The Low End Theory 2.10.12: The HOPEFUL Edition

Posted by Tony Acero on 02.10.2012

News and thoughts on Snoop Dogg naming his next album, E-40 and Erykah Badu working together, Suge Knight getting arrested, DJ Whoo Kid talking about his old beef with Big Pun and more!



Hey everyone, Tony here! Be sure to check out our FACEBOOK BAGE for The Low End Theory! If you're reading, then I owe ya much love and tha---wait...what you mean we got haters, Hope?

They said what?

About you?

Tell you what, let's kill two birds with one stone, then. This is for a few comments that we've been getting a lot more often. This column is going on a year soon and I'd like to think that of all the readers and comments, a good 99% of them have been positive and thought out, whether there was a disagreeance or not. People like TheR, SS87 and Box have become mainstays and I'll be straight up, we don't agree all the time. The point is, they don't have to be Tony Followers. They don't have to be Hope Hopefuls. They just gotta be them and let their voice be heard. Recently, we've had some haters (and really, there's nothing else to call them) who feel that a) I don't write my own column and b) Hope doesn't put in enough work to be deemed in the opening section. Now, section A, I could care less what you think, so consider this a slap in the face. Column B, however, that hit a bit close to home and Hope took offense. Typically, this little firecracker would get all hood widdit and type up a barrage of commentary that I would then deem unnecessary, however she has taken the high road and that is this week's edition of The Low End Theory. Tonight (or Today), I bid you adieu early. That's right, after this paragraph, I'm grabbing a Dew and sitting back as A Lady Named Hope takes center stage. So, to section A...now complain. To section B, I hope this satiates your need for more Hope.

Tony, Out.

Come one, come all to The Low End Theory extravaganza! My name is Hope and I'll be your host today! We're coming to you live from the work and school grind! Man, It feels good to be back on this lovely Thursday! Yes, ladies and gentlemen you read correctly... today Tony and I are doing a little role reversal if you will, due to the popular demand last week for a different outlook. Plus, it's my time to shine and show you what I'm working with since that's the main focus of concern these days. Anywho, This week has been phenomenal! Blessings coming left and right. Between filing my taxes, heading back to school on a very special day, and being able to host today's column, I can't even grasp how excited I am for the weeks to come. So first and foremost, THANK YOU for voicing your opinions last week, because it definitely made me work even harder. Maybe it's unfortunate for you to hear, but this is actually getting me steps "closer to my dreams" as Goapele would say, and closer to my lifelong career that I LOVE. There is tons of hip hop news I'm absolutely ecstatic (not GEEKED) to share with you! So without further ado, let's get into our very special edition of The Low End Theory!

Video of the Week
Niggas in Paris - Jay-Z and Kanye West
Oh Joy, some more cannon fodder for the Illuminati Conspiracy Theorists....





- Snoop Dogg recently announced the title of his upcoming album. It will be called "Reincarnated." It appears that "Old Yeller" is still copywritten.

- Suge Knight was recently arrested and released for a traffic violation and marijuana possession. It appears his release comes immediately after The Undertaker's throat slash taunt.

- In a beef that no one cares about except Jadakiss, Nicki vs. Fendi continues on with Jada's take. He says nothing of importance except for that annoying laugh/cough/phlegm thing



Note, the following stories, blurbs and Throwback Track were all chosen and written up by Hope.


Celebrating J. Dilla

Some of you might know him as Mr. James Dewitt Yancey. Others might know him as Jay Dee, Dilla Dawg, J Dilla, or even just simply Dilla. Although he's a man of many aliases, it seems that almost everyone can call him a musical genius. His unique style was almost like a natural born talent, which could never be duplicated. The natural flow of his work brought complete and utter harmony to any song or production, which made them truly unforgettable. Six years ago, he was called home far too soon; leaving an impact on not only the hip hop community but on everyone who believed in him. I, in fact, happen to be one of them. Dilla is my definition of hip hop, and my inspiration to keep my dreams alive. J Dilla changed my life, and I'm sure that in some way he changed yours too. So with this, I commend him for all of his hard work and making music what it is today. Rest in beats to one of the greatest musicians of all time, & Happy Dilla Day to all of you around the world.

Thank you, Jay Dee. <3

Even though you're not here with us, we know you're still shining up above.



Boots Riley Tells All

Boots Riley, founder of The Coup and Street Sweeper Social Club recently revealed that at one point in the history of music making, two unsigned artists in fact recorded together in hopes of reaching stardom. Although today the collaboration may seem unlikely, it was said that the legendary Ms Erykah Badu and Mr. 40 Water (E-40) used to record songs together back at Grambling State University before their debuts in the early and late 90's. You also might be thinking Between the soulful sounds of Erykah's Sweet voice and E-40's hyphy attitude, how could this be in fact possible? Boots Riley then continued to make sense of all this by stating "It's not that the stories people [make songs about] aren't true, people are who they are, people are just more than who you think they are."

Small world, ain't it?

Your Turn: Do you think a track today with the soulful Erykah Badu and the Jovial E-40 would turn out well?


DJ Whoo Kid Opens Pun-doras Box

In a recent interview, DJ Whoo Kid reminisced on a certain instance where he and the late, great, Big Pun had serious beef. Dating back to when Terror Squad and The Roc were sharing an even exchange of diss tapes, the bold DJ managed to place himself in the line of fire by deciding to release Sauce Money's "Big Pun Diss Track" on his mixtape. Pun took note and responded in a completely different manner. "Pun calls me to meet him in Harlem, and here I am thinking I'm talking to the promoter," claimed the DJ. "I get to Harlem to meet in front of the Apollo and get $1,000…I'm waiting and waiting. And I finally see a Benz with a Spanish kid in it." Being promised of also meeting with Funkmaster Flex; Whoo Kid was led to a housing project where a van stood by that contained the one and only Big Pun, his friends, and a shit ton of weapons. Apparently Pun and his Latin King alliance took a disliking to the Sauce Money track and they decided to personally let it be known and a lesson to him. Leaving unharmed, he left the scenario with a different outlook. "What I've learned is that Big Pun was the real gangster out of the whole Terror Squad shit," said the DJ. "There's a reason why their name was Terror Squad. Pun really went out there and did the shit…after they met me, Pun ran up in Roc-a-fella's offices and did his thing."

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Pharcyde - Runnin

Straight out of South Central, Pharcyde has been a staple of the underground scene for such a long time. With their goal to set themselves apart from the norm, Imani, Slimkid3, Fatlip and Bootie Brown set out to create a sound that was both unexpected and unique. Considering where they came from, it's easy to assume that they would follow along the lines of the gangsta rap era that came out of South Central and continued on into the 90's. Instead, they garnered a sound that was synonymous with Pharcyde. In the track chosen, Pharcyde is backed by the great J Dilla and came out in...I think 95. (fact checks...) Yup, 95, as a first single from their album Labcabincalifornia. A song that will live on forever in my heart and a song that I hope you enjoy fully, take a listen to Runnin. Tony should also recognize the track from the film with his man crush, Eminem, 8 Mile.

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Let's give it up one more time for J Dilla with this video.

Look you guys, I'm just a college student working full time, trying to get by in life, so if I bring something to the table that you don't like or feel is unworthy, then feel free to say something, but understand this: I do this because I want to, not because I have to. This is me working for my future. I'm working on this man, and this will soon be my career, so any and all constructive criticism, let me have it! Until next week, One Love.

- Hope <3

Hey guys, Tony again. I hope you enjoyed the Hope Experiment. Obviously, there is no Hip Hop Hottie or Douche of the Week, and that's by design. The thing is, I trust Hope to do her job and do it DILLA-gently. At times, she sends in a small segment displaying a poster of an upcoming concert or shills a mixtape, but what you have to understand is that what she is doing is the essence of Hip Hop and moreover, the essence of Underground Hip Hop. What are we if not a commercial for this culture that we know and love? I know there are always going to be people that disagree with my opinions, with the way the column is worked, and with the writers that I include from time to time. I'm listening, I get it, and I understand the concern, but I assure you that they are chosen for a reason. I know, you're reading this thinking it's no biggie, it's just a column on the internet. That may be the case for you, and that's ok, but this column right here is more than that to me. It's a celebration of something that I fully embraced long ago and claimed I'd do everything I could to make sure that the history of it stayed intact. This is why we have Throwback Tracks. This is why I interview unknown artists, and this is why I will bring any writer I know who is just trying to hone their craft in the column. I've always left the door open for even you readers, if you want to ever join in or say something about a topic you're passionate about, I have the forum to do that for you. While I can't censor you (nor would I want to) I ask of you this; respect the column, respect the writers, and most of all, respect hip hop. I don't care if you talk shit on me, I'll take it all in stride, but these guys do this for me and they do it for you.
Much Love,
Tony