticed. Now then....it's another fabulous Thursday/Friday and I'm here to welcome you to The Low End Theory. If this is your first time visiting, then welcome. If this isn't your first trip down our road then you might not be too surprised when I tell you that I am merely hours away from leaving to Vegas - yes, once again. Man, I love that city. Where the air is thick with smoke and prostitution of numerous kinds is on every corner. Funny fact about this weekend, is that it appears the AVN's are taking place over there, and our very own Steve Gustafson of 5&1 fame is reporting just for us over at 411mania.com! I'm definitely going to have a beer or two with the man that gave me my start here at 411. Yes, this is true! I was a lowly movie reviewer in the movie section within Steve's Big Screen Bulletin before making my way over into this beautiful section of music. So for those that hate me, blame that guy...and if ya love me, then it's all my doing, I'm sure. Anyways, due to the time constraints - and the packing for that matter - this may not be as long as usual, but we still got plenty to talk about, so let's get to it!

Video of the Week
Strange Clouds - B.o.B. Ft. Lil Wayne
Wayne continues to devalue the art of getting dressed...





- In the Common vs. Drake Feud, Common feels like he's had the last word and has nothing more to say unless Drake says something. Guys, the Royal Rumble is only a a week away, BOOK IT!!!

- According to various reports, Lil Wayne was in a bit of an altercation this weekend with Dallas Cowboy Dez Bryant. I saw something like this once, I think it was something like a House falling on a Wicked Witch...

- After getting more than even they could handle, Jay-Z and Beyonce decided to donate a number of their gifts that they received for their newly born daughter to charities for young mothers. It appears that since they weren't laced with gold or satanic symbols, they were simply not good enough for Blue Ivy.




Dilated Peoples To Tour Europe

Straight out of Los Angeles, CA, the trio known as Dilated Peoples will be heading to Europe for a month to spread their great music over there. Fresh off of the news that a new album will be coming out, this is big for Europe and for fans of the Peoples in general. Known mostly for their underground work, they've been in the game for quite some time and have garnered respect from fans everywhere. Most may know them from the hit "This Way" that featured a young Kanye West, but they've done so much more as singles acts and as a group. Rakaa went international with his album "Crown of Thorns" while DJ Babu continues to work, with his most recent album being a Beat mixtape from 2010 and Evidence is no slouch either, as his album Cats & Dogs charted. Nonetheless, these guys are a big deal and I'm looking forward to hearing their new work as well as seeing if we can't add a few dates for the states in the near future.

Aside from the news about the new album and the European Tour, I also want everyone to know that during a recent MMA Event I attended, I was able to meet Rakaa in person and he had an unparalleled aura about himself. Humble to the core, yet jovial as ever. So much in fact, that he has allowed us to interview him in the near future, perhaps as soon as next week, to coincide with the tour. Definitely a big deal, wouldn't you say? I look forward to diving into the past as well as the future with my upcoming sit down with a living legend, not just of Los Angeles, but of all underground hip hop. Stay tuned, y'all!


Jay-Z Still Only Has 99 Problems

Shortly after the birth of his daughter, Blue Ivy, rumors were flying everywhere. While last week we focused on the rumor that Blue was the possible spawn of Satan, this week we get something that may very well be just as ridiculous, although a lot more believable. Apparently, a poem penned by Jay-Z was released that proclaimed he would no longer use the word "Bitch" in his songs. My immediate reaction to the rumor was that it was retarded but understandable due to what I call a "First Time Daddy" Syndrome. I've seen it numerous times when a man has his first child and thinks that his previous life was meaningless and wrong. While Jay didn't take that approach, I was weary about the entirety of it. Not to say I thought it was fake, that never crossed my mind. I simply felt that he wouldn't hold the promise down. Well, Jay no longer has to worry about that since he came out and claimed that neither the poem nor the proclamation that he would stop using "Bitch" were true. I really want to know where these rumors come from and how they get their ideas. This seems tame in comparison to devil worship, but still bares questioning on the mindset of people who are behind all this shit. Just odd.

Your Turn: What is your favorite hip hop rumor?


LL Cool J and his Abs to Host the Grammys

For the first time in Seven Years, The Grammys will have a host, and it will be none other than New York MC and actor of excessive action and/or romance movies, LL Cool J. I remember the day I found out what LL stood for, I just shook my head. Anyways, LL has been asked and accepted hosting duties for the celebration of music coming up in February. Of course, he is thrilled to be sharing this moment with people and looks forward to it completely. I find LL a very eloquent speaker and he seems to have enough face value as well as drawing power to be a serviceable host. I don't know how much he'll be involved in terms of on-screen time, but it's The Grammys, and LL has had hosting gigs in the past, namely "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!" For those who are counting, LL has been nominated for nine awards and has won twice. While I could possibly think of a few better and a few worse people to be chosen for this, I don't really see anything wRong in this.

Your Turn:Will LL Make a good host for the Grammys?



Douche of the Week:
Bill O'Reilly

Tony Acero:
Notorious for making the most outrages claims in terms of hip hop, Bill O'Reilly has come out to call himself a brother simply because he knows the difference between Ice Cube and Ice-T. Ice-T himself went to Twitter to essentially say, "Fuck Bill O'Reilly." Now, O'Reilly has, in some cases, been just as retarded as any other douches we've had in this secction. From calling Nas "as violent as they come" to calling Common a gangsta. Yeah, Nas be killin people on the daily, and Common's so gangsta, he just did a song with Maya Angelou. This is yet another statement made by a man who sees himself as far more important than he actually is and really needs a reality check. To think that because you can differentiate Ice-T from Ice Cube makes you even remotely close to a "brother" is asinine and will most likely piss off some people you don't want to piss off. Sure, it may have been said in jest, but the reality is that O'Reilly has been one of the most anti-hip hop guys out there.

My immediate reaction is that he did this for the fame and publicity. Well, we here at The Low End Theory love giving people what they want and Bill O'Reilly, this spot was tailor made for people like you. Not only do you make me change the channel the moment it accidentally lands on Fox, but you continually put your foot in your mouth in terms of hip hop. I see the humor in this, I truly do, but the facts are he is essentially trying to acclimate himself with something that he has been bashing on a continual basis and for that, Brother O'Reilly, you are a douche.



Well since I'm a little pressed for time today, I wanted to share with you all that MURS & Guerilla Union announced the official lineup for PAID DUES 2012, & let me tell you...I've never been so excited in my entire life! The lineup is as follows:



I'm EXTREMELY excited to see all of these artists!!!!! (Minus odd future) and I'll let you know I've been listening to Dipset all day. What'd make my life complete is if they roll up in their old get-ups...I'm talkin Cam'ron in all pink with fur & tims. SQUALE!

Get all your info on
Paidduesfestival.com

And purchase your tickets on
Ticketfly.com
HOPE to see you all there!