Have I ever told you that I hate being on video? This was funny though… at the points where it’s not completely embarrassing.

Nowadays it seems like rappers are identifying their own personal legion of followers more and more. Wiz Khalifa has The Taylor Gang. Nicki Minaj has her Barbies (and Kens). Even Joe Budden has his Internet Soldiers.

It seems that the apparent rise in the cultivation of grassroots fanaticism comes as a result of the rapidly changing music industry which has created a necessity for artists to circumvent the record labels, to reach their fans (and potential fans) directly.

Over the last few years, the music business has been struggling to recalibrate in the face of shrinking budgets, the decreasing importance of album sales and the subsequent death of music television. Various tactics are being used to monetize this industry which is constantly being undermined by the all-free everything mentality. Think Vevo, 360 deals, and the recent emphasis on touring. Whatever, the poison, these tactics are all indicators of one thing—the impending rise of old school grassroots fanaticism.

Over the weekend, Tila Tequila was pelted with bottles while she performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos festival. This incident shed light on a well-established, but largely overlooked sub-culture of fans, or devoted followers rather, of the Insane Clown Posse. Readily identified by their signature ICP-inspired face paint and known on the surface level for their raucus behavior at concerts, Juggalos should however, be noted for their most important quality to the music industry—their purchasing power. (Read More)

A friend of mine was trying to tell me that she hates Kanye’s new “gimmick” (the king stuff). A rather annoying comment because I feel like Kanye’s new interests are coming from a genuine place (especially after watching this video). Why does everything have to be a gimmick… 

I snatched this off Hip Hop Wired. Thanks… but why is this video tagged “illuminati”? You’re part of the problem. At some point in life I wanted to write another illuminati post but people don’t want to read what I have to say about that… everyone wants to just deal in gossip. Ah well… *shrugs shoulders*

If you weren’t able to tell by my “Kanye’s Tweets Decoded” article on XXLMag.com, I’m kind of obsessed with the stuff that Kanye is putting out right now. Specifically what’s doing it for me is his apparent obsession with kings, regal items, and comparing and contrasting. Kanye indicated that the following lines were some of his favorites… mine too Ye!

‘You’re my devil, you’re my angel. You’re my heaven, you’re my hell. You’re my now, you’re my forever. You’re my freedom, you’re my jail. You’re my lies, you’re my truth. You’re my war, you’re my truce. You’re my questions, you’re my truth. You’re my stress, you’re my masseuse.’

And of course “Mama’s Boyfriend” is hilarious:

I absolutely can not wait for his album to drop

Casey Veggies – “The Panties”

Say what you will but Nicki just made Billboard history off a song that leaked accidentally:

Nicki Minaj has reportedly made Billboard history by becoming the first female rapper to have a single top the Rap Songs category in over seven years. The Young Money star’s second single ‘Your Love’ is the first record to top the charts since Lil Kim’s ‘Magic Stick’ featuring 50 Cent, [2003] according to The Boom Box.

However, the last female rapper to hold the same position on her own without a feature was Missy Elliot in 2002 with “Work It.”

Ok let’s be real… “Massive Attack” was a massive disaster but neither it, nor “Your Love” is the best of Nicki’s work. I’m anxiously awaiting her arrival. She’s gonna kill it. Whether you’re ready or not.

Jay Z – “Hello Brooklyn” from Greg Solenström on Vimeo.

Snatched off Diddy’s blog…

Graduation season = Another reason to be homesick.

Ok this has absolutely nothing to do with the blog but it’s really important to me so you’re going to have to hear about it!

My little cousin Yolandia (we call her “Peka”) is graduating from 6th grade this Thursday and I’m so very proud of her! Take a look at her bio:

Yolandia Jewel Winn has been a student at Daniel Freeman since Kindergarten, where she set an example of excellence for other students. Yolandia has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and perfect attendance. She place First in the Inglewood School District’s Spelling Bee. Yolandia is the recipient of the California State Senate Scholastic Achievement Award and the Inglewood School Superintendent’s Achievement Award of Excellence. She’s recognized by her teachers as one of the Outstanding Achievers in Academics and Social Behavior of 2010. She’s also recognized by her school’s principal, who was her 4th grade teacher, as a young, upcoming writer. Yolandia has written six books for her schoolmates to enjoy in class.

Just yesterday she was named class Valedictorian.

Peka’s definitely stealing all of my “smart kid in the family” glory by superceding almost everything I ever did in school and I couldn’t be happier! I’m extremely proud of her and although I’m not the one taking her to school every morning (perfect attendance, really?), feeding her everyday, or drilling her on her timetables… I can say that as the former “smart kid” in the family, I’ve been referred to her numerous times to help with projects.

I was one of many who drilled her on her spelling words for that spelling bee, helped her with her Obama-inspired speech when she was voted class president last year, and encouraged her to be a writer (or I’d like to think I did… lol)

It takes a village to raise a truly amazing child and I’m happy to be a citizen in her world.

Congrats Peka! Good luck with seventh grade!

::sigh:: How did I get tricked into this? Remember the last time I got caught on camera? I said I’d shy away from now on… Guess that didn’t last very long.

Can anyone give me a ride? I’m in Bedstuy

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