LOOP DIGGIN' THURSDAYS, News & Rants 01.26.06
Posted by Phil Watts, Jr on 01.26.2006
Ghostface Killah's new album and more!
It's like that scene in THE WIZ. When Dorothy (played by Diana Ross) and her friends got caught by a bunch of big-lip monkey men and sent straight to the evil Wicked Witch of the West (played by Disco diva Sylvester...who was really a GUY!) When the Wicked Witch got FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET, everybody from the slaves to the guards to Dorothy and her friends automatically went straight to a big 5-minute song and dance number, now that the Wicked Witch is GONE!
It ain't hard to tell that the many employees of the Source Magazine, past and present, are also having a joyous celebration...now that the two individuals who have held the publication hostage for over 15 years--Dave Mayes and Raymond Scott--have finally been ousted! Even when the Source Magazine was one of the best Hip-Hop publications that ever did it, Mayes did everything he could to derail it by catering to the whims of Raymond Scott, and urging everyone employed to do the same. It's Mayes' love affair with Raymond that has ruined the magazine over the course of 15 years.
Jeremy Miller, who was formerly in charge of a magazine dedicated to the down South hip-hop scene, has taken over as CEO of the Source. He pledges to bring the magazine to a new direction and put an end to all the beef that had been associated with the magazine during Dave & Ray's reign of terror.
Everybody's celebrating...but then, we have top realize that we're not back in Kansas just yet. Miller, as the new head of the Source Magazine, is in for an uphill battle. He is now in charge of a magazine that is 30-40 Million dollars on debt! Add to that all the artists that have been smeared and all the credibility that has been lost over the course of 15 years. Miller is going to have his work cut out for him to make back all that bank and re-establish all that credibility that had been lost, especially with the magazine facing bankruptcy. While I hope that they can get the job done and take steps to undo those years of damage, I'm not very optimistic about the future of the magazine. And don't think that Dave & Ray are going to go away quietly. Knowing them, they'll do everything to put roadblocks in the way of progress, just like before...especially now that Raymond no longer having an outlet to promote his shitty music.
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"We were having some internal conflicts, I guess it is major. It was major enough for me to retire, hang up my moustache and suit. It's done, that's it...When I announced my retirement, that was it. (Dan The Automator) didn't call me, his manager didn't call me, the Handsome Boy manager didn't call. Either they hate my guts, or it just didn't work out."
Wonderful...ANOTHER duo that I like not only breaks up...but breaks up in really bad terms. Prince Paul went to Pitchfork.com to let everyone know that the Handsome Boy Modeling School (Prince Paul & Automator) is no more. Despite the critical acclaim that both of their albums (HOW'S YOUR GIRL? and WHITE PEOPLE), those albums unfortunately wound up getting more press coverage than Soundscans figures. That, as well as internal conflicts between both Paul and Dan, have led to this. Just wonderful. By the way, do them both a favor and check both of those albums and push their numbers up!
Apparently, this whole experience has pretty much left him disillusioned about Hip-Hop as a whole, as you can see from his spiel in the latest issue of Elemental Magazine...
"WHO CARES"...by Prince Paul
from Elemental issue 74 (ElementalMag.com)
About a year or so ago I did a tour of Europe; I did my usual string of interviews, promotional gigs, etc. During one of my interviews the interviewer mentioned he had just finished talking to a popular rapper (name withheld). The rapper said in his interview "I don't care about hip-hop music, I just want to get paid.' Mind you, this rapper had a Top 10 hit on the charts at the time.
In hip-hop's defense, I was like "That's crazy, it's all about the music!...blah, blah, blah." It just bugged me out how people had no clue this guy didn't care about the music but people loved his song. Well this brings me to my next incident. One day, when I was listening to my local ‘hot station' and I heard an MC say (name withheld) "I don't care about these records, I don't even care if people think I'm good or not, it's all about making that doe." This artist has a record that is charting. Hearing this made me shake my head even more, saying to myself "What the F*#K is going on?"
So instead of hating (which is what most old schoolers do), I did some personal research. My investigation consisted of an overdose of video shows, clubs, and "urban" magazines (which eventually made me feel out of place but much wiser nonetheless). I found out that people didn't really care about the music, BUT what surrounds the music is what intrigues them. I'm talking about the videos, the flashy items (bling, cars, clothes...etc), what clique or label you are down with, how many records you sold (because the more records sold the better the artist you are...*sarcasm*), who you are dating, what violent acts you have committed, who you know in the biz, etc. This need for attention and cash causes a serious repetition in the music that we hear today. That's why when you hear a beat or sound that's hot, there's a billion other records that will sound the same. That's the reason why you can't tell most of these you R&B singers a part. That's why rappers have better hooks than lyrics. Trust me, a good video, a hot hook, a cool look and a huge budget is far more appealing in 2005 than any Rakim lyrics. This, my friends, is sad. This also causes some of your favorite lyricists to dumb down their lyrics and creativity (not all artists!! But most). This also causes your favorite artists to make all their records sound the same.
Those who truly love and defend hip-hop music are becoming a fast minority. More and more people are fascinated with material items than one's soul. Your worth as an artist or human is now based on what you own, not who you are. There are a few new artists who have made great contributions to the music and that's cool but these artists are in the minority and in most cases their style and music is bitten so quick, they start to sound played out before they even had a chance to grow. But tell me, who cares? What I am saying here just doesn't apply to music, it applies to people in general. We are all desensitized.
OK, OK, you might be saying to yourself "OK Paul, what is your solution?" Well, my friends, I don't have one. I just want to point out to everyone-and I don't want to sound hopeless-but I really feel that the hip-hop we all love is gone. Maybe not gone forever, but definitely in my lifetime. Perhaps a new genre of music will sprout from this frustration. Maybe the streets will demand something that's really real. Please note that the main reasons for making hip-hop are gradually changing and will change for future generations. Please realize this. All the keep-it-real with breakdancing, graffiti writing, and shell toes won't bring it back to its fullest. It's nostalgic, but it doesn't push the culture forward. Welcome to the world of "HIP-POP!" It is here to stay! Get used to it, hate if you must but it's not going to go anywhere. I love hip-hop, I love what it has done for me, I love how it makes me feel, I love how it brings people together. I hope I have done the music some justice in my career. But honestly, in 2006 who cares? Do I still matter as a producer/artists? Is anyone listening? Am I wasting my time? Does the music I make matter or the money I make for people matter? I guess the question is, do I care?
These questions roll through my mind all of the time. It makes me contemplate changing professions, but what would I do? It's part of the reason I left Handsome Boy Modeling School (actually there is a way bigger reason I left) but who actually cares? Once again, I'm not trying to hate, I've just come to a realization of present-day hip-hop. A lot of this isn't new news to most of you. I'm sure we can all debate what I am saying all day and have valid points to defend. But my question to you the reader is: Do you care? Come on...really?
Now, I could just dismiss this as just some more "Hip-Hop is dead" bullshit from someone who is just fed up with it all. Prince Paul has been through a lot the past few years, with his music not getting much exposure and the current problem with Dan The Automator (I'm dying to know Dan's side of the story, so if anyone can find anything about what he thinks of the situation, shoot me an email). Now, I would just be repeating myself if I went over the things Paul said here. The trappings of money, drugs and materialism have also been around before Hip-Hop and has effected a lot of musicians. I've always said that it's not the subject matter in songs, but the lack of variety in sound. I have a hard time subscribing to the whole "Hip-Hop is dying/dead" bit because there have been a lot really good recordings being released while people where yelling and screaming about 'Hip-Hop is dead.' The problem is, with all the labels and corporations looking at the bottom line, it's no surprise that all of them are putting out shit that sounds the same because that's what sells. MY solution to artists has always been that they should learn all they can about the industry so that THEY are the ones to decide what gets fed to the masses. That's what Jigga is doing (he just gave Nas a $3-million deal to sign with Def Jam). That's what 50 Cent and Eminem are doing. Any artist that doesn't like what the industry is providing should work even harder to get their foot in the door so that they can be in that position, too. Complaining about the downfall of Hip-Hop isn't going to make things better. I hope Prince Paul understands that and takes steps to make some change.
Keep your head up, Paul.
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"I'm torn. I feel like I would be stupid to even pay that any attention, because it's such a ploy. N---as is holding press conferences behind [the dis record]. The MC in me is like, 'That's too easy [to come back at him.]' That's not even a good dis record. That sh-- is trash. I'm torn. We'll see what happens. Maybe on my time we'll deal with it, but I'm not really pressed. I'm inspired by good artistic sh--. Cam's sh-- is not artistic. There's nothing good about it. Everything about it is an obvious ploy to get attention..." Jay-Z's response to Cam'Ron's attacks.
I hate instigators. Cam is still throwing hissy-fits about Jigga and Nas...thing is, it's not Cam's fault. None of this would have happen if not for some scrub on BET planting that seed into Cam's head that Jigga's "War" concert was all about him (only to find out that it WASN'T!) As a result, we are assaulted with even MORE PROCESSED BEEF...all because of an instigator, realizing that Cam & Jigga never had the rosiest relationship while with The Roc, took advantage of that. You notice that BET is pushing that ‘BEEF' series on TV really hard, right? That's all that BET is pushing: ASS, DICK-JOKES, AND BEEF. Jigga should just ignore it and move on. Cam should just forget his years with the Roc and concentrate on bringing the Dipset to prominence. Fuck BET.
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Ghostface Killah's upcoming album, titled FISHSCALE, is set to hit stores on February 28 (unless some moron leaks it), and has a guest list of producers that include Pete Rock (which you probably already heard with the first single, "Be Easy"), MF Doom, Madlib, and J-Dilla. To help promote this album, Ghost and the remaining members of the WU are doing a reunion tour this February.
Also to promote the album, Ghost plans on releasing an ACTION FIGURE! It comes with a real 14K gold chain, a gold chalice with swarovski crystals and The LEGENDARY EAGLE BRACELET! It also speaks such colorful phrases such as, "YO BITCH--I FUCKED YOUR FRIEND/ YEAH YOU STANK HO!!" So if you're fed up with the bullshit that they're trying to pass as G.I. Joe these days, order yourself the new Ghostface action figure for your kids today! You can order it through TheGhostFaceDoll.com.
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West Coast legends Tha Alkaholiks are releasing their fifth and final album entitled "Firewater". To thank their fans that stuck with them throughout their careers, they are also doing a farewell tour and plan to retire the group after this last go-around. The Likwit Crew feels the need to represent on the last album. E-Swift mentioned, "We knew there was never going to be a second chance and we owed it to our fans to put everything we could into it right here, right now." Fans can hear early samples of the album at their website Alkaholiks.com (from UndergroundHipHop.com)
The Liks are proof that it's not about subject matter but about presentation. Think about it...these guys talk about GETTIN' DRUNK, GETTIN' ZOOTED, AND GETTIN' ASS on EVERY SONG...and yet no one argues that fact that they put out some of the illest shit in their prime! Listen to the first three albums: 21 & OVER, COAST TO COAST, and LIKWIDATION. Nothing but wall-to-wall ill shit! (Yeah, they did put out a fourth album, but I refuse to even acknowledge its existence. ) Before you go and check out FIREWATER, I suggest you track down their first three albums immediately! "Make Room", "Only When I'm Drunk", "Last Call", "Mary Jane", "WLIX", "Next Level", and many many more! No Hip-Hop fan should be without the first three Liks albums.
While you're at it, track down King Tee's THE TRIFLIN' ALBUM, which features "Got It Bad Y'all", the first appearances of both J-Ro & E-Swift (Tash was doing a bid at the time).
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As you could tell from my tribute to the late great Lou Rawls a few weeks back, when I talk about R&B, I'm usually biased towards the R&B from the 60's, 70's, and early 80's. Right now, the R&B from over the past 15-16 years does not move me at all. Yeah, there are a scant handful that I like (I like some of MJB's shit, not to mention some of Maxwell's music...and D'Angelo needs to clean his ass up and make another album!) Problem is, most of the stuff that gets constant play makes me sick. They all sound the same, they all dance the same, they all make the same videos, sing the same songs over the same sounding beats...and they all have an annoying habit of showing off their bird-chest every 5 seconds. In my job, I'm forced to listen to the radio all day every day. Worse, I can't turn from it because my boss loves that bullshit. As a result, I have that horrible "One Wish" song drilled through my head. Ray J's attempts at a falsetto make my ears bleed. Then there's Chris Brown, dubbed by VIBE Magazine as "THE FUTURE OF R&B". If he's the future of R&B, then you might as well drive the final nail in the coffin and lower the casket to the ground because R&B is DEAD DEAD DEAD! Everyone's grooming this kids as the second coming, while I'm thinking, "Oh God...not another one!" It's like the fans of Rock & Roll reacted when groups like Winger came out ("Oh God...not ANOTHER HAIR BAND!"), is it had them hoping and praying for SOMEBODY...ANYBODY, to rid the world of all that bullshit. Then Nirvana came out...and all those hair-bands disappeared. Will such a thing ever happen with R&B? God, I hope so. Until then, we all have to endure Jamie Foxx using the knowledge he got from the late great Ray Charles to...make the same exact garbage that everybody else is doing: "Make you turn around and touch your toes/The next thing, girl, you already know." Look, Wanda...STEP YOUR GAME UP!!
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Before I close, I want to say a little something about the late great Wilson Picket, who passed away last week. Wilson Picket was one of the many soul icons of the 60's, putting out such timeless hits like "In The Midnight Hour", "Mustang Sally", and "Land Of A 1000 Dances", songs that have been covered countless times. He's recorded hits for many labels from Atlantic and Stax, but most of his memorable material came from the early 60's.
This was taken straight from SoulWalking.co.uk, British site dedicated to soul music.
Wilson Pickett died of a heart attack on Thursday the 19th of January 2006, in a Reston, Virginia, hospital, according to his management company. He was 64.
Chris Tuthill, of the management company Talent Source, said Wilson had been suffering from health problems for the past year.
Wilson began singing gospel music in church.
Raised in Detroit, Wilson Pickett sang in several of the city's R & B groups.
He later joined the Falcons and sang lead on their 1962 hit 'I Found A Love', after which he launched his solo career.
He recorded for the Correctone imprint and released the singles, 'If You Need Me' and 'It's Too Late', recorded for Lloyd Price's Double L outlet.
In 1965, he linked with legendary soul producer Jerry Wexler at the legendary soul label Stax Records in Memphis.
A partnership with guitarist Steve Cropper produced the hit 'In The Midnight Hour', as well as 'Don't Fight It' (both 1965), '634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)', 'Land Of A 1,000 Dances' (written by Chris Kenner), 'Mustang Sally' (all 1966) and 'Funky Broadway' (1967).
A 1968 album, 'The Midnight Mover', contained six songs featuring Bobby Womack's involvement.
Wilson next recorded at Fame's Muscle Shoals studio, releasing a version of 'Hey Jude', with Duane Allman on guitar.
He then worked with producers Gamble And Huff, resulting in two hits, 'Engine Number 9' (1970) and 'Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You' (1971).
He also released 'Don't Knock My Love', his last Top 20 hit for Atlantic.
Wilson relocated to RCA in 1972, before returning to Muscle Shoals for 'Funky Situation' (1978), issued on his own Wicked label.
In 1974, he released 'Pickett In The Pocket' for the RCA label, followed by 'I Want You' for EMI America in 1979.
Later, he worked alongside Joe Tex, Don Covay, Ben E. King and Solomon Burke in a revamped Soul Clan.
Wilson's music also featured in the film 'The Commitments' in 1991.
Still, Pickett suffered through some tough times.
In 1991, he was arrested for allegedly yelling death threats whilst driving a car over the mayor's front lawn in Englewood, New Jersey, and less than a year later was charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
Wilson found life a struggle and had been arrested and charged with various drug offences.
He once stated 'If I wasn't in show business I don't know what I would have been a wanderer or something, you know?'
It seems a lot of past-time artists have went through a lot of hard times that we don't know much about. He spent the past couple of years settling down in Reston, Virginia, before he succumbed to health problems. He died of complications from a heart attack last week.
No matter how many problems he went through or bad choices he's made in his life, his music will always rock family reunions and movie soundtracks for ages. Rest in peace.
