The Low End Theory Hip-Hop News Report 7.06.12 The I Need a Mac Edition
Posted by Tony Acero on 07.06.2012
News and thoughts on Pitbull being exiled to Alaska, Frank Ocean coming out of the closet, Slaughterhouse's new album, Yelawolf and Machine Gun Kelly's feud and more!
The Fourth of July has come and gone, and since I assume everyone reading this is American (except for that one Sweden dude who e mailed me sayin T-Pain was the best rapper alive), I'll go ahead and wish you a happy one, and I hope you didn't lose your eyebrows yesterday. I had a good time with the family and tequila. Sure, there were a few scuffles, but what's a party without a fight, right? In one cool moment, however, a man by the name of Glasses Malone came by to join in on the festivities. It turns out he knows my neighbor, and we were choppin it up for a while. He agreed to do an interview in the future, so be on the lookout for that. Before I get started, I've made a decision to no longer mention the Chris Brown and Drake feud, since it's asinine, and bothers me. I highly doubt you guys care, either, to be honest.
Oh, and before I get started, I wanted to apologize for the bare bones nature of this week's column. The backlight of my laptop took a shit on me yesterday, so I'm using a friend's laptop to put all this together and...well, it's a bitch. I'll either get it fixed or buy a new one, but don't worry...The Low End Theory will live on.
GREAT AFTERNOON everyone and welcome back to yet another edition of The Low End Theory! It's July 5th, and I'm sure everyone is either recovering from a stage 5 hangover, or simply just awakening from their BBQ bonanza., so I thank you all for taking time out of your day to stop by! Unfortunately I had to work last night, but I plan to make it up to myself by spending a nice weekend with my boyfriend, best friend (since 4th grade) and second family by the lake in Laughlin, NV starting tomorrow! Boats and booze sound amazing to me! let's get the weekend started!
Video of the Week
G.O.O.D. Music - Mercy and Too Cold Not a bad performance...from Kanye.
- A$AP Rocky was recently accused of being a part of The Illuminati. Jesus, are they just lettin anyone in now?.
- Frank Ocean admitted to being gay in an open letter to the world recently. Boy, I bet his Future is going to be Odd...
- 50 Cent plans on giving his album, 5 out for free. Yay, more coasters for my new place!
- Machine Gun Kelly put out the ultimate diss, calling Yelawolf Old Man, escalating their feud to the scary depths of "I know you are, but what am I!?"
BET Awards Significantly Less Annoying
G.O.O.D. Music was the big winner this week at the BET Awards, as Big Sean took home the Best New Artist award, Kanye and Jay-Z took home the Video of the Year award as well as Best Group. Other awards weren't as exciting, with Nicki Minaj taking the Best Female Artist and Chris Brown taking home Entertainer of the Year. Of course, BET has never been high on my radar of importance, as it almost always seems like a way to highlight those that are already highlighted rather than actually award people for their skills, greatness, or even sales. In short, it's a pat on the back of those that don't need it. The show opened up with Kanye pretty much killing a performance and it gave the show a buzz that was sorely missing last year. Unfortunately, starting with a bang meant they'd have to keep it up throughout, and they really didn't. I also have to feel that Chris Brown isn't the person you want highlighting your show. Aside from my lack of respect for the kid as a human being, he just seems like the type of person whose ego you do not want to feed. Speaking of egos, what awards show has a category such as "Video of the Year" and have Beyonce with two videos AND Kanye/Jay-Z with two videos. It's like they threw Usher in not to piss anyone off.
More hilarious, possibly, is how little Kim Kardashian mattered, yet how much they showed her throughout the entire show.
Also, this happened:
Eminem Speaks On Slaughterhouse and Beastie Boys
Eminem recently spoke to DJ Whoo Kid about Slaughterhouse and their album, which was originally supposed to have come out already. According to Em, the release date is August 28th, and that was followed by a promise that he was finishing up a song today. He joked that he has told each of them how to rap, before moving on to talk about Adam Yauch, who was a member of the Beastie Boys (but really, you already knew that). "My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole group, and Adam's family, and everybody. It's just a really sad situation. Those guys and LL made me want to rap. When I saw the Beastie Boys for the first time, you know, 'Fight For Your Right to Party,' when I seen that video...it made me realize that it was possible. Just seeing that and being like, 'whoa, holy shit!' They were killin' it," said Eminem and it just goes to show the impact that these guys had on what is now known as hip hop. I know, this really isn't a story at all, and really anytime Eminem is on the headline you just know i'm going to blow it up like it's the biggest deal ever, but the sting that losing MCA left is still reverberating through the hip hop community, and I wouldn't miss an opportunity to talk about him and The Beastie Boys yet again. Considering we're on the topic, let me ask you guys a question:
Your Turn: Who, in your opinion, changed your hip hop for YOU?
Can A Pitbull Survive Alaska?
Of the numerous great stories that CBS sends us, I couldn't help but talk about this one. Apparently, Walmart and Pitbull teamed up to give out a free concert to whichever WalMart gets the most likes. Using the power of the internet, a group of pranksters were able to sway the vote to a Walmart in Kodiak, Alaska. It's an island off the mainland that can only be accessed by ferry or plane and is reported to have only around 6,000 people living there. This truly shows the way the world is changing, in that the power of the internet and social media just continues to grow. Hell, the mere fact that you're reading this column and I have a voice is due to that same power. In essence, I could be talking to a wall, but its you readers that give me a voice, and I appreciate it. Nonetheless, this is hilarious on many accounts, mainly because Pitbull has become some what of a punchline recnetly. With people ripping on him for a lack of talent, and some realizing that a lot of his songs have a hell of a similarity with each other, Pitbull's name may not be as big as it once was. With the hastag exilepitbull, one would think that Pit would be pretty upset, but he is actually going along with it, and if it does end up happening, then I could do nothing but applaud the man for willing to continue on with a contest that has been rigged as of now. One of his tweets, hilariously claimed "Picture me with a Kodiak...Ha! Daleeeee!!! #exilepitbull" Well, if he can joke about it, so can we.
Marley Marl - The Man Marley Marl
The year was 1986, and Marley Marl thought it'd be a great idea to sample a breakbeat and change it around to his liking. In doing so, he changed the way hip hop and its music was created for ever. The combo of breakbeats, heavy bass and some scratches were only enhanced by the seemingly infectuous necessity to just...dance. The title above a prime example of all he could do with what he hd. He was a superproducer that paved the way for people like Kanye West, and if you don't see his influence on him after listening to just this track alone, then try a few others. If you listen to "The Man Marley Marl" you can hear more than one familiar little jinges or tunes. In today's day, it's not as difficult to mix a few tracks, where all you really need is an ear. In 1986, though, Marley Marl did something that people not only didn't think of, but probably coujldn't have fathomed. Yet another hip hop pioneer that as recent as 2008 is still making music.
Last week, Tony spoke about an artist I continually pushed his way which he never really took the time to listen to until now..and I hate to say it but..I TOLD YOU SO!
In other news, these past couple weeks have been insanely eventful for me. I've happened to come across an opportunity of a lifetime with a company named IMKING, which most of you might happen to know. If not, take a look at their blog (IMKING.com) where Andy Cool & the gang keep us up to date on the DOPEST events, fashion, and developments within the company. So stay tuned for a potential Crystal Hope cameo! Last week, they released their Endless Summer mix tape with a well known DISKO DREW, and honestly, from start to finish it's been a hell of a mix that I can't get enough of. Its like they extracted my daily music thoughts and placed them all for the world to hear! So make sure you show the boys some love over at IMKING & Download the mix, & bump that everywhere you go! Itll definitely be on the heaviest rotation this weekend on my end, so enjoy!
